PREPARING For A Royal Caribbean Cruise 

Bring half the clothes and twice the money

One simple thing, that many overlook, is when you get drinks on board, they have those nasty paper straws. I always bring a half dozen hard plastic smoothie straws, that you can rinse and re-use. I just replenished with a new package, for my cruise on Navigator May 20th. If you forgot one, and need one, and you are on my sailing, leave me a note on cabin 9591, and I'll get you one.

I literally watch anything you have available about the ship I’m going on. I also check for vlog, cruise critic and cruise deck plans to do as much research as possible.

If going with under age children as soon as boarding go to guest services and put a cancel on their sea pass card- avoid them from running up the tab in the arcade.. each child has 50.00 DAILY LIMIT ON THAT CARD to buy whatever! We didn’t know and charges were not loading on the app 3 days and 100.00 later is when we noticed- on RC Harmony

14 weeks away!!!!!!!! Our first mega ship experience and I cannot wait. Also our first Royal since the mid 2000s! Switching back over from Carnival to experience something different.

Hey Matt, the proofreader in me immediately saw "Collard shirts" in your Ultimate Cruise Packing List instead of Collared. Yummy! 😊

I’m going on my very first cruise (Independence of the Sea) in December, and I’m going solo. I’m so excited!!!!! 😁😁

18 days icon. Can’t wait

I recommend having both the card, and book passport. The card you keep on you, and the book you put in your carry-on.

We purchase an annual policy and had to use it. The wife had medical issues and we were advised by the doctor not to cruise THE DAY BEFORE WE WERE TO LEAVE. We were reimbursed for any expenses that weren't credited or refunded. Very good choice. Highly suggest to invest in insurance.

Make sure you pack running shoes. The zip line, climbing wall and lazer tag needed running shoes. My daughter had to use her older sisters shoes lol

Thanks for this great info video! 🚢

Thank you so much for all your information, I tune in every Monday and wait for to post these informative videos, you have no idea since I’ve been following you, how much I really learned. First time cruising SOS 50 days to go 🎉

Returning to CocoCay this weekend for first time in 20 years. It was barren island back then.

Great Video and say Hello to Brasil ! Thanks

I leave on the 26th for 7 days on royal Caribbean can't wait....

Check in 45 days before the cruise to get an early check in time is helpful too.

What great timing on this video. 20 days to go til my Royal Alaska cruise!

31 days until setsail! Can't wait.

29 days until Anthem OTS for our Norwegian Fjords cruise!!😊

I researched the Allure ship by sailing on it out of Galveston last year. Really wish I could have gotten a different ship but it is going to Bahamas.

Last cruise on Quantum of the Seas, I forgot to pack feminine hygiene products. To my surprise, the convenience store of the ship did not sell anything. So, ladies, make sure you pack extra hygiene items.

Get and carry a passport even for closed loop cruises. If you are delayed in a port (medical emergency or traffic accident, or bad timing) then you need a passport to fly to meet the ship or return home.

Get a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees.

I have always wondered whether I should watch videos on the ship I am about to board. Doing so allows for better planning, but might spoil the surprise and the excitement of ship exploring.

We were looking at the app for our sailing in December trying to book shore excursions. The port of Orlando only seems to have one shore excursion listed but if you look at the Royal Caribbean website there are so many more. Is there something wrong with the app or is it just too early to book shore excursions?

Utopia December!!

is the stateroom accessible as soon as you board? or will I be lugging my carry on around for a long time?

My advice is wear or bring in your carry-on bag bathing suits, especially for kids. Why wait for them to be delivered with large luggage. (@12:40 where is this?)

I will be going on my first cruise soon! Can I bring my passport ID card as a US citizen instead of the passport book?

At the end of the cruise if you have any left over balance on your account from doing what ever while you are on the cruise can you pay with cash? Or is it only going to be charged to the card that is on file. Thank you, i love your vides. Mom and i will be cruising the end of October on the allure! Her first time on a ship since 1987!

Does everyone in the room need to check in at the same time or can 1 person(the person with the app) do it first to secure the early check-in time and then add the other people in the room? Like spouse and kids?

hi guy I need help. My brother have an expired GC and he has an ADIT Stamp on his Vietnamese Passport can he be able to board the ship? We have a cruise coming up on May 21 to Western Carribean. Thank you!!!

Wish there was a tour of the vision of the seas on the blog youtube channel. Can’t seem to find one

Travel Insurance does NOT cover you if your flight to the ship port gets cancelled. All of the large travel insurance companies had addendum that specifically includes flight cancellations to the port from your home state. You really have to be careful what you’re travel insurance policy covers and does not cover.

Have you ever done the Celiac Cruise?

Lo mejor de lo mejor Royal Carribean crucero 🚢 de excelencia vacaciones merecidas

Matt, what is the ounces of the 12 cans Or bottles of soda that you can bring?

208 days and counting until Adventure of the Sea. Haiti 🇭🇹 port on the itinerary but hope it gets canceled.

Royal Caribbean states on their website that your name on a reservation must match your travel documents exactly and must be your legal name. My question is, my birth certificate shows my middle name and yet when booking my reservation there is no space provided for a middle name. Will this prevent me from boarding the ship?

I'm really nervous on booking an excursion. I don't want to get left. What should I look for to make sure this doesn't happen?

One advice I'd have to say is look at what you can and can not bring on a cruise. it may seem silly, but there is a bunch of things that you can't bring. From surge protectors, drugs (even if it's legal where you live), Hair dryers, and even Cappuccino machines (yes, people have tried). There are many videos on what you can and can't and why on this channel. But On every cruise I've been to, I see a table before going on and off the ship, filled with these items, Confiscated before the could get on and are returned when they get off.

Is the mariner of the seas and older smaller ship?

Question - new to cruising. My friend who's coming with me lives in another state. Can I check in with just my info and she checks in later? Or can I check us both in?

I'm a retired travel agent. I always encouraged my clients to purchase travel insurance. I also advised purchasing insurance thur a third party. The cruise lines insurance favors the cruise line. I had to use the insurance on a cruise last year and it paid for all medical expenses no queations asked. I'll provide the name and phone number of the company I use if asked.

First time cruiser on Anthem of the Seas out of Southampton England. Is check-in US time or UK time?

There is no packing list at the URL he provided. There is a field to enter your email address, and a "Download Now" button. The download now button simply subscribes you to his email newsletter, it doesn't download the packing list. A message says that I will receive the packing list in an email, but I never received it.

Question: for early check in…my daughter lives in another state, so how would I check her in??

I'm traveling with a seven year old. Does he need a passport?

How do you check in if you have more than one room? Only one shows up in the app…

I’m going on my first cruise in June on Allure of the seas with my wife and kids (18/11). Any suggestions anyone?

Can we bring a case of nonalcoholic beer?

Question; if a port stop gets canceled. For example; Haiti. Will Royal Caribbean refund me the port fees? Or will Royal Caribbean just go to a different port ?

I'm going to cruise solo do I have to pay twice as much?

Pack your ear plugs and patience because of all the kids on RCL.

Can I take walkie talkies on Royal Caribbean?

Is there a video of why you are only a “royal caribbbean” blog as opposed to talking all cruise lines as a whole? I get loving Royal Caribbean but wondering if you ever used other cruises lines (besides sister ones like celebrity). I think you do a great job on all your videos and would love insight into other cruise lines as well!

100 days until Harmony of the Seas

I agree with everything except for the purchase of travel insurance. The purpose of insurance is to protect against a financial hit that you would otherwise be unable to recover from. Hence, income replacement related to life insurance or health insurance, or protection against huge liabilities such as homeowners, umbrella or accident insurance, is justifiable. However, if you have a financial loss from traveling on a cruise ship that you could not recover from financially, that should be the big flashing sign that you cannot afford the cruise in the first place. By the way, the insurance providers have done more analysis than you at comparing costs to claims, and you can bet that 85-90% of the time that you will come up short.

Very informative video. Do us one favour and please slow your speech down. You sound like you're "speeding" on some kind of substance.