Embarkation Question

[pk&Di]

I'd like to surprise my wife with a suite. However, is there a way to do this so she won't find out until we're on the ship? i.e. can we avoid giving it away when we line up for checkin?

 

Thanks

[Classynfun1]

I'd like to surprise my wife with a suite. However, is there a way to do this so she won't find out until we're on the ship? i.e. can we avoid giving it away when we line up for checkin?

 

Thanks

 

It will be on your sea pass and hers as well. Additionally, it is common for you to be directly escorted to a lounge for waiting or brought in board with a rose.

 

All that said, getting surprised in the terminal is probably JUST as good :D

[pk&Di]

Thanks so much for the reply. I read somewhere that someone did the the online check-in and then bypassed the regular lines to avoid the suite line at the dock?

 

Does that make sense?

I can definitely hang on to my the sea passes but if anyone can help me know what to expect at the dock to be prepared that would be great.

 

Thanks again for your reply.

 

Paul.

[olemissreb]

We've never been escorted to a waiting area. We did get a rose when we sailed in Alaska, but I think they were giving them to all the ladies at the very least.

 

You can do the online check in and then when you get to the dock, go ahead and use the Suite checkin line - explain that it's because you did online checkin and read that this is what you are supposed to do even if it's not labeled that way. Or just wait until 1 or 2pm to head to the ship - won't be any lines (or very few) any where at that time. Plus if you wait, your room should be ready so that after you get your complimentary champagne and the rose (if they are handing them out) you can go directly to your room and surprise her. Then drop off your stuff and head to Bistro on 5 for lunch - $5/pp charge, but so worth it to avoid all the craziness at the buffet.

[pk&Di]

Thanks so much for the reply. So if I understand correctly, you're suggesting we arrive at the dock around 1-2pm as lines will have died down by then?

 

Yes the cat might get out of the bag at this point, but hopefully she won't notice the suite designation on the cards.

 

What time does check-in usually begin?

 

Thanks for your help with this

[Phxazzcruisers]

People usually begin arriving at about 11:00 to be able to eat lunch and look around the ship. The rooms are ready around 1:00. If you arrive around 1:00, the lines should, they are not always, but should be smaller as most people would have boarded. You did not mention the ship or the actual cruise. Just make sure that they do not have an earlier departure. Enjoy

[pk&Di]

Thanks for the reply! Yes we are travelling on Constellation Mar 16/15.

 

Would the online checkin help the process? Or am I really just going to have to try and manage the situation while we are there?

 

Thanks.

 

People usually begin arriving at about 11:00 to be able to eat lunch and look around the ship. The rooms are ready around 1:00. If you arrive around 1:00, the lines should, they are not always, but should be smaller as most people would have boarded. You did not mention the ship or the actual cruise. Just make sure that they do not have an earlier departure. Enjoy

[Phxazzcruisers]

Always do the on-line check in at home before you board the ship. It always speeds up the process and helps keep the lines moving. You do not want to complete all of that paperwork while in line. You probably do not want to use the luggage tags, however, they will say the room number and the words "suite" will be printed on them. Just drop off your luggage with a otter and give him your room number when you arrive. Happy cruising

[miched]

Never been in a suite but I think that it will also show on your luggage tags.

 

Even tough you do a on line check in you still have to go thru the lines and to the counter to get your sea passes and sign a few papers. You don't have to get in the designated line for suites. That line is supposed to be a perk as it is normally shorter but it all depends on when you arrive.

 

 

🌅🚢🇺🇸

[Cruise Raider]

You can do it -- I did. It really depends on how aware she is and how much she knows about travelling.

I surprised my DH for his 60th - I pulled it off -- wasn't sure I could. I booked first class air -- he had no idea until boarding time. We were escorted to the first class line with no wait -- he was clueless -- but in a good way.

The same went for getting on the ship - he was totally surprised. He didn't know what room categories were what. He never goes onto the computer -- so wouldn't have even known what to look up.

I almost made the entire trip a surprise but Celebrity called a couple of weeks ahead of time and left a message on the home phone to welcome us back. Argh!! Well, all that he found out was that it was a cruise. He had no idea about all the special extras that I got.

He did say, 'you ruined me now -- now that he was spoiled rotten'. I loved it!! :D

 

So, you can always wait in the regular line -- they won't come sweep you away -- you would have to choose to go into the suite line. It won't be the full suite experience -- but the surprise might be totally worth it.

You can always hand the reservation clerk a note in your passport when you hand it over to her explaining briefly that the suite is a surprise. I am sure they will play along with you. Good luck and be sure to report back. Be a good keeper of the secret -- it will be worth it in the long run -- for the look on your wife's face!! I kept my planning a secret for nearly a year -- it gets easier as time goes on.

[varoo]

How involved is she in the trip planning process?

 

If she is the type who doesn't care and leaves it all up to you, it should not be a problem pulling it off.

 

But if she is the type who checks her reservations online, she will see that the cabin number has changed as soon as she looks at the reservation.

[Classynfun1]

I have done this myself (and, well, do it every other year). Part of the fun of the surprise for my boyfriend is the 'special treatment' that comes with the suites vs the Aqua cabins we otherwise stay in. The special line, being escorted by a butler, having the special lounge, etc. If she enjoys being spoiled like my boyfriend does, surprising her at breakfast/in the terminal can be just as fun. Always is for us! -:)

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

[pk&Di]

Some great ideas here. Thanks so much!. I think the key will be in trying to get through the check-in process without it being given away.

 

Also, what time did you arrive at the port and were your rooms ready? Did your husband have to put his keycard in the machine to link it with his picture? Did he notice it was a suite keycard?

 

Thanks again for the reply and help.

 

Thanks,

 

 

You can do it -- I did. It really depends on how aware she is and how much she knows about travelling.

I surprised my DH for his 60th - I pulled it off -- wasn't sure I could. I booked first class air -- he had no idea until boarding time. We were escorted to the first class line with no wait -- he was clueless -- but in a good way.

The same went for getting on the ship - he was totally surprised. He didn't know what room categories were what. He never goes onto the computer -- so wouldn't have even known what to look up.

I almost made the entire trip a surprise but Celebrity called a couple of weeks ahead of time and left a message on the home phone to welcome us back. Argh!! Well, all that he found out was that it was a cruise. He had no idea about all the special extras that I got.

He did say, 'you ruined me now -- now that he was spoiled rotten'. I loved it!! :D

 

So, you can always wait in the regular line -- they won't come sweep you away -- you would have to choose to go into the suite line. It won't be the full suite experience -- but the surprise might be totally worth it.

You can always hand the reservation clerk a note in your passport when you hand it over to her explaining briefly that the suite is a surprise. I am sure they will play along with you. Good luck and be sure to report back. Be a good keeper of the secret -- it will be worth it in the long run -- for the look on your wife's face!! I kept my planning a secret for nearly a year -- it gets easier as time goes on.

[Chazteach1]

Thanks for the reply! Yes we are travelling on Constellation Mar 16/15.

 

 

 

Would the online checkin help the process? Or am I really just going to have to try and manage the situation while we are there?

 

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

The suite line at the dock says for suite,concierge and accessibility needed I think. Just say you can use that lint since you did the early checkin.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app - My next cruise - Equinox - B2B 6/2014