New cruiser question ie. priority check in.

Hello everyone. I'm taking my 1st cruise on 12/4 aboard Vision of the Seas in Galveston, TX. I booked my travel through AAA and 1 the the specials when I booked was I had priority check in. I also joined C & A. What exactly is this? I assume there will be signs somewhere at the terminal for this?

Thank you!

Scott

Hello everyone. I'm taking my 1st cruise on 12/4 aboard Vision of the Seas in Galveston, TX. I booked my travel through AAA and 1 the the specials when I booked was I had priority check in. I also joined C & A. What exactly is this? I assume there will be signs somewhere at the terminal for this?

 

Thank you!

 

Scott

Priority check-in is usually for those that have sailed RCI previously. The higher the status, the earlier the boarding and special check in lines. Priority check-in usually gets a special line but I have never seen a priority line for AAA. Not sure what booking through AAA gets you though.

What category of cabin did you purchase? That can get priority check in also (suites).

Priority check-in is usually for those that have sailed RCI previously. The higher the status, the earlier the boarding and special check in lines. Priority check-in usually gets a special line but I have never seen a priority line for AAA. Not sure what booking through AAA gets you though.

 

What category of cabin did you purchase? That can get priority check in also (suites).

Thanks for your reply. I booked this cruise in may and AAA had a "maycations" special, it included:

Priority Check-in.

Sparkling wine placed in stateroom.

I have a superior ocean view stateroom with balcony (D2).

Scott

Thanks for your reply. I booked this cruise in may and AAA had a "maycations" special, it included:

Priority Check-in.

Sparkling wine placed in stateroom.

 

 

I have a superior ocean view stateroom with balcony (D2).

 

Scott

Got me as to how you get priority boarding.

Arrive after noon, after boarding has begun. You can walk right on after checking in. ;)

I'd check with AAA and find out what their definition of priority check-in is and how it works. I've heard other TAs offer the same thing, then when people get to the port, nobody knows anything about it.

I wouldn’t expect anything other than a normal check in. Good news, check in is quick.

Hi Scott -

Priority check-in is not the same as priority boarding. I'm in agreement with what the other members have already said; you will not be among the first groups on the ship, sorry. It's not really a big deal anyway - just show up after boarding has begun as Merion_Mom suggests, and you shouldn't have to wait very long. :)

Enjoy your cruise.

Thanks for the responses everyone. It wasn't a big concern how quickly I actually got on, I was just wondering what this little perk gave me and if there was a special line. Thanks again all!

Scott

Just walk up to the attendant and tell them you have special needs and your TA/RC gave you priority check-in. Show them the document and they will escort you to the front. This is if the line is slow.

Usually the line moves about in Galveston.

Have fun!!!!

Hi Scott -

 

 

 

Priority check-in is not the same as priority boarding. I'm in agreement with what the other members have already said; you will not be among the first groups on the ship, sorry. It's not really a big deal anyway - just show up after boarding has begun as Merion_Mom suggests, and you shouldn't have to wait very long. :)

 

 

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Agree with you that check in and boarding are two different things, however on Cruise Critic most think they are one in the same.

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Everyone has Priority check in.....

You will have no C&A status until you've COMPLETED your cruise...then you will be a "gold" member in C&A

You will have no C&A status until you've COMPLETED your cruise...then you will be a "gold" member in C&A

That is not what the OP asked. Still really working on pushing that post count up aren't you?

Scott, You need to ask what AAA thinks and defines "priority check-in" as. These TA's that sell this to new cruisers need to be able to say what it is. I, personally think they're selling a bogus perk that doesn't exist for first time cruisers unless booked in a suite. They should not be allowed to sell something that can't define or really provide.

Priority CHECK-IN is different than Priority BOARDING. When you get through security, you will see flags stating which lines are which. There will also be staff members standing around to help direct you where to go. Priority CHECK-IN only gets you to the desk to get your sea pass cards...that is all. Based on when you arrive, sometimes the regular CHECK-IN lines are shorter than the Priority CHECK-IN lines...so go to the shortest line.

If you arrive early before the ship is actually boarding.... once you get CHECKED-IN...you will be sent to a seating area for BOARDING based on if you are in a SUITE (does NOT include Junior Suites tho), then based on your Crown & Anchor status. Suites board first, then Pinnacle, Diamond+, Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, Gold, then everyone else, in that order. Even tho you are signed up for the C&A membership, you do not get GOLD status until you actually have completed the cruise.

If you arrive later....after boarding has been started... you will board the ship as soon as you get CHECKED-IN.

You will have no C&A status until you've COMPLETED your cruise...then you will be a "gold" member in C&A

you have been able to enroll in C&A prior to a first cruise for some time. although I agree with others in that it grants no real benefit as far as 'priority check in' is concerned.

OP: best you can hope for is being sent to the Gold check in line.. which is one step up from the 'first time cruisers' line.. and seeing as how Galveston has a LOT of repeat cruisers, ten bucks says the 'first timers' line will be shorter anyway.

Boarding in Galveston is as follows:

Wedding parties and back to back ers

Pinnacle

Suites( and yes Juniors are included)

Diamond Plus

Diamond

the rest of the passengers, based on the boarding number they have.

the difference between when Pinnacles first start to board and when they call the last boarding number is usually under 15 minutes.

Priority CHECK-IN is different than Priority BOARDING. When you get through security, you will see flags stating which lines are which. There will also be staff members standing around to help direct you where to go. Priority CHECK-IN only gets you to the desk to get your sea pass cards...that is all. Based on when you arrive, sometimes the regular CHECK-IN lines are shorter than the Priority CHECK-IN lines...so go to the shortest line.

 

If you arrive early before the ship is actually boarding.... once you get CHECKED-IN...you will be sent to a seating area for BOARDING based on if you are in a SUITE (does NOT include Junior Suites tho), then based on your Crown & Anchor status. Suites board first, then Pinnacle, Diamond+, Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, Gold, then everyone else, in that order. Even tho you are signed up for the C&A membership, you do not get GOLD status until you actually have completed the cruise.

 

If you arrive later....after boarding has been started... you will board the ship as soon as you get CHECKED-IN.

Hi Lynn. Just to advise Junior Suites are included in the Suite boarding. Have done Jr's for our last 12 cruises and we board with all suites. Have done this in Everglades, Canaveral & Tampa

Hi Lynn. Just to advise Junior Suites are included in the Suite boarding. Have done Jr's for our last 12 cruises and we board with all suites. Have done this in Everglades, Canaveral & Tampa

That's correct. We sail almost exclusively in JS and we always board and check-in with the suites.

you have been able to enroll in C&A prior to a first cruise for some time. although I agree with others in that it grants no real benefit as far as 'priority check in' is concerned.

 

 

 

OP: best you can hope for is being sent to the Gold check in line.. which is one step up from the 'first time cruisers' line.. and seeing as how Galveston has a LOT of repeat cruisers, ten bucks says the 'first timers' line will be shorter anyway.

 

Boarding in Galveston is as follows:

 

Wedding parties and back to back ers

Pinnacle

Suites( and yes Juniors are included)

Diamond Plus

Diamond

the rest of the passengers, based on the boarding number they have.

 

the difference between when Pinnacles first start to board and when they call the last boarding number is usually under 15 minutes.

It is the same boarding que at Port Canaveral. A couple that are pinnacles were dismayed that they had to board after the b2b cruisers. Their solution was to just board with the b2b group [emoji57]. That 1 minute boarding sooner made all the difference [emoji848] They barged their way in front of my family and I. Caused me to chuckle a little as I recall all the posts about some pinnacles feeling entitled. This was the first time I have encountered an entitled pinnacle experience.

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It is the same boarding que at Port Canaveral. A couple that are pinnacles were dismayed that they had to board after the b2b cruisers. Their solution was to just board with the b2b group [emoji57]. That 1 minute boarding sooner made all the difference [emoji848] They barged their way in front of my family and I. Caused me to chuckle a little as I recall all the posts about some pinnacles feeling entitled. This was the first time I have encountered an entitled pinnacle experience.

 

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We missed that since we reboarded #2 and #3. I guess I'm glad they didn't see us ahead of them lol. I thought b2bs always board before everyone. You'd think they'd know that.

We missed that since we reboarded #2 and #3. I guess I'm glad they didn't see us ahead of them lol. I thought b2bs always board before everyone. You'd think they'd know that.

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I've sent AAA an email to have them define what they consider priority check-in. Probably just a marketing gimmic. I don't care if I have to wait in line for an hour or more, I'M GOING TO HAVE FUN!!!! :) Now, everyone DRINK! :) :)

you have been able to enroll in C&A prior to a first cruise for some time. although I agree with others in that it grants no real benefit as far as 'priority check in' is concerned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OP: best you can hope for is being sent to the Gold check in line.. which is one step up from the 'first time cruisers' line.. and seeing as how Galveston has a LOT of repeat cruisers, ten bucks says the 'first timers' line will be shorter anyway.

 

 

 

Boarding in Galveston is as follows:

 

 

 

Wedding parties and back to back ers

 

Pinnacle

 

Suites( and yes Juniors are included)

 

Diamond Plus

 

Diamond

 

the rest of the passengers, based on the boarding number they have.

 

 

 

the difference between when Pinnacles first start to board and when they call the last boarding number is usually under 15 minutes.

So, in Galveston, Pinnacle’s board before Suites?

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