royal caribbean priority boarding
In order to complete Check-In successfully, you will need the following: Personal Information for each guest . The Key program is Royal Caribbean's initiative to give guests access to premier and exclusive cruise services and activities while on board for a small additional fee. * Benefits & amenities may varybyship. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. We had a suite and should have been in the suite check in line. They come with a wide range of perks that are meant to maximize the value of your vacation through special privileges and upgraded amenities. Normally, you get one Crown & Anchor loyalty point for each night of the cruise. Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. One perk of staying in a Grand Suite is that you will have access to complimentary backstage tours. For an extra-special journey, select Royal Suite Class, with . After check-in, youll head up the gangway and onto the ship, where security will scan your card to log that youve boarded. Certain hotels have resort fees. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. If your clothing got wrinkled in your suitcase, you have the chance to get a complimentary pressing on your itinerary's first formal night. HEIC is not a standard web format. How early can I board my Royal Caribbean cruise? . Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. When they first called for boarding ~11am, they called for Pins and suite guests. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Ships usually start boarding shortly after the final passenger has disembarked from the previous sailing, usually between 10 and 11 a.m. Adhering to your assigned embarkation time will help to keep the boarding process running smoothly. The $13 allotment coves almost any drink, including martinis at the Schooner Bar. If you live within driving distance of your departure port, its acceptable to make your way there the same day your ship leaves unless youre looking at a multi-hour ride and dont want to cut it too close to boarding time. Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day dos and donts. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. They are larger, especially on the newer ships in the fleet. has spent more than 15 years writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. Tendering operations can often take hours to get all the passengers to shore, so this is a valuable benefit if your itinerary has multiple tender ports. Successfully completing the check-in process for you and those guests listed on your SetSail Pass will allow you to receive a SetSail Pass. If your documents are not yet available, check back soon. First, if you miss The Key check-in window, you have to fall back to whatever time you had before. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Read on to find out the answers, as well as when you should plan to arrive in your departure city before you set sail. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). How early is too early for the porters to be there? (If youre someone who prefers to spend as much time as possible on board, you can elect to choose an earlier boarding time, but be warned that there could be long lines and wait times.). Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. A Royal Caribbean employee came over to our large group and checked in each party using her tablet. Preferred boarding: You and your companions can board with Group 5. It says we get priority boarding. After scanning carry ons, up another escalator and board the ship or wait to board? You should also receive an e-mail when your documents are ready. If you have any interest in this, it is worth reaching out to your concierge to see what is available on your sailing. So, now that youve got all the facts, youre probably wondering how much these benefits cost. There are several other tricks like completing check-in online or via your cruise lines mobile app before you show up that you can employ to speed up the embarkation process. 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. 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! So according to this, suite guests are allowed to check-in up to 60 minutes before or after the 30 minute selected check-in window. She said you should have called him before entering the terminal. This large room consisted of plenty of seating options, refreshments, and restrooms. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. .css-18jw8gc{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;position:relative;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:1.2;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:var(--chakra-sizes-10);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);background:none;border:0;color:black;display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0!important;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-Roboto);font-weight:500;padding-top:0.625rem;padding-bottom:0.625rem;-webkit-padding-start:1rem;padding-inline-start:1rem;-webkit-padding-end:1rem;padding-inline-end:1rem;}.css-18jw8gc:focus-visible,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-18jw8gc:disabled,.css-18jw8gc[disabled],.css-18jw8gc[aria-disabled=true],.css-18jw8gc[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-18jw8gc:active,.css-18jw8gc[data-active]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:hover,.css-18jw8gc[data-hover]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:focus,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}Cookie Consent, Celebrity Cruises' Suite Class on Celebrity Eclipse, Carnival VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Cruise Loyalty Program, Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club Cruise Loyalty Program, Regent's Seven Seas Society Loyalty Program, Seabourn Cruises' Seabourn Club Loyalty Program, Cunard Line's Cunard World Club Cruise Loyalty Program, Costa Cruises' Costa Club Cruise Loyalty Program, How to Navigate the Airport on Cruise Turnaround Day, Club Orange, Holland America's Priority Program, Royal Caribbean Orders Third Icon-Class Ship (Photo: Royal Caribbean International). If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! On the cruise they didnt enforce check-in times there was less than 1000 passengers on the ship. In my opinion, this is not a one-size-fits-all package. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. Depending on the arrival time you chose during online check-in, you can show up at the cruise terminal as early as 10:00 am for your cruise vacation. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. However, adding the cost of a pre-cruise hotel stay onto the overall bill isnt always doable for every traveler, especially those on tight budgets. They also re-wear their embarkation clothes since this first day is typically not dressy at all. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Buying The Key package instead of booking a suite is an awesome way to receive some VIP benefits at a more affordable price. You can also do it via the website Cruise Planner check-in process: It is my understanding that with the exception of suite guest, who can check in up to an hour ahead of their scheduled time, priority boarding is not being used during COVID. Most cruise ships require all passengers to be on board no fewer than one to two hours before the scheduled departure time, which is almost always in the late afternoon or evening. First time cruisers: What time to get to the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise? Since the Suite Lounge/Concierge Club is open during the day, it is a great place to escape for a little bit to recharge without returning to your stateroom. Ocula932 4 mo. It has since expanded to all ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. You can post now and register later. Royal Caribbean is now offering an expedited arrival option on about a half dozen of its ships that aim to get guests, Royal Caribbean is inviting select guests to try out a new way to board the ship that aims to improve the embarkation, The first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise is areallyfun moment in any cruise fan's vacation, because it is when, When you arrive at the cruise terminal for the first day of your cruise, there are porters waiting to take your luggage, With your Royal Caribbean cruise right around the corner, you might be wondering what time should I get to the cruise, When your Royal Caribbean cruise ship begins to sail away from port and your cruise actually begins, you will probably. (When choosing a time, aim for something in the afternoon, after the morning rush has died down.). They created a different line for the 12:30 to 1:00. This makes it easy to undress them poolside, and they can hop right in. A Grand Suite on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing in June 2024 starts at $7,145 per person, based on double occupancy. Employees come over to make you show that you are in a suite. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 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. But how early can you board the cruise ship? Wonder, however, does not have any 2-bedroom Grand Suites onboard. The Key program is Royal Caribbean's initiative to give guests access to premier and exclusive cruise services and activities while on board for a small additional fee. Whether The Key package is worth it depends on the type of traveler you are. If not, just leave blank. If your cruise documents are available, you can access them through your reservation dashboard in yourGuest Account. ** Carry-on luggage drop-off service is limited to two pieces per guest and can weigh no more than 25 pounds per carry-on. Since your luggage isnt guaranteed to arrive in your room before dinner, youll want to make sure you have everything you need ahead of time. For a 3-night vacation, you would earn 3 points, for a 7-night cruise, you would earn 7, and so on. You will not have to worry about missing out on the delicious offering in the Main Dining Room since you have the ability to order straight from the menu and have it delivered! This didnt take long at all, and our whole group was onboard the ship shortly after 11:00. 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. 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. What does The Key include on Royal Caribbean? In comparison, Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has 28. Have you ever wanted to get a behind-the-scenes look of a cruise ship? For our four-day itinerary out of Miami on Navigator of the Seas and a family of three, the total cost for our package (two adults) was around $159. She frequently travels the U.S. and the world with her toddler seeking out unique travel experiences with a motto that Traveling with Kids makes them better humans. However, that will probably slow down some as RCI takes on more passengers each cruise. Sky guests onboard Spectrum of the Seas have access to The Balcony. Be prepared with this information when your concierge reaches out to you, which will be about a week or so before departure. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. (Honest Review). 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. Pasted as rich text. Dining here offers a more intimate experience than elsewhere on the ship. If we are, do I just call for a new time? Priority boarding By mimi217, October 3, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International Share. BTWcheck in time wasn't even used. Our family chose to eat lunch at Windjammer Marketplace after boarding. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. Apologies to everyone for going off topic a bit. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. At the Seattle and at the Galveston Terminal they had various lines for the allotted times. On one no one ever asked anyone to show their check-in time while on the other one, they strictly enforced the check-in times. They are the lowest category of suite available that can experience the full list of perks. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Also, have your ID and other boarding documents handy, and dont pack anything in your luggage that could cause you to be flagged at security. This is by far the least crowded time to swim on the cruise ship. That seems like a lot to save an hour or two on embarkation day. For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. That being said, my sister had a junior suite AND an oceanview room booked. This place and your collective experiences pays off again! In fact, balconies on older ships are far less, too. Morethan a few people were not happy about it during the short time we were inline outside. Youll also find a free printable cruise packing list! You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. First, we recommend choosing your port arrival time before completing anything else during online check in. Suites onboard these ships are broken up into three different categories -- Sea, Sky, and Star -- that all come with different benefits. (They do sell out.). Im Shari. We enjoy being on the ship early to take advantage of as much time on board as possible. The Key is available on all Royal Caribbean ships. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, The Key, Royal Caribbean's Priority Program, 8 Reasons to Cruise on a Refurbished Ship, What to Expect on a Cruise: Boarding a Cruise Ship, 10 Things to Know About Cruising on Empress of the Seas, Priority check-in and boarding (with some exceptions), Ability to store carry-on luggage in the main dining room from boarding until 1:30p.m. when it's delivered to your cabin, Welcome lunch in the main dining room on embarkation day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring a menu from Chops Grille, Voom internet with Surf & Stream for one device per Key cruiser, Specialty seating at shows and events in the main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70 (reservations needed for Oasis- and Quantum-class ships), Special access hours for onboard attractions, such as the zipline, FlowRider, rock climbing wall, Ultimate Abyss, North Star, iFly and the ice rink, Priority line at ship attractions and water slides during regular hours, Priority access off the ship to the shore in port, Exclusive a la carte breakfast from 6:30a.m. to 9:30a.m. on debarkation morning, Special Key luggage tags that put your suitcases in a special area in Customs when you disembark. It took a few weeks for my cruises to offer earlier arrival times, so just check back every couple days. Are Royal Caribbean Internet Packages Worth It? After we completed this check-in procedure, our family sat in the waiting area until it was our turn to board the ship. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. You must purchase The Key package online in advance of your sailing. This allows us to keep our things organized and within easy access. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Why is check-in not available for my cruise? Luxury Pillow Top Mattress. The length of time it will take from curb to gangway will vary based on several considerations, including: Its a good idea to show up in your city of embarkation the day before your cruise if youre flying in. Boarding begins roughly between 10 and 11 a.m., depending on the ships schedule and how long it takes everyone from the last cruise to debark. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. We are working to uplift our check-in experience to support a healthy and safe cruise for all guests, crew, and communities where we operate. 1 download. Since you will be one of the first people onboard, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch in the buffet and have shorter lines for any amenities that are open, like the FlowRider, water slides, etc. (This post may contain affiliate links. You can also do it via the website Cruise Planner check-in process: Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. As far as your check in time. For additional packing tips and cruise hacks, check out our post on Royal Caribbean Tips for First Timers. Since the online check-in time usually opens up at midnight (EST) 45 days before your cruise, youll want to login at this time. It is a good question to ask, especially since some of Royal Caribbean's newest suites are only available on certain classes and/or ships. Although its similar to the procedure at airport security, you wont have to take your shoes off or remove laptops or liquids from your bags (unless they find contraband alcohol or something else that looks suspicious). Being in a jr suite, we went up and asked if that included Jr suites. Our driver dropped us off with the porters at the terminal who checked that all of our bags held luggage tags, which we had printed from our online account. When you enter the terminal building, you must show your ID and boarding documents and proceed through a security check. I think the number of passengers determines how strictly they enforce the check-in times. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. Additionally, Star Class suites include complimentary gratuities, specialty dining and premium alcoholic beverages. Your carry-on bags pass through a scanner, and you must walk through a metal detector. If you are trying to cruise on a budget, staying in a Grand Suite is probably not the most economical choice, as you could devote that money to other experiences, such as shore excursions, specialty dining, etc. From the Cruise Planner, click toedit your check-in: Txs. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. I use the Ziploc bag to hold wet swimsuits until our room is ready, so you wont need this item if you dont have a wet bathing suit to store. is a journalist specializing in luxury family travel and the blogger behind The Daily Impressions. First, Royal Caribbean is now allowing guests to use the vouchers for any drink up to $13. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. Royal Caribbean Suite Perks Explained How can I get my Royal Caribbean cruise boarding pass (SetSail Pass)? 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. On the latter two classes, Royal Caribbean introduced what is known as the Royal Suite Class. If you dont plan on using the pools, you may not need nearly as many items as we do. We found our SeaPass cards in the room, which are used during the cruise as your room key, identification, credit card, etc. Yes. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? 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. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The junior suites onboard the Oasis of the Seas measure 287 square feet with a balcony size of 80 square feet making them much roomier than the average stateroom. Offer ends 5/3/23. Get there before 11am and you will wait upstairs until the ship is cleared and boarding starts at around 11:30. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. First, we will go over the benefits available for all guests in Grand Suites, then we will go into the specifics of the perks on Oasis and Quantum ships: Embarkation and disembarkation is already hectic enough. Below you will find a comprehensive list of all our suite benefits so you can choose the suite that best fits your cruise vacation.