However, its your responsibility to arrive at the pier with the proper documentation. Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. 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. Fran lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Ultimate Guide To The Key on Royal Caribbean - Should Be Cruising Should I Buy The Key for My Family's Royal Caribbean Cruise? MOMS AT SEA Park Cafe and Solarium are two of my favorites. Princess's Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner Menu Royal Caribbean offers its guests two choices for enjoying dinner in the main dining room: My Time Dining or, Royal Caribbean's cruise ships offer an incredible amount of food and dining venues onboard. Sorrentos, El Loco Fresh, and Playmakers ($) for sure will be open. 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. Single guests would have to pay 200% of the fare to receive the offer. It will be delivered to your room later in the day. First time cruisers: What time to get to the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise? Royal Caribbean The Key - What Are the Benefits? A Lunch will be included for the Unlimited Dining Package depending on availability. Many Royal Caribbean cruisers also wont head to a ship without room freshener, a foldable shoe rack (which they hang in the cabin bathroom to store toiletries), a highlighter (to highlight activities on the daily planner) and a lanyard (to hold their cabin keycard). But all it takes is a moderate flight delay to upset those plans. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Many phone plans even international plans do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and youll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that will show up weeks later on your phone bill. 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. 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. Those who skip this step will hear their cabin numbers called out over the PA system, which can be embarrassing. The steward also will let you know how to keep in touch should you need anything extra throughout your cruise. You must go through the ships pier-side check-in process, which can take time. Find the places you want to come back to and check out. Many passengers don't know about this secret spot for watching sailaways, found on Radiance-class, Voyager-class and Freedom-class vessels. I totally forgot about Cafe Two70 on Anthem, i felt like all we had was Windjammer (Solarium Bistro wasn't open). 27 cruise ship embarkation day do's and don'ts - The Points Guy On Mariner, on embarkation Day, would Chops be open for lunch? Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. There is no need (nor option) to make lunch reservations on embarkation day, so it is just first-come, first served. Cruise embarkation day is also be referred to as boarding day. If so, you may qualify for an enticing perk free onboard credit! If I have UDP I go to Chops. Certain hotels have resort fees. 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. Sail awayusuallyfollows the muster drill, in which case there is a sail away party at the pool deck that many guests opt to join in. In most cases, guests receive their SeaPass card, wait to be called to board and then board the ship. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Looks good to me! is an award-winning cruise journalist whose work regularly appears in Bloomberg, Travel + Leisure, Afar and other travel outlets. Check here before booking an award fare. 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. The crew were clear its a test and dont know if its on any other ship. These include: The main dining room is not typically open for lunch on embarkation day, except for guests who purchased The Key, where they will enjoy a complimentary specialty restaurant meal there. Theres nothing more jammed than a Royal Caribbean ship buffet on embarkation day. Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise far in advance? The most notable restaurant open to everyone for dinner, but not lunch, on embarkation day is the main dining room. There are some types of vacations a beach trip, for instance where you dont have to do much advance research. What are your favorite things to do on embarkation day? This option - which is available 24 hours a day, every day - has been recently offered in lieu of the complimentary embarkation lunch. The FlowRider aboard Allure of the Seas. Chops Grille is open every night of the cruise from 5:30pm to 10pm. I missed lunch at Windjammer by a few minutes and the crew suggested I try Park Caf. The only major caveat: Sailings on chartered cruises on Royal Caribbean ships, such as full-ship theme cruises, are excluded. While not all specialty restaurants may be open on the first day, some do open their doors for those first few hours onboard. A great place to get ideas for what to do on Royal Caribbean ships and in the ports they visit and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to Royal Caribbean in particular or to cruising in general. 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. To avoid costly roaming charges, you will want to keep your cell phone on airplane mode. Not very crowded and good. I am surprised that Royal Caribbean still has the protocol that crew members have to serve guests their choices and portions. Related: Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? If you dont sign up for shows in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. Getting acclimated with where everything will make your cruise easier since you will spend less time trying to locate everything. Royal Caribbean offers some enticing onboard perks to its most loyal customers, including free drinks, free internet time, access to an exclusive Diamond Club on select ships, a complimentary entertainment tour and, at the highest level, daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant. Youll have time to see a lot during your cruise, but at this point I like to get the lay of the land. 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. Just let your server know that you have the package. After your flight or drive to the port, you will want to freshen up because the fun begins at the embarkation pier. Related: How to visit Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars. What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise 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 . Youll find plenty of stories here at The Points Guy about how to, say, pay the equivalent of $1,330 in points for a flight that cost $16,000, or book a $27,000 around-the-world trip for just $168 in out-of-pocket costs. This is the first big activity of your cruise and not to be missed. Some ship atriums are impressively high or have cool artwork or chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Carnival bans handcuffs. Got a great Royal Caribbean cruise tip of your own that's not included here? Like what you see? 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. 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. Inspired by Tip #3 in todays main site post (https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/01/21/10-tips-worked-out-our-royalcaribbeanblogcom-staffers-2021), I havent even thought about Playmakers, this will likely be our go-to when we hit Oasis in October. Is Royal Caribbean's "priority access" package worth the price? TPG 27Bay Area options for Mother's Day 2021 - East Bay Times Be sure to pack anything you might need for the first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. On Anthem, its the Caf @ TWO70, usually opens at 11:30 Oasis;Park Caf, I was on Oasis last month and Solarium was open on embarkation day, So many options on Oasis-class! Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service. Upload or insert images from URL. Royal Caribbean ships have never (in the past 25 years, at least) had embarkation day lunch in the Main Dining Room, unless you were part of a specific group, like consecutive cruisers, or purchasers of The Key. 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. For dinner, Solarium Bistro is open from 5:30 to 9 pm. Terms and Conditions Apply. 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. That's because early birds in the check-in process have their pick of arrival times at the ship. Their short ribs are really good!! Its a great place for embarkation lunch. 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. 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. 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. You put your belongings on a screening belt and walk through a metal detector. Depending if you booked traditional or My Time Dining for your dinners, the dining room is always available as an option, in addition to the complimentary and specialty restaurants onboard. 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. I'll have the Scallops, Short Rib and Dark Chocolate Cookie please. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. If you purchased a specialty dining package, you can choose to use your package benefits on the first day lunch. Where to Eat Lunch Embarkation Day : r/royalcaribbean - Reddit You will find soups, sandwiches, burgers, nachos, casseroles, fish, salads and plenty more to choose from and it is unlimited. Take a look and see whats in store for your first evening shipboard. Serenade of the Seas Day 1| Embarkation! | Eating at Chops Grille! Alternatively, you can wait in a standby line at onboard theaters on show nights. Windjammer is the go-to for a majority of cruisers, but I assume most people dont know what else is even open. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. The sooner you arrive, the sooner you can board the ship. Planning a cruise? Please check once onboard if any specialty restaurants are open for lunch on embarkation day. 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. If not, just leave blank, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Chops Grille is the Royal Caribbean signature steakhouse and is located on Deck 4 near the Schooner Bar on Adventure of the Seas. As the boarding process begins around noon and continues well into the afternoon, many people arrive hungry. 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. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. 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. Theres also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining. Smile for the shipboard photographers, who will have a backdrop with the ships name or picture set up, or take your own photos. Except for embarkation lunchtime, it's going to be packed, unless you are one of the first to get on the ship and go directly to the WJ. The check-in procedure at the port consists of dropping off your luggage with porters, going through security and then meeting with the pier staff to receive your boarding documents. Chicago, IL. By 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. 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. You can also pay for lunch at Chops. Many first-time cruisers dont know this and write in a hefty tip at the additional tip line on bills at cruise ship bars and spas. A press release from the line described the new offering as follows: The new Winemaker Dinner leverages the expansive expertise of Chuck Wagner, owner and winemaker of the renowned Napa Valley's Caymus Vineyards, to deliver a five-course menu, crafted to complement the tasting notes of his wines. The muster drill consists of going to your assigned muster station and being instructed on what would happen in the event of an emergency at sea. El Loco is legit. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. 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. Depending on your ship, Royal Caribbean offers a few venues to dine at that cost nothing extra to enjoy. In our experience, guests will usually be let into the cruise terminal around 10am, or shortly thereafter and embarkation usually begins somewhere around 11am. Your previous content has been restored. Email us at tips@thepointsguy.com. If you check in far in advance, you'll probably find the earliest arrival slots still open. But there's an exception: The Johnny Rockets venues on Royal Caribbean's five Oasis-class ships offer breakfast for free. If you plan to do spa treatments or have hair and other beauty appointments during your cruise, now is the time to book them (if you havent booked them in advance). (with Pre-COVID crowds anyway). You saw this one coming, no? Like many cruise lines these days, Royal Caribbean often offers its best pricing for any given cruise at the moment the sailing opens for booking. Take the spa tour and sign up for the raffle you may win a free treatment. A line-by-line guide, Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise, The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruises and itineraries, Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime, 27 cruise ship embarkation day dos and don'ts, 21 things you should do to make your first cruise go smoothly, The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship, How to visit Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars, The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained, maximizing your status in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program. You can find your SetSail pass at Royal Caribbean's web site under My Cruises. Royal Caribbean Dining Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? You can buy a Wi-Fi package, which will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos over Wi-Fi without using phone data. DO head to your cabin when it's ready Yes, youll be able to find sunscreen, painkillers and Band-Aids on Royal Caribbean ships. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Would need to check your Cruise planner though.. Start your cruise right. If not, just leave blank. Walls on Royal Caribbean ships are made with metal (even if they don't look like they're made of metal, thanks to faux coverings) and will hold a magnet. Here is what you should know about where you can eat on the first day of your cruise. You may find a ship deck plan (map) in your cabin, or one may be available at the pursers desk. Pasted as rich text. 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. Getting shorts washed and folded will set you back $4.49. This is because Royal Caribbean often runs online sales on these packages in the months leading up to a voyage. Trust us. Depending on when you arrive, cabins may or may not be completely ready, as the crew needs to clean and straighten them after the previous guests have left. The Royal Caribbean app allows you to make all sorts of reservations for onboard venues including restaurants and shows, and you can book shore excursions through it, too. These items will include weapons, fireworks, flammable liquids, candles, clothing irons, incense and anything else that produces a flame. I remember going to Park Cafe on Grandeur a few years ago right after boarding, and it was a ghost town. It's not always open the rest of the cruise. Specialty Restaurant Embarkation - Royal Caribbean International Its OK to stand in awe. 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). Okay, got it downloaded? You just show up and have fun. 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. Or, maybe youll fall ill during the trip and need emergency medical attention. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Food included at no extra cost We like to sail b2b and enjoy the MDR lunch and always order short rib. Probably too early. way to make calls and access the internet from Royal Caribbean ships, The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea, 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid, How to book a cruise with points and miles, Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship, 26 cruise secrets from an expert that will blow your mind, pay the equivalent of $1,330 in points for a flight that cost $16,000, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, 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, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Key, Royal Caribbean's Priority Program - Cruise Critic Where can I eat on the first day of my Royal Caribbean cruise? Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. r/royalcaribbean Waterslide from the Mariner of the Seas, Royal Caribbean - Hero 11. This restaurant was added to the ship during one of the past refurbishments which occurred in 2016 and 2018. . Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? More cruise tips: 21 things you should do to make your first cruise go smoothly. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! And I dislike the Windjammer, so I'm usually having to pay for lunch at Chops or eating very little until dinner. There is no need to bring a life jacket to the muster drill. There is a way to make calls and access the internet from Royal Caribbean ships without spending a boatload of money. Embarkation Day Lunch : r/royalcaribbean - Reddit 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. 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. Some cruisers even bring magnets with hooks so they can hang up clothes and other items on their walls. You cant wait to get on board your ship and relax, sip a tropical drink and stare out to sea. Arrive the Night Before Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and poof! Like what you see? In many cases, you can save a lot of money and get a better touring experience by booking shore excursions through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursByLocals. In addition, travel agents often can get you extra onboard credit and other perks on Royal Caribbean ships that you might not be able to get by booking directly with the line. Park Caf or the Solarium are our usual lunch stops since the WJ can get so busy. January 17, 2007. MDR will be open for key guests serving a limited chops menu. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). 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. 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. Since youre likely leaving from a sunny destination, you also may want to have a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Video: Mistakes to avoid on the first day of your cruise, Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding, How Royal Caribbean will make check-in, Adventure Ocean and its app easier & faster. 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. Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles. All of the shops and the casino will be closed while in port. We get it, you bought a drinks package (in which case the above drink is included), and you want to make the most of it. 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. We like to stroll the decks and nibble our way thru. Royal Caribbean ships are known for having some of the biggest arrays of activities and entertainment at sea so many options that it's sometimes hard to do it all in a single voyage. Any shareholder with a minimum of 100 shares at the time of sailing is eligible for an onboard credit of $250 per stateroom for sailings of 14 or more nights, $100 on sailings of six to 13 nights and $50 on sailings of five or fewer nights. Got on the ship, did my muster drill . Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package allows cruisers to enjoy multiple specialty restaurants every night of their cruise for one low price. Good news if you've bought one of those drinks or Wi-Fi packages we mentioned above. Chops Grille or Jamie's Italian will get you out of the craziness of the Wind Jammer on embarkation day, and provide a very nice lunch. Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining, Top 8 most common Royal Caribbean dining questions, Avoid these ten Royal Caribbean dining mistakes. Embarkation Day Lunch on Independence of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Please ask them to test it on Harmony. Related: The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea. Do you own stock in Royal Caribbean's parent company, the Royal Caribbean Group? Glad they have a vegetarian option! Take it to heart, or you may end up missing your ship something that happens to cruisers more often than you might think. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. 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. It won't cost you anything to snag a seat to one of the shows in advance when you can. Anyone who wants to indulge may prefer to eat lunch at a specialty restaurant on the first day of the cruise. I've gotten into the habit to book a specialty restaurant lunch for embarkation day on most sailings. Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship. If you arrive the night before your cruise, you may want to separate out your pajamas and the clothes you are going to wear on embarkation day. That was in March on Radiance. On roughly half of Royal Caribbean's ships, you should be able to watch the ship sail away from port from an amazing location that normally isn't open to passengers: the helipad on the bow. Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise. Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again. If you're planning a Royal Caribbean cruise and you haven't already downloaded Royal Caribbean's app to your smartphone, do it now. mritty 7 hr. Find the right card for you. So, you'll probably want to pick one or two things that you want to do during your time at the destination. We'll wait. Display as a link instead, Arrive early, and youll just have to wait often, outside in the hot sun, without access to water, restrooms or other necessities. I'm in. 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.