Walt Disney World is four theme parks, two water parks, and the Disney Springs shopping area. Scuba diving opportunities are also plentiful in Nassau. If youre looking for an enjoyable way to cruise and youre young at heart, you will find the value in cruising with Royal Caribbean. Current (2022) cover charges for dinners at onboard fine dining restaurants are usually $50 per person, so this pass could . Good, but not great. A tool that is particularly useful to guests on an excursion is a customized touring plan. Is a Royal Caribbean Walt Disney World shore excursion a good idea? Even if you only plan to be online for an hour a day, a Wi-Fi package for the whole cruise will get you more bang for you buck than paying by the hour or the day. I didn't hold back on what I drank, and my consumption still felt pretty indulgent. A hybrid sea and land tour is also available, where guests start the tour on a catamaran and end with a land tour of downtown Nassau. Located just a few minutes by boat from the cruise port, Blue Lagoon feels a world away. Why Cruise Drink Packages Are Not Worth It, Per Frequent Cruiser - Insider Guests interested in Bahamian art and culture may want to visit the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean has cruise ships to suit cruise travelers who prefer small to mid-size cruise ships, as well as families who love a mega ship with tons of onboard attractions. (Photo: Cruise Critic), Passengers sightseeing by bus in Tortola. Admission is $13.50 for adults and $6.75 for children 4-17. Note that there will be a line on your drink receipt for additional gratuity if you are feeling generous, but its not required. Royal Caribbean offers the Island Food & Culinary Insight tour, which takes guests on an air-conditioned ride around Nassau to taste local food and drinks. Guests wanting to learn more about Junkanoo can do so any day of the year at the Educulture Junkanoo Museum. Or you could be thinking about playing the slot machines in the ships casino while enjoying a cocktail. Another option that is really popular is the internet package. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 22005231 9/21/2022 Celebrity announces its cruise ships will visit Royal Caribbean's P.S. Lunch is included in the excursion to Blue Lagoon as well, where you can enjoy hamburgers, chicken, veggie burgers, Caribbean rice, and a salad bar. The 9 Best Juneau Shore Excursions for your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Planning your Alaska cruise for 2023? The entrance fee is $10 for guests and free for children under 12. It's similar with the Royal Caribbean beverage package. Read More. But be aware, 6-7 hours is not much time to spend in the park. Many beaches are lined with hotels and resorts, but their facilities are only available to guests. The landscape of Labadee is also gorgeous! Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Royal Walt Disney World is not in Port Canaveral. I drank as much as I wanted and still saved over $200 by paying for each drink individually. Case in point is the price of the drink packages. During these excursions, guests can get up close and personal with animals to observe them in their natural habitat. Stuart Cove is the main diving provider on New Providence Island. A must-see spot to include on a food tour is the Fish Fry, a strip of restaurants and vendors specializing in seafood including conch, grilled shrimp, fried snapper, and lobster tails. Its common to have a dozen or more across a modern cruise ship. Thirsty? 5 Cruise Excursions Not Worth Your Money - Cruise Critic There is a chance they can be lenient on the policy, especially if there is a strong reason why one person doesnt want the package, such as a wife thats pregnant, or someone who isnt allowed alcohol due to health issues. Plus there's nothing more annoying than tour guides who talk too much or the disappointment you feel when that awesome landmark you were hoping to see is on the right side of the bus when you're sitting on the left. If you were to order a drink from the bar without the drink package, youd get a receipt for the drink and see an additional 18% gratuity tacked on. Passengers can also bring a maximum of 12 bottles of nonalcoholic beverages at embarkation, so I packed Gatorade for my son. Many gave me a spiel about how it would save me money, but it's worth noting that the drink packages were more expensive to buy on the ship than they were before boarding. Guests on this tour will have the opportunity to taste dishes like conch fritters, Bahamian teas, and fresh seafood. And if I had an unlimited drink package, I might've been tempted to try to get my money's worth. Royal Caribbean makes it a little difficult to plan as drink package prices can vary widely depending on your specific cruise. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. .css-18jw8gc{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;position:relative;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:1.2;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:var(--chakra-sizes-10);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);background:none;border:0;color:black;display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0!important;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-Roboto);font-weight:500;padding-top:0.625rem;padding-bottom:0.625rem;-webkit-padding-start:1rem;padding-inline-start:1rem;-webkit-padding-end:1rem;padding-inline-end:1rem;}.css-18jw8gc:focus-visible,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-18jw8gc:disabled,.css-18jw8gc[disabled],.css-18jw8gc[aria-disabled=true],.css-18jw8gc[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-18jw8gc:active,.css-18jw8gc[data-active]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:hover,.css-18jw8gc[data-hover]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:focus,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}Cookie Consent, Loungers lining a beach in Tortola. Which Cruise Add-Ons are Worth the Price? Shore excursions: What new cruisers need to know Many guests that try to wing it on their day in Nassau end up disappointed and unsure of the best way to spend their day. This is less expensive. One of the great perks is that the drink package, which normally only works on the ship, also works on the island. A kid-friendly boat tour is Blackbeards Pirate Revenge, which takes guests around Nassau in an 18th century pirate ship replica. No. From the fjords of Norway to the glaciers of Alaska, to the waters of Cozumel and the reefs of Bermuda, you can explore . Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. When to book Excursions : r/royalcaribbean - Reddit In fact, when it comes to entertainment on a cruise ship, it's really hard to beat what Royal Caribbean has to offer. The benefit of booking with a tour as opposed to snorkeling on your own is that you do not have to pack snorkeling gear with you for the cruise. Royal Caribbean Cruise The Key Program Benefits. Plus, cruise lines will typically offer a minimum of three to five shore excursion options per port, providing versatile activities well suited for a variety of traveler types and interests from coach-based tours to guided bike rides. There is a small fee to enter the museum. Private Journeys is a shore excursion option offered directly by Royal Caribbean, where guests can create a completely customized shore excursion in any port your ship visits. Cruise passengers love Royal Caribbean because of the family friendly atmosphere. If you know that youre going to buy the package, we suggest buying online ahead of time for a discount. Amazing Entertainment Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the best and most unique entertainment in the cruise industry. Instead of shelling out the added cash, save by booking your own a la carte stays before and after your journey. We would like. Typically, beverages (including soda), Wi-Fi access, specialty restaurant reservations and shore excursions require an extra fee, adding up to a steep final cruise bill. The boats crew are dressed as pirates who tell pirate tales, share history, and provide an immersive experience for guests onboard. #1 Posted January 27, 2019 we are sailing march 31st Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas; we are researching all the options for shore excursions and considering the Xcaret Natural Adventure. Cruise lines don't want a passenger to pay for an unlimited drink package and use it to order beverages for all the other members of their party, so some take an all-or-nothing approach. Organized museum shore excursions are appealing because they include transportation and expedited admission. So on a recent trip aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, I logged all of the la carte beverages my three-person family ordered on the ship to see how the overall cost compared to the drink-package prices. Weve seen heavy discounts, such as buy one, get the second drink package 50% off. Here are the recent prices we saw from a Royal Caribbean, but keep in mind they are subject to change: These figures should give you a ballpark. Instead of just having one set price, each drink package offers different prices, depending on your ship and the trip. This is where many passengers will go for a sit down dinner. With Royal Caribbean, I always find myself debating if the Deluxe Beverage Package is worth the cost. So what if one person traveling wants the drink package but the other doesnt? The specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean are a great value and it really does enhance the cruise experience. Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions If youre looking for a special culinary experience, Royal Caribbean has some amazing specialty restaurants. Also, in trying to decide whether the deluxe package is for you one must also look at specialty coffees, bottled waters, soda. A free, short distillery tour with tastings is available. While most activities are included, two attractions that have an additional cost on Royal Caribbean cruises are the North Star and iFly (sky diving simulator). The Key Program by Royal Caribbean Cruise - Is it Worth It? Royal Caribbean has a wide variety of included restaurants as well as specialty dining, which has an extra cost. Like what you see? Note that gratuity is charged on all the packages, even if you are getting one without alcoholic drinks included. These museums are all walkable from the cruise port, and most are relatively small, so visiting each museum will not take too much time. How do you know you won't be paying too much for a tour that could very well be too crowded or that won't give you the time you need at the sights you want to see? Some great starting points include Singapore for its incredible city life, Taiwan for the delicious night markets, Bali for its rice terraces, Australia for beaches that defy reality, New Zealand for dramatic landscapes, Japan for its blend of modern and traditional culture and Costa Rica for its wildlife. Simply enter the number and type of beverages you think youll drink each day, and you can compare that amount to the cost of the drink package offered on your cruise. The calls will be included in itineraries on the Celebrity . You can also visit Marina Village, an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment space located around the Atlantis Marina, at no extra cost. I am looking for information on refreshment package.does it include smoothies or was that recently removed from the package, Is the drink package available to use as soon as you board? The key is to book them online, ahead of your cruise. What shore excursion tours are offered? | Royal Caribbean Cruises The main dining room is another included place to eat that is very popular among Royal Caribbean guests. Like what you see? Water park admission costs less than theme park admission. Crowds can make umbrellas and chairs scarce, the atmosphere loud and lines for the toilets long, leaving you with an ambience that's anything but serene. This is no minimum number of days when tours get loaded, so it's up to the guest to keep checking back periodically. When I'm on vacation, I enjoy imbibing cocktails by the pool, sipping wine with dinner, and savoring evening nightcaps. One of my favorite things to do on any Royal Caribbean cruise is to enjoy the sunset, and if your cruise goes to Aruba, Spending the day in Cozumel, Mexico means time playing and relaxing by the ocean, and one of the most popular spots for, Royal Caribbean has changed the Shore Excursions Cancellation Policy. This way, you will save money and you dont have to worry about paying for alcoholic drinks once youre on the ship. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 10+ Cruises Age 40s. 1 - 10 of 27,797 Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews. Instead, we paid for our drinks la carte. In addition to the daily fee thats charged, there is an 18% gratuity thats also charged. Not only are there comedians, live bands and production shows, there are also special shows on select Royal Caribbean cruises. The waterscape includes lagoons, pools, and habitats for marine animals. The concept on the surface is simple. In most cases, youll still need to buy two alcohol packages (assuming two adults in a room) if one person buys it. Compared to other cruise lines, such as Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean has so many free things to do on their cruise ships. If youre cruising on a budget, youll be happy to know that most Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabins have a small couch and sitting area. This includes cocktails, beers, wine, coffees, teas, juices, bottled water, and sodas. If you found this helpful, please dont keep it to yourself ;-). Waiting in line for my morning cup didn't sound fun, so I chose the shorter line at Starbucks for an la carte coffee instead. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. After all, these packages take the guesswork out of calculating your bill and charge you a standard fee, making it easier to budget for your cruise ahead of time. While it's possible to find some reviews on here (cruise critic), having. Admission prices vary at the parks from day to day, and single day admission to Magic Kingdom is higher than to the other three theme parks. Passengers looking to set sail and explore Nassau from the sea have plenty of options. If your traveling partner doesnt drink that much, then youre essentially paying for two drink packages for only one person. Hi! Most cruises for 2024 will run in May, June, July, August, September, and October when the weather is ideal. Probably. So instead of working from one price to figure out if youll drink enough to make the package worth it, you have to see the cost of the drink package for your specific cruise, plus any discounts you may get. Avoid rookie mistakes and never do these 10 things when booking shore excursions for your next cruise. Or you could have a calculator that list all types of beverages and then when the total comes up you can tell which package is for you.. Thats what my husband & I do for our cruises. See much more than alligators during one of these exciting trips. Transportation, lunch, kayaks, paddleboards, beach chairs, water mats and trampolines, showers, and bathroom facilities are included in the day pass for guests. For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. Other tours available at Blue Lagoon Island include a segway and eco nature walking tour. For all Port Canaveral/Orlando Shore Excursions, check out these Royal Caribbean options. Well there it is, 10 reasons why Royal Caribbean is worth it! If youre traveling with kids, a great thing about Royal Caribbean is that they have an amazing kids club, Adventure Ocean. Royal Caribbean International, for example, has packages that cater to guests who just want to surf the web or use social media platforms, along with another package that gives enough bandwidth to stream movies and television shows. Yet in most cases you can still go it alone and minimize hassle and wait times by planning transportation and purchasing museum tickets in advance. Lets look at the differences between the two excursions: So what can you do in 6 hours at Magic Kingdom? Or maybe youre thinking about dinner in the dining room, eating a fabulous meal while enjoying a tasty glass of wine. Several hotels and resorts in Nassau offer day passes, which allow cruise ship guests to access the resorts amenities for the day. Hand-crafted cocktails available include the Canchera Rum, which is made with amber rum, Bahamian honey, lemon juice, and club soda, and Skylarkin, made with pale and coconut rum, coconut pulp, coconut water, and nutmeg. Standard drink package prices vary, but most start at just $18 per night, per person. You should also create a MyDisneyExperience account, download Disneys app, and link your park admission to your accounts before your cruise. As someone who has cruised with Royal Caribbean since I was young, I know first hand why a Royal Caribbean is so worth it! Are you starting to see a theme? Which Cruise Add-Ons are Worth the Price? If you're looking to slash cruise costs, onboard photos and videos are rarely worth the high price tags. The 9 Best Juneau Shore Excursions for your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Keep this in mind when youre deciding if its worth it for you to buy. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. (Getty Images). As you might guess, it gets you unlimited soda during your cruise. Royal allows you to bring on a small quantity of non-alcoholic drinks. In addition to the daily fee that's charged, there is an 18% gratuity that's also charged. Unlike some ports, Nassau is a port day you want to prepare for before arriving. There are advantages to both strategies, as well as important considerations to be aware of as well. Some day passes are all-inclusive, whereas others give guests a monetary voucher for food and drinks. Should you spring for meals at specialty restaurants and pre-paid drink packages? The bad news is that Royal Caribbean limits the beverage package to those drinks with a menu price (before gratuity) of $14 or less. Meanwhile, the Classic Soda Package only includes soda. The TTC is a monorail or ferry ride to the Magic Kingdom, a monorail trip to EPCOT, and the bus transportation hub to all other resort areas. Sometimes, extra offerings, such as unlimited drink packages and Wi-Fi pricing plans, can yield an excellent value. However, the Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas are known as some of the most fun cruise ships in the world. A common misconception of cruising is that every line functions under the same all-inclusive model. A great option that Royal Caribbean offers, is that you can pre-purchase package options before your cruise. Come with U.S. News on a tour of Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. For people who plan to spend a lot of time in port (off the ship) or simply dont drink every day, it can be difficult to get the value from the package. I found the cruise offered plenty of complimentary nonalcoholic beverages, including a variety of flavored waters. But it does bring up a good question for many people. Blue Lagoon Island (Nassau): Full Review & Is It Worth It? In our opinion its still worth a call to the cruise line if you really dont want two packages or have a circumstance where one person cant drink. The classic soda package was discounted to $13 a person each day. No matter how old you are, there is always something to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise. However if you have bigger budget or want some extras, you can enhance your cruise experience. Shopping Whether you prefer kitschy T-shirts, duty-free purchases or authentic, handmade souvenirs, great shopping abounds in many a cruise port, but there's no need to shell out money for a. Our Honest Perfect Day at CocoCay Review - Eat Sleep Cruise Instead, you have to wait until you book your cruise to see what the drink package price will be for your specific cruise. As a result, the package is much less than the Deluxe Beverage Package. My husband, who doesn't drink specialty coffees and mostly had beer, spent even less than I did on drinks, which confirmed my belief that these drink packages aren't worth it for my family. Whether you prefer kitschy T-shirts, duty-free purchases or authentic, handmade souvenirs, great shopping abounds in many a cruise port, but there's no need to shell out money for a shopping excursion. I'm not a big soda drinker, but I do love coffee and tea. I reasoned that a lot of the people who bought drink packages probably didn't want to spend even more money, so they waited in long lines at the caf serving coffee that was included in the price. 23 Mar 2022 By: Jenna DeLaurentis A Royal Caribbean cruise vacation includes a lot of activities, dining, ports to visit, and things to do, but it is not an all-inclusive vacation. So if your drink package is $70 per day, you'll actually be charged $82.60. Classic Soda Package: The least expensive package thats offered from the cruise line is the Classic Soda Package. You asked your most pressing Alaska cruise questions, and today, we're answering each and every one. The boat ride from the cruise port to Blue Lagoon is included in the fare, which is usually around $85-100. If you wait until you board, youll see tables setup around the ship offering the package. For senior cruise passengers or first-time visitors to a country or a city, excursions affiliated with a cruise line offer added comfort and convenience. I am in tx. Royal Caribbean and outside providers offer historical walking tours of Nassau, although the sites are all easily accessible on your own. RESERVE NOW DISCOVER YOUR OWN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level from locally-taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. Prices varied based on promotions, but the lowest ones I saw leading up to the trip were as follows: However, these packages come with some caveats. And after my husband spilled his margarita shortly after he got it,I definitely understood the appeal of simply ordering a new drink without feeling guilty about spending more money. Of course, those drinks can add up quickly. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Bars are everywhere. Most drink packages also don't include beverages in ports of call either (one exception: some packages cover drinks at cruise lines' private islands). Disney Springs offers dining and shopping in a themed environment without an admission cost. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a destination every cruiser has to visit at least once. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Second, remember the rule that all adults have to purchase the drink package if one adult in the cabin does so. Although CocoCay has all the bells and whistles, Labadee is still a great destination with beautiful beaches. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. One of the big rules of the drink package is that you arent allowed to share your drinks with someone else. The most I shelled out on drinks in one day was $56, which included a specialty coffee, a beer, and three cocktails. (This also means they arent included in other packages as well. Royal Caribbean offers the Nassau Sail & Reef Snorkeling tour, which brings guests on a sailboat to coral reefs near Spruce Cay and Athol Island.