Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. Mariner of the Seas is experimenting with a complimentary embarkation day lunch to help alleviate demand in Windjammer. Arrive early, and youll just have to wait often, outside in the hot sun, without access to water, restrooms or other necessities. Its fun to do the exploring as a family. 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! Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. 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. Yummmmmmmm. The cruise line provides a seated 3-course lunch with specialty cocktails to top off the perfect day. Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean will offer you a bonus if you book a cruise while on a ship. priority embarkation, a special welcome lunch on embarkation day, reserved times at certain attractions onboard, reserved seating section at shows, Voom Surf and Stream Internet, a special debarkation day breakfast, a flexible debarkation time. Most guests opt to have lunch somewhere on the ship on embarkation day. You cant wait to get on board your ship and relax, sip a tropical drink and stare out to sea. 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. Lunch in the MDR on embarkation day was one of the very, very, few things that I liked about NCL. Youll find both official and unofficial photo spots at the terminal. 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. It will outline which documents, IDs, QR codes or other electronic receipts you must have ready. If not, just leave blank. I had unlimited dining package on my recent independence trip and had the 11am embarkation time slot. You'll get the best price on dining and beverage packages if you book them in advance of your cruise. April 15 in Royal Caribbean Dining. 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. Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining. Is Lunch Included in The Unlimited Dining Package? | Royal Caribbean Like what you see? 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. I totally forgot about Cafe Two70 on Anthem, i felt like all we had was Windjammer (Solarium Bistro wasn't open). Without your luggage, youll have your hands free for the rest of the embarkation process. Clear editor. Perhaps you plan to head to the main dining room the first evening or want to go casual at the buffet. Embarkation Day Lunch - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Embarkation Day Lunch on Independence of the Seas - Royal Caribbean hope this lasts!! MDR will be open for key guests serving a limited chops menu. 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. We say yes, TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits, How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise, The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining, comparison of the top travel insurance providers, The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises, What happens if you miss your cruise ship, 13 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag, Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service, Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? Terms and Conditions Apply. (with Pre-COVID crowds anyway). What You Need to Know Before Cruising on Adventure of the Seas In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person. PPPJJ-GCVAB , FloatyBoaty , DoomSlayer and 1 other 2 2 Quote OCSC Mike Members 681 Location: Outside Orlando, FL (Near Matt) Posted April 15 Here is Day 1 of our Royal Caribbean Cruise on Serenade of the Seas! The FlowRider aboard Allure of the Seas. 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. Lunch on Embarkation Day: Whats your go-to? Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 0344 493 4005 Email Your Questions Locate a Travel Agent Sami Kohen, Princess vice president of food . 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. Make the most of your overnight by exploring a little in the departure port city before you board the ship. Arrive the Night Before 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. Throw all the clothes you think youll need for a Royal Caribbean cruise in a pile, and then take away half of them. Chops Grille lunch on embarkation day? - Royal Caribbean International Just grab a plate, take what you like, and find a seat. 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. (Dock workers expect a small tip for the service.) In your cruise carry-on, pack your medications, valuables, documents and anything else you will need until your luggage arrives in your cabin. Giovanni's then while there, I have them book all my dinner reservationsfor the week on the UDP. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Royal Caribbean Cruise! Liberty of the Seas Embarkation Day with Lunch I would probably get the same choices as you. 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. But all it takes is a moderate flight delay to upset those plans. You should plan on arriving to the cruise port as early as you can so that you can start your vacation. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Related: The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea. If you purchased a specialty dining package, you can choose to use your package benefits on the first day lunch. Here, our 35 best tips and tricks for getting the most from your Royal Caribbean cruise. (Unlike some lines, Royal Caribbean doesn't build self-service launderettes onto its ships, which we find a bit annoying.). The best way to start your cruise is to arrive at the pier expecting some lines and minor hassles and perhaps a bit of chaos and then be thrilled if you dont encounter any of them. Sit on your balcony, if you have one, and just stare out at the ocean for a couple of hours. Lunch on Embarkation Day: What's your go-to? The Key is priority access to certain aspects of a Royal Caribbean cruise such as . In our book, reaching out to a travel agent who knows the Royal Caribbean brand is the first thing you need to do when planning a cruise 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. Simply put, embarkation day is the first day of your cruise, when you will embark your cruise ship. Start your cruise right. While not all specialty restaurants may be open on the first day, some do open their doors for those first few hours onboard. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day dos and don'ts. 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. This option entitles you to dinner at Chops plus one other specialty restaurant of your choice. 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. But it also means you might not have access to your luggage for many hours on your first day on board. Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package Youre off to new horizons. They don't just apply when you're on your Royal Caribbean ship. Some cruisers even bring magnets with hooks so they can hang up clothes and other items on their walls. Sail awayusuallyfollows the muster drill, in which case there is a sail away party at the pool deck that many guests opt to join in. 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. Those are the rough times you'll be able to get off the ship and must be back aboard. Price will be about 22.00 as opposed to a sale price of 17.50 on your cruise planner. Your link has been automatically embedded. Chicago, IL. Youll have time to see a lot during your cruise, but at this point I like to get the lay of the land. 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. But Ill add the Pea Soup too! This is a great convenience, as theres no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. The newsletter should also list contact information for the port agent in every destination you visit. Posted Monday at 08:32 PM. Go ahead and grab one if you want just understand you will be charged for the welcome drink. Otherwise, you may end up tipping twice. Solarium is my go-to for lunch on first day. Embarkation usually begins in the late morning to early afternoon, so lunch is the first opportunity to sit down for a bite to eat. Royal Caribbean Cruise! Preferably sooner than later, I hope this test passes with flying colors and becomes the offered MDR embarkation day lunch fleet wide! Probably too early. Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book? We're talking about the Broadway musicals and ice shows found on these vessels. You may also be required to check in with a crew member at your assigned muster. 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. Is Windjammer on Harmony jammed all the time? - Royal Caribbean With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Meanwhile, if things get too dirty to wear, it's no problem. Take some downtime. (If youve had a last-minute cabin change, look for your luggage by your original room.). Okay, got it downloaded? 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. Find the right card for you. There will be other venues available to dine at on your ship that are complimentary. Its one way to save money when cruising on a Royal Caribbean ship, as drink prices on the line's vessels can be high. While were on the topic of sundries, dont forget extra batteries or memory cards for your camera if you are bringing one. 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. Heres a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about Cancel for Any Reason add-ons. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 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. The best part: The app will work on board even if you dont pay for a Wi-Fi package. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Email us at tips@thepointsguy.com. Join us as we embark, settle in, and visit Chops Grille.Hope you enjoy a. Yes, youll be able to find sunscreen, painkillers and Band-Aids on Royal Caribbean ships. The Royal Caribbean app allows you to make all sorts of reservations for onboard venues including restaurants and shows, and you can book shore excursions through it, too. If you arrive the night before your cruise, you may want to separate out your pajamas and the clothes you are going to wear on embarkation day. The agent also can help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage. 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. 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. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. This venue serves buffet-style options for breakfast and lunch including a custom omelet station. Got a great Royal Caribbean cruise tip of your own that's not included here? The crew were clear its a test and dont know if its on any other ship. When choosing a room, we recommend staying away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. Here is what you should know about where you can eat on the first day of your cruise. Pasted as rich text. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 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. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. While most cruise lines allow passengers to bring a small amount of alcohol, soda and bottled water for consumption in their cabin, make sure you have not gone over the cruise lines allowance for bringing your own beverages on board. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. This is important to do if you want to be sure to get a seat for a specific show on a specific night. Take a scroll through our ultimate list of Royal Caribbean cruise tips, tricks and hacks in the story below 35 in all! Single guests would have to pay 200% of the fare to receive the offer. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? The line's ships also will wash an entire load of your laundry (whatever you can fit into a bag) for a flat fee of $34.99, sometimes less when they run onboard specials. 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. Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service. If you change your mind once on board, you can give up your seat without penalty. If youre traveling overseas for a cruise, we recommend traveling to the port two or even three days in advance. Chops Grille is the Royal Caribbean signature steakhouse and is located on Deck 4 near the Schooner Bar on Adventure of the Seas. On Carnival Cruise Line ships, go directly to celebrity chef Guy Fieris poolside Guys Burger Joint and indulge in a decadent burger or fries. Odyssey of the Seas Restaurant Guide With Menus Embarkation day lunch options - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package - Cruise Fever When going ashore, always bring your Royal Caribbean ships contact information with you. That's because early birds in the check-in process have their pick of arrival times at the ship. 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. As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are Royal Caribbean ships can be significantly less expensive during the offseason travel months of September, October and November. Book your flights to arrive the day before your cruise to build wiggle room into your travel schedule should something go wrong. Related: How to visit Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars. Find the places you want to come back to and check out. You wont need them. Some ship atriums are impressively high or have cool artwork or chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. 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. If you're planning a Royal Caribbean cruise and you haven't already downloaded Royal Caribbean's app to your smartphone, do it now. Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again. Youve arrived at your floating home for the week. A great place to get ideas for what to do on Royal Caribbean ships and in the ports they visit and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to Royal Caribbean in particular or to cruising in general. All of the restaurants and bars and other venues will remain open. Our advice: Don't even try to do it all. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled and you miss the vessels departure. And, even if they do, you'll probably never see any of them again, so it doesn't matter what they think. To get the best price on any particular sailing, you should book right when the voyage opens for sale. I've gotten into the habit to book a specialty restaurant lunch for embarkation day on most sailings. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. There are plenty of other included options to choose from. 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. Share them in our comments! Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Royal Caribbean The Key - What Are the Benefits? Navigator of the Seas Restaurant Guide - EatSleepCruise.com There's So Much to Do on Perfect Day at CocoCay That way, you won't have to dig through your packed luggage to get to the things you need. 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. Royal Caribbean Junior Suite Perks | Royal Caribbean Blog 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. Liberty of the Seas Embarkation Day with Lunch at Chops Grille - YouTube 0:00 / 29:18 Royal Caribbean Cruise! You cannot paste images directly. But the goal is reduce demand on WJ. On Quantum class ships, your SeaPass cards are waiting in your stateroom. 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. Embarkation day is the day they have the hardest time selling specialty dining. That menu is a heck of a lot better than any B2B menu I have seen. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. What are your favorite things to do on embarkation day? Carnival bans handcuffs. See what embarkation day was like for a Royal Caribbean cruise ship! Once youve got the lay of the land, you probably want to unpack and get ready for your first evening on board. smokeybandit Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Once you prove (through your paperwork or electronically) that you belong on the ship, you will go through security. You also might only have to put down a reduced deposit of as little as $100 per person to hold the sailing. These parties are about music, laughter and the opportunity to check out the crowd youll be with for the week. 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. You'll probably never use it. Check here before booking an award fare. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that youre more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles. But booking tours through the line isnt your only option, and its not always the best option. Just like the included restaurants, which restaurants are open on the first day depend on the ship. A line-by-line guide. Once the ship leaves port and gets into open water, shops, the casino and more bars will open up. Guests enjoy a complimentary bar, loungers in the garden area, as well as a private beach with drink service. Depending on your ship, Royal Caribbean offers a few venues to dine at that cost nothing extra to enjoy. A main dining room with waiter service and specialty for-a-fee restaurants also may be alternatives for an embarkation day lunch. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, which will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos over Wi-Fi without using phone data.