Brilliance of the Seas

Accessibility

Assistance on & off the ship

We have personnel with wheelchairs who provide assistance with pushing wheelchairs on and off the ship using gangways and boarding bridges. Please note our personnel are not permitted to lift guests. During peak times there may be a wait for assistance. Please see Getting On and Off the Ship for additional information. If you need further assistance, please contact our Access Department at special_needs@rccl.com or 866-592-7225.

Wheelchair accessible staterooms

All of our ships have staterooms designed to accommodate guests with mobility disabilities and other disabilities that require the features of an accessible stateroom. Please see our Accessible Staterooms for more details. If you need additional information, please contact our Special Services team on (UK) 0344 493 4005 or (Ireland) 1800 555 604.

Accessible staterooms

Our accessible staterooms are designed for guests with mobility disabilities and other disabilities that require the use of the features associated with accessible staterooms. Accessible staterooms range from 14.77 sq. m (159 sq. ft) to 27.68 sq. m (298 sq. ft), offer a 1.5 m (five-ft) turning radius in sleeping areas, bathrooms and sitting areas for easy manoeuvrability.

Accessible staterooms are held for people with disabilities until all other non-accessible staterooms in that category are reserved. Upon reserving an accessible stateroom, we require that our guests acknowledge the need for the accessible stateroom by completing a Guest Special Needs Form.

If a guest is booked in an accessible stateroom and they do not have a mobility disability or other disability that requires the use of the features that are provided in the accessible stateroom, they may be moved at any time to another non-accessible stateroom in order to accommodate a guest with a disability.

Please note that we investigate and take action on potential misuse of accessible staterooms where there is good cause to believe that such staterooms have been booked fraudulently.

We encourage you notify us of your needs at the time of booking, to guarantee the availability of specific equipment or services.

• 60 days for sign-language interpreting
• 30 days for special needs equipment or services
• 72 hours if travelling with a group of passengers with a disability

List of equipment and services requiring advance notice.

Accessible stateroom features:

• Stateroom door width: 81.3 – 86.4 cm (vessel-dependent)
• Bathroom door width: 81.3 – 86.4 cm (vessel-dependent)
• No doorsill to get into the stateroom
• Ramped bathroom thresholds
• Bathroom grab bars
• Lowered sink and stateroom dressing table
• Roll-in shower bench
• Fold-down shower bench
• Hand-held showerheads
• Lowered wardrobe rods
• Refrigerator in stateroom (upon request)
• Raised toilet seats (most are between 43.1 cm to 48.3 cm/17 to 19 inches high; commode chairs available – please request prior to sailing)
• Accessible balconies (selected staterooms)
• Lowered safes for easy access (not including Majesty of the Seas, where safes are located at Guest Relations)

Please note: Accessible suites have roll-in showers, not baths, except on Quantum of the Seas.

Accessible Shore Excursions

Explore in Comfort with Accessible Shore Excursions

Immerse yourself in our destinations with Accessible Shore Excursions, unique cultural excursions that accommodate scooters, wheelchairs, walkers and more. These tours were designed with you in mind.

At Royal Caribbean, we are always excited to cultivate the best experiences possible – both onboard and on land for each of our guests every time we sail.

Accessible Shore Excursions reveal the authentic culture of the ports we visit for our guests with mobility disabilities. We’re ready to provide comfortable, accessible transport and knowledgeable, local independent experts.

Going well beyond a quick drive around an island, small group tours provide in-depth holiday experiences with excellent accessibility features, such as…

1. Accessible vehicles with wheelchair lifts or ramps
2. Accessible attractions with flat or ramped entrances
3. Accessible bathrooms with wide doors for wheelchairs
4. Step-free routes that avoid steps, stairs and kerbs
5. Experienced local independent operators familiar with accessibility needs

Level 1 | Tours recommended for guests that are able to walk short distances, can navigate the steps of a coach, and/or travel with a standard-size manual collapsible wheelchair or scooter, that can fit into the coach luggage compartment.

Level 2 | Designed for guests unable to negotiate coach steps or full-time wheelchair/scooter users. The vehicle used on this type of tour is adapted with an access ramp (or lift where available) to accommodate a limited number of mobility devices. In order to use the ramp and/or lift, guests are required to be seated on a wheelchair or scooter.

A few things to keep in mind

• Accessible Shore Excursions are offered in certain destinations only.
• Accessible tours allow a limited number of participants; therefore we recommend you submit your request as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Requests must be submitted with the mobility device type, dimensions (L x W x H) and device weight.
• An able-bodied person should accompany a full-time wheelchair user at all times during Shore Excursions.
• Staff members are not allowed to lift or assist a guest in or out of a vehicle.
• Vehicles, ramps and lifts may vary depending upon the port and availability.
• Guests must be seated on the wheelchair or scooter at all times to use ramps and lifts.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and guidelines do not apply outside of the United States.
• Private Arrangements may be available in ports without Accessible Shore Excursions.
• We strongly recommend that Accessible Shore Excursions requests be received at least 10 working days prior to departure.

Mobility Disabilities

Our goal is to make all our guests as comfortable as possible, both on and off the ship. Our cruise ships have spacious corridors to accommodate 180 degree turns for wheelchairs. Most decks are accessible through automatic doors, and all public rooms feature entrances with gradual inclines.

Wheelchairs

We provide complimentary wheelchair assistance for embarkation and disembarkation only. If you would like to have a wheelchair or scooter during the cruise, you are welcome to bring your own or rent one from of the companies below who will deliver it your stateroom on the ship:

Scootaround (formerly CareVacations)

Phone: 888-441-7575

Local: 204-982-0657

Fax: 204-478-1172

E-mail: info@scootaround.com

Special Needs at Sea

Phone: 800-513-4515

Local: 954-585-0575

Fax: 800-513-4516

E-mail: info@specialneedsgroup.com

You may bring and use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other assistive devices onboard our ships. Due to safety reasons, Segways may not be used onboard.

Assistive Devices

Assistive devices including mobility scooters must be stored and recharged in your stateroom so fire doors, corridors and elevator lobbies are kept clear for emergency evacuation. When parked throughout the ship, they must be parked out of the way to allow safe and easy access by other guests and crewmembers.

Assistive devices should fit through a standard stateroom entry doorway which is at least 23 inches wide. We offer accessible staterooms which have wider doors which are at least 32 inches wide and may accommodate larger devices. If you have an assistive device larger than 32 inches wide, please contact our Access Department for assistance.

Note: Crewmembers are not permitted to lift assistive devices.

Services provided:

• Early boarding
• Cruise transfers utilising a specialised bus or van with a lift or ramp
• Boarding and departure assistance
• Lifts for one pool and one whirlpool on each ship in the fleet
• Accessible Blackjack tables in the casino
• Accessible Guest Relations Desk

Hearing Disabilities

There have been many technological advances developed to assist guests who are deaf and hard of hearing. We’ve made every attempt to employ them wherever and whenever possible. Our goal is that all guests enjoy their cruise holiday to the fullest.

Hearing features/accommodations available:

• A portable room kit in your stateroom is available upon request. It includes a visual-tactile alert system that provides alerts for door knocking, telephone ringing, alarm clock and smoke detector.
• A TTY (teletypewriter) in your stateroom is available upon request. The TTY in your stateroom interfaces with the TTY at the Guest Relations Desk to meet all your in-stateroom needs.
• Amplified telephones are available in the staterooms and public areas.
• Assistive Listening Systems are located in the main theatre on all ships and in Studio B on Voyager, Freedom and Oasis Class ships.
• Closed-captioned televisions are available in all staterooms across the fleet. Please note that only selected programs are captioned. All safety videos are captioned.
• Sign-language interpreting services will be provided upon request for deaf guests who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary means of communication. Sign-language interpreting services are provided for main production shows, port and shopping presentations and other major activities on a shared basis for all deaf guests on board. A request for sign-language interpreting services should be made with the Access Department at the time of booking but no later than 60 days prior to sailing. Requests are subject to the availability of interpreters. Sign-language interpreting services are provided on cruises that depart from and/or return to the U.S. and Canada.

Visual Disabilities

We’re determined to make the cruising experience as convenient and enjoyable as possible for guests who are blind or have low vision. Our ships have been designed to incorporate Braille in public areas and lifts.

Visual features/accommodations available:

• Large-print menus and Cruise Compasses
• Service animals welcomed onboard: a 1.2-metre by 1.2-metre relief area with cypress mulch is provided
• Braille/tactile signage
• Braille lift buttons/audio call signals
• Orientation tours
• Qualified Readers

Autism-Friendly Ships

Royal Caribbean offers an autism friendly initiative for families living with autism, Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities. This includes sensory friendly films and toys, dietary menu options, and overall autism friendly training for Adventure Ocean staff and more.

Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of autism friendly products and services, and they include:

• Priority check-in, boarding and departure
• Special dietary accommodations including gluten-free and dairy-free
• Adventure Ocean flexible grouping by ability for children 3 to 11 years old
• Adventure Ocean toilet-trained policy exception
• Pagers/phones for parents of children in Adventure Ocean program while signed into our care (subject to availability) Availability: These Autism Friendly products and services are available on all cruises

The Autism Channel

Royal Caribbean International is the first in the hospitality industry to offer complimentary on-demand access to exclusive content from The Autism Channel® onboard most of its ships.

The Autism Channel is a streaming television service providing information and resources to families and professionals supporting and improving the lives of people with autism spectrum disorders. Educational and entertainment programming on The Autism Channel ranges from a look inside the daily lives of families with children on the spectrum, to interviews with medical and legal professionals.

The Autism Channel is available on all Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager and Radiance class ships. To access The Autism Channel content, select The Autism Channel folder under OnDemand Movies from the iTV (interactive TV) menu.

Autism Friendly Films

Autism friendly films are presented in a low-lit and low volume environment. Guests are encouraged to freely talk and walk around during the film. These films will be offered on all sailings on Oasis class ships and on other ships, when there are autism groups or at least five individuals with autism onboard. Dates and times will be highlighted in the Cruise Compass.

Autism Friendly Toy Lending Program

Autism friendly toy lending is available in our Adventure Ocean Youth Program on all ships. Upon request, we will provide a tote bag of autism friendly toys that may be used in Adventure Ocean or in their stateroom. Parents may select other autism friendly toys that are more appropriate for their child. Examples of Autism Friendly Toys include: non-toxic crayons, markers, water colors, building blocks, dominoes, and picture books.

Autism Friendly Activities

We offer activities for children of all abilities. Families are encouraged to consult with Adventure Ocean staff regarding any special needs that their children may have in order to identify which activities are appropriate for their child and any possible modifications.

Teens with Autism are offered:

• Expedited check-in, boarding and departure
• Special dietary accommodations including gluten-free
• Autism Friendly Toy Lending
• Autism Friendly Films
• Social Story
• Our Teen Program with teens-only hangouts and activities. Please note while some activities are hosted, they do not provide supervision or one on one attention.

Adults with Autism are offered:

• Expedited check-in, boarding and departure
• Special dietary accommodations including gluten-free
• Autism Friendly Toy Lending
• Autism Friendly Films
• Social Story
• Our Cruise Activities Program. Please note while some activities are hosted, they do not provide supervision or one on one attention. (Adults are not permitted in Teen or Adventure Ocean spaces.)

Service Animals

Royal Caribbean International welcomes service dogs on all ships.* Please note we do not accept pets.

A service dog is defined as ‘any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability’. Service dogs are not considered pets.

Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required (such as identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses and/or tags or the credible verbal assurance of the person with a disability using the dog).

We provide 1.2 metres by 1.2 metres (4 feet by 4 feet) relief areas with cypress mulch to accommodate service dogs. Sod for sailings from the U.S. can be provided if ordered in advance and is available. Relief areas are provided on a shared basis with other service dogs onboard. Please note that Central Park on OasisSM class ships is not designated as a relief area.

Please notify our Access Department at time of booking but no later than 30 days prior to sailing if a service dog relief area is needed.

Service dogs are permitted to accompany the person with a disability in all public areas, including dining venues. While in public areas, service dogs must be on a leash, harness or another restraining device. Due to health regulations, service dogs are not permitted in pools, whirlpools or spas.

Care and supervision of the service dog is the sole responsibility of the owner. The ships are not required to provide food or care for the dog.

Guests may bring a reasonable quantity of food and bowls for the dog onboard the ship at no additional charge. If refrigerated space is needed, notify our Access Department at the time of booking but no later than 30 days prior to sailing.

If the guest chooses to disembark the ship at a port at which the service dog must remain onboard, the guest must make arrangements to ensure that the dog is cared for. Note that the ship’s staff is not required to care for the dog, nor can the dog be left in the stateroom unattended.

Guests are responsible for obtaining all required documents for the animal to depart the ship in ports of call and at the final destination.

For more information click here.

Dietary Requirements & Allergies

We make every effort to accommodate our guests’ dietary requirements whenever possible.

We can accommodate dietary needs such as: Food allergies, Gluten-free, Kosher, Low-fat, and Low-sodium.

A variety of vegetarian Meals are available on all menus in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe every day. Guests do not need to make a special request for these meals.

Lactose-free/soy milk, ensure, and kosher meals are available at no extra charge. All you have to do is notify us at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries).

Vegan menus are available upon request at the Main Dining Room.

Kosher for Passover meal requests MUST be received 90 days in advance in order to be accommodated. Contact your travel advisor or Certified Vacation Planner and request that the remark be noted in your reservation details. If you made your reservation online at royalcaribbean.com you may add your request to the “update personal information.” section.

You may also send an e-mail request to special_needs@rccl.com; please include in the e-mail the guests’ names, booking number, ship name and sail date. E-mails will receive an automated response. We kindly ask that guests do not call Royal Caribbean International suppliers with specific questions.

Special meal requests that are received less than 45 days of sailing (90 days for European/Asian itineraries) are dependent on the ship’s product availability. We will try to accommodate to the best of our ability.

Dress Code

When you’re onboard, the right look will vary by venue. But here are a few types of suggested attire you’ll see, grouped by item.

• Casual: You’re on vacation – relax! Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcomed for breakfast and lunch.
• Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcomed.
• Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion.

Formal nights:

• 3/4/5 night cruises – usually on Day 2
• 6 night cruises – usually on day 2 and 5
• 7 night cruises – are usually on Day 2 and 6
• Oasis and Allure use Day 2 and 5 on Western itineraries and Day 2 and 6 on Eastern itineraries.
• Formal Night will not be offered on any of the currently scheduled Empress of the Seas sailings.

Please note that bare feet are not allowed at any time in any venue and tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or Specialty Dining venues for dinner.

Packing Tips

Personal Items:

We suggest that guests transport all their medications in their carry-on luggage to minimise the potential for diversion or loss of medications and advise that all medications remain in their original, labeled prescription containers. It is also advisable to pack at least three days of extra medication in the event of an unexpected change in the itinerary of the voyage.

Clothing:

When you’re on board, the right look will vary by venue. But here are a few types of suggested attire you’ll see, grouped by occasion. Shoes should be low-heeled for deck activities. Bring a few swimsuits (so you will always have a dry one). Ashore, you’ll need comfortable walking shoes.

If you’re cruising to the Caribbean, Mexico or other warm weather destinations, bring a hat for protection from the sun. If your cruise vacation will take you to Alaska, Canada & New England or Northern Europe, be sure to pack a jacket and several sweaters.

• Casual: You’re on vacation – relax! Jeans, shorts, tees, tank tops, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck.
• Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with jackets, sports coats, blazers, collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits.
• Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns.
• Last Night of Cruise: Bring an overnight bag for your last night at sea. Staff will collect your luggage the night before disembarkation and you will need an overnight bag to carry your nightclothes and toiletries.

Age Restrictions

Fitness Centre

Guests must be 16 years and over to use the fitness center.

YSPA

YSPA is a special spa menu for our guests ages 13 to 17 that offers a choice of massages, facials, hair and treatments, as well as “Fitness Frenzy” classes.

Legal drinking age onboard

Effective immediately on all sailings, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International is as follows.

• The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings originating in North America is twenty-one (21).
• The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings originating in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is twenty-one (21).
• The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is eighteen (18).
• The minimum age to consume alcohol at all private destinations remains twenty-one (21) without regard to where the sailing originated.

The Company retains the right, on rare occasions, to raise the minimum age of alcohol consumption on any sailing when local laws require or permit such a modification.

Alcohol Policy

Guests are not allowed to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use.

Alcoholic beverages (beer, seltzer, or hard liquor) seized on embarkation day will be returned at the end of the voyage provided that they are in the original sealed package. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under the legal drinking age, demonstrate irresponsible behaviour, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them. Please Note: All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.

On embarkation day, each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. Boxed wine and other containers are prohibited. Guests who purchase alcohol bottles onboard, in a port-of-call, or bring more than the one permitted bottle on boarding day, will have their items safely stored by the ship. These bottles will be returned on the last day onboard for enjoyment once home.

For consecutive sailings, guests of drinking age are allowed to bring one (1) 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne for each individual sailing. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and delivered, one bottle at a time, to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage. Guests bringing more than one bottle at the start of the first sailing should have documentation for any consecutive sailings available to share with security.

Smoking Policy

For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, our ships are designated as non-smoking; however, we recognise that some of our guests do smoke. Therefore, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, we have designated certain areas of the ship as smoking areas.

Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, guests will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for use. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking. On Oasis class, smoking is not permitted in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighbourhoods.

Casino Royale allows smoking and has a designated area for non-smoking guests. There will be visible signage indicating the non-smoking area in the casino. All cruises departing from China and Hong Kong will not have a non-smoking area in the casino. Smoking is not permitted in the casino for any ships departing from Australia and the United Kingdom.

Onboard all interior public spaces are smoke free*. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theatre, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track.

Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. This applies to all stateroom categories onboard. If a guest is in violation of this stateroom policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to their SeaPass® account and may be subject to further action pursuant to the “Consequences Section” of the Guest Conduct Policy.

Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars**. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase, possess, or use tobacco on sailings beginning in U.S. ports. For sailings beginning in all other ports, the minimum age is 18 years old.

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are only permitted within the designated smoking areas.

Royal Caribbean International kindly asks all guests to please observe the smoking policy. These requests are made to provide a comfortable cruise for everyone. Guest may also inquire at Guest Services for the location of the designated smoking areas onboard.

Guests who violate this smoking policy may be subject to further action pursuant to the “Consequences Section” of this Guest Conduct Policy.

Internet Options

There are 2 options to stay connected while onboard.

1. VOOM Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) All you need is a wireless device with wifi capability.

2. Wired (iCafes) Internet stations are available onboard, the location of which vary depending on the ship.

VOOM is available onboard all ships fleetwide. Prices for internet access vary and are subject to change. Log on to the to the network “”royal-wifi”” using your device, open your browser and follow instructions to log on.

VOOM

VOOM is the name of our high-speed internet service, the fastest internet at sea.

With the installation of VOOM, you are no longer confined to a specific location on the ship to have connectivity. You can now stay connected from the comfort of your own stateroom, while you lounge by the pool and even while having a drink at the bar.

VOOM is 6x faster than any other internet at sea! For the first time you will be able to stream music and movies, upload pictures, video chat with family and friends using FaceTime or Skype, check your email, look your stock prices, surf the web and stay connected with work.

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line with high speed internet at sea. Whether you have your phone, tablet, or laptop, VOOM allows guests to stay connected. VOOM is available onboard all ships fleetwide. Each one of our VOOM ships gets its signal directly from a satellite beam dedicated to our ships that orbits close to the Earth allowing us to offer fast and reliable service.

The cost of VOOM varies by the number of devices and the service package purchased. We recommend that guests purchase VOOM pre-cruise to enjoy the biggest discount from onboard prices. Simply log in to My Cruises, and go to Cruise Planner.

Beverage Packages

Quench your thirst onboard with a beverage package that gets you the best value on your favourite drinks, from Coca-Cola® to fine wine, premium and frozen cocktails to a full selection of beers, fruit juices to Evian® water. Purchase onboard or pre-reserve before you set sail. The beverage packages are honoured at any of our bars or lounges, Windjammer Café, Main Dining Room, and our private destinations during normal business hours. Room service and minibar are not included. You can visit our Beverage section or if you are booked, visit Cruise Planner for more information and to pre-purchase. The all-inclusive beverage packages are sold onboard all sailings.

Onboard, the all-inclusive packages are available for purchase throughout the voyage with at least 4 days remaining. Must be purchased for the duration of the cruise; prorated price based on date of purchase. Any guest wishing to purchase an alcoholic beverage package must do so for all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom, for sailings on or after December 31st, 2017.

All other beverage packages can be purchased by individual guests, however all packages are for single guest use and cannot be shared by multiple people.

The Water Package is an option for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean to order water in various package sizes at a discounted price. The Water Package will be delivered to your stateroom on the date you request. You can choose between 12 or 24 one liter bottled water packages.

The fountain soda package entitles you to unlimited refills at any of our bars or lounges, Windjammer Café, Main Dining room, and our private destinations. A complimentary Coca-Cola® souvenir cup is included as part of every fountain soda package. The cost of a fountain soda package is determined by the length of your stay, with an average daily cost of $8 plus gratuity. If you lose your Coca-Cola® souvenir cup, you’ll need to reach out to the bar manager or assistant bar manager and purchase a new souvenir cup for $9.95.

The Coca-Cola Freestyle machines require the Coca-Cola souvenir cup to operate. Souvenir glassware is excluded from the all inclusive beverage packages.