Now that your deposit has been applied to your cruise, there are a few important things you need to know to enhance your experience onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
If you have an EXISTING Royal Caribbean account, your cruise should automatically sync. Log into Royal Caribbean's website and make sure you can see your cruise. If you do not remember your user name or password, there is a link you can follow to get those. I cannot help retrieve user names or passwords you have previously set up.
If you've sailed with Royal before, you will automatically earn loyalty status in their "Crown & Anchor Society". With each level come more perks! Click here to see the perks you'll get as you continue to stay "loyal to Royal".
If you DO NOT HAVE an existing login (or this is your first cruise with Royal), you will want to register for a new account.
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Next up, have everyone (who has a smartphone) download the Royal Caribbean app. It's free to use on the ship's internal wifi and includes:
Booking a shore excursion (activity in port) ensures that you are leaving with a vetted, safe supplier who will have you back before the all-aboard sail time. You will receive tickets in your stateroom prior to the port date which will tell you when and where to meet onboard or on the pier to depart as a group.
If you are on a Royal Caribbean purchased shore excursion and are running late, the ship WILL wait for you. If you are on a private excursion not booked by the cruise line and return after the all-aboard time, the ship will not wait for you.
Shore excursions can be booked anytime after your deposit. If your cruise is more than 6 months out, there may not be many populated yet and more may be added later. However, I encourage you to take a look at shore excursions to see if there is anything you are interested in and book early because they do sell out!
You can see which excursions are available by logging into your Royal Caribbean account, go to "Manage My Cruise," then choose "Plan My Cruise." All of the options to add on to your cruise experience are listed across the top of the webpage.
Throughout the months, there may be sales on onboard products/experiences. You'll get a notification via email and on the Royal app & website when sales happen. If you see a good price on something you like -- jump on it! You can always cancel and re-buy it before sailing if the price drops any lower.
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If a shore excursion you wanted was sold out or if you'd like to explore other options to book shore activities, please CLICK HERE to view a company I work with named Shore Excursions Group. They are sometimes the same companies the cruise lines use and are safe and vetted with reviews online. Their prices tend to be a pinch lower as well.
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You can also book shore excursions while onboard at the Shore Excursions deskwhich is usually near Guest Services.
Excursions can be modified or cancelled up to 48 hours prior to port arrival without penalty. Tours involving flights, train, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays, and Private Journeys must be cancelled 30 days prior to sailing to avoid cancellation penalties.
Guests may cancel their excursions pre-cruise by calling our offices or by using the Myroyal Cruise. Once onboard, guests may cancel their excursions at the Shore Excursion desk or at Guest Relations.
Included Dining:
The dining which is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare consists of meals in the Main Dining Room(s), Windjammer Cafe (buffet), and some simple eateries (El Loco Fresh, Sorrento's Pizzeria, Cafe Promenade, Solarium Bistro, frozen yogurt machine, etc.)
Specialty Dining:
If you'd like to try different eateries aside from those listed above, you can make a reservation at a specialty dining restaurant. The price fluctuates based on the restaurant, ship, and whether or not there are sales while booking it.
Specialty restaurants consist of: Chop's Grille, Giovanni's/Jamie's Italian Kitchen, Wonderland, Izumi Sushi, Hooked Seafood, etc. You can pay for each restaurant separately or save money by purchasing a Specialty Dining Package.
Specialty Dining Packages:
You can experience several unique specialty restaurants and enjoy great savings when you purchase one of our Specialty Dining Packages for your cruise vacation. Enjoy multiple restaurants for a discounted price and save up to 40%. The more you dine, the more you save!
Kids ages 6-12 now dine at the specialty restaurants for only $12.99. Ages 5 and under eat free! Plus, little cruisers get their very own menu — a round-up of kid-friendly favorites from the “grownups” menu. *Reserve before you sail. Prices will be adjusted for kids once you are aboard and reflected in your final account statement.
3 RESTAURANT PACKAGE
Experience our unique specialty restaurants and enjoy great savings when you purchase this package to dine at 3 different venues. For pricing and reservations, log into your cruise portal.
UNLIMITED DINING PACKAGE
For one low price, you can enjoy multiple entrees and visit multiple specialty restaurants every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days. Plus, enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.
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Included Beverages:
Basic refreshments that are included in your cruise fare include: water in all dining areas and drink stations, iced tea, some juice and basic coffee and tea.
Specialty Beverages:
You can choose to buy specialty beverages such as Starbucks coffees, cocktails, wine, beer, energy drinks, soda, bottled water, smoothies, milkshakes, and other fun drinks on their own. Or you can purchase one of the beverage packages to save money if you feel you will drink roughly 5 or more per person per day.
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Drink Packages:
If you'd like to add a drink package, you will do that on your own by logging into Royal Caribbean's website or browsing the app. To purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package, all guests ages 21+ in the same stateroom must buy it. They do this to avoid sharing and other cruise lines have the same policy. Please also note that "premium coffees" does not include those purchased inside a licensed Starbucks cafe onboard.
Also, even though the pricing online shows it broken down as "per person, per day", please know that the amount charged will be the total for the duration of your entire cruise plus server gratuities on top of that.
Royal Caribbean has four Drink Packages to choose from. Please check your Cruise Planner (Royal's website) or app for the pricing that fits your length of cruise. These packages do go on sale, so make sure to keep an eye out for e-mails promoting Cruise Planner sales such as "buy one get one 50% off" or "10-30% off".
DELUXE BEVERAGE PACKAGE
Enjoy unlimited drinks and options all cruise long. Plus, receive a 40% discount on bottled wines.
Learn more.
REFRESHMENT PACKAGE
CLASSIC SODA PACKAGE
WATER PACKAGE
Please watch this important video explaining Online Check-In.
Online check in becomes available 45 days prior to your sailing date. It is important to do the online check in as soon as it opens just in case you run into issues or questions.
Your boarding pass will not become valid until you complete the online check-in process.
You will check in by signing into your Royal Caribbean account or you can use the Royal Caribbean Navigator app. Just a FYI -- the app is easiest because you can use the camera to take a picture of your passport and for your security picture selfie.
New health and safety steps added to Online Check-In will significantly cut down processing time at the pier. Experience a much faster, more seamless boarding process when you complete all required steps listed below. Port security requires each guest to present their Boarding Pass (shown in the app or printed) to enter the pier.
Complete these steps in Online Check-In:
I cannot do the online check in for you because you must read and agree to various terms and conditions. However, if you need assistance with the online check in process, please let us know.
This is the pattern I've found is most helpful for your first day onboard:
STEP 1: IMMEDIATELY COMPLETE MUSTER
The Muster Drill is the practice of knowing how to put on your life jacket, head to your assigned station, and know what the ship's horn blasts sound like in the event of an emergency. All guests must complete the Muster Drill or the ship cannot set sail -- its maritime law.
Immediately after stepping onboard, check your app for your Muster Station and head there. There will be crew members in brightly colored vests to guide you to the correct spot AND your app will show you the deck location of your Muster Station. You will watch the short safety video on your phone before checking in at your station.
STEP 2: "MY TIME DINING" GUESTS SHOULD RESERVE DINING TIMES
The minute your app attaches to ship's guest wifi, please tap DINING and then MAIN DINING ROOM to find My Time Dining to make a reservation. If you are a small group (family of 4 or less), pick a time that works for you and if possible lock that time in for the entire week to prevent waiting in lines.
If you are a large group or traveling with another family, you may have to meet with a dining team representative either in the dining room or up top at the Windjammer Marketplace (buffet) to secure everyone a time and table.
You'll be SO thankful that you locked in your preferred dining time once you get to the dining room later that night and see the crazy line for guests who failed to do this.
STEP 3: EAT OR SWIM
Most guests immediately head up top to Windjammer Marketplace to grab lunch after a busy morning of travel. You can grab a hearty lunch up there, but take note of the other offerings onboard to have a more peaceful experience. Does your ship have a Solarium Bistro (ages 16+), Sorrento's Pizzeria, Cafe Promenade, or outdoor eateries like El Loco Fresh, Johnny Rockets, Park Cafe, etc? Those may be way less crowded and can hold you over until dinner later on.
If you're with kiddos that want to swim immediately, make sure to pack their swim gear in your carry-on tote or backpack so that they can hit the pools and waterslides with minimal crowds. The water in most of the splash areas and pools is heated.
Staterooms usually open around 1pm or so and your luggage will arrive a couple hours after that.
7:00 am
If your ship is stopping at "Perfect Day at Cococay", read on to learn all about how to fully enjoy Royal Caribbean's private island!
The prices below may fluctuate based on sales in your Cruise Planner online.
THRILL WATERPARK ($$):
Royal Caribbean’s Thrill Waterpark is a mega watersports paradise with 13 waterslides, a record-breaking Wave Pool, Adventure Pool and Snack Shack serving complimentary food and snacks. Guests under 42 inches in height are required to wear a swim vest to use the Adventure Pool and Wave Pool. The Thrill Waterpark admission fee includes beach chairs and unlimited use of the wet and wild experiences.
You can pay an add-on fee for the Zip Line and Helium Balloon ride or buy upgraded packages to include the Thrill Waterpark and Zip Line.
Pre-book your Waterpark admission onboard and then swipe your SeaPass card to enter. A wristband system allows you to re-enter as often as you like.
UP, UP & AWAY HELIUM BALLOON RIDES ($$):
This amazing experience allows cruisers to get a bird’s eye view of the island, its attractions and the surrounding beautiful blue ocean and golden sandy beaches. It gently rises 450 feet in the air and carries 30 passengers at a time.
No pre-reservation is available as it only runs when wind conditions are favorable. Just buy your ticket when you arrive on the island for your Perfect Day at CocoCay.
FREE ACTIVITIES ON COCO CAY:
Your cruise price includes some complimentary experiences at Perfect Day at CocoCay while other optional activities attract an additional fee.
If you don’t want to pay Waterpark admission fees, simply relax on complimentary beach chairs on the white sandy, swim in the warm Bahamian waters right off the beach and enjoy the following free activities:
Splashaway Bay is a complimentary play area for children with five waterslides, two drench buckets and many more ways to get soaked. Pools, fountains and water cannons provide endless fun for kids. (42" min height)
Captain Jill’s Galleon: Right by the Arrivals Plaza, this free fun play area includes a realistic life-size galleon with a few modifications including a tunnel slide and scramble net. There are fun water cannons both onboard and on an island pool for returning fire back to the ship.
Oasis Lagoon: Welcome to the largest freshwater pool in the whole of the Bahamas at Oasis Lagoon. Located in the heart of CocoCay, there’s room for everyone in this record-breaking pool. The pool is surrounded by beach chairs and shady palm trees making it perfect for families. Swim between the islands, float around and watch kids having fun. One of the surprises awaiting swimmers is the underwater music when you put your head under the surface. How cool is that!
Chill Island: is another new complimentary area to enjoy on your Perfect Day at CocoCay. It has its own watersports marina, private cabanas and day bed rentals and is intended to be a quiet area.
Rent snorkel and diving equipment from the Snorkel Shack, or bring your own equipment and view the underwater world in the crystal clear water. If you prefer, rent a jet ski and go wave-running over the calm surface of this ocean paradise or try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding in the sun. It’s the perfect choice for family fun on a budget.
The Chill Grill offers complementary barbecued chicken and Caribbean-style food with a spicy tang. Enjoy the beachside barbecue with a cold beer from the self-serve beer station. After lunch, snooze the afternoon away in your own private cabana, daybed or clamshell chair (all rentals) complete with personal attendant.
South Beach: is another gorgeous new area for cruisers to relax and chill on the beach. It has traditional beach sports zone including volleyball courts and basketball. Fabulous beach rentals include glass bottom kayaking, zorbing on water and stand-up paddleboarding.
Straw Market: No Perfect Day in the Bahamas would be complete without a visit to a Straw Market to pick up some Bahamian clothing and souvenirs. Of course, CocoCay has a Straw Market of its own. (Bring cash as SeaPass is not accepted here.)
Perfect Day at CocoCay Amenities
Towels, freshwater showers, restrooms and beach access wheelchairs are all included as part of a Perfect Day at CocoCay. There is a nominal fee for security lockers. A free tram service transports guests around the island. It runs every 15 minutes and stops at:
U.S. CITIZENS:
If your cruise starts & ends in the same U.S. home port, you must bring ONE of the following:
If your cruise starts & ends in different U.S. ports
If your cruise departs in another country, everyone must have a Passport Book.
No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.
A "Real ID" is not considered an Enhanced Drivers License.
Kids 15 and under only need a passport OR state birth certificate -- no photo ID.
For additional United States passport information visit the United States Department of State travel information website.
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The cruise line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport book for their cruise vacation for the following reasons:
Click here for visa requirements and info on obtaining visas.
To find out if your state is in compliance, please click here.
To learn more about REAL ID, please click here.
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