One perk of staying in a Grand Suite is that you will have access to complimentary backstage tours. Reserved seating section in select entertainment venues (reservations required) Suite Lounge Access (complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails each evening) Access to Suite Sun Deck. In this post, we will walk you through the whole embarkation process so that youre prepared for your first day on board. With 24/7 complimentary room service, you can order salads, pasta, quesadillas, burgers, and more whenever you would like without incurring the $7.95 delivery fee and 18% service charge. Have you ever wanted to get a behind-the-scenes look of a cruise ship? Upload or insert images from URL. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). 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. . You will then go straight to the section on choosing your arrival time and pick the one you want. Hi there! In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. We show you what the procedures on boarding day, as well as tips for a less-stressful check-in process at the cruise terminal, plus the top choices for lunch. Guests who were sailing in Star Class and had access to a Royal Genie were permitted to move to the front of the line in order to receive the priority boarding that was included in their suite perks. The Key passes are bought online before you board the ship; you can't buy them once you board. This is the perfect time to make dining changes/requests, book activities and specialty restaurants, secure shore excursions, etc. We like to carry a backpack onboard the ship on embarkation day. Our Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Ocean View/ Panoramic (No Balcony) Suites, and Owners Suites all receive priority boarding, and our Royal Suite and Villa Suite guests are escorted onboard by an officer. Purchases made onboard over the initi *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. We have been on two RCI cruises recently. After checkin Key and others had to wait for ship to be cleared. Royal Caribbean provides exclusive perks and benefits for passengers booked in suite accommodations. They are larger, especially on the newer ships in the fleet. This was a huge relief from the typical check-in desk with long check-in lines we have experienced in the past. If you are wanting to maximize your suite benefits, this is a great way to do so, as evening gowns and suits usually cost between $7.50 and $15.00 per item for everyone else on the ship. Being in a jr suite, we went up and asked if that included Jr suites. If we are, do I just call for a new time? Like what you see? Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Same questions on The Key at this point. 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. While this isnt necessarily the time in which you will board the ship, it is a good indicator of when you will be allowed to embark. It has grown into a website full of information on family vacation tips, kid friendly activities, homeschooling organization hacks, and so much more! On the cruise they didnt enforce check-in times there was less than 1000 passengers on the ship. Several years ago, I decided to start this blog to document our family trips. They started letting us into the building a few at a time at 11:45. 30 Best Things to Do in Downtown Gatlinburg (2023), 35 Best Places to Visit in Tennessee (2023), 89 Free Things to Do on Oasis of the Seas, Best Things to Do in Labadee (from Beaches to Excursions), 53 Royal Caribbean Tips and Tricks You Need to Know. Once inside whether there continues to be separation for the Key depends on when you arrive. Edited September 9, 2021 by TheBucketLister. For an additional fee starting at $24.99 USD per person/per day, children under six years of age are free, Royal Caribbean cruisers can add on a host of additional concierge-level benefits including: Priority Check-In at Boarding; Carry-on Luggage Drop Off; Luggage Delivery to Stateroom; If not, just leave blank, Royal Caribbean bathrobes (for onboard use only), Suite Lounge/Concierge Club access with horsdoeuvres and cocktails every evening), Priority dining, spa, and shore excursion bookings, Ability to order from the Main Dining Room for in-suite dining (during operating hours), Private breakfast and lunch seating (location varies by ship and sailing), Complimentary pressing on first formal night. When we got to the pier there was already a long line. Her whole family, including the oceanview cabin guests, were permitted to stand in the suite line. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. We were onboard at ~11:30am (1 hr before our boarding window started.). 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. It has since expanded to all ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. My 3 cruises have been less than 40% fill. This allows us to keep our things organized and within easy access. 2023 Mom's Plan-it Vacation Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Are the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth It? The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. (When choosing a time, aim for something in the afternoon, after the morning rush has died down.). Certain hotels have resort fees. Note that The Key is not offered on all Royal Caribbean ships. Here, suite guests can relax on the suites-only Barefoot Beach. In addition to being able to utilize the concierge, you will also have access to a private onboard lounge. Read reviews from Cruise Critic members who have already used The Key on their sailings. Royal Caribbean Suite Perks Explained As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. At the Seattle and at the Galveston Terminal they had various lines for the allotted times. 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. Priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day*, Carry-on bag drop off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery**, Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room with a menu featuring Chops Grille on embarkation day, Private hours for guests to partake in certain on board activities, such as the FlowRider and rock climbing, without a wait, Priority departure at ports of call from ship-to-shore, Seats in the exclusive VIP seating section at shows in the main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70, VOOM Surf & Stream for one device with high-speed internet (one package per paying guest), Exclusive a la carte breakfast on disembarkation day, Pick your departure time on disembarkation day, 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. That way, you have time to rebook yourself on a different flight if something goes wrong. Export it as JPEG to use on the web. Either way, I recommend purchasing travel insurance (through a third party, not through your cruise line) that will protect your investment if something happens and you miss your 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. At both ports theywere doing the 2:30 people by 1:00 as the lines move fast. 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. We were on the Oasis last week. If boarding has started already they may or may not still maintain a priority lane for the Key. Royal Caribbean's Star Class guests also receive priority disembarkation, unlimited VOOM internet, and invitations to exclusive signature events. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Note that the menu is similar to those of the Main Dining Room; however, you will not have to wait for a table or fight the crowds in the Windjammer! It makes sense that you would want to see as many shows as possible! Back whenfirst made Diamond in late 90's it meant something, Meet Capt and all Senior Staff each Sailing, was first on and off Ship with only Group before us was Wedding Parties. The porters will be there, but they're busy getting to departing passengers moved out. In order to complete Check-In successfully, you will need the following: Personal Information for each guest An Onboard Expense Account, also known as your Seapass onboard account, is the cashless system used for all onboard purchases and services. 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. If you dont plan on using the pools, you may not need nearly as many items as we do. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Once we check in, the cruise will seem real! However, the earlier your arrival time, the sooner you are usually able to embark on the ship. 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. What Food Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise? 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. 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. Lunch on Day 2 for ships sailing from Seward or Vancouver. Yes. What exactly are the perks of a Royal Caribbean suite? The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP benefits, including an early check-in time. In addition to having a private beach away from the crowds, you will also have upgraded lunch offerings compared to the other buffets. The answer to the first question depends on how far of a commute you have to the cruise port. To ensure the shortest wait possible, make sure to check in and set up your onboard account online or using your cruise lines mobile app ahead of time. Rude woman at the terminal said nope that line is full and we have to go into the long zig zagging line. At Port Canaveral we had to clear security before checkin. As for when to arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, the answer depends on your boarding time. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore. So, in practicality, what will that mean regarding boarding in Galveston? Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. So, anyone in the wrong line was asked to move. However, once you finally arrive at the port and board the ship, all your worries are washed away. That being said, my sister had a junior suite AND an oceanview room booked. Guess I am wondering if having "priority" will shorten boarding all that much. Why is check-in not available for my cruise? (Each time you disembark or re-board in a port of call, youll also have to swipe your card, so keep it with you.). Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. Royal Caribbean suites provide a range of benefits that can greatly enhance your cruise experience, from an exclusive suites-only lounge to private dining experiences and priority embarkation. (This post may contain affiliate links. Its also important to note that theres no best time to board the Royal Caribbean ship. How do I setup a Royal Caribbean SeaPass or Onboard Expense Account? I think the number of passengers determines how strictly they enforce the check-in times. 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. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. If youre catching a plane, when to fly in for your cruise depends on several factors. A 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise onboard Rhapsody of the Seas that also departs in August . (driving in so coming from parking deck). Bypassing the parking deck on the way in will let you not have to worry about bringing down your luggage from the parking deck at Terminal A. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. ** Carry-on luggage drop-off service is limited to two pieces per guest and can weigh no more than 25 pounds per carry-on. Disembarkation generally wraps up by 10 a.m. at the latest, and some extra time is allowed for the crew to start on tasks like provisioning (restocking of supplies and food), bunkering (refueling) and cleaning of the vessels cabins and public areas to ready them for the next round of guests. It's strictly a pay-to-play situation. Your Key purchase is noted on your card by a special icon. Royal Caribbean's Junior Suites don't have many perks over a regular Balcony Stateroom. I don't even ask, I go to the Suite line and stay there. How can I get my Royal Caribbean cruise boarding pass (SetSail Pass)? 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.
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