BGG@SEA 2023-Week 1

Review the Checklist below to see if there is anything you need to handle so your cruise experience can be as stress free as possible.


Passport/Visa Requirements

It is highly recommended that you cruise with a passport, though not strictly required for U.S. residents sailing from and returning to a U.S. port.

All guests (U.S. Citizens and non-U.S.), please review the requirements HERE

Review your passport documentation and confirm expiration date and that the name on your passport matches the legal name listed for your booking.


Booking Process

Review the How to Join BGG@SEA for instructions on purchase of badges, cabins, etc. to get booked for BGG@SEA


Final Review and Purchase Deadline

Before April 15, 2023,


Extras

Review the Extras to review Travel insurance, Port Transfers, Wifi, Drink/Dining Packages, and Excursions. Final opportunity to purchase these items through BGG is April 15, 2023.


Pre-Cruise Hotel

If you are coming in a day or two before the cruise or staying a day or two after, BGG Events has arranged a block of rooms for a reduced rate at a Hyatt property. Click the link below to make your reservations before May 24, 2023.

King rooms available for $309/night and Double Queens for $319/night (plus taxes & fees). These rates are for single/double occupancy. There is an additional charge of $15 per person for Triple or Quad Occupancy (does not apply to children 17 and under).

Price includes a complimentary breakfast buffet

Parking

If you are driving in and you are a guest of the Hyatt property, you may leave your vehicle in the Hyatt parking lot for a reduced self-parking rate of $10 + tax per day, including the ability to leave your car parked in their parking garage during the cruise for that same daily rate.

Or you may leave your vehicle at the Seattle Port's monitored parking lot during the week. There is a fee that is handled through the port, not the cruise line. For this cruise, the Port of Seattle will have information regarding this.


Pre-Cruise Shuttle

BGG Events is arranging a group shuttle from a Hyatt hotel, referenced above, to the Port. As soon as we have the details, you will be able to purchase this directly - Group Hotel Shuttle. We will not however be arranging a group shuttle after the cruise. We anticipate most will want to go straight to the airport instead of back to the group hotel, and that can be accomplished by purchasing a Departure Transfer via RCCL. If you need to get back to the group hotel you will need to arrange your own taxi / Uber / Lyft.

If you are flying in the morning of embarkation you can purchase a Royal Caribbean Shuttle directly from the airport out to the cruise port here: Port Transfers


Packing

It is helpful to review the weather forecast for our port destinations, as well as the nature of your excursions to plan your packing. You may want to consider packing layers to allow for all kinds of weather and room temperatures.

Also, because this is a weeklong cruise, the cruise ship generally schedules 2 "formal" nights. On formal nights, dress recommendation is much nicer than normal - suits and ties, cocktail dresses, tuxedos, formal wear, etc.

Dress recommendations for other nights are slacks/pants, casual, business casual, but no shorts/swimwear in the dining rooms. RCCL Dress Code

Games - We will send an invitation to all Game Room Access badge holders to request 1-2 games from the BGG Library to be brought for play by the group. If there are additional games you would like to play that do not make the list, you are welcome to bring those yourself.

Food/Drink: What kind of food or drinks am I allowed to bring onboard? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Prohibited Items: What Items Are Prohibited Onboard A Cruise Ship? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Special Needs If you have any special needs that will need accommodation from the cruise line, please see here: Guest Special Needs | Royal Caribbean Cruises


Royal App

We strongly recommend getting the Royal Caribbean App installed on your phone. The app provides the required emergency drill information, an up-to-date calendar of ship activities, stays on "ship time", has a map of the ship, the ability to help you book some excursions, and has a chat feature that can be used with members of your group on the cruise ship so you don't have to use cell phone data.

The Royal App is also the preferred method for "check in" beginning 45 days before (and no later than three days before) your cruise. You can review the following Royal Caribbean FAQ's regarding the check-in process:


Royal Caribbean Account

If you have never cruised with Royal Caribbean before, please create an account on the Royal Caribbean site. The account will allow you to add your booking number (added to your badge information when we receive it). Once your cruise booking is attached to your account, you then have access to purchasing dining/drink packages, excursions, purchasing wifi packages, etc.

Your account will also have a Crown & Anchor Society number tied to it. As you cruise, you accumulate points that will increase your status and privileges in the Royal Caribbean system.


Post-Cruise Luggage Valet Service

A service offered by the Port of Seattle allows for you to set your luggage outside your room on the last night of the cruise and it will be taken directly to the airport and you will pick it up at your home airport. Airline baggage fees still apply. You can read and enroll HERE or you can ask Guest Services onboard the ship for the form.


Questions

If you have any questions not answered through any of the links on this site, email us directly at events@boardgamegeek.com.