I get so many people asking me when the best time is to buy the Royal Caribbean drink package. So, I thought the best thing to do would be to write this guide that explains exactly when you should buy it to get the best price…
The best time to buy your package is today!
The best time to buy your Royal Caribbean drink package is today because the price can go up at any moment and it may not come back down. If the price drops, it’s easy to cancel your order on the Cruise Planner and buy it again at the lower price.
The worst time to buy your Royal Caribbean drink package is once you’re onboard the ship as you will always pay more for it than you would have if you pre-purchased it. Even with onboard offers of ‘Buy One Get One For Free’, you’ll still end up paying more as the onboard prices are so inflated.
The second worst time to buy your drink package is when you book your cruise. Unless you can get a free or discounted drink package as part of a booking offer with your travel agent, you won’t get the best price by booking it on the day that you book your cruise. Wait a day few days and then check the price on the Cruise Planner.
Always look out for sales
Royal Caribbean drink packages go on sale in the Cruise Planner every few weeks with advertised discounts of between 10% and 30%. There’s usually always a good sale for Black Friday, too. Sales are most likely to start on Wednesdays.
Even within a sale period, the price will still fluctuate up and down each day.
I would advise that you don’t pay any attention to the % discounts as they are pretty meaningless. As the base price goes up and down in an unpredictable manner, a bigger % discount doesn’t always equate to a bigger saving.
The price will be shown in your local currency. Here’s what the Cruise Planner looked like for my Royal Caribbean cruise back in 2022…
A few days later, I logged in again and could see that there was a BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF SALE!
However, that was meaningless as the price had actually gone up!
Drink packages are pretty expensive…
The price of the Royal Caribbean varies. It depends on your ship and your itinerary but not only that, the price goes up and down over time. The price is pretty unpredictable, but you’ll usually see the Deluxe Beverage Package for between $63 and $105 per day.
If you’re not sure if Royal Caribbean’s drink package is worth it or not based on what you usually drink, then I recommend that you check out my full Guide to Royal Caribbean Drink Packages to work that out.
Alternatively, you can use my free Royal Caribbean Drink Package Calculator to get a quick answer about how many of each drink you’ll need to have before you break even.
Just leave your email and it will be sent to your inbox instantly…
Remember that there are different drink packages to choose from, so if you don’t drink a lot of alcohol then the Refreshment Package or the Classic Soda Package will probably be a better option for you.
How to get a discounted drink package
If you want to get the lowest price for your Royal Caribbean drink package, you’ll need to put in a bit of work. Log into Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner and note the price of the package each day.
When a sale is launched, if the price is lower than you’ve seen it before, that’s a good time to buy it.
Final thoughts
Royal Caribbean’s drink packages can seem pretty expensive, but then the drinks are quite expensive too. Take a look at the Royal Caribbean Drinks Menus with Prices to see how much your favourite drinks will cost you.
If you have any questions about Royal Caribbean drink packages then I highly recommend that you check out the FAQ section at the bottom of this guide as it’s probably covered there.
If you do decide that you want to get the drink package, I highly recommend that you keep an eye on the price in the Cruise Planner, particularly around Black Friday. If you see a great deal on the drink package, you can still get it at that price, even if you’ve already purchased it, by cancelling your original order.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Now that recreational marijuana use is legal in most states in the US, you might assume that you can take it with you on a cruise. But, that’s not the case. In fact, marijuana is banned from every cruise ship in the world.
In this guide, I’ll explain the official rules as well as what actually happens in reality at cruise terminals, on cruise ships and during shore excursions.
Then, you can make your own decisions about consuming, smoking or vaping weed on your cruise.
You can’t bring weed on a cruise
It is forbidden to bring marijuana on a cruise ship. Most cruise lines follow US Federal law which prohibits the possession and use of marijuana. So, even if your cruise ship departs from and calls at ports where weed is legal, it will still be banned from the cruise ship.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is not allowed on cruise ships, even if you have a prescription for it. This includes pot, edibles and cartridges. If you use medical marijuana, the cruise lines suggest that you speak to your doctor to discuss an alternative to use during your cruise.
Delta 8
A less intoxicating form of THC, Delta 8 is legal in many places, including most states in the US. However, just like regular marijuana, Delta 8 is banned from cruise ships.
Cruise lines have policies to ban marijuana
It’s not just on board the cruise ships that you’re forbidden from possessing or using marijuana. The cruise line’s policies also state that it’s not allowed in the cruise terminals or during shore excursions.
Basically, you can’t use weed at any time during your cruise. Here are some examples of cruise line policies concerning recreational and medical marijuana…
Royal Caribbean
In no event shall any Passenger bring on board the Vessel any illegal controlled substances (including medical marijuana).
Marijuana possession and/or use, including medical marijuana, and possession or use of any illegal drugs, is strictly prohibited in many jurisdictions visited and on the Vessel at all times, as well as in terminals, during shore excursions or any other part of the cruise, regardless of any local, state, or other laws which might permit use or possession of marijuana
Carnival recognizes that some states in the U.S. have fully legalized the use of recreational and/or medical marijuana. However, cruise lines are required to follow U.S. federal law, which strictly prohibits possession and use of marijuana and other illegal, controlled substances.
Since all cruise terminals in the U.S. are federal facilities, the terminals and our ships are drug-free zones.
No illegal drugs or other illegal substances including but not limited to medical marijuana are allowed onboard or may be utilised during a Norwegian Cruise Line holiday, including during transfers to and from ships, inside terminals, during shore excursions or at our private island.
You can be kicked off the ship and given a lifetime ban!
The cruise lines’ policies lay out what you can expect to happen if you’re caught with weed during your cruise vacation. There’s a range of actions they could take, including confiscating the weed, kicking you off the ship, banning you from ever cruising again, giving you a fine and reporting you to the local police.
Of course, that’s not to say that all of those actions will definitely happen if you’re caught with weed, but it could do. Many people have reported in online forums that they’ve seen other guests being arrested after being caught with substances when boarding cruise ships.
But then there are also cases where people have reported others for smoking marijuana on the ship and the security team hasn’t done anything about it.
Here are what some of the cruise line policies say…
Royal Caribbean
Passengers who violate the laws of any jurisdiction are subject to being reported to law enforcement or customs authorities, arrest and prosecution.
Passengers who bring on board dangerous items, marijuana in any form, or any illegal drugs or controlled substances are also subject to immediate disembarkation or denial of boarding.
Carnival
Any illegal substances will be confiscated and the guest will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, the guest may be subject to a $500 charge, risks being disembarked from the ship and may not be allowed to sail with Carnival in the future.
NCL
Illegal drugs or substances will be confiscated and appropriate action taken, which may include removal from the ship and involvement of appropriate authorities.
In addition, foreign governments at Norwegian Cruise Line ports of call have strict laws that address drug possession. Guests found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution by the foreign jurisdiction (and perhaps United States or other authorities as well) and may be prevented from re-boarding the ship.
If we look at news reports, there are several examples of people who have been arrested, fined or even jailed for using marijuana during a cruise.
In countries like the Bahamas, possessing marijuana is particularly dangerous for cruise ship passengers. According to Jim Walker from Cruise Law News, cruise passengers make easy targets for the police.
Cruise passengers may be harassed by locals to buy small amounts of weed at the cruise port, then busted by the police. They are typically fined between $300 and $2,000 in cash, with the threat of a jail sentence if it’s not paid immediately. For the Bahamian government, targeting wealthy tourists is an easy way to get revenue into the country with very little effort.
While overseas police teams may turn a blind eye to locals smoking and selling weed, they might be keen to bust a tourist and make some quick cash, either as a bribe or an official fine.
Officially, you can’t smoke weed while on an excursion, but…
In countries like Jamaica where marijuana is legal, you’re much less likely to get in trouble for smoking weed ashore, although it may still be forbidden, according to cruise line policies.
While the official line from cruise lines is that you must not smoke weed during shore excursions, Royal Caribbean and Carnival have in the past offered excursions such as the ‘Bob Marley Experience’ and the ‘Zion Bus Tour’ where cruise ship passengers have reported buying and smoking weed during the trip.
If you step off your cruise ship in Amsterdam, walk into a coffee shop, eat a space cake and then walk back onto the ship a few hours later, it would be virtually impossible for the cruise line to know. So long as you appear to be in a sober state, that is.
I have cruised to Amsterdam and let me tell you, there were a lot of giggly, red-eyed people in the elevators that afternoon!
Sneaking weed onto a ship
Despite the possible consequences of getting stoned during a cruise, many people still seek out information on how to sneak weed on a cruise ship.
My advice would be not to do it. While it may seem easy to sneak weed on a cruise and you may think that there’s little chance of being caught, it’s just not worth it if you are.
Do you really want to spend your cruise worrying about what might happen if you’re caught smuggling drugs into a foreign country? You can never rule out a stint in jail.
If you’re sure that you really do want to bring weed on your cruise, here’s some information about how others have reported doing it according to forums like Reddit and Quora…
Bringing edibles on a cruise
While bringing edibles on a cruise ship is not allowed, people have reported that this is one of the easiest ways to get high on a cruise. Some people mix THC gummies with regular gummy sweets in a bag so that it just looks like a snack or mix THC pills with vitamin tablets.
Homemade edibles like space cakes and brownies give off more of a smell than gummies and pills, so they’re more likely to attract attention in your luggage.
Bringing cartridge vapes on a cruise
THC oil vape pens, dap pens and carts don’t smell, so some people are able to bring them on a cruise in their checked luggage. A common trick is to bring some nicotine vape cartridges and mix your weed cart or dabs in with those so it doesn’t look suspicious.
While some people have reported vaping weed in a cruise ship casino without arousing suspicion by using a fruity-smelling pen, it’s probably better to do it in a quiet outdoor smoking area when nobody else is nearby.
Smoking weed on a cruise
Bringing dry herb, flower or bud on a cruise is one of the riskiest ways to sneak weed on a cruise ship because it smells so strongly. Smoking joints, blunts or pipes on a cruise ship is super risky because people will almost certainly be able to smell it.
Some people have reported using a Smoke Buddy to smoke in their cabin, while others have used a one-hitter in the smoking area when nobody is around. Depending on the ship, you may be able to find a quiet area with nobody around on the very top deck or the promenade deck.
But honestly, if you smoke weed on a cruise ship you’re asking for trouble.
If you want to know exactly how cruise ships check for drugs, I recommend that you read this article.
420-friendly cruises don’t exist (yet)
As far as I know, there’s no such thing as a weed-friendly cruise. However, if you know otherwise, please do let me know in the comments section below!
In some places like Alaska and Amsterdam, you may be able to take an organised boat cruise with a cannabis culture theme. In cities like Chicago and San Francisco, you may see cannabis cruises advertised, but these are usually cruise tours in a minibus or limo.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Marella Cruises offers some fantastic value cruise options, with almost everything included – not just your meals and entertainment, but your drinks and your tips too.
However, one thing that isn’t included as standard is WiFi internet access.
Let’s take a look at Marella Cruises’ WiFi, including the costs and whether there are better options available.
Right now, enjoy big savings on Caribbean cruises with Marella.
WiFi internet access is not included in your cruise fare with Marella, but it is available to purchase when you’re onboard. There are several package options available, all of which have a data limit – if you run out of data, you’ll need to pay for another package.
WiFi is available on all ships in the Marella Cruises fleet – that’s:
Marella Discovery
Marella Discovery 2
Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer 2
Marella Voyager
However, it’s worth noting that Marella has standard cruise ship WiFi, which means the speeds might be a lot slower than you’re used to on land, depending on where you are in the world.
Marella’s WiFi relies on satellite connections, and when you’re out at sea (particularly if you’re crossing an ocean), that signal can be weak.
It is possible to stream TV shows or upload videos to your social media accounts, but you’re likely to suffer from slow connection speeds, and you also have to think about how much data you’re using to do that – after all, there is a cap.
Marella’s WiFi is best used for checking emails, scrolling through photos and messages on social media, and light web browsing.
Marella’s WiFi is a lot cheaper than most cruise lines!
Marella Cruises WiFi costs start from just £8 for a basic one-hour package, and go up to £90 for the biggest package you can buy, designed to last for up to 15 days. However, the packages are not unlimited, and you may need to buy a second one if you use up all the data.
There are five plans that you can buy when you get on a Marella cruise. You just need to visit the guest reception to pay for one or for more information.
Plan
Duration
Data Limit
Cost
Cost per 100MB
Time Plan 1
1 hour
75MB
£8
£10.66
Time Plan 2
1 day
300MB
£15
£5
Time Plan 3
3 days
800MB
£25
£3.13
Time Plan 4
8 days
1600MB
£49
£3.06
Time Plan 5
15 days
2400MB
£90
£3.75
That last column tells you how much you’re paying for every 100mb of data, so you can try to estimate how much internet you plan on using and buy the best-value package for you.
As a rough guide, here are some estimates from internet providers on the average data used for different tasks:
Browsing the internet – 16MB per hour
Browsing social media – 33MB per hour
Sending emails – about 1MB per email read/sent
Watching videos – about 500MB per hour
So, if you’re someone who is glued to their phone or who wants to stream videos while out at sea, you could easily use a lot of internet, and have to pay for more than one package.
But if you only want to check in with your social feeds for a few minutes, a couple of times each day, then a cheaper Marella package will be all that you need.
It’s also worth comparing Marella’s internet prices to other cruise lines, because while these prices could seem steep if you’re new to cruising, they’re actually fantastic value considering how much some other large cruise lines can charge.
Let’s compare the 8-day cost across some of the biggest cruise lines:
That tells you just how much cheaper Marella’s WiFi can be, but you do have to remember that other cruise lines don’t have data limits. Still, for light browsing, Marella clearly offers the best value.
And another key difference is that other cruise lines will force you to pay for your entire cruise for WiFi – you can’t just pay for a few days. With Marella, you can pick any of the packages, regardless of how long your sailing is.
It’s good value, if you need it
It’s really simple to say that you should avoid the costs altogether and just switch off from the internet when you go on a cruise.
But in reality, that might not be possible, or it might not be something you’re comfortable with.
If you have a need to check-in at home, or you actively enjoy browsing social channels and chatting with friends and family while you’re cruising, then WiFi is absolutely worth purchasing.
Just try to minimise your use of tasks that need a lot of data, such as watching videos or sending big files. Those holiday snaps can definitely wait to be shared until you get home.
There are also some alternatives to onboard WiFi worth exploring.
What about mobile data?
When you’re close to the coastline, you might be able to use your mobile data to get online, but once you’re out in the open sea, it’s usually “goodbye signal.”
You also need to bear in mind the costs of using your data – roaming charges can vary depending on your SIM provider and where you are in the world. You might rack up a huge bill if you aren’t careful.
Finding free WiFi
When your cruise ship docks in port, finding free WiFi can be a good way to catch up with your online to-do list for a little while.
Many destinations provide complimentary internet access in cafes, restaurants, and public areas near popular tourist spots. You can easily locate these free WiFi hotspots by asking locals for recommendations, looking for signs indicating “Free WiFi,” or simply exploring the vicinity.
Another great resource is the ship’s crew – remember that they may also be heading ashore, and they will likely have visited the port before, so they might have a tip on where you can go to get online without paying.
Connecting to these networks allows you to stay connected, check emails, or keep in touch with loved ones during your port visits.
Final word
Whether or not Marella Cruises’ WiFi is worth it depends on how much you want or need to get online during your cruise.
If you aren’t desperate to get online, it might be better to instead wait until you are in port, and find a café or bar that has free WiFi access.
Compared to other cruise lines, Marella’s internet access is very affordable, and you have the flexibility to pay for just a few days instead of paying for every day of the cruise. So it’s definitely worth looking into for your Marella cruise.
Right now, enjoy big savings on Caribbean cruises with Marella.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Royal princess was the first of the Royal-class ships to launch for Princess Cruises, and is still one of the most popular ships in the fleet.
But before you rush into booking your cruise, you’ll want to learn more about the different cabins available and find the right one for you. There are a lot of options, including some that you probably want to steer clear of.
To help you make your decision, I’ve spent over eight hours looking at the Royal Princess deck plan, as well as reading comments from people on Facebook and various cruise forums. As a result, I’m confident that this extensive guide will give you everything you need when choosing your stateroom.
I always recommend reading the whole guide before you decide, but at the very least don’t miss the ‘cabins to avoid’ part. That will spare you from booking a room that could spoil your whole cruise, especially if you’re someone who likes their sleep.
Royal Princess Cabin Types
There are five main cabin types available on Royal Princess.
Accommodation
Sleeps
Size (inc balcony)
Interior
2 to 4
158 to 162 sq ft (14.7 to 15 sq m)
Balcony
2 to 4
214 to 222 sq ft (19.8 to 20.6 sq m)
Deluxe Balcony
2 to 4
233 to 279 sq ft (21.6 to 25.9 sq m)
Mini Suite
2 to 4
323 sq ft (30 sq m)
Suite
2 to 4
440 to 1,500 sq ft (40.8 to 139 sq m)
Later Royal-class cruise ships such as Sky Princess introduced Ocean View cabins, but there aren’t any on Royal Princess. You either have an interior room with no view or a balcony, whether that’s in standard Balcony cabin or one of the suite options.
When you choose your cabin on Royal Princess, it’s not just about the cabin type. You need to think about what you can comfortably afford, especially since there are other things you’ll want to spend your budget on during your cruise. The location of the room on the ship also matters.
To help, I’ve made a handy checklist of things you need to be aware of when you’re choosing your cruise cabin. This applies for Royal Princess cruise ship cabins, but also for any other ship too. Get it for free here:
Royal Princess Inside Cabins
Inside Cabin
As with any cruise ship, the ‘entry level’ of the Royal Princess cruise ship cabins is the inside or interior option. These don’t have any windows or natural light at all. They are usually designed for two people, although some can accommodate up to four. They’re also the smallest rooms on the ship.
This makes them perfect if you’re not too bothered for seeing the ocean from your room. After all, you’re never far from an open deck if you want to check out the view. If you don’t spend much time in your room, or if you’re on a budget and want to prioritise other parts of the holiday, an inside cabin may work for you.
The beds are flexible – they’re technically twin beds, but can be converted into a queen-sized bed. The cabins that can sleep up to four people will have extra Pullman beds. These are best suited for children, but could be used by adults too.
Pullman beds are either hidden in the ceiling or attached to the wall. On Royal Princess it’s the latter, which isn’t as good – a lot of people complain that they often bash their heads when they’re getting in and out of bed. So, if there are only two of you, you’ll want to avoid cabins with these extra beds at the ceiling.
Inside Cabin
Royal Princess Inside Cabin Grades
Every cabin on Royal Princess has a grade. These are two-letter codes that tell you more about the cabin. The first letter explains the type of cabin, and the second refers to where it is on the ship.
Inside cabins begin with the letter I, with the second letter running from A to F. A is considered the better option and F is the least desirable due to location.
The costs will vary for all inside cabins, so if you want a better location you will pay a bit more.
Grade
Sleeps up to
Average size
IA
4
175 sq ft (16.2 sq m)
IB
4
166 to 175 sq ft (15.4 to 16.2 sq m)
IC
4
166 to 175 sq ft (15.4 to 16.2 sq m)
ID
4
166 sq ft (15.4 sq m)
IE
4
166 sq ft (15.4 sq m)
IF
2
166 sq ft (15.4 sq m)
Royal Princess Balcony Cabins
Standard Balcony Cabin
If you want a little more space than an inside cabin can give you, your next option is a Balcony cabin. This gives you your own balcony area, with sliding doors from your room, so you can sit and soak up the view.
Choosing the right Balcony cabin is important. You need to understand just how much space you’re getting, and don’t expect an expansive one if you buy the cheapest grade. Think about what kind of view you’ll get as well. You might be unlucky and never get that sunrise view you wanted, just because of the direction the ship’s sailing in.
There are five types of balcony cabin on Royal Princess:
Balcony
Balcony with Obstructed View
Deluxe Balcony
Deluxe Balcony with Obstructed View
Premium Deluxe Balcony
The Balcony cabins that have obstructed views are all on Deck 8, and are situated behind the lifeboats – that’s what causes the blocked view. However, you can play the system a little bit by choosing a cabin that’s between two lifeboats. Then you only have a slightly restricted view, but you save money too. I’ll cover that in more detail later in this guide.
Deluxe Balcony Cabin
Royal Princess Balcony Cabin Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size
D4
Premium Deluxe Balcony
4
242 to 312 sq ft (22.4 to 28.9 sq m)
DA
Deluxe Balcony
3
233 sq ft (21.6 sq m)
DB
Deluxe Balcony
4
233 sq ft (21.6 sq m)
DC
Deluxe Balcony
4
233 sq ft (21.6 sq m)
DD
Deluxe Balcony
3
233 sq ft (21.6 sq m)
DE
Deluxe Balcony
4
233 sq ft (21.6 sq m)
DF
Deluxe Balcony
4
233 sq ft (21.6 sq m)
BA
Balcony
2
222 sq ft (20.6 sq m)
BB
Balcony
4
222 sq ft (20.6 sq m)
BC
Balcony
4
222 sq ft (20.6 sq m)
BD
Balcony
4
222 sq ft (20.6 sq m)
BE
Balcony
4
222 sq ft (20.6 sq m)
BF
Balcony
4
222 sq ft (20.6 sq m)
DW
Deluxe Balcony (Obstructed)
4
233 sq ft (21.6 sq m)
BW
Balcony (Obstructed)
4
222 sq ft (20.6 sq m)
Standard Vs Deluxe Vs Premium Deluxe Balcony
There are two main differences between Standard Balcony Cabins and the Deluxe or Premium Deluxe versions. The first of these is simply the space you get. Upgrading to a Deluxe will get you around 5% extra floor space. Upgrading to a Premium Deluxe will get you a further 18% of floor space on top of that.
The other major difference is in the bed configuration for three- and four-berth cabins. Deluxe or Premium Deluxe cabins will have a sofa bed, so the three-berth rooms won’t have any Pullman beds. The four-berth rooms will have the sofa bed and one Pullman.
So, if you have younger children who you don’t want to put in a top bunk, then upgrading can be useful since they’ll be able to sleep on the sofa bed.
Royal Princess Mini Suites
Mini Suite
Mini Suites essentially bridge the gap between Balcony cabins and full suites. You get extra space and a few bonus perks, but not all the benefits of a full suite – nor do you have to pay the price for one.
Royal Princess Mini Suite Perks:
A sitting area with a sofa bed and coffee table.
A curtain to separate the sofa bed sitting area from the main bed.
An extra TV – one for the sitting area and one facing the main bed.
An enhanced bathroom with bathtub and massage shower.
A better bed with luxury mattress topper and better pillows.
Up to four chairs on the balcony (compared to the standard two).
A glass of sparkling wine when you board.
Royal Princess Mini Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size
M1
Club Class Mini Suite
4
314 sq ft (29 sq m)
M6
Club Class Mini Suite
3
314 sq ft (29 sq m)
MA
Mini Suite
4
314 sq ft (29 sq m)
MB
Mini Suite
4
299 to 329 sq ft (27.7 to 30.5 sq m)
MC
Mini Suite
4
299 sq ft (27.7 sq m)
ME
Mini Suite
4
299 sq ft (27.7 sq m)
MF
Mini Suite
3
299 sq ft (27.7 sq m)
Club Class Mini Suites
Within the Mini Suite class of accommodation, there’s a premium sub-category of Club Class Mini Suites. These have a few extra perks compared to the usual Mini Suites.
Royal Princess Club Class Mini Suite Perks:
Priority embarkation and disembarkation at the beginning and end of your holiday.
A comfier bed.
Half-bottles of red and white wine provided on embarkation day.
Bathrobes provided for each guest.
Evening canapes served in your suite (on request).
Exclusive priority seating in the Main Dining Room with extra menu options.
If you’re considering booking a Mini Suite, consider how much you think these extra perks are worth, then look at the difference in price between Mini Suites and Club Class Mini Suites. This will tell you whether you should upgrade or not.
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Royal Princess Suites
Suite
The absolute best accommodation on Royal Princess are the suites. These have even more space, with completely separate living and bedroom areas. You also get all of the perks of a Club Class Mini Suite, and quite the list of extra little touches too.
Royal Princess Suite Perks:
Priority embarkation and disembarkation at the beginning and end of your cruise and for any excursions.
Priority lines at the shore excursions and guest services desks.
Priority booking for special dining restaurants.
Club Class Dining in a reserved area of the Dining Room with extra menu options.
Access to the Lotus Spa Thermal Suite.
Upgraded room service menu.
A welcome glass of Champagne on arrival.
A free mini-bar, a fruit bowl (refreshed on request) and fresh orchids in your suite.
A free mimosa at breakfast each day.
Ice service, twice a day.
In-suite tea service.
Evening canapes (available on request).
A cruise card wallet.
Use of umbrellas as necessary.
Free laundry, dry cleaning and shoe polishing services.
A free private portrait sitting with the ship’s photographer.
Suite
Royal Princess Suite Grades
Grade
Type
Sleeps up to
Average size
S3
Penthouse Suite
3
587 to 682 sq ft (54.5 to 63.4 sq m)
S4
Penthouse Suite
3
440 sq ft (40.8 sq m)
S5
Premium Suite
4
554 sq ft (51.5 sq m)
Premium Suites Vs Penthouse Suites
There are two different options when choosing a Suite on Royal Princess. Premium Suites are better if you’re looking to accommodate four people, but otherwise, Penthouse Suites are considered the best. They’re more expensive, mainly because they have prime locations and usually (but not always) have more space.
The Premium Suites are situated towards the front of the ship, but they’re not forward-facing. They’re a little farther from the elevators, but still a great option for a luxury stay.
The Penthouse Suites are situated at the aft of the ship, giving you the best views over the wake. The balconies wrap around the aft, and are much larger than on any other cabin class on the ship.
The Penthouse Suites with the largest balconies are on the higher decks, specifically Decks 14 and 15. These are the very best options for accommodation on the whole ship.
If you have your heart set on a suite but haven’t yet decided which one to go for, take a look at my guide to Princess Cruises Suite Perks, which compares exactly what you get with each type of suite.
Special Cabin Types
Royal Princess Aft Rooms
Aft Staterooms and Suites
Aft cabins are those situated at the back of the ship. They’re really popular because the view over the wake is considered to be the best you can enjoy. You also get the benefit of less wind, since you’re shielded by the ship moving forward, and the rooms are often larger too.
You can choose from the following aft-facing Royal Princess rooms:
Premium Deluxe Balcony Rooms
Penthouse Suites
All of the aft-facing rooms are located on decks 8 to 15. Each deck has two Penthouse Suites in the aft corners, and then four mid-aft Premium Deluxe Balcony cabins mid-aft.
Royal Princess Connecting Rooms
If your travelling party consists of more than four people, or you want to split your group between two rooms anyway, then look out for connecting rooms that have a door between them.
If you only want one cabin, it’s best to avoid these rooms. The connecting door will be locked, but they aren’t as soundproof as the walls, and you can sometimes get a draught through the door as well.
On Royal Princess, there are a wide range of connecting room options:
Two Interior cabins
Two Standard Balcony cabins
An Obstructed Balcony and a Standard Balcony
An Obstructed Balcony and a Deluxe Balcony
Two Obstructed Deluxe Balcony rooms
Two Deluxe Balcony Rooms
Two Mini Suites
Two Club Class Mini Suites
Royal Princess Accessible Rooms
Royal Princess Accessible Rooms
Accessible Balcony Room
You can navigate around the whole ship in a wheelchair or on a scooter with relative ease, but only some of the cabins are designed to accommodate wheelchair or scooter users. They’re more spacious, have larger doors, no steps to get into the room and the bathroom is a wet room. They’re really popular and tend to book up quickly. So if you need one of these rooms, book as far in advance as possible.
The accessible cabins available on Royal Princess are:
Interior – Decks 8 and 9
Balcony – Decks 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15
Mini Suites – Decks 10, 11 and 12
Club Class Mini Suites – Decks 11 and 12
Penthouse Suites – Deck 14
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Royal Princess Cabins to Avoid
Everything above will give you a factual overview of the different cabins you can pick on Royal Princess, to help you decide which one is right for you.
But that’s all the official information. What we’ll look at now is the stuff they might not tell you, so that you know which cabins to avoid.
I’ve found this by reading some of the Royal Princess cabin reviews online, and browsing forums and social media groups dedicated to the ship.
1. Balconies that are out-of-bounds when you’re at sea
L101 to L108, M101 to M108
When the ship’s moving, the wind blows against the front of the ship. This means anyone who’s booked a room with a forward-facing balcony isn’t allowed to use it when the ship’s travelling, and can only make use of it while in port.
So, if the idea of relaxing on your balcony as the ship sails sounds like you’re idea of heaven, make sure you avoid a forward-facing room on Decks 15 and 16.
Forward-Facing Balconies
However, if you don’t plan on using the balcony too much but think it’s a nice touch when you are in port, these are actually a great choice. The plus side is that these balconies are a lot bigger than those along the sides of the ship.
2. Cabins that will make any sea sickness worse
L101 to L129, M101 to M129
This is more of a general tip for any cruise ship than one specific to Royal Princess. The closer you are to the middle and bottom of the ship, the less likely you are to feel the motion of the ship on the waves.
So, if you’re someone who suffers from seasickness, then avoid any rooms on the top decks, right at the front or right at the back.
Forward and High Cabins
3. Obstructed view rooms… unless you want to save money
Most of Deck 8 – cabins beginning with E
If you’ve got your mind set on whiling away the hours on your balcony, then the last thing you want is a lifeboat blocking the view. It’s not a deal-breaker for everyone, but for those who like the comfort of their own space and want to enjoy the fresh air, you’ll likely want to avoid an Obstructed View room.
However, if you don’t mind the view and you just want to save money, and you’d like a balcony for the crisp sea air, then an Obstructed View cabin will be cheaper. You can also study the deck plans to find rooms that are between two lifeboats, where the view isn’t as restricted.
Balconies Behind Lifeboats
4. Aft balconies that can have soot build-ups
Aft cabins and suites
This is another subjective one, because for most people the aft cabins are considered the best. You have amazing views over the wake of the ship. However, there’s also a risk of soot, particularly on the higher decks.
That’s because soot from the funnels is travelling backward towards the aft of the ship, and can settle on the balconies. Often it’s a minor issue, but some cruisers have commented on how they felt the balcony was unusable due to the daily build-up of soot. If you don’t want to risk it, consider choosing a cabin along the sides of the ship instead.
5. Interconnecting rooms if you don’t need them
Various
Interconnecting rooms are a great way to keep larger groups together when you cruise. But if you’re only in a party of four people or fewer, it’s better to avoid these cabins if you can.
You don’t need to worry about strangers walking into your room – the doors are locked, and only unlocked at the request of a travelling party. But they’re not as thick as the walls, which means more sound can get through. There’s a draft sometimes too. So for the most peaceful and private space, try to request a room that isn’t an interconnecting one.
There are some Balcony cabins where you might not have as much privacy as you like. Firstly, with the starboard (right) side of the ship, you have the SeaWalk on Deck 16, which is the glass-bottomed walkway that curves out from the ship. Not only will people on the SeaWalk be able to look down into your balcony, but you’ll have a rather cheeky view right up to them too. It’s less of an issue on lower decks, but it’s something to consider.
SeaWalk
At the aft of the ship on Deck 16 is the Horizon Terrace, where people often like to relax and enjoy the view over the wake. However, because the back of the ship is staggered, this means they get a view right into the balconies of Deck 15 aft cabins.
Another place that has balconies that jut out further is Deck 9. Some of the Deluxe Balconies on this deck are overlooked from above.
If you don’t want anyone to be looking into your balcony, it’s best to avoid these cabins.
7. Noisy rooms in the morning or during the day
M302 to M436, L101 to L301
From Decks 9 to 14, cabins are surrounded above and below by other accommodation, so they should be pretty quiet. But there are some parts of the ship where you might suffer from a bit of noise. During the day, that’ll be on parts of Deck 15 below the pool area and on Deck 16.
Early in the morning, people will head to the pool deck to reserve a lounger, and will often drag it around to get a good spot. To them, it’ll seem pretty quiet, but on your ceiling you’ll definitely notice it. And if you choose a room on the Lido Deck then you’ll be below The Sanctuary and The Retreat pool, where you may have similar issues.
8. Noisy rooms at night
E125, E130, E201 to E225, E445 to E612, E630 to E733
Noise at night will tend to come from the entertainment venues. These are primarily situated on Deck 7, right below the first deck of accommodation. So if you’re on Deck 8, you might hear some noise coming through the floor. Depending on where you are, it could last until the early hours.
The places to avoid are above the Princess Theater, Princess Live! and the Vista Lounge, which are all spaced out through the deck. But anywhere on Deck 8 will potentially have some noise into the evening. If you like to get an early night, it’s better to book a higher deck.
The Best Cabins on Royal Princess
Now that we’ve discussed the cabins that you’ll want to avoid, here are some of the best cabins on Royal Princess.
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1. Luxury Penthouse Suites
If you have the budget, then choosing a Penthouse Suite will be something truly special. You’ll get the most space both in the room and on your balcony. There’s a long list of perks too, both in your room and as part of your general cruise experience.
Suites are pricey though, so it’s a personal decision. Think about how much time you’ll spend in your room, and how much you’ll make use of the perks. If you want the very best then go for it! But you can often pay for two cruises in a Standard Balcony room for the price of one in a Suite.
For a closer look at a Penthouse Suite on Royal Princess, take a look at this video:
2. The cheapest cabins
What makes the best cabin depends on the type of cruiser you are. If you’re someone who makes the most of the ship’s facilities, attending theatre shows, relaxing in bars and so on, then you may only use your room to sleep, shower and get changed.
It might be that the best cabin for you is an Inside, since you’ll be able to put more of your money towards experiences (or future cruises). And if you’re a larger family or group, getting connecting inside cabins will be the cheapest option available.
For a closer look at what you can expect from an inside cabin on Royal Princess, take a look at this video:
3. Extended balcony cabins
Due to the design of Royal Princess, some of the mid-ship cabins have slightly extended balconies because they’re angled. Look out for one of these cabins if you want to make the most of your balcony space.
On the higher decks, this is only in Mini Suites and Club Class Mini Suites, but on Decks 8 and 9 it’s an option for Balcony and Deluxe Balcony cabins. However, be aware that on Deck 8 the view will be obstructed.
4. ‘White noise’ cabins
C316, C317, C322, C323, C328, C329, C334, C335
This is something that a few cruisers have picked up on. There’s an air vent situated between the ‘sideways’ Inside cabins on Deck 10, from C316 to C335. It emits a constant, low-level noise.
Rather than cause issues, a lot of passengers have said that the dull low sound is something you get used to quickly, and actually helps to dampen other sounds from the ship. It has something of a white noise effect, being calming and even helping you get to sleep. If you’re looking for an inside cabin, and like the idea of a constant white noise, then these could be good options!
Many people also prefer the layout of the ‘sideways’ cabins. The following video is from sister ship Regal Princess, but the cabin is exactly the same…
Want to get a free copy of the checklist I use when choosing a cruise cabin? You can get it here…
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I regularly travel by coach when I take cruises from Southampton. When I lived in the north of England, it was always the cheapest option. Even now that I live further south, it’s still a great balance of value and time.
I have driven and flown to Southampton Cruise Terminal before, and there’s also the option of trains. But usually, taking a coach is the best way to get to Southampton for a cruise.
In this guide, I’ll show you all of the coach companies you should look at for the journey across the UK to your cruise ship.
Intercruises offers a coach transfer service called Cruise Connect for passengers who are cruising with Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises or Marella.
This service will take you from a local pick-up point all the way to the ship. There are 53 Cruise Connect pick up points available, so you should have one close by. Your luggage is taken care of too. When you arrive at the coach, you won’t see your bags again until they are delivered to your cabin on the ship.
In more than 20 years that Intercruises has been operating Cruise Connect coaches, they’ve never missed a sailing. The coach only contains cruise passengers, so if there’s ever a delay then the ship will wait.
Children aged 3 to 12 travel for a reduced fare on Intercruise coaches, and under-3s go free. Car seats are advised, but not necessary.
You won’t often find children on board, so the friendly drivers usually make a fuss of them. On our last journey to Southampton, we even got to watch Moana on the onboard TV. And I must say, the over-60s loved it!
When you book a P&O Cruise, you may be given the option to have free coach travel or car parking at the terminal. The P&O coach travel to Southampton will be provided by Intercruises. Even if you don’t have this option, or if you choose a Saver Fare with no free coach, you can still book the Intercruise coach yourself directly through their website.
Eavesway Travel offers a coach service to Southampton, Dover and Newcastle for passengers travelling with Celebrity Cruises, Fred.Olsen, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
The coach service is only available for cruises of five nights or more. Coaches depart from stops across the North of England, Midlands and South Wales.
The company dates back to 1931, and has been offering coaches to Southampton Cruise Terminal since the 1990s. The coaches are very luxurious with leather seats and free Wi-Fi.
The Cruiselink coaches only carry cruise passengers, so you can be sure that you won’t miss the ship. Your luggage will be taken care of too, so you won’t need to carry it yourself.
Parents should note that on Eavesway coaches to Southampton, a car seat or booster seat is compulsory for kids aged under 12 or less than 135cm tall. My kids use the BubbleBum inflatable booster seat when we travel. There are no reduced prices for children – they will pay the full adult fare.
The cheapest way to get to Southampton is the Megabus. I’ve used this service to travel from Manchester to Southampton for as little as £12. I also like to use Tesco Clubcard vouchers to get the coach tickets for free!
The Megabus will drop you off in Southampton City Centre, just over a mile from the Cruise Terminal. It is possible to walk, but with luggage it’s easier to get a taxi or Uber.
When taking the Megabus, it’s best to travel the day before your cruise in case there are delays. Staying overnight in a hotel in Southampton will reduce the stress of travel, and give you time to relax before your cruise.
Children aged 4 to 14 get a 10% discount and under-4s travel free, although they aren’t guaranteed a seat.
Cruise lines: All
Pick up points: 16 direct + 90 indirect
Drop off: Southampton City Centre (East Park Terrace Stop IC)
Wheelchair access: Yes
National Express is the UK’s largest coach company. The coaches are comfortable, with lots of legroom and free Wi-Fi. They usually don’t cost much more than the Megabus if you book early enough.
National Express Coaches stop at Southampton Coach Station, which is just over one mile from the Cruise Terminal. You can walk, but most people find it easier to take a taxi or Uber.
If you take the National Express to Southampton for a cruise, it’s a good idea to travel the day before in case of delays. This is particularly true if you have to take more than one coach, because if the first coach is delayed you may miss your second one.
National Express doesn’t offer discounts for children. Children aged 3 and up are charged the full adult fare. Children aged under 3 travel for free, and you can book a free ticket to ensure that they have a seat.
Cruise lines: All
Pick up points: 26 direct + 400 indirect
Drop off: Southampton Coach Station (Harbour Parade)
Wheelchair access: Yes
Amore Cruise Connection is a family-run company that specialises in coach transfers from Scotland to Southampton cruise terminal.
The company has agreements with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and MSC Cruises to drive right up to Southampton terminal. So you won’t even need to haul around your luggage – it’ll be collected as soon as you get off the coach.
The coaches pick up at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, and then carry on to further pick-ups at Bothwell Services and Gretna Services. For cruise guests in England who are north of Preston, you can get picked up from the Premier Inn in Lancaster. From there, they head directly to Southampton.
Although the company is relatively new, members of the family have been involved in bus and coach travel for over 30 years, so you’re in experienced hands. And while Amore does offer other group coach travel, it was primarily founded for cruise connections, thanks to the family’s passion for cruising.
A £20 discount is available on return fares for under-16s, and wheelchair travel is available.
Cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises
Pick up points: Paisley (Abercorn Street), Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Bothwell Services, Gretna Services, Lancaster Premier Inn
Drop off: At the ship
Wheelchair access: Yes
Omio is a price comparison site for coaches, trains and flights. Although a coach is often the best way to get to Southampton, it can sometimes be cheaper and faster to take the train or even to fly.
I find that it’s worth checking on Omio before booking. The website will quickly show you all of your travel options, so that you can be sure to book what’s best for you.
It doesn’t check all of the coach services, so you’ll still need to look at those individually. But it can help you spot any good value train or plane tickets that you might not have considered.
Only Intercruises, Eavesway and Amore will take you straight to the ship
Popular Coach Routes to Southampton
Here’s some information about how to get to Southampton by coach from some of the main cities in the UK.
Coach from Glasgow to Southampton Cruise Terminal
Coaches from Glasgow to Southampton with Intercruises Cruise Connect or Amore depart at around 3.30am, with a journey time of around ten hours. This will take you straight to your cruise ship in time for check-in. It’s only available for guests cruising with Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean (depending on which company you use).
Alternatively, you can take the overnight National Express Service from Glasgow to Southampton. You’ll need to change coaches at Birmingham or London, and the total journey time is 12 to 14 hours.
Coach from Liverpool to Southampton Cruise Terminal
You can take a coach from Liverpool to Southampton Cruise Terminal with Eavesway or Intercruises. The pick-up time is approximately 7am, and you’ll be taken straight to your cruise ship.
Alternatively, you can take the National Express coach the day before your cruise. The journey takes eight to ten hours, and you’ll need to change coaches at Birmingham or London.
Coach from London to Southampton Cruise Terminal
Intercruises Cruise Connect offers a coach service from London Victoria and London Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Terminal. This is only available for those cruising with Cunard, P&O Cruises or Princess Cruises.
There are also National Express coach services from London Victoria and Hammersmith to Southampton Coach Station. Direct coaches take around two and a half hours.
Coach from Manchester to Southampton Cruise Terminal
There is no direct coach from Manchester to Southampton Cruise Terminal. Intercruises Cruise Connect and Eavesway Travel both offer a service from Knutsford Services to Southampton Cruise Port, with a pick-up time of around 8am and a journey time of approximately five hours.
Megabus offers a direct coach from Manchester Coach Station to Southampton Coach Station, with a journey time of six to seven hours.
You can also take the National Express from Manchester to Southampton. This requires changing at London or Birmingham and the total journey time is eight to 11 hours.
Coach from Birmingham to Southampton Cruise Terminal
Intercruises Cruise Connect and Eavesway Travel both offer coach travel from Birmingham to Southampton Cruise Port. The pick-up time from Hilton Park Services in North Birmingham is around 9.15am, or from Hopwood Park Services in South Birmingham is around 10.15am. The journey takes three to four hours.
There’s a Megabus service from Birmingham Brunel Street to Southampton City Centre that takes between three and a half and four hours. Due to the timings, you would need to take the coach the day before your cruise.
You can also take the National Express from Birmingham Coach Station to Southampton Coach Station. Direct journeys take three and a half to four and a half hours.
Coach from Leeds to Southampton Cruise Terminal
Intercruises Cruise Connect and Eavesway Travel both offer coach travel from Leeds Coach Station to Southampton Cruise Terminal. Pick up is at around 6.30am, and you will be taken straight to your cruise ship.
Alternatively, you can take the National Express from Leeds to Southampton. There are no direct routes, so you’ll need to travel the day before or overnight and change to London. The journey takes seven to 12 hours.
Prices vary – but there’s always a cheap option!
You may be able to get free coach travel to Southampton as part of your cruise booking with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises or Cunard. You can also travel on the Megabus for free in exchange for Tesco Clubcard vouchers.
The Megabus is the cheapest coach to Southampton. It can cost as little as £12 per person for a single ticket.
A return coach ticket to Southampton with InterCruises, Eavesway or Amore can cost between £75 and £170 per person, depending on the distance.
Final thoughts
Taking the coach is my preferred way to get to Southampton from the North. It’s not the fastest way, but it’s often the cheapest.
I also find it to be the most relaxing, especially when travelling with children. When you take the coach you enjoy a book, watch a movie or even take a nap in the comfortable seats while your driver does all of the hard work.
Another advantage is that coaches have toilets. So don’t have to worry about timing your rest stops to match everyone else’s bladder habits, as you do when travelling by car.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Avalon Waterways and Viking River Cruises are two popular river cruise lines. Each offers a range of cruises along the waterways of Europe and Asia. But how do these two companies compare if you’re choosing between them?
At first glance, Viking and Avalon seem to offer a similar experience. However, there are some key differences that are likely to sway your decision.
Read on to find out which is the better choice for your next river cruise…
Ships
River cruising’s biggest difference from ocean cruising is the size of the cruise ships, which usually accommodate fewer than 200 passengers per ship. This allows for more intimate getaways with small groups in the dining venues and lounges, as well as attending shore excursions while in port.
But the different lines have some key differences in the design of their ships. Let’s take a look at how Avalon Waterways’ ships compare to Viking’s river ships.
Avalon Waterways’ Ships
Avalon Waterways has 20 ships to choose from in its portfolio, including 14 owned ‘Suite Ships’ which are based in Europe. There are also two ships that reside in Asia, alongside four ships chartered for use in South America and Africa.
Avalon Ship in Germany
Avalon Waterways’ European river cruise ships each have a guest capacity of either 128 or 166. They’re all fairly new, entering service between 2011 through 2019.
The Asia-based ships are much smaller, accommodating just 36 passengers and entering service between 2015 and 2017. The chartered ships vary in capacity, from 32 passengers to 392.
On European cruises, Avalon Waterways’ cabins offer spacious accommodations with 24/7 open-air access and bigger views than most. Beds are configured to be facing the windows for the best views.
Avalon’s ‘Suite Ships’ offer something very special indeed. These have the widest opening windows in river cruising, with the industry’s only ‘Open-Air Balcony’. Opening up to 11 feet (3.4 metres) wide, these huge windows make the room feel like a balcony.
Avalon Waterways Panorama Suite
Viking River Ships
Viking River Cruises has an incredible fleet of 77 ships in its 2024 portfolio, 55 of which are the iconic Viking Longships that sail in Europe. A further ten ships sail along the Elbe, Douro and Seine rivers, as well as Viking Saigon which sails on the Mekong River.
Six ships are chartered for use in Egypt. There’s also another ship that debuted in 2022 – Viking Mississippi – to sail along the renowned American river.
Viking Longship on the Rhine
The Viking Longships carry 190 passengers. They include some of the largest suites on Europe’s rivers, as well as the most al fresco dining opportunities. Their patented design maximisises passenger capacity, with redesigned hallways and bow to increase space on board.
During a rapid expansion of this class of ship, Viking christened 16 ships over two days in 2014, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
There’s a choice of accommodation on board each Viking ship. These range from Scandinavian-designed staterooms to the luxurious Explorer Suites that afford 270-degree views.
Viking Longship Veranda Stateroom
Destinations
Avalon Waterways and Viking offer the majority of their river cruises in Europe. The most often cruised rivers include the Rhine, the Danube and the Douro. But both companies offer a wider selection for guests to choose from.
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Avalon Waterways Destinations
Avalon Waterways covers the most popular European rivers such as the Rhine, Main and Danube. There are also sailings along the Mekong (through Cambodia and Vietnam), India’s Ganges River and the Amazon river, as well as the unique Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.
Viking River Cruise Destinations
Although Viking has fewer itineraries, it offers more choices of sailing dates thanks to the sheer size of the fleet, 55 of which are based in Europe alone!
Viking covers all of the most popular rivers, but doesn’t visit South America or India. However, Viking does feature itineraries along the Elbe and Douro rivers.
Food
Both Viking River Cruises and Avalon Waterways include a wide variety of dining options to cater to all tastes. Wine, soda and beer are included at lunch and dinner with both cruise lines. Avalon also includes the option of complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast!
As well as the main dining room, each line also offers alternative dining venues, so you have a choice of where to eat during your sailing.
Avalon Waterways Food
Avalon Waterways prides itself on offering fresh, local food on its menus. The cruise line has partnered with Austrian brothers Leo and Karl Wrenkh – leading chefs in the healthy-dining movement – to offer a programme named ‘Avalon Fresh’. The selections available on this option include wholesome yet satisfying dishes.
The cruise line also introduced the ‘FlexDining’ approach to onboard dining, removing the need for restrictive seating and limited settings.
Avalon Envision Dining Room
Dining experiences include welcome and farewell cocktails and canapes, daily a la carte breakfast, and a lunch that includes regional specialities and Avalon Fresh options.
Dining options on Avalon Waterways ships include BBQ-style al fresco dining on the Sky Deck (weather permitting), lunch in the Panorama Lounge, four-course dinners in the Panorama Dining Room and daily afternoon tea. There’s also complimentary room service available for continental breakfast.
Viking Food
Viking focuses on pairing the destinations with the menus, providing an enriching culinary experience. There are two venues to dine on most Viking ships: The Restaurant is the main dining venue, and Aquavit Terrace is the alfresco venue.
Aquavit Terrace
The Restaurant offers regional cuisine with classic dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients. The Aquavit Terrace is a revolutionary venue that offers the most stunning views while dining al fresco on Europe’s rivers. You can enjoy breakfast or lunch in an inviting space that’s perfect for a sunny day.
Just like Avalon Waterways, Viking offers both welcome and farewell cocktails. Ships also feature an outdoor herb garden and a selection of regional wines.
Activities and Entertainment
As river cruises are generally focused on the destinations you visit, the onboard amenities are nothing compared to ocean cruise ships. However, both Viking and Avalon Waterways do offer a range of things to do on board.
Viking river cruises are strictly for adults only, and all guests must be aged 18 or older. As for Avalon Waterways, children aged eight and over are permitted on board, but there are no dedicated activities or facilities for kids. If you’re planning a river cruise with kids, I suggest you read this guide to the best river cruise lines for families.
Things to do on an Avalon River Cruise
Avalon Waterways includes a few activities on board its ships to enjoy in the daytime. There’s a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre to keep you active while sailing, as well as a Club Lounge Library with books, cards and board games. There’s also complimentary Wi-Fi provided throughout the ship and computer stations.
Yoga on the Sky Deck
On the Sky Deck, you can find premium lounge chairs, a whirlpool and a game area. The Club Lounge offers 24-hour self-serve beverages including complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolates, and a selection of teas and cookies throughout the day.
In the evenings, the Panorama Lounge offers cosy seating, panoramic windows and a dance floor. There’s also the Observation Lounge where you can enjoy premium spirits in an upscale bar setting.
Things to do on a Viking River Cruise
Viking also offers a selection of onboard activities to keep guests entertained while sailing or docked. There’s a walking track and sports deck, alongside a curated library featuring destination-focused reading.
Viking Longship putting green
There is a series of short films about each destination, which can be viewed in your stateroom at any time to suit you. There are also guest lectures and port talks, designed to shed light on the region’s culture and history. These provide information on must-sees and highlights for each port.
Viking invites local artisans onboard to demonstrate their crafts, such as glass-blowing or lace-making. There are also culinary demonstrations that present a collection of treats and drinks.
In the evenings, each Viking itinerary includes one or more Destination Performances, featuring cultural arts, local ensembles and acclaimed choirs from the region.
Price
Both Avalon Waterways and Viking river cruises are similar in terms of price and value, although this can depend on unique offers and sailing dates.
However, there is one important distinction: the price of Viking river cruises usually includes flights, transfers, taxes and fees. So while a Viking river cruise can look more expensive, the overall price once everything’s included may be lower than with Avalon Waterways.
The Price of Avalon Waterways River Cruises
An eight-day Rhine cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Basel with Avalon Waterways starts at £1,435pp, based on an Avalon Deluxe Stateroom at double occupancy.
Viking river cruises include:
Accommodation
All meals
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Excursions
Wifi
Shore excursions
Bicycles to use in selected ports
Onboard gratuities
Not included:
Flights
Overseas transfers
Taxes and fees
The Price of Viking River Cruises
An eight-day Rhine cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Basel with Viking starts at £1,845pp, based on Standard Stateroom at double occupancy.
Viking river cruises include:
Return flights from regional UK airports
Overseas transfers
Accommodation
All meals
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Wifi
Shore excursions
Onboard gratuities
Taxes and fees
Not included:
Bicycles (can hire locally)
You can see how the price of Viking and Avalon Waterways river cruises compare to other river cruise lines in this guide: How Much Are River Cruises?
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Avalon Waterways Reviews Vs Viking River Cruises Reviews
One more thing to consider when looking at Avalon and Viking is the reviews from past guests. Although both companies are listed on Tripadvisor, the number of reviews is very low, so it’s hard to get an accurate reading of how good they are.
But which is better, Viking or Avalon river cruises?
As of September 2024, Viking River Cruises has a score of 4.5 out of 5, while Avalon Waterways just edges it with a score of 4.7 out of 5.
This might change by the time you read this! But at least you know both are considered excellent.
The Verdict
Although the differences between the two cruise lines aren’t huge, Avalon Waterways and Viking River Cruises do offer slightly different experiences.
Viking River Cruises is the most famous of all river cruise brands, with the most ships. You’re sure to pass a Viking Longship or two whenever you take a cruise on one of Europe’s waterways. While Avalon isn’t as well-known, the company has been in existence since 2004 and offers a good alternative for luxury travel lovers.
Avalon offers a wider range of destinations outside of Europe than Viking. It’s also a better choice for those with special diets. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, something you may struggle with on a Viking river cruise.
Avalon Waterway’s ships are also more innovative, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that open wide to give the feeling of a private balcony.
Before you get swayed by the luxury of Avalon Waterways, be sure to consider the price of the extras you’ll need. Flights and transfers aren’t included, so your cruise price will surely rise once you add these on.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
If you’re single and looking for romance or fun, then going on a cruise can be a great way to do it. However, choosing the best cruise is something that you do not want to get wrong!
There are all kinds of single people looking for romance at sea. These range from divorced parents who are cruising with their kids, to groups of friends in their twenties who want to have a good time.
There’s a cruise for everyone, from clothing-optional ‘lifestyle cruises’ (which, just like pineapple or flamingos, are a secret code for swinging) to regular cruises where you’re likely to bump into other singles on the dancefloor.
Whether you want to travel solo, as a single parent or with a group of single friends, read on to learn more about the best cruises for singles to hook up.
Option One: Sexy Theme Cruises
Most ‘sexy cruises’ are actually swingers events. These are only open to couples or single women. So if you’re a single man, or a woman looking to meet a single man, then this is probably not what you’re looking for!
If you’d like to know more, check out this guide to swingers cruises for all the details. They are typically advertised as ‘sexy’ rather than sex cruises, so that they don’t sound quite so debauched.
When considering a sexy theme cruise, be aware that the average age of the passengers may be over 50. So unless you like the thought of seeing older couples naked in the buffet line, these cruises probably aren’t for you!
But are there sexy cruises for young, attractive singles? Absolutely! Temptation Cruises offers just that.
What to expect on a Temptation cruise:
Fun pool parties
Topless-optional areas
VIP DJ performances
Spicy theme nights
Steamy workshops
R-Rated Red Room
All-inclusive drinks
On Temptation cruises, sex in public is not allowed, but what happens inside your own stateroom is up to you. You can probably even have sex on your balcony, if you wish.
If you want a sex cruise, these are probably the best option.
Option Two: Singles Cruises
Another option to consider if you want to meet other unattached people who are up for a good time is a singles cruise.
Not everyone on these ships will be part of the singles cruise, but there will be between 50 and 500 people who are travelling alone. Arranged by travel agents, singles cruises include hosted events like cocktail parties, breakfast meet-ups, games and even water slide races.
However, if you’re looking to hook up with no strings attached, these might not be ideal. Some people will be looking for love, and others will just want to make friends.
So, while you should never assume that everyone on a singles cruise is up for it, you’ll stand more chance of meeting someone who wants to get down.
Some singles cruises are only open to certain age groups, like 20s and 30s, over-40s or over-50s. If you prefer to meet people your age, it would be wise to choose one of these options.
Some of these sailings will be singles-only cruises, but others will be singles events on a cruise that also has other passengers. Be careful not to chat up someone who has their partner onboard!
If the idea of a dedicated singles cruise sounds a bit too much, there are some other themed cruises that might suit you. These can give you a good chance of meeting someone you like, but with no pressure.
There’s a whole host of music-themed cruises to choose from in 2024 and beyond, covering every genre you can think of including rock, pop, reggae and heavy metal. These cruises are like floating festivals – one key difference being that everyone’s had a shower (you would hope!).
Photo credit: Sixthman
On a music-themed cruise, you’ll be able to dance the night away to songs from your favourite artists, whether that be KISS or Kesha. And while you’re doing that, you’re sure to bump into other single people with the same musical tastes. Find out more by reading out list of music cruises.
Option Four: Regular Cruises
Sometimes the best cruises for singles are just regular cruises. And there are some cruise ships which are much better for meeting fellow single travellers than others.
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The best cruise lines for singles
Firstly, you’ll want to choose a cruise line that has other passengers in your age group. If you’re single and under 30 or 40, consider the following cruise lines which attract a younger crowd:
If you’re single and over 50, then these cruise lines are more suited to single seniors:
Cunard
Fred. Olsen
Holland America Line
P&O Cruises
Saga
If you’re looking for a fun adults-only cruise, I highly recommend Virgin Voyages. This cruise line is unlike any other, and offers the ideal place for younger singles to meet and have fun.
Carnival cruises also tend to attract a younger crowd, particularly on short weekend cruises and during the spring break season. You can read more about Carnival singles cruises here.
Scarlet Lady
Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line both offer singles mixers events. These can be a great place for single parents to get together at set times while their children are in the care of the kids’ club.
The next thing to think about is the destination. You’ll probably want to pick somewhere warm, as the combination of sunshine and swimwear will set you off on the right path.
If you’re in the US, then a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas is a great option. These short cruises tend to include a day at a private island, where you can spend the day at the beach with people from the ship.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
If you live in the UK, then a short cruise with an overnight stop in Amsterdam would be a great option for people who like to have a good time. Consider booking an excursion with the cruise line as a way to get to know your fellow passengers better.
Shorter sailings, particularly weekend cruises, tend to attract more groups of friends and solo travellers. On a longer cruise, you’re likely to find more couples and families.
Try a cruise dating app
If you want to find people to hook up with on your cruise, it’s worth downloading the Cruise Ship Mingle app. This dating app has been specially developed for cruisers, so that you can message or chat with like-minded people before and during your cruise.
It’s not weird to cruise alone…
The single cruise market is growing fast. Most modern ships include dedicated single cabins for solo passengers, rather than asking them to pay a single supplement for a double stateroom. So don’t be put off by thinking it might be seen as weird, especially if you’re a single guy.
However, it tends to be more single women that travel alone, since it’s a safer option. Cruise ship staff are always on-hand to provide assistance, and passengers are generally looking for a friendly atmosphere. Organised excursions are great for women who are worried about going ashore alone.
Most people make friends on cruise ships. Sitting at a large table for meals is a good way to get to know others over dinner. Some people find friends that they cruise with again many times in the future.
Cruise ships used to have a reputation for being a little wild for one night stands. But they are now much more relaxed, with most ships welcoming families.
It’s certainly possible to get laid on a cruise ship. You can boost your chances by booking a fun party cruise or a speciality singles cruise, rather than a cruise ship that has a lot of couples and families on board.
Many, but not all, cruise ships sell condoms in the onboard shops. A few even offer the morning-after pill. But it’s always best to plan ahead and pack condoms or the pill to take with you, rather than rely on the onboard stores.
Be aware that any kind of romantic encounter between cruise ship workers and passengers is forbidden as part of the crew’s contracts. That’s not to say it never happens, but make sure you are careful if you hook up with a crew member as they could lose their job. It’s best to try to meet other passengers.
To sum up
There are many different cruises for singles, just as there are many different types of people. If your main focus is a cruise to get laid, then the best singles cruise would be a sexy cruise such as one chartered by Temptation Cruises.
If you’d prefer a regular cruise with a chance of meeting someone you like, then look for short cruises to fun destinations like the Bahamas or Amsterdam. You’ll also want to check the cruise programme for details of any single meet-ups.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
A Carnival guest and YouTuber who tried to push the boundaries of Carnival’s prohibited items list had his portable satellite dish confiscated during a cruise.
Richard Shillington, who runs the “No Pants Profits” channel, bought a Starlink Mini dish for $599 with a $250 per month subscription, to use while sailing on Carnival Miracle.
He was able to film a video for his channel and broadcast it while sailing, but once the video was posted he was called to the hotel director’s office and had his dish confiscated.
Shillington later said that he felt it was a vague prohibited items list since it only banned “satellite discs”, but Carnival has updated that now to show “satellite dishes”.
During his video, Shillington demonstrated how he’s also bought the ship’s Premium WiFi package which uses Starlink, and was getting download speeds of less than 4 Mbps.
But using his own portable dish in the same location, he was able to get download speeds of 123 Mbps.
This can be partially attributed to the fact that guests are paying for access to the cruise line’s network connection, meaning they’re sharing the speeds with everyone else on the cruise.
However, it shows what could be possible if guests were allowed to bring their own dishes onto the ship, which YouTubers and other remote workers may be tempted to do.
Of course, if their portable dish is discovered, they would have it confiscated and held until the end of the cruise.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
12 cruise passengers were injured earlier this month as their tour bus overturned while in a remote area of Alaska. The incident occurred when the driver of the coach suffered…
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12 cruise passengers were injured earlier this month as their tour bus overturned while in a remote area of Alaska.
The incident occurred when the driver of the coach suffered a medical emergency, approximately 35 miles outside of Skagway.
While the area of the South Klondike Highway where it happened has no reception for phones and very limited radio coverage, the emergency services were alerted to the incident.
However before the emergency services could reach the coach, another two coaches also being operated by “Holland America Princess” (the two Carnival-owned cruise lines that operate the most Alaska cruises) were able to attend and offer first aid.
Skagway Fire would like to thank the two Holland America Princess motor coaches for being the true first responders to this accident and acting without hesitation.
Office of the Fire Chief Emily Rauscher
Of the 24 passengers on the bus, half were injured and taken to one of two local hospitals. No severe injuries were reported and the passengers were, at worst, kept in hospital for observation for a few days.
The driver is also reported to be recovering well from the emergency.
While the specific cruise ship involved in the incident hasn’t been revealed, there was one Princess Cruises ship docked when it happened – Ruby Princess.
Other ships docked at Skagway that day include NCL’s Norwegian Jewel, Carnival’s Carnival Spirit, and Viking Cruises’ Viking Ocean.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Explora Journeys’ newest ship Explora II got an unwelcome send-off on her maiden voyage, as a couple were photographed and filmed having sex on a balcony. The cruise ship was…
Princess Cruises has announced an extended Japan cruise season for 2026 on the Diamond Princess. The season will run from February to November, providing travellers with more time to explore…
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