Age Policy
Royal Caribbean maintains specific age requirements to ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise experience for all guests. Below is a clear guide to the minimum age to sail alone, as well as related policies for infants, alcohol consumption, gambling, and proof of age.
Minimum Age to Sail Unaccompanied
North America Departures
- Guests must be 21 years old to sail without a parent or guardian.
- No guest under 21 will be assigned to a stateroom unless a 21+ adult is booked in the same cabin.
- Underage married couples (must present proof of marriage)
- Active-duty U.S. or Canadian military
- Minors traveling in connecting staterooms with a parent/guardian
International Departures (South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand)
- Guests may sail unaccompanied at 18 years old.
Royal Caribbean may adjust minimum age requirements at any time to comply with local laws and regional regulations
Infant Policy
To ensure safety at sea, Royal Caribbean enforces strict minimum age requirements for infants:
- Infants who do not meet the age requirement will be denied boarding, and no refunds or compensation will be issued.
- 6 months old on the first day of the cruise for most sailings.
- 12 months old for itineraries with:
- Transatlantic or transpacific routes
- Hawaii sailings
- Select South America cruises
- Cruises with 3+ consecutive sea days
Alcohol Policy
Royal Caribbean enforces legal drinking age standards that vary by region:
Minimum Drinking Age by Departure Port
- 21 years old: Sailings departing from North America or the Caribbean
- 18 years old: Sailings departing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
Important
- At Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, the drinking age is always 21, regardless of itinerary.
- Guests may not provide alcohol to underage travelers.
- Confiscated alcohol will not be returned to guests under 21.
- Violations: including intoxication, supplying alcohol to minors, or bringing prohibited alcohol onboard, may result in denied boarding or removal from the ship at the guest’s own expense.
Gambling Policy
- Guests must be 18 years or older to gamble in the ship’s casino.
- On Alaska sailings, the minimum casino age increases to 21 due to state regulations.
Proof of Age Requirements
- Royal Caribbean reserves the right to request government-issued ID for age verification at any time.
- Age is determined by the guest’s age on the sailing date.
- If a guest turns 21 during the cruise, they may request an onboard age update at Guest Services.
- The guest must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and show valid ID confirming the birthdate.
Dining Information
Fuel every moment of adventure with Royal Caribbean’s incredible dining options. Whether you want a fast bite between activities, a sweet treat after a day in port, or a beautifully prepared multi-course dinner, Royal Caribbean offers delicious dining choices for every taste and travel style.
Included Dining Options
Main Dining Room
Start your morning with a warm, hearty breakfast and end your day with a multi-course dinner served in a stylish, full-service dining room. Menus change daily and feature global flavors, classic favorites, and vegetarian options.
Windjammer Café
Perfect for a quick lunch or a casual meal, the Windjammer Café offers abundant choices — from international cuisine and themed stations to freshly grilled items and comfort food favorites.
Many of Royal Caribbean’s most popular dining venues, including the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, are included in your cruise fare, making it easy to enjoy great meals without extra cost.
Specialty Dining (Additional Charge)
For guests who love elevated culinary experiences, Royal Caribbean offers an impressive lineup of specialty restaurants:
- Chops Grille: Signature steakhouse
- Johnny Rockets: Classic American diner with burgers, fries, and shakes
Desserts, Treats & Casual Snacks
- Ben & Jerry’s: Ice cream, sundaes, and frozen favorites
- Johnny Rockets: Hand-spun shakes and fun desserts
Beverage & Soda Packages
Royal Caribbean offers soda packages for both adults and children on every ship. Purchase onboard at any bar or lounge for unlimited fountain soda throughout your sailing.
Dietary Needs & Special Requests
Royal Caribbean works hard to accommodate dietary requirements whenever possible. Guests may request:
- Food allergy accommodations
- Gluten-free meals
- Kosher meals
- Low-fat and low-sodium meals
- Vegetarian choices are available daily in both the Dining Room and the Windjammer Café — no advance request needed.
- Vegetarian meals, including Indian-style vegetarian options
Available at No Extra Charge
- Lactose-free milk
- Soy milk
- Ensure nutritional drinks
- Kosher meals (with advance notice)
Advance Notice Requirements
- Notify the cruise line 45 days before sailing
- For European and South American itineraries, notify 90 days in advance
- Kosher for Passover requests must be received 90 days prior
Food & Infant Regulations
Infant formula is not provided onboard. Guests may only bring:
- Baby food
- Dry, non-perishable snacks (cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc.)
- Perishable food from home is not permitted.
Fuel Surcharge Policy
While the phrase fuel surcharge can cause a bit of panic for travelers, the reality is that Royal Caribbean maintains a specific legal right to charge one, even though they have historically avoided using it.
The Fuel Supplement Clause
Every Royal Caribbean ticket contract includes a section (typically Section 3.c) that gives the cruise line the right to add a surcharge if fuel prices hit a certain level.
- The Trigger: If the closing price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fuel exceeds $65.00 USD per barrel on the NYMEX.
- The Cost: The surcharge can be up to $12.00 USD per guest, per day.
- The Fine Print: Royal Caribbean is legally allowed to collect this fee at the time of sailing, even if your cruise has already been paid in full. Refusing to pay it can be treated as a cancellation by the guest, meaning you could lose your fare.
Payments / Refunds
Deposits & Payments
Standard stateroom deposits are flat rates: $100 per person for 1-5 nights; $250 for 6-9 nights; $450 for 10-14 nights; and $500 for 15+ nights. Suites (Grand Suites and higher) require a deposit of 10% of the cruise fare or the flat rate, whichever is higher. Bermuda sailings require a standard deposit of $250 per person. Final payment is due at least 75 days prior for 1-4 night cruises, 90 days prior for 5-14 night cruises, 120 days prior for 15+ night and Holiday cruises, and 160 days prior for specialized itineraries (Galapagos). Refundable deposits are fully refundable before final payment. Non-Refundable Deposit (NRD) Fares are non-refundable from booking; cancellations before final payment forfeit the deposit but receive an FCC equal to the deposit minus a $100 per person service fee. Ship/date changes on NRD bookings carry a $100 change fee.
Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellation fees depend heavily on sailing duration and timing prior to departure.
Short Sailings (1-4 Nights)
- 75 Days or More: No Charge (Except NRD Fees)
- 74 to 61 Days: 50% of Total Price
- 60 to 31 Days: 75% of Total Price
- 30 Days or Less: 100% of Total Price (No Refund)
Standard Sailings (5+ Nights)
- 90 Days or More: No Charge (Except NRD Fees)
- 89 to 75 Days: 25% of Total Price (Deposit Amount)
- 74 to 61 Days: 50% of Total Price
- 60 to 31 Days: 75% of Total Price
- 30 Days or Less: 100% of Total Price (No Refund)
15+ Nights / Holiday Sailings
- 120 Days or More: No Charge (Except NRD Fees)
- 119 to 90 Days: 25% of Total Price (Deposit Amount)
- 89 to 75 Days: 50% of Total Price
- 74 to 61 Days: 75% of Total Price
- 60 Days or Less: 100% of Total Price (No Refund)
Smoking Policy
Royal Caribbean operates under a designated areas only policy. Essentially, the interior of the ship is treated as a smoke-free zone, with a few very specific (and often controversial) exceptions.
Where You CANNOT Smoke
Royal Caribbean is strict about these areas to ensure fire safety and guest comfort.
- Staterooms & Balconies: This is the big one. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside your cabin and on your private balcony.
- Interior Public Spaces: This includes all hallways, elevators, theaters, restaurants, bars, and the Royal Promenade/Esplanade.
- Neighborhoods (Oasis Class): Central Park and the Boardwalk are entirely smoke-free, even though they are open to the sky.
- Family Areas: Smoking is prohibited near kids’ play areas, splash pads, and the jogging track.
Where You CAN Smoke
- Outdoor Decks: Generally, smoking is permitted on one side of the ship (usually the Starboard side, though it varies by ship class) in designated sections of the pool deck.
- The Casino (Casino Royale): Most ships have a designated smoking section within the casino. However, Royal Caribbean has been actively expanding smoke-free casino annexes across the fleet (like the ones replacing Jazz on 4 on Oasis-class ships) to accommodate non-smokers.
Note: Sailings departing from the UK or Australia typically feature 100% smoke-free casinos.
- Cigar Lounges: Some older ships (Freedom and Voyager class) still feature a Connoisseur Club or similar dedicated cigar lounge.
Rules & Fines
- The Fine: If you are caught smoking in your stateroom or on your balcony, a $250 USD cleaning fee will be automatically charged to your SeaPass account. Multiple violations can result in being asked to leave the ship at the next port.
- Electronic Cigarettes (Vapes): Royal Caribbean treats e-cigarettes and vapes exactly like tobacco cigarettes. They can only be used in designated smoking areas.
- Marijuana: Even if you have a medical prescription or it is legal in your home state/port of call, marijuana is strictly prohibited on all Royal Caribbean ships. It is a federal violation in the U.S. and against maritime law; if found, it will be confiscated and you may face legal action or removal.
- Vape Bans in Ports: Be careful when going ashore in 2026—countries like Mexico have significantly tightened laws regarding the import of vapes. Royal Caribbean warns guests that vapes may be seized by local customs if taken off the ship in certain ports.
Age Requirements
- U.S. Departures: You must be 21 years or older to smoke or purchase tobacco.
- International Departures: For most cruises leaving from Europe, South America, or Australia, the age limit is 18.
Travel Protection
Royal Caribbean offers the CruiseCare Travel Protection Program underwritten by Arch Insurance Company (claims administered by Aon Affinity). It features a Trip Cancellation Penalty Waiver (100% cash refund for covered reasons) and a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Credit (giving a Future Cruise Credit up to 90% of non-refundable prepaid costs for cancellations made at least 5 days prior). Underwritten benefits include Trip Interruption (up to 150%), Trip and Baggage Delay ($2,000 delay, $500 baggage delay), Emergency Accident & Sickness ($100,000), Emergency Medical Evacuation ($500,000), and Baggage Protection ($3,000). Costs range between 7% and 10% of the total cruise fare, with no age-based pricing. The plan must be purchased and paid in full by the final payment due date. Pre-existing medical conditions are generally excluded.
Tipping Policy
Unless prepaid, a discretionary daily service charge is automatically billed to SeaPass accounts: Standard staterooms (Interior to Balcony, Junior Suite) are charged $18.50 USD per person, per day; and Suite categories (Grand Suite & higher) are charged $21.00 USD per person, per day. Gratuities can be prepaid prior to sailing and removed or adjusted onboard by visiting Guest Services up until the morning of departure. Once the morning of departure has passed, no adjustments can be made. An automatic 18% service charge is added to all beverage, room service, and mini-bar purchases, and an automatic 20% gratuity is added to all spa and salon services.
Dress Code
Daytime is casual. Eveningwear on most nights is “Casual,” allowing polo shirts, slacks, sundresses, and nice jeans. Bare feet and tank tops are prohibited in the main dining room and specialty venues. Ice skating requires long pants and socks.
Formal Nights
- Royal Caribbean features “Formal” or “Dress Your Best” nights (1 night for 5-night cruises, 2 nights for 6-10 nights, 3 nights for 11-14 nights, and 3-4 nights for 15+ night cruises). For formal nights, gentlemen are encouraged to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, and ladies wear cocktail dresses or evening gowns.
Excursions
- Enhance your cruise vacation by pre-booking your excursions (recommended for most savings and to guarantee availability) via the cruise line app or book while onboard. Space is limited and popular excursions sell out fast!
Why Royal Carribean?
The Most Innovative Ships at Sea
Royal Caribbean continually pushes boundaries with game-changing ships like Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Oasis-Class favorites. Expect multi-neighborhood designs, world-first attractions, and immersive entertainment you won’t find anywhere else.
Endless Activities for All Ages
From surf simulators and zip lines to ice-skating rinks, climbing walls, water parks, and escape rooms, Royal Caribbean offers non-stop fun for families, kids, teens, and adults.
Award-Winning Family Experience
Royal Caribbean is consistently recognized as one of the best cruise lines for families. Spacious staterooms, supervised youth programs, and attractions designed for all generations make it the perfect choice for family vacations.
Exceptional Entertainment
Royal Caribbean stages Broadway-caliber productions, ice shows, AquaTheater performances, comedy clubs, live bands, and themed nightlife, all included in your cruise fare.
Dining That Fits Every Travel Style
From complimentary venues to elevated specialty dining, Royal Caribbean offers an unmatched variety: global flavors, fine dining, celebrity-chef concepts, casual poolside bites, and dietary-friendly menus.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Guests love Royal Caribbean’s private island, offering beaches, snorkeling, thrill rides, lagoon pools, beach clubs, and the tallest waterslide in North America. Most experiences are included, with premium upgrades available.
Worldwide Destinations
Explore 300+ destinations: Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe, Alaska, Asia, Australia, Transatlantic crossings, and more. Itineraries range from weekend escapes to grand voyages.
Value-Packed Cruise Fares
Royal Caribbean offers premium experiences at prices that remain highly competitive, a strong value for families and multi-generational groups.
Modern, Comfortable Accommodations
Choose from interior rooms to ocean views, balconies, suites, family rooms, multi-bedroom loft suites, and the Ultimate Family Suite, designed for comfort and convenience.
A Cruise Line That Constantly Evolves
From new ships to upgraded private destinations and refreshed onboard technology, Royal Caribbean is always innovating to elevate the modern cruise experience.
FAQ
What is included in a Royal Caribbean cruise fare?
Your fare includes accommodations, most dining venues, entertainment, onboard activities, fitness center access, youth programs, and many ship amenities. Specialty dining, Wi-Fi, drinks, and select attractions may cost extra.
Does Royal Caribbean offer drink packages?
Yes. You can choose from alcoholic packages, a Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic), or a Soda Package. Purchasing in advance often gives you the best price.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are not typically included unless you prepay them. Daily gratuities are added to your onboard account unless prepaid through Top Cruise Deals.
Is Royal Caribbean good for families?
Absolutely. With award-winning kids’ clubs, family suites, water parks, splash zones, and attractions for every age, Royal Caribbean is one of the best family cruise lines at sea.
Do Royal Caribbean ships offer free Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is not included. Guests may purchase Voom Internet packages, often discounted when purchased before sailing.
Can I bring alcohol onboard?
You may bring a limited number of wine or champagne bottles on embarkation day. Beer and spirits are not permitted. Policies vary slightly by itinerary.
What is the dress code?
Most nights are “resort casual.” Some sailings include optional formal nights. Specialty dining venues may have specific attire guidelines.
Is Perfect Day at CocoCay included?
Access to the island itself is included. Premium experiences, such as the water park, cabanas, and Coco Beach Club, require an additional fee.
What time should I arrive at the cruise terminal?
Arrive at your assigned check-in window, as Royal Caribbean uses staggered arrival times to streamline boarding.
When is final payment due?
Final payment is usually due 75–90 days before sailing for most cruises. Holiday and longer itineraries may require earlier payment.