When they first called for boarding ~11am, they called for Pins and suite guests. In comparison, Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has 28. 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. Apologies to everyone for going off topic a bit. Boarding early if in a Suite? - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Absolutely! Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. The Royal Caribbean junior suites offer extra room for cruisers without the hefty price tag of a full suite. A couple in front of us said they had the Genie and she said well it's too late. Autism Friendly Ships | Accessible Cruises | Royal Caribbean Cruises Royal Caribbean suites are impressive, with some even spanning two levels with a private jacuzzi, multiple bedrooms, and a personalized Royal Genie service. With additional perks such as concierge service, priority boarding and departure privileges, and dedicated entertainment seating, everything you need for a lavish voyage is at your fingertips. (Although its not required, its nice to give a dollar or two per bag as a tip.) Some benefits may not be available on all sailings. From the Cruise Planner, click toedit your check-in: If there are no better times to select, just close out of the website -- all your existing information is saved. Your link has been automatically embedded. Offer ends 5/3/23. If your cruise vacation snuck up on you and you forgot to make reservations in advance, do not worry! The Key is not sold on board the ship. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. I hear that some people have managed to get earlier times by constantly checking via the RCL App. 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. Then, the dads in our group took the kids to the pool so that they could swim in virtually empty swimming areas. Hi there! So, how do you secure an early arrival time so that you can board the ship as soon as possible? 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. Then, we walked right into the suite waiting area. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The Key is an extra-fee program from Royal Caribbean that gives cruisers a host of perks, such as priority boarding and debarkation, reserved seating at shows, special access to onboard attractions and more. I always advise flying in at least one day before youre scheduled to embark, just in case you encounter any delays or cancellations. There are a few tricks to scoring early arrival times if you are eager to be one of the first passengers on the ship. Suite Priority boarding : r/royalcaribbean - Reddit I pack my kids undergarments for them to put on after they swim. Royal Caribbean Junior Suite Perks | Royal Caribbean Blog Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. Our Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Ocean View/ Panoramic (No Balcony) Suites, and Owner's Suites all receive priority boarding, and our Royal Suite and Villa Suite guests are escorted onboard by an officer. Cruise boarding times: How early should you arrive for a cruise - The Below you will find a comprehensive list of all our suite benefits so you can choose the suite that best fits your cruise vacation. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. Either way, you should have plenty of time to enjoy all the entertainment and activities onboard the ship. 2023 Mom's Plan-it Vacation Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Are the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth It? You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. The Royal Loft Suite on Quantum of the Seas Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. It took a few weeks for my cruises to offer earlier arrival times, so just check back every couple days. While the exact tour will vary, you will most likely be taken to see the bridge, galley, and/or theatre. After check-in, youll head up the gangway and onto the ship, where security will scan your card to log that youve boarded. Priority boarding from a TA usually means nothing. If someone cancels their cruise, their check-in time goes back into the system for someone else to grab. Yes. This is where I saw it last and was dated 08/24/2021. Note that The Key is not offered on all Royal Caribbean ships. How early can I board my Royal Caribbean 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 anoth. Her whole family, including the oceanview cabin guests, were permitted to stand in the suite line. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Since you can only order from the Main Dining Room menu when it is open, it is likely that you might find yourself caving an in-suite snack outside of their operational hours. Luxury Pillow Top Mattress. At 10:00, the doors to the terminal opened, and the suite guests were escorted to an elevator that took us to a separate security line. How do I setup a Royal Caribbean SeaPass or Onboard Expense Account? Basically, its your chance to get to the fun faster and receive VIP access to certain activities. How can I get my Royal Caribbean cruise boarding pass (SetSail Pass)? The moms in our group then ran errands to take care of some items. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. 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. Is Royal Caribbean's "priority access" package worth the price? TPG For a full list of items that my family and I pack on a cruise vacation, you can check out my Cruise Packing List article. 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. 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. If you think you want The Key, buy early, as the number of passes can vary by sailing. At the Seattle and at the Galveston Terminal they had various lines for the allotted times. Staying in a Grand Suite means that you can bypass the tender line and be one of the first guests off! 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. Whether The Key package is worth it depends on the type of traveler you are. We make sure to pack several items in our backpack, which I will include below: Youll notice that many of the items listed above are needed because our kids swim on embarkation day. We were at the port ~10:20 and our boarding time was 12:30-1pm. The answer to the first question depends on how far of a commute you have to the cruise port. Whats a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money? Its important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. This allows us to keep our things organized and within easy access. There was no separation for the actual check-in or security inside the terminal for the Key as it wasn't needed for the volume of people they were processing through at the time. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. 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. C&A became too successful. Got on board in Galveston this past Sunday and the only thing suite did for us was save us walking to the end and getting into that line. There is a Key line outside of the terminal entrance, usually it is on the left side when facing the terminal where the restrooms are. We were onboard at ~11:30am (1 hr before our boarding window started.). However, once you finally arrive at the port and board the ship, all your worries are washed away. When we got to the pier there was already a long line. They did not know &asked someone else who said no. Royal Caribbean Junior Suite Perks: Is it worth it? (2023) - Cruise Mummy You cant miss the porters and their baggage carts as they line up on the curb by the terminal. priority boarding? - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of this page for more details.). Upload or insert images from URL. You will then go straight to the section on choosing your arrival time and pick the one you want. The intent was to give travelers VIP or suite-style benefits while on board. dr martini 1 Quote JazzBassMan Members 89 LocationVirginia Posted March 5 This was my pass from Odyssey from my Apple Wallet. 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. ** Guests sailing in a suite aboard Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas will enjoy new benefits. 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. They have some of the same benefits as those staying in Grand Suites on other ships, such as the concierge service, priority boarding and departure, reserved seating for shows (although reservations are required), Suite Lounge access withcomplimentary hors doeuvres and cocktails each evening, dedicated suites-only sun deck,bathrobes for onboard use, luxury mattress and bathroom amenities, and aLavazza Espresso Coffee Machine. Follow signs for the applicable arrival channel, whether that be parking or drop-offs via taxis, Ubers and shuttles. 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. (This post may contain affiliate links. You can read more about me here-Meet Shari. What are the benefits of the Royal Caribbean Suites program? Comment below to share your tips with us! It's available for a small additional cost without the need of booking the type of suite that offers similar perks. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. On the latter two classes, Royal Caribbean introduced what is known as the Royal Suite Class. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard. You should also receive an e-mail when your documents are ready. Pasted as rich text. Wonder, however, does not have any 2-bedroom Grand Suites onboard. There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore. Purchases made onboard over the initi *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. You can easily loop back around to park after dropping off the luggage. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Expand Do you have any experience with Bayonne and what they have for suites at the terminal? Our rooms then opened up at around 1:00 that afternoon. In this post, we will walk you through the whole embarkation process so that youre prepared for your first day on board. 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. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Ask when should I arrive for my cruise? and you likely mean one of two things: When should you arrive in your ships departure port city before your sailing or when should you arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day? 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. Certain hotels have resort fees. Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows for you to choose from. 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. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Is this where the Key has a special line if not before or in addition to? You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Each everything, they will serve cocktails and a selection ofhors doeuvres for you to enjoy with other suite guests. Royal Caribbean Grand Suite Perks | Royal Caribbean Blog As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. One perk of staying in a Grand Suite is that you will have access to complimentary backstage tours. By If, however, you are curious to see how much a Grand Suite costs, it depends on the ship, time of year, and length of itinerary. On the cruise they didnt enforce check-in times there was less than 1000 passengers on the ship. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. Terms and Conditions Apply. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Your concierge will be able to assist. The day your cruise begins is full of excitement, and naturally, you may be wondering what time you can board the ship. (Honest Review). The only other way to get some of these amenities is to earn a high status tier in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program. Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean offering guest expedited arrival options to speed up check-in process, Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you are on a Voyager, Freedom, Oasis, or Quantum Class ship, you will have a reserved section of the pool deck that is saved for suite guests. 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. A 3-night cruise would get you 6 points, while a 7-night would get you 14. Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Find the right card for you. It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. Edited September 9, 2021 by TheBucketLister. The Key package is a great way to feel like a VIP on your next Royal Caribbean cruise without busting the budget. Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Program Updates. 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. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Once inside whether there continues to be separation for the Key depends on when you arrive. 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! Plus, your own feed of TPG content. This was a really fast process that took less than five minutes. If youre catching a plane, when to fly in for your cruise depends on several factors. In the last two months I took 3 cruises. We enjoy being on the ship early to take advantage of as much time on board as possible. We had somewhere between 1,800 to 2,000 passengers on this cruise. In fact, balconies on older ships are far less, too. Many guests are curious how early they can board a Royal Caribbean ship on embarkation day, so here is a guide for what to expect. So effectively to make the most of it, arrive as early as you can. During our cruise with Royal Caribbean this past December, we decided to purchase The Key package to determine if it's really worth the price. About a week before the cruise, the Suite Concierge will email suite guests with an introduction and outline basic suite policies, including a flexible arrival policy, where suite guests can arrive one hour before or after their check-in time. PLEASE NOTE:We are hard at work uplifting our cruises for the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities in which we operate. Sure, it's not a must-purchase program but it is a fantastic option to have. I am a stay-at-home mom with an amazing husband and two little girls who keep me busy with gymnastics, soccer, and swimming. Like what you see? Priority boarding - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Community The online check-in process is super simple and consists of filling out personal information among other tasks. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). Other families, like mine, like to get the process started as soon as possible. Priority check-in and boarding (with some exceptions) Ability to store carry-on luggage in the main dining room from boarding until 1:30 p.m. when it's delivered to your cabin Welcome lunch. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. The Key, Royal Caribbean's Priority Program - Cruise Critic First, Royal Caribbean is now allowing guests to use the vouchers for any drink up to $13. The big day is approaching, and youre finally getting ready to head to the cruise port and board your ship. We know youre eager to arrive at the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. 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. 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. The porters will be there, but they're busy getting to departing passengers moved out. While outside in line lots of people were unmasked. . Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. Normally, you get one Crown & Anchor loyalty point for each night of the cruise. While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern. Since the online check-in time usually opens up at midnight (EST) 45 days before your cruise, youll want to login at this time. Our hotel (Intercontinental Miami) was a short 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Note that all of the benefits are available on each ship. Confirmed: New Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society Changes 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.