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. Apologies to everyone for going off topic a bit. Guess I am wondering if having "priority" will shorten boarding all that much. I would like to NOT repeat that, even if it means arriving much later or much earlier. Export it as JPEG to use on the web. In Lauderdale it was different, this was pre covid, and suites/pinnacle etc had their own security check through. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. We enjoy being on the ship early to take advantage of as much time on board as possible. 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. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. After we completed this check-in procedure, our family sat in the waiting area until it was our turn to board the ship. Unfortunately the choices were all 10am. Independence Of The Seas Rooms | Royal Caribbean Incentives However, the earlier your arrival time, the sooner you are usually able to embark on the ship. What does The Key include on Royal Caribbean? How early is too early for the porters to be there? She said you should have called him before entering the terminal. They started letting us into the building a few at a time at 11:45. Its also important to note that theres no best time to board the Royal Caribbean ship. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. 1 download. Priority embarkation is not available in Vancouver or ports in Australia, for example. This was a huge relief from the typical check-in desk with long check-in lines we have experienced in the past. Your link has been automatically embedded. A Royal Caribbean employee came over to our large group and checked in each party using her tablet. Check here before booking an award fare. Onboard Oasis and Quantum Class ships, Grand Suites are considered to be part of the Sky Classtier of the Royal Suite Class. The Key package is a great way to feel like a VIP on your next Royal Caribbean cruise without busting the budget. You will also get complimentary VOOM, so you do not have to worry about being disconnected or paying extra for a Wi-Fi package! Either way, you should have plenty of time to enjoy all the entertainment and activities onboard the ship. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. Certain hotels have resort fees. Normally, you get one Crown & Anchor loyalty point for each night of the cruise. 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. Confirmed: New Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society Changes Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. It has since expanded to all ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Suit guest had separate check-in area with a short line and it appeared they were letting them in the building. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Buying The Key package instead of booking a suite is an awesome way to receive some VIP benefits at a more affordable price. Dining here offers a more intimate experience than elsewhere on the ship. All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. BTWcheck in time wasn't even used. Clear editor. You must purchase The Key package online in advance of your sailing. 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. Port personnel continued to check our line to make sure only 12:00 to 12:30 passengers were in the line. Luxury Pillow Top Mattress. Whether this is your first cruise or youre a seasoned pro, we hope you have a great trip! It is their job to help make your cruise and suite experience as enjoyable as possible. Edited September 9, 2021 by TheBucketLister. Try your best to adhere to the check-in time, but they will still admit you for check-in if you were to arrive later. You should also receive an e-mail when your documents are ready. 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. There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore. If you think you want The Key, buy early, as the number of passes can vary by sailing. No one looked at anything until your at the counter and I'm sure it probably didn't matter what time your boarding time was. Tip: When you receive your SeaPass card on board, there will be a small sticker on the card to verify your status. 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. Royal Caribbean's Star Class guests also receive priority disembarkation, unlimited VOOM internet, and invitations to exclusive signature events. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. First and foremost, can you book a Grand Suite on any cruise? If boarding has started already they may or may not still maintain a priority lane for the Key. The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. This pending amount is used to secure funds for anticipated onboard purchases. 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. 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? Is this where the Key has a special line if not before or in addition to? 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. Is there any special line at this point for The Key? It debuted as a pilot program on Liberty of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas in late 2018. 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. Royal Caribbean Cruise Cabins and Suites Guide As of April 2023, Wonder of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest ship and holds the title for the largest cruise ship in the world. Boarding early if in a Suite? - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise 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. Knowing this, we decided to reserve a shuttle service to pick us up at our Miami hotel at 9:30 on embarkation day. 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. Just off a cruise on the Symphony out of Port Miami. 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. Check here before booking an award fare. Successfully completing the check-in process for you and those guests listed on your SetSail Pass will allow you to receive a SetSail Pass. Royal Caribbean Junior Suite Perks: Is it worth it? (2023) - Cruise Mummy 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. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships? In 2018, Royal Caribbean rolled out "The Key." Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. While the exact tour will vary, you will most likely be taken to see the bridge, galley, and/or theatre. It's strictly a pay-to-play situation. The Key is available on all Royal Caribbean ships. At Port Canaveral we had to clear security before checkin. 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. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. 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. What are the benefits of the Royal Caribbean Suites program? Your concierge will be able to assist. 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. Royal Caribbean's Junior Suites don't have many perks over a regular Balcony Stateroom. junior suite priority boarding gone? - Royal Caribbean Discussion Closet Space 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. On the latter two classes, Royal Caribbean introduced what is known as the Royal Suite Class. Whats a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money? Your email address will not be published. * Benefits & amenities may varybyship. Yes, cruisers are no longer limited to the Happy Hour menu. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of this page for more details.). Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. (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. How early can I board my Royal Caribbean cruise? Take one 10 night cruise solo in a JS and you will be. This is the perfect time to make dining changes/requests, book activities and specialty restaurants, secure shore excursions, etc. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. Cruise ships usually begin boarding an hour or two after all passengers from the previous voyage have left the ship. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. 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! The answer to the first question depends on how far of a commute you have to the cruise port. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. The new method has worked so well that it has largely remained in place for most cruise lines. Start each morning off right with a relaxing breakfast in a specialty restaurant. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5bba5e9528c15d27c649f19a0dc456c" );document.getElementById("d5aa0859c9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. I pack sunscreen to apply before swimming, and we carry on other essentials that we need before dinner. In short, purchasing The Key package comes down to your budget and desire for some exclusive benefits. We are Crown and Anchor Diamond and I'm wondering if we qualify for priority check in. Absolutely! (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.). Find the right card for you. There are a few tricks to scoring early arrival times if you are eager to be one of the first passengers on the ship. After checkin Key and others had to wait for ship to be cleared. 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. From the Cruise Planner, click toedit your check-in: Txs. Read reviews from Cruise Critic members who have already used The Key on their sailings. For a 3-night vacation, you would earn 3 points, for a 7-night cruise, you would earn 7, and so on. Boarding Requirements FAQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises 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. You can read more about me here-Meet Shari. A 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise onboard Rhapsody of the Seas that also departs in August . Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows for you to choose from. What are the Benefits of The Key Program? | Royal Caribbean Cruises Check-in will be available once our updates are completed ahead of your sailing. This allows us to keep our things organized and within easy access. Suite & Pinnacle members have a separate waiting area and board first, after that all. Be prepared with this information when your concierge reaches out to you, which will be about a week or so before departure. Once you've booked a cruise, go to Royal Caribbean's site, log in to your account and click on "Cruise Planner." 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. As for when to arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, the answer depends on your boarding time. 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. Royal Caribbean provides exclusive perks and benefits for passengers booked in suite accommodations. 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 We assumed we would need to wait. We are Diamond+ and gota 1:30 check-in time. 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). Pasted as rich text. Find the right card for you. Whether The Key package is worth it depends on the type of traveler you are. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. Since you will be one of the first people onboard, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch in the buffet and have shorter lines for any amenities that are open, like the FlowRider, water slides, etc. 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. This will help you make the most out of your day in port. Is your cruise visiting ports of call that must be accessed via a tender boat? Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 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. Each cruiser scanned his/her SetSail Pass (from the Royal Caribbean app) and was permitted to board the ship. This is where I saw it last and was dated 08/24/2021. Some families prefer to arrive in the afternoon, so they dont have to navigate crowds at the terminal. It's available for a small additional cost without the need of booking the type of suite that offers similar perks. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. First time cruisers: What time to get to the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise? Other families, like mine, like to get the process started as soon as possible. However, adding the cost of a pre-cruise hotel stay onto the overall bill isnt always doable for every traveler, especially those on tight budgets. Purchases made onboard over the initi *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. The entertainment offerings onboard Royal Caribbean ships are some of the best at sea. Another tip for securing an early arrival time is to book a suite. If your clothing got wrinkled in your suitcase, you have the chance to get a complimentary pressing on your itinerary's first formal night. What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships? Offer ends 5/3/23. Royal Caribbean International Priority boarding Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! When you arrive at the terminal facility in your port of embarkation, you can expect the scene to be chaotic. Then proceed to the Terminal A Entrance and is this where lines will be based on boarding time? 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. As for Royal Caribbean opening up additional earlier times, it's not usually the case. The porters will be there, but they're busy getting to departing passengers moved out. So, how do you secure an early arrival time so that you can board the ship as soon as possible? These are not the times you actually board the ship.