Suite Question

[reefgeek83]

I've booked a suite for my wife and I on our next cruise. We are cruising with some friends from out of state, the whole reason for the cruise, who aren't in a suite.

My guess is we'll all check in together and I'm sure my wife will want to talk with them while in line. That comes to my question, I understand suites have priority embarkation and a designated line for them. Can we still go through the regular line? Will we be asked to go to another line? We don't care if it takes longer to get on the boat standing in the regular line, as the whole point of the cruise is to catch up with old friends. I just don't want to wait in the regular line then be asked to wait in the suite line.

As always, thanks for the help.

[edinboro cruiser]

You can go to the regular line with them, no problem

[mmckm]

We have done the same thing with our daughter we had a suite and they had the faster to the fun package and we waited with them.

[riffatsea]

Yes of course you can give up your suite privilege of early boarding to stand with your friends.

I'd suggest that you both add on Faster to the Fun so that you can all get on early with your cabins ready. Then you can stand in that line together and still get on earlier than most people.

[reefgeek83]

Thanks for the help, I figured it wouldn't be a problem. Also, my wife thinks we are in an interior so it's also a surprise. Trying to figure how and when to tell her, or just let her open the door. :eek:

[troublemaker256]

She'll know when you get there, your sign n sail cards will be in the captains lounge check in area. You should let them know then that you want to board with your friends and they'll take good care of you.

 

 

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[minisuitegian]

The suite passenger's concierge can give the non-suite person permission to participate in your early boarding, as long as both parties are together. My wife and I did just that on our cruise December 2015.

[bobsfamily]

The suite passenger's concierge can give the non-suite person permission to participate in your early boarding, as long as both parties are together. My wife and I did just that on our cruise December 2015.

They "can" but in many cases won't as the ship is full with FTTF/Plat/Diamonds wanting the same perk for their "friends/family". Don't count on it and if it happens, great!

 

One other note, unlike other lines that offer lots of perks for suites, Carnival does not, other than priority boarding/disembarkation. Just don't expect anything special, they are bigger and have nice balconies though!

[reefgeek83]

The suite passenger's concierge can give the non-suite person permission to participate in your early boarding, as long as both parties are together. My wife and I did just that on our cruise December 2015.

 

Even if there's 6 other couples?

[minisuitegian]

@reefgeek83,

 

Probably not.

[reefgeek83]

They "can" but in many cases won't as the ship is full with FTTF/Plat/Diamonds wanting the same perk for their "friends/family". Don't count on it and if it happens, great!

 

One other note, unlike other lines that offer lots of perks for suites, Carnival does not, other than priority boarding/disembarkation. Just don't expect anything special, they are bigger and have nice balconies though!

 

I know they don't offer any real perks, I got it for the extra room and the bigger balcony. Seeing as our hole group has interior I thought it might be fun for us to hang out and relax in. And because I wanted to try a suite once.

[reefgeek83]

@reefgeek83,

 

Probably not.

 

I figured, thanks though.

[bobsfamily]

I know they don't offer any real perks, I got it for the extra room and the bigger balcony. Seeing as our hole group has interior I thought it might be fun for us to hang out and relax in. And because I wanted to try a suite once.

Now that you will like for sure. We have done that before and in that case it's well worth it.

[riffatsea]

We had our first suite on the Conquest in October. Now we LOVE them! It is not for extra perks but it is because having a real bathroom and the whirlpool tub is a joy!

We will have one again on the Miracle in March.

I know you'll enjoy having one and if your wife thinks she's in an interior it will be a REAL surprise!!

What a nice guy!

[moniquet]

Suite passengers are taken to a small office where there are sofas, fruit drinks, coffees and cookies. We were checked in in minutes and escorted to a separate security area. Can't see how it would work if lots of non suites tagged along.

 

Not many perks unlike HAL etc. But the rooms are good with lots of storage and a separate dressing area.

[bobsfamily]

Suite passengers are taken to a small office where there are sofas, fruit drinks, coffees and cookies. We were checked in in minutes and escorted to a separate security area.

 

ALL Plat/Diamond cruisers go to the same place as suites (most ports have them) and depending on the amount of Suite/Platinum/Diamond cruisers it can get busy. During off-peak travel times it's a wonderful experience, during the summer/holidays/busy ports it can be a madhouse. Once out of the check-in area the "separate" area can sometimes swell to hundreds as they add FTTF cruisers as well.

 

Glad you had a wonderful experience, generally we do as well (Platinum cruiser) but some of the people leaving out if Miami have horrid tales.

[reefgeek83]

We haven't gone yet, we sail January 23 on the Valor. I was just trying to get some info on the embarkation process with a suite as we have never done one before.

 

Thanks for all the replies, they have been very insightful.

[cruiseonthebrain]

Suite passengers are taken to a small office where there are sofas, fruit drinks, coffees and cookies. We were checked in in minutes and escorted to a separate security area. Can't see how it would work if lots of non suites tagged along.

 

Not many perks unlike HAL etc. But the rooms are good with lots of storage and a separate dressing area.

 

I must be completely missing out- we've had a few suites with Carnival and we were never taken to a special area with refreshments and escorts. I must be picking the wrong terminals to cruise from.

[lisajm]

ALL Plat/Diamond cruisers go to the same place as suites (most ports have them) and depending on the amount of Suite/Platinum/Diamond cruisers it can get busy. During off-peak travel times it's a wonderful experience, during the summer/holidays/busy ports it can be a madhouse. Once out of the check-in area the "separate" area can sometimes swell to hundreds as they add FTTF cruisers as well.

 

Glad you had a wonderful experience, generally we do as well (Platinum cruiser) but some of the people leaving out if Miami have horrid tales.

 

FTTF guests do not have access to the priority lounge. Only Plat/Dia and suite guests.

[moniquet]

I must be completely missing out- we've had a few suites with Carnival and we were never taken to a special area with refreshments and escorts. I must be picking the wrong terminals to cruise from.

 

Have only been with Carnival twice. The first time on Valor from Miami and this time from Puerto Rico. Both had a room with refreshments and fast check in.

[bobsfamily]

FTTF guests do not have access to the priority lounge. Only Plat/Dia and suite guests.

Yes, as I said the FTTF are added to the "special waiting area" AFTER the priority check-in area.... Boarding is supposed to be Weddings, handicapped (sometimes), Diamond, Platinum, Suites and then FTTF... in reality most times its - Are there any Diamonds? Ok let's go! and the rest in the "special boarding/waiting area" get up and board the ship. Sometimes the "special boarding area" are the first 2 rows... and once they are let loose the crowd is not far behind.

Edited December 28, 2015 by bobsfamily

[cruiseonthebrain]

Have only been with Carnival twice. The first time on Valor from Miami and this time from Puerto Rico. Both had a room with refreshments and fast check in.

 

We have had several suites on Carnival out of Long Beach, Tampa, Port Canaveral and Charleston and never got this kind of embarkation treatment. We must just look like rif raf ;-)