Boarding day cruise ship tips for 2024
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- The first day of a cruise is when your vacation begins, and it's an important time to take care of a few major tasks that can really improve your entire cruise. Here's some important things to do on day one to ensure a great start to your cruise vacation!
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One benefit I appreciated of unpacking as soon as possible is this: you’ve had a busy morning getting to the cruise port, dropping off luggage, parking, checking in, going through security, boarding, trying to find you way around no matter how many tour videos you’ve watched, grabbing lunch, trying to get WiFi working, doing the things Matt suggests. It is nice to take 15 minutes to take a breather away from the crowds and get settled, get you luggage out of the way and see your state room attendant. Those few minutes of unpacking after all that activity and people sure makes going to sale away and grabbing a drink and then dinner much more enjoyable.
❤😊thanks for the advice. I'm sure it's needed!
Big Tip: If you get lost, find an elevator. There’s always a map of the ship posted saying “you are here” You can always navigate from there.
Also, screen shot your boarding pass. Many piers do NOT have good WiFi and it will slow you down. Mostly - have fun!
I print everything
This happened to me recently! Spotty service, couldn't access my boarding pass. So glad I print EVERYTHING!
That's smart
Should we actually print out boarding pass with printer paper? First cruise in 6 weeks!!
@@DanGilleland it's never a bad idea to have it as back up, it's always a good idea! Provided your cell is charged a screen shot is always great, but I will admit guests often have dead cell phones from long flights or usage when they present & then say 'I don't have a boarding pass.' It's fixable, of course, but does slow the check in process down - especially if there's a surge of people at that time. Counter agents can get flooded with special needs and the line can grow.
After many RC cruises, this is always helpful. If you can go somewhere other than Windjammer for lunch, you should. It is always mobbed.
Be nice to other guests, and pack your patience, after all, you're on a well-deserved vacation.
YESSSSS!! 💯
America's nice and courteous? That will be a first.
Just got back from a 7 days cruise down the Mexican West Coast. And won another going down the Mexican Caribbean East Coast in just over a month! Best part about that, the next upcoming one will make me hit the big Diamond Plus!
My favorite tip that you shared is to check your luggage. Thank you for the amazing video. I also loved your tip about checking in online the day of the cruise. Thank you!
These are all great tips. As for the dining package, it seems like you end up with either 5 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. dinner. I always find it a worthwhile expenditure to book specialty restaurant reservations separately in order to get the best dinner times.
The reason people don't check their luggage with the porter is because they do not always deliver it in time to change for dinner and you don't get time to settle in before the evening festivities. I would rather have my luggage with me for 1-2 hours and know that I can unpack and settle in as soon as my room is ready and then be able to enjoy the rest of my day.
That’s why you should have a change of clothes in your carry-on
@@claritzatschannen4160 yes, we do that and are aware of that "hack". I was simply stating a reason why someone would not want to check their luggage with the porter.
What are the odds of this… I was just watching the 2022 one, realized it was probably outdated(COVID protocols etc etc) and searched for the newer one AND only ONE HOUR AGO it’s posted. Love the content, I think I have watched 3/4 of the videos on this channel in the last month.
I am very prone to sea sickness. I take Meclizine 2-3 days before we set sail. I take it for my flight too.
Then, on sail day, I'm good to go. No sea sickness!!!⚓️
Thank you so much I have sea sickness
Thx! I have heavy motion sickness. I plan on getting my primary doctor to give me the strongest before the cruise.
Thank you, Matt.
Your tips to help make our future cruising life easier are always welcome.
You say stick to your time... but I have seen lots of people showing up early and getting on earlier then their time. We did too. Love getting on earlier. Gives more time to check out the ship.
Awesome tips, Matt. Especially putting your phone in airplane mode!
The standard tip for a porter is $5 whether it's 1 bag or 10. But if it's alot of bags then of course consider tipping more.
Great video! Phones *and* watches on airplane mode!!
As a first time cruiser, April 13, 2024, I really appreciate the information you’ve provided in this post. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Matt always appreciate your information about to go on my 4 th cruise only on Royal Caribbean
Take a picture of the mini bar contents. I was held up for 45 minutes at embarkation cause they said I drank two beers and a sprite, and i needed to pay for them. (Hate beer to begin with) Had drink package and told them I had the room steward empty the mini bar day 1.
I take Meclizine (Less-Drowsy Dramamine) as soon as I get to the buffet on embarkation day (2 pills) and then one every morning with breakfast. The only time this hasn't kept my seasickness at bay was when we were near a tropical storm.
Thanks again for the video,I have a cruise coming up on Symphony of the Seas and I'm excited. Definitely will keep these tips in mind
Thank you for the tips! Going on my first cruise in April and I’m super excited and nervous!!
I'm going on Icon of the seas April of 2025 I am super excited
Great video! Looking forward to going on the Ovation of the Seas this July. Can't wait! Will watch the videos. This is to help me prepare when the day comes.
As always very informative video. Keep it up guys👏👏👏
Good information thank you
Thanks for all the tips Matt.
Thank you Matt. This has been so helpful
Thanks for sharing, my first time cruise is coming up! I’m so excited! 😆
What a great video to get ready for ICON!! The spa usually has a raffle on embarkation day so it’s work going and signing up!
The E Muster is amazing ❤
Big tip! TIP YOUR PORTERS WELL. Trust me worked for Royal in the terminal and it goes along way
What’s the expected rate to them them?
@@MichalskiChristopher in the video was said a few bucks but I always tip a 10 or 20. A good porter will make your embarkation day way smoother. Sometimes even special treatment if the porter is well know by the staff.
@MichalskiChristopher $10 per bag. Don't skimp on this or your luggage will see more places then you.
@MichalskiChristopher we tip 5 per large bag and 2 or 3 for smaller bags.
How much? Is $5 cool or $20?
Thanks for the information ❤❤❤
Great tips
On embarkation day:
1. roam every public area of the ship and get familiar with where everything is located;
2. make sure any dining arrangements mesh in with evening entertainment (seriously - RCI theatre shows rival anything you'll see on Broadway)
3. do not miss the sights, sounds and total joy of a sail-away party on / above the pool deck (#cruisingrightofpassage)
Hi Matt! Always appreciate the info you provide. Getting ready to sail on the ICON in December. Can't wait to read people's reactions now that she is sailing with real customers. Hope you keep us posted. And, yes, AIRPLANE MODE...I learned the hard (expen$ive) way. Thanks, bill
Should I do it as soon as I arrive at Port? I'm m leaving from NJ and probably buying the internet package
@@theresanyamekye no, I'd wait until right before it sets sail.
@@barbaraharris5621 thank you for the response
Thank you
Thanks for the tips Matt. They were really useful as I'm traveling with the family for the first time in a RC cruise.. Really excited and can you confirm what we will need for Embarking documentation..(Passports, Visas, Boarding cards)- Do we need Cruise Contract or Guest copy of Booking, please advise - very much appreciated
Matt! I desperately need u to start a carnival blog. I am pretty loyal to royal but every 5 years or so I sail on a carnival ship. I value your opinion & trust the information you give. Please if it's not too much to ask 😬 start a secondary blog about carnival because youre the absolute best cruise blogger 💁🏽♀️ IMO
Matt has a sister UA-cam channel covering other cruise lines. Cruise blog
@@tonydiaz4097 thank u tony
It is surprising the # of bags that go into the brink on the way into the ship 😉. I'm one of those annoying people who carry on but we don't board till closer to 1. I'll gladly let them take it off but man it's a drag to lose your stuff at the beginning.
Not all staterooms have drawers you can put stuff in. On my last cruise on Quantum I was in a junior suite and there were no drawers at all. There was a closet you could hang stuff in, but there were no drawers.
M going fr the first tym fr Caribbean cruise this August…..
I pay the porters generously. Why? Because it is insurance that my luggage gets on the ship! My last experience on RCCL you get your dining times booked first then go to the muster station and then get a cocktail!
Then your boy @LoLTronguy must be very happy. Truss me bro
Has the Windjammer improved? It was so good years ago and I keep seeing comments that it's not been it's best since covid. Any improvements lately?
Do NOT go for a tour of the Spa center unless you need to waste time. Don't get me wrong, I get massages when on the ship even though it's a rip off, but I don't need the long sell and I don't want to buy beauty products that they promise will make me 40 years younger. Also, I've seen IV treatments. Who the hell is going to have a cruise member stick a needle in your arm?!
I go for giveaways. I have no issues saying no to any upsell.
😂😂😂 I concur! Complete & total waste of time. I try to book my spa treatments prior to sailing!
@@tduck828 SAME😊
They told me I would be 40 years younger and they were right…I left an embryo.
I agree I’ll never go again too much presure selling
Wait we can still get a printed cruise compass! That is fantastic I hate the online version
omg guys! at 10:55 there is what seems to be a dolphin at the bottom of the screen! i remember i saw several dolphins on one of my Caribbean cruises. I miss cruising
Haven’t cruised Royal before, do we get our Sea Pass when we check in? Symphony is coming to port without passengers for my cruise on May 16 so we should be able to get into our cabins earlier than 1 & I was just curious how/when we get our sea pass so we can get into our rooms 😂
Hi Matt, it was great meeting you in passing tonight on board the Icon.
You too!
My recommendation is: book your next cruise on day 1 to avoid crowds, win a bottle of champaign and enter the on board credit raffle. If you are trying to win a free cruise at the casino, have an open booking instead.
Missed placed luggage is my worst travel fear
I’d rather just haul it around until my room is ready
Sorry , but it doesn’t work that way , you can only carry personal backpack , all the heavy cloths etc luggage are inside the ship until it’s delivered to each stateroom respectively 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤔
Lol. Talk to guest services at about 5? My last cruise they were so far behind nobody on my floor got luggage until 8pm. It can be much later than 5. Bags were properly labeled and nothing on naughty list was in there for any of us.
Get to the cabin early use the bathroom, especially if it’s been a long wait in line or after you’ve just eaten in the Windjammer
They have public restrooms throughout the ship.
@@aq4316 😂😂 yes I know this all too well being a disabled traveler and using a mobility scooter, I know about the public restrooms, but sometimes you just want to get to your room not deal with a public restroom and deal with your own private restroom. I’m just saying thanks.
When we complete our Liberty of the Seas cruise out of New Jersey, we need to go to the Newark airport. Is there any transportation provided to get us there or are there Ubers waiting at the dock?
Pl …. Some tips on Wht should one wear during cruise nd specially fr dinners
Dressy. Semi Formal, formal.
Is the alcohol part true?
Thank you for these great tips Matt. Just one question can I use the Royal Caribbean app to communicate with my party meaning if my wife with the kids at the pool and I’m in the room can she send me a message through the app to bring sunscreen?!
no, it's not an option at this time. Suggest walkie talkies instead if you need them.
Check your room for Bed Bugs immediately. The 10 minutes it takes to properly scan your room is well worth it. They can ruin your vacation and are hard and expensive to get rid of if you bring them home.
How do we check for bedbugs?
How do we check for bedbugs?
How do we check for bedbugs?
How do we check for bedbugs?
How do we check for bedbugs?
Hello I'm getting ready to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise on Freedom of The Sea 0n 6/21.
As far as parking is there a safe close economical parking garage I can park at beside port parking which is $35 daily
En este año Royal Carribean crucero 🚢 logros vacaciones a disfrutar
Is it free to chat with friends or family members we're sailing with, via the Royal Caribbean app?
Putting phone in airplane mode
I'm on Wonder of the Seas and someone (not in my group) brought their expired passport instead of the current one. They had to call a friend to go their house to bring the current one.
So lucky your friend lived close enough to get her old one. This doubles for those who fly into the cruise ports. Absolutely crucial.
I went with someone who packed their passport in their checked luggage last summer, it was a mess but they finally got on way later
I will be on Harmony of the seas soon. Anyone know how long it takes from check in time to boarding the ship? Thanks
Maybe 20 to 30 minutes especially if you do the check-in on the app a couple days ahead.
Are air tags helpful in finding your luggage? Our luggage was misplaced on the other side of the ship, and we found it ourselves (after staff said it was delivered hours ago).
AirTags aren’t useful for that as much as figuring out if it’s on the ship or back in the port
Does Royal allow non surge protectors for usage on the ship? Want to make sure I can bring one
I usually bring a heavy duty extension cord for bipa machine with no problems
I've seen the big one's rejected and smaller one's allowed
Hi. 1st time cruiser in June. How are you notified that your room is ready? Is it through the RC app?
Once your luggage it’s up front of your stateroom , means it’s ready , it will take about 2 hrs to do so … ( depending on your arrival to port ) most cases the stateroom are always ready between 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
#1 is brining your allotted wines on board
Do you know the size of the alotted champagne bottles, I want to bring the Costco size Cooks bottle lol. Thank you
I leave this coming up Monday for my first cruise! Should I find a sailaway spot or do the sail away party?
We find a quiet spot with a good view, but lots of people enjoy the party.
Go find a great bar on top of ship for sail away then do the Ballon drop at midnight.
Go do your speciality dinning package, book your shows, do your muster, go see if your bags are at your cabin then go find a good bar on top for sail away and go to the Ballon drop at midnight you gota see it at least once.
@@aq4316 Suggestions?
If you don't want to search for 'the perfect' sail-away spot, just go to the deck above the main pool. The music and dancing is usually on the pool deck. From above you can enjoy all that and still be able to be near a railing to watch the port/city go by.
If you don't wish to be outside, go to the Viking Crown
Matt you should really do an 11 or 12 night cruise lol. I just got off one out of Cape Liberty and it was incredible and so much fun.
I’d love to!
My fiancée’s first cruise was an 11 night southern Caribbean cruise I booked to propose to her on in San Juan on the very bow on Anthem.
For us living in NJ sailing out or Cape Liberty is awesome.
I NEED Wheelchair tips!! Should we arrive like hella early ??
How do I get a job there?
bathing suite.. I just wear the mankini on underneath
So we need to bring birth certificates to sail? I was thinking that was optional if I had other forms of ID. I don't want to get this wrong and be turned away on embarkation day.
If you have a passport, that’s fine. Otherwise, you need their birth certificate
Did they change that to one bottle per adult? I thought it was two per stateroom?
Yes,you're now allowed 1 bottle of wine PER PERSON.
@@tduck828 boo, ha. Ok thank you!
@israelcunningham9141 I know! It's a total bummer! I refuse to pay those crazy drink package prices!!
If there are 3 friends in a cabin does each one need to check in separately???
yes
Do we need our birth certificates ???
If you bring your bathing suit in your carry on bag and then go for a swim on embarkation day, do you just leave your carry on bag and personal item on a chair while you're swimming?
Yes?
yes, just swim nearby it
If your room is not ready yet, where can you change into your bathing suit?
Any bathroom on the ship. Find a bathroom stall and change 😊
Or wear it under your clothes. Less fuss in slipping off outer wear than full change.
Do they still take your temperature when you get on?
No
Can I please confirm if we're allow 12 cans of soda (3:06) or 8 cans (which I'd heard previously) per cabin?
12
12 soda or water per cabin, not per person.
im cruising with my teenager for the first time in Sept. is there any kind of registration required for the teens like for the younger ones?
I think in the arcade they do
I check in at 1. I only really have one big luggage I'm just gonna carry it on
I would do the opposite of everyone else. Book as late aspossible and have to deal with less hype and high pressure sales.
My cruise starts at 4pm. At what time can I board the ship?
When you check in, you'll get a time. I'm a 12pm check in for our ship leaving st 4pm.
Does anyone know how much drinks are individually like water, coke , coffee , etc? I can’t decide if I want to pay for a drink package. Thank you!
www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-drink-prices
Thank you. I did come across this; however, I then read that drinks such as cokes, water, juice are complimentary so I figured I don’t need to buy that package.
@@helenshaghoury3051 water, lemonade, iced tea and some juices (I think I remember apple & orange juice) are complimentary. Coke and other sodas/soft drinks are not.
hi what size limit for the 12 bottles or cans?
500ml (effectively 16 oz bottles)
Are seasickness tablets freely available on RC?
Ive heard better to bring your own
I had to purchase meclizine from the store
@LucyOfTheSeas thank you for your comment. I would better BYO then.
Often, during rough seas, they will have them at Guest Services
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Take the essentials that you'll need on the first or you can't afford to lose in your carry-ons and give the porters the rest of the bags.
Could you possibly take your luggage and go straight to your room and leave it at the front door instead of waiting from them to bring it to your room. Just not sure if that possible.
Yes as long as the bags can fit in the security scanner
@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog do you know what size will fit not sure if you know. Thanks for all the tips.
So if you don't have the phones shown, then what?
You will have a difficult time navigating your cruise before and after embarkation without a smart phone🤷🏻♀️🛳️
Twice our luggage arrived super late, so we just rather walk with it and leave it in front of the room
DONT do this. Most of the time the hallways are locked and closed because they don't want people in there. Plus even if you can get in hallway, putting your luggage in hallway blocks stewards from doing their job and cleaning. Just pack in your carryon what you need. Several times I haven't gotten luggage until 8pm. I just pack what I need.
@@tduck828 the 3 times I've done this I always ask if it would be a problem, always been told it wasn't so yes I will keep doing it cause I believe more what the crew tells me than a random on the internet.
@@MR3DDevthey only say that to be nice and not cause someone to flip out because they get told no. It's ridiculous and very rude to boot. Again you should NOT do this. The doors are closed for a reason.
@@tduck828 I never open any doors I am not sure what you are talking about. Every time I have gotten onto the ship the hallways have been fully opened. If we should not do this I am sure they will tell us.
@MR3DDev I've been cruising for 25 years and doors are always closed when you get on the ship. Most of the time locked too to get to guest rooms.
Does anybody recommend when I should get my WOW band?
For ships that have them, you can get them right at the area you board.
My wide and I are thinking about a cruise to Alaska this summer. We live in Washington state and it would be an easy drive to the port. We’ve never been on a cruise before. We really are not travelers and I’m very nervous about the whole checking in process. Actually nervous about a lot of things. We’re not very social, dining with other people would be a deal breaker. We’re friendly just not social if that makes sense. We don’t drink and nightlife isn’t our thing. We love the idea of being on a big ship and visiting Alaska though. Does anyone think that maybe this just wouldn’t be for us?
For starters, An Alaska cruise is not like more typical cruises as it is much more expensive and is more about the scenery than the activities.
That said, try to think of check-in as if it were a very large plane at a very small airport. There will be lots of people, lines, and some waiting. But it will probably go quicker than you expect.
As for dining, one thing to add to your embarkation day list is to go to the main dining room and locate your table. The number will be printed on your Set Sail Pass which you will get when you go to your cabin. At this time, you can ask the head waiter ( If they are around ) to change your table to a 2-person table if it isn't already. They usually can accommodate you..
Another, expensive, way to avoid eating with people is to get the Ultimate Dining Package. With this, you will be eating at the smaller specialty venues which usually have more private seating options.
If you cruise more then one time game over. Go to ship show documents get on ship. done
Can i check in a 12 pack water bottle? Or will i need to carry it with me on board?
He literally answered this but you MUST carry on otherwise others thrown away.
@tduck828 i heard that part. I just wasn't sure if he meant this applies to 1 water bottle or both. If RC allows a 12 pack they should let us check it in. Having to carry this thru security, up the escalators, and then still carrying it on the ship until the stateroom is ready is insane.
@@andyl9920disagree that if you want a 12 pack forcing room stewards to carry it in heavy luggage. You want it, you carry it.
In another video, he said you can bring a reusable bottle & use that instead of buying water
@andyl9920 if you want to bring it that's the rule. They purposely make it complicated and a hassle so you just buy theirs...
How about making a DisEmbarkation day tips video?
No. 1 - don’t pack the outfit to wear off the ship 😳
And don't pack your passport. Not that I've ever done that.
😂
Can I leave my luggage in front of my room door myself?
The hallways are usually blocked off for cleaning.
If you can get to your cabin, you should just put them inside at that point.
who is packing their passport in their luggage? how did they arrive if their passport was packed? gimme a break. and you don't need to arrive at your specified check in time. go when you want. it's never an issue.
Get a massage!