Things like medications, documents, passports, and even a bathing suit and some sunscreen can be kept in this bag. The drink packages have become quite popular with guests, but Royal Caribbean rewards guests that purchase their drink package early with a discount. Her whole family, including the oceanview cabin guests, were permitted to stand in the suite line. That seems like a lot to save an hour or two on embarkation day. If you have an adult in your room that does not drink (much) alcohol, you can get around this rule by calling Royal Caribbean and requesting that person get the Royal Refreshment package. The Windjammer on Radiance and Quantum class ships offers an area at the rear of the ship to enjoy any meal with a fantastic view of the ship's wake. From a bag getting lost in transit to flight cancellations, its always better to be protected than to not have insurance when you need it most. MSC Cruises has three experiences to choose from: Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea. You can even start using your drink packages right away to help you get into vacation mode even faster! This online check-in is when you choose your port arrival time. After combing through my notes, here's the best tips and tricks for taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. 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. First, we recommend choosing your port arrival time before completing anything else during online check in. First, if you miss The Key check-in window, you have to fall back to whatever time you had before. Our rooms then opened up at around 1:00 that afternoon. A passenger can't sail from one U.S. port and get off at another U.S. port (even for the day) without the trip including a foreign port of call in the itinerary. Often this comes down to the ports of call being visited by the cruise line. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! If you buy heavy duty magnets with hooks, you can use these magnets to store certain items. It can feel like torture if you have to wait a long time to board your ship. Here are some of the benefits included with this program: Carnival Cruise Line: Faster to the Fun (FTTF). Once you get onboard and connect to the ship's wifi, it will ask you if you want to just use the app. The moms in our group then ran errands to take care of some items. 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. 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. If you are wondering what time constitutes, "early", we are talking about sometime between 10am and 11:30am. Several years ago, I decided to start this blog to document our family trips. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. Its just easier and faster. And in that case theres nothing you can do but sit back and make the best of it. Youll also find that the water slides dont have long lines at this time on embarkation day. (Sponsored). 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. Your loyalty status doesnt reset at the end of the year. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0f9c8c1261d574f1224454f4fa00eeb" );document.getElementById("d5aa0859c9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. On embarkation day, the pools are open so be sure to pack a bathing suit in your carry-on luggage so that you can enjoy them with less crowds! The cruise line can have an impact as some lines have different embarkation . Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. 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. Booked my cruise early. The right slugs can turn a 12 gauge shotgun into a. and the answer to them all is simple: book your cruise as early as you can. Depending on the length of your sailing, you can get up to $250 onboard credit. Royal Caribbean now enforces its check-in times, so be sure to check-in for your cruise as soon as check-in opens. You really do not want to bethat personin the airport losing their mind because the latest delay means the entire vacation is in jeopardy. If your schedule allows, the best time to cruise when prices are the lowest are in the off-season and shoulder seasons. There is no way to know in absolute terms what your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise will or will not offer, but Royal Caribbean insiders will consult past Cruise Compass' to see what was available on those similar sailings to get an idea of what to expect. 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 . He also directed us on exactly where to go and made certain we understood we needed passports/identification documents. Cayman Islands: Who's Who & Business Guide. Each excursion will list the price, details of the activity and any physical or age restrictions. Today, we, While I absolutely love cruising and traveling, we all know that sometimes things dont go exactly as we planned., We all make mistakes, including when on a cruise ship. The simplest and easiest way to get on the ship faster is taking care of the check-in process early. You may also want to pack a dinner outfit, especially if you . 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. In addition, Royal Caribbean has onboard laundry services you can use to make wearing the same clothes later in the cruise more practical. And the earlier check-in time you have, the sooner you get to get onboard the ship and start vacation. On a cruise, your vacation starts as soon as you set foot on your cruise ship. NATURI - A Sound Installation & Performance. If youre still not satisfied you can pay extra for the priority access some cruise lines offer. I'm not sure RCL has started that. Other families, like mine, like to get the process started as soon as possible. Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows for you to choose from. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Getting on the ship for us is also the point when the cruise 'starts'. Holland American Line: Mariner Society . 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. Like what you see? You will then go straight to the section on choosing your arrival time and pick the one you want. Royal Caribbean does not post or publish Cruise Compasses for upcoming sailings in advance. The plan offered is called the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program, and it provides the following coverage: $25k Emergency Travel Medical Insurance. Talk to a few agents and feel them out for their knowledge of the product and when you find one that you are comfortable with, leverage their knowledge and expertiseand book with them. Most cruise ships will . When we say "early", it essentially means as early as you can. Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock. 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. Members also get invitations to special events, like behind-the-scenes tours of the ship. A second way to grab an early port arrival time is by purchasing The Key. When we say "early", we mean booking your cruise 12, 18 or even 24 months before the sail date. If your cruise leaves at a different time than this, check with your cruise line to see what time embarkation begins. After we completed this check-in procedure, our family sat in the waiting area until it was our turn to board the 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. Hi there! Related: Photography on Cruise Ships: What to Expect. 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). Our hotel (Intercontinental Miami) was a short 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. There is a lot that goes into a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation, from your cruise fare (and the slew of discounts available), to dining, shore excursions, air travel and more. Get Cruise Savvy with our FREE Newsletter! We know youre eager to arrive at the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean 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. This allows us to keep our things organized and within easy access. By enabling airplane mode, your phone is incapable of using its cellular antenna. The price for The Key varies by sailing, but prices start at $25 per guest for each day of the cruise. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. Your fellow guests won't notice you wore that pair of jeans or dress from night two. However, the earlier your arrival time, the sooner you are usually able to embark on the ship. Royal Caribbean cruises that depart from the United States will often open the cruise terminal for check-in sometime between 9am and 10am. However, the cruise terminal in Miami did not open its doors until 10:00 am. 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. Aurea is the most expensive options and could cost anywhere from $150 to $600 more than the lowest cost experience. 2011-2023, Cruise Fever . 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. When I tried to check in for my May 2022 cruise, this step was the only glitchy part of the whole process. The price of the cruise is the same whether you book at home or onboard. Once logged in, navigate toOnboard Activitiesand select the show you wish to reserve. Questions are often worded like, "How do I get a deal? Call (225) 687-7590 or what can i bring on a cruise royal caribbean today! Some days it's sunny, some days it's stormy, some days it's just . Most guests pack their bathing suits in the checked luggage, which means they will not have access to it until later that day. Want to get an idea of what entertainment, activities and things to do (along with times) will be offered on your cruise? An unusual exit wound as a result of a shotgun suicide to the head. my last NCL cruise was out of tamp. Kids get special pricing at a specialty restaurant, so buy dining packages only for the adults. For everyone's sanity, this rule does not apply to cruise ships. Here is a list of several cruise lines that offer priority boarding when you gain loyalty status and what it takes to get there: Most of the time if you have priority boarding you will also have priority disembarkation included as well. Test out the TV, the toilet and the lights; check for bed bugs; sanitize anything you need to. As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner! You should always let the cruise terminal porters take your large bags for you. Inside a tree trunk, a forest nymph spends its day. All Oasis-class ships offer this option, but many guests are unaware that breakfast is served here, nor that it is included with your cruise fare (Johnny Rockets has a cover charge for lunch and dinner). Do you know about when you'd like to sail? For lunch and dinner, you can find a rotating set of options that include pasta, stir-fry, crepes and more. We also use the hairbrush for the kids hair after swimming. If you followed our previous advice about arriving to your port city early, then likely your hotel will have a check-out time in the early part of the morning, which is the perfect excuse to head to the cruise port. Don't worry, you don't need to buy an internet package to use the Royal Caribbean app. In addition, these roll calls are helpful because someone might spot a change or announcement before you, which can greatly benefit you by getting ahead of the pack. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? One of the best cruise ship cabin hacks is to bring magnets with you on your cruise. Royal Caribbean. On Voyager, Freedom or Radiance class ships, be sure to visit the helipad for my favorite sailaway spot. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. I wrote about this in the post on 19 things you should do on embarkation day. 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. When you go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you have a choice of places to eat throughout the day. Generally speaking, the best price for a Royal Caribbean cruise can be found when booked many months in advance. 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. 90% refund of cruise credits if you Cancel for Any Reason. #4 Check into your cruise as soon as you can Royal Caribbean now enforces its check-in times, so be sure to check-in for your cruise as soon as check-in opens. In short, to save time and money, use a good travel agent. Through our past experiences, on many different lines, we have boarded closer to 11:00. Cruise ships have to receive clearance from port authorities in order to be able to allow passengers from the previous cruise off the ship. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? 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. . Knowing this, we decided to reserve a shuttle service to pick us up at our Miami hotel at 9:30 on embarkation day. 2. Your stateroom walls are made of metal, and that means you can stick a magnet on any of them (even the ceiling). This was super fast and easy as the Muster Stations were all clearly labeled and close to where we walked onto 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. 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. Weird. Be sure to check it. However, I highly recommend traveling with a passport. (He was right!) One mistake a lot of new cruisers make is to book the cheapest cruise they can find because they assume the ships are more less all the same. 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. In addition to that you get to the best locations on the ship, personalized service, exclusive amenities, and other complimentary perks. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. If you have a cruise booked with Royal Caribbean, you can typically check-in around 45 days before your sail date. No reservations needed, just walk on in and be seated. Some families prefer to arrive in the afternoon, so they dont have to navigate crowds at the terminal. While you may want to save the added expense,regular medical insurance will not usually cover medical services onboard or in port. The boarding process for the 1/8 Adventure of the Seas cruise to the S. Caribbean was horrible. How to Complete Check-In. While frustrating to not have the rules enforced across the board, we still recommend adhering to the check-in time window to avoid any possible denial of boarding until later. In many ports, porters have a special line for Customs that allows you to get through it all faster. 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 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. Not only will buying your drink packages online save you money, it will also save you time because typically there can be lines to purchase the drink packages onboard the ship. Once at the Muster Station, you just scan your SetSail Pass. Can anyone who has recently been on the Serenade rec. Please plan your arrival accordingly to avoid the possibility of not being permitted to sail. Been a while since I've been on Royal Caribbean and we are sailing tomorrow out of Miami. Answer (1 of 9): It is becoming more common to have a check-in time on your boarding pass. The menu can vary from lunch to dinner, but the experience is still the same. The Windjammer is the go-to spot for most when they get onboard their Royal Caribbean ship for lunch, but there are good alternatives that are less crowded. The faster you get on the cruise ship on embarkation day, the sooner you can start enjoying your vacation. Quick tip: You should always keep one bag with you. Each stateroom may bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne, as long as one guest is of legal drinking age. Called RCL this morning and got a weird / rude response when asking about what time I can board the ship. The helipad onis located on the bow (front)of the ship and during sailaway, Royal Caribbean permits guests access to the helipad. The cost is $129 for a 3-5 day cruise and $199 for a 6-9 day cruise with higher rates for longer voyages. 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. Readers share: Whats the best piece of cruise advice you have ever received? Be sure to look up all your benefits, and ensure you use the most lucrative Crown and Anchor Society perks during your sailing so you can reap the best rewards! Exclusive a la carte breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on . Youll also find a free printable cruise packing list! Did you know Royal Caribbean offers extra onboard credit if you own at least a certain amount of Royal Caribbean Group stock? Tipping hard working crew members is a must-do, but double check the bill that it's not already included. While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern. Smart cruise advice, cruise deals, and breaking news. There are plenty of ways to improve one's cruise, but if you remember a single mantra for your cruise, it should be simply to be early. All rights reserved. Many cruise lines allow you to pay a little extra for priority access to the ship. Posted January 23, 2012. , Cruising in 2023 is mostly back to normal following the pandemic-induced changes implemented across the industry in. 2) Take a security photo. To save time and money, you really should pre-book beverage packages, dining packages, internet packages and more. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Once you're cleared to board, you will follow a gangway (elevated ramps) up to the ship. 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. On cruise day, everyone is excited to board. For instance, although medical marijuana may be legal in parts of the United States, it is not allowed in most part of the Caribbean, and therefore will not be permitted on the ship. Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete Check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise. The day your cruise begins is full of excitement, and naturally, you may be wondering what time you can board the ship. Our next RCL isn't until December 2016. So, make sure you keep everything within reach and enjoy a smooth boarding process. We found our SeaPass cards in the room, which are used during the cruise as your room key, identification, credit card, etc. For example, a 7 day cruise with the Bella experience will earn you 500 points, while that same cruise with the Aurea experience will net you 1,000 points. All rights reserved. Jon lives in the foothills of North Carolina and wishes there were a cruise port that far inland. One of the best parts? 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. Prior to sailing, guests may change or cancel their show reservations online up to 4 days prior to their cruise start date. One of the best ways to stay informed with what's happening on your sailing is to join a roll call for your sailing. Our $2,179.98 cruise has an insurance cost of $138 if bought through Royal Caribbean. Packing your cruise day bag is important so that you have everything you need for your first day. These are the times of year when demand is less for cruises to certain regions. For groups traveling with more than two people per room, however, a new policy could allow groups to bring . 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. Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. You can bring soda, water, energy drinks and any other non-alcoholic beverages. Embark's office is located in an industrial chic building in Boston's Seaport District. Read more: 10 biggest tipping mistakes cruisers make. Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. The earlier you arrive on embarkation day, the earlier you will board the ship. My Time Dining usually begins around 6:00pm and lasts until 9:30pm, giving you a wide range of times to choose from. However, if you show up just 10-15 minutes before these events, you will likely find few, if any, other guests waiting and first shot at even the most popular activities. Cruise lines offer several boarding times and can only allow for so many in each slot. We didnt even have to get off the couch. If you want a ship with a Broadway show, book Oasis or Harmony of the Seas, but skip Wonder of the Seas. But how early can you board the cruise ship? Not only are the dress codes quite liberal, you can also re-use the same clothes on the same sailing. When you make a reservation for a restaurant onboard, let your server know the adults have dining packages, but kids don't and you will get a better price than if you bought the dining package for everyone. These nifty little secrets can save money, time or both, and so I wanted to whittle them down to thebestRoyal Caribbean tips and tricks in hopes of savingyoutime and money! Keep in mind that other factors may effect your boarding time. (Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas). The Aurea experience provides much more than just priority access and luggage drop off, also including access to the Top Exclusive Solarium, access to the thermal suite, discounted drink package rates, free delivery of room service and more. The last day of your cruise is never fun, and regardless of how many times you cruise, it never gets any less depressing. Unsubscribe whenever you want. But did you know if you wait to book your drink package onboard the ship you will be overpaying for it? 19 things you should do on embarkation day, 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise, loyalty programs on 8 different cruise lines, 10 biggest tipping mistakes cruisers make, 13 Biggest Mistakes Made by Carnival Cruise Passengers [Carnival Tips], Royal Caribbean Updates Perks in Loyalty Program, Carnival to Send Newly Upgraded Ship on 14-Day Transatlantic Cruise, 7 Reasons You Should Never Fly on Cruise Day, 19 Things You Should Do on Cruise Embarkation Day in 2023, Ultimate List of Shuttles From Orlando Airport (MCO) to Port Canaveral, Best Galveston Cruise Parking Tips, Rates & Locations [Read Before Cruise], Carnival Bringing a Fourth Cruise Ship to Galveston, Texas, Carry-on bag drop off in the main dining room. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. If you are on a Radiance or Quantum Class ship, be sure to enjoy your meals outside while at the Windjammer. I see some people skip this step because they want to save a few bucks on tipping. 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. 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. In addition to the non-alcoholic beverages, you can also bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom. 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. I pack my kids undergarments for them to put on after they swim. On sea days, the main dining room is open for lunch and it serves up a different menu of options than what is offered during dinner. 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. People often wonder what is the cheapest month to go on a cruise, and the key is cruise when others cannot. 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). 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. Royal Caribbean has The Key, Carnival has Faster to the Fun, and Norwegian has the Priority Access Pass. Your vacation time is limited, so do not waste it waiting to buy a drink package. This buffet wasnt crowded at all during these early hours, and it offered a large variety of food for our big travel group. If you're in a suite, you don't need to pay extra for this package too. I wont go into every perk these loyalty programs offer, but you can check out our comparison of the loyalty programs on 8 different cruise lines. 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. Suite guests still need to get a check-in time for their sailing, butusuallythey will be give more flexibility in their times. As time progress, more and more staterooms are reserved and stateroom inventory drops, so the price increases conversely. That being said, my sister had a junior suite AND an oceanview room booked.
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