Pre-booking Perks: Can You Reserve Shows Early For Royal Caribbean Cruises?
Learn what you can (and should) reserve before your Royal Caribbean cruise — from shows to dining reservations — and how early booking saves time, stress, and money.
By Simone Harvin | Published on July 2, 2025
The anticipation of an impending cruise is only outdone by the excitement of the entertainment and dining that await guests during at-sea adventures. From live performances to five-star meals, one of the biggest appeals of cruise life is the ease and proximity to memory-making moments. Cruise itineraries often include numerous entertainment options that don’t require thinking ahead. Some onboard activities, however, are so popular that booking in advance is how professional cruisegoers ensure they have the cruise experience they envisioned. Before setting sail, discover how to pre-book shows on Royal Caribbean and how planning ahead can benefit both the trip experience and your wallet.
Why You Should Pre-book Shows On A Royal Caribbean Cruise
Although the buzz of your everyday schedule surely keeps you busy, spending some time pre-planning your cruise vacation will keep the momentum high until embarkation day. Aside from the mood-boosting, stress-reducing effects of planning a getaway, getting a head start on your cruise must-sees and must-dos can save your onboard time for maximum enjoyment. Entertainment schedules, in particular, are subject to change with each cruise, so learning which shows require tickets in advance is key.
If you’ve ever felt excited to do something, only to find out it’s sold out, then you understand why regular cruisers strategize a bit before boarding. As the only cruise line with Tony Award®-Winning Broadway Shows, Royal Caribbean’s entertainment is often in high demand with limited availability. For guests who want to sing their hearts out to the hits from Broadway productions such as Hairspray, Cats and MAMMA MIA!, snagging your preferred days and times in advance is the best way to go. Avoid the long lines of hopeful guests who didn’t reserve a seat, and spend your days onboard doing what you want when you want.
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How To Book Shows Onboard Royal Caribbean
While those new to leisurely sailing the seas often wonder what’s included on a cruise, onboard entertainment is the best way to make the most of your cruise at no additional cost. For cruisers wondering when you can reserve shows on Royal Caribbean, various cruise ship activities are open for bookings as early as the first day of the month before select Royal Caribbean sailings. The easiest way to discover a ship’s itinerary, entertainment and cruise deals is through My Royal Cruise or the Royal App.
Once your sailing is confirmed, it is strongly recommended that you pre-book Royal Caribbean shows, especially for onboard activities that require show tickets. While entertainment is included in your cruise, simply requiring a reservation, it’s a great time to consider other activities as well. Although you don’t pay for entertainment, you can often find worthwhile deals on Royal Caribbean pre-booked excursions, spa treatments and optional food and beverage experiences.
While reservations aren’t necessary on every ship, you’ll want to watch for those that offer exhilarating Broadway Shows, Ice Shows, Aqua Shows, Comedy Shows and the technology spectacular Two70 Shows. These popular shows dazzle guests on select ships in Royal Caribbean’s global fleet offer onboard show reservations, including:
- Anthem of the Seas®.
- Odyssey of the Seas®.
- Ovation of the Seas®.
- Quantum of the Seas®.
- Spectrum of the Seas®.
- Allure of the Seas®.
- Harmony of the Seas®.
- Oasis of the Seas®.
- Symphony of the Seas®.
- Utopia of the Seas®.
- Wonder of the Seas®.
- Icon of the Seas®.
- Legend of the Seas®.
- Star of the Seas®.
Reservations are not required for shows on other Royal Caribbean ships, including Freedom of the Seas®, Voyager of the Seas®, Radiance of the Seas® and Vision Class of the Seas®. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, similar to other activities on a Royal Caribbean ship.
Excursions And Other Cruise Activities You Can Reserve Early
For super-planners who enjoy getting an early start on solidifying their itinerary, live shows are just the beginning of pre-booking pursuits. In addition to the dazzling entertainment, it’s also a good idea to pre-plan any dining and shore excursions you want to explore on your trip. The most popular Royal Caribbean restaurants and adventures are available on a limited basis, and many sell out early.
Royal Signature Excursions®, available in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, are designed to create unforgettable memories. From locally curated tours to island hopping and premium amenities, shore excursions immerse guests in the culture and communities at each port of call. According to Cruise Booking, early bookings can increase your chances of promotional discounts or bundle deals. Plus, booking directly with the cruise line often includes skip-the-line privileges and small group sizes, ensuring an efficient and intimate tour experience.
Several Royal Caribbean ships offer fascinating shows that will leave you wondering when you can book entertainment on Royal Caribbean. Secure your spot sooner rather than later on board the Wonder of the Seas® for a close-up view of inTENse. This aquatic spectacle features divers and aerialists performing on tightropes and plunging into the deepest pool at sea. Similarly, All In! is a Utopia of the Seas® Royal Theater original production and musical tour through time from Studio 54 to present-day festivals like Burning Man. Each ship offers stunning performances worth booking before you board to enjoy the peace of mind of smooth sailing in your itinerary.
During your pre-booking adventures, you can also enhance your sailing experience with beverage and dining packages. The latter offers access to specialty dining venues, while the drink packages include tiered options for soda, mocktails, and spirit drinkers. Wi-Fi packages are also available for cruisers who need to stay connected while away.
Families And Groups: Booking Cruise Shows, Dinners And Excursions Ahead
The ability to pre-book shows and excursions is helpful for any guest, but it’s nearly invaluable for groups and families. Confirming group activities ahead of time is the best way to ensure everyone can enjoy activities together. It can also help you decide on smaller group activities in advance, instead of navigating last-minute changes in real time.
It's natural for the group's cruise planner to feel overwhelmed at the idea of pre-booking group reservations. However, it's pretty simple, with Royal Caribbean offering two options: through My Royal Cruise or by phone with a customer service agent. Guests must use each cruiser’s individual reservation number to book shows and other activities together. Once the group organizer has each member's individual reservation number, they can reserve activities, dinners and shows for the group. Royal Caribbean also offers a dedicated email for groups larger than 40 people.
For cruise planners, you can do a few standout activities guaranteed to entertain your entire crew. On Icon of the Seas®, the adventurous ones in the bunch must try Crown’s Edge. This adrenaline-pumping activity at sea is where an obstacle course meets a hair-raising ride bound to challenge even the bravest. There’s also the ice-skating shows at Absolute Zero, one of the top free things to do that simply require a reservation. Absolute Zero is also the biggest ice arena on any Royal Caribbean ship, an impressive feat with even more spectacular shows. Finally, another boundary-pushing fun activity for families and groups on board the Spectrum of the Seas® is RipCord by iFLY. You may be familiar with the name on land, but yes, you can experience what it’s like to free-fall in the only skydiving simulator at sea.
Begin Booking Your Royal Caribbean Shows And Excursions Now
It takes a while to learn from seasoned cruisers, but booking in advance saves so much time and, often, money. Not only do you get the best selection of places and times to dine and the best deals on ship and shore excursions, but you also head into vacation with a plan that’s still flexible. Instead of spending time at guest services, you can sail away knowing your cruise experience makes the most of your vacation.
Royal Caribbean cruisers know what makes these experiences so unforgettable are the endless ways to bond with your group, fellow guests and even yourself. Part of the fun of any cruise is seeing where the wind blows. Still, for the coveted adventures you can’t live without, pre-booking excursions ensures you can secure those once-in-a-lifetime vacation moments for special occasions or just because.
Knowing when to book shows on Royal Caribbean is essential, and having access to your My Royal Cruise or the Royal App account simplifies early bookings once available. Once you’re about a month from embarkation day, head to your account to confirm your dining reservations, show reservations and optional excursions before they sell out. It’s also the best way to find cruise deals and explore cruise shows and live entertainment before setting foot in the cruise terminal. If online bookings pose a hassle, the Royal Customer Service Team can assist by phone at 1-800-256-6649.
