About this Video

• Video Title: 47 Easy Tricks to Make Your Cruise So Much Better
• Channel: Royal Caribbean Blog
• Speakers: Matt
• Duration: 00:16:17

Introduction

This video provides 47 simple tips to enhance a Royal Caribbean cruise experience. The tips cover various aspects, from pre-cruise planning and embarkation to onboard activities and maximizing enjoyment throughout the voyage. The presenter aims to reduce stress and complication, making the cruise more relaxing and enjoyable.

Key Takeaways

1. Pre-Cruise Planning: Book specialty restaurant lunches, utilize a travel agent, pre-book gratuities, and complete online check-in to save time and money.
2. Onboard Strategies: Use a communication plan, eat dinner together, utilize complimentary amenities (room service in suites, Labadee ferry), participate in trivia, and avoid peak times for elevators and Guest Services.
3. Packing & Cabin Hacks: Pack bathing suits for embarkation day, bring a USB port outlet, magnetic hooks, wrinkle release spray, and a pen/highlighter. Prepare a carry-on bag for the first day.
4. Other Tips: Speak up about issues, look for deals, wear tightest clothes first, bring green apples (for nausea), specify liquor brands for drinks, print luggage tags, and bring a bottle of water with each drink order. Also, know what you can't bring onboard, don't rely solely on online reviews, and know suitcases fit under the bed.

The 47 tips for a better cruise cover pre-cruise planning (booking, travel agents, online check-in), onboard strategies (communication, dining, using amenities, trivia), packing hacks (bathing suits, USB port, hooks, wrinkle spray), and other miscellaneous advice (speaking up, finding deals, clothing choices, remedies for seasickness, drink orders, luggage tags, and prohibited items). The overarching theme is to maximize enjoyment and minimize stress through proactive planning and smart choices.

1. Specialty restaurants for lunch
2. Wear matching t-shirts
3. Read a past Cruise Compass
4. Use a good travel agent
5. Trivia on sea days
6. Have a communication plan
7. Eat dinner together
8. Avoid over-planning
9. Bring a USB port outlet
10. Bathing suits on embarkation day
11. Put your phone in airplane mode
12. Bring a pen and highlighter
13. Buy magnetic hooks
14. Speak up if there's a problem
15. Book anything you can in advance
16. Look for deals even if there's no sale
17. Don't wait for the elevator
18. Bring wrinkle release spray
19. Eat green apples
20. Look for kids sail free deals
21. Talk to the crew members
22. Do online check-in
23. Pre-book My Time dining reservations
24. Don't waste time at Guest Services
25. Complimentary ferry at Labadee
26. Utilize complimentary trams at Labadee
27. Register for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day
28. Sign up for the Vitality Spa raffle
29. Look for alternatives to buffet lines
30. Room service is complimentary (in suites)
31. Bring your own water
32. Pre-book gratuities
33. Stay onboard during port days
34. Breakfast room service as a wake-up call
35. Don't wait to renew your passport
36. Specify the brand of liquor
37. Use drink package at specialty restaurants
38. Bottle of water with drink order
39. Print out luggage tags
40. Bring wine onboard
41. Fly in one day before your cruise
42. Prepare a carry-on bag for the first day
43. Know what you can't bring
44. Don't listen to bad reviews
45. Suitcases fit under the bed
46. Wear tightest clothes first
47. Look for videos of your ship/itinerary/room on YouTube

Here's a list of the 47 tips, categorized and summarized for better understanding:

I. Pre-Cruise Planning & Booking:

1. Specialty Restaurants for Lunch: Avoid embarkation day crowds and enjoy a more relaxed lunch. Consider pre-booking.
2. Use a Travel Agent: Get free expert advice, compare deals, and save money.
3. Pre-book Gratuities: Lock in the gratuity rate and avoid potential price increases.
4. Online Check-in: Speed up the embarkation process by completing check-in online.
5. Kids Sail Free Deals: Look for promotions offering free cruises for children.
6. Print Luggage Tags: Save time at the terminal by pre-printing and attaching luggage tags.
7. Fly in a Day Early: Avoid missing your cruise due to travel delays.

II. Onboard Experiences & Activities:

1. Matching T-shirts: Easily spot your travel companions in crowded areas.
2. Read Past Cruise Compass: Get an idea of daily activities and entertainment.
3. Trivia: Participate in free trivia sessions to meet people and have fun.
4. Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan (group chat, etc.) for your group.
5. Eat Dinner Together: Schedule a daily dinner time to reconnect with your group.
6. Avoid Over-Planning: Allow for flexibility and spontaneous activities.
7. Talk to Crew Members: Engage in conversations with crew for a more personal experience.
8. Pre-book My Time Dining: Reduce wait times by making dining reservations in advance.
9. Don't Waste Time at Guest Services: Visit during off-peak hours (early morning, dinner, late night).
10. Complimentary Ferry at Labadee: Utilize free ferry service at Royal Caribbean's private island.
11. Complimentary Trams at Labadee: Utilize the free trams around Labadee to explore.
12. Adventure Ocean Registration: Register kids for Adventure Ocean early to meet counselors and familiarize them with the facilities.
13. Vitality Spa Raffle: Sign up for a chance to win prizes; odds are often better than expected.
14. Alternatives to Buffet Lines: Explore less crowded cafes and restaurants for meals.
15. Stay Onboard During Port Days: Enjoy discounted spa services, empty pools, and shorter lines.

III. Cabin & Personal Comfort:

1. Bring a USB Port Outlet: Increase charging capacity in your cabin.
2. Bathing Suits on Embarkation Day: Enjoy the pools and water slides with fewer crowds.
3. Airplane Mode: Avoid roaming charges by putting your phone in airplane mode.
4. Pen and Highlighter: Annotate your Cruise Compass or write thank-you notes.
5. Magnetic Hooks: Utilize magnetic hooks to hang items in your metal-walled stateroom.
6. Wrinkle Release Spray: Keep clothes looking fresh without using costly onboard laundry services.
7. Eat Green Apples: A simple remedy for motion sickness.
8. Room Service (Suites): Complimentary room service is a perk to utilize in suites.
9. Bring Your Own Water: Bring non-alcoholic beverages (within limits) on embarkation day.
10. Breakfast Room Service Wake-Up Call: Order breakfast room service as a pleasant wake-up call.
11. Specify Liquor Brand: Request specific brands when ordering cocktails to avoid cheaper substitutes.
12. Bottle of Water with Drink Orders: Always ask for water with your drinks; it's often free and useful later.
13. Suitcases Under the Bed: Maximize space in your cabin.
14. Wear Tightest Clothes First: Wear tighter-fitting clothes early in the cruise and save looser clothes for later.

IV. Important Reminders & General Advice:

1. Speak Up About Problems: Address issues with crew members for better resolution.
2. Look for Deals: Regularly check for deals and price changes, even without advertised sales.
3. Don't Wait for the Elevator: Use the stairs for faster travel and exercise.
4. Know What You Can't Bring: Familiarize yourself with prohibited items.
5. Don't Listen to Bad Reviews: Maintain an open mind and enjoy your experience.
6. YouTube Videos: Search for YouTube videos of your ship, itinerary, or cabin for better preparation.

This categorization and summarization provides a more organized and easily digestible overview of the 47 tips offered in the video.