concierge

[barney0209]

In a hotel you can ask the concierge or the front desk if you have a question. Is there something similar on a cruise ship? I'm wondering because I would like to know if there is someone I could ask to find out if we can be among the first passengers to disembark at the end of the cruise and if so, what we should do to accomplish that. I'm still fussing about making that train to Albany. Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

It is called the Front Desk. If you are in a Suite, you can do the same in the Neptune Lounge, where there is a Concierge.

[sail7seas]

Early in your cruise, you'll receive a form to complete which tells the ship your onward travel plans. If you have an early train/flight, you would indicate the time on that form.

You also can indicate you want Suite Priorty Early Debark and that is what you will get (if in a Deluxe Veranda or Penthouse. You mention Concierge so I am thinking you are in one of those suites.) Those who do express (carry off their own suitcase) goes first and then the priority debark guests go if that is what they want. Your concierge will confirm that the color tags you are given are, indeed, the color for earliest group to leave the ship.

Concierge is for Deluxe Veranda Suite and Penthouse guests. There is also a telephone concierge for the category suites below Deluxe Veranda. If you are in neither, all this can be done with the front desk.

[Krazy Kruizers]

how early is your train to albany?

concierges are for those in ps, sa, sb and sc cabins

those who select self-disembarkation usually are off the ship by 7:30 -- if everything has gone well -- no delays upon arrival -- ship has cleared

[kazu]

It is called the Front Desk. If you are in a Suite, you can do the same in the Neptune Lounge, where there is a Concierge.

and both are very helpful :)

[jtl513]

how early is your train to albany?
9:30

see http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1389947

[barney0209]

Yup, that's me. We leave on the train @ 9:30. Thanks for all your help! Our TA called this morning to tell us about a delayed time for embarkation and I asked him what I should do. He said to talk to the purser. Looks like I have several options. Thanks again!

[BoiseIdahoSpud]

Our three cruises on HAL have been in cat SA deluxe suites. We arrange our own transportation from the ship and have been designated "Suite Independent" and can debark the ship anytime up until the final all ashore (10:00 am on our recent Noordam cruise). Our tags were "Blue 1".

[sail7seas]

We had Blue 1 on Noordam last month and left the ship just after the 'self-debark' people. We were checked into our FLL hotel and DH was at the pool by the time the last of the guests leaving. :)

[BoiseIdahoSpud]

It's such a nice perk to have the flexibility to leave when you want. Allows us to have an unhurried last morning, enjoy one more room service breakfast, pack slowly, and then be dragged down the gangway kicking and screaming at 9:59.