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Princess Cruises Testing Advance Boarding for a Fee


LauraS
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It could be 'important', in some cases...it would give you a head start to book certain things that have limited capacity, or first crack at rearranging dining room reservations, etc.

Then, I guess, if it's that "important" to you, pay for it!! Problem solved!!

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Then, I guess, if it's that "important" to you, pay for it!! Problem solved!!

Not to me, personally....just saying where it could be useful for some people...

 

This really shouldn't be a surprise to traveler's....the cruise lines are learning from the airlines, in how to 'nickle and dime' passenger's on whatever they think is desirable or popular....

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After all is said & done how much extra time does a preferred border get for the money?:confused:

Sounds like very little for $45.

This idea has failure written all over it.

 

It may be very successful.

 

Most people seeing this offer will likely not realize that this puts them in the 6th group to board, possibly after 1500 or more other passengers on some cruises.

1) Wedding parties2) BVE

3) Wheelchair passengers

4) Elite and Suite

5) Platinum

6) Preferred boarding for $45 group

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It may be very successful.

 

Most people seeing this offer will likely not realize that this puts them in the 6th group to board, possibly after 1500 or more other passengers on some cruises.

1) Wedding parties2) BVE

3) Wheelchair passengers

4) Elite and Suite

5) Platinum

6) Preferred boarding for $45 group

 

You may be correct.:o

It's just that I've never had to wait with the large group in many years & can't appreciate the advantage of early boarding any longer.

I still think it's a high price to pay p/p for what amounts to maybe 1 hour or so extra aboard the ship.

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You may be correct.:o

It's just that I've never had to wait with the large group in many years & can't appreciate the advantage of early boarding any longer.

I still think it's a high price to pay p/p for what amounts to maybe 1 hour or so extra aboard the ship.

 

Personally, I'd rather enjoy hanging around the city a little longer, even though we would be in the first groups that board. (I don't enjoy Black Friday sales, either.) :cool: That being said, in the article, it said that the cost is per cabin.

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It may be very successful.

 

Most people seeing this offer will likely not realize that this puts them in the 6th group to board, possibly after 1500 or more other passengers on some cruises.

1) Wedding parties2) BVE

3) Wheelchair passengers

4) Elite and Suite

5) Platinum

6) Preferred boarding for $45 group

What about casino "VIP's"? I don't know about Princess, but on some lines, they also get 'priority boarding'.....

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Personally, I'd rather enjoy hanging around the city a little longer, even though we would be in the first groups that board. (I don't enjoy Black Friday sales, either.) :cool: That being said, in the article, it said that the cost is per cabin.

Now it's a bargain. :D:DLOL

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This really shouldn't be a surprise to traveler's....the cruise lines are learning from the airlines, in how to 'nickle and dime' passenger's on whatever they think is desirable or popular....

So will each suitcase be charged $25? Will we pay an extra fee to pick our cabin? Will meals be optional, snacks included? I thought the paid restaurants would fail but apparently not. I am amazed at how many people pay for ice cream and gelato and coffee, so why not a line pass.

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So will each suitcase be charged $25? Will we pay an extra fee to pick our cabin? Will meals be optional, snacks included? I thought the paid restaurants would fail but apparently not. I am amazed at how many people pay for ice cream and gelato and coffee, so why not a line pass.

You do pay 'extra' to select your cabin...if you choose a 'guarantee' in any category, it will cost you less than choosing a specific one....

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You do pay 'extra' to select your cabin...if you choose a 'guarantee' in any category, it will cost you less than choosing a specific one....

 

Not true.

The cost of a specific cabin or a GTY in the exact same category (such as a Balcony C3) is the same.

 

 

Only if your GTY is eventually filled in a higher category will you have saved any money.

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Looks like United Airlines is copying Princess:

 

United Airlines — ever on the hunt for ways to fatten its bottom line— has just rolled out a new early boarding option.

Called Priority Boarding, the new product allows customers eager to board early and secure overhead storage space to do so by paying an additional fee.

Priority Boarding customers will board with Group 2, which also includes Chase preferred credit card holders and certain United passengers with elite frequent traveler status. United has a total of five boarding groups for each flight.

According to a United spokeswoman, the fee for Priority Boarding is variable, but starts at $9. The fee could be higher depending on several factors, including the flight booked, the date, time of day, and day of week.

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It could be 'important', in some cases...it would give you a head start to book certain things that have limited capacity, or first crack at rearranging dining room reservations, etc.

I doubt that they will have "first crack" at many of the things.

We are usually in the first 20 on board and on the cruises we have been on it has been hours before the dining room reservation line even answers, there is no one in the specialty dining rooms to take reservations and discussing your assigned dining room is usually only available later in the afternoon. It might be to your advantage for "Chef's Table" but that reservation line rarely answers that early. Maybe others have been able to get things done sooner and it might vary, as other things do, from ship to ship.

 

The only advantage we have found is being able to get to our cabin, wash up, and go to the MDR for a leisurely lunch.

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