If you encounter problems using Online Check-in, please contact Carnival. Dress codes look imposing, and you might feel like you need to have more outfit changes in a single day than most celebrities at an awards ceremony, but the reality is it's not nearly that stringent. These are the times of year when demand is less for cruises to certain regions. Royal Caribbean sells its cruises largely based on the concept of supply and demand. You can then save this information and complete the rest of the check-in process at a later date. You can read more about me here- Meet Shari. Unvaccinated travellers age 5 and However, I highly recommend traveling with a passport. Can anyone who has recently been on the Serenade rec. If you're in a suite, you don't need to pay extra for this package too. We like to carry a backpack onboard the ship on embarkation day. All rights reserved. Most guests pack their bathing suits in the checked luggage, which means they will not have access to it until later that day. Read more:Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it). Its important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. Note: MSC Cruises has a status match program, so you can carry over some of the perks you have with another cruise line. Royal Caribbean now enforces its check-in times, so be sure to check-in for your cruise as soon as check-in opens. Adventure Ocean will be open on the first evening of your cruise, but they have an open house on embarkation day in the afternoon too. If you are wondering what time constitutes, "early", we are talking about sometime between 10am and 11:30am. For Bahamian and Caribbean cruises, check-in registration begins at 11:00 am and embarkation begins at 1:00 pm. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. The FCC . If you do not complete Check-in 3 days prior, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at leasttwohoursprior to the published sailing time. Aurea is the most expensive options and could cost anywhere from $150 to $600 more than the lowest cost experience. By enabling airplane mode, your phone is incapable of using its cellular antenna. Remember, if your suitcase will not fit through the x-rays at the security check-point you will have to employ the services of the porter anyway. 2) Take a security photo. One of my favorite benefits was having access to an amazing restaurant that was reserved for suite guests only. Many guests are curious how early they can board a Royal Caribbean ship on embarkation day, so here is a guide for what to expect. And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore. Lots of passengers arrive early, standing in line for the opportunity to board early and be among the first on the ship. Many cruise lines allow you to pay a little extra for priority access to the ship. Royal Caribbean puts its itineraries on sale as much as two years in advance of the sailing, and while that may be too far in advance for many to plan vacations, the earlier you can book the cruise, the better for that bottom line price. Plus, the agents at the port wont have to take the extra time to verify your birth certificate. You will then go straight to the section on choosing your arrival time and pick the one you want. Guests who were sailing in Star Class and had access to a Royal Genie were permitted to move to the front of the line in order to receive the priority boarding that was included in their suite perks. Be sure to check it. Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows for you to choose from. Either way, you should have plenty of time to enjoy all the entertainment and activities onboard the ship. Royal Caribbean. I see some people skip this step because they want to save a few bucks on tipping. This is by far the least crowded time to swim on the cruise ship. The best reason to use an agent is to save you time, because they are the ones sitting on hold when calling Royal Caribbean. Things I've tried on Royal Caribbean that I won't do again, The worst cruise mistakes our readers have made on a ship. In this post, we will walk you through the whole embarkation process so that youre prepared for your first day on board. Once onboard, cancellations must be made at least 4 hours prior to show time. Like what you see? Believe me, searching for documents in your luggage is not only time-consuming but also frustrating. Keep in mind the differences between Royal Caribbean's shore excursions and third party shore excursions. And the earlier check-in time you have, the sooner you get to get onboard the ship and start vacation. DON'T MISS: One Key Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package Tip Cruisers Need to know Royal Caribbean does not allow passengers to bring hard liquor on board its ships. When I tried to check in for my May 2022 cruise, this step was the only glitchy part of the whole process. The menu can vary from lunch to dinner, but the experience is still the same. Royal Caribbean cruises that depart from the United States will often open the cruise terminal for check-in sometime between 9am and 10am. But if you're at home, it's still a good idea to book as early as you can to lock in the lowest price. Guests who pay for this upgraded status typically receive priority access upon arrival on embarkation day. Royal Caribbean shore excursions are fully refundable if your ship cannot dock at a scheduled port. If you get on the ship early you will find this is one of the best times to enjoy the cruise ship pools without any crowds. While you can book shore excursions onboard your ship, the lines at the shore excursion desk can often be quite long and doing your research from home gives you plenty of time to compare different options and learn what each port offers. Instead of arriving to your departure city on the day of your cruise, get in early! It is the fourth-largest cruise line in the world by passengers, controlling about 8.6% of the total worldwide share of the cruise market by passengers as of 2021. This frees up storage space in your closets and drawers for other things. In our experience, most guests see the times for an activity and begin arrivingafterthe scheduled start time. For your return home, you have the ability to select the flight that best suits your schedule. For some folks, that may sound like lunacy to plan a vacation up to two years in advance, but the fact of the matter is employing this strategy is the key to getting a really great price. 19. The benefits wont always be the same, and you have to fill out a form and wait for approval. For lunch and dinner, you can find a rotating set of options that include pasta, stir-fry, crepes and more. Laundry costs extra, but it may save you money compared to paying to check an extra bag at the airport. The drink packages have become quite popular with guests, but Royal Caribbean rewards guests that purchase their drink package early with a discount. However, once you finally arrive at the port and board the ship, all your worries are washed away. Exclusive a la carte breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on . As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner! This large room consisted of plenty of seating options, refreshments, and restrooms. Want to get an idea of what entertainment, activities and things to do (along with times) will be offered on your cruise? Have you heard about Royal Caribbean's unlimited drink packages? Royal Caribbean shore excursions guarantee your return to the ship, even if the excursion is delayed. In many ports, porters have a special line for Customs that allows you to get through it all faster. Before you book a room, look at the ship's deck plans and look what is above and below your stateroom. Weird. In addition to being able to use your drink package benefits nearly anywhere onboard your ship, Royal Caribbean also extends the benefit to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti. All rights reserved. Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding, Video: Mistakes to avoid on the first day of your cruise, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise, The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. 2. {{alert.title}} {{notification.title}} {{notification . Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. VIP access to shows in Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70, Surf & Stream high-speed internet package, Special breakfast on debarkation day and choice of departure time, Dedicated phone number for guest services, Expedited water shuttle from ship to shore, Daily Complimentary Standard Room Service Breakfast, $50 Spa Discount per person (Port Days Only). Welcome aboard! The price of the cruise is the same whether you book at home or onboard. Each stateroom may bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne, as long as one guest is of legal drinking age. NATURI A sound installation and performance for young audiences from 18 months up to physical or psychomotor skills of 4 years!. Try your best to adhere to the check-in time, but they will still admit you for check-in if you were to arrive later. 1. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. You'll need to buy The Key for every guest in the cabin (age 6 and above) for every night of the cruise. If not, just leave blank, How being early is the secret to the best Royal Caribbean cruise, from start to finish, purchase the drink package of your choice online, 5 Royal Caribbean things you had no idea existed. Read more: 10 biggest tipping mistakes cruisers make. We have found in the US on a standard turn around that you can board a RCL ship starting around 11:30 but . Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays. Royal Caribbean does not charge for its shows, nor does it charge for advanced reservations. Cruise ships will usually begin boarding approximately four hours before the scheduled departure time, typically around 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Did you know Royal Caribbean offers extra onboard credit if you own at least a certain amount of Royal Caribbean Group stock? Royal Caribbean's app is a must-have for your cruise, so make sure to download it before your cruise. You really do not want to bethat personin the airport losing their mind because the latest delay means the entire vacation is in jeopardy. All rights reserved. Keep in mind that other factors may effect your boarding time. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. The right slugs can turn a 12 gauge shotgun into a. The tours and excursions available to book in the ports your cruise will visit are many, so take advantage of the resources online to find the perfect tour before your cruise begins. This provides the ability to break up the total cost of the cruise. Lunch and drink package 3. In that post, we provide tips for staying organized and packing for your trip. Knowing this, we decided to reserve a shuttle service to pick us up at our Miami hotel at 9:30 on embarkation day. I will absolutely think twice about taking a cruise from San Juan again, and RCCL as well for that matter. All E-Docs will be available up to 21 days prior to departure, provided full payment has been received and Online Check-In has been completed. While you may want to save the added expense,regular medical insurance will not usually cover medical services onboard or in port. And it may seem way out of your budget. Once at the Muster Station, you just scan your SetSail Pass. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Read More Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbeans Junior SuitesContinue, Read More Honest Review of Perfect Day at CocoCayContinue, Read More Free Printable Cruise Packing List (with Tips)Continue, Read More Guide to Royal Caribbean Ship Classes (2023)Continue, Read More Easy Guide to Royal Caribbean Online Check InContinue, Read More Honest Review of Oasis of the SeasContinue, Your email address will not be published. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. You'll want to include all of your valuables, medications, and documentation. Cayman Islands: Who's Who & Business Guide. And the price you paid for the cruise is the same whether you get onboard at 11am or 2pm, so may as well get the most time possible. Other families, like mine, like to get the process started as soon as possible. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as . You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Royal Caribbean offers a lot of shore excursions in every port and on top of that, you can also consider shore excursions through third party groups to further expand your options. This is a 9 night cruise and price per night is noted below for each cabin type. The actual times, however, will vary by sailing. Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock. (Sponsored). If you want to find the best prices for the spa on your cruise, consider booking things on port days, or early in the morning or late at night for the best prices. Our hotel (Intercontinental Miami) was a short 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami. Now, if youre planning to embark on a closed-loop itinerary that starts and ends in the United States, you can use your birth certificate and legal name change documentation to board. Want to know one of the best tips for avoiding the worst cruise ship cabins? That's my quick take on the new boarding process for Adventure of the Seas -- the first Royal Caribbean ship to restart operations in North America.. From the moment I began the process on Saturday in Nassau, Bahamas, in advance of the vessel's first sailing in 15 months to the time I stepped into my cabin, almost exactly one . We fly in early enough to explore the port city if we want to prior to embarkation day. Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will need to wait until we are able to work them into another group. We arrived on time (1pm) and waited over three hours to board. I'm not sure RCL has started that. We have an entire forum dedicated to Royal Caribbean roll calls on our message boards that is totally free to use! Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays. At 10:00, the doors to the terminal opened, and the suite guests were escorted to an elevator that took us to a separate security line. For instance, with Royal Caribbeans app you can simply pick your check-in time, add some basic information and come back later to complete the rest. Once we walked to the entrance of Terminal Building A, we saw two separate lines: a LONG line on the left and a short line on the right. In order to avoid having your phone try to use its cellular connection, all modern phones have an ability to turn off its cellular signal by enabling something called, "airplane mode.". With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! If youre still not satisfied you can pay extra for the priority access some cruise lines offer. $250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights, $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 13 nights, $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less. By going on embarkation day, not only will you likely have a short wait but you may be able to re-ride a number of times! First, we recommend choosing your port arrival time before completing anything else during online check in. Our driver dropped us off with the porters at the terminal who checked that all of our bags held luggage tags, which we had printed from our online account. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. Here are my tips for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. Third party shore excursions can offer more personalized tours at a lower price. But if you opt to drag your suitcases all through the terminal and onto the ship youre just slowing down the entire process. While this isnt necessarily the time in which you will board the ship, it is a good indicator of when you will be allowed to embark. Prior to sailing, guests may change or cancel their show reservations online up to 4 days prior to their cruise start date. Read more: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. This makes it easy to undress them poolside, and they can hop right in. How soon can you board a cruise ship before departure? Embark's office is located in an industrial chic building in Boston's Seaport District. We were technically allowed to arrive an hour before this 10:30 slot since we were suite guests. And from there the perks just kept coming. As time progress, more and more staterooms are reserved and stateroom inventory drops, so the price increases conversely. We also use the hairbrush for the kids hair after swimming. That seems like a lot to save an hour or two on embarkation day. And after hopping aboard I was invited to a special lounge for suite guests with all kinds of complimentary foods and beverages. All rights reserved. To save time and money, you really should pre-book beverage packages, dining packages, internet packages and more. Printed Set Sail Pass this morning for April 2nd Sailing of the Serenade of the Seas, out of San Juan. There are two problems with buying The Key for an early check-in. Venue: The Artground Date: 4 - 12 Mar 2023 Fee: $18 per pax (Weekday), $20 per pax (Weekend). Complimentary Canaps (a French hors doeuvre) on second day. Unlike Traditional Dining, you will not be seated at the same table . Quick tip: You should always keep one bag with you. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Embarkation day is often full of a lot of chaos and stress, especially if you are a first time cruiser. The helipad onis located on the bow (front)of the ship and during sailaway, Royal Caribbean permits guests access to the helipad. This is basically a forum for discussing your exact sailing with other people booked on it too. While making a mistake is bound to happen, we can learn from, The proverb, "experience is the best teacher" is a famous proverb ofJulius Caesar, and it applies to so many aspects, While I can't come up with a formula for the perfect cruise for every single person, I can suggest some easy ways to. Using a travel agent simplifies this entire process. By planning to arrive to your departure port at least one day early, you assure yourself that a travel delay will not impact your ability to get on your cruise. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will need to wait until we are able to work them into another group. This online check-in is when you choose your port arrival time. Please note:All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail. Royal Caribbean International has notified guests booked aboard several Allure of the Seas cruises to adjust their boarding times . I booked my Symphony of the Seas cruise five months in advance of my February sail date. 12. long pause. Hi there! View All Cruises By the way, there are still delays in the passport renewal process. We didnt even have to get off the couch. Packing your cruise day bag is important so that you have everything you need for your first day. This is not only a great opportunity for your kids to become familiar with the kids club, but also save time later so all you have to do when the club opens up is drop them off and be done. If you are flying to your cruise port, be sure to fly in at least one day before the cruise is scheduled to depart to protect against a travel delay. We found our SeaPass cards in the room, which are used during the cruise as your room key, identification, credit card, etc. Did you know that Johnny Rockets is complimentary for breakfast on Oasis Class ships? It's the rule that you can only bring liquids three ounces or less in a one quart plastic bag, with one bag per passenger. Don't book a cabin one deck above or below a public space, such as a pool, dining room, or bar. Known. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0f9c8c1261d574f1224454f4fa00eeb" );document.getElementById("d5aa0859c9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. To redeem this benefit, you just need to email[emailprotected]withyour name, address, confirmation number, ship and sailing date along with a copy of your shareholder proxy card or a current brokerage statement showing proof of share ownership. . Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure . Whether the first day or the last day of your cruise, be sure to grab a porter to make things easier on yourself. Try to get on the ship as soon as you can (in other words, get inline at the port early or get to the airport to the Royal Caribbean desk early to get the first transfer to the pier). You'll want to do this as early as you can in order to get an early check-in time and avoid wasting time in the cruise terminal. As long as the cruise line doesnt make a drastic change to their program you will keep reaping the rewards for every cruise. Each cruise line has their own list of prohibited items, so just make sure you follow those instructions and avoid being pulled to the side by security at the cruise terminal. Cruise lines want you to be loyal to them, so ranking up your loyalty tier is a great way to get faster boarding times in addition to a ton of other perks. It has grown into a website full of information on family vacation tips, kid friendly activities, homeschooling organization hacks, and so much more! If guests wish to enjoy their wine or champagne in our dining or bar venues, there will be a corkage fee applied. Your email address will not be published. Corkscrews will be provided for guests to enjoy their drinks in their stateroom. Smart cruise advice, cruise deals, and breaking news. Like what you see? When you complete online check-in, you will be assigned a check-in time. Posted January 23, 2012. It wasn't nearly as easy as usual. For everyone's sanity, this rule does not apply to cruise ships. Because so many guests are just getting onboard and acclimated to the new ship, many guests are unaware of where the headline attractions are or that they are open on embarkation day. A second way to grab an early port arrival time is by purchasing The Key. If that statement does not make a whole lot of sense yet, check out the five steps we outlined in this post to demonstrate why being early will help you have a great cruise. On Voyager, Freedom or Radiance class ships, be sure to visit the helipad for my favorite sailaway spot. If you dont want to spend all morning waiting in lines, or if you just wish you could speed things up, this post is for you. This means you can get extra value from your drink package purchase while anywhere in these private destinations. If you are concerned about the drink package price dropping, take solace in the fact you can always cancel and rebook with no penalty! On cruise day, everyone is excited to board. By having a reservation, you will be seated faster. Fax: +1 345 946 8825. Regardless of which day you choose, some specialty restaurants offer a lunch discount compared to dinner. Just turn airplane mode once you get onboard the ship. The total cost of my cruise for two guests, including gratuities, taxes, and fees, was $1656. Royal Caribbean has The Key, Carnival has Faster to the Fun, and Norwegian has the Priority Access Pass. Her whole family, including the oceanview cabin guests, were permitted to stand in the suite line. Read a past Cruise Compass! Not only can a porter help take a load off of you, they can greatly assist with disembarkation and getting you through the terminal faster. But I have a helpful suggestion. What time to arrive at the port. Please check your email and click the link to confirm, and you're all set! Additionally, a cruise vacation, like any other type of travel, poses a risk for trip interruption, delays, and other unexpected issues. You simply keep your luggage in your room (instead of placing it in the hallway on the last evening of the cruise) and then when the ship is cleared by Customs agents, you take your own luggage and disembark the ship. Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. All sent to your inbox. So many aspects of the cruise experience, from saving money to saving time, can be greatly improved if you embrace the idea of doing it all early. The "3-1-1" rule is ubiquitous in airports. In short, to save time and money, use a good travel agent. So, how do you secure an early arrival time so that you can board the ship as soon as possible? The Online Check-in Process is a 4 step process and Royal Caribbean will walk you through it step by step. ", "When is the best time to book a cruise?" Be the first to write a review! So if you have an early flight and can carry all your bags, then you can be among the first to get off the ship. If you are in My Time Dining for dinner, your best strategy is to make reservations either before the cruise, or during the cruise. Royal Caribbean may send you an email about boarding times, but those are mostly suggestions and not enforced at all. One of the best parts? my last NCL cruise was out of tamp. For assistance in navigating Online Check-in or questions on how to fill out the information - contact your travel agent or if booked directly, contact our Service Specialists at 800 327-5782, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-10:00pm ET and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm . Since these are Royal Caribbean cruise tips that apply primarily to just this cruise line, it's meant to provide advice that almost anyone sailing with Royal Caribbean can use right away. When you get the receipt to sign, look for the line item that indicates if an automatic 18% gratuity is already included. How to Get on Your Cruise Ship As Early as Possible: 7 We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs.