I just booked a cruise, what should I do next?

You just booked a Royal Caribbean cruise and you're ready to get off to the right start. Here's the top things you should do after booking.

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[mariac.]

Always book the excursions early because it’s cheaper. If you book later prices increase and you might not be able to get a spot when it’s it’s fully booked. Also you can find legit guided tours outside of the cruise. They’re cheaper most of the time.

[mercyrodriguez]

We even get better prices through the Travel Agent, people are wrong thinking the TA are expensive, believe me they are not! The best part is that she/he does all the leg work for you!

[DJUSMC]

One thing I wish you would say about booking a Excursion, Drink Package, or Dining Package early is that to rebook them if you find a better deal you have to dish out the price again. For some dishing out another $400-$500 for a drink package again while you wait 10-12 business days to get your refund back can be an issue. Especially if you have a number of people (Kids) in your party that you are also rebooking for.

[charlenereeves]

We booked a cruise because of your videos. Thank you for all your help in taking a lot of guess work (and anxiety of the unknown) out of the process

[savanahrose]

just booked my RC cruise to the Caribbean next year in the beginning of January! Thank you for this vid! I’ve been binge watching :)

[princesskkay]

I like my time dining. For my first cruise I chose a set dining time and I always felt rushed like I had to end what I was doing early to get ready for dinner. It was also hard to plan shows around my dining time. Sometimes show times would open up but would conflict with my dinner time. I just found it easier to go day by day and decide that day what time is best for dinner. It allows for more flexibility. Sometimes I don’t even end up eating in the MDR bc a port day is late or I’m doing an activity etc, so I’ll just grab something at another venue. Cruising for me is about flexibility and I hated having a set dining time

[BrianAlt]

I like MTD because 5:30 is too early and 8:00 can be too late, especially depending on who you're traveling with. I often make a regular 6:30 or 7 PM MTD reservation and often get the same waitstaff and at the same, or similar, table.

[bjmumm]

I can’t find more than 2 options for excursions at our first port of call in Roatan. We don’t travel until June and have 2 other ports of call. Am I missing something or is it too early to look it up?

[normajeanjohnson]

Thanks so very much for all your help, doing my first cruise through Lifeway and a Bible study, on quantum of the seas to Alaska...your videos have helped a lot with my planning

[candyarellano]

Pack early, sleep early, make sure you have ALL supplies needed

[ruralrayne]

45 days until my sailing. Did my check-in this morning

[raymullen]

We always Book thru a Travel Agent JUST for what You have
Mention ...An Agent is the BEST INSURANCE You can have !!

[acastillo]

Is Expedia considered a travel agent? =D

[Podgey]

Great tips. Thanks to watching more of Matts other videos, I got almost 800$ back from 'price drop' policy. I had no idea about this policy...And I've done 7 RCI cruises.. Following a Great RCI YouTuber, is a fantastic help 😀

[travelwithdebandnick]

we are booked in a cruise on nov 23 but cannot see on the Royal Caribeean website any of the shore excursions, activities on board, check in time, or anything much at all to book in. I don't know how to add OBC credit to our account or book anything. this is our first cruise with royal. can someone please assist with for eg. how we would add OBC to our account etc. I'm in Australia :) thx matt for a very informative video :)

[rapunzel]

I'd say Early/Late Seating dining takes more planning becasue you have to plan around it every day.
Dining with strangers is just weird. I would skip the MDR if I couldn't get a table for myself.

[jeffdinter]

when we board Navigator of the Seas are there any restaurants that will be open for dining other than the buffet and grab-and-go spots?

[sheilalarson]

I had NO IDEA I could transfer my cruise to a TA within 60 days of my online booking!

[agbraitling]

Did online check in last week. App did not have option to upload vax card. People in my roll call group had same experience. I guess we just bring the card now?

[johnnagustafson]

159 days to go till my next cruise!
And currently planning an extended Family Alaska Cruise for next summer.