With your first cruise coming up, you might be wondering how to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion. After all, your cruise ship will take you to different ports of call to explore on your own and you do not want to miss out all that you can do while in the area.

In each port you visit, Royal Caribbean provides a variety of shore excursion options for guests of all activity levels, interests and ages. 

Here is what you need to know to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion.

Why book Royal Caribbean's shore excursions

The best reason to book your shore excursion with Royal Caribbean is the convenience and reliability the cruise line provides. 

There are two primary means of booking a shore excursion: online via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site, or onboard the ship at the shore excursion desk or via the app.

Booking a Royal Caribbean shore excursion is simple, especially for families and groups. Select the excursion you are interested in, select how many people will be participating and pay the price and that is it.  

Royal Caribbean thoroughly reviews its tour operators, whether it’s the guide on a sightseeing tour or the one that provides proper equipment and ensure the safety of gear used on active excursions like scuba diving, quad riding, and zip lining. Because guides are locally based, you’ll get an authentic experience from an expert in a safe, trusted environment.

The other major reason to book your excursion with Royal Caribbean is the cruise line guarantees you will not miss your cruise ship in the event your tour is delayed in returning.  The cruise line coordinates with trusted, local guides and private transport to build the day around the ship’s own schedule. As a result, there is no risk you will not return before the ship departs for the next destination. And if by chance your excursion gets stuck in a traffic jam, the ship will wait for you. Considering the alternative is you have to fly/drive yourself to the next port of call to catch up with the cruise, that is a big deal.

How do I book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion?

Online

The easiest way to book a shore excursion is to do so before the cruise on Royal Caribbean's website.  Simply log into Royal Caribbean's site, find your cruise booking and purchase your tour before the sailing begins.

Once in your sailing, select the Shore Excursions tab. From there, you can narrow down the results based on the port, interests, time of day, activity level, age, wheelchair accessibility and more.

You can book tours for family and friends as well. All you need to know is their last name and reservation number.  As you proceed through the booking process, there will be an option to add guests from another reservation.

Phone

If you prefer to call Royal Caribbean and already have a cruise booked, you can call 1-800-398-9819 for pre-cruise planning assistance.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to book their excursions up to a few prior to the beginning of the sailing.  All you need to know is who is participating in the excursion, and a form of payment.  Full payment is required when reserving a shore excursion.  In the event your ship skips the scheduled port call, Royal Caribbean will refund your money.  

Onboard

Alternatively, you can wait to book shore excursions onboard the ship.  There is a dedicated shore excursion desk onboard the ship (usually near Guest Services), where you can speak with staff members, view pamphlets of available options and ask questions.

Keep in mind that the excursion desk onboard the ship is commonly busy with other guests who are trying to book excursions, or asking questions, and this can lead to long lines.

Private Tours

A relatively new and lesser-known option is Private Journeys, which offers private tours that are organized by Royal Caribbean.

Private Journeys is a shore excursion option offered directly by Royal Caribbean, where guests can create a completely customized shore excursion in any port your ship visits.  You provide Private Journeys with an idea or basis of what you want to do, and then they work with local tour guides to come up with an excursion.

In the weeks and months leading up to your cruise, you and your Private Journeys representative will custom craft a tour for you and your family.  Just like a group tour, these tour operators are vetted and organized by the cruise line.  All you have to do, is show up.

We have tried Private Journeys twice (in Belize and Curacao), and think it is a great choice for anyone that wants to tour at their own pace, and like the benefits of what Royal Caribbean provides.

Can I cancel my excursions?

You may cancel purchase(s) made via Cruise Planner up to forty-eight hours prior to the cruise departure date. Excursions can be modified or canceled up to 48 hours prior to port arrival without penalty. Tours involving flights, trains, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays and Private Journeys must be canceled 30 days prior to sailing to avoid cancellation penalties. Other restrictions may apply.

 In the event a tour is canceled, a full refund will be provided to the guest’s onboard account.

No refunds are made for failure to use all of the described services included in the excursion price.  

There is a lot of advice doled out across this blog, and each anecdote, recommendation or tip is aimed at improving the cruise experience.  So when an uncle, cousin or parent asks me for advice on what they should do for an awesome Royal Caribbean cruise, here is what I tell them.

Fly into your cruise embarkation port at least one day early

When it comes to travel, there are always going to be certain factors involved in the trip that you have no control over: weather, canceled flights, flat tires, et al. With that in mind, do not let a travel delay put your cruise vacation in jeopardy. The last thing you want to do is plan to fly into the departure city of your cruise the same day your cruise leaves.

By planning to arrive to your departure port at least one day early, you assure yourself that a travel delay will not impact your ability to get on your cruise. Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays.  You really do not want to be that person in the airport losing their mind because the latest delay means the entire vacation is in jeopardy.

As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner!  And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore.

Do online check-in before the cruise

Another tip aimed at saving you time is to complete your online check-in before the cruise.  

Royal Caribbean's Online Check-In is a pretty simple tool to save you time at the pier and greatly simplify the entire check in process. 

You simply need to go to the Royal Caribbean web site to check in and complete the steps.  If your ship utilizes the new Royal Caribbean app, do the check-in via the app to make check-in even easier. 

At the end, you will have access to print out your SetSail Pass (your cruise boarding pass), as well as luggage tags. 

Arrive to the cruise terminal early

If you subscribe to the theory that time is money, then you definitely want to arrive to your embarkation port early.  By arriving early, you will beat the big crowds that descend upon the cruise terminal later in the day, and you also get the added benefit of having some extra time onboard the ship.

Royal Caribbean may send you an email about boarding times, but those are suggestions and not enforced at all. If you followed our earlier advice about arriving to your port city early, then likely your hotel will have a check-out time in the early part of the morning, which is the perfect excuse to head to the cruise port.

If you are wondering what time constitutes, "early", we are talking about sometime between 10am and 11:30am. The earlier you arrive on embarkation day, the earlier you will board the ship. And the price you paid for the cruise is the same whether you get onboard at 11am or 2pm, so may as well get the most time possible.

Pre-book your entertainment

If you are sailing on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship, you can pre-book select shows before the cruise via the Cruise Planner website.

The best reason to book certain activities or entertainment in advance is to guarantee a spot for you and your family. It costs nothing extra to reserve entertainment ahead of time. By having a reservation, you will be assured of a seat for that performance, provided you arrive on-time.

By booking these activities early, you can ensure you have the time and day that you want all lined up.

There is no set timeframe when entertainment becomes available for booking on Oasis or Quantum Class ships. It is usually closer your sail date, so check the Cruise Planner periodically for if the option appears.

If you are sailing on another class of ships, there is no option to pre-book entertainment. Instead, show up to the theater 10-20 minutes before show time to get a seat.

Make dining reservations once onboard the ship

These days, Royal Caribbean's dining packages are an incredibly popular option because it allows guests to enjoy a number of specialty restaurants for a reduced rate.  If you purchase a dining package, then you probably know you cannot make reservations for restaurants prior to the cruise.

If you purchase a dining package, be sure to make reservations once you get onboard and do so on the first day of the cruise.  In general, you will find plenty of availability, but do not languish in making a reservation to avoid missing out on the most popular times.

Here is what to know about Perfect Day at CocoCay

I suppose Royal Caribbean's marketing strategy is working well, when one of the questions my uncle asked me recently about his cruise was what to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Royal Caribbean's revamped and impressive private island in the Bahamas is catching a lot of attention and how to tackle your day there is a good first-timer question.

There are three primary areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay:

• Beach (Chill Island/South Beach)
• Pool (Oasis Lagoon/Splashaway Bay)
• Water Park (Thrill Waterpark)

It is quite easy to move between any of these areas, but I feel most families will gravitate towards one or the other.  The key is to plan ahead which you want to do first and then go from there.

The decision to purchase water park admission is also something to consider prior to the cruise. Not only will you save money if you purchase admission prior to the cruise, deciding on going to the water park or not before you arrive on the island will ensure you waste less time.

Beyond that, there is plenty more Perfect Day at CocoCay tips and secrets, but at its heart, your visit there is about enjoying time in and out of the water.

Are you curious how much a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation will cost? In this RoyalCaribbeanBlog video, we share how much it actually costs to go on a cruise.

There are quite a few considerations when it comes to calculating the total cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation, from cruise fare to gratuities to drinks to shore excursions and more. Our video will help break down the major costs of a Royal Caribbean cruise so you can budget for it properly!

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single episode!

If you booked your first Royal Caribbean cruise, you probably want to know what important steps you should take to get ready for an amazing vacation.  We have a brand new video sharing the absolute most important things you should be doing in the weeks and months leading up to your cruise.

Getting ready for your first Royal Caribbean cruise means planning, preparing and packing.  This new video explains a few of the most critical tasks to complete before you get to your cruise ship.

Did you love this video? We have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

Check out the video and then let us know: What is the most important things to do in order to get ready for a cruise?

No one likes to think about when your cruise vacation will come to an end, but inevitably planning for that last morning is a necessity to ensure you can get to work, school or flight on time.

The docking time listed is not the time you get off the ship

A very common misconception among first time cruisers is looking at the scheduled time a ship returns to port and assuming that is the first opportunity to disembark their Royal Caribbean ship.

Often, Royal Caribbean ships return to port in the early morning, around 6:00am or so.  Just because the ship returns at this time, does not mean it is ready to let passengers off the ship.  A couple steps need to be completed first:

• The ship must dock at the pier and be tied up properly.
• Local officials must inspect and clear the ship

There is no set time how long each of those steps can take, and that is why answering the question of what time someone can disembark the ship is so difficult. Moreover, the inspection by local officials is completely out of Royal Caribbean's hands.

Disembarkation process

There are two main groups who can disembark from a cruise once it is over: guests carrying their own luggage and guests picking up their luggage.

Carrying own luggage

The first group who may disembark the ship once the ship is cleared by local officials is guests who carry their own luggage off the ship (sometimes referred to as Express Departure). This means anyone that elects to not rely on Royal Caribbean to deliver their luggage to the cruise terminal and is capable of carrying their own luggage may disembark the ship. Guests who elect to carry their own luggage off the ship will be required to take their luggage from their stateroom, and take it all the way off the ship and through customs.

Most often, the Express Departure option is preferred by guests who want to depart as early as possible due to travel plans, work requirements, or other needs.  However, if you opt to carry your own luggage off the ship, you may depart at any time.  On disembarkation day, an announcement will be made once the gangway is opened and cleared by local authorities, and at that time, guests carrying their own luggage may depart the ship.

As stated earlier, the exact time of when self-assist begins will depend on certain factors, but usually it will commence around 7:00 or 7:30am. Keep in mind these times are generalizations and it will vary.

Luggage Pickup

To make things easier and simpler for guests, Royal Caribbean offers to deliver guest luggage to the terminal for pickup.  This is a very popular option, and most guests elect for this option.

Royal Caribbean gives every cruiser luggage tags with a number at the end of the cruise in sequential order.  The number corresponds to what time your luggage will be ready for you to  get off the ship.  

Do not worry if your number seems high because you can always go to Guest Relations and get a lower number if you need to be one of the first off the ship.

If you elect to have Royal Caribbean take your luggage, you need to have your luggage packed and in the hallway outside of your stateroom by a certain time (usually 11:00pm).

The advantage of picking your luggage up in the terminal building is it makes the disembarkation process simpler.  Guests can enjoy breakfast on the last morning and wait comfortably in a lounge or restaurant until their luggage tag number is called.

Just like guests carrying their own luggage off the ship, the exact time luggage pickup begins will vary, but it usually begins 30-60 minutes after guests carrying their own luggage are able to start walking off the ship.  Keep in mind that it takes time for Royal Caribbean to deliver all the luggage from the ship to the cruise terminal.

Our newest RoyalCaribbeanBlog video is sharing some of the worst advice you will get!

Planning a Royal Caribbean vacation can feel overwhelming at times, so it is only natural to seek advice throughout the process. But the truth of the matter is that there are two sides to just about every piece of advice. And what may be the absolute best decision for one group may not be the best for another. So we’re sharing our thoughts on some common bits of advice that get passed around regarding Royal Caribbean and when the advice might (or might not) work for your group in our latest YouTube Video!

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is your favorite piece of Royal Caribbean advice?

Check out this RoyalCaribbeanBlog video, featuring five things first-time cruisers might be surprised to know that they need to know these things.

When planning for a cruise vacation, there are certain things that we think first timers may not be aware are a thing, and definitely need to know before they step onboard.  This video will help you be fully prepared for your cruise vacation with five very important planning tips!

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is your best need-to-know tip when it comes to going on a cruise?

Our brand new RoyalCaribbeanBlog video is out, and we are sharing the top things Royal Caribbean pros never do, and neither should you!

We have some tips from Royal Caribbean veterans on the things to avoid doing to make sure you have an awesome Royal Caribbean cruise. After all, veteran cruises have been through the wringer a few times, and we can all learn from their experiences! And if you have a tip of your own to share, we would love to hear about it in a comment below!

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is your Royal Caribbean pro tip?

We have a brand new RoyalCaribbeanBlog video to share with you, all about the important things to know BEFORE you book a Royal Caribbean cruise!

We love going on Royal Caribbean and freely advocate others try it out as well, but it is important to know a few things before you put down a credit card to book that first cruise. Between logistics, saving money and learning about what each ship offers, we have some essential advice for anyone looking to book a cruise vacation.

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is your top tip for anyone booking their first cruise?

Before your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation can begin, you must complete the check-in process. Although the multi-step process may seem difficult at first glance, it only takes a few minutes of your time both at home and in the cruise terminal.

Photo credit: AdamsAway

There are two parts to Royal Caribbean’s check-in process: the online check-in and checking in at the cruise terminal. Online check-in is the first step, and it’s where you’ll input your documentation and credit card information and select an arrival time at the terminal.

The second part is on embarkation day. Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, your documentation will be checked and you will pass through a brief security screening. Before you know it, you will be in the waiting area anxiously awaiting to walk onboard and start your vacation.

Here is everything you need to know to help you prepare for the Royal Caribbean check-in process.

How to complete Royal Caribbean online check-in

When can I check in online for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process opens 45 days prior to your cruise departure date. We recommend that you put a notification on your calendar of the exact date check-in opens so you can complete the process as soon as possible.

Both the Royal Caribbean website and app will list the exact date that online check-in opens for your cruise. To view the date, simply sign in to your Royal Caribbean account and view your upcoming cruises. If your cruise does not show up on the website or app, link the sailing to your account by adding your reservation number and surname.

Documents needed to check in for a Royal Caribbean cruise

To complete the Royal Caribbean online check-in process, you will need the following handy:

• Personal information for each guest checking in online
• Identification document information for each guest checking in online
• A picture of each guest checking in online (for security purposes)
• Crown & Anchor Society Membership Number (if you are a C&A member)
• Onboard expense account information (the credit card you will link to your onboard account)

You will need to input the legal name, birthday, and address of each person you are checking in online, so be sure to check (and double check) the information is correct before hitting submit.

In addition, you should have your identification documents handy when completing the online check-in, as you will need to input documentation information (ID number, expiration date, etc.).

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

The last thing to input is your debit or credit card information. While onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, you use your SeaPass card to make any payments as opposed to carrying around your personal debit or credit card.

Your SeaPass card will be linked with whichever card you input during the online check-in process. At the end of the cruise, your personal card will be charged the total amount of all purchases made onboard.

Selecting a check-in time

Another important step in completing Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process is selecting a check-in time.

All guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise select a check-in time, which indicates the time at which they can arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. The earliest check-in times are usually around 10:30AM with the latest around 2:30PM.

You can select the check-in time yourself, but slots are reserved on a first come, first serve basis. Unsurprisingly, most guests hope to select the earliest check-in time possible for their cruise, which makes snagging one of these spots more competitive.

Related: 11 reasons to get as early a check in time as possible for your cruise

Snagging an early check-in time is the main reason we suggest keeping track of the day online check-in opens for your cruise. The earlier you start the check-in process, the better chance you’ll have at selecting an early check-in time.

Online check-in: Royal Caribbean website versus Royal Caribbean app

Although you can complete Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process on either the Royal Caribbean website or Royal Caribbean app, we suggest using the app for a few reasons.

First, you can use the Royal Caribbean app to scan your passport instead of inputting information manually. This can help save time, especially when checking in multiple members of your family or travel party.

Related: Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips

Second, using your phone instead of a computer makes uploading a security photo easier. You can take and upload a selfie photo directly from your phone to the app instead of having to transfer a photo to your computer first.

Lastly, by using the Royal Caribbean app, you can quickly select a check-in time without going through the entire check-in process. On the website, you must complete all parts of the check-in process before selecting a check-in time. The app allows you to select a check-in time first and complete the rest of the process later on.

What happens if I forget to do the online check-in?

The online check-in closes 48 hours prior to your sailing. If you forget to do the online check-in process before your cruise, you can complete it at the cruise terminal on embarkation day.

Obviously, we advise against waiting to check in until you arrive at the cruise terminal. Not only will it take much more time, but the online check-in process is so easy that it does not make sense to wait until embarkation day to check in.

What to do between completing the online check-in and embarkation day

After completing the online check-in 45 days before your cruise begins, you still have a while to wait before the start of your cruise vacation. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare for embarkation day in the weeks leading up to your cruise.

Reserve travel and hotel arrangements

We recommend that you make travel and hotel arrangements several months before your cruise, but if you haven’t made arrangements a month before your cruise begins, it’s important to do so as soon as possible.

If you’re flying to your cruise port, be sure to arrive the night before your cruise begins to allow extra wiggle room in the case of flight delays and cancellations. Arriving the day before means you will have to book a hotel in your embarkation city, and it’s best to do this sooner rather than at the last minute.

Here are some of our best hotel recommendations in popular cruise ports:

• Best Miami hotels near the cruise port
• Best hotels near Port Canaveral before the cruise
• Best Fort Lauderdale hotels near the cruise port

Those driving to their cruise should research parking options and the best routes for getting to the cruise port. We prefer parking directly at the cruise port for convenience, but you may find cheaper parking options in the port’s surrounding area.

Research your ship and ports of call

It’s helpful to research your cruise ship and itinerary before your vacation begins. In the months leading up to your cruise, research your ship’s activities, entertainment, dining venues, and layout so you’re better prepared once onboard.

One of the easiest ways to become familiar with your cruise ship is by watching a ship tour on YouTube. These informative tours provide a full walkthrough of your cruise ship, allowing you to learn about everything the ship offers.

Having an idea of what is offered on your cruise ship helps make sure you don’t miss out on any unique activities and programming during the sailing, whether trying the indoor skydiving simulator or watching an AquaTheater show.

Related: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

In addition to researching your cruise ship, spend time learning about the ports of call on your itinerary. Researching shore excursion options, the top things to do in each port, and information about local culture and cuisine can greatly enhance your time on shore during the cruise.

Complete the health questionnaire

All passengers must fill out a health questionnaire before boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise. This questionnaire asks if you have had any symptoms of illness within the past 10 days, including nausea, a sore throat, cough, and muscle aches.

The questionnaire aims to ensure all passengers onboard are healthy, thus lessening the risk of a contagious virus spreading onboard. Answering yes to any symptoms on the list could possibly result in the denial of boarding.

The health questionnaire can be completed in the Royal Caribbean app. You will receive a notification the day before your cruise stating that the health questionnaire is ready to fill out. If you forget to fill it out, you will be asked the questions in person once in the cruise terminal.

Royal Caribbean cruise embarkation day check-in process

The day has come and it’s time to board your Royal Caribbean cruise. Completing the online check-in is an important first step toward boarding your cruise, and the check-in process continues once you arrive at the cruise terminal.

Moving thousands of passengers through the cruise terminal and onto a cruise ship is a massive undertaking. Luckily, Royal Caribbean has streamlined the process to make it as seamless as possible for passengers.

Nonetheless, it’s helpful to know how the check-in process works at the cruise terminal to ensure you’re as best prepared for embarkation day as you can be.

Arriving at the terminal

You should arrive at the terminal at your scheduled check-in time on embarkation day. Most cruise terminals adhere to scheduled check-in times, although it’s possible you can arrive earlier and be admitted into the cruise terminal.

There are several ways to arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. If you’re driving, we recommend arriving early to ensure you can find a parking spot and beat the traffic. For those who flew to their cruise departure city, an Uber or Lyft is your best option for traveling from the airport or your hotel to the cruise terminal.

Related: How to get to Royal Caribbean’s cruise terminals and how much parking will cost

Regardless of transportation method, make sure you are traveling to the correct cruise terminal! Some cities may have several different cruise terminals, and they may even be located miles away from each other. Confirm the terminal address via the Royal Caribbean website or by looking through your cruise electronic documents, which is a PDF sent to your email prior to your sail date.

Some ports, such as Port Everglades and Port Canaveral, use digital signage at the port to indicate which terminal you should go to to board your ship.

Dropping off luggage with the porters

Before entering the cruise terminal, drop any suitcases and heavy luggage with the porters. Porters work at the cruise terminal to take your luggage and deliver it to the ship. This frees you of having to lug suitcases onboard yourself, which makes the embarkation process much easier.

Each piece of luggage you give to the porters must have a luggage tag that tells crew members where to deliver the suitcase on the ship. You can print and attach luggage tags at home or you can wait until you arrive at the cruise terminal, where a porter will write the correct information on a luggage tag and attach it to your suitcase.

Luggage tags are found in the eDocs (electronic documents).

Have your identification documents and SetSail Pass in hand

After dropping off your luggage, the next thing you should do is take your identification documents out of your carry-on bag. You will need to show these documents several times in the cruise terminal, and having them ready as soon as you enter the terminal can speed up the check-in process.

Additionally, have your SetSail Pass ready to scan on your phone (or a printout). Your SetSail Pass acts as a boarding pass to board your cruise ship, and you can find it on the Royal Caribbean app under the Check-In tab.

Entering through the correct line

There are several lines to enter the cruise terminal through, and it’s important to make sure you enter through the correct line.

If you are staying in a suite, look for the suites-only line, as this line will be quicker than the standard boarding line. Those who purchased The Key—a cruise add-on that allows for priority boarding—should look for the tall blue sign indicating the entrance for Key guests.

All other guests must enter through the standard boarding line.

Documentation and security checks

Each cruise terminal has a slightly different layout, but it’s likely you’ll be asked to show your SetSail Pass and identification documents several times throughout the boarding process.

Depending on the terminal, you may be required to show your SetSail Pass at the cruise terminal entrance. Once inside the terminal, you will enter an additional line to have your identification documents and SetSail Pass checked by cruise terminal employees.

Because of this, it’s helpful to keep your passport (or other applicable ID) on hand at all times until you have finished the entire check-in process. This helps avoid taking your passport in and out of your bag several times in the cruise terminal.

You are also required to go through security in the cruise terminal. Fortunately, security screening for a cruise is not as intense as TSA at the airport (yes, your shoes can stay on!) and it only takes a few minutes.

Boarding the ship

Once you go through security and have had all documentation checked, you may encounter a brief wait in the cruise terminal until you can board the ship. This is more common for those with the earliest check-in times, as the ship may not have opened the gangway for passengers yet.

It’s unlikely that you’ll be waiting for long, though, and there are plenty of chairs to stay comfortable as you wait to board. As soon as your group is called for boarding, get your SetSail Pass ready, have it scanned once exiting the terminal, and walk onboard your cruise ship to kick off your vacation.

Do your eMuster drill

Before heading immediately to the pool deck for a rum and coke, you have one more check-in task: completing the eMuster drill.

Every guest must complete a muster drill before a cruise ship can set sail. This safety briefing ensures passengers know what to do and where to go in case of an emergency onboard, and it consists of three parts:

• Watching a life jacket safety video
• Listening to the emergency horn sound
• Going to your muster station onboard

The first two steps can be completed on either the Royal Caribbean app (in the Safety tab) or on your stateroom’s television. The third step must be completed in person on the ship. Your muster station is indicated in the Royal Caribbean app and on the back of your cabin’s door.

Congratulations, you’ve completed the Royal Caribbean check-in process!

After completing the online check-in, getting through the cruise terminal, and checking off all three steps of the muster drill, it’s officially time for your cruise vacation to begin.

If the check-in process seems overwhelming, we promise it’s not nearly as difficult as it may seem. Once you arrive at the cruise terminal, there are dozens of workers available to answer any questions you have. Plus, the terminal is full of helpful signage indicating where to go.

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect, you’ll be prepared with documents in hand and an early check-in time, which should make the process even more efficient. Overall, it should only take around 10-15 minutes to complete the online check-in and around 30 minutes to an hour to go through the cruise terminal.