However, once you finally arrive at the port and board the ship, all your worries are washed away. 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. Here are 7 proven ways to board your cruise ship faster on embarkation day. There's no way to know that's happened without checking manually. Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. The larger the group, the more important having a reservation is to limiting the wait times. This allows us to keep our things organized and within easy access. In addition to the drink package, a wifi package also works while at CocoCay. Youll also find a free printable cruise packing list! Once at the Muster Station, you just scan your SetSail Pass. It has grown into a website full of information on family vacation tips, kid friendly activities, homeschooling organization hacks, and so much more! I see some people skip this step because they want to save a few bucks on tipping. Did you know that Johnny Rockets is complimentary for breakfast on Oasis Class ships? Royal Caribbean is quite understanding about schedules, and if you need to get off the ship sooner, they are usually very accommodating. Employees come over to make you show that you are in a suite. Did you know Royal Caribbean offers extra onboard credit if you own at least a certain amount of Royal Caribbean Group stock? Downloading the app before you get on your ship means you'll be able to easily and quickly download it and set it up before you step aboard. The plan offered is called the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program, and it provides the following coverage: $25k Emergency Travel Medical Insurance. Here are some basic considerations. I would love to hearyourtips and tricks! Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 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. When you go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you have a choice of places to eat throughout the day. Holland American Line: Mariner Society . 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. After having paused this program during the cruise re-openings , Carnival is now offering Faster to the Fun again. You can view all the shore excursions available by logging into Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner and browsing the shore excursions by port. 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. People often wonder what is the cheapest month to go on a cruise, and the key is cruise when others cannot. Then, the dads in our group took the kids to the pool so that they could swim in virtually empty swimming areas. The embarkation process is stressful enough without adding in the guy behind you asking you to hurry things up in the most colorful of ways. 1. After we completed this check-in procedure, our family sat in the waiting area until it was our turn to board the ship. So which food is included and which cost extra? A Royal Caribbean cruise is hands down my favorite type of vacation, and with so many years of going cruising, I have come across a lot of tricks and tips that really enhance my cruise. Questions are often worded like, "How do I get a deal? You can use it to check-into your cruise (more on that in the next tip), book entertainment, shore excursions and packages. Unfortunately, there's no wifi coverage in Labadee. Depending on your disembarkation time and port, the time needed to arrive at the airport will vary. Peak dinner time is between 6:30pm and 8:00pm, so if you plan to dine during these times, reservations are so important. If you're in a suite, you don't need to pay extra for this package too. When we say "early", it essentially means as early as you can. Getting on the ship for us is also the point when the cruise 'starts'. Save time on your cruise by getting your kids signed up for Royal Caribbean's complimentary kids programming on the first day of the cruise. So, continue reading below to find out everything you need to know about how to get an early boarding time on Royal Caribbean, so you can get started on your vacation as soon as possible! Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0f9c8c1261d574f1224454f4fa00eeb" );document.getElementById("d5aa0859c9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. The earlier you can book, the best chance you will have at getting a good price on your cruise. In that post, we provide tips for staying organized and packing for your trip. 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. If not, just leave blank. If you selected my-time dining you will want to select your preferred time as the most popular times book up fast. Too many parents are unaware of the open house and waste time signing their kids up as the evening session is set to begin. If you are wondering what time constitutes, "early", we are talking about sometime between 10am and 11:30am. Kids get special pricing at a specialty restaurant, so buy dining packages only for the adults. Guests can use onboard credit towards purchasing Royal Caribbean'sshore excursions if they book onboard. Commonly it is expected to tip somewhere around $1-$2 per bag. 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. Many cruise lines allow you to pay a little extra for priority access to the ship. So, anyone in the wrong line was asked to move. If you choose to fly ChoiceAir, Royal Caribbean automatically displays only the airline schedules that will enable you to meet your cruise. 12. long pause. 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. Whether the first day or the last day of your cruise, be sure to grab a porter to make things easier on yourself. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. If your cruise leaves at a different time than this, check with your cruise line to see what time embarkation begins. Often this comes down to the ports of call being visited by the cruise line. Firearms and ammunition, including plastic replicas and toys, Sharp objects like knives and scissors(scissors with a blade length of less than 4 inches are allowed), Coffee makers, clothes irons, travel steamers and hot plates, Alcoholic beverages like beer, selter, or hard liquor. For groups traveling with more than two people per room, however, a new policy could allow groups to bring . Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. The moms in our group then ran errands to take care of some items. There arediscounts, vouchers, and even freebies anyone can take advantage of once onboard. If you plan on visiting the pool deck, you'll want a bathing suit, sunscreen, and other pool essentials. my last NCL cruise was out of tamp. You can change in a public restroom, and towels are available at the pool area to use. Lets look at what some of these early-access programs offer. This frees up storage space in your closets and drawers for other things. Unvaccinated travellers age 5 and [Subscribe fo. A Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. The price of the September 13, 2024 cruise on the Serenade of the Seas ranges from $690 for an inside cabin to $1,963 for a suite. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! This is the perfect time to make dining changes/requests, book activities and specialty restaurants, secure shore excursions, etc. All rights reserved. Whether it is a show, a ride on North Star or the tenders to CocoCay, the absolute key to avoiding waiting in any semblance of a line is to arrive before these activities are scheduled to open/operate/perform. In that case, keep in mind the luggage tags you will be provided with can be swapped out at Guest Services for a luggage tag with an earlier disembarkation time. This was a huge relief from the typical check-in desk with long check-in lines we have experienced in the past. Comment below to share your tips with us! Plus, the Royal Caribbean app will have all of the activities for the day listed so that you can easily reference it during your sailing. By arriving early, you will beat the big crowds that descend upon the cruise terminal later in the day, and you also get the added benefit of having some extra time onboard the ship. Rope dropping is also a great strategy for the sort of activities that quickly generate a line. If you dont have extra room in the budget, the first point in this article will help the most. The "3-1-1" rule is ubiquitous in airports. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. If getting onto your cruise ship as early as possible is important to you these tips above should help. Hi there! We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. Royal Caribbean may send you an email about boarding times, but those are mostly suggestions and not enforced at all. Read more:Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it). Known. Set Sail pass states that boarding begins at 2:00 PM. But did you know if you wait to book your drink package onboard the ship you will be overpaying for it? 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Once onboard, cancellations must be made at least 4 hours prior to show time. After all, if you want to jump in that pool as soon as you get on the ship you might as well be prepared. The common thread among these times is it is when others are unable or unwilling to go to the spa, so prices tend to be better. This large room consisted of plenty of seating options, refreshments, and restrooms. And from there the perks just kept coming. You can read more about me here- Meet Shari. For Bahamian and Caribbean cruises, check-in registration begins at 11:00 am and embarkation begins at 1:00 pm. You can then save this information and complete the rest of the check-in process at a later date. Whether this is your first cruise or youre a seasoned pro, we hope you have a great trip! If you subscribe to the theory that time is money, then you definitely want to arrive to your embarkation port early. DON'T assume your cabin is pristine and in working order, if you tend to worry about such things. 90% refund of cruise credits if you Cancel for Any Reason. And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore. Fax: +1 345 946 8825. 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. All rights reserved. Note that boarding did come to a stop at one point. There, crewmembers will typically check you in via . Search Now If you want to have a hassle-free boarding process, its important to stay organized and keep all your important documents organized and easily accessible. Any money saved is always welcome! The FCC . Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Smart cruise advice, cruise deals, and breaking news. If you are sailing on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship, you can pre-book shows in advance, such as the Broadway musicals or ice shows. In this post, we will walk you through the whole embarkation process so that youre prepared for your first day on board. If you believe in the, "rip the Band-Aid off quickly" theory of life, than disembarking your ship early will likely result in a shorter wait. Embark's office is located in an industrial chic building in Boston's Seaport District. If you ever wanted to see what the suite life was all about I recommend booking a short 3 day cruise. On my most recent cruise on Oasis of the Seas, my family and I had junior suites booked with a 10:30 am port arrival time. Be sure to check it. Some specialty restaurants will cost less if you eat there for lunch. But given that you must make many decisions during the booking process, it can pay to use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you arrange things. The Online Check-in Process is a 4 step process and Royal Caribbean will walk you through it step by step. Jon can be reached at. The price you pay for the cruise is the same whether you board at noon or 2pm, so you may as well get the extra two hours of fun! 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). Powered by Cruiseline.com. There are a few tricks to scoring early arrival times if you are eager to be one of the first passengers on the ship. This is a great spot to see the port as you leave, especially for those that do not have a balcony stateroom or simply want something a little different. Before the cruise, guests may change the show/ti. Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. This includes your passport, boarding pass, and any other necessary paperwork. 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. You can even start using your drink packages right away to help you get into vacation mode even faster! Even if you have an international cell phone plan, cruise ship cellular coverage is rarely included. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. If you ask seasoned travelers how they get around these obstacles, the answer is often to give yourself more time. Complimentary Canaps (a French hors doeuvre) on second day. 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. Royal Caribbean offers all guests the option to bring their own luggage (rather than have their luggage delivered to the terminal) and leave the ship anytime once customs officials clear the ship. The rule is a thorn in the side of many travelers. To be honest, your embarkation day usually starts . Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Arrived to the port at 10:30. If you'd like to arrive at that time, go right ahead! These are not the times you actually board the ship. 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. Royal Caribbean sales promotions will come and go, but if you talk to folks who book their cruises very early, they will tell you that booking super-early beats most sales offers. 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. There are also two different times to consider: what time can you board your ship and what time can you arrive at the port to check-in. If you dont plan on using the pools, you may not need nearly as many items as we do. It can feel like torture if you have to wait a long time to board your ship. Lots of passengers arrive early, standing in line for the opportunity to board early and be among the first on the ship. While I do enjoy sailing on many different cruise lines and seeing how they compare, sticking with one line can get you those loyalty perks. He also directed us on exactly where to go and made certain we understood we needed passports/identification documents. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of this page for more details.). This includes accepting the cruise contract, answering the health questions, and choosing your boarding time. 5 rounds of Hornady SST Lite 12 Gauge 2 3/4" Shotgun Slugs. Avoid a huge cell phone bill by putting your phone into airplane mode while on your cruise. Most guests pack their bathing suits in the checked luggage, which means they will not have access to it until later that day. What time to arrive at the port. Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. And after hopping aboard I was invited to a special lounge for suite guests with all kinds of complimentary foods and beverages. Theirservices are complimentary, although a tip is expected for their trouble. Getting an early arrival slot means that you can board the ship earlier than . This means you can get extra value from your drink package purchase while anywhere in these private destinations. Things I've tried on Royal Caribbean that I won't do again, The worst cruise mistakes our readers have made on a ship. 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. If you are concerned about the drink package price dropping, take solace in the fact you can always cancel and rebook with no penalty! 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. One of the Royal Caribbean suite perks is that suite guests are permitted to enter the terminal one hour before their official port arrival time. All rights reserved. The benefits wont always be the same, and you have to fill out a form and wait for approval. This is by far the least crowded time to swim on the cruise ship. Love Cruise Fever?Sign Up to Our FREE Newsletter! Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. About a week before the cruise, the Suite Concierge will email suite guests with an introduction and outline basic suite policies, including a flexible arrival policy, where suite guests can arrive one hour before or after their check-in time. On Voyager, Freedom or Radiance class ships, be sure to visit the helipad for my favorite sailaway spot. Royal Caribbean cruises that depart from the United States will often open the cruise terminal for check-in sometime between 9am and 10am. Search Multiple Sites at Once 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. Ships embarking on cruises from Amsterdam are docked in one of two places: Felison Terminal, where smaller ships dock, or the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam , where a 10-minute walk will take you to a popular station. Many people here, I think, . (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). Here are some of the benefits included with this program: Carnival Cruise Line: Faster to the Fun (FTTF). $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. Ideally, you'll book a cruise at NextCruise while on a sailing when struck with the inspiration to book another cruise. 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. While you may want to save the added expense,regular medical insurance will not usually cover medical services onboard or in port. You can save and come back to the process at a later time. Generally speaking, the best price for a Royal Caribbean cruise can be found when booked many months in advance. The key is to understand what the ship you're booking has and doesn't have so there's no disappointment later. Royal Caribbean warns there could be a delay in beginning the check-in procedure if you're late, but you will still be able to get to the cruise. Take advantage of the opportunity to get tickets and not be stuck in a line waiting to enter the theater or worse, miss out on the show completely. 2023 Mom's Plan-it Vacation Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbeans Junior Suites, Free Printable Cruise Packing List (with Tips), Guide to Royal Caribbean Ship Classes (2023), Easy Guide to Royal Caribbean Online Check In. Some families prefer to arrive in the afternoon, so they dont have to navigate crowds at the terminal. Modified Date: Jan 6, 2023. Posted January 23, 2012. Entertainment is typically included in your cruise fare but on the largest ships, you are required to make reservations. 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. If you want to try Sky Pad, FlowRider, rock climbing wall or zipline, take advantage of lower waits on the first day of the cruise. 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. This is basically a forum for discussing your exact sailing with other people booked on it too. When we say "early", we mean booking your cruise 12, 18 or even 24 months before the sail date. And the earlier check-in time you have, the sooner you get to get onboard the ship and start vacation. Each stateroom may bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne, as long as one guest is of legal drinking age. And in that case theres nothing you can do but sit back and make the best of it. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will . If you want a ship with a Broadway show, book Oasis or Harmony of the Seas, but skip Wonder of the Seas. The exact amount of the discount will vary from sailing to sailing, but in general, the savings of booking a drink package online before a cruise can be as much as over $10 per person, per day compared to booking it onboard. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), also known in short as Norwegian, is an American cruise line founded in 1966, incorporated in Bermuda and headquartered in Miami. This makes it easy to undress them poolside, and they can hop right in. The first time I booked a suite was on Celebrity Silhouette. All sent to your inbox. So, how do you secure an early arrival time so that you can board the ship as soon as possible? These are the times of year when demand is less for cruises to certain regions. But if you opt to drag your suitcases all through the terminal and onto the ship youre just slowing down the entire process. Additionally, a cruise vacation, like any other type of travel, poses a risk for trip interruption, delays, and other unexpected issues. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. However, I highly recommend traveling with a passport. Priority access off the ship to the shore in port. (This post may contain affiliate links. That being said, my sister had a junior suite AND an oceanview room booked. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Over the course of a 7-night cruise, those savings add up quickly! This means you can still be on Royal Caribbean's wifi and use the app, but avoid a huge bill. 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. 2. An unusual exit wound as a result of a shotgun suicide to the head. But I have a helpful suggestion. Each cruiser scanned his/her SetSail Pass (from the Royal Caribbean app) and was permitted to board the ship. 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. Readers share: Whats the best piece of cruise advice you have ever received? What you want to do is log onto the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's website and purchase the drink package of your choice online. And it may seem way out of your budget. We arrived on time (1pm) and waited over three hours to board. As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner! Many newspapers also spread a false story on April Fish Day, and a subtle reference to a fish is sometimes given as a clue to . Your loyalty status doesnt reset at the end of the year. If you're flying to your cruise, take heed of what happened today as an important reminder of what not to do, We have a quick tip to share on how you can save money on your next Royal Caribbean cruise before you ever set foot on, The Royal Caribbean Blog staff collectively spent over 270 nights on Royal Caribbean ships in 2022. Possible pranks include attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim's back without being noticed. Carnival allows you to check-in 14 days before the cruise date, for Royal Caribbean its 45 days, and for Norwegian Cruise Line you can check in 21 days before a sailing. By enabling airplane mode, your phone is incapable of using its cellular antenna. Naturally everyone thinks of the main dining room for dinner, but did you know it is often open forlunch (and breakfast) too? Ideally, you want other staterooms on either deck and not public venues like pools, restaurants or other public venues. In short, to save time and money, use a good travel agent. Two restaurants that always offer a cheaper lunch price than dinner are Chops Grille and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. If someone cancels their cruise, their check-in time goes back into the system for someone else to grab. Once you're cleared to board, you will follow a gangway (elevated ramps) up to the ship. For just a few dollars, you can make the embarkation and disembarkation process significantly easier. Like what you see? 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. But how early can you board the cruise ship? . 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. (He was right!) Thanked the person politely and hung-up. In most cases, you should be able to save at least $10 per person compared to dinner (if not more). Usually, guests who book The Key are allowed to check-in with the first group (an exact time will be emailed later). Here are the 8 easy strategies I used to save money on my Royal Caribbean cruise that you can use too. Your fellow guests won't notice you wore that pair of jeans or dress from night two. This option may not beviable for everyone because families and large groups may find lugging all their stuff from the stateroom to the terminal is not practical. I pack sunscreen to apply before swimming, and we carry on other essentials that we need before dinner. Simply check in on the very day availability opens. You don't plan to take advantage of its . Taking the time to purchase anything onboard does not take very much time, but every little bit helps, and some purchases on the first day of the cruise can require waiting in a line, such as drink packages. Most cruise ships will . How to Complete Check-In. Remington Premier Copper 12 Gauge 3 Inch 1550 FPS 1 Ounce . Easier said than done, but you probably won't need all the clothes, shoes, and outfits you think you might need on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Exclusive a la carte breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on . Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. The biggest key is being prepared and knowing when you should or shouldnt pay extra to get on board faster. No one wants to think worst case scenario, but you're probably better off buying a travel insurance plan for your cruise than risking not having it. We also use the hairbrush for the kids hair after swimming. In the weeks leading up to your cruise, be sure to complete online check-in. Here are my tips for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. Before you book a room, look at the ship's deck plans and look what is above and below your stateroom. Don't book a cabin one deck above or below a public space, such as a pool, dining room, or bar. Aurea is the most expensive options and could cost anywhere from $150 to $600 more than the lowest cost experience.