Royal in the Caribbean Questions

[CruisinChris]

A couple of random questions for recent cruisers on the Royal.

 

1. What exactly is going on with embarkation? I've been reading through reviews and have seen a few random comments here and there. It SOUNDS as if there has been a change to the normal protocols that Princess has traditionally used in Port Everglades. For Elite/Preferred boarding the process HAS been, go the the Elite/Preferred door around the corner, go through security. Wait in chairs for check-in to open. Go to check-in counters (arranged by deck), go upstairs and wait in chairs. Pix taken, board.

 

It sounds like now they are trying to commence boarding simultaneously, or something and that there are specific Elite/preferred counters in the check-in area (I have seen these off and on in the past but typically I'm there very early and only boarding with Elite/Preferreds so the deck lines are faster). Maybe these comments have just been posted by people who went through after actual boarding actually commenced. I'm not sure - but I wanted to understand if something OTHER than the "wine table" after security (on the pier).

 

2. Is there a tropical island night/deck party/white hot deck party one evening up by the pools with live music/dancing/etc? I haven't seen any mention of it and it's something we've always enjoyed.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Cruisin'Chris

[Steven_&_Daniel]

We sailed the Royal out of FLL a few weeks ago. Platinum/Elite have a separate line, check-in desk(s), and waiting area. When we started boarding, the Platinum/Elite were called first. I don't remember if 'those needing assistance' were before or with the Platinum/Elite.

 

They had at least a couple tropical nights at the main pool with live band and dancing. I believe they were sail-away and the last sea day. This is also one of my favorite parts of a cruise.

[Guest arowe6]

Hi there,

 

As you saw in my review, embarkation was a mess. There was still a separate preferred line, and it was significantly shorter than the "regular" line. But I think the sheer volume of people on the ship is causing massive back ups.

 

Our lines definitely had priority, but every so often the Princess workers would allow the regular line to go ahead of us, maybe to keep it moving?

 

None the less, I advise you getting there early...or very late. It was a mad house.

 

As far as a the deck party... they had something called "Latin Night" or something along those lines. It was on the upper decks with the singers and dancers. I don't know if this is the same thing because we did not attend.

 

Hope this helps and enjoy your cruise.

 

-Andrew :)

[ssawjo]

A couple of random questions for recent cruisers on the Royal.

 

1. What exactly is going on with embarkation? I've been reading through reviews and have seen a few random comments here and there. It SOUNDS as if there has been a change to the normal protocols that Princess has traditionally used in Port Everglades. For Elite/Preferred boarding the process HAS been' date=' go the the Elite/Preferred door around the corner, go through security. Wait in chairs for check-in to open. Go to check-in counters (arranged by deck), go upstairs and wait in chairs. Pix taken, board.

 

It sounds like now they are trying to commence boarding simultaneously, or something and that there are specific Elite/preferred counters in the check-in area (I have seen these off and on in the past but typically I'm there very early and only boarding with Elite/Preferreds so the deck lines are faster). Maybe these comments have just been posted by people who went through after actual boarding actually commenced. I'm not sure - but I wanted to understand if something OTHER than the "wine table" after security (on the pier).

 

2. Is there a tropical island night/deck party/white hot deck party one evening up by the pools with live music/dancing/etc? I haven't seen any mention of it and it's something we've always enjoyed.[/quote']

 

Actually, it looked like there were two gangways open for passengers. One was for Elite/Platinum and the other for everyone else. Yes, on the St. Martin sailaway night, there is a Hot Latin party and it was fun. Sort of what you asked in question two. Wear your ugly Hawaiian shirt.

 

Bill

[esp15]

We will be sailing on the New Years Cruise. This is our first time sailing Princess and we do not have any priority status. I was unable to get a suite because they were all sold out so it looks like we will be using the regular line for check in. Does any one know when the earliest we can or should arrive in Port Everglades?

[caribill]

We will be sailing on the New Years Cruise. This is our first time sailing Princess and we do not have any priority status. I was unable to get a suite because they were all sold out so it looks like we will be using the regular line for check in. Does any one know when the earliest we can or should arrive in Port Everglades?

 

Check-in usually starts around 11 AM. You can usually drop off luggage starting around 10 AM.

[Beachdude]

I agree with the poster that said they aren't used to dealing with the large volume of people. But we also noticed that the staff just didn't know what they were doing. There was one line where passengers were directed to stand when the something on the boarding sheets didn't make sense to them. Example was we are Elites, but our boarding sheets didn't indicate we were Elites. So we were told to stand in that line. The problem with that is the Princess staff didn't try to solve any of the confussion and those passengers never moved.

 

Also the traffic outside the terminal was very slow as well. Many folks complained that their Taxi bill was over $60 for the long wait. If we had to do it over again, we would board later, after 1:00. If you can, I would try to get on one of those Van taxis that have one rate.

 

Burt

[warb]

On the 11/17 Royal cruise, Passengers were lined up along the whole front of the building

 

at 1pm. Lucky we are Platinum. It took about 20 minutes to a half- hour to get to Cabin.

 

I didn't like how they had Passengers lined up at the Counter to get your Card. Next

 

person in line was right behind you. No space. Everyone anxious to board. I think you

 

use to wait a few feet away from Counter.

[CruisinChris]

 

As you saw in my review, embarkation was a mess. There was still a separate preferred line, and it was significantly shorter than the "regular" line. But I think the sheer volume of people on the ship is causing massive back ups.

 

Our lines definitely had priority, but every so often the Princess workers would allow the regular line to go ahead of us, maybe to keep it moving?

 

So Andrew - because you gave the most explicit description - I am still confused and puzzled by what you describe. In the past, I have never been aware of the "regular" line because I haven't been able see it once I"m in the building and in the Elite area. Once they start allowing check-in - the folks the Elites are allowed into big check in hall with the desks (where you get your card). From there you go up the escalators and wait in chairs until they want to actually start boarding. The "regular" folks are not intermingled the Elites at all during these very first moments of beginning the process. Were you there that early...before they actually let people into the check-in area? WHat you're describing would seem to defeat the purpose of preferred boarding. So help me me understand...when you say "there was still a preferred line and it was significantly shorter" what line are you referring to? lines to get in the building, line to get into the check in area, check-in desk line, lines to board??

 

I think there's always a fair amount of chaos and I've never really felt that staff on the pier have that strong a handle on the "big picture" of what's going on - even later in the season. I"m sure everybody is just super excited to see the new ship. I usually get to the pier about 10 and am among the first folks waiting in the elite area for check-in to start (part of my strategy to get seats in Sanctuary).

[Guest arowe6]

So Andrew - because you gave the most explicit description - I am still confused and puzzled by what you describe. In the past' date=' I have never been aware of the "regular" line because I haven't been able see it once I"m in the building and in the Elite area. Once they start allowing check-in - the folks the Elites are allowed into big check in hall with the desks (where you get your card). From there you go up the escalators and wait in chairs until they want to actually start boarding. The "regular" folks are not intermingled the Elites at all during these very first moments of beginning the process. Were you there that early...before they actually let people into the check-in area? WHat you're describing would seem to defeat the purpose of preferred boarding. So help me me understand...when you say "there was still a preferred line and it was significantly shorter" what line are you referring to? lines to get in the building, line to get into the check in area, check-in desk line, lines to board??

 

I think there's always a fair amount of chaos and I've never really felt that staff on the pier have that strong a handle on the "big picture" of what's going on - even later in the season. I"m sure everybody is just super excited to see the new ship. I usually get to the pier about 10 and am among the first folks waiting in the elite area for check-in to start (part of my strategy to get seats in Sanctuary).[/quote']

 

There was a very long "regular" line that started way outside around the building and snaked inside. Next to the "regular" line there was the preferred line, which was significantly shorter (shorter to get through security, shorter to get cruise cards, all around shorter). There was also 2 separate security areas, one for each line.

 

Once we were through security, both lines were next to each other to get cruise cards. Preferred line was much shorter. They would let preferred go ahead of regular line to get cruise cards, but every few minutes they would let the regular line go ahead of us.

 

After getting cruise cards, preferred people would then be escorted into a holding area downstairs and regular people would be escorted into a separate holding area downstairs. Never saw the "regular" holding area after we sat down. It was, like you said, in a different part of the building.

 

Then they escorted the preferred holding area up to the escalators where we sat some more. Then we got on the ship. It wasn't nearly as organized as it's been in past years.

 

Essentially, there are 4 parts to the check in process. At least for us.

 

1-Line to get through security

2-Line to get cruise cards

3-Holding area downstairs

4-Holding area upstairs

 

In the past we would just get our cruise cards and go up stairs and get onboard. But I think that due to the extra number of passengers, they're adding another holding area to help with crowd control. Even our shuttle driver said that Royal Princess Embarkation is a nightmare now. Odd.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-Andrew :)

 

EDIT: We were not there any earlier than in past years. I just think they are doing the embarkation process a bit differently.... at least for our cruise.

Edited November 27, 2013 by arowe6

[Guest arowe6]

On the 11/17 Royal cruise, Passengers were lined up along the whole front of the building

 

at 1pm. Lucky we are Platinum. It took about 20 minutes to a half- hour to get to Cabin.

 

I didn't like how they had Passengers lined up at the Counter to get your Card. Next

 

person in line was right behind you. No space. Everyone anxious to board. I think you

 

use to wait a few feet away from Counter.

 

Agreed. It was very congested. There was no space to turn around with your luggage as there was someone standing RIGHT behind you.

[CruisinChris]

Thanks. That helps. IT sounds similar to the past - but different. It sounds like they didn't have the preferred elite folks enter through the door around the corner - and go through security there. Weird. I appreciate the follow-up!!