I would always recommend getting an idea of when formal nights are planned on your cruise and then organise your specialty dining early in your cruise. Princess MedallionClass experience brings TrulyTouchless experiences and personalized service. Learn more about the MedallionClass experience. Likely before 1 pm. Related: A beginners guide to cruise line loyalty programs. Late stateroom check-out on disembarkation day. Cruise Luggage Tag Holders (order by cruise line), Cruise Carry-on Bag Packing List (all the essentials), 25 Fashionable Cruise Outfits for Ladies (affordable cruise wear), one of the reasons cruising is an amazing and pretty stress-free vacation, Cruise Lingo You Need to Know (cruise terminology), 21 Things You Need to Know About Ocean Medallion, first things to do after you board your cruise, 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know, 50 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon, 27 Cruise Travel Hacks Repeat Cruisers Swear By, Cruise Cabin Door Decorations: The Ultimate Guide for Cruisers, Cruise Wear over 50: Flattering Cruise Outfits for Women, 20 Super Practical Tips for first-time cruisers, https://lifewellcruised.com/top-5-reasons-why-everyone-needs-to-go-on-a-cruise-to-alaska/, https://lifewellcruised.com/5-practical-alaska-whale-watching-tips-you-need-to-know/, https://lifewellcruised.com/cruise-tipping-guidelines/. Cruise Lines will give you a little folding map of your ship and the decks. Now available on all ships, Princess MedallionClass lets you decide who you interact with and how. After check in, expect a photo opportunity just before boarding. What Benefits do you get with a Club Class Mini-Suite? 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. Crown and Anchor Society Be aware that the complimentary wine in your Club Class mini-suite is not available on China sailings and is only offered on embarkation day. Exceptions are made while guests are eating or drinking, receiving spa treatments relating to the face, during high-intensity exercise, in pools, whirlpools or sauna, as well as in their stateroom. Crew Appreciation. So excited and some anxiety at the same time. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. I always keep my bra clean. You should get a few different canapes to try. Im assuming Jan will be about the same capacity with it being away from the Holidays and the more general slow season. Protocols may be subject to change without notice. WebFor most transfers, usually the cruise line picks people up at the airport, or the hotel that the cruise line recommends. The last cruise I went on in September 2019, I foolishly stored my medications (I am diabetic) in the bathroom on an open shelf. For example, Central Park Cafe on Oasis Class ships is a best kept secret as is Alfredos on many of Princess Cruises Royal Class ships. Didnt see it advertised but werent looking for it.. Cancellation Policy. Cruise lines are relying more on the cruise line apps to help you get ready for your cruise. AFAIK coaches don't have an allotted time as such. CHERYL is correct. 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? Who Gets Priority Boarding On Princess Cruises? 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. Have one booked for May 2021. You would need to take an initial sailing of 51 nights or longer. If you cant wait to hang out by the pool, this is a great thing to do on embarkation day. They are able to take who ever gets to port right on the ship once its ready. Well continue to operate our Camp Discovery youth and teen programs at reduced occupancy and promote physical distancing and mask wearing. We were on the Majestic 12/4. We had Group A boarding, arrived at 11:15 am, walked up to check in, the person checked our passport, covid card, negative covid test paperwork. The ship was ready for us to board. Our room was ready, view the muster drill on t.v., found the muster check in (this is the way Princess check to make sure you viewed the video). We walked around Lido deck because the main dining room did not open until noon, had a great salmon entree in a quiet setting. Great way to start a cruise vacation. We returned to our room about 12:45 pm, our luggage was already in our room. Our cruise was 40% capacity. Majestic is a beautiful ship. The Harmony and Crown Grill were wonderful. Among the worlds biggest cruise lines, Princess Cruises has one of the more modest loyalty programs. Glad the embarkation day tips could be helpful. 1Vaccination exemptions must be pre-approved and are subject to capacity controls. 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). As a platinum cruiser, one cruise short of elite, I was able to just walk on the ship No wait, no lines and this was around 11:00 a.m. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Whether the additional perks of a Club Class mini-suite is worth it, is a personal decision. Dont forget to keep your documentation and passports on you, and not in your checked luggage! Heres an article I have about tipping both for cruise ship staff as well as off the ship if you decide: https://lifewellcruised.com/cruise-tipping-guidelines/. It will be a schedule of daily activities that are available, as well as entertainment options, opening hours for the gym, spa, restaurants etc. 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? Also some coming by plane. While its a busy day and there are embarkation procedures to be aware of, its also the start of an amazing vacation ahead! Guests must have received their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before Premium terry towel bathrobes are available in your Club Class mini-suites but be aware that these are not to take with you at the end of the cruise. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world 2. Things to pack in your embarkation day include medication, valuables, laptops and tech items, sunscreen and a change of clothes. Arrival Group A - But should I wait? Newbie here 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. Related post:Cruise Luggage Tag Holders (order by cruise line). What a pleasure and great way to start the cruise. The last 2 times we were in a suite, we were assigned a In regard to gratuities, personally we tip the suggested amounts by the cruise line. The Captain's Circle section on the website still says: "Priority Check-In at EmbarkationWhen you arrive at the port, dont wait in line. You, alon 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. I was so mad. It can be life threatening for some of us to be without our medicines. For example, on Regal Princess, Club Class mini-suites are available midship and forward. In my last cruise, I found prints of my stick on bra on the closet doors. Related post: 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know. 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; Once boarding started,we boarded from front to back of the room so people boarded in approx the order they arrived in the room. Check-in opens well prior to 11:00am - typically 10:00am approx. When I returned to my cabin after dinner the first night, my meds were gone. Dress Code and What to Pack for a Cruise. Could also ask to upload covid certificates and any thing else. If you stay in suites, you could reach Elite status in just eight sailings. I hadnt considered it myself, so Im definitely thankful that other readers mentioned it. Health experts recommend the use of higher-grade masks while indoors such as surgical or KN95. 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. We prefer policies bought through third-party insurers, which often cover things that cruise line policies dont. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions Locate a I absolutely LOVE your tips, and as an overpacker and shoe lover, I can see how this would work well. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. Who gets priority boarding on Princess cruises? Last time, with the new muster drill procedure, he took us by our muster station to check in on the way to our suite. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Even here, though, the rewards are still relatively modest. I have 1 tip for you. However, this tier is a bit ho-hum, too. 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. Don't know about logistics of sending out cruise cards. Isn't that supposed to be a secret? , If you were on same cruise as me to Caribbean and you were also Elite or in a Suite, I would definitely recommend following the Group A time to a "T". The less folks in competition for the Sanctuary, the better., Ha ha! I see! You'll be glad to know I'm neither Elite nor fancy enough for a suite! I also am not interested in the Sanctuary. I don't see what all the hubbub is about. I do like the look of those fluffy cushions, though., Our philosophy is that the first day is part of our paid cruise. Please share on Facebook or save for later on Pinterest (share buttons at the top). But there is priority check-in - same priority as Elite and so forth. Keep your meds locked up even if they seem nice. 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!. Photo credit: Britsonaship 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. WebFor cruise-only guests, we offer Royal Connections transfer service. This means that you can get on the ship quicker and start your vacation earlier. Followed by getting the perfect spot on deck. Please empty out the mini-bar fridge items. Are the port staff employed by the port or by each individual cruise line? 2x points on all other eligible purchases. 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. Some will be included with your cruise, while others will have an additional charge. Youll pass your cruise card or Medallion (for Princess cruises), hear a lovely little bing and be welcomed onto your cruise ship! Its definitely been too long since weve all last sailed, Russell. Here is Princess breakdown of what is happening right now on their fleet of ships including Boarding Protocols. Regular price: $27 Now just $17! Invitations to members-only onboard events. 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 Check-in opens well prior to 11:00am - typically 10:00am approx. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? This will help you to plan your time on your cruiseweek as you look ahead. The most alluring benefits at this level are the Preferential Pricing Offers for select sailings that the line extends to Captains Circle members, and early booking discounts known as Captains Circle Launch Savings. Also put a Cruise Next deposit on a Ocean to Ocean through the Panama Canal at end of October. Plus you have priority boarding and are escorted to your room. However we are starting to see things differently and will likely cruise to Alaska in the next year or two. Cruises , Agreed: our game is "can we be unpacked and settled in by sailaway? You may want to take a tour of the spa or fitness centre and even some of the lounges. 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. Just turn up at your allotted time. Some also extend this privilege to guests staying in a full suite. Contact tracing is planned for every cruise. By Alas, there isnt a wow perk in the entire Captains Circle menu. 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. We are on her in June, and whilst we hope to keep to allocated time, we do not yet know when that will be and willnot want to risk arriving too late. Boosters are highly recommended for those eligible at least 7 days before. Club Class mini-suites are identified as M1 on deck plans. By the amount of people that complain about any boarding time after 1pm and say they will turn up when they feel like it. Complimentary afternoon tea in your cabin (schedule this at least six hours in advance). These days, many ships are ready to In my experience Celebrity and RC start boarding sooner so that will ease the flow. Please let me know your tips and questions in the comments below. Before finalizing travel plans, carefully review our protocols and recommendations from government health authorities. We always get a suite (Haven) and they are always ready. Think if 5000 people turn up at 11am. For now, are you able to print it as is? However, starting with the second tier, Ruby, youll need to keep an eye on your progress in accumulating both cruise credits and cruise days. 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. Powered by Invision Community. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Princess Cruises trials priority boarding - TravelMole In our pre-Covid experience if embarkation begins before all the cabins are ready, you can drop your hand luggage off at a designated location (I remember the Crown Grill on one cruise, and I've noted some recent passengers on the newest Royal class ships saying the drop off location was Take 5 IIRC). Priority access to ship-to-shore shuttles. Its a great idea to have a good meal at one of the sit down restaurants. In-room canapes on formal 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. Unlike rivals Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess doesnt offer its loyalty club members a free cruise after reaching the top tier. However, in theory, you also could reach Elite status in just two sailings if they were among the longest sailings on the Princess schedule. The thing is that the ships arent sailing full now so groups dont really matter. The ships photographers will have a backdrop set up where you can take an official embarkation day photo! The MedallionClass app makes completing important OceanReady steps and cruise check-in a breeze. Never gave a thought to putting my medication in the safe. This is definitely a tough year in so many ways, and certainly for cruising. The onboard concierge will help book your dining reservations, make entertainment recommendations and greet you as you board and disembark in ports of call. These added extras act to bridge the gap between mini-suite and full suites. I just want a seat, I don't care when I get on! Unvaccinated guests will be charged $150 per person for testing and administration. Priority access to ship-to-shore shuttles. These days, many ships are ready to begin boarding by about 11:00am. They are really helpful, but Id like a printed copy. For details on acceptable proof of vaccination, please visit ourFAQs for your cruise. Youll need to complete an online health questionnaire in the MedallionClass appwithin 24 hours of your sailing and undergo enhanced pre-embarkation health screenings, which will include confirmation ofyour responses, validation of vaccination documents and any required COVID-19 testing. One of the newest types of cabins (or staterooms) to be introduced into the mix is Club Class. 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. My husband and I are going in May 2019, it will be our first cruise. The OceanReady Process. 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. Princess Updates Boarding Procedures - Chris Cruises Powered by Invision Community. This special touch is one of the things we enjoyed onboard Celebrity Cruises. After all, this is the first day of the vacation youve probably been planning for months. This exactly! 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. They boarded after our room was cleared. What tips do you have to make embarkation day even better? I find this kind of bizarre, why not a whole bottle of each? Still, the Captains Circles top Elite status tier does come with a few enticing benefits. I have my tips list and will enjoy every moment! Very exciting! If you love Princess Cruises, pay attention to points earning so you can rise through the ranks to snag the best Captain's Circle loyalty program benefits. Rereading many old cruise posts. Unvaccinated guests mustfollow specific protocols and testing requirements as communicated to them in advance, as a condition for travel. There are also casual restaurants open including the pool side grill and cafes. Hi All, Im Ilana. Many cruise lines have said that they will be working to reduce paper waste and will be encouraging people to use the cruise line app. It has been known for passengers to be upgraded to Club Class. Posted onJanuary 28, 2022January 27, 2022AuthorChris Owen. Pre-Cruise FAQ: Before You Leave for Your Cruise - Princess Using packing cubes may cut down on how long it takes to unpack your clothes, as you can often unzip them and place the entire cube onto a shelf. Princess Cruises is testing a fee paying airline style priority boarding programme. Depending on what type of cruises and cabins you book, you may rise through the ranks faster using one metric or the other. WebGet all the answers you need before boarding your Princess cruise. People are travelling from all parts of the country with different travel times. After checkin, ALL Suite, Elite, & Club class waited in the same room. If you are at the Elite loyalty level, you get 10% all of the time. The latter may seem interesting, but here at The Points Guy, we dont recommend you buy travel insurance through your cruise line. Priority Boarding for Full Suites - Princess Cruises - Cruise By Cars queuing for miles , terminal overflowing. Thanks for the embarkation day tips!! Be aware that whichever stateroom you choose with Princess Cruises, you can request a bathrobe. Along with the best location and regular mini-suite amenities, Princess Cruises Club Class mini-suites have a number of added perks to enjoy: If you stay in a Princess Cruises Club Class mini-suite, one of the best perks is Club Class Dining. We grab a glass of wine and ready for a wonderful time. Passengers in Club Class will benefit from priority embarkation and disembarkation for their cruise. Thanks for these tips. Newbie here, 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. It will look as perfect and welcoming as it will ever be, so nows the time. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Cruise tip: Have a few dollars handy should you want to tip the porters. BUY NOW & SAVE $10. Passengers in Club Class mini-suites will receive half a bottle of red and white wine. This is great thank you for all the great cruises tips. It might be a nice option to try for a special cruise to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Its a great feeling and just one of the reasons cruising is an amazing and pretty stress-free vacation! Not sure where they send Club Class who are not yet Platinum or Elite these days. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Excited for the first day of your cruise? Examples of some of the extra dishes available at dinner to Club Class guests include: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'cruiselifestyle_co_uk-banner-1','ezslot_7',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-cruiselifestyle_co_uk-banner-1-0');Sometimes the dishes have a slight twist on an item on the regular menu. That looks good for us then, I hope you do not have problems on your cruises, just got off Brittania today. In your experience, would I be wise to board at a later time? I thought every cruise line gave people allotted boarding times. I hadnt really thought about medication storage and being cautious of this. Does anyone know if there are problems embarking Arcadia? 4. Youll have a chance to meet the staff and you and your children will feel more comfortable. All my cruise packages, shore excursions, and the like are already paid for. Every cruise line is different, however some cruise lines offer a glass of complimentary champagne as you embark on your cruise ship. Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly. These systems are designed to replace air within public spaces and staterooms every five to six minutes. Have you been on a cruise to Alaska? In reality, you can actually disembark the cruise as early as you wish as long as youre happy to walk your luggage off yourself. They should review boarding time cut-off, and check if they need to specify a boarding time. Sailings from the United States2:We will also require ALL fully vaccinated guests to produce a negative, medically-observed COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within two days of their embarkation on all Princess sailings. This is a very practical cruise embarkation day tip make sure to put your phone on airplane mode before your cruise ship sails away from the embarkation port. As most ports There are four tiers to the Captains Circle program: Getting to the first tier of the program, Gold, is simple. Thank you for the reply, much appreciated. I really do not see how the current system can ever work any better than just adequately. As well, youll want to know the current cruise line health protocols, vaccine requirements and ensure you have all the documentation you need. It appears that only P&O have problems with handling embarkation to everyones satisfaction. I find it lays flat this way and never had a problem with leakage. Thanks. 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! The Sky didnt fall in. Its true that medication is as valuable (if not more so) as jewelry and passports. I went to the ships infirmary to try to get replacements for my meds but only was provided with some of them. Im only kidding, my dear about my feelings towards youy, honest!