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.