4 pro tips for Royal Caribbean cruises, according to cruisers
Most every avid cruise vacationer has at least one meaningful cruise tip - something that they always do to make their cruise better that they can share with family and friends, or anyone they meet who may be preparing to take their first cruise.
Passionate cruisers are often eager to share their best cruise tips and hacks on social media, and when their favorite cruise line asks, they're sure to deliver - like Royal Caribbean passengers recently did on Facebook.
"What's your best Royal pro tip? From off-menu snack hacks to getting the best seats in the house for the show - drop your best cruise tips in the comments," Royal Caribbean asked fans in a May 3 Facebook post.
Come Cruise With Me read through the more than 550 cruiser responses on the post and narrowed them down to four of the most popular Royal Caribbean pro tips that are all easy to apply and can have a big impact on your vacation experience. Whether you're new to Royal Caribbean or looking to level up your next cruise, these four Royal Caribbean pro tips can help you have a better cruise vacation.
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1. Try a Royal Caribbean snack hack with the artisan cheese plate
When it comes to Royal Caribbean snack hacks, the artisan cheese plate is top of mind for many hungry cruisers. It's available on the main dining room dessert menu, but passengers don't just enjoy it as satisfying end to a meal. For some, it's a top Royal Caribbean snack ideal for late-night cravings.
"Get an artisan cheese plate to go. Take it to your cabin for a late-night snack. Extra points if you take crackers with you," Marge Self suggested.
Some passengers even swap it for an appetizer.
"Artisan cheese plate from the dessert menu as an app instead. By day three, my waiters already have it waiting for me," Elizabeth Gee shared.
Related: Royal Caribbean cruisers can't get enough of these cruise snacks
"It's an assortment of cheeses, chutney jam, crackers, grapes. Sometimes crackers and certain cheeses can vary. Also a few nuts. No meat," Gee added.
What's included on the cheese plate may vary slightly by ship, but all Royal Caribbean cruises offer it as a dessert that dining staff are happy to serve alternatively as an appetizer or on a to-go plate.
2. Pack a travel-size liquid hand soap for your cabin
Washing your hands frequently is essential on a cruise to help you stay healthy in a vacation environment shared with thousands of other passengers. The CDC advises cruise passengers to wash hands often, but especially after using the restroom and before eating.
To make washing your hands in your cruise cabin easier, consider bringing your own liquid hand soap to swap with the classic bar soap provided in your cabin bathroom.
Related: Places to get free alcohol on a cruise ship
"Bring liquid hand soap for your room," Angela Asusta suggested in a comment that was very popular with Royal Caribbean cruisers.
Some passengers noted that they use the body wash provided in the shower as an alternative to the bar soap, but others prefer to pack a travel-size liquid soap.
"I guess you very well could use the body wash but out of convenience I bring liquid hand soap doesn't take up much room, plus I'm an over packer even when I try not to be. It's also easier to wash children's hands with liquid hand soap," Asusta added.
3. Swap the Windjammer buffet for other dining venues at peak times
For another dining hack, a number of Royal Caribbean cruisers shared what they do to avoid eating at the Windjammer buffet during peak times like lunch on embarkation day.
"Booking a specialty lunch on embarkation day to avoid the Windjammer craziness on day one. Such a relaxing start to the vacation," Daisy Charlotte commented.
If you don't want to pay extra for specialty dining, look for complimentary alternatives available for lunch like Solarium Bistro or Park Café. Keep in mind that dining venues and what's open on embarkation day vary by ship.
"We usually hit up the Solarium Bistro or another non-main buffet place - but a specialty dining is a great option too! Just no Windjammer on boarding day," Christopher DeMaria agreed.
Related: 3 mistakes cruisers make at the buffet
Some passengers also like to avoid the buffet during busy breakfast hours.
"Breakfast in the Solarium Bistro is just as good and way less hectic than the Windjammer," Jim Roscovius added.
Others prefer to skip going anywhere for breakfast and get a complimentary continental breakfast delivered through room service instead.
"Free breakfast on your balcony with room service," Marnie Raelene commented.
4. Manage your cruise expectations and embrace flexibility
For some Royal Caribbean cruisers, the best cruise tips don't center around dining hacks and packing tips, they help set the tone for a more enjoyable vacation overall.
"Leave any negativity at home and load up on ‘roll with it' and ‘please' and ‘thank yous.' You'll be relaxed and the people around you will be more pleasant," Nancy Humphreys suggested.
Others agree that embracing a flexible "go-with-the-flow" attitude leads to better cruise vacations, especially when things don't go as planned.
Related: Royal Caribbean cruisers are sharing their cruise hot takes
"Understand nothing is guaranteed on a ship. Ports will be missed, slides will need repair, actors will get sick. It's an adventure not a guaranteed anything except you'll be on a ship on the water," Michael Dunning commented.
With the right mindset, cruise mishaps can become unexpected adventures that leave you with memorable stories to share.
"Our best stories from any vacation are always from the things that went wrong. We don't let anything ‘ruin' our vacation, just make it another adventure," Brenda Kreamer Trammelle added.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 9:16 AM.