The first day of your cruise marks the beginning of your vacation, and there's plenty you'll want to see and do upon embarkation.
It's a busy day, too. From checking out of your pre-cruise hotel to navigating the terminal, exploring the ship, and enjoying a well-deserved cocktail during sailaway, embarkation day is filled with activity from morning until night.
Amid all the excitement, however, you must know what to expect to help make embarkation smoother and less stressful. With a little preparation, you can move through the physical check-in process more efficiently, make the most of your first day on the ship, and finish any last-minute cruise planning before you pull away from the pier.
Here's an in-depth guide as to what you can expect on your Royal Caribbean embarkation day.
Read more: 16 Do's and Don'ts of taking a Royal Caribbean cruise
Royal Caribbean Check In Process
Before embarkation day arrives, you should complete the online check-in process through Royal Caribbean's mobile app. This will ensure that your terminal express is as painless as possible!
45 days before your cruise, you can access the online check-in portal, where you'll input your travel documentation, credit card information for onboard purchases, and select your desired arrival time.
Once you’ve completed the online check-in, be sure to download your SetSail Pass. This serves as your boarding pass and will be scanned throughout the physical check-in process. Having it ready and downloaded will save you time and stress on embarkation day, as terminals typically do not have the best cellular service.
Online check-in closes 48 hours before your sailing. If you forget to complete it, you can do it at the terminal. However, this will slow down your overall check-in process and delay your boarding time.
Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process
Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal Arrival
More often than not, your Royal Caribbean ship will arrive in port early in the morning, with hundreds of crew members, port agents, and suppliers working behind the scenes to prepare the vessel for its next sailing. While you call it embarkation day, it's often referred to as "turnaround day" in the cruise industry.
All passengers from the previous sailing must be off the vessel before new guests are allowed on board. Generally speaking, boarding passengers can access the terminal around 10:00 a.m., though the exact time can vary by itinerary, ship, and port.
Keep in mind that entering the terminal doesn’t necessarily mean you can step onto the ship right away. The first guests are typically able to board somewhere around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m.
Each cruise terminal has on-site parking. However, you can sometimes save money by using a third-party parking service. If you aren't parking a car, rideshares, taxis, and shuttle services are convenient options for getting you to the terminal and often drop you off closer to the entrance.
No matter how you arrive at the terminal, you’ll hand your larger bags to a porter, who will ensure they make it onto the ship. This is done before you enter the building. Since you won't see your bags again for at least an hour or two, you need everything important for the first part of your day in a carry-on. This includes things like travel documents, medications, and electronics.
To speed up this process, you can print your Royal Caribbean luggage tags in advance. If you forget, however, make sure you have your cabin number handy, as porters will need it to properly label your suitcase.
Royal Caribbean Embarkation Process
Once a porter has your bags, you will make your way inside. This is where you will go through security, have your travel documentation checked, take an embarkation photo, and finally board the ship.
As mentioned earlier, you'll want to keep your SetSail Pass handy throughout this time, as it will be scanned to pull up your reservation, and before you head to the gangway. You will receive your physical SeaPass card once staterooms are ready, generally around 1:00 or 1:30 p.m.
Royal Caribbean Embarkation Lunch
The first stop for many guests is the buffet, as embarkation typically falls somewhere around lunchtime. As such, the Windjammer is busier than it otherwise might be on port days or at other times during the sailing.
If you want to avoid the masses, consider reserving a low-key specialty lunch at a restaurant like Giovanni's or Chops. Making a reservation ensures that you can sit down and enjoy a relaxed meal before diving into the first day of your cruise vacation.
Plus, specialty restaurants offer better lunch deals than dinner. It's not uncommon to find deals for multi-course specialty meals for around $20 per person on embarkation day.
Depending on your ship, you can also have lunch at spots like Sorrento's, Café Promenade, El Loco Fresh, Boardwalk Dog House, or Playmakers.
Royal Caribbean Embarkation Tips
Wondering how to spend your time after lunch before the festival sailaway party? The first thing you’ll need to take care of is the mandatory muster drill. This safety drill can be completed on your own time by watching a few videos on the Royal Caribbean app, then visiting your in-person assembly station for a short safety briefing.
Once that's done, you have a few options. You can register your children at Adventure Ocean, check out your Main Dining Room table assignment, make specialty reservations, purchase a drink package, take a spa tour, or simply explore everything that is on board. I'd highly recommend taking a few moments to ensure that you have reservations for popular shows, too.
Your stateroom should be ready anywhere from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Once available, you can drop off your carry-on bags and grab your SeaPass card. If your luggage has already been delivered, you can take a few minutes to unpack and settle in.
Read more: What to expect in Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room
The most exciting part of embarkation day is the sailaway party. The exact timing will depend on your itinerary, so check the Cruise Compass to figure out where you need to be! The party is best enjoyed with a fruity cocktail or beer in hand as you watch the skyline disappear from the horizon.
After that, your vacation is in full swing. Typically, the casino will open a little bit after departure, though it may not open until the following day if you're cruising from somewhere like Seattle or Baltimore. The same goes for the onboard stores.
Dinner tends to be more casual on the first night, with many passengers still sporting their embarkation outfits. After you eat, you can take in the first night's entertainment lineup, which may consist of anything from high-diving AquaTheater performances to ice skating shows, comedy acts, and live music.
