Elite Boarding in Ft. Lauderdale

[Sitmar Lady]

Hi Fellow Cruisers,

Does anyone have advise on how to be the first to board in Ft. Lauderdale if you are Elite?

 

Do we board at the same time with the Platinum Members?

 

How early is the Crown Princess boarding these days?

 

Thank you to whoever responds :D

[paul929207]

There are two lines, one for those with priority (suites, elites and platinums). The second is for all others.

[BobT172]

we boarded the Crown in February...on the trip to nowhere due to the noro-visus...

 

that being said, there is an elite and platinum lounge available prior to boarding...

 

In all our Princess boardings as Elite, we had never had to worry about an overwhelming situation... check in has always been quick and efficient ...

 

we are usually at the port in Port Everglades about 11:00-11:30... boarding has been around noon...pretty standard on all our Princess cruises... we are usually exploring the ship about 12:30 after checking our cabin out and meeting our cabin steward...

 

have a great cruise...

[5fathom]

When we sailed the Grand in Jan. Platinum and Elite sat together. They then had us board by row. My wife asked if Elite had preference she was told there was "no difference" between Platinum and Elite, they're both the same. I disagree with the statement but any additional comments will only serve to light up the boards.

[antsp]

When we sailed the Grand in Jan. Platinum and Elite sat together. They then had us board by row. My wife asked if Elite had preference she was told there was "no difference" between Platinum and Elite, they're both the same. I disagree with the statement but any additional comments will only serve to light up the boards.

 

Elite's have black cards, Platinum's have silver

[SITMARLVR1]

I for one think that they should let Elite passengers board before Platinum. I am a Platinum member , but would love to have that extra perk when I reach Elite status!! When I was on the Sapphire in November, they allowed Elite members to board first. Judging from the previous posts, it appears Princess is not consistant with their policies. Maybe you should arrive at 9:00???? Ha Ha Am I to assume you are going on a Spring Break cruise and want a spot in the Sanctuary? Good Luck!!! :D

[M2D]

Even though we are always suite passengers, we always show up around 1:30 -2:00 and always walk right through with no line ups.

[DShock]

I think suite passengers (PH, ect) should board first...they pay the most, i.e. $5k for a 7 day cruise. That should get you something.

[rkmw]

I think suite passengers (PH, ect) should board first...they pay the most, i.e. $5k for a 7 day cruise. That should get you something.

 

i think suite people would have to cruise 10 times to catch up to some elite people so they should not go first

[compozer]

I've paid a lot more than 5K for a 7 day cruise in a suite. I know many Elite that always book insides so their average cost is much lower and I also know Elites that always stay in suites.

 

I really don't know if there is a fair way to do this. I try to book the same cabin every cruise so that means we board last under this new system. It doesn't really make me happy because we fly in and stay in a hotel that usually kicks us out at 11am. Lunch isn't a big deal to us - we are trying to eat less each cruise. When we did a land/cruise to Alaska a couple of years ago, Princess checked us in on the train heading to the ship. That went so smoothly. We walked off the train and right onto the ship. It is too bad that there is not some location ( room in one of the hotels) close to port that people could walk over to the day before or even early in the morning to check in. and then you could try to relax while waiting to board.

[jrzebird]

If you want to be first, and the port offers it, bring a friend and book the Bon Voyage Experience for $39.99. They, as well as those they are joining who are sailing, board before anyone, including elite, platinum and suite passengers. It felt very odd to be standing there with only 6 other people on this big, empty ship!

[1 HappyCruiser]

With the large amount of Elite cruisers on some trips you would think they would begin to section off the priority waiting line into two separate sections. Elite boarding isn't the perk that it used to be.

[Britter16]

b2b people on their second leg board before anyone else. There was over 800 on the Grand in Feb so it was hard to get that empty ship feeling.

[Sitmar Lady]

If you want to be first, and the port offers it, bring a friend and book the Bon Voyage Experience for $39.99. They, as well as those they are joining who are sailing, board before anyone, including elite, platinum and suite passengers. It felt very odd to be standing there with only 6 other people on this big, empty ship!

 

 

@Jrzdbird: Yours was the suggestion I was looking for. Thank you! Unfortunatley I don't know anyone that lives in Ft. Laudersale, maybe I'll sign up myself for the luncheon. Ha!

@Sitmarlover1: How can you only be Platinum if you are a Sitmar Lover? I'm thinking if you've been cruising since Sitmar days, you're right up there with me. ;)

[shepp]

In FLL last month, we ended up in the last row of the Platinum/Elite section to board, and I'm guessing we were onboard maybe 10 minutes later than the first P/E pax to board, with plenty of time to drop off our carry-ons and go to lunch in the MDR. Unless you want to book the Captain's Table or really have to pee, I'm not sure what difference that 10 minutes makes.

[recyclelady]

We boarded with my disabled brother! This got us on before most everyone else on our last cruise.

 

We are platinum, so we have been able to board right along with the elites on the cruise before that (and didn't have my brother along on that trip)

[Sitmar Lady]

Oy Boy am I opening up myself up for critism but here I go...

I know all of my Platinum Friends would disagree, but I think Elite should have first priority over Platinum. There are sooooo many Platinum members now that priority embarkation isnt the perk it should be. Once my friends make Elite, I am certain they will feel the same.

 

I also think there should even be a higher catagory than Elite for example, 40-50 cruises and above. Yikes, here comes the backlash and I've got my helmet on so go for it!

 

With the large amount of Elite cruisers on some trips you would think they would begin to section off the priority waiting line into two separate sections. Elite boarding isn't the perk that it used to be.

[SITMARLVR1]

Well said!!!! 10 minutes can mean the difference between a sanctuary spot or NOT!! I think there should be a higher level as well!! Something to work towards! Like a "Master's" in cruising! Ha Ha :D

[gerryl12]

They could board the whole ship by the number of days you have cruised. This line for over five hundred days, that lin for trhee to five hundred days etc. Then of course who paid the most for this cruise and who spent the most overall, who spends the most in the casino.

Overall I think it works very well the way it is.

Then of course to raise more money they could sell boarding times as an extra, say 500 for first person on board.

And on and on .............................

[compozer]

I think Elite should have first priority over Platinum.

quote]

 

 

I agree.

 

Gerry, Don't mention charging. A couple airlines does that already. CAn't remember what they charge but if you "pay" you can board with first class.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Oy Boy am I opening up myself up for critism but here I go...

I know all of my Platinum Friends would disagree, but I think Elite should have first priority over Platinum. There are sooooo many Platinum members now that priority embarkation isnt the perk it should be. Once my friends make Elite, I am certain they will feel the same.

 

I also think there should even be a higher catagory than Elite for example, 40-50 cruises and above. Yikes, here comes the backlash and I've got my helmet on so go for it!

 

I have see it (in the past) where the Platinum & Elites sat together waiting to be called to the check in desk and when they did the open they called Elites first but no one paid any attention & everyone jumped up at once. Now in Florida they seat everyone in rows as they arrive & board go through the door in the order you arrive which give no priority to being Elite.

As more & more people reach Elite something should be changed to make it a more equitable perk.

[Times Prince]

Oy Boy am I opening up myself up for critism but here I go...

I know all of my Platinum Friends would disagree, but I think Elite should have first priority over Platinum. There are sooooo many Platinum members now that priority embarkation isnt the perk it should be. Once my friends make Elite, I am certain they will feel the same.

That is exactly how they handled it on a cruise we took out of Southampton. No Platinums were allowed to board before all the Elites and Suite passengers in the boarding area had the chance to board. Then they did the same for Platinum...

[kywildcatfanone]

I've only been cruising for 6 years now, but I believe the membership level perks have been the same during that time. One of the perks is that Platinum and Elite passengers have priority boarding. That was one perk I thought was worth the effort and we have attained it, having completed 10 cruises now with Princess.

To change that so that Elite board first would be a reduction in benefits to Platinum passengers who have earned that right. There are still benefits that Elite passengers get that Platinum passengers do not.

 

Mike

[5fathom]

Let's compare boarding in Ft Lauderdale with boarding in San Pedro. Ft Lauderdale it is Platinum and Elite by row with no difference in the color of the card. In San Pedro Black Cards (Elite) are sent to a separate room with refreshments. When boarding time comes they escort the Elite to the boarding area which is "black cards only." The line is monitored as we saw 4 "blue cards" turned away. So you see Princess has no set policy. Depends the area you sail from i guess.

[Katie333]

We have sailed from FLL often and have seen a lot of variation in the processes they follow. If you want a guarantee, the Bon Voyage lunch seems to be the best option.

 

We are platinum but lately the Platinum/Elite/Suite group is really large and the lounge gets overfull.

 

I'd hate to lose this perk, but I would imagine they are going to make changes in the future if they intend to continue to allow priority boarding.