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How do I pay for onboard purchases?
All of Royal Caribbean International ships operate on a "cashless" system, meaning your boarding card, (also known as your SeaPass card), will be used as a charge card to make all onboard purchaxses. Normally to activate this SeaPass account, most guests provide a credit card, (American Express, Optima, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diner's Club), to have these purchases charged to at the end of their cruise. Additionally, the SeaPass system may be activated with traveller’s checks, debit cards or cash.
A running tab of all your purchases will be kept under separate folio numbers for each guest and an itemised statement left in your stateroom the night before disembarkation. If you provided a credit card and there are no discrepancies, the amount will be charged to your account on the morning of disembarkation. If you have used traveller’s checks or cash to activate the account, you will need to settle the account at the Guest Relations desk, (to either receive a reimbursement of the unused amount you originally left or to pay the balance of what you have charged over the amount of what you originally left).
Please note:
We require guests to place a deposit if they are paying for their SeaPass account with cash. There is a US$500 daily limit on cash accounts for 7+ night sailings and US$300 for 2/3/4/5 night sailings. Once the daily cash limit is reached, we will call the guest and inform the guest that the limit has been reached.
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Is Internet access available from the ship?
Yes, depending on the ship there are two or even three options for staying connected while onboard.
Cyber Cabin
Unlimited Internet dial-up access from the privacy of your stateroom. A special kits is required - available at the Guest Relations Desk on a first-come- first-served basis.
A kit is simply a box containing the following:
1. Telephone with a digital to analogue converter
2. Telephone cables
3. Power supply
4. Instruction sheet
Note: Without the telephone, you will not be able to dial up via a laptop modem.
You will need the following:
Windows based operating system
Internal modem
Dial-up Internet capabilities
The cost for a 7-night cruise is $100.00 USD for unlimited access.
Price is subject to change without notice.
Available onboard, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, *Brilliance of the Seas, *Radiance of the Seas *Jewel of the Seas, and *Serenade of the Seas.
*Kits are not required.
Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi)
There will be six designated *"Hot Spots" which vary from ship to ship.
To use our WI-FI access, you'll need:
A laptop
Windows operating system
802.11b Wireless networking capability
Guests who do not have a wireless ready laptop may obtain a wireless card at the Guest Relations desk.
Rental Fee of the card is as follows:
Card US$10.00 per day or US$50 per voyage - 7 nights and longer
Damage Insurance US$2.00 per day
Lost/Damaged Card Fee US$250.00
The cost for Wi-Fi access through your own laptop is:
Base rate is US$0.50 per minute or choose from one of our prepaid packages:
US$25.00 for 60 minutes
US$35.00 for 90 minutes
US$50.00 for 150 minutes
These prices are in addition to the rental of the card for those guests who do not have a wireless ready laptop.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
The Internet Cafe/Workstation
These stations provide access to e-mail and the Internet, plus direct connections to favourite websites for stock, sports and entertainment updates. You can also send virtual postcards while at sea, and in ports-of-call worldwide. If you don't have an e-mail account, you can also establish one onboard.
The cost is US$0.50 per minute or you can choose from the following prepaid packages:
US$25.00 for 60 minutes
US$35.00 for 90 minutes
US$50.00 for 150 minutes
Available onboard all ships.
Prices are subject to change without notice.
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When can I board the ship?
The boarding time for your ship and sailing date is specified in your Guest Vacation Documents. Please do not plan on arriving at the pier prior to the specified time as the ship will not be ready to board guests.
Due to new government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete Online Check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise. If you do not complete Online Check-in 3 days prior, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time. Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you will not be permitted to sail.
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What items are not allowed onboard the cruise ship?
Aside from the obvious (and illegal) items not allowed onboard, there are other items we cannot accommodate onboard.
Prohibited items:
- Candles
- Coffee Makers
- Electrical Transformers
- Flammable Liquids and Explosives (such as fireworks)
- HAM radio equipment
- Hockey sticks
- Illegal Drugs
- Irons
- Personal Alcohol
- Skateboards
- Surfboards
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Can I check-in for my cruise vacation in advance?
Of course! No matter how you reserve your cruise vacation - with a travel agent, over the phone, or online - you can use our Online Check-In process to expedite your boarding and skip the forms at the pier.
Royal Caribbean International requires guests to be checked in no later than 60 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing time*. Guests arriving late will not be permitted to sail. This supports government regulations in some ports that require cruise lines to submit a departure manifest 60 minutes prior to sailing. Guests are requested to complete Online Check-In no later than 3 days prior to the cruise in order to expedite the pier check-in process.
*Some sailings may require an earlier check-in time. Please refer to your Guest Vacation Documents for specific information.
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What types of excursions does Royal Caribbean offer?
Royal Caribbean's excursions include:
- Adventure such as mountain biking and 4x4 off-roading
- Beach & or water related activities such as whitewater rafting and deep-sea fishing
- Cuisine tours such as pub crawls and tapas tastings
- Flightseeing such as helicopter tours of glaciers and volcanoes
- Golf such as teeing off from tropical beaches
- Shows such as museum tours and mariachi bands
- Sightseeing such as scenic drives and guided tours
- Snorkel and SCUBA such as helmet dives and reef tours
- Wilderness & wildlife such as canoe safaris and canopy adventure
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Do you offer any special prices or discounts?
Yes, Royal Caribbean offers special prices and discounts for groups such as senior citizens and military. For more information about all of our promotions, please click here.
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What is Royal Caribbean International's Age Policy?
No guest under the age of twenty-one (21) will be reserved in a stateroom unless accompanied by an adult twenty-one (21) years of age, or older. This age limit will be waived for minors sailing with their parents or guardians in adjacent staterooms or under-aged married couples (proof of marriage is required). Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to ask for proof of age. Royal Caribbean International's age policy for gambling and consumption of alcoholic beverages is as follows:
Please note: An individual's age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.
ALCOHOL POLICY
Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on all Royal Caribbean International ships is 21.
- However, on cruises departing from Asian, European and South American countries, where the legal drinking age is typically lower than 21, a parent who is sailing with his or her son(s) and/or daughter(s) who is between the ages of 18 to 20, may sign a waiver allowing the 18 to 20 year old to consume alcoholic beverages.
- The 18- to 20 year-old must agree to comply with Royal Caribbean's policies, including among other things, agreeing to not provide alcoholic beverages to any other person, regardless of age. Restrictions apply, and this policy is subject to change without notice.
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's Guest Conduct Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.
Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy.
All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.
Royal Caribbean reserves the right to revoke or otherwise restrict drinking privileges of any guest, regardless of age.
GAMBLING POLICY
Guests eighteen (18) years of age and older are welcome to play in our casinos (for all Alaska sailings, guests must be 21 years of age in order to play in our casinos).
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Can I bring liquor (from home or from a port) onboard?
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing.
Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies (over consumption, provision of alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behaviour, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.
Please Note: All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.
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What do I do if I lost/forgot something onboard?
For information on lost luggage or items, please call (800) 256-6649 and choose option 2.
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What are gratuity guidelines for cruises?
So that you can thank those who have made your cruise vacation better than you could have imagined, we've developed these gratuity guidelines:
Suite attendant: $5.75 USD a day per guest
Stateroom attendant: $3.50 USD a day per guest
Dining Room Waiter: $3.50 USD a day per guest
Assistant Waiter: $2.00 USD a day per guest
Headwaiter: $0.75 USD a day per guest
*Pre-paid gratuities are mandatory for all Asian sailings
Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages.
Gratuities for other service personnel are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served.
Notice to Guests: Gratuities may be shared with other crew members depending on the particular service requirement.
Envelopes for gratuities will be provided in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise. Gratuities may be paid in the following ways:
- Pre paid by having them added to your reservation by your booking agent.
- Added to your onboard SeaPass account.
- Paid in cash at the end of the cruise.
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What are the gratuity guidelines for the tour portion of a cruisetour?
To thank those who served you well, we generally suggest the following guidelines:
Tour Director: $3.00 USD (or CAD/EUR equivalent) a day per guest
Motorcoach Driver: $2.50 USD (or CAD/EUR equivalent) a day per guest
Traincar Host: $1.00 USD (or CAD/EUR equivalent) a day per guest
Wait Staff: $2.50 USD (or CAD/EUR equivalent) a day per guest
*Pre-paid gratuities are mandatory for all Asian sailings
Notice to Guests: Gratuities may be shared with other crew members depending on the particular service requirement.
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How do I pay for onboard purchases?
All of Royal Caribbean International ships operate on a "cashless" system, meaning your boarding card, (also known as your SeaPass card), will be used as a charge card to make all onboard purchaxses. Normally to activate this SeaPass account, most guests provide a credit card, (American Express, Optima, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Diner's Club), to have these purchases charged to at the end of their cruise. Additionally, the SeaPass system may be activated with traveller’s checks, debit cards or cash.
A running tab of all your purchases will be kept under separate folio numbers for each guest and an itemised statement left in your stateroom the night before disembarkation. If you provided a credit card and there are no discrepancies, the amount will be charged to your account on the morning of disembarkation. If you have used traveller’s checks or cash to activate the account, you will need to settle the account at the Guest Relations desk, (to either receive a reimbursement of the unused amount you originally left or to pay the balance of what you have charged over the amount of what you originally left).
Please note:
We require guests to place a deposit if they are paying for their SeaPass account with cash. There is a US$500 daily limit on cash accounts for 7+ night sailings and US$300 for 2/3/4/5 night sailings. Once the daily cash limit is reached, we will call the guest and inform the guest that the limit has been reached.
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What is the timing of the muster drill for guests?
The International Convention of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulatory guidelines require that a muster drill be held within 24 hours of a ship’s departure from its embarkation port. The muster drill for guests on all ships across our fleet is to be held 30 to 60 minutes prior to departure on the day of turnaround, or embarkation.
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What languages are the muster drills conducted in?
Announcements for the guest assembly drill are made in English, or the official language of the vessel. The announcements are made in additional core languages when we have large numbers of guests onboard who do not speak English. On some sailings, announcements may be made in the language of the market, then followed by English and any other approved core language(s).
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Should passengers wear their lifejackets when participating in a muster drill?
Guests should not bring life jackets to the muster drill. Our procedures direct guests to proceed directly to their muster stations in the unlikely event of an emergency and upon hearing the emergency signal. This reduces the chance for cross-traffic and improves response time at muster stations, as guests do not need to return to their staterooms to retrieve their lifejackets if they are in another part of the ship at the time. Crew members will provide guests with life jackets at the muster stations. In the unlikely event of an emergency, one of the most important aspects is to account for all persons onboard, and this process facilitates that accountability.
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Who regulates the cruise industry?
The cruise industry is a heavily regulated industry, and the safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority.
- All cruise ships are designed and operated in compliance with the strict requirements of the International Maritime Organization, the UN agency that mandates global standards for the safety and operation of cruise ships through adoption of treaties, regulations and resolutions, codified in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
- Safety-related regulations and requirements are rigorous – and we often go substantially above and beyond what is required; for example, carrying backup mechanical, navigational and safety provisions.
- Our ships’ crews undertake extensive training, certification, drills and scenarios in preparation for the very unlikely event of an emergency, including training on ship evacuation procedures.
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What training does the crew go through for muster drills and emergency situations?
All of our ships’ officers receive specialized training, and every crew member must participate in safety training modules so they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the unlikely event of an emergency. We also conduct weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual drills on all of our ships, to train and prepare for response to a variety of potential situations. In addition, each of our vessels is equipped with advanced fire detection and suppression systems, and every ship has highly trained personnel onboard who can effectively respond to and manage these systems.
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How many life saving crafts do the ships carry?
The number of life saving crafts varies on each class of ship. All of our ships have sufficient survival craft for everyone on board, plus additional capacity in reserve, per regulatory requirements.
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What are the mustering procedures for kids participating in (Royal and Celebrity) children’s/youth programs?
The muster procedure, as part of the Youth Evacuation Program, will ensure that children are brought to the muster station where they would be reunited with their parents / guardians. This is also mentioned in the general muster drill announcement.
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What are the mustering procedures for passengers with disabilities?
During the mustering process, trained crew with high visibility vests will be posted throughout the ship to assist guests with disabilities. In addition to posted personnel, specially trained crew teams are available to assist guests with special needs.