So why? Why do 4 or 5 star AND Neptune Guests board as the third group??

[Mosaic]

So in FLL we are boarding as the Group C people, why not Group A or B.  We were Group A and were demoted to Group C, lol.  Anybody have a reason why?????

Thanks

[Ferry_Watcher]

Sometimes it has to do with the time you are estimated to arrive at the port   For example - the time your flight arrives.

It could also be that there are so many others with the same/ equal priority that HAL couldn't fit everyone in the A or B group.

[twodjs]

The groups are not rankings. You have not been "downgraded". Covid restrictions require controlled small groups of people. 4 and 5 star and Neptune Suites still get their express lines while the rest have the longer lines. Everyone is just spread out. 

[DaveOKC]

Are you travelling with a group?  Perhaps that is why.

 

[FlaMariner]

11 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Sometimes it has to do with the time you are estimated to arrive at the port   For example - the time your flight arrives.

 

I've heard this is part of the formula as well.  Status does not matter....But when you arrive at the port, the higher rank gets you the "special" line  (We long for that day for us as we claw ourselves up the food chain).

 

At one point, I had a later flight and a later boarding time and then when my flight was changed to earlier, the next round I got an earlier boarding time.

 

(I hope folks keep adhering to these late assigned boarding times, it sure make it easier for us to get to lunch and avoid the crowds when we arrive at 11am!)

[Willard23]

Have another theory on this. It is to spread the pressure on housekeeping around to have rooms ready for arriving guests. Say group A is all on deck 6 aft, extra pressure is on housekeeping to be ready first. Next cruise they get a break and are assigned the last arrivals. Just a theory...

[RGEDad]

 

15 hours ago, Mosaic said:

So in FLL we are boarding as the Group C people, why not Group A or B.  We were Group A and were demoted to Group C

I (a mere mortal 3-star) have also been moved from Group A, to Group B, and now to Group C. I look forward to basking in the Stariness of my 4 & 5 starred fellow Group Cers. I hope I do not embarrass, or heaven forbid have a faux pas, near my fellow C groupies. I promise I will shower and everything before joining the queue, and even go so far as to shine my flip flops.

 

[KirkNC]

I am curious if anyone knows who is in the first two groups.

[Mosaic]

I did learn more about this.  I talked with a nice gentleman at HAL who was in the "Document" department.  He said much of what was said here.  Hotel and Air guests get first assignment---yes it is to manage covid and crew and guests. All done by computers of course.  4* and 5* mariner status  is the FOURTH computation in the algorithm. Neptune is the second consideration.  After that I had no further discussion.  

 

Certainly it is now different than pre covid and they did it this way to keep the hordes from all showing up at once.  

[Evilmuffin]

1 hour ago, RGEDad said:

 

I (a mere mortal 3-star) have also been moved from Group A, to Group B, and now to Group C. I look forward to basking in the Stariness of my 4 & 5 starred fellow Group Cers. I hope I do not embarrass, or heaven forbid have a faux pas, near my fellow C groupies. I promise I will shower and everything before joining the queue, and even go so far as to shine my flip flops.

 

I am on the same cruise as you.   I too, am a mere 3 Star.  But they put me in Group A.   Should I call HAL and advise them that they have made an error and I shouldn’t be boarding before those that deserve to get on 20 mins earlier than me.   The 10 day cruise is 14,400 mins long (actually longer as that’s from sailing time on departure day) and 20 mins could really make or break the whole cruise.   Perhaps I should go on the Roll Call and offer my spot?

[Ferry_Watcher]

33 minutes ago, Evilmuffin said:

Perhaps I should go on the Roll Call and offer my spot?

No wonder everyone says Canadians are so nice!!!  ;  )

[iancal]

Why on earth does it matter?

 

Simply show up at the appointed time as we have one on two occasions when time slots were given because of cruise terminal capacity.

 

On our last RCI cruise we zipped by the expedited suite line in favor of the great unwashed line.  Why...because the suite line was long, and we were able to go directly to an open desk.  

[Florida_gal_50]

17 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Sometimes it has to do with the time you are estimated to arrive at the port   For example - the time your flight arrives.

It could also be that there are so many others with the same/ equal priority that HAL couldn't fit everyone in the A or B group.

Maybe, but do a lot of people fly in the same day?  

[Florida_gal_50]

4 hours ago, Mosaic said:

I did learn more about this.  I talked with a nice gentleman at HAL who was in the "Document" department.  He said much of what was said here.  Hotel and Air guests get first assignment---yes it is to manage covid and crew and guests. All done by computers of course.  4* and 5* mariner status  is the FOURTH computation in the algorithm. Neptune is the second consideration.  After that I had no further discussion.  

 

Certainly it is now different than pre covid and they did it this way to keep the hordes from all showing up at once.  

I wonder what the hotel and air guests means.  I get the hotel part, but what does air mean?  I booked my air through Hal but not the hotel.  I flew in the day before.  I'm a 5 star that had booked club orange.  I believe I was in group B that boarded at 1:20 so certainly not the first group.  The following week people that booked Hotels through Hal were on the ship at least 1 1/2 hours earlier than that.  Seems the hotel part of that is correct.

[KAKcruiser]

Not exactly the same.  We are paying for the first day of the cruise and the sooner we get on the ship, the sooner we can begin to take advantage of our vacation. For example, lunch is usually served in the MDR between 12 and 1 or 1:30.  Having a later boarding time will cause you to miss the lunch.  Some people really enjoy this as opposed to the lido which is open later.

[iancal]

36 minutes ago, KAKcruiser said:

Not exactly the same.  We are paying for the first day of the cruise and the sooner we get on the ship, the sooner we can begin to take advantage of our vacation. For example, lunch is usually served in the MDR between 12 and 1 or 1:30.  Having a later boarding time will cause you to miss the lunch.  Some people really enjoy this as opposed to the lido which is open later.

I can see how missing a lunch in the MDR might be a big issue for some cruisers.  

Edited December 4, 2021 by iancal

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, CHPURSER said:

This discussion reminds me of kindergarten, when everyone pushed and shoved to get onto the school bus first, so we could sit in the seat behind the driver.

Same mentality here - just with older children……………………….. 

That’s it in a nutshell.  A couple weeks back a few people were complaining because club orange people get benefits like priority tendering and embarkation.  I said I don’t mind and I’m a 5 star. I got told that I couldn’t possibly understand because the cruises I go on have limited appeal and wouldn’t possibly attract high star Mariners.  Apparently unless you look at old buildings and museums your cruise is worthless.  Funny thing though, there were a lot of presidents club members on my cruise.  It’s ok too apparently if a family member buys club orange to get these perks.  That’s allowed.

[jhsocal]

Seem to recall on a previous thread, some priority given to those that used Hal's transportation - airport to hotel to cruise port. reading various reviews, key word seems to be 'inconsistent'.

[iancal]

Look on the bright side.  Perhaps those that missed out on an MDR lunch on day 1 could visit the MDR twice on another day to make up for it!

[DAllenTCY]

There are always "high star mariners" on every cruise.

 

For instance, the day after tomorrow embarking on Koningsdam:

 

           4 President's Club 

           2 Pinnacle Suite

         23 5 Star

         57 4 Star

         12 Neptune Suite

         34 HAL hotel transfers

         77 Airport transfers

 

Total number embarking is only 1196

 

So, about 20% are going to be prioritized in some fashion regarding arrival times.  Take into account that on a "typical" sailing, 200 or more guests arrive 2 hours before they should and you can see that there is a need for spacing Group A though Groups E/F/G.

 

Each boarding group is limited to between 250 and 300 depending on the sailing time of 4 pm or 5 pm.

 

David

 

 

 

              

Edited December 4, 2021 by DAllenTCY

[canadarocks]

With the new MDR lunch menu.... Is the MDR lunch on embarkation day the same lunch as every other day?

[Evilmuffin]

47 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

There are always "high star mariners" on every cruise.

 

For instance, the day after tomorrow embarking on Koningsdam:

 

           4 President's Club 

           2 Pinnacle Suite

         23 5 Star

         57 4 Star

         12 Neptune Suite

         34 HAL hotel transfers

         77 Airport transfers

 

Total number embarking is only 1196

 

So, about 20% are going to be prioritized in some fashion regarding arrival times.  Take into account that on a "typical" sailing, 200 or more guests arrive 2 hours before they should and you can see that there is a need for spacing Group A though Groups E/F/G.

 

Each boarding group is limited to between 250 and 300 depending on the sailing time of 4 pm or 5 pm.

 

David

 

 

 

              

Well now I gotta know.   4 President’s Club?   What is that?   Am I allowed to look at them directly?

 

Where did you get those numbers?   

[DAllenTCY]

Holland America's President's Club are mariners with at least 2,500 nights onboard one of their ships.

 

 

 

David

 

 

[TiogaCruiser]

2 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Holland America's President's Club are mariners with at least 2,500 nights onboard one of their ships.

 

 

 

David

 

 

Um, isn’t it 1400 sea days, or am I remembering incorrectly?

[SUESEABE]

Apparently you are correct TiogaCruiser. From Cruise Specialists site - "The President’s Club is an exclusive, unpublished loyalty level. Guests have to sail at least 1,400 days and then be invited to join.