What’s Included in Your Royal Caribbean Cruise Fare | A Simple Breakdown
- Paige Evatt
- Mar 5
- 10 min read
When you book a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’re signing up for an unforgettable adventure at sea. But what exactly is included in the cruise fare? You might be surprised by how much you get for the price and how easy it is to budget once you know exactly what’s covered. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare.
1. Your Stateroom: Comfort and Convenience
Included in your cruise fare is your stateroom, which will be your home away from home for the duration of your voyage. Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of staterooms, from interior rooms to balcony suites, all equipped with the essentials like:
A comfortable bed
Bathroom amenities (including all-in-one shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, as well as soap, towels, etc.)
Closet space for your clothes and luggage
A TV and Wi-Fi options (Wi-Fi isn’t included in the fare but is available for an additional charge).
Whether you choose an interior, ocean view, balcony stateroom, or a suite, all offer a great place to rest and recharge. While your stateroom provides a comfortable retreat, certain upgrades, such as a suite or balcony cabin, are available at an additional cost.
2. Dining: All Your Meals Are Covered
One of the best parts of a Royal Caribbean cruise is the dining options included in your fare. No need to worry about meal costs – this is truly an all-inclusive experience.
Main Dining Room (MDR): A sit-down, full-service experience with a rotating menu offering a wide variety of dishes. The relaxed atmosphere and exceptional service in the Main Dining Room make dinner an easy highlight of your day.
The Main Dining Room features a rotating nightly menu for dinner. They also serve breakfast daily and lunch on sea days. Windjammer Buffet: For a more casual meal, head to the Windjammer Buffet. Here, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed, buffet-style setting.
The Windjammer is a go-to meal plan for families who want to have a filling meal but get right back to action. The Windjammer has its own chef and crew, and they offer crowd-pleasers like hamburgers and chicken tenders while also featuring a rotating menu of gourmet delights. 24/7 Room Service: Need a late-night snack? Room service is included in your cruise fare, but a delivery fee of $7.95 applies (except for suite guests and continental breakfast orders).
Royal Caribbean generally charges a $7.95 delivery fee for room service orders except for those staying in suites and for continental items during breakfast. Although there is a fee for delivery, there is no limit for how much you can order.
And for those snack attacks...
Unlimited Ice Cream & Pizza: Yes, both ice cream AND pizza are included! 🍕🍦
On Royal Caribbean, you can indulge in complimentary soft-serve ice cream (usually located on or near the pool deck) available whenever you're craving something sweet. Plus, if you're in the mood for a savory treat, head to the complimentary pizzeria for fresh, delicious pizza – no extra charge! Whether it’s a midday indulgence or a late-night snack, both are there for you to enjoy as much as you like.
While specialty dining venues like Chops Grille or Giovanni’s Table aren’t included in the fare, the complimentary dining options are diverse and delicious. For an elevated dining experience, there are options to upgrade to specialty restaurants for an additional cost.
3. Entertainment: Broadway Shows, Live Music, and More
Your Royal Caribbean cruise fare also includes access to incredible onboard entertainment. With different shows on each ship, the options are endless:
Broadway-Style Shows: Royal Caribbean is known for its amazing productions. Enjoy high-energy musicals, aerial acrobatics, or comedy performances. Some ships even feature Broadway performances, such as The Wizard of Oz on Icon and Back to the Future – The Musical debuting on Star.
Hairspray is just one of many Broadway style production shows you'll find aboard a Royal Caribbean ship. Live Music: From jazz bands to pop cover bands, you can find live music all over the ship. These performances are a great way to unwind after a busy day of excursions, and with numerous bars and music venues on board each ship, you’re sure to find a style that suits your personal preferences, whether that’s laid-back jazz or upbeat Latin dance hits.
From country crooners to jazz standards, there's a variety of live music on any Royal Caribbean ship. Ice and Aqua Shows: Yes, you read that right. On certain ships, you’ll have access to jaw-dropping ice skating shows and adventurous aqua shows—futuristic and full of talent.
The Aqua80s and Aqua80sToo shows aboard Oasis class ships are often a vacation highlight.
All of these shows are included in your cruise fare, so you can attend as many as you'd like. However, certain premium experiences (like VIP seating) may be available for a fee with the Royal Caribbean “The Key” program.
The ice shows are personally one of my favorite parts of the cruise experience, and I have been known to go to the ice show more than once per sailing!
4. Fitness and Wellness: Stay Active and Relaxed
Want to stay active during your cruise? You’re in luck. Royal Caribbean offers a range of fitness and wellness options included in your fare:
Fitness Center: Use the ship’s fitness center, which comes fully equipped with weights, cardio machines, and even group fitness classes on some ships.
The cycle class aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Pools & Hot Tubs: Every ship has a variety of pools, hot tubs, and sun decks for you to enjoy. The pools are perfect for a refreshing swim after a day of adventure.
There are MANY hot tubs aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and some suites even have their own hot tub on their own private balcony. Solarium: On many ships, the adults-only solarium provides a serene and peaceful spot to unwind.
The Solarium is my favorite place to watch the sunrise or sunset with either a coffee or a mocktail in hand.
While the general facilities are free, certain wellness services like spa treatments or specialty fitness classes (e.g., yoga or Pilates) are an add-on cost. Please keep in mind that there are age restrictions in some areas of the ship and to be mindful of the ship rules regarding those limitations as they are in place for the safety of all those on the ship.
5. Kids’ Clubs & Activities: Fun for the Whole Family
If you're cruising with kids or teens, Royal Caribbean has you covered with free kids' clubs and activities. These clubs are perfect for giving your kids some fun and independence while you enjoy some time to yourself:
Adventure Ocean: This is the kids' club on Royal Caribbean ships, offering age-appropriate activities for children from 3 to 11 years old.
Teens Club: For older kids, the teens-only space provides a chance to meet others their age and participate in themed parties, video game tournaments, and more.
In addition to the fun for kids, Royal Caribbean offers infant care for children as young as 6 months, though it is available at an additional cost. You must inquire about pricing when you board the ship to get the most up-to-date information and availability.
A fantastic addition for parents is Family Time Dining, where your kids will be able to join you for the first 45 minutes of your dinner. After that, the childcare staff comes to pick them up, and they’ll be taken to enjoy an age-appropriate activity while you and your partner can finish your meal in peace. This service is incredibly popular and sells out fast, but it’s included at no additional cost!
All of these activities and services are a wonderful way to ensure both the kids and parents have a fantastic time during the cruise.
6. Shore Excursions: What’s Included (and What’s Extra)
Your cruise fare covers your transportation between ports and some basic excursions, such as walking tours or beach access in certain destinations. However, for more specialized activities like zip-lining, snorkeling, or guided tours, you’ll need to book them separately for an additional cost.
I highly recommend checking out their shore excursion options ahead of time. The tours are curated to give you a unique local experience, whether you're exploring historical sites or relaxing on a private beach. My clients enjoy the benefit of my personalized recommendations for their excursions in each port they experience during their vacation.
7. Onboard Activities: Thrills, Fun, and Relaxation
Royal Caribbean is known for its thrilling onboard activities, and many of these are included in your fare:
Rock Climbing Wall: Take on the challenge and climb to the top for a spectacular view. Socks are required for this, so be sure to bring them with you when you pack AND don't forget them in your stateroom!
FlowRider: Test your surfing skills on the onboard surf simulator.
Mini Golf & Sports Courts: Get active with mini-golf, basketball, and other sports facilities.
PRO TIP | Play mini golf both during the day AND at night! It’s a whole new experience when it’s lit up and under the stars — definitely worth doing twice!
Mini golf fun all day and night! 🌞✨ The vibe totally changes when it’s lit up after dark, making it an unforgettable family experience onboard.
These activities come at no extra charge, so you can enjoy them as much as you like! On many Oasis class ships, such as the Utopia of the Seas (a favorite among my family), there are rock climbing walls in the kids’ areas of the ship also that provide all the same excitement but on a scale that’s more suitable for the littles in your life.
PRO TIP | PACK SOCKS! They are required for rock climbing. So when you are ready to go do this activity onboard, make sure you take socks with you if you're wearing sandals!
Some ships may also offer additional experiences like virtual reality or zip lines that come with an extra charge.
8. Gratuities: The Fine Print
A quick note on gratuities—Royal Caribbean automatically adds a daily gratuity charge to your onboard account per guest, per day. This is for the crew that makes your experience memorable, including housekeeping and dining staff. I recommend adding gratuities prior to your trip in your overall cruise price so that they are taken care of before your sailing.
Bonus Tip: Check Out the Royal Caribbean App
Don’t forget to download the Royal Caribbean app, which is free and included in your cruise experience. It’s the perfect way to stay on top of all your bookings—dining reservations, daily activities, entertainment, and more! The best way to get the most out of your reservation is to be first in line for bookings! Be sure to check in on the date given to you at booking to get the earliest check-in time to start your vacation off sooner, AND be sure to reserve seating at shows the first day of the month BEFORE your cruise.
For example, if your cruise leaves June 2, you should reserve your shows on May 1.
Add-ons such as drink packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, excursions, and more are generally available at a discount before your cruise by purchasing them in the app. If you purchase any add-on and find it later at a cheaper price, you can always cancel your original reservation and create a new one to take advantage of the discount.
PRO TIP | Once activities for the cruise are available in my app (usually the day before embarkation), I make sure to add any activities I’m interested in. This way, I get a notification and never miss out on the fun onboard!
With this overview, I hope you have a better understanding of what’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare! On Royal Caribbean, you can rest assured that a world of adventure awaits without breaking the bank. GET PERKS LIKE MRSPIE | Are you loyal to Royal Caribbean? Don’t forget about the Crown & Anchor Society! As a returning guest, you can unlock a world of exclusive benefits and perks on every sailing, from personalized service to members-only offers. Plus, as you continue to cruise with Royal Caribbean, you'll earn points that can add up to even more amazing rewards! Think complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and exclusive discounts on onboard purchases. With each sailing, you’ll unlock more rewards and free add-ons, making your future cruises even more unforgettable. Whether it’s enjoying exclusive events or receiving special gifts, loyalty with Royal Caribbean is truly something to celebrate!
DID I MISS SOMETHING?
There are so many awesome things included in a Royal Caribbean cruise, I may have missed something!
Is there a favorite that didn’t make the list? Drop a comment and let me know what YOUR favorite part of cruising is that’s included and unlimited! Karaoke? Live music? Endless ocean views? There’s so much to love and only so many vacation days – or are there??? 😈
Ready to set sail on your unforgettable Royal Caribbean adventure? Reach out to me today to book your cruise and unlock these amazing perks (and so much more) for an extraordinary vacation experience! Email me at cruisewithpie@gmail.com and let's start planning your dream getaway TODAY!
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