Is it good to check-in early for a cruise?

Fewer crowds at the cruise terminal One of the best reasons to get an early check-in time is to avoid crowds at the cruise terminal. The embarkation process is fairly straightforward, but it entails going through several lines before you can board your ship.



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Quicker boarding process Arriving at the terminal early means that you will not have to deal with the later crowds. While the check-in process is pretty straightforward, there are a couple steps that you have to take prior to being let on the ship, including checking your travel documents and going through security.

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Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail. If you choose to fly ChoiceAir, Royal Caribbean automatically displays only the airline schedules that will enable you to meet your cruise.

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It all depends on which cruise line you are sailing with and how busy the terminal is. Boarding will continue up until one to two hours before the scheduled departure time. If you arrive at the terminal a few minutes before the ship's departure, you will not be allowed on.

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Here's our list of 15 ways you can board your cruise ship faster.
  1. Book a suite. ...
  2. Earn loyalty status. ...
  3. Pay for exclusive access. ...
  4. Fly in the day before. ...
  5. Stay close to the port. ...
  6. Leave luggage with porters. ...
  7. Have luggage tags ready to go. ...
  8. Book a private transfer.


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Cruise ships will usually begin boarding approximately four hours before the scheduled departure time, typically around 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you'd like to arrive at that time, go right ahead!

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While boarding times and procedures can vary significantly depending on cruise ship, your stateroom category, or your status with that cruise line, but boarding typically begins in the late morning and continues until about an hour or so before departure.

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So, the short answer is NO, the cruise ship will not wait for you if you are late. If you arrive late for the scheduled departure time, it's almost certain the cruise ship will leave you behind.

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Cruise ships will leave passengers at ports if they're late. After all, you and your family aren't the only ones who are impacted by your lateness. Typically, if you haven't made it back on board, the crew will take off without you for the sake of time.

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When you get back on shore, you need time to get your land legs back. That usually happens within a few minutes or hours, but it can take up to 2 days. With mal de debarquement syndrome, though, you can't shake the feeling that you're still on the boat.

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Necessary cruise documents include acceptable official forms of identification, proof of your booking number and boarding information, and confirmation that you aren't ill. You must present these upon arrival at the port.

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Your must bring your SetSail pass to the port to enter to cruise terminal. Please make sure you print your SetSail pass after you check-in. You must print your SetSail pass 3 days prior to the sail date. We recommend to download the Royal Caribbean App to display your SetSail Pass on your phone (no need to print).

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One sure-fire way to muck up your embarkation day is by smuggling illegal substances or going over your allotted amount of carry-on alcohol. Embarkation day will be much more peaceful if you don't get busted by ship's security. Whether it's drugs, alcohol or a clothing iron -- leave it at home.

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With priority boarding, you'll have access to a dedicated security and check-in lane, which saves you from waiting in the usual lines. In some cases, this also means your accommodations will be ready before others.

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You can check-in for your cruise anytime between 45 days and 48 hours prior to your sailing. If you happen to forget to do so, you will be able to complete everything at the terminal; however, as mentioned earlier, this will delay your boarding.

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Generally, passengers are required to disembark within an hour or two after docking. However, some cruise lines may allow passengers to remain onboard for a few extra hours if they have special arrangements with the port authority.

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Add on cruise ship travel insurance allows you to be insured for those extra things that you might not need on a standard trip. For example if bad weather occurs, and you're unable to make a scheduled port stop and are unable to go to an alternative port, then cruise travel insurance will cover this.

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Generally, passengers are required to disembark within an hour or two after docking. However, some cruise lines may allow passengers to remain onboard for a few extra hours if they have special arrangements with the port authority.

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While it doesn't happen too often that a passenger gets left behind, people arriving late is all too common. If you stand out on deck, shortly before the ship is scheduled to depart, you'll likely notice the last few stragglers running for their life in order to get back to the ship before the gangway is pulled back.

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By booking a last-minute cruise deal a few weeks or a couple of months before sailing, you may be able to enjoy a more affordable vacation. Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins.

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When you book a shore excursion through Royal Caribbean, we guarantee that if your tour is delayed, the ship will wait for you. In the unlikely event that your tour is significantly delayed, and the ship cannot wait, we will make all the arrangements for you to return to the ship at no expense to you.

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Generally, cruise lines recommend you bring two pieces of luggage per person at a maximum weight of 50 pounds as well as a small carry-on bag, with dimensions not exceeding 22 x 14 x 9.

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