Frequently Asked Questions

  • When Does Check-In Open on Royal Caribbean?

    Royal Caribbean’s check-in process is simple once you know the timing, but the exact moment it opens can catch people off guard. For most guests, check-in opens 45 days before your sailing. If you have Crown & Anchor status or you’re staying in a suite, you can board earlier regardless.

    One thing many people don’t realize is that Royal Caribbean uses the local time at the departure port, not your home time zone. So if your cruise leaves from Miami, check-in opens right at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time. If you live in California, that means 9:00 p.m. the evening before. If your cruise departs from Europe, your check-in might open in the middle of the afternoon or early evening your time. This confuses a lot of first-timers, so it’s worth double-checking.

    Why checking in right at midnight matters

    The closer you complete check-in to the moment it opens, the earlier your boarding time will be. Early boarding times go fast, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Boarding early is absolutely worth it, because getting on the ship as soon as they open the doors gives you almost an extra day onboard. You can head straight to lunch, explore the ship without crowds, hit the pool, or even start booking things that aren’t available online.

    What early boarding helps you do

    The earlier you get on the ship, the more flexibility you have for reserving experiences that you cannot book online ahead of time. This depends on the ship, but examples include certain onboard activities, some entertainment times, dining requests, and specialty experiences that only open for booking once you’re physically onboard.

    Then there’s just the vibe: boarding early means you start your vacation sooner instead of sitting in a terminal waiting.

    In short, mark your calendar for 45 days before your sailing, check the departure port’s time zone, and hop on as close to midnight as you can. You’ll be rewarded with a better boarding time and a head start on your cruise adventure.

  • Does Disney offer discounted room upgrades before your cruise?

    If you’re hoping to snag a discounted Disney Cruise Line room upgrade before your sailing, here’s the bottom line: Disney does not offer pre-cruise discounts on stateroom upgrades. If you call, email, or check online before your sailing, any upgrade you get will be at the full price difference between your current room and the upgraded category.

    The one exception is embarkation day, and this is where things get interesting. After you arrive at the terminal, clear security, and complete check-in, you can ask a Cast Member where the “day-of-departure upgrade” desk is located. Every port handles this a little differently, but there is always a dedicated counter for last-minute upgrades.

    If there are unsold staterooms, and that part is never guaranteed, Disney sometimes offers them at lower rates than what you would have paid in advance. Think of it like a last-call clearance on empty rooms. Prices vary depending on the ship, sailing, and availability, but people have reported everything from modest discounts to good deals.

    A few tips if you’re considering it:

    • Have a budget in mind because you’ll need to decide on the spot.
    • Be flexible. You can’t “hold” a room or go back and forth forever.

    If you want to get an idea of what these upgrades cost in real life, you can search Reddit or Facebook groups where cruisers often post their day-of upgrade prices. You’ll find plenty of first-hand examples broken down by ship and itinerary length, which can help you decide whether it’s worth trying for one on your own embarkation day.

  • Can I Bring Alcohol Aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

    If you’re getting ready for a Royal Caribbean cruise and wondering what drinks you can bring with you, the rules are pretty simple and very specific. Royal Caribbean does allow you to bring some alcohol, but only in a limited way.

    Guests are permitted to bring up to two bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom, and they must be 750 ml bottles (no boxed wine). You can only bring them on embarkation day, and at least one person in the stateroom must be 21 or older for the bottles to be allowed.

    Security will inspect the bottles, and they’re strict about this. If a bottle looks like it has been opened, altered, or tampered with in any way, it will be confiscated. They also check other containers, water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, and even luggage and if alcohol is found in any of those, it’s taken away on the spot. Anything seized at embarkation will not be returned, so it’s not worth trying to sneak liquor in.

    If you prefer beer or spirits, those can’t be brought onboard at all, but you can buy drinks individually or purchase one of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages once you’re on the ship.

  • Can you add passport info ahead of Disney Cruise check-in?

    If you’re hoping to get a head start on Disney Cruise Line check-in by uploading your passport early, here’s the truth: you can’t. Disney does not let you upload passport photos or complete travel document steps until your online check-in window officially opens, which is usually 30 days before sailing at midnight Eastern for first-time cruisers.

    Many guests try to prepare everything ahead of time because they are also trying to grab a Royal Gathering reservation the very second it unlocks. For first-time cruisers, both check-in and the Royal Gathering open at the same moment. It can feel chaotic, and it is very common for people to be caught off guard by how quickly reservation slots disappear.

    The smartest strategy is to divide and conquer. Have one adult focus on check-in right at midnight to secure the earliest possible port arrival time. Have another adult log in separately and go straight for the Royal Gathering reservation. One person trying to switch between tasks usually moves too slowly for both.

    To make check-in smoother, get your passenger ID photos ready ahead of time along with clear scans or photos of your passports saved on your computer. That way you can upload everything instantly without losing valuable minutes.

    Once check-in opens and you have your port arrival time, you can finish the passport upload step as part of the process.

  • What is a Fish Extender on a Disney Cruise?

    A fish extender on a Disney cruise is basically a fun, unofficial gift-exchange tradition that guests organize among themselves. Every stateroom on Disney Cruise Line ships has a little metal hook next to the door, often shaped like a fish or seahorse, meant for holding notes from the crew. Guests “extend” that hook by hanging a small fabric organizer with pockets, and that becomes the “fish extender.”

    Before the cruise, people often join a fish-extender group for their specific sailing, usually through Facebook groups or cruise forums. Each group has a list of participating cabins, and once onboard, everyone secretly drops small gifts into the pockets of the other cabins on their list. In return, other participants leave little surprises for you. The gifts can be homemade crafts, magnets, candy, stickers, keychains, or other small, packable treats.

    People love it because it adds a little extra magic to the trip. Kids especially get excited to come back to the room and find something waiting. It’s also an easy way to connect with other families on the ship. But participation is totally optional, and some guests skip it because it can take time to prepare gifts or because the amount of stuff you receive can be hit-or-miss.

    In short: It’s a cute, community swap that can be fun if you enjoy little surprises and crafty touches, but absolutely not something you need to do to enjoy your cruise.