Neptune Suite Embarkation check in time assignment

[Denverbri69]

Are Neptune Suite passengers assigned a check in time or is it just open for the passenger's leisure?

[DaveOKC]

17 minutes ago, Denverbri69 said:

Are Neptune Suite passengers assigned a check in time or is it just open for the passenger's leisure?

Assigned - but usually its in the first group so it really does not matter.  Our assignment for this week in San Diego is 10 AM!

[CruiserBruce]

When your boarding pass comes out, see if it says "Preferred" on it. If so, you won't have any problem boarding whenever you please.

[Roz]

On my most recent cruise in a Neptune, my assigned time was 10 am.  The HAL transfer bus at YVR broke down on the way to pick us up so I was late getting to Canada Place.  Once inside I was directed to the priority line and boarded before a lot of others.  Sometimes you get there when you get there, regardless of the time on your boarding pass. 

[FlaMariner]

I would think if you book a Neptune$$$ then Holland America Line is glad to welcome you onboard whenever you wish......(during boarding times, of course).

 

At least that is the way it works for us and we book steerage. 

Edited October 12, 2022 by FlaMariner

[Loreto]

6 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Assigned - but usually its in the first group so it really does not matter.  Our assignment for this week in San Diego is 10 AM!

That would be great....I thought the  days of boarding in San Diego around 11 AM were over!  When we boarded the Koningsdam for Hawaii in February we had a Neptune Suite and didn't have to wait in the boarding time line....which already had a large number of passengers waiting in each line.  I showed our passes and were told to go on into the terminal.

 

We are not in a Neptune for our California Coast Cruise in November and hope as a 5* plus we will get a decent boarding time.  I was told boarding will start at 1 PM.

[twodjs]

Interesting to read people's perception of when suites board compared to reality. At least a couple of weeks ago for our Alaska cruise, HAL was still asking all guests NOT to arrive before your assigned boarding group. Group A, Group B, etc. listed on your boarding pass. Once you enter the main area, suites and high star Mariners are directed to a (usually shorter) dedicated line. HAL keeps trying to better control the crowds and make the check-in as painless by trying to space out the arrivals. They are constantly sabotaged by those who decide the assigned times don't apply to them. Really? That attitude makes it harder for the rest of us. By the way, we were in a Pinnacle Suite, 4 star and were in Group D. We arrived and got on at our assigned time. No problem. And had a great cruise!

[Cruising-along]

15 hours ago, twodjs said:

Interesting to read people's perception of when suites board compared to reality. At least a couple of weeks ago for our Alaska cruise, HAL was still asking all guests NOT to arrive before your assigned boarding group. Group A, Group B, etc. listed on your boarding pass. Once you enter the main area, suites and high star Mariners are directed to a (usually shorter) dedicated line. HAL keeps trying to better control the crowds and make the check-in as painless by trying to space out the arrivals. They are constantly sabotaged by those who decide the assigned times don't apply to them. Really? That attitude makes it harder for the rest of us. By the way, we were in a Pinnacle Suite, 4 star and were in Group D. We arrived and got on at our assigned time. No problem. And had a great cruise!

I’m surprised with a Pinnacle Suite you didn’t have an earlier boarding time. They don’t meet Pinnacle Suite guests and take them to their cabin anymore? Maybe that’s another change…

[CruisinNana]

37 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

I’m surprised with a Pinnacle Suite you didn’t have an earlier boarding time. They don’t meet Pinnacle Suite guests and take them to their cabin anymore? Maybe that’s another change…

 

[CruisinNana]

I hope this has not changed. This was one of the Pinnacle perks my husband and I really appreciated. Cruising in Pinnacle next month. I will reply back after our cruise as to the boarding procedure and this perk. 

[Mosaic]

Neptunes do get "priority" boarding.  But that does not mean you are in Group A.  Other factors are more important (HAL transfers, hotel guests, air times, etc).  As a 4 star Neptune we where in Group F.  But again, there is not a hold up (that we have experienced) for Neptune guests that happen to show up early. 

[FlaMariner]

49 minutes ago, Mosaic said:

there is not a hold up (that we have experienced) for Neptune guests that happen to show up early. 

 

Same for us in steerage.....at least from the most recent two cruises since the unpleasantness.  

[twodjs]

 

10 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

I’m surprised with a Pinnacle Suite you didn’t have an earlier boarding time. They don’t meet Pinnacle Suite guests and take them to their cabin anymore? Maybe that’s another change…

I never said we were not escorted. My point is that suites don't all get to be in group A, contrary to what some believe. There are suites in each boarding group.