Also put a Cruise Next deposit on a Ocean to Ocean through the Panama Canal at end of October. This is a bit of a surprise to us, as we know that Princess has a lot of hard-core fans who have sailed with the line dozens of times. cruise A lot depends on what time you arrive, and whether boarding has already started. However, a more typical cruiser sailing seven-night trips in standard cabins would need to take four cruises to reach the Ruby level. If they are doing everything independently, they need to get to the port on their own. Youll have a chance to meet the staff and you and your children will feel more comfortable. I hadnt considered it myself, so Im definitely thankful that other readers mentioned it. Posted April 3, 2022. Your cruise documents will be stamped with Priority and when you arrive at the port you can head to the Priority Lounge where youll be expedited through the check-in procedure as quickly as possible. While the safety briefing remains, the muster drill has changed. If you choose A and you don't have any other priority boarding you'll be seated in the general area at the port, but board in the first general group after the priority. Princess Cruises Club Class mini-suites are located in more favourable positions. Future Cruise Credits (FCC) Travel Documents. We also askyou to follow health information about the ways to stay healthy on board and when ashore through daily programming, entertainment systems, announcements, in-stateroom literature and our app. I would pay a premium for early check in though. Platinum status also brings access to a disembarkation lounge on the last day of the cruise where you can have a beverage and light breakfast as you wait to leave the ship. Just to make things a little bit more complicated, Princess also doubles your cruise credit earnings if you sail in a full suite (mini-suites, Club Class suites and upgrades to suites are excluded) or sail solo. To provide an example of the price difference between a mini-suite and a Club Class mini-suite, I have selected a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Regal Princess: In this instance, Club Class is an additional 400 per passenger, based on two people sharing. Ileana, Rereading many old cruise posts. Arrive on Time While in the past I recommended arriving at your cruise port early so you could board your cruise ship as soon as possible, this is no longer the case. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Crew Appreciation. If you love Princess Cruises, pay attention to points earning so you can rise through the ranks to snag the best Captain's Circle loyalty program benefits. Heres how to make your embarkation day enjoyable and stress-free! But alas, I'd rather lose a couple/few hours of ship time in lieu of not having to schlep my bags around. BTW, do platinum members get to drop off their bags in their rooms? Maybe that's what I can do now. 2Even if youve received a vaccination exemption, youre still required to take a negative PCR test withintwo days of embarkation and will be tested again in the terminal before boarding the ship and again within 24 hours of disembarkation (for itineraries five days or longer). For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. If youre going on a Caribbean cruise you may want to wear a bathing suit under your clothes or pack a change of clothes in your cruise carry on bag. The onboard concierge will help book your dining reservations, make entertainment recommendations and greet you as you board and disembark in ports of call. Princess Cruises Testing New Advance Boarding Program We just returned from Enchanted. Thanks for the useful write-up, Ilana! Youll have to take 16 seven-night cruises to reach the Elite level, assuming you stay in standard cabins. Tendering operations can often take hours to get all the passengers to shore, so this is a valuable benefit if your itinerary has multiple tender ports. Thats so exciting! The cruise line is testing the new faster boarding program onboard Ruby Princess for just three cruises. Intercruises seem to employ many of the staff. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. For now, are you able to print it as is? Dedicated to cruise ships, destinations and food. Chris Owen is a writer from Florida who believes travel is a great way to experience, understand then change our world in a safe, positive way. Do this as early as possible to avoid last minute stress. My husband and I are going in May 2019, it will be our first cruise. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? It doesnt matter how many cruise credits or cruise days you earn on that first sailing. Pinnacle members have more flexible embarkation rules. Don't know about logistics of sending out cruise cards. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. We recommend checking out official websites and apps developed by government agencies and tourism ministries. Cruise embarkation day is the most highly anticipated days of a cruise vacation. However, you can still eat, drink and explore the ship while you wait. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you aboard! Is there any way you can make these printable? Who gets priority boarding on Princess cruises? ', is the same staff at the terminal, or would each cruise line have their own boarding 'rules?'. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue I would recommend anyone with standing issues on the Iona book assistance so they can have a chair while they wait to get off as the queues to leave can be long! For details on acceptable proof of vaccination, please visit ourFAQs for your cruise. Travel requirements are subject to change and vary by destination. Followed by getting the perfect spot on deck. That means you can relax and enjoy your favorite parts of traveling by ship whether thats 24-hour room service, Broadway-style shows or not having to cook and clean so you can connect with whatmatters most. Your first statement is quite true There are many reports of a sorting going on before you get into the terminal those at the correct time straight in and boarding inside 20/30 mins and the ones who are early are directed somewhere to wait. First cruise planning can be overwhelming for sure glad you found this useful! I do have a couple of posts on my blog about Alaska, both from Alaska experts, that you might enjoy. I find it lays flat this way and never had a problem with leakage. Luckily I am Ligurian and don't use the big ships, so no problem! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. We were on the Majestic 12/4. We had Group A boarding, arrived at 11:15 am, walked up to check in, the person checked our passport, covid card, negative covid test paperwork. The ship was ready for us to board. Our room was ready, view the muster drill on t.v., found the muster check in (this is the way Princess check to make sure you viewed the video). We walked around Lido deck because the main dining room did not open until noon, had a great salmon entree in a quiet setting. Great way to start a cruise vacation. We returned to our room about 12:45 pm, our luggage was already in our room. Our cruise was 40% capacity. Majestic is a beautiful ship. The Harmony and Crown Grill were wonderful. Still, the Captains Circles top Elite status tier does come with a few enticing benefits. I am not a pool type guy. They leave their various departure points with the expectation that they will arrive early afternoon. As most ports It may not be a premium bathrobe, but a bathrobe all the same. This is by no means a sure fire way to guarantee an upgrade but a nice insight into how upgrades may work. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. The first day of a cruise is pretty casual, so dress comfortably. Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries. If this is your first cruise, or even if youve cruised before, youre probably wondering what to expect on your cruise embarkation day. An invitation to an MSC Voyagers Club exclusive Diamond Party. boarding Have Crown Grill booked for my birthday. Access to a Captains Circle onboard host. Thanks so much! Forgot to add: I don't care for the Crown Grill desserts, so I always ask if I can pick two appetizers, the answer have always been "yes". I think the desserts in the International Cafe is better and to my liking. I see youve come across my Celebrity Reviews oh yes absolutely so wonderful! Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, San Francisco,CA,USA.|At center of City atop Twin Peaks overlooking bay/downtown/sunrise. Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly. Pre-Cruise FAQ: Before You Leave for Your Cruise - Princess Unvaccinated guests mustfollow specific protocols and testing requirements as communicated to them in advance, as a condition for travel. Lol, sometimes I like them removed so that we dont take them, by mistake, but also so I can put in my own water bottles, items from the buffet (maybe juice or a carton of milk), or even have room for chocolate covered strawberries or another dessert that we may have had in our cabin that wasnt eaten. ), Complimentary evening canapes (on request), Club Class Mini-Suites start from 1,499 pp. Unlike rivals Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess doesnt offer its loyalty club members a free cruise after reaching the top tier. Planning on getting to the dock by 11 and hopefully walk right on (Elite as well). We had a choice between a red or a white wine and that was as specific as we could choose. Thanks for sharing your story! These added extras act to bridge the gap between mini-suite and full suites. I would always recommend getting an idea of when formal nights are planned on your cruise and then organise your specialty dining early in your cruise. Priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise. T-shirts and shorts are fine, as are light sundresses or rompers. We chose the white which was a very nice Chardonnay. Even so, its nice to have a glass of wine on your balcony and this means you can still bring one bottle of wine or Champagne per passenger onboard in line with Princess Cruises alcohol policy. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions Locate a Boarding for me, with Celebrity, has always been very smooth, with no queues. By this time your luggage will likely have been delivered to your stateroom. Well share the status of local guidelines with you prior to disembarkation at each destination. If you have kids, one of the most important and first things to do after you board your cruise is to visit the kids camp. Thanks for these tips. Powered by Invision Community. You may also need a mattress topper or extra towels. That said, gratuities and what to give are a personal decision, and I respect that. We prefer policies bought through third-party insurers, which often cover things that cruise line policies dont. However, this tier is a bit ho-hum, too. The cruise director and entertainment staff will be host a Sailaway party, and guests are encouraged to dance and have fun. I'm Laura a UK cruise blogger, here to help you maximise your cruise experiences with helpful information about cruise ships, cruise destinations and food to enjoy onboard and in port. Carnival Cruise Suite Perks Suite guests could always be given priority, but a choice is surely the simplest solution to the embarkation process. Thanks for taking the time to comment and happy cruising! Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises. By Think if 5000 people turn up at 11am. No I havent done that yet, but its on my wish list! In addition, Diamond level brings: Courtesy bathrobe and slippers available during the cruise. The only exception is for Pinnacle members. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. However this was around 2pm so I think they just wanted everyone on and out of the way by that point . Complimentary afternoon tea in your cabin (schedule this at least six hours in advance). Excited for the first day of your cruise? Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Clayton West, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, UK. However, if youre not sure which shore excursions you want to take, dont stress. However, in theory, you also could reach Elite status in just two sailings if they were among the longest sailings on the Princess schedule. As a platinum cruiser, one cruise short of elite, I was able to just walk on the ship No wait, no lines and this was around 11:00 a.m. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. You can pay as low as $650 for a Grill Suite for a sailing that's just a few days, to upwards of $14,700 for a Grill Suite on a 32-day cruise. I noticed when my the room got steamy and I saw the imprints on the door. Cunard online check in you preregister credit card and upload photos, thought P&O would be same. If you dont need the room or use the mini-fridge, I would not empty it. And well clean public areas and staterooms thoroughly and more frequently using a safe disinfectant proven to quickly kill coronaviruses. Grossly unfair to others if they arrive at allotted time and a coach load arrive early and force them to wait. Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess cruise. 1 hour ago, Cruisingawayfromthesnow! It is not so much having to queue that would bother me, but will I have access to a toilet if needed? Didnt see it advertised but werent looking for it.. These include: Its important that you arrive at your assigned time because we cant accommodate early arrivals and youll be asked to return at that time anyway. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Not everyone will be clamouring for the early embarkation, for some that would mean an extra early start, or even an overnight stay pre-cruise involving more expense. Premium terry towel bathrobes are available in your Club Class mini-suites but be aware that these are not to take with you at the end of the cruise. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Also some coming by plane. Your email address will not be published. In my opinion, the best things about Princess Cruise Club Class are the priority embarkation, Club Class Dining and stateroom location. Boarding for me, with Celebrity, has always been very smooth, with no queues. For example, my friends who typically booked suites and frequented the casino on previous Princess cruises received an upgrade to Club Class from a balcony stateroom. Early Boarding on Princess Cruise Ship | All Getaways Crown and Anchor Society Along with the best location and regular mini-suite amenities, Princess Cruises Club Class mini-suites have a number of added perks to enjoy: If you stay in a Princess Cruises Club Class mini-suite, one of the best perks is Club Class Dining. So glad I read about these issues. Certain hotels have resort fees. This will include big productions shows, audience participation game-shows (such as Love and Marriage), and special guest entertainers such as comedians and illusionists. Have one booked for May 2021. Plus, since the kids club has an open house style welcome during this time, your kids may even meet some new friends. Lock up your meds! Once boarding has started, you just head on. If youd like more information about the Cruise Boarding Process, I wrote this post that I think youll find helpful. Yes, exactly what P&O told me when they advised I ask for assistance as I cant stand for long periods anymore. Enjoy TrulyTouchless experiences and personalized service that makes everything easier, including physical distancing. Since we live in Canada, we are very drawn to hot weather when we cruise. Previous posters have mentioned the simplicity of embarking on Princess. In my last cruise, I found prints of my stick on bra on the closet doors. Great tip! If you are staying in a Club Class mini-suite you can get help in booking your reservations and actually have priority for these bookings. Whether the additional perks of a Club Class mini-suite is worth it, is a personal decision. These are tips which every beginner should read and know before embarking. Reply Vaccinations. Boarding groups - Princess Cruises - Cruise Critic Arrival Group A - But should I wait? Club Class is a category of mini-suite that offers a number of special perks to guests who book them. Captains Circle members keep their points at the end of each year and continue to accrue points indefinitely. If you enjoy cruise tip videos on YouTube, Id love it if youd subscribe to our channel. Procedures may vary, however in most cases you can watch your safety briefing on your phone over lunch and then head over to your muster station to check in with a crew member. This is a great time to walk the whole top deck and view the sports deck, walking track, the pools from the very front to the very back. I agree with you, except! 4. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world Your email address will not be published. As is typical for cruise line loyalty programs, the entry-level tier (Gold) doesnt bring all that much in terms of truly valuable rewards. Were just a little surprised that Princess doesnt offer this perk until the third tier of its loyalty program. It appears that only P&O have problems with handling embarkation to everyones satisfaction. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean use City Terminal, so probably different since they have ships in port at the same time as P&O. Princess Advance Boarding is being piloted on Ruby Princess initially for just Other Cruise lines may do this as well, but if you eat your first nights dinner in a specialty restaurant on Carnival, they give you a bottle of wine. It can be easy to have a few drinks and get caught up in the fun of the first day, and put off unpacking your luggage. All my cruise packages, shore excursions, and the like are already paid for. Somewhere in the FAQ it says something to the effect that Elite/Platinum will have access to boarding times on the app 3 or 4 days earlier than the I have always locked my meds especially since I was young when my own family member came over and stole my meds. Related posts:21 Things You Need to Know About Ocean Medallion, Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion: Updates & New Features. For best practices, see ourHealthy Cruising Tips Infographic (PDF), CategoriesCruise IndustryTags#PrincessCruises, cruise, Cruises, luxury, Princess Cruises, travel. Princess Updates Boarding Procedures - Chris Cruises 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Heres a video about things to do on Embarkation Day, that might be helpful if youd like to know more. Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports Port Everglades. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Princess Cruises Membership Benefits Im super excited for you and hope you have a fantastic time!! It will look as perfect and welcoming as it will ever be, so nows the time. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. 2. On embarkation day, theres often more than once place to eat lunch, although it might not be widely promoted. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Unvaccinated guests will be charged $150 per person for testing and administration. There have been a few changes as cruises have restarted, and this is especially true for the first day of your cruise. There will be a crew member working at the shore excursion desk once you board your cruise ship. This will be our first holiday since pre-covid and we will absolutely be there early because we have a 4hr drive and nothing is getting in the way of us getting on the cruise. The most alluring benefits at this level are the Preferential Pricing Offers for select sailings that the line extends to Captains Circle members, and early booking discounts known as Captains Circle Launch Savings. This is definitely a tough year in so many ways, and certainly for cruising. And I read on here that you can check your carry on bags (whatever that means for you) somewhere and get it when rooms are ready. I went to the ships infirmary to try to get replacements for my meds but only was provided with some of them. or to make space for something which I cant figure out yet. Melissa. Find the right card for you. We also really like the 50% discount on internet packages. Theres something special about walking from the cruise terminal after checking in and onto the gangway to board your cruise ship. My last few cruises were from Southampton on Celebrity. Still need help? Could also ask to upload covid certificates and any thing else. If you have requests, now is the time to ask. That looks good for us then, I hope you do not have problems on your cruises, just got off Brittania today. My last few cruises were from Southampton on Celebrity. Its important to take a few minutes to put your valuable items into the cabin safe. Are the port staff employed by the port or by each individual cruise line? With the big ships they must be strict or there would be absolute chaos. Complete the pre-boarding OceanReady steps and access Cruise Personalizer to book shore excursions, Even teens may meet other kids their age, which will make it easier for them to come back for activities. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. I understanding the thinking in giving priority to Suites, and also based on the Loyalty programme tiers, but to not be flexible in allowing choice or changes is ridiculous. Priority access to ship-to-shore shuttles. Heres an article I have about tipping both for cruise ship staff as well as off the ship if you decide: https://lifewellcruised.com/cruise-tipping-guidelines/. Just speak to your room steward when you get onboard. So as to not tempt you? While youll want to drop off your bags and freshen up, try not to spend too much time in your cabin now, as theres still so much to do and see on your cruise ship before sailaway. It is a little unrealistic to expect a coach coming from Glasgiw to hit a precise arrival time. After checkin, ALL Suite, Elite, & Club class waited in the same room. We do sometimes leave an additional amount especially to our cabin steward, as weve had some that have gone above and beyond. These are: Platinum or Elite Captains Circle So, on a typical seven-night cruise, you would earn 7 cruise days in addition to 1 cruise credit. I think the check in could be more efficient -. Pre register credit cards and upload photos for cruise cards which could be sent out perhaps. These days, many ships are ready to begin boarding by about 11:00am. Dress Code and What to Pack for a Cruise. Pricepoint of Cunard's Ship-within-a-Ship class. I like to hang as much as I can, which is why I ask for extra hangers. Another thing I like to do is go to one of the finer restaurants for late lunch/ early dinner. Reservations are made for you for lunch. What tips do you have to make embarkation day even better? WebFor most transfers, usually the cruise line picks people up at the airport, or the hotel that the cruise line recommends. The new discount allows Platinum and Elite members to buy a pricey length-of-cruise internet package at half the normal cost. Thanks for the embarkation day tips!! CruiseHealth FAQ. Dont forget to keep your documentation and passports on you, and not in your checked luggage! Im assuming Jan will be about the same capacity with it being away from the Holidays and the more general slow season. Being loyal to Princess finally starts paying off in a meaningful way once you reach the Platinum level of the Captains Circle program. Newbie here, Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. Sounds like a great reason to book a Haven suite!! We were on the Iona the other week with different boarding times as a group, but they allowed us all to board at the same (earlier) time: there was never any suggestion of those who were early waiting. 1Vaccination exemptions must be pre-approved and are subject to capacity controls. Watch our CruiseHealth videoView frequently asked questions (FAQ). Princess Cruises is testing a fee paying airline style priority boarding programme. Our next one is in May to Iceland on NCL Star. I also didnt see any passengers get their times checked, or see them send anyone off to a naughty corner to wait who had arrived early. Its a great feeling and just one of the reasons cruising is an amazing and pretty stress-free vacation! , If you choose A and you don't have any other priority boarding you'll be seated in the general area at the port, but board in the first general group after the priority. Cars queuing for miles , terminal overflowing. A complimentary minibar setup. The last cruise I went on in September 2019, I foolishly stored my medications (I am diabetic) in the bathroom on an open shelf. Cruise tip: Research your cruise ship before your cruise to see what restaurants are most recommended on embarkation day. Princess Cruises Captain's Circle loyalty program guide - The You just have to complete one cruise. Read more: Cruise Carry-on Bag Packing List (all the essentials). Also the fact when I turn up at my allotted time of 12non, terminal is full to the brim of people with later boarding times. Some longtime Princess fans were upset with the internet perk change in 2021. While in the past I recommended arriving at your cruise port early so you could board your cruise ship as soon as possible, this is no longer the case. By Secondary screenings (and health checks throughout the cruise) will be performed when necessary. This is particularly advantageous if you havent reached Platinum status with Princess yet. The best Mini-Suites on Princess Cruises ships are Club Class Mini-Suites. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Club Class mini-suites are identified as M1 on deck plans. This definitely isnt something Id think happens often, but youre right its good to be aware and careful. Most airline frequent flyer programs, by contrast, require loyalty members to requalify for status each year. Cruise ships have a type newsletter or planner that will be placed in your cabin each day. Neither applies to the spa services or products. Check out your cabin, and if you want to take a photo or video, go ahead. ALL Suite, Elite & Club Class entered the building in the "priority" line. Last year we sailed with Celebrity and Princess out of Southampton and was able to choose our preferred boarding times in both cases. Strangely we never experienced long queues on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Princess from Southampton, and all 3 lines allow passengers to set their own time of arrival, and we frequently arrived at different times to our predicted arrival, so I guess others possibly arrived at a different time.

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