Embarkation day on Liberty of the Seas is exciting, but there’s a lot to do in the first few hours. If you don’t know what to expect, it’s easy to spend the start of your cruise carrying bags around, joining the busiest food queues, or missing some of the things that are best sorted as soon as you get onboard.
Liberty of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class ships, and if you’re sailing from Southampton, the first day can feel busy at certain points. Everyone is boarding, luggage is being delivered, cabins aren’t always ready straight away, and lots of people head to the same places at the same time.
I boarded Liberty of the Seas from Southampton, and this guide breaks down what to expect from before you arrive at the port through to your first evening onboard.
Watch: Liberty of the Seas Embarkation Day Tips
See exactly what embarkation day is like on Liberty of the Seas, including boarding from Southampton, what to do first onboard, where to eat lunch, and how to make the most of day one.
What should you do before embarkation day on Liberty of the Seas?
Before embarkation day, the first thing I’d recommend doing is downloading the Royal Caribbean app and logging in. This isn’t an app you only use once you’re onboard. You’ll need it before the cruise for check-in, and once you’re on the ship it becomes one of the easiest ways to see what’s happening onboard, check opening times, look at the daily planner, and book things like speciality dining.
Royal Caribbean online check-in usually opens 45 days before your sail date. If you want one of the earliest arrival times, it’s worth doing this as soon as check-in opens.
The early boarding slots, such as 10:30 or 11 o’clock, can go very quickly. Some regular Royal Caribbean cruisers set an alarm for midnight because check-in often opens at midnight ship’s time.
One tip is that you don’t need to complete the whole check-in process in one go. If you’re trying to get an early arrival time, choose your arrival slot first. You can then go back later to add your passport details, upload or take your security photo, add your payment card, and finish the rest of the information.
If the app doesn’t show the check-in button straight away, try closing and reopening the app, or logging out and back in again.
You’ll also normally need to complete the final health questionnaire within 24 hours of sailing, so don’t forget to check the app again the day before embarkation.
This is also the time to keep an eye on extras in your Cruise Planner. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing for things like drinks packages, dining packages, internet and The Key, so prices can go up and down before sailing.
If you book something and the price later drops, you can usually cancel and rebook it at the lower price through your Cruise Planner or the app. That can make a big difference, especially with the deluxe drinks package.
Which Southampton cruise terminal does Liberty of the Seas use?
Before you travel, check which Southampton cruise terminal Liberty of the Seas is sailing from. Royal Caribbean ships in Southampton most often use Horizon Cruise Terminal or City Cruise Terminal, but it’s always worth checking your final documents because the terminal can change.
If you’re flying in, I’d recommend arriving the day before your cruise if you can. It gives you some buffer in case of delays, and it makes embarkation morning much less stressful.
Southampton is also easy to reach by train. Southampton Central station is close to the cruise terminals, so you can usually get a taxi from the station to the port.
If you’re driving, Royal Caribbean uses ABP parking in Southampton. With ABP, you normally park the car yourself, keep your keys, and your luggage is collected separately before you walk over to the terminal.
Make sure your luggage tags are attached before you arrive, and keep anything important with you. The next time you see your main suitcase will usually be outside your cabin later in the day.
If you want more detail on getting to the port, parking, hotels, trains and what to expect at the terminals, my Southampton Cruise Port Guide covers this in more detail.
What happens when you arrive at Southampton cruise port?
If you’re not using ABP parking, the first thing you’ll usually do when you arrive at the port is drop off your main luggage.
Make sure your luggage tags are already attached. Your suitcases will be taken from you at the terminal, and the next time you see them will normally be outside your cabin later in the day. Once your luggage has gone, you can head into the terminal.
With Royal Caribbean in Southampton, you’ll normally go through security first and then move on to check-in. You’ll need your boarding pass and your passport ready, so don’t pack them away in your suitcase.
Once you’ve checked in, what happens next depends on whether boarding has already started. If the ship is ready, you may be able to walk straight onboard. If boarding hasn’t started yet, you may be asked to wait in the seating area until your group is called.
My advice is to arrive close to your boarding time. If you arrive too early, you may just end up waiting at the terminal until boarding starts or until your arrival window is accepted.
One of the good things about Royal Caribbean is that embarkation in Southampton can start quite early. If you have an early arrival time, there’s a good chance you’ll be onboard before lunch and can make the most of those first few hours.
What should you do first when you board Liberty of the Seas?
Once you step onboard Liberty of the Seas, you’ll usually be asked to go to your muster station. Your muster station will be shown on your boarding pass, and when you get there, the crew will scan your boarding pass to check you in.
Royal Caribbean uses an e-muster system, so you don’t need to stand outside in a large group wearing a lifejacket like the old-style safety drills.
You’ll also need to watch the safety video, which you can usually do through the Royal Caribbean app or later on the TV screen in your cabin.
It’s worth doing your muster check-in early because it gets one of the main embarkation day jobs out of the way. After that, you can relax, get lunch, explore the ship and start enjoying the cruise.
Are cabins ready when you board Liberty of the Seas?
Your cabin probably won’t be ready straight away if you board early. On Royal Caribbean, cabins are often ready around two or three o’clock, although the exact time can vary. Until then, you may be carrying your hand luggage around the ship.
This is why it’s worth thinking carefully about what you keep with you. Don’t pack anything important in your main suitcase, including medication, travel documents, valuables, chargers, swimwear or anything you might want before the cabin is ready.
If you want to use the pools, hot tubs or head straight up to the pool deck, pack your swimming gear in your hand luggage. Your main suitcase may not arrive until later in the afternoon.
One thing that sometimes catches first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers out is that you won’t usually collect your SeaPass card until your cabin is ready.
Don’t worry, because that doesn’t stop you using the ship. If you want to buy a drink before you have your SeaPass card, the bar staff can normally look up your account using your cabin number, or they may ask to see your boarding pass.
Where can you eat lunch on Liberty of the Seas on embarkation day?
Once you’ve done your muster, one of the first things most people want to do is get lunch. On Liberty of the Seas, the main included embarkation day lunch option is the Windjammer buffet. This is where a lot of passengers naturally head first.
The Windjammer is a good option because there’s plenty of choice, but it’s also usually one of the busiest places on the ship on embarkation day.
You don’t have to go straight to the buffet. On Liberty of the Seas, you’ve also got El Loco Fresh, Sorrento’s Pizzeria and Café Promenade. These can be better options if you want something quicker, lighter, or less hectic on the first day.
El Loco Fresh is a good choice if you want tacos, burritos or nachos near the pool deck. Sorrento’s works well if you just want pizza on the Royal Promenade, and Café Promenade is handy for snacks, sandwiches and drinks.
If you’ve bought The Key, one of the day-one perks is a special embarkation lunch in the main dining room with a menu based on Chops Grille.
Chops Grille itself is also usually open for lunch on embarkation day as a paid speciality dining option. It’s a nice way to start the cruise if you want something more relaxed than the buffet.
When is the best time to explore Liberty of the Seas?
After lunch is one of the best times to start exploring Liberty of the Seas. Not everyone will be onboard yet, cabins may still not be ready, and lots of passengers will either be in the Windjammer, sorting out their luggage, or still making their way through the terminal.
This makes early afternoon a good time to get your bearings. You can walk through the Royal Promenade, head up to the pool deck, look at the bars and restaurants, find the theatre, see where Studio B is, and work out how the ship is laid out before it gets busier later in the day.
It’s also a good time to head up to the pool deck before it fills up for sailaway. If you want to start the cruise slowly, this is a lovely time to get your first drink, find somewhere to sit, and enjoy being onboard before the ship gets busier later in the afternoon.
When do you get your SeaPass card and luggage?
At some point in the afternoon, there will normally be an announcement to say that cabins are ready. When that announcement is made, it’s a good time to head to your cabin, drop off your hand luggage, and pick up your SeaPass card.
Your SeaPass card is your room key, your onboard charge card, and the card you’ll use around the ship, so once you’ve picked it up, keep it with you.
Don’t expect your main luggage to have arrived at the same time. Your suitcases will usually arrive outside your cabin later in the afternoon, and it’s very normal for one case to arrive before another.
If your luggage hasn’t arrived yet, don’t panic. It can take a while on embarkation day because thousands of bags are being moved around the ship at the same time.
What is sailaway from Southampton like on Liberty of the Seas?
Sailaway from Southampton is usually around 4:30pm, although the exact time can vary, so it’s worth checking the Royal Caribbean app or listening out for announcements. This is one of the busiest and liveliest times onboard.
If the weather is good, lots of people head up to the open decks for sailaway, especially around the pool deck. It can be a really fun place to be if you want that lively Royal Caribbean atmosphere for your first drink or first sailaway from Southampton.
But because everyone is heading to the same places at the same time, this is also when the ship can feel at its busiest. The bars are busy, the lifts are busy, people are moving between cabins and open decks, and there can be queues for drinks.
If you want to be part of the atmosphere, the pool deck is a good place to go. Just be prepared that it may take a little longer to get served, and moving around the ship can feel a bit hectic.
I wouldn’t judge the whole cruise by that first afternoon.
Embarkation day always has a slightly busy feel because everyone is boarding, unpacking and finding their way around at once. Once the ship has sailed, people start spreading out across the ship and everything usually settles down quite quickly.
What should you check before dinner on the first night?
Once you’ve picked up your SeaPass card, it’s worth checking your dining arrangements. Royal Caribbean normally operates two types of main dining.
You’ll either have traditional dining, where you’re given a fixed dining time, table and main dining room, or My Time Dining, where you have more flexibility around when you eat.
Your SeaPass card should show what you’ve been allocated, including your main dining room, table number and dining time if you’re on a fixed sitting. If everything looks fine, you don’t need to do anything.
But if you want to change your dining time, check your table, ask about My Time Dining, or try to move to a different sitting, embarkation afternoon is a good time to sort it.
Head to one of the main dining rooms and speak to the maître d’. They may not always be able to change everything, especially on a busy sailing, but they are the best people to ask.
By early evening, your luggage will probably have arrived outside your cabin, so this is also a good time to unpack, get organised, and get ready for dinner.
After dinner, or before dinner if you have time, check the Royal Caribbean app to see what entertainment is happening that evening.
There is normally a show in the Royal Theatre, but there may also be an ice show in Studio B, quizzes, game shows, or live music around the ship.
It’s also worth having a wander along the Royal Promenade on your first evening. This is one of the main indoor areas on Liberty of the Seas, and it gives you a good sense of the ship once everything starts to settle down.
Embarkation day can feel very busy, but once dinner starts and people spread out around the ship, the whole atmosphere usually becomes much calmer.
Related Guides
If you’re planning a cruise on Liberty of the Seas, these guides will help you understand the ship before you sail.
Liberty of the Seas What’s On Board A full walkthrough of what’s onboard Liberty of the Seas, including the Royal Promenade, pool deck, cabins, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and areas changed during the refit.
Liberty of the Seas Refit Guide A detailed look at what changed during the Liberty of the Seas refit, including new venues, updated spaces and what hasn’t changed onboard.
Southampton Cruise Port Guide A practical guide to Southampton cruise terminals, parking, trains, hotels and what to expect when boarding a cruise from Southampton.
Liberty of the Seas Pools Guide A full guide to the pools, hot tubs, Splashaway Bay, waterslides, Solarium and pool deck areas on Liberty of the Seas.
Liberty of the Seas Bars Guide A guide to the bars onboard Liberty of the Seas, including where to go for cocktails, wine, pub drinks, pool deck drinks and evening atmosphere.
Liberty of the Seas Cabins Guide A guide to the cabins onboard Liberty of the Seas, including balcony cabins, ocean view cabins, inside cabins, suites, storage, bathrooms, plug sockets and cabin locations to think about before you book.
Liberty of the Seas dining options guide A guide which explains what’s included, what costs extra, where to eat onboard and which venues are worth knowing about before your cruise.
FAQ: Liberty of the Seas Embarkation Day
What time does boarding start on Liberty of the Seas in Southampton?
Boarding times can vary, but Royal Caribbean embarkation in Southampton can start quite early. If you have an early arrival time, you may be onboard before lunch, depending on when the ship is cleared and boarding begins.
Can you arrive early for Liberty of the Seas embarkation?
It’s better to arrive close to your allocated arrival time. If you arrive too early, you may be asked to wait at the terminal until boarding starts or until your arrival window is accepted.
Do you need the Royal Caribbean app before boarding?
Yes, it’s worth downloading the Royal Caribbean app before embarkation day. You’ll use it for check-in, your health questionnaire, daily planner, opening times, bookings and onboard information.
When does Royal Caribbean check-in open?
Royal Caribbean online check-in usually opens 45 days before your sailing. If you want an early arrival time, it’s worth checking in as soon as it opens.
Are cabins ready when you board Liberty of the Seas?
If you board early, cabins probably won’t be ready straight away. They are often ready around two or three o’clock, although the exact time can vary.
When do you get your SeaPass card on Liberty of the Seas?
Your SeaPass card is usually waiting at your cabin once cabins are ready. Before then, you can still use the ship, and bar staff can usually look up your account using your cabin number or boarding pass.
Where should you eat lunch on embarkation day?
The Windjammer buffet is the main embarkation day lunch option, but it can be busy. El Loco Fresh, Sorrento’s Pizzeria and Café Promenade are also included options on Liberty of the Seas.
What should you pack in your hand luggage?
Keep passports, boarding documents, medication, valuables, chargers, swimwear and anything you need before cabins or luggage are available. Your main suitcase may not arrive until later in the afternoon.
What time is sailaway from Southampton?
Sailaway from Southampton is often around 4:30pm, but the exact time can vary. Check the Royal Caribbean app or listen out for onboard announcements.
What should you do first onboard Liberty of the Seas?
The first thing to do is complete your muster station check-in. After that, you can get lunch, explore the ship, check your dining arrangements and start enjoying your first day onboard.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
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