5 WORST things about cruising with Royal Caribbean: should it stop you from booking?

Summary

In this video, Matt from RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com highlights common concerns about Royal Caribbean cruises, such as large ships, extra costs, difficulty getting tickets for shows, inflexible change penalties, and the family-friendly focus. Despite these issues, Matt explains that many of these problems aren't as bad as they might seem, and Royal Caribbean still offers innovative and enjoyable experiences. He also provides tips to manage these potential drawbacks, suggesting pre-booking, choosing longer itineraries, and embracing the variety of activities available. Ultimately, he encourages viewers to consider Royal Caribbean cruises despite these challenges.

Takeaways

• 🚢 Royal Caribbean is known for its large ships, which can accommodate thousands of passengers, but the company has designed spaces like neighborhoods to prevent overcrowding.
• 👥 Despite the size, Royal Caribbean tries to disperse passengers across different activities and areas to minimize the feeling of crowding.
• 💸 There are many optional add-ons that can increase the total cost of a cruise, such as drink packages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi, but these are modular costs that passengers can choose based on their preferences.
• 🎟️ It can be difficult to get tickets to popular shows on larger ships, but standby lines often provide opportunities to still see these performances.
• 💼 Royal Caribbean has strict penalties for changing or canceling non-refundable cruise fares, which can be a problem for those with changing plans.
• 🏖️ Royal Caribbean is primarily a family-focused cruise line, which might be less appealing to adults seeking child-free environments. However, longer and off-season sailings tend to have fewer children onboard.
• 🛳️ Smaller ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, like the Vision and Radiance classes, offer fewer passengers but still provide plenty of activities.
• 💰 Pre-booking extras like drink packages and excursions before boarding can save money compared to purchasing them on the ship.
• 🤷 Not all passengers use amenities like Wi-Fi or drink packages, so the modular pricing structure lets them avoid paying for what they don’t need.
• 👶 While Royal Caribbean offers adult-only areas, such as the Solarium, it is not entirely possible to avoid children on these family-focused cruises.

Q & A

What is one of the most common reasons people avoid Royal Caribbean cruises?

One of the most common reasons people avoid Royal Caribbean cruises is due to the large size of their ships, which can carry thousands of passengers. Some people are concerned that this will lead to overcrowded experiences.

How does Royal Caribbean manage crowds on their large ships?

Royal Caribbean manages crowds by designing their larger ships, like the Oasis class, with neighborhoods and a variety of activities spread throughout the ship. This helps distribute passengers across different areas, so not everyone is in the same place at once.

Are all Royal Caribbean ships large, or do they offer smaller options?

While Royal Caribbean is known for its large ships, they also offer smaller options like the Vision, Radiance, and Voyager classes. These ships have fewer passengers but still provide a range of activities and amenities.

What is a common complaint regarding the cost of Royal Caribbean cruises?

A common complaint is that the advertised price of the cruise is often lower than what people end up paying due to extra costs like drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, spa services, gratuities, and port fees.

Can passengers save money on extra costs, and if so, how?

Yes, passengers can save money by pre-booking extra services such as drink packages, shore excursions, and spa treatments before the cruise. These are generally cheaper if booked in advance compared to purchasing them onboard.

Is it difficult to get tickets for shows on Royal Caribbean ships?

Yes, it can be difficult to get tickets for popular shows, especially on larger ships like the Oasis and Quantum classes. Tickets are free but often go quickly. However, passengers can try the standby line, which usually works, though it involves some waiting and uncertainty.

What are the penalties for changing or canceling a Royal Caribbean cruise?

If you book a non-refundable cruise fare and need to change or cancel your booking, you will incur a penalty. Royal Caribbean is known for being inflexible with these penalties, even in cases where life events cause a change of plans.

Is Royal Caribbean more focused on family activities or adult experiences?

Royal Caribbean is generally more focused on family-friendly activities. While they do offer adult-only areas like the solarium, they are primarily considered a family cruise line. For those seeking an adult-only experience, Royal Caribbean may not be the best choice.

How can adults minimize the number of children on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

To minimize the presence of children on a Royal Caribbean cruise, adults can opt for longer sailings, such as 9 to 14 nights, or avoid sailing during school holidays like summer break, spring break, and Christmas. Transatlantic cruises also tend to have fewer children on board.

Why do some people still choose Royal Caribbean despite these drawbacks?

Many people choose Royal Caribbean because of the variety of activities, innovative ship design, and market-leading features. Despite the drawbacks like extra costs or crowds, passengers often find that the overall experience and value outweigh these concerns.