Cruising is a great way to vacation (especially if you are cruising with us!), but it is different from travel as you may be used to it. Planning in advance for those differences will help make for a fun trip from the very start!

Just a few pro tips:

• Plan to arrive at your departure city a day or more before the cruise. Your ship may leave in late afternoon, but delays could make you late to board. If that happens, the ship will leave without you.
• Make sure you print your Royal Caribbean luggage tags (found in the “Travel Documents” you will receive when you check in) and attach them to your bags prior to arriving at Port. These tags tell the ship’s porters where to take your luggage.
• Add your credit/debit card to your account when you check in, and you will not need to use cash for anything on board, including purchases on the ship.
• If you have a medical device such as a CPAP or other item that you need to be bed side (requiring an extension cord) or need things like distilled water, tell Royal Caribbean in advance so they can provide those items in the cabin before you arrive.
• Pack  any necessities — medication, important documents, phone chargers — in a carry-on bag. You will board the ship well before your luggage reaches your cabin, so plan to carry anything you will need with you. (If you’ve got room, include your bathing suits and sunscreen so you can immediately jump in the pool!)
• Prebook excursions and activities before you leave home. If your heart is set on a particular shore excursion, spa service, class, or specialty restaurant, book them in advance, as reservations onboard fill up quickly. Bonus: booking in advance allows you to take advantage of sales!
• Switch your phone to airplane mode. International roaming rates can apply even if you don’t make a call, so switch to airplane mode as soon as you leave port.
• Watch the clock. Some ports are in different time zones than the ship’s clock, so synchronize your watches if you go ashore. The ship won’t wait for you if you’re late!

If you have any more tips and tricks, feel free to leave them in the comments!