I have completed my online check in and will say it is much more involved than
DCL. Many more reservations and choices to be made!
I was very late booking, but my understanding is the official word is online reservations can be made 60 days in advance of sailing. However, many report being able to book as far out as 103 days. There doesn't seem to be a definitive system in place or a rhyme or reason as to when it opens. I have made a note for myself to try and get a firm date as to when we will be able to do this for our group.
Online reservations are made for the shows, comedy club and specialty restaurants. As well as for Spa treatments, shore excursions and my time dining (if you are booked on it). I personally am not a fan of all this preplanning, I like the option of deciding on each day of the cruise what I feel like doing or not doing. I have booked a dining time for the first night of My Time, and didn't bother for the rest. I also was able to book Chicago for the shows on one night.
I have purposely left the rest of my week open, I want to see what I am able to get while on the ship. Will I be able to book specialty restaurants onboard? Will entertainment options still be available if I don't prebook? How my time is "My Time Dining"? All questions I hope to get answered next week.
I know we have some Uber Planners among us and the idea of planning every evening will most certainly be appealing to some.
One thing I like is that RCL does not send actual documents in the mail (they did send luggage tags if requested but as of August 8th that stopped as well). I know many of us like getting that delivery from DCL, but honestly with online check in it really has very little purpose. Once your online check in is complete you will get an email from RCL saying your edocs are ready. You will then print out from home your check in documents along with luggage tags. If you don't print luggage tags at home, you can still get them at port. My docs printed with a "sample" tag that I show to the porter who will then provide me with what I need.
I was also able to order in room gifts, photo cd's and beverage packages in advance. I ordered a soda package that cost $52.33 including the 15% gratuity and prepaid my gratuities for a total if $81.55 ($11.65/person per night).
Also of note, waivers need to be signed for things like Zip Lines, Flow Rider etc. These can be done in advance online and save you the trouble once onboard.