Key Takeaways
- Check in in the Royal app starting 45 days before sailing. Scan passports, take security photos, and pick an arrival time. Official guidance: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-can-i-check-in-with-the-app
- Arrive within your time window and be checked in at least 90 minutes before departure. Details: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/online-checkin-boarding-pass-completion
- Complete the eMuster safety briefing on your phone or stateroom TV, then stop by your assembly station before sail away. Overview: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guides/what-is-muster-drill-on-a-cruise and https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/muster-drill-onboard-safety
- Know the bag and alcohol rules. One sealed 750 ml wine or champagne per drinking age guest is allowed on embarkation day. Policy: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy
- Port Canaveral terminals vary. Check your documents and signs. Port map: https://www.portcanaveral.com/cruise/directions-parking/cruise-terminal-map
Niko’s Note 🐾 Screenshot your mobile SetSail pass and save it to Wallet. Keep passports and meds in your carry on.
The Night Before
- Open the Royal Caribbean app and confirm check in is complete for every guest. Pick the earliest arrival time you can make. App window opens 45 days before sailing: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-can-i-check-in-with-the-app
- Tag your checked luggage. Keep passports, medications, electronics, swimsuits, and wine in carry on bags.
- Re read the alcohol policy and prohibited items. Wine rule and details here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-alcohol-guest-policy
Carry On Packing List
- Passports and printed or mobile SetSail passes
- Medications and health items
- Phones, chargers, AirTags, camera
- Swimsuits and flip flops for pool time before cabins open
- Light sweater… terminals can be cold
- One or two reusable water bottles
- Allowed wine or champagne… one 750 ml bottle per drinking age guest
- Small day bag for muster stop and lunch
Getting to Port Canaveral
- Verify your terminal number the week of sailing. Royal uses several… CT1, CT5, CT6. Best source for directions and parking: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/driving-directions-port-orlando-canaveral-florida and the port map: https://www.portcanaveral.com/cruise/directions-parking/cruise-terminal-map
- Aim to arrive within your selected time. Royal asks guests to be fully checked in no later than 90 minutes before departure: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/online-checkin-boarding-pass-completion
Terminal to Ship… Quick Flow
- Bags to the porter. Keep carry ons with you.
- Security screening. Wine bottles must be sealed.
- Check in desk or straight to the gangway if your app shows “Expedited Arrival.”
- Board and head to the Royal Promenade on Deck 5.
Tip If your cabin is not ready yet… grab lunch and explore. Watch the app for the room ready alert.
First Hour Onboard
- Do eMuster… open the Safety tile in the app, watch the video, listen to the horn, then visit your assembly station for a quick scan. How it works: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guides/what-is-muster-drill-on-a-cruise and visual explainer: https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/infographic/64/muster-20trade/
- Lunch choices
- Pearl Café for grab and go 24 hours: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-dining/pearl-cafe
- AquaDome Market food hall: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-dining/aquadome-market
- Park Café in Central Park for salads and paninis: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-dining/park-cafe
- Reserve shows in the app… AquaDome and ice shows go quickly.
- Register kids at Adventure Ocean and find Social 020 for teens. Overview: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/experience/cruises-for-kids-and-teens
Tech and Wi Fi
- Buy or activate VOOM packages if you did not pre purchase. Options and info: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-ship-wifi and FAQ: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/onboard-internet-device-service
- Connect devices and set Airline Mode with Wi Fi on.
- Download any show reservations and maps for offline viewing.
Dining and Drinks
- My Time or Traditional dining… confirm your selection and table in the app.
- Book one specialty dinner on a sea day to avoid port day rush.
- If you brought wine… plan where to enjoy it. Corkage may apply in restaurants. Policy reminder: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-alcohol-guest-policy
Cabin Ready… Quick Setup
- Place tracking tags in bags and valuables in the safe.
- Hang a few outfits to reduce wrinkles.
- Set a family meetup spot… Surfside bench or a Royal Promenade landmark.
- Review tomorrow’s port arrival time and breakfast plan.
Niko’s Note 🐾 Take ten minutes to walk Decks 5, 6, and 7. You will find short cuts that save time all week.
Printable Embarkation Checklist
- App check in complete for every guest
- Arrival time selected and transport confirmed
- Luggage tagged… carry on packed with essentials
- Wine packed within policy… passports in carry on
- eMuster video watched and horn listened… station check in done
- Show reservations booked in app
- Kids registered at Adventure Ocean… teens know where Social 020 is
- VOOM plan purchased or activated
- First night dinner plan set… specialty or Main Dining Room
- Family meetup spot set… muster map understood
FAQ
When do cabins typically open Early afternoon varies by sailing. The app will notify you when staterooms open.
Do I have to complete eMuster before sail away Yes. All guests must complete the safety briefing and check in at their assembly station before the ship can depart. Overview: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/muster-drill-onboard-safety
How early can I check in App check in typically opens 45 days before sailing and stays open until the morning of departure. Details: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-can-i-check-in-with-the-app and https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/online-checkin-boarding-pass-completion
How much alcohol can I bring One sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per drinking age guest on embarkation day. No beer or liquor. Policy: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy
Sources
- Muster 2.0 and eMuster overview and how to: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guides/what-is-muster-drill-on-a-cruise · https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/muster-drill-onboard-safety · press center visual: https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/infographic/64/muster-20trade/
- App check in timing and process: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/when-can-i-check-in-with-the-app · https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/online-checkin-boarding-pass-completion · step by step guide: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en/faq/questions/do-you-have-a-step-by-step-guide-to-check-in-online
- Alcohol policy and carry on rules: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy · https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-alcohol-guest-policy
- VOOM internet overview and FAQ: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-ship-wifi · https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/onboard-internet-device-service
- Port Canaveral directions and terminals plus port map: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/driving-directions-port-orlando-canaveral-florida · https://www.portcanaveral.com/cruise/directions-parking/cruise-terminal-map
