4 Important Policies to Know Before Going on a Royal Caribbean Cruise in 2025

Going on a cruise can feel very overwhelming, from what to pack to how you’ll get there to all the options you have onboard.

We know there’s so much to plan before heading on your Royal Caribbean cruise, but check out these four important policies before you run to the ship.

1. Know what items are restricted

We all know cruises have some weird items you can’t bring aboard, but it’s important to sit down and read the site before making your packing list. On Royal Caribbean Cruises, you can’t bring a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, so if this is your phone, look into leaving it at home! This phone is also banned from airlines, which is important to note if you’re flying to your cruise dock.

Camouflage or any military attire is also prohibited if you’re docking in Barbados and a few other ports. Extension cords and power strips are also prohibited. They do allow consumer-type USB charging blocks, but they must be marked with the US/Europe-recognized Conformance Marking.

2.  Review your drink package

For Royal Caribbean, if one person wants to add on the Deluxe Beverage Package, it will automatically be added to every adult staying in that cabin, even if they weren’t planning on drinking. While this is an inconvenience cost for those not drinking, you can call ahead of time and remove the package for those who don’t drink due to medical or religious reasons.

If you can’t call ahead but have multiple cabins, you can also sort the drinking adults from the non-drinking adults when booking the trip. Then, you can get extra key cards so you can stay in whichever room you planned.

3. Check what clothing you need for certain activities

There’s so much to do while on board, so you’ll want to ensure you’re prepared for everything! If you plan on going to the ice-skating rink, make sure you have long pants and high, thick socks.

If you’re going to try your hand at surfing on the FlowRider simulator, bring a snug swimsuit that’s nice and secure in case you wipe out! For rock climbing, most ships have their own climbing shoes, but you do need your own socks. While they provide shoes for your climb, it’s not a bad idea to bring a pair of closed-toed shoes just in case.

4. Bring those important documents with you

Since you’ll be leaving the country, make sure you have all of those important documents. The ideal is a passport that doesn’t expire within six months of your cruise, but a birth certificate can work in certain cases. Some countries also require visas.

You also need to make sure these documents are with you and not in your packed bags! Not only will you need to present these at check-in, but it’s always a good habit to keep those vital documents on you.

Knowing these last-minute policies before heading aboard will prepare you for the best cruise ever! Stay up to date with AllEars to learn everything you need to know before your next vacation.

Excited about your upcoming cruise? Check out these nine unspoken rules for cruising on Royal Caibbean!

Are you heading on a Royal Caribbean Cruise soon? Let us know in the comments!