Elite Boarding in Ft. Lauderdale

[jeromep]

I see two basic issues here. Princess has done a sufficiently good job of making vacationers happy because they keep coming come back and earing more and more cruise credit thus move up in the ranks to earn priority boarding and other perks.

 

Princess also extends Elite and Platinum perks to passengers who have pruchased suite accomidations, regardless of those passenger's actual status, Blue, Gold, Platinum or Elite.

 

I think most of us agree that anyone who books a Suite is entitled to priority boarding, at least based upon Princess's current boarding policies. They paid for it for that sailing. I also agree that Platinum and Elite passengers are entitled to priority boarding.

 

I think the solution is really going to be based on staggering the arrivals and boardings of these different groups. Rather than having them all show up at once, having Elite's show up at 11 and Platinum at noon could help reduce some of the pressure on the special lounges and earlier embarkations. Unranked suite passengers are probably few and far enough in between that they could be slipped in and boarded in either group.

 

After the huge boarding push, Elite, Platinum and suite that arrive while the ship is actively boarding would just be directed ahead of the rest of the boarding passengers.

 

Let the flames begin.:(

[compozer]

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.

What did they do with the suite passengers?

 

On our Christmas cruise (which was delayed on the Crown) there was an Elite couple with their entire family (I think they were family - grown kids and one baby. One guy said "why are all of our cards blue and yours black"? There were 16 people total and they allowed all of them to board together - only 2 were Elite. That just doesn't seem right - the place was packed. This gentleman was, how should I put it, bossy or the type that I'm sure the Princess staff does not like to deal with. I'm sure he gets his way all the time.

[1 HappyCruiser]

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

 

What else is new. Princess is good at sneakingly reducing benefits for time to time. ;)

[maofthree]

I am gold 4cruises but travel agent elite status.... do i get a gold card , how will they know i am elite????:eek:

[zacc]

I am gold 4cruises but travel agent elite status.... do i get a gold card , how will they know i am elite????:eek:

 

You will receive an elite(black) card at checkin. Just went through the commodore course a short time ago myself. Congrats!

[zacc]

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.

 

I am elite as well and have to say I have no problem with the current setup. It might mean 5 - 10 minutes longer to check in because of those pesty platinums:rolleyes:...who cares!?! The other perks that elite get: free laundry, comp mini bar setup, and priority tendering are what really make being elite worthwhile!!!

[1 HappyCruiser]

I am elite as well and have to say I have no problem with the current setup. It might mean 5 - 10 minutes longer to check in because of those pesty platinums:rolleyes:...who cares!?! The other perks that elite get: free laundry, comp mini bar setup, and priority tendering are what really make being elite worthwhile!!!

 

Years back it wasn't nowhere near as crowded but lately I think their bringing a lot of their friends along with them. It's time for an Elite only boarding lounge.

[Northwestvp]

do mini suites count in this conversation?:rolleyes:

[JLC@SD]

Priority boarding also involves operating a separate security check line for the Elite and Platinum. Separating the Elite and Platinum would mean having to operate a third security line.

 

During our last check in, the Elite / Platinum line's security machine broke down....and we got to stand there and watch the regular line move along and board while we went nowhere.

[compozer]

years back it wasn't nowhere near as crowded but lately i think their bringing a lot of their friends along with them. It's time for an elite only boarding lounge.

 

 

agree

[compozer]

do mini suites count in this conversation?:rolleyes:

 

 

sorry - they don't. They really aren't suites - no suite perks - ncan't figure out why they don't change the name.

[Northwestvp]

Thanks...bummer!

[john_galt]

One of the reasons I just upgraded from a mini to a suite is that I get credit for two sailings which will make me Platinum. I will be boarding in Ft. Lauderdale. May I assume I should just got to the front of the long line that's usually there by 11:15? I've really looked forward to Preferred Boarding and I want to make sure I do it right!

 

The other reason I upgraded is the wonderful reviews of breakfast at Sabatini's for the suite passengers.

 

10 days and counting! :)

[1 HappyCruiser]

One of the reasons I just upgraded from a mini to a suite is that I get credit for two sailings which will make me Platinum. I will be boarding in Ft. Lauderdale. May I assume I should just got to the front of the long line that's usually there by 11:15? I've really looked forward to Preferred Boarding and I want to make sure I do it right!

 

The other reason I upgraded is the wonderful reviews of breakfast at Sabatini's for the suite passengers.

 

10 days and counting! :)

 

Preferred boarding will allow you to walk past any lines formed outside the terminal & let you be seated among the people waiting inside. They are called to the check-in counter in a somewhat orderly fashion but suites don't board any faster.

[shepp]

One of the reasons I just upgraded from a mini to a suite is that I get credit for two sailings which will make me Platinum. I will be boarding in Ft. Lauderdale. May I assume I should just got to the front of the long line that's usually there by 11:15? I've really looked forward to Preferred Boarding and I want to make sure I do it right!

 

Actually, you won't be Platinum until the cruise after this one. It's based on cruises sailed, not cruises booked.

[arstewart]

I am gold 4cruises but travel agent elite status.... do i get a gold card , how will they know i am elite????:eek:

I too am going on Princess as a Commodore. We had to book 2 cabins due to availability. See you onboard!

[john_galt]

I know I won't be Platinum until after this cruise but suites get the same perks plus breakfast at Sabatini's. :)

[shepp]

Actually, you won't be Platinum until the cruise after this one. It's based on cruises sailed, not cruises booked.

 

Of course. Sorry, brain freeze.

[Suzy Q]

Preferred boarding will allow you to walk past any lines formed outside the terminal & let you be seated among the people waiting inside. They are called to the check-in counter in a somewhat orderly fashion but suites don't board any faster.

Exactly how do you "walk past the lines formed outside the terminal"? Without getting tackled, that is. When you say "called to the check-in counter, do you mean inside or outside of the terminal? Our first time in a full suite, just want to know what to expect.

[kywildcatfanone]

Exactly how do you "walk past the lines formed outside the terminal"? Without getting tackled, that is. When you say "called to the check-in counter, do you mean inside or outside of the terminal? Our first time in a full suite, just want to know what to expect.

 

If you have preferred boarding, show your boarding pass to the representative at the entrance to the terminal and you will be directed to the platinum/elite/suite lounge area, it's usually a separate entrance all together, and you will check in from there. You will board a short time before the general boarding begins.

 

Mike

[Suzy Q]

Thanks, Mike. Didn't want to encounter a boarding faux pas.

[1 HappyCruiser]

If you have preferred boarding, show your boarding pass to the representative at the entrance to the terminal and you will be directed to the platinum/elite/suite lounge area, it's usually a separate entrance all together, and you will check in from there. You will board a short time before the general boarding begins.

 

Mike

 

The separate entrance at terminal 2 wasn't being used in the last year or so all the times we've been there. Although we usually arrive at around 10:30 and there aren't that many people waiting outside the terminal (maybe 100 or so) we did arrive around 11:30 once & there must have been 300 people waiting outside. We were just escorted (with others) past the formed line to the one entrance where everyone was entering & walked on by through the security check in with all our luggage. Once past the scanners you sit in the newer preferred seating area & wait to be called to the check in windows.

[OhioDogLover]

We just took our first cruise as Platinum and left from FLL. I'm thinking that maybe we didn't do it right, because we stood in line with everyone else to get into the terminal. Still, from the time we got out of the cab at about noon, until we were on the ship, it was about 15 minutes. DH was delighted. We never sat down at all.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem if they let the Elites go first, but since there was no one there waiting, it wasn't an issue in February. Next stop, Elite for the free laundry.

Ohiodoglover

[Times Prince]

We just took our first cruise as Platinum and left from FLL. I'm thinking that maybe we didn't do it right, because we stood in line with everyone else to get into the terminal. Still, from the time we got out of the cab at about noon, until we were on the ship, it was about 15 minutes. DH was delighted. We never sat down at all.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem if they let the Elites go first, but since there was no one there waiting, it wasn't an issue in February. Next stop, Elite for the free laundry.

Ohiodoglover

Next time make sure your Preferred board passes are visible. Princess reps will look for that and will move people out of line to the front if appropriate.

 

Alternatively, start with bypassing the long line and show your boarding pass to a Princess rep close to the door.

[Sitmar Lady]

Free Laundry/Dry Cleaning is the best perk especially on longer cruises. We got off our 14 day Hawaiian Cruise in November and basically put everything from our suit cases right in our closet ready for the next cruise. :D

 

We just took our first cruise as Platinum and left from FLL. I'm thinking that maybe we didn't do it right, because we stood in line with everyone else to get into the terminal. Still, from the time we got out of the cab at about noon, until we were on the ship, it was about 15 minutes. DH was delighted. We never sat down at all.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem if they let the Elites go first, but since there was no one there waiting, it wasn't an issue in February. Next stop, Elite for the free laundry.

Ohiodoglover