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Senior Cruise Tips

Royal Caribbean for seniors

The short answer

Royal Caribbean's ships are big and lively, which suits some older travelers and not others. Every ship has accessible staterooms, you can bring or rent a wheelchair or scooter, and solo guests earn an extra loyalty point per night.
Free guide2 min readUpdated September 2026
A Royal Caribbean ship docked at PortMiami

Royal Caribbean International: the rules, from Royal Caribbean International's own pages

Accessibility

Accessible staterooms on every ship — no proof of disability required

All ships have staterooms designed for guests with mobility disabilities and other disabilities needing accessible features.

Royal Caribbean does not ask for medical certificates or disability placards.

You do have to complete a Guest Special Needs Form to acknowledge that you need the accessible stateroom.

Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026

Dress code

Casual most nights, plus 1 to 4 “Dress Your Best” evenings

Casual: jeans, polos, sundresses, blouses. Shorts are fine for breakfast and lunch; swimwear stays on the pool deck.

Smart Casual: collared shirts, dresses, skirts, pantsuits. Jackets and blazers welcome.

Dress Your Best is black-tie level — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or gowns.

Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026

Solo travelers

Solo guests earn 1 extra Cruise Point per night

Sail solo in a stateroom and Royal Caribbean adds 1 bonus point per night on top of the base point.

Example: a solo guest on a 7-night cruise in a Balcony earns 14 points.

Transfer those points to Celebrity and the same cruise earns 42 Captain's Club points, because Celebrity awards 2x to solo travelers.

Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026

Daily gratuities

$18.50 per guest per day, or $21.00 in a suite

Applied to your SeaPass account daily unless you prepay at booking.

18% is added automatically to drinks, drink packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar.

20% is added to spa and salon purchases.

Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026

Drink packages

Deluxe Beverage, Refreshment and Classic Soda packages

Packages are honored at any bar or lounge, the Windjammer Café, the Main Dining Room and the private destinations during normal hours.

Room service and the minibar are not included.

Buy on board or pre-reserve before you sail through My Royal Cruise.

Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026

Minimum age

Drinking age is 21 from North America, the UAE and the private destinations; 18 elsewhere

18 or over to buy, possess or use tobacco on board.

A minor is anyone under 18 for the purposes of the conduct policy.

Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026

Loyalty program

Crown & Anchor Society — Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club

You are enrolled automatically after your first Royal Caribbean cruise (US and Canada residents).

You earn 1 Cruise Point for each night you sail. Sail solo while paying the double-occupancy fare and you earn 2 points a night.

Points post at the end of each sailing and can take up to 7 days. New tier benefits apply on your next sailing.

Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026

What the rules say

  • Royal Caribbean: You can bring your own wheelchair or scooter, or rent one from a company that delivers to the ship.

    Source: Royal Caribbean, checked September 21, 2026

  • Royal Caribbean: Because of historic sites, uneven ground, steps and narrow sidewalks at some ports, not every shore tour can take wheelchairs or scooters.

    Source: Royal Caribbean, checked September 21, 2026

Is it too busy?

The largest ships carry thousands of guests and have long walks end to end. If that worries you, ask for a cabin near the elevators, or look at a smaller ship in the fleet.

Rather talk it through? Kathryn Lyn answers the phone.

Call (239) 357-0814

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Ask Kathryn a question

Tell her who is traveling, roughly when, and anything she should know — like a wheelchair, oxygen or a special diet. She will suggest ships that fit.

Please don’t include passport or payment details. Kathryn never needs them to answer a question.

Call Kathryn (239) 357-0814