Display as a link instead, By Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. You should plan on arriving to the cruise port as early as you can so that you can start your vacation. Meanwhile, if things get too dirty to wear, it's no problem. Eyes may roll, but now is the time to talk to the kids about the danger of climbing on any railings and remind them that other people on the ship are strangers and that they should use the same caution they would at home. The Windjammer is the most popular choice, although ships may have other venues open as well. In our book, reaching out to a travel agent who knows the Royal Caribbean brand is the first thing you need to do when planning a cruise with the line. The most notable restaurant open to everyone for dinner, but not lunch, on embarkation day is the main dining room. Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining, Top 8 most common Royal Caribbean dining questions, Avoid these ten Royal Caribbean dining mistakes. To avoid costly roaming charges, you will want to keep your cell phone on airplane mode. The best part: The app will work on board even if you dont pay for a Wi-Fi package. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Where to Eat Lunch Embarkation Day. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. It is important to have your SetSail pass printed out prior to arriving at the pier to ensure a smooth and quick check-in process. Related: TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits. Your travel agent will get full credit when you book another sailing while on board a Royal Caribbean ship and can take over the booking later. If you like what you see in the soothing thermal suite which typically has hot and cold treatments sign up now as spaces may sell out. Park Caf or the Solarium are our usual lunch stops since the WJ can get so busy. I remember going to Park Cafe on Grandeur a few years ago right after boarding, and it was a ghost town. MattG First time cruisers: What time to get to the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise? Windjammer is the go-to for a majority of cruisers, but I assume most people dont know what else is even open. I missed lunch at Windjammer by a few minutes and the crew suggested I try Park Caf. Trust us. Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship. We prefer El Loco Fresh or Playmakers depending on which sporting event is televised that day. If you are traveling with kids, now is the time to make sure there is an appropriate infant or child life jacket in addition to a life jacket for each adult. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. In general cruise calls are short often just six to eight hours. But Royal Caribbean is one line that allows passengers to bring their own drinks on ships albeit in small amounts. You may also be required to check in with a crew member at your assigned muster. But itll cost you. Youre off to new horizons. To reach the helipad on these ships, head to the promenade deck (the deck where there is an outside walking area) and walk toward the front of the ship until you reach the helipad area. Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime. When you first arrive at a Royal Caribbean ship, you'll be greeted by porters who will whisk away your luggage. Getting shorts washed and folded will set you back $4.49. If you are prone to seasickness, plan to take your first pills a couple of hours before the ship is scheduled to leave the pier. Royal Caribbean ships have never (in the past 25 years, at least) had embarkation day lunch in the Main Dining Room, unless you were part of a specific group, like consecutive cruisers, or purchasers of The Key. Is it normally open for embarkation lunch? Independent tours also can take you to places that Royal Caribbean-organized tours dont. smokeybandit The Cruise Compass is a daily newspaper of events, times, and schedules, including what is open on the first day of your cruise. Chops Grille is open every night of the cruise from 5:30pm to 10pm. You might find your tip included in a future update of this guide! Crew members will be on hand on the first day to help set up your package. If so, you may qualify for an enticing perk free onboard credit! And I dislike the Windjammer, so I'm usually having to pay for lunch at Chops or eating very little until dinner. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator. Giovanni's then while there, I have them book all my dinner reservationsfor the week on the UDP. Embarkation day offers a lot to see and do, and for anyone going on a Royal Caribbean cruise, here is what you can expect on embarkation day. VOOM Internet To many. By MattG January 22, 2022 in Royal Caribbean Dining Share Followers 1 Reply to this topic Start new topic MattG Members 350 Posted January 22, 2022 What's your go-to Embarkation Day Lunch? Be sure to read through TPG's ultimate guide to maximizing your status in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program to know all of the many perks you'll be able to get depending on how many points you've accumulated. Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book? If not, just leave blank. Royal Caribbean Dining Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? While the muster drill is not the most exciting thing about your cruise, following your muster drill, the real fun begins of a Royal Caribbean cruise. You wont regret it. Related: 6 secrets to getting a deal on a cruise. You saw this one coming, no? Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? The credit applies only to the stateroom where the shareholder is staying and is based on double occupancy. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. And at some lines that is, indeed, the rule. They also work when you're on land at Royal Caribbeans private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Youll have time to see a lot during your cruise, but at this point I like to get the lay of the land. The Royal Caribbean app allows you to make all sorts of reservations for onboard venues including restaurants and shows, and you can book shore excursions through it, too. Once you get to dinner time on the first day of your cruise, all the restaurants onboard will be open for service. Pasted as rich text. Seriously. Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise far in advance? Giovanni's was open on embarkation day when we sailed Allure last month. Cabins just below the pool deck and near the anchor also can be problematic, as well as cabins near casinos. Yummmmmmmm. But if its getting close to the time your ship is set to leave the pier and your suitcases have not arrived, alert your cabin steward. Given TPGs origins as a points and miles website, wed be remiss if we didnt remind you to maximize your credit card points while making purchases on Royal Caribbean ships. Certain hotels have resort fees. The crew will instruct you where and when to report for muster drill and it is a fairly straight-forward event. We like to sail b2b and enjoy the MDR lunch and always order short rib. ago. Evening entertainment starts up around this time, with live music at a number of locations throughout the ship. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. If shares are held jointly, and you are booking more than one stateroom, 100 shares are required for each stateroom (based on one credit per shareholder per sailing and double occupancy). Depending if you booked traditional or My Time Dining for your dinners, the dining room is always available as an option, in addition to the complimentary and specialty restaurants onboard. If you plan to do spa treatments or have hair and other beauty appointments during your cruise, now is the time to book them (if you havent booked them in advance). Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. The crew were clear its a test and dont know if its on any other ship. You cannot paste images directly. April 15 in Royal Caribbean Dining. These intimate, for-a-fee restaurants can be hard to get into (reservations are required) but are usually not as crowded the first night of the sailing. Our cruise team at TPG belongs to a number of them, including the Royal Caribbean Cruises group and the COPs (Cruisers Opinion Page) group, for instance, and we love talking tips with their members. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. As a result of COVID-19, and a desire to keep crowds at a minimum, most cruise lines have moved to e-muster drills. 3. We say yes, TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits, How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise, The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining, comparison of the top travel insurance providers, The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises, What happens if you miss your cruise ship, 13 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag, Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service, Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? Check here before booking an award fare. Depending on which type of Royal Caribbean ship you are on, this could be the Sorrentos pizza outlets found in ship promenades, Park Cafe (found in the Central Park area of Oasis-class ships) or Cafe @ Two70 (found on Quantum-class ships). As you wander, especially out on deck, smiling crew members may be carrying trays of tempting and colorful icy drinks, maybe even decorated with sweet little umbrellas. Many cruisers assume they cant bring their own drinks on board a ship. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again. The muster drill consists of going to your assigned muster station and being instructed on what would happen in the event of an emergency at sea. Feastin Mother's Day Brunch Options: Choose from Flour & Branch's stuffed French toast, Daughter's Diner brunch for two ($89) or Palette Tea House's classic dim sum, crab feast ($78) or . In the Bahamas and the Caribbean, its also hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region. Royal Caribbean does set some limits with this perk. Heres the good news: If the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you can usually get your fare reduced to match the lower price. Price will be about 22.00 as opposed to a sale price of 17.50 on your cruise planner. Welcome lunch When The Key program was first rolled out, one of the perks was an exclusive embarkation day lunch at Chops Grille or Jamie's Italian specialty restaurants. On Anthem, its the Caf @ TWO70, usually opens at 11:30 Once onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, there will be lots to see and do and like any cruise, it is up to you what to do. Following the muster drill and sail away, your evening plans will start to open up more than what was available during the afternoon. cruise lines allowance for bringing your own beverages on board, The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for Royal Caribbean cruises generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region. Never filled up more than half. The exact times depend on a variety of factors, including how quickly customs clears the ship and how quickly Royal Caribbean's crew is ready for the new wave of guests. These parties are about music, laughter and the opportunity to check out the crowd youll be with for the week. Your link has been automatically embedded. Everybody heads straight to it after they board. Even if you think the biggest allure of your Royal Caribbean cruise will be the amenities you'll find on your ship, you'll still be facing several days of port calls on many sailings. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Like what you see? This may be the most important piece of cruise advice you'll read in this entire story. And it's no small thing, given that CocoCay is a marquee stop on a significant number of Royal Caribbean voyages to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. 217. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. These include: The main dining room is not typically open for lunch on embarkation day, except for guests who purchased The Key, where they will enjoy a complimentary specialty restaurant meal there. In most cases, guests receive their SeaPass card, wait to be called to board and then board the ship. Carnival bans handcuffs. Im with @Xaa100% with my choices! As others pointed out, the menu is similar to B2B menu. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. This coming week, however, we want to try out El Loco Fresh on Odyssey. DO head to your cabin when it's ready I loved their roast beef sandwich. Its OK to stand in awe. Youll find a list of all the daily activities printed out in your cabin, on your cabin TV and on the shipboard app. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. It won't cost you anything to snag a seat to one of the shows in advance when you can. Getting acclimated with where everything will make your cruise easier since you will spend less time trying to locate everything. Royal Caribbean automatically adds an 18% gratuity to bar bills and minibar items, as well as spa and salon purchases. If you arrive the night before your cruise, you may want to separate out your pajamas and the clothes you are going to wear on embarkation day. In your closet, or in another location in the cabin, will be life jackets. With this package, guests can also enjoy lunch at specialty restaurants on embarkation day and sea days. Sorrentos, El Loco Fresh, and Playmakers ($) for sure will be open. I agree that it looks better thanThe Key. Some ship atriums are impressively high or have cool artwork or chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Find the right card for you. The only major caveat: Sailings on chartered cruises on Royal Caribbean ships, such as full-ship theme cruises, are excluded. is an award-winning cruise journalist whose work regularly appears in Bloomberg, Travel + Leisure, Afar and other travel outlets. Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise? This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Lunch on Embarkation Day: Whats your go-to? Royal Caribbean also bans martial arts gear, baby monitors and extension cords, among other items. Sail awayusuallyfollows the muster drill, in which case there is a sail away party at the pool deck that many guests opt to join in. Make the most of your overnight by exploring a little in the departure port city before you board the ship. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. It used to be that everyone on a cruise ship was required to gather on embarkation day at their assigned muster station, listen to a safety briefing and be checked off a list as having been briefed. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Its one way to save money when cruising on a Royal Caribbean ship, as drink prices on the line's vessels can be high. PPPJJ-GCVAB , FloatyBoaty , DoomSlayer and 1 other 2 2 Quote OCSC Mike Members 681 Location: Outside Orlando, FL (Near Matt) Posted April 15 This is no small thing. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Most guests opt to have lunch somewhere on the ship on embarkation day. (Unlike some lines, Royal Caribbean doesn't build self-service launderettes onto its ships, which we find a bit annoying.). While most cruise lines allow passengers to bring a small amount of alcohol, soda and bottled water for consumption in their cabin, make sure you have not gone over the cruise lines allowance for bringing your own beverages on board. If you're unsure, ask if a gratuity has already been included before adding another 15% or 20% to the total. Their short ribs are really good!! As with any other secured structure, you cant walk right onto a ship. Slacker. Those are the rough times you'll be able to get off the ship and must be back aboard. (Dock workers expect a small tip for the service.) 11. Chops Grille or Jamie's Italian will get you out of the craziness of the Wind Jammer on embarkation day, and provide a very nice lunch. Put your name on signup sheets for fitness classes, as these also fill up quickly. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, Southwest unveils stunning new Hawaii-themed aircraft, How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value, IHG Rewards Premier Business card review: The annual fee is justified. There is no need (nor option) to make lunch reservations on embarkation day, so it is just first-come, first served. Related: How to visit Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars. Liberty of the Seas Embarkation Day with. Offer ends 5/3/23. We show you what the procedures on boarding day, as well as tips for a less-stressful check-in process at the cruise. With your Royal Caribbean cruise right around the corner, you might be wondering what time should I get to the cruise, Embarkation day on any Royal Caribbean cruise is an exciting and busy day, and it appears Royal Caribbean is trying to, 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 cruise is such an awesome feeling, and I have some great tips for making it as super smooth as, Royal Caribbean is inviting select guests to try out a new way to board the ship that aims to improve the embarkation, Royal Caribbean has a reputation for being a leader in a variety of areas, including integrating technology to make the. On Carnival Cruise Line ships, go directly to celebrity chef Guy Fieris poolside Guys Burger Joint and indulge in a decadent burger or fries. Once you prove (through your paperwork or electronically) that you belong on the ship, you will go through security. You'll also find a comprehensive daily schedule of activities on the app as well as menus for restaurants. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Note that the credit cant be used for the daily service charges levied on Royal Caribbean ships. Or, maybe youll fall ill during the trip and need emergency medical attention. Spend some time on embarkation day walking your Royal Caribbean ship. Oasis;Park Caf, I was on Oasis last month and Solarium was open on embarkation day, So many options on Oasis-class! Embarkation usually begins in the late morning to early afternoon, so lunch is the first opportunity to sit down for a bite to eat. Perk (s) number three! mritty 7 hr. Paste as plain text instead, Looks good to me! The exact times depend on a variety of factors, including how quickly customs clears the ship and how quickly Royal Caribbean's crew is ready for the new wave of guests. By 1pm, your stateroom will be ready and that means you can check out your new home, drop off any carry on luggage you brought and start enjoying the benefits of your room. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. The check-in process on embarkation day will take place throughout much of the day, and guests can arrive at their convenience to the port, as soon as the port allows guests to do so. Those details are usually printed in the Cruise Compass newsletter thats delivered to your cabin each night. 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. Embarkation usually begins in the late morning to early afternoon, so lunch is the first opportunity to sit down for a bite to eat. Park Cafe and Solarium are two of my favorites. When choosing a room, we recommend staying away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. There's So Much to Do on Perfect Day at CocoCay To get the best price on any particular sailing, you should book right when the voyage opens for sale. Mariner of the Seas is experimenting with a complimentary embarkation day lunch to help alleviate demand in Windjammer. I'm staying in a JS? The island is outfitted for Wi-Fi access, so you can use your shipboard internet package to stay in touch or post photos of your day on social media without extra fees. Related: Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? You may find a ship deck plan (map) in your cabin, or one may be available at the pursers desk. You dont need to do everything your first day, so if you spot a perfect spot in the sun or shade, rest your weary bones. Our first cruise, we ended up getting on just before muster, then our luggage came and we were so hungry and exhausted we just ordered room service. Preferably sooner than later, I hope this test passes with flying colors and becomes the offered MDR embarkation day lunch fleet wide! The newsletter should also list contact information for the port agent in every destination you visit. Theres also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Remember, youre on vacation. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel a huge market for Royal Caribbean drops off significantly, resulting in diminished demand for the line's ships. A main dining room with waiter service and specialty for-a-fee restaurants also may be alternatives for an embarkation day lunch. The check-in procedure at the port consists of dropping off your luggage with porters, going through security and then meeting with the pier staff to receive your boarding documents. There will be other venues available to dine at on your ship that are complimentary. Royal Caribbean offers its guests two choices for enjoying dinner in the main dining room: My Time Dining or, Royal Caribbean's cruise ships offer an incredible amount of food and dining venues onboard. Solarium Bistro is open for breakfast daily around 7:30 to 10:30 am and for lunch on select days from around 11:30 am to 3 pm. Fun times are ahead; a little cat nap may be in order. If you check in far in advance, you'll probably find the earliest arrival slots still open. The. Here are some dos and donts to help make embarkation day as hassle-free as possible. Hello everyone! Liberty of the Seas Embarkation Day with Lunch at Chops Grille - YouTube 0:00 / 29:18 Royal Caribbean Cruise! While were on the topic of sundries, dont forget extra batteries or memory cards for your camera if you are bringing one. It was so nice to sit back in a calm atmosphere and enjoy being waited on that I'm pretty sure it has become an instant go to if the ship has one. Given the many thousands of people on these ships on any given sailing, its not uncommon to find that some shows book up in advance. A press release from the line described the new offering as follows: The new Winemaker Dinner leverages the expansive expertise of Chuck Wagner, owner and winemaker of the renowned Napa Valley's Caymus Vineyards, to deliver a five-course menu, crafted to complement the tasting notes of his wines. Youve arrived at your floating home for the week. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. If you normally use a travel agent to book your cruises, don't worry about not being able to work with them. Single guests would have to pay 200% of the fare to receive the offer. The Key is priority access to certain aspects of a Royal Caribbean cruise such as . A line-by-line guide. ago. All rights reserved. But there's an exception: The Johnny Rockets venues on Royal Caribbean's five Oasis-class ships offer breakfast for free. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and poof! Since cruising restarted post-pandemic, most cruise lines now assign passengers a staggered time to arrive at the pier. You just show up and have fun. You can renegotiate the price until you've paid in full for the cruise; that final payment is typically due a few months prior to the sail date. Related: 26 cruise secrets from an expert that will blow your mind. They need time to kick in. Here is yet one more tip about making reservations in advance: If you're signing up for My Time Dining on a Royal Caribbean ship the type of dining where you can eat in the main dining room whenever you want you'll have an easier time getting seated at the time you want if you make a reservation in advance. not going to lie, i would do an MDR sit down lunch just because its climate controlled being indoors and also away from the masses (aka the jammer). Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean will offer you a bonus if you book a cruise while on a ship. Video: Royal Caribbean dining questions I get asked all the time. Many Royal Caribbean cruisers also wont head to a ship without room freshener, a foldable shoe rack (which they hang in the cabin bathroom to store toiletries), a highlighter (to highlight activities on the daily planner) and a lanyard (to hold their cabin keycard). Embarkation Day Lunch By 2boxers, October 28, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International Share Followers 2 2boxers 251 May 28, 2006 Northeast Ohio #1 Posted October 28, 2021 We purchased The Key. You are required to watch a video on your cabin TV or cruise line app that tells you what to do in the event of a fire or other shipboard emergency. Throw all the clothes you think youll need for a Royal Caribbean cruise in a pile, and then take away half of them. When going ashore, always bring your Royal Caribbean ships contact information with you. We hate to even bring it up, but you might need to cancel your Royal Caribbean cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness.

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