An intangible benefit to pre-purchasing anything is it saves you time onboard from doing the exact same thing, which means more vacation time back to you. I pack sunscreen to apply before swimming, and we carry on other essentials that we need before dinner. 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. Be the first to write a review! You can login to your account on the Royal Caribbean website or via the Royal Caribbean App. Sounds great, right? There are a few tricks to scoring early arrival times if you are eager to be one of the first passengers on the ship. In the weeks leading up to your cruise, be sure to complete online check-in. To save time and money, you really should pre-book beverage packages, dining packages, internet packages and more. Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock. Booking a suite has more advantages than you may think. The NextCruise office offers incentives to book another cruise while you're still onboard. Royal Caribbean's suite accommodations include a variety of VIP perks, some of which overlap with The Key. 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). Johnny Rockets tends to be not very crowded for breakfast, because many guests are unaware of this option, and it also has a large seating capacity (indoor and outdoor seating options). 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. 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. Aurea is the most expensive options and could cost anywhere from $150 to $600 more than the lowest cost experience. Here are my tips for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. Rope dropping is also a great strategy for the sort of activities that quickly generate a line. If you buy heavy duty magnets with hooks, you can use these magnets to store certain items. (This post may contain affiliate links. 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. Too many parents are unaware of the open house and waste time signing their kids up as the evening session is set to begin. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. Want to know one of the best tips for avoiding the worst cruise ship cabins? 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. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. Quick tip: You should always keep one bag with you. Packing your cruise day bag is important so that you have everything you need for your first day. By enabling airplane mode, your phone is incapable of using its cellular antenna. And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore. Unless you've really got money to blow, don't know how people make the decision to go to Caribbean/offshore schools anymore.Foundation year 1 (FY1) doctors told The BMJ that they had asked the trust to consider increasing medical locum shift pay rates from 24 an hour for social hours and 29 for unsocial hours to match those provided for . Note that boarding did come to a stop at one point. Each excursion will list the price, details of the activity and any physical or age restrictions. I see some people skip this step because they want to save a few bucks on tipping. As for Royal Caribbean opening up additional earlier times, it's not usually the case. All rights reserved. Booked my cruise early. This is by far the least crowded time to swim on the cruise ship. Most people go on vacation based around their school or work schedules. When you get the terminal, be sure to tell the pier agent you are staying in a suite so you can be directed to the right place. It was 6 years ago and I still remember my waiters name. Its not a lengthy process but should you need to stop along the way to gather a piece of information, do not worry. A second way to grab an early port arrival time is by purchasing The Key. This includes your passport, boarding pass, and any other necessary paperwork. Some days it's sunny, some days it's stormy, some days it's just . Here are some basic considerations. 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. Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. The exact benefits you get depend on which tier of Crown and Anchor Society you belong to. So if youve been delaying getting your passport renewed and dont have a trip planned any time soon, Id recommend getting that taken care of. 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. 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. We didnt even have to get off the couch. The boarding process for the 1/8 Adventure of the Seas cruise to the S. Caribbean was horrible. Each cruiser scanned his/her SetSail Pass (from the Royal Caribbean app) and was permitted to board the ship. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. In general, on a cruise with RCI, you can change 1 bane, no problem, as long as at least one original guest stays . 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 . And the earlier check-in time you have, the sooner you get to get onboard the ship and start vacation. This was super fast and easy as the Muster Stations were all clearly labeled and close to where we walked onto the ship. Peak dinner time is between 6:30pm and 8:00pm, so if you plan to dine during these times, reservations are so important. 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. If you ever wanted to see what the suite life was all about I recommend booking a short 3 day cruise. The benefit of doing this is you get to "meet" other people on your sailing, which may result in new friendships, or saving money on a shore excursion or other activity that has a group discount. 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. The actual times, however, will vary by sailing. How to Complete Check-In. 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! Getting an early arrival slot means that you can board the ship earlier than . Its recommended to have travel insurance. When you purchase a drink at a bar, a service at the spa, or almost anything else onboard, there's likely an automatic gratuity included with your bill. 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. Like what you see? I will absolutely think twice about taking a cruise from San Juan again, and RCCL as well for that matter. 2. And from there the perks just kept coming. You can bring soda, water, energy drinks and any other non-alcoholic beverages. Our $2,179.98 cruise has an insurance cost of $138 if bought through Royal Caribbean. This was a huge relief from the typical check-in desk with long check-in lines we have experienced in the past. 19. Cruise fares tend to be lower the sooner you book. Share them in our comments on this post. If your stateroom shower is occupied by a family member, you could go to the gym and shower there instead. Related: Photography on Cruise Ships: What to Expect. It can, however, still use its WiFi and Bluetooth connections to stay connected, if you so choose. The difference is booking onboard will get you extra onboard credit and reduced deposit. Since we were in a suite, we were able to stand in the super short line on the right. If not, just leave blank. You can actually get hundreds of dollars of onboard credit by simply booking onboard, but the exact amount depends on how long a sailing you book and in which stateroom category. That being said, my sister had a junior suite AND an oceanview room booked. Priority line at ship attractions and water slides during regular hours. You don't plan to take advantage of its . 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. There, crewmembers will typically check you in via . In the weeks leading up to your cruise, be sure to complete online check-in. While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern. Entertainment is typically included in your cruise fare but on the largest ships, you are required to make reservations. Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. 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. MSC Cruises has three experiences to choose from: Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea. 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. Oasis Class ships offer outside dining is also available onCentral Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods. Holland American Line: Mariner Society . Guests can use onboard credit towards purchasing Royal Caribbean'sshore excursions if they book onboard. 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. 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. Lets look at what some of these early-access programs offer. 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. The earlier you can book, the best chance you will have at getting a good price on your cruise. By having a reservation, you will be seated faster. Jon lives in the foothills of North Carolina and wishes there were a cruise port that far inland. Generally speaking, the best price for a Royal Caribbean cruise can be found when booked many months in advance. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will . When we say "early", we mean booking your cruise 12, 18 or even 24 months before the sail date. After all, if you want to jump in that pool as soon as you get on the ship you might as well be prepared. Keep in mind that travel agents are paid by Royal Caribbean, so there is no additional cost to you to use their services. This didnt take long at all, and our whole group was onboard the ship shortly after 11:00. We have an entire forum dedicated to Royal Caribbean roll calls on our message boards that is totally free to use! Unvaccinated travellers age 5 and Questions are often worded like, "How do I get a deal? Our next RCL isn't until December 2016. Here are some of the benefits included with this program: Carnival Cruise Line: Faster to the Fun (FTTF). You'll want to include all of your valuables, medications, and documentation. 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. One of the best ways to stay informed with what's happening on your sailing is to join a roll call for your sailing. Using a travel agent simplifies this entire process. Norwegian Cruise Line: Priority Access Pass. The simplest and easiest way to get on the ship faster is taking care of the check-in process early. You can view all the shore excursions available by logging into Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner and browsing the shore excursions by port. You'll need to buy The Key for every guest in the cabin (age 6 and above) for every night of the cruise. 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. After combing through my notes, here's the best tips and tricks for taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. Possible pranks include attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim's back without being noticed. 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. The first time I booked a suite was on Celebrity Silhouette. Most guests pack their bathing suits in the checked luggage, which means they will not have access to it until later that day. The biggest key is being prepared and knowing when you should or shouldnt pay extra to get on board faster. Thanked the person politely and hung-up. I am a stay-at-home mom with an amazing husband and two little girls who keep me busy with gymnastics, soccer, and swimming. Note: You dont have to complete the entire check-in process in most cases. Printed Set Sail Pass this morning for April 2nd Sailing of the Serenade of the Seas, out of San Juan. These are not the times you actually board the ship. 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. You will then go straight to the section on choosing your arrival time and pick the one you want. But how early can you board the cruise ship? 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. So, how do you secure an early arrival time so that you can board the ship as soon as possible? However, the earlier your arrival time, the sooner you are usually able to embark on the ship. While buying stock in any company should be based on solid financial planning, if you happen to own at least 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock, you can qualify for bonus credit to spend on your cruise. The best reason to use an agent is to save you time, because they are the ones sitting on hold when calling Royal Caribbean. Its important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. or "How do I get the lowest price?" Search Multiple Sites at Once 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. 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. 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. Lots of passengers arrive early, standing in line for the opportunity to board early and be among the first on the ship. 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. Instant Real Time Pricing Third party shore excursions can offer more personalized tours at a lower price. In that post, we provide tips for staying organized and packing for your trip. All sent to your inbox. The only trouble is you may get hooked on it, and then you will have to come up with the cash for the next cruise. Hi there! Royal Caribbean cruises that depart from the United States will often open the cruise terminal for check-in sometime between 9am and 10am. So the earlier you book your cruise, the more stateroom inventory you will have and if freshman year high school economics taught me anything, it is that supply and demand plays a big part in pricing. (Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas). We have spent years sharing tips, secrets and strategies on this blog about taking a better and more fun Royal Caribbean cruise, and we discovered there is one common thread among so many of our best tips: being early. Posted January 23, 2012. We'll walk you through a typical cruise embarkation day and the cruise ship boarding process, and give you some cruise embarkation tips to make sure your first day on the ship goes as smooth as butter. The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP benefits, including an early check-in time. For a full list of items that my family and I pack on a cruise vacation, you can check out my Cruise Packing List article. Yes, a suite is more expensive. On cruise day, everyone is excited to board. In addition to the non-alcoholic beverages, you can also bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Be among the first to check in and it will feel like youre getting priority access at the terminal. And loyalty perks usually involve priority access to the ship. Knowing this, we decided to reserve a shuttle service to pick us up at our Miami hotel at 9:30 on embarkation day. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Passengers who booked by March 31, 2022, for cruises departing on or before Sept. 30, 2022, are protected by Royal Caribbean's Cruise With Confidence policy, which entitles them to 100% of the cruise fare paid in the form of FCC if they cancel for any reason. Re: Changing one guest name - Royal Caribbean. For everyone's sanity, this rule does not apply to cruise ships. Just turn airplane mode once you get onboard the ship. 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. An inside cabin will cost $76 per night, an ocean view cabin will cost $101 per night, a balcony cabin will cost $134 per night, and a . 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. This buffet wasnt crowded at all during these early hours, and it offered a large variety of food for our big travel group. I pack my kids undergarments for them to put on after they swim. 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 . The drink packages have become quite popular with guests, but Royal Caribbean rewards guests that purchase their drink package early with a discount. It can feel like torture if you have to wait a long time to board your ship. 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. The Key program by Royal Caribbean offers priority access at the terminal, baggage delivery to stateroom, welcome lunch from Chops Grille, VIP show access, and priority departure. Two brothers started Cruise Fever in 2011 when they decided they couldn't stop cruising so they might as well write about it. Each ship is packed with adventures . Royal Caribbean is inviting select guests to try out a new way to board the ship that aims to improve the embarkation, The first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise should be the start of an amazing vacation, so be sure to avoid these, The first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise is areallyfun moment in any cruise fan's vacation, because it is when, The first day of your cruise is such an awesome feeling, and I have some great tips for making it as super smooth as, Embarkation day on any Royal Caribbean cruise is an exciting and busy day, and it appears Royal Caribbean is trying to, When your Royal Caribbean cruise ship begins to sail away from port and your cruise actually begins, you will probably. Like what you see? Check with the Windjammer wait staff for a schedule of options. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). Want to get an idea of what entertainment, activities and things to do (along with times) will be offered on your cruise? Cruise ships have to receive clearance from port authorities in order to be able to allow passengers from the previous cruise off the ship. You really do not want to bethat personin the airport losing their mind because the latest delay means the entire vacation is in jeopardy. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.
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