Question re priority embarkation

[Ess001]

Morning all - my next cruise will be the first time in a suite, and also the first at Caribbean loyalty level. So I will get priority boarding - yay!! Looking into this some people refer to a priority lunch in the MDR, and I have also heard mention of a priority lounge on board. Which is correct? I'm looking forward to this perk but am wondering what to expect.

thanks

Ess x

[Ranchi]

There will be a lunch in MDR one day during the cruise. Each table is hosted by a member of the ship’s company ( though not necessarily a deck or engineering officer). There are different levels of lunch with Ligurian usually having their own. I remember being on board Oriana when they started this and that year the Ligurian lunch was held in the restaurant that is now M P White’s. They were given high end canapés etc & were definitely not pleased as polloi Caribbean members were given the normal three course lunch...lots of e-mails to C Eddington esq.! I think things have now changed. It is a nice perk.
When you board there will be e reception for Caribbean & above its location varies sometimes it’s in a reapstaurant sometimes a lounge. There are light snacks and desserts & of course wine.

[david63]

With a suite you will have a boarding time of 12:00 (current timings). This normally means that you will go straight to check-in (unless you arrive at "silly o'clock!!). Once checked in you will have access to the priority lounge (well an area set aside in the terminal) where you will be able to have tea/coffee and snacks.

Once the ship is ready you will then be able to board, subject to going through security (the actual process will vary depending on which terminal you are going from). When on board you will be directed to the "priority lunch". Now don't start getting excited it is only a buffet with free drinks (and some of the drinks are not that good!).

Basically you are stuck there until the cabins suites are ready from where you can find your own way. If you have read that your butler will come and escort you to your suite then be prepared for a long wait - I have not seen one yet.

[daib GC]

With a suite you will have a boarding time of 12:00 (current timings). This normally means that you will go straight to check-in (unless you arrive at "silly o'clock!!). Once checked in you will have access to the priority lounge (well an area set aside in the terminal) where you will be able to have tea/coffee and snacks.

Once the ship is ready you will then be able to board, subject to going through security (the actual process will vary depending on which terminal you are going from). When on board you will be directed to the "priority lunch". Now don't start getting excited it is only a buffet with free drinks (and some of the drinks are not that good!).

Basically you are stuck there until the cabins suites are ready from where you can find your own way. If you have read that your butler will come and escort you to your suite then be prepared for a long wait - I have not seen one yet.

David,

The butlers used to come and collect you but not for some time. Anyway they used to come in the middle of getting free booze, bad timing. more likely to happen on Oceana, Oriana or Aurora. We don’t rush away from lunch now as we know where the cabins are.

BTW suites recently have been checking in by 11.15 and then you sit in the separate lounge and board as soon as the ship is ready.

[david63]

BTW suites recently have been checking in by 11.15 and then you sit in the separate lounge and board as soon as the ship is ready.

I think I would prefer to arrive later and spend less time in the separate lounge - never found it that inspiring.

[Quizzical Bob]

BTW suites recently have been checking in by 11.15 and then you sit in the separate lounge and board as soon as the ship is ready.

I think I would prefer to arrive later and spend less time in the separate lounge - never found it that inspiring.

Apart from the drinks the food in the lounge has nothing to recommend it. The drink service can be poor too. I once ordered some at 13:25 and just before 14:00 the cabins were announced as ready and the bar service stopped. I never did get my order. But I haven't forgotten either.

[barney]

But I haven't forgotten either

You're not related to my wife are you QB ?

[oldtimer]

If you just get a buffet, why would you bother, and not go to the main buffet with more choice.

[London Cruiser]

If you just get a buffet, why would you bother, and not go to the main buffet with more choice.

For us it`s just a habit, food is not the best, if fact the menu never changes and is becoming boring, but we quite often see peeps from the past in there and catch up

[GillD46]

I remember the days of a few sandwiches, crisps and real champagne. The Butler always collected you then.

[david63]

The Butler always collected you then.

That was probably in the days before the butlers had at least 12 suites to look after. Work it out, if it takes 10 minutes (and that is being optimistic) for the butler to find you, take you to your suite (at that time it can take 10 minutes to get up in the lift), show you round and get back for the next passengers - you are looking at at least two hours, and I do not fancy sitting there wasting valuable unpacking time for two hours when I am more than capable of finding a suite.

[wolfie]

If you just get a buffet, why would you bother, and not go to the main buffet with more choice.

Because you can sit in comfort, guaranteed a seat.

[daib GC]

The Butler always collected you then.

That was probably in the days before the butlers had at least 12 suites to look after. Work it out, if it takes 10 minutes (and that is being optimistic) for the butler to find you, take you to your suite (at that time it can take 10 minutes to get up in the lift), show you round and get back for the next passengers - you are looking at at least two hours, and I do not fancy sitting there wasting valuable unpacking time for two hours when I am more than capable of finding a suite.

Even on Oriana with 8 suites and one butler it would take nearly 2 hours.

[daib GC]

BTW suites recently have been checking in by 11.15 and then you sit in the separate lounge and board as soon as the ship is ready.

I think I would prefer to arrive later and spend less time in the separate lounge - never found it that inspiring.

Apart from the drinks the food in the lounge has nothing to recommend it. The drink service can be poor too. I once ordered some at 13:25 and just before 14:00 the cabins were announced as ready and the bar service stopped. I never did get my order. But I haven't forgotten either.

The lounge I am talking about is the one in the terminal not on the ship.

[david63]

The lounge I am talking about is the one in the terminal not on the ship.

As was I

[Quizzical Bob]

But I haven't forgotten either

You're not related to my wife are you QB ?

I might be. There were many drunken escapades in my youth but my memmories are very vague