S Suites escorted and early embarkation?

I just saw this over on the Princess boards and wondered if we get escorted to our cabins, and also what is this about early embarkation? Can anyone help?

Now that HAL has early embarkation, the cabins are not ready. Suite pax are permitted to board as soon as embarkation begins which is usually between 11:15 and 11:30. A white gloved steward will escort Suite pax to the Neptune Lounge where they may leave their carryon bags and can consult with the Concierge if there is something they require. Lido is open and lunch is being served, so most go to enjoy lunch. An announcement is made when cabins are ready for occupancy....that is usually around 1:15 to 1:30.

This past May we werem't even excorted to the Neptune Lounge. There was hardly any crew members to greet us as we got on the ship. The couple that were there just pointed to the elevators.

We got on the ship around 11:35.

On the Oosterdam, the crew gave up waiting for passengers to get on the ship - so no one was there when we finally got on the ship at 1:15 after waiting in line for nearly 2 hours - Feb 29th - computers didn't recognize that date.

We've been lucky, thus far.........

In Boston, we boarded with no holdup at all and stewards were waiting to escort us.

In many cruises from FLL since they started the early embarkation, we have not yet had any problem.

Groan.......I probably just jinxed us and we will have all sorts of hassle when we try to board ZUDM.

NO, NO DON'T SAY THAT! You will have a wonderful cruise :)

I consider this one of those unspoken suite perks though and we look forward to starting the cruise out feeling special.

I do see however that our upcoming departure on the Z is sold out (I'm kind of surprised actually since we intentially waited for most schools to begin and thought since it's "The Big "H" Season the ship would probably not be at capacity) - I KNOW we were wrong!

KK - We were on the O's 2/29 sailing also. Happened to be the 2nd ones at the suite check-in counter. The first, an elderly couple with a gentleman in a wheelchair, were alongside of us and encountered a heck of a time getting their photos taken, while our attendant kept having a problem with our check in. It took a good 30 mins to get the 4 of us "legitamized" and board. Heard later from our dinner companions about the lengthy check-in delays due to a computer problem, but had no idea it was caused by Leap Year.

This past May we werem't even excorted to the Neptune Lounge. There was hardly any crew members to greet us as we got on the ship. The couple that were there just pointed to the elevators.

 

We got on the ship around 11:35.

 

 

 

Same with us in April. They just pointed to the elevator. We had an S cabin and went directly to it. Everything was ready for us.

What ship?

We have been escorted on Rotterdam, Zuiderdam, and Maasdam ( three cruises on her) in the last year. Too bad they didn't take you....it's always so nice when they do. :)

Cabin escorts aren't limited to only suite pax -- we had an escort to our A-deck cabin last month. It is a very nice way to start off a cruise. For some reason, these little things go a long way.

Why do I need someone to take me to my cabin???

Yes, Lisa...you are correct. It depends upon luck of the draw when you board. There are just so many stewards they can spare from other duties to escort embarking passengers. If you arrive at a given moment, they could all be en route with another passenger and there is no one "back" and ready to escort the next passenger. They are there to escort all pax.

error....

We've never been in the Suite class :p- we've enjoyed the occasional balcony but most often we're Lower Prom people. We're very selective about our location and, booking early, we invariably get the cabin we want. I guess we've been extremely lucky - we've always been escorted to our cabin. Excepting the "S" ships we been on all the other 'dam' ships.

It is nice to be escorted but we can live without that 'perk' - being on board is the important thing in our minds. :D

When we boarded back in Oct. of 2003, a little after noon, we were informed our cabin was not ready yet and wouldn't be till 1:30 pm, so they directed us to the Lido deck to have enjoy lunch and relax a little till our room was ready.

We then found our room on our own very easily. We found the steward near by waiting to introduce himself and welcome us. It was just great.

This past May we werem't even excorted to the Neptune Lounge. There was hardly any crew members to greet us as we got on the ship. The couple that were there just pointed to the elevators

Same here for the Zuiderdam in August. A bunch of cabin stewards were posted by the elevators and they directed us to the Lido Buffet (I was not a suite passenger, so could not use the Neptune Lounge). When the announcement was made that the cabins were ready, I was sawing wood on a deck chair and didn't even hear it. I only found out an hour later that my cabin was ready.

The cabin steward did greet me almost as soon as I arrived at the cabin, though ... introducing himself and getting me an ashtray pronto. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita