The Cruise Planner App: Pre-Cruise Shopping Explained
Once your cruise is booked, the line opens a pre-cruise shop. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity call theirs the Cruise Planner; other lines use their own names, but the idea is the same. You use the cruise planner app or website to buy and reserve parts of your trip before you board.
Royal Caribbean’s FAQ lists what can be bought this way: shore excursions, specialty dining, beverage packages, spa and fitness reservations, internet packages and photo packages. Other lines offer similar categories through their apps, and Carnival HUB, MSC for Me and the Princess Cruises app all describe pre-cruise booking of excursions and packages.
What to Buy Early, What to Leave
| Item | Why people book early | Reason to wait |
|---|---|---|
| Shore excursions | Popular tours sell out; times are fixed | Plans may change; check cancellation terms |
| Specialty dining | Prime times fill on busy sailings | You may prefer to see the ship first |
| Drinks packages | Lines often run pre-cruise sales | Only worth it if you will drink enough to cover it |
| Internet | Pre-cruise sales and setup at home | You may decide you want a quieter week |
| Spa | Sea-day appointments go first | Onboard specials sometimes appear |
Cruise planner prices can move up and down. Check the line’s rules on cancelling and re-buying, and keep an eye on the planner in the weeks before sailing. Port-by-port excursion ideas are on our sister sites, starting with Shore Activities and Caribbean Cruise Ports.
Planner Tips From Our Cruise Advisors
- Log in soon after booking and again a few weeks before sailing; offers come and go.
- Buy drinks packages for the whole cabin if the line requires it — many do. Read the rules first.
- Screenshot or print every confirmation before you leave home.
- Ask your advisor whether an amenity on your booking, such as onboard credit, already covers something you were about to buy.
Wondering what costs extra on a cruise in the first place? Ask the Cruise Specialists explains the common extras.
Where the Planner Fits in Your Booking Timeline
| When | What usually opens in the planner |
|---|---|
| Soon after booking | Browsing and many pre-cruise purchases; early sales on packages |
| Months before sailing | Shore excursions and specialty dining on most lines |
| When check-in opens | Online check-in, arrival times and boarding documents in the app |
| Final days before sailing | Last chance for many pre-cruise prices; some items close before departure |
| On board | Purchases move to the ship’s systems and your onboard account |
Exact timings vary by line and sailing. The booking milestones themselves are on Web Cruise Reservations.
Cruise Planner FAQ
Is it cheaper to buy in the cruise planner before sailing?
Royal Caribbean’s own FAQ says pre-cruise purchasing often provides better pricing and ensures availability. That is a general statement, not a guarantee for every item; compare before you buy.
What if a cruise planner price drops after I buy?
Royal Caribbean’s FAQ says you can cancel the earlier order and buy again at the current price. Other lines have their own rules, so check before relying on it.
Do cruise planner purchases count toward my onboard spending?
They are paid in advance, so they are not added to your onboard account. Keep the confirmations.
Book With Extras Already Built In
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will tell you which promotions include drinks, Wi-Fi or credit before you start shopping.
Ask About Inclusions