Qustion for HAL regulars

[voyager70]

Hello,

 

A friend of mine along with several members of her immediate & extended family is sailing on the Westerdam to Alaska next month. One of the couples is staying in a Pinnacle Suite so will have priority boarding (not sure if that's what HAL calls it). My question is, will the entire party be allowed priority boarding or just the couple in the Suite. The rest of the group are staying in standard cabins. I know on Royal Caribbean & Celebrity if one couple has priority boarding for staying in a suite or having high loyalty status the entire party is allowed to board together through the priority lines. They have called HAL but can't seem to get a definitive answer. Thanks for your help!

[Sir PMP]

Just the couple in the suites, the others will have to get a number.

[voyager70]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I'll let her know.

[jagger16]

We were in a Neptune Suite, traveling with family in who were in verandas. Only we in the suite had priority boarding. However, we got to the pier early enough that there were no lines and they were literally right behind us. In fact, by the time we had stopped to pay our corkage fees, they had all passed us and gotten on board before we did! We couldn't even find them for the obligatory all-aboard photo. :)

[voyager70]

We were in a Neptune Suite, traveling with family in who were in verandas. Only we in the suite had priority boarding. However, we got to the pier early enough that there were no lines and they were literally right behind us. In fact, by the time we had stopped to pay our corkage fees, they had all passed us and gotten on board before we did! We couldn't even find them for the obligatory all-aboard photo. :)

 

Thanks, I'll tell her to get to the pier early!

[OlsSalt]

Suite or no suite, we have found HAL embarkation to be efficient and speedy. And sometimes when the suites line is empty, they will shuffle some passengers over to that line anyway. We always "dress up" for embarkation day so sometimes they just direct us to that line anyway. Whatever. One saves a few minutes; not hours with priority embarkation has been our experience.

Edited July 31, 2015 by OlsSalt

[jtl513]

However, we got to the pier early enough that there were no lines and they were literally right behind us. In fact, by the time we had stopped to pay our corkage fees, they had all passed us and gotten on board before we did!

What time was this? In my experience people start collecting around 10:30, waiting for check-in to start around 11:00 and boarding to start around 11:30. Usually this initial rush is over by about 12:15, and that is when you are most likely to be able walk on without lines ... unless you hit it wrong, as a transfer bus arrives.

[rafinmd]

Sadly, the HAL boarding process for "regular" cruisers is very inconsistent. (I just made 4-star and that's hopefully behind me.) Sometimes it's gone quite quickly (I think in Boston, for example) while boarding the Maasdam in Ft. Lauderdale I stood in line for at least an hour. Another time boarding in Ft. Lauderdale (Prinsendam, and perhaps a different terminal) I was finished in 8 minutes. My best advice is they should prepare for anything, and you should listen to stories only from people who have sailed from the same port you will embark.

 

Roy

[Hlitner]

We would not get overly concerned about boarding priorities. I recall the first cruise after we had obtained 4 Star Mariner status. We got to Port Everglades and were directed to the priority line. Looking around we noticed that the priority line was very long, but the regular line was nearly empty. This was a Grand Cruise and just about everyone on the ship was 4 and 5 Star Mariners. So we walked out of the priority line, got in the regular line, and were immediately processed and allowed to board. DW heard one lady (still in the priority line) say something like "we worked hard to get this status and we will not get in the regular line!" Wonder if she is still waiting :).

 

Hank

[rjrpar]

Most cruise lines have improved the boarding process, making it much easier for all passengers. The perk of early boarding is losing its value.

[kazu]

Your friends are in the Pinnacle Suite right? not a Neptune. They should be escorted on the ship and I would suggest that if the party is not large and if they ask or word it appropriately, they can most likely go along.

 

I only say this as the first time we had a PS, we had two couples with us and I declined the escort on explaining that we had two couples with us and we wanted to board with them and I was told they could come rather than we decline the escort.

 

Now, it probably varies from ship to ship and the number of people. And, just to be clear, I didn't ask, it was offered.

[voyager70]

Thanks for all the replies. My friend is not overly concerned about the boarding process; in fact I was the one who brought up the fact that they may all be allowed to use the priority lines based on my experiences with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. It is her son & daughter-in-law who are staying in a Pinnacle Suite (which looks absolutely gorgeous BTW!) I'll pass all this info on to her.

[take us away]

DW heard one lady (still in the priority line) say something like "we worked hard to get this status and we will not get in the regular line!" Wonder if she is still waiting :).

 

Hank

 

I sure hope so - bet I know who that is sorry to say!

[Mumsysailor]

Suite or no suite, we have found HAL embarkation to be efficient and speedy. And sometimes when the suites line is empty, they will shuffle some passengers over to that line anyway. We always "dress up" for embarkation day so sometimes they just direct us to that line anyway. Whatever. One saves a few minutes; not hours with priority embarkation has been our experience.

 

Forgive my ignorance but I fail to see what difference "dressing up" could possibly make to which line you are directed to.

[OlsSalt]

Forgive my ignorance but I fail to see what difference "dressing up" could possibly make to which line you are directed to.

 

 

Google "tips of the trade" getting airline upgrades - "dressing up" is one of them. Never got an airline upgrade doing this, but wondered if this got us into the express lane for embarkation a couple of times. File under "whatever". Just interesting industry feedback.

Edited August 1, 2015 by OlsSalt

[peaches from georgia]

........We always "dress up" for embarkation day so sometimes they just direct us to that line anyway. Whatever. One saves a few minutes; not hours with priority embarkation has been our experience.

If this sounds snarky I don't mean it that way. Just wondering what you wear to "dress up' when embarking and then get preferential treatment at check-in? ;)

[OlsSalt]

If this sounds snarky I don't mean it that way. Just wondering what you wear to "dress up' when embarking and then get preferential treatment at check-in? ;)

 

Same answer- google tips of the trade for getting airline upgrades.

[kazu]

Suite or no suite, we have found HAL embarkation to be efficient and speedy. And sometimes when the suites line is empty, they will shuffle some passengers over to that line anyway. We always "dress up" for embarkation day so sometimes they just direct us to that line anyway. Whatever. One saves a few minutes; not hours with priority embarkation has been our experience.

 

 

welll lucky you to have had that experience. I have found that the Suite/4* mariner lineup can be longer than the regular and actually went to the regular one at one time.

 

probably a one off but as rafinmd said the boarding can be inconsistent and depends upon the sailing, the embarkation port, the day and the people on duty. And in some ports, there is no "special line up" so you can dress all you want, but it will do you little good whether you are in a Suite, 5* or just look good ;)

[Lizzie68]

Google "tips of the trade" getting airline upgrades - "dressing up" is one of them. Never got an airline upgrade doing this, but wondered if this got us into the express lane for embarkation a couple of times. File under "whatever". Just interesting industry feedback.

 

I honestly do not believe that "dressing up" bears any relation whatsoever to which line you are directed to on boarding a ship. From my observations, 4 and 5 star mariners wear pretty much the same as everyone else.:) I will, however, say that it is useful in snagging an airline upgrade. I have been very fortunate with that in the past on international flights.

[voyager70]

Hello,

 

Just thought I'd come back with an update. My friend is back from her Alaska cruise & the entire party was in fact allowed priority boarding. Apparently (I didn't know this before) two other couples in her party were in suites as well which may have played a factor. All in all she loved her cruise, albeit she felt the Westerdam was a bit dated. Thanks for all the advice!

[oliver1821]

In my humble opinion...we all get on the Ship and have an excellent time!!

[serendipity1499]

We would not get overly concerned about boarding priorities. I recall the first cruise after we had obtained 4 Star Mariner status. We got to Port Everglades and were directed to the priority line. Looking around we noticed that the priority line was very long, but the regular line was nearly empty. This was a Grand Cruise and just about everyone on the ship was 4 and 5 Star Mariners. So we walked out of the priority line, got in the regular line, and were immediately processed and allowed to board. DW heard one lady (still in the priority line) say something like "we worked hard to get this status and we will not get in the regular line!" Wonder if she is still waiting :).Hank

 

I'm laughing again over that lady's remark!!:D

 

I honestly do not believe that "dressing up" bears any relation whatsoever to which line you are directed to on boarding a ship. From my observations, 4 and 5 star mariners wear pretty much the same as everyone else.:) I will, however, say that it is useful in snagging an airline upgrade. I have been very fortunate with that in the past on international flights.

 

Agree, that most Airline Psgr. Service Agents always offer the upgrades to the well-dressed Psgrs first..

 

Years ago when we non-reved we always had to be well heeled.. DH wore a tie w/jacket & even our 15 yr old DS would be dressed in a suit.. I always had to wear "hose" :eek: with suits or dresses.. Only much later, was I permitted to wear pant-suits which had to match!

 

Now we usually purchase our Airline tickets, but we still do dress nicely enough without DH needing a tie..;)