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Is there a benefit to checking in early for a cruise?

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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If you arrive at the terminal a few minutes before the ship's departure, you will not be allowed on. This is usually in the late afternoon or evening. I've been able to check-in for a cruise as early as 10:30am and as late as 3:00pm before.

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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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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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Cruise line staff will be on hand to direct you to the correct line; suite passengers and high-status past-passengers will typically go into a shorter line or separate waiting area, while regular passengers join a main line. At check-in, you will present your ID and documents for the representative to check you in.

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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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Priority Lane and Express Lane are dedicated lanes meant to speed our Business Select®, Anytime, A-List, and A-List Preferred Members through check-in and security lines. Priority Lanes are located at our check-in counters and Express Lanes are at security checkpoints at participating airports.

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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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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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Guests must complete check in, however, using the app or at the terminal. We highly recommend completing check in using the app for the easiest, fastest, and complete check-in experience.

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Many first-time cruisers don't realize that they won't be able to go directly to their staterooms upon boarding. Pass the time while you wait for your room to be ready and for the ship to set sail by enjoying lunch on the Lido Deck of the ship. This is a great way to make sure you aren't starving by dinner time!

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Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise. Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

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The best time to board a cruise ship is obviously when there are few lines and short waits. The trick is knowing when that will be. Unfortunately, it can vary from port to port and ship to ship, but I prefer arriving in the early afternoon, usually around 1 or 2 p.m.

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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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Speer said some newbies opt to get their feet wet by taking a three-day cruise, but she warned that is a terrible idea. The cruise lines usually put their oldest vessels on their shortest routes, so in order to go on the nicer ships, you need to primarily do a seven-day or longer cruise, Speer said.

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Priority boarding is typically a good idea if your flight is full, and you really can't risk checking your carry-on bag. If your seat is toward the back of the plane on a full flight, there's a high risk that you won't have any overhead compartment space for your carry-on bag by the time you board.

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You can buy Priority Boarding for one flight or your entire trip. Priority Boarding may not be available on all flights.

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Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

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What are the unacceptable forms of documentation for cruises from the U.S.? Unacceptable Forms of Documentation (US only) Copies or digital images of any WHTI-Compliant document (passport, ARC card) Driver's License as the only proof (including REAL I.D.)

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ago. You can get the following packages mentionned on your SetSail or SeaPass. CK= short for Coke/Coca-Cola, fountain soda package (SeaPass has actual Coca-Cola logo) RR= short for Royal Replenish, former name of the refreshment package (non-alcoholic drink package)

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You'll have to go through a security screening, and then it's time to present your travel documents, passport, and credit card (to cover onboard charges) for check-in. Your best bet is to streamline your check-in process with the Celebrity Cruises app, which is available on most Celebrity ships.

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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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