In addition to extra toiletries, Royal Caribbean regulars often bring Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions). The credit applies only to the stateroom where the shareholder is staying and is based on double occupancy. Just like the included restaurants, which restaurants are open on the first day depend on the ship. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/01/21/10-tips-worked-out-our-royalcaribbeanblogcom-staffers-2021. priority embarkation, a special welcome lunch on embarkation day, reserved times at certain attractions onboard, reserved seating section at shows, Voom Surf and Stream Internet, a special debarkation day breakfast, a flexible debarkation time. There are some types of vacations a beach trip, for instance where you dont have to do much advance research. I loved their roast beef sandwich. Those details are usually printed in the Cruise Compass newsletter thats delivered to your cabin each night. If youre delayed in your arrival at the port, the ship will not wait for you. There is no need to bring a life jacket to the muster drill. Terms and Conditions Apply. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). Independent tours also can take you to places that Royal Caribbean-organized tours dont. 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. If you've purchased a drinks package, you won't need to pay extra for sodas, beer or frozen cocktails when you're thirsty on the beach. By Although fond of lake Erie, her first love is the sea. Lunch on Embarkation Day: Whats your go-to? Take a scroll through our ultimate list of Royal Caribbean cruise tips, tricks and hacks in the story below 35 in all! 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. If you are traveling with kids, now is the time to make sure there is an appropriate infant or child life jacket in addition to a life jacket for each adult. Make the most of your overnight by exploring a little in the departure port city before you board the ship. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. Even better, Johnny Rockets outlets on Oasis-class ships (located in the Boardwalk amusement area) typically aren't crowded at breakfast time, in part because many people don't realize they're open. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. 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. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Take some downtime. cruise lines allowance for bringing your own beverages on board, The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Unless there's suddenly been some uptick in people going to chops for lunch on embarkation day. Do you own stock in Royal Caribbean's parent company, the Royal Caribbean Group? But you also won't get hit with crazy charges should you develop a headache and desperately need ibuprofen. Certain hotels have resort fees. For our second and 3rd I think we did Windjammer and Sorrento's respectively. Related: 6 secrets to getting a deal on a cruise. If you wait, you might only find late afternoon arrival slots still available. As with any other secured structure, you cant walk right onto a ship. Embarkation Day Lunch By 2boxers, October 28, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International Share Followers 2 2boxers 251 May 28, 2006 Northeast Ohio #1 Posted October 28, 2021 We purchased The Key. 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. Meals there are not free; they come with an extra charge. That was in March on Radiance. Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. When you get onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, you might be ready for a bite to eat and Royal Caribbean provides a few options to dine at for no additional cost, and some that do cost extra. Have no clue why they used that menu. Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. If you purchased a specialty dining package, you can choose to use your package benefits on the first day lunch. 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. That way, you won't have to dig through your packed luggage to get to the things you need. They also work when you're on land at Royal Caribbeans private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 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. Without your luggage, youll have your hands free for the rest of the embarkation process. Related: 13 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag. Fun times are ahead; a little cat nap may be in order. I would probably get the same choices as you. There . If you dont sign up for shows in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Some common activities to consider in the early afternoon after you eat are. 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. 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. On many Royal Caribbean ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out quickly. 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. 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. On Mariner, on embarkation Day, would Chops be open for lunch? Depending on which type of Royal Caribbean ship you are on, this could be the Sorrentos pizza outlets found in ship promenades, Park Cafe (found in the Central Park area of Oasis-class ships) or Cafe @ Two70 (found on Quantum-class ships). Given TPGs origins as a points and miles website, wed be remiss if we didnt remind you to maximize your credit card points while making purchases on Royal Caribbean ships. The agent also can help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage. Its fun to do the exploring as a family. Email us at tips@thepointsguy.com. While not all specialty restaurants may be open on the first day, some do open their doors for those first few hours onboard. But there's an exception: The Johnny Rockets venues on Royal Caribbean's five Oasis-class ships offer breakfast for free. That's because early birds in the check-in process have their pick of arrival times at the ship. Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean will offer you a bonus if you book a cruise while on a ship. Theres nothing more jammed than a Royal Caribbean ship buffet on embarkation day. Or, maybe youll fall ill during the trip and need emergency medical attention. 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? You can renegotiate the price until you've paid in full for the cruise; that final payment is typically due a few months prior to the sail date. We say yes. A 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise onboard Rhapsody of the Seas that also departs in August 2024 starts at $1,393 per person, based on double occupancy, for a Junior Suite. Our advice: Don't even try to do it all. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The cruise line will send pre-cruise reminders explaining what to expect at check-in, including health and safety procedures. In other words, don't just show up at the main dining room without a reservation assuming that there will be a table ready for you and your traveling companions. It was so nice to sit back in a calm atmosphere and enjoy being waited on that I'm pretty sure it has become an instant go to if the ship has one. In our experience, guests willusuallybe let into the cruise terminal around 10am, or shortly thereafter and embarkationusuallybegins somewhere around 11am. Passengers can drop off up to two pieces per person, and items can't weigh more than 25 pounds. Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August are considered to be the high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. Since youre likely leaving from a sunny destination, you also may want to have a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! There's So Much to Do on Perfect Day at CocoCay We did our first-ever specialty dining on our cruise last week just to avoid WJ (our sailing was a sold out cruise). Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining. It will outline which documents, IDs, QR codes or other electronic receipts you must have ready. Chops Grille is the Royal Caribbean signature steakhouse and is located on Deck 4 near the Schooner Bar on Adventure of the Seas. It is important to have your SetSail pass printed out prior to arriving at the pier to ensure a smooth and quick check-in process. 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. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. 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! This option entitles you to dinner at Chops plus one other specialty restaurant of your choice. It's not always open the rest of the cruise. The most notable restaurant open to everyone for dinner, but not lunch, on embarkation day is the main dining room. 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. Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining, Top 8 most common Royal Caribbean dining questions, Avoid these ten Royal Caribbean dining mistakes. Your link has been automatically embedded. In your cruise carry-on, pack your medications, valuables, documents and anything else you will need until your luggage arrives in your cabin. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? In most cases, your Royal Caribbean ship will arrive in port in the early hours of the morning and begin letting its just completed cruise passengers off shortly thereafter. In fact, you should force yourself to try not to do it all. The crew were clear its a test and dont know if its on any other ship. Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles. Your big bags may or may 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. Any idea if/when solarium bistro will be open? In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for Royal Caribbean cruises generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region. Related: When is the best time to book a cruise? Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruises and itineraries. As you wander, especially out on deck, smiling crew members may be carrying trays of tempting and colorful icy drinks, maybe even decorated with sweet little umbrellas. It is also the first restaurant to open on embarkation day, and will remain open until just before it is time to set sail. Simply put, embarkation day is the first day of your cruise, when you will embark your cruise ship. The good news is these bonuses are in addition to whatever perks you already would be getting for booking another trip as a result of your Crown & Anchor Society status. The Cruise Compass is a daily newspaper of events, times, and schedules, including what is open on the first day of your cruise.