But Ill add the Pea Soup too! Never crowded on embarkation day. I agree that it looks better thanThe Key. To make the most of your time, book an organized tour and let someone else get you to the destination's top attractions and back in a timely manner. We put this tip first for a reason. While it's a busy day and there are embarkation procedures to be aware of, it's also the start of an amazing vacation ahead! You put your belongings on a screening belt and walk through a metal detector. The only major caveat: Sailings on chartered cruises on Royal Caribbean ships, such as full-ship theme cruises, are excluded. This coming week, however, we want to try out El Loco Fresh on Odyssey. Arrive the Night Before You cant wait to get on board your ship and relax, sip a tropical drink and stare out to sea. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator. Fun times are ahead; a little cat nap may be in order. You should plan on arriving to the cruise port as early as you can so that you can start your vacation. If not, just leave blank. Booking a shore excursion directly through Royal Caribbean is easy. With your Royal Caribbean cruise right around the corner, you might be wondering what time should I get to the cruise, Embarkation day on any Royal Caribbean cruise is an exciting and busy day, and it appears Royal Caribbean is trying to, The first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise should be the start of an amazing vacation, so be sure to avoid these, The first day of your cruise is such an awesome feeling, and I have some great tips for making it as super smooth as, Royal Caribbean is inviting select guests to try out a new way to board the ship that aims to improve the embarkation, Royal Caribbean has a reputation for being a leader in a variety of areas, including integrating technology to make the. smokeybandit The bring-your-own beverages allowance on Royal Caribbean ships currently is two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks. To reach the helipad on these ships, head to the promenade deck (the deck where there is an outside walking area) and walk toward the front of the ship until you reach the helipad area. If you normally use a travel agent to book your cruises, don't worry about not being able to work with them. We're talking about the Broadway musicals and ice shows found on these vessels. Our Royal Caribbean cruise hack: To avoid the first-day buffet crowds, make a beeline to one of the secondary dining options that typically aren't nearly as crowded. To get the best price on any particular sailing, you should book right when the voyage opens for sale. Royal Caribbean also bans martial arts gear, baby monitors and extension cords, among other items. You'll often find that they are less crowded on embarkation day, when many cruisers still are getting oriented, than later in the sailing, when the attractions have been widely discovered. Most guests opt to have lunch somewhere on the ship on embarkation day. And fortunately we're on Allure this year! Royal Caribbean is increasingly putting everything you need to know about your cruise on its app, and it's also the place where you can check in for your cruise in advance and have your boarding pass accessible at all times. Arrive early, and youll just have to wait often, outside in the hot sun, without access to water, restrooms or other necessities. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise far in advance? Royal Caribbean cruises these days are relatively casual, save for occasional dress-up nights, and you really only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. PPPJJ-GCVAB , FloatyBoaty , DoomSlayer and 1 other 2 2 Quote OCSC Mike Members 681 Location: Outside Orlando, FL (Near Matt) Posted April 15 This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The steward also will let you know how to keep in touch should you need anything extra throughout your cruise. The first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise is areallyfun moment in any cruise fan's vacation, because it is when vacation begins and the many days, months and even years leading up to this cruise are finally realized. 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. Youre on vacation woohoo! You wont be turned away. The trick is to do the research in advance, so you have a plan for the best way to spend your day. Theres nothing more jammed than a Royal Caribbean ship buffet on embarkation day. Plus you may discover something onboard you didn't know existed! For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Pasted as rich text. Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through Royal Caribbean. Bottom line: To us, at least, the extra cost of sending out a few shirts or even a full load of laundry for cleaning on a Royal Caribbean ship is a small price to pay for the freedom of not having to lug a giant suitcase around as you travel to and from your ship. 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. Basically, the package covers all specialty dining venues, and gives you the opportunity to. Walked right in at noon without a reservation and had no issues. If some people with reservations don't show up (something that happens often), the gatekeepers will let people without reservations in on a first-come, first-served basis. Solarium Bistro is open for breakfast daily around 7:30 to 10:30 am and for lunch on select days from around 11:30 am to 3 pm. Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean will offer you a bonus if you book a cruise while on a ship. In general cruise calls are short often just six to eight hours. Some common activities to consider in the early afternoon after you eat are. But the goal is reduce demand on WJ. Park Caf or the Solarium are our usual lunch stops since the WJ can get so busy. Terms and Conditions Apply. If you purchased a specialty dining package, you can choose to use your package benefits on the first day lunch. Want to relax? (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean) The Key benefits are: Priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day* Carry-on bag drop off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery** Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room with a menu featuring Chops Grille on embarkation day Spend some time on embarkation day walking your Royal Caribbean ship. When sailing on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships, you also can use the line's online portal or app to pre-book shows in advance. You cannot paste images directly. All of the shops and the casino will be closed while in port. Have no clue why they used that menu. That's because early birds in the check-in process have their pick of arrival times at the ship. Cruise lines have specific rules for other banned items, which you can find on your lines website. (Dock workers expect a small tip for the service.) I'm staying in a JS? These are specific Royal Caribbean cruise tips that will save you money and time, and let you maximize the experience both on board the vessels and during port calls. 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. Youll find a list of all the daily activities printed out in your cabin, on your cabin TV and on the shipboard app. You are required to watch a video on your cabin TV or cruise line app that tells you what to do in the event of a fire or other shipboard emergency. Once you prove (through your paperwork or electronically) that you belong on the ship, you will go through security. These sorts of things happen all the time to cruisers, and theyre all the sort of situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. What are your favorite things to do on embarkation day? However, its your responsibility to arrive at the pier with the proper documentation. I like it better than The Key lunch. There are plenty of other included options to choose from. 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. For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. There's something for kids and adults of all ages and interests on a Royal Caribbean ship. While most cruise lines allow passengers to bring a small amount of alcohol, soda and bottled water for consumption in their cabin, make sure you have not gone over the cruise lines allowance for bringing your own beverages on board. Windjammer is the go-to for a majority of cruisers, but I assume most people dont know what else is even open. Heres the good news: If the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you can usually get your fare reduced to match the lower price. The exact times depend on a variety of factors, including how quickly customs clears the ship and how quickly Royal Caribbean's crew is ready for the new wave of guests. Youll have time to see a lot during your cruise, but at this point I like to get the lay of the land. The periods around major holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices. Related: The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises. By 1pm, your stateroom will be ready and that means you can check out your new home, drop off any carry on luggage you brought and start enjoying the benefits of your room. Those are the rough times you'll be able to get off the ship and must be back aboard. And it's no small thing, given that CocoCay is a marquee stop on a significant number of Royal Caribbean voyages to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Find the right card for you. Embarkation day offers a lot to see and do, and for anyone going on a Royal Caribbean cruise, here is what you can expect on embarkation day. This isn't always the case when visiting cruise line private islands. Should you have a problem in port and not make it back to the ship before it sails, the agent can help you figure out next steps. Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise. See what embarkation day was like for a Royal Caribbean cruise ship! At check-in, you should have access to a special embarkation day Cruise Compass that lists venues that are open and activities that will be available. Without your luggage, youll have your hands free for the rest of the embarkation process. In our experience, guests will usually be let into the cruise terminal around 10am, or shortly thereafter and embarkation usually begins somewhere around 11am. MDR has the Chops Grille lunch menu for The Key holders, but whats left? Keep a level head and look forward to good times once your sailing gets underway. From Matt via the RCL Dining facebook group: Mariner of the Seas is experimenting with a complimentary embarkation day lunch to help alleviate demand in Windjammer. One way to save: Book these venues for lunch instead of dinner. This is no small thing. They can be noisy. We did our first-ever specialty dining on our cruise last week just to avoid WJ (our sailing was a sold out cruise). Royal Caribbean fans in the know make a beeline to the Park Caf for Royal Kmmelweck roast beef sandwiches, an embarkation day rite of passage. Yes, youll be able to find sunscreen, painkillers and Band-Aids on Royal Caribbean ships. Grab a drink and toast the official start of your cruise vacation. Welcome lunch When The Key program was first rolled out, one of the perks was an exclusive embarkation day lunch at Chops Grille or Jamie's Italian specialty restaurants. We like to sail b2b and enjoy the MDR lunch and always order short rib. While were on the topic of sundries, dont forget extra batteries or memory cards for your camera if you are bringing one. Chops Grille is the Royal Caribbean signature steakhouse and is located on Deck 4 near the Schooner Bar on Adventure of the Seas. 11. Just like the included restaurants, which restaurants are open on the first day depend on the ship. The earlier you can make reservations for the time slot you want, the better. These parties are about music, laughter and the opportunity to check out the crowd youll be with for the week. Many Royal Caribbean cruises depart in the afternoon, so it might seem fine to fly to a port on the morning of departure. The most notable restaurant open to everyone for dinner, but not lunch, on embarkation day is the main dining room. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Really, right now. Related: Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? I loved their roast beef sandwich. Make sure your suitcase is tagged with your name and cabin number, ship name and sail date. I would probably get the same choices as you. The pattern of activities in the evening on embarkation day is a lot like what happens on any other evening of your cruise. That looks very similar (possibly identical) to the turnaround day B2B menu we saw on Indy in July. Royal Caribbean fans in the know make a beeline to the Park Caf for Royal Kmmelweck roast beef sandwiches, an embarkation day rite of passage. If there isnt, alert your cabin steward. Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. There is no need to bring a life jacket to the muster drill. The island is outfitted for Wi-Fi access, so you can use your shipboard internet package to stay in touch or post photos of your day on social media without extra fees. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. If Royal Caribbean ships are known for anything, it is their marquee deck-top attractions giant waterslides, surfing simulators, climbing walls and skydiving tubes, to name a few. These items will include weapons, fireworks, flammable liquids, candles, clothing irons, incense and anything else that produces a flame. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. While youre exploring, stop by the kids centers and sign the kids up for the onboard kids program. Many Royal Caribbean ships feature Johnny Rockets eateries serving the chain's signature burgers and shakes. If you are prone to seasickness, plan to take your first pills a couple of hours before the ship is scheduled to leave the pier. In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. European cruises, in particular, can be port-intensive, with lots of touring, so you want to be refreshed and ready to hit the ground running right after the cruise begins. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. You might be ready to cruise, but the ships crew still is getting the ship ready, having just disembarked last weeks passengers. Email us at tips@thepointsguy.com. Beerlovingworm 4 mo. You can post now and register later. But they can come with a hefty extra charge. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Your travel agent will get full credit when you book another sailing while on board a Royal Caribbean ship and can take over the booking later. Not every cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship is created equal. There are ways to use points and miles to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, but it doesnt always make sense, as it often requires a huge number of points to secure a cabin. This is a great time to explore the ship and get your bearings onboard and see what is offered. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship. Royal Caribbean automatically adds an 18% gratuity to bar bills and minibar items, as well as spa and salon purchases. Food included at no extra cost Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Guests enjoy a complimentary bar, loungers in the garden area, as well as a private beach with drink service. The Chops Grille eateries, for instance, recently were priced at a fee of $55 per person for dinner, while visiting at lunchtime only would set you back $25 per person. Single guests would have to pay 200% of the fare to receive the offer. Display as a link instead, These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel a huge market for Royal Caribbean drops off significantly, resulting in diminished demand for the line's ships. Share them in our comments! Make the most of your overnight by exploring a little in the departure port city before you board the ship. This is a great convenience, as theres no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. It doesnt even appear in my app currently for a March Harmony sailing. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. Youve planned your cruise, and now its embarkation day. Video: Royal Caribbean dining questions I get asked all the time. In our experience, guests willusuallybe let into the cruise terminal around 10am, or shortly thereafter and embarkationusuallybegins somewhere around 11am. In the Bahamas and the Caribbean, its also hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region. If you do this in advance of sailing, you can jump right into onboard activities as soon as you board the ship. You may also be required to check in with a crew member at your assigned muster. The set-up is similar to an airport. As others pointed out, the menu is similar to B2B menu. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, which will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos over Wi-Fi without using phone data. This venue serves buffet-style options for breakfast and lunch including a custom omelet station. 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. You must go through the ships pier-side check-in process, which can take time. On Quantum class ships, your SeaPass cards are waiting in your stateroom. Although fond of lake Erie, her first love is the sea. Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. We say yes, TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits, How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise, The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining, comparison of the top travel insurance providers, The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises, What happens if you miss your cruise ship, 13 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag, Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service, Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? 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. At Royal Caribbean, it's called the NextCruise program, and the bonus could include up to $600 in onboard credits for the next cruise that you book and up to 10% off shore excursions on the sailing. Youve arrived at your floating home for the week. Lunch in the MDR on embarkation day was one of the very, very, few things that I liked about NCL. MDR will be open for key guests serving a limited chops menu. Start your cruise right. Since youre likely leaving from a sunny destination, you also may want to have a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package allows cruisers to enjoy multiple specialty restaurants every night of their cruise for one low price. Getting acclimated with where everything will make your cruise easier since you will spend less time trying to locate everything. Upload or insert images from URL. Once onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, there will be lots to see and do and like any cruise, it is up to you what to do. Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book? Where can I eat on the first day of my Royal Caribbean cruise? Ms Seafarer is excited to try El Loco next week. Take a scroll through our ultimate list of Royal Caribbean cruise tips, tricks and hacks in the story below 35 in all! Okay, got it downloaded? not going to lie, i would do an MDR sit down lunch just because its climate controlled being indoors and also away from the masses (aka the jammer). If not, just leave blank, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! This restaurant was added to the ship during one of the past refurbishments which occurred in 2016 and 2018. . It seems like a majority of guests tend to arrive in the afternoon hours, so arriving before 1pm can often result in shorter lines. The exact times depend on a variety of factors, including how quickly customs clears the ship and how quickly Royal Caribbean's crew is ready for the new wave of guests. Preferably sooner than later, I hope this test passes with flying colors and becomes the offered MDR embarkation day lunch fleet wide! The flat-fee extra charge is typically half as much as the cost of going at dinnertime. Related: TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits. Guests will discover, Whether this is your first Royal Caribbean cruise or your fiftieth, there are certain nuances and "secrets" to dining, Let's face it: Dining is as essential to the cruise experience as the ocean itself. But if its getting close to the time your ship is set to leave the pier and your suitcases have not arrived, alert your cabin steward. Those details are usually printed in the Cruise Compass newsletter thats delivered to your cabin each night. Its a great place for embarkation lunch. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. They don't just apply when you're on your Royal Caribbean ship. Chops Grille is open every night of the cruise from 5:30pm to 10pm. Its fun to find not only the main spaces but also the hidden pools, hot tubs and other treasures youll want to return to throughout your sailing. Feastin Mother's Day Brunch Options: Choose from Flour & Branch's stuffed French toast, Daughter's Diner brunch for two ($89) or Palette Tea House's classic dim sum, crab feast ($78) or . Adventure has the Windjammer and Cafe Promenade. Evening entertainment starts up around this time, with live music at a number of locations throughout the ship. 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. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again. If you like what you see in the soothing thermal suite which typically has hot and cold treatments sign up now as spaces may sell out. hope this lasts!! You wont need them. Here is yet one more tip about making reservations in advance: If you're signing up for My Time Dining on a Royal Caribbean ship the type of dining where you can eat in the main dining room whenever you want you'll have an easier time getting seated at the time you want if you make a reservation in advance. Hello everyone! Planning a cruise? 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. Royal Caribbean Dining Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to?
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