By pre-purchasing certain items, you can pay off parts of the cruise months or years in advance, allowing you to reduce the cruise bill at the conclusion of your cruise. This way youre paying about half the price of a week-long cruise and you can test the waters. Search Now Did you know Royal Caribbean offers extra onboard credit if you own at least a certain amount of Royal Caribbean Group stock? Jon can be reached at. Here are the 8 easy strategies I used to save money on my Royal Caribbean cruise that you can use too. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. Once you are ready to begin, completing the Royal Caribbean online check in takes very little time. In the morning, there is an omelet station available. 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. #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 many ports, porters have a special line for Customs that allows you to get through it all faster. This didnt take long at all, and our whole group was onboard the ship shortly after 11:00. 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. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 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. Third party shore excursions can offer more personalized tours at a lower price. 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! 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. Smart cruise advice, cruise deals, and breaking news. The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP benefits, including an early check-in time. As long as the cruise line doesnt make a drastic change to their program you will keep reaping the rewards for every cruise. First, we recommend choosing your port arrival time before completing anything else during online check in. The best reason to use an agent is to save you time, because they are the ones sitting on hold when calling Royal Caribbean. . Thanked the person politely and hung-up. Weird. And after hopping aboard I was invited to a special lounge for suite guests with all kinds of complimentary foods and beverages. 40 BEST Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets Here are 7 proven ways to board your cruise ship faster on embarkation day. Royal Caribbean offers all guests the option to bring their own luggage (rather than have their luggage delivered to the terminal) and leave the ship anytime once customs officials clear the ship. The only trouble is you may get hooked on it, and then you will have to come up with the cash for the next cruise. These programs often offer other perks as well that are usually only reserved for suite passengers. This was super fast and easy as the Muster Stations were all clearly labeled and close to where we walked onto the ship. Call (225) 687-7590 or what can i bring on a cruise royal caribbean today! Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. 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. 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. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. If you want to find the best prices for the spa on your cruise, consider booking things on port days, or early in the morning or late at night for the best prices. Just turn airplane mode once you get onboard the ship. 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. Tipping hard working crew members is a must-do, but double check the bill that it's not already included. When I tried on my Android / Pixel 6 Pro, I had to hit the button a bunch of times to take a picture . Its important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. The biggest key is being prepared and knowing when you should or shouldnt pay extra to get on board faster. Your loyalty status doesnt reset at the end of the year. How early can I board my Royal Caribbean cruise? This is a 9 night cruise and price per night is noted below for each cabin type. Then, the dads in our group took the kids to the pool so that they could swim in virtually empty swimming areas. 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! If you are wondering what time constitutes, "early", we are talking about sometime between 10am and 11:30am. When we say "early", we mean booking your cruise 12, 18 or even 24 months before the sail date. The First Day on a Royal Caribbean Cruise r/royalcaribbean - Is Royal Caribbean strict about boarding times? Do If you subscribe to the theory that time is money, then you definitely want to arrive to your embarkation port early. Most cruise ships will . Entertainment is typically included in your cruise fare but on the largest ships, you are required to make reservations. 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. I see some people skip this step because they want to save a few bucks on tipping. 50 Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips and Tricks Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. 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. However, the cruise terminal in Miami did not open its doors until 10:00 am. Do you have Cruise Fever too? On my most recent cruise on Oasis of the Seas, my family and I had junior suites booked with a 10:30 am port arrival time. Be among the first to check in and it will feel like youre getting priority access at the terminal. Embark LocationE6, 448, Ist Floor Gounder Complex, Trichy Road He also directed us on exactly where to go and made certain we understood we needed passports/identification documents. 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. Believe me, searching for documents in your luggage is not only time-consuming but also frustrating. We didnt even have to get off the couch. 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. my last NCL cruise was out of tamp. 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. Find answers to your questions about all the requirements to board a Royal Caribbean Cruise. What food is included with your Royal Caribbean cruise? The menu can vary from lunch to dinner, but the experience is still the same. Once you board the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, youll want to take care of a few chores. 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. 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. $50k Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance. 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. Here are some of the benefits included with this program: Carnival Cruise Line: Faster to the Fun (FTTF). Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows . NATURI - A Sound Installation & Performance. For obvious reasons the early times are taken first. This includes your passport, boarding pass, and any other necessary paperwork. 90% refund of cruise credits if you Cancel for Any Reason. Kids get special pricing at a specialty restaurant, so buy dining packages only for the adults. I'm a budget cruiser. Here are 8 easy strategies I used on my recent The FCC . The result is far fewer guests in the pools, hot tubs and water slides than at any other time on your cruise. Nor do they publish their entertainment schedules prior to a cruise. Royal Caribbean does not post or publish Cruise Compasses for upcoming sailings in advance. 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. 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. There arediscounts, vouchers, and even freebies anyone can take advantage of once onboard. Welcome aboard! Keep in mind that other factors may effect your boarding time. 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. We found our SeaPass cards in the room, which are used during the cruise as your room key, identification, credit card, etc. This means the terminal will open up . If you want a ship with a Broadway show, book Oasis or Harmony of the Seas, but skip Wonder of the Seas. Quick tip: You should always keep one bag with you. For groups traveling with more than two people per room, however, a new policy could allow groups to bring . How to book My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean 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. This frees up storage space in your closets and drawers for other things. First, if you miss The Key check-in window, you have to fall back to whatever time you had before. To be honest, your embarkation day usually starts . Depending on your disembarkation time and port, the time needed to arrive at the airport will vary. $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 large room consisted of plenty of seating options, refreshments, and restrooms. All rights reserved. If you're on the fence about buying a Royal Caribbean drink package, keep in mind you can use them at Royal Caribbean's private islands. Previously, Royal Caribbean permitted a maximum of two 750-milliliter bottles per room. I am a stay-at-home mom with an amazing husband and two little girls who keep me busy with gymnastics, soccer, and swimming. Embarkation day is often full of a lot of chaos and stress, especially if you are a first time cruiser. Venue: The Artground Date: 4 - 12 Mar 2023 Fee: $18 per pax (Weekday), $20 per pax (Weekend). Most people go on vacation based around their school or work schedules. How to Get on Your Cruise Ship As Early as Possible: 7 Ways Examined A Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. The "3-1-1" rule is ubiquitous in airports. 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. 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. They also re-wear their embarkation clothes since this first day is typically not dressy at all. Cruise ships have to receive clearance from port authorities in order to be able to allow passengers from the previous cruise off the ship. If a ship sails a journey to a "nearby" foreign port, a passenger still can't leave the ship permanently at a different U.S. port than the embarkation point (nearby foreign . A. 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. Exclusive a la carte breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on . What you want to do is look at what the ship you're considering has to do onboard, and ensure it has the most important options that you want to experience. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will . Employees come over to make you show that you are in a suite. When can you board royal caribbean symphony? - JacAnswers How early can I board my ship (Mariner)? - Royal Caribbean People often wonder what is the cheapest month to go on a cruise, and the key is cruise when others cannot. You'll want to include all of your valuables, medications, and documentation. Getting an early arrival slot means that you can board the ship earlier than . Sounds great, right? After combing through my notes, here's the best tips and tricks for taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. Once you get onboard and connect to the ship's wifi, it will ask you if you want to just use the app. 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 getting onto your cruise ship as early as possible is important to you these tips above should help. 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! Norwegian Cruise Line: Priority Access Pass. (Sponsored). But it wasn't a nightmare either. Freshly cooked food is always the best, and there are cooking stations available in the Windjammer that serve up some really tasty options. Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays. Even if you have an international cell phone plan, cruise ship cellular coverage is rarely included. Video: Royal Caribbean food secrets Discounts, tips and more! You Could Soon Bring More Wine on Royal Caribbean Cruises But Here's Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. If your cruise leaves at a different time than this, check with your cruise line to see what time embarkation begins. You can read more about me here- Meet Shari. Ideally, you want other staterooms on either deck and not public venues like pools, restaurants or other public venues. How to Get on Your Cruise Ship As Early as Possible: 7 We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs. And again, this just slows down that quick embarkation process. 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). 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. Royal Caribbean does not charge for its shows, nor does it charge for advanced reservations. Not only are the dress codes quite liberal, you can also re-use the same clothes on the same sailing. 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. We will also provide tips for scoring the earliest boarding time on Royal Caribbean based on our recent experience on the Oasis of the Seas at the cruise terminal in Port of Miami. {{alert.title}} {{notification.title}} {{notification . If you dont have extra room in the budget, the first point in this article will help the most. 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. 2) Take a security photo. 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. 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. (Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas). And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore. 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. Booked my cruise early. Our next RCL isn't until December 2016. Did you know if one adult elects to buy the unlimited alcohol package, all other adults in the same room have to get it too? When Can You Check In For Royal Caribbean Cruise Please plan your arrival accordingly to avoid the possibility of not being permitted to sail. Want to know one of the best tips for avoiding the worst cruise ship cabins? In that post, we provide tips for staying organized and packing for your trip. Several years ago, I decided to start this blog to document our family trips. Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding, Video: Mistakes to avoid on the first day of your cruise, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise, The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. When you complete online check-in, you will be assigned a check-in time. Some days it's sunny, some days it's stormy, some days it's just . 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. 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 . Simply check in on the very day availability opens. 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 Travel Insurance - AARDY You will not have to start over! The price of the cruise is the same whether you book at home or onboard.