Royal Caribbean's FAQ sets out when you can book specialty dining, the spa and shore excursions, and the rules for cancelling. Specialty dining can be reserved online up to 2 days before your cruise begins, spa appointments tend to fill up quickly, and the line says shore excursions are best booked before you cruise. Cancelling specialty dining within 24 hours of your reservation costs $25 per person, and some venues charge more. Here's what the FAQ says about each one, and what to do if a show you want is sold out.
Specialty Dining
Royal Caribbean says you can make specialty restaurant reservations online up to 2 days before your cruise begins. Once you're onboard, you can reserve by going to the restaurant or calling it directly.
If you buy an Unlimited Dining Package through the mobile app or My Royal Cruise, you can make specific dining reservations for your whole cruise in the app or online before you board. For other dining packages bought on the My Royal Cruise website or through the call center, the reservation confirmation is in your stateroom on Day 1. To change a dinner reservation, visit or call a hospitality desk at any specialty restaurant.
Spa and Salon
You can reserve spa and salon appointments before your cruise or once you're onboard. Royal Caribbean says to reserve as soon as you can, because appointments and reservations tend to fill up quickly.
Shows
If the show you want is sold out, Royal Caribbean says to check with the Box Office once you're onboard, or log in to the Royal Caribbean app to see whether any bookings are available.
Shore Excursions
You can book a shore excursion at the Shore Excursion desk onboard, or before you cruise on My Royal Cruise. To book ahead, you need to have reserved your cruise, received your reservation number and made at least one payment toward it.
Royal Caribbean says the best time to book is before the cruise, through My Royal Cruise, because that gives you the greatest selection and availability. Royal Signature Excursions are offered in select ports and on select ships. Use the Royal Signature Excursions filter in My Royal Cruise to find them.
What Cancelling Costs
You can cancel pre-cruise orders for shore excursions, beverage packages, specialty dining and spa services on My Royal Cruise, or call 1-800-398-9819 for Pre-Cruise Planning Assistance if you have a reservation with payment.
- Specialty dining: cancel on the My Royal Cruise website at least 24 hours before your reservation time. A cancellation within 24 hours costs $25 per person, and no-shows are charged too. Each venue's policy is shown when you book. The policy applies to all specialty dining reservations except Star Class.
- Higher dining fees: some venues have higher cancellation fees. Celebration Table charges half cost, and Empire Supper Club, Lincoln Supper Club, Omakase, Royal Railway, Izumi Hibachi/Teppanyaki and Chef's Table charge $50 per person.
- Shore excursions: you can change or cancel up to 48 hours before port arrival without penalty. Tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays and Private Journeys must be cancelled 30 days before sailing to avoid penalties. Other restrictions may apply.
Onboard, you can cancel excursions at the Shore Excursion desk or Guest Relations.
Before You Book
Put the deadlines in your calendar: 2 days before your cruise begins to book specialty dining online, 24 hours before each dining reservation to cancel without the fee, 48 hours before port arrival to change or cancel an excursion, and 30 days before sailing to cancel tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays or Private Journeys. Read each restaurant's cancellation policy, which Royal Caribbean shows when you book. If you're sailing on Oasis of the Seas, our Oasis of the Seas ship guide covers the rooms, dining and things to do onboard.
