The Ultimate First-Timer's Guide to Royal Caribbean: 10 Must-Know Tips I Learned on My Cruise
Before you set sail, read my comprehensive first-person guide to Royal Caribbean. I break down all the official policies on access needs, the strict drone rules, the three dress codes, and the most important packing advice.
Before my first Royal Caribbean Cruise, I spent weeks poring over every document, website FAQ, and forum thread, trying to figure out all the little things that would make or break my trip. Now that I have quite a few cruises racked up, I want to share the ultimate first-timer’s guide using all the official information I gathered and experienced firsthand.
Consider this your comprehensive, first-person breakdown of every Royal Caribbean tip you need to know. We’re covering everything from the crucial wine allowance to the strict dress code and the non-negotiable rules about what not to pack. My goal is to save you the planning stress so you can focus on the fun!
Part 1: The Essential Countdown—Planning, Health, and Access
The success of your cruise begins long before you set foot on the ship. This section covers the foundational rules you need to know related to health, accessibility, and documentation. Get these details squared away, and you’ll eliminate most pre-cruise anxiety.
Navigating Special Accommodations and Access Needs
One thing that immediately impressed me about Royal Caribbean was their commitment to welcoming all guests, regardless of their needs. If you or someone in your party has a disability or a condition that requires special accommodations, you absolutely must communicate this with the cruise line well in advance.
To ensure you receive the appropriate assistance throughout your vacation, you need to notify Royal Caribbean International in writing of any disability or condition that may require advisable special accommodations. This isn't just a courtesy—it’s a necessary step to make sure they can prepare for your arrival and sailing.
The Access Department is your contact: I’ve included their contact information directly from the official guidance: you can call the Access Department at +1.866.592.7225 or +1.954.628.9708 from outside the U.S. or email them at special_needs@rccl.com or Fax +1.954.628.9622. They are the experts who can walk you through the options for your sailing.
A Crucial Warning About Tender Ports
This is an often-overlooked detail that can significantly impact guests with limited mobility. I learned that for guests with wheelchairs, scooters, and limited mobility, getting on and off the ship may be difficult—or in some cases, impossible—at certain ports of call that use tenders and gangways.
A tender is a smaller boat used to ferry guests from the ship to the shore when the ship cannot pull up to a pier. The process of transferring between the ship and the tender, and then the tender to the dock, can be unstable and unsafe for some mobility devices.
Check the Tender Access Information: If you rely on mobility assistance, you must review the cruise line’s specific guidance: see www.RoyalCaribbean.com/tenderaccess. This is an essential step to ensure you don’t book an excursion or a day trip for a port where you may not be able to safely disembark.
The Health Checklist: Infants and Pregnancy
If you're traveling with an infant or are pregnant, there are non-negotiable health policies you need to be aware of for a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Infant Minimum Age: Generally, infants must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise and/or Cruisetour. However, for certain itineraries—like transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South America, and any cruise that has three or more consecutive days at sea—the infant must be at least 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/Cruisetour. If you are affected by this policy, you need to call the Resolution Agent at +1.800.327.6700.
Pool Policy for Children: Due to public health regulations, children who are not completely toilet trained are not permitted in the pools, whirlpools, or the H2O zone. Children who wear diapers are, however, welcomed to use the Baby Splash Zone on select ships.
Pregnancy Policy: Royal Caribbean International unfortunately cannot accept guests who will be more than 23 weeks pregnant at any time during the cruise or cruisetour. All guests are required to sign a health questionnaire at check-in to ensure they are aware of the pregnancy policy. If you’ve already booked and realize you won’t meet this requirement, you need to contact your Travel Agent or call +1.866.562.7625 and request a Resolution Agent.
Part 2: Money, Must-Dos, and The SeaPass
Your SeaPass card is your single most important item on the ship—it’s your room key, your ID, and your payment method. Understanding how it works, especially regarding money and gratuities, is key to managing your budget and avoiding surprises.
Understanding Your Gratuities: Where Your Money Goes=
I was initially confused about the various tips and charges, but here’s the breakdown of the gratuities on my Royal Caribbean sailing:
The Automatic Daily Service Charge
The main gratuity is an automatic charge added to your SeaPass® account daily. This fee is pooled and shared among the dining, bar, and culinary services staff, the stateroom attendants, and the many hotel services teams working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Standard Guests: A $18.00 per guest, per day gratuity will automatically be added to each guest's SeaPass® account.
Suite Guests: Suite guests will see a $20.50 daily gratuity.
Pre-Payment: This is a top tip for budgeting: if you prepaid your gratuities prior to boarding your cruise, you won't see a daily charge onboard. This is what I did, and it helped tremendously with budgeting.
Gratuities on Purchases
Beyond the daily service charge, there are automatic gratuities applied to various onboard purchases:
Beverages, Room Service, and Mini Bar: An 18% gratuity is also automatically added to the cost of these services. These gratuities are pooled and shared by various dining and beverage service staff.
Spa and Salon Services: A 20% gratuity is also automatically added to spa and salon purchases.
Other Service Personnel: Gratuities for other service personnel are entirely at your discretion.
The Credit Card Authorization Process
Just like at some land-based hotels, guests can expect to see an initial pending charge or authorization, also known as a temporary hold, on their credit card.
The Initial Hold: Temporary holds are placed on every card linked to your SeaPass Account and are used to secure funds for anticipated onboard purchases.
Additional Holds: Purchases made over the initial $100 will generate additional holds.
Release Time: Most holds are released within days after your cruise. However, if they aren't released promptly, you need to contact your bank or financial institution, as they manage the duration of these holds.
The Royal Caribbean Alcohol Policy (A Deep Dive)
This is the question every cruiser asks, and I'm giving you the official breakdown directly from the guidelines:
The Wine/Champagne Allowance
The Rule: On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne.
Prohibited Items: Boxed wine and other containers are prohibited.
Packing is Key: For your wine, it should be brought onboard via carry-on if possible. Luggage containing wine or champagne will not be delivered to your stateroom and guests will need to retrieve their luggage from security once the ship has set sail. That’s extra hassle on an exciting day, so stick it in your carry-on!
Consecutive Sailings: For consecutive sailings, guests of drinking age are allowed to bring one (1) 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne for each individual sailing. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and delivered, one bottle at a time, to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage. Guests bringing more than one bottle at the start of the first sailing should have documentation for any consecutive sailings available to share with security. Guests may request a corkscrew to use for opening bottles in their stateroom.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks and Other Policy Notes
The Limit: Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted.
Onboard Purchases: Guests who purchase alcohol bottles onboard, in a port-of-call, or bring more than the one permitted bottle on boarding day, will have their items safely stored by the ship. These bottles will be returned on the last day onboard.
The Drinking Age Varies: The minimum drinking age is 21 onboard sailings from the United States, Canada, or the United Arab Emirates. On sailings departing from the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, or New Zealand, it is 18, unless the homeport's legal drinking age is higher than 18, then the higher age applies. The above ages also apply for possession of alcohol.
The Strict Rules on Drones
I saw a few people asking about bringing their drones, and the policy is incredibly clear and strict: Drones are not to be operated onboard the ship at any time, nor on Royal Caribbean's private destinations: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas or Labadee, Haiti.
Where you can use them: Guests are welcome to bring drones on their cruise for use on land only and outside of the port area.
Storage and Penalties: While onboard, the drone must be stored safely in the stateroom. Drones used on the ship will be confiscated until the end of the cruise. You will also be issued a Guest Conduct Policy warning and guests may be subject to disembarkation at their own expense for onboard drone usage.
Liability: Guests assume full responsibility for understanding all local authority rules related to drone usage and for obtaining any required permissions. Different countries may have different rules. Royal Caribbean assumes no liability for guest drones that may be confiscated by local authorities for violating local laws.
Part 3: Packing Like a Pro—Dress Code and Luggage Hacks
Packing for a cruise is different from packing for a hotel stay. You need to plan outfits for three distinct dress codes, pack for multiple climates (if you're on a diverse itinerary), and manage your luggage efficiently in a small stateroom.
Mastering the Royal Caribbean Dress Codes
When you're on board, the right look varies by venue. Here is how I organized my outfits for the three suggested types of attire:
1. Casual: The Vacation Standard
What it means: You’re on vacation—relax! This is your go-to look for the daytime and for dinner in the Windjammer Buffet.
What to wear: Jeans, shorts, tees, tank tops, polo shirts, sundresses, and blouses are all considered laid back and appropriate.
The Big Rule: You must keep swimwear to the Pool Deck.
2. Smart Casual: Dinner Dress Code
This is the standard for most evenings in the Main Dining Room and is a step up from your typical dinner wear.
What to wear: This is the time to dress to impress. Think: jackets, sports coats, blazers, collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits.
3. Formal: Dress Your Best
This is your chance to shine and make it a special night out!
What to wear: This is the best black-tie look. I saw suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or evening gowns.
Luggage and Medication Advice
Efficient packing is essential. I learned two key things about handling luggage and medications.
Baggage Limits and the Overnight Bag
The Limit: Each guest is permitted to carry onboard the vessel or check-in only the wearing apparel and personal effects reasonably necessary for the cruise.
The Overnight Bag: I recommend bringing an overnight bag for your last night at sea. Staff will collect your large luggage the night before disembarkation, and you will need an overnight bag to carry your night clothes and toiletries.
Crucial Documents: You should always personally carry any boarding documentation (passports, visas, citizenship documents, family legal documents).
Medication Storage and Clothing
Carry-On is Key: I suggest that guests transport all their medications in their carry-on luggage to minimize the potential for diversion or loss.
Extra Supply: It is also advisable to pack at least three days of extra medication in the event of an unexpected change in the itinerary of the voyage.
Shoes and Swimsuits: Shoes should be low-heeled for deck activities. Bring a few swimsuits so you will always have a dry one.
Weather: Ashore, you'll need comfortable walking shoes. If cruising a warm weather destination, bring a hat for protection. If your cruise will take you to Alaska, Canada & New England, or Northern Europe, be sure to pack a jacket and several sweaters.
Part 4: The Boarding & Sailing Experience—Logistics and Safety
Once you've boarded, there are a few key logistical steps and safety protocols you must complete to officially start your vacation.
Embarkation: Arrival and Visitors
Arrival Time: For your comfort and your convenience, we recommend that you arrive to the pier within your selected arrival time. Early arrivals may have a prolonged wait time in potentially warm or inclement weather conditions.
No Visitors: No visitors are permitted onboard.
The Mandatory Safety Briefing (Muster Drill)
All guests must attend the mandatory safety briefing (also known as: Muster/Assembly Drill) and follow all health and safety instructions issued by the Captain. Royal Caribbean has streamlined this process with their patented eMuster™ system (on applicable ships).
The Two-Step Process: Upon embarkation, guests will have a window of several hours during which they must:
Review essential safety information, often by viewing a safety video via the mobile app or stateroom myTV interactive systems.
Report to their designated muster station.
Failure to Complete: Guests who do not complete the safety video portion via eMuster™, or who are otherwise unable to review essential safety information upon embarkation, will be required to participate in a brief safety presentation upon arrival at their designated muster station. The mobile guest application is available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Staying Informed: The Cruise Compass
The Cruise Compass is your daily guide to everything happening on the ship, designed to keep you informed of activities and events.
The App is Best: You can check out daily activities and events, entertainment shows, and so much more via the Royal Caribbean app on your phone.
Printed Copies: You can also find a printed copy of the Cruise Compass by the Guest Services area.
Disembarkation: Don't Rush Your Travel Plans
The last morning is bittersweet, and the process of leaving the ship is heavily dependent on outside factors.
Timing: Disembarkation typically begins hours after the final arrival time and is subject to change, as it is contingent on the completion of customs and port clearances.
Planning Transportation: You must plan your transportation with enough time to allow for this process. Your assigned disembarkation time will be communicated to you once you are onboard. If you have any special requests, your crew onboard will be happy to assist.
Part 5: Protecting Paradise—The Non-Negotiable Sustainability Tip
My final, and perhaps most important, piece of advice concerns the environment. Royal Caribbean is dedicated to ocean health through its Save the Waves program.
Don't Throw Anything Overboard: The most basic rule is to refrain from throwing anything overboard, both in port and at sea, and to deposit all trash in the proper receptacles.
The Sunscreen Chemicals You MUST AVOID
To protect the destinations we visit, Royal Caribbean recommends avoiding sunscreens containing specific ingredients. This is vital information for any Caribbean cruise or stop in a sensitive environment.
I’ve broken down the three chemicals they recommend avoiding and exactly why they are so harmful:
Petrolatum (aka Mineral Oil): This chemical takes a very long time to biodegrade once it gets into the ocean. Worse, it is often harmful or even fatal to local wildlife.
Titanium Dioxide: This common ingredient does not biodegrade and is harmful to all sea life.
Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, and Octinoxate: These three chemicals are the most notorious. They are banned from use in some locations because they cause significant damage to reef systems.
My Personal Takeaway: Don’t risk it. By being mindful of what you apply, you help ensure these beautiful destinations remain pristine for future cruisers.
Final Word: Set Sail and Enjoy!
A cruise vacation is truly an all-inclusive experience that is unlike any other. By taking the time to understand the Royal Caribbean policies on everything from the alcohol allowance to the mandatory muster drill and the required dress codes, you are now fully equipped to have the trip of a lifetime.
Don't let the technical details overshadow the incredible adventure ahead. With these tips, you can relax, spend less time worrying, and more time enjoying the beautiful destinations and world-class amenities onboard. Now go book that specialty dining, pack that formal wear, and get ready to set sail!
About Darren:
Darren is an Orlando-based travel writer and YouTuber who specializes in helping travelers make the most of their vacations to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruises. Through detailed travel guides, reviews, and insider tips, Darren gives families, couples, and first-time visitors everything they need to plan magical Orlando theme park trips and unforgettable cruise adventures.
🎥 Watch his latest videos and travel guides on YouTube: Orlando Parks Guy
Search for more information on my blog.
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