How does priority boarding actually work?

[Vikstar]

Hi All,

 

I am unsure as to what priority boarding actually means? Can you arrive at the terminal anytime during embarkation and they will let you on, or do you get taken to a separate area? I don't understand the process and I can't find info on the Celebrity website.

 

Thanks!

[Driveshaft]

Inside most terminals there are many lanes like at an airport. If you are a Captains Club member there are special lanes for select, elite, and above. They are also putting out letters with preferred times for people to show up. Nevertheless you get there when you get there. It is so much better than in the past where you had to sit in a room until your number was called unless you were a repeat cruiser. which got you in immediately.

Also you have the CDC medical screening.

[Vikstar]

Thank you for your response.

 

We are not Captains Club but we will be in a suite. Will there be a suite line at the terminal?

Edited January 10, 2015 by Vikstar

[Adidas4fun]

But you have to understand, there is a difference between priority check in and priority boarding. If you have the later you are escorted on board whenever you choose to arrive.

[cruisestitch]

The boarding process really varies by where you are in the world.

 

In general, you should find differentiated queues in the terminal where you check in -- Suites, Elite, Concierge Class, Aqua Class, and others.

 

And that will pretty much be the limit of the "priority boarding" perk. You might be looking at a shorter line.

 

Ironically, when there are lots of Elites, that line might be the longest, and the general boarding line might be the shortest!

 

If for some reason the ship is not ready for passengers, perhaps due to a late arrival at that port so that the previous cruise disembarked late, you may find that you are taken to a waiting area.

 

In that case, priority boarding would mean that they might take the Zenith members first, then the Suites, then Elite Plus, Aqua, Concierge, Elite, etc. and the passengers who don't fit into any of those categories would board last.

 

As to when to arrive at the terminal, in more and more ports, passengers are being asked to arrive at a particular time window -- for instance, deck 10 passengers are asked to come between 12 and 12:30, deck 9 between 12:30 and 1, etc. etc. But this is just a guideline. They don't actually turn anyone away if they come at a time before or after. It's an attempt to spread out the boarding process. You might get an email about a week before sailing asking you to show up at a particular time, but if you already have your travel plans in place, don't worry about it.

 

In a few ports (Buenos Aires comes to mind) there was just one long line for everyone, no priority boarding at all.

 

But mostly, the term "priority boarding" is advertising hype. When 3/4 or more of the passengers qualify for "priority", it becomes meaningless.

[neverbeenhere]

No.

[Vikstar]

But you have to understand, there is a difference between priority check in and priority boarding. If you have the later you are escorted on board whenever you choose to arrive.

 

I didn't realise these two things differed and assumed once you had checked in you could board. Would you mind providing a bit more info?

 

Thank you!

[cruisestitch]

Sometimes the ship isn't ready to take on new passengers.

 

It might have arrived late, it might be in the midst of deep cleaning, Customs/Border control might be going over crew documentation, all kinds of reasons. Or you might simply be so anxious to start your cruise that you arrive at 9 am and the previous passengers haven't disembarked yet. They might check you in but not let you board.

 

In those cases, after you check in, you might be taken to a waiting area. In some ports, there are different waiting areas for Zeniths/suites/Aqua/Elites etc etc. In other ports there's just one big room full of chairs and you board in the order you checked in.

 

And in a few places, you are just in giant Mouse lines, zigzagging through the terminal, inching your way forward toward the ship. Priority boarding is just a theoretical construct then.

[Adidas4fun]

I didn't realise these two things differed and assumed once you had checked in you could board. Would you mind providing a bit more info?

 

Thank you!

priority boarding is truly that, priority check in simply means you get to complete the pre-embarkation process quickly but may have to wait to board. Emphasis on the "may".

[cruisestitch]

Good point, the term used in the promotional material provided by Celebrity is "priority check in" which is really the differentiated lines in the terminal.

 

I don't believe that they ever use the term "priority boarding" when referring to embarkation day, although in the Zenith literature it does say that they get priority boarding when the ship is in port.

 

If you have ever seen the cheesy bit of red carpet they put out for Zeniths, most of the time leading precisely nowhere, you will get a good chuckle out of this "priority boarding" perk.

[alcpa1]

Depending on your port of embarkation you should be able to check in and board around 11 a.m.

Suite passengers will be directed to Michael's Club where you will have refreshments and wait for your cabin access. Generally cabins will be available around 1:30.

As noted, go for the shortest line when you check in. The receptionists at any station will be able to access your record, check you in and give you your sea pass cards. They will take your pictures too.

Some ports lump suite and Captain's Club members in the same lines so unless you seek the status of the suite check in and don't care how quickly you can board then head directly to the suite line.

Momosas and champagne (actually sparkling wine) await each passenger when you board. You'll get better stuff in Michael's Club.

Enjoy your cruise.

[need2bespoiled]

It does vary by ship, and embarkation location, but for suites, the following has been our experience since Michael's Club opened last spring. This experience includes 5 sailings on 4 ships.

 

Suites have a line, like other categories like concierge class, Aqau Class, Captain's Club Elite, etc. In this case it is 'Sky Suites'. Usually this line is short, but not always, once checked in, you enter the line with other cabins to get on the ship.

 

In many locations (We've experienced this in Hong Kong, Singapore and Cape Liberty to varying degrees. They set-up a separate space (Hong Kong), separate room (separated by curtain's in Cape Liberty) or whatever the port will accommodate He is where you you will check-in and as soon as you check-in you are met from someone on the Michael's Club team that is usually the Micheal's Club Concierge, Captain's Club Host, Concierge etc.

 

After checking in, which could be before or after security you are escorted to the ship and then to Michael's club, and/or a location to have lunch. On Summit, we boarded on deck 1 or 2 were sent to an elevator operated as an express by an officer on one side of the ship. Elevators on the other side were being sent to deck 10 for the Ocean View Cafe. Our elevator was sent to Michael's Club. In Hong Kong we boarded on Deck 4 and most guest turned right once stepping on the ship, we turned left and right to Michael's Club.

 

As long as the ship is available to any passengers to book, you will be given priority check-in and boarding in any way they can work through the process at the port.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[cle-guy]

Thank you for your response.

 

We are not Captains Club but we will be in a suite. Will there be a suite line at the terminal?

 

I sailed in a suite in November, and on check in, (this was out of Fort Lauderdale,, each port will have a different process for sure) after getting my boarding documents sorted (a dedicated Suite line for this part), I was escorted to an elevator nearby and sent up basically "cutting the line" ahead of others waiting down a hallway, but as all entries lead to a single gangway to get on the ship, this was the extent of the priority boarding.

 

Once on the ship, a suite concierge (I was in an RS, this person may only tend to CS and higher, no SkySuites) escorted me directly to Michaels club. Suite guests were identified by a large blue folder we were told to keep out as we boarded. In the past a red rose seems to have been the signal, but at least in FLL, it;s now a blue folder.

Edited January 10, 2015 by cle-guy

[CathyCruises]

On every single celebrity cruise I've been on, with the exception of a noro-cleaning one, I have checked in with no wait, maybe one group ahead of me in the line. Then I have ALWAYS just walked straight on. We are Elite, have only booked one suite, usually just a standard balcony or CC or Aqua. Mostly cruise in the Med. Other than the noro cruise, we have never had to wait between checkin and boarding.

 

Last April we checked in around 11:30 in FLL; there was a longish line for security, but once through that we were on board within 10 minutes.

 

I think the whole thing is a lotta hype. And honestly, the thought of sitting around in Michael's Club waiting for the cabins to be ready holds no appeal. I would much rather be out and about enjoying the ship than sitting in a small dark lounge. But that's just me.

[need2bespoiled]

 

 

I think the whole thing is a lotta hype. And honestly, the thought of sitting around in Michael's Club waiting for the cabins to be ready holds no appeal. I would much rather be out and about enjoying the ship than sitting in a small dark lounge. But that's just me.

 

Who said you have to sit around in Michael's? Once there you can leave and do as you wish, choice is yours. We usually grab a drink, go get a meal in the location of our choice then either head to the (empty) pool or walk around the ship.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[CathyCruises]

Who said you have to sit around in Michael's? Once there you can leave and do as you wish, choice is yours. We usually grab a drink, go get a meal in the location of our choice then either head to the (empty) pool or walk around the ship.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

No, I totally understand that you don't have to sit there, I was just saying that I would not want to do that as a previous poster mentioned that as a perk. I'd grab food and bev and then be off!

[spookwife]

Hi All,

 

I am unsure as to what priority boarding actually means? Can you arrive at the terminal anytime during embarkation and they will let you on, or do you get taken to a separate area? I don't understand the process and I can't find info on the Celebrity website.

 

Thanks!

 

if you arrive after general boarding has started, you will check in then immediately board.

 

if you arrive BEFORE then( typically around 1130 am)

it will depend on the actual port. there will be separate lines to check in: Suites and the very highest loyalty groups in one line, repeat customers in another, and finally, the new guys that have never sailed that line before. these lines are just like any other line..some will move quickly, some not so much.

 

then if there is still time before boarding begins, you will be sent to the appropriate section to wait. again, Suites and the highest loyalty levels will be allowed to board first( after wedding parties if applicable) thereafter that everyone else, based on boarding number( or however that ports set up their system. )

 

regardless, once boarding has begun, it really is not that long before the last group begins to board. I would probably say a goof half skip the photography station as you enter just cuz they have BTDT so many times . that is where the first backlog happens.

[Orator]

No, I totally understand that you don't have to sit there, I was just saying that I would not want to do that as a previous poster mentioned that as a perk. I'd grab food and bev and then be off!

 

One advantage of going to Michael's Club is to use it as a place to keep luggage until cabins are ready. It is a great advantage to us since we tend to avoid checking bags.

[CathyCruises]

One advantage of going to Michael's Club is to use it as a place to keep luggage until cabins are ready. It is a great advantage to us since we tend to avoid checking bags.

 

Ah. Good point. We just walk in with a purse and backpack. Why don't you like to check your luggage? Seems like it would be a big pain trying to drag bags into the overcrowded elevators, etc.

[curtdesilets]

The boarding process really varies by where you are in the world.

 

In general, you should find differentiated queues in the terminal where you check in -- Suites, Elite, Concierge Class, Aqua Class, and others.

 

And that will pretty much be the limit of the "priority boarding" perk. You might be looking at a shorter line.

 

Ironically, when there are lots of Elites, that line might be the longest, and the general boarding line might be the shortest!

 

If for some reason the ship is not ready for passengers, perhaps due to a late arrival at that port so that the previous cruise disembarked late, you may find that you are taken to a waiting area.

 

In that case, priority boarding would mean that they might take the Zenith members first, then the Suites, then Elite Plus, Aqua, Concierge, Elite, etc. and the passengers who don't fit into any of those categories would board last.

 

As to when to arrive at the terminal, in more and more ports, passengers are being asked to arrive at a particular time window -- for instance, deck 10 passengers are asked to come between 12 and 12:30, deck 9 between 12:30 and 1, etc. etc. But this is just a guideline. They don't actually turn anyone away if they come at a time before or after. It's an attempt to spread out the boarding process. You might get an email about a week before sailing asking you to show up at a particular time, but if you already have your travel plans in place, don't worry about it.

 

In a few ports (Buenos Aires comes to mind) there was just one long line for everyone, no priority boarding at all.

 

But mostly, the term "priority boarding" is advertising hype. When 3/4 or more of the passengers qualify for "priority", it becomes meaningless.

 

I just asked this question about our upcoming Solstice Alaska cruise. This is a very concise and awesome answer. Thanks for the info !!

[Orator]

Ah. Good point. We just walk in with a purse and backpack. Why don't you like to check your luggage? Seems like it would be a big pain trying to drag bags into the overcrowded elevators, etc.

 

Past experience :) I know that my bags will be with me when I get to my cabin.