Crown & Anchor - a few basic questions

[LuCruise]

We've cruised before but are still Gold level. I'm looking at the chart of the benefits and have a few questions.

1. What is "Meet the Stars"?
   
2. What is "Priority check in"? Do you get quicker boarding?
   
3. What exactly is the Welcome Back Party? And when is it typically held?
   
4. Is the departure continental breakfast any better than usual? And can you take advantage if you're doing self disembark?
   
5. What kind of offers are put on your SeaPass card?
   

 

Thanks.

Edited October 20, 2015 by LuCruise

[cb at sea]

Priority boarding means when you get to the head of your line, you will go before the next person in the regular line....so yeah, it's a bit faster.

 

You will get an invite to the Welcome back party...usually the 1st formal night. The invite will tell you where...it varies, depending on how many C&A are onboard.

 

You can get a REAL breakfast in the DR or WJ....it's just earlier than normal. "Continental Breakfasts suck, IMO. Yes.. like I said, breakfast on the last morning is EARLY...anyone can do it!

 

Not sure what the new offers are...usually a BOGO on a drink...some sort of casino offer...we always forget to use them!!!

Edited October 20, 2015 by cb at sea

[LuCruise]

Priority boarding means when you get to the head of your line, you will go before the next person in the regular line....so yeah, it's a bit faster.

 

You will get an invite to the Welcome back party...usually the 1st formal night. The invite will tell you where...it varies, depending on how many C&A are onboard.

 

You can get a REAL breakfast in the DR or WJ....it's just earlier than normal. "Continental Breakfasts suck, IMO. Yes.. like I said, breakfast on the last morning is EARLY...anyone can do it!

 

Not sure what the new offers are...usually a BOGO on a drink...some sort of casino offer...we always forget to use them!!!

 

Thanks for the reply. You mean that breakfast on the last morning is better in the MDR or Windjammer than the Crown & Anchor one?

 

I imagine they count on people forgetting to use their special offers. A BOGO drink one would be useful as we don't plan on getting an alcohol drink package.

[Guest maddycat]

Thanks for the reply. You mean that breakfast on the last morning is better in the MDR or Windjammer than the Crown & Anchor one?

 

I imagine they count on people forgetting to use their special offers. A BOGO drink one would be useful as we don't plan on getting an alcohol drink package.

 

The BOGO drink is usually only good for beer, wine or soda.

[frank808]

On independence right now and did not get a welcome back invite. Nor top tier invite though that is usually later in the cruise. Did they discontinue these events recently? Also have never gotten a meet the stars invite. Should i visit the loyalty ambassador and ask?

[garnetpalmetto]

On independence right now and did not get a welcome back invite. Nor top tier invite though that is usually later in the cruise. Did they discontinue these events recently? Also have never gotten a meet the stars invite. Should i visit the loyalty ambassador and ask?

 

Nope. Oasis had a top tier event (sailaway party from Nassau on the helipad) a welcome back party, and a meet the stars event two weeks ago. It might be a ship-by-ship event. We did not go to Meet the Stars, but IIRC it's a sort of behind the scenes and a chance to meet and greet stars from some of the production shows.

[Langley Cruisers]

What is "Priority check in"? Do you get quicker boarding?

 

Priority check in is different than Priority boarding. You will probably get check-in, but priority boarding is for those passengers in suites and for upper tier Crown and Anchor guests. It varies from port to port but I have never seen priority boarding for anything less than Platinum. If you wait a little longer to arrive at the pier you can probably board right away; the priority boarding is for those who are waiting when boarding initially starts. :)

[SheehanDJ]

On independence right now and did not get a welcome back invite. Nor top tier invite though that is usually later in the cruise. Did they discontinue these events recently? Also have never gotten a meet the stars invite. Should i visit the loyalty ambassador and ask?

 

Only Platinum (just turned emerald) on the Oct 4th Freedom we got no invites, the Platinum level event was only the meet the stars event and only listed in the compass. It was at noon or 12:30, we didn't bother to go.

 

At Port Canaveral the priority Gold line was almost as long as the regular line, Platinum and above lines were mostly empty.

[Clarea]

...What kind of offers are put on your SeaPass card? ...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2045047

[frank808]

Only Platinum (just turned emerald) on the Oct 4th Freedom we got no invites, the Platinum level event was only the meet the stars event and only listed in the compass. It was at noon or 12:30, we didn't bother to go.

 

At Port Canaveral the priority Gold line was almost as long as the regular line, Platinum and above lines were mostly empty.

Have to tell you the platinum and higher line at port everglades was empty yesterday. Also pinnacles and suites had at most 2 families

We just walked up and was the next family in line. Gold was at least 50 people deep and this was at about 11:10 am yesterday afternoon.

[ARCruisinNana]

Navigator did not have a Welcome Back Party on the two cruises I was on in September.

[griffy116]

We're Diamond and never really take advantage of many of the "perks" other than balcony discount. You get a BOGO on beer, wine, soda, and a discount (can't remember the amount on LOGO items in their shop). We don't really need/want anymore logo items, although if it's a ship we haven't been on, my Grandson gets the ship model and we get one of the Christmas ornaments. We get an invite to an "event" where there are a few drinks and Diamond Lounge for about 3 hours in the afternoon/evening where you can get free drinks, and 3 drinks during that same time at any bar on the ship. You can dine in a dining room for breakfast, but we prefer the Main Dining Room. We ate there once. We enjoy the strawberries or cupcakes they deliver to the cabin. Some sort of BINGO deal is on it but we don't do Bingo. We usually forget about most of the discounts. Priority check-in is hit or miss. It has helped at times, but other times, there's not really a long line anyway. Continental breakfast on the last morning is VERY basic so we don't bother. We usually eat in the Windjammer or Main Dining room...much better. The priority line at Customer Service is helpful if you run into a problem and speeds the process.

[LuCruise]

The BOGO drink is usually only good for beer, wine or soda.

 

That works as I like the odd drink of wine at dinner and DH likes beer. DH will probably just get the soda package so I can see us using this one.

 

Priority check in is different than Priority boarding. You will probably get check-in, but priority boarding is for those passengers in suites and for upper tier Crown and Anchor guests. It varies from port to port but I have never seen priority boarding for anything less than Platinum. If you wait a little longer to arrive at the pier you can probably board right away; the priority boarding is for those who are waiting when boarding initially starts. :)

 

It definitely lists it at "Priority check in". Sounds like it's not much of an advantage. We would head to port early as we're staying in Fort Lauderdale the night before.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2045047

 

That's great. thanks for the link.

 

Nope. Oasis had a top tier event (sailaway party from Nassau on the helipad) a welcome back party, and a meet the stars event two weeks ago. It might be a ship-by-ship event. We did not go to Meet the Stars, but IIRC it's a sort of behind the scenes and a chance to meet and greet stars from some of the production shows.

 

Neat...that's totally my thing. Hopefully it's later in the week after you've seen a bulk of the shows???

 

We're Diamond and never really take advantage of many of the "perks" other than balcony discount. You get a BOGO on beer, wine, soda, and a discount (can't remember the amount on LOGO items in their shop). We don't really need/want anymore logo items, although if it's a ship we haven't been on, my Grandson gets the ship model and we get one of the Christmas ornaments. We get an invite to an "event" where there are a few drinks and Diamond Lounge for about 3 hours in the afternoon/evening where you can get free drinks, and 3 drinks during that same time at any bar on the ship. You can dine in a dining room for breakfast, but we prefer the Main Dining Room. We ate there once. We enjoy the strawberries or cupcakes they deliver to the cabin. Some sort of BINGO deal is on it but we don't do Bingo. We usually forget about most of the discounts. Priority check-in is hit or miss. It has helped at times, but other times, there's not really a long line anyway. Continental breakfast on the last morning is VERY basic so we don't bother. We usually eat in the Windjammer or Main Dining room...much better. The priority line at Customer Service is helpful if you run into a problem and speeds the process.

 

Thanks for the helpful notes. So sounds like we should just go go the MDR or Windjammer last morning. Perhaps the continental breakfast is less crowded?

Edited October 20, 2015 by LuCruise

[BillOh]

We've cruised before but are still Gold level. I'm looking at the chart of the benefits and have a few questions.

1. What is "Meet the Stars"? I believe a backstage tour of the entertainment venues. I may do that my next cruise
   
2. What is "Priority check in"? Do you get quicker boarding?Yes, usually, sometimes all legit answers, it varies by port and ship
   
3. What exactly is the Welcome Back Party? And when is it typically held?the When varies depending on how many C&A Members are on board. Usually it involves a couple of free drinks of their choosing, some limitied appetizers and some senior crew members talkking to you. Frequently learn interesting things. Not a great event, but we always go.
   
4. Is the departure continental breakfast any better than usual? And can you take advantage if you're doing self disembark?We usually eat a normal breakfast and then what ever they have in the departure lounge is rarely better than a small danish and juice
   
5. What kind of offers are put on your SeaPass card?Less and less every year despite climbing the status ladder :)
   

 

Thanks.

 

Had to put words here.

[BillOh]

Navigator did not have a Welcome Back Party on the two cruises I was on in September.

 

Really? That is the first I heard of that, but I assume you are right. Did you ever ask about that? Just curious. Have you booked LIberty yet? That will probably have more members on board I would guess.

[LuCruise]

Thanks again. I definitely want to do Meet the Stars, whether you get to meet the actors/performers, or just behind the scenes thing. Love that stuff.

 

I assume they allow kids at the Welcome Back Party? Guess it would depend too when they had it if it clashed with dinner time, etc.

[ARCruisinNana]

Really? That is the first I heard of that, but I assume you are right. Did you ever ask about that? Just curious. Have you booked LIberty yet? That will probably have more members on board I would guess.

 

 

I was on the ship. The answer was people just didn't go and so they stopped having it. Since Platinum and above are invited to the Top Tier Party, it's only the Gold members that miss out. The Captain's reception was still held on the first formal night. Things may change when NV relocates to Ft. Lauderdale. I'm doing a B2B on Liberty next month[emoji1][emoji1][emoji1]

Edited October 20, 2015 by ARCruisinNana

[Clarea]

... I assume they allow kids at the Welcome Back Party? Guess it would depend too when they had it if it clashed with dinner time, etc.

Kids are allowed, though it would likely be pretty boring for them.

[garnetpalmetto]

That works as I like the odd drink of wine at dinner and DH likes beer. DH will probably just get the soda package so I can see us using this one.

 

 

 

It definitely lists it at "Priority check in". Sounds like it's not much of an advantage. We would head to port early as we're staying in Fort Lauderdale the night before.

 

 

 

That's great. thanks for the link.

 

 

Neat...that's totally my thing. Hopefully it's later in the week after you've seen a bulk of the shows???

 

 

 

Thanks for the helpful notes. So sounds like we should just go go the MDR or Windjammer last morning. Perhaps the continental breakfast is less crowded?

 

At least on Oasis it was.

[CruisingChick]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2045047

 

Thanks for the link but this is from May of 2014, isn't the internet perk different now for Diamonds?

[Clarea]

Thanks for the link but this is from May of 2014, isn't the internet perk different now for Diamonds?

Correct, I believe it is now $40 off a package, or one 24 hour period of unlimited.

[CruisingChick]

Correct, I believe it is now $40 off a package, or one 24 hour period of unlimited.

 

Thanks.

[villager70]

Bob is correct. We use the 24 hours in first section of our cruises then use the other 24 hours for second diamond member later. It works much better than the old hour system as sometimes had trouble getting on or signing off. We use the 24 hours from usually afternoon to next day afternoon and not on shore days as not aboard. Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

[CruisingChick]

Bob is correct. We use the 24 hours in first section of our cruises then use the other 24 hours for second diamond member later. It works much better than the old hour system as sometimes had trouble getting on or signing off. We use the 24 hours from usually afternoon to next day afternoon and not on shore days as not aboard. Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

 

Thanks for the tip. I think that's what DH and I will do. We will also be able to use our phones in San Juan and St. Thomas, I think we will have enough. I only go on to e-mail and keep in touch with our son. When I'm on vacation, don't really care about the internet.

[dorisis]

You need to be Diamond for the perks to be very meaningful.