Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is currently home of the world’s three largest cruise ships. A fourth cruise ship is on the way that will top all massive cruise ships of today and possibly the future. With a gross tonnage of 160,000, a length of 1,112 feet, and room for 3,634 passengers, Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas is the largest cruise ship ever built. With a ship this size, one can only imagine what the boarding process might be like. Processing nearly 4,000 passengers isn’t easy, but it can move quite a bit faster if passengers plan accordingly. This means, do as much as you can online or by phone before you reach the port and you just might be able to bypass the long lines and the heavy crowds.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines website offers detailed information on how passengers can make the boarding process faster and pretty much pain free. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines highly recommends taking advantage of the simple Online Check-In feature, this way you won’t have to fill out forms at the pier and you can start your cruise vacation right away. If you complete the On-Line Check-In, when you arrive at the pier all you will need to bypass the long lines and proceed to pre-boarding is your “SetSail Pass,” your credit card for onboard purchases, and the required proof of citizenship and identification documentation. Keep in mind that bringing the appropriate travel documentation is crucial. If you do not have the proper travel documentation, you cannot board the ship and you may be fined. In addition, there are no refunds for individuals who fail to bring proper identification. Please click here to review and print the acceptable forms of travel documentation.
To complete your Online Check-In process, you’ll need the reservation number, identification documents (international sailings and domestic sailings) and emergency contact information for each guest you want to check in.
It is important to note that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines requires guests to be checked in no later than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing time, although some sailings may require an earlier check-in time. Always check your Guest Vacation Documents for your specific cruise information.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines does not allow late guests to sail. This policy supports government regulations in some ports that require cruise lines to submit a departure manifest 60 minutes prior to sailing. Keep in mind that if you want to enjoy the advantages of Online Check-In, you must complete Online Check-In no later than 3 days prior to the cruise in order to expedite the pier check-in process. For more information about Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines pre-boarding visit the “Before You Board” section at www.royalcaribbean.com.
About Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is by far one of the most versatile cruise lines in the world. With ships varying in size from mid-size to mega-size, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has the perfect cruise whether you’re a family looking for fun, couples looking for romance, or groups looking for over-the-top entertainment, a large selection of onboard activities or a wide variety of shore excursions. Canoeing, deep sea fishing, hiking through rainforests, shopping, land or landmark tours, scuba diving, and cave exploration are just a few of the many tours and activities passengers will enjoy on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCL) is the second largest cruise line in the world featuring more than 120 destinations worldwide with more than 140 ports of call. Established in 1968, Royal Caribbean Cruises is also one of the most trusted names in the cruise line industry today. The Royal Caribbean Cruise International fleet features a variety of vessels including: Freedom of the Seas, the Voyager Family, the Radiance Family, the Vision Family, the Sovereign Family, and Empress of the Seas.
Freedom of the Seas, the latest addition the Royal Caribbean family, is the largest in the fleet with a maximum capacity of 3,634 passengers. Freedom of the Seas is perfect for passengers interested in a wide variety of activities. Passengers can enjoy a day spa, rock climbing, ice-skating, a fitness center, and a full-service casino as well as Wi-Fi services and flat screen TV’s in every stateroom. Just a few of Royal Caribbean Cruises exciting destinations include: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica, and Hispaniola.
For those interested in nightlife, the Voyager Family — Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas feature the most in the way of pubs, promenades, restaurants and nightclubs. These ships travel the waters of the Eastern, Southern and Western Caribbean, as well as Bermuda, the Mediterranean, and Transatlantic voyages. Nightlife lovers will also enjoy RCL’s Vision Family. The Vision Family includes: Enchantment of the Sea, Grandeur of the Sea, Legend of the Sea, Rhapsody of the Sea, Splendor of the Sea and Vision of the Sea. Passengers will enjoy lounges and bars galore, and non-stop nightclubs at night and mini-golf, and beautiful spas for relaxation during the day. The Vision Family sails to Alaska, Belize, Costa Maya, the Greek Isles, Iberia, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey, and anywhere in the Caribbean.
Whether you’re interested in touring Barcelona or Istanbul, Scandinavia or Russia or the Greek Isles, Venice or the Hawaiian Islands, the Radiance Family was built to suit some of the most extravagant tastes. The Radiance Family ships include: Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas. Each vessel features glass walls and elevators offering guests a front seat to all the beauty the sea has to offer. Glass solariums, day spas, a country club and adventure programs for kids are just a few amenities the Radiance Family has to offer.
Great for couples and families alike, the Sovereign Family includes three ships: Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Sovereign of the Sea. Sovereign ships feature complimentary adventure programs for kids along with great restaurants and casinos as well as a nightclubs and large outdoor pools. These vessels can hold anywhere from 2,700-2,850 passengers and destinations range from Baja Mexico to the Bahamas. The Sovereign Family is also extremely popular for holiday cruises.
Couples looking for a little romance should consider Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas. With a maximum capacity of 2,020 guests, the Empress is the smallest and most intimate ship in the fleet. The facilities include: a day spa, a world-class fitness center, a romantic Italian restaurant called “Portofino,” and a Latin themed lounge called “Boleros.” Ports of call are located throughout the Caribbean and Bermuda and cruises range anywhere from 3-11 nights.
Royal Caribbean Cruises include: meals, accommodations, snacks, access to fitness centers, entertainment and 24-hour room service. Keep in mind that the price does not include tips. In general, guests should tip the stateroom attendant, suite attendant, dining room waiter, assistant waiter and the headwaiter. Guests should also figure port charges and excursions into their budget as well.
Prices for Royal Caribbean cruises vary greatly and depend on a wide variety of factors. Destination, ship size, ports of call, type of accommodations and time of year will determine how much or how less you will spend on your Royal Caribbean cruise. Typically, deluxe suites and rooms with balconies or ocean views cost more, with interior rooms costing considerably less.
The best deals are typically offered in January, September-December and late spring. Prices may range anywhere from $400 up to $5,400. The higher prices are usually for deluxe accommodations aboard any of the ships in the Radiance Family. If your interests lean more towards excursions rather than ship activities, it’s best to select and purchase your excursions online far in advance as tours tend to fill quickly. In general, you have 10 days prior to departure to purchase excursions online; otherwise you’ll have to purchase them on the ship or with a tour director, if available.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines official website address is: www.royalcaribbean.com.