EMBARKATION: We arrived at the dock around 2:00. The slowest-moving line was for baggage check-in, but after that, everything moved very quickly. It will speed things up if you attach the luggage tags you receive with your cruise package from Royal before you arrive at the dock.

We'd registered on line, which made a huge difference. I have to credit Royal Caribbean with a smoother process than Carnival. I have never understood why Carnival requires passengers to stand in a line to check-in, only to be sent to a separate line to receive a Sail & Sign card. Why can't this be done at the same line? Apparently it can.

The baggage handlers advised us that we should expect to see our luggage arrive at our cabin in about two hours. This estimate was not remotely accurate. We attended the late-seating dinner - shifted to 9PM for the first night - in our shorts. Our luggage arrived just as we were heading out for dinner. Extremely casual seemed to be the dress of the evening, so I assume the majority of passengers got their luggage very late. We'd packed shorts and bathing suits in our carry-on bags, but didn't expect to need dinner attire prior to our luggage delivery. With only one Royal Caribbean cruise to use for comparison, I don't know whether or not this is typical, however I never have waited that long for my luggage on Carnival. Read more