RCL4Life Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 I'm just curious how early everyone usually arrives for their Royal Caribbean cruise? We usually like to get there early but my friends think I'm crazy for checking so early. I think it's fun to get there early to start my vacation sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 I agree with you. We always arrive as early as possible so we can get in, have lunch and start enjoying the ship. And since we almost always travel to the port the day before our cruise, we're there anyway so no reason to just waste time. VirtKitty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 My family always arrives by noon at the latest. We like to get checked in and get lunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayBird Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 We usually get to the ship by 11:00 or 11:30. My wife hates being late lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 We like to get checked in and get lunch Yes! For our cruises, I remind my wife not to eat anything once we leave for the port so we can get extra value out of that first lunch onboard :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCL4Life Posted August 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Sounds like everyone prefers to get there early and just start their vacations. Any reason to wait to arrive until later? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rekkie Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 We usually arrive at the port at 10:30 for 11am boarding. I figure we have paid for the first day so I want to get on and start my vacation as soon as I can :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayBird Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 I want to get on and start my vacation as soon as I can :) Makes sense to me. The sooner I'm onboard, the sooner vacation really begins for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomCruiser 58 Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Also, as Crown and Anchor members . . . . we got to board even earlier . . . why not take advantage of every moment!! hallyluhopper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Also, as Crown and Anchor members . . . . we got to board even earlier . . . why not take advantage of every moment!! We do? I thought only suite guests get that perk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce G. Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 As far as I knew, Crown & Anchor get a separate line (perhaps making checkin faster, and thereby boarding earlier), but not an earlier boarding time. At least PLAN to board nice and early, so if anything throws a wrench in your plans, you have buffer time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 At least PLAN to board nice and early, so if anything throws a wrench in your plans, you have buffer time. Great advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCL4Life Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Also, as Crown and Anchor members . . . . we got to board even earlier . . . why not take advantage of every moment!! That is cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomCruiser 58 Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Yes . . .separate line, but we were boarded earlier, too. Also, on the day of departure. . . separate departure area so, you get off sooner, too! Definitely worth being a return cruiser. . . :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Not to hijack the thread, but I agree with Freedom that it really does pay to be a C&A member hallyluhopper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Not to hijack the thread, but I agree with Freedom that it really does pay to be a C&A member While you're hijacking... I agree, i feel like the treatment we get makes me feel special during the cruise. It's nice for companies to recognize their repeat customers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2three Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 When is the earliest they will let us in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 When is the earliest they will let us in? Depends on the cruise but generally you can get into the port in the 10:00 hour and onboard sometime in the 11:00 hour. Again, generally speaking. VirtKitty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyalLaker Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 10Am :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 My bigger problem is I cant sleep very well the night before a cruise because of all the excitement. So the earlier, the better VirtKitty and RoyalLaker 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 I arrive early as well. I'm always early in my daily life and that is no different when I'm cruising. Besides, you've paid for the first day, might as well get on the ship as soon as you can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 I arrive early as well. I'm always early in my daily life and that is no different when I'm cruising. Besides, you've paid for the first day, might as well get on the ship as soon as you can! And your vacation starts a day earlier! Tylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer734 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Gotta be there early just to avoid the lines. The first cruise we took we showed up at like 1 and the lines were crazy. We read to show up in the morning and tried it and it was much easier. Tylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tylor Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Gotta be there early just to avoid the lines. The first cruise we took we showed up at like 1 and the lines were crazy. We read to show up in the morning and tried it and it was much easier. Getting checked in and onboard early enables you to: 1. Avoid lines at check in and at lunch venues onboard the ship 2. Eat lunch at peace and on time 3. Explore ship while others are eating lunch 4. Make specialty restaurant reservations before others do 5. Change your dining room table assignment if you're unhappy with its location 6. Swim in the pool or hot tubs before others do 7. Take photos of the ship before it fills up 8. Put your clothes away (after you've done all the other things, obviously) Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallyluhopper Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 We do? I thought only suite guests get that perk Crown and Anchor members get priority boarding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Great points Tyler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Crown and Anchor members get priority boarding Thank you, I learned something new today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallyluhopper Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Thank you, I learned something new today! No problem. Here's the Crown and Anchor member benefits page. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer734 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Great thing about arriving early on day 1 is the pool empty. Let the kids get a swim in before it gets mobbed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 My bigger problem is I cant sleep very well the night before a cruise because of all the excitement. So the earlier, the better I'm the same way, but the downside is, especially after driving 2 hours, I usually have to take a nap the first afternoon between lunch and the muster drill. I have yet to meet my cabin steward on the first day!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce G. Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Great thing about arriving early on day 1 is the pool empty. Let the kids get a swim in before it gets mobbed Best thing for me is that I get to be on one of the FIRST spa tours. I ONLY do the tour so I can get a raffle ticket (you need to take a tour to get a raffle ticket). Once I've gotten that out of the way, I can take care of other things--removing gratuities (yes, I still tip, I just need to adjust to whom the tips go), booking my reservations for specialty restaurants (I buy the Royal Choice Dining Package 3 of your 4 reservations MUST be made onboard, not online), ensuring my show reservations that i booked online (if applicable--Oasis, Allure, and Liberty) do not overlap with certain events such as formal nights, and finding the bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.