Went into a door that moved us ahead of that line but through the same security checkpoint as everyone else. On one no one ever asked anyone to show their check-in time while on the other one, they strictly enforced the check-in times. It says we get priority boarding. Group Cruise Accommodations | Royal Caribbean Incentives It has since expanded to all ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. For a 3-night vacation, you would earn 3 points, for a 7-night cruise, you would earn 7, and so on. Find the right card for you. Display as a link instead, For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Lines here? Edited September 9, 2021 by TheBucketLister. (Each time you disembark or re-board in a port of call, youll also have to swipe your card, so keep it with you.). What Food Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise? If youre anything like us, we have a small family and always intend to spend 95% of our time out of our room. So, now that youve got all the facts, youre probably wondering how much these benefits cost. Whether this is your first cruise or youre a seasoned pro, we hope you have a great trip! 2. Royal Caribbean asks its guests to arrive within their check-in window to avoid crowding in the terminal. It debuted as a pilot program on Liberty of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas in late 2018. Our rooms then opened up at around 1:00 that afternoon. When I approach the terminal I drop my bags with porters is that right? Youll also find that the water slides dont have long lines at this time on embarkation day. Exceptions are more advanced ports or cruise lines (like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity) that allow you to skip the check-in desk if youve already completed everything (check-in, onboard account setup and security photo) ahead of time using the app. Suites onboard these ships are broken up into three different categories -- Sea, Sky, and Star -- that all come with different benefits. 5 minutes later, they included Jr suites also. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. This buffet wasnt crowded at all during these early hours, and it offered a large variety of food for our big travel group. I've only been there prior to boarding beginning and at that time they had all the Key grouped in seats together and they escorted them by groups to board the ship. The cost of The Key can vary from ship to ship, as well as itinerary. The new method has worked so well that it has largely remained in place for most cruise lines. *** Welcome lunch is open from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. Where do I find my cruise reservation documents? If you have any interest in this, it is worth reaching out to your concierge to see what is available on your sailing. We were at the port ~10:20 and our boarding time was 12:30-1pm. On the Cruise Critic boards, people have reported paying between $19.99 to $29.99 and even up to $37 per day for each person in the cabin. Royal Caribbean suites provide a range of benefits that can greatly enhance your cruise experience, from an exclusive suites-only lounge to private dining experiences and priority embarkation. What exactly are the perks of a Royal Caribbean suite? 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. 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. That way, you have time to rebook yourself on a different flight if something goes wrong. Our Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Ocean View/ Panoramic (No Balcony) Suites, and Owners Suites all receive priority boarding, and our Royal Suite and Villa Suite guests are escorted onboard by an officer. I pack sunscreen to apply before swimming, and we carry on other essentials that we need before dinner. I hear that some people have managed to get earlier times by constantly checking via the RCL App. Those staying in a Grand Suite, however, will get two points per night. When something like this happens, I look for a Royal Caribbean employee and not one of temporary people scattered around the terminal. You will also get complimentary VOOM, so you do not have to worry about being disconnected or paying extra for a Wi-Fi package! In addition to being able to utilize the concierge, you will also have access to a private onboard lounge. Successfully completing the check-in process for you and those guests listed on your SetSail Pass will allow you to receive a SetSail Pass. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, The Key, Royal Caribbean's Priority Program, 8 Reasons to Cruise on a Refurbished Ship, What to Expect on a Cruise: Boarding a Cruise Ship, 10 Things to Know About Cruising on Empress of the Seas, Priority check-in and boarding (with some exceptions), Ability to store carry-on luggage in the main dining room from boarding until 1:30p.m. when it's delivered to your cabin, Welcome lunch in the main dining room on embarkation day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring a menu from Chops Grille, Voom internet with Surf & Stream for one device per Key cruiser, Specialty seating at shows and events in the main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70 (reservations needed for Oasis- and Quantum-class ships), Special access hours for onboard attractions, such as the zipline, FlowRider, rock climbing wall, Ultimate Abyss, North Star, iFly and the ice rink, Priority line at ship attractions and water slides during regular hours, Priority access off the ship to the shore in port, Exclusive a la carte breakfast from 6:30a.m. to 9:30a.m. on debarkation morning, Special Key luggage tags that put your suitcases in a special area in Customs when you disembark. The trick is knowing when that will be. You cannot, for instance, order from the Main Dining Room menu to enjoy a private in-suite meal. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. We enjoy being on the ship early to take advantage of as much time on board as possible. For an extra-special journey, select Royal Suite Class, with . Can I book back-to-back cruises at this time? What are the benefits of the Royal Caribbean Suites program? This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The online check-in process is super simple and consists of filling out personal information among other tasks. While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern. There's no way to know that's happened without checking manually. Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean offering guest expedited arrival options to speed up check-in process, Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The Key is an extra-fee program from Royal Caribbean that gives cruisers a host of perks, such as priority boarding and debarkation, reserved seating at shows, special access to onboard attractions and more. Your link has been automatically embedded. We like to carry a backpack onboard the ship on embarkation day. Flash the digital pass to the entry staff, they see it says SUITE and they wave you thru. Find the right card for you. When will it be available? If youve already checked in online, the process will be faster. You'll need to buy The Key for every guest in the cabin (age 6 and above) for every night of the cruise. I only ask because we're driving from Virginia to Titusville day before and those last 3.5 hours to Miami morning of embarkation. This pending amount is used to secure funds for anticipated onboard purchases. We also use the hairbrush for the kids hair after swimming. A couple in front of us said they had the Genie and she said well it's too late. If you are wanting to maximize your suite benefits, this is a great way to do so, as evening gowns and suits usually cost between $7.50 and $15.00 per item for everyone else on the ship. Rude woman at the terminal said nope that line is full and we have to go into the long zig zagging line. We show you what the procedures on boarding day, as well as tips for a less-stressful check-in process at the cruise terminal, plus the top choices for lunch. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Get there too early and you'll be fighting with the traffic for all those leaving the cruise that is disembarking (and all the other cruises disembarking at the other Miami terminals). Whether The Key package is worth it depends on the type of traveler you are. Note that The Key is not offered on all Royal Caribbean ships. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Powered by Invision Community. Junior Suite benefits include priority boarding, luxury toiletries and a more comfortable mattress. Be prepared with this information when your concierge reaches out to you, which will be about a week or so before departure. In theory, they never have to step foot in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer! From the website: All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. Her whole family, including the oceanview cabin guests, were permitted to stand in the suite line. After we completed this check-in procedure, our family sat in the waiting area until it was our turn to board the ship. In the weeks leading up to your cruise, be sure to complete online check-in. Each everything, they will serve cocktails and a selection ofhors doeuvres for you to enjoy with other suite guests. The couple flagged down another worker and told her about the Genie and she took them out of the line and immediately got of hold of the Genie for them. This will help you make the most out of your day in port. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. First and foremost, can you book a Grand Suite on any cruise? Is The Royal Caribbean Key Program Really Worth It? Your carry-on bags pass through a scanner, and you must walk through a metal detector. Since October 2022, at Cape Liberty in Bayonne boarding times are not being looked at much less enforced. Just like some land-based hotels, guests can expect to see an initial $100 pending charge or authorization on their credit card. C&A became too successful. (Honest Review). Have more cruise questions? 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. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. We assumed we would need to wait. Those in Junior Suites will find that they are not eligible for the full onboard suite experience, which may be why you are considering a Grand Suite. When you complete online check-in, you will be assigned a check-in time. 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. (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. Indulge in one of Royal Caribbean's luxurious suites for the ultimate at-sea experience. There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore. Paste as plain text instead, Royal Caribbean is now offering an expedited arrival option on about a half dozen of its ships that aim to get guests, Royal Caribbean is inviting select guests to try out a new way to board the ship that aims to improve the embarkation, The first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise is areallyfun moment in any cruise fan's vacation, because it is when, When you arrive at the cruise terminal for the first day of your cruise, there are porters waiting to take your luggage, With your Royal Caribbean cruise right around the corner, you might be wondering what time should I get to the cruise, When your Royal Caribbean cruise ship begins to sail away from port and your cruise actually begins, you will probably. Do junior suites get priority boarding on Royal Caribbean? In 2018, Royal Caribbean rolled out "The Key." You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP benefits, including an early check-in time. PLEASE NOTE:We are hard at work uplifting our cruises for the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities in which we operate. 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. In addition to breakfast, Grand Suite (and above) guests are also offered private seating for lunch. You cant miss the porters and their baggage carts as they line up on the curb by the terminal. The per-person cost varies based on your ship and the time that you choose to purchase the package. The Key program is Royal Caribbean's initiative to give guests access to premier and exclusive cruise services and activities while on board for a small additional fee. Our check-ln time was 12:00 to 12:30. mimi217, October 3, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International. I always advise flying in at least one day before youre scheduled to embark, just in case you encounter any delays or cancellations. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. This was a really fast process that took less than five minutes. The answer to the first question depends on how far of a commute you have to the cruise port. Offer ends 5/3/23. Royal Caribbean suitesprovide more than extra living space. You don't need the App to check for an earlier boarding time. To enhance your experience even more, you could rent one of the cabanas at Barefoot Beach for an extra cost. There are several other tricks like completing check-in online or via your cruise lines mobile app before you show up that you can employ to speed up the embarkation process. If you are wanting an elevated cruising experience, you might be considering booking a suite on your next Royal Caribbean cruise. Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Program Updates. In short, purchasing The Key package comes down to your budget and desire for some exclusive benefits. While this isnt necessarily the time in which you will board the ship, it is a good indicator of when you will be allowed to embark. Since you can only order from the Main Dining Room menu when it is open, it is likely that you might find yourself caving an in-suite snack outside of their operational hours. It is a good question to ask, especially since some of Royal Caribbean's newest suites are only available on certain classes and/or ships. Suffice to say, the pricing of a Grand Suite can vary. We are local and had to be dropped off once just before 7:30 and the porters were there and took our bags. Like what you see? For a full list of items that my family and I pack on a cruise vacation, you can check out my Cruise Packing List article. 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! 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. Certain hotels have resort fees. So effectively to make the most of it, arrive as early as you can. Is there any special line at this point for The Key? Tip: When you receive your SeaPass card on board, there will be a small sticker on the card to verify your status. Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. 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). Each cruiser scanned his/her SetSail Pass (from the Royal Caribbean app) and was permitted to board the ship. Have you ever wanted to get a behind-the-scenes look of a cruise ship? First, if you miss The Key check-in window, you have to fall back to whatever time you had before. I think the number of passengers determines how strictly they enforce the check-in times. Youll also find a free printable cruise packing list! Plus, your own feed of TPG content. With The Key, you don't need to splurge on a suite or have Royal Caribbean status in order to get these perks. (They do sell out.). Upload or insert images from URL. Show up after 1pm and you will probably walk right on. As for when to arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, the answer depends on your boarding time. Royal Caribbean Suite Perks Explained If your cruise vacation snuck up on you and you forgot to make reservations in advance, do not worry! If your clothing got wrinkled in your suitcase, you have the chance to get a complimentary pressing on your itinerary's first formal night. Once you've booked a cruise, go to Royal Caribbean's site, log in to your account and click on "Cruise Planner." Plus, Grand Suite guests are able to eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was almost as if it was pre covid on this one. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Everyone on the reservation who is older than 6 will need to buy The Key. If booking one interests you, it is best to conduct your own research or reach out to a travel agent who can assist you with the booking process. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. My 3 cruises have been less than 40% fill. In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. How early is too early for the porters to be there? Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Guests can choose boarding times in the afternoon or earlier times of 10:30 or 11:00. When you enter the terminal building, you must show your ID and boarding documents and proceed through a security check. The consensus seems to be that if you really hate lines and are going to purchase an internet package anyway, The Key is a nice investment. Embarkation day is often full of a lot of chaos and stress, especially if you are a first time cruiser. So, how do you secure an early arrival time so that you can board the ship as soon as possible? The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation.
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