Grand SF embarkation questions

[elycelynne]

I know that they have "suggested" boarding times (which in the case of my deck starts at 1:00). What time can I realistically board? (I'm neither Elite nor Platinum.) And is it like Port Everglades where they make everyone else stand and wait while they make every effort possible (and I do mean "every") to board those with status beforehand?

[Cruise-Crazzy]

Sailed out of San Francisco twice last year. I am Elite and was in a suite. Passengers with priority boarded first.

[elycelynne]

Sailed out of San Francisco twice last year. I am Elite and was in a suite. Passengers with priority boarded first.

 

I do know that. I was just wondering how long they make us non-suite, non-Elite peasants stand around. For instance, at Port Everglades they made us wait and wait and wait and kept asking if there were any other Elites, even when none were there at a particular time.

[Thrak]

It really depends on when you arrive. If you arrive at 11:30 you will likely wait a bit. If you arrive at 1:00 PM you will have pretty much zero wait time at all and just breeze right through the process.

[toescat]

I live 40 miles from San Francisco and have sailed out of SF many times. They do board Elite, Platinum and Suite passengers first after that they board by group. If you arrive early and are in the first 50 people to check in you will board right after the Platinum. We are Elite but our friends are not and we got to the terminal around 10:00am last may. They were is the first boarding group and boarded around 20 minutes after we did. We did not book our cruise together so that is why they could not board with us. We have also waited an boarded with the first boarding group before. The staggered times listed on your boarding pass is just a suggestion only. I have liked to be the first inline at the door for check In for the past 21 years and have always have had the first boarding group pass. Even though I no longer have to do that to board first old habits never die so we are always the first in line. LOL

[LARGIN]

I live 40 miles from San Francisco and have sailed out of SF many times. They do board Elite, Platinum and Suite passengers first after that they board by group. If you arrive early and are in the first 50 people to check in you will board right after the Platinum. We are Elite but our friends are not and we got to the terminal around 10:00am last may. They were is the first boarding group and boarded around 20 minutes after we did. We did not book our cruise together so that is why they could not board with us. We have also waited an boarded with the first boarding group before. The staggered times listed on your boarding pass is just a suggestion only. I have liked to be the first inline at the door for check In for the past 21 years and have always have had the first boarding group pass. Even though I no longer have to do that to board first old habits never die so we are always the first in line. LOL

Suite, Elite and handicapped 1st, Platinum 2nd, others 3rd.

[trbarton]

I know that they have "suggested" boarding times (which in the case of my deck starts at 1:00). What time can I realistically board? (I'm neither Elite nor Platinum.) And is it like Port Everglades where they make everyone else stand and wait while they make every effort possible (and I do mean "every") to board those with status beforehand?

 

Here’s another option. Invite other people for the BVE, Bon Voyage Experience. You’re one of the first groups to board, even before the Elites. Your friends & yourself get a lunch in the MDR, & they get a chance to see the ship with you.

Tom😎

[elliair]

We arrive around 10:30 am, there's a line that forms outside of the entrance. It doesn't matter what your status is. Once you're inside, you are handed health forms to fill out then you are escorted (directed) to which area you should go to. Elites/Platinum/Suites go to one section all others to a different section. If you're told to arrive at 1:00 pm, ignore that, arrive whenever you please. You're going to sit no matter what until you are called for your section to board. We sit with the elites and others and board accordingly: Handicapped/suites/elites/platinums. Then after we board all others will board. Been through this process many times out of SF.

 

It doesn't matter what port does it one way, each port is different.

[SteelMagnolia9]

Last April (Hawaii cruise), I stayed comfortably in my hotel room until noon checkout, then taxied to the ship. No line for check-in, then was seated in an area where my group was called in approx. 20 mins. Easy and my status was Gold, no priority boarding.

[LARGIN]

We arrive around 10:30 am, there's a line that forms outside of the entrance. It doesn't matter what your status is. Once you're inside, you are handed health forms to fill out then you are escorted (directed) to which area you should go to. Elites/Platinum/Suites go to one section all others to a different section. If you're told to arrive at 1:00 pm, ignore that, arrive whenever you please. You're going to sit no matter what until you are called for your section to board. We sit with the elites and others and board accordingly: Handicapped/suites/elites/platinums. Then after we board all others will board. Been through this process many times out of SF.

 

It doesn't matter what port does it one way, each port is different.

 

No, two sections.. One for Suites and Elites, the other for Platinum,, The Suite/Elite section gets coffee and sweet roles/donuts, the Platinum section does not.

[elliair]

No, two sections.. One for Suites and Elites, the other for Platinum,, The Suite/Elite section gets coffee and sweet roles/donuts, the Platinum section does not.

 

So they have changed it since the last time we were on the Grand. Everyone including Platinum got coffee and pastries. One time no coffee or pastries just packaged pretzels and chips, crackers. We were all seated at the far end of the building, including Suite, Platinum and Elite along with the wheelchair brigade. We're leaving on 1/22 for Hawaii so we shall see.

[StknCPA]

So they have changed it since the last time we were on the Grand. Everyone including Platinum got coffee and pastries. One time no coffee or pastries just packaged pretzels and chips, crackers. We were all seated at the far end of the building, including Suite, Platinum and Elite along with the wheelchair brigade. We're leaving on 1/22 for Hawaii so we shall see.

I might have to cancel if I don't get sweet rolls and or donuts before I get on a ship with unlimited food for 10 days.

 

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[notus]

Just got off Grand in SF. Embarked Jan. 2 and Platinum was included with Elite and suites in the waiting area of the terminal. And, yes, coffee, juice, water and pastries were available, though pastries went quick!!