First cruise with Royal Caribbean

[mpat]

My husband and I have been on 40 cruises. We started with Carnival and now we mostly do Holland. We booked a Sept. 7th Carnival cruise and just found out that it has been canceled due to propulsion issues (Carnival Vista). We are now looking for a cruise for Sept. and the only one that is going to the places we want at this time is Royal Caribbean Adventures of the Seas. So, we decided to get out of our comfort zone and try Royal. I would appreciate any information and tips you can give me about Royal. We are disappointed about this last minute cancellation, but it gives us the opportunity to try a different cruise line. TIA

[firefly333]

Which date? I'm booked sept 13 to overnight in Bermuda but its very close to sold out. It's the very last royal cruise going to Bermuda from florida for reasons I dont understand. Last I saw only insides were left.

 

It's a mid sized older ship, but adventure goes to a lot of interesting ports. 

 

If you have questions other than tell me everything you know, I'm sure lots here have done adventure and can answer. I saw vista got cancelled. One lady who was cancelled is doing wonder, bet that's a step up in price. Very new oasis class. Imo almost any ship is a step up from vista, not a fan and done vista twice, smaller theater with poles, deck 5 closed in, etc. One of my least favorite ships, so adventure should be a good comparison. Adventure will have fewer food choices and not top notch shows like oasis class, but smaller can be good too.

[Biker19]

26 minutes ago, mpat said:

I would appreciate any information and tips you can give me about Royal.

Read some Voyager class reviews (Adventure is one of them). Also, on the main page of the RCI section here at Cc there’s a drop down menu with all the ship - pick Adventure and read through some of those threads. 

[ahahn078]

1st of all, I'm sorry this cancellation happened to you.

 

I'm a Diamond member on Royal and have been on a number of ships with them. I've never had a "down-right awful" experience with any of their ships. You should go on "Adventure Of The Seas" on Cruise Critic and click on the "Dining" and "Activities" sections so you can read what that ship has to offer. 

 

While the smaller ships may not offer as much as the bigger ones, sometimes it's better that way, especially when it comes to pricing. 

 

Feel free to ask if you have any more specific questions about this line.

[smokeybandit]

Adventure is a great "default" ship. Not flashy, but still a pretty big ship, especially when you step outside of the RC fleet.

[Southern Dan]

Sorry about the last minute cancellation but glad you were able to find an alternative that fit your criteria.  Make the best of it, I'm sure it'll be a great time!

[mpat]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Which date? I'm booked sept 13 to overnight in Bermuda but its very close to sold out. It's the very last royal cruise going to Bermuda from florida for reasons I dont understand. Last I saw only insides were left.

 

It's a mid sized older ship, but adventure goes to a lot of interesting ports. 

 

If you have questions other than tell me everything you know, I'm sure lots here have done adventure and can answer. I saw vista got cancelled. One lady who was cancelled is doing wonder, bet that's a step up in price. Very new oasis class. Imo almost any ship is a step up from vista, not a fan and done vista twice, smaller theater with poles, deck 5 closed in, etc. One of my least favorite ships, so adventure should be a good comparison. Adventure will have fewer food choices and not top notch shows like oasis class, but smaller can be good too.

Thank you for your response! Our cruise date is Sept. 27-Oct. 5 "8 Day Caribbean and Perfect Day". The ports are St.Thomas, St. Croix, San Juan, and Coco Cay. We've never been to St. Croix or Coco Cay. 

[mpat]

8 minutes ago, Southern Dan said:

Sorry about the last minute cancellation but glad you were able to find an alternative that fit your criteria.  Make the best of it, I'm sure it'll be a great time!

We were disappointed about the cancellation, but we will make the best of it. Doing a 14-day Holland American Caribbean Cruise in December. We love cruising, so I''m sure we'll enjoy RCL. We've never had a bad cruise!

[mpat]

48 minutes ago, ahahn078 said:

1st of all, I'm sorry this cancellation happened to you.

 

I'm a Diamond member on Royal and have been on a number of ships with them. I've never had a "down-right awful" experience with any of their ships. You should go on "Adventure Of The Seas" on Cruise Critic and click on the "Dining" and "Activities" sections so you can read what that ship has to offer. 

 

While the smaller ships may not offer as much as the bigger ones, sometimes it's better that way, especially when it comes to pricing. 

 

Feel free to ask if you have any more specific questions about this line.

Thanks for the tips! I will definitely check it out. 

[firefly333]

6 hours ago, mpat said:

Thanks for the tips! I will definitely check it out. 

The reason I said if you have specific questions I'm probably one of the few in here that did a lot of both carnival and royal. If it's something you wouldnt encounter no sense going into the differences. There are specific differences but no sense going into them if it's not something that would matter to you.

 

Pricing. Royal has group rates from TAs that are much better than what's in public, carnival does not but wouldn't matter unless you were booking further out.

 

Loyalty perks. Royal has the best loyalty perks once you get higher up. Worth pursuing if you cruise a lot. I get 5 free drinks a day, 2 days of wifi, laundry, money off a balcony if I book a group rate. Solo discount. The reason I say only matters if you book further out and a group rate is the $$$$ off booking direct is more than the balcony discount so I dont get the $225 or whatever booking direct, just off a group rate. Also i get a extra $50 obc early booking bonus I think if its booked at least 6  months out. General and I'm sure someone will jump on this as its general but dont want to get too deep into the weeds...but there are reasons for the saying loyal to royal, blerk over on carnivals board always says royal buys us off in perks.

 

Drinks, lots of little differences. Royal is carry on 12 cans or bottles up to 17 oz per cabin, vs carnival is carry on only cans. I dont like canned water so for me a plastic bottle of water is better. Carry on 1 bottle of wine per adult. Not per cabin. Their drink pkg goes into effect immediately. Only significant if it's a port like Galveston who starts drink pkg day 2. Drink pkg is good at royals private island. You are going to coco cay, any drink pkg is good on coco cay. Carnivals is not good on their private islands. Royal is coke products, carnival is pepsi. Oh carnival says drink pkg drinks up to $20. Royal is up to $14, though that covers most drinks. Drink pkgs on royal are unlimited, not 15 per day like carnival. On and on. Lots of nit picky drink pkg differences imo.

 

Assuming you just do the free stuff on coco cay, imo find a snack shack and try the warm funnel cake. It's delicious. The chicken sandwich is fresh and crispy, not a soggy bun like onboard. Take the tram, coco cay is huge. A pool and a couple of beaches plus the pay areas. It's a long walk to south beach. There is a tram that will take you around for free. Towels are available for check out right before you get off the ship at coco cay. Be sure and check the used ones back in so you dont get charged.

 

I love guys burgers on carnival but imo royals free OJ and coffee is better. I hate carnivals free OJ  and their coffee. Royal has maine lobsters and only 1 free, though they arent that big. Order a steak or something extra entree if you are a big eater. Also bacon doesnt take a vacation every other morning in the buffet like on carnival. 

 

Royal has dynamic pricing in the planner, this close in wouldnt make much difference, but royal does some big discounts on this or that. I got 40% off on lunches last black friday and 30% off excursions. I booked for all my 2024 cruises these items that I could back then with obc. Carnival doesnt hardly discount excursions. I did a 14 day carnival last January to new ports and it was annoying to pay full price for excursions. Check your planner if you want a excursion, quite a few right now are offered 20% off. 

 

There are lots of nit picky differences but depends on your tastes, that's why I said ask specific questions for more detailed answers that pertain to you. There are differences but not all things you might care about if this is a one time cruise.

[sgmn]

Would recommend downloading the Royal app.  Plus check out the cruise planner online .  Everything to purchase pre cruise is there, excursions, specialised dining, drink packages, WiFi,  plus you can prebook your dining times if you have 'my time' dining.

There's no need to spend any money on coco Cay if you don't want too.  As @firefly333 says the food on the island is great. If you have a drink package you can use that on coco Cay and if not there's plenty of iced flavoured waters FOC. 

Edited August 30 by sgmn

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

Would recommend downloading the Royal app.  Plus check out the cruise planner online .  Everything to purchase pre cruise is there, excursions, specialised dining, drink packages, WiFi,  plus you can prebook your dining times if you have 'my time' dining.

There's no need to spend any money on coco Cay if you don't want too.  As @firefly333 says the food on the island is great. If you have a drink package you can use that on coco Cay and if not there's plenty of iced flavoured waters FOC. 

Lol of course i need the app once onboard, but i pre purchase everything online not in the app and check in on the app. I'm old! I use a tablet which doesnt work with the app generally and only use the app when I'm forced onboard.

[mpat]

7 hours ago, firefly333 said:

The reason I said if you have specific questions I'm probably one of the few in here that did a lot of both carnival and royal. If it's something you wouldnt encounter no sense going into the differences. There are specific differences but no sense going into them if it's not something that would matter to you.

 

Pricing. Royal has group rates from TAs that are much better than what's in public, carnival does not but wouldn't matter unless you were booking further out.

 

Loyalty perks. Royal has the best loyalty perks once you get higher up. Worth pursuing if you cruise a lot. I get 5 free drinks a day, 2 days of wifi, laundry, money off a balcony if I book a group rate. Solo discount. The reason I say only matters if you book further out and a group rate is the $$$$ off booking direct is more than the balcony discount so I dont get the $225 or whatever booking direct, just off a group rate. Also i get a extra $50 obc early booking bonus I think if its booked at least 6  months out. General and I'm sure someone will jump on this as its general but dont want to get too deep into the weeds...but there are reasons for the saying loyal to royal, blerk over on carnivals board always says royal buys us off in perks.

 

Drinks, lots of little differences. Royal is carry on 12 cans or bottles up to 17 oz per cabin, vs carnival is carry on only cans. I dont like canned water so for me a plastic bottle of water is better. Carry on 1 bottle of wine per adult. Not per cabin. Their drink pkg goes into effect immediately. Only significant if it's a port like Galveston who starts drink pkg day 2. Drink pkg is good at royals private island. You are going to coco cay, any drink pkg is good on coco cay. Carnivals is not good on their private islands. Royal is coke products, carnival is pepsi. Oh carnival says drink pkg drinks up to $20. Royal is up to $14, though that covers most drinks. Drink pkgs on royal are unlimited, not 15 per day like carnival. On and on. Lots of nit picky drink pkg differences imo.

 

Assuming you just do the free stuff on coco cay, imo find a snack shack and try the warm funnel cake. It's delicious. The chicken sandwich is fresh and crispy, not a soggy bun like onboard. Take the tram, coco cay is huge. A pool and a couple of beaches plus the pay areas. It's a long walk to south beach. There is a tram that will take you around for free. Towels are available for check out right before you get off the ship at coco cay. Be sure and check the used ones back in so you dont get charged.

 

I love guys burgers on carnival but imo royals free OJ and coffee is better. I hate carnivals free OJ  and their coffee. Royal has maine lobsters and only 1 free, though they arent that big. Order a steak or something extra entree if you are a big eater. Also bacon doesnt take a vacation every other morning in the buffet like on carnival. 

 

Royal has dynamic pricing in the planner, this close in wouldnt make much difference, but royal does some big discounts on this or that. I got 40% off on lunches last black friday and 30% off excursions. I booked for all my 2024 cruises these items that I could back then with obc. Carnival doesnt hardly discount excursions. I did a 14 day carnival last January to new ports and it was annoying to pay full price for excursions. Check your planner if you want a excursion, quite a few right now are offered 20% off. 

 

There are lots of nit picky differences but depends on your tastes, that's why I said ask specific questions for more detailed answers that pertain to you. There are differences but not all things you might care about if this is a one time cruise.

Thank you so much for this information! It is very helpful!

[mpat]

7 hours ago, sgmn said:

Would recommend downloading the Royal app.  Plus check out the cruise planner online .  Everything to purchase pre cruise is there, excursions, specialised dining, drink packages, WiFi,  plus you can prebook your dining times if you have 'my time' dining.

There's no need to spend any money on coco Cay if you don't want too.  As @firefly333 says the food on the island is great. If you have a drink package you can use that on coco Cay and if not there's plenty of iced flavoured waters FOC. 

Thank you for this information! On of our favorite ports on Carnival and Holland is Half Moon Cay (their private beach), however, you cannot use the drink package. We were debating on getting the drink package on Royal, but if it an be used at Coco Cay, then we'll probably purchase it. We are Coke drinkers, so that was good news. 

[firefly333]

35 minutes ago, mpat said:

Thank you for this information! On of our favorite ports on Carnival and Holland is Half Moon Cay (their private beach), however, you cannot use the drink package. We were debating on getting the drink package on Royal, but if it an be used at Coco Cay, then we'll probably purchase it. We are Coke drinkers, so that was good news. 

There is a refreshment package, non alcoholic if you arent a big drinker. It's good on mocktails and coffees and water, and some kind of power drink. I think adventure has machines for drinks and you get a cup with the refreshment pkg. But idk if I'd use it enough. My 5 free drinks are enough as a D+. Good on fresh oj. Various hot and cold coffees. 

 

I'm more of a eater than a drinker. I'm happy with the free stuff except a few treats. 

 

I know some will disagree but I prefer carnival pizza. Thin crust over royals with a thicker crust. The free burgers are just regular real burgers. I like guys better.

 

One good thing to know is if you do celebrity you share loyalty level. Matching level, not sharing points. Many seem to get confused. If I'm diamond 80 pts on carnival I'm elite on celebrity. Carnival brands dont match loyalty levels. But another example how royal gives you free stuff to get you coming back.

 

I'll be on adventure soon. .. not because I prefer adventure but I wanted to go to Bermuda. The big ships dont have as good of ports. I also get the solo discount at 340 pts, 25% off overall. Carnival doesnt give me as good of a price. Nothing against carnival except for me its more expensive. I love fast food. I love guys burgers. But not their solo prices. But with royal it's because the more you cruise the better the perks. Pushing for pinnacle. Free wifi the whole cruise and other stuff. I love wifi. Free is my price. 

 

Well since you are booked sept you will see and compare for yourself. Whichever line you are kn there are stuff each does better. I want bacon not sausage for breakfast. There is a egg line where they will make a omelette to order. 

[George C]

I like the voyager class of ships , don’t miss the great ice skating show which should be repeated a few times . Nice pub with a guitar player, nice piano bar and showroom for other acts . 

[mpat]

How formal is formal night? Through our years of cruising on Carnival and Holland, formal night has gotten less "formal". It seems that you can get by with smart casual. Is a suit required for men or will a dress shirt, tie, and dress pants be accepted? Is a cocktail dress necessary or will just a dress or dressy pants and top do? 

[RobInMN]

4 minutes ago, mpat said:

How formal is formal night? Through our years of cruising on Carnival and Holland, formal night has gotten less "formal". It seems that you can get by with smart casual. Is a suit required for men or will a dress shirt, tie, and dress pants be accepted? Is a cocktail dress necessary or will just a dress or dressy pants and top do? 

Just had to turn this into a MDR attire thread didn't you?

 

Formal is the same as every other night - You do you.

You want to dress up and have pictures taken, go for it. If you want to wear shorts and a t-shirt, that's fine also.

Just no swim wear.

 

Waiting for all the people bemoaning "how it used to be" and "I think it should be how I want it" responses:

This thread's going to pick up now

[firefly333]

8 minutes ago, mpat said:

How formal is formal night? Through our years of cruising on Carnival and Holland, formal night has gotten less "formal". It seems that you can get by with smart casual. Is a suit required for men or will a dress shirt, tie, and dress pants be accepted? Is a cocktail dress necessary or will just a dress or dressy pants and top do? 

I had a guy show up in shorts in a so called dress up night. Dress how you like, no one will say anything if it's not see thru or a bathing suit. People dress up to get their pictures made. It's up to you. 

[Sunshine3601]

10 minutes ago, mpat said:

How formal is formal night? Through our years of cruising on Carnival and Holland, formal night has gotten less "formal". It seems that you can get by with smart casual. Is a suit required for men or will a dress shirt, tie, and dress pants be accepted? Is a cocktail dress necessary or will just a dress or dressy pants and top do? 

Formal night is no longer as formal as it was.  You will see less than 50% dressed up in tux, gowns, suits and nice dresses.   

We do like to dress up, sometimes, not every cruise.  When we don't bring tux or dress, we wear smart casual or business casual.

[loman]

No more sports jacket for me .

Collared shirt and unfaded black jeans is my attire .

[mpat]

I really appreciate all of the information I've received! Here's another question: Does the sea pass come with a hole punched for attaching a lanyard or will I need a lanyard with a plastic sleeve?

[scubaslayer]

6 minutes ago, mpat said:

I really appreciate all of the information I've received! Here's another question: Does the sea pass come with a hole punched for attaching a lanyard or will I need a lanyard with a plastic sleeve?

It does not come with a hole punched in it. My kid has a lanyard with the sleeve but I know in the past guest services had a punch. Last time we had them do that was 2017 though. Personally I put mine in my phone case, as I always have my phone. Other kid has a wallet thing with a wrist strap and phone clip.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 8/31/2024 at 6:05 PM, Sunshine3601 said:

Formal night is no longer as formal as it was.  You will see less than 50% dressed up in tux, gowns, suits and nice dresses.   

We do like to dress up, sometimes, not every cruise.  When we don't bring tux or dress, we wear smart casual or business casual.

I would say less than 20% wear suits and nice dresses, not to mention tuxedos and gowns. I have been on six RCI cruises since June and I have not seen a single tuxedo or gown on any cruise, although it’s not like I walked around the entire ship(s) checking out what everyone was wearing. For what it’s worth, I have been on two Celebrity cruises over the same time period and I saw plenty of men wearing tuxedoes. But that isn’t surprising since people tend to dress a lot nicer on Celebrity compared to RCI. I don’t mind getting dressed up, but I like knowing I can wear shorts every night on RCI without it being a problem in the MDR.