15 ways board your cruise ship faster!

[@beatlejeff65]

I always board as early as possible. Online check in for my upcoming Mariner sailing opened today. I was online at midnight and snagged 10:30 boarding passes for me and my son. We are flying in the day before so should have no problem being at the terminal at check in time. We are also in a Junior Suite, so we should be amongst the first on board. We'll make our specialty dining reservations first thing, hit the muster station, then on to lunch then the pool before sail away.

[@amyharvey2478]

One piece of advice is to watch your Videos!!! Thanks for all of the great information. I will make sure the 1st time cruisers with our group watch your videos as well!

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Please do!

[@yvonnemcnaughton455]

I always have our documents together in a file envelope. I actually place what I need first, second, etc in order in that folder. I use plastic envelopes from Staples.

[@FLPeach00]

I love your organization! Do you print your Sea Pass? I’m printing all my docs and wondered if I should do that as well. Your opinion is appreciated. 😊

[@bas3q]

7:25 People who book later times should really understand that they're basically cheating themselves out of several hours of their vacation (and getting familiar with the ship, eating the food they've already paid for instead of paying more $$$, etc.). Plus, if you book an earlier time, you can always go on later - not the case in reverse. We always book as early as we can and try to arrive at or before that time (within reason) so that we can be one of the first on the ship. This lets us get our vacation started as soon as possible and get first crack at the restaurants, pools, arcades, drinks, etc. etc.

[@CruisN-Steve]

Gonna be booking our first Royal Cruise next year for 2026 when they get posted and available. I know it's 3 years away but the wait I think will be worth it. Going to book an Oasis class!

[@Severine1020]

Yes. We loved it

[@billeger5565]

Book a suite. Grand suite or above. Worth it!

[@bearwonder1]

The fastest way to get on board the ship.... leave the family at home and travel SOLO

[@jeanzinger9693]

I agree. Celebrity is finally having a few solo cabins at a reasonable price. They need to add more but this is a start Buon voyage.

[@bobbymeyer5306]

💯

[@GraduateJLN]

Damn…that’s sad

[@calcham1]

😂😂 Sad but true. I've been on 37 cruises. Some cruises have been planned 18 months in advance. What does my wife do? I'm glad you asked. She waits until about 2:00 AM the day of departure to pack because she claims the pressure makes her pack faster.

[@Ryan-719]

You can do solo cabins ?

[@ronjacobson2051]

Used RC transfer from seattle to port. At airport, they have check-in area for the ship, give you blue armband. At port, had special line direct to ship. Avoided long line at port.

[@williamdelmar3964]

Because of our personal situation, we almost always arrive the day before and book a transfer service if we are any distance (not walking distance) from the terminal. Our results have been hit or miss, we have always arrived in time to board but even transfer services incur unexpected delays, and we have had several. Our best “boarding experience” was arriving late where we whisked through and right on to the ship. The lateness was by design by the transfer we took, so we still have plenty of time to board.

[@Cory69]

yep arrived at 2 for a 3pm all aboard and we were the only ones in terminal lol

[@Keither754]

On the most recent Royal Caribbean cruise I was on, almost every room on my deck between the stairs and my stateroom all had The Key 😅 The benefits sound amazing, but I think it is way overpriced and is definitely out of my family’s budget.

[@jasonlott4885]

If you have downloads of your E-docs make sure to have a screen shot of them or have hard copies just in case your wifi or data goes buggy.

[@sportsMike87]

show up early. Never denied me boarding.

[@kilrathi827]

Online checkin on the day it opens (I usually check ahead of time and create a calendar event for myself on my Google Planner), and book the earliest possible arrival window for myself and my whole party. Last 3 cruises, that's meant we were on board and relaxing by 1200.

[@jeffreylevin9616]

This is a repeat. I remember this one. I still love it.

[@larrywatts3552]

All of your tips are great think you Matt 😊😊

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Glad you think so!

[@brianlosure]

What is the “set sail pass”? Is that a physical document, or something on the RC app?

[@clbert7460]

Good tips/reminders for newbies and first timers. I always arrive after 1:30 PM. The lines are non-existent, most people have already boarded and eaten, and I can usually go straight to my cabin with my carry on. But after 53 cruises I am no longer overly excited about going on a cruise, so I’m happy to take my time.

[@gsxjiffy6076]

53 cruises and no excited anymore huh? time for something new to do....

[@clbert7460]

@@gsxjiffy6076 You are right but actually I’m chasing points for the top loyalty tier right now. I’m on track to achieve that by March 2024. Then I will go back to land vacations for a while.

[@NaturallyCarol]

We have a Junior Suite booked for Odyssey of the Seas next May. Does that get us priority boarding?

[@cywoods60]

These are some great tips. TFS

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Thanks for watching!

[@annaheh2925]

Do not carry on heavy bag. Use wheeled bag when able. So entrance ramps are up hill.

[@Keither754]

Definitely! Most entrance gangways are uphill and sometimes quite steep. Because my family over packed their shoulder bag carry-ons and couldn’t handle the weight, guess who had to carry them 😂😅

[@akeolsson8020]

If you embark in the US and travel on ESTA carry printouts of approval when boarding.

[@brbz369]

I always try to have hard copies of EVERYTHING - from passports, to baggage tags to boarding passes...anything at all that you might need for boarding/ID verification. This is just in case my phone battery runs down so low that it won't do anything..and at the moment when it's needed most!

[@FLPeach00]

I just saw a video of a cruiser reporting their checkin at the port took almost an hour because the Wi-Fi wasn’t working properly, and was completely down at one point. I’ll be taking hard copies as well for this very reason.

[@FraserAtSea]

Last week at Barcelona cruise terminal, I saw multiple people taking their hold luggage through on foot, which I'd never seen before. The process of having the entire contents of their bags x-rayed took SO much longer, both for them and for all of the other passengers who had to wait and watch...!!

[@larrywatts3552]

all are great tips thinks Matt

[@edwesby5752]

I think major emphasis should go on getting to the port a day or more early. A friend of mine missed his cruise (with his son) because of bad weather in the departure city that delayed the pilot getting to the plane. He had an early morning direct flight the day of his cruise and would have gotten to Florida by about 10:00 AM. The airline rebooked him on another flight (since the pilot was not available) that had a stop-over in Atlanta. By the time he got to Florida it was too late to board. On one occasion we had a flight booked from RDU to Boston and after we got on the plane the pilot announced that there was an issue. Basically they could not start the plane because the on-board computer would not boot-up. So we sat for over an hour while they found a tech to fix the problem. Fortunately our cruise was not until the next day so we were safe. But if it had been same day we would have been in trouble getting to the ship on time.

[@davewechter1620]

You nailed it! We do everything you mentioned.

[@Ryan-719]

I always went early as possibly to maximize time on the ship… even if it means waiting in the terminal for a sec

[@teresa978]

If you purchase the key do you automatically get early check in or do you still have to pick a check in time and just walk to the Key area to get on the ship? Also, do you know when RC post their September- December 2025 cruise schedule? Thank you

[@pianointhedesert]

@teresa978 if you get the key, they will send you an email about a week before sailing and let you know that you need to board before 11:30 for the key lunch. So, essentially, you get any boarding time you want before that in order to be on board for the lunch. I typically still pick early check-in times, but you do still have to check yourself in at some point. You can always pick something later and still show up early for boarding because of it. Check for 2025 sailings starting in November 2023. 👍

[@teresa978]

@@pianointhedesert Thank you 😊

[@daynaal-shammary5141]

All tips appreciated.

[@stevek7068]

One more. Be sure to smile at the port agents. In my experience, they work faster if you appear to be in a happy mood.

[@hsvdhnevevvv5567]

Our check in time is 11am Could we show up earlier??

[@dsia01]

How much to pay and tips the porter?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

$2 a bag

[@scrapbookingmomma1499]

Great info thanks. Question: Can we carry soda on the ship??? Going on Grandeur in 2 months. Thanks

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Yes: www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/09/04/what-food-or-drinks-youre-allowed-bring-royal-caribbean-cruise

[@scrapbookingmomma1499]

Thank you so much!

[@arcanum70]

While I know it's not for everyone. My wife and I love the Key.

[@lindastover9541]

Great video ❤❤❤❤

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Thank you!!

[@shawnferrell1983]

How do I book a private transfer? I have a group cruise coming in Feb 2024 and I was worried on how I can get my e tire group there at the same time without using Uber or Lyft. If anyone can help with info it would be appreciated

[@Davidg0716]

Matt, Why has your voiceover sounded so bad the past few times? Did your mic break? Sounds like you're using an old iPhone mic.

[@dianabonadonna9983]

About private transportation to the ship, how is that work? I am doing an Alaskan cruise coming in at Seattle Tacoma airport. How do I get this?

[@Keither754]

I think by “private transportation” they mean hiring/reserving a limo or other chauffeur service, having family/friends drive you, or driving yourself. (Basically everything besides Uber, Lyft, taxi or public transportation.)

[@ronjacobson2051]

I used rc transfer at sea tac to ship. RC did ship check-in at airport before transfer. Gave blue arm band; at ship, had line direct to ship. No long lines at port.

[@dianabonadonna9983]

@Ron Jacobson by rc, do you mean Royal Caribbean? The ship is so far from SeaTac that I was wondering how to get there. Last time we went, my stepson lived in Seattle. I know there is a bus back to the airport.

[@ronjacobson2051]

Yes, rc=royal caribbean. Trip is about 45 minutes from seatac to pier by bus. I stay at hotel by airport, then hotel shuttle to airport. Don't know if other cruise lines check you in at seatac. Also, I used port valet for baggage off ship, worked great.

[@anadominguez4422]

Is it an additional cost to use the RC bus to take you to the ship terminal?

[@BrianAlt]

Only 70 notifications? I usually get 103 notifications to check-in.

[@bethanyaudion9441]

I disagree with your suggestion to not use a ride share for your transfers. Ride shares like Uber and Lyft can be pre-booked just like car/van services.

[@anthonystern6161]

Didn't know there were any Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminals connected to the London Underground 🤔

[@JustbeingCB]

We got a GTY stateroom. I haven't been assigned a room yet.28 days until sail date. What will my luggage tags say??? What will I tell the porter if I need to give my room number??

[@pianointhedesert]

@ReviewsbyC Don't worry, you'll get a room! Some people don't even know what their room is going to be until the day before the cruise. You will have a number to give the porter that day, no sweat. 👍👍👍

[@JustbeingCB]

@@pianointhedesert thank you 😊

[@altair3673]

How far in advance of the cruise is the muster station training available to view in the app? (Going on Oasis in September - first time on RC! Love your videos, Matt!)

[@jorge0123mj]

you might be able to view it now in the app. It is listed under safety. I cruise in August and I have been able to view the video since at least May

[@altair3673]

@@jorge0123mj - thank you for your help! I see the safety training in the app now!

[@FLPeach00]

One video that said if you watch the videos too far in advance, you’ll have to do them again. Just a heads up.

[@PatrickWagz]

Regarding bringing alcoholic beverages onboard: Liquor: no Beer: no 750 mL bottle of wine or champagne per person, 21 years and older: yes

[@carolynlewis6232]

I know everyone is excited to get on board as soon as possible but I prefer to get on a little later so I don't have hold on to carry-on while waiting for my cabin.

[@ProtectiveDadPranks]

I’m a get on board fast type. But you’re right. I was holding my garment bag and carry on for 2-hours last time. 😮

[@RyansTravelChannel]

I have a cruise booked for September and I’m thinking of selecting a 12:30 check in time, carrying stuff around kinda sucks for a few hours

[@ProtectiveDadPranks]

@@RyansTravelChannel - yeah I’m going on a cruise again in three weeks. My second cruise in four months. I have an 1130 check in. It does suck to carry your luggage but the benefit of getting there early is getting a good parking spot if you get in real late, you might have to walk for a while.

[@deoshasmith]

Us too

[@peggysmith678]

We boarded at 12:30 and walked right on this ship. No lines just walk in the door get your papers taken care of, up the ramp and on the ship comment bingbangboom hit the muster station and in our room by the two opening time

[@jonathanpace5312]

One thing I do is know exactly when the check-in day is and I stay up until midnight ship time and check in at the absolute earliest possible time. That allows me to pick the first time slot for boarding the ship on embarkation day.

[@soremekun]

The key..... unlock 🤭

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

See what I did there?

[@shannh6724]

Why would one NOT get their passport AND bring it with them onto a cruise?! Like come on ppl....

[@James670]

You're not a big fan of The Key? Then why don't you say so during your Q&As?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Pretty sure I say that all the time

[@James670]

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog I don't remember you ever doing that. I certainly don't remember you loudly clearing your throat, warming up your voice, leaning dramatically into the mic, or deeply saying "No".

[@marybarnum437]

DON'T PACK YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE..

[@michaelorr9107]

Really shocked and disappointed that your lady had her feet with zbos on up on the seat opposite...nay nay..

[@hobby_dude_]

Thanks for this video. This makes me never want to take a cruise ship in my life. Holy crap I would hate to go through even a smidge of that.