Royal Caribbean check in process guide! 

We all remember the snail check-in process of yesteryear. A long snake like line do to the individual check-in process. Imagine 4000 people trying to check into a hotel. When you finally got to a customer service person you filled out a health questionnaire, showed your ID, Credit card, set sail.pass then they took each person's picture and then you waited for your sea pass card. Then back into another line to get on the ship. Took hours to get on the ship especially if the coast guard was doing an inspection. Now, 15 minutes and were at the pool bar!!! Awesome🤣🍸

I love, love, love how easy check in is now compared to years ago!

Matt, you nailed it! It is so easy to check in if you do just a few things to prepare. I always print out documents like Set Sail Pass and have it inside my passport. I also check in using the app and have as much of it completed before we get to the ship. One more thing which you mentioned that is really important. As soon as you gain access to the ship go directly to your muster station and check in, bam you're done and ready to party! Our last cruise on Explorer from the time we entered the terminal until we completed check-in, boarded and checked-in at our Muster Station was exactly 16 minutes. Thanks for a great video. Bill

We recently sailed from Galveston. I watched your videos on boarding day a few months ago. The process was much quicker than I expected. We were onboard the ship within 12 minutes after entering the terminal. Thanks Matt!

Great Viedo. I'm a seasoned cruiser and a retired travel agent. You hit all the points that a first time cruiser as well as a seasoned cruiser should know. The checkin process is very quick. Easier than the old days.

Thank you for all the info, I’ve never been on a cruise before and wondered how everything went. Really good instructions. Thanks again 🎉😊

Going on our first cruise next week and we will definitely make use of what you described on your video. Will keep you posted.

Thanks for the information. I’m returning to cruising since the pandemic on May 1 and your information is very helpful. Thank you Matt.

Thank you so much for making this video! This will be our first time cruising with Royal Caribbean and I’ve been stressed out about how the check-in process might go for us. Your video has put my mind at ease😊

This was an amazing video for my wife and I, who will be going on our very first cruise ever for our 20th anniversary. We were super nervous but videos like this have helped us feel a little more confident. We did purchase The Key for our Royal Caribbean trip on the Adventure of the Seas, so knowing about those blue signs answered a big question I had. Thank you!

Just got back from The Harmony of The Seas cruise. It was much easier than it use to be checking in, etc. Little lines for security and it was a nice process, took maybe 30 minutes before we were on the ship.

Including muster drill information was a nice touch to make this a complete end to end first day process. Thank you!

Thank you so much. It’s really helpful. We’ll be Cruise’s first timer soon and you Give all the information that i’ve searched for. 😊

The app based muster drill is wonderful! We always do that the morning of embarkation and then our very first stop on the ship is our assigned muster station. We also always arrive at the port city the day before embarkation. But we typically find an area hotel with a "Park and Stay" package. Sometimes those hotels offer a shuttle either included in the package, or for a modest additional fee. Many of our sailings are out of Port Miami, where presently parking rates for a typical cruise are $25 + tax per night! Off-site parking is usually much less expensive, but of course requires finding transportation to the pier. Still, our experience has been that we save more than enough parking off-site to cover the cost of a rideshare or shuttle to and from the pier.

Will be going on my first Royal Caribbean cruise May 7th I have been binge watching all your videos thanks

First time cruisers here! Next April on Adventure of the seas 8 night Southeren caribbean!! Love your video! So helpful ! Ive had a little anxiety about check in, you have eased our minds!! Keep your videos going We will take them along with us on the months leading to our cruise!! Thanks!!

THANKS THANKS!!! What I have been looking 👀 for THANKS AGAIN

Great video! So helpful will prepare me for my cruise on Liberty of the seas this June! ❤🚢

Navigator of the seas 173 days til our super bowl weekend Ensenada cruise. Our first RC cruise. Been eye’n it for 6 years now finally pulled that trigger. You’ve been such an influence. This video was super helpful. Can’t wait!

Got a noon check in for our harmony eastern cruise on may27 so excited.

I traveled with Royal Carribean for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was impressed on the whole check in process... From the app to getting on the ship was a breeze! I can't wait til my next RC cruise!

we just got off Monday from Mariner and it was our first cruise since 2017. I was very impressed how they have streamed lined the check in process. it was a full cruise and we did not have to wait to check in. From parking to on the ship maybe 30 minutes.

I was totally amazed at how they did the check in…. It was a total cluster f^#% at terminal a in Miami when we got there… I thought for sure that it would be a total nightmare…. 15 minutes later I had a drink in my hand on the pool deck…. It was the most organized chaotic event I’ve ever seen with cruising, I don’t even really know what actually happened in that 15 minute window but it was amazing

Love watching these videos

I checked in for Freedom of the Seas out of Miami on 05/29!!!! So pumped!!!

Thanks, very helpful. Going on our first cruise in June 2023. Aloha

Great video!!1 Thx looking forward to our 1st RC cruise!!

Hi Matt I was really stressed about this process, watched this video three times prior to our sailing. I did the online first exactly on the first day it opened. We went thru without any problems. Within the hour we had our muster drill done. Thank you for the walk thru. This was our first cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Always check in . I aways print my documents before leaving home. Easy ! Enjoy the cruise.

thank you for this, this is soo helpful!

This helped me a lot as a first-time solo cruiser! Thanks!

Great video. Thanks for the info. How important is the check-in time? Any problems if you arrive late? Do you have to wait if you arrive early?

First time sailing Royal as a big person, lol. We usually sail Carnival. I appreciate this video to be ready when the window opens!!

Perfect timing. I get to check in for Allure this week!! #can’twaittocruise

Doing my first cruise ever on May 1st. Your channel has made this much more straightforward. Thank you!

Great info!!!

As usual, awesome, informative vid 👍🏼 👏Question. Oasis end July w grands 13 & 15. When should I sign them up for the “teen” center.

Thanks Matt!

I would also suggest if your flying take an early morning flight, less likely to get delayed and canceled and if it does get canceled you will likely have other flights you can take later in the day.

I literally was just wondering if there was a video about this. I check in in a few weeks.

just in time for my cruise Saturday thank you so much for all the videos and all the tips you give

Leaving for my cruise tonight! This video came just in time!! Love your videos, keep it up!

Oh dang, I needed this last night lol but I got it done nonetheless.

Great video

Thanks for the video.

We appreciated your check in video. At midnight, as soon as check in became active about a minute later, I immediately selected the time. My first available was 11:30am (which I was told is the earliest for this sailing), so I selected it. After completing the rest of the check-in, it wouldn't let me submit (no longer accepting 11:30a), so I had to select 12:00pm and then immediately did the check in for my wife who only had 12:00p available. I called RC and was told that my checkin was actually 11:30a and my wife's 12:00 (apparently all the 11:30a check ins were already filled...that quickly). The RC rep emailed me a confirmation that mine was 11:30a and that my wife could go with me at the same time. So I printed that email. But the website is still showing my check in as noon. I'm glad I called and escalated (the first rep didn't understand).

Thanks do much for this.

WOS Feb 24. First ever cruise. Trying to learn all I can

Great video ❤❤❤❤

Nailed it. Last step? Grabbing a bloody to go with brunch at the Windjammer!

I'm about to check in for my cruise on Thursday for the November 19th cruise from Fortlaterdale

Great vid! We are leaving next Sunday on Oasis out of New Jersey. Do we need any Covid test results to bring with us? Thanks!

Great Info

One thing to remember is that if you have arrived to the USA on ESTA bring a printed copy of the approval to check in as they will ask for it.

Matt question love your blog and channel! First time cruising me and my family are going to Rome on the 8 night cruise in July odyssey, of the sea Question should I take a suitcase for each of us me , my wife and two sons or should I combine them and take just two suitcases ?

Very helpful, thanks. One question. It appears our ship time is an hour different from local time at the port, which clock is used when boarding the ship?

Checking in in 14 days!!!! Jewel of the Seas, Amsterdam.

Great video 👍🏾

Great video! What if you have 3 staterooms to check in, can that be done on the app?

Great 👍 👌 think you matt

Lucky Jenna, with SEVEN upcoming cruises!!

I'm really excited for my first cruise! My check in date is a couple weeks out. What time does it allow you to start the check in? The night before at midnight? Or is it like 9 am the day of?

Thanks!

Just to be clear, it's ok it's ok to get there early to park just don't go through security/enter the terminal until your boarding time? I have a 12:30 boarding at Port Canaveral and I'm now nervous about the parking situation!

Ty so much

We just returned from a 8 day cruise on Odyssey of the sea's and check in was so simple and smooth. Our check in time was at 1:30 and we arrived at the ship at 11am and was able to check in with no waiting. Odyssey is my new favorite ship! So beatiful and clean!

First time with the Key. Am I correct in stating that Royal will send an email close to check in time with another link to reserve boarding time? I’m still confused on that since with the Key we are guaranteed (I thought) any check in time we request. Would you be able to clear this up for me, please and thank you. 😊

Went on Mariner of the Seas last year and it took over 5 hours to board. All the elderly people were passing out and no place to sit. Im not taking about in the terminal but on the ramparts walking on

Do you get your seapass at the terminal or in the stateroom ?

Thanks for all of this! I saw something somewhere to drop bags off before actually parking (Miami Port). Is there a temporary parking area or do they have porters outside when cars pull up to take the bags? I know I'm over thinking it but getting excited and nervous about my first cruise. Thanks again for all the great info.

With the RC app - do all guests create their own account or do you all sign in with the one who booked the trip?

When the check in process goes well, it’s great. We have just had the absolute worst luck. One sailing during Covid I sent the rest of my family ahead while I waited with my two little ones to be tested for Covid. We got to the check in desk and AS the agent is scanning my vaccination card the entire system goes down. We were like three clicks from getting on the ship. About 90 minutes of standing there bribing my little ones with vending machine snacks - they were better behaved than many adults 😂 When we finally got on the ship my family had already headed to the pool and started the vacation. We sail next week, so hopefully we will have better luck 😂

Thanks.

As always, awesome video! This is the one I've been hoping for you to do. I have a 1030 check in time. In a jr suite so I'm going to utilize the priority embarkation... what the earliest I'm aloud to check in? I heard suites get an hour earlier..so 930? Also, do they board the fancier suites and pinnacles before jrs or is it just go up and go? I would ask the members on fb but feel looked down on in the jr suite. It's like we're the ugly step sister of suites. I know we don't get most things but still want to utilize what they offer.

Hi there, fantastic video for the pros and for people like me who are newbies to cruising. My question, like many others here that haven’t been answered….my mom from Arkansas is sharing a room with me(from Florida) I am doing the online checking for us both. So the question is, since she’s in another state, how am I going to check her in? Do I just get a screenshot of her and her passport? Or does she need to do this herself? Please please please let me/us know. Thank you again for all of the information you have shared!

Do you know if people on the same reservation can check in via the app separately?

I completed the check in thus far for our cruise out of Rome in September. When do i get my luggage tags to print out?

We are doing an Alaskan Cruise with the land portion first - how would we know what time to pick for check-in?

Should we drop off the luggage before parking or take it with us on the parking shuttle?

Do you have to use a credit card for the spending card Can I add cash to it?

Thanks for the video! I have a question regarding the hand luggage. If I only carry that suitcase, should it be left for inspection and later arrive at the cabin or does it only go through inspection and can I take it with me?

Cruising out of Galveston, but our hotel is in Houston. Using the Royal Carribean shuttle service to get us from Houston to Galveston on cruise day. Will they be able to get us there at a time we pick so we can board early?

I would like to ask if the credit card that you present for check-in must have a CVV / CVC because there are some new cards that give you the CVV digitally but it is not included in the plastic. Should the CVV be included in the credit card?

We have not sailed in a while, so i was wondering after the pandemic, do they still ask for proof of covid vaccination? And if so, do they also require this of kids under 12? Sorry if this has been asked before. Btw, thank you for this great video 😊

does all guests in the same stateroom need to have the apps installed individually?

Where on the app is the Muster Drill located? I was thinking i would watch it at home before driving to Port Canaveral. Thanks.

Ok so im checking in my wife and i both... Can i check us both in together for the arrival time or do i have to do one at a time and do the arrival time twice!

App vs mobile internet App makes you take a live photo and mobile internet let's you upload a previous taken photo. This was easier for me because my party was not there with me when I was checking in.

Just a quick question: I received my Guest Vacation Documents for my upcoming cruise on Harmony. On one page there are information about „Charge Account & Cruise Ticket“. What should I do with this page, do I need to fill it out and bring it to the ship? I already checked in via app and deposit a credit credit. Thanks 🙏🏻

This is exceedingly helpful. The thing I'm most concerned about is the rush to get a specialty restaurant scheduled when we first board. Any tips for that?

How will Royal Caribbean tell me which dock the Explorer of the Seas will use in Citavecchia, Italy for the Oct 29 departure?

Great video! Question: Must both passengers use the app on their phone to check-in, or can just one person use the app to check both passengers in? Thank you.

Where and when do you pay for parking at the port?😊

Do we have to check our bag in? Pretty nervous about it all. It will be in Italy

So wondeful cruise ships l love this channel l follow a them few a day ago . Well l would like to work with you company royals caribbean. Thes best company. But l am good bartender l can give a good service for them . Many blessings for us

We are still waiting for our passports (July 8 cruise day). Can we check in online 45 days prior using our Birth Certificates, and then passports on embarkation day….if we get them in time? Or do we still need to bring our BC’s as well?

Matt, thanks for the video. For two people traveling together, if you use the app to check in, does each person check in on their own app or can one person check in both people?

Good day Where do you print out your boarding pass on the app Where about 30 days from our sailing date thank you

How long before the holiday does the check in open

I have purchased the Royal airport ground transportation to the port. When doing the on line check in what time do i choose for check in? I haven’t received information what time they will be taking us from the airport.