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41 Must-Do Activities Aboard Royal Caribbean Ships

When it comes to things to do on a cruise ship, Royal Caribbean is arguably the leader in the industry. Whether you’re wanting something relaxing (spa day, anyone?) or something more active (waterslides, rock climbing, and more), the cruise line offers more to do than anyone out there.

If you’re planning to take a cruise on Royal Caribbean, you should know that it offers something for everyone – from kids to teens to active adults and even grandparents. No one of any age can feel bored with so many activities to choose from, whatever your taste in fun.

If you’re new to cruising, or haven’t sailed with Royal Caribbean yet, here’s a preview of the many things you can enjoy while sailing with this cruise line.

One thing to note is that the list below represents the things you can do across the cruise line. Unfortunately, not all the features listed are available on every Royal Caribbean ship . Don’t worry, however. You can ask your travel agent or call the cruise line to see which ships offer the features you want. (If you want the most options, then we suggest sailing the newest and largest ships in the fleet.)

We’ve broken down this list into broad groups to help you decide in advance which of the many cruise experiences you absolutely don’t want to miss…

Thrills: Get Your Adrenaline Pumping!

There’s no better way to kick off your cruise than with some high-energy fun. You can skydive, zipline, rock climb, soar above the ship, ride standing waves… and more. What other type of travel offers so many options?

Plunge down a waterslide If you can’t remember the last time you felt exhilarated, you owe it to yourself to enjoy one of Royal Caribbean’s waterslides. They are a fun way to get wet while on the ship while also getting a shot of adrenaline. You’ll find them across the fleet, with larger ships having more options.

Want to stay dry? Check out the Ultimate Abyss on the cruise line’s largest Oasis-class ships. While not a waterslide, it still takes you plunging down ten stories, making it the tallest slide at sea.

Skydive without an airplane If you’re attracted by the adrenaline rush of skydiving, but not sure if you want to jump out of an airplane, try RipCord by iFly on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships. This skydiving simulator lets you experience the excitement of defying gravity, safely floating on air within a wind tunnel on the deck of your ship. Don’t worry, you’ll have an instructor with you the entire time. There is a charge for this activity, however.

Go rock climbing Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, you can strap in and go vertical – as high as 40 feet above deck. This complimentary activity will give you bragging rights when you tell your friends that your vacation had you climbing the wall in the middle of the ocean. While kids will love it, there’s no rule that adults can’t climb too!

Polish your surfing skills on Flowrider Royal Caribbean’s popular surfing simulator allows guests to experience what it’s like to ride a wave… without having to plunge into the ocean. You simply “surf” on a thin layer of fast-moving water. The Flowrider supports both traditional surfing and boogie board style surfing. Surfing on a Flowrider is complimentary with your fare. For an additional fee, you can also book private surfing lessons. Just keep in mind that the lines can be long during prime time in the middle of a day at sea.

Zipline across the ship Imagine flying across the ship, suspended from a zipline ten decks up. You can do it on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels such as Harmony of the Seas. Strap in and ride across the decks below. It’s a short ride, but also an unforgettable experience you can’t replicate anywhere else.

Ride the North Star If you’re sailing aboard one of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships, make sure you experience this unique attraction. The North Star observation pod extends upwards and even over the side of the ship so passengers can take in a 360-degree view from 300 feet in the air. If you’re scared of heights, then it’s not for you. If you’re ok with being up over the ship, it provides a great view (and thrill).

Fun: Sing, Shop, Skate – and More!

Being on a cruise means feeling carefree. Sing your heart out, shop ‘til you drop, glide across the ice.

Indulge in some retail therapy Royal Caribbean’s Royal Promenades are one of the things fans love about this cruise line. Aboard a Royal Caribbean vessel, you’ll find a wide range of shopping options here, including souvenirs, fine jewelry, fashion, luxury watches, liquor, and beauty items. No need to bring cash. You can put everything on your room keycard and pay at the end of the trip.

Join in a piano sing-along The Schooner Bar, one of the Royal Caribbean signature venues found on every ship, offers a relaxed, nautical vibe along with a piano. Enjoy your favorite beverage as you enjoy the piano music playing well-known songs that are universally loved.

Sing your heart out in karaoke One of the nice things about a cruise is that you don’t have to worry about embarrassing yourself. After all, once the cruise is over you won’t likely see these people again. So let your talent shine onstage. Karaoke is available at different spots, such as Spotlight Karaoke on Oasis of the Seas. Grab a mic and show off your vocal chops, singing one of your favorite hit songs.

Twirl and glide across the ice One of the many ways Royal Caribbean offers passengers more than they is expect is by doing things that seem impossible on a cruise ship. In this case, how about a shipboard ice-skating rink? Everyone from kids to grownups can strap on a pair of skates and glide (or wobble) across the ice. There are also ice shows put on by the entertainment staff. Be sure to bring long pants.

Try your luck in the casino Gambling on the cruise ship is one of the most popular activities. All your favorite games are available (slots, craps, roulette, blackjack, etc.), plus some that you may not be used to seeing in a casino like coin pusher machines and “skill crane” type machines that can win you money.

Casinos are open normally when the ship is sailing from port to port, and can get pretty busy in the evenings.

Explore the art around the ship One unique thing about Royal Caribbean is that the cruise line loves to place art around the ship. Every stairwell that you travel will have art pieces. There’s also art lining the walls near the elevator lobbies as you head to the cabin. And then there is just art sprinkled around. Take a few moments to appreciate these touches as there are some definitely unique pieces you won’t see anywhere else.

Relax: Ways to Unwind

A Royal Caribbean cruise lets you enjoy the best of both worlds – fast-paced fun and/or slowing down to savor some quiet time.

Enjoy some private romantic time Order room service for you and your significant other so the two of you can have meal together on your stateroom balcony. Toast each other as you watch the sun rise or set. (If you opted for shipboard accommodations without a balcony, Royal Caribbean ships offer plenty of spots where you can lounge on the pool deck with great views.)

Play shuffleboard If you’re in the mood for some laid-back fun, a game of shuffleboard gives you something fun to do with friends, family and fellow cruisers without taxing your muscles or energy level. It’s a perfect way to wind down, especially if you’ve been engaging in high-energy activities all day. Plus, it’s about as classic a cruise ship activity as you will ever see. You’ll see the courts painted with boxes nearby holding the equipment.

Relax at the spa If you crave relaxation, Royal Caribbean’s spas have you covered. Enjoy a massage or pamper yourself with a facial or mani-pedi. You can also just purchase a day pass to use the facilities. The menu of spa services also includes wraps, teeth-whitening, hair-styling, and makeup. Just know that there are extra charges for spa services. Still, the relaxation can be well worth the cost.

Grab a towel and head for the pool As you would expect, every Royal Caribbean ship offers swimming pools, and usually we’re talking multiple options. Choose the pool that suits your style.

The main pool, open to all cruisers of all ages, enables the whole family to relax together. Kids’ pools provide splashing and spraying fun for children. The Solarium, open to adults, offers a quieter vibe – plus this pool is typically covered giving a warmer option if it’s chilly out.

No matter which pool you pick, you can soak up some sun or relax in the shade while sipping your favorite beverage.

Let the kids go wild in Splashaway Bay We mentioned it in passing above, but Splashaway Bay on Royal Caribbean is a can’t-miss if you have kids. Instead of a pool, it’s an entire splash pad with water spraying everywhere, slides, interactive water features and more. If you have a kid that can’t swim yet, it’s the perfect place for them to get wet while you relax (or join in the fun).

Eat: Food, Glorious Food!

With so many delicious options to choose from, your only problem will be deciding which spot to eat at first.

Dine on gourmet Italian fare at Jaime’s Italian With a menu of Tuscan specialties designed by famed chef Jaime Oliver, Jaime’s Italian is a favorite dining venue among Royal Caribbean fans. Start with the Meat Plank, the shareable appetizer piled with mortadella, salami, prosciutto, pickles and cheeses. Then choose from fresh pasta, fish and seafood dishes, chicken, or burgers. 

Taste a little of everything at the Windjammer Royal Caribbean’s buffet — Windjammer — enables you to sample all your favorites, plus try some tempting dishes. Breakfast offerings include a selection of everything from omelets to bacon to French toast, pastries, and more. Lunchtime options range from sandwiches, salads, and soups to fresh-pressed paninis and various carving stations. For dinner, you can eat just about anything you can imagine, including salads, burgers, dogs, tacos, chicken, and beef dishes. Don’t forget to save room for the dessert, which include a number of options.

Get some sushi at Izumi Fans of Japanese cuisine can enjoy expertly prepared, impeccably presented sushi and sashimi, as well as a wide variety of Asian-inspired appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Just know that like many restaurants outside the buffet and main dining room, there is an extra charge.

Savor the taste of the sea at Hooked Seafood Choose from a menu of New England-style seafood classic dishes including crab cakes, crab claws, lobster rolls, plus raw-bar favorites like just-shucked oysters.

Chow down on Italian favorites Giovanni’s Table Even if your cruise doesn’t sail anywhere near the boot-shaped peninsula, you can satisfy your craving for fresh pastas, and braised meats and classic Italian dishes (lamb, chicken, shrimp, and veal) at this upscale Italian spot. One tip — try it for lunch for a cheaper price than what’s charged at dinner.

Dine in elegance at 150 Central Park Available on Oasis-class ships, 150 Central Park serves farm-to-ship cuisine using carefully sourced ingredients to create handcrafted gourmet experience. Dishes include halibut, duck, lobster, veal, and more. 

Let your taste buds experience Wonderland In the mood for a culinary adventure? Take your taste buds down the rabbit hole to enjoy magical elixirs and sensory surprises. Wonderland is an Alice in Wonderland-inspired restaurant, right down to the menu you have to paint to reveal its contents. Meanwhile the entrees served also have a unique take on what you eat. Consider it one of the most memorable meals you’ll ever eat.

Grab a slice of pizza at Sorrento’s Sometimes you just want a slice of pizza. Sorrento’s serves up pies around the clock. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cheese or pepperoni pizza or want to try one of the daily specialty toppings like chorizo or Hawaiian-style pizza, Sorrento’s will satisfy your cravings for pizza in a casual setting for lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack.

Compete: So Many Ways to Challenge Yourself

On a Royal Caribbean ship, you can choose from the latest game trends or go old-school to compete with others and prove who is the best.

Get in a game of mini-golf Playing mini-golf is a great way to have fun with family members and/or friends. Shipboard mini-golf means you get to enjoy an ocean view while you play! It’s completely free and the good news is that the courses don’t usually get too crowded. It’s something you can play anytime, day or night.

Test your wits in an escape room Are you up to a brainteasing challenge? Can you and your team solve the clues and escape before the clock runs out? Whether you’re already a fan of the escape room trend or eager to try this challenge for the first time, you’ll have a blast racing against the clock to find clues so you can solve the escape room puzzle on many Royal Caribbean ships. The “Apollo 18” escape room, for example, gives you an hour to figure of the clues to launch the rocket… and is set in a control room that looks straight out of the 1960s.

Play video games in the arcade Ok, maybe you don’t think about playing video games on vacation, but your kids might. On the ships there are arcades with all sorts of games – from air hockey to skill cranes to shooting games. Royal Caribbean’s onboard video arcades vary from ship to ship, but they all offer the lure of parent-free fun amidst flashing lights. Of course, parents can play too.

Try your skill in trivia and sports If you love a little competition, then surprisingly a cruise ship can scratch that itch. Royal Caribbean puts on lots of games where you can test yourself against others. This includes trivia covering all sorts of topics from famous logos to flags of the world. As well, sports contests like free-throw competitions and soccer skills are also happening during the cruise.

Entertainment: Enjoy the Show

There’s something magical about watching a live performance; something you can’t get from streaming your favorite show or movie at home. Royal Caribbean gives guests a wide range of choices of live entertainment to enjoy.

Enjoy world-class entertainment at a Broadway at Sea production Royal Caribbean offers Tony award-winning Broadway shows. Recent productions offered onboard include Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Cats, and Grease. If you love razzle-dazzle shows with world-class performers singing and dancing with the full panoply of professional costumes, lighting, and sets, a voyage aboard a Royal Caribbean ship is your ticket to great entertainment. Best of all, these shows are free to watch.

Be amazed at the skills of AquaTheater performers Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels feature the Aqua Theater, unique performance spaces where two 30-foot diving platforms flank the deepest pool at sea. Watch in awe as aerialists, acrobats, and high divers perform amazing feats as the ship sails. There is simply no other cruise line that has anything like this.

Listen to live music Royal Caribbean’s live music venues feature world-class musicians performing a wide range of sounds, from cover bands and acoustic to Latin and live jazz. You can take in a live concert every night of your cruise. They perform at venues around the ship in the evening, adding a nice soundtrack to the evening of entertainment.

Laugh your stress away with some comedy If you like comedy, you can laugh and enjoy yourself at sea. Just about any cruise will have a comedian. Sometimes they perform in a small venue and sometimes they are headliners in the main theater. No matter, the comedians will help put you in a good mood, with performers that have appeared on major broadcasts and venues.

Toast the official start of your cruise at the sail-away party Aboard every trip to the Caribbean is the sail-away party. To celebrate the moment your ship leaves port, Royal Caribbean hosts a party at the pool deck. All guests are invited to enjoy the festivities, which include drinks, dancing, and music. Don’t miss the fun, especially if you’re cruising for the first time.

Drink: I’ll Toast to That!

Quench your thirst, learn about wines, enjoy the way your favorite drink tastes accompanied by ocean air.

Root for your favorite team at Playmakers If your favorite team is playing during your cruise, you can watch the action at Playmakers. Drink your favorite brew while snacking on Playmakers’ menu of sports bar favorites like burgers and wings. If you’re traveling during football season, then there is no better place to be. 

Let a robot bartender serve you at the Bionic Bar In a cool twist on traditional drink service, many Royal Caribbean ships have the Bionic Bar. Here, you order your favorite cocktail via an iPad, then have it prepared and served to you by robotic arms. It’s a mix of mixology and technology as your perfectly prepared drink is put together.

Take a mini-tour of the ship from your bar stool It’s perhaps the most unique bar on any cruise ship anywhere. The Rising Tide Bar on Oasis-class ships is an elevator bar, gliding slowly up from the Royal Promenade on deck 5 to Central Park on deck 8. Don’t worry, you haven’t had too much to drink. The bar really is moving.

Have a fruity cocktail from The Bamboo Room A tiki-inspired bar with all sorts of fruity concoctions? The Bamboo Room isn’t on every ship, but is a favorite for those that enjoy a tropical feeling. Step in and be transported back to mid-century when tiki bars were all the rage. It’s lively (especially near the action of the bar), but also offers spots to sit and enjoy the company of others in a cozy atmosphere where you don’t have to yell to be heard.

Enjoy poolside beverages at Lime and Coconut Perhaps the most popular bar on any Royal Caribbean ship will be Lime and Coconut. This is the poolside bar. Here you can get all the fruity tropical concoctions you’re dreaming about, all with barely having to leave your sun lounger. 

Let Loose: Show Off a Little

You’re on vacation, so loosen up. Move your body on the dance floor, let your inner pop (or rock, or country) star cut loose on stage, put on your fanciest duds and/or a playful costume.

Enjoy an evening of elegance with formal nights If the elegance of cruising’s past makes you feel you were born too late, you’ll love this opportunity to wear your finest attire. Formal nights happen on each cruise and are perfect to get all dressed up and have a romantic evening. Be sure to take a photo so you can show all your friends back home how amazing you look on this special evening at sea.

Wear a fantastic costume at theme nights If you like to dress up but prefer a more playful atmosphere, you’ll enjoy Royal Caribbean’s theme nights. These festive evenings vary from voyage to voyage. Your cruise might offer ‘70s Disco Night, White Out, Caribbean Night, Country & Western, Latin or a Sock Hop. Don’t worry, you don’t have to dress up to enjoy the theme parties.

Play (or just watch) interactive game shows Watch – or participate in – one of Royal Caribbean’s shipboard game shows, based loosely on TV classic shows. One is a take on The Newlywed Game where contestants try to win by showing how well they know their spouse. Other game shows offered onboard include Battle of the Sexes and the adults-only Quest scavenger hunt.

More on sailing Royal Caribbean:

• Complete Guide to Sailing Royal Caribbean (What It’s Like)
• Worth It? Complete Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Drink Package
• 15+ Royal Caribbean Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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35 Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks that will make your voyage better

Want to impress your traveling companions the next time you cruise with Royal Caribbean ? Take a scroll through our ultimate list of Royal Caribbean cruise tips, tricks and hacks in the story below — 35 in all!

These are specific Royal Caribbean cruise tips that will save you money and time, and let you maximize the experience both on board the vessels and during port calls.

Got a great Royal Caribbean cruise tip of your own that's not included here? Email us at [email protected]. You might find your tip included in a future update of this guide!

Here, our 35 best tips and tricks for getting the most from your Royal Caribbean cruise.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Use a travel agent to book

We put this tip first for a reason. In our book, reaching out to a travel agent who knows the Royal Caribbean brand is the first thing you need to do when planning a cruise with the line.

Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. But given that you must make many decisions during the booking process, it can pay to use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you arrange things. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect Royal Caribbean ship, itinerary and cabin for you. The agent also can help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage.

In addition, travel agents often can get you extra onboard credit and other perks on Royal Caribbean ships that you might not be able to get by booking directly with the line.

Related: Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? We say yes

Book as early as possible

Like many cruise lines these days, Royal Caribbean often offers its best pricing for any given cruise at the moment the sailing opens for booking. Then, as the cruise starts filling up, the line will slowly raise prices for the remaining inventory of cabins.

To get the best price on any particular sailing, you should book right when the voyage opens for sale. This means planning far in advance, as many Royal Caribbean sailings will open for reservations around two years before the trips are scheduled to take place.

Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that you're more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. On many Royal Caribbean ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out quickly.

Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise far in advance? Here's the good news: If the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you can usually get your fare reduced to match the lower price. You can renegotiate the price until you've paid in full for the cruise; that final payment is typically due a few months prior to the sail date.

Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?

Book off-season for the best deal

As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are Royal Caribbean ships can be significantly less expensive during the "offseason" travel months of September, October and November.

These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel — a huge market for Royal Caribbean — drops off significantly, resulting in diminished demand for the line's ships. In the Bahamas and the Caribbean, it's also hurricane season , which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region.

In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for Royal Caribbean cruises generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region. Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August are considered to be the high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. The periods around major holidays — such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day — also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices.

Related: 6 secrets to getting a deal on a cruise

Don't miss your shareholder's benefits

Do you own stock in Royal Caribbean's parent company, the Royal Caribbean Group? If so, you may qualify for an enticing perk — free onboard credit!

Any shareholder with a minimum of 100 shares at the time of sailing is eligible for an onboard credit of $250 per stateroom for sailings of 14 or more nights, $100 on sailings of six to 13 nights and $50 on sailings of five or fewer nights.

The only major caveat: Sailings on chartered cruises on Royal Caribbean ships, such as full-ship theme cruises, are excluded.

You may request the nontransferable credit each time you cruise. The credit applies only to the stateroom where the shareholder is staying and is based on double occupancy. If shares are held jointly, and you are booking more than one stateroom, 100 shares are required for each stateroom (based on one credit per shareholder per sailing and double occupancy). Single guests would have to pay 200% of the fare to receive the offer.

Note that the credit can't be used for the daily service charges levied on Royal Caribbean ships. It also can't be used for activities you pay for prior to sailing, as it won't be applied to your account until you board.

Related: TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits

Pre-book dining, drinks and internet packages

You'll get the best price on dining and beverage packages if you book them in advance of your cruise. This is because Royal Caribbean often runs online sales on these packages in the months leading up to a voyage.

Once you're on board a Royal Caribbean ship, you'll find that packages for dining, drinks and internet will be higher than what you could have paid in advance.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

And book your entertainment in advance, too

When sailing on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships, you also can use the line's online portal or app to pre-book shows in advance. We're talking about the Broadway musicals and ice shows found on these vessels.

This is important to do if you want to be sure to get a seat for a specific show on a specific night. Given the many thousands of people on these ships on any given sailing, it's not uncommon to find that some shows book up in advance.

Note that Royal Caribbean shows don't come with a charge, nor is there a fee to reserve a spot in the audience. It won't cost you anything to snag a seat to one of the shows in advance when you can. If you change your mind once on board, you can give up your seat without penalty.

If you don't sign up for shows in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. Alternatively, you can wait in a standby line at onboard theaters on show nights. If some people with reservations don't show up (something that happens often), the gatekeepers will let people without reservations in on a first-come, first-served basis.

Make reservations for My Time Dining

Here is yet one more tip about making reservations in advance: If you're signing up for My Time Dining on a Royal Caribbean ship — the type of dining where you can eat in the main dining room whenever you want — you'll have an easier time getting seated at the time you want if you make a reservation in advance.

In other words, don't just show up at the main dining room without a reservation assuming that there will be a table ready for you and your traveling companions. Either make reservations for My Time Dining dinner times before you sail (again, through Royal Caribbean's online portal) or after you board but before you plan to head to the dining room. The earlier you can make reservations for the time slot you want, the better.

Reservations for dinner in the main dining room on Royal Caribbean ships are particularly important if you want to dine during the busiest times, which typically are between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the line's ships.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Sign those waivers in advance

While you're booking restaurant reservations in advance at Royal Caribbean's online portal, it's a good idea to also sign a waiver for any onboard activities that you'd like to try that require one, such as the zip lines found on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. If you do this in advance of sailing, you can jump right into onboard activities as soon as you board the ship.

Consider travel insurance

It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising — or any sort of travel. We hate to even bring it up, but you might need to cancel your Royal Caribbean cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness. Or, maybe you'll fall ill during the trip and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled and you miss the vessel's departure.

These sorts of things happen all the time to cruisers, and they're all the sort of situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. Here's a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about Cancel for Any Reason add-ons .

Related: The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises

Fly to your cruise port a day or two early

This may be the most important piece of cruise advice you'll read in this entire story. Seriously. Take it to heart, or you may end up missing your ship — something that happens to cruisers more often than you might think.

Many Royal Caribbean cruises depart in the afternoon, so it might seem fine to fly to a port on the morning of departure. But all it takes is a moderate flight delay to upset those plans. If you're delayed in your arrival at the port, the ship will not wait for you.

Book your flights to arrive the day before your cruise to build wiggle room into your travel schedule should something go wrong. Make the most of your overnight by exploring a little in the departure port city before you board the ship.

If you're traveling overseas for a cruise, we recommend traveling to the port two or even three days in advance. Not only will you ensure that you don't miss the ship, but you'll also have time to recover from jet lag. European cruises, in particular, can be port-intensive, with lots of touring, so you want to be refreshed and ready to hit the ground running right after the cruise begins.

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship

Check in as early as possible

Check-in for Royal Caribbean sailings can open as far as 45 days in advance, and it pays to go through the check-in process as early as you can. That's because early birds in the check-in process have their pick of arrival times at the ship.

That's right, you now have to pick an arrival time when heading to a Royal Caribbean ship, and passengers who check in early get the widest array of arrival slots from which to choose. If you check in far in advance, you'll probably find the earliest arrival slots still open. If you wait, you might only find late afternoon arrival slots still available.

Getting an early arrival slot means that you can board the ship earlier than other cruisers and have more time to enjoy its attractions before sailaway.

Join a Facebook group

A great place to get ideas for what to do on Royal Caribbean ships and in the ports they visit — and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter — are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to Royal Caribbean in particular or to cruising in general.

Our cruise team at TPG belongs to a number of them, including the Royal Caribbean Cruises group and the COPs (Cruisers Opinion Page) group, for instance, and we love talking tips with their members. You'll find thousands of cruise fans on these pages who often are more than willing to answer questions about their favorite Royal Caribbean ships, the line's itineraries and activities in the ports of call.

Pack your bathing suit in your carry-on

When you first arrive at a Royal Caribbean ship, you'll be greeted by porters who will whisk away your luggage. It will be delivered to your room later in the day. This is a great convenience, as there's no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. But it also means you might not have access to your luggage for many hours on your first day on board.

Be sure to pack anything you might need for the first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. This means things like medication, for sure, and a phone charger, but also a bathing suit, hat, sunscreen and other items that will let you head straight to the pool deck to start the fun.

Related: 13 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag

Don't overpack

Throw all the clothes you think you'll need for a Royal Caribbean cruise in a pile, and then take away half of them. You won't need them. Trust us.

Royal Caribbean cruises these days are relatively casual, save for occasional dress-up nights, and you really only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. For starters, people won't notice if you wear the same thing two days in a row. And, even if they do, you'll probably never see any of them again, so it doesn't matter what they think.

Meanwhile, if things get too dirty to wear, it's no problem. Royal Caribbean ships offer laundry and dry cleaning services that will get your clothes cleaned quickly for a nominal fee. (Unlike some lines, Royal Caribbean doesn't build self-service launderettes onto its ships, which we find a bit annoying.)

Specifically, you'll currently pay $3.49 to send out a T-shirt for washing and folding on a Royal Caribbean ship, or $4.99 for a long-sleeve shirt. Getting shorts washed and folded will set you back $4.49. The line's ships also will wash an entire load of your laundry (whatever you can fit into a bag) for a flat fee of $34.99, sometimes less when they run onboard specials.

Bottom line: To us, at least, the extra cost of sending out a few shirts or even a full load of laundry for cleaning on a Royal Caribbean ship is a small price to pay for the freedom of not having to lug a giant suitcase around as you travel to and from your ship. Plus, you'll want to save room in your suitcase for all the souvenirs you'll want to bring home from your travels.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service

Bring your own drinks on board

Many cruisers assume they can't bring their own drinks on board a ship. And at some lines that is, indeed, the rule. But Royal Caribbean is one line that allows passengers to bring their own drinks on ships — albeit in small amounts. It's one way to save money when cruising on a Royal Caribbean ship, as drink prices on the line's vessels can be high.

The bring-your-own beverages allowance on Royal Caribbean ships currently is two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks.

Related: Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? A line-by-line guide

Bring extra toiletries

Yes, you'll be able to find sunscreen, painkillers and Band-Aids on Royal Caribbean ships. But it'll cost you. The line knows you're a captive audience and prices its shipboard stores accordingly.

We recommend always cruising with a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines in your suitcase that contains cold medicine, seasickness pills and the like. You'll probably never use it. But you also won't get hit with crazy charges should you develop a headache and desperately need ibuprofen.

While we're on the topic of sundries, don't forget extra batteries or memory cards for your camera if you are bringing one.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Bring these six other things, too

In addition to extra toiletries, Royal Caribbean regulars often bring Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions). Many Royal Caribbean cruisers also won't head to a ship without room freshener, a foldable shoe rack (which they hang in the cabin bathroom to store toiletries), a highlighter (to highlight activities on the daily planner) and a lanyard (to hold their cabin keycard).

Some Royal Caribbean cruisers also swear by bringing magnets to ships to affix dinner invitations, excursion tickets and other important papers to their cabin walls. Walls on Royal Caribbean ships are made with metal (even if they don't look like they're made of metal, thanks to faux coverings) and will hold a magnet. Some cruisers even bring magnets with hooks so they can hang up clothes and other items on their walls.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruises and itineraries

Skip the buffet on your first day on board

There's nothing more jammed than a Royal Caribbean ship buffet on embarkation day. Everybody heads straight to it after they board.

Our Royal Caribbean cruise hack: To avoid the first-day buffet crowds, make a beeline to one of the secondary dining options that typically aren't nearly as crowded. Depending on which type of Royal Caribbean ship you are on, this could be the Sorrentos pizza outlets found in ship promenades, Park Cafe (found in the Central Park area of Oasis-class ships) or Cafe @ Two70 (found on Quantum-class ships).

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Try the marquee attractions on departure day

If Royal Caribbean ships are known for anything, it is their marquee deck-top attractions — giant waterslides, surfing simulators, climbing walls and skydiving tubes, to name a few. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have bumper car pavilions.

To make the most of these activities, head straight to them on the first day of your sailing. You'll often find that they are less crowded on embarkation day, when many cruisers still are getting oriented, than later in the sailing, when the attractions have been widely discovered.

With so much to do on board, you'll have a better shot at sampling all the top Royal Caribbean cruise ship attractions if you get started early.

Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day do's and don'ts

Watch sailaway from this secret spot

On roughly half of Royal Caribbean's ships, you should be able to watch the ship sail away from port from an amazing location that normally isn't open to passengers: the helipad on the bow.

Many passengers don't know about this secret spot for watching sailaways, found on Radiance-class, Voyager-class and Freedom-class vessels. It offers a truly wonderful vantage point. Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. It's not always open the rest of the cruise.

To reach the helipad on these ships, head to the promenade deck (the deck where there is an outside walking area) and walk toward the front of the ship until you reach the helipad area.

More cruise tips: 21 things you should do to make your first cruise go smoothly

Research ports in advance

There are some types of vacations — a beach trip, for instance — where you don't have to do much advance research. You just show up and have fun. Cruises aren't this way — at least if you want to get the most out of them.

Even if you think the biggest allure of your Royal Caribbean cruise will be the amenities you'll find on your ship, you'll still be facing several days of port calls on many sailings. You'll want to have a plan for what to do in these ports in advance or you'll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience.

In general cruise calls are short — often just six to eight hours. So, you'll probably want to pick one or two things that you want to do during your time at the destination.

To make the most of your time, book an organized tour and let someone else get you to the destination's top attractions and back in a timely manner. But you also might find it works perfectly fine to go it alone. The trick is to do the research in advance, so you have a plan for the best way to spend your day.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship

Use your onboard package perks at CocoCay

Good news if you've bought one of those drinks or Wi-Fi packages we mentioned above. They don't just apply when you're on your Royal Caribbean ship. They also work when you're on land at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

If you've purchased a drinks package, you won't need to pay extra for sodas, beer or frozen cocktails when you're thirsty on the beach. The island is outfitted for Wi-Fi access, so you can use your shipboard internet package to stay in touch or post photos of your day on social media without extra fees.

This isn't always the case when visiting cruise line private islands. And it's no small thing, given that CocoCay is a marquee stop on a significant number of Royal Caribbean voyages to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Related: How to visit Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars

Get free breakfast at Johnny Rockets

Many Royal Caribbean ships feature Johnny Rockets eateries serving the chain's signature burgers and shakes. Meals there are not free; they come with an extra charge. But there's an exception: The Johnny Rockets venues on Royal Caribbean's five Oasis-class ships offer breakfast for free.

Even better, Johnny Rockets outlets on Oasis-class ships (located in the Boardwalk amusement area) typically aren't crowded at breakfast time, in part because many people don't realize they're open.

Related: The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

Eat at the extra-charge restaurants at lunchtime

Royal Caribbean ships have some wonderful extra-charge restaurants that you might want to try, such as the signature Chops Grille steakhouses found on many vessels. But they can come with a hefty extra charge.

One way to save: Book these venues for lunch instead of dinner. The flat-fee extra charge is typically half as much as the cost of going at dinnertime.

The Chops Grille eateries, for instance, recently were priced at a fee of $55 per person for dinner, while visiting at lunchtime only would set you back $25 per person.

Know your loyalty benefits

Royal Caribbean offers some enticing onboard perks to its most loyal customers, including free drinks, free internet time, access to an exclusive Diamond Club on select ships, a complimentary entertainment tour and, at the highest level, daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant. But it's easy to miss out on these perks if you're not aware of what you can get.

Be sure to read through TPG's ultimate guide to maximizing your status in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program to know all of the many perks you'll be able to get depending on how many points you've accumulated.

Sign up for private tours

Booking a shore excursion directly through Royal Caribbean is easy. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof! — your tour is all arranged.

But booking tours through the line isn't your only option, and it's not always the best option. In many cases, you can save a lot of money — and get a better touring experience — by booking shore excursions through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursByLocals .

Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through Royal Caribbean. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator.

Independent tours also can take you to places that Royal Caribbean-organized tours don't. Plus, they often come with excellent service. ToursByLocals has staff on hand around-the-clock to respond to questions, and — for those worried about missing your ship — they offer a return-to-ship guarantee with every tour.

Related: Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book?

Always carry Royal Caribbean's contact information with you

When going ashore, always bring your Royal Caribbean ship's contact information with you. Those details are usually printed in the Cruise Compass newsletter that's delivered to your cabin each night. If something goes wrong when you're away from the ship, you'll want to get in contact with the cruise line right away.

The newsletter should also list contact information for the port agent in every destination you visit. Should you have a problem in port and not make it back to the ship before it sails, the agent can help you figure out next steps.

Keep your phone in airplane mode

Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories you'll find on the internet are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cellphone charges while on ships. This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. Many phone plans — even international plans — do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and you'll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that will show up weeks later on your phone bill.

There is a way to make calls and access the internet from Royal Caribbean ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, which will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos over Wi-Fi without using phone data.

Download Royal Caribbean's app

If you're planning a Royal Caribbean cruise and you haven't already downloaded Royal Caribbean's app to your smartphone, do it now. Really, right now. We'll wait.

Okay, got it downloaded? This is no small thing. Royal Caribbean is increasingly putting everything you need to know about your cruise on its app, and it's also the place where you can check in for your cruise in advance — and have your boarding pass accessible at all times.

The Royal Caribbean app allows you to make all sorts of reservations for onboard venues including restaurants and shows, and you can book shore excursions through it, too. You'll also find a comprehensive daily schedule of activities on the app as well as menus for restaurants. The best part: The app will work on board even if you don't pay for a Wi-Fi package.

Related: The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea

Don't book a cabin near an elevator

Not every cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship is created equal. When choosing a room, we recommend staying away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. They can be noisy. Cabins just below the pool deck and near the anchor also can be problematic, as well as cabins near casinos.

Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid

Use a points card for onboard spending

You saw this one coming, no? Given TPG's origins as a points and miles website , we'd be remiss if we didn't remind you to maximize your credit card points while making purchases on Royal Caribbean ships. The way to do this is to tie a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases to your onboard account. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Don't tip twice for drinks and spa treatments

Royal Caribbean automatically adds an 18% gratuity to bar bills and minibar items, as well as spa and salon purchases. Many first-time cruisers don't know this and write in a hefty tip at the "additional tip" line on bills at cruise ship bars and spas. If you're unsure, ask if a gratuity has already been included before adding another 15% or 20% to the total. Otherwise, you may end up tipping twice.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship

Don't feel like you have to do it all

Royal Caribbean ships are known for having some of the biggest arrays of activities and entertainment at sea — so many options that it's sometimes hard to do it all in a single voyage. Our advice: Don't even try to do it all. In fact, you should force yourself to try not to do it all. Remember, you're on vacation. Relax. Take some downtime. Sit on your balcony, if you have one, and just stare out at the ocean for a couple of hours. You won't regret it.

Related: 26 cruise secrets from an expert that will blow your mind

Use points to get to your cruise

There are ways to use points and miles to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, but it doesn't always make sense , as it often requires a huge number of points to secure a cabin. That said, that doesn't mean you can't save big time by booking your flights to and from a ship using points and miles .

You'll find plenty of stories here at The Points Guy about how to, say, pay the equivalent of $1,330 in points for a flight that cost $16,000 , or book a $27,000 around-the-world trip for just $168 in out-of-pocket costs . Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again.

Book your next cruise while still on board your current cruise

Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean will offer you a bonus if you book a cruise while on a ship. At Royal Caribbean, it's called the NextCruise program, and the bonus could include up to $600 in onboard credits for the next cruise that you book and up to 10% off shore excursions on the sailing. You also might only have to put down a reduced deposit of as little as $100 per person to hold the sailing.

The good news is these bonuses are in addition to whatever perks you already would be getting for booking another trip as a result of your Crown & Anchor Society status. If you normally use a travel agent to book your cruises, don't worry about not being able to work with them. Your travel agent will get full credit when you book another sailing while on board a Royal Caribbean ship and can take over the booking later.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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These 10 amenities make Royal Caribbean Group's new ultra-luxury cruise ship worth its $4,550-a-week price

Posted: July 5, 2024 | Last updated: July 5, 2024

• I spent five nights on Silversea's new ultra-luxury cruise ship, Silver Ray . 
• Fares in 2024 start at $4,550 per person for a seven-day cruise.
• My favorite amenities on Silver Ray included a sauna with ocean views and a fun cooking class.

The hardest part about your Silver Ray cruise could be deciding what you want to indulge in first.

Silversea, Royal Caribbean Group's most luxurious cruise line, recently welcomed its 12th ship, the 728-guest Silver Ray. But as with any new floating five-star hotel , the cost to sail won't be ultra-cheap, with weeklong cruises starting at a whopping $4,550 per person in 2024.

I might've scoffed at this cost before boarding Silversea's second Nova Class vessel . But after experiencing all it has to offer on a complimentary five-night test cruise in mid-June, the price tag now makes more sense — and might even be justifiable.

Take a look at my 10 favorite amenities on Silver Ray , all of which shed some light on its steep fare.

1. The butler-delivered caviar you can eat on your couch while wearing pajamas

Room service isn't always free on mass-market cruise ships .

On Silver Ray, not only are the hot dogs and hamburgers delivered to your suite complimentary — but caviar is, too.

Simply call the room service line or ask your butler for caviar, and before you know it, a tin of the expensive fish eggs will be presented at your door.

You don't want to know how pretentious and insufferable I felt as I shoveled the tiny pearly bites into my mouth while lounging on the couch.

It wasn't the best caviar I've ever had (it's one of Calvisius' cheapest options). But it definitely added the unnecessary, theatrical, and extravagant touch I had been seeking on a $650-a-day cruise.

2. The sushi lunch

Dinner at Silver Ray's Japanese restaurant, Kaiseki, costs $80 per person. But it's complimentary during lunch, making it a great place to gorge on free sushi, sashimi, beef-filled bao buns, and ramen.

Alcohol is complimentary on Silversea, too. So feel free to have a glass of sake and Japanese beer with your raw fish feast.

Like the caviar, the sushi quality wasn’t comparable to Michelin-rated omakase restaurants.

The scallop nigiri in my sushi and sashimi combo tasted more lightly poached than raw, the uni was served on unevenly cut cucumbers, and the octopus in the octopus roll was too chewy.

But complaints aside, the portions were gracious, the fish quality was acceptable, and the rolls were diverse. The spicy tuna roll had the perfect allium punch, while the vegetarian one stood its ground among the raw fish. It was far better than I expected for a cruise ship lunch.

Best of all, it was complimentary. And while it didn't change my life, it certainly satisfied my craving.

3. The upscale café without the upscale prices

Many popular cruise ships have an onboard Starbucks. Silver Ray goes one step further with a café comparable to your overpriced neighborhood coffee shop (and this one won't make you pay extra for oat milk).

At the centrally located Arts Cafe, guests can order latte art-topped espresso drinks and uncommon tea varieties — all served with Mepra spoons that cost $40 each.

If you're a fan of cucumber sandwiches and cakes, the Art Cafe is also a great place to grab a mid-day snack or host an impromptu afternoon tea.

4. The entertaining cooking class

Silversea's SALT — an acronym for "sea and land taste" — program weaves cuisines local to the ship's destination into the cruise.

At SALT Lab, this takes the form of a complimentary cooking class.

You might think, 'I'm on vacation — I don't want to cook!'

I hear you. But SALT Lab is nothing like cooking at home.

For starters, the instructor and their assistant do all the cleaning and prepare all your mise en place for you. And I guarantee they're funnier, wittier, and more lighthearted than your partner who yells at you for not following the recipe.

All you have to do is listen to their instructions, assemble, cook, and eat.

5. The restaurant showcasing dishes from the itinerary

SALT isn't just a cooking class. It's a lifestyle. (Just kidding — but not really.)

Silver Ray offers SALT cooking classes, SALT shore excursions, a $180 SALT Chef's Table dinner, a SALT Bar, and a SALT Kitchen.

If you hate repeating meals, the latter could be your savior. Half of its menu changes almost daily according to the ship's destination. So, if you didn't have time to explore a port's cuisine, you could go to SALT Kitchen instead.

When Silver Ray was docked in Lisbon, the restaurant had options like roasted pork loin with a Portuguese red bell pepper sauce, and travesseiros, a popular dessert from nearby Sintra, Portugal.

6. The half-restaurant, half-jazz bar

Silver Note is where you go to chow down on small plates of beef tenderloin and octopus tentacles while being serenaded by live jazz vocalists and pianists. If you can overlook the purple and red spotlights that give the venue a cheap dive bar feel, you'll be delighted by Silver Note's talented performers, tapas-style food, and fun plating.

The plates were pre-warmed, the lobster tail was perfectly cooked, and the musicians were world-class. I ate alone and stayed for about two hours, fully engaged by the impressive vocalist.

7. The spa’s view

Access to spa facilities like saunas is often complimentary on high-end cruises .

Silver Ray's was admittedly bare-boned, with only three rooms (a steam room, sauna, and thermal pool). But you'll quickly forget about the lack of options when you see the ocean views inside the pool and sauna.

The latter is a great place to balance your yin (peacefully staring at the passing waves) with your yang (feeling like you're about to have a heat stroke).

Unfortunately, the steam room doesn't have any views. However, it does offer complimentary scented scrubs that will leave you with baby-soft skin.

8. The pool

You're probably wondering how an amenity as commonplace as a pool could be so special.

There is, in fact, nothing spectacular about the pool itself. What is special, however, is its placement toward the starboard-side edge of the ship, giving swimmers a photogenic view of Silver Ray's surroundings instead of sunbathers' toes.

Don't worry, fellow loungers. We get a perk, too.

No need to walk to the pool bar to refill your piña colada. The waitstaff will do it for you.

9. The elevators

Before Silver Ray, I would've scoffed if you had told me one of my favorite amenities on a cruise ship would be the elevators. But alas, it seems not all of them are created equal.

On most cruise ships, the elevators are located at the center of the vessel and flanked by corridors on either side.

Like the pool, all six of Silver Ray's elevators are located by the edge of the ship — half port side, half starboard side — and lined with glass walls, giving riders sweeping views of the ship's surroundings.

Not to be dramatic, but I've never seen a more beautiful elevator.

Once inside, travelers can select their desired floor on the touchscreen.

The screen's floor descriptions are updated on port days to indicate where guests must disembark. It's a small but convenient touch I've yet to see on other cruises, saving travelers the panicked "where do I get off this ship?" question.

10. The tablet-phone-TV connectivity

The best part about my Deluxe Veranda suite wasn't the walk-in closet or balcony. It was the seamless connectivity between my phone, the in-room tablet, and the TV.

Silver Ray's cabins have portable touchscreen tablets that function as a vacation guidebook, daily scheduler, and suite control center.

The TV has the same functions, for when you're sitting on the couch and too lazy to retrieve the tablet. Or, if you're not in your cabin, your mobile Silversea profile has the same options.

As someone who religiously studies menus before going to a restaurant, I loved having every onboard restaurant's menu at my fingertips.

But the real winning feature was the "sleep" setting. No more hitting your knee on furniture as you navigate back to bed after turning the lights off. The sleep setting slowly dims the suite's light fixtures, giving guests plenty of time to saunter back to bed before everything goes dark.

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I sailed on Carnival's new cruise ship. See all of its amenities — and why some are better than its pricier competitors

• I spent four nights on the new  Carnival Firenze cruise ship  in May.
• The ship has plenty of free activities alongside enticing up-charged options.
• Take a look at all the amenities on Carnival's new Italian-themed vessel.

Carnival's new Firenze cruise ship is filled with upcharged options. But if you look past them, you'll be pleasantly surprised by their complimentary activities.

The company's second Italy-themed ship came highly anticipated. In early April, Firenze's naming ceremony "triggered a step up in bookings," Josh Weinstein, the president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Line's parent company, Carnival Corp, told analysts in late June.

Two weeks after the ceremony, Carnival Firenze set sail on its maiden voyage from its homeport in Long Beach, California, marking the 27th vessel to join the cruise line's fleet.

This boost in bookings might not come as a surprise after seeing its prices.

New cruise ships generally command an inflated fare. But it seems the new 5,245-guest Firenze ignored this tradition, with 2024 fares currently starting at almost $360 per person for a four-night cruise.

Not too bad , given all of its amenities.

Firenze is more than just another towel animal-toting Carnival cruise.

In 2022, Carnival acquired Firenze and its sister ship from Costa Cruises. Firenze then underwent a two-month refresh to be outfitted with the "Carnival Fun Italian Style" theme.

If you're an American who loves campy European-themed venues — think a cheaper version of the Venetian in Las Vegas — Firenze could feel like an Italian getaway. The theme is hard to miss, from the white statues to the giant photos of Florence, Italy.

I went on Firenze's four-night cruise about two weeks after its maiden voyage.

I previously wrote a less-than-glowing review of Carnival Firenze , although I was impressed with the vessel's complimentary activities, a rarity on many popular cruises.

Norwegian's newer ships, for example, have $10 mini-golf courses and VR arcades that cost $29 for an hour of play. Similarly, Royal Caribbean's new ultra-giant, ultra-popular Icon of the Seas has a $49-per-person ropes course that can be completed in less than a minute.

Carnival Firenze also has a mini-golf and ropes course — but they're both free, albeit not as exciting or modern as the cruise line's competitors.

Unfortunately, the arcade isn't free. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a complimentary one anywhere.

Like Icon of the Seas, brave guests must be harnessed in before walking Firenze's ropes course.

But unlike Royal Caribbean's adrenaline-pumping walkway, Firenze's course takes several minutes to complete. And while it's less showy and dramatic than Icon's, it is free to go on as many times as you'd like — and for that, a better deal.

Want to keep the adrenaline going? Carnival's new ship has waterslides near the children's water playground.

Nearby, there's also cornhole, a giant chess set, and an outdoor sports court for an afternoon of shooting hoops. If you're lucky, you can also claim one of the open-air foosball tables.

If not, there's an indoor foosball table near the ping pong table and a collection of board games and books.

Speaking of indoor-outdoor options, Firenze has two pools, one outside and another under a glass roof.

The latter is also home to the makeshift nighttime movie theater, so long as viewers are OK with paying $4 for popcorn and the background sound of screaming children at the pool.

If you want to escape the kids, Firenze has the obligatory cruise ship spa, casino, and boutiques.

Or go to the adult-only outdoor lounge outfitted with rows of lounge seats, two hot tubs, and, most importantly, no children in sight. It's also where you'll also find the ship's salad bar — one of Firenze's 15 dining options.

Of the 16 restaurants, nine venues are complimentary

But there are some caveats.

Some included options, like the pizza kiosk and buffet, have up-charged items. Others, like the aforementioned salad bar and grill stand, remained frustratingly closed until the last day of my cruise.

But if you don't consider these stipulations, Firenze's free-to-upcharged restaurant ratio isn't abnormal. About half of competitor Icon of the Seas' 21 dining venues also cost extra.

Carnival Firenze's specialty options include an empanada stand and classics like sushi, teppanyaki, and Italian restaurants.

Travelers ready to splurge on food could pay as little as $1.50 for an empanada or almost $50 for a steakhouse dinner.

Dining at the free buffet but eyeing the up-charged chicken wings? They'll be $5 for six pieces. Having breakfast at the free main dining room? A fresh juice will be $5.

Want a dinner lobster roll from the seafood shack? It'll be another $18.

During the day, the seafood shack serves as a complimentary chicken stand, joining eight other free options.

Cruisers can live out their "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" dreams at the Guy Fieri-branded burger counter, where heavy accouterments like fried mozzarella slabs and onion rings are commonplace.

Or, head up a deck to Il Mercato for grab-and-go Italian sandwiches.

Firenze has two main dining rooms for a more formal sit-down dinner. Just note that the dinner buffet serves the same menu as these restaurants. And while the food is fine, it's not great — and I did find a piece of plastic hidden in my pasta.

As with any mass-market cruise ship, alcohol isn't free.

Cocktails are about $13, while beers and seltzers are about $9. But if you can't cruise without booze (it is Carnival, after all), the new ship has plenty of venues for your needs.

Bars like Piano Bar 88 and Tuscan Lounge have live music.

Amari offers options that fit the ship's Italian theme, like aperitifs, digestives, and Negroni sbagliatos ("stunnin'!").

Meanwhile, Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge is great for guests who want to sip a beer, watch sports, and surround themselves in American military garb.

If you enjoy doing karaoke, you'll love karaoke night at the stylish and contemporary Moda Bar and Lounge.

And if you crave Aperol spritzes the moment the sun comes out, you could find yourself frequently visiting the bubbly-forward, new-to-brand Frizzante.

While not technically a bar, the coffee shop also sells boozy milkshakes and floats for almost $12.

But then again, everything at JavaBlue Cafe has a price tag, from the $4.50 latte to the icy $7.25 frappe. And if you want a sweet treat with your pick-me-up, it'll be $4 for a doughnut or cupcake.

(If you don't want to pay for caffeine, the buffet has free black coffee, Bigelow's green tea, and Lipton tea.)

It wouldn't be a cruise without live entertainment, either.

The atrium hosts musicians and singers dressed in Venice Carnival — or "Eyes Wide Shut" — style masks, while the smaller Limelight Lounge is the go-to for stand-up comedy. There's also an interactive "Deal or No Deal" game show, although participation costs $25.

But if we're talking about traditional theater shows, my four-night cruise included the cheesy "Dear Future Husband" song-and-dance production and the interactive "What's Age Got To Do With It?" game show.

If laughter from the crowd indicates success, the game show — which sources participants from the crowd — was a hit.

A show where half the players are children is sure to be entertaining.

Is the entertainment better on Norwegian and Royal Caribbean’s newest ships? Yes.

Does Carnival Firenze have as many pools as its competitors' latest vessels? No.

But is Firenze's mini-golf and ropes course free? Yes.

Plus, with four-night voyages starting at almost $90 a night, Firenze's 2024 itineraries are both shorter and cheaper than several other new cruise ships on the market. (Norwegian Viva's cheapest 2024 itinerary is more than $1,520 per person for an 11-day sailing, while Icon of the Seas starts at almost $1,770 per person for eight days.)

So, if you can resist the enticing upcharges, Carnival's new Firenze could be a great pick for families looking for a cheap and fun vacation at sea .

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