Check dates of travel, names, birthdates, etc. - Review your booking to make sure that you are on the correct ship leaving from the port you selected - on the date you wanted. Errors can be made and the sooner detected the better. Also, check to make sure names and birthdates appear on the booking exactly as they do on your passports. Name changes may result in additional fees to correct and failure to have matching documents may result in being denied boarding.

Review your travel timeline - arrive early and plan a timely return - Plan to arrive at least the night before your cruise to minimize the possibilty of missing embarkation. If traveling to the west coast or Europe, consider arriving two or more days early to allow time to adjust to jet lag. Splurge a little on pre and post cruise hotels. Keep in mind time zone changes when traveling east or west. Know the ship's return time and plan your return flights accordingly.

Protect the cost of your vacation from unforseen events - Most travel arrangements are non-refundable. What if ... a family member gets sick; your luggage is lost; you miss a flight connection; your trip is delayed; or you lose your job - with travel insurance, you can be covered. What if you lose your passport; have a medical emergency; require medical evacuation - Travel Guard can help! From 24-hr emergency travel assistance to a suite of travel insurance products to fit any family budget. Travel Guard plans are your top source for covering your trip. Click here to get a quote and review policy coverage options. AREA Vacations recommends gold or platinum coverage for most trips - be sure to obtain the coverage best for you. For maximum benefits, purchase travel insurance within two weeks of making your initial deposit.

Use passports when traveling outside of the United States - AREA Vacations recommends the use of passports valid for at least six months after the completion of travel for ALL trips outside the U.S. Closed-loop cruises (leave from and return to the same US port) allow for the use of an orginal or government certified birth certificate AND a government issued photo ID. Names on both must match. Marriage and divorce papers can be used to support name changes. However, in the event of an emergency return to the US, a passport will be required. For more information check out the website of the U. S. Department of State. For the latest travel warnings click here.

Online Check-in - Gather your booking number, ship name, and sailing date and click here to access the log in page for Royal. If you don't have an account on the Royal website, click here and create a free account. After creating your account access your booking and follow the instruction for completing online check-in. Online check-in is usually permitted at 90 days prior to the sail date. You will also be able to review your travel documents (released 10-49 days before the cruise), reserve shore excursions, and reserve onboard services such as spa treatments and specialty dining. OASIS, ALLURE, HARMONY and Symphony of the Seas PASSENGERS - If you are sailing on the Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, or Symphoney of the Seas be sure to reserve your entertainment show times at least 60 days prior to your cruise (often available as early as six months prior to the sail date). Also, on those ships you will be able to reserve dining times if you selected My Time Dining. For a relaxing dinner, we suggest dinner reservations 2 hours prior to show times. Keep in mind that you will need to be seated in the theater 15 minutes prior to the show to preserve your show reservation. Looking for alternatives to the excursions offered by Royal? Please try one or more of our affiliate shore excursion specialists - either Shore Excursions Group, Shore Trips, or Port Promotions for a variety of exciting excursions that may offer more for less and allow you to participate with smaller groups.

Print SetSail Pass and Luggage Tags - Be sure to print, and take with you, your SetSail Pass. The SetSail Pass should contain each passenger's name for that booking or each passenger needs a separate SetSail Pass. This will expedite your boarding of the ship - so, you'll be enjoying a delicious buffet lunch on the Windjammer just minutes after arriving at the port. NEW with Royal - print your own luggage tags! Approximately 10-49 days before your cruise, you will have access to your eDocs and a printable version of your Guest Ticket Booklet. Alternatively, you can access them online at eDocs. Your eDocs will contain your luggage tag (last page or next to last page), information about the benefits of booking a cruise while your on a cruise, and other important information about your trip. Print a copy of the Guest Ticket Booklet and take it with you. Print out the luggage tag page in color and make enough copies to use on all luggage to be dropped off at the pier for loading by Royal. If your luggage has two handles, consider attaching tags to each handle in case one gets torn off. Of course all of your luggage should have permanent ID tags as well. For additional information about cruising with Royal please check out Royal's What-to-Know Before-You-Go.