If you’re planning that one last dip before heading home, you might be surprised because those pool hours in the Royal Caribbean app don’t tell the full story.
What the App Shows vs. What Actually Happens
When you look up pool and whirlpool hours for a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise, the app lists hours Day 1 through Day 7 — labeled as “All Day” for one of the pools.
But there’s no schedule listed for Day 8, and that’s for a reason.
Day 8 is disembarkation day, when everyone from your sailing gets off the ship. By early morning, the crew has already started the cleaning and turnover process to prepare for thousands of new guests arriving just a few hours later.
That means no pool access on the morning you leave the ship.
When Pools Really Close on the Last Night
Your final opportunity to swim is usually the last evening of your cruise — Day 7 if you’re on a 7-night itinerary.
Here’s what most cruisers report:
✅ Pools typically close around 10 p.m.
✅ Whirlpools and Solarium hot tubs may stay open slightly later depending on weather and ship operations.
✅ Overnight, the pool deck is closed for cleaning, water treatment, and safety checks before the next sailing.
By the time disembarkation starts the next morning, everything is shut down, sanitized, and secured.
Why Pools Close Before Disembarkation
Royal Caribbean resets nearly every part of the ship before new guests board, and that includes the pools.
Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
- Water testing and treatment happen overnight.
- Deck furniture and safety equipment are inspected and rearranged.
- Crew members clean, drain, and refill certain pools and whirlpools as part of sanitation protocols.
- Areas are closed off for safety while large amounts of cleaning chemicals are being used.
Even if the app shows “All Day” hours for your last sea day, that schedule doesn’t apply to the morning you disembark.
The Bottom Line
There’s no time for a last-minute swim on disembarkation day — because by sunrise, the focus is on cleaning and resetting the ship for the next round of guests.
If you want one final dip, make it the night before. Grab your swimsuit after dinner, watch the sunset from the hot tub, and soak in those final ocean views. That’s your true last swim of the cruise.
FAQs About Pool Hours on the Last Day
Q: Are Royal Caribbean pools open on disembarkation morning?
A: No. Pools and whirlpools are closed while the ship is being cleaned and prepared for the next group of guests.
Q: What time do the pools close on the last night?
A: Most pools close around 10 p.m., with whirlpools occasionally staying open a little later depending on weather and ship operations.
Q: Why does the app still show “All Day” for Day 7?
A: The schedule reflects normal sea or port days. It doesn’t include disembarkation morning, when all pool areas are closed for cleaning and turnover.
Q: When are the pools refilled for the next cruise?
A: Pools are cleaned and refreshed overnight and typically ready to open again by the time new guests board on embarkation day, usually around late morning.
Q: Is this true for every ship?
A: Yes, while exact timing can vary slightly, all Royal Caribbean ships follow similar cleaning and turnover routines between sailings.
✨ Final Tip: Treat your last evening as your farewell swim. Bring your camera, enjoy the quiet decks, and make that final dip part of your end-of-cruise tradition.
💼 Want to feel prepared from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave the ship?
The Full Cruise Planning Bundle includes everything you need for smooth sailing from start to finish:
✅ Travel Documents Checklist – passports, IDs, and forms all squared away.
✅ Embarkation Day Checklist & Planner – your step-by-step Day 1 guide.
✅ Disembarkation Day Guide – know exactly what to do the night before and morning of departure.
✨ That’s 7 total pages of printables created to replace confusion with confidence.
Charity Bradley 
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