Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips for Families (What We’ve Learned After 11 Cruises)

After sailing 11 cruises with Royal Caribbean, we’ve learned a lot. What works, what doesn’t, and what makes a cruise truly unforgettable for families.

Whether it’s your first cruise or your tenth, these Royal Caribbean cruise tips for families will help you save money, avoid stress, and make the most of every day onboard.

1. Booking Tips (Start Here)

  • Book early (we typically book at least a year in advance). You’ll find the best prices, and the best room options.
  • Watch for promotions like Kids Sail Free
  • Always use a travel agent

We personally use Carefree Travel (thanks Pam!) and highly recommend working with someone who understands the process and pricing.

Ship Choice Matters

Once we sailed on an Oasis Class ship, we were hooked.

Ships like Symphony

(read our full review here) of the Seas offer:

  • More activities for kids
  • More dining options
  • Stronger entertainment

For families, I personally feel like it will be difficult to go back to smaller ships after experiencing this class.

2. Pre-Cruise Planning (Don’t Skip This)

As soon as you book your cruise:

Download the App

  • Track your itinerary
  • Monitor pre-cruise sales
  • Book activities and dining

Book Shows Early

Popular shows fill up quickly.

Pro tip:
Book the Aqua Show at the beginning of your cruise. If weather cancels it, you will have time to reschedule.

Lock in Dining

We always book 5:00 PM Early Seating in the Main Dining Room.

This gives:

  • The same table each night
  • The same waitstaff (we love getting to know the dining room staff)
  • A consistent evening schedule for shows

Book Deals Before You Sail

Pre-cruise sales are key to saving money.

Book early for:

  • Beverage packages
  • Specialty dining
  • Excursions

If the price drops, cancel and rebook.

3. Packing Tips

These small items make a big difference:

  • Magnetic hooks for extra storage in your stateroom
  • Notepad and pen for communication (we typically don’t get the internet)
  • Extra sunglasses (you know a pair is going to break)
  • Pool toys and collapsible sand buckets
  • Allowed bottle of wine for adults
  • Leave room in your luggage for souvenirs

4. Embarkation Day Strategy

Arrive Early

Getting onboard early gives you more time to enjoy the ship.

First Steps Onboard

  • Complete your muster drill right away
  • Grab a cold drink and find some food
  • Head to the pool deck

Make the Most of the Day

Rooms are usually ready around 1:00 PM, but we don’t rush to them. We prefer to stay out and enjoy the ship as soon as we board.

5. Onboard Strategy (Avoid the Crowds)

Pool Chair Strategy

This is real and can get competitive.

Our approach:

  • Get chairs around 8:00 AM
  • Only take what you will actually use. We have a family of 5, but we know we aren’t all going to use a chair at the same time.

Avoid Buffet Crowds

The Windjammer can get very busy.

Best approach:

  • Go right when it opens
  • Or choose alternative dining options for a quieter experience. Trust us, there are plenty of other wonderful options to pick from.

6. Food Tips (Our Favorites)

You do not need specialty dining to enjoy great food onboard (see our full dining guide here).

Breakfast

  • Johnny Rockets (fast and reliable)
  • Main Dining Room
  • Park Café (a hidden gem)

Lunch

  • El Loco Fresh is a must
  • Chicken quesadillas were a favorite

Dinner

  • Main Dining Room offers consistency and great service
  • Izumi was our best meal

Wonderland is worth trying once for the experience, but not something we would repeat.

7. Cruising with Kids

There are so many activities onboard (see your full kids activity guide here).

Activities That Stood Out

  • Ultimate Abyss
  • Waterslides
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Shows, especially the Aqua Show

Younger Kids

  • Adventure Ocean was a highlight
  • Splash areas and the carousel were favorites
  • Endless rides on the Carousel

Older Kids

  • Enjoyed independence
  • Running for pizza, ice cream, or drinks

Setting clear expectations ahead of time makes this work well.

Service Makes a Difference

The Main Dining Room staff made a lasting impression by:

  • Learning our kids’ names
  • Interacting with them each night
  • Making the experience feel personal

8. Money-Saving Tips

Take Advantage of Pre-Cruise Sales

This is one of the easiest ways to save money.

Beverage Packages

Our experience:

  • Deluxe Beverage Package can be worth it depending on the trip (we’ve sailed without kids, and thought this package was worth the extra cost)
  • Refreshment Package offers strong value
  • Coffee Card is a good add-on

Stateroom Strategy

If booking multiple staterooms: Not everyone is required to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package.

This can significantly reduce costs.

Understand Extra Costs

Cruises are not fully all-inclusive (unfortunately).

Additional costs may include:

  • Drinks
  • Specialty dining
  • Internet
  • Excursions

9. Port Day Strategy

The ports you visit can really make a difference. There are certain ports that we prefer over others, but we have found something that we’ve enjoyed at each port (see our full port guide here).

Get Off the Ship Early

This helps avoid crowds and maximizes your time.

Keep It Simple

Some of our best port days included:

  • Walking through San Juan
  • Enjoying CocoCay
  • Returning to the ship for a quieter day

Excursions are not always necessary.

10. Biggest Lessons We’ve Learned

  • Always use a travel agent
  • Book early and monitor pricing
  • Take advantage of pre-cruise sales
  • Plan ahead but remain flexible
  • Some of the best moments are unplanned

Final Thoughts: Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips for Families

Cruising with Royal Caribbean as a family is one of our favorite ways to travel.

With the right planning, you can:

  • Save money
  • Avoid stress
  • Fully enjoy your vacation