Staggered Boarding??

[crows nest club]

Exactly my point - those travelling by Easeway coaches all arrive at approximately the same time and if, as you say, the luggage can be taken, then as UK passengers will know that at Southampton Docks (especially Mayflower Term inal) there is really nowhere to go once off the coach - there is not public transport serving that terminal and it is a very long walk to any 'civilisation' where time may be spent.

[GatorPal]

I sailed the Crown Princess in March (2012). I do not recall an assigned boarding time, just the standard information on the paperwork. I will tell you, however, we waited in line outside the terminal for 2 hours and 15 mintues before the line started to move and then it was another 45 mintues before we were able to check in. We arrived at noon so not an unusual time (like 7 AM or anything). It was terrible -- worst I have ever experienced (15 cruises). I would like to see some steps taken to stagger boarding and eliminate lines such as the one I had in March but exactly what/how I don't know.

[1 HappyCruiser]

I sailed the Crown Princess in March (2012). I do not recall an assigned boarding time, just the standard information on the paperwork. I will tell you, however, we waited in line outside the terminal for 2 hours and 15 mintues before the line started to move and then it was another 45 mintues before we were able to check in. We arrived at noon so not an unusual time (like 7 AM or anything). It was terrible -- worst I have ever experienced (15 cruises). I would like to see some steps taken to stagger boarding and eliminate lines such as the one I had in March but exactly what/how I don't know.

 

There must have had something exceptional go wrong that caused that problem. We've been on dozens of cruises from port Everglades & never had anything close to that wait. Wasn't that the cruise where they had to clean the ship due to the Noro virus?

[DrivesLikeMario]

There is a lot of inconsistency in the stagger system.

We can only hope the whole concept will experience an early demise.

 

I couldn't agree more! :mad:

[napunani]

Where would PRINCESS like us to go if we are too early?

In many cases, transfers are directly from the area airport.

If you overnight prior, hotel check-out is 11am or noon.

I suppose we could help direct traffic outside the cruise terminal or maybe help transfer baggage! :rolleyes:

[Corinda]

I suppose we could help direct traffic outside the cruise terminal or maybe help transfer baggage! :rolleyes:

 

 

If you help with the luggage - you might be able to pick up a few bucks ;) Could offset a bar bill or two

 

Corinda

[critterchick]

Jaive, I know, me too. But once you make final payment, an email arrives in minutes to tell you about staggered boarding.......

I think that is the real problem. If princess wants to change their procedure, more power to them, just make it up front instead of only informing cruisers after the fact. Then, at least you know what you are getting and may or may not choose other cruise lines to travel. I probably would and will, depending on how it goes and how it is handled on the Star in July, to avoid the delay in boarding.

I guess the cruisers heading to Alaska soon will let us know how it goes and what to expect.

 

We never received an email. I'm the TA for the booking, too, so it didn't go there, either. I only know about it because I read it here. It wouldn't even have occurred to me to read my boarding pass closely enough to notice. I plan to ignore it, anyway, in the interest of research.;)

[Level six]

we never received an email. I'm the ta for the booking, too, so it didn't go there, either. I only know about it because i read it here. It wouldn't even have occurred to me to read my boarding pass closely enough to notice. I plan to ignore it, anyway, in the interest of research.;)

 

 

nice!:)

[hansi]

We are on a cruise in June, and I've just received an email saying I can't board till 2:30! We are Elite and have priority boarding, so I'm just going to turn up at the time I always have done. Around 12. They can't turn everybody away, it would be chaos.

[newport dave]

We are on a cruise in June, and I've just received an email saying I can't board till 2:30! We are Elite and have priority boarding, so I'm just going to turn up at the time I always have done. Around 12. They can't turn everybody away, it would be chaos.

 

We're the same as yourselves, except we cruise in July. Will also be turning up around 1200.

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

No e mail

 

but from web site info for cruise next month

 

CHECK-IN INFORMATION

To ensure a smooth start to your voyage, we operate a staggered check-in

schedule. Please arrive at your scheduled check-in time as noted below,

determined by your deck and cabin number. Passengers arriving prior to their

check-in time will be asked to return at their scheduled time. Boarding will

commence shortly after check-in. All passengers must be onboard by 3:00 pm.

 

12:00 pm - Dolphin Deck/Cabins D103-D737

12:30 pm - Caribe Deck/Cabins C101-C753

1:00 pm - Lido Deck & Aloha Deck/Cabins L101-L308 & A201-A749

1:30 pm - Baja Deck/Cabins B201-B751

2:00 pm - Emerald Deck/Cabins E101-E733

2:30 pm - Plaza Deck/Cabins P201-P337

 

yours shogun

[watergal]

It is my understanding that Priority Boarding (passengers in suites and Platinum or Elite in Captain's Circle) can still board at any time

 

We were on the Golden to Hawaii ex LAX in January and arrived at the pier at 11 am and boarded at 1 pm. It was, hands down, the absolute worst embarkation I've ever encountered with Princess and we're Platinum. The Princess rep directing pax to different waiting areas appeared to have lost complete control of not only her directions but also her voice as she was reduced to screeching with arms flailing and elite, suite and platinum pax were confused with everyone trying to follow her erratic instructions. And the elite and suite guests boarded only minutes before platinum. I can only imagine how long it took for first time pax. Consequently we were on a waiting list for the Chef's Table but when we were finally accepted, one of our tablemates said that as soon as he stepped foot on the ship, he went directly to a service phone and called the dine line.

I'm not sure what Princess is thinking with this current scenario but it doesn't sound plausible.

[dog]

No email received but others on my cruise say my deck boards at 3 pm, princess transfer will drop me off at ship about 1 pm, get to stand outside terminal for 2 hours?

 

Way to lose our future business, no mention of platinums

[celestialcruiser]

Has anyone emailed or written to Princess to express your opinion? Just wondering if you've received any kind of response.

[Josy1953]

Has anyone emailed or written to Princess to express your opinion? Just wondering if you've received any kind of response.

 

I emailed Princess yesterday but have not yet received a response. If I receive a response I will post it.

[1 HappyCruiser]

No email received but others on my cruise say my deck boards at 3 pm, princess transfer will drop me off at ship about 1 pm, get to stand outside terminal for 2 hours?

 

Way to lose our future business, no mention of platinums

 

Just tell them you're not getting off the bus until they let you in the terminal. :D;)

[denims]

I emailed Princess yesterday but have not yet received a response. If I receive a response I will post it.

 

What email address did you send your note to? I wrote Princess about 3 weeks ago and still haven't received any reply.

Maybe I sent it to the wrong Dept. (I sent it to: customerrelations@princesscruises.com )

[dog]

Princess Facebook guy told me platinums will only get priority boarding within their assigned staggered boarding time,

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

I phoned Princess UK and was told Elite can board anytime,

 

I wonder if they are doing this to reduce staffing levels at check in

 

as if you can control numbers you need less staff.

 

 

yours Shogun

[candide333]

We just received an e-mail informing us that there will be staggered boarding on our Grand sailing in November out of Southhampton, but we are on the Fiesta deck and that deck is not listed. I will assume that I can board anytime until further notice. Maybe by the time we sail, Princess will listen to all of the concerns and revise the staggered boarding schedule.

[crows nest club]

As our next b2b cruise with be out 50th with Princess, we aim to arrive at our usual early time, as we have done previously, even though there has been a note that they are operating staggered boarding. We hope Princess re-think this process, as all we can see is that it will cause utter chaos, especially when the Eavesway coaches arrive with passengers with different embarkation times!!!

[celestialcruiser]

When I called my Cruise Vacation Planner yesterday, he didn't know anything about staggered boarding. He told me I could board after 11. I told him to look down further under my reservation. His response was, "oh, they didn't tell us that." Reassuring that these are Princess' "specialists".

[cruiselvr1]

We just received an email from Princess regarding our upcoming cruise out of LA. They are now boarding according to what deck you are on. Our boarding time is 2:00. It says that if you get there early, you will be asked to go away and come back at your appointed time. Are they kidding? I was looking forward to boarding 12-12:30, having lunch, and touring the ship. Is this something new? I haven't been on Princess for 2 years, but they didn't have it back then. Do they really enforce this, or is it like the dress code on formal night??

I understand staggered boarding at ports like SFO, but not San Pedro. My DW thinks this a way for Princess to save money by not having to feed the late embarkation times.

[cruiselvr1]

Not sure what you mean by "boarding assignment time" for our upcoming cruise this month the itinerary states:

 

DEPART 4:00PM CHECK IN 12:30PM-3:00PM

ARRIVE AFTER 2:00PM FOR A FASTER CHECK IN

Essentially you can arrive and get in the queue for check-in anytime during the specified period, and should expect a line if you arrive early. They could issue group numbers to those waiting as a means of managing the large number of passengers in a reasonable fashion. If you are not Captain's Circle Platinum or Elite then the norm is "first come first served".

 

Assuming this is still the system if you and your friends arrive together, then you should be able to go through the line together.

 

I wouldn't recommend waiting until the last minute. There are some fun things to do on board ship including a "scavanger hunt" which includes tours of the spa and other areas.

If your embarkation time is 3:00, you have barely enough time to drop off your carry-ons, before muster time.

[cruiselvr1]

This system can only be fair if Princess allows the Sanctuary and Chef's Table to be booked in advance. Not very fair if, on every voyage, the only people in the Sanctuary and at the Chef's Table are the people who board at noon. And the reference in their documentation with regards to first-day dining will be pointless. It now reads: "Shortly after we welcome you onboard your spectacular Princess ship, you're invited to relax and dine at the Horizon Court or in one of the ship's multiple dining rooms." With staggered boarding, that will need to be changed to:

 

"Shortly after we welcome you onboard your spectacular Princess ship, you're invited to either:

 

a. (for early boarders) relax and dine at the Horizon Court or in one of the ship's multiple dining rooms;

 

b. (for intermediate boarders) begin your vacation in a harried rush desperately trying to make it to the Horizon Court while the food is still plentiful and hot, or to one of the ship's multiple dining rooms before it closes; or

 

c. (for late boarders) begin your cruise with a sour taste in your mouth as you board starving, with no option other than to pick over whatever scraps have been left for you at the Horizon Court at 2:30 or later. But don't worry about your late lunch. Your early dinner seating is just moments away."

love it