Be sure to pack these items in your carry-on luggage, and not your checked luggage. One of my favorite benefits was having access to an amazing restaurant that was reserved for suite guests only. Try to get on the ship as soon as you can (in other words, get inline at the port early or get to the airport to the Royal Caribbean desk early to get the first transfer to the pier). You can read more about me here- Meet Shari. TX Royal Caribbean Directions to . In many ports, porters have a special line for Customs that allows you to get through it all faster. Your fellow guests won't notice you wore that pair of jeans or dress from night two. Royal Caribbean does not post or publish Cruise Compasses for upcoming sailings in advance. How to Get on Your Cruise Ship As Early as Possible: 7 We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs. DON'T MISS: One Key Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package Tip Cruisers Need to know Royal Caribbean does not allow passengers to bring hard liquor on board its ships. 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. When a sailing is first offered, supply is at its highest because no one has purchase a cruise ship cabin yet. Depending on your disembarkation time and port, the time needed to arrive at the airport will vary. People often wonder what is the cheapest month to go on a cruise, and the key is cruise when others cannot. Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. Usually, guests who book The Key are allowed to check-in with the first group (an exact time will be emailed later). If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. 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. $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. This means the terminal will open up . 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. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. If you ask seasoned travelers how they get around these obstacles, the answer is often to give yourself more time. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will . Serenade of the Seas September 13, 2024 Cruise & Port Map 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. It wasn't nearly as easy as usual. Cruise ships have to receive clearance from port authorities in order to be able to allow passengers from the previous cruise off the ship. A. After all, if you want to jump in that pool as soon as you get on the ship you might as well be prepared. 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. 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. In fact, Day One has the makings to be as memorable as every other day of your getaway. Youll also find that the water slides dont have long lines at this time on embarkation day. Once logged in, navigate toOnboard Activitiesand select the show you wish to reserve. 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! Guests may be able to check in earlier but will usually not be able to embark until this time. 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. I am a stay-at-home mom with an amazing husband and two little girls who keep me busy with gymnastics, soccer, and swimming. If you'd like to arrive at that time, go right ahead! Ideally, you want other staterooms on either deck and not public venues like pools, restaurants or other public venues. As time progress, more and more staterooms are reserved and stateroom inventory drops, so the price increases conversely. You should always check with the cruise line to see what is not allowed on their ships. This is not only a great opportunity for your kids to become familiar with the kids club, but also save time later so all you have to do when the club opens up is drop them off and be done. 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. Onboard Shows and Tickets FAQs | Royal Caribbean Cruises 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. They offer guests the option to drink as much as they want on their cruise for a fixed price. The difference is booking onboard will get you extra onboard credit and reduced deposit. No reservations needed, just walk on in and be seated. The majority of cruises leave port at 4 or 5:00 pm. And the earlier check-in time you have, the sooner you get to get onboard the ship and start vacation. In our experience, most guests see the times for an activity and begin arrivingafterthe scheduled start time. Regardless of which day you choose, some specialty restaurants offer a lunch discount compared to dinner. You can view all the shore excursions available by logging into Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner and browsing the shore excursions by port. Venue: The Artground Date: 4 - 12 Mar 2023 Fee: $18 per pax (Weekday), $20 per pax (Weekend). 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 . Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. 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. For your return home, you have the ability to select the flight that best suits your schedule. 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. And in that case theres nothing you can do but sit back and make the best of it. Can anyone who has recently been on the Serenade rec. Disney Cruise Line Frequently Asked Questions - Dreams Unlimited Travel The open house is when you can go to meet the staff, register your kids, and ask any questions. Third party shore excursions can offer more personalized tours at a lower price. If you ever wanted to see what the suite life was all about I recommend booking a short 3 day cruise. This includes your passport, boarding pass, and any other necessary paperwork. Answer (1 of 9): It is becoming more common to have a check-in time on your boarding pass. And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore. And again, this just slows down that quick embarkation process. DON'T assume your cabin is pristine and in working order, if you tend to worry about such things. It May be Time for Some Royal Caribbean Elites to Reconsider Paying for Drink Packages frequentfloaters.com - Marshall Jackson Cruise line drink packages and whether or not you should buy one are a subject of sometimes intense debate among frequent floaters. . Theirservices are complimentary, although a tip is expected for their trouble. Follow along on this incredible voyage! Most cruise ships will . In most cases, you should be able to save at least $10 per person compared to dinner (if not more). If you subscribe to the theory that time is money, then you definitely want to arrive to your embarkation port early. You start getting benefits after just one cruise, and you never lose your status. Royal Caribbean may send you an email about boarding times, but those are mostly suggestions and not enforced at all. 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 dont have extra room in the budget, the first point in this article will help the most. 1. That means if a couple buys The Key for a 7 day cruise it will cost at least $350. Not only are the dress codes quite liberal, you can also re-use the same clothes on the same sailing. Each excursion will list the price, details of the activity and any physical or age restrictions. The FCC . 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. If you dont plan on using the pools, you may not need nearly as many items as we do. 1. 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. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. In general, on a cruise with RCI, you can change 1 bane, no problem, as long as at least one original guest stays . Many cruise lines allow you to pay a little extra for priority access to the ship. 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. Each ship is packed with adventures . Your loyalty status doesnt reset at the end of the year. So, make sure you keep everything within reach and enjoy a smooth boarding process. 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. Once you're cleared to board, you will follow a gangway (elevated ramps) up to the ship. 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. Since the online check-in time usually opens up at midnight (EST) 45 days before your cruise, youll want to login at this time. The key is to understand what the ship you're booking has and doesn't have so there's no disappointment later. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. The helipad onis located on the bow (front)of the ship and during sailaway, Royal Caribbean permits guests access to the helipad. Ren de Lambert (@RenedeLambert) on Flipboard Norwegians priority access program includes: Other cruise lines have some sort of priority-access program as well. These are not the times you actually board the ship. 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. Royal Caribbean asks its guests to arrive within their check-in window to avoid crowding in the terminal. Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays. By having them get the non-alcoholic drink package, you will save a lot of money compared to buying them the Deluxe Beverage package that costs much more. Booked my cruise early. One of the best ways to stay informed with what's happening on your sailing is to join a roll call for your sailing. And from there the perks just kept coming. Some specialty restaurants will cost less if you eat there for lunch. Set . You can then save this information and complete the rest of the check-in process at a later date. Test out the TV, the toilet and the lights; check for bed bugs; sanitize anything you need to. You can use it to check-into your cruise (more on that in the next tip), book entertainment, shore excursions and packages. Royal Caribbean Changes a Popular Beverage Policy (You May Not Like It This was a huge relief from the typical check-in desk with long check-in lines we have experienced in the past. 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. And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore. I've been seeing some comments about show reservations being sold out by the time people boarded, that is the main reason why I was wondering if Royal Caribbean is really that strict or if it's likely they might let us on earlier. Want to get an idea of what entertainment, activities and things to do (along with times) will be offered on your cruise? Employees come over to make you show that you are in a suite. We were technically allowed to arrive an hour before this 10:30 slot since we were suite guests. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. If you want a ship with a Broadway show, book Oasis or Harmony of the Seas, but skip Wonder of the Seas. Call (225) 687-7590 or what can i bring on a cruise royal caribbean today! 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. Tipping hard working crew members is a must-do, but double check the bill that it's not already included. Our $2,179.98 cruise has an insurance cost of $138 if bought through Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean's suite accommodations include a variety of VIP perks, some of which overlap with The Key. Things I've tried on Royal Caribbean that I won't do again, The worst cruise mistakes our readers have made on a ship. 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. Search Now Since we were in a suite, we were able to stand in the super short line on the right. When Can You Check In For Royal Caribbean Cruise Its important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. Corkscrews will be provided for guests to enjoy their drinks in their stateroom. 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. 10 tips to help you improve your cruise vacation. You will be able to see the exact times that My Time Dining is offered each evening once you book your cruise. If you're in a suite, you don't need to pay extra for this package too. 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. So, anyone in the wrong line was asked to move. If you are wondering what time constitutes, "early", we are talking about sometime between 10am and 11:30am. When you get the receipt to sign, look for the line item that indicates if an automatic 18% gratuity is already included. Adventure Embarkation - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Remington Premier Copper 12 Gauge 3 Inch 1550 FPS 1 Ounce . #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. Naturally everyone thinks of the main dining room for dinner, but did you know it is often open forlunch (and breakfast) too? Most cruise terminals enforce the boarding times, but occasionally you find situations where a particular pier agent doesn't pay attention to the check-in time or say anything about it. If not, just leave blank, How being early is the secret to the best Royal Caribbean cruise, from start to finish, purchase the drink package of your choice online, 5 Royal Caribbean things you had no idea existed. 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. (Make sure you watched and marked off the Safety video in the app the morning of your cruise.). Called RCL this morning and got a weird / rude response when asking about what time I can board the ship. Club Orange by Holland America Line offers passengers priority access to exclusive perks and amenities, including priority check-in, stateroom upgrades, and an intimate dining venue on select ships. The earliest that guests can board a cruise is between 4-5 hours before the ship is scheduled to sail away. There is no question that if you want to get the lowest price on a cruise, book it as early as you can. 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. Most people go on vacation based around their school or work schedules. For lunch and dinner, you can find a rotating set of options that include pasta, stir-fry, crepes and more. 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. Please note:All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail. Royal Caribbean shore excursions guarantee your return to the ship, even if the excursion is delayed. If you buy heavy duty magnets with hooks, you can use these magnets to store certain items. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. On Voyager, Freedom or Radiance class ships, be sure to visit the helipad for my favorite sailaway spot. When we say "early", it essentially means as early as you can. You can change in a public restroom, and towels are available at the pool area to use. 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. The moms in our group then ran errands to take care of some items. If your schedule allows, the best time to cruise when prices are the lowest are in the off-season and shoulder seasons. Its not a lengthy process but should you need to stop along the way to gather a piece of information, do not worry. First time cruisers: What time to get to the cruise port for your Royal Once you are ready to begin, completing the Royal Caribbean online check in takes very little time. When do shore excursions become available to book for my Royal Getting on the ship for us is also the point when the cruise 'starts'. The day your cruise begins is full of excitement, and naturally, you may be wondering what time you can board the ship. And if this gets delayed it will also impact when you can embark. The price will be different depending on which port youre sailing from $59.95 in Miami to $129.95 in Seattle. Click on the person icon, and it should fire up the camera again. Lots of passengers arrive early, standing in line for the opportunity to board early and be among the first on the ship. Depending on the length of your sailing, you can get up to $250 onboard credit. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. You may also want to pack a dinner outfit, especially if you . This includes accepting the cruise contract, answering the health questions, and choosing your boarding time. Instead of arriving to your departure city on the day of your cruise, get in early! 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. Check with the Windjammer wait staff for a schedule of options. From sunny Aruba to, If you are at least a Diamond member or above in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, here is a great way to, Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise is a great family vacation because of all the great things to see and do onboard. Readers share: Whats the best piece of cruise advice you have ever received? All Guests must board the ship no later than 4:00 pm. If you are on a Radiance or Quantum Class ship, be sure to enjoy your meals outside while at the Windjammer. Online Check-in and Arrival Appointment | Carnival Cruise Line Prior to sailing, guests may change or cancel their show reservations online up to 4 days prior to their cruise start date. The porter told us our luggage should be in our cabin fairly early since we were some of the first to arrive at the ship. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. (He was right!) Royal Caribbean has The Key, Carnival has Faster to the Fun, and Norwegian has the Priority Access Pass. 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 . If you wait weeks or months to book a cruise onboard, the price of the cruise may increase and negate any savings you'd receive from the extra onboard credit. When we say "early", we mean booking your cruise 12, 18 or even 24 months before the sail date. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). A Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Getting an early arrival slot means that you can board the ship earlier than . If not, just leave blank, 40 BEST Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets, what is the cheapest month to go on a cruise, Royal Caribbean offers extra onboard credit if you own at least a certain amount of Royal Caribbean Group stock, entire forum dedicated to Royal Caribbean roll calls, Royal Caribbean has onboard laundry services, ensure you use the most lucrative Crown and Anchor Society perks, booking a cruise now, rather than waiting to book onboard your ship, The FAA system outage reminded us why you shouldn't violate 1 of the biggest unwritten rules about cruise planning, How to save at least $22 (and likely a lot more) off your next Royal Caribbean cruise right now, 10 cruise ship tips that worked for our Royal Caribbean Blog staffers in 2022, Cruise hack: Maximize Voom internet discount for Diamond members or above, 20 Royal Caribbean tips for a better cruise, 23 Do's and Don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023. Like what you see? NATURI - A Sound Installation & Performance. If you're reading this at home, you're still better off booking a cruise now, rather than waiting to book onboard your ship. You can save and come back to the process at a later time. 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). 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Royal Caribbean's fitness center has separate showers for men and women that is complimentary to use. The total cost of my cruise for two guests, including gratuities, taxes, and fees, was $1656. But once youre approved you will get a 5% discount on any future MSC sailing along with some other discounts on ship amenities. Its just easier and faster. To save time and money, you really should pre-book beverage packages, dining packages, internet packages and more. If you can check in using the cruise lines app or website the very first day you have a better chance of having an early boarding time. If you can cruise during these times, there are some truly low prices to enjoy. If you are concerned about the drink package price dropping, take solace in the fact you can always cancel and rebook with no penalty! This makes it easy to undress them poolside, and they can hop right in. But did you know if you wait to book your drink package onboard the ship you will be overpaying for it? 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. Like what you see? Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows . my last NCL cruise was out of tamp. 2) Take a security photo. But if you're at home, it's still a good idea to book as early as you can to lock in the lowest price. You're probably wondering what to expect on the day you board the ship. Please plan your arrival accordingly to avoid the possibility of not being permitted to sail. Jon got hooked on cruising after his first cruise on his honeymoon, and today he is always looking for cruise deals and reading information about the cruise industry. 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. Changing one guest name - Royal Caribbean - Cruises Forum 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.". 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 . Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. Lunch and drink package 3. (This post may contain affiliate links. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Would rather get to port early and board than hang out in a hotel room. Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. All rights reserved. What is the Best Time to Board Your Cruise Ship on - Cruise Fever Exclusive access to time slots for rock climbing, FlowRider etc. Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure . 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. 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. When can you board royal caribbean symphony? - JacAnswers 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. Easy Guide to Royal Caribbean Online Check In Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Now, if youre planning to embark on a closed-loop itinerary that starts and ends in the United States, you can use your birth certificate and legal name change documentation to board. Read a past Cruise Compass! These are the times of year when demand is less for cruises to certain regions. I'm a budget cruiser. Here are 8 easy strategies I used on my recent