Why is check-in not available for my cruise? Certain hotels have resort fees. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. All rights reserved. I've only been there prior to boarding beginning and at that time they had all the Key grouped in seats together and they escorted them by groups to board the ship. Dining here offers a more intimate experience than elsewhere on the ship. You must purchase The Key package online in advance of your sailing. 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. Priority boarding from a TA usually means nothing. Guests who pay for this upgraded status typically receive priority access upon arrival on embarkation day. 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. We are Crown and Anchor Diamond and I'm wondering if we qualify for priority check in. As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. 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. Here, suite guests can relax on the suites-only Barefoot Beach. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Signage for The Key will usually be found at the terminal where you embark and also at various points around the ship. In cases where you dont receive a keycard at check-in, it will be waiting for you either at your cabin door or inside your room. 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. In short, purchasing The Key package comes down to your budget and desire for some exclusive benefits. Follow signs for the applicable arrival channel, whether that be parking or drop-offs via taxis, Ubers and shuttles. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. You don't need the App to check for an earlier boarding time. 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. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5bba5e9528c15d27c649f19a0dc456c" );document.getElementById("d5aa0859c9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. Check here before booking an award fare. Comment below to share your tips with us! C&A became too successful. The Key is Royal Caribbean's way of giving extra benefits to cruisers who want a more VIP experience onboard (or simply want to make sure that they can skip the lines). This was a really fast process that took less than five minutes. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. 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. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 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. Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of autism friendly products and services, and they include: Priority check-in, boarding and departure Special dietary accommodations including gluten-free and dairy-free Adventure Ocean flexible grouping by ability for children 3 to 11 years old Adventure Ocean toilet-trained policy exception 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. To enhance your experience even more, you could rent one of the cabanas at Barefoot Beach for an extra cost. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. On the cruise they didnt enforce check-in times there was less than 1000 passengers on the ship. If you are wanting an elevated cruising experience, you might be considering booking a suite on your next Royal Caribbean cruise. As for when to arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, the answer depends on your boarding time. Note that boarding did come to a stop at one point. 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. 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. Our hotel (Intercontinental Miami) was a short 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami. How do I setup a Royal Caribbean SeaPass or Onboard Expense Account? For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. From the website: All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. Suite guests still need to get a check-in time for their sailing, butusuallythey will be give more flexibility in their times. For what ever reason when check-in times first became available the earliest time was 1:00. Just like some land-based hotels, guests can expect to see an initial $100 pending charge or authorization on their credit card. However, the earlier your arrival time, the sooner you are usually able to embark on the ship. 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 was super fast and easy as the Muster Stations were all clearly labeled and close to where we walked onto the ship. Will holds be placed on my credit card when I create an onboard account. The intent was to give travelers VIP or suite-style benefits while on board. TPG has answers: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. 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. 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. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Booking a suite on any cruise doesn't make sense for us. 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. 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! 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. Whether The Key package is worth it depends on the type of traveler you are. 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. 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. Royal Caribbean provides exclusive perks and benefits for passengers booked in suite accommodations. You will not have to worry about arriving early and locating a seat, as the main theatre, Studio B, AquaTheatre, and Two70 all have reserved seating for suite guests. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Rather than have private dining in a specialty restaurant, Oasis and Quantum Class ships have an entire restaurant that is only available to suite guests: Coastal Kitchen. 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. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Check here before booking an award fare. Other families, like mine, like to get the process started as soon as possible. The big day is approaching, and youre finally getting ready to head to the cruise port and board your ship. Then, we walked right into the suite waiting area. All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. Its also important to note that theres no best time to board the Royal Caribbean ship. Rude woman at the terminal said nope that line is full and we have to go into the long zig zagging line. They are the lowest category of suite available that can experience the full list of perks. What are the largest cruise ships in the world? The per-person cost varies based on your ship and the time that you choose to purchase the package. . 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. How early can I board my Royal Caribbean cruise? At the Seattle and at the Galveston Terminal they had various lines for the allotted times. Even if you have cruised before, never underestimate the benefits of a concierge. Once inside whether there continues to be separation for the Key depends on when you arrive. If you do not complete check-in online, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. The cost of The Key can vary from ship to ship, as well as itinerary. It was a new "guest priority" package available to all cruisers who were willing to pay for it. If we are, do I just call for a new time? When will it be available? If your cruise documents are available, you can access them through your reservation dashboard in yourGuest Account. As far as your check in time. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. This is by far the least crowded time to swim on the cruise ship. So effectively to make the most of it, arrive as early as you can. Hi there! Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. Then proceed to the Terminal A Entrance and is this where lines will be based on boarding time? We didnt even have to get off the couch. 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. (Honest Review). Your concierge will be able to assist. Your Key purchase is noted on your card by a special icon. Export it as JPEG to use on the web. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern. What Food Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise? 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. However, that will probably slow down some as RCI takes on more passengers each cruise. We booked a cruise for Oct. 24th and was given a 3:00pm check in time. Youll need a plan for getting to the port and some knowledge about the embarkation process, including your cruise ship boarding time. 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. Sky guests onboard Spectrum of the Seas have access to The Balcony. (Honest Review)Continue, Read More How does Royal Caribbean Royal Up Work?Continue, Read More What Food Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?Continue, Read More Are Royal Caribbean Internet Packages Worth It?Continue, Read More When to Book Entertainment on Royal CaribbeanContinue, Your email address will not be published. Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Related: Should I buy my flights through my cruise line. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. If youre anything like us, we have a small family and always intend to spend 95% of our time out of our room. In comparison, an obstructed ocean view balcony is currently being advertised for $1,763 per person. Indulge in one of Royal Caribbean's luxurious suites for the ultimate at-sea experience. Many more perks are available in higher suite tiers. 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. Read More Honest Review of CocoCay Beach CabanasContinue, Read More Are the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth It? Grandeur, for instance, only has sixteen Grand Suites, two of which are the larger 2-bedroom option. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. When you complete online check-in, you will be assigned a check-in time. Cabins are not open until 1:30 or so. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. I am a stay-at-home mom with an amazing husband and two little girls who keep me busy with gymnastics, soccer, and swimming. Alternatively, if you have upper-tier loyalty status, youre booked in a high-end suite or youve purchased one of several perks packages (like Carnival Cruise Lines Faster to the Fun, Royal Caribbean Internationals The Key or Norwegian Cruise Lines Priority Access), you can arrive at any time to take advantage of priority boarding or special embarkation lounge access to make your wait more comfortable. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. When you are ready to experience Royal Caribbean's suite life, the Grand Suite is the first category of stateroom. They created a different line for the 12:30 to 1:00. (They do sell out.). For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter. That way, you have time to rebook yourself on a different flight if something goes wrong. We were onboard at ~11:30am (1 hr before our boarding window started.). This makes it easy to undress them poolside, and they can hop right in. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. 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. I pack sunscreen to apply before swimming, and we carry on other essentials that we need before dinner. Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. The Royal Caribbean junior suites offer extra room for cruisers without the hefty price tag of a full suite. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). A second way to grab an early port arrival time is by purchasing The Key. In fact, balconies on older ships are far less, too. 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. Suffice to say, the pricing of a Grand Suite can vary. (Make sure you watched and marked off the Safety video in the app the morning of your cruise.). Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. The Key access can also vary, depending on itinerary. However, the cruise terminal in Miami did not open its doors until 10:00 am. Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. Wonder, however, does not have any 2-bedroom Grand Suites onboard. Usually, guests who book The Key are allowed to check-in with the first group (an exact time will be emailed later). It makes sense that you would want to see as many shows as possible! How early is too early for the porters to be there? If you have a cruise booked with Royal Caribbean, you can typically check-in around 45 days before your sail date. But what time do cruises board, and is there a best time to board a cruise ship? 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. You should also receive an e-mail when your documents are ready. Port personnel continued to check our line to make sure only 12:00 to 12:30 passengers were in the line. If your clothing got wrinkled in your suitcase, you have the chance to get a complimentary pressing on your itinerary's first formal night. Exceptions are more advanced ports or cruise lines (like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity) that allow you to skip the check-in desk if youve already completed everything (check-in, onboard account setup and security photo) ahead of time using the app. They also re-wear their embarkation clothes since this first day is typically not dressy at all. But how early can you board the cruise ship? 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Royal Caribbean's Junior Suites don't have many perks over a regular Balcony Stateroom. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. If thats the case and you can find a super-early flight that gets you to your port city with some wiggle room, flying in the same day you sail is possible. In comparison, Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has 28. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). The moms in our group then ran errands to take care of some items. You cannot, for instance, order from the Main Dining Room menu to enjoy a private in-suite meal. 2. This benefit will only be applicable to those whose itinerary includes a stop in Labadee, Haiti. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. If you are talking about Terminal A at Port of Miami, you will drive around to the drop-off/pick-up area and offload your luggage with a porter. Take one 10 night cruise solo in a JS and you will be. Either way, you should have plenty of time to enjoy all the entertainment and activities onboard the ship. 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. 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. Priority tender boarding At tender ports, where the ship ferries passengers to shore using smaller boats, Key members can take advantage of priority boarding when going ashore. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. (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.). This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). It debuted as a pilot program on Liberty of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas in late 2018. This is where I saw it last and was dated 08/24/2021. 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. We were technically allowed to arrive an hour before this 10:30 slot since we were suite guests. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. After check-in, youll head up the gangway and onto the ship, where security will scan your card to log that youve boarded. Basically, it's your chance to get to the fun faster and receive VIP access to certain activities. At both ports theywere doing the 2:30 people by 1:00 as the lines move fast. If you are hoping to climb the Crown & Anchor loyalty ladder faster, this is one way to do it! Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. 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; 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. You will then go straight to the section on choosing your arrival time and pick the one you want. First, Royal Caribbean is now allowing guests to use the vouchers for any drink up to $13. Ocula932 4 mo. Read on to find out the answers, as well as when you should plan to arrive in your departure city before you set sail. When can I check-in for my Royal Caribbean cruise? Several years ago, I decided to start this blog to document our family trips. 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.