Embarkation & Transportation

Why the Train? 

• A relaxing transfer experience at the beginning or end of the cruise.
• Direct boarding from either the pier or airport (complementary transfer from the Anchorage Hospitality Center to the Grandview).
• Provides those of you who are not able to take a Cruisetour with a glimpse into Alaska’s scenic landscape, some of which is only visible by train.
• You can stand and move about the train during the transfer.
• Dining and lounge cars offer varied food & beverage options (cashless system only Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Diners) plus added areas for relaxation.
• Wildlife sightings along the train route are common.

Northbound or Southbound

Southbound Train for Southbound Cruises

• Anchorage to Seward Pier Terminal
• Used by guests arriving in Anchorage to board their cruise in Seward.

Northbound Train for Northbound Cruises

• Used by guests ending their cruise in Seward and going to Anchorage for flights or other post cruise plans.

Booking/Reservations Information

Air/Sea guests may book the upgrade to the train transfer as follows: 

• Southbound guests may purchase the upgrade at the Anchorage Hospitality Center. This will be charged to the guests’ onboard account.
• Northbound guests may purchase the upgrade at the Guest Relations Desk onboard the vessel.

Cruise only transfer and pre cruise hotel package upgrades to train transfer can be booked: 

• In advance with Royal Caribbean Reservations Dept. (1-800-327-6700)
• At the Anchorage Hospitality Center

Yes, all ports have transfer services to and from the airport at an additional fee.

When purchasing your airline tickets with Air2Sea, cruise transfers are provided as an option on the guest preference page. 

If you did not receive your transfer vouchers with your travel documents, you will be on the manifest and greeted at your arrival airport by one of our representatives.

Brightline is your convenient link between Florida’s major cities and cruise ports. Go from station to vacation effortlessly, enjoying a smooth ride all the way.

Beyond bypassing the traffic, Brightline offers free Wi-Fi, plenty of charging ports, and dining options. Say goodbye to parking fees and car rentals; embrace a seamless, enjoyable travel experience before and after your cruise vacation. Special offers for families and groups are also available, making it easier than ever to get your whole crew to their cruise.

If you choose to make your own air arrangements or book air through our Air2Sea Program you may wish to purchase ground transportation to the ship.

Transfers are available for purchase from the arrival airport to the pier on day of sailing and from the pier to the departure airport on debarkation day only. It is recommended that transfers are purchased two weeks prior to sailing. Please remember we require your flight information in order to promptly meet all guests. To purchase your Royal Caribbean Guest Transfer or for additional information consult your travel advisor or our Reservations Department at (800) 327-6700.

Guests that are cruise-only (i.e., have not made air arrangements through us) may also purchase this transfer service (called Royal connections) separately.

If you are close enough (or you like road trips) you can also drive to the departure port. Parking is typically available on a first-come, first-served basis at most piers for a minimal fee. But every pier does vary.

Brightline Train Transportation

Get to the world’s top cruise ports in style. Get picked up from your home or hotel, take the train, and take Brightline+ upon arrival to get you to your cruise – all in one ticket. Book a PREMIUM ticket, and you’ll get a complimentary Brightline+ ride, letting you start vacation at your door.

Royal Caribbean no longer allows cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships.

Aloschi Bros., an Italian based car service provider for over 50 years, has partnered with Royal Caribbean to provide private ground transportation for Rome and Venice, Italy ports. Aloschi offers both round trip and one-way transfers from the airport and pier. Take your choice of sedan, SUV, and bus service for your travel. 

Book here when planning your next Italian cruise vacation or email at [email protected] with any additional questions.

Guests who miss their cruise due to travel delays can contact the Emergency Travel Team (ETT) to discuss their options going forward. In specific situations, when the guest has the proper documentation, it is possible to join the cruise at the next port of call, but all options must be discussed with ETT.

If you miss the departure of your trip due to carrier-caused delays or other covered reasons, Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program package of benefits reimburses you for additional accommodations, meals and “catch-up” transportation expenses. Otherwise, you are responsible for any expense incurred to meet the ship at its next port of call. For this reason, many guests find it is easiest to arrive a day prior to sailing and stay in a hotel the night before to avoid any possible delays. 

When guests book their ticket though Royal Caribbean, the airline partners advise us of schedule changes, we will contact guests via the email address provided when the air reservation was confirmed with the updated flight schedule that the airline has provided.

The transportation varies by port and is subject to change. Some ports offer complimentary shuttle services to local city centers only and not to the main city center – others offer this service at a cost. In cases where local transportation is not available, we highly recommend checking out My Royal Cruise for a variety of tours to suit your specific travel needs, or you make use of any ride-share services and private transfers that may be available.

On the final morning of a cruise experience in most countries all guests must leave the ship before the guests joining the next cruise can board.

Guests will receive a specific color luggage tag that will correlate to the time they are to debark the ship. Guests should be ready to debark at their assigned time.

• Specific Lounges will be assigned to certain color luggage tags. Guests should make it to their assigned lounge 15 minutes prior to their assigned departure time.
  • “As You Depart” flyer will provide information on which lounge the guest will need to go to based on their luggage tag color.
  • Information will be shown on various TV channels in the stateroom during the morning of departure to remind guests which lounge they should go to.
  • Signage will be available throughout the ship as needed to assist guests on which lounge to go to.
• The Main Dining Room and the Windjammer will be open to serving hot breakfast. Guest are encouraged to go have breakfast and make it to their assigned lounge 15 minutes prior to their assigned departure time.
• Separate waiting areas will be provided for guests with Disabilities, Suite Guests, Diamond & Platinum Members, Luggage Valet Guests, and Consecutive Cruisers (B2B).

For guests who have purchased air, hotel and cruisetour packages through Royal Caribbean, transfers will be provided. If you have made your own air and hotel arrangements, you will be responsible for that transportation to the airport and/or hotel. For cruise-only guests, we offer Royal Connections transfer service. Please contact your travel advisor or our Customer Sevice Department for complete details.

Here are some things you need to know about those moments just before you hop onboard.

1. For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, workout clothes and any medications you may need. That way you don’t have to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom to start having fun.
2. If you’ve never been to the departure port before, you can find and print directions here.
3. We highly recommend that you take advantage of our Check-in which is available up to 72 hours prior to your sailing. This way, you can have the smoothest pier check-in and boarding.
4. Log in to your Cruise Planner on our website prior to your sailing to book Shore Excursions, Dining reservations, and even entertainment on select sailings. This way you can spend your first day onboard exploring. 
5. Royal Caribbean International requires guests to be checked in no later than 60 minutes, sometimes 90 minutes, prior to the scheduled sailing time*. Guests arriving late will not be permitted to sail. * Some sailings may require an earlier check-in time. 
6. Your luggage tags will be included in your Guest Ticket Booklet. Please print as many copies as you need to make sure all your bags have their own luggage tag. This will help us easily identify your bags and have them delivered to your room while you explore the ship.