Complete Guide: What’s Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise in 2026

Considering taking a cruise vacation and wondering what’s included on Royal Caribbean? You’ve come to the right place! For one set price, travelers can set sail on Royal Caribbean while enjoying most of the amenities on the ship. Want to know what specifically is included and what will cost you extra? Read on for our guide on what’s included on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2026, and what you’ll have to pay extra for to enjoy.

Key Takeaways: What’s Included on Royal Caribbean

• Accommodations: Staterooms are part of the cruise fare, and the category you choose is the main driver of your cruise cost. Royal Caribbean ships offer everything from interior cabins all the way up to a variety of suites with different sizes and layouts.
• Dining: A number of restaurants are included in the cruise fare such as the main dining room and buffet. Other complimentary restaurants include venues like El Loco Fresh, Sorrento’s pizza, and Park Café.
• Pool and Sports Decks: Most pool decks are accessible to all guests and free to use with pools and hot tubs. Many ships also have a water park complete with water slides and splash areas, as well as a rock climbing wall. Sports decks allow passengers to play games like basketball, tennis, mini golf, and pickleball.
• Activities: Poolside activities, deck parties, trivia, many game shows, dance classes, ice skating, and laser tag are all examples of activities that travelers can do for free on board.
• Entertainment: Guests can find production shows in the main theater, comedians in the comedy club, live music in various places around the ship, and a variety of entertainers in the atrium or promenade throughout the cruise. Select ships also feature ice skating shows and high-dive shows.
• Kids’ Programs: Access to the Adventure Ocean kids’ and teens’ clubs are included in the cruise fare, as are other activities and events geared towards kids and families that take place around the ship.
• Not Included: Excursions, alcoholic and some non-alcoholic specialty beverages, specialty dining, gratuities, wifi, room service, and some activities and entertainment incur additional costs.

What’s Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise (2026)

One of the top reasons cruising is such a popular vacation choice is because so much is included in the base price. What’s included during the trip varies depending on the cruise line, so here are the specifics on what Royal Caribbean includes in its fare.

Accommodations

Your cruise fare covers the cost of your stateroom for the duration of the trip. Included with your accommodations, you will have a friendly room attendant who will make up your room each day. 

All Royal Caribbean ships offer a variety of room categories. Most ships offer interior cabins to suites, and everything in between. Choosing your cabin type will be the main driver of your total cruise costs. Royal Caribbean offers some very unique cabin categories. So, be sure to review all the options available on your particular ship.

For instance, some Royal Caribbean ships offer the only “virtual balconies” at sea. These floor to ceiling windows replicate the look and feel of a real balcony with live feeds of the current conditions outside. On Oasis and Icon-class ships, cruisers can get an inside view (or balcony) overlooking Central Park or the Boardwalk/Surfside neighborhood. Icon-class ships offer a plethora of unique cabins for families, including those with a separate room for the kids.

Certain cabin categories will also entitle cruisers to additional perks. These may include special access to a private restaurant and sundeck or even a Royal Genie (butler).

Food and Dining

On every ship, guests can enjoy three meals a day (with some snacks in between) at the casual Windjammer Marketplace. This buffet is part of the cruise fare and offers a variety of menu items morning, noon, and night. 

Other casual and complimentary fare varies from ship to ship. These options can include Cafe Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, the Dog House, Cafe Two70, Solarium Bistro, and more.

In addition to this casual fare, cruisers can also dine in the main dining room. Royal Caribbean offers the traditional early and late dining as well as My Time Dining. This option gives guests more flexibility to dine whenever they want. The main dining room is always open for dinner, serving a different menu each night. It’s also open on select days/hours for a sit-down breakfast and lunch.

What drinks are included on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

When it comes to beverages on the ship, guests have several options. Complimentary beverages include select drinks like iced tea, lemonade, filtered water, some juices, hot chocolate, hot tea, and drip coffee. While these items are complimentary, soda, bottled water, specialty coffee, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages cost extra money.

Remember, Royal Caribbean does allow each guest to bring one bottle of wine with them onboard the ship in a carry-on. However, corkage fees apply if opened in a public venue.

Pool Deck and Sports Deck

All Royal Caribbean ships have a large pool deck for cruisers to enjoy at no additional cost. Offering at least one main pool, hot tubs, and loungers, the pool deck is the ideal place to spend your days at sea. We especially enjoy the resort-style pools on the new and renovated ships.

Additionally, many ships in the fleet also offer other pool deck amenities like water slides and a kid’s water park. Royal Caribbean ships offer a variety of thrilling slides including the first boomerang slide at sea, the first ever head-first mat slide at sea, an aqua coaster, the Perfect Storm waterslides, and the 10-story Ultimate Abyss dry slide.

Further, most elements of the sports deck are included in the Royal Caribbean cruise fare as well. Activities like a basketball court, mini golf, the rock climbing wall, the zip line, and the FlowRider surf simulator are all complimentary and fun for cruisers of all ages. Of course, there is also a jogging track and fitness center for those looking to stay active on a cruise.

Finally, the Solarium is the adults-only area on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Here, guests can relax in a tranquil area sans kids. Some Royal Caribbean ships have pools in the Solarium while others do not.

Onboard Activities

Modern cruise ships are a hub of activities and events. There is always something to do on a Royal Caribbean ship that will not cost anything.

There are various poolside activities, deck parties, and outdoor movie nights that occur when the weather permits. Plenty of events happen indoors on the Royal Promenade as well. Not to mention, Royal Caribbean also hosts other events like trivia, game shows, and dance classes that are all included in the cruise fare. These events will be listed on the Royal Caribbean app, so be sure to check for the exact events occurring on your cruise.

Some Royal Caribbean ships offer unique attractions that are not found on any other cruise line. Studio B is an ice skating rink that is home to a variety of production shows. In addition to featuring world-class skaters, you too can lace up some skates at this venue during open skating sessions on select days. Further, Studio B sometimes doubles as a glow in the dark laser tag arena that is also free for all guests to enjoy.

Quantum-class ships offer North Star, an aerial gondola that rises up to 300 feet above sea level for a bird’s-eye view of the ocean or the local port. These ships also feature the SeaPlex where you can roller skate or take a spin on some bumper cars.

And the best part is that all of these top-notch amenities are included in the price of the Royal Caribbean cruise fare. Some attractions are limited to one time per person and require advanced reservations.

Nightly Entertainment

At night, your Royal Caribbean ship comes alive with plenty of entertainment options. In the ship’s main theater, there are headliner acts, revue shows featuring a cast of singers and dancers, and even Broadway musicals. With hits like Hairspray, Cats, and Mamma Mia, Royal Caribbean has some of the best entertainment at sea, and it is all complimentary. Of note, reservations are required for some shows depending on the ship.

If that’s not enough, Royal Caribbean ships also offer other one-of-a-kind entertainment venues on select ships. On the Oasis and Icon-class ships, you will find the AquaTheater. This venue (which is outdoors on the Oasis ships and indoors on the Icon ships) features a high-tech pool for unique water-based entertainment with divers, synchronized swimmers, and other acrobatics.

On Quantum-class ships, the Music Hall is where you can let your hair down. Groove to your favorite rock and pop music by first class tribute bands playing throughout the cruise. The Two70 Theater features signature production shows that captivate audiences with a mix of the latest digital technology, music, dancing, and acrobatic performances.

There’s also Studio B that hosts regular ice skating shows, the Attic that hosts comedy shows on select ships, and dedicated venues for karaoke, sporting events, and live music throughout the vessel.

Youth Programs

Included in the cruise fare on Royal Caribbean are youth drop-off programs for children and teens ages 3-17 years old. Adventure Ocean allows your kids to engage in educational and fun activities during the cruise that are age appropriate. With groups consisting of ages 3-5 years, 6-8 years, and 9-11 years, your little ones will be supervised by trained staff as they participate in various edutainment offerings. There are also activities for tweens and teens 12-14 years and 15-17 years old. From sports tournaments to scavenger hunts and video games, they will never want to leave.

There is also a drop-off service offered for babies and tots, but this costs an additional fee.

What is Not Included in Your Cruise Fare

While cruises do provide a great vacation value, not everything is covered in the cruise fare. On a Royal Caribbean cruise, there are other amenities that can be purchased if cruisers choose to do so.

Shore Excursions

Your cruise ship will transport you to several exciting ports of call. Unfortunately, shore excursions are not part of the base fare. These tours and additional experiences can be booked through the cruise line or through third-party retailers at additional costs. Shore excursions can range from inexpensive walking tours to several hundreds of dollars for unique experiences.

Alcoholic and Some Non-Alcoholic Beverages

As mentioned previously, alcoholic beverages, as well as some non-alcoholic beverages, are not part of the cruise fare. On Royal Caribbean ships, beer, wine, cocktails, soda, specialty coffee and tea, and bottled water all costs extra. Depending on your drinking habits, purchasing one of the beverage packages available might be a better option than paying the a la carte pricing.

Royal Caribbean offers one alcoholic package called the Deluxe Beverage Package. The offerings in this package include most beers, wines, and cocktails $14 or less. There is also a Classic Soda package and the Refreshment package which covers most non-alcoholic drinks.

Specialty Dining

While there are many dining venues covered in the cruise fare, Royal Caribbean also offers upcharge dining options. Specialty venues like Chops Grille, Izumi, Wonderland, Hooked Seafood, Playmakers Sports Bar, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen all cost an additional fee. Some of these restaurants have a flat fee cover charge while others have a la carte pricing.

If you do want to dine at one or more of these restaurants, reservations are highly recommended and can be made prior to your sailing on the Royal Caribbean website. Reservations can also be made on the ship, but space will be limited.

Other onboard venues like Starbucks, Sugar Beach, and Johnny Rockets are also not included in your cruise fare. Starbucks is not included in any of the beverage packages, either.

Some Entertainment and Onboard Activities

While there are several included activities and entertainment, many ships offer additional classes and activities that cost an up-charge. These can include bingo, fitness and cooking classes, cocktail tastings, and onboard activities like escape rooms, video arcades, or all-access tours.

Of course, any shopping in the retail stores onboard the ship or gaming in the casino are all at your own expense as well.

WiFi Internet Access

WiFi is not included in the cruise fare on Royal Caribbean. Therefore, you will need to purchase an internet package if you want to do any work online, stay in touch with family and friends back home, or post on social media. For a guide to cruise ship internet, including Royal Caribbean’s, head over here.

Room Service

Unless you’re staying in a suite, room service is not included on Royal Caribbean. The good news is, the line charges a flat fee for room service instead of charging per item: $7.95 plus an automatic 18 percent gratuity. For that flat fee you can order as many items as you want, 24 hours a day. An exception to the room service charge is continental breakfast, which is completely free.

Gratuities

Finally, there is a daily service charge added to your onboard cruise account. These daily gratuities are currently $18.50 per person per day for standard staterooms and $21 for suite guests. These charges go towards the hardworking staff on the ship. Of course, you can always tip special crew members above and beyond this required amount. Of note, an 18 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverages and spa purchases. 

Other Add-Ons

If you want a spa or salon treatment while on board, that will cost you extra. The same goes for access to the spa’s thermal suite, which includes amenities such as a sauna, steam room, heated chaise loungers, a hot jetted pool, and experiential showers.

If you would like clothing washed or pressed, these laundry services will cost you extra money as well.

Other add-ons like the previously mentioned beverage packages or a dining package are additional fees. Likewise, so are photo packages, special celebration packages, and transportation to and from the cruise homeport.

Royal Caribbean: What’s Included vs. Additional Cost

INCLUDED IN YOUR FARE	ADDITIONAL COST
Your stateroom	Specialty and alcoholic beverages
Main dining room & buffet	Specialty restaurants (Chops Grille, Izumi, etc.)
Other select restaurants (Sorrento’s, El Loco Fresh)	Shore excursions
Pool deck and sports deck amenities	Daily gratuities ($18.50 or $21/person/day)
Onboard activities (deck parties, trivia, etc.)	Fitness and cooking classes
Nightly entertainment	WiFi
Fitness center	Room service
Basic beverages (lemonade, juice, drip coffee)	Spa treatments and access to the thermal suite
	Laundry service
	Select premium experiences

Comments

Have you sailed on a Royal Caribbean ship? What are your thoughts about what’s included on a Royal Caribbean cruise (and what’s not)? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising with this brand.