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How to book shore excursions Royal Caribbean?

  • Michael Rodriguez
  • 1/10/2025
  • 6 min read

Understanding How to Book Shore Excursions with Royal Caribbean

If you're new to cruising or simply planning your next Royal Caribbean adventure, you’re probably wondering How to book shore excursions Royal Caribbean? Shore excursions are one of the most exciting parts of any cruise—they allow you to discover local culture, explore famous landmarks, enjoy outdoor adventures, and experience destinations in a more meaningful way. From ziplining in the Caribbean to glacier trekking in Alaska or wine tasting in Europe, Royal Caribbean offers hundreds of options across its global itineraries.

This extensive guide explains everything you need to know about booking, choosing, planning, and maximizing your Royal Caribbean excursions. You’ll learn the booking process step-by-step, how to save money, how to avoid mistakes, and which excursions sell out quickest. By the end, you’ll be fully prepared to make the most of every port day on your next cruise.

Why Shore Excursions Matter on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Shore excursions transform a cruise from a simple holiday into an unforgettable exploration of the world. Royal Caribbean partners with professional local tour operators to provide safe, organized, and enriching experiences at each port of call.

Benefits of Booking Royal Caribbean Excursions

Booking directly through Royal Caribbean offers several advantages that make the entire process convenient and stress-free.

Access to Curated Local Tours

Every excursion is vetted to ensure high quality, professional guides, and reliable service.

Guaranteed Return-to-Ship

The cruise ship will wait for you if your Royal Caribbean-booked tour runs late—a huge benefit compared to booking independently.

Built-in Safety Standards

Royal Caribbean ensures all operators maintain strict safety policies for guests.

Seamless Planning and Transfers

Transportation, meeting points, and timing are all handled for you—ideal for first-time or stress-free travelers.

Options for All Ages and Activity Levels

Whether you're seeking adventure, culture, cuisine, relaxation, or wildlife, the excursion catalog has choices for everyone.

How to Book Shore Excursions Royal Caribbean? Step-by-Step Guide

Booking shore excursions with Royal Caribbean is incredibly easy and offers multiple methods to suit every traveler’s preference.

Booking Through the Royal Caribbean Website

This is the most common and convenient method for pre-cruise planning.

Step 1: Log into Your Royal Caribbean Account

Use the same account linked to your cruise reservation.

Step 2: Access "Plan My Cruise"

Select your booked sailing and navigate to the “Shore Excursions” section.

Step 3: Browse Available Tours

You’ll see excursions sorted by:

  • Port

  • Duration

  • Category

  • Activity level

  • Price

Step 4: Choose Your Excursion

Open each excursion page to view:

  • Inclusions

  • Detailed itinerary

  • Age restrictions

  • Accessibility notes

  • Guest reviews

Step 5: Add to Cart and Checkout

Payment can be made immediately, or you can revisit your cart after planning more activities.

Booking Through the Royal Caribbean App

The Royal Caribbean app is user-friendly and offers real-time availability.

Step 1: Open the App and Select Your Sailing

Once your reservation is linked, your itinerary appears automatically.

Step 2: Tap “Shore Excursions”

All excursions are neatly organized by port.

Step 3: Filter Your Preferences

Filter options such as:

  • Water activities

  • Adventure

  • Food & culture

  • Wildlife

  • Relaxation

Step 4: Book or Save for Later

You can either book instantly or save an excursion to your favorites list.

Booking Onboard the Ship

If you prefer to decide once you're sailing, you can book onboard.

Where to Book:

  • Shore Excursions Desk (main option)

  • Self-service kiosks

  • Through the app while onboard

Why Book Onboard?

  • You can speak with experts

  • Staff can recommend excursions based on weather

  • You may adjust after meeting your travel group

But be warned—popular excursions often sell out before the cruise begins.

Booking Through Royal Caribbean Cruisetours

For Alaska and select destinations, cruisetours combine cruise + land adventure packages.

Advantages:

  • Deep wildlife, mountain, or cultural exploration

  • Guided tours on land

  • Inclusive curated experiences

These are booked through Royal Caribbean or a travel agent.

Best Types of Shore Excursions You Can Book

Royal Caribbean offers an extraordinary range of shore excursions suited for all personalities and interests.

Adventure Excursions

Perfect for thrill-seekers.

Popular Options:

  • Ziplining

  • Cave tubing

  • Snorkeling with rays

  • Hiking volcanoes

  • Dog sledding in Alaska

Cultural & Historical Excursions

Great for travelers who love learning about local heritage.

Highlights:

  • Ancient ruins in Greece

  • Cathedrals and museums in Europe

  • Mayan temples

  • Cultural dance shows

  • Historical walking tours

Wildlife & Nature Excursions

These excursions offer unforgettable moments.

Common Wildlife Sightings:

  • Whales (Alaska)

  • Sea turtles (Caribbean)

  • Penguins (South America)

  • Exotic birds (Southern Caribbean)

Food & Culinary Excursions

Perfect for food lovers wanting authentic flavors.

Options:

  • Wine tastings

  • Cooking classes

  • Market tours

  • Farm-to-table experiences

Relaxation & Beach Excursions

Ideal for guests wanting a relaxing port day.

Popular Choices:

  • Beach day passes

  • Cabana rentals

  • Spa experiences

  • Resort day passes

Tips to Choose the Best Shore Excursions for Your Trip

Choosing excursions can be overwhelming—especially with hundreds of options.

Consider the Port’s Strengths

Every destination has its specialty.

Examples:

  • Jamaica: water adventure

  • Cozumel: snorkeling and reefs

  • Alaska: wildlife and glaciers

  • Italy: cultural tours

Match Excursion Duration to Your Port Time

Royal Caribbean clearly lists how long each tour lasts.

Short Port Days:

Pick quick city tours or beach excursions.

Long Port Days:

Choose full-day cultural, wildlife, or adventure trips.

Check Physical Activity Level

Excursions range from easy strolls to intense hikes.

Activity Levels Include:

  • Easy

  • Moderate

  • Strenuous

Read Guest Reviews

Many excursions include ratings and feedback from previous guests.

Why It Helps:

  • Honest insight

  • Real expectations

  • Value comparison

Consider Weather

Some excursions are weather-dependent.

Examples:

  • Snorkeling

  • Boat tours

  • Glacier flights

If bad weather causes cancellation, a full refund is issued.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Shore Excursions

Booking Too Late

Many top excursions sell out months early.

Popular Ones That Sell Out:

  • Dog sledding

  • Whale watching

  • Dolphin swims

  • Helicopter glacier tours

Ignoring Accessibility and Age Restrictions

Royal Caribbean is very clear about requirements.

Examples:

  • Height limits for zipline

  • Age limits for wildlife tours

  • Mobility restrictions for hiking excursions

Choosing Too Many Excursions

A cruise should include relaxation too.

Tip:

Limit yourself to 1 excursion per port.

Maximizing Your Shore Excursion Experiences

Arrive at the Meeting Point Early

Royal Caribbean instructs guests to arrive 15–30 minutes early.

Wear the Right Gear

Essentials:

  • Sunscreen

  • Water shoes

  • Layers (Alaska)

  • Swimwear

  • Camera

Check Excursion Tickets in the App

Your ticket includes:

  • Meeting point

  • Time

  • Instructions

Stay with Your Group

Safety and organization depend on staying with your guide.

Why Booking with Royal Caribbean Is Better Than Independent Tours

Guaranteed Return-to-Ship

Royal Caribbean ensures you never miss the ship.

Seamless Coordination

Guides communicate directly with the cruise line.

Easy Refunds

Weather-related cancellations are refunded automatically.

Safety Reliability

Every operator is carefully vetted.

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