Carnival Cruise Suite Perks I have my tips list and will enjoy every moment! While in the past I recommended arriving at your cruise port early so you could board your cruise ship as soon as possible, this is no longer the case. We havenew requirements to protect you and our crew while on board. Cruise tip: Do your safety briefing as soon as possible after you embark so that you can enjoy your day without interruptions before sailaway. As you complete your online check in, youll be able to choose an arrival time. These days, many ships are ready to 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. Its important to take a few minutes to put your valuable items into the cabin safe. I wonder why you think that would happen with P&O when it doesn't seem to happen with most other cruise lines sailing from Southamoton? I find it lays flat this way and never had a problem with leakage. Most airline frequent flyer programs, by contrast, require loyalty members to requalify for status each year. For best practices, see ourHealthy Cruising Tips Infographic (PDF), CategoriesCruise IndustryTags#PrincessCruises, cruise, Cruises, luxury, Princess Cruises, travel. 4. I hadnt considered it myself, so Im definitely thankful that other readers mentioned it. Certain hotels have resort fees. This is great thank you for all the great cruises tips. This is particularly advantageous if you havent reached Platinum status with Princess yet. Thanks so much! By the amount of people that complain about any boarding time after 1pm and say they will turn up when they feel like it. If youre going on a Caribbean cruise you may want to wear a bathing suit under your clothes or pack a change of clothes in your cruise carry on bag. Thanks so much Russell for your great comment and suggestion! If youve found this post helpful, dont keep it to yourself ;-). Likely before 1 pm. This exactly! Luckily I am Ligurian and don't use the big ships, so no problem! Cruise ships have a type newsletter or planner that will be placed in your cabin each day. And well clean public areas and staterooms thoroughly and more frequently using a safe disinfectant proven to quickly kill coronaviruses. Cruise tip: Research your cruise ship before your cruise to see what restaurants are most recommended on embarkation day. 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. Photo credit: Britsonaship First cruise coming up, good tips, thank you! Theres important personal information to enter that needs to be done prior to your cruise. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Often the main dining room will be open for lunch, and you can have a nice sit down lunch while you wait for your stateroom to be ready. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Check our FAQs, Princess communications and official government sites often for specifics for your voyage. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. There are four tiers to the Captains Circle program: Getting to the first tier of the program, Gold, is simple. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Hang up any cruise outfits that are likely to wrinkle. Your email address will not be published. We grab a glass of wine and ready for a wonderful time. Thanks so much! for real. Often this means waiting an hour or a bit longer before you can head to your stateroom and put down your bags. Things change so details continue to be updated regularly. Priority tender boarding At tender ports, where the ship ferries passengers to shore using smaller boats, Key members can take advantage of priority boarding when going ashore. Dedicated to cruise ships, destinations and food. As well, youll want to know the current cruise line health protocols, vaccine requirements and ensure you have all the documentation you need. There are no onboard credits for top-tier members, like some lines offer (although a recent change did bring discounts for shore excursions and spa treatments at top tiers). How To Print Luggage Tags For Princess Cruise? Sign up for reservations for specialty restaurants, adult only areas, spa appointments, and shows if you have not done so online before the cruise. No, there is no earlier Boarding Group (hence why you see "A"). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. You had me worried for a second, lol! There were a ton of passengers who stayed from the previous week. Princess offers a few decent perks in the top two tiers of its four-tier loyalty program, including heavily discounted internet service and complimentary laundry service. These days, many ships are ready to begin boarding by about 11:00am. Here are some suggestions based on things I ask for on every cruise. WebFor most transfers, usually the cruise line picks people up at the airport, or the hotel that the cruise line recommends. Whether the additional perks of a Club Class mini-suite is worth it, is a personal decision. I looked at the bra and noticed it unusually dirty with dust once i removed the paper I stick them to. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. However, on your cruise embarkation day, you will receive a planner that is more of a general overview of the big things that you can look forward to during the rest of your cruise. This will be our first holiday since pre-covid and we will absolutely be there early because we have a 4hr drive and nothing is getting in the way of us getting on the cruise. https://lifewellcruised.com/5-practical-alaska-whale-watching-tips-you-need-to-know/. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. A lot depends on what time you arrive, and whether boarding has already started. People also select a time in advance so there's no people queuing who should not be there. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. WebThere will be a crew member working at the shore excursion desk once you board your cruise ship. So many great tips helping me navigate my first cruise, I cant wait the 20 weeks I have left. This will help you to plan your time on your cruiseweek as you look ahead. When we arrived on 16th April there was a queue for early arrivals that had been told to wait until their boarding time, we were ok because we had 12:15 time. Obviously there has to be some sort of boarding protocol, particularly on the big ships, otherwise it would be chaos and overcrowding. We also askyou to follow health information about the ways to stay healthy on board and when ashore through daily programming, entertainment systems, announcements, in-stateroom literature and our app. Thanks for your comment. To protect everyone on board, all guests must wear face masks covering their nose and mouth while indoors at all times and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Pre-Cruise FAQ: Before You Leave for Your Cruise - Princess Pricepoint of Cunard's Ship-within-a-Ship class. To provide an example of the price difference between a mini-suite and a Club Class mini-suite, I have selected a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Regal Princess: In this instance, Club Class is an additional 400 per passenger, based on two people sharing. The MedallionClass app makes completing important OceanReady steps and cruise check-in a breeze. These added extras act to bridge the gap between mini-suite and full suites. Strangely we never experienced long queues on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Princess from Southampton, and all 3 lines allow passengers to set their own time of arrival, and we frequently arrived at different times to our predicted arrival, so I guess others possibly arrived at a different time. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'cruiselifestyle_co_uk-box-3','ezslot_5',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-cruiselifestyle_co_uk-box-3-0');If youre planning to book a cruise with Princess Cruises, one of the most important decisions you need to make is the type of cabin that you want. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Plus dropping luggage super early usually means it arrives in the cabin before sailaway too. Have one booked for May 2021. On a cruise youll have a cabin steward or attendant who will clean your stateroom daily, as well as ensure you have everything you need to be comfortable in your cabin. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Be aware that whichever stateroom you choose with Princess Cruises, you can request a bathrobe. So, me too. Arrive early and among first to board. Pre-Covid, the boarding prty only mattered for those arriving to check-in prior to start of gene After checkin, ALL Suite, Elite, & Club class waited in the same room. Wish it was more like the airport where you can wait in comfort rather than in the rain. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Our next one is in May to Iceland on NCL Star. Upon embarkation day, your cabin attendant will introduce themselves. Dont forget to check out the fitness centre and sign up for any classes that interest you. They are able to take who ever gets to port right on the ship once its ready. We dont want that! Its a great idea to have a good meal at one of the sit down restaurants. Cruises Once boarding has started, you just head on. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Tendering operations can often take hours to get all the passengers to shore, so this is a valuable benefit if your itinerary has multiple tender ports. As most ports All my cruise packages, shore excursions, and the like are already paid for. However, you can still eat, drink and explore the ship while you wait. 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. As is typical for cruise line loyalty programs, the entry-level tier (Gold) doesnt bring all that much in terms of truly valuable rewards. We encourage everyone to use the hand-washing sinks and hand sanitizer dispensers at venue entrances and in high-traffic areas throughout the ship. I was so mad. I believe that the queuing issues being reported are just on Iona and Arvia and mostly during school holiday cruises. AFAIK coaches don't have an allotted time as such. Cruise embarkation day is the most highly anticipated days of a cruise vacation. The program is also one where it is relatively easy to reach a high-level tier. Another thing to consider, in the first couple of days on board, is the shopping as Princess gives a 10% discount in the shops then, Do spend the time doing research before you buy so you know if you are getting a good deal! If you have not registered your children online before your cruise, do this now. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world Check here before booking an award fare. Do this as early as possible to avoid last minute stress. Choosing The Right Credit Card For Travel Rewards: 5 Tips, Princess Cruises Sky Suite Detailed Review and , Spectrum of the Seas Balcony Cabin Tour , Enchanted Princess Balcony Cabin Tour - Near The Retreat Pool (S203), A half bottle of white wine and half bottle of red wine (whose drunk the other halves?? I have always locked my meds especially since I was young when my own family member came over and stole my meds. So excited and some anxiety at the same time. Just turn up at your allotted time. Your dining room allocation for Club Class Dining is stated within your room information, which guarantees a table and avoids waiting times. In addition, Diamond level brings: Courtesy bathrobe and slippers available during the cruise. With Elites if there before general boarding has started. Now, Pinnacle members can embark an hour before their assigned time up to an hour after their assigned time. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Our highly-trained medical staff includes doctors and nurses capable of caring for a broad range of medical conditions, including COVID-19. They are really helpful, but Id like a printed copy. Passengers in Club Class will benefit from priority embarkation and disembarkation for their cruise. My husband and I are going in May 2019, it will be our first cruise. Awesome reminders and tips, thanks for sharing. 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; Hope this helps someone. An exclusive window to preview and book new itineraries. Depending on what type of cruises and cabins you book, you may rise through the ranks faster using one metric or the other. Right now Ilana, I think I hate you!! The point-earning system for the Captains Circle program is a bit convoluted, as it involves two separate tracks either of which will allow you to rise through its tiers. Im super excited for you and hope you have a fantastic time!! Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before Current Health & Boarding Protocols for Cruises. If you enjoy cruise tip videos on YouTube, Id love it if youd subscribe to our channel. Thanks for the embarkation day tips!! Never gave a thought to putting my medication in the safe. If you stay in suites, you could reach Elite status in just eight sailings. Check-in opens well prior to 11:00am - typically 10:00am approx. Have Crown Grill booked for my birthday. On embarkation day, theres often more than once place to eat lunch, although it might not be widely promoted. Don't know about logistics of sending out cruise cards. I like to hang as much as I can, which is why I ask for extra hangers. 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. They were allowed back on the ship before those of us beginning our cruise that day. Please share on Facebook or save for later on Pinterest (share buttons at the top). However this was around 2pm so I think they just wanted everyone on and out of the way by that point . While its not a necessity to have a smart phone on a cruise, it can add more convenience. Arrival Group A - But should I wait? Newbie here No one asked about my arrival group at check-in on either of my cruises this year--on the Majestic in August and the Caribbean last week. You just have to complete one cruise. While some ports allow independent tours and exploration, we highly recommend you choose a Princess shore excursion as these follow the same health and safety protocols that we have on board. The Key on Royal Caribbean Ships feature enhanced air filtration with upgraded HVAC systems. Crown and Anchor Society members will no longer get priority boarding in the terminal. This is particularly advantageous if you havent reached Platinum status with Princess yet. If youve cruised in the past youll remember the muster drill, the important safety briefing where we all grouped together at our muster stations at a specific time on embarkation day. 1Vaccination exemptions must be pre-approved and are subject to capacity controls. Arrive on Time While in the past I recommended arriving at your cruise port early so you could board your cruise ship as soon as possible, this is no longer the case. I pack all my toiletries in a zip lock bag (doubled) and lay it between my packed clothes rather than pack the organizer before arrival. The Platinum level comes with five solid perks: Priority boarding is a great perk as it means you dont have to wait with the tourist hordes upon arriving at a ship and, in theory, can board more quickly increasing the amount of time you have to enjoy the vessels offerings on the first day. Powered by Invision Community. Rebooked to Iceland, hope it goes. The upcoming cruises sound great, but I agree better not to book too much before you know if its sailing. But there is priority check-in - same priority as Elite and so forth. I dont think you will have any issues with Arcadia. So glad I read about these issues. Certain groups of guests get priority boarding on Princess cruises. In this post weve gone over 25 cruise embarkation day tips and secrets to having a stress-free and perfect start to an amazing vacation. While each tier has perks, only platinum and elite members can get in the priority boarding line at the embarkation port. So as to not tempt you? 4. , Agreed: our game is "can we be unpacked and settled in by sailaway? We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Being loyal to Princess finally starts paying off in a meaningful way once you reach the Platinum level of the Captains Circle program. 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. Crown and Anchor Society Yes, they can turn up late, but someone else could have had their earlier time slot. Think if 5000 people turn up at 11am. There was no difference between us once we were IN the room. Its true that medication is as valuable (if not more so) as jewelry and passports. Boarding Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Clayton West, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, UK. A complimentary dancing class. By having embarkation day time, theres less crowding in the cruise terminal and cruise lines can comply with the health and safety measures. Related post: Cruise Lingo You Need to Know (cruise terminology), Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner 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 I can start my cruise with pictures of us, ship, and city. T-shirts and shorts are fine, as are light sundresses or rompers. ', is the same staff at the terminal, or would each cruise line have their own boarding 'rules?'. Complimentary shoe shines. Does anyone know if there are problems embarking Arcadia? said: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. What tips do you have to make embarkation day even better? Were just a little surprised that Princess doesnt offer this perk until the third tier of its loyalty program. Another thing I like to do is go to one of the finer restaurants for late lunch/ early dinner. I'm Laura a UK cruise blogger, here to help you maximise your cruise experiences with helpful information about cruise ships, cruise destinations and food to enjoy onboard and in port. If you cant wait to hang out by the pool, this is a great thing to do on embarkation day. Chris Owen is a writer from Florida who believes travel is a great way to experience, understand then change our world in a safe, positive way. Whether you bring a small piece of luggage as a carry-on, a backpack or a small duffle bag, its a must! Very exciting! Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises. WebIn addition to all of the benefits at the Gold and Ruby levels, enjoy priority boarding in the cruise terminal, so you can experience your MedallionClass vacation even quicker. Of course it could be due to P&O not dealing with a speedy disembarcation, thus only starting embarkation around noon, instead of 10:30-11:00am like the others. Lock up your meds! This means that you can take advantage of Anytime Dining too. I really do not see how the current system can ever work any better than just adequately. Terms and Conditions Apply. However, the Captains Circle, as Princess calls its loyalty program, does bring a few valuable perks at its higher-level tiers, including discounted internet service and complimentary laundry services. It sounds a bit strange that people are saying Celebrity and RC don't have queues but P&O do - I was trying to fathom how that was possible if it is the same staff at the terminal, or would each cruise line have their own boarding 'rules? This means that you can get on the ship quicker and start your vacation earlier. Just speak to your room steward when you get onboard. As is the case with the Ruby level, reaching the Platinum level can be done in as few as one cruise, though its not easy. Alas, there isnt a wow perk in the entire Captains Circle menu. Heres a video about things to do on Embarkation Day, that might be helpful if youd like to know more. Thanks for taking the time to comment and happy cruising! curious as to why you would request for the mini bar items to be cleared.. hmm. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Every cruise line is different, however some cruise lines offer a glass of complimentary champagne as you embark on your cruise ship. WebGet all the answers you need before boarding your Princess cruise. 2. Following the CDCs recommendation, we look forward to welcoming vaccinated children. They preferred having a limited number of free minutes to having a discount of 50% off a broader, length-of-cruise internet package. By Arrival Group A - But should I wait? Thanks for all you do. In addition, at the Platinum level, youll receive a special Platinum-level pin. Exemptions are not granted on embarkation day. If you arrive at the embarkation terminal without the proper proof of vaccination you wont be able to cruise, and no refund will be issued. The best Mini-Suites on Princess Cruises ships are Club Class Mini-Suites. The cost of a Princess Cruises Club Class mini-suite will obviously depend on the ship and itinerary. Among the worlds biggest cruise lines, Princess Cruises has one of the more modest loyalty programs. In regard to gratuities, personally we tip the suggested amounts by the cruise line. Intercruises seem to employ many of the staff. You will be required to follow the health protocols for every port we visit. Change into your bathing suit and grab a lounge chair, and take in the fun cruise atmosphere! Please empty out the mini-bar fridge items. Im assuming Jan will be about the same capacity with it being away from the Holidays and the more general slow season. Also put a Cruise Next deposit on a Ocean to Ocean through the Panama Canal at end of October. This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Thanks for sharing your story! Cunard online check in you preregister credit card and upload photos, thought P&O would be same. In my experience Celebrity and RC start boarding sooner so that will ease the flow. Also some coming by plane. No I havent done that yet, but its on my wish list! You might want to check the "Embarkation" section in the FAQs of the newly announced Princess guest procedures. https://www.princess.com/plan/cruis 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. We had a choice between a red or a white wine and that was as specific as we could choose. When I returned to my cabin after dinner the first night, my meds were gone. Glad it could be helpful! By the time youve eaten lunch and done your emuster, your stateroom will likely be ready. If you are at the Elite loyalty level, you get 10% all of the time. Complimentary afternoon tea in your cabin (schedule this at least six hours in advance). It has its own section where guests are seated and extra dishes are available from the menu. It has been known for passengers to be upgraded to Club Class. I have 1 tip for you. Thanks for these tips. Boarding for me, with Celebrity, has always been very smooth, with no queues. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. And what is included? Thank you for helping to prevent a potential problem by creating a forum so that information can be shared. If you have requests, now is the time to ask. 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 WebFor cruise-only guests, we offer Royal Connections transfer service. Early Boarding on Princess Cruise Ship | All Getaways So, on a seven-night cruise, you would earn 2 cruise credits and 7 cruise days if you sail in a suite. These are: Platinum or Elite Captains Circle BUY NOW & SAVE $10. So, on a typical seven-night cruise, you would earn 7 cruise days in addition to 1 cruise credit. This includes local government guidance for mask wearing, physical distancing, testing/health screenings, etc. No, there is no earlier Boarding Group (hence why you see "A"). That looks good for us then, I hope you do not have problems on your cruises, just got off Brittania today. 1 hour ago, Cruisingawayfromthesnow! Didnt see it advertised but werent looking for it.. However, this tier is a bit ho-hum, too. Simply put, embarkation day is the first day of your cruise, when you will embark your cruise ship. Cruise tip: Have a few dollars handy should you want to tip the porters. We chose the white which was a very nice Chardonnay. Boarding groups - Princess Cruises - Cruise Critic Related post: 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know. Priority access to ship-to-shore shuttles. Flexible Arrival is offered to Crown & Anchor Society Pinnacle Club members only. However, even if your kids are signed up, its a good idea to confirm in person during the opening hours of the kids club on embarkation day. My first Carnival Magic cruise coming up. Even teens may meet other kids their age, which will make it easier for them to come back for activities. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. They boarded after our room was cleared. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ People are travelling from all parts of the country with different travel times. This is a great time to walk the whole top deck and view the sports deck, walking track, the pools from the very front to the very back. This will include big productions shows, audience participation game-shows (such as Love and Marriage), and special guest entertainers such as comedians and illusionists. The Princess "Arrival Group" is such a BIG JOKE; thousands of us have been conned into worrying and wasting time countless hours and hours on this and other crippled features of the garbage MedallionClass app!. Plus you have priority boarding and are escorted to your room. It will be sent to the cruise ship and delivered to your cabin a few hours after you board. Both types of mini-suites are physically the same and were all standard mini-suites before some changed to Club Class. However, it doesnt double your cruise day count. Each Club Class mini-suite can request a plate of complimentary canapes to enjoy in your stateroom in the evening. Offer ends 5/3/23. Guests on sailings from the United States must provide proof at terminal check-in of a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within two days of their embarkation. Both of us prefer to arrive early to our port city, but the ships schedule and our work schedules made that impossible for that trip. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Find the right card for you. Unvaccinated guests mustfollow specific protocols and testing requirements as communicated to them in advance, as a condition for travel. Concierge guests get priority reservations for cruise excursions, dining and onboard activities. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers.
who gets priority boarding on princess cruises?
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