Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise. Many Royal Caribbean ships feature Johnny Rockets eateries serving the chain's signature burgers and shakes. Royal Caribbean ships offer laundry and dry cleaning services that will get your clothes cleaned quickly for a nominal fee. There are ways to use points and miles to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, but it doesnt always make sense, as it often requires a huge number of points to secure a cabin. Got a great Royal Caribbean cruise tip of your own that's not included here? But on our 4th cruise we were on Odyssey and had access to Coastal Kitchen. There will be other venues available to dine at on your ship that are complimentary. You can post now and register later. And, even if they do, you'll probably never see any of them again, so it doesn't matter what they think. If so, you may qualify for an enticing perk free onboard credit! More cruise tips: 21 things you should do to make your first cruise go smoothly. The good news is these bonuses are in addition to whatever perks you already would be getting for booking another trip as a result of your Crown & Anchor Society status. This is no small thing. DO head to your cabin when it's ready Try out the activities Many of the on-board activities are open on embarkation day. So, you'll probably want to pick one or two things that you want to do during your time at the destination. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Remember, youre on vacation. On Mariner, on embarkation Day, would Chops be open for lunch? While the muster drill is not the most exciting thing about your cruise, following your muster drill, the real fun begins of a Royal Caribbean cruise. It offers a truly wonderful vantage point. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. I loved their roast beef sandwich. You dont need to do everything your first day, so if you spot a perfect spot in the sun or shade, rest your weary bones. While you're booking restaurant reservations in advance at Royal Caribbean's online portal, it's a good idea to also sign a waiver for any onboard activities that you'd like to try that require one, such as the zip lines found on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. They also work when you're on land at Royal Caribbeans private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Related: Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? Paste as plain text instead, Then, as the cruise starts filling up, the line will slowly raise prices for the remaining inventory of cabins. Go ahead and grab one if you want just understand you will be charged for the welcome drink. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Cruise lines have specific rules for other banned items, which you can find on your lines website. Their short ribs are really good!! Meals there are not free; they come with an extra charge. way to make calls and access the internet from Royal Caribbean ships, The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea, 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid, How to book a cruise with points and miles, Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship, 26 cruise secrets from an expert that will blow your mind, pay the equivalent of $1,330 in points for a flight that cost $16,000, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Terms and Conditions Apply. 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. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. Yes, youll be able to find sunscreen, painkillers and Band-Aids on Royal Caribbean ships. Royal Caribbean offers some enticing onboard perks to its most loyal customers, including free drinks, free internet time, access to an exclusive Diamond Club on select ships, a complimentary entertainment tour and, at the highest level, daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant. Where can I eat on the first day of my Royal Caribbean cruise? The easiest way to find that out is to read a past Cruise Compass from a sailing on your ship. But you also won't get hit with crazy charges should you develop a headache and desperately need ibuprofen. A line-by-line guide. You cannot paste images directly. Some cruisers even bring magnets with hooks so they can hang up clothes and other items on their walls. The cruise line will send pre-cruise reminders explaining what to expect at check-in, including health and safety procedures. The line knows youre a captive audience and prices its shipboard stores accordingly. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Royal Caribbean is increasingly putting everything you need to know about your cruise on its app, and it's also the place where you can check in for your cruise in advance and have your boarding pass accessible at all times. Or, maybe youll fall ill during the trip and need emergency medical attention. Once you get to dinner time on the first day of your cruise, all the restaurants onboard will be open for service. Want to relax? On roughly half of Royal Caribbean's ships, you should be able to watch the ship sail away from port from an amazing location that normally isn't open to passengers: the helipad on the bow. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! I believe chops and Giovanni's are as well but can't confirm for sure. Youll find a list of all the daily activities printed out in your cabin, on your cabin TV and on the shipboard app. If you like to be active, there are ice skating rinks, bumper cars, laser tag, escape rooms, simulated surfing and skydiving and zip lines, to name a few experiences. Youll have time to see a lot during your cruise, but at this point I like to get the lay of the land. A main dining room with waiter service and specialty for-a-fee restaurants also may be alternatives for an embarkation day lunch. There . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). The check-in process on embarkation day will take place throughout much of the day, and guests can arrive at their convenience to the port, as soon as the port allows guests to do so. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Do you own stock in Royal Caribbean's parent company, the Royal Caribbean Group? To get the best price on any particular sailing, you should book right when the voyage opens for sale. But booking tours through the line isnt your only option, and its not always the best option. Like what you see? Either make reservations for My Time Dining dinner times before you sail (again, through Royal Caribbean's online portal) or after you board but before you plan to head to the dining room. But if its getting close to the time your ship is set to leave the pier and your suitcases have not arrived, alert your cabin steward. Here is what you should know about where you can eat on the first day of your cruise. 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. VOOM Internet To many. They should at least offer that to suites and pinnacles/D+. Ms Seafarer is excited to try El Loco next week. The Chops Grille eateries, for instance, recently were priced at a fee of $55 per person for dinner, while visiting at lunchtime only would set you back $25 per person. Youll find both official and unofficial photo spots at the terminal. Although fond of lake Erie, her first love is the sea. It is also the first restaurant to open on embarkation day, and will remain open until just before it is time to set sail. Royal Caribbean fans in the know make a beeline to the Park Caf for Royal Kmmelweck roast beef sandwiches, an embarkation day rite of passage. Consider the option of specialty dining. That menu is a heck of a lot better than any B2B menu I have seen. For our second and 3rd I think we did Windjammer and Sorrento's respectively. You'll also find a comprehensive daily schedule of activities on the app as well as menus for restaurants. The steward also will let you know how to keep in touch should you need anything extra throughout your cruise. Good news if you've bought one of those drinks or Wi-Fi packages we mentioned above. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 0344 493 4005 Email Your Questions Locate a Travel Agent Since youre likely leaving from a sunny destination, you also may want to have a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Check here before booking an award fare. I agree that it looks better thanThe Key. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. That looks very similar (possibly identical) to the turnaround day B2B menu we saw on Indy in July. Embarkation Day Windjammer Buffet Lunch on Oasis of the Seas. And I dislike the Windjammer, so I'm usually having to pay for lunch at Chops or eating very little until dinner. For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. In addition to extra toiletries, Royal Caribbean regulars often bring Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions). We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. You can find your SetSail pass at Royal Caribbean's web site under My Cruises. You can renegotiate the price until you've paid in full for the cruise; that final payment is typically due a few months prior to the sail date. Pasted as rich text. With so much to do on board, you'll have a better shot at sampling all the top Royal Caribbean cruise ship attractions if you get started early. Lunch on Embarkation Day: Whats your go-to? This is a great convenience, as theres no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. 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. However, its your responsibility to arrive at the pier with the proper documentation. There's something for kids and adults of all ages and interests on a Royal Caribbean ship. This means things like medication, for sure, and a phone charger, but also a bathing suit, hat, sunscreen and other items that will let you head straight to the pool deck to start the fun. Your carry-on items will be inspected via an X-ray machine at the security checkpoint, and your checked bags might be searched before theyre delivered to you. We did our first-ever specialty dining on our cruise last week just to avoid WJ (our sailing was a sold out cruise). The Cruise Compass is a daily newspaper of events, times, and schedules, including what is open on the first day of your cruise. They need time to kick in. We like to stroll the decks and nibble our way thru. I missed lunch at Windjammer by a few minutes and the crew suggested I try Park Caf. This is the first big activity of your cruise and not to be missed. These items will include weapons, fireworks, flammable liquids, candles, clothing irons, incense and anything else that produces a flame. Like many cruise lines these days, Royal Caribbean often offers its best pricing for any given cruise at the moment the sailing opens for booking. We hate to even bring it up, but you might need to cancel your Royal Caribbean cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness. Its OK to stand in awe. The island is outfitted for Wi-Fi access, so you can use your shipboard internet package to stay in touch or post photos of your day on social media without extra fees. Not every cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship is created equal. Learn More Still need help? The sooner you arrive, the sooner you can board the ship. Cruises arent this way at least if you want to get the most out of them. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! The exact times depend on a variety of factors, including how quickly customs clears the ship and how quickly Royal Caribbean's crew is ready for the new wave of guests. Clear editor. Related: 6 secrets to getting a deal on a cruise. Royal Caribbean cruises these days are relatively casual, save for occasional dress-up nights, and you really only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. I've gotten into the habit to book a specialty restaurant lunch for embarkation day on most sailings. Related: TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits. Lunch in the MDR on embarkation day was one of the very, very, few things that I liked about NCL. Royal Caribbean also bans martial arts gear, baby monitors and extension cords, among other items. In general cruise calls are short often just six to eight hours. Be sure to read through TPG's ultimate guide to maximizing your status in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program to know all of the many perks you'll be able to get depending on how many points you've accumulated. We put this tip first for a reason. You may also be required to check in with a crew member at your assigned muster. PPPJJ-GCVAB , FloatyBoaty , DoomSlayer and 1 other 2 2 Quote OCSC Mike Members 681 Location: Outside Orlando, FL (Near Matt) Posted April 15 You can post now and register later. Staff will be on hand to welcome your progeny and show them around the play spaces and hangouts available just for them. Meanwhile, if things get too dirty to wear, it's no problem. Those are the rough times you'll be able to get off the ship and must be back aboard. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Take some downtime. Find the right card for you. Royal Caribbean does set some limits with this perk. The FlowRider aboard Allure of the Seas. A line-by-line guide, Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise, The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruises and itineraries, Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime, 27 cruise ship embarkation day dos and don'ts, 21 things you should do to make your first cruise go smoothly, The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship, How to visit Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars, The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained, maximizing your status in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program. If you change your mind once on board, you can give up your seat without penalty. Our first cruise, we ended up getting on just before muster, then our luggage came and we were so hungry and exhausted we just ordered room service. Upload or insert images from URL. You'll want to have a plan for what to do in these ports in advance or youll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience. We're talking about the Broadway musicals and ice shows found on these vessels. This is important to do if you want to be sure to get a seat for a specific show on a specific night. You just show up and have fun. The way to do this is to tie a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases to your onboard account. Many cruisers assume they cant bring their own drinks on board a ship. Perhaps you plan to head to the main dining room the first evening or want to go casual at the buffet. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. January 22, 2022 in Royal Caribbean Dining. Cruise embarkation day is also be referred to as boarding day. If you purchased a specialty dining package, you can choose to use your package benefits on the first day lunch. Chops Grille is open every night of the cruise from 5:30pm to 10pm. Im with @Xaa100% with my choices! Plus, youll want to save room in your suitcase for all the souvenirs you'll want to bring home from your travels. You can also pay for lunch at Chops. Our Royal Caribbean cruise hack: To avoid the first-day buffet crowds, make a beeline to one of the secondary dining options that typically aren't nearly as crowded. All rights reserved. Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book? Your link has been automatically embedded. Just like the included restaurants, which restaurants are open on the first day depend on the ship. The itinerary you are looking at should say specifically what time the ship is planned to arrive and depart. Youre on vacation woohoo! That way, you won't have to dig through your packed luggage to get to the things you need. (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean) The Key benefits are: Priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day* Carry-on bag drop off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery** Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room with a menu featuring Chops Grille on embarkation day 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Check-in for Royal Caribbean sailings can open as far as 45 days in advance, and it pays to go through the check-in process as early as you can. If you have brought sanitary wipes, this is a good time to further sanitize your cabin, including high-touch areas such as door handles, light switches and that TV remote. ago. Smile for the shipboard photographers, who will have a backdrop with the ships name or picture set up, or take your own photos. In other words, don't just show up at the main dining room without a reservation assuming that there will be a table ready for you and your traveling companions. Specifically, you'll currently pay $3.49 to send out a T-shirt for washing and folding on a Royal Caribbean ship, or $4.99 for a long-sleeve shirt. If there isnt, alert your cabin steward. Should you have a problem in port and not make it back to the ship before it sails, the agent can help you figure out next steps. This may be the most important piece of cruise advice you'll read in this entire story. While it's a busy day and there are embarkation procedures to be aware of, it's also the start of an amazing vacation ahead! Guests will discover, Whether this is your first Royal Caribbean cruise or your fiftieth, there are certain nuances and "secrets" to dining, Let's face it: Dining is as essential to the cruise experience as the ocean itself. Given TPGs origins as a points and miles website, wed be remiss if we didnt remind you to maximize your credit card points while making purchases on Royal Caribbean ships. I totally forgot about Cafe Two70 on Anthem, i felt like all we had was Windjammer (Solarium Bistro wasn't open). Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise. This option - which is available 24 hours a day, every day - has been recently offered in lieu of the complimentary embarkation lunch. Alternatively, you can wait in a standby line at onboard theaters on show nights. Embarkation usually begins in the late morning to early afternoon, so lunch is the first opportunity to sit down for a bite to eat. Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship. Getting an early arrival slot means that you can board the ship earlier than other cruisers and have more time to enjoy its attractions before sailaway. Chops Grille also offers lunch on embarkation day and the two sea day for $22.99 from 12-1:30 pm. Have no clue why they used that menu. Chicago, IL. Getting on your ship means a lot of choices on how to begin your vacation, but many guests elect to start things off with lunch. Display as a link instead, If you are traveling with kids, now is the time to make sure there is an appropriate infant or child life jacket in addition to a life jacket for each adult. You'll often find that they are less crowded on embarkation day, when many cruisers still are getting oriented, than later in the sailing, when the attractions have been widely discovered. The typical extra-cost restaurants open for lunch on embarkation day are: After reading this, your next logical question may be which restaurants are on your ship, both specialty and included. In most cases, guests receive their SeaPass card, wait to be called to board and then board the ship. I'll have the Scallops, Short Rib and Dark Chocolate Cookie please. For starters, people won't notice if you wear the same thing two days in a row. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. That's because early birds in the check-in process have their pick of arrival times at the ship. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. I like it better than The Key lunch. Passengers can drop off up to two pieces per person, and items can't weigh more than 25 pounds. Waterslide from the Mariner of the Seas, Royal Caribbean - Hero 11. r/royalcaribbean Mariner of the Seas is experimenting with a complimentary embarkation day lunch to help alleviate demand in Windjammer. If you plan to do spa treatments or have hair and other beauty appointments during your cruise, now is the time to book them (if you havent booked them in advance). When you get onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, you might be ready for a bite to eat and Royal Caribbean provides a few options to dine at for no additional cost, and some that do cost extra. April 15 in Royal Caribbean Dining. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. At Royal Caribbean, it's called the NextCruise program, and the bonus could include up to $600 in onboard credits for the next cruise that you book and up to 10% off shore excursions on the sailing. If youve come from a cold-weather place, pack shorts, flip-flops and your bathing suit so that you dont have to wait for your suitcases to arrive before you hit the pool. These intimate, for-a-fee restaurants can be hard to get into (reservations are required) but are usually not as crowded the first night of the sailing. It is important to have your SetSail pass printed out prior to arriving at the pier to ensure a smooth and quick check-in process. Your big bags may or may not have arrived at this point, but you can drop your carry-ons and take a look to see that everything is to your satisfaction. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and poof! Otherwise, you may end up tipping twice. Start your cruise right. You should plan on arriving to the cruise port as early as you can so that you can start your vacation. Youll find plenty of stories here at The Points Guy about how to, say, pay the equivalent of $1,330 in points for a flight that cost $16,000, or book a $27,000 around-the-world trip for just $168 in out-of-pocket costs. Many phone plans even international plans do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and youll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that will show up weeks later on your phone bill. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. smokeybandit 11. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Here is Day 1 of our Royal Caribbean Cruise on Serenade of the Seas! All of the shops and the casino will be closed while in port. Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise? After your flight or drive to the port, you will want to freshen up because the fun begins at the embarkation pier. 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. We get it, you bought a drinks package (in which case the above drink is included), and you want to make the most of it. That said, that doesnt mean you cant save big time by booking your flights to and from a ship using points and miles. Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. Here is what you should know about where you can eat on the first day of your cruise. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Giovanni's was open on embarkation day when we sailed Allure last month. Your previous content has been restored. ToursByLocals has staff on hand around-the-clock to respond to questions, and for those worried about missing your ship they offer a return-to-ship guarantee with every tour. Feastin Mother's Day Brunch Options: Choose from Flour & Branch's stuffed French toast, Daughter's Diner brunch for two ($89) or Palette Tea House's classic dim sum, crab feast ($78) or . These include: The main dining room is not typically open for lunch on embarkation day, except for guests who purchased The Key, where they will enjoy a complimentary specialty restaurant meal there. Reservations for dinner in the main dining room on Royal Caribbean ships are particularly important if you want to dine during the busiest times, which typically are between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the line's ships. If something goes wrong when youre away from the ship, youll want to get in contact with the cruise line right away. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator. Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? Yummmmmmmm. When choosing a room, we recommend staying away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. Some ship atriums are impressively high or have cool artwork or chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. What are your favorite things to do on embarkation day? Beerlovingworm 4 mo. From Matt via the RCL Dining facebook group: Mariner of the Seas is experimenting with a complimentary embarkation day lunch to help alleviate demand in Windjammer. cruise lines allowance for bringing your own beverages on board, The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Getting acclimated with where everything will make your cruise easier since you will spend less time trying to locate everything. Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August are considered to be the high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. Park Cafe and Solarium are two of my favorites. Not so fast. In fact, you should force yourself to try not to do it all. Glad they have a vegetarian option! Getting shorts washed and folded will set you back $4.49. Related: 26 cruise secrets from an expert that will blow your mind. 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. You are required to watch a video on your cabin TV or cruise line app that tells you what to do in the event of a fire or other shipboard emergency. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. To make the most of these activities, head straight to them on the first day of your sailing. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Many passengers don't know about this secret spot for watching sailaways, found on Radiance-class, Voyager-class and Freedom-class vessels. These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel a huge market for Royal Caribbean drops off significantly, resulting in diminished demand for the line's ships. Probably the one item I will miss on the new MDR menus. But Ill add the Pea Soup too! Royal Caribbean automatically adds an 18% gratuity to bar bills and minibar items, as well as spa and salon purchases. You wont need them. your tour is all arranged. If you've purchased a drinks package, you won't need to pay extra for sodas, beer or frozen cocktails when you're thirsty on the beach. If some people with reservations don't show up (something that happens often), the gatekeepers will let people without reservations in on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check once onboard if any specialty restaurants are open for lunch on embarkation day. It will be delivered to your room later in the day. These parties are about music, laughter and the opportunity to check out the crowd youll be with for the week.
