Royal Caribbean's online check-in process begins 45 days prior to your sailing date. If you aren't sure what date that is, the Royal Caribbean App and website will list the exact date for you when you're signed in to your account and have linked your upcoming cruise reservation. Check-in opens shortly after midnight ship time so set a reminder on your calendar so you can complete the process as soon as possible. 

You can complete online check-in through the Royal Caribbean app or website.

Tip: Be patient. Online check-in might not open right at midnight so keep trying. For my recent cruise, I wasn't able to check-in until 12:07am ship time. 

Part of the online check-in process is selecting your port arrival time. This is the time that you can arrive at the port to complete your wellness check. Times are typically available from as early as 10:30am until around 3pm. To avoid boarding delays, you'll want to make sure to arrive on time for your appointment. Slots are reserved on a first come, first served basis so if you want an earlier port arrival time, you'll want to complete online check-in as close to midnight on your 45 day mark as possible. 

Select the time you plan to arrive at the cruise terminal

Tip: Use the Royal Caribbean app if you want to quickly select your port arrival time. The app will let you select your arrival time without needing to fill out the travel info section first. 

You'll need to enter in the full legal name, birthday, country of residence, country of birth, and address of each person you are checking in online. Double (and triple) check that all of the information is correct before you submit the information. 

Tip: If you aren't worried about getting an early port arrival time, you may just want to wait until the morning of your 45 day mark instead of staying up until midnight ship time. 

If you are using the Royal Caribbean app, you can actually scan your passport instead of having to manually enter in the passport information. I highly recommend using the app as scanning your passport is so easy! It really beats having to manually enter each required field. 

Part of the online check-in process is that you'll need to upload a security photo for each guest. If you're using the app, your only option is to take a selfie which obviously isn't ideal if all guests don't live with you. If you would prefer to upload a photo, you'll want to complete this portion of online check-in through the Royal Caribbean website. You'll also have the option to take a photo through the website if you don't have any current photos in your photo library. 

You can take a selfie through the app.

Your photo should be a high-resolution photo and must reflect the guest's current appearance. (That means don't upload a photo from 10 years ago!) You'll want to take the picture in front of a white or off-white background and your expression should be neutral or a natural smile with both eyes open. Make sure you take off any hats, head covering or sunglasses before you take the picture as those aren't allowed to be worn in the picture.

You'll need to download the Royal Caribbean app prior to sailing.

Tip: Use the Royal Caribbean app for online check-in! It's super easy, let's you scan your passport so you don't have to manually enter in the information and you can select your port arrival time without having to fill out everything else first. It's a no brainer!

After you enter in all of the required information and upload/take your security photo, you'll need to add an emergency contact (of someone not traveling with you) and provide a credit or debit card for onboard expenses. The final step is to check off that you have read, understand and accept the cruise ticket contract terms and the health acknowledgement. Check off that box in the Legal section and then you can click Continue to complete your online check-in. 

Once you complete your online check-in, you'll be able to view your SetSail Pass. Your SetSail Pass is your digital boarding pass and is accessible through the Royal Caribbean app. If you have an iPhone, you can add your SetSail Pass to your Apple Wallet for easy access on embarkation day. If you don't have a smartphone or cannot access the app when boarding, you can also print your SetSail Pass through the Royal Caribbean website.

You'll see a notification to download the app when you view your SetSail Pass on the Royal Caribbean website.

The online check-in process closes 48 hours prior to your sailing. If you forget to do the process online before your cruise, you'll have to complete it at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. It's highly recommended to complete the online check-in process and avoid waiting until you arrive at the cruise terminal. It will help expedite your check-in at the terminal and get you onboard faster. 

A completed online check-in screen on the app

The day before your cruise you'll be able to answer health questions in the app. This will help save you time on embarkation day if you fill out this form before arriving at the port. Royal Caribbean will send our a reminder notification to complete the health questions before arrival. If you can't access the app or forget to fill out the questions you can answer them at the terminal. 

And that's it! We hope our guide and tips to the online check-in process will help you have a wonderful Royal Caribbean cruise vacation! If you have any questions about your cruise, don't forget you can always ask your Kingdom Konsultant Agent. 

Who's ready to set sail? Contact Kingdom Konsultant Travel today to start planning your next Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.