Royal Caribbean tips for first time cruisers
The short answer
Royal Caribbean ships offer water parks, surf simulators and ice shows. On your first sailing, use the Royal Caribbean app to book shows and dining before you board, plan for $18.50 per guest per day in gratuities, and pack one smarter outfit for a Dress Your Best night.
What a Royal Caribbean cruise feels like
Royal Caribbean builds very large ships and fills them with things to do: surf simulators, climbing walls, water slides, ice rinks and Broadway-style shows on many ships. It suits families and active groups especially well. The flip side is size: on the biggest ships, a little planning goes a long way.
First-timer tips specific to Royal Caribbean
- Use the Royal Caribbean app before you sail. You can book show times, dining and activities there, and popular shows fill up.
- Your SeaPass card (or wristband) is your key and wallet. Link a card during online check-in.
- Arrive at your chosen check-in time. Online check-in sets your arrival window and produces your SetSail Pass.
- Plan a Perfect Day at CocoCay if your sailing stops there: it's Royal Caribbean's private island, and the extras there (like the water park) can sell out.
- Budget for the drinks gratuity. Royal Caribbean adds 18% to drink packages, bar drinks, specialty dining and room service.
- Pack one Dress Your Best outfit. These are the dressier evenings; most nights are casual.
On the big Royal Caribbean ships, book the shows you want in the app before you board. First-timers who wait often find the good times gone.
Royal Caribbean's rules, from its own pages
Royal Caribbean International: the rules, from Royal Caribbean International's own pages
- Daily gratuities
$18.50 per guest per day, or $21.00 in a suite
Applied to your SeaPass account daily unless you prepay at booking.
18% is added automatically to drinks, drink packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar.
20% is added to spa and salon purchases.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
- Drink packages
Deluxe Beverage, Refreshment and Classic Soda packages
Packages are honored at any bar or lounge, the Windjammer Café, the Main Dining Room and the private destinations during normal hours.
Room service and the minibar are not included.
Buy on board or pre-reserve before you sail through My Royal Cruise.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
- Dress code
Casual most nights, plus 1 to 4 “Dress Your Best” evenings
Casual: jeans, polos, sundresses, blouses. Shorts are fine for breakfast and lunch; swimwear stays on the pool deck.
Smart Casual: collared shirts, dresses, skirts, pantsuits. Jackets and blazers welcome.
Dress Your Best is black-tie level — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or gowns.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
- WiFi
VOOM wireless, plus wired stations in the iCafes
Two ways to connect: VOOM over Wi-Fi on your own device, or a wired internet station.
iCafe locations differ by ship.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
- Bringing alcohol
One sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest of drinking age, on embarkation day only
All other alcohol brought aboard is prohibited unless security permits it.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
- Minimum age
Drinking age is 21 from North America, the UAE and the private destinations; 18 elsewhere
18 or over to buy, possess or use tobacco on board.
A minor is anyone under 18 for the purposes of the conduct policy.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
- Check-in
Online check-in produces a SetSail Pass and an arrival time
You need personal information and identification document details for every guest you check in.
Add your Crown & Anchor Society membership number during check-in if you have one.
Cruise documents are available from your reservation dashboard in your Guest Account. Royal Caribbean emails you when they are ready.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
Packing for Royal Caribbean
Start with the cruise packing list and add water shoes for the pools and slides, and a Dress Your Best outfit. The full Royal Caribbean packing list has the rest.
First-timer questions
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