When & Where will we play?

We have secured a conference room for our group from 9am to Midnight each day of the cruise which will be accessible to attendees who purchase a gaming badge.

Details of the specific space will be provided to attendees closer to cruising date, in case our conference room is changed. The conference rooms are located on Deck 13 at the aft (rear) of the ship.

Where can I leave my games?

The conference rooms cannot be secured overnight, so we are encouraging attendees to store games in their rooms between gaming sessions. We hold no responsibility for games left unattended, or lost, stolen, or damaged games.

We recommend people bring a selection of games to the gaming room each day, but whole suitcases of games are discouraged to ensure we have the maximum space for players. Packing a smaller carry-bag is recommended for carrying a selection of what you’ve brought down to the gaming space each session.

What Games will We be playing?

Whatever people bring! Cruise lines generally allow quite a generous amount of luggage, and usually multiple suitcases, so you can pack one with clothes, the other with games! Just be mindful if you are flying to or from the cruise you should pack within your airline luggage limits.

In all honesty the games played depends on the group which varies from year to year, however we (Teena and Lisa) like games on opposite ends of the gaming spectrum. Between us we like a mix of games, from lightweight to heavier strategy, and we'll be bringing some of our own games in this range.

We will also have a way for people to list the games they’re bringing, which we will send out via the newsletter.

Will there be a games library?

No, the board game cruise is not a convention it’s a gathering of people who have two common interests, board games and cruises. We will make a list available for attendees to contribute to to avoid duplicate games being brought - and in previous years we’ve had almost 250 different games on board brought by attendees from their collections.

How will we keep in touch on board?

Cruise companies usually have an intranet or on-board app for use onboard the ship you can use that app to chat to each other. Royal Caribbean’s version is simply called "Royal Caribbean International", and has a messaging function among other things helpful before and during the cruise.

How much does it cost?

Cruise Costs:

We have provided indicative pricing over on the booking page, as prices fluctuate over the year, once you fill in the booking form our travel agent will advise you of the best current price for the stateroom type you are after.

Booking requests are commitment free, however cancellations after deposits are paid will incur fees.

Gaming Badge Costs:

Once your booking is confirmed we will contact you with details on how to purchase gaming badges.

Age 16+: $20 Per Person
Children aged 15 and under: $10 per child, cannot be purchased independently of an accompanying adult badge.

Badges are fully refundable if anyone changes their mind or needs to cancel.

I found a better deal elsewhere, can I still be included if I book through that?

No, if you do not book through our group booking you will not be included in the event. Booking outside of the group booking jeopardises our ability to secure the correct amount of dedicated gaming space and the future of the event.

How will I know who is part of the group?

Your registration will ensure we have contact details, and confirmation of all bookings. Once your deposit is paid we’ll send out details of how to connect with other attendees (we’ll have a secret facebook group, and an introduction thread on BGG).

In addition, we will be handing out lanyards for identification purposes (and to hold your cruise pass) for gaming badge holders and non-gaming badge holders alike. The primary purpose of the lanyard is to identify you to each other, and the second is as a memento for you to keep after the cruise. 

Can I bring my family?

Absolutely! There is quite a lot on board the cruise ship to keep everyone occupied even if they're not into board games. We suggest you also check out the information on the youth and teen programs, currently known as Adventure Ocean.

I can't make it this year, will you be doing this again?

We have every intention of doing so! After 2024 we will be running this event every two years and we are hoping to continue to explore different departure ports and destinations.

Are Food and Drink included in the cost of the ticket?

Meals: There are multiple restaurants on the ship, some of which are included in the cost of your ticket, and other high end restaurants which can be paid for individually.
Drinks: A selection of juices are available in the main dining room and buffet at breakfast time. Tea, coffee, instant hot chocolate, classic lemonade, milk, juice, chilled water and flavoured water are available all day in the buffet and main dining room. Available but not automatically included are soft drinks, barista style coffees/other cafe drinks, and alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and cocktails.
You may also wish to investigate drinks packages as an additional option after booking.

I have other questions about Cruises/The ship/Whats available/costs....

We've found the best two sites to research information about cruise lines, the specific ship we will be travelling on, and specifics around cruises are Cruise Critic, and the Royal Caribbean site itself.

How do I book shore tours and drink packages?

Before the cruise, passengers will be able to logon to the Royal Caribbean website and pre book things like shore tours, drinks packages, specialty dining, and internet packages.

Packages, tours and other extras are also available once on board, though some may sell out.

Should I arrive early?

Yes. We have had people miss the cruise due to delayed flights, we recommend giving yourself a day buffer on either side of the cruise to avoid any disappointment.

I'm travelling alone. Can you pair me up with someone?

We are unfortunately unable to match travellers, but we will make a board game geek thread where you can seek someone to book with.

Do I need a passport?

Yes, as 2024 will be an international cruise, you will need a passport. Our travel agent will need to see a scanned copy of the photo page to secure your booking.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it is requirement of the destinations to have travel insurance before boarding the ship. If you do not, you may be denied boarding.

We also recommend you take out travel insurance regardless. If you do not purchase travel insurance, you will not be able to claim for any cancellation charges, medical costs, repatriation and other expenses that may arise if things do not go according to plan. We accept no liability for lost, damaged, or stolen games, or any incidents you have during the cruise. 

Our group travel agent will be able to assist you with purchasing travel insurance or you can source your own.

Can I use my electrical devices on board?

Royal Caribbean’s ships do not have Australian style plugs. Staterooms will have at least one 220v EU power point and at least one 110v US power point, which you can use a travel power adaptor to convert to AU style. There will also be at least one USB port that you can use to charge mobile devices.

Also keep in mind that some electrical devices are prohibited on board, including power boards with surge protection. Check the prohibited items list on the Royal Caribbean website to confirm your device will be safe to bring, otherwise it could be confiscated.

Is the event wheelchair friendly?

All guest areas including our dedicated game spaces are accessible by wheelchair. There are a limited number of dedicated cabins on board that are setup with extra manoeuvring space and bathroom accommodations. If you require this please add a comment on your booking form to assist the agent with securing you one of these rooms.