First, our experience in Civitavecchia was similar, but it was our first sky suite, so we didn't know any better. We did have a different check in like, but the Aqua line was actually a little shorter. And by the time we got there, everyone was just boarding as they came.
Second, when DH and I were on the Summit in April, it was his first time and my third. By afternoon of the first day he asked me if I knew everyone on the ship and was going to hug them all.