Fort Lauderdale Terminal - Princess Cruises

[LCW]

1st time going out of Ft. Lauderdale and 1st time on Princess.  Booked a suite, so have priority boarding, whatever that means.  Boarding is 12:30. Hotel checkout is 11am, Late checkout unavailable.  Looking to minimize time standing in line (back issues).  

 

- How soon we should head to the terminal?  Don't want to be standing in line for an hour if we can't even get into the terminal.   

 

- If we arrive before boarding is allowed, is there a lounge or somewhere for suite passengers to sit?

[fishywood]

It is extremely rare that Princess does not start check-in by 11:00/11:30 at the latest. Once inside the terminal the check in lines are segregated; Full Suite passengers have their own (shared with Elite Captain's Circle members). Should you arrive before boarding starts you will be assigned to one of the first groups to board, and there is a separate waiting area for Full Suite (and Elite ) passengers. 

 

Ignore any notice you may have received about boarding times based on what deck your Suite is on. You are entitled to be in one of the first boarding groups, which barring a significant delay in disembarkation (or a surprise inspection, or an emergency deep cleaning) will easily be before 12:30.