Royal Caribbean has signed a deal with the government of Antigua and Barbuda to construct the cruise line's first Royal Beach Club.

After signing a memorandum of understanding in October 2019, this deal marks the start of the planning and development for the Royal Beach Club. The club should break ground later this year.

The Royal Beach Club at Antigua will sit along more than a half-mile of pristine beachfront and combine the island’s striking beaches with the cruise line’s signature service and amenities. The ultimate beach club experience will offer guests exceptional views from private cabanas and a stunning pool with a swim-up bar, complemented by locally inspired experiences. Featuring regional fare, island-style BBQs, live music, along with thrills such as jet skis, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and a family splash pad, the beach club will make for an unforgettable day at the beach.

The Royal beach Club at Antigua is scheduled to open in 2021.

“The Royal Beach Club will deliver a memorable beach day to our guests,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Together with the government of Antigua and Barbuda, we will bring to life an experience that will bring more visitors to these idyllic islands and create significant economic benefits and opportunities. In addition, we are looking at ways for the local community to also enjoy the beach club on days our ships are in other destinations.”

The deal also commits Royal Caribbean to bringing Symphony of the Seas, beginning with a call to the island on November 3, 2020. Docking at a new port at the capital of St. John’s, Symphony will be the first Oasis Class ship to visit the island.

Royal Caribbean announced its 2019 Travel Partners of the Year Awards of North America and Puerto Rico. 

The list includes 18 travel advisors, which represent the biggest sellers of the year for Royal Caribbean.

The winners recognized include 2018’s Chairman’s Award recipient, Cruise Planners – an American Express Travel Representative, securing the high honor once again; Dream Vacations, a Cruise One Company, with the President’s Award; Travel Leaders Network as Marketing Partner of the Year, and first-time honorees including: International Voyager for Northeast Partner of the Year and 3D Cruise Partners, Charter Partner of the Year.            

• Chairman's Award for Overall Achievement: Cruise Planners – an American Express Travel Representative
• President's Award for Overall Achievement: Dream Vacations – a Cruise One Company
• Southeast Partner of the Year: WMPH
• Northeast Partner of the Year: International Voyager*
• Central Partner of the Year: KHM Travel Group
• West Partner of the Year: Automobile Club of Southern California
• Canada Partner of the Year: Flight Center Travel Group*
• Home-based Partner of the Year: Travel Planners International
• Online Partner of the Year: Vacations To Go
• Consortia Partner of the Year: Ensemble Travel Group
• Corporate Incentive Partner of the Year: Buy the Sea
• Host Agency Partner of the Year: Nexion Travel Group
• Marketing Partner of the Year: Travel Leaders Network
• Top Overall Producer– Puerto Rico: A & A Tours Network
• Top Independent Producer– Puerto Rico: Travel Planners Inc/Expedia Centro de Cruceros
• Automation Partner of the Year: The Cruise Web
• New-to-Cruise Partner of the Year: Expedia Group
• Charter Partner of the Year: 3D Cruise Partners*

“The Travel Partner of the Year Awards are by far my favorite way to start every year by recognizing the strength in our partnerships and the incredible work and accomplishments we have achieved together,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Royal Caribbean International. “Our 2019 winners have shown they have great skill, in-depth knowledge and passion for Royal Caribbean – characteristics that make for the most effective ‘value interpreters’ for any client. As we embark on 2020 with the November launch of our new ship Odyssey of the Seas in sight, we’re excited to reach new heights the entire travel advisor community. Thank you for your support, and congratulations to our winners.”

You're excited to go on your cruise, so how do you get an early Royal Caribbean boarding time?

The day your cruise begins is full of excitement, and naturally, you may be wondering what time you can board the ship.

Many guests are curious how early they can board a Royal Caribbean ship on embarkation day, and more importantly, how early they can board the ship.

The embarkation process has changed a bit since 2021, but after taking dozens of cruises, here is a guide for what to expect.

Cruise check-in times

In the weeks leading up to your cruise, be sure to complete online check-in. Check-in opens up 45 days before your cruise begins.

Online check-in is a very simple process, and requires just a few bits of information to complete.

You can get a check-in time via the Royal Caribbean app or the website, but the app is much easier.

Depending on when you go to select a time, there will be variety of 30 minute windows for you to choose from. 

Typically, the earliest check-in time will be 10:30am, although sometimes it could be 11am. Remember, these are the times to arrive at the terminal for check-in and should not be confused with what time you will board the ship.

The check-in time you select is not the time you actually board the ship. However, the earlier your arrival time, the sooner you are usually able to embark on the ship.

Tip: If you select a time in the app, you can select a check-in time and return later to fill in other information.

You'll want to do this as early as you can in order to get an early check-in time and avoid wasting time in the cruise terminal.

Royal Caribbean opens up the check-in at midnight (or 5-10 minutes after) based on the ship's home port time.

If you do not complete check-in online, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. 

When you complete online check-in, you will be assigned a check-in time.  Since 2021, Royal Caribbean has mostly been enforcing check-in times, so it's important to get a good time as early as you can.

Can I show up earlier than my check-in time?

Royal Caribbean asks its guests to arrive within their check-in window to avoid crowding in the terminal.

Most cruise terminals enforce the boarding times, but occasionally you find situations where a particular pier agent doesn't pay attention to the check-in time or say anything about it.

While frustrating to not have the rules enforced across the board, we still recommend adhering to the check-in time window to avoid any possible denial of boarding until later.

What if I'm late and miss my check-in time?

While showing up early can be a problem, coming in later is not as much of a concern.

Try your best to adhere to the check-in time, but they will still admit you for check-in if you were to arrive later. Royal Caribbean warns there could be a delay in beginning the check-in procedure if you're late, but you will still be able to get to the cruise.

I only see check-in times later than I want. Will earlier times be added?

Possibly, but not likely.

If someone cancels their cruise, their check-in time goes back into the system for someone else to grab. There's no way to know that's happened without checking manually.

As for Royal Caribbean opening up additional earlier times, it's not usually the case.

Should I get The Key for an earlier check-in?

The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP benefits, including an early check-in time.

Usually, guests who book The Key are allowed to check-in with the first group (an exact time will be emailed later).

There are two problems with buying The Key for an early check-in.

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First, if you miss The Key check-in window, you have to fall back to whatever time you had before. 

Second, you're spending extra money for a benefit that is not cheap. You'll need to buy The Key for every guest in the cabin (age 6 and above) for every night of the cruise. That seems like a lot to save an hour or two on embarkation day.

Read more: Here’s what ‘The Key’ is (and why some cruisers like it)

What time can I check-in for my cruise if I'm staying in a suite?

Suite guests still need to get a check-in time for their sailing, but usually they will be give more flexibility in their times.

About a week before the cruise, the Suite Concierge will email suite guests with an introduction and outline basic suite policies, including a flexible arrival policy, where suite guests can arrive one hour before or after their check-in time.

When you get the terminal, be sure to tell the pier agent you are staying in a suite so you can be directed to the right place.

Guests sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise can now book a brand new cruise via Royal Caribbean's app and take advantage of the NextCruise offers without stepping foot inside the office.

The new NextCruise option for booking via the RCI App is available now, and can be used anywhere on the ship. 

Simply download the Royal Caribbean app, connect to the Royal Caribbean wi-fi network onboard and make a NextCruise Book Later reservation with
access to all available offers

From the profile page in the app, scroll down and select the NextCruise feature which will lead you directly through the booking steps.

NextCruise booking via the Royal App is available on any Royal Caribbean ship that offers the app, currently onboard Allure, Oasis, Symphony, Harmony, Anthem, Ovation, Liberty, Serenade, Voyager, Vision, Adventure, Brilliance, Independence, Rhapsody, Majesty, Enchantment, Mariner, Navigator, Freedom and Empress of the Seas. The rest of the fleet is expected to be complete by end of 2020.

Guests can only choose the Book Later open-booking option via the app. This allows you to place a non-refundable reduced deposit of $200 per stateroom, and gives you up to one year to choose a ship and sail date.  If you pick a cruise within the first two months, you will receive up to $600 in savings. 

The NextCruise office will remain an option for specific sailings bookings, whereas the app provides an option for guests who aren’t ready to pick a ship and sail date yet, but do wish to make a deposit and also want to make a booking from the convenience of their smart phone. 

Thanks to the power of the internet, the word is out among cruisers about the awesome and cool things to do see, do and eat on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and this means you have to act faster than ever before to ensure your family gets to try them all.

Go ahead and blame this site, because it seems the truly desirable activities and offerings tend to sell out way faster than ever before.  Luckily, you can still experience these must-do options if you pre-plan accordingly.

Here are the top things that tend to sell out, so you can book it before someone else does.

Cabanas

A private cabana at Labadee or Perfect Day at CocoCay is one of the most desirable things to reserve on Royal Caribbean's private destinations.

These individual enclaves offer privacy, shade, comfortable seating and top notch service for a price.  Despite anecdotal evidence of prices going up for cabanas, they remain a highly contested amenity.

The days of booking one onboard your ship is nearly extinct, so you will want to pre-book via the Cruise Planner as soon as they become available.

Popular shore excursions

It seems each island your cruise visits may be well-known for one particular activity, and many guests are booking it up faster and faster.

Excursions such as the Kennedy Space Center tours, golf cart rentals in Bonaire, day passes to Nachi Cocom or Maya Chan, and more are selling out regularly.

Since many cruisers are researching their ports before they cruise, the tours and admissions that clearly stand out because of their rave reviews lead to the words, "sold out" coming up more frequently.

As always, research the ports you will visit in the months leading up to your cruise, and pull the trigger on a shore excursion if it sounds remotely interesting.  Nearly all excursions offer a full refund if you cancel in advance, so there is little risk.

Izumi hibachi

Perhaps no other specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean has become as difficult to reserve as the teppanyaki dining on Royal Caribbean ships.

Hibachi has a limited capacity, with set dining times and only a few hibachi tables per ship. This means spots go quickly, and it is quite common to discover all the hibachi seats are sold out by the first day of the cruise.

With Royal Caribbean extending dining package benefits to include hibachi, this is one hot ticket for dinner.

Your best bet is to pre-book it via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site as early as you can. If you have more than 4 guests, larger groups will want to book almost immediately to get a spot.

Entertainment on Oasis or Quantum Class ships

For years, Royal Caribbean has offered guests the option to pre-book shows on its Oasis and Quantum Class ships.  While this may have started out as an optional exercise, these days it is a must-do.

From Broadway shows, to original productions, seating for shows on Oasis or Quantum Class ships goes quickly (primarily since it is complimentary to reserve).  This is especially true of the AquaTheater shows, since the theater is particularly small.

Even comedy shows are often sold out online before the cruise.

While standby lines are always an option once onboard (and they usually work), your best bet is to book up shows as soon as you can when they become available.

North Star

Ever since Royal Caribbean put the first North Star observational capsule on Quantum of the Seas, guests have been captivated by the idea of going up and checking out the view.

Like the shows you can pre-book, complimentary reservations for North Star go quickly as well. 

Pre-book a time online to avoid waiting in the standby line once onboard.

iFly

It should come as no surprise that a sky diving simulator that removes the "jumping out of an airplane" part of sky diving is a fun and popular choice.  Like North Star, it sells out quickly.

You will want to book a time for the iFly via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site well before your cruise begins

My Time Dining (for popular times or large groups)

If you plan on having dinner between around 6pm, and/or are dining with a group of six or more people, make reservations for My Time Dining as quickly as possible.

My Time Dining allows guests to choose a dinner time in the Main Dining Room between around 5pm and 9pm, but as you might imagine, a lot of people like to eat between 6pm and 7:30pm.  If you are one of those people, you can reserve a time for My Time Dining before your cruise on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site. 

Likewise, if you have a large group and want to dine together for dinner, regardless of which time you want to dine, making reservations in advance is a must as well.

Reserving a time costs nothing, and means a shorter wait for a table for dinner.

Escape Room

The escape room games used to be complimentary on Royal Caribbean, but their wild popularity forced Royal Caribbean to start charging for it in order to control demand, and it is still an activity that fills up quickly.

Escape rooms are available on more and more Royal Caribbean ships these days, and their intricate design, well-themed rooms and complex puzzles make them a fun challenge for guests.

You can reserve times before your cruise via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site, and should definitely pre-book to secure a time to see if you can figure out all of the puzzles.

Are you a fan of Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package? Are you considering getting a drink package on your next cruise?

With all the different cocktails, wine, beer and more that are offered on a Royal Caribbean cruise, getting a drink package is a very tempting choice. I have a brand new video to help you decide if the Deluxe Beverage Package is a good fit for your vacation!

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: Will you buy the Deluxe Beverage Package on your next cruise?

Royal Caribbean announced it has ended the policy that banned guests who held a passport from China, Hong Kong and Macau due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The policy was implemented last week, "in response to numerous ports and governments around the world restricting travel for Chinese passport holders."

There is still a policy in effect that bans any guest who has traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, along with restrictions on individuals who have been in close contact with persons who have traveled from, through or to China, Hong Kong and Macau in the past 15 days. 

The cruise line has the following health screening protocols in place:

1. Regardless of nationality, we will deny boarding to
   1. Any guest who has traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 15 days.
   2. Any guest who has come in contact with anyone from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 15 days. The CDC characterizes contact with an individual as coming within six feet (2M) of a person.
2. There will be mandatory specialized health screenings performed on:
   1. Guests who are uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau in the past 15 days.
   2. Guests who report feeling unwell or demonstrate any flu-like symptoms.
   3. Guests presenting with fever or low blood oximetry in the specialized health screenings will be denied boarding.

All guests who are denied boarding due to these restrictions will receive full refunds.

Royal Caribbean just opened the Coco Beach Club at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and it is already a big hit with guests who love having a secluded enclave to enjoy during their visit to the island.

This extra-cost venue is all about providing an exclusive, brag-worthy spot to anyone that values being in a limited-access spot.

Having just visited the Coco Beach Club, you will not want to miss any of these important tips prior to checking it out for yourself.

No tickets needed

If you buy admission to the Coco Beach Club, there are no shore excursion tickets to show.

When you check-in at the entrance, the staff will scan your SeaPass card and be able to see your admission purchase and grant you access.

If you do decide to leave the club to venture around the island, the staff will give you a bracelet to make reentering super simple.

Food is amazing

Royal Caribbean's culinary offerings in the Coco Beach Club are worthy of a specialty restaurant back onboard a ship.

You will not find burgers, hot dogs and other typical island fare here.  Instead, there is lobster, steak, grilled fish, ceviche, babaganoush and plenty more to enjoy.  The menu reminds me of a cross between Coastal Kitchen and Solarium Bistro, and it is so good that you will want to come very hungry to the meal.

Moreover, you can order unlimited entrees at the Coco Beach Club restaurant, so feel free to try a couple of dishes while you are there.

Day beds and loungers are first-come, first-seated

The beach club offers lounge chairs, day beds and in-pool loungers throughout the club and they are available to whomever claims them first.

There are plenty of beach lounge chairs and umbrellas, but if you want an in-pool lounger or day bed, be sure to get to the club as soon as you can.

Book early before it sells out

Royal Caribbean has clearly hit a home run with the Coco Beach Club, because passes to this exclusive area sell out quickly.

If you want to visit, be sure to book a spot as soon as you can prior to the cruise.  

Access Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site in the months leading up to your cruise and book a pass to ensure you get in.

Ask to be on waitlist if it does sell out

If you are too late to buy a pass because it is sold out, then you can ask the Shore Excursion desk once onboard about being put on a waitlist.

This happened to me after I booked a cruise at the last minute and passes were sold out.  The Shore Excursion staff on your ship can add you to the waitlist upon request.

Keep in mind that the waitlist may or may not work, but it is the last hope for getting in if it is sold out.

Coffee and tea available in the morning

The Coco Beach Club is the only place on Perfect Day at CocoCay that serves coffee in the morning.

If you hurried off the ship to get one of those day beds by the infinity pool, you will be happy to know there is coffee, tea and Danishes available to enjoy in the morning.

The coffee cart is located to the left of the entrance area as you walk into the Coco Beach Club.

Reservations needed for lunch

The Coco Beach Club restaurant takes reservations for lunch to prevent lines or extended waits to dine.  

There is a staff member throughout the day at the entrance to the restaurant taking reservations, with lunch running between 11am and 3pm.

Stop by there early to secure a spot for your family.

Towels provided

No need to grab towels off the ship, because the Coco Beach Club provides towels for you to use during the day.

In fact, these towels are not the typical blue Royal Caribbean towels. The cruise line came up with a special towel just for the Coco Beach Club, adding to that sense of exclusivity.

If you have your first Royal Caribbean cruise coming up, knowing what to do and which mistakes to avoid will help set you up for a better cruise. 

There are plenty of first time cruise tips I could share, but there are some of important ones that will help you get the most out of your Royal Caribbean sailing.

1. Learn about what your ship offers before you book

There are dozens of ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, and they are not all the same. Before you book any ship or sailing, It is important to learn about what the ship offers (and does not offer).

A common pitfall among new cruisers is not understanding the features and amenities each ship offers guests, like if there are waterslides, an escape room, or various specialty restaurant choices. There is a great variety among Royal Caribbean's ships in terms of what you can do onboard, and the last thing you want to do is pick a ship that lacks something your family was looking forward to trying.

Royal Caribbean's fleet consists of different groupings of ships, known as classes, which means these ships have a similar design and a few common activities. The larger the ship, the more options the ship will offer.  However, size is not everything, so you should focus on which activities, things to do, and places to dine are available on a given ship.

The ships with the most variety of activities tend to be the newest ships, which includes Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships.

The Radiance or Vision class ships are significantly smaller, but also offer a more low-key experience at a much lower price.  The mid-sized Voyager Class ships have recent been updated and represent a great middle-ground in terms of value and amenities.

The important takeaway is to be certain what the ship has onboard so there are no surprises during your vacation.

2. Reserve as much as you can before the cruise

Royal Caribbean allows guests to reserve specialty restaurants, spa times, and shore excursions online in the weeks and months prior to the cruise. 

Advanced reservations for shows and activities tend to go quickly since they are complimentary, and easy to get. Specialty restaurants can sell out for the popular times, especially on holidays.

Logging onto Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site will allow you to get in on these options and hopefully secure a spot for yourself before the cruise begins.

More than just convenience, booking WiFi, drink or dining packages before your cruise wil absolutely save you money.  Royal Caribbean regularly discounts these offerings before the cruise, compared to the price onboard.

Moreover, booking all of these options before the cruise means you will spend less time on the ship rushing around making reservations.

3. Check-in for your cruise online

You are able to check-in for your cruise via Royal Caribbean's app and this not only saves you time in the port, but will get you onboard faster.

Royal Caribbean designed its app to provide a simple way to provide all the necessary information you will need to provide.  In fact, after completing the online check-in, you can arrive to the port and simply show your SetSail Pass and identification and get onboard faster.

If the app supports it for your sailing, be sure to scan your passport via the app, take a selfie photo and enter all the information necessary in order to expedite the first day process.

4. Try the signature activities during less popular times

Whether you want to try the water slides, zipline, North Star or any of the other popular activities on your Royal Caribbean cruise, the key is take advantage of lower lines during off-peak times.

One of the best times to experience the water slides, Ultimate Abyss or FlowRider is on embarkation day. The first day of your cruise is a busy one, but most guests do not bring a bathing suit with them in their carry-on bags. After getting onboard, you can change into a bathing suit in a public restroom and enjoy short waits for these types of attractions.

In addition, I have found lower lines for signature activities in the evening, around dinner time.  Right around 5pm or so, many guests start heading back to their rooms to prepare for dinner and other nighttime fun.  As a result, there are a lot less guests looking to climb the rock climbing wall, or go up on North Star.

Another option is to try these fun things to do on port days, when most people will be off the ship exploring in town. 

5. Do not miss the shows

Royal Caribbean's entertainment is great, and you should make plans to check out as much of the shows on your cruise as you can.

Royal Caribbean has a reputation in the cruise industry for being a leader, including the premier entertainment onboard their ships.

If you happen to be sailing on Royal Caribbean's newest ships, you will not only find terrific entertainment each night, but also Broadway shows.  Just like the cruise line's original productions, the Broadway shows are complimentary.

Be sure not to overlook the ice skating shows and performances in the main theater. These shows have no additional cost, and are fun ways to enjoy a great act.  Adult comedy shows, game shows and musical productions are just some of the options you can enjoy during your cruise.

I think it is important to give shows a try, especially shows that take place in the AquaTheater or Studio B.  First time cruisers may be tempted to skip these shows, since they seem a bit odd or different, given their location.  However, missing these shows would be a mistake, as they offer phenomenal and different displays not easily matched on land.

6. Sign kids up for Adventure Ocean

You will want to register your kids for Adventure Ocean on the first day of your cruise. Signing them up is a simple process and goes quickly, plus it allows the kids  the opportunity to exploring Adventure Ocean and meeting the counselors.

Registration times for Adventure Ocean will be posted in your Cruise Compass, as well as on the door to any Adventure Ocean room.  Once inside, kids can check things out while parents fill out a quick form. Even if your kids are uncertain if they will go to Adventure Ocean, registering them is quick, and it makes for less time wasted later on in the cruise. You may also find an Adventure Ocean table set up elsewhere on the ship to provide details about what Adventure Ocean is, and offer documentation on what kind of activities will be offered.

If you child is less than 36 months old, she/he can be registered for the Nursery. The Nursery will also allow parents to reserve some time in advance, so be sure to review what to expect when booking nursery time.

7. Learn about the ports you will visit

Something else you should do before your cruise begins is learn as much as you can about the ports you will visit.

Shore excursions are a popular means of seeing the area in and around the port you are visiting, and it is what makes cruising such a compelling way to travel.

The Internet is a wealth of information for figuring out the best activities to do in every port your cruise will visit.  Researching in advance will give you the chance to figure out what your group can do and what may be available.

"Winging it" can be adventurous but being informed about your choices in advance gives you a major advantage, especially if you're interested in an activity that has limited capacity.

8. Going to Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, and it is an incredible bit of paradise to enjoy.

If you are visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, here are a few quick tips for an awesome day.

• Pre-book! The word is out on the awesome things you can do at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and if you are interested in a cabana, Coco Beach Club access or water park tickets, book it all before your cruise as soon as you can.  These things can, and often do, sell out before the cruise begins.
• A lot is included: there is a lot of fun things to do that costs absolutely nothing extra. You can walk around Perfect Day at CocoCay without paying extra.  Just like any port of call, you can walk off the ship and explore on your own. There are beaches, a giant pool and plenty of food to enjoy without any extra cost.
• WiFi & Drink Packages work on the island: Many first time cruisers are surprised to hear that any WiFi or drink packages purchased on their cruise will also work at Perfect Day at CocoCay. There is no additional charge to use your internet or beverage packages on the island, so it is added value for anyone visiting.

Bonus: Use a travel agent to book your cruise

If you have not book a cruise yet, one of my favorite tips is to use a good travel agent.

A good travel agent that specializes in cruising can really help make your first Royal Caribbean cruise a big success.  They will help navigate you throughout the whole booking process and be your guide to what makes the most sense for your family.  Early or late dinner? Travel insurance or not? Which day to arrive? These are all great questions that require personal input.

When it comes to making changes to your reservation, such as pricing out different staterooms, changes in fares, adding more people to your reservation or anything else requiring speaking with Royal Caribbean, the hold times for the phone can be downright awful.  But a travel agent will do all that leg work for you.

 And did I mention travel agents cost you nothing to use?