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Royal Caribbean

From multi-level cabins to two-bedroom retreats, here's how to pick the perfect Royal Caribbean suite

Those looking for the ultimate cruise experience on a family-friendly cruise line should consider the spacious suites onboard Royal Caribbean ships. 

While the suite experience is not quite the "ship-within-a-ship" concept that other cruise lines have -- most notably Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven, and MSC Cruises' Yacht Club -- all suite guests onboard Royal Caribbean ships have access to perks and benefits that those in standard cabins do not. 

Royal Caribbean cabin and suite categories guide

Now that you have decided to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, how do you pick out the perfect cabin or suite? 

Royal Caribbean has some of the largest cruise ships in the world, meaning that you have a variety of stateroom options. In fact, Icon of the Seas, their newest ship, will have a staggering 28 different cabin categories to choose from. 

You want to make sure that you pick the right one to be your "home away from home" while onboard your cruise. 

After 10 cruises, here's what I love and hated about sailing with Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises

The very first cruise ship I ever sailed on was Oasis of the Seas. At the time, I did not realize that I was setting my cruise vacation bar so high. It was an incredible trip, and I immediately fell in love with cruising. 

The endless sea views, onboard fun, and tons of tasty food made it a great family vacation, not to mention the fantastic ports of call that we visited.  

I forgot to check-in for my cruise. Why I won't make this mistake again

Before you can board your cruise ship and officially start your vacation, you must check-in for your cruise. Just like boarding an airplane, cruise lines require guests to check-in for their vacation; during this process, the cruise lines confirms your official documentation and emergency contacts and often requires you to fill out a health questionnaire.

Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean comparison

Two of the biggest cruise lines in the industry are Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, and it is likely that if you’ve heard of one, you have probably heard of the other. 

Both these cruise lines have a lot of similarities, but they also have some key differences as well. When it comes to style, amenities, and itineraries, there can be a lot to consider when choosing which cruise line to sail with for your next vacation. 

I sailed on the oldest and smallest Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. Here's how it went

Modern cruise ships are built to be bigger and better than ever before. By today’s standards, cruise ships are essentially floating resorts, holding upwards of 10,000 people onboard, including crew.

In fact, the top decks of the newest cruise ships look like amusement parks with water slides, roller coasters, and go-karts! It’s easy to forget that you’re sailing on a cruise ship onboard these mega-ships because there are so many attractions and onboard thrills.

18 easy ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise (2024)

Cruising with Royal Caribbean is an incredible way to enjoy an affordable vacation while visiting multiple destinations on world-class cruise ships. With your base cruise fare, you’ll have so much already included, such as lodging, transportation, select food venues, and entertainment.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on luxury. With some extra time and research, you can find great deals and promotions that will save you money. 

18 Royal Caribbean Drink Package Tips (2024)

You have paid the deposit on your Royal Caribbean cruise and are officially in cruise countdown mode! You can now start daydreaming about waking up to specialty coffees each morning, lounging by the pool with your drink of choice in hand, and cooling down with a soda or bottled water after an adventurous day in port.

Top things I loved and hated about my Royal Caribbean cruise in Europe

Between the rich culture and history, European cruises provide the ultimate convenience for visiting multiple countries on a vacation without having to unpack and repack your suitcase.

After 30 cruises, I can confidently say that European cruises are my favorite. I love having a comfortable home base to return to each evening, all while getting to experience new cultures and countries every single day. 

Top 5 things I like better about Carnival Cruise Line than Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are the two biggest mainstream cruise lines in the industry with millions of passengers setting sail onboard these competing lines each year.

Each cruise line adds their own special flair to the cruising experience. This is how they differentiate from one another in the competitive travel market. Royal Caribbean is known for building mega-ships with onboard thrills and dazzling entertainment, while Carnival places a heavy focus on fun, casual dining, and creating a lively atmosphere onboard.

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