Check-in and boarding for multiple cabins

[at-c]

The group is 21 cabins.

Only some of the non suite/elite passengers will be boarding with that group, those that need the special assistance. The others will board at the regular intervals.

[cr8tiv1]

The group is 21 cabins.

Only some of the non suite/elite passengers will be boarding with that group, those that need the special assistance. The others will board at the regular intervals.

 

Thanks for clarifying this. That would have been 40 extra bodies in the Elite Lounge (probably outnumbering the amount of Elite Passengers).

 

I do not envy you for trying to keep this group together. I am dealing with 4 cabins and 7 people and it is like herding cats. Once on board, my "job" terminates.

 

I know you are not the poster that asked about an embarkation photo, but if this is in your plans once you are all on board, I would ask the photographer if there was a way to do this. Maybe they can keep up the backdrop until everyone is aboard and give you a designated time.

 

Sounds like a great time to be had by all. Enjoy.

[TinaLee]

We had this come up for our upcoming cruise as well. We are sailing with friends who are relatively new to Princess and we are elite. Booked with a Princess agent, who told our friends that they would be able to board with us (and the other elites) since our reservations were "linked." Since my personal experience was different than this (sailed with friends who were elite when we were platinum, reservations were linked, but they were sent to elite lounge and we were sent to platinum holding area after check-in), I decided to call Princess myself. After being passed up the chain twice, I was told that they would definitely be allowed to both check in and board with us. I was told the notation was made in my reservation (whatever that means) in case there were any issues. I guess we'll see in a few days whether this holds true or not. :rolleyes:

[moki'smommy]

Good luck. My experience has been that Princess is a little more strict than other lines in giving perks to those who have either earned or paid for them except when there is a special needs issue involved.

 

Obviously, placing 2 extra people in the elite area is not a big deal...until each person in the elite area wants to bring their 2 additional people. And of course, not all elite level passengers are there to check in and board as soon as the terminal opens. My suspicion is that if you ask and the request is reasonable, it is granted. Reasonability is in the eye of the employee you are dealing with.

 

There is no problem, ever, with an elite or suite guest choosing to wait and board later in order to be with their group.

 

As to mobility assist boarding, it is not always "first." I'm not complaining, just telling you what we experienced. When we got to the terminal, we were dropped off quite a distance from where we needed to be; the driver insisted that they wouldn't allow him any closer. We went to the nearest Princess person and explained that my daughter could not stand in the long line for security, that we were NOT asking to jump the line but needed a place for her to sit while waiting (yes, she can sit on the walker but it is not comfortable for extended periods.) We were allowed into the terminal and sat for about 45 minutes till a Princess employee came and escorted us and a couple of other families thru security and to the special needs check in line. We then waited in the special needs area. Elite boarded and Platinum was boarding when 4 guys with wheelchairs showed up and took the nearest 4 guests who needed them (there were probably twice that number waiting). I suppose that after we were delivered to our cabin, they returned for the next round.

 

I will mention to anyone wondering that the walk for boarding is somewhat long and definitely steep--someone who can walk short distances may very well be unable to make this journey. Some who can propel their own manual chair may not be able to handle the bumps and the steepness of the incline. While a walker meets most of our needs, the wheelchair is essential for airports, boarding, and disembarkation.

 

If you are Elite and need wheelchair assistance, you are welcome to check in thru the Elite line and wait in the lounge with refreshments. However, you'll have to move to the assistance area to obtain that assistance.

 

The above may not apply to all cruises, but represents our experience.

Edited December 31, 2015 by moki'smommy

[5soccer9]

We had this come up for our upcoming cruise as well. We are sailing with friends who are relatively new to Princess and we are elite. Booked with a Princess agent, who told our friends that they would be able to board with us (and the other elites) since our reservations were "linked." Since my personal experience was different than this (sailed with friends who were elite when we were platinum, reservations were linked, but they were sent to elite lounge and we were sent to platinum holding area after check-in), I decided to call Princess myself. After being passed up the chain twice, I was told that they would definitely be allowed to both check in and board with us. I was told the notation was made in my reservation (whatever that means) in case there were any issues. I guess we'll see in a few days whether this holds true or not. :rolleyes:

 

So did this hold true? Where you all able to check into together? I was just wondering how that will work with our upcoming cruise. We all booked together as well and I am the only one that is platinum. Just wanted to see how it went.

[TinaLee]

So did this hold true? Where you all able to check into together? I was just wondering how that will work with our upcoming cruise. We all booked together as well and I am the only one that is platinum. Just wanted to see how it went.

 

Yes, they were - no problems at all - BUT I would like to point out that we arrived shortly after boarding had already begun - we did not attempt to have them join us in the Elite lounge, only on the marginally shorter line to board the ship :)

[dr__dawggy]

So did this hold true? Where you all able to check into together? I was just wondering how that will work with our upcoming cruise. We all booked together as well and I am the only one that is platinum. Just wanted to see how it went.

 

We did a holiday cruise with our two adult daughters and their families (11 total). We were all allowed to register and board together from the Elite Lounge area....actually we arrived just as boarding was beginning for Elite so we just got in line. There was no problem at all....I would, however, point out that how flexibly rules are interpreted pretty much depends on the individual checking you in and monitoring access.

[5soccer9]

Thanks all for the answers. That helps some. I appreciate it.