Royal Caribbean offers Express Boarding as a faster way to board your cruise ship, and it's really easy to get.
Ever since Express Boarding was introduced, it's made getting through the cruise terminal so easy. I've been able to use it when sailing on Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and even Freedom of the Seas.
There's no cost or "catch" to getting Express Boarding, but you'll need to complete a few pre-check-in steps in order to qualify for it.
If you do manage to get it, then expect the simplest terminal check-in process possible.
Royal Caribbean's check-in has always been quite easy, so why is it necessary to even have an express option? Essentially, it rewards those that do everything they're supposed to do before the cruise begins and keep those people moving through the cruise terminal faster. That keeps lines shorter for those that didn't complete the steps, and rewards those that did.
You can use Express Boarding in most cruise terminals Royal Caribbean sails from, especially any of them in the United States.
What is Express Boarding?
In short, Express Boarding is a reward for doing all of your check-in steps.
If you follow all the check-in requirements before the cruise begins, then you can go through a special line since Royal Caribbean already knows you have all your documentation in order.
It's essentially a faster line because everyone has already submitted what they need to do, instead of other guests who waited to do it all in the cruise terminal.
Royal Caribbean encourages its passengers to check-in for the cruise because it gets people through the terminal and onboard faster. That means higher guest satisfaction rates and an easy start to the vacation.
Express Boarding gets you from curb to ship so much faster
When I completed my health questionnaire the day before my cruise, I was alerted by the Royal Caribbean app that I had qualified for Express Boarding.
The app made a big deal of it, showing virtual confetti and updating my SetSail pass to show I have Express Boarding.
The instructions in the app was to bring all my travel documents and follow the signs for Express Boarding.
Once you get to the cruise terminal, look for the Express Boarding line. It's one of the three "special" lines you can enter, in addition to the regular line.
I showed the port agent my boarding pass, which had the Express Boarding icon on it and he admitted me in.
When you get to the primary check-in area, there's a special line for those with Express Boarding. The idea is it's more of a checkpoint to verify you have everything.
The agent scanned my Set Sail Pass and my passport, verifying everything was correct.
I was surprised she took my photo again, but I breezed through check-in with no line.
After being check-ed in, you essentially rejoin the regular flow of guests. I went through security and then went to the boarding area. Freedom of the Seas had already begun boarding, so I never stopped walking.
The process was very easy, and I went from being dropped off at the terminal with my luggage at 10:37am to boarding Freedom of the Seas at 10:43am. A total of 6 minutes, and that includes a quick check of my carry-on bag for a non-existent extension cord.
Even if you don't have Express Boarding, the check-in process is pretty quick. The difference is you waste less time re-verifying things. Plus, your check-in line may be shorter with this option.
The only people that probably wouldn't care if they got Express Boarding are anyone staying in a suite, as there's a special line and check-in area for them.
The 4 important steps to get Express Boarding
There's no cost to get Express Boarding, you just need to complete a few key steps.
First, you must use the Royal Caribbean app to complete all steps of your check-in. You cannot use the Royal Caribbean website to do the check-in and get Express Boarding.
Once in the app, you need to complete all the steps including scanning your passport. You cannot manually enter information.
- Scan your passport
- Enter all personal and contact information
- Take a selfie photo and upload it
- Complete the health questionnaire 24 hours before your cruise begins
You won't see the Express Boarding option until you complete the health questions, which happens a day before the cruise begins.
Assuming you followed the steps outlined here, you should get confetti and a notification in the app that you qualify for Express Boarding.
