Royal Caribbean boarding time: How early can I board my cruise?

Table Of Content

• Following Incident, Carnival Says Gambling ‘Strictly Forbidden’ Outside of Casino
• DON'T arrive at the pier early
• When should I arrive at the port terminal to board my cruise ship?
• Boarding Procedures
• Norwegian Cruise Line Explains After Switching Port
• When will I be required to vacate our suite/stateroom on the morning of debarkation?

To be sure, there is plenty to do from the time you arrive at the terminal until you actually board the ship. You’ll have to go through security, likely meet with a check-in agent, then make your way up the gangway to the ship. Before you arrive at the terminal, you'll want to make sure that you have all your important documents in your carry-on bag, rather than your checked luggage (they won't go inside with you). Prior to entering the terminal, you will be met by a porter, who will assist you with these larger bags. You may find cruise ship photographers asking to take your picture and greetings from much of the staff.

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Before you head inside, leave large bags with the porters, who will make sure they're safely loaded onto the ship. (Although it's not required, it's nice to give a dollar or two per bag as a tip.) You can't miss the porters and their baggage carts as they line up on the curb by the terminal. When you arrive at the terminal facility in your port of embarkation, you can expect the scene to be chaotic. Follow signs for the applicable arrival channel, whether that be parking or drop-offs via taxis, Ubers and shuttles. There are several other tricks — like completing check-in online or via your cruise line's mobile app before you show up — that you can employ to speed up the embarkation process. Perhaps you plan to head to the main dining room the first evening or want to go casual at the buffet.

DON'T arrive at the pier early

Depending on the cruise line, you may be required to check into your cruise days before setting sail through an app, similar to what you do for a flight. On your way to the ship, you'll encounter the ship's photographers asking passengers to pose for a picture, often with a backdrop of the ship or a ship's life ring. These photos will be available to purchase onboard, and if you do not want to take one, you can simply say "no, thank you" and pass by.

When should I arrive at the port terminal to board my cruise ship?

This means that you’ll have a head start in settling into your luxurious accommodations, exploring the ship’s amenities, and familiarizing yourself with the onboard offerings. To take advantage of priority boarding, simply ensure that you are registered as a member of the loyalty program before your cruise. Provide the necessary information and membership details during the booking process or through the cruise line’s website.

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Boarding Procedures

While this means having to budget for a hotel, there is no price to the peace of mind you will have waking up minutes from the ship. If this happens, your bag will be brought to a separate side table for further inspection. They’ll confiscate any prohibited items before allowing you to board. While you don’t have to remove anything from your bag, be aware that the security agent may flag your bag if anything suspicious comes up in the X-ray, such as additional liquids. Ensure you have all of the appropriate documentation for everyone in your party and that all the names match on all documentation. You must bring all necessary documentation, or you may be denied boarding.

Norwegian Cruise Line Explains After Switching Port

You'll need to buy The Key for every guest in the cabin (age 6 and above) for every night of the cruise. To sum up, when you can board a cruise ship depends on your cruise line’s policies and the time you choose at check-in. If you want to embark as soon as possible, choosing an early time when you check in is best. Some cruise lines will ask you to pick a time to embark in advance.

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Regardless, you will have to decide whether you want an earlier check-in time or later. If you want an earlier time, you'll have to be vigilant in making sure that you select your time as early as possible, as these tend to be the most desirable times. Remember that your cruise will be pretty casual, so you’ll be fine with simply a T-shirt and shorts. Usually, guests who book The Key are allowed to check-in with the first group (an exact time will be emailed later). Royal Caribbean asks its guests to arrive within their check-in window to avoid crowding in the terminal.

Read on to find out the answers, as well as when you should plan to arrive in your departure city before you set sail. Priority embarkation is usually reserved for guests travelling in suites but is sometimes extended to guests with high loyalty status. I recently embarked on P&O’s Arvia and I was travelling with eight other family members. We were all given different boarding times, despite booking together. The earliest that guests can board a cruise is between 4-5 hours before the ship is scheduled to sail away. By following these tips, you can make the most of your early boarding experience and kickstart your cruise vacation with ease and enjoyment.

And the stress of arriving late is one of the reasons we encourage everyone to embark early. Lunch is served on Lido Deck from boarding until the commencement of the safety briefing. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Over the years, he has reached Pinnacle Club status with Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program.

You may also be required to check in with a crew member at your assigned muster. Those who skip this step will hear their cabin numbers called out over the PA system, which can be embarrassing. Your big bags might not have arrived at this point, but you can drop your carry-ons and take a look to see that everything is to your satisfaction. The steward will also let you know how to keep in touch if you need anything extra throughout your cruise.

For your convenience, porters are generally available at the airport and pier to handle your baggage from curbside to your ship. Please remember to keep your valuables, medications, documents, and fragile items with you. Cruise lines have moved toward staggered check-in to combat the long lines that are seen at the start of traditional boarding. Cruise ships operate on a tight schedule, and they will not wait for you if your flight happens to get delayed.

If you arrive before your scheduled time, you may be asked to wait in the terminal until it’s your turn to board. And if you’re late, you might need to wait in line a little longer than normal. While you might be able to board the cruise ship as early as 11 am, it’s important to remember you have access to your cabin until 2 pm. You’ll be able to hop onboard, explore the ship, and even have a drink by the pool.

Many cruise lines are also moving toward online check-in, which allows you to input your information ahead of time. The advantage is that you can then skip the check-in desk and simply head right to your cabin where your keycards will be waiting in a sealed envelope. Bottom line is that you need to arrive to the port within the boarding window provided by the cruise line. But showing up later in the day (but before the cutoff time provided) can help you board more quickly. Boarding will continue up until one to two hours before the scheduled departure time.

To cater to these needs and provide a smoother experience for families, cruise lines frequently offer early boarding options specifically designed for families with children. Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, special needs passengers are provided with dedicated assistance, allowing them to navigate the check-in and security screening processes more efficiently. Cruise lines may have designated staff members or specialized services available to support and guide special needs passengers throughout the embarkation process. It ensures a more comfortable and stress-free embarkation process. Early boarding for suite guests allows you to embark on the ship before the majority of other passengers.

Cruise ships usually begin boarding an hour or two after all passengers from the previous voyage have left the ship. It’s important to note that the eligibility and specific benefits of early boarding for families with children may vary depending on the cruise line and the age policies for children. Some cruise lines may define children as those under a specific age, while others may have different categories based on age or height. It’s recommended to review the specific details of the cruise line’s policies and consult with your travel agent to understand the early boarding privileges and benefits for families.

You may feel stressed and rushed, worrying you’ll miss embarkation. You may find a shorter lineup at check, and your room will almost surely be ready for you when you board late. Guests should arrive promptly within their Arrival Appointment to reduce wait time in line. Matt started Royal Caribbean Blog in 2010 as a place to share his passion for all things Royal Caribbean with readers. He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis.