Welcome to Your Royal Caribbean Cruise Adventure
Prepare for an unforgettable journey with When You Wish Travel and Royal Caribbean. This guide contains everything you need to know before setting sail on your dream vacation.
Essential Documents and Check-In Process
Government-Issued ID
Passport (valid for at least 6 months after your cruise) or birth certificate with government-issued photo ID for closed-loop cruises.
Cruise Documents
Printed copies of your boarding pass, luggage tags, and cruise contract from the Royal Caribbean app or website.
Online Check-In
Complete online check-in on the Royal Caribbean app or website at least 72 hours before departure to select your arrival time.
Arrival at Port
Arrive during your selected time window. Have documents ready and complete a health questionnaire before boarding.
Packing Essentials: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind
Pack These Items
- Clothing for various activities and weather
- Comfortable shoes for walking
- Swimwear and cover-ups
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Medications in original containers
- Power strip without surge protection
Leave at Home
- Irons and steamers
- Candles and incense
- Drones or professional cameras with detachable lenses
- Alcoholic beverages
- Weapons of any kind
- Surge protectors with extension cords
Embarkation Day: What to Expect
Your cruise adventure begins with embarkation day - the exciting first chapter of your Royal Caribbean journey! Follow this timeline to navigate the boarding process seamlessly and start your vacation on the right note.
Arrival (10:30AM-3:00PM)
Arrive during your assigned check-in time. Earlier isn't always better as the first rush creates lines. Mid-day often offers smoother boarding.
Luggage Drop-Off
Give labeled luggage to porters outside the terminal (customary $2 tip per bag). Keep medications, valuables, and swimwear in your carry-on.
Check-In Process
Present documents, receive your Sail & Sign card, and take your boarding photo. This typically takes 15-30 minutes if documents are prepared.
Boarding the Ship
Begin exploring! Staterooms are usually available by 1:30PM, while luggage typically arrives by early evening.
Sail Away
As the ship departs, celebrate the start of your adventure on the pool deck. Raise a toast, capture photos of the shoreline, and embrace the excitement.
Pro tip: While arriving mid-day often means shorter lines, early arrivals can maximize their first day onboard. Many premium amenities - including sparkling pools, specialty restaurants, and entertainment venues - are ready to enjoy the moment you step aboard, essentially adding an extra day to your vacation experience.
Dining Options: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Main Dining Room
Elegant multi-course meals with dedicated wait staff. Choose between Traditional dining (same time each night) or My Time Dining (flexible hours). Breakfast and lunch also available on sea days.
Windjammer Marketplace
Casual buffet-style venue open for all meals with international options. Perfect for quick meals with panoramic ocean views. No reservations required.
Specialty Restaurants
Premium dining venues like Chops Grille, Jamie's Italian, and Izumi require reservations and additional fees. Book before sailing for best availability.
Casual Options
Included venues like Café Promenade, Sorrento's Pizza, and Park Café offer quick bites throughout the day. Perfect for between-meal snacks.
Onboard Amenities and Activities
Pools & Waterslides
Multiple pools, whirlpools, and thrilling waterslides including the Perfect Storm and FlowRider surf simulator.
Entertainment
Broadway-style shows, ice skating performances, AquaTheater diving shows, and live music throughout the ship.
Sports & Recreation
Rock climbing walls, mini-golf, basketball court, zip lines, and the Ultimate Abyss slide on select ships.
Relaxation
Vitality Spa offering massages and treatments, adults-only Solarium, and fitness center with classes.
Family Fun
Adventure Ocean youth program, arcade, laser tag, escape rooms, and character experiences for kids.
Dining Dress Codes
Casual
Jeans, t-shirts, sundresses, and shorts are perfect for daytime activities and casual dining venues.
Smart Casual
Collared shirts, blouses, dresses, or slacks for specialty restaurants and evening Main Dining Room meals.
Formal
Suits, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or elegant attire for formal nights (typically 1-2 per cruise).
Check your Cruise Compass daily for dress code requirements. If you prefer to skip formal nights, the Windjammer and other casual venues remain available with regular dress codes.
Shore Excursions: Planning and Tips
Book Early
Reserve popular excursions before sailing through the Royal Caribbean website or app to ensure availability and often receive discounts.
Timing Is Critical
Select excursions that return to the ship at least 1 hour before departure. Royal Caribbean will wait for delayed official excursions, but not independent tours.
Budget Wisely
Bring local currency for small purchases, but credit cards are widely accepted. Budget $50-100 per person for each port day including transportation, food, and souvenirs.
Pack Essentials
Bring a day bag with ID, SeaPass card, sunscreen, water bottle, and camera. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Health and Safety Measures
Personal Responsibility
Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer stations throughout the ship
Medical Facilities
Onboard medical center staffed by qualified doctors and nurses
Safety Drills
Mandatory muster drill teaching emergency procedures
Enhanced Cleaning
Rigorous sanitization protocols in all areas
Purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip interruption, and cancellation. Bring sufficient prescription medications in original containers and inform the cruise line of any special medical needs before sailing.
If you are concerned about getting seasick, speak with your primary care physician about Scopolamine patches. These are small patches that go behind your ear and prevent motion sickness. They do cause dehydration, so be sure to drink plenty of water if you plan to use these patches. They are only available by prescription.
Frequently Asked Questions and Contact Information
What is the gratuity policy on Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean automatically adds a daily gratuity of $18.50-$21.00 per person depending on stateroom category. This can be prepaid or will be added to your onboard account. An additional 18% gratuity is added to all bar purchases and spa services.
If you wish to adjust the automatic gratuity amount, you can visit Guest Services onboard. However, these gratuities are shared among dining staff, stateroom attendants, and behind-the-scenes crew members who enhance your cruise experience daily.
How do I stay connected while at sea?
VOOM internet packages are available for purchase onboard or pre-cruise. Prices start around $23.99 per device per day, with discounts for multiple devices. The Royal Caribbean app works for free onboard for viewing schedules and making reservations.
For the best value, purchase internet packages before your cruise through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. Signal strength varies by location, with better connectivity closer to land. Most ships offer VOOM Surf & Stream for social media, email, and video streaming, or the more economical VOOM Surf for basic browsing.
What payment methods are accepted onboard?
Your SeaPass card linked to a credit card serves as your onboard payment method. All purchases are charged to your account. Cash deposits are also accepted. The ship uses a cashless system, though cash is useful in ports.
Most major credit cards are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), but debit cards may place a hold on your account. You can review your account charges anytime through the Royal Caribbean app or on your stateroom TV. A printed statement will be delivered to your stateroom on the final night of your cruise.
How do I contact When You Wish Travel for assistance?
For pre-cruise questions or assistance, contact your When You Wish Travel agent at 706-840-7906 or ashley@whenyouwishtravel.com. For urgent matters during your cruise, Royal Caribbean Guest Services is available 24/7 onboard.
When You Wish Travel is also available for assistance with future cruise credits, post-cruise concerns, or helping you plan your next vacation once you return. We recommend saving your travel agent's contact information in your phone before departure.
What's the luggage policy for Royal Caribbean cruises?
Each guest may bring two checked bags, not exceeding 50 pounds each. Carry-on luggage should not exceed 24" x 16" x 9". Essential medications, valuables, travel documents, and a change of clothes should be packed in your carry-on bag.
Prohibited items include irons, alcohol (except limited wine with corkage fee), weapons, drones, and illegal substances. Luggage will be delivered to your stateroom several hours after boarding, so plan accordingly for your first day onboard.
How do dining reservations work?
Traditional dining offers set dinner times (typically 6:00 PM or 8:30 PM) at the same table throughout your cruise. My Time Dining allows you to select different times each day between 6:00-9:30 PM, but requires reservations for the best experience.
Specialty dining venues require reservations and carry additional charges ranging from $24.99-$89.99 per person. These can be booked before your cruise through the Cruise Planner or onboard through the Royal Caribbean app. The most popular restaurants and times fill quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.
Can I bring my own beverages onboard?
Each stateroom may bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne for personal consumption. A corkage fee of $15 applies if consumed in public areas. Non-alcoholic beverages may only be brought onboard in carry-on luggage, limited to 12 standard cans, bottles, or cartons per stateroom.
Beverage packages can be purchased before sailing through the Cruise Planner at a discount or onboard on the first day. Options include the Deluxe Beverage Package (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), Refreshment Package (premium non-alcoholic), and Classic Soda Package.
What should I know about ports of call and shore excursions?
Always carry your SeaPass card and photo ID when leaving the ship. Note the all-aboard time carefully - the ship will not wait for late passengers unless they're on official Royal Caribbean excursions.
While independent exploration is possible, official Royal Caribbean shore excursions offer guaranteed return to the ship, quality guides, and simplified planning. If you book independent tours, choose established operators with positive reviews and ensure they understand your ship's departure schedule, allowing at least 1-2 hours of buffer time.
What activities should I reserve in advance?
Popular specialty restaurants, shows on larger ships (especially Broadway productions), spa treatments, and premium shore excursions should be booked before your cruise when possible. These can be reserved through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner after final payment.
Activities like flowrider sessions, escape rooms, and Chef's Table experiences have limited capacity and often sell out. While many activities remain available for booking onboard, pre-booking ensures you don't miss out on your must-do experiences.