Edited September 9, 2021 by TheBucketLister. Priority boarding from a TA usually means nothing. Clear editor. Indulge in one of Royal Caribbean's luxurious suites for the ultimate at-sea experience. Note that some benefits that Grand Suite guests have on other ships are not available to those on Quantum and Oasis Class. Get there before 11am and you will wait upstairs until the ship is cleared and boarding starts at around 11:30. A All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. Indulge in one of Royal Caribbean's luxurious suites for the ultimate at-sea experience. Independence Of The Seas Rooms | Royal Caribbean Incentives has spent more than 15 years writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. Thanks, I didn't even think of that. The entertainment offerings onboard Royal Caribbean ships are some of the best at sea. I don't even ask, I go to the Suite line and stay there. 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. Note that boarding did come to a stop at one point. The Royal Loft Suite on Quantum of the Seas In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. From the Cruise Planner, click toedit your check-in: Txs. Everyone on the reservation who is older than 6 will need to buy The Key. Morethan a few people were not happy about it during the short time we were inline outside. Since we were in a suite, we were able to stand in the super short line on the right. First and foremost, can you book a Grand Suite on any cruise? Signage for The Key will usually be found at the terminal where you embark and also at various points around the ship. Additionally, Star Class suites include complimentary gratuities, specialty dining and premium alcoholic beverages. Is The Royal Caribbean Key Program Really Worth It? Royal Caribbean suitesprovide more than extra living space. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. This didnt take long at all, and our whole group was onboard the ship shortly after 11:00. 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. That seems like a lot to save an hour or two on embarkation day. Your concierge will be able to assist. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. In my opinion, this is not a one-size-fits-all package. When you complete online check-in, you will be assigned a check-in time. How early can I board my Royal Caribbean cruise? Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Royal Caribbean Suite Perks Explained Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. In comparison, an obstructed ocean view balcony is currently being advertised for $1,763 per person. Royal Caribbean's Junior Suites don't have many perks over a regular Balcony Stateroom. This was a huge relief from the typical check-in desk with long check-in lines we have experienced in the past. The big day is approaching, and youre finally getting ready to head to the cruise port and board your ship. You can read more about me here-Meet Shari. How do I setup a Royal Caribbean SeaPass or Onboard Expense Account? 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You must purchase The Key package online in advance of your sailing. The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP benefits, including an early check-in time. It has since expanded to all ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. 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. 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. While outside in line lots of people were unmasked. What exactly are the perks of a Royal Caribbean suite? However, that will probably slow down some as RCI takes on more passengers each cruise. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises Sky Suite Benefits - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. However, the suite amenities -- such as priority embarkation/debarkation, departure breakfast and reserved theater seating -- are pretty sweet (pun intended). 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. 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. The intent was to give travelers VIP or suite-style benefits while on board. Once inside whether there continues to be separation for the Key depends on when you arrive. If your cruise vacation snuck up on you and you forgot to make reservations in advance, do not worry! 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. At the time of our purchase, The Key package cost $19.99 per guest per day (that included a discount; it typically starts around $24.99) and children under age 6 do not need to purchase a Key package to partake in the benefits. I dont understand why people get upset when RCI clearly states on multiple locations to show-up during your check-in window. So, in practicality, what will that mean regarding boarding in Galveston? Priority check in for suite guests? - Royal Caribbean Discussion We were on the Oasis last week. Same questions on The Key at this point. 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. How early is too early for the porters to be there? Do junior suites get priority boarding on Royal Caribbean? If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! It's important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. It has grown into a website full of information on family vacation tips, kid friendly activities, homeschooling organization hacks, and so much more! We were onboard at ~11:30am (1 hr before our boarding window started.). Successfully completing the check-in process for you and those guests listed on your SetSail Pass will allow you to receive a SetSail Pass. The couple flagged down another worker and told her about the Genie and she took them out of the line and immediately got of hold of the Genie for them. 2. The porters will be there, but they're busy getting to departing passengers moved out. Show up after 1pm and you will probably walk right on. Is Royal Caribbean's "priority access" package worth the price? TPG Terms and Conditions Apply. As far as your check in time. 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. Onboard Oasis and Quantum Class ships, Grand Suites are considered to be part of the Sky Classtier of the Royal Suite Class. Either way, you should have plenty of time to enjoy all the entertainment and activities onboard the ship. Show more Royal Caribbean. What are the benefits of the Royal Caribbean Suites program? 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). ago. Yes. Get there too early and you'll be fighting with the traffic for all those leaving the cruise that is disembarking (and all the other cruises disembarking at the other Miami terminals). Comment below to share your tips with us! Perhaps you had a long day ashore or you are just wanting a lazy evening in your suite. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. 1 download. *with the exception of Vancouver, Canada and any Australian ports**limited to two pieces of luggage per guest; each bag must weigh less than 25 pounds. (This post may contain affiliate links. This benefit will only be applicable to those whose itinerary includes a stop in Labadee, Haiti. You don't need the App to check for an earlier boarding time. Some benefits may not be available on all sailings. If your documents are not yet available, check back soon. 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. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. There are a few tricks to scoring early arrival times if you are eager to be one of the first passengers on the ship. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows for you to choose from. First, we recommend choosing your port arrival time before completing anything else during online check in. Preferred boarding: You and your companions can board with Group 5. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! That being said, my sister had a junior suite AND an oceanview room booked. My 3 cruises have been less than 40% fill. First time cruisers: What time to get to the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise? They will help with anything from booking shore excursions and dining reservations at specialty restaurants, to settling billing discrepancies, checking in for your return flight, and escorting you off the ship on disembarkation day. 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. 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. That being said, the number of available suites will be fewer on older ships. Flash the digital pass to the entry staff, they see it says SUITE and they wave you thru. 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. The latter often includes a separate sitting area with snacks and drinks. Booking a suite on any cruise doesn't make sense for us. Basically, it's your chance to get to the fun faster and receive VIP access to certain activities. It says we get priority boarding. is a journalist specializing in luxury family travel and the blogger behind The Daily Impressions. The best time to board a cruise ship is obviously when there are few lines and short waits. Scoring an Early Boarding Time on Royal Caribbean 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. Usually, guests who book The Key are allowed to check-in with the first group (an exact time will be emailed later). 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. 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. 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; Other families, like mine, like to get the process started as soon as possible. We like to carry a backpack onboard the ship on embarkation day. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. If you are wanting an elevated cruising experience, you might be considering booking a suite on your next Royal Caribbean cruise. If you already get a host of perks through being a high-status Crown & Anchor member or will be getting benefits through booking a suite, it might not be worth the money. Youll need a plan for getting to the port and some knowledge about the embarkation process, including your cruise ship boarding time. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Went into a door that moved us ahead of that line but through the same security checkpoint as everyone else. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? Autism Friendly Ships | Accessible Cruises | Royal Caribbean Cruises 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! (driving in so coming from parking deck). You will also get complimentary VOOM, so you do not have to worry about being disconnected or paying extra for a Wi-Fi package! What Food Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise? Since the online check-in time usually opens up at midnight (EST) 45 days before your cruise, youll want to login at this time. All rights reserved. Suite & Pinnacle members have a separate waiting area and board first, after that all. 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. 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. Then proceed to the Terminal A Entrance and is this where lines will be based on boarding time? As for when to arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, the answer depends on your boarding time. 2023 Mom's Plan-it Vacation Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Are the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth It? Our hotel shuttle offered us a choice of times for departure. The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. 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. It was a new "guest priority" package available to all cruisers who were willing to pay for it. It was almost as if it was pre covid on this one. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). In this post, we will walk you through the whole embarkation process so that youre prepared for your first day on board. Just like some land-based hotels, guests can expect to see an initial $100 pending charge or authorization on their credit card. 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. Heres everything you need to know about the perks you can receive when staying in a Grand Suite. Offer ends 5/3/23. When we got to the pier there was already a long line. Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. Tip: When you receive your SeaPass card on board, there will be a small sticker on the card to verify your status. (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.). These are not the times you actually board the ship. Savings on in-flight purchases: Receive a 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your credit card to . A Junior Suite on a 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Odyssey of the Seas departing in August 2024 starts at $2,423 per person, based on double occupancy. The day your cruise begins is full of excitement, and naturally, you may be wondering what time you can board the ship. This buffet wasnt crowded at all during these early hours, and it offered a large variety of food for our big travel group. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Is there a specialty restaurant that you would like to eat at? This was super fast and easy as the Muster Stations were all clearly labeled and close to where we walked onto the ship. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. If your clothing got wrinkled in your suitcase, you have the chance to get a complimentary pressing on your itinerary's first formal night. Several years ago, I decided to start this blog to document our family trips. Some families prefer to arrive in the afternoon, so they dont have to navigate crowds at the terminal. Plus, Grand Suite guests are able to eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then, youll proceed to the check-in desk, where an agent will help you complete the process. 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. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. Priority embarkation is not available in Vancouver or ports in Australia, for example. Once you've booked a cruise, go to Royal Caribbean's site, log in to your account and click on "Cruise Planner." We were technically allowed to arrive an hour before this 10:30 slot since we were suite guests. 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. Wonder, however, does not have any 2-bedroom Grand Suites onboard. Is there any special line at this point for The Key? When they first called for boarding ~11am, they called for Pins and suite guests. ** 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. Note, though, that seating is still first-come, first-served. If you are hoping to climb the Crown & Anchor loyalty ladder faster, this is one way to do it! Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. I only ask because we're driving from Virginia to Titusville day before and those last 3.5 hours to Miami morning of embarkation. It's strictly a pay-to-play situation. Are Royal Caribbean Internet Packages Worth It? They are the lowest category of suite available that can experience the full list of perks. But what time do cruises board, and is there a best time to board a cruise ship? Royal Caribbean International Priority boarding Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Read More Honest Review of CocoCay Beach CabanasContinue, Read More Are the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth It?
