Many cruise rookies think embarkation day is just about getting on board. It’s not just about getting on board—it’s a race.
Seasoned Royal Caribbean cruisers board, eat, book, drink, unpack, and snag the best sunbeds all before most have figured out where Windjammer is. They’re not the ones eating soggy pizza at 2 p.m., scrambling to book the last tickets to shows, or missing out on spa deals.
Savvy Royal passengers have got a smooth rhythm to day one that puts them ahead of the pack. They’re claiming Solarium loungers, booking North Star, and eating steak in Chops Grille before 1 p.m.
Want to cruise like they do? These are the moves they make before the ship even leaves port.
The Clock’s Ticking—Book These Before They Disappear
Ever wonder why trying to book North Star, iFly, and the Comedy Club is a hit and a miss after you board? It’s because smart Royal Cruisers have beaten you to it. Instead of spending an hour or two settling in, they’re making dining reservations and booking activities.
It’s a common thread from cruisers who get a late check-in on Royal ships. They check the Royal App at 2 or 3 p.m., and all the prime slots are gone. However, other cruisers are smarter. One shared on Reddit: “We always book North Star and the Broadway shows before we even order drinks.”
Download the Royal App before your cruise—you’ll use it from the moment you board. Book the big stuff before the pool chair, the buffet, or the sailaway photos. Do it fast or spend the rest of your cruise wishing you had.
Get Onboard While They’re Still in Line
Some Royal Caribbean cruisers are sipping tropical cocktails on deck while others are still stuck at the check-in counter. What’s the difference? Reserving an early boarding time via the Royal App.
Veterans check in early, upload their photo, pick the first boarding time, and breeze through while the paper-print crowd fumbles in line. “We checked in at 10:30 a.m. and were on the ship in 10 minutes. Felt like we had the entire cruise ship to ourselves,” one cruiser wrote on Facebook.
You don’t need priority status or book a suite to board like a pro. Just prep smarter. It’s simple: the earlier you’re onboard, the more of the ship you own.
Though early boarding has its perks, many seasoned cruisers suggest waiting until after the first wave to embark.
Don’t Miss Out on Adventure Ocean—Evening Spots Go Fast
Cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean? Don’t miss out on specialty dining or an evening show by making this one mistake: leaving it too late to sign up for Adventure Ocean kids’ club.
Cruisers who plan like pros know that late-night sessions at Adventure Ocean go fast, especially on shorter sailings or holidays. One mom in a Royal Facebook group said they asked at 3 p.m., and the evening slots were already gone. One parent shared on Cruise Critic that they had to endure dinner at Chops at 9 p.m. with a cranky toddler.
If you’re counting on kid-free shows or specialty dining, get to Adventure Ocean right after boarding. The parents who cruise smart—They lock in their freedom by lunch.
The One Phone Setting That Saved Me Hundreds
It’s an expensive mistake you’ll only make once—forgetting to switch your mobile phone to flight mode. It’s the first thing seasoned cruisers do onboard. Otherwise, after sailaway, your cellphone could latch onto “Cellular at Sea,” racking up expensive roaming charges.
One unfortunate cruise passenger shared on Reddit how they arrived home to discover a mobile phone bill for over $250! They shared, “The worst part? I didn’t even use my phone during the entire cruise.”
Now it’s simple: board the ship, turn on airplane mode, connect to the ship’s WiFi, and start using the Royal App. It’s also the time to check out embarkation day deals, discounts, and special offers.
Skip Windjammer—Go Where the Real Lunch Pros Go
Many first-time cruisers on Royal Caribbean make the same blunder. They follow the crowd straight to Windjammer. However, seasoned cruisers are headed in the other direction. Why? To avoid the elbows and buffet stampede.
The truth is, the best dining experiences on embarkation day can be found in specialty restaurants or even the Main Dining Room. Otherwise, you’ll face long lines, noise, and a wait just to get some limp fries. Why not head for Izumi, Chops Grille, or Jamie’s Italian? You’ll probably also snag great first-day deals.
The pros eat better, earlier, and without having to battle for a table. Save Windjammer for day two—your cruise doesn’t have to start with buffet mayhem.
My Cruise Day Starts With a Thumb Tap—Not a Cocktail
Before I even grab that welcome drink, I’m tapping through the Royal Caribbean app.
It’s my cheat code for embarkation day—boarding pass, muster drill, what’s open when, dining times, spa hours, all in one place. One cruiser joked, “The app knew more about my cruise than I did.” It’s not about being techy. It’s about not wandering around lost for an hour.
Your cruise starts smoother when your thumb does the navigating. If it’s your first time cruising, you’ll soon discover that the ship app is your handy sidekick that takes the stress out of sailing.
The E-Muster Drill Hack That Saves Time and Stress
Thankfully, old-school muster drills are a thing of the past. But they’re no less critical on modern cruise ships. Seasoned cruisers know to get the safety drill completed ASAP. All it requires is watching a short video on the app and then checking in at your muster station.
The mistake rookie cruisers make is waiting too long. They’re caught up in the excitement of the cruise ship that they forget the drill. Then, when it comes to unlocking activities or ordering a drink at the bar, they’re refused. Only after completing the muster drill can you access many activities.
Do it early and you’ll skip the last-minute announcements and start your cruise like a total pro long before sailaway.
Tour the Ship While It’s Still Empty—Or Miss the Magic
If you’ve made all the right moves, you’ll be on board before most passengers. This is the golden hour on embarkation day—right after you board, before the cabins open. It’s when most cruisers are still finding their bearings. No lines. No crowds. Just endless nooks to explore.
Take your time to wander through the spa (you can book discounts on spa treatments), check out the main dining room, explore the gym, and peek into the lounges or the adults-only Solarium. Some even find shortcuts between decks that come in handy later.
A favorite challenge is to find the unmarked door, usually near the front of the ship, which leads to a secret deck.
One Cruise Critic member shared that they found a “secret” spot on Deck 14 on Allure of the Seas. Why secret? There was no signage, and it was mostly deserted the entire sailing. Another shared that on Harmony of the Seas, there’s an unmarked stairway leading to deck 19, the highest vantage point of the ship.
Wear comfortable shoes and explore top to bottom. You’ll beat the crowds, uncover hidden gems, and be ready to hit the fun running.
Scope Out the Solarium—Before the Lounge Hogs Take Over
It’s peaceful. Adults-only. And for latecomers, it’s packed by 3 p.m. The Solarium is one of Royal Caribbean’s best-kept day-one secrets—until it isn’t.
While everyone else floods Windjammer or worse, still standing in line in the terminal, in-the-know Royal cruisers head straight to the Solarium to claim their favorite loungers, soak in the calm, relaxing atmosphere before the crowds find it.
On Oasis and Quantum-class ships, the Solarium is a glass-enclosed and climate-controlled oasis, perfect for any weather. A Facebook post read, “We grabbed the padded loungers by the cascading pool. And we’re glad we did because we never saw them empty again all cruise.”
Even if you’re not planning to sunbathe, swing through and take mental notes. Is the Solarium Bistro open? What loungers have the best views? Where’s the quiet corner with the towel station and whirlpool? You’ll thank yourself later.
Find Your Cabin Even If It’s Not Ready, Here’s Why
Cabins on Royal Caribbean ships usually open around 1:00 p.m. But that doesn’t mean you can’t visit it before then. Smart Royal cruisers find their cabin early. No one’s unpacking yet, but knowing where you’ll sleep lets you plan the rest of your day smarter. Here’s why.
You can scope out the hallway, check the nearest elevators, and see if your room number matches what’s on the app (errors do happen). Some cruisers even snap a photo of their cabin number and set it as a screensaver to avoid that classic “wait—what was our room again?” moment later.
A Reddit user said, “We always find our cabin before lunch so we can head straight back to unpack instead of wandering with our stuff.” Another mentioned discreetly tucking bags just inside once the steward gave a nod—it’s a small move, but it smooths the rest of your day.
Be quick, courteous, and never block hallways—stewards are turning over 20+ cabins.
Stop Paying $6 for Water—Here’s What to Do Instead
Royal Caribbean charges around $3–$6 per bottle of water if you purchase it onboard, and that adds up quickly. One cruiser posted, “We didn’t bring any and ended up spending $48 just on water by day two.” Don’t be that guy.
The better move? Bring your own. Royal allows passengers to bring a 12-pack of bottled water or canned sodas in their carry-on for each stateroom. Want something cheaper and hassle-free? Bring a reusable bottle and fill it at Windjammer or Café Promenade using the filtered dispensers.
Remember: Pack bottled water or a bottle of wine in your carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage.
Some experienced cruisers bring a small collapsible jug and stash it in the mini-fridge. One Redditor said they refill theirs in the gym every morning—cool, filtered, and free of charge.
And if you really want bottled convenience without the markup and hassle of carrying it on board, pre-order a case before your cruise at a discounted rate. It’ll be waiting in your cabin on arrival—no scrambling, no $24 sticker shock, just cold water when you need it.
The Royal Caribbean Drink You’re Allowed to Bring Onboard (And Pair Like a Pro)
One bottle of wine or champagne per adult passenger. That’s what Royal Caribbean allows you to bring in your carry-on on embarkation day. And Royal fans who play it right never leave that perk on the table.
Once in your cabin, pop it in the fridge to cool. Then, grab some orange juice and fruit from the buffet, and you’ve got all the ingredients to create your own happy hour without splurging on the drinks package. Alternatively, consider enjoying a cheese and wine party to celebrate the sailaway.
One frequent cruiser wrote, “We brought a nice red and a bottle of bubbly. Saved a whopping $80 compared to onboard prices.” If you like your wine chilled, ask your cabin steward for an ice bucket—or have them clear the mini-bar so you can stash it there.
Avoid corkage fees by enjoying it in your room. Once you realize how good that first glass feels without the markup, you’ll never cruise without it again.
Top tip: Save money on a glass of wine in the Main Dining Room. Pour a glass of wine in your room and take it with you. Staff usually don’t bat an eyelid.
First Stop: Mini-Fridge Hack for Snacks, Drinks, and Sanity
Savvy cruisers treat the mini-fridge as their personal stash for wine, drinks, and snacks.
Here’s the thing: Royal Caribbean cabins often come stocked with overpriced mini-bar items. And although it’s not always cruise line policy, you can ask your stateroom attendant to clear it. Most are happy to do it within minutes, and they’ll not replenish it during the cruise. However, it’s also reported that some refuse as it’s against cruise line policy.
Now, you’ve got your own cold storage for milk, yogurt, fruit, water, and white wine. Several cruisers share how convenient this trick is, as they always have snacks on hand when hunger pangs strike.
It’s a tiny ask with a huge payoff—especially for families, picky eaters, or anyone cruising without a drink package. Just be polite, ask early, and use it like your own personal cooler.
Do This Smart Cabin Check Before You Unpack
The smartest cruisers avoid the temptation to flop on their bed as soon as they get access to the cabin. A few strategic moves can set you up for smooth sailing the entire cruise.
First, snap a few photos of your cabin. After you unpack, get set up, and lie down, your cabin will never be this clean and orderly again. They’ve also got peace of mind in case they’re wrongly accused of damaging furniture or the carpet.
Next, a quick wipe and function check. Use antibacterial wipes to disinfect all touchpoints. As you go, switch lights on and off, flush the toilet, run faucets, and the shower. Make sure everything’s working properly and that the water drains. This avoids a late-night call to Guest Services because something’s blocked.
Lastly, check under the bed, mattress, and sofa. You’re looking for two things: extra storage compartments and unwanted surprises. Extra pillows in the closet? Great. Someone else’s sock? Not so much. Some well-traveled cruisers also check the mattress for bed bugs.
Issues in Royal Caribbean cabins are uncommon, but not rare either. Cabins turn over fast, and stewards do their best, but things get missed.
Spot issues early, report them kindly, and your steward will usually fix it fast and appreciate the heads-up.
Bail Early from the Sailaway Party
You know your dream cruise vacation has started when the ship’s horn blares and the sailaway party begins. The party usually lasts 30-60 minutes. Real pros know when to bail—after about 20 minutes.
One cruiser said, “We hung out long enough to get the vibe, then slipped up to the Solarium for peace and sailaway views—best move we made.” Others said that getting to the MDR or bar was easy, as everyone seemed to be on the pool deck.
Another great option? Head to the upper decks, helipad (on some ships), or even your balcony with that wine you brought onboard. You’ll skip the chaos and still get the breeze, music, and that golden horizon.
You’re not missing the party—you’re skipping the part where it turns into a shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle. That’s how experienced cruisers start their week, relaxed and not jostled.
Board. Book. Chill. These Day-One Moves Make All the Difference
Now you can enjoy your Royal sailing like the seasoned cruisers who play it right. You’ve picked up the smart boarding day moves—the little things that make a big difference. One cruiser shared that these tips “turned day one from stressful to effortless. It seemed like less wandering and more winning.”
Now, you’re not just on board—you’re ahead of the game. Happy cruising!
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