jules57 Posted March 27, 2014 #1 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Last year we were in a RS and were checked in as VIP's upon arrival at Harwich. Very nice. At the time I was told this applied to CS and above. Is this still the case? We have booked a CS for next year and last year's experienced spoiled us. I have presumed it will be but this time will be travelling from Southampton so don't know if it is the same. So many classes appear to have priority check-in but the wording for RS and PS specifically says priority check-in at boarding but CS doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ghstudio Posted March 27, 2014 #2 Share Posted March 27, 2014 You will get priority check in....however, as you noted, there are so many folks with priority check in that at times the regular check in line is actually shorter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules57 Posted March 27, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted March 27, 2014 There's priority check-in and priority check-in. Last year I was given a red rose and whisked through with an officer to carry my bag. Is that the norm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johhnnyt Posted March 27, 2014 #4 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I know two or three trips ago, when I checked in at the tent on pier, they sent down an officer to escort me directly onboard, he brought me directly to meet the Hotel Director, and then he walked me to my cabin. I think that trip I had a sky suite, so guessing its all at the discretion of the hotel director Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BosoxI Posted March 27, 2014 #5 Share Posted March 27, 2014 You will get priority check in....however, as you noted, there are so many folks with priority check in that at times the regular check in line is actually shorter. How true and it's getting that way in airports, too, as there are so many TSA pre-check people that the regular lines are shorter on occasion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project_gal Posted March 27, 2014 #6 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) Never had any VIP check-in/boarding - in a Celebrity Suite, Royal Suite or Penthouse Suite - but have not yet sailed from the UK. Edited March 27, 2014 by Project_gal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted March 27, 2014 #7 Share Posted March 27, 2014 This is definitely something that varies from port-to-port as well as based on who the Hotel Director and other relevant officers are. No way to know for sure until you arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ghstudio Posted March 27, 2014 #8 Share Posted March 27, 2014 There's priority check-in and priority check-in. Last year I was given a red rose and whisked through with an officer to carry my bag. Is that the norm? When we arrive, I am given a black rose which means...make them wait in the longest line to check in and make sure there is no table in the buffet area available for lunch when we board. Sorry, I can't help with the red rose... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychoos Posted March 27, 2014 #9 Share Posted March 27, 2014 We were in a CS last October on Infinity from Harwich, and had the very same check-in as you did. I think the VIP check is is different from the normal 'priority' check in, but haven't experienced it yet at Southampton. Good luck Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted March 27, 2014 #10 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Had VIP both in UK and USA. It's for PH RS and CS plus top cruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_galt Posted March 27, 2014 #11 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Next week we are in the PH with wife's sister in a RS. I'll try to remember to post to this thread from the ship after boarding. Hoping for the best. VIP treatment would probably mean a switch from our usual Princess choice to Celebrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger1964 Posted March 27, 2014 #12 Share Posted March 27, 2014 This is definitely something that varies from port-to-port as well as based on who the Hotel Director and other relevant officers are. No way to know for sure until you arrive. Also can vary depending on what time you board the ship...we had a suite in europe last year and boarded very early. The captains club host took my wifes carryon roller bag and led us to michaels club to wait for rooms to be ready where the butler would come and get us when room was ready.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted March 27, 2014 #13 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) Also can vary depending on what time you board the ship...we had a suite in europe last year and boarded very early. The captains club host took my wifes carryon roller bag and led us to michaels club to wait for rooms to be ready where the butler would come and get us when room was ready.... That is true. That is what happened to me in Miami when boarding Millennium early and sailing in PH. No rose though; they had us wear a badge that said VIP. Kind of made us stick out a bit after we completed check in, but ship was not ready for boarding - but was amusing nonetheless. Edited March 27, 2014 by Gonzo70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oville Posted March 27, 2014 #14 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) On the last few cruises we've done the lines were segregated by, Suites and Zenith, Elite + and AQ, and then the regular priority and non-priority lines. The first two had no waits, all others were quite busy. Edited March 27, 2014 by Oville Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project_gal Posted March 28, 2014 #15 Share Posted March 28, 2014 On the last few cruises we've done the lines were segregated by, Suites and Zenith, Elite + and AQ, and then the regular priority and non-priority lines. The first two had no waits, all others were quite busy. We have also been in the situation where the Suite queue appeared the shortage only to find that it was also used for parties with one member in a wheelchair. These were taken to the front of the queue so that the wait in the Suite queue was the longest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseerf Posted March 28, 2014 #16 Share Posted March 28, 2014 We checked in in Sydney a few months ago on the Solstice. We had VIP tags on our key packages. The lady who checked us in called over someone from the ship who took us to the front of the security line....we were onboard in 5 minutes in Michaels club having white NZ WINE...delicious. Our Butler was called and we were brought up to our room. We were in a Royal Suite. It was all very civilized and well handled through their concierge. We didn't even have to wait for an elevator! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwhe Posted March 28, 2014 #17 Share Posted March 28, 2014 We have also been in the situation where the Suite queue appeared the shortage only to find that it was also used for parties with one member in a wheelchair. These were taken to the front of the queue so that the wait in the Suite queue was the longest. How disgraceful, surely those ablebodied people could have dumped the member in a wheelchair at the head of the queue then gone back to the pleb queue, for heavens sake don't we suite passingers have to wait long enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project_gal Posted March 28, 2014 #18 Share Posted March 28, 2014 How disgraceful, surely those ablebodied people could have dumped the member in a wheelchair at the head of the queue then gone back to the pleb queue, for heavens sake don't we suite passingers have to wait long enough. I really hope that you are making a joke. I was not complaining about the line being used for wheelchair users merely pointing out that "priority queues" are not always the fastest. It was clear that the priority for wheelchair users was to free up the pushers so that they could return more quickly to help someone else and this was totally understandable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted March 28, 2014 #19 Share Posted March 28, 2014 When we boarded Reflection in Miami, there was one line for Suites, and right next to it a separate line for Zenith and Elite+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcpc Posted March 28, 2014 #20 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) My only experience with VIP boarding is in Bayonne and San Juan. Each time we were met on pier by concierge and immediately escorted to Michael's Club to relax until our suite was ready (once in PH and once in RS). I'm on the same sailing as john_galt in the other PH so I'll be interested to see what the procedure is in Fort Lauderdale. To be 100% honest, I really don't care if I get VIP boarding or not -- it's a "nice to have" but not a deal breaker for me. Edited March 28, 2014 by jcpc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karynanne Posted March 28, 2014 #21 Share Posted March 28, 2014 We were given the VIP treatment last Sept. Embarkation was in Barcelona. We checked in, and then were escorted directly to our RS. A very nice experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garlinn Posted March 29, 2014 #22 Share Posted March 29, 2014 We were given the VIP treatment last Sept. Embarkation was in Barcelona. We checked in, and then were escorted directly to our RS. A very nice experience. Same for us in a CS on the same cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgparent Posted March 29, 2014 #23 Share Posted March 29, 2014 We are in a PH suite on the Connie next month hoping for some VIP treatment :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-Cruiser Posted March 29, 2014 #24 Share Posted March 29, 2014 (edited) We are in a RS on the Connie in May hoping X does the vip treatment in Amsterdam. Not a deal breaker but a nice thing to experience. Edited March 29, 2014 by I-Cruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drarill Posted March 29, 2014 #25 Share Posted March 29, 2014 The only thing I remember about checking in as a VIP in Southampton was the special line. No roses or being escorted to the ship or Michael's Club, and we were on a Royal Suite. We were traveling with a group of friends, some in regular or concierge cabins, and we made it to the ship at the same time. This summer we are cruising on another RS in the Reflection. Will try to post back our experience in Civitavecchia.;) BTW, the best suite check in experience for us has been with NCL and Disney Cruise line. They don't have a VIP line, they have a special lounge for you to check in, with refreshments and in NCL case, with the concierge already there trying to help you. He also escorted us to the ship and out of the ship at the end of the cruise. Really nice. ;) There is no comparison to us between NCL and Celebrity as cruise lines, but we are looking forward to book a suite with Celebrity after April 2015. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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