Royal/Penthouse Suite Priority Embarkation - Cape Liberty

[WB57]

Hello -

 

Can anyone comment on the current Embarkation process at Cape Liberty?

 

Thank you.

[Guppy99]

1 minute ago, WB57 said:

Hello -

 

Can anyone comment on the current Embarkation process at Cape Liberty?

 

Thank you.

It goes so fast i can't imagine why anyone would need priority.  However, like any other port, you can likely rustle up a personal escort for a suite stay. There will likely be a line or you can inquire at the entry doors.

[jelayne]

Suites have priority boarding.  Currently when checking in everyone selects a embarkation time for the available times  and the ships are boarding by assigned time.  If you are in a Suite you can board at any time once the ship is open to boarding, you do not have to board at your assigned time.

[canderson]

4 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Suites have priority boarding.  Currently when checking in everyone selects a embarkation time for the available times  and the ships are boarding by assigned time.  If you are in a Suite you can board at any time once the ship is open to boarding, you do not have to board at your assigned time.

Indeed - a silly quirk in the check-in system that's been there ever since assigned boarding times were instituted.  One wonders why X I.T. is STILL unable to find a way to hide that option when the cabin category of the pax is known to be a suite.  We just grab the latest slot available to leave the earlier ones available.

[JFontaine]

The first Celebrity cruise since the start of the pandemic is leaving from Cape Liberty this week, I believe,  so you might not get a current response. Pre-pandemic: shoreside host contacts you a few weeks before the cruise asking what time you want to board (among other things), tells you where to get dropped off, and sends you a placard for the car (which is nice but not necessary).  You pull up to the designated area and a Celebrity rep checks you off on a list, your luggage is taken for priority delivery (hit or miss on this working) and someone is assigned to escort you through checkin (they offer to help with hand luggage). Usually you are handed off to someone near the entrance for boarding and escort to either your cabin or the Retreat. None of this is necessary and it hasn't always worked as described,  but this was the procedure. 

[WB57]

4 minutes ago, JFontaine said:

The first Celebrity cruise since the start of the pandemic is leaving from Cape Liberty this week, I believe,  so you might not get a current response. Pre-pandemic: shoreside host contacts you a few weeks before the cruise asking what time you want to board (among other things), tells you where to get dropped off, and sends you a placard for the car (which is nice but not necessary).  You pull up to the designated area and a Celebrity rep checks you off on a list, your luggage is taken for priority delivery (hit or miss on this working) and someone is assigned to escort you through checkin (they offer to help with hand luggage). Usually you are handed off to someone near the entrance for boarding and escort to either your cabin or the Retreat. None of this is necessary and it hasn't always worked as described,  but this was the procedure. 

Thanks for the info JFontaine.  Will look to see what the 'current/new' procedures will look like.

Edited May 11, 2022 by WB57

[C-Dragons]

21 minutes ago, JFontaine said:

The first Celebrity cruise since the start of the pandemic is leaving from Cape Liberty this week, I believe,  so you might not get a current response. Pre-pandemic: shoreside host contacts you a few weeks before the cruise asking what time you want to board (among other things), tells you where to get dropped off, and sends you a placard for the car (which is nice but not necessary).  You pull up to the designated area and a Celebrity rep checks you off on a list, your luggage is taken for priority delivery (hit or miss on this working) and someone is assigned to escort you through checkin (they offer to help with hand luggage). Usually you are handed off to someone near the entrance for boarding and escort to either your cabin or the Retreat. None of this is necessary and it hasn't always worked as described,  but this was the procedure. 

I concur.
That was the procedure in Fort Lauderdale when we sailed in March.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

2 hours ago, JFontaine said:

The first Celebrity cruise since the start of the pandemic is leaving from Cape Liberty this week, I believe,  so you might not get a current response. Pre-pandemic: shoreside host contacts you a few weeks before the cruise asking what time you want to board (among other things), tells you where to get dropped off, and sends you a placard for the car (which is nice but not necessary).  You pull up to the designated area and a Celebrity rep checks you off on a list, your luggage is taken for priority delivery (hit or miss on this working) and someone is assigned to escort you through checkin (they offer to help with hand luggage). Usually you are handed off to someone near the entrance for boarding and escort to either your cabin or the Retreat. None of this is necessary and it hasn't always worked as described,  but this was the procedure. 

 

Actually, the first cruise left May 4.  We're almost back.  I agree with your description of the boarding process in Fort Lauderdale.  Miami was somewhat similar, although with no priority luggage delivery, but all the suites were herded together, so no special escort for the PH.  We didn't experience the full boarding experience in Cape Liberty as we were B2B.  Luckily Customs and Boarder Protection came on board to inspect us and we did not have to get off the ship and re-board.

 

Basically, Celebrity has the process down cold in Fort Lauderdale.  Miami and Cape Liberty are more of a work in process.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Unless things have changed there is only one ship in port at a time. RC redid the terminal so that you no longer have to get on a bus to get from the check in to the ship. Boarding and disembarking are very smooth, especially for suites. We were in a Celebrity Suite for our Canada/New England cruise. 

[JFontaine]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Actually, the first cruise left May 4.  We're almost back.  I agree with your description of the boarding process in Fort Lauderdale.  Miami was somewhat similar, although with no priority luggage delivery, but all the suites were herded together, so no special escort for the PH.  We didn't experience the full boarding experience in Cape Liberty as we were B2B.  Luckily Customs and Boarder Protection came on board to inspect us and we did not have to get off the ship and re-board.

 

Basically, Celebrity has the process down cold in Fort Lauderdale.  Miami and Cape Liberty are more of a work in process.

How's your cruise going?  I'm in 6148 next month. 

 

By the way, I was in a Villa on the Edge from Fort Lauderdale this past February.  Embarkation was not smooth for me. Not according to plan at all, and I'm an experienced cruiser and followed their directions. 

Edited May 11, 2022 by JFontaine

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Well, aside from having the itinerary change several times, it has been fine.  Hope you have as wonderful a butler as we had in 6147.  Bring your converter plugs and adapters with you as if you were going to Europe.  There is a serious mismatch between the outlets and the things to be plugged into them.  In the MBR, there is only a European outlet of some sort at the desk where one would dry one's hair since the great Ms. Hoppen took out the lovely dressing table that used to be part of the master bath.  The hairdryer has an American plug.  I suggested to the HD that a cheap fix would be to buy hairdryers that match the outlet.

 

Lobo, the maitre d' in Luminae is awesome.  And get to know Inna and Herma in Bacio and your order will be produced when they see you coming.

[Caribensun]

If you are in an aft  wrap around suite can you tell me if there is any overhang on balcony for shade if laying on lounger and to keep out of rain..  Videos and photos doesn’t look like any.  
Thank you, Sandipalms