7 Royal Caribbean Extras Frequent Cruisers Buy Every Time

For travelers who sail with Royal Caribbean month after month, the base cruise fare is only the beginning. Regular guests increasingly rely on a handful of paid extras that shape how convenient, connected and comfortable each voyage feels.

Drink Packages Remain a Go To for Many Regulars

Beverage packages are among the most visible extras on Royal Caribbean, and frequent cruisers often treat them as a standing purchase. The line sells several tiers, from soda only to the higher priced Deluxe Beverage Package that covers a wide range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks across most onboard bars and restaurants. Recent updates indicate that package inclusions continue to evolve, with changes such as the removal of certain souvenir cups while keeping unlimited drink access as the core benefit.

For guests sailing multiple times a year, the appeal is predictability. Prepaying for drinks before embarkation allows travelers to lock in a known cost and avoid monitoring every individual charge on their folio. Regulars also highlight that drink packages apply on Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, which extends the value beyond the ship itself and simplifies sea days and beach days alike.

Cruise price watchers note that the break even point can vary depending on sailing length, onboard prices and personal consumption. However, many experienced guests report that, when bought during pre cruise promotions, the package typically pays off for those who enjoy several specialty coffees, soft drinks and cocktails each day.

VOOM Wi Fi and Messaging Add Convenience Across the Fleet

Internet connectivity has shifted from a luxury to a near necessity for many travelers, and Royal Caribbean markets its VOOM service as a fast at sea option. Regular cruisers who sail monthly frequently rank Wi Fi access among their must buy extras, especially on newer ships and during longer itineraries where staying in touch with work, family or social media is important.

Publicly available information shows that the line sells different VOOM plans, typically separating basic web browsing and messaging from higher bandwidth streaming options. Coverage extends to private islands such as Perfect Day at CocoCay, giving travelers a continuous connection from ship to shore. Cruise planning guides emphasize that discounts are often offered in advance through Royal Caribbean’s online planner, encouraging guests to purchase before boarding.

For frequent cruisers, the practical benefit is twofold. Reliable connectivity helps manage travel logistics, such as flight check ins and real time weather checks in port, while also supporting entertainment habits like video calls or streaming. Many repeat guests describe Wi Fi packages as a standing line item in their cruise budgets, similar to drinks and gratuities.

Specialty Dining Packages Elevate Repetitive Itineraries

As more travelers sail repeatedly on similar routes, dining variety becomes a significant part of the experience. Royal Caribbean includes several complimentary venues in the fare, but has expanded its portfolio of specialty restaurants across the fleet, from steakhouses and Italian concepts to sushi and chef driven venues. Dining packages, which bundle multiple specialty meals at a discounted rate, have become a favored extra among regular passengers.

According to published coverage and cruise line materials, specialty pricing is typically structured per person, per meal, with children often paying reduced rates or dining free at certain ages. Packages can be purchased before the cruise or onboard and are subject to an automatic gratuity. For those who cruise monthly, the package model helps spread costs and ensures access to sought after venues that may otherwise sell out on popular sailings.

Frequent cruisers also point out that specialty dining can refresh an itinerary they know well. On ships where the main dining room menus and buffet feel familiar after multiple sailings, rotating through steakhouses, teppanyaki, or high end seafood restaurants turns a routine voyage into a more varied culinary trip.

Private Island Cabanas and Beach Clubs Offer Space and Privacy

Royal Caribbean’s investment in private destinations has transformed port days for many guests, and cabanas rank high among extras that regulars are willing to purchase repeatedly. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, reports describe a range of cabana options at Chill Island, Oasis Lagoon, South Beach and Coco Beach Club, as well as at the Thrill Waterpark. These structures provide shaded seating, loungers, drink service and, in higher tier options, extras such as concierge assistance, upgraded food and included day passes.

Public information indicates that Coco Beach Club cabanas, for example, generally include entry to the club’s private beach, infinity pool, dedicated restaurant and additional amenities for a set number of guests. Many cabanas can host six to eight people, encouraging groups of family or friends to share the cost. Travel analysts note that sharing significantly reduces the per person price, which has helped make cabana rentals a recurring purchase for some multi generational or group cruisers.

Early details on new concepts such as Royal Beach Club Paradise Island near Nassau highlight similar patterns. Day passes with bundled dining, drinks and Wi Fi, plus optional cabanas and daybeds, are being marketed as premium yet all in one experiences that regular cruisers can add to itineraries they already know. For travelers who visit the Bahamas several times a year, the additional space, quieter atmosphere and curated amenities can feel like a worthwhile upgrade.

Gratuities, Onboard Credit and Casino Offers Shape Repeat Bookings

Service gratuities and automatic tips are another area where experienced cruisers make deliberate decisions. Royal Caribbean’s policy, according to its published guidelines, adds a daily service charge per guest to cover housekeeping and dining staff, with an additional percentage added to many onboard purchases such as drinks, specialty dining and room service. Frequent cruisers often choose to prepay these gratuities before sailing, folding them into the overall vacation cost and reducing unexpected charges during the voyage.

Beyond mandatory or suggested fees, onboard credit and targeted offers have become key tools for keeping regular guests returning each month. Marketing materials from the line’s casino program, for example, show promotions that combine discounted or complimentary cabins with free play and bonus credit, often tied to sailing windows across multiple ships. For travelers who already plan to cruise frequently, these incentives can offset the cost of extras like drink packages, specialty dining or shore excursions.

Travel industry observers note that such offers are particularly attractive to guests who are flexible with dates and cabins. By aligning casino or loyalty promotions with prebooked gratuities and onboard extras, some frequent cruisers effectively create a predictable monthly cruising budget while still enjoying upgraded experiences.

Shore Excursions and Activity Passes Round Out the Experience

Finally, curated shore excursions and activity passes remain a category of extras that many regular Royal Caribbean guests purchase on almost every sailing. The line sells a broad portfolio of tours in port, from city highlights and snorkeling to adventure experiences such as zip lines and catamaran sails. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, additional options include admission to Thrill Waterpark, access to signature attractions and bundled experiences that combine beach time with food and drinks.

Published information and independent port guides indicate that these excursions are priced per person and capacity controlled, leading frequent cruisers to reserve popular options well in advance through the cruise planner. Some port days may be spent exploring independently, but regular guests often identify a small set of repeatable favorites, such as a preferred catamaran vendor or guided snorkeling site, that they book on successive visits.

For travelers who cruise monthly, these paid activities ensure that each call at a familiar island or coastal city still offers something structured and memorable. When combined with prebooked drink packages, Wi Fi, dining plans, cabanas and prepaid gratuities, they form a suite of seven recurring extras that many Royal Caribbean loyalists see as part of the standard cost of sailing, rather than optional add ons.