What Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Your base fare covers all meals in the Main Dining Room (rotating multi-course menus for breakfast and dinner), the expansive Windjammer Marketplace international buffet, Sorrento's Pizza (fresh slices and whole pies until late night), El Loco Fresh (burritos, tacos, carnitas on modern ships), Park Café (famous roast beef sandwiches, paninis, salads), Café Promenade (24/7 sandwiches, pastries, and snacks), the Boardwalk Dog House (artisanal sausages), and complimentary soft-serve ice cream stations on the pool deck. You can easily sail an entire week enjoying incredible culinary variety without ever paying a penny for food.

Basic beverages are included with your fare: tap water, unsweetened iced tea, standard drip coffee, hot tea, lemonade, flavored waters, and milk/juice during breakfast hours. All other beverages cost extra: alcoholic cocktails, beer, wine, bottled still and sparkling water, specialty espresso drinks, canned sodas, and fresh-squeezed juices. If you plan to drink 5+ alcoholic beverages daily, the Deluxe Beverage Package ($65 - $105/day + 18% gratuity) offers great value. For non-drinkers and kids, the Royal Refreshment Package ($30 - $45/day) covers mocktails, smoothies, and specialty coffees, while the Classic Soda Package ($10 - $15/day) covers fountain sodas with a souvenir refill cup.

As of 2026, automatic daily gratuities are $18.00 per person per day for standard staterooms (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, and Junior Suites) and $20.50 per person per day for Grand Suites and above. Gratuities apply to all guests regardless of age and are automatically added to your onboard SeaPass account daily, or you can pre-pay them before sailing. These service charges are pooled and distributed among your stateroom attendants, dining room waitstaff, culinary teams, and behind-the-scenes housekeeping staff.

All major theatrical entertainment on Royal Caribbean is 100% complimentary! This includes full-length licensed Broadway musicals (such as Grease, Hairspray, Cats, and Mamma Mia!), high-diving acrobatics in the AquaTheater, Olympic-level ice skating shows in Studio B, high-tech multimedia shows in Two70, live comedy club performances, and live music in all lounges. While admission is completely free, reservations are required on Oasis, Quantum, and Icon-class ships, which you can easily make via the Royal Caribbean mobile app once on board.

The vast majority of Royal Caribbean's signature thrills are 100% free with unlimited access during scheduled open hours. Free activities include the FlowRider surf simulators, rock climbing walls, Ultimate Abyss 10-story dry slide, Perfect Storm multi-story waterslides, zip line across the Boardwalk, SeaPlex bumper cars and roller skating, mini-golf, sports courts, and ice skating rinks (skate rentals included). The only thrill activities that cost extra are arcade video games, escape room challenges ($20 - $40/person), private FlowRider lessons, and specialty peak-hour North Star or RipCord by iFly flight sessions on select sea days.

Continental breakfast (fresh coffee, tea, juice, pastries, toast, and fruit) is complimentary when ordered between 6:00 AM and 11:00 AM using the door-hanger menu card. All other room service orders—including hot American breakfast items, burgers, pizzas, wings, quesadillas, and 24/7 late-night dining—incur a flat $9.95 convenience fee per room delivery plus an 18% gratuity, regardless of how many items you order.

Over 80% of Perfect Day at CocoCay is completely free. Complimentary amenities include access to Chill Island, South Beach, and Oasis Lagoon (the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean with a swim-up bar), beach loungers, umbrellas, beach towels, free island tram transport, and free island dining at Captain Jack's, Snack Shack, and Chill Grill (burgers, tacos, chicken sandwiches, barbecue, salads, funnel cakes). Attractions that cost extra include Thrill Waterpark ($79 - $189+), Hideaway Beach adult-only club ($39 - $89+), Overwater Floating Cabanas, zip lines, helium balloon rides, and motorized watercraft rentals.

Internet is not included in standard cruise fares (it is complimentary only for Sky and Star Class suite guests). Royal Caribbean's VOOM internet is powered by SpaceX Starlink satellite technology across the entire fleet. Speeds typically range from 30 to 100 Mbps with low latency, supporting Netflix/YouTube 4K streaming, FaceTime, Zoom video calls, and remote work. Pre-purchasing VOOM online before your cruise saves 20% to 35% compared to on-ship prices, costing approximately $17.99 to $22.99 per device per day.

Yes! Royal Caribbean's award-winning Adventure Ocean program is 100% free for children ages 3 to 11 (Aquanauts ages 3-5, Explorers 6-8, Voyagers 9-11) during regular operating hours throughout the day and evening until 10:00 PM. Teen lounges (The Living Room and Fuel for ages 12-17) are also completely free and uncurfewed. An hourly late-night party fee (approx. $7/hour per child) applies for care after 10:00 PM (Late Night Party Zone). Babies and toddlers under 3 at the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery incur an hourly fee ($6-$8/hour).

Yes! On embarkation day only, each stateroom with guests of legal drinking age is allowed to bring up to two 750ml bottles of personal wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage. In addition, guests may bring up to twelve 500ml (17 oz) cans, bottles, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages (such as sodas, sparkling water, or iced tea). All beverages must be carried on board in your hand luggage and cannot be packed in checked bags.

The Key is an optional premier VIP access pass costing between $25 and $45 per person per day. It includes priority terminal check-in and early boarding, carry-on bag drop-off at the Main Dining Room with delivery to your cabin, an exclusive Chops Grille embarkation day lunch, private reserved VIP seating at Broadway, ice, and AquaTheater shows, dedicated private hours on FlowRider and rock climbing, 1-device VOOM Surf & Stream Wi-Fi for each guest, and priority disembarkation with a private à la carte breakfast on departure morning. It is well worth the cost if you already plan to purchase Wi-Fi and value stress-free priority boarding.

Formal Night (now called 'Dress Your Best' or 'Wear Your Best' on most sailings) occurs 1 to 2 times on a 7-night cruise. Participation is completely voluntary, and there is zero extra charge. You can dress in formal gowns, suits, or smart casual attire (collared shirts, slacks, sundresses) in the Main Dining Room. If you prefer to remain in casual shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops, you can enjoy the full dinner buffet at Windjammer Marketplace, grab pizza at Sorrento's, or order pool deck casual without any dress code requirements.

Royal Suite Class (available on Oasis, Quantum, and Icon-class ships) is split into three tiers: Sea Class (Junior Suites) includes luxury bath amenities, pillowtop mattresses, and dinner access to Coastal Kitchen. Sky Class (Grand Suites, Owner's Suites, Crown Loft Suites) adds complimentary VOOM internet, all-day dining access to Coastal Kitchen, Suite Lounge concierge service with complimentary evening cocktails, and private Suite Sun Deck access. Star Class (Royal Loft Suites, Ultimate Family Suites, AquaTheater 2-Bedroom Suites) includes everything plus a personal Royal Genie butler, complimentary Deluxe Beverage Packages for all guests, complimentary Unlimited Specialty Dining, paid gratuities, and VIP front-row seating at all shows.

Specialty dining packages allow you to dine at premium restaurants (Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Izumi, Giovanni's, Wonderland, Hooked Seafood) at a 35% to 50% discount compared to individual cover charges. You can purchase a 3-Night Dining Package or the Unlimited Dining Package (UDP). On the Unlimited package, you can eat at specialty venues for dinner every night plus lunch on sea days. You will be assigned a reservation on Day 1, and you can change your dates and dining times to any open slot immediately upon boarding at any dining desk.

The absolute best strategy is to purchase all beverage packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi passes well in advance via the Royal Caribbean online Cruise Planner portal. Royal Caribbean regularly runs sales (Weekend Flash Sales, Black Friday, Holiday sales) offering 20% to 45% off onboard retail prices. Furthermore, if the price drops after you have already purchased a package, Royal Caribbean allows you to cancel and immediately repurchase at the lower sale price with zero penalty fees right up until 48 hours before sailing.