Silvery Seas Cruiser Posted October 14, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Hubby and I can't agree on the answer to this, so maybe you folks know. We are Platinum C&A members. We want to treat our son and his fiance to a short cruise this winter. We get priority boarding but our son and his fiance are not members of C&A as they have never cruised before. Because we are members of the same party, can we all board togther? If they can't board in the priority group, we will board later with them. I wonder the same about debarkation. Do they allow the entire party to debark together or should we just forget about priority debarkation and remain with our son and his fiance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 14, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Heavysurf, Looks like I can help you twice.:) They won't get priority boarding. However, depending on the attitude of the workers that day, they may allow it. Where are you sailing from? If it's Miami, RCI closed the priority boarding lounge. Everyone waits in line now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elky1 Posted October 15, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 15, 2006 We got off the Soverign yesterday and they let our friends who were first time cruisers have priority departure with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsme Posted October 15, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Aquahound am I understanding you correctly? No one has priority boarding now in Miami? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 15, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Aquahound am I understanding you correctly? No one has priority boarding now in Miami? That's correct. I sailed 9/24 on the Freedom and am a Diamond member. That little lounge we used to be able to wait in for priority boarding was changed into something else. We had to go wait in that line along the wall just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsme Posted October 15, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 15, 2006 You had to wait in line with everyone else? Oh man alot of people must not realize this on my sailing in November on the Freedom. I have already posted this thread on our roll call. Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 15, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 15, 2006 You had to wait in line with everyone else? Oh man alot of people must not realize this on my sailing in November on the Freedom. I have already posted this thread on our roll call. Thanks for your help. You're welcome. When I asked the attendants for a reason, they said the priority boarding created too many problems. They would not elaborate though. Many of us complained in the shipboard Platinum/Diamond reception. So, hopefully RCI will get enough complaints and they will rethink this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvery Seas Cruiser Posted October 15, 2006 Author #8 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Thank you all and Paul again. We will be sailing from Miami, so I guess that pretty well settles the question of our having priority boarding (and saves Hubby and myself from further arguing.:D) We won't, pure and simple. None of us will. Oh, well. It will just take a little longer to start having fun. I guess that Set Sail Pass has more or less eliminated the need for priority boarding, but it also eliminates a perk of being a C&A member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDeagazio Posted October 15, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Miami is not all that bad. There is a separate check in desk for Plat/Diamond members which is much quicker than the regular check in lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdear Posted October 15, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Like the other poster said, there is a seperate counter which is much less crowded. Plat and Diamond members also got to board first. Then they called group "one" group "two" etc.....but there was only a few minutes in between each group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearySweet2Cruise Posted October 15, 2006 #11 Share Posted October 15, 2006 one other suggestion.. after your son travels and completes his first cruise he is eligable to sign up for C&A, at that point he can use your address because the C&A status applies to ALL MEMBERS in the household, therefore he would become platnium automatically by you being platnium. and there would be no further issues for the future. I have seen where many individuals have diamond status, a child turns 18 and they inherit that status and become diamond right away.. WOW :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lv2bcruzin Posted October 15, 2006 #12 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I guess that Set Sail Pass has more or less eliminated the need for priority boarding, but it also eliminates a perk of being a C&A member. The Set Sail Pass is overrated if you have done the online check-in far enough in advance, since then your documents will come with all your forms filled in for you. I forgot my Set Sail Pass last cruise, so I just ripped the forms out of my docs that came pre-printed with all my info. The only thing you do have to do extra is fill in the Seapass card credit card information. Like the other poster said, there is a seperate counter which is much less crowded.Plat and Diamond members also got to board first. Then they called group "one" group "two" etc.....but there was only a few minutes in between each group. If you able to show up early enough you never have to wait anyway. Obviously if you are boarding when most people do, 2-4 hours before departure, then the wait in line could be a little lengthy and the seperate check in counter and first group stuff might matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breal6 Posted October 15, 2006 #13 Share Posted October 15, 2006 one other suggestion.. after your son travels and completes his first cruise he is eligable to sign up for C&A, at that point he can use your address because the C&A status applies to ALL MEMBERS in the household, therefore he would become platnium automatically by you being platnium. and there would be no further issues for the future. I have seen where many individuals have diamond status, a child turns 18 and they inherit that status and become diamond right away.. WOW :) yes they do become diamond right away at 18 but that's because they actually do live at their parents home. if they move out they lose that status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted October 15, 2006 #14 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I'm lucky and my kids are lucky. Since my first two trips on the Explorer out of Miami, when I had no "status" at all, I have never had to wait to board, just because of timing. Zip, zip, zip........check in quick as a bunny, and get on board almost immediately. And my kids are lucky.......they were instantly diamond at 18, BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN ON (almost) every cruise with me, and have earned it in their own right! (ok, I paid for them, but they cruised all 10 credits!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearySweet2Cruise Posted October 15, 2006 #15 Share Posted October 15, 2006 yes they do become diamond right away at 18 but that's because they actually do live at their parents home. if they move out they lose that status. yes i know that is why I said to use mom's address to keep the benefits :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsme Posted October 15, 2006 #16 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Wow I did not realize the address is exclusive to the level of membership. This thread is full of information. I hope RCI in Miami has changed their priority boarding area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Harp Posted October 15, 2006 #17 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Miami is not all that bad. There is a separate check in desk for Plat/Diamond members which is much quicker than the regular check in lines When we checked in last April (we aren't priority yet), we were through and on the ship in about ten minutes....I can't imagine needing a priority line. Granted, we've only been on two cruises, but both out of Miami and never had any waiting. There were no real "lines" anywhere. Fran in Toronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckrobyn Posted October 15, 2006 #18 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Do they have priority boarding/waiting area for Platinum and Diamond at Port Everglades? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
init4fun Posted October 15, 2006 #19 Share Posted October 15, 2006 one other suggestion.. after your son travels and completes his first cruise he is eligable to sign up for C&A, at that point he can use your address because the C&A status applies to ALL MEMBERS in the household, therefore he would become platnium automatically by you being platnium. and there would be no further issues for the future. I have seen where many individuals have diamond status, a child turns 18 and they inherit that status and become diamond right away.. WOW :) Hey BearySweet2Cruise, I live in Ocala also and I am cruising without my DH on 12./09. Also, we are leaving here on 12/20 and heading to Gatlinburg to spend Christmas. Which mountain are you headed to? This is so funny, what a coincidence:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDeagazio Posted October 15, 2006 #20 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Do they have priority boarding/waiting area for Platinum and Diamond at Port Everglades? Yes, all ports have the Priority lines for Suites, Plat and Diamond guests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizanessie Posted October 15, 2006 #21 Share Posted October 15, 2006 But not all Embarkation ports have Priority waiting areas...as in they dont all have a separate room for Plat/Diam/Diam+ C&A Members.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikielynne Posted October 15, 2006 #22 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Wow I did not realize the address is exclusive to the level of membership. This thread is full of information. I hope RCI in Miami has changed their priority boarding area. Does anyone have this statement in print from RCI. My situations is a bit backwards my mom lives with me & I will hit diamond 2 cruises before her. I've asked C&A if she will be able to share the benefits with me when we do our transatlantic next April & they have said no. I don't want to use the concierge lounge & leave her sitting elsewhere so it's a bit of a bummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillaFee Posted October 15, 2006 #23 Share Posted October 15, 2006 No priority boarding in Miami anymore? That stinks. I was ready to answer the question but I guess now it doesn't apply....but last Sept on the Explorer we cruised w/first timers and they were allowed to do priority w/us (we're diamond) and wait in the lounge with us. As for getting there early solving the problem? Not always the case! We were there in the Miami terminal at 10am and they didn't clear the ship for boarding until 1pm sooo....pretty much 1/2 the ships passengers were all waiting in the terminal to board, it was pretty bad. If we didn't have priority boarding we wouldn't have made it onto the ship for at least another hour or more and it was really disorganized and people were getting all bent outta shape about it (not us because we were in the lounge hehe, but even that was standing room only....). Just my experience! That's so lame that they got rid of priority, it was a really nice perk! Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCCLCARIB Posted October 15, 2006 #24 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Last Year when Wilma hit Miami, it caused severe damage in that area of the Terminal. When we sailed in April on the Brilliance, the room was closed, but there WAS an area for Dia/Plat/ and Suite Members. After that, they had a seperate line that whisked us right up to the ship, passed the other lines in the Terminal. I sure hope they open it back up!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 15, 2006 #25 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Last Year when Wilma hit Miami, it caused severe damage in that area of the Terminal. When we sailed in April on the Brilliance, the room was closed, but there WAS an area for Dia/Plat/ and Suite Members. After that, they had a seperate line that whisked us right up to the ship, passed the other lines in the Terminal. The check-in counter does still have that spot at the end where plat/diam and suite passengers check-in. But from there, you go back to where you came in to activate the Seapass, then go into the line waiting along the wall. The lounge has been closed and they are making everyone wait in the same line now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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