What is included in the Royal Caribbean International ticket price?

What is included in the Royal Caribbean International ticket price?

When planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean International, one of the most common questions travelers ask is: What exactly is included in the ticket price? Unlike traditional vacations where you separately pay for hotels, meals, and entertainment, a cruise bundles many of these elements into a single fare.

Royal Caribbean, one of the largest and most innovative cruise lines in the world, is known for offering guests incredible value. Your ticket price covers much more than just your stateroom—it includes a wide range of dining options, activities, entertainment, and amenities that make your vacation both convenient and exciting.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, along with what costs extra. This will help you plan your budget and get the most out of your cruise experience.

The Basics of What’s Included

Royal Caribbean’s cruise fare generally includes the following:

1. Accommodations – Your chosen stateroom or suite.

2. Meals in Main Dining Venues – Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at complimentary restaurants.

3. Entertainment and Shows – Broadway-style performances, live music, comedy shows, and more.

4. Onboard Activities – Pools, fitness center, sports courts, and signature attractions.

5. Kids and Teen Programs – Supervised youth activities at no additional charge.

6. Destination Access – Transportation to ports of call included in your itinerary.

Let’s explore each of these in detail.

Accommodations

One of the biggest inclusions in your ticket price is your stateroom. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose from:

• Interior Staterooms – Budget-friendly cabins without windows but equipped with all essentials.

• Ocean View Staterooms – Rooms with portholes or picture windows offering natural light.

• Balcony Staterooms – Private balconies with seating for enjoying the ocean view.

• Suites – Larger accommodations with luxury features, priority boarding, and concierge services.

Regardless of type, all staterooms include:

• Comfortable bedding and linens

• Private bathroom with shower

• Daily housekeeping service

• Television with on-demand entertainment

• Closet and storage space

• Air conditioning and safe

The fare ensures a comfortable home base for your vacation, with higher-category staterooms offering more amenities.

Dining Options Included

Food is one of the highlights of cruising, and Royal Caribbean includes multiple dining experiences in the ticket price.

1. Main Dining Room

• Multi-course meals served daily

• Options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Rotating menus with international cuisine

• Flexible dining times with “My Time Dining” or traditional seating

2. Windjammer Marketplace

• Casual buffet restaurant open most of the day

• International dishes, salads, fresh fruits, and desserts

• Great for families and quick meals

3. Café Promenade

• 24/7 spot for coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and light snacks

• Perfect for late-night cravings

4. Other Complimentary Venues (Ship-Specific)

• El Loco Fresh – Mexican-inspired fare (tacos, burritos, nachos)

• Sorrento’s Pizza – New York-style pizza by the slice

• Boardwalk Dog House – Gourmet hot dogs with toppings

• Park Café – Fresh paninis, sandwiches, and salads

All of these are included in your fare, ensuring you’ll never go hungry.

Beverages Included

Your ticket price also includes a selection of drinks:

• Filtered water

• Regular coffee and tea

• Milk and chocolate milk

• Iced tea

• Lemonade and flavored water at buffet stations

While alcoholic beverages, sodas, and specialty coffees cost extra, many guests find the included options sufficient for daily hydration.

Entertainment

Royal Caribbean is famous for its award-winning entertainment, and much of it is included in your fare.

• Broadway-Style Shows – Full productions like Grease or Mamma Mia! on select ships.

• Ice Skating Shows – Performed in onboard ice rinks.

• AquaTheater Performances – Stunts, diving, and acrobatics (Oasis-class ships).

• Live Music – Jazz bands, pianists, acoustic singers, and party bands.

• Comedy Shows – Stand-up performances and improv comedy.

• Movies – Poolside screens and indoor theaters.

All of these performances are complimentary, with no admission fee.

Onboard Activities Included

Royal Caribbean ships are floating resorts, and many of their activities come at no extra cost.

• Pools and Hot Tubs – Available on all ships.

• Fitness Center – State-of-the-art gyms with cardio and weight equipment.

• Sports Courts – Basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and mini-golf.

• Running Track – Jogging or walking with ocean views.

• Rock Climbing Walls – Signature feature on most ships.

• FlowRider Surf Simulator – Available on many ships.

• Zip Line (Oasis-class ships) – A fun thrill ride high above the Boardwalk.

• Ice Skating Rink – Open sessions for passengers.

These activities provide plenty of fun without added costs.

Youth and Teen Programs

Families love Royal Caribbean because it includes extensive youth programming in the fare.

• Adventure Ocean Program: Supervised activities for kids ages 3–12.

• Teen Lounge and Disco: Spaces for teens to socialize, dance, and enjoy movies.

• Royal Babies & Tots Nursery: Available at extra cost, but some toddler activities are complimentary.

These programs allow children to make friends while parents enjoy adult activities.

Destination Access

Your fare covers transportation to all scheduled ports of call in your itinerary. Whether you’re cruising the Caribbean, Alaska, or Europe, your cruise fare includes:

• Docking fees at ports

• Access to disembark and explore destinations on your own

While excursions cost extra, guests can still enjoy the port city independently at no additional charge.

Crew Services Included

Royal Caribbean provides exceptional service, and much of it is already built into your fare.

• Room Steward Service: Daily cleaning, towel service, and evening turndown.

• Dining Room Waitstaff: Personalized service during meals.

• Guest Services Desk: Available 24/7 to assist with needs.

Gratuities are not always included in the fare, but prepaid options are available.

Things Not Included in the Ticket Price

While the ticket price includes a lot, there are extras you may want to budget for:

1. Specialty Dining – Steakhouses, sushi bars, and fine dining restaurants.

2. Alcoholic Beverages & Soda Packages – Available with beverage packages.

3. Shore Excursions – Guided tours, adventure activities, and cultural experiences.

4. Wi-Fi and Internet Packages – Available shipwide with VOOM internet.

5. Spa and Salon Services – Massages, facials, and beauty treatments.

6. Casino Gaming – Slot machines, poker, and table games.

7. Gift Shops and Boutiques – Duty-free shopping onboard.

8. Professional Photos – Taken by ship photographers throughout the voyage.

Knowing this breakdown helps avoid surprises in your budget.

Tips for Maximizing What’s Included

1. Take Advantage of Complimentary Dining: Explore multiple venues to experience variety.

2. Attend Free Entertainment: Don’t miss Broadway-style shows, comedy nights, or live music.

3. Enjoy Included Activities: Rock climbing, FlowRider, and ice skating are all free.

4. Use Kids’ Programs: Let children enjoy Adventure Ocean while you relax.

5. Drink Smart: Stick to included beverages to save money.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does my Royal Caribbean ticket include alcohol?No, alcoholic drinks require an additional purchase or beverage package.

2. Are gratuities included?They may not be included in the ticket price unless prepaid.

3. Can I dine at specialty restaurants for free?No, specialty dining venues cost extra. Complimentary dining is available in the main dining room, buffets, and casual eateries.

4. Is Wi-Fi included?No, Wi-Fi requires purchasing an internet package.

5. Can I explore ports without excursions?Yes, you can disembark and explore independently without paying for tours.

Conclusion

The ticket price for a Royal Caribbean International cruise is far more inclusive than most traditional vacations. With accommodations, dining, entertainment, activities, and youth programs all bundled into your fare, you receive incredible value for your money.

While certain extras like specialty dining, alcohol, excursions, and Wi-Fi cost more, the essentials for a memorable vacation are already included in your ticket. By understanding what’s covered and planning your budget wisely, you can fully enjoy the unique mix of adventure, relaxation, and world-class service Royal Caribbean has to offer.

When you step onboard, you’ll quickly see that your cruise fare unlocks not just a trip, but an all-in-one floating resort experience.