On the final morning of a cruise vacation, in most countries, all guests must leave the ship before the next cruise can board. Royal Caribbean offers an exciting experience filled with adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. To get an early check-in time and avoid wasting time in the cruise terminal, guests should arrive at the ship as early as possible. The earliest arrival times are typically 10:30 or 11:00.
Guests can choose these arrival times in the afternoon or earlier in the day. The exact time luggage pickup begins will vary, but it usually begins 30-60 minutes. Over the course of seven cruises, it has taken anywhere from 1 hour after docking to 4 hours after docking.
Guests must request permission from the ship at least one day prior and preferably two days. The ship has to know where and when they will be able to walk off by 7. It is recommended to line up early so you can be off in the first wave, especially if you need an elevator.
As a rule of thumb, booking flights no earlier than noon on disembarkation day is recommended. Royal Caribbean no longer allows cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of their ships. If you miss your boarding due to a flight, you need to be in line by 6:30 or so. The ship is usually cleared by 9:30, and Windjammer is open for breakfast from 6 to 9 am.
📹 8 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible on disembarkation day
From making a flight to avoiding lines, here is why you should get off your cruise ship as early as you can on disembarkation day.
How do I get off a cruise ship first?
The main difference is that you don’t leave your luggage outside your cabin door and instead commit to carrying it yourself. In most cases, independent travelers using the self-disembarkation option may leave the ship before anyone else. You can exit the terminal before the customs line is packed or before the taxi queue gets out of control.
Related: How long does it take to disembark a cruise ship?
This independent option isn’t always obvious, especially to new cruisers who don’t know to look for it. It’s easy to go into auto-pilot and leave your bags outside your door along with everyone else. But if you want to disembark your ship before the other cruisers, self-assist is the way to go.
How long before a cruise leaves can you board?
What Time Can You Board a Cruise Ship?. Cruise ships will usually begin boarding approximately four hours before the scheduled departure time, typically around 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you’d like to arrive at that time, go right ahead! You can hop onboard and grab some lunch or start your vacation right in a lounge chair by the pool, fruity drink and all.
What Time Do You Board a Cruise Ship?. No matter the scheduled time, you MUST be onboard and checked-in no later than 90 minutes prior to the departure. To expedite this process, make sure you have completed your cruise line’s pre-registration and printed your boarding pass.
The check-in process is familiar – you will pass through security, so make sure you have travel identification and boarding pass. You will then proceed to the check-in counter where you will need your I.D., proof of citizenship, and cruise documents. The agent will check you in and set up your onboard spending account. And that’s it – you will be handed your key card which is used both for opening your stateroom and making purchases onboard.
Can I leave a cruise in the middle?
Yes, one can usually disembark and participate in shore excursions while at the ports of call on a cruise. Port calls are frequently only 6–12 hours long, although some ships do stay in port overnight.
What’s the earliest I can disembark in Royal Caribbean?
The ship usually returns to port well before 6, but disembarkation usually won’t start until 6:45 at the earliest, maybe 7. If you walk your bags off, you can wait at the gangway and be one of the first off. Port Miami can be a mess.
What is the earliest boarding time for Royal Caribbean?
40+ cruises and we get the earliest check in time available (usually always 11AM) and invariably, the ship has MANY, MANY passengers already on board.
This is an interesting topic. 40+ cruises and we get the earliest check in time available (usually always 11AM) and invariably, the ship has MANY, MANY passengers already on board. On our last sailing on Mariner, we stood forever in line for the 11AM check in. People were already in line talking about their 2PM check in…..not just a few but many having late check ins. They were bragging about it while some elderly passengers were at a point of passing out due to standing in the long lines (terminal 5, which I HATE). We have always gotten to the cruise port at the appropriate time but wondering about getting there prior to our 11AM time…..say….10:30. Obviously, no one is turned away for not getting there at the appropriate time. So much for being turned out of line and told to wait.
Am seeing the same thing in Puerto Rico. Unreal amount of pax showing up before noon, long…long lines tying up traffic to get to the ships. So much so that RCI is sending text warnings with the heavy arrival traffic getting to the ship. Had a view from our hotel of the massive traffic jam that started at 10:30. Earliest available check in time was noon. And yet….so many not paying attention to it and simply arriving when they want to.
Result? Massive lines to check in too early. Both in traffic and pax standing in long lines to check into the terminal.
How early can you check-in Royal Caribbean?
- For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, workout clothes and any medications you may need. That way you don’t have to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom to start having fun.
- If you’ve never been to the departure port before, you can find and print directionshere.
- We highly recommend that you take advantage of our Check-in which is available up to 72 hours prior to your sailing. This way, you can have the smoothest pier check-in and boarding.
- Log in to your Cruise Planner on our website prior to your sailing to book Shore Excursions, Dining reservations, and even entertainment on select sailings. This way you can spend your first day onboard exploring.
- Royal Caribbean International requires guests to be checked in no later than 60 minutes, sometimes 90 minutes, prior to the scheduled sailing time*. Guests arriving late will not be permitted to sail.* Some sailings may require an earlier check-in time.
- Your luggage tags will be included in your Guest Ticket Booklet. Please print as many copies as you need to make sure all your bags have their own luggage tag. This will help us easily identify your bags and have them delivered to your room while you explore the ship.
Can you get off ship early?
If you have a legitimate reason to leave earlier than you are scheduled, contact customer service, and they will reschedule you. In other words, work with the system and don’t create problems for others because you think you are more important than them.
What time does Royal Caribbean let you off the ship?
What time do I have to depart a Royal Caribbean cruise ship? On the final morning of a cruise experience, in most countries all guests must leave the ship before the guests joining the next cruise can board. In most environments, the latest time to leave the vessel will be between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Each ship…
Lockers and storage facilities are not available at the pier.
All guests on Consecutive Cruises are asked to meet at the Guest Relations desk, or another designated area onboard. You will be escorted off the ship to a meeting place where you will wait until customs clears the ship for general boarding.
Same Stateroom: Typically, guests on Consecutive Cruises will be booked on the same ship with the same stateroom from one leg to the next. Since you will be occupying the same stateroom number for both legs, you are permitted to leave your belongings…
Can you get off Royal Caribbean early?
Can I join a Royal Caribbean cruise after it starts or leave before it ends? Royal Caribbean no longer allows cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships.
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Can you just leave a cruise early?
So, Can You Get off a Cruise Early?. Outside of emergencies, passengers rarely end their cruises before completion. No matter the reason, the question remains: Can you end your cruise at any port on the itinerary? Technically, the answer is yes. However, it’s not quite as easy as just getting off and going home on your terms when you are ready. There are a few “stumbling blocks” and laws that have to be taken into consideration, and they are, truthfully, quite confusing.
The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (also known as the PVSA) was enacted essentially to protect U.S. maritime interests. This law still exists today. In a nutshell, the PVSA states that foreign ships cannot transport passengers between U.S. ports, or they will face a fine ( currently $778 per passenger!). But what about leaving a U.S. port and getting off at a foreign port? According to U.S. law, you can set sail and then disembark at a foreign port. However, although it is allowed by U.S. law, there are still foreign laws and cruise line policies to contend with. In some countries, laws prohibit cruise passengers from permanently disembarking.
For customers who only want to take part of their cruise, it’s also not a cut-and-dry process. Royal Caribbean lays out its rules on its website: “Royal Caribbean no longer allows cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships.” Not all cruise lines post their rules, so it’s best to contact your cruise provider for specific information.
📹 11 reasons to get as early a check-in time as possible for your cruise
The earlier you get onboard your cruise, the more quickly you can start the vacation you’ve been dreaming about for so long.
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