Top 18 Royal Caribbean cruise hacks

Ready to maximize your cruise and take advantage of the best Royal Caribbean hacks we've got? Check out our list!
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[@PatrickWagz]

My mom would do the "cup of soft-serve ice cream" hack and then take it out to a deck-chair and read her book. Oh, this was over 15 years ago!! Trend-setter!! hahaha.

[@AdamS32828]

For the frosted coffee hack - I’d recommend the reverse order! Get the ice cream first and then order espresso to pour on top. It’s called an affogato which is Italian for “drowned”. Letting the espresso sit in the cup for too long will cause the flavor to become bitter, so pouring fresh espresso on top of the ice cream is best 😌

[@JaniceCrowell]

Thanks! I’m gonna try that in 2 weeks.

[@ladyc3205]

Yes, and regular coffee and ice cream works for a cool frosty drink too.

[@CYCO1631]

Oasis class hack. Enter the Aquatheater from the jogging track on deck 5 to avoid the lines (and reservation requirements) on the Boardwalk for the Aquashow.

[@dizzyraez0716]

Oh my gosh! The stuff about staying on the ship for port days and the breakfast room service is totally something us cruisers do!! Haha literally after my first cruise I learned this. I mean, I love Nassau but there's only so many times and also just walking the ship and enjoying it is part of the excitement for me

[@striker0103]

Agree with skipping the ports. We had the Solarium on Symphony to ourselves on our last cruise. Best seating and quiet.

[@kenyattaclay7666]

I would like to add to the drink package hack. Let's say you are in a situation (like myself) where you don't really drink alcohol but you might get maybe two or three drinks the entire cruise and you also might want that speciality coffee once a day but you don't think the $500 for the drink package is worth it because you really don't think you're going to order that much. Instead of putting up your credit card remove the card and add cash to your room card. You can even equal the amount of the ultimate drink package if you want this way whatever you don't spend you can get back on the last night. Think of it as sort of your own personally funded on board credit. This can also work if you are in that situation where one person drinks and the other doesn't. For example if the drink package cost $500 each add $750 in cash (which 99% of people won't drink that much) and whatever is left over you can get back instead of paying $1000. If you actually do drink that much (not judging) then get the package but even with speciality coffee I've never spent more than about $80 on drinks (alcohol or otherwise).

[@sandrawhite8295]

What a great idea! I love getting one or two drinks, but I cannot drink enough of anything to warrant $500+ purchase! Thanks for the heads up!😊

[@sharnicebolling5237]

My husband and I did this on our cruise. We just went on! It was perfect. We don't drink a lot of alcohol and not much soda either.

[@Sarah-dn6kw]

Definitely using this hack!

[@TheMuirite]

I didn’t add money to my account. I just put it on my card but I accounted for it. On my last cruise between the three people in our room with soda, alcohol and coffee, we spent $110 for a week long cruise. I will never buy the beverage package on Royal again . 3:10

[@Cmama988]

Did you say 500hundred$????!!!$$

[@sl4193]

Room service breakfast as a wake up call sounds a great idea, a good way to kick start a day. Thank you, Matt.

[@erikakozlowski5060]

So grateful for this! I'm a non-drinker and my husband is - I had paid for the deluxe beverage package for both. Called today and was able to change mine to the refreshment package! Thank you!

[@Jwainio-jb7yk]

For our last cruise I bought a small battery powered digital clock for the room with red LEDs. Those room can get really dark (especially interior rooms). If I wake up in the middle of the night I can easily see what time it is. I don't know why but this is comforting to me to be able to know the time. We have done the magnetic hooks, and we have brought swimwear in our carry-ons.

[@carlagonzales1762]

bring ziploc bags for snacks and cookies you can take back with you and on excursions.

[@swimmerangel7]

Genius! I'm definitely doing this. TY for sharing your tips!

[@fancyshmancy1999]

I thought you couldn't take food off the boat

[@sandrawhite8295]

I have tried many of them. The ice cream hacks are my favorite. I am not a coffee drinker, so I substitute lemonade for the espresso and enjoy the Frosted Lemonade. I also have the Euro to US adaptors and a RCL approved extension cord for more plugs. Amazon has so many items available . I always check with RCL about which are appropriate for the ship I am sailing. 😊

[@Sarah-dn6kw]

Frosted lemonade, yummy! Can't wait to try that!

[@kimkelly4586]

Frosted lemonade! That sounds great. Thank you!

[@batshevanivylerner8582]

great hacks, Matt! We always get two connecting rooms for my son, daughter in law and their 3 young kids. Even with small oceanview rooms on Rhapsody, having the two connecting rooms made it seem really spacious.

[@jenluv]

Oooh! I'm totally telling my son about the float idea. I've never heard that one before! And I'm definitely doing that with the coffee! Thank you!

[@m.m.4645]

Next week on b2b on the Jewel, first Caribbean then Transatlantic Can't wait...

[@FrancisSiuChock]

Great tips Matt! I have reached out to Customer Service via Twitter many times with great success! The response is almost always immediate. Once you Post your initial message all following responses are via DM. Another hint is bringing a USB strip (NOT a power strip) since the majority of people have USB devices now. Thanks again Matt!

[@marinamattleman1136]

Only twitter? Some people were vaping at the theater during the show and no one said anything 😢.one bad thing going on for 11 days

[@pamkemmerer5720]

Love the hack on bringing a drink glass to the ice cream stand and fill 'er up!! :) I love the ice cream cones but sometimes want a little bit more. Great tip!

[@AH23323]

I bought the hooks! Omg thank you so much they are Sooooo helpful!

[@hawaiianshirts4715]

8:20 I can confirm that reaching out to RC via social media is effective. I've had faster answers to all my questions via Facebook Messenger than by any other communication method other than a phone call.

[@november132]

From what I understand, you need to drink 6 drinks per day to break even. That is a lot of calories. I think it would be cheaper to just buy it as you go.

[@Envlo]

Yes. I’m going on a cruise soon and it’s $60 per day. Thats a lot of alcohol everyday. I’ll just buy as I go. Maybe 1-2 drinks per day. I don’t want to be hammered the whole time

[@fullhowz5]

Plus if you like wine, you’re allowed one bottle per adult

[@Bionicbabyy]

Your hacks are great information. Thank you. I tell myself everytime I've been to a port, I'm staying on the ship and you know what? I get off the ship. I do things I was unable to do before. One day I will listen and stay on the ship.😅😅

[@destinywilson4382]

I have definitely used all these hacks. I'll add, if you don't drink alcohol much but definitely want soda/specialty coffees/energy drinks/bottled water, get the refreshment package and bring your bottles of wine with you on embarkation day. You can purchase individual alcoholic drinks here and there. As long as you aren't buying multiple alcoholic drinks daily, this hack is a big money saver.

[@hailyconroy3423]

Love the video Matt! We’re going on our first Royal Caribbean cruise (Liberty of the seas) as a couple in June! I’ve always loved RC, my boyfriend has never been!

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

That is awesome!

[@fatrabbit32]

Hey Matt, 75 days till our Cruise on Wonder! This is our 7th RC cruise but still picked up great tips from this hack video. Thank you!

[@The_loraxxx]

Tell me how it goes! I’m going in 2025 for winter break. Super excited!

[@JaniceCrowell]

I will try that frosted coffee back in 2 weeks!

[@bethanyaudion9441]

Booking two adjacent, non-connected smaller cabins with at least one adult and one child family member in each cabin and using the exterior hallway to get between the two cabins is an even a better value than booking two connected cabins.

[@wendeelee1]

I booked my cruise direct with Royal Caribbean, and when I noticed that the fare went down significantly, I called and they upgraded our room as well as lowered the fare by over $150 per person.

[@Simplydee127]

After you booked your cruise how did you notice that the price dropped? Did you just check the website from time to time?

[@wendeelee1]

Yes I did!

[@mrs.thomas-usmcwife5686]

I don't know if its a hack or not, but on a day where I was feeling a little landsick/seasick after a port, the hubby and I went to the MDR. I tried to eat something but just couldn't. I went back to the room while he stayed to finish his meal. He had my meal boxed up and brought it to me. This was great because the food wasn't wasted and I was able to eat it once I was feeling better.

[@clbert7460]

You can get carry out any time. I always do it on lobster night and take it to the Windjammer. So many people ask where the lobster is.😂

[@mrs.thomas-usmcwife5686]

@@clbert7460That's too funny! I will say that the chicken caesar salad I had was one of the best things I've ever eaten. I hope to have one on my next sailing.

[@dogthewalker8071]

12:00 Be ware that the room attendant may unplug it to plug in his vacuum, which usually has a European plug on cruise ships.

[@davidparish1088]

Ordered the power strip! Great tip.

[@comfixit]

That connecting cabin hack is even better than you know. On my upcoming cruise the cost to have 4 people in one internal balcony cabin of the same class vs two connecting internal rooms of that class were only $100 more for the entire party. Saving $100 is not worth being crammed into a single room.

[@jonritter6282]

Johnny rockets breakfast is really awesome. Was cooked better than dining room or windjammer

[@jonathanweir8467]

Thanks for the great videos!

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Glad you like them!

[@amandajones6553]

On our next RC cruise, we will be traveling with a one year old, so we will bring a travel inflatable baby/toddler bathtub to bath our little one since most rooms have only a shower. With the tub being inflatable, it is easy to pack to down.

[@absentmindedjwc]

I've heard reports recently that some lines are no longer allowing price matches after price drops. So buyer beware: your milage may vary here.

[@pandadimsumtruck3757]

I usually bring an insulated mug w/cover for my coffee or tea (less refill runs). Maybe I'll also try a small thermos next time for hot chocolates in the room. One other tip is to see if you can do a back to back cruise on a repositioning cruise on the same ship. Lets you extend the vacation a little.

[@lindastover9541]

Great video ❤❤❤❤

[@matthewfelsburg6235]

I’ve never had any issue getting my own price drops for my European coming up I repriced 3 times and the amount of money I saved was close to 4 figure.

[@JohndotMcGuire]

Citrus reamer. If you want fresh squezed orange juice but didn’t get the drink package, bring a citrus reamer and grab a couple of complimentary oranges for some DIY fresh orange juice.

[@coz7891]

Excellent idea! Didnt think of that. Thanks!

[@angelagrant9163]

Great suggestion, thx!

[@kimkelly4586]

We like Royal's coffee punch card. It's about $30 for 15 punches and whatever you don't use you can use on your next cruise. Definitely gonna try the coffee/ice cream hack. Love the connecting room hack. We like to do that with balcony rooms and then have the steward open the divider on the balcony and it gives you a bigger balcony.

[@bkmartin1958]

For ice cream I go to the buffet and get a soup bowl.

[@jacklong9619]

So if you don’t have the drink package but like cheap beer get Foster’s. On Oasis they were about $11 for a 24 ounce oil can vs $7 for basically all other beers.

[@sf3413]

I stopped adding up the savings Brock Taylor from MEI travel has saved me through repricing and special offers he has. Most recently, he saved me $500 on our Aug Ovation Alaska cruise. So glad I listened to Matt, gave up a little control, and got an MEI TA!!!! Worth it!

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Amazing!

[@katherinewoodhart]

Hey Matt, Great hacks, I knew about repricing or cancelling and rebooking of drinks packages etc but didn’t know you could re-price your cabin. Do you know if this applies to bookings made from Australia? Am booked on Star of the Seas next year and just checked prices - $1446 AUD difference on our sailing for the same cabin type. Our travel agent doesn’t seem to know too much about Royal Caribbean.

[@icedteamama176]

@@RoyalCaribbeanBlogwho’s the good agent you use please? 🙏

[@TheLauren1113]

You can also have kids by themselves directly across the hall! You have to call but I saved money vs having all four of us in one ocean balcony or having 2 ocean balconies. I have an ocean balcony with one kid and the other kids are across the hall in a Central Park balcony

[@philpettit145]

Hey Matt. I have a cruise coming up in late May and I was wondering if the main gratuities can still be pulled off my ship board account and paid for separately as we have done since RCL started adding the gratuities to our account? My wife and I are diamond members and as of last April we were able to handle the gratuities on our own. Love your blog. Looking forward to your comments. Thanks Matt. Phil

[@DonLekei]

I use all of those tips (and more) on Royal Caribbean trips except that Sorrento is no longer does custom pizzas. I have tried to get pizzas that are not in the Daily Trio many times and they will not do it. You can order a full pizza but it has to be one of the pizzas dejour.

[@unicorn_tears]

Amazing hacks! Sailing on Icon next November and we're so excited!! 🎉🛳️🏖️

[@WastingTime8340]

I was busted for the boxed cereal hack. They said no food off the ship.

[@TampaQueen]

Take ziplock baggies with you ;)

[@shanalegrant6931]

You have to hide it under stuff in your beach bag.

[@davidschiller1611]

We have a European plug adapter that has two USB as well as the standard outlet.

[@theresaconnor2135]

Off topic but do they have the Lime and Coconut drink at the pool bar on Symphony?

[@cherylsparks5498]

Great ice cream hack. Can you use regular coffee from Windjammer??

[@Bigpapirei]

Hi Matt, does Odyssey of the Seas still has Zone Zero?

[@R_C_x]

I got the refreshment package, I dont think i broke even the whole week. I even let the fam use it. Lol. As long as I only order 1 drink at a time, they didnt care. I'd go from one coffee bar to another to get coffee for others. Also I noticed the validity date on the soda cups is 2 weeks, does that mean you can get soda for 2 weeks (if cruising for that long) for the price of 1?

[@rustynail6819]

One hack I've been using for years is bringing your own plastic straws! Every time you get a drink, you get a paper straw, which I think is terrible! I don't want to be drinking my Mai Tia through cardboard! I get the long, colorful ones that bend. Not only that, but I even had people ask "where did you get a normal straw from???", I carry a lot, so I always give them one. If you enjoy drinking out of a smaller version of a toilet paper tube, then more power to you! But plastic straws are a must, specially for a drink package.

[@GentleEarthWoman]

Wow, wish we could go. Were foster parents, andalways wanted to go.

[@bigdchiefs2000]

Will the staff fill the cup instead of making you a cone? We use to do that when RCCL was self-serve

[@kimkelly4586]

They will!

[@leel1655]

Does anyone know what kinds of options they have for cow dairy free? I can have goat cheese and Feta if is actually made with sheeps milk. I can have nut milk options as well. Just curious if I should try to find out if I should bring my own

[@JayCAlan]

UP NEXT!

[@Vee-ec5zf]

I have an upcoming cruise on icon of the seas that is about a year away. I noticed that there are no drink packages or dining packages available for purchase yet. In your experience, do you have a rough estimate of when these packages might become available?

[@kimberlyprice5852]

I am not positive, but I think you have to sign in a book the drink package. I have been trying to research before I book my birthday cruise.

[@btbcc12859]

I use the Royal chat and ask for price drop and any benefits

[@wasmadeinthe80s]

Me and my friend use the connecting room hack so that way we can still hang out but when it's time to go to bed his snoring ass will be far enough away so I can sleep lol

[@marquisewoods2163]

How do I reprise my cruise?

[@alyssasimon3940]

we did connecting on two CCL ships and it ws cheaper than a suite.

[@arcanum70]

Yeah, about the lower price "hack". Went through an agent found through your site and when prices dropped for a cruise booked, he told us that it went up. Needless to say, we missed out on saving a LOT of money by trusting one of your agents.

[@KetoFitChef]

The issue that I’m running into is the fact that I want the Soda Package for myself, but my wife doesn’t drink Soda. She would likely want either Coffee or Water Package, but we were told that both of us have to get the same package. If this is true, it kinda sucks that they’d make someone buy something that they won’t or CAN’T drink.

[@emmib1388]

Did you mention to them that it was due to a medical reason?

[@KetoFitChef]

@@emmib1388 I haven’t because it’s not, but I may consider it because it’s not right that they do that.

[@emmib1388]

@@KetoFitChef before you start lying, check into it further because I read somewhere that you don't have to have both on the soda plan -- I believe both having to buy it applies to the drink plan because unfortunately, people lie and buy one package but both drink from it. Unfortunately, I could not find the place where I read this (and yes, it was on a RCC website)

[@KetoFitChef]

@@emmib1388 wasn’t really planning on lying. My wife just DOES NOT drink soda. Like AT ALL. I’m going to keep looking into it, but I believe it was our travel agent that told us that. Unless there was miscommunication somewhere in one direction or another.

[@nbajammer2]

Your travel agent was wrong, only the alcohol package requires both to buy. There shouldn't be an issue with just you getting the soda package

[@bhupendrasinghrathore6880]

My visa was rejected 20 days before joining and now when I asked my hiring partner, he said that RCL will send the new LOE and after that I will get the visa appointment. ...now I wanted to ask whether the new LOE will be issued before the joining date

[@chrisf7643]

Some good info but speaker talks to FAST that sometimes could not understand him.

[@nataliehunter8622]

Sailed Independence of the Seas last year, Sorrentos told us they would not make us a whole pizza.

[@shanalegrant6931]

I was on Independence two weeks ago and they made us whole pizza pies several times.

[@jadepopps]

Can’t take food off the ship in Australia 😢

[@edgartheman5140]

What to do if you’re running late to a cruise? Embarkation day and port day?

[@AdamS32828]

There’s a video about this on this channel

[@Jwainio-jb7yk]

Fire your travel agent. You are responsible for getting to the port early enough. They are not going to hold up a ship with thousands of people just because someone didn't plan appropriately. For embarkation day, always fly to the port a day early and book a hotel room for the overnight. For port day- you are responsible to be back on the ship ON TIME. That said if you book an excursion through RC and it runs late, the ship will wait for you. All other scenarios, the ship will NOT wait for you.

[@Caption_Sparrow]

Run!

[@emmib1388]

​@Jwainio-jb7yk why would you fire your travel agent if you are late? You don't pay them to hold your hand

[@Jwainio-jb7yk]

because they should've warned you@@emmib1388

[@quintonburton9205]

I’m booking the icon for 2026. Either Jan, Feb, or march. Can people chime in on which month is the best from a weather perspective please?

[@grandglove]

@quintonburton9205 All 3 months should be ok weather wise. March( depending on where you're sailing to) is a little warmer while Jan and Feb are definitely cooler. Think 60s out at sea and mid 70s in most Caribbean ports. The biggest thing you'll have to worry about are the storms. Not necessarily hurricanes but more so the normal Caribbean rain storms that occur throughout the year with added negative( or benefit) of cooler temps. I hope this helps.

[@quintonburton9205]

@@grandglove thanks I appreciate it!

[@Jwainio-jb7yk]

Jan & Feb will be about 3-5 degrees cooler than march. Be careful about booking in March though as spring break for some schools starts as early as the 2nd week. I was on spring break last week. (march 11-15th).

[@user-up9iq7ic8z]

Sounds as a LOT of work for a Coffee , BUT it's V-K so what the HECK ...We rally get off the Ship on Port Days especially one's We been to Before. Just more INFO !!!!

[@aperocknroll88]

It's really sad that the captions for this video misspell the name of the cruise line.

[@darksidedarth0504]

The custom pizza did not work on the Wonder. I asked and they said they would not do it.

[@CruiseDude1]

Where's the, "Up Next!?"

[@DEPUTYGETSOME]

I was wondering that too. Video didn’t feel the same lol. It felt as if I was watching the stream and saw his printer on a stand.

[@tulaandtherabbittadventure19]

Have to call something out. The crew do not know the chicken sandwich you have to order the chicken sandwich and the mozzarella sticks separate. We have tried many times to order together and always get a confused look. Also at sorrentos. They never allow us to order a pizza. We have tried on many ships and are always told they don’t do that.

[@nataliehunter8622]

I just commented the same about Sorrentos, they would not allow us to order a whole pizza.

[@GerardPinzone]

Be careful with adapters that go from the European Type E/F to US. The European voltage is 240V at 50 Hz. US is 120V at 60 Hz. If you're plugging in something like a laptop or phone charger, it should be able to handle the higher voltage. Laptops and phones run on DC, so the frequency of the original sine wave is irrelevant. The European Type E/F outlets in the room are used by the cabin stewards to vacuum. If you use that outlet, they might need to unplug it to clean the room. You're better off with a multi USB port charger that has fast charging that goes into the US outlet. These European Type E/F adapters are more useful if you need power around the ship. They come in handy if you need to plug in your phone/laptop while at the bar.

[@SilverHonda0767]

265 days until Adventure of the Seas

[@frank.bullitt]

Pity that the cruise lines now want drug money for a cruise when your a solo.

[@Sasha5555]

Exactly The trip I really want to take is $5,600 😳😳😳 crazy asf

[@frank.bullitt]

​@@Sasha5555Then if you have to fly in from overseas, effectively double the price. When it gets to $1k a day... Nope

[@glenmoon1666]

Matt, thank you for bucking the corporate line and pronouncing “cay” in the traditional, historical way! (Key)

[@tduck828]

Actually the CORRECT way to say this per RC is CAY....perfect day at coco cay rhymes. Perfect day at coco key...not.

[@mpb3481]

Cay can be pronounced both ways - ki and kā.

[@djtonyprep]

Matt, I love ya, but please stop saying "hacks". You are not encouraging your viewers to chop down a tree or break into Royal Caribbean's computer system. What you are providing are tips, so you should just say "Top 18 Royal Caribbean cruise tips". And while these are all great suggestions, they are not hidden secrets like the term 'hacks' would suggest. 😉

[@RadioRich100]

I would hardly call anything on this video a "Hack" Some of the ideas are good others are not.

[@user-my8bb6nc1x]

Who would go to that much trouble for a coffee. I would never go on a cruise. Not only do i get seasick easily, but just the idea of so many people swarming around me, a trip to hell

[@Sam-nn9ms]

You talk too fast dude

[@ryanjorgenson4750]

I really don't like royal caribbean

[@kimkelly4586]

What an odd statement. Then why watch a video about RCC??? I don't like cats so I don't watch cat videos. I don't own a motorcycle so I don't...yep you guessed it.....watch motorcycle videos. See the pattern.

[@ryanjorgenson4750]

@@kimkelly4586 because I just got back from my first RCL cruise.

[@jamesdicksa4575]

A mudslide or similar drink with vanilla ice cream is great

[@SinisterMD]

Something I found disappointing when we skipped a port day is that things like the Flowrider and other onboard activities were very limited. I understand that the crew need a break and all of that, but we specifically chose to stay on board for one of the three port days but found that what we should have been able to do onboard weren't operating.