Cruise know-how
Royal Caribbean FAQ
Information for your Royal Caribbean cruise: what the abbreviations on a quote mean, gratuities, the cancellation schedule, and how the stateroom categories differ. Figures checked September 2026; your booking confirmation is always the final word.
Finding and booking
Give us a call seven days a week and we will help you search. You can also browse Royal Caribbean's own site to filter sailings, then send us the one you like — we book it for you at the same price, and you get a person to call.
Abbreviations you will see on a quote
Non-Refundable Deposit. The key benefit of a non-refundable fare is lower pricing.
On Board Credit — think of it as cruise cash you can apply to purchases on the ship. It is worthless once the cruise ends and unused credit does not roll over, so use it up before you disembark.
Future Cruise Credit — essentially a voucher for future travel, provided in lieu of a refund. It can be used towards the deposit and/or base cruise fare of a future cruise. It cannot pay for taxes, port fees, prepaid gratuities or shore excursions.
Fully Independent Travel — you are not part of a group.
Non-Commissionable Cruise Fare. You may see these on a quote or invoice. They are called non-commissionable because the travel agent is not paid a commission on them. They typically include port fees, but can include any other fee the cruise line chooses.
Days To Sailing — how many days until your trip.
Gratuities and cancellation charges
An automatic service gratuity of $18.00 USD per person, per day in non-suite staterooms, or $20.50 USD per person, per day in suites, is applied to each guest's SeaPass account daily.
7-day cruise example: non-suite $126 per person · suite $143.50 per person.
5-day cruise example: non-suite $90 per person · suite $102.50 per person.
Figures as published by Royal Caribbean, checked September 2026. Gratuities can be prepaid when you book; ask us.
1 to 4 night cruises
| Days prior to sailing | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| 75 days or more | No charge (except a non-refundable deposit) |
| 74 to 61 days | 50% of total price |
| 60 to 31 days | 75% of total price |
| 30 days or less | 100% of total price (no refund) |
5 nights or longer
| Days prior to sailing | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | No charge (except a non-refundable deposit) |
| 89 to 75 days | 25% of total price |
| 74 to 61 days | 50% of total price |
| 60 to 31 days | 75% of total price |
| 30 days or less | 100% of total price (no refund) |
Royal Caribbean's published schedule, checked September 2026. Your booking confirmation is the final word.
It depends on how far out you cancel (see the schedule above) and on your fare: a non-refundable deposit fare keeps the deposit, and some refunds come as Future Cruise Credit rather than cash. Tell us before you cancel — there are often better options, like moving the sailing.
Staterooms
Location. The rooms themselves are the same. 2D rooms are mid-ship; 4D rooms are closer to the front and back of the ship. If you are concerned about seasickness, or want to be nearer the elevators, mid-ship is the better choice. 4D is priced a little lower because of where it is.
Location. The rooms are the same. 2V rooms are mid-ship; 4V rooms are closer to the front and back of the ship.
An 80-inch high-definition screen inside certain interior staterooms, spanning nearly floor to ceiling, showing real-time views of the ocean and the destinations. You can have it on or off.
- Balcony – Midship (2D): in the middle of the ship — best if you prefer not to feel the ocean's movement.
- Balcony – Non-Midship (4D): the same room, priced a little lower for not being mid-ship.
- Large Balcony: usually the same room with a balcony about twice the size, priced a little higher.
- Balcony – Inside View: faces inward, over a neighbourhood such as Central Park or the Boardwalk; usually cheaper than an ocean-view balcony.
- Balcony Oceanview Guarantee / Neighborhood Guarantee: you can't choose the location — the exact grade, number and position are assigned by the cruise line, and the view may be obstructed. Cheaper for that reason.
- Outside: a window of some sort, but no balcony.
- Interior: no view of the outside.
Ready to book with Royal Caribbean?
Send us the sailing you have in mind — or just the dates — and we'll do the rest.