Can you choose to travel independently on Royal Caribbean cruises for shore excursions?

My friends will also encounter this problem when traveling, that is, after the cruise docks, whether to choose to travel independently or with a group. In fact, this depends on which cruise you have booked. A cruise company, let’s take Royal Caribbean International as an example. Can shore excursions be optional?

Guests who book tickets through the official website of Royal Caribbean Cruises can directly select the desired royal gift regular tour or paid boutique tour when making the reservation.

1. If the itinerary you booked has a shore sightseeing regular tour (royal gift), we will automatically check it for you. After completing the payment, you can upgrade the shore sightseeing boutique tour (paid ).

2. If the shore excursions are not yet available for the voyage you booked when you make the reservation, you can make supplementary selections in two situations:

2.1 When the voyage you booked is not open for shore excursions, , when the regular tour itinerary (royal gift) is open for selection, we will automatically select it for you and notify you via text message.

2.2

When the flight you booked and the premium tour (paid) are available for selection, we will notify you via text message. You can log in to your personal center - My Orders. Sub-select the premium tour itinerary; you can also check your order through the official website homepage - Order Inquiry, and supplement the selection of the shore sightseeing premium tour itinerary.

3. For cruises that do not provide shore sightseeing regular tours (royal gift), if the guest does not choose a paid boutique tour before traveling, for passengers holding a valid mainland Chinese passport, the conditions for participating in independent travel are as follows:

3.1 Japan routes departing from the home port of Shanghai/Hong Kong/Shenzhen:

No Japanese visa is required. On the day of arrival, please go to the designated location of the ship for an interview and receive the "Japan Shore Sightseeing Landing" After obtaining the permit, you can proceed to the destination for shore excursions.

3.2

Departing from Tianjin home port: No Japanese visa is required, and a passenger list is required in accordance with the requirements of Tianjin border inspection. If the guest does not declare the list and does not have a valid Japanese personal visa, the border inspection has the right to refuse boarding. The travel agency designated by the royal family will call the guest at least 3 days before departure to collect clear copies or scans of the first page of the passport and the front and back of the ID card (minors without ID cards need to provide a household registration book) for registration. Please pay attention to answer the call. On the day of arrival, please conduct an interview at the designated location on the ship. After receiving the "Japan Shore Sightseeing Landing Permit", you can proceed to the destination's shore excursions.

3.3 Mainland guests who want to participate in a voyage departing from or going to Hong Kong need to apply for a valid Hong Kong and Macao pass (including valid endorsement).

3.4 Mainland guests who want to participate in the voyage to Taiwan need to apply for a valid Taiwan Entry Permit and Taiwan Permit (including valid endorsement).

3.5 Mainland guests who want to participate in the voyage to Thailand need to apply for a valid Thai personal travel visa by themselves.

3.6 Mainland guests participating in the voyage to the Philippines:

3.6.1 Tourists must apply for and hold a Philippine entry visa before traveling; no Philippine entry visa or permit is required tourists are unable to board the ship.

3.6.2 The Philippines provides visa-free entry for tourists holding valid US, Japanese, Singapore, Australian, Canadian or Schengen visas.

3.6.3 For tourists who do not have the above-mentioned visa, Royal Caribbean can apply for an "Entry Permit" (VUAVisaUpon

Arrival*)* so that they can take a cruise ship and go ashore at the port of visit in the Philippines. Please pay attention to the following important information when applying:

a) Apply through the Philippine officially designated Philippine travel agency. Royal Caribbean International recommends AsiaLandmark, the official designated agent. Domestic contact information:

China International Travel Service Visa Center, No. 221, Binlang Xili, Siming District, Xiamen City.

b) Visa fee: RMB 400 per person.

c) The latest submission of application materials is seven working days before the sailing date.

d) The agent will report the VUA approval status at any time, and promises to report the final result no later than one working day before sailing, so that travel agencies and tourists can make timely adjustments.

3.7 Mainland guests participating in the voyage to Vietnam: Vietnam visa on arrival can be applied for on the ship. The visa fee will be paid after boarding the ship. Please prepare 2 ID photos of the same size as the passport photo.

3.8 Mainland guests who want to join the voyage to Singapore need to apply for a valid Singapore personal travel visa by themselves. How to participate in the shore excursion at the destination

Participation method:

All Japan routes departing from Shanghai/Tianjin/Hong Kong/Shenzhen: the shore excursion voucher will be issued by The waiter will put you in your cabin. On the next day of docking, you only need to gather at the time and place on the ticket. The staff on the ship will lead the Royal Direct passengers to disembark and send you to the corresponding bus. There will be a tour guide to pick you up in the car throughout the entire journey.

Vietnam routes departing from Hong Kong: After obtaining your visa on arrival on the ship, just follow the staff’s arrangements. On the day of port arrival, the staff on the ship will lead the Royal Direct passengers to disembark and send you to the corresponding destination. Sightseeing tour in the bus.