The Key program is Royal Caribbean's initiative to give guests access to premier and exclusive cruise services and activities while on board for a small additional fee. Before you head inside, leave large bags with the porters, who will make sure theyre safely loaded onto the ship. At both ports theywere doing the 2:30 people by 1:00 as the lines move fast. In the last two months I took 3 cruises. On arrival there is a clearly signed entrance for SUITES and The Key.. and this is a priority boarding area. A Grand Suite on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing in June 2024 starts at $7,145 per person, based on double occupancy. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Also, have your ID and other boarding documents handy, and dont pack anything in your luggage that could cause you to be flagged at security. My kids wear their bathing suits onto the ship underneath their clothes. 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. This allows us to keep our things organized and within easy access. Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. When can I check-in for my Royal Caribbean cruise? Ships usually start boarding shortly after the final passenger has disembarked from the previous sailing, usually between 10 and 11 a.m. Adhering to your assigned embarkation time will help to keep the boarding process running smoothly. But how early can you board the cruise ship? Lunch on Day 2 for ships sailing from Seward or Vancouver.
priority boarding? - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic The porter told us our luggage should be in our cabin fairly early since we were some of the first to arrive at the ship. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5bba5e9528c15d27c649f19a0dc456c" );document.getElementById("d5aa0859c9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. The entertainment offerings onboard Royal Caribbean ships are some of the best at sea. We had somewhere between 1,800 to 2,000 passengers on this cruise. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. When you enter the terminal building, you must show your ID and boarding documents and proceed through a security check. (When choosing a time, aim for something in the afternoon, after the morning rush has died down.). You don't need the App to check for an earlier boarding time. BTWcheck in time wasn't even used. If you are on a Voyager, Freedom, Oasis, or Quantum Class ship, you will have a reserved section of the pool deck that is saved for suite guests. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. If thats the case and you can find a super-early flight that gets you to your port city with some wiggle room, flying in the same day you sail is possible. Just present your SeaPass card as usual to have access to these amenities. In theory, they never have to step foot in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer!
They will help with anything from booking shore excursions and dining reservations at specialty restaurants, to settling billing discrepancies, checking in for your return flight, and escorting you off the ship on disembarkation day. Quote Done Members 534 Posted September 6, 2022 On 9/6/2022 at 4:33 AM, HeWhoWaits said: Apologies to everyone for going off topic a bit. Then once inside, up some stairs and someone checks our check in from the app and if ok we move to scanning carry ons? There is no priority queue in the ART test area, for Singapore. Staying in a Grand Suite means that you can bypass the tender line and be one of the first guests off! has spent more than 15 years writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. Be prepared with this information when your concierge reaches out to you, which will be about a week or so before departure. On the latter two classes, Royal Caribbean introduced what is known as the Royal Suite Class. When I approach the terminal I drop my bags with porters is that right? Heres what The Key is (and why some cruisers like it), Royal Caribbean offering guest expedited arrival options to speed up check-in process, Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding, What to expect on embarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise. HEIC is not a standard web format. (Honest Review). Here's our take on this extra-fee package. Yes. Note, though, that seating is still first-come, first-served. However, adding the cost of a pre-cruise hotel stay onto the overall bill isnt always doable for every traveler, especially those on tight budgets. Find the right card for you. Everyone on the reservation who is older than 6 will need to buy The Key. As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. Why is check-in not available for my cruise? Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Program Updates. is a journalist specializing in luxury family travel and the blogger behind The Daily Impressions. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. On my most recent cruise on Oasis of the Seas, my family and I had junior suites booked with a 10:30 am port arrival time. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. On the cruise they didnt enforce check-in times there was less than 1000 passengers on the ship. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Your link has been automatically embedded. We had a suite and should have been in the suite check in line. They created a different line for the 12:30 to 1:00. I immediately went to edit my check-in-time and was able to get a 12:00 check-in. (Honest Review)Continue, Read More How does Royal Caribbean Royal Up Work?Continue, Read More What Food Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?Continue, Read More Are Royal Caribbean Internet Packages Worth It?Continue, Read More When to Book Entertainment on Royal CaribbeanContinue, Your email address will not be published.
In order to complete Check-In successfully, you will need the following: Personal Information for each guest An Onboard Expense Account, also known as your Seapass onboard account, is the cashless system used for all onboard purchases and services. Once at the Muster Station, you just scan your SetSail Pass. Priority tender boarding At tender ports, where the ship ferries passengers to shore using smaller boats, Key members can take advantage of priority boarding when going ashore. Our hotel (Intercontinental Miami) was a short 15-minute drive to the Port of Miami. What exactly are the perks of a Royal Caribbean suite? Royal Caribbean's Junior Suites don't have many perks over a regular Balcony Stateroom. My 3 cruises have been less than 40% fill. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Where do I find my cruise reservation documents? So, anyone in the wrong line was asked to move. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? If you do not complete check-in online, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. Note that The Key is not offered on all Royal Caribbean ships.
Priority Boarding (?) - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. If not, just leave blank. In 2018, Royal Caribbean rolled out "The Key." I always advise flying in at least one day before youre scheduled to embark, just in case you encounter any delays or cancellations. The moms in our group then ran errands to take care of some items. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. For our four-day itinerary out of Miami on Navigator of the Seas and a family of three, the total cost for our package (two adults) was around $159. As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. We completed our Muster Drill requirements immediately after boarding. Being in a jr suite, we went up and asked if that included Jr suites. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Is this where the Key has a special line if not before or in addition to? The answer to the first question depends on how far of a commute you have to the cruise port. Went into a door that moved us ahead of that line but through the same security checkpoint as everyone else. For a full list of items that my family and I pack on a cruise vacation, you can check out my Cruise Packing List article. You will not have to worry about missing out on the delicious offering in the Main Dining Room since you have the ability to order straight from the menu and have it delivered! Related: Should I buy my flights through my cruise line. It took a few weeks for my cruises to offer earlier arrival times, so just check back every couple days. In order to complete Check-In successfully, you will need the following: Personal Information for each guest . Tendering operations can often take hours to get all the passengers to shore, so this is a valuable benefit if your itinerary has multiple tender ports. Boarding begins roughly between 10 and 11 a.m., depending on the ship's schedule and how long it takes everyone from the last cruise to debark. The Royal Caribbean junior suites offer extra room for cruisers without the hefty price tag of a full suite. Savings on in-flight purchases: Receive a 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your credit card to . Basically, it's your chance to get to the fun faster and receive VIP access to certain activities. In short, purchasing The Key package comes down to your budget and desire for some exclusive benefits. Here, suite guests can relax on the suites-only Barefoot Beach. Sky guests onboard Spectrum of the Seas have access to The Balcony. The trick is knowing when that will be. They started letting us into the building a few at a time at 11:45. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Is there a specialty restaurant that you would like to eat at? It was almost as if it was pre covid on this one. Youll also find a free printable cruise packing list! Since the Suite Lounge/Concierge Club is open during the day, it is a great place to escape for a little bit to recharge without returning to your stateroom. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. *** Welcome lunch is open from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. Guests who were sailing in Star Class and had access to a Royal Genie were permitted to move to the front of the line in order to receive the priority boarding that was included in their suite perks. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Below you will find a comprehensive list of all our suite benefits so you can choose the suite that best fits your cruise vacation. Royal Caribbean warns there could be a delay in beginning the check-in procedure if you're late, but you will still be able to get to the cruise. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. First, we recommend choosing your port arrival time before completing anything else during online check in. For what ever reason when check-in times first became available the earliest time was 1:00. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Our Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Ocean View/ Panoramic (No Balcony) Suites, and Owner's Suites all receive priority boarding, and our Royal Suite and Villa Suite guests are escorted onboard by an officer. Our Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Ocean View/ Panoramic (No Balcony) Suites, and Owner's Suites all receive priority boarding, and our Royal Suite and Villa Suite guests are escorted onboard by an officer. Then, the dads in our group took the kids to the pool so that they could swim in virtually empty swimming areas. You can also do it via the website Cruise Planner check-in process: Royal Caribbean suites provide a range of benefits that can greatly enhance your cruise experience, from an exclusive suites-only lounge to private dining experiences and priority embarkation. In this post, we will walk you through the whole embarkation process so that youre prepared for your first day on board. You can even start using your drink packages right away to help you get into vacation mode even faster! All rights reserved. We know youre eager to arrive at the cruise port for your Royal Caribbean cruise. It is my understanding that with the exception of suite guest, who can check in up to an hour ahead of their scheduled time, priority boarding is not being used during COVID. Royal Caribbean International allows cruisers to choose a port arrival time during online check-in. Rude woman at the terminal said nope that line is full and we have to go into the long zig zagging line. We booked a cruise for Oct. 24th and was given a 3:00pm check in time. This didnt take long at all, and our whole group was onboard the ship shortly after 11:00. Then, youll proceed to the check-in desk, where an agent will help you complete the process. Hi there! Some benefits may not be available on all sailings. If, however, you are curious to see how much a Grand Suite costs, it depends on the ship, time of year, and length of itinerary. Can I book back-to-back cruises at this time?
How early can I board my Royal Caribbean cruise? You will not have to worry about arriving early and locating a seat, as the main theatre, Studio B, AquaTheatre, and Two70 all have reserved seating for suite guests. If you are wanting to maximize your suite benefits, this is a great way to do so, as evening gowns and suits usually cost between $7.50 and $15.00 per item for everyone else on the ship. The latter often includes a separate sitting area with snacks and drinks. I think the number of passengers determines how strictly they enforce the check-in times. Note that all of the benefits are available on each ship. We assumed we would need to wait. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Indulge in one of Royal Caribbean's luxurious suites for the ultimate at-sea experience. I dont understand why people get upset when RCI clearly states on multiple locations to show-up during your check-in window. You can post now and register later. Get there too early and you'll be fighting with the traffic for all those leaving the cruise that is disembarking (and all the other cruises disembarking at the other Miami terminals). If someone cancels their cruise, their check-in time goes back into the system for someone else to grab. You will be happy to know that you can find Grand Suites on any ship, whether it is Grandeur of the Seas or the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas. In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. Disembarkation generally wraps up by 10 a.m. at the latest, and some extra time is allowed for the crew to start on tasks like provisioning (restocking of supplies and food), bunkering (refueling) and cleaning of the vessels cabins and public areas to ready them for the next round of guests. We like to carry a backpack onboard the ship on embarkation day. Like what you see? Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. Her whole family, including the oceanview cabin guests, were permitted to stand in the suite line. That way, you have time to rebook yourself on a different flight if something goes wrong. 5 minutes later, they included Jr suites also. Try your best to adhere to the check-in time, but they will still admit you for check-in if you were to arrive later. Those staying in a Grand Suite, however, will get two points per night. A All suites in the Royal Caribbean Suites program have access to certain benefits. Knowing this, we decided to reserve a shuttle service to pick us up at our Miami hotel at 9:30 on embarkation day. We were technically allowed to arrive an hour before this 10:30 slot since we were suite guests. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Each everything, they will serve cocktails and a selection ofhors doeuvres for you to enjoy with other suite guests. Junior Suite benefits include priority boarding, luxury toiletries and a more comfortable mattress.
Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Junior Suites 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Most cruise ships require all passengers to be on board no fewer than one to two hours before the scheduled departure time, which is almost always in the late afternoon or evening.
Priority Embarkation for Diamond Members? - Royal Caribbean There was no separation for the actual check-in or security inside the terminal for the Key as it wasn't needed for the volume of people they were processing through at the time. If your clothing got wrinkled in your suitcase, you have the chance to get a complimentary pressing on your itinerary's first formal night. After we completed this check-in procedure, our family sat in the waiting area until it was our turn to board the ship. As for Royal Caribbean opening up additional earlier times, it's not usually the case. She said you should have called him before entering the terminal. There are several other tricks like completing check-in online or via your cruise lines mobile app before you show up that you can employ to speed up the embarkation process.
What are the Royal Caribbean suite perks? You must purchase The Key package online in advance of your sailing. A 3-night cruise would get you 6 points, while a 7-night would get you 14. Priority boarding By mimi217, October 3, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International Share. Bypassing the parking deck on the way in will let you not have to worry about bringing down your luggage from the parking deck at Terminal A. While offerings can change at any time, and usually vary slightly between ships, benefits of the Key Program usually include: Priority access to the terminal upon arrival at the port Carry on bag delivery to your stateroom Welcome lunch in the main dining room with selections from Chops Grille For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. Suit guest had separate check-in area with a short line and it appeared they were letting them in the building. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Even if you have cruised before, never underestimate the benefits of a concierge. Since you will be one of the first people onboard, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch in the buffet and have shorter lines for any amenities that are open, like the FlowRider, water slides, etc. Grand Suites on older ships often do not cost as much. Your previous content has been restored. The Key is an extra-fee program from Royal Caribbean that gives cruisers a host of perks, such as priority boarding and debarkation, reserved seating at shows, special access to onboard attractions and more. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Priority boarding - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Community Read reviews from Cruise Critic members who have already used The Key on their sailings. The per-person cost varies based on your ship and the time that you choose to purchase the package. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Thanks, I didn't even think of that. . We didnt even have to get off the couch. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. However, that will probably slow down some as RCI takes on more passengers each cruise. Royal Caribbean asks its guests to arrive within their check-in window to avoid crowding in the terminal. PLEASE NOTE:We are hard at work uplifting our cruises for the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities in which we operate. Cabins are not open until 1:30 or so. The Key is available on all Royal Caribbean ships. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Morethan a few people were not happy about it during the short time we were inline outside. I've only been there prior to boarding beginning and at that time they had all the Key grouped in seats together and they escorted them by groups to board the ship. ** Guests sailing in a suite aboard Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas will enjoy new benefits.
Priority check in for suite guests? - Royal Caribbean Discussion Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. Comment below to share your tips with us! Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. It's strictly a pay-to-play situation. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. This pending amount is used to secure funds for anticipated onboard purchases. Then proceed to the Terminal A Entrance and is this where lines will be based on boarding time? Whats the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler? By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, The Key, Royal Caribbean's Priority Program, 8 Reasons to Cruise on a Refurbished Ship, What to Expect on a Cruise: Boarding a Cruise Ship, 10 Things to Know About Cruising on Empress of the Seas, Priority check-in and boarding (with some exceptions), Ability to store carry-on luggage in the main dining room from boarding until 1:30p.m. when it's delivered to your cabin, Welcome lunch in the main dining room on embarkation day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring a menu from Chops Grille, Voom internet with Surf & Stream for one device per Key cruiser, Specialty seating at shows and events in the main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70 (reservations needed for Oasis- and Quantum-class ships), Special access hours for onboard attractions, such as the zipline, FlowRider, rock climbing wall, Ultimate Abyss, North Star, iFly and the ice rink, Priority line at ship attractions and water slides during regular hours, Priority access off the ship to the shore in port, Exclusive a la carte breakfast from 6:30a.m. to 9:30a.m. on debarkation morning, Special Key luggage tags that put your suitcases in a special area in Customs when you disembark. Tip: When you receive your SeaPass card on board, there will be a small sticker on the card to verify your status.