You cant wait to get on board your ship and relax, sip a tropical drink and stare out to sea. 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. But the goal is reduce demand on WJ. Would need to check your Cruise planner though.. Be sure to pack anything you might need for the first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. This is a great time to explore the ship and get your bearings onboard and see what is offered. It was so nice to sit back in a calm atmosphere and enjoy being waited on that I'm pretty sure it has become an instant go to if the ship has one. Anyone who wants to indulge may prefer to eat lunch at a specialty restaurant on the first day of the cruise. The pattern of activities in the evening on embarkation day is a lot like what happens on any other evening of your cruise. Learn More Still need help? There . Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Eyes may roll, but now is the time to talk to the kids about the danger of climbing on any railings and remind them that other people on the ship are strangers and that they should use the same caution they would at home. In general cruise calls are short often just six to eight hours. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again. I believe chops and Giovanni's are as well but can't confirm for sure. 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. Walked right in at noon without a reservation and had no issues. Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas will sail from its new homeport of Nassau, Bahamas this summer, beginning June 12th. Upload or insert images from URL. We say yes. 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. In your closet, or in another location in the cabin, will be life jackets. Your link has been automatically embedded. Hello everyone! Sit on your balcony, if you have one, and just stare out at the ocean for a couple of hours. 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. Meals there are not free; they come with an extra charge. Plus, youll want to save room in your suitcase for all the souvenirs you'll want to bring home from your travels. Not so fast. You may request the nontransferable credit each time you cruise. Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining. The only major caveat: Sailings on chartered cruises on Royal Caribbean ships, such as full-ship theme cruises, are excluded. Theres nothing more jammed than a Royal Caribbean ship buffet on embarkation day. Preferably sooner than later, I hope this test passes with flying colors and becomes the offered MDR embarkation day lunch fleet wide! If you wait, you might only find late afternoon arrival slots still available. For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. If you check in far in advance, you'll probably find the earliest arrival slots still open. Here is what you should know about where you can eat on the first day of your cruise. Ms Seafarer is excited to try El Loco next week. (Prices quoted were for our sailing if booked pre-cruise. Planning a cruise? A main dining room with waiter service and specialty for-a-fee restaurants also may be alternatives for an embarkation day lunch. 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. You must go through the ships pier-side check-in process, which can take time. Plus you may discover something onboard you didn't know existed! This is important to do if you want to be sure to get a seat for a specific show on a specific night. In many cases, you can save a lot of money and get a better touring experience by booking shore excursions through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursByLocals. 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. Better to pace yourself and drink lots of water between adult beverages. MattG Never filled up more than half. Youll find thousands of cruise fans on these pages who often are more than willing to answer questions about their favorite Royal Caribbean ships, the line's itineraries and activities in the ports of call. Except for embarkation lunchtime, it's going to be packed, unless you are one of the first to get on the ship and go directly to the WJ. You cannot paste images directly. Check here before booking an award fare. 3. Cabins just below the pool deck and near the anchor also can be problematic, as well as cabins near casinos. Consider the option of specialty dining. 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. The FlowRider aboard Allure of the Seas. Walls on Royal Caribbean ships are made with metal (even if they don't look like they're made of metal, thanks to faux coverings) and will hold a magnet. Note that the credit cant be used for the daily service charges levied on Royal Caribbean ships. Pasted as rich text. Like what you see? In the Bahamas and the Caribbean, its also hurricane season, which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region. Even if you think the biggest allure of your Royal Caribbean cruise will be the amenities you'll find on your ship, you'll still be facing several days of port calls on many sailings. But booking tours through the line isnt your only option, and its not always the best option. The set-up is similar to an airport. That way, you won't have to dig through your packed luggage to get to the things you need. Related: Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? ago. Many first-time cruisers dont know this and write in a hefty tip at the additional tip line on bills at cruise ship bars and spas. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. 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! In addition, travel agents often can get you extra onboard credit and other perks on Royal Caribbean ships that you might not be able to get by booking directly with the line. And it's no small thing, given that CocoCay is a marquee stop on a significant number of Royal Caribbean voyages to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. If you are prone to seasickness, plan to take your first pills a couple of hours before the ship is scheduled to leave the pier. Got a great Royal Caribbean cruise tip of your own that's not included here? Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime. A line-by-line guide. Embarkation Day Lunch By 2boxers, October 28, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International Share Followers 2 2boxers 251 May 28, 2006 Northeast Ohio #1 Posted October 28, 2021 We purchased The Key. Everybody heads straight to it after they board. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. You can find your SetSail pass at Royal Caribbean's web site under My Cruises. If so, you may qualify for an enticing perk free onboard credit! Please ask them to test it on Harmony. Here are some dos and donts to help make embarkation day as hassle-free as possible. Once the ship leaves port and gets into open water, shops, the casino and more bars will open up. Im with @Xaa100% with my choices! Good news if you've bought one of those drinks or Wi-Fi packages we mentioned above. Any idea if/when solarium bistro will be open? 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. I totally forgot about Cafe Two70 on Anthem, i felt like all we had was Windjammer (Solarium Bistro wasn't open). There are some types of vacations a beach trip, for instance where you dont have to do much advance research. 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). 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. Windjammer is the go-to for a majority of cruisers, but I assume most people dont know what else is even open. The muster drill consists of going to your assigned muster station and being instructed on what would happen in the event of an emergency at sea. This is my first RC cruise (Enchantment of the Seas) next week and I heard a hot tip to skip the main buffet and try a side restaurant for Embarkation Day lunch (because everyone will be heading to the buffet). It doesnt even appear in my app currently for a March Harmony sailing. If you normally use a travel agent to book your cruises, don't worry about not being able to work with them. In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for Royal Caribbean cruises generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region. Any shareholder with a minimum of 100 shares at the time of sailing is eligible for an onboard credit of $250 per stateroom for sailings of 14 or more nights, $100 on sailings of six to 13 nights and $50 on sailings of five or fewer nights. The itinerary you are looking at should say specifically what time the ship is planned to arrive and depart. You can also pay for lunch at Chops. The first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise is areallyfun moment in any cruise fan's vacation, because it is when vacation begins and the many days, months and even years leading up to this cruise are finally realized. 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. Related: 13 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag. Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book? If you do this in advance of sailing, you can jump right into onboard activities as soon as you board the ship. The crew were clear its a test and dont know if its on any other ship. However, its your responsibility to arrive at the pier with the proper documentation. 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. Youll find both official and unofficial photo spots at the terminal. They also work when you're on land at Royal Caribbeans private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Trust us. Their short ribs are really good!! To reach the helipad on these ships, head to the promenade deck (the deck where there is an outside walking area) and walk toward the front of the ship until you reach the helipad area. Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day dos and don'ts. (with Pre-COVID crowds anyway). Chops Grille is the Royal Caribbean signature steakhouse and is located on Deck 4 near the Schooner Bar on Adventure of the Seas. Related: 6 secrets to getting a deal on a cruise. While not all specialty restaurants may be open on the first day, some do open their doors for those first few hours onboard. Check here before booking an award fare. As you wander, especially out on deck, smiling crew members may be carrying trays of tempting and colorful icy drinks, maybe even decorated with sweet little umbrellas. Related: When is the best time to book a cruise? 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. If you like what you see in the soothing thermal suite which typically has hot and cold treatments sign up now as spaces may sell out. European cruises, in particular, can be port-intensive, with lots of touring, so you want to be refreshed and ready to hit the ground running right after the cruise begins. It used to be that everyone on a cruise ship was required to gather on embarkation day at their assigned muster station, listen to a safety briefing and be checked off a list as having been briefed. None of that is anything I eat, so I would do if they had a different selection. Despite the ubiquitous nature of, I get asked plenty of questions related to eating on a Royal Caribbean ship, but today I am answeringthemost common, There is no question that dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise has become a major aspect of the cruise experience. Its a great place for embarkation lunch. That menu is a heck of a lot better than any B2B menu I have seen. You put your belongings on a screening belt and walk through a metal detector. These are specific Royal Caribbean cruise tips that will save you money and time, and let you maximize the experience both on board the vessels and during port calls. The salad was also good. 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. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that youre more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and poof! But they can come with a hefty extra charge. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. Solarium is my go-to for lunch on first day. Crew members may direct passengers to the buffet but experienced cruisers know there are other, often less crowded, options. Royal Caribbean Cruise! 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. If Royal Caribbean ships are known for anything, it is their marquee deck-top attractions giant waterslides, surfing simulators, climbing walls and skydiving tubes, to name a few. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect Royal Caribbean ship, itinerary and cabin for you. Depending if you booked traditional or My Time Dining for your dinners, the dining room is always available as an option, in addition to the complimentary and specialty restaurants onboard. Welcome lunch When The Key program was first rolled out, one of the perks was an exclusive embarkation day lunch at Chops Grille or Jamie's Italian specialty restaurants. While youre exploring, stop by the kids centers and sign the kids up for the onboard kids program. Its fun to do the exploring as a family. Embarkation day is the day they have the hardest time selling specialty dining. While many guests elect to join in the sail away party fun, others enjoy sail away from other parts of the ship, such as their balconies, on public decks or at the helipad on some ships. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. And, even if they do, you'll probably never see any of them again, so it doesn't matter what they think. When choosing a room, we recommend staying away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. Related: How to visit Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars. Royal Caribbean does set some limits with this perk. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. You will find soups, sandwiches, burgers, nachos, casseroles, fish, salads and plenty more to choose from and it is unlimited. Its best to stay out of the way of the cabin stewards and instead find a place for you (and your carry-on luggage) to hang out until the ship announces all cabins are ready. 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. Liberty of the Seas Embarkation Day with Lunch at Chops Grille - YouTube 0:00 / 29:18 Royal Caribbean Cruise! Okay, got it downloaded? Embarkation day offers a lot to see and do, and for anyone going on a Royal Caribbean cruise, here is what you can expect on embarkation day. If you're unsure, ask if a gratuity has already been included before adding another 15% or 20% to the total. They should at least offer that to suites and pinnacles/D+. Many passengers don't know about this secret spot for watching sailaways, found on Radiance-class, Voyager-class and Freedom-class vessels.
