Port Canaveral Boarding questions- Aurea and YC

[L1211]

After reading here and watching recent YouTube videos, I have upgraded both cabins for our March sailing on the Mera. One to an Aurea suite with hot tub and the other to YC.  I booked this cruise by process of elimination needing something under 7 days with only a couple of possible sail dates. while experienced cruisers, this is our first MSC sailing.  I keep seeing and reading about horrible embarking and disembarking (along with lines everywhere, poor entertainment and running out of bar staples - I do feel sure any day at sea beats a day at work so here we go!)
 

As for embarking, I read that Aurea and YC  have priority service. I understand YC benefits but not Aurea.  I believe they wait in line outside the terminal to get through security then have a separate check in line once inside the terminal- is that correct?  The “kids” will be on their own given we’ll be in the YC area.  Same for disembarking- I believe the YC butler escorts us off, but not sure if the process for the Aurea suites.  Any advice welcome! 

[xcell]

YC -- I wouldn't worry about a thing -- they will take care of you well.  I have not done Aurea experience, only YC, but I think they will have to check in on their own and not at the YC "white tent".

 

Curious -- when you say kids, I'm assuming adult kids?  I find (and that's just me), if you are booked in the YC, you will be spending most of your time there  --  may I ask, why are the kids book outside the YC?

Edited January 28, 2023 by xcell

[L1211]

10 minutes ago, xcell said:

YC -- I wouldn't worry about a thing -- they will take care of you well.  I have not done Aurea experience, only YC, but I think they will have to check in on their own and not at the YC "white tent".

 

Curious -- when you say kids, I'm assuming adult kids?  I find (and that's just me), if you are booked in the YC, you will be spending most of your time there  --  may I ask, why are the kids book outside the YC?

Oh yes, they are both over 21.  It’s college spring break and we’re really along to pay!  I assume we drop them off in the line and we head to the white tent.  But Aurea does come with “priority boarding” just don’t know what that entails. 

[xcell]

What's the price difference to get them into the YC?  

[GA Dave]

1 hour ago, L1211 said:

Oh yes, they are both over 21.  It’s college spring break and we’re really along to pay!  I assume we drop them off in the line and we head to the white tent.  But Aurea does come with “priority boarding” just don’t know what that entails. 

Once they clear Security, they will stay to the left like you will for the YC check in area.  Their check in will be close to where YC check in is, at the far end of the terminal building.

[L1211]

2 hours ago, xcell said:

What's the price difference to get them into the YC?  

They really don't want it- they want to go to the main pool and bars…. 

[L1211]

33 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Once they clear Security, they will stay to the left like you will for the YC check in area.  Their check in will be close to where YC check in is, at the far end of the terminal building.

This is so helpful!  Very gracious of you.  Will be on the lookout…

[kelleherdl]

18 minutes ago, L1211 said:

They really don't want it- they want to go to the main pool and bars…. 

Yacht Clubbers have access to the whole ship not just the Yacht Club, and based on my experience will receive better service throughout the ship.  The YC cruise card does have cache beyond the glass doors of the Yacht Club. Non-Yacht Clubbers will not have access to the Yacht Club, like to eat with you in the Yacht Club restaurant, Topsail Lounge and the One Pool and Bar and Grill.
 

But we all understand it’s a personal choice.

 

Dennis

[L1211]

23 minutes ago, kelleherdl said:

Yacht Clubbers have access to the whole ship not just the Yacht Club, and based on my experience will receive better service throughout the ship.  The YC cruise card does have cache beyond the glass doors of the Yacht Club. Non-Yacht Clubbers will not have access to the Yacht Club, like to eat with you in the Yacht Club restaurant, Topsail Lounge and the One Pool and Bar and Grill.
 

But we all understand it’s a personal choice.

 

Dennis

Yes, get it-  it’s more of a cost/value thing- another $1000 for four days and it isn’t anything they really value.  We plan to eat dinner with them in the Aurea dining area.  They are more excited about their suite with hot tub and large balcony… we’ll have to visit them there!

[Tierun]

In my experience, PC might let you skip the longer line for security and post security Aurea and Diamond members will have a separate line for check in. Miami, on the other hand, makes Aurea guests wait in the security line and then you get the priority line for checking in.

 

Either way, let the staff know that you’re booked in Aurea for the privilege of priority check in. Otherwise they try to lump you in with the rest of the cruisers that are fantastica and bella

[L1211]

On 1/29/2023 at 12:33 AM, Tierun said:

In my experience, PC might let you skip the longer line for security and post security Aurea and Diamond members will have a separate line for check in. Miami, on the other hand, makes Aurea guests wait in the security line and then you get the priority line for checking in.

 

Either way, let the staff know that you’re booked in Aurea for the privilege of priority check in. Otherwise they try to lump you in with the rest of the cruisers that are fantastica and bella

Thank you!  May see if the YC check in can direct  my two with the Aurea suite to the right area to hopefully avoid the lines.  Appreciate the input! 

[kelleherdl]

4 hours ago, L1211 said:

Thank you!  May see if the YC check in can direct  my two with the Aurea suite to the right area to hopefully avoid the lines.  Appreciate the input! 

The Aurea and Diamond check-in line is just outside the YC entrance podium. Just have them follow you until you get to the YC podium. They won’t have escort stickers on, but you can just tell anybody that asks that you know the Aurea guests will be split off before entering YC check-in.

 

Dennis

[L1211]

3 hours ago, kelleherdl said:

The Aurea and Diamond check-in line is just outside the YC entrance podium. Just have them follow you until you get to the YC podium. They won’t have escort stickers on, but you can just tell anybody that asks that you know the Aurea guests will be split off before entering YC check-in.

 

Dennis

Much appreciated!  Will start there and ask for directions…. 

[philps]

We are going to be in the yacht club and have been assigned a 3pm check in time. They ask not to show up before your time, but if you have to be dropped of early will they make you wait outside?

[JAGR]

49 minutes ago, philps said:

We are going to be in the yacht club and have been assigned a 3pm check in time. They ask not to show up before your time, but if you have to be dropped of early will they make you wait outside?

YC you'll be fine.  Just go to the YC table at the base of the escalator.

[kelleherdl]

Please don’t wait until 3PM.  You will be throwing away a whole half day up at One Pool.  😀

 

But seriously, Yacht Club guests can check in at will. We have always done so.

 

Another hint I learned from other folks, not Yacht Club, never arrive so late in the afternoon. I have been in Terminal 10 at 1:30 and 2:00. You will virtually breeze through checkin and boarding. Plus if you have any issues with travel documentation there will be time to get things corrected. The horror stories of folks arriving late in the afternoon and not being able to get docs corrected and not being able to sail are true.