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Booking a Royal Caribbean cruise can look straightforward when you first see the advertised fare. However, the price you see when comparing cruises may not represent the total amount you will spend during the trip.
Some expenses are added to the booking, while others are optional purchases made before or during the cruise. These can include gratuities, taxes and port expenses, Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, premium drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments, transportation, and other onboard purchases.
Understanding these costs before booking makes it much easier to create an accurate cruise budget.
This guide explains the most common extra charges and answers important questions such as how much deposit do you need to pay for Royal Caribbean, what fees are unavoidable, and which expenses you can choose to skip.
Royal Caribbean does not necessarily describe these costs as "hidden fees." In most cases, they are additional charges that may not be included in the initial cruise fare or may appear later in the booking process.
There are generally three types of additional costs:
Required costs: Taxes, fees, and certain mandatory charges
Expected onboard costs: Gratuities and other common expenses
Optional costs: Wi-Fi, drinks, excursions, specialty dining, and activities
The important distinction is that not every additional charge applies to every passenger.
For example, you can usually avoid specialty dining if you are happy with the included restaurants. However, certain taxes, fees, and gratuities can form part of your overall cruise cost.
One of the first things to check when comparing cruise prices is whether the advertised fare includes applicable taxes and port-related charges.
These costs can vary depending on:
Sailing itinerary
Departure port
Number of ports visited
Destination
Cruise length
Government requirements
Taxes and fees are generally included in the final booking price rather than being something you unexpectedly pay at the ship's front desk.
This is why two cruises with similar advertised base fares can have different final prices.
No. Applicable taxes and port-related charges are generally not optional.
They are associated with the cruise itinerary and are part of the amount you must pay for the booking.
When comparing cruises, always look at the total cruise price, rather than comparing only the advertised base fare.
Gratuities are one of the biggest additional expenses passengers should consider.
Royal Caribbean generally applies a daily gratuity charge to eligible guests. The amount can vary based on the accommodation category and the applicable gratuity rate at the time of sailing.
Gratuities may be:
Added to your onboard account daily
Prepaid before the cruise
Charged according to the applicable rate for your booking
Because gratuities are charged per guest and per day, they can add a significant amount to a longer cruise.
Yes. Royal Caribbean allows eligible guests to arrange prepaid gratuities before sailing.
Prepaying can make budgeting easier because you account for this expense before your vacation begins.
It is important to check the gratuity terms attached to your particular reservation because rates and policies can change.
Internet access is another expense that catches some first-time cruisers by surprise.
Basic internet access is not automatically included with every Royal Caribbean cruise fare.
Royal Caribbean offers internet packages, and pricing can vary depending on:
Cruise duration
Number of devices
Package type
Sailing
When you purchase the package
If you need reliable internet for work, messaging, streaming, or staying connected, include Wi-Fi in your cruise budget.
It depends on your booking and loyalty or package benefits.
Some guests may receive internet benefits through a specific offer, package, loyalty benefit, or other promotion. Others will need to purchase an internet package.
Don't assume Wi-Fi is included simply because the ship has internet access.
Royal Caribbean offers several beverage options, but premium drinks can quickly increase your vacation spending.
Depending on the cruise and package, passengers may encounter costs for:
Alcoholic beverages
Premium coffees
Bottled water
Fresh juices
Specialty beverages
Certain non-alcoholic drinks
A beverage package can be worthwhile for some travelers, but it is not automatically a money-saving choice for everyone.
Before buying one, estimate how many eligible drinks you would realistically consume each day.
Some beverages are included, but not every drink is complimentary.
Common included beverage options can include basic water, regular coffee, tea, and certain other standard drinks. Premium beverages generally cost extra.
The exact inclusions can depend on the ship, venue, and package.
Royal Caribbean has restaurants and dining venues included in the cruise fare, but specialty restaurants can cost extra.
These may include restaurants offering:
Steakhouse dining
Italian cuisine
Premium seafood
Sushi
Other specialty menus
You can enjoy your cruise without purchasing specialty dining because there are complimentary dining options available.
However, specialty restaurants can be tempting, especially on longer cruises.
Specialty dining prices are commonly based on the guest rather than the entire table.
That means a restaurant advertised at a particular price can become considerably more expensive for a family or larger group.
Always check whether the displayed price is:
Per person
Per meal
A package price
A cover charge
A fixed-menu price
Shore excursions are another major optional expense.
Royal Caribbean offers excursions at many ports, but the cruise fare does not generally cover most organized shore excursions.
Examples include:
City tours
Beach trips
Snorkeling
Scuba diving
Wildlife experiences
Cultural tours
Adventure activities
Transportation-based excursions
You can also explore many ports independently, depending on the destination and your personal comfort level.
If you plan to take excursions at several ports, add those costs to your vacation budget before booking.
Spa treatments are generally additional expenses.
Depending on the service, you may pay extra for:
Massages
Facials
Salon services
Beauty treatments
Other wellness services
These services can be convenient onboard, but they are not normally part of the standard cruise fare.
If keeping the cruise inexpensive is your priority, the spa is an easy category to leave out of your budget.
Many Royal Caribbean ships have entertainment and activities included in the cruise fare, but certain experiences or activities may have an additional charge.
Depending on the ship, these can include selected:
Experiences
Classes
Premium activities
Games
Attractions
Special events
The availability and pricing depend heavily on the specific ship.
Before boarding, check the Cruise Planner for activities you are interested in so you know which ones require payment.
Casino spending is not technically a cruise fee, but it is an easy way to increase your vacation cost.
Casino games require separate spending, and money used in the casino is not part of your cruise fare.
Set a firm entertainment budget if you plan to visit the casino.
While many dining options are included, some food and room-service choices can carry additional charges.
The exact cost depends on what you order and where you order it.
Before ordering food delivered to your room or choosing a premium venue, check the listed price and any applicable service charge.
Getting to the cruise terminal is another expense that is easy to overlook when calculating the cost of a cruise.
Your overall travel budget may need to include:
Flights
Airport transfers
Taxi or rideshare costs
Hotel stays
Parking
Rental cars
Baggage fees
These aren't Royal Caribbean charges, but they are part of the real cost of taking a cruise.
This is especially important when flying to a departure port a day before sailing.
Many experienced cruisers choose to arrive at the departure city one day before the ship leaves.
This can reduce the risk of missing the ship because of a delayed flight or other transportation problem.
However, it adds another expense:
Hotel + meals + transportation + possible parking costs
If you're flying to your cruise port, include a pre-cruise hotel in your budget when appropriate.
The answer to how much deposit do you need to pay for Royal Caribbean depends on factors such as the sailing, booking type, promotion, itinerary, cabin category, and applicable deposit rules.
Royal Caribbean does not use one universal deposit amount for every cruise.
Your required deposit can vary based on:
Cruise fare
Length of sailing
Stateroom category
Number of guests
Booking promotion
When you make the reservation
Applicable cancellation terms
Some promotions may advertise reduced deposits, while other reservations may require the standard deposit applicable to that booking.
A deposit is not automatically refundable in every situation.
The refundability of your deposit depends on the fare conditions and cancellation policy associated with your reservation.
This is why you should check the terms before paying a deposit, particularly if your travel plans are uncertain.
A lower deposit does not necessarily mean the booking has flexible cancellation conditions.
Canceling a cruise can result in penalties depending on when you cancel and the terms of your reservation.
Generally, the closer you get to the sailing date, the greater the potential cancellation penalty can become.
Before booking, check:
Final payment date
Deposit terms
Cancellation deadlines
Applicable penalties
Refund conditions
Any special promotion restrictions
This can prevent an unpleasant surprise if your plans change.
Changing a reservation can sometimes involve additional costs or different fare conditions.
The impact depends on:
What you are changing
When you make the change
Your original fare
Current pricing
Availability
Booking terms
Changing dates can also mean that the new sailing has a different price.
If the new cruise costs more, you may have to pay the difference.
If your payment method uses a different currency from the currency in which the cruise is charged, your bank or card provider may apply foreign transaction or currency-conversion charges.
These are not Royal Caribbean fees, but they can affect the final amount shown on your card statement.
International travelers should check their card's foreign transaction policy before making large cruise payments.
Laundry and dry-cleaning services can cost extra.
This may become more relevant on longer cruises when passengers don't want to pack enough clothing for the entire trip.
Other personal services may also carry separate charges.
If you're trying to keep expenses under control, check the price before requesting any service that isn't clearly included with your cruise fare.
Not every extra expense is necessary.
You can potentially keep your cruise budget lower by skipping:
Specialty restaurants
Premium drinks
Alcohol
Spa treatments
Paid excursions
Casino spending
Premium activities
Wi-Fi, if you don't need it
Other optional onboard purchases
You can still have a full cruise experience using many of the dining, entertainment, and activities included with your fare.
The best way to avoid surprises is to build your cruise budget before sailing.
Don't focus only on the advertised base fare.
Review the final price shown during booking and identify taxes, fees, and other mandatory charges.
The Cruise Planner can show additional products and activities available for your sailing.
Look at the prices before purchasing packages or experiences.
Decide how much you are comfortable spending on optional purchases.
This is particularly useful for families because small purchases can add up quickly.
Don't automatically buy a drink or Wi-Fi package because it appears convenient.
Calculate whether the package actually makes financial sense for your usage.
Review your onboard charges during the cruise rather than waiting until the final day.
This gives you an opportunity to identify an unexpected charge while there is still time to ask about it.
A realistic cruise budget can be divided into several categories:
ExpenseUsually Included?
Base cruise fareYes
Applicable taxes and feesIncluded in final booking price
Main dining optionsMany are included
Basic entertainmentMany activities are included
Daily gratuitiesAdditional charge
Wi-FiUsually extra unless included through a benefit/package
AlcoholUsually extra
Premium drinksUsually extra
Specialty diningUsually extra
Shore excursionsUsually extra
Spa treatmentsExtra
CasinoExtra
FlightsExtra
Hotel before cruiseExtra
Transportation to portExtra
The exact inclusions can vary by sailing, ship, fare, promotion, and package.
The biggest mistake when budgeting for a Royal Caribbean cruise is looking only at the advertised cruise fare.
Your actual vacation cost can include gratuities, taxes and fees, Wi-Fi, premium drinks, specialty dining, excursions, transportation, hotels, and other optional purchases.
The good news is that many of these expenses are controllable. You can choose which packages and experiences are worth paying for and which ones you can comfortably skip.
And if you're booking a cruise for the first time, don't overlook the deposit. How much deposit do you need to pay for Royal Caribbean depends on the specific reservation and its terms, so always check the deposit requirement and cancellation conditions before completing your booking.
With a little planning, you can separate the costs you must pay from the ones you choose to pay, making it much easier to estimate your true Royal Caribbean cruise budget.
What are the hidden fees on Royal Caribbean?
Common additional costs include gratuities, Wi-Fi, premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa services, and certain onboard activities. Taxes and port-related charges can also form part of the total booking price.
Is Royal Caribbean actually all-inclusive?
No. Royal Caribbean's standard cruise fare covers many important parts of the cruise, including accommodation, many meals, and a wide range of entertainment and activities. Numerous premium products and services cost extra.
Do you have to pay gratuities on Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean generally charges daily gratuities for eligible guests. You may have the option to prepay them depending on your reservation.
How much deposit do you need to pay for Royal Caribbean?
There is no single deposit amount that applies to every Royal Caribbean cruise. The required deposit can depend on the sailing, fare, stateroom, number of guests, promotion, and booking conditions.
Are Royal Caribbean drinks free?
Some basic beverages are included, but alcoholic beverages and many premium drinks cost extra. Beverage packages are available for guests who want broader drink coverage.
Is Wi-Fi included on Royal Caribbean?
Wi-Fi is not automatically included in every cruise fare. Some guests may receive internet access through a package, promotion, loyalty benefit, or other booking benefit.
Are excursions included in the cruise price?
Organized shore excursions are generally an additional expense. Passengers can also choose to explore independently when appropriate.
Can I avoid specialty dining fees?
Yes. You don't have to purchase specialty dining. Royal Caribbean offers complimentary dining options, although the exact options vary by ship.
Can I avoid spending extra money on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Yes. You can significantly reduce additional spending by using included dining and entertainment, skipping premium packages, avoiding unnecessary purchases, and setting an onboard budget.
Why is my final cruise cost higher than the advertised fare?
The advertised fare may represent only the cruise fare. Your final price can also account for applicable taxes and fees, while gratuities and optional purchases may increase your overall vacation spending.
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