Do I Have To Check Bags Over A Certain Size
No. There is no rule that you have to check luggage. However, keep in mind that you will have to lug your carry-on items around the ship until your room is ready. If you check in early, that could be a couple of hours. Even a small bag can be a nuisance after that long.
There are some official restrictions on carry-on sizes, but weve found them to be less strict than with an airline and rarely enforced. As long as you can safely and easily move your bag, it should be ok to board with.
Royal Caribbean Health & Safety Faqs
For the best cruise experience for sailings departing from or visiting European homeports, it is strongly recommend guests be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination. According to the European Medicines Agency , being up to date means you have had your original vaccine series, or a booster dose, within the past 270 days
Will I have to wear a face mask onboard my cruise?
- Masks are recommended on board but not required.
- Masks may be required during the entire embarkation and debarkation process , on any transportation, including water shuttles, and when indoors on any Royal Caribbean tour.
Can I get off the ship when at port?
Requirements vary by port of call. All vaccinated guests may go ashore on their own in ports where it’s permitted. While in port, guests must comply with local guidelines.
These restrictions are under the control of local government and are subject to change without advance notice, so we encourage guests to come prepared for potential mask requirements ashore.
Are you ready to book your next vacation? Book with United Cruises for great fares and valuable benefits! You get more when you book with us instead of booking directly with the cruise line. We give you our exclusive bonus offers, plus all qualifying cruise line offers, plus all of the cruise line loyalty program benefits.
Call 800-211-2039 or book online at United Cruises today.
Expect A Better Muster Drill Experience
If there’s one good thing to come out of the last two years, it’s the simplified safety drill.
Royal Caribbean’s new emuster allows travelers to review the information at their own time prior to setting sail, eliminating the need for the traditional large group assemblies.
After reviewing safety information individually, guests complete the drill by visiting their assigned assembly station, where a crew member will verify that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of the steps will need to be completed prior to the ships departure, as required by international maritime law.
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Before You Begin Gather Your Travel Documents
The Online Check-in Process is a 4 step process and Royal Caribbean will walk you through it step by step. Its not a lengthy process but should you need to stop along the way to gather a piece of information, do not worry. You can save and come back to the process at a later time. You will not have to start over!
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking through one of my links I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Can I Bring Cbd Or Marijuana In My Luggage
CBD is now seemingly everywhere, and rules around marijuana have relaxed .
That said, these items are not allowed on cruise ships. Cruise lines follow federal law instead of state laws. As well, the items are prohibited in a number of countries, so the cruise line restricts you from bringing CBD or marijuana to comply with rules in any port you might visit.
Its not a good idea to try and sneak them on either as weve seen stories of local law enforcement in some countries detaining passengers for these items.
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Pack Shore Friendly Items
Pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions. Or invest in a pair of good inner soles for your walking shoes. Carry water shoes as well, especially if you will be visiting Labadie, which tends to be a bit rocky. Wear wide-brimmed hats, shades and plenty of water-resistant sunscreen protection when exploring the shore. You can find plenty of travel wear and gear from Amazon.
Organize All Of Your Paperwork
Checking in at the port can be chaotic. You are usually wrangling multiple bags, kids, paperwork, etc. Because youll need to show them a variety of things, I recommend getting organized in advance.
I use a travel document organizer to keep all my cruise documents in one place. Youll want to add medical documentation, passports, and test results so that you can access everything as you need it. Make sure that its in your carry-on bag and is easy to grab.
Once you are in your stateroom, you can store this in the safe. You may need some of the documentation on port days depending on the port, but its a good idea to keep these documents securely stored.
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Additional Items To Pack
Carry a power strip, to keep your electronic items charged as most cabins only have a single power outlet. Carry an alarm clock preferably with a nightlight if you have an inner cabin, it will help you get up in good time and not miss any of your activities. The light will help you move around the cabin at night when it is dark.
Carry Ziploc bags they come in handy when carrying snacks away from the buffet, keeping your items dry, large ones can act as laundry bags and much more.
Carry a coffee mug and a refillable water bottle to take advantage of the free drinks and water on the cruise. Purchase a lanyard to carry your sea pass card on your neck, for ease of access.
Are There Restrictions On What I Can Bring
Of course. You cant bring weapons such as guns or long knives on board. If its even questionable , its best to just leave it at home. Scissors are also restricted.
More importantly, except for lighters, you cant bring anything dealing with fire. Fire is the biggest risk on board a ship. For that reason, irons are restricted, as are candles and incense. Flammable liquids are also prohibited. If you think it could start a fire, its best to leave it at home.
Cruise lines also have restrictions on alcohol that you can bring on board. Most will let you bring some sort of wine or champagne, but only in small quantities. Beer or hard liquor are almost never allowed. .
Prohibited items on cruise ships:
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Faq: Royal Caribbean Luggage Restrictions & Policy
Does Royal Caribbean check your luggage?
Can I bring snacks on the Royal Caribbean cruise?
Will my luggage be taken to my stateroom?
Are hair driers allowed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships?
Can I bring a hair straightener on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
What is the Royal Caribbean luggage policy for fly-on cruises?
Does Royal Caribbean offer luggage shipping services?
What is the Royal Caribbean drone policy?
Can I book a delivery from a tourist destination?
What is the Royal Caribbean pet policy?
The Main Dining Room Is Underrated
Try breakfast and lunch in the main dining room, for a leisurely-pleasant-meal-atmosphere. Avoid the herd of people at the Windjammer and enjoy a delicious breakfast in the dining room.
Most people dont seem to know that there is an option to have breakfast in the dining room. Alternatively, just order-in breakfast, its the only free room service offered by the Royal Caribbean. The breakfast is however strictly continental, you pay extra for items not on the menu.
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The Drink Package Covers Specialty Restaurants As Well
Royal Caribbeans drink package covers drinks included in the specialty restaurants as well. There may be exclusions but a majority of beers, cocktails, and liquors can be taken at the specialty restaurants at no extra cost as they are covered in your drink package. As an added bonus you also get to sample specialty beverages offered only in these restaurants.
Will My Bags Be Searched On A Cruise Ship
All baggage brought on board the ship will be X-rayed. When you go through security you will set your bags on the x-ray machine like youd find at an airport. Checked luggage is also X-rayed behind the scenes. Usually further inspection isnt required unless the security staff finds something dangerous or prohibited.
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When Will I Get My Bags After Checking Them
When you check your bags at the cruise terminal, they are taken, x-rayed, and then loaded onto the ship.
From there, the cruise line staff delivers your luggage directly to your stateroom the evening of your first night. Usually this will take a few hours.
Its important that you bring anything you might need for your first night in your carry-on, including what you plan to wear to dinner. While most people will have their bags within a few hours of boarding, it may be until later that you get yours.
Is The Ship More Important Than The Destination
If you sail for a week on an Oasis-class ship you may not be able to experience all the ship has to offer. With its near-endless dining and entertainment options, these ships are destinations to themselves and they generally sail into ports many find less desirable.
Nassau, Cozumel, and other Caribbean ports have their appeal, but the biggest ships cant dock in more exotic locations. That means that if you view the ship as a floating hotel that takes you someplace new each day, you may want to opt for a smaller ship and focus on where it stops.
Some people view smaller ships as offering a more classic cruise experience. Since they have very few added-fee specialty restaurants and fewer entertainment choices, the pace tends to be slower. Everyone eats at either an early or late setting and many people attend the show in the main theater each night as there are many fewer choices.
The larger ships can overwhelm you with choices or give you more options — it really depends on how you view it.
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Here Is The Information You Will Need:
- Passports for all travelers
- Emergency Contact information
- Crown & Anchor Number
To begin the process, go to the Royal Caribbean website and click Log-in, then, Log in to my cruises. If you booked through a travel agent and have not created an online account it will prompt you to do so. In this case, you will need your reservation number.
Once you access your reservation number you will have access to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Online Check-in Process. as well as the Cruise Planner. The Cruise Online Check-In Process allows you to expedite boarding and provides Royal Caribbean with your passport and travel details for their security and boarding process.
Tip Generously And Receive Royal Treatment
Get to know your room attendant from the onset and tip them well and they will go to great lengths to ensure you get whatever you need. If residing in a suite visit the concierge upon arriving and get well acquainted with him, you will get fast and great services.While Royal Caribbean adds gratuity charges to your fare , these cater for waiters and room attendants only. Remember to include a tip for the bartenders and other crew staff who make your stay memorable and enjoyable.
Note the name or badge number of your waiters and crew members in order to recognize them in the feedback survey at the end of the cruise.
You can recommend and recognize a crew member who made your stay exceptional by visiting the guest services or putting a tip in the gratuity envelope in your room and commenting on the comment card provided as well.
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Dont Miss A Moment Of Relaxation
The whole point of a cruise is to relax, dont get bogged down with planning, purchasing activities and paperwork once onboard.
Save yourself paperwork, stress, long queues, and money by using cruise planner to pre-purchase and pre-book everything you need on the cruise. Sign waivers for activities such as Flowrider and zip lining three days prior to the sail date to get all the paperwork out of the way so that you can enjoy your cruise immediately, once on board.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Your Travel Agent For Help
In addition to using a travel agent to book a cruise, they are there to assist with other questions too.
No one has all the answers, but travel agents get looped in by Royal Caribbean with what is happening right now, and have a good view of the changing landscape of cruises.
If you end up punting on the cruise, travel agents can also book you at resorts around the world.
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Royal Caribbean Luggage Restrictions And Prohibited Items
The Royal Caribbean luggage rules are quite loose when it comes to the size and amount of luggage items. However, as with many other cruise lines, the Royal Caribbean luggage allowance policy lists several prohibited items, as security on board is a priority.
The forbidden luggage items Royal Caribbean list include:
- Alcohol and other beverages: alcohol is not permitted on board. All alcohol bottles will be seized and not returned. The alcohol bought on ports or excursions will be retained until the end of the cruise.
- Food: guests are allowed to board with non-perishable food, pre-packaged and in limited quantities.
- Firearms and ammunition: including realistic replicas or antiques.
- Sharp objects: razor blades and small grooming scissors are allowed.
- CBD Oil: CBD and other CBD products are forbidden and will not be returned.
- Objects or appliances that generate heat or an open flame: such as candles, incense, coffee makers, clothes irons, travel steamers or kettles.
- Electrical extension cords
Similarly When Choosing My Flight Home I Learned That The Scheduled Port Arrival Time Isn’t Exactly When I’ll Be Off The Ship
As Insider previously reported, a cruise ship’s scheduled arrival time is when the ship docks at the port. Before passengers can get off, there’s an inspection that can take “anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour or more,” according to the article.
Just to be safe, I booked a night flight, since I’d rather wait at the airport all day than miss my flight home.
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What If I’m Late And Miss My Check
While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern.
Try your best to adhere to the check-in time, but they will still admit you for check-in if you were to arrive later. Royal Caribbean warns there could be a delay in beginning the check-in procedure if you’re late, but you will still be able to get to the cruise.
Fancy A Free Specialty Meal
To help you make up your mind on which specialty restaurants to visit. The cruise line offers you complimentary food samples from its specialty restaurants in a bid to get you to book specialty dinners. Be on the lookout for those and enjoy free delicious meals. Also, eat cheaper meals at the specialty venues during lunch hour as opposed to dinner time.
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Extra Tips Because I Like You
Sign your waivers online! This is especially helpful if you have kids who want to ice skate. Open skating times can have long lines with people who need to sign their waiver. I sign waivers for everything. I may not want to rock climb, but if I do, Im ready to go!
You can also print off your luggage tags and make copies so that you have enough for each of your bags. I tag my carry on too, just in case. I keep our Set Sail Pass, our receipts, and the rest of our travel documents in a poly envelope. Find out what to pack in your Carry On Embarkation Day Bag post.
NOTE: Do not attach your cruise luggage tags until you are headed to the port. I attach ours the morning of embarkation at our hotel, using these handy plastic sleeves.
Can I Show Up Earlier Than My Check
Royal Caribbean asks its guests to arrive within their check-in window to avoid crowding in the terminal.
Most cruise terminals enforce the boarding times, but occasionally you find situations where a particular pier agent doesn’t pay attention to the check-in time or say anything about it.
While frustrating to not have the rules enforced across the board, we still recommend adhering to the check-in time window to avoid any possible denial of boarding until later.
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How To Save Money On A Royal Caribbean Cruise
Cruising with Royal Caribbean is an incredible way to enjoy an affordable vacation while visiting multiple destinations on world-class cruise ships. With your base cruise fare, youll have so much already included, such as lodging, transportation, food and entertainment.
Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise on a budget doesnt mean you have to skimp on luxury. With some extra time and research, you can find great deals and promotions that will save you money.
Extra cash means you can spend money on excursions, specialty dining or beverage packages. Or, if youre like me, saving major money on a Royal Caribbean cruise means you can cruise more often!
If youre looking for the best tips and tricks to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise, consider this your ultimate guide.