The advice I share most often is to have a fully stocked carry on bag. We are going on our 14th cruise, in 4 weeks. Of all the cruises, our honeymoon, they lost our bags for almost the entire day. They didn't locate them until after 11pm. It really ruined that whole day because we had no change of clothes, nothing really. This was a long time ago, and how we learned. We spent the day becoming more convinced that our bags didn't make it on the ship. And as much as I like RC, they failed to respond accordingly. They just kept downplaying it, and gave us a bottle of wine. Me and my wife don't drink wine. So it did nothing. A bottle of Jack Daniel's maybe would have been more appropriate. So have travel bags that have bathing suit, change of clothes, toiletries, etc. Anything important. Imagine a day with nothing, what would you need or want? Pack that.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but if you kow you're going to book another cruise, head to the next cruise desk on the first day and book it. Not only do they give you an incredible amount of OBC for the cruise, my wife and I did that and we received a free bottle of champaign because we did it on embarkation day.

@Mayrose587

Жыл бұрын

@@LP2488 The cruises are not discounted just because you bought it on the ship. The closer you get to a sailing date, you may be able to get the same cruise for a reduced price from one of many discount cruise websites. The value is the $200 in OBC they give you for booking on the ship, to be used on your next cruise.

@geno5169

Жыл бұрын

My wife and I are sailing on oasis this September. With our two daughters there first cruise. My wife and I are planning on doing Alaska cruise for our first our first time. That’s too soon late to book for our cruise plus I don’t think you’ll get much of a difference

@Mayrose587

Жыл бұрын

@Geno The cruises are not discounted when purchasing them onboard. The value is in the reduced deposits, and the $200 in OBC Royal gives you. On top of that, we transferred our reservation to our travel agent, and they gave us $100 in OBC. That's $300 we can use towards drink or dining packages, or excursions.

@shalawnrivers4125

Жыл бұрын

Are you making a deposit for the next cruise

@Mayrose587

Жыл бұрын

@@shalawnrivers4125 Yes. The OBC is also for that cruise.

Most important tip--make sure that you have everything that you are going to need for check in handy! We were in line behind a couple that had left all their id's (passport/birth certificates) in the luggage they had given to the porters! Bless their hearts, it was a mess for them and the stress.....just double check that one of you or someone has it! Each one thought the other had it so neither of them questioned where it was. Don't assume!

Arrive to your cruise port a day early. Embarkation is so much more relaxed if you aren't trying to get to port on embarkation day.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Amen!

Thank you!

One more day until Wonder OTS! We are checked in and ready to go. Thank you Matt for all the great tips.

We are sailing Royal Caribbean for the first time and found this video and all of your other ones to be Very helpful!!! Thank you for taking the time to do them!

I stressed so bad pre-cruise last year about not having an iron in my room and my clothes being wrinkled. (It had been several years since I’d cruised. Lol). I was thrilled to get on the ship and see the ironing special for the first day. I had all of my dresses ironed for less than $20!

@miamigirl247

Жыл бұрын

The ship doesn't have an in bedroom iron??! What about a hair dryer?

@organizingalyson

Жыл бұрын

@@miamigirl247 no bedroom iron and you can’t bring one! They are banned. The first day ironing deal was well worth $20 though. This time I don’t plan to pre-iron anything. I’m just gonna pack it and have it ironed there. 😜

@organizingalyson

Жыл бұрын

@@miamigirl247 I imagine they have a hairdryer but I bring my own.

@hollysisk9975

Жыл бұрын

@@miamigirl247 they have a hairdryer in every room. You don’t have to bring one.

We haven't been on Royal Caribbean in a few years. We appreciate the tips, in particular to obtain a check in time through the app about 45 days before our departure date.

We got on the Oasis before 10:30am. We were one of the first couple dozen people on the ship. It was like getting an extra at sea day.

@gwcrispi

Жыл бұрын

Also, we couldn't believe the number of idiots sitting on the Promenade with all of their luggage waiting till 1:00 p.m.

@reenakemp9132

10 ай бұрын

If you board that early. Are the bars and restaurants open yet? I've never boarded that early before, but my next cruise I will be there at Port early

@gwcrispi

10 ай бұрын

@@reenakemp9132 Yes, they are. Your drinks package doesn't cover those drinks as you are technically in whatever city the port is in, but you can get drinks. Board in your swimsuit and hit a pool. Your carry on luggage will be fine next to you at the pool. The buffet is rocking early too.

Super helpful. We are cruising for the first time next week on MSC meragvilia.. I am glad we are going with our kids who have cruised before. There is a lot of information out there and this was really helpful.

My cruise is explorer of the seas for March 26 to april 1st , my first cruise trip and im so excited. This channel helped me a lot

Great video, One update I would say is many of the reservations you speak of doing on the first day after you board the ship can be done on the app prior to boarding. Some several days to several months. For example, my cruise on Allure is 4 months away, and I have already reserved my time for my time dining. Also, on my last cruise in December, I was able to book all my shows several days before sailing on the app.

Super helpful! My family and I are going on the Oasis of the Seas next January and can’t wait!

These are great tips, thank you. I'm looking at going on my first cruise with my son this summer. This has been very helpful. So many things to think about.

Thank you for the great tips I cruise in February I will make sure to check in late December

Heading on LotS in 2 weeks! We're definitely going to take advantage of the waterslides on embarkation day!! Also definitely going to book the kids some time at Adventure Ocean and Royal Tots! We have a reservation at Sabor 🥰🥰

I just can't wait to get on my ship. I'm so excited.

Harmony on the seas on March 25th!!! Excited for my first oasis class 🔥

On Oasis OTS, they directed us to our muster station immediately as we boarded. It was just off the Royal Promenade. We spent about 10 minutes there talking to the staff, who demonstrated the life jacket and the alerts, and checked us off. We were done within 15 minutes of being on board, except for the repeated announcements begging others to finish up so we could leave.

@peggysmith678

Жыл бұрын

They actually escorted us to our muster station, it was nice to have the e-muster out of the way.

@Mayrose587

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I don't get why people just don't get it done as soon as they board. 15 minutes is not bad. I've heard of others taking less time than that. Grab a beer on your way.

@peggysmith678

Жыл бұрын

I would say ours took less than 5 minutes

@soulfulaip

Жыл бұрын

That was also the muster process we went through on Oasis last Spring. It was so quick and easy!

@jimward7881

11 ай бұрын

Once you finish your virtual muster drill check in and you are finished in 30 seconds

1:24 I agree completely about early check-in. Yesterday’s date was 46 days in advance of my cruise. I stayed up until midnight to do my check-in. At 12:15 am ET, check-in was available to me so I completed it. We snagged the first check-in time (10:30am for this particular sailing) and are very excited to have that time slot. We fly in a day or two prior to our cruise, so early embarkation is easy for us (and desired!).

@tduck828

Жыл бұрын

I checked in at 9am EST and still got an 11am check in time. Not necessary to do it at midnight!

@jackiebyers3424

Жыл бұрын

@@tduck828 I debated waiting until morning. Sounds like I could have and still get a great time. Thanks.

@tduck828

Жыл бұрын

@Jackie Byers yep but like anything else guess depends on if others do it early or not as well!

@Gybing

Жыл бұрын

@@tduck828 Yes, getting 11am is easy the next day but if you want 10:30 or even 10:00 on some sailings, you need to do it exactly at midnight (I was late few min because of the glitch on the website and all those slots were taken and I had to bear with 11am.

@tduck828

Жыл бұрын

@@Gybing guess I don't see the need to board at exactly 10 or 1030.

This will be my very first cruise. Mack thank you soo much. I got tired just watching all the fun and exciting things that are available and included. Thanks again. I've Subscribed and shared with my cruising party.

Thank you!!!! I will be planning a cruise soon!!! You have some of the best tips to use to ensure the best cruise vacation!!!!!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Grateful for your tips! As we prepare to cruise Seas May 2023 incorporated many of your amazing tips! Thank you!

This is all so helpful! Thank you!

Very good video. So many good reminders for that first day. 6 months until our Alaskan cruise with several first-time cruisers. This will be so useful. Thanks again 🛳️

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Very Helpful suggestions. Downloaded the app while watching and awaiting the 45 day check-in date. Easy to watch and understand.

excited for our cruise on feb 11 - thanks for the tips

Great info on the E-muster station! I will definitely knock that out the morning before we board!

3 months til my Harmony cruise. Thanks for the tips! Definitely excited that the whole pre-cruise covid test stressor is gone.

Thank you, value, added!

I embark on Monday!! I'm so excited 🤩

Thank you! Good information. My very first cruise is coming up with my teenager-great tip regarding check-in. I just did it.

This is so helpful, thank you!

Thank you this was so helpful! We leave in 73 days for our first cruise and this video answered a lot of my questions.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

We set sail Saturday on the Wonder and it’s our group’s first time cruising. The amount of tips and advice online for first timers is overwhelming, however, your channel has helped me a great deal. Upbeat and straight to the point. Thank you! ☺️

@kimkyle5927

Жыл бұрын

Read my comment above.

@tamikajones944

Жыл бұрын

How did it go?!

So helpful! Thank you!!

thanks so much for info very informative!!!!

I am heading on the Symphony of the Seas in 8 days... super excited! Thanks for all the helpful tips

@wes326

Жыл бұрын

We are boarding Sympony on the 21st. Hope you had a good time.

I'm a retired travel agent and a seasoned cruiser. I appreciate the tips. It's great information for first time cruisers.

@CyberMatter5566

Жыл бұрын

Agreed, My family is going on a cruise around the first or second week of summer

@teebabyblue7637

8 ай бұрын

I'm going on a group trip, I was told I don't need a passport? Have you ever heard of this, and what should I bring just in case. ( I don't have a passport at all)

great video matt, thank you :) Ive actually written a few down in my ph diary to remind me to do on our first RCCL cruise in november :)

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Sounds great!

Excited for my first cruise 9/11/23 🎉😊

Thank you. This is very helpful ❤

Perfect! Just in time for my first cruise at the end of the month!!! I was starting to panic about boarding day 😅

Matt you are the man!

Thank you ..great tips

Thanks for the pertinent info.

Cursing tomorrow. Health check: done. Thanks for the reminder ✅

My wife and I sail on Independence of the Seas in April. The first thing we do after getting on a Royal Caribbean ship is head to the Schooner Bar for a cocktail 🍷🥃then off to the Windjammer for lunch. A tradition of our for over 20 years.

@dianecapozzi7358

Жыл бұрын

HI Tom! My name is Diane & 4 of us will be traveling 5.5.23 on Independence of the Seas. Thanks for the embarkation day recommendation. Question for you: Do we need to reserve to watch any shows on a 3-day cruise? When & how should we do that? Don't want to miss anything on such a short cruise. Thanks so much! Also, did you go to Nassau? We want to steer away from crowds... suggestions? Thanks again, Diane C.

My husband sent me this video this morning. We’ve been on 5 other cruises but being reminded of thing since we haven’t sailed since September 2019 in Europe, it was great. Being partially deaf, in Europe, muster drill was fun where we went to the mdr and sat with people we didn’t know and made “friends” prior to sailing. The closed captioning on the tv’s was great for me!! Now I’m excited I can just watch a video that has closed captioning for muster! It would be amazing if RC actually emailed this video after bookings are made. I’ve had a few friends who didn’t research anything and ended up disappointed over many things.

thanks for many information!

Thanks Matt! You’re amazing with the information you give us. I’m looking forward to sailing on Harmony April 29th.

@yolandaperry8573

Жыл бұрын

Have a great time. I’m going this summer.

Great advice. I can’t wait to cruise again

Can't until my cruise 6/30/23 🎉 yahoo.

This is one of the most in depth video. I truly appreciate it the contents of your video will come in handy

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it!

Thanks, Matt - great tips! I've added these to my cruise preparation folder. We leave January 29th on Allure. First time on this ship & first time leaving from the new Galveston terminal. Excited for both!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@carolm4545

Жыл бұрын

She’s an amazing ship!❤

@tinagorski9

Жыл бұрын

Hope you’re enjoying your cruise now. We leave two weeks after you on Feb 12, Super Bowl Sunday. Our first time at the new terminal as well. So excited to see the bigger Royal ship.

@vcjtx

Жыл бұрын

@@tinagorski9 Great so far! Cozumel today so it's almost over. The ship is very nice & the size absorbs the number of people so you don’t feel crowded (except for entering & leaving the aqua show). The food has been very good. We had a great meal at 150 Central Park last night and were pleasantly surprised by Sabor. Have fun on your cruise!

Birding the Wonder on January 15….can’t wait!

Very helpful, thanks

If I ever get the chance to splurge on a Star Class suite, I will definitely do so. I was on the fence about it, but after seeing this video, I must double my efforts at winning the lottery! 😁😁

Can’t wait till my next cruise trip to Australia/ New Zealand.!❤

Great Information thank you so very much!

Thanks for info. As for the first two things to do after boarding, we think you have them reversed. We try to avoid specialty dining on a day we want to see a show. Sometimes shows occur once a cruise, so we head to the box office first to see if/which shows need reservations and when they occur to make our show reservations. With our show schedule in hand, we then work on the specialty restaurants.

Very informative video! I’ve cruised many times in the past, some things have changed.

Brilliant advice! I've added some reminders on my phone.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

This was SO incredibly helpful! We haven't cruised since pre-Covid so I'm glad to have the reminders as well as updates. We're booked on Oasis in May! And the porters must love us as this Canadian typically tips far more than what you recommended. I still will as it's part of what I budget for cruises. :)

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@kissy7121

Жыл бұрын

Hi 👋 We’re going on our first cruise. How much do you tip? Do you recommend to pre-pay gratuities or pay them as you go? 😊

@KateD

Жыл бұрын

@@kissy7121 Hi Kissy! I'm not sure if the questions were meant for me or the Royal Caribbean folk. I like to pre-pay gratuities so they're taken care of. Otherwise, it's my understanding that they're added to the daily expenses so a big chunk to pay last day of cruise. I do tend to tip a couple of extra dollars here and there for great service at the bar, etc. And I usually leave an extra $20+ for my room attendant in the little envelope provided for passengers on the last night of the cruise. For porters, I typically tip about $5 per bag. Again, I'm Canadian and we tend to be generous tippers. It's all part of my budget as I plan. It sounds as though some people just tip $1 here and there so please do what makes you feel most comfortable so you can fully enjoy your cruise. I hope you have a fabulous time!! :)

@geno5169

Жыл бұрын

@@kissy7121 my wife and I have sailed on 3 cruise’s With Mardi Gras including. We just booked on the oasis with our two daughters for there first cruise .anyway my wife and I always book our cruise’s with tips including.I hope this helps you?? Where sailing this sailing this fall.

@neilscutt

Жыл бұрын

I think US travellers must have far more money to spend on their cruises. These people working on the cruises aren’t forced to do so. They choose to do so and agree to the salary. Having looked at industry standard salaries they have reasonable pay plus board lodging and travel around the world, in many cases for unskilled labour. I’m glad they are there and appreciate what they do but we all work and most people don’t get gratuities for doing their job. And having spoken to several, most of their money goes home, in some cases,to very poor countries where the money is worth far, far more. We just need to get some perspective

I’m going on oasis this Friday and I’m so excited lol thank you so much

Thank you so much! You answered all my questions. Even my question about ice for our room. I am going on a cruise next month and I can’t live without my ice lol great video thanks again

Loved the video, very helpful

Always Book with your travel agent! Happy cruising😊

Great tips TFS 😊

Doing your online check-in at work😂😂😂

Super helpful - we have our first Royal Caribbean cruise coming up next month and I get anxious about logistic stuff. Check-in just opened yesterday for our cruise (all done, and got a 10:30am check-in time), and now waiting for booking of shows to open (we are on Symphony of the Seas). I have a spreadsheet created for each day and filling in info from a past cruise compass as a starting point for what night what shows will be and then trying to line up plans for specialty dining (both my daughter and I have birthdays while on the ship so want something nice each of those days). But just having more clarity around what to do - and what order to do everything - helps so much! Thanks!

@conshox1

Жыл бұрын

for next month at Ovation you can now book the show "pixels" in the two70. Look every day in your bookingsite.

Your informational videos have been phenomenal. My wife and I booked a short one in a few weeks and I have not been on a RCC since 2014ish so it has been a HUGE help.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

So glad it has been helpful!

Omg this video is so good

Thank you so much! I’m getting ready to book are first cruise! Single mom with two teenager girls. You just helped me so much with that information!!!!!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

Ty for the tips! AT January 9 i will go to the cruise!

Just two weeks left till I cruise on Odyssey…your videos are always very helpful

@monaejet

Жыл бұрын

Me too...1/28, this is my second time on this ship!

So helpful! Finally booked my first ever cruise. Will be going in June! I’ve been watching your videos nonstop to prepare myself! Lol

@carolm4545

Жыл бұрын

You’ll have a great time! Keep watching Matt’s vlogs. He does a great job!

@diamonddiva8376

Жыл бұрын

Just booked my first ever cruise as well. Also going in June! We are excited and ready to cruise 🛳. These videos with Matt have been extremely helpful 😀

@Chelseaaliciaa

Жыл бұрын

@@diamonddiva8376 how exciting! Which cruise will you be going on!? ☺️ I’ll be on oasis June 2nd to the Bahamas! ☺️

@diamonddiva8376

Жыл бұрын

@Chelseaaliciaa freedom of the seas. Birthday weekend June 9th 😊

This video was very helpful this will be on first cruise on Royal so this helped I got everything done but this video helped me double check everything

Thanks ,that was very informative.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome

Matt said it best to have LUNCH!!!!! If you have the ultimate dining package hit up a specialty restaurant. I just started cruising with me Fiancee (our first cruise was an 11 night southern Caribbean cruise on Anthem), you have to go to Jaime's. The pasta is so good and then hit up chops for dinner. We both are so excited for our nest cruise in 2024, another 11 nighter :D Try the Solarium Bistro also for a quieter place.

We just did a last minute cruise in Dec. Your tips were right on. The only issue that I had and most will probably won't experience this was the check-in. My passport was expired and was in process (online) before I booked the cruise. I have Global Entry which is a valid document you can put under your profile via the App and web site during check in. I brought my expired passport anyway assuming my Global Entry was just as good. Well they did not accept my expired passport and told me that they would not accept Global Entry as a valid form of ID. They asked if I can get a photo of my birth certificate. Luckily my daughter was home and was quickly able to text it to us. Once I received it, I connected to their WiFi and sent the photo of my birth certificate to their printer. Once it was printed, they approved it and allowed me on my way So they accept a print out of a "photo" of my birth certificate. They couldn't tell if it was valid or in the format of the state I was born in. But they would not take a Government ID in which I had to go through a background check and finger printing for? That did not make sense. And guess what I used when we returned to port and going through customs; my Global Entry :)

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing what happened with your passport situation!

@clbert7460

Жыл бұрын

Some countries require an actual passport; a conveyance like an airplane or cruise ship is supposed to ensure that the document is valid per the individua country. If a passenger is caught without , the carrier could be fined up to $10,000. (I know because I was refused boarding a flight to a country with a passport that expired within 6 month of my travel.) Each country could require them upon departing the ship if they want to. BTW Global Entry is a trusted passenger program in the United States but not in other countries, but if you are someone selected for inspection which they do randomly, and you don’t have your passport it could be troublesome. (I worked with CBP for 15 years. We randomly pulled over passengers all of the time for inspection.) Definitely ask before traveling about the documents required. I’ve seen people lose their GE status. Have a great vacation.

I'm looking to book my first cruise soon. Helpful video thanks 😊

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I didn't kno we had make reservations for shows...when me and mom went because she elderly we went right in and sat at the end and it was a great show. Nobody asked wat time or if we was sitting in some spot. Which me and both found great because we can't walk up down stairs

thank you for all your ideas/suggestions - I have a list - excited for August - glenda

Going on my first cruise ever in February. Harmony of the seas western caribbean.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Have a great time!

i board next week on the navigator of the seas, this was much needed, thank you!

@briannajackson7724

Жыл бұрын

Have fun 🍾🍾

@Hannah5290

Жыл бұрын

Me too!!! So excited!!!

@carolm4545

Жыл бұрын

She’s a great ship! Enjoy!🎉

Great tips!!!!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

Matt you’re tips are so helpful . This is our first time on the oasis. We’ve been watching your vedio’s trying to learn as possible. Now my wife just downloaded royal ‘s app last night. We have carnival’s app and the helped. Where taking our two daughters on their first cruise. This will be my wife’s and I 3rd cruise.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

very helpful- first time cruiser here

Perfect timing! I board Wonder of the Seas in 2 days! Thanks for all of these tips!

@EllenCFarmGirl

Жыл бұрын

Have fun

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it!

@briannajackson7724

Жыл бұрын

Have fun 🍾🍾

Great video Matt! Not sure if you've ever done a video explaining the differences of the classes of ships. People have asked me which ships have this and which ships have that? Maybe an explanation of what the differences between the classes are would be helpful. Such as which ships have toddler pools, Promenades, private suite areas, MDR dining lunch only on sea days, and complimentary breakfast at JR, etc. Just a thought if you haven't already done that! Cheers!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/eKp-t7KLdaqdnpM.html

Was able to do vsafety, muster video and I’m going in 2 weeks. Saving time now only checkin at muster station!😊

Everything about this video is simply perfect. Thank you for this.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

For me the first day is a whirlwind of a day and rest Is needed.

Geeeeze Loueeeese! I godda do all.... what? Just kidding. Although, I was thinking about running through the video and making a checklist with a time line. Key takeaways I got were, if you have a large group, it might be helpful to get Everyone to do the early check in and the Lifeboat app around the same time. Also, the dining and entertainment that everyone wants to attend along with the pre stuff that can be done before boarding day. Great video. First time cruiser here for an Alaska cruise in June. All help appreated!

Izumi Hibachi you have to go there and make the reservation. Also you have to do Chops directly to book as well. Learned that the hard way. So so Izumi first, then run over to Chops to do them and the other restaurants

Important to have knowledge on safety procedures. Knowing what to do with that video and follow up steps, is good.

,very helpful! Now I know for that a cruise isn't something I want to go on. Thank u

Thanks first cruise since aus shutdown coming up on ovation and one thing we didn't do on our first cruise years ago was not meet the room attendant and our air-conditioning wasn't working properly and didn't get fixed till the next day in our inside cabin cause we didn't know what to do