Questions about check-in

[Sun Lover]

Do we have to upload a picture when we check-in online?  We were on Anthem several months ago and I don't remember doing that.  I know they took our pictures when we were boarding the ship.   I found a checklist for online check-in on the RCI website but it doesn't mention uploading a photo.  Also, when it says you have to scan your passport, would I be able to use a photocopy of my passport to scan if I don't have the actual passport?  Thanks for any information.

[davekathy]

4 minutes ago, Sun Lover said:

Do we have to upload a picture when we check-in online?  We were on Anthem several months ago and I don't remember doing that.  I know they took our pictures when we were boarding the ship.   I found a checklist for online check-in on the RCI website but it doesn't mention uploading a photo.  Also, when it says you have to scan your passport, would I be able to use a photocopy of my passport to scan if I don't have the actual passport?  Thanks for any information.

No you don't need to provide a picture when doing your check in. I don't scan our passports either.

[smokeybandit]

It doesn't even ask you to scan your passport if you check in with the website.

[reallyitsmema]

7 minutes ago, Sun Lover said:

Do we have to upload a picture when we check-in online?  We were on Anthem several months ago and I don't remember doing that.  I know they took our pictures when we were boarding the ship.   I found a checklist for online check-in on the RCI website but it doesn't mention uploading a photo.  Also, when it says you have to scan your passport, would I be able to use a photocopy of my passport to scan if I don't have the actual passport?  Thanks for any information.

 

No, you don't have to upload a picture, but it is really easy to do.  The app will just let you take a selfie or have someone take a picture for you.  You can also scan your passport in with the app.  I do not know whether or not a photocopy will scan correctly.  I would just use the actual passport.

[Sun Lover]

So then we can get our arrival time first, scan the passport and then do the photo later?  

[karena1]

I do everything, but if you don't upload a picture, they will take it at the port when you check in..

Edited September 27, 2023 by karena1

[Sun Lover]

Thank you.  Do you know if it's better to check in on the website or the app?

[Starry Eyes]

11 minutes ago, Sun Lover said:

Thank you.  Do you know if it's better to check in on the website or the app?

I like to use the app.

With the app, DH or I can skip straight to “select arrival time” (step 2).  We select an arrival time for everyone in our party; we do this as soon as we can as we prefer early arrival times.  We can almost do that in our sleep, lol.  Then at my convenience and when fully awake, I go back and do step 1, scanning the passports and filling in addresses and such.

Last I checked, the website did not allow one to do the steps out of order.

[* Angela *]

Doing everything online on the website or app will speed up the boarding pass dramatically.  On our last cruise in May, my friends and I were onboard in 20 minutes!  🙂

[Ashland]

Even for those of you that upload a pic, many times the port takes them regardless. So why bother.

[smokeybandit]

2 hours ago, Sun Lover said:

Thank you.  Do you know if it's better to check in on the website or the app?

Many use both. App to pick your arrival time, then website to do all the manual entry.