Tips for the Best Time to Buy Royal Caribbean Excursions

Planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean? One of the most exciting parts of the journey is exploring the destinations through shore excursions Royal Caribbean offers. From ziplining over Jamaican forests to snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Cozumel, Royal Caribbean excursions elevate your trip beyond the ship. But the big question that comes up for every cruiser is: When is the best time to book your shore excursions?

Timing is everything when it comes to booking your tours. Not only can it help you secure your preferred activity, but it may also save you money by getting in on Royal Caribbean excursions discounts.

When to Book Royal Caribbean Excursions

In this guide, we’ll walk you through insider tips on the best time to buy, how to find the best deals, and how to make the most of your shore adventure.

Book Before You Sail – It’s Worth It

Royal Caribbean opens up its shore excursions for booking as early as 6 to 12 months in advance of your cruise. As soon as you pay your deposit and your sailing becomes available in the Cruise Planner, you can start shopping for activities.

Why book early?

• Better Selection: The earlier you look, the more likely you’ll have access to popular tours that often sell out.
• Early Bird Pricing: Although prices can fluctuate, Royal Caribbean often introduces promotional pricing or bundles for early birds.
• Peace of Mind: Planning in advance gives you time to research reviews, compare prices, and build a day-by-day itinerary that works with your onboard plans.

Many cruisers don’t realize that Royal Caribbean shore excursions prices can change—just like airfare. So locking in a good price early might be your best bet, especially for high-demand tours.

Look Out for Royal Caribbean Excursion Discounts

Royal Caribbean frequently runs promotions throughout the year that offer significant discounts on excursions. Keep an eye out for these key promotional periods:

• Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Major deals often roll out on cruise extras, including up to 30-40% off on shore excursions Royal Caribbean sells.
• Holiday Sales (Memorial Day, Labor Day): These sales sometimes include buy-one-get-one-half-off or discounts for multiple excursions booked together.

Watch the Clock – The 60-Day Sweet Spot

Royal Caribbean Cruise Deals

Grab incredible Royal Caribbean cruise deals today! Book your dream vacation and set sail to exotic destinations at unbeatable prices!

Royal Caribbean Cruise Deals

Photo by Royal Caribbean International

If you're not rushing to grab spots on limited tours, many seasoned cruisers find that the best prices pop up around 60–90 days before the sailing date. This is when Royal Caribbean tends to adjust inventory and pricing based on demand.

During this period:

• You may notice Royal Caribbean excursion discounts appear unexpectedly.
• Unbooked excursions sometimes get bundled with other offers.
• Some specialty tours or VIP experiences drop slightly in price to increase bookings.

This timing is also great because most cruisers will have finalized their travel plans and can start focusing on their activities.

Consider the Port – Not All Excursions Are Equal

Another trick is understanding that Royal Caribbean excursion pricing can vary drastically depending on the destination. For instance:

• In the Caribbean, you’ll find more affordable beach day packages and snorkeling adventures.
• In Europe or Alaska, shore excursions tend to be pricier due to transportation and guided tour requirements.

Do your homework. Compare third-party options, read reviews, and consider if the convenience and security of booking through Royal Caribbean are worth it for that port.

In ports where tendering is involved or where the ship is docked far from the main attractions, booking with Royal Caribbean might save you stress. They’ll ensure you get back on time—and they won’t leave you behind if a tour runs late.

Skip the Rush—Avoid Buying Onboard

While it’s technically possible to book excursions once you're on the ship, we generally don’t recommend waiting until embarkation day. Why?

• Limited Availability: Popular excursions may already be sold out.
• Higher Prices: Onboard prices are often the same or higher than what you’d find online ahead of time.
• Long Lines: Standing in line at the shore excursions desk wastes precious vacation time.

Try Bundling and Multi-Port Packages

Sometimes, Royal Caribbean offers bundles where booking more than one excursion earns you a discount—like a “buy 2, get 1 half-off” deal. This isn’t always available, but it’s worth watching for.

If you're cruising to multiple destinations with similar types of tours (like beach day passes or snorkeling), bundling them can cut costs. It also makes the booking process more efficient since you can plan multiple days at once.

Use Onboard Credit Wisely

If you’ve received onboard credit as part of a booking promotion or loyalty reward, consider allocating some of it toward your Royal Caribbean excursion plans.

Just remember: 

• You can’t use onboard credit for pre-cruise purchases unless it’s specifically designated for that.
• If you wait to use it on the ship, your selection may be limited.

Still, it can be a smart way to make pricier excursions more affordable without extra spending out-of-pocket.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, finding the best time to book a Royal Caribbean excursion is about balancing timing, price, and convenience. While it’s tempting to focus purely on discounts, make sure you’re choosing excursions that truly excite you and fit with your travel style.

Whether you're diving with sea turtles in Barbados, ziplining in Labadee, or tasting wine in Santorini, the memories you make on shore excursions Royal Caribbean offers are worth every penny.

Planning your next Royal Caribbean cruise? Book a cruise with CruiseBooking.com to explore the best deals on sailings, cabins, and excursions. With their expert customer support and exclusive offers, you’ll be one step closer to your dream vacation at sea.