Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises have established another industry first: Both lines are simultaneously launching online check-in for their guests, reducing the check- in process at the pier from minutes to seconds.

Titled SetSail for Royal Caribbean International and Xpress Pass for Celebrity Cruises, online check-in is now available for guests booked on Royal Caribbean`s Navigator of the Seas and for those on Celebrity`s Zenith. The company expects online check-in to be available for both brands` entire fleets by September.

The new online check-in process allows guests to fill out all pertinent cruise documents before arriving at the pier. Boarding documents, immigration forms, onboard accounts and ticket contracts can be completed with just a click of the mouse.

This is a truly innovative development, basically making the web our `virtual check-in agent, said Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Associate Vice President Guest Port Services Juan Trescastro. By averting the need to complete paperwork at the pier or while in line, we`re reducing the time involved at the pier from an average of three to four minutes to an average of 30 seconds per guest.