Royal Caribbean’s WOW Bands are one of those little cruise extras that can make a big difference in convenience. For years, cruisers have been able to swap their SeaPass card for a wristband that unlocks stateroom doors, pays for drinks and shopping, and checks you into shows.
And now in August 2025, Royal Caribbean rolled out new designs and new pricing starting with Star of the Seas.
What’s New in 2025
- Updated Design: The latest WOW Bands come in four new colors, including two inspired by Inter Miami CF (the soccer club Royal partners with). They also have a ridged design, more like an Apple Watch band, making them easier to slide on and off.
- Higher Price: WOW Bands now cost $14.99 on Star of the Seas (up from $9.99). Older versions still work and can be reused on future sailings.
- Find My Kid Feature: A separate $14.99 “Find My Kid” version is available at Adventure Ocean for ages 3–12. Parents can track their kids through the Royal app without buying a Wi-Fi package. The system works over the ship’s free app connection.
What Can WOW Bands Do?
Here’s everything they’re useful for (and yes, they’re waterproof):
- Unlock Your Stateroom
- Pay for Drinks, Shops, & Dining (including your drink package)
- Check Towels In & Out at the pool
- Check Into Shows & Activities
- Casino Play — tap to log your play at slot machines
- Kid-Friendly — kids can wear them as ID and a room key, and on Icon & Star of the Seas they work with Find My Kid
- Reusable — reprogram old WOW Bands at Guest Services for future sailings
- Pool & Bar Friendly — waterproof, and easy to scan at bars or towel stands
Which Ships Have WOW Bands?
As of now, WOW Bands are available on:
- Adventure of the Seas
- Allure of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Odyssey of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Star of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas
- Voyager of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
FAQs About WOW Bands
💰 How much do they cost?
Currently $9.99 on most ships. $14.99 on Star of the Seas (and possibly rolling out fleetwide). Suite guests sometimes get them free.
📦 Can I buy before my cruise?
No. Only onboard, usually at Guest Services (some ships sell them at alternate spots on day one to reduce lines).
♻️ Can I reuse an old one?
Yes! Bring it back and Guest Services can reprogram it.
👨👩👧 What about kids?
Kids can wear regular WOW Bands as their SeaPass. On Star of the Seas and Icon, the “Find My Kid” version lets you track them via the app.
🚪 Do I still need my SeaPass card?
Yes, for embarkation, disembarkation, and getting off the ship at ports.
🧴 Any downsides?
A few cruisers have reported minor skin irritation (silicone sensitivity). And you’ll still need your SeaPass for port security and some onboard functions.
Bottom Line
WOW Bands aren’t perfect (some wish they worked to scan off/on the ship or integrated with smartwatches), but they’re a $10–$15 convenience that most cruisers love. If you hate juggling your card at the pool or worry about kids losing their SeaPass, they’re worth it.
👉 Pro Tip: If you want one, head to Guest Services early on embarkation day. Sometimes there’s a short line just for WOW Bands.
Charity Bradley 🌺 
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