6 Things I'll do differently on Royal Caribbean in 2024

When I go on my cruises in 2024, I'll be making a few changes to how I cruise.

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[barbaraimwold]

At 68 I tried RC’s rock wall 3x, I plan on doing it again on my fall cruise this year at 70. Go me!

[CruiseDude]

Love 1st tip. We just reserved a RC Cruise for April 2025 and expect to save at least 50% from booking it 90 days out. In fact, the cruise we're taking this April is now about 63% higher today than when we booked it last year. We use Cruisebound, which allows a free 7-day hold, and they promptly provide refunds when the price drops. Trains are smart with no daily parking fee - we take MARC or Amtrak from DC to Baltimore + short UBER to Baltimore Port Terminal. Trains mean no daily parking charges.

Agree about Dining Package - we may eat at one specialty restaurant for our upcoming cruise. Thank you Matt for recognizing that some cruisers have to economize. LOVE THIS VIDEO!

[jimroscovius]

To me, the drink packages are too expensive, especially when funding for the family. However, on our Wonder cruise just two weeks ago, the bars were selling 10-drink cards for $90. My son, daughter, and I each bought one. That's a $5 discount per drink, and the cards can be shared. That's a great deal for people who don't drink a lot.

[kdupuis]

Night swims are the best! Seriously, I think I spend more time in the pools and hot tubs at night lol... Less people, no sunburn, usually a movie/music/lightshow off some kind going on. One of my favorite things to do before bed!

[christineshields]

Our strategy has always been to book cruises early. If the price decreases, RCI will honor the decreased price. Also, when we hit Diamond status, we quit buying the drink package. We rarely exceed our 4 drinks per day anymore, but if we do it is still much less expensive. We also take advantage of many of the other perks offered. The UDP is costly and simply too much of a good thing. If we decide to purchase a dining package, we typically buy Chops + 1.

This July we are taking our 4 grandchildren on a 5-night cruise. We plan to take advantage of many of the free amenities geared towards families. We are booking only one excursion. The cost for 6 people is almost $700. I think the grandkids will be content staying on the ship during our second port day. The pool will be less congested, the slides and Flowrider more accessible.

[itfitz]

I think it makes sense to cut back on the extras if you are cruising 11 times a year (unless you are wealthy), but most of us don't cruise that often (I have only cruised 10 times in my life, mostly on RCCL). Since I don't cruise that often, I have no problem adding the drink package and dining package. They enhance our experience and I'm not willing to pass on these to save a few bucks. YMMV.

[phlydude]

I'm right there with you on the drinks and dining packages...the deluxe drink package is good if you AREN'T diamond status. But once you hit diamond or higher, your free drinks makes the deluxe drink package less worthwhile. Still might do the refreshment package to get coffee, soda, bottled water and the like though...
Dining package is a no-go for me - I'm not the most adventurous eater and I don't eat seafood. So I find better value in picking a couple lunches and booking those for $20-30 and using the MDR, Windjammer, Park Cafe, and Sorrentos for other meals/snacks.

[Honolulu-Blue]

For 2024, my resolution is to take a non-charter Royal cruise. The one a chose is a huge one - 19 days from Honolulu to Sydney on Ovation in October. I'm hoping for the best.🙏

[meddyven]

On my upcoming RCL cruise in May, I am actually going to spend more time on ship, during a port visit. It will give me and my Gf, a chance to enjoy the amenities on board, and not have to wrestle for spots, such as the hot tubs or pool decks. Thisis a great topic. Me and my partner, always talk about things yo do different, to enjoy the cruising experience, after each one.

[commonsense]

Bingo...by booking ICON back on the day the bookings were announced in Oct. last year, we have saved more than $5k! Book early is our rule!

[kenyattaclay]

Honestly I never did see the value of any of the drink packages, including the soft drinks. On a 7 day cruise I might have 4 or 5 acholic drinks so off the top that was a nonstarter for me. Even before I gave up processed sugar I still might only of gotten a couple of shakes and the one time I did get the soft drink package I found myself ordering a pop just because I had the package & not because I really wanted a pop. As far as the dining packages go I'll determine that on a ship by ship basis. My next cruise in September is on an older ship with fewer options so on that one I'll just save my money. However if I book a cruise on one of the newer ships I'll rethink it.

[kamillehoward]

Night swims are great! Definitely a good way to spend an evening on a cruise.

[silverfox]

My to do this year is stop being afraid to travel especially cruising, I listen to all the bad things that's happening and just don't want to do or go anywhere not even out to a movie.
So in 2024 we've planned a cruise with the family, my husband asked me to stop listening to all the horrible cruise news channels 😑 because I almost wanted to cancel our cruise this is a big number 1 for me, I still have things to work on but I'm hopeful ☺️

[aaronkeegan]

My family and went on our first cruise last summer. We had a blast, and one of the best times of the day was the night swim and movie. So relaxing.

[unrealistic]

I like your drink idea but I wouldn’t recommend for a lot of people. My girlfriend and I compared per drink pricing with a package and discovered that we could save around 500 dollars by going with per drink pricing. That includes getting coffee, morning smoothies, and cocktails along with other drinks throughout the cruise. If you’re considering the package I’d do the math and see what works for you.

[FoodiesVacations]

I’m doing the Mediterranean next year! Spain, France and Italy.. in the spring 😊

[gsadventures]

We try and book 18 months out. If we know where we want to go and it is available that long out, we book. Our travel agent says all the time, “good thing you booked this early because the price has increased”.

[tarontagosh]

Have recently gotten into solo cruising, Booked a cruise in Oct 2025, going to try a suite for the first time. Booking nearly 2 years ahead of time allows me to parse out the payments of the trip making it easier to afford the more lavish stateroom. I usually buy the refreshment package as a sober individual, once I hit diamond later this year I'll be ditching that as well. I've never done the UDP, it just never seemed like a good enough deal to even both with. I've always enjoyed the MDR, even with the changes to the menu. The only tips I have for eating is to book a specialty restaurant on embarkation day for lunch. It is a much more chill way to start the cruise. Then for dinner on the final night I get another one. Sort of bookend my cruise experience with fine dining.

[christinawimms]

Tip #2 is one that I always offer up! I turned diamond about 6 months ago and have been prime in the casino for the last 2 years. Since becoming Prime, I have not brought a drink package 🎉😅! I'm also not an all day drinker but have gotten some other good tips to stretch out the Prime benefits. If you like a particular alcohol, order shots neat and dump them into a Yetti type cup. Order cans of sodas with them as well (I'll usually get 2 at a time). This can easily yield 6 drinks. Also, order a few bottles of beer and ask for them unopened. This can easily get you through the day until the casino bar opens. Also order bottles of waters from the bar. They come in handy for port day. Now that I have diamond vouchers, they carry me the whole day. It's definitely doable Matt!

[ladymax]

I booked May 31, 23 after I got off Anthems of the Sea May 1, 23 for Symphony of the Sea May 16, 24, and thanks for the night swim reminder. I haven't done it in years👏🏽👍🏽 I'm still trying to book for 2025 for Hawaii not sure what cruise line Royal Caribbean reposition to itineraries that I don't care to visit. I guess it might be NCL unless I can come up with the funds for Winstar or another upscale Cruise Line. Happy cruising💃🏽