Royal Caribbean: Real Costs, Rules and Who It Suits

Where these numbers come from

Royal Caribbean sits at the upper end of mainstream cruising. Its big ships trade on activities, entertainment and variety, so the fare buys a lot of features but not everything. Specialty restaurants, drinks, Wi-Fi and excursions cost extra, and they add up.

A fare tracker that logged sailings in early 2026 put the average 7-night inside cabin at about $1,181 per person, or $169 per night, with taxes and port charges of $100 to $300 on top. Those are secondary averages, not Royal Caribbean quotes. Use the cruise cost calculator to replace them with the price of your own sailing.

Here is a worked example for two adults on that 7-night inside sailing. Fare: 2 x $1,181 = $2,362. Taxes and charges at an assumed $200 each: $400. Gratuity at $18.50 per guest per day: 2 x 7 x $18.50 = $259. The subtotal is $3,021 before drinks. If you add a $400 bar tab, the automatic 18% adds $72, so the bar costs $472. The gratuity calculator lets you vary the crew size and cabin class.

Final payment is due 75 days before sailing on 1-4 night cruises, 90 days on 5-14 night cruises and 120 days on longer voyages. The cancellation ladder on a 5-14 night trip is 25% at 89 to 75 days, 50% at 74 to 61, 75% at 60 to 31 and 100% inside 30 days, on top of nonrefundable deposits. Because the first penalty tier arrives only when final payment is due, cancelling before day 90 costs you just the deposit.

A few rules shape planning. The ticket contract lets the line add up to $12 per guest per day if fuel prices cross its thresholds. Infants must be at least six months old, or twelve months on some cruises. Anyone under 21 needs an adult 21 or older in the stateroom. On dress, the line says smart casual evenings, with formal nights numbering one on a 5-night trip, two on 6 to 10 nights and up to four on the longest voyages. Bare feet and tank tops are off limits in dining venues.

Who is it best for? Families and couples who want big-ship variety and accept paying more for extras. Pair this page with the Royal Caribbean gratuity page and the Royal Caribbean drink package page, then try the which cruise line quiz.

Sources

• Royal Caribbean gratuity price and policy
• Royal Caribbean final payment schedule
• Royal Caribbean cancellation refund policy
• Royal Caribbean cruise ticket contract (US)
• Royal Caribbean onboard dress code
• All Aboard Deals 7-night cruise cost tracker (secondary, March 10, 2026)

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.