jim620

We had a July 30 Embark on Brilliance and it was a tiring process.  We were a family of 4 with my MIL using a walker to get around.  Our time was 11am but nobody checked.  We first went underground to drop off our luggage and then was directed upstairs to check in with RC.  Since we couldn't use the escalators we had to wait for 1 elevator.  This elevator was also used by those who finished RC check-in to come back downstairs for the US customs and security so the wait was very long.  Once upstairs the RC check-in was relatively quick with each cruise line afforded their own area via separate entrances.  Once RC was done we were given a colored slip to indicate what cruise line we were with.  However no on from this point on asked us for the colored slip.  We then went back downstairs via the single elevator for US customs/Security.  On the way we were told conflicting information.  One attendant told us to stay as a group, then further down the queue another told us separate with one person helping my MIL in one shorter line and the rest go onto another longer line.  It took about 1 hour to snake our way thru the line to finally get to US customs where there was about 20 machines that scanned your passport and took your pics.  My MIL and wife who had gone onto the shorter line was waiting for us once we cleared customs.  My wife told me that the Customs agent told her that we should have kept together as one group since we were family but again we did what the line attendants told us.  The custom agent told my wife that there were too many "bosses" with wrong info.  All in all in was a very tiring experience and lasted about 1.5 hours.  At the end we were just glad to get on the ship and relax and eat lunch.  I wish that they would streamline the system a little better instead of having us go here and there.  But we did enjoy our Alaskan cruise immensely.

Once you login to the RC website just select "View Boarding Pass" if you completed your checkin process.  From there you can get your SetSail Pass with the barcode.  Then use a QR/Barcode scanner app on your phone to read the barcode and the last 4 digits after the dash will be your tentative room number.  You can also get the Setsail pass from the RC app.
 

 

Thank you for all the helpful responses.  This will be our second Alaska trip, first one was with Holland America.  We took our previous one about 15 years ago with our 2 oldest daughters.  This time we are going with our 11 year son and MIL instead.  Should be a fun and hopefully relaxing trip.

Thanks for all the help.  I emailed RC and got the following response.
We are happy to know that you are planning to be with us onboard the Brilliance of the Seas! Kindly note that you will want your mother-in-law’s name to match the document that she will use to board the ship, in this case her Alien Residence Card (ARC). It is a good idea for her to also have her passport from Mexico with her, though this cannot be substituted for her ARC. If you have further questions, please respond and let us know. For more immediate assistance, you may also feel free to contact Royal Caribbean directly at 800-327-6700. Our agents will be happy to help!