Royal Caribbean Cruise Timeline: 15 Things To Do And When To Do Them

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? It’s exciting—but let’s be honest, all the moving parts can feel like a puzzle. From choosing your stateroom to grabbing show reservations before they disappear, nailing the timing makes all the difference.

That’s why I’ve put together a simple timeline that walks you through exactly what to do—and when—to make sure you cruise like a pro. Think of this as your personal countdown to smooth sailing: when to book, when to check in, what to pack, and how to maximize every onboard moment.

Want early boarding? Best excursions? Zero stress on embarkation day? You’re in the right place. So grab your calendar and let’s map out your journey—from the first “book now” click to that final sunset at sea. Ready to make this your smoothest vacation yet?

1. Book Your Cruise 6-12 Months Ahead

Securing your Royal Caribbean cruise well in advance gives you the best cabin selection and early bird pricing.

Many popular itineraries sell out quickly, especially during school holidays and summer months. When booking early, you’ll also have plenty of time to research ports of call and plan shore excursions without feeling rushed.

I always recommend creating a simple folder (digital or physical) to keep all your cruise documents organized. If you’re flexible with dates, consider shoulder seasons like May or September for better rates and fewer crowds while still enjoying great weather in most destinations.

2. Purchase Travel Insurance 5-6 Months Before

Travel insurance isn’t just an extra expense—it’s your safety net if unexpected issues arise. Compare different policies to find one covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.

Did you know that many standard health insurance plans don’t cover you once you’re at sea? That’s why cruise-specific insurance is particularly valuable. I learned this lesson the hard way when a family emergency almost derailed our vacation.

Make sure to read the fine print about coverage limits and exclusions. Some policies even include benefits for missed connections or weather-related delays that might affect your ability to reach the departure port.

3. Book Flights 4-6 Months Before Sailing

Airline tickets typically hit their sweet spot for pricing about 4-6 months before your travel dates. I always aim to arrive at the departure port city at least one day before the cruise to avoid any last-minute travel delays.

When booking flights, check if Royal Caribbean offers air packages that might include transfers to the port. These can sometimes save you money and definitely reduce stress on embarkation day.

Consider flight times carefully—morning departures give you buffer time for delays, while return flights should be scheduled at least 5-6 hours after your ship is scheduled to dock to account for disembarkation procedures and transportation to the airport.

4. Reserve Shore Excursions 3-4 Months Out

Popular shore excursions fill up surprisingly fast, especially for bucket-list activities like swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman or visiting ancient ruins in Mexico. Booking 3-4 months ahead ensures you won’t miss out on these memorable experiences.

Royal Caribbean’s website lets you browse and book official excursions, which offer the security of guaranteed return to the ship. If you’re feeling adventurous, research independent operators for potentially lower prices and smaller groups.

My strategy is to plan one structured activity per port and leave the rest of the day for spontaneous exploration. This balance gives you both security and freedom to discover unexpected treasures at each destination.

5. Make Specialty Restaurant Reservations 2-3 Months Before

Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining venues like Chops Grille and Jamie’s Italian offer incredible culinary experiences beyond the main dining room. These restaurants have limited seating and often book completely full, especially on sea days.

Using the Royal Caribbean app or website, you can secure reservations before boarding. I recommend scheduling specialty restaurants for sea days and keeping port days flexible since your return time from excursions can vary.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, mention it when booking—many restaurants offer complimentary desserts or small touches to make your evening memorable. Dining packages that bundle multiple specialty restaurants can also provide significant savings if you plan to try several venues.

6. Complete Online Check-In 45-90 Days Before Departure

Royal Caribbean’s online check-in process opens 90 days before sailing and completing it early gives you a huge advantage. The earlier you check in, the earlier your assigned boarding time will be, meaning less time waiting in the terminal on embarkation day.

During check-in, you’ll upload your photo, enter passport information, and set up your onboard account payment method. This is also when you’ll print your luggage tags which are essential for getting your suitcases delivered to the right stateroom.

Take a screenshot of your SetSail Pass on your phone as backup. Even though everything is electronic now, having offline access to your boarding documents provides peace of mind in case of connectivity issues at the port.

7. Join Cruise Roll Call Groups 1-2 Months Before

Connecting with fellow passengers before your cruise adds an exciting social dimension to your vacation. Websites like Cruise Critic and Facebook groups dedicated to your specific sailing date let you meet others, arrange group excursions, and learn insider tips.

These communities frequently share valuable information about recent ship updates, port changes, or special events happening during your cruise. I’ve made lasting friendships through these groups and even coordinated shared transportation to the port, saving money.

Many groups organize meetups onboard, like cabin crawls (touring different stateroom categories) or bar crawls. The cruise director sometimes even provides a private venue and special perks for these pre-organized groups if you register them with guest services.

8. Pack Smart 1-2 Weeks Before Sailing

Strategic packing makes your cruise experience much smoother. Start by checking Royal Caribbean’s dress code for your sailing—most cruises have casual nights, smart casual nights, and formal nights requiring different attire.

Magnetic hooks are game-changers in cabins with metal walls, creating extra hanging space for swimsuits and towels. Don’t forget essentials like motion sickness medication, sunscreen, and a power strip (non-surge protected only, as surge protectors aren’t allowed).

Pack a day bag with swimwear, medications, and anything you’ll need immediately, as your checked luggage might not arrive at your stateroom until evening. This way, you can start enjoying the pools and activities right after boarding without waiting for your suitcases.

9. Download the Royal Caribbean App Before Departure

The Royal Caribbean app becomes your onboard digital assistant, and downloading it before sailing is crucial. Many ships now use the app for dining reservations, activity bookings, and even digital key technology for your stateroom.

Before boarding, you can browse and book available shows, specialty dining, and excursions. Once onboard, the app works even without purchasing an internet package, allowing you to view daily schedules, deck plans, and account balances using the ship’s internal network.

The app’s chat feature lets you stay connected with travel companions without roaming charges or buying an internet package. This is incredibly helpful when splitting up to enjoy different activities and needing to coordinate meeting times and locations across the massive ship.

10. Arrive at Port City One Day Early

Flying in the day before your cruise departs is one of the smartest travel decisions you can make. Weather delays, mechanical issues, or other travel disruptions won’t derail your vacation if you’ve built in this buffer day. Many port cities offer fascinating attractions worth exploring.

Miami has vibrant South Beach, Fort Lauderdale boasts beautiful waterways, and Barcelona features stunning architecture—all perfect for a pre-cruise day of adventure. Hotels near cruise ports often offer special cruise packages including breakfast and shuttle service to the terminal.

Some even allow you to leave your car parked during your cruise for a fee that’s often less than the port’s parking rates, saving you money while adding convenience and peace of mind.

11. Board the Ship at Your Assigned Time

Arriving at your designated check-in time streamlines the boarding process significantly. Royal Caribbean has perfected embarkation logistics, but showing up too early means waiting until your time slot opens, while arriving too late may mean longer lines as everyone rushes to board.

Have your SetSail Pass and passport ready when you reach the terminal. The check-in process moves quickly when documents are easily accessible. I always keep mine in a dedicated travel wallet that stays in my carry-on until needed.

Upon boarding, resist the urge to head straight to your cabin—staterooms are often not ready until 1-2 PM. Instead, grab lunch at the Windjammer Buffet or explore the ship while crowds are still minimal. This is your chance to get oriented before the ship fills with passengers.

12. Attend the Muster Drill on Embarkation Day

The muster drill has evolved significantly in recent years. Royal Caribbean now offers a more streamlined process called “Muster 2.0” where you watch a safety video on your stateroom TV or the mobile app, then visit your muster station at your convenience before sailaway.

This mandatory safety briefing familiarizes you with emergency procedures and the location of life jackets. Completing it promptly lets you enjoy uninterrupted fun for the rest of your cruise without announcements asking you to report for the drill. After checking in at your muster station, your SeaPass card gets scanned to confirm your participation.

The entire process typically takes less than 15 minutes with the new system—a vast improvement over the traditional all-at-once drills that could take up to an hour standing in crowded areas.

13. Book Shows and Activities on Day One

The moment you board is the perfect time to secure spots for popular onboard entertainment. Shows like Broadway productions, ice skating performances, and aqua theaters often require reservations even though they’re included in your cruise fare.

Head to the Royal Promenade or check the app to find crew members with tablets ready to help you book these experiences. Alternatively, most ships have digital booking stations near guest services where you can make reservations yourself.

Don’t overlook activities with limited capacity like the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, or specialty classes. Many of these can be reserved in advance, and doing so on day one ensures you won’t miss out on bucket-list experiences that might fill up quickly as the cruise progresses.

14. Plan Your Port Days the Night Before

Taking a few minutes each evening to prepare for the next day’s port visit saves valuable exploration time. Check your daily cruise planner (delivered to your stateroom) for important details like arrival time, all-aboard time, and whether tender boats will be used instead of docking directly.

Weather can change quickly in the Caribbean, so confirm conditions before finalizing plans. The ship’s navigation channel on your stateroom TV often provides forecasts for upcoming ports. Having a backup plan for rainy days ensures your port experience remains enjoyable regardless of weather.

Set an alarm early enough to enjoy breakfast without rushing, especially if you have a morning excursion. I always prepare a small day bag the night before with essentials like sunscreen, water bottles, and local currency to avoid scrambling in the morning.

15. Complete Guest Satisfaction Survey Before Final Day

Royal Caribbean values passenger feedback and uses survey responses to improve future cruises. The survey becomes available on your stateroom TV or the mobile app a day or two before the cruise ends.

Taking a few minutes to complete this survey allows you to acknowledge exceptional crew members by name. These mentions can significantly impact their career advancement and recognition programs within the company. If you experienced any issues during your cruise, the survey provides an opportunity to address them directly.

For immediate concerns, though, always visit Guest Services during your cruise rather than waiting for the survey—the crew genuinely wants to resolve problems while you’re still onboard and can improve your experience in real-time.

16. Prepare for Disembarkation the Night Before

Smooth disembarkation starts with proper preparation the evening before. Place your luggage outside your stateroom by the designated time (usually before midnight) if you’re using the traditional luggage collection service. Keep essentials and outfits for the morning in your carry-on. Self-assist disembarkation allows you to carry all your luggage off yourself and typically lets you leave earlier.

This option works well if you have a morning flight or can manage your bags independently. Either way, you’ll receive colored luggage tags corresponding to your assigned departure time. Settle your onboard account at Guest Services or via the app to avoid last-minute surprises.

Review your statement carefully for any discrepancies. Remember to leave cash tips for housekeeping staff if they provided exceptional service beyond the automatic gratuities included in your fare.