Royal Caribbean offers a way to check-in for your cruise via its mobile app, but the question is what benefit do you get by doing so?
If you're used to hotel check-ins, doing so online early doesn't give you much benefit other than requesting certain preferences. In my experience, those preferences (like an early check-in) aren't always granted and it seems like a waste.
When it comes to cruising, the online check-in isn't just helpful, it's downright extremely useful.
You could even snag an express pass to a shorter line on embarkation day by completing all the steps.
Here's how I do my Royal Caribbean online check-in and why you should take advantage of it too.
Royal Caribbean encourages you to use online check-in
Once you get to 45 days until your cruise begins, you can start checking in for the cruise.
You can start checking-in on the app or on the website. The app is by far the preferred method, both in terms of convenience and what the cruise line would like you to use.
Once completed, it's how you'll get your boarding pass that you'll need in the cruise terminal.
It's technically allowed to not do any mobile check-in and instead wait to do it a the cruise terminal. Ten years ago, that would be have been perfectly fine. But online check-in has a number of advantages.
It might sound like cruise like marketing, but there's absolute truth to the idea doing your mobile check-in will speed things up and get you on the ship faster.
Completing your check-in via the app means far less waiting in the cruise terminal, an earlier check-in time, and getting on the ship quicker.
It's also worth emphasizing using the app is better than the website for online check-in. The app allows you to hop between check-in steps, such as getting a check-in time and then coming back later to complete the other steps.
The website also lacks the ability to scan your passport, which will take more time to enter everything manually.
Since so much of the cruise planning experience is tied to the app, you're almost at a disadvantage by not using it.
My approach to checking in for a Royal Caribbean cruise
I've come around to relying on the app for my pre-cruise check-in on every sailing.
Back when the mobile check-in was first introduced over a decade ago, it was more of a novelty and not very useful. Today, it's essential.
At 45 days before your cruise, you can select a check-in time. This is important so you can be among the first to step aboard and get your vacation started.
Technically, the check-in time begins at midnight, but I'll wait until the next morning because the difference in times if I get it at midnight or 9am the next morning is usually negligible. I'd rather get better sleep.
I've found that waiting until the next morning might be the difference between an 11am to an 11:30am check-in time, and that isn't a major difference.
That being said, don't wait days or weeks. Get your check-in time ASAP.
I'll come back later and do the rest of the check-in via the app. When I do, I use the app online (never the website) and I'll scan everyone's passport and take a photo for security. I always add my credit card too.
You really ought to do all those steps (including the photo) so you can qualify for Express Boarding.
Express Boarding is a reward in select ports for those that did everything they needed to do pre-cruise. It appears as an option within 24 hours of boarding after you finish the health questionnaire in the app.
Basically, this is a line for those that did everything and the cruise line feels good about your boarding status. You get a special line and involves less stopping and waiting around.
Think of it like a rental car where you can bypass the counter if you have all the information already submitted. I'm all about saving time and minimizing any waits anytime I can.
Mobile check-in is a time saver
Ultimately, I'll spend a few minutes to get checked-in for my cruise while I'm at home rather than in the cruise terminal.
I can't imagine why anyone would straight up skip it all together because you're just going to have to do it all in the cruise terminal, and likely the counter agent will be the one entering it all. The gate agent is likely going to be slower typing out the spelling of your last name, weird street name, and copying down phone numbers.
I think the difference between my strategy and others is relying purely on the app, and getting a check-in time first before coming back later to complete the rest.
While you can use the Royal Caribbean website, you lose out on the chance to get Express Boarding. That alone should be reason enough not to use it.
Lastly, I'd advise against waiting until the last few days before starting any of the check-in. Set a calendar reminder 45 days early and get it taken care of sooner than later.
