Cruise with Royal Caribbean – how it works + our experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | What is it really like to cruise with Royal Caribbean? What is included in the price, how does the food and drink work, what do you do on board and do you need to pack a long dress and jacket? When we boarded the Freedom of the Seas for a Mediterranean cruise, we were total beginners to cruising. It actually took a while before we really understood how everything worked.

Since then, both Freedom of the Seas and part of Royal Caribbean's concept have changed. In this guide, we will tell you about our own experiences onboard and how cruising with Royal Caribbean works today.

About the trip: Our cruise on Freedom of the Seas was conducted as a press trip in collaboration with Royal Caribbean. The basic package was included, while we paid for flights, excursions and other additional costs ourselves. The article is based on our own experiences from the trip and has been later updated with current information.

Cruising with Royal Caribbean – what is it like?

A cruise is a bit like staying at a large floating hotel or resort, with the big difference that you wake up in a new place almost every day. On board there are restaurants, bars, pools, shows and lots of activities, and while you eat dinner or sleep, the ship continues on to the next destination.

When we did our cruise, the Freedom of the Seas departed from Barcelona and took us to various ports around the Mediterranean. There was a wonderful mix of people on board. Many of the guests were Spanish, but we also met Americans and other Europeans. There were families with children, couples of different ages, retirees and larger groups.

One thing we learned is that it's not just the itinerary that determines how your cruise will turn out. The choice of ship plays just as big a role. Different ships suit different travelers, so before you book, it might be wise to consider whether you're primarily attracted by activities, food, entertainment, relaxation, or perhaps a wide range of options for children.

Freedom of the Seas – the ship we cruised on

We were cruising on the Freedom of the Seas, a large cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. When we traveled, the ship was in the Mediterranean and our cruise started in Barcelona.

A lot has happened since then. Freedom of the Seas has undergone a major modernization within Royal Caribbean's so-called Amplified concept and has received new activities, restaurants and environments. Today, the ship sails on different routes than when we traveled.

At the same time, we recognize a lot. The Royal Promenade, the pools, the climbing wall, the FlowRider, the mini golf and, not least, the opportunity to skate at sea are still among the experiences on board.

Our cabin on Freedom of the Seas

On a ship where something is happening almost all the time, it can actually be nice to sometimes close the door. We stayed in a balcony cabin with a comfortable bed, private bathroom and, most importantly, a private balcony with a view of the sea.

The balcony added a lot to the experience. Here we could sit to ourselves and look out over the Mediterranean, far from all the noise at the pools and on the Royal Promenade. Waking up, pulling back the curtains and discovering a new view outside the window is also a special part of cruising.

Royal Caribbean offers several different types of cabins, from basic inside cabins to balcony cabins and large suites. What suits you best, of course, depends on both your budget and how much time you expect to spend in the cabin.

What is there to do on Freedom of the Seas?

The short answer is: lots. One of our concerns before our first cruise was actually whether we would get restless during the days at sea. It turned out to be a pretty unnecessary worry.

Pools, sun and relaxation

There were several pools and hot tubs on our cruise, with both livelier and quieter areas. We quickly found our favorites and were able to settle in a hot tub overlooking the ocean.

Freedom of the Seas has changed since then and the pool deck has been modernized. But the basic idea is the same: if you want to spend a day swimming, sunbathing and having a drink by the pool, it's absolutely fine.

Surfing, climbing and sports

If you prefer to be active, there is even more to do. Even when we were cruising, you could climb the climbing wall, play basketball and mini golf, work out at the gym and try out the FlowRider, where a strong current of water creates an artificial surf wave.

We were content to watch the surfing and could see that it looked much easier from the side than once you were on the board!

Since our trip, the range has been further expanded. Freedom of the Seas has, among other things, gained the waterslides The Perfect Storm and a developed pool area with activities for both adults and children.

Ice skating in the middle of the ocean

One of the more unlikely activities is still one of our favorites: you can ice skate on a cruise ship!

When we traveled, we were in the middle of the Mediterranean and could go from sun and pool to a real ice rink. It's exactly the kind of contrasts that make a ship like Freedom of the Seas a little special.

Shows and entertainment on board

When the evening comes, the entertainment takes over. On our cruise there was music, shows and various types of evening events. There was so much going on that we didn't have a chance to catch it all.

What we remember best is the ice show. We might not have expected an ice skating show on a cruise ship to be one of the highlights of the trip, but the skaters were incredibly skilled and the show offered music, humor, beautiful numbers, and unexpected effects.

The ice rink is still on Freedom of the Seas, and Royal Caribbean still offers ice shows on select ships, although the exact productions shown may change over time.

Food on Royal Caribbean – what is included?

Food is of course a pretty big part of a cruise, and one of the things that can be confusing the first time is that some food is included in the cruise price while others cost extra.

Today, meals in the Main Dining Room and the Windjammer buffet restaurant are included, as well as food at some simpler eateries. On Freedom of the Seas, there are also restaurants that cost extra, so-called specialty dining.

When we were cruising, the restaurant selection worked somewhat differently. We had a standing dinner table at Leonardo's, where we could choose between different starters, main courses and desserts every night. We ate antipasti, salmon and large prawns with garlic butter, among other things, and several of the dinners were real highlights.

Today, the dining options on Freedom of the Seas look different. They include the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Café Promenade, Sorrento's Pizza and El Loco Fresh, as well as restaurants for an additional fee, such as Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Izumi Hibachi & Sushi.

It is therefore worth checking which restaurants are included and which cost extra for the particular ship you are traveling on.

Drinks and drink packages – how does it work?

Not all drinks are automatically included on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Water, regular coffee and tea, and some other simple drinks are included in various locations, while alcohol, soft drinks, specialty coffees, and many other drinks typically cost extra.

You can purchase drinks individually or choose one of Royal Caribbean's beverage packages. There are various packages, from soft drinks and non-alcoholic options to the Deluxe Beverage Package with alcohol.

Prices can vary depending on the cruise and when you book, so it's better to check the price for your own trip than to rely on old price information online.

Whether a drinks package is worth it depends on what and how much you usually drink. Also read the terms and conditions carefully. The packages are personal and cannot be shared between travelers.

What is included in the price of a Royal Caribbean cruise?

It's easy to get the impression that a cruise is "all inclusive", but it's not really that simple.

This is usually included in the cruise price:

• The cabin
• Food at several of the ship's restaurants
• Some non-alcoholic beverages
• Pools and many activities
• Shows and lots of other entertainment
• The Royal Caribbean app, including daily programs and ship maps

This often costs extra:

• Alcohol, soft drinks and specialty drinks
• Specialty dining
• WiFi
• Spas and treatments
• Organized excursions
• Some activities and services

Also consider service charges and gratuities. Royal Caribbean has a daily service charge that is added to your SeaPass account if it has not already been paid in advance. In addition, there are service charges on beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, and spa services, among other things.

Always check what applies to your particular booking, as conditions and prices may change.

SeaPass and the Royal Caribbean app

While cruising, we quickly learned that the SeaPass card was one of the most important things to keep track of. It was used both for identification when getting on and off the ship and for purchases on board.

SeaPass is still in use. The ship is essentially cashless in everyday life and purchases are registered on your SeaPass account. The account can be linked to, for example, a debit or credit card.

Today also plays Royal Caribbean app a significantly larger role. There you can, among other things, keep track of activities and the day's program, see ship maps and manage various bookings. It is therefore a good idea to download the app before the trip.

How do the stops and excursions work?

A big advantage of a cruise is of course that you get to see several destinations on the same trip. But it also means that the time in each place is limited.

On our Mediterranean cruise we often chose to discover the destinations on our own. When the ship docked near a city, it was easy. When the port was further from what we wanted to see, it required more planning and sometimes felt a little more stressful.

Royal Caribbean offers organized excursions that can be booked separately, but you don't have to choose the cruise line's tours. It's also fine to organize your own day.

The advantage of an organized excursion is of course that much of the logistics are taken care of. The advantage of going on your own is greater freedom and often the opportunity to experience the place at your own pace.

Regardless of which option you choose, there is one rule that is more important than all others: Keep track of when you need to be back on board. The ship does not wait for those who arrive late.

Our Mediterranean cruise

Our trip started in Barcelona and took us to several destinations around the Mediterranean. During the cruise we took the opportunity to discover, among other things, Marseille, Nice and La Spezia in Italy.

In this way, the trip became a combination of two completely different experiences: life aboard a huge cruise ship and short tasters of several European destinations.

How should you dress on Royal Caribbean?

Do you have to pack a long dress and a suit? No, not necessarily. During the day, the dress code on board is usually relaxed. In the evenings, there may be different recommended dress codes, from casual and smart casual to more dressed-up evenings, sometimes described as ”Dress Your Best”.

When we were cruising, the Captain's dinner was a much more dressed-up affair. Then the long dress and jacket came out, and around us we saw plenty of party clothes and gala.

It was fun to dress up for an evening out, but those cruising today don't have to imagine that every dinner requires an evening gown and tuxedo. Check the information for your particular cruise and pack according to how much you want to spend on those dressed-up evenings.

Behind the scenes – we met the captain

One of the most special experiences during our cruise was something that regular guests are not normally allowed to do. We got to go up on the bridge and meet the Freedom of the Seas' then-captain, Espen Been from Norway.

It was fascinating to stand on the bridge and see the ship from the captain's perspective. Espen talked about life on board, the safety work and what it's like to be responsible for such a large ship and its crew.

He had started working for Royal Caribbean back in the 1990s and had also lived in Chile for many years. In addition to Norwegian and English, he therefore spoke fluent Spanish, something he found very useful among the many Spanish-speaking guests.

We also talked about safety. During our own cruise, both a major safety drill and another drill for the staff were conducted, which gave us a little insight into how much work goes on behind the scenes.

And when we asked the captain about our destination, the conversation quickly turned to Latin America. Panama and Colombia, he thought. That's where we should go!

Is cruising with Royal Caribbean right for you?

After our first cruise, we realized that cruising can suit many people, but probably not everyone.

It's great for those who like to have a lot of choice and want to combine a holiday on board with several destinations. It can also be practical to only unpack your bag once and still wake up in new places along the way.

Royal Caribbean's large ships are also great for groups where everyone doesn't want to do the same thing. Someone can lie by the pool, someone else can work out, the kids can have their activities, and someone else can sit down at a bar or restaurant.

At the same time, there are disadvantages. There can be a lot of people on board, additional costs can be greater than initially thought, and time in ports is limited. Anyone who wants to stay a long time at each destination may find the cruise format stressful.

For us, the cruise itself was above all a experience. We found it fascinating to discover everything that was on board and at the same time wake up to new destinations along the Mediterranean.

Our tips for your first Royal Caribbean cruise

1. Choose your ship as carefully as your route. The offerings on board affect the trip more than you might think.
2. Check what is actually included. Cruising is not automatically the same as all-inclusive.
3. Think about which cabin you want. For us, the balcony added a lot to the experience.
4. Compare drink packages before booking. Don't buy a package out of habit, but consider whether it's right for you.
5. Download the Royal Caribbean app. It makes it much easier to keep track of life on board.
6. Plan your port stop in advance. Especially when it's far between the port and the place you want to visit.
7. Keep a strict watch on the time when you go ashore. You don't want to be the person left standing on the dock when the ship sails.
8. Book popular activities and restaurants in advance. Some things may be fully booked.
9. Expect additional costs. Drinks, excursions, WiFi, specialty dining and service charges may affect the final bill.
10. Leave time to just discover the ship. Not everything needs to be booked and planned. Part of the fun is walking around and seeing what's going on.