As weve written about before, the lines top customer has spent years at sea on Princess ships. We are Ruby, in balcony stateroom, just under 50 sea days. for real. Cruise tip: If youd rather not take a photo, simply walk past the photo booth. However you choose to enjoy sailaway, make sure to take it all in and know that this is the beginning of a wonderful adventure ahead! And what is included? After all, this is the first day of the vacation youve probably been planning for months. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. I use 2 fabric type over the door organizer (mine are shoe type), one for the inside of the bath door for toiletries, the other for the front of the storage shelving door where you store clothing and where I put all my shoes (I know I pack too many but thats me) If it is too long it can easily be folded up under and pinned. Plus, since the kids club has an open house style welcome during this time, your kids may even meet some new friends. Related: A beginners guide to cruise line loyalty programs. I would pay a premium for early check in though. Just got off the Majestic on Saturday. Was group A. Got to the pier about 10:40. Was through check in and in the Elite area by 10:45. They started boarding the Elite lounge about 11:15., Its going to be nice to board a ship without a long wait or dock stress in a long time, You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. However, the Captains Circle program is not nearly as robust a frequent cruiser program as those offered by such rivals as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. In addition, at the Platinum level, youll receive a special Platinum-level pin. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. These include: Its important that you arrive at your assigned time because we cant accommodate early arrivals and youll be asked to return at that time anyway. Check-in opens well prior to 11:00am - typically 10:00am approx. Such forever status is one of the great allures of cruise line frequent cruiser programs. Im glad you found the tips helpful! It can be easy to have a few drinks and get caught up in the fun of the first day, and put off unpacking your luggage. Ships feature enhanced air filtration with upgraded HVAC systems. This keeps the floor of the closet neat and I can find the pair I need quickly. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Not everyone will be clamouring for the early embarkation, for some that would mean an extra early start, or even an overnight stay pre-cruise involving more expense. It appears that only P&O have problems with handling embarkation to everyones satisfaction. Note that, as is often the case with cruise line loyalty programs, Princess customers do not have to requalify for status each year. This can include your money and wallet, jewelry, passports and even your keys. I looked at the bra and noticed it unusually dirty with dust once i removed the paper I stick them to. When I returned to my cabin after dinner the first night, my meds were gone. I have 1 tip for you. Ileana, Print your cruise documents including boarding pass and luggage tags and be ready for your cruise embarkation day! Have had 2 cruises canceled. The only exception is for Pinnacle members. Your dining room allocation for Club Class Dining is stated within your room information, which guarantees a table and avoids waiting times. We just returned from Enchanted. In regard to gratuities, personally we tip the suggested amounts by the cruise line. Well this is all as clear as mud. My next cruise is January 2022. I'll just read up on the experinces of those who take cruises in what remains in If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Another thing I like to do is go to one of the finer restaurants for late lunch/ early dinner. Luckily I am Ligurian and don't use the big ships, so no problem! I also didnt see any passengers get their times checked, or see them send anyone off to a naughty corner to wait who had arrived early. There are also casual restaurants open including the pool side grill and cafes. Check out your cabin, and if you want to take a photo or video, go ahead. By If they are doing everything independently, they need to get to the port on their own. Staff will give you a claim ticket. Access to your cabin is not based on status and all cabins are opened at the same time usually around 1 pm. We are set for our forth Celebrity cruise in January, 2019, from Singapore and you have me reminiscing of the coffee, pastries and fine service and there are still five months to go(o; Rebooked to Iceland, hope it goes. Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, San Francisco,CA,USA.|At center of City atop Twin Peaks overlooking bay/downtown/sunrise. They boarded after our room was cleared. Ill also answer some frequently asked questions including how early you can board your cruise ship, what to wear on embarkation day, where to eat lunch and more! Intercruises seem to employ many of the staff. The first day of a cruise is pretty casual, so dress comfortably. Thanks for your comment. Your first statement is quite true There are many reports of a sorting going on before you get into the terminal those at the correct time straight in and boarding inside 20/30 mins and the ones who are early are directed somewhere to wait. Cruise ships have a type newsletter or planner that will be placed in your cabin each day. Club Class is a category of mini-suite that offers a number of special perks to guests who book them. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Im an avid cruiser and have been giving out insider tips for more than 10 years! Oh my! This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Also the fact when I turn up at my allotted time of 12non, terminal is full to the brim of people with later boarding times. They leave their various departure points with the expectation that they will arrive early afternoon. Most cruise lines now have the safety information or EMuster on their cruise line App, available to view on your phone or mobile device, as well as your stateroom TV. Youll have to take 16 seven-night cruises to reach the Elite level, assuming you stay in standard cabins. We encourage everyone to use the hand-washing sinks and hand sanitizer dispensers at venue entrances and in high-traffic areas throughout the ship. Yes I agree and you are right - I cant defend it- but I prefer to get sorted earlier and have lunch so 15:30 is unreasonable for me. If the weather is hot and sunny, we love to order a frozen cocktail and relax by the pool before Sailaway. Excited for the first day of your cruise? Really looking forward to it. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. While youll want to drop off your bags and freshen up, try not to spend too much time in your cabin now, as theres still so much to do and see on your cruise ship before sailaway. I left it out that day. Yes, exactly what P&O told me when they advised I ask for assistance as I cant stand for long periods anymore. Current Health & Boarding Protocols for Cruises. Think if 5000 people turn up at 11am. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. The new discount allows Platinum and Elite members to buy a pricey length-of-cruise internet package at half the normal cost. I have always locked my meds especially since I was young when my own family member came over and stole my meds. You need 151 cruise days to get to the Elite level. There will be no self-service for meals. We will refer anyone with signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or who are identified at-risk, for additional medical screening before allowing them to board. These days, many ships are ready to It is not so much having to queue that would bother me, but will I have access to a toilet if needed? We do sometimes leave an additional amount especially to our cabin steward, as weve had some that have gone above and beyond. Certain hotels have resort fees. Before you even get to the cruise terminal to board your cruise ship, remember to complete your online check in on the cruise line website or app. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. That looks good for us then, I hope you do not have problems on your cruises, just got off Brittania today. If you want to ensure that youre one of the first people to board the ship and get access to your room as soon as So, on a seven-night cruise, you would earn 2 cruise credits and 7 cruise days if you sail in a suite. Obviously there has to be some sort of boarding protocol, particularly on the big ships, otherwise it would be chaos and overcrowding. Didnt see it advertised but werent looking for it., Agreed: our game is "can we be unpacked and settled in by sail-away? Its a great idea to have a good meal at one of the sit down restaurants. They should review boarding time cut-off, and check if they need to specify a boarding time. A complimentary dancing class. Great tip! Hope this helps someone. So glad I read about these issues. Thanks for these tips. As we pull away from the dock and start a great cruise. Our next one is in May to Iceland on NCL Star. While each tier has perks, only platinum and elite members can get in the priority boarding line at the embarkation port. Youll have a chance to meet the staff and you and your children will feel more comfortable. I find this kind of bizarre, why not a whole bottle of each? I understanding the thinking in giving priority to Suites, and also based on the Loyalty programme tiers, but to not be flexible in allowing choice or changes is ridiculous. Passengers in Club Class mini-suites will receive half a bottle of red and white wine. Thanks for sharing that, and all the best as we move forward the next few months and cruise again. So many great tips helping me navigate my first cruise, I cant wait the 20 weeks I have left. First cruise planning can be overwhelming for sure glad you found this useful! My last few cruises were from Southampton on Celebrity. selecting a preferred port arrival time to help stagger boarding, confirming the passage contract, COVID-19 acceptance and vaccination attestation, have received your final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise, confirmyourstatus as fully vaccinated for COVID-19, provide proof of vaccination before boarding. They are really helpful, but Id like a printed copy. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Thanks so much Russell for your great comment and suggestion! Alas, there isnt a wow perk in the entire Captains Circle menu. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. I like to hang as much as I can, which is why I ask for extra hangers. Not everyone will be clamouring for the early embarkation, for some that would mean an extra early start, or even an overnight stay pre-cruise involving more expense. Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise and provide acceptable proof at terminal check-in. Just to make things a little bit more complicated, Princess also doubles your cruise credit earnings if you sail in a full suite (mini-suites, Club Class suites and upgrades to suites are excluded) or sail solo. Check-in opens well prior to 11:00am - typically 10:00am approx. [SF Native]. It has its own section where guests are seated and extra dishes are available from the menu. Our favorite, by a hair, is the complimentary laundry service that comes with Elite-level status, something that can come in handy (and save you a lot of money) on longer voyages. Previous posters have mentioned the simplicity of embarking on Princess. Lol, sometimes I like them removed so that we dont take them, by mistake, but also so I can put in my own water bottles, items from the buffet (maybe juice or a carton of milk), or even have room for chocolate covered strawberries or another dessert that we may have had in our cabin that wasnt eaten. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. While its not a necessity to have a smart phone on a cruise, it can add more convenience. Now, Pinnacle members can embark an hour before their assigned time up to an hour after their assigned time. In-room canapes on formal For example, my friends who typically booked suites and frequented the casino on previous Princess cruises received an upgrade to Club Class from a balcony stateroom. Is it before, or after Elite and Platinum ? This is a new perk added in 2021 that replaced an old perk that brought Platinum and Elite members a set amount of complimentary minutes of internet service (150 to 500, depending on the cruise length). Interesting thread. Since PCL Platinum/Elite loyalty perks still list priority check-in, I'd say there will be some way to accomplish that. As some