Before the cruise, guests may change the show/ti. Just like dining, you can reserve shows in advance by going to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site. I dont think I need to mention how this would slow down your boarding process, but its a key element to remember when cruising. You will be able to see the exact times that My Time Dining is offered each evening once you book 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. 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 . This is the perfect time to make dining changes/requests, book activities and specialty restaurants, secure shore excursions, etc. You start getting benefits after just one cruise, and you never lose your status. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? The FCC . 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. Priority access off the ship to the shore in port. By enabling airplane mode, your phone is incapable of using its cellular antenna. The price will be different depending on which port youre sailing from $59.95 in Miami to $129.95 in Seattle. At 11:00, crew members instructed all of the suite guests to form a line. So, make sure you keep everything within reach and enjoy a smooth boarding process. If you want a ship with a Broadway show, book Oasis or Harmony of the Seas, but skip Wonder of the Seas. 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 . 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. 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. Complimentary Canaps (a French hors doeuvre) on second day. Read more: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise. This way youre paying about half the price of a week-long cruise and you can test the waters. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. They also re-wear their embarkation clothes since this first day is typically not dressy at all. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 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. If youre still not satisfied you can pay extra for the priority access some cruise lines offer. Using a travel agent simplifies this entire process. 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. Royal Caribbean does not post or publish Cruise Compasses for upcoming sailings in advance. Your vacation time is limited, so do not waste it waiting to buy a drink package. 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. Youll also find a free printable cruise packing list! If someone cancels their cruise, their check-in time goes back into the system for someone else to grab. The plan offered is called the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program, and it provides the following coverage: $25k Emergency Travel Medical Insurance. One of the best mantras for cruise planning is book as early as you can in order to get the lowest price. and the answer to them all is simple: book your cruise as early as you can. You should always check with the cruise line to see what is not allowed on their ships. 5 rounds of Hornady SST Lite 12 Gauge 2 3/4" Shotgun Slugs. Several years ago, I decided to start this blog to document our family trips. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. We know youre eager to arrive at the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise. The larger the group, the more important having a reservation is to limiting the wait times. Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! What time to arrive at the port. 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. Unlimited food and posh amenities await you, and its only feet away when youre in the cruise terminal. In fact, most people don't use these showers, so there's a good chance they are unoccupied when you would need it, especially in the evening. You'll need to buy The Key for every guest in the cabin (age 6 and above) for every night of the cruise. Rope dropping is also a great strategy for the sort of activities that quickly generate a line. 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. Employees come over to make you show that you are in a suite. So the best way to learn about what is offered on your cruise is to check out a past Cruise Compass. We will be flying out . 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. This means the terminal will open up . 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. If you subscribe to the theory that time is money, then you definitely want to arrive to your embarkation port early. 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.". Just turn airplane mode once you get onboard the ship. Plus, the agents at the port wont have to take the extra time to verify your birth certificate. It was 6 years ago and I still remember my waiters name. Check with the Windjammer wait staff for a schedule of options. In the weeks leading up to your cruise, be sure to complete online check-in. Please check your email and click the link to confirm, and you're all set! Corkscrews will be provided for guests to enjoy their drinks in their stateroom. Like what you see? Sounds great, right? 19. In that post, we provide tips for staying organized and packing for your trip. Once onboard, cancellations must be made at least 4 hours prior to show time. 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. In addition, Royal Caribbean has onboard laundry services you can use to make wearing the same clothes later in the cruise more practical. To save time and money, you really should pre-book beverage packages, dining packages, internet packages and more. Its important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. Here is a list of a few prohibited things Royal Caribbean has on their website: If you try to bring any of these things onto your cruise ship you will not only get the items confiscated, you could also be in some trouble with the law. Would rather get to port early and board than hang out in a hotel room. We found our SeaPass cards in the room, which are used during the cruise as your room key, identification, credit card, etc. So, anyone in the wrong line was asked to move. Theirservices are complimentary, although a tip is expected for their trouble. We like to carry a backpack onboard the ship on embarkation day. The earlier you can book, the best chance you will have at getting a good price on your cruise. Kids get special pricing at a specialty restaurant, so buy dining packages only for the adults. The open house is when you can go to meet the staff, register your kids, and ask any questions. On a cruise, your vacation starts as soon as you set foot on your cruise ship. I'm Shari. Be among the first to check in and it will feel like youre getting priority access at the terminal. Modified Date: Jan 6, 2023. Related: A look inside Regent's most expensive cruise ship. Once you're cleared to board, you will follow a gangway (elevated ramps) up to the ship. We have an entire forum dedicated to Royal Caribbean roll calls on our message boards that is totally free to use! In addition to the non-alcoholic beverages, you can also bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom. An an example, if you have kids and water slides are a must-do, then skip the Vision Class ships and Explorer of the Seas. Royal Caribbean is quite understanding about schedules, and if you need to get off the ship sooner, they are usually very accommodating. Tipping hard working crew members is a must-do, but double check the bill that it's not already included. And from there the perks just kept coming. Two brothers started Cruise Fever in 2011 when they decided they couldn't stop cruising so they might as well write about it. 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). Can anyone who has recently been on the Serenade rec. $50k Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance. Once you are ready to begin, completing the Royal Caribbean online check in takes very little time. This means you can get extra value from your drink package purchase while anywhere in these private destinations. 2. Weird. 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. Just know that with some of the tips above you will still be able to get on the ship before most of the other passengers. All Guests must board the ship no later than 4:00 pm. This online check-in is when you choose your port arrival time. Arrived to the port at 10:30. If you dont plan on using the pools, you may not need nearly as many items as we do. Yes, a suite is more expensive. If you do not complete check-in online, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. 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. Ideally, you'll book a cruise at NextCruise while on a sailing when struck with the inspiration to book another cruise. Search Multiple Sites at Once 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. It is wholly owned by parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Other families, like mine, like to get the process started as soon as possible. If you plan on visiting the pool deck, you'll want a bathing suit, sunscreen, and other pool essentials. Royal Caribbean's fitness center has separate showers for men and women that is complimentary to use. But if you opt to drag your suitcases all through the terminal and onto the ship youre just slowing down the entire process. TX Royal Caribbean Directions to . Lunch and drink package 3. You can view all the shore excursions available by logging into Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner and browsing the shore excursions by port. The difference is booking onboard will get you extra onboard credit and reduced deposit. 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. 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! Instead of arriving to your departure city on the day of your cruise, get in early! 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. 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. One of the best ways to stay informed with what's happening on your sailing is to join a roll call for your sailing. 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. Questions are often worded like, "How do I get a deal? When you get the receipt to sign, look for the line item that indicates if an automatic 18% gratuity is already included. Tasks such as repricing, making special requests, dealing with weather events and more are why I use a travel agent every single I book a cruise. But how early can you board the cruise ship? 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. Things like medications, documents, passports, and even a bathing suit and some sunscreen can be kept in this bag. 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). Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. 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. This makes it easy to undress them poolside, and they can hop right in. 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. 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. You can login to your account on the Royal Caribbean website or via the Royal Caribbean App. Unlike Traditional Dining, you will not be seated at the same table . Moreover, the onboard credit is stackable with other discounts Royal Caribbean is offering at the time! If not, just leave blank. Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring up to 12 bottles/cans of non-alcoholic beverages per stateroomwith them on embarkation day. Don't book a cabin one deck above or below a public space, such as a pool, dining room, or bar. A. Venue: The Artground Date: 4 - 12 Mar 2023 Fee: $18 per pax (Weekday), $20 per pax (Weekend). Priority line at ship attractions and water slides during regular hours. For groups traveling with more than two people per room, however, a new policy could allow groups to bring . My Time Dining usually begins around 6:00pm and lasts until 9:30pm, giving you a wide range of times to choose from. You can enjoy a lineup of adventures on a Royal Caribbean cruise from Day One, like the North Star observation capsule, ice skating and more. 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. And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore. 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. If you are on a Radiance or Quantum Class ship, be sure to enjoy your meals outside while at the Windjammer. Follow along on this incredible voyage! Find answers to your questions about all the requirements to board a Royal Caribbean Cruise. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. Over the course of a 7-night cruise, those savings add up quickly! 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. 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. 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. Set Sail pass states that boarding begins at 2:00 PM. When you purchase anything before your cruise via the Cruise Planner site, you will be required to pay for it at the time of purchase. We have found in the US on a standard turn around that you can board a RCL ship starting around 11:30 but . NATURI A sound installation and performance for young audiences from 18 months up to physical or psychomotor skills of 4 years!. The same is true for beer . With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Your fellow guests won't notice you wore that pair of jeans or dress from night two. Our next RCL isn't until December 2016. You should always let the cruise terminal porters take your large bags for you. This includes accepting the cruise contract, answering the health questions, and choosing your boarding time. Another tip for securing an early arrival time is to book a suite. While Royal Caribbean maintains a core experience across all ships, each vessel has its own list of amenities and activities, and even ships within the same Royal Caribbean ship class can vary. Jon can be reached at. Royal Caribbean sells its cruises largely based on the concept of supply and demand. Generally speaking, the best price for a Royal Caribbean cruise can be found when booked many months in advance. A really common mistake is for passengers to leave their phone on like normal, and come home to a monster bill because of hefty roaming charges. 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. 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. 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 . Royal Caribbean's suite accommodations include a variety of VIP perks, some of which overlap with The Key. 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. 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. Love Cruise Fever?Sign Up to Our FREE Newsletter! The exact benefits you get depend on which tier of Crown and Anchor Society you belong to. 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. All rights reserved. Even if you have an international cell phone plan, cruise ship cellular coverage is rarely included. $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. Exclusive access to time slots for rock climbing, FlowRider etc. How to Get on Your Cruise Ship As Early as Possible: 7 We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs. Lots of passengers arrive early, standing in line for the opportunity to board early and be among the first on the ship. Things I've tried on Royal Caribbean that I won't do again, The worst cruise mistakes our readers have made on a ship. ", "When is the best time to book a cruise?" As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner! In short, to save time and money, use a good travel agent. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. 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 only trouble is you may get hooked on it, and then you will have to come up with the cash for the next cruise. You can change in a public restroom, and towels are available at the pool area to use. 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. Royal Caribbean now enforces its check-in times, so be sure to check-in for your cruise as soon as check-in opens. This large room consisted of plenty of seating options, refreshments, and restrooms. Get Cruise Savvy with our FREE Newsletter! Keep in mind that travel agents are paid by Royal Caribbean, so there is no additional cost to you to use their services. 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. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. 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. And in that case theres nothing you can do but sit back and make the best of it.