You will be happy to know that you can find Grand Suites on any ship, whether it is Grandeur of the Seas or the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas. With The Key, you don't need to splurge on a suite or have Royal Caribbean status in order to get these perks. Priority embarkation is not available in Vancouver or ports in Australia, for example. Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Program Updates. For an extra-special journey, select Royal Suite Class, with . All suite guests enjoy priority boarding, as well as luxury bathroom amenities, a Royal Caribbean bathrobe (for onboard use only) and an espresso coffee machine. I always advise flying in at least one day before youre scheduled to embark, just in case you encounter any delays or cancellations. Find the right card for you. If your cruise documents are available, you can access them through your reservation dashboard in yourGuest Account. The $13 allotment coves almost any drink, including martinis at the Schooner Bar. (When choosing a time, aim for something in the afternoon, after the morning rush has died down.). Dining here offers a more intimate experience than elsewhere on the ship. In addition to having a private beach away from the crowds, you will also have upgraded lunch offerings compared to the other buffets. 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 someone cancels their cruise, their check-in time goes back into the system for someone else to grab. Usually, guests who book The Key are allowed to check-in with the first group (an exact time will be emailed later). It debuted as a pilot program on Liberty of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas in late 2018. Royal Caribbean asks its guests to arrive within their check-in window to avoid crowding in the terminal. 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. One perk of staying in a Grand Suite is that you will have access to complimentary backstage tours. How early is too early for the porters to be there? Once you board the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, youll want to take care of a few chores. 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. Since 2021, Royal Caribbean has mostly been enforcing check-in times, so it's important to get a good time as early as you can. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. It makes sense that you would want to see as many shows as possible! Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Flash the digital pass to the entry staff, they see it says SUITE and they wave you thru. 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. In theory, they never have to step foot in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer! 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. Check here before booking an award fare. ago. At 11:00, crew members instructed all of the suite guests to form a line. Powered by Invision Community. You will then go straight to the section on choosing your arrival time and pick the one you want. I don't even ask, I go to the Suite line and stay there. (Make sure you watched and marked off the Safety video in the app the morning of your cruise.). A few weeks before our cruise one of ourcruise critic members posted that they were able to change there check-in time to 12:00. But how early can you board the cruise ship? 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. 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. 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! Lines here? Additionally, Star Class suites include complimentary gratuities, specialty dining and premium alcoholic beverages. The per-person cost varies based on your ship and the time that you choose to purchase the package. 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. Our check-ln time was 12:00 to 12:30. Knowing this, we decided to reserve a shuttle service to pick us up at our Miami hotel at 9:30 on embarkation day. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. 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. 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. What port was this? 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. You can even start using your drink packages right away to help you get into vacation mode even faster! What exactly are the perks of a Royal Caribbean suite? Once at the Muster Station, you just scan your SetSail Pass. Why is check-in not available for my cruise? When you are ready to experience Royal Caribbean's suite life, the Grand Suite is the first category of stateroom. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Our hotel (Intercontinental Miami) was a short 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Grand Suites on older ships often do not cost as much. Some benefits may not be available on all sailings. All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. The porters will be there, but they're busy getting to departing passengers moved out. (This post may contain affiliate links. This is the perfect time to make dining changes/requests, book activities and specialty restaurants, secure shore excursions, etc. Some families prefer to arrive in the afternoon, so they dont have to navigate crowds at the terminal. On the Cruise Critic boards, people have reported paying between $19.99 to $29.99 and even up to $37 per day for each person in the cabin. All rights reserved. While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern. At Port Canaveral we had to clear security before checkin. Here's our take on this extra-fee package. The cost of The Key can vary from ship to ship, as well as itinerary. We enjoy being on the ship early to take advantage of as much time on board as possible. This was super fast and easy as the Muster Stations were all clearly labeled and close to where we walked onto the ship. Embarkation day is often full of a lot of chaos and stress, especially if you are a first time cruiser. 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. There are two problems with buying The Key for an early check-in. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. 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. After checkin Key and others had to wait for ship to be cleared. You can read more about me here-Meet Shari. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Youll also find that the water slides dont have long lines at this time on embarkation day. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Signage for The Key will usually be found at the terminal where you embark and also at various points around the ship. We are Crown and Anchor Diamond and I'm wondering if we qualify for priority check in. 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). Purchases made onboard over the initi *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. From the website: All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. Each everything, they will serve cocktails and a selection ofhors doeuvres for you to enjoy with other suite guests. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? Once we check in, the cruise will seem real! 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. First and foremost, can you book a Grand Suite on any cruise? While the exact tour will vary, you will most likely be taken to see the bridge, galley, and/or theatre. Basically, its your chance to get to the fun faster and receive VIP access to certain activities. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. 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. 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. He also directed us on exactly where to go and made certain we understood we needed passports/identification documents. Clear editor. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. For additional packing tips and cruise hacks, check out our post on Royal Caribbean Tips for First Timers. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Its important to note that these times that you choose during online check-in are only port arrival times. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. But what time do cruises board, and is there a best time to board a cruise ship? Suffice to say, the pricing of a Grand Suite can vary. (Although its not required, its nice to give a dollar or two per bag as a tip.) 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). These are not the times you actually board the ship. Guess I am wondering if having "priority" will shorten boarding all that much. The online check-in process is super simple and consists of filling out personal information among other tasks. Luxury Pillow Top Mattress. Offer ends 5/3/23. You can also do it via the website Cruise Planner check-in process: Cabins are not open until 1:30 or so. Our hotel shuttle offered us a choice of times for departure. Note that all of the benefits are available on each ship. First time cruisers: What time to get to the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise? One of the Royal Caribbean suite perks is that suite guests are permitted to enter the terminal one hour before their official port arrival time. TPG has answers: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Show more Royal Caribbean. 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. While nobody is ever truly ready to leave the ship and return to everyday life, Grand Suite guests are able to transition with a little bit more ease thanks to the private departure breakfast. Offer ends 5/3/23. Show up after 1pm and you will probably walk right on. Terms and Conditions Apply. Once you've booked a cruise, go to Royal Caribbean's site, log in to your account and click on "Cruise Planner." 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. Then, we walked right into the suite waiting area. I pack my kids undergarments for them to put on after they swim. By You cant miss the porters and their baggage carts as they line up on the curb by the terminal. When you enter the terminal building, you must show your ID and boarding documents and proceed through a security check. 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. Successfully completing the check-in process for you and those guests listed on your SetSail Pass will allow you to receive a SetSail Pass. Junior Suite benefits include priority boarding, luxury toiletries and a more comfortable mattress. For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. Once we walked to the entrance of Terminal Building A, we saw two separate lines: a LONG line on the left and a short line on the right. That being said, the number of available suites will be fewer on older ships. 2023 Mom's Plan-it Vacation Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Are the Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Worth It? What Food Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise? It is their job to help make your cruise and suite experience as enjoyable as possible. This place and your collective experiences pays off again! At both ports theywere doing the 2:30 people by 1:00 as the lines move fast. Ocula932 4 mo. Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships? Is there a specialty restaurant that you would like to eat at? At the Seattle and at the Galveston Terminal they had various lines for the allotted times. When they first called for boarding ~11am, they called for Pins and suite guests. Boarding begins roughly between 10 and 11 a.m., depending on the ship's schedule and how long it takes everyone from the last cruise to debark. 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. Royal Caribbean suitesprovide more than extra living space. It has grown into a website full of information on family vacation tips, kid friendly activities, homeschooling organization hacks, and so much more! The new method has worked so well that it has largely remained in place for most cruise lines. In Lauderdale it was different, this was pre covid, and suites/pinnacle etc had their own security check through. 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. This didnt take long at all, and our whole group was onboard the ship shortly after 11:00. To enhance your experience even more, you could rent one of the cabanas at Barefoot Beach for an extra cost. 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. The Key passes are bought online before you board the ship; you can't buy them once you board. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. I only ask because we're driving from Virginia to Titusville day before and those last 3.5 hours to Miami morning of embarkation. Your Key purchase is noted on your card by a special icon. 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. In my opinion, this is not a one-size-fits-all package. Paste as plain text instead, In comparison, an obstructed ocean view balcony is currently being advertised for $1,763 per person. Your carry-on bags pass through a scanner, and you must walk through a metal detector. 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. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! The intent was to give travelers VIP or suite-style benefits while on board. Many more perks are available in higher suite tiers. *** Welcome lunch is open from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. My 3 cruises have been less than 40% fill. 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. In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. If you are driving yourself, they may not let you enter the parking if you are too early. That being said, my sister had a junior suite AND an oceanview room booked. Last time we arrived at 12 noon and stood in line for 21/2 hours. Went into a door that moved us ahead of that line but through the same security checkpoint as everyone else. Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins. We had a suite and should have been in the suite check in line. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. All rights reserved. There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore. You cannot paste images directly. However, that will probably slow down some as RCI takes on more passengers each cruise. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. *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. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 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. Plus, Grand Suite guests are able to eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The day your cruise begins is full of excitement, and naturally, you may be wondering what time you can board the ship. A All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. They created a different line for the 12:30 to 1:00. mimi217, October 3, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International. 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. 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. 5 minutes later, they included Jr suites also. 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 can post now and register later. Youll also find a free printable cruise packing list! Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. 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. (driving in so coming from parking deck). How do I setup a Royal Caribbean SeaPass or Onboard Expense Account? As far as your check in time. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. Normally, you get one Crown & Anchor loyalty point for each night of the cruise. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5bba5e9528c15d27c649f19a0dc456c" );document.getElementById("d5aa0859c9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. I hear that some people have managed to get earlier times by constantly checking via the RCL App. A second way to grab an early port arrival time is by purchasing The Key. You don't need the App to check for an earlier boarding time. 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. They are the lowest category of suite available that can experience the full list of perks. While frustrating to not have the rules enforced across the board, we still recommend adhering to the check-in time window to avoid any possible denial of boarding until later. Here, suite guests can relax on the suites-only Barefoot Beach. After check-in, youll head up the gangway and onto the ship, where security will scan your card to log that youve boarded. Inside the building everyone wore a mask. 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. Royal Caribbean Suite Perks Explained We have been on two RCI cruises recently. 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. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Royal Caribbean International Priority boarding Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! I think the number of passengers determines how strictly they enforce the check-in times. Royal Caribbean's Star Class guests also receive priority disembarkation, unlimited VOOM internet, and invitations to exclusive signature events. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. C&A became too successful. 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. I dont understand why people get upset when RCI clearly states on multiple locations to show-up during your check-in window. Certain hotels have resort fees. 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. If we are, do I just call for a new time? If you dont plan on using the pools, you may not need nearly as many items as we do. When will it be available? (Each time you disembark or re-board in a port of call, youll also have to swipe your card, so keep it with you.). You cannot, for instance, order from the Main Dining Room menu to enjoy a private in-suite meal. While offerings can change at any time, and usually vary slightly between ships, benefits of the Key Program usually include: Priority access to the terminal upon arrival at the port Carry on bag delivery to your stateroom Welcome lunch in the main dining room with selections from Chops Grille This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Unfortunately, it can vary from port to port and ship to ship, but I prefer arriving in the early afternoon, usually around 1 or 2 p.m. By then, the morning rush of me first passengers has usually died down, and it allows enough time between your arrival at the port and all aboard, the cutoff for when all passengers and crew must be on the vessel. (The porters also have luggage tags in case you forget to print yours.). Should I buy my flights through my cruise line, 27 cruise ship embarkation day dos and donts, More banned items: What not to pack for a cruise. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Heres everything you need to know about the perks you can receive when staying in a Grand Suite. So effectively to make the most of it, arrive as early as you can. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. 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! As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. In the weeks leading up to your cruise, be sure to complete online check-in. Read reviews from Cruise Critic members who have already used The Key on their sailings. 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. Priority boarding By mimi217, October 3, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International Share. Below you will find a comprehensive list of all our suite benefits so you can choose the suite that best fits your cruise vacation. The Royal Loft Suite on Quantum of the Seas Pasted as rich text. Is there any special line at this point for The Key? It was a new "guest priority" package available to all cruisers who were willing to pay for it. 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. If you think you want The Key, buy early, as the number of passes can vary by sailing. Same questions on The Key at this point. Note, though, that seating is still first-come, first-served. 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. Royal Caribbean typically allows cruisers to choose arrival times in thirty-minute blocks as shown in the image below. 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. 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. Booking a suite on any cruise doesn't make sense for us. The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The big day is approaching, and youre finally getting ready to head to the cruise port and board your ship. 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. Youll need a plan for getting to the port and some knowledge about the embarkation process, including your cruise ship boarding time. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. It has since expanded to all ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. In addition to being able to utilize the concierge, you will also have access to a private onboard lounge. So, in practicality, what will that mean regarding boarding in Galveston? Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. Wonder, however, does not have any 2-bedroom Grand Suites onboard. In that post, we provide tips for staying organized and packing for your trip.

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