Guests should arrive at the terminal within the arrival time slot you selected during Royal App check-in. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will need to wait until we are able to work them into another group.

Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete Check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise. If you do not complete 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.

What should I consider when booking a cruise visiting international ports?

Given the events over the last few years, having the proper travel documents has been a considerable concern for many guests prior to enjoying a carefree vacation. Passport, visa, and inoculation regulations may vary by destination and may change from time to time. For your protection, your passport expiration date needs to be at least six (6) months after the sailing termination date. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel and health documents such as passports, visas, vaccination certificates, etc., that are necessary for air travel, disembarkation at the various ports of call, and re-entry into the appropriate country of origin.

In order to board the ship, guests will need to bring the following documents:

Accepted Forms of Identification

All guests will also need a form of identification to board the ship. Accepted forms of identification vary based on nationality, departure port, and disembarkation port.

Please note that hospital Birth Certificates (baby feet Birth Certificates), as well as photocopies or images of any required travel documents, are not accepted for boarding.

Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens

*U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends. A U.S. Passport book is required for sailings that depart from homeports outside of the U.S.

*For sailings departing from U.S. homeports, an official U.S. state-issued Birth Certificate is also accepted. Guests aged 16 and older that present an official US state-issued Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Driver’s License or picture ID issued by the government.

*U.S. citizens may use an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) as a single form of documentation (instead of both birth certificate and picture ID) for sailings departing from U.S. homeports. Enhanced Driver's Licenses are only available from the following states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington State. Please note that an Enhanced Driver’s License is different from a REAL ID-compliant id. An EDL will have a flag on the front.

*Puerto Rican citizens should review their birth certificates and ensure they are up to date. Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not valid forms of proof of citizenship.  The Government of Puerto Rico has partnered with document provider VitalChek to provide an expedited method for ordering new birth certificates. To apply through this method please visit:  www.vitalchek.com. Vital Check also offers a bilingual call center available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Processing and shipping fees apply. To apply through this method please call: (866) 842-6765.

*United States Permanent Residents must have a United States Permanent Resident Card. Additionally, a passport from your home country is strongly recommended. Click here for additional information.

*For all sailings that visit Colombia, all guests will be required to present a passport book valid for at least 6 months after the sailing’s return date in order to board. Colombian Customs and Immigration requires all visitors to have a valid passport book and will not accept any other travel documents for entry. Unfortunately, any guests without a valid passport book will be denied boarding.

No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.

For additional United States passport information visit the United States Department of State travel information website. Visa Central is the passport and visa service that we recommend, should our guests need passport and visa assistance. You may contact Visa Central for all your passport needs. Visa Central can obtain passports in as little as one day. US Residents, please contact VisaCentral online, email rci@visacentral.com, or call 800-858-8579, and be sure to reference Royal Caribbean account 44988 for reduced service fees. 

Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy, or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.

Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy, or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise and must authorize the guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child. 

    What if I’m traveling with a minor and I’m not their parent or legal guardian?

Children traveling with adults who are not their parent or legal guardian must present an original, notarized consent form signed by the legal guardian and authorizing them to take the child on the specific cruise, including activities, and excursions, and allowing emergency medical treatment to be administered if needed. Guests who fail to have the form signed and notarized (stamped by a notary) will be denied boarding.

For your convenience, below is the sample form that you can download and use.

DOWNLOAD THE FORM