Before you arrive at the terminal for your first Royal Caribbean cruise, you will need luggage tags so that your luggage can be delivered onboard the ship.

Luggage tags can be printed at home or obtained at the terminal on embarkation day, and knowing how the process works can make the first day of your cruise as smooth as possible.

Here is the important information for how to get luggage tags for your Royal Caribbean cruise.

What are Royal Caribbean luggage tags?

Similar to checking your luggage at the airport, Royal Caribbean luggage tags allow you to drop off your luggage at the cruise terminal and have it delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day.

Luggage tags are looped around the handle of your bags and they include your name, stateroom number, ship, and itinerary. This ensures the porters and crew onboard know where to bring your luggage once on the ship.

Related: 25 things you need to know for your first day on a cruise ship

Where do I get my Royal Caribbean luggage tags?

Prior to your cruise, you’ll receive eDocs (an electronic document) that outlines your ship, sail date, stateroom, and deck number. You will receive eDocs via email, although they are also accessible on the “Upcoming Cruises” section of Royal Caribbean’s website.

On the last page of the eDocs is a luggage tag that you can print out and attach to your luggage. To attach the luggage tags to your bag, fold the tag, loop it around the handle of the bag, and staple the ends together.

Can I get my luggage tags at the terminal?

If you do not print your luggage tags in advance, you can get luggage tags free of charge at the cruise terminal on embarkation day.

When you arrive at the terminal, you’ll see a drop off area for luggage. At the drop off area will be an area to receive luggage tags for those guests without them. Simply walk to the porter with the luggage tags and tell him your stateroom number. He will write the number on the tag, attach it to your bag, and take your luggage.

It’s recommended to print luggage tags in advance in case of a line to get a luggage tag at the terminal. However, the process is usually quick even if there is a line.

Related: Should you use the porters to take your luggage on your cruise ship?

What if the luggage tag falls off?

It’s possible for luggage tags to fall off in the process of bringing your luggage onboard the ship. The tags are made from paper, so they’re prone to ripping or being damaged in transit.

If your luggage tag falls off, crew members will place the luggage in a designated area onboard with any other luggage that is unidentifiable. Once you realize your luggage has not made it to your room, go to Guest Services and explain the situation. They will direct you to a room with the unidentifiable luggage.

One recommendation to protect luggage tags from falling off or being damaged is to purchase plastic luggage tag holders with a steel hook that attaches to the bag. Luggage tags fit inside these waterproof, clear, and sealed plastic holders, which provide a lot more protection than just a thin piece of paper.

It can’t hurt to have a regular plastic luggage tag on your bag with your name and contact information, either, to help identify your luggage on the chance of delay.

How do luggage tags work on disembarkation day?

Luggage tags are also used on disembarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but the process looks quite different from embarkation day.

There are two options for disembarking the cruise: self-assist or regular departure.

Self-assist disembarkation does not require any luggage tags and is when guests can disembark the ship at any time, provided they manage their own luggage on the way out. Guests who choose this option must be comfortable carrying luggage without any assistance from porters.

Related: Self-disembarkation on Royal Caribbean cruises

Regular departure, on the other hand, requires luggage tags, which give a set time when you can leave the ship. Toward the end of the cruise, your stateroom attendant will place luggage tags and disembarkation information in your cabin.

Luggage tags come with a specific number to indicate when you can disembark the ship and where your luggage will be placed in the baggage claim area at the terminal.

On the evening prior to departure, place luggage tags on your bags and put your luggage in the hallway outside your stateroom door. The luggage will be collected and taken to baggage claim for you.

Planning your first cruise? Start here: 

• How do I pick the perfect first cruise?
• What I wish I did differently on my first cruise
• 8 things I learned on my first Royal Caribbean cruise
• What to expect on your first cruise

Before your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation can begin, you must complete the check-in process. Although the multi-step process may seem difficult at first glance, it only takes a few minutes of your time both at home and in the cruise terminal.

Photo credit: AdamsAway

There are two parts to Royal Caribbean’s check-in process: the online check-in and checking in at the cruise terminal. Online check-in is the first step, and it’s where you’ll input your documentation and credit card information and select an arrival time at the terminal.

The second part is on embarkation day. Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, your documentation will be checked and you will pass through a brief security screening. Before you know it, you will be in the waiting area anxiously awaiting to walk onboard and start your vacation.

Here is everything you need to know to help you prepare for the Royal Caribbean check-in process.

How to complete Royal Caribbean online check-in

When can I check in online for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process opens 45 days prior to your cruise departure date. We recommend that you put a notification on your calendar of the exact date check-in opens so you can complete the process as soon as possible.

Both the Royal Caribbean website and app will list the exact date that online check-in opens for your cruise. To view the date, simply sign in to your Royal Caribbean account and view your upcoming cruises. If your cruise does not show up on the website or app, link the sailing to your account by adding your reservation number and surname.

Documents needed to check in for a Royal Caribbean cruise

To complete the Royal Caribbean online check-in process, you will need the following handy:

• Personal information for each guest checking in online
• Identification document information for each guest checking in online
• A picture of each guest checking in online (for security purposes)
• Crown & Anchor Society Membership Number (if you are a C&A member)
• Onboard expense account information (the credit card you will link to your onboard account)

You will need to input the legal name, birthday, and address of each person you are checking in online, so be sure to check (and double check) the information is correct before hitting submit.

In addition, you should have your identification documents handy when completing the online check-in, as you will need to input documentation information (ID number, expiration date, etc.).

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

The last thing to input is your debit or credit card information. While onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, you use your SeaPass card to make any payments as opposed to carrying around your personal debit or credit card.

Your SeaPass card will be linked with whichever card you input during the online check-in process. At the end of the cruise, your personal card will be charged the total amount of all purchases made onboard.

Selecting a check-in time

Another important step in completing Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process is selecting a check-in time.

All guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise select a check-in time, which indicates the time at which they can arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. The earliest check-in times are usually around 10:30AM with the latest around 2:30PM.

You can select the check-in time yourself, but slots are reserved on a first come, first serve basis. Unsurprisingly, most guests hope to select the earliest check-in time possible for their cruise, which makes snagging one of these spots more competitive.

Related: 11 reasons to get as early a check in time as possible for your cruise

Snagging an early check-in time is the main reason we suggest keeping track of the day online check-in opens for your cruise. The earlier you start the check-in process, the better chance you’ll have at selecting an early check-in time.

Online check-in: Royal Caribbean website versus Royal Caribbean app

Although you can complete Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process on either the Royal Caribbean website or Royal Caribbean app, we suggest using the app for a few reasons.

First, you can use the Royal Caribbean app to scan your passport instead of inputting information manually. This can help save time, especially when checking in multiple members of your family or travel party.

Related: Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips

Second, using your phone instead of a computer makes uploading a security photo easier. You can take and upload a selfie photo directly from your phone to the app instead of having to transfer a photo to your computer first.

Lastly, by using the Royal Caribbean app, you can quickly select a check-in time without going through the entire check-in process. On the website, you must complete all parts of the check-in process before selecting a check-in time. The app allows you to select a check-in time first and complete the rest of the process later on.

What happens if I forget to do the online check-in?

The online check-in closes 48 hours prior to your sailing. If you forget to do the online check-in process before your cruise, you can complete it at the cruise terminal on embarkation day.

Obviously, we advise against waiting to check in until you arrive at the cruise terminal. Not only will it take much more time, but the online check-in process is so easy that it does not make sense to wait until embarkation day to check in.

What to do between completing the online check-in and embarkation day

After completing the online check-in 45 days before your cruise begins, you still have a while to wait before the start of your cruise vacation. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare for embarkation day in the weeks leading up to your cruise.

Reserve travel and hotel arrangements

We recommend that you make travel and hotel arrangements several months before your cruise, but if you haven’t made arrangements a month before your cruise begins, it’s important to do so as soon as possible.

If you’re flying to your cruise port, be sure to arrive the night before your cruise begins to allow extra wiggle room in the case of flight delays and cancellations. Arriving the day before means you will have to book a hotel in your embarkation city, and it’s best to do this sooner rather than at the last minute.

Here are some of our best hotel recommendations in popular cruise ports:

• Best Miami hotels near the cruise port
• Best hotels near Port Canaveral before the cruise
• Best Fort Lauderdale hotels near the cruise port

Those driving to their cruise should research parking options and the best routes for getting to the cruise port. We prefer parking directly at the cruise port for convenience, but you may find cheaper parking options in the port’s surrounding area.

Research your ship and ports of call

It’s helpful to research your cruise ship and itinerary before your vacation begins. In the months leading up to your cruise, research your ship’s activities, entertainment, dining venues, and layout so you’re better prepared once onboard.

One of the easiest ways to become familiar with your cruise ship is by watching a ship tour on YouTube. These informative tours provide a full walkthrough of your cruise ship, allowing you to learn about everything the ship offers.

Having an idea of what is offered on your cruise ship helps make sure you don’t miss out on any unique activities and programming during the sailing, whether trying the indoor skydiving simulator or watching an AquaTheater show.

Related: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

In addition to researching your cruise ship, spend time learning about the ports of call on your itinerary. Researching shore excursion options, the top things to do in each port, and information about local culture and cuisine can greatly enhance your time on shore during the cruise.

Complete the health questionnaire

All passengers must fill out a health questionnaire before boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise. This questionnaire asks if you have had any symptoms of illness within the past 10 days, including nausea, a sore throat, cough, and muscle aches.

The questionnaire aims to ensure all passengers onboard are healthy, thus lessening the risk of a contagious virus spreading onboard. Answering yes to any symptoms on the list could possibly result in the denial of boarding.

The health questionnaire can be completed in the Royal Caribbean app. You will receive a notification the day before your cruise stating that the health questionnaire is ready to fill out. If you forget to fill it out, you will be asked the questions in person once in the cruise terminal.

Royal Caribbean cruise embarkation day check-in process

The day has come and it’s time to board your Royal Caribbean cruise. Completing the online check-in is an important first step toward boarding your cruise, and the check-in process continues once you arrive at the cruise terminal.

Moving thousands of passengers through the cruise terminal and onto a cruise ship is a massive undertaking. Luckily, Royal Caribbean has streamlined the process to make it as seamless as possible for passengers.

Nonetheless, it’s helpful to know how the check-in process works at the cruise terminal to ensure you’re as best prepared for embarkation day as you can be.

Arriving at the terminal

You should arrive at the terminal at your scheduled check-in time on embarkation day. Most cruise terminals adhere to scheduled check-in times, although it’s possible you can arrive earlier and be admitted into the cruise terminal.

There are several ways to arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. If you’re driving, we recommend arriving early to ensure you can find a parking spot and beat the traffic. For those who flew to their cruise departure city, an Uber or Lyft is your best option for traveling from the airport or your hotel to the cruise terminal.

Related: How to get to Royal Caribbean’s cruise terminals and how much parking will cost

Regardless of transportation method, make sure you are traveling to the correct cruise terminal! Some cities may have several different cruise terminals, and they may even be located miles away from each other. Confirm the terminal address via the Royal Caribbean website or by looking through your cruise electronic documents, which is a PDF sent to your email prior to your sail date.

Some ports, such as Port Everglades and Port Canaveral, use digital signage at the port to indicate which terminal you should go to to board your ship.

Dropping off luggage with the porters

Before entering the cruise terminal, drop any suitcases and heavy luggage with the porters. Porters work at the cruise terminal to take your luggage and deliver it to the ship. This frees you of having to lug suitcases onboard yourself, which makes the embarkation process much easier.

Each piece of luggage you give to the porters must have a luggage tag that tells crew members where to deliver the suitcase on the ship. You can print and attach luggage tags at home or you can wait until you arrive at the cruise terminal, where a porter will write the correct information on a luggage tag and attach it to your suitcase.

Luggage tags are found in the eDocs (electronic documents).

Have your identification documents and SetSail Pass in hand

After dropping off your luggage, the next thing you should do is take your identification documents out of your carry-on bag. You will need to show these documents several times in the cruise terminal, and having them ready as soon as you enter the terminal can speed up the check-in process.

Additionally, have your SetSail Pass ready to scan on your phone (or a printout). Your SetSail Pass acts as a boarding pass to board your cruise ship, and you can find it on the Royal Caribbean app under the Check-In tab.

Entering through the correct line

There are several lines to enter the cruise terminal through, and it’s important to make sure you enter through the correct line.

If you are staying in a suite, look for the suites-only line, as this line will be quicker than the standard boarding line. Those who purchased The Key—a cruise add-on that allows for priority boarding—should look for the tall blue sign indicating the entrance for Key guests.

All other guests must enter through the standard boarding line.

Documentation and security checks

Each cruise terminal has a slightly different layout, but it’s likely you’ll be asked to show your SetSail Pass and identification documents several times throughout the boarding process.

Depending on the terminal, you may be required to show your SetSail Pass at the cruise terminal entrance. Once inside the terminal, you will enter an additional line to have your identification documents and SetSail Pass checked by cruise terminal employees.

Because of this, it’s helpful to keep your passport (or other applicable ID) on hand at all times until you have finished the entire check-in process. This helps avoid taking your passport in and out of your bag several times in the cruise terminal.

You are also required to go through security in the cruise terminal. Fortunately, security screening for a cruise is not as intense as TSA at the airport (yes, your shoes can stay on!) and it only takes a few minutes.

Boarding the ship

Once you go through security and have had all documentation checked, you may encounter a brief wait in the cruise terminal until you can board the ship. This is more common for those with the earliest check-in times, as the ship may not have opened the gangway for passengers yet.

It’s unlikely that you’ll be waiting for long, though, and there are plenty of chairs to stay comfortable as you wait to board. As soon as your group is called for boarding, get your SetSail Pass ready, have it scanned once exiting the terminal, and walk onboard your cruise ship to kick off your vacation.

Do your eMuster drill

Before heading immediately to the pool deck for a rum and coke, you have one more check-in task: completing the eMuster drill.

Every guest must complete a muster drill before a cruise ship can set sail. This safety briefing ensures passengers know what to do and where to go in case of an emergency onboard, and it consists of three parts:

• Watching a life jacket safety video
• Listening to the emergency horn sound
• Going to your muster station onboard

The first two steps can be completed on either the Royal Caribbean app (in the Safety tab) or on your stateroom’s television. The third step must be completed in person on the ship. Your muster station is indicated in the Royal Caribbean app and on the back of your cabin’s door.

Congratulations, you’ve completed the Royal Caribbean check-in process!

After completing the online check-in, getting through the cruise terminal, and checking off all three steps of the muster drill, it’s officially time for your cruise vacation to begin.

If the check-in process seems overwhelming, we promise it’s not nearly as difficult as it may seem. Once you arrive at the cruise terminal, there are dozens of workers available to answer any questions you have. Plus, the terminal is full of helpful signage indicating where to go.

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect, you’ll be prepared with documents in hand and an early check-in time, which should make the process even more efficient. Overall, it should only take around 10-15 minutes to complete the online check-in and around 30 minutes to an hour to go through the cruise terminal.

Going on a cruise with kids means finding the right cruise ship for your family that offers plenty to keep children entertained, engaged and having a great time.  It also means not compromising on the adult experience as well.

Cruising with kids is a great family vacation option, and Royal Caribbean offers some wonderful choices for kids, parents, aunts, grandparents, cousins and anyone else who joins in the fun!

When it comes to picking the best cruise for kids, Royal Caribbean's newest and recently refurbished ships tend to be the best choices. Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships offer the most dedicated space to kids programming, as well as the most onboard activities that kids (and their parents) will enjoy.  This includes rock climbing walls, ice skating, water slides and more.

If you have ever seen a Royal Caribbean television commercial, then you likely know that these cruise ships are designed to wow its customers, and that includes kids.

Royal Caribbean offers a ton for kids to do on its ships, from family-friendly aerial, ice, stage and aqua entertainment, to racing water slides and even spa programs for the youngsters.  Kids can splash at one of the aqua parks and fire the water cannons, dodge geysers and avoid (or maybe aim for) getting drenched by the giant bucket of water.

Royal Caribbean is well-known for the incredible adventures offered on its ships.  There is the Ultimate Abyss—the tallest slide at sea (available on select ships); FlowRider surf simulator; SeaPlex indoor venue that offers roller skating, basketball, bumper cars, bites and music from a floating DJ booth suspended overhead; or try one of our other can’t-miss onboard activities like laser tag and ice skating.

Related: 8 cool things for kids to do on your Royal Caribbean cruise

If all of this sounds wonderful, here are our picks for the best cruises for kids when it comes to sailing on Royal Caribbean.

Best cruises for kids of all ages

Ships: Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas

The newest Royal Caribbean ships offer the latest and greatest from Royal Caribbean, and they also dedicate the most space toward kids programming.  These ships are filled to the brim with the coolest new things onboard, such as water slides, laser tag, escape room, zip line, and Broadway shows, just to name a few.

We believe the Oasis Class ships are an ideal choice for families of all ages for the sheer amount of things to do onboard that cater to guests of all ages. It is incredible to see how much fun Royal Caribbean has packed into these ships, with numerous pools, ice skating rink, zip line, dual FlowRider surf simulators, and water slides.

Looking for more? How about escape room games, a boardwalk carousel, rock climbing wall, and video arcades.

Equally impressive in their own way are the Quantum Class ships. While Oasis Class ships garner a lot of the attention, Quantum Class ships offer some fabulous things to do that are not replicated elsewhere in the fleet.

Your kids will likely never want to leave the SeaPlex, which is an indoor entertainment center.  Bumper cars, XBox gaming, basketball, dodge ball, ping pong and roller skating are just a few of what is offered in the SeaPlex. Then there is the North Star observational pod that takes you 300 feet above sea level, Ripcord by iFly sky diving simulator, FlowRider surf simulator and a lot more.

Best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for teens

Teens aged 12-17 onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships have access to the teen center. Depending on the ship, there will be one or two teens-only areas onboard where teenagers can make friends and hang out without parental supervision (although there is staff supervision, of course!)

Select Royal Caribbean ships have an outdoor teens-only patio onboard, which offers a hip hang out space away from other guests. Ships with an outdoor teen patio include:

• Oasis of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas

The patio on Wonder of the Seas even has its own non-alcoholic bar and jacuzzi available exclusively for teens.

Best value cruises for kids

Ships: Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas

While we love Royal Caribbean's newer ships, those ships also come with a premium price tag, and going on a family vacation does not mean you have to spend a lot to have a great time. Royal Caribbean has spent millions of dollars upgrading and enhancing its existing fleet, and the fruits of its labor make for great cruises for kids that will leave extra money in the vacation budget. This means some really fun cruise ships that offer a great bang for the buck.

Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas all recently completed multi-million dollar refurbishments and they are aimed precisely at the family cruising market. 

Both Independence and Mariner offer the virtual reality bungee trampoline experience, known as Sky Pad.  They also offer a pair of three-story-high racer water slides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, FlowRider and escape room challenge.

Navigator of the Seas, which was refurbished in 2019, is home to the longest waterslide at sea and Polynesian-themed tiki bar. Like Mariner and Independence, Navigator also features laser tag, the FlowRider, and an escape room.

Liberty of the Seas has her own array of fun activities onboard.  She is the only ship to offer the Tidal Wave slide, which is a boomerang style slide, along with a pair of really fun racer water slides. 

Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas offer Broadway shows as well, with Saturday Night Fever on Liberty and Grease on Independence.  All ships have an adults-only Solarium pool area, lots of great dining and evening entertainment.

Freedom of the Seas makes a great ship option for shorter sailings, as she offers 3 and 4-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas. With a Caribbean resort-style pool deck, laser tag, rock climbing, a FlowRider, waterslides, and more, there's plenty to keep kids busy onboard Freedom of the Seas.

Adventure Ocean

At the heart of the Royal Caribbean cruise experience for kids is Adventure Ocean.  Adventure Ocean is a supervised programming option that all kids that are 3 - 17 years old may participate in.  There is no additional charge for Adventure Ocean (unless you leave them for late night sessions), and it offers things to do in a camp style environment throughout the day.

Royal Caribbean breaks up Adventure Ocean by ages to ensure the programming is age appropriate and will hold their interest.  Younger kids may do more activities that incorporate music, crafts, creative arts and dinosaurs, where older kids get to enjoy scavenger hunts, video game competitions, talent shows and science experiments.

Adventure Ocean is available on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship, so no matter which ship you pick for a cruise vacation, fun-filled childcare activities will be available at no extra cost. Even the smallest of ships will provide plenty to do for kids of all ages, offering them the ability to make friends and participate in organized programming.

Are small Royal Caribbean cruise ships bad for kids?

While most Royal Caribbean marketing is targeted toward the newest and biggest cruise ships, smaller, non-amplified ships still offer plenty to keep kids and teens busy during a cruise vacation.

Smaller ships often sail port-intensive itineraries, meaning you'll be spending most days in port, whether at the beach, sightseeing in a city, or participating in adrenaline-filled activities like zip lining or snorkeling.

Once back onboard in the evening, kids can enjoy the ship's pool, mini golf, rock climbing wall, arcade, or Adventure Ocean programming. While there may not be water slides and laser tag on Royal Caribbean's older ships, there are still plenty of ways for kids to have fun onboard.

More cruising with kids articles

• Cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean
• Podcast: Guide to cruising with young children on Royal Caribbean
• Kids sail free offer details and information