Bon Voyage Experience Review (BVE) Grand Princess – San Francisco, April 2014

Bon Voyage Experience Review (BVE) Grand Princess – San Francisco, April 2014

Just got off a Bon Voyage Experience (BVE) on the Grand Princess, and thought I would write down our experiences. Please feel free to post any questions or comments you might have.

OVERVIEW

Five friends were joining the ship for a round trip to Hawaii, boarding in San Francisco. I was doing the BVE to see them off, and to help them get on early, which is very nice.

INITIAL SIGN UP

I called Princess and the customer service person was very knowledgeable and quickly signed me up for the program, which costs $39. I have sailed with Princess before, and being a Captain’s Circle member makes the process much simpler. I gave her my friends’ names and she found their bookings and was able to link them with my BVE, so they could come on early as part of my Bon Voyage Group. This is an important step to complete.

Once I received my BVE booking number via email I went online to “My Princess” and finished the registration process. Again, having sailed with Princess before, the process was quite easy since they have my passport number and other information already stored. Basically, I only had to enter my credit card number. This will be charged if you make any on board purchases. Since the store and casino are closed in harbor this really only means drinks.

PARKING

Parking is available about two blocks east on the Embarcadero, inside Pier 31. The sign on the street is not that large, so it is easy to miss. Cost was $25 for the day, which is not bad for San Francisco.

EMBARKATION

The written instructions (email) did not make it clear what time we should meet, but I knew from previous BVE’s that we could get on board at about 11:00 AM. We all met at the front of the pier at 10:45, and were immediately allowed in through a door which said “Bon Voyage Experience Only.” The person at the door checked my BVE confirmation, and also confirmed that the five people in our group were accompanying me. We then went to an initial security stop and had our passports (or driver’s license in my case) examined. We then filled out the short health questionnaire. After a very short wait we then went to register for Sail and Sign cards.

The check in process for Sail and Sign cards is the only place where the service was not as good. The person doing the check in handled the people who would be sailing fine, but needed to pull out a set of instructions for handling a BVE client, and seemed confused by the process.

Reading from the instructions, she asked to see my birth certificate. I explained that all that was required was a government issued ID (i.e. driver’s license). She grumbled “I wish they say that on the instructions.” Once the ID was taken care of she said she needed to get a “credit card reader.” I pointed to one that was beside her, and asked if that was what she was looking for. She said “no,” and then walked away. She came back with an envelope with my name on it, and a Sail and Sign card inside. She then looked at the computer, and decided that, since my credit card number is on file, that she did not need to see it. NOTE… For future BVE’s I would still bring the credit you register on the system. I suspect other staff would check the number.

Once all of us were checked in we went quickly through the final X-ray/metal detector check, had our souvenir picture taken, and were on board!

One last glitch though, as we stepped on board the person taking our picture for the security system seemed to think that only BVE people, and not their accompanied passengers, could come on board. A supervisor quickly sorted this out.

We went to our friend’s cabins, and dropped luggage. The cabins were in the final stages of being cleaned, but this was not a problem and the cabin staff was fine with carry ons being dropped off.

One thought here. If you are bringing friends on board for a BVE who have not been on a cruise before, they will see some of the staff doing the final “behind the scenes” work before the official boarding time. Not a big deal, but you might just explain that to them, as they hear staff announcements over the public address system, etc., that these are activities the passengers do not normally see.

One advantage of being a passenger accompanying a BVE guest is that you have early access to the Purser’s desk (Passenger Services). This can be helpful if you want to sign up for activities which fill up early such as the Ultimate Ship’s Tour.

We explored the ship for a bit, and went to lunch in the De Vinci dining room at 12:00 PM. I would suggest going there as soon as it opens, to avoid the rush later on when more passengers board.

After lunch we explored the ship a little more, and I had to get off at 2:50 PM. Promptly at that time there was an announcement asking BVE guests to disembark. Prior to disembarking I picked up a copy of our embarkation/souvenir photo (included in the cost of the BVE). They had enough copies for my friends who were going on the cruise, but they would have to purchase them if they wanted a copy.

At disembarkation they kept my Sail and Sign card. They seem to do this for BVE guests.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was a fun day for me, and my friends benefited from getting on early. With two ships (Crown Princess and Grand Princess) in port that day I can only imagine the chaos outside the pier later on in the morning. Also, early access to the Purser’s Desk was nice.

I think this is a great program, and a wonderful way to introduce people to a cruise ship. I had a quick view of the BVE guest list when I checked in, and it looked like only about 20 people had signed up. There is capacity for 50 people. I intend to use this as a way to introduce friends to a cruising, with the hope that they will join me on a future adventure.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please feel free to post any questions or comments.

I enjoyed reading about your experience.

Thanks.... It was a fun day, and if I can help to make the process smoother for other people to enjoy, then that would be great.

Thanks.... It was a fun day, and if I can help to make the process smoother for other people to enjoy, then that would be great.

I appreciate you posting! We are on the Golden on the 10th and have booked the BVE for our friends in Seattle. Its good to have an idea of what to expect.

Was there no formal tour involved? Or did you not take it since you are an experienced cruiser?

Thanks!

Liz

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I appreciate you posting! We are on the Golden on the 10th and have booked the BVE for our friends in Seattle. Its good to have an idea of what to expect.

 

Was there no formal tour involved? Or did you not take it since you are an experienced cruiser?

 

Thanks!

 

Liz

 

Liz,

In the welcome letter which was with my Sail and Sign card it said

"A self guided tour at your leisure for guests arriving later than 11:00 AM, or a guided ship tour starting at 11:15 AM with your Future Cruise Consultant."

The last time we did a BVE we asked about the tour. It only covers the public areas (lounges, pools, etc.). A very helpful staff member suggested that if you want to see what the different types of cabins look like, then go directly to accommodations decks as soon as you board and poke your nose in the different cabins. On the last BVE we had people who had not been on a cruise ship before, so we did that. The cabin staff were very nice, and let us have a look at everything from a suite to an inside.

Obviously, you have to do this before they finish cleaning, and before the next guests come on board.

Your post brought back fond memories of my parent's friends having a Bon Voyage on the Queen Mary eons ago in New York and allowing a little girl to join the adult party. For years my parents and friends teased me about crying when I had to disembark..come to think of it I still cry when I have to disembark but I am living the dream of cruising!

Thanks for the information.

Your post brought back fond memories of my parent's friends having a Bon Voyage on the Queen Mary eons ago in New York and allowing a little girl to join the adult party. For years my parents and friends teased me about crying when I had to disembark..come to think of it I still cry when I have to disembark but I am living the dream of cruising!

 

Thanks for the information.

I a similar experience, also in New York! A family friend was going on the Queen Elizabeth. I don't remember too much about it, but I also find it hard to leave the ship!

Thanks for the BVE review in SF. It's similar to San Pedro. I'm guessing that San Pedro is much more organized since I've done several BVEs and every Princess rep or check-in person knew exactly what it was and where to direct us.

For those expecting to board the ship by 11am, that's rarely the case for a BVE. More likely, it'll be between 11:30am-Noon.

FYI, on Princess, your card is called a "cruise card."

Thanks very much for posting your review of the BVE. We are considering booking this in Seattle as potential Princess cruisers.

We have done two BVE's in San Francisco and they do open the door at 10:45 am for all BVE guests. It makes for quite a nice amount of time to have lunch and explore the ship.

Of course the best BVE was the time we didn't have to leave as we were the cruise passengers. :D

Cheers, Denise

Thanks for your report. Perhaps photos will follow.

I have also done the BVE in San Francis twice on the Grand and will do another on the Star on May 12, 2014.

I arrive early at around 10:30 am and am taken inside. We have always had the FCC greet us and do a short tour of the ship.

Remember that the BVE cost can be applied to a future cruise so if you cruise again on Princess it's free.

Tom:)

How do I find out more about BVE.

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How do I find out more about BVE.

 

 

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This is the news release from Princess, call them for more info....

Princess Revives Nostalgic Cruising Tradition with New Bon Voyage Experience

Passengers Can Once Again Invite Friends and Family Aboard Ship On Embarkation Day

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 11, 2010) -- Reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, Princess Cruises is debuting an innovative, new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to wish them "bon voyage" and get a taste of the onboard experience.

Called the "Bon Voyage ExperienceSM," the program is a new twist on the departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would routinely come aboard to see off passengers. Because of increasingly tighter security procedures, this practice disappeared more than two decades ago, but it's now back -- complete with lunch in the dining room and tour of the ship.

Unique in the cruise industry, the Bon Voyage Experience enables passengers to extend an invitation to their guests to join them onboard during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. Passengers and their guests can enjoy priority embarkation and will be able to spend approximately four hours together on the ship before it sets sail. The cost for the program is $39 per person, which can be applied toward a future Princess cruise.

The program will debut in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and then roll out to New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

"Long-time cruisers will recall the fun of the bon voyage send-off with their family and friends, and we're excited to re-introduce a new, modern version of this experience," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

Cruise passengers will be notified about the program through the pre-cruise emails they receive from Princess as their cruise date approaches. In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, beginning 120 days before the cruise and up to six days before the sailing date. Once registered, guests will be able to input their required security information through the line's Cruise Personalizer.

The number of guests who will be able to participate in the Bon Voyage Experience on any given embarkation day will be approximately 50.

I am a little confused.

Is a BVE available to passengers already booked on a certain cruise or does a BVE guest need to disembark the ship the same day?

I am thinking that it would give a booked passenger a way of getting onto a ship earlier ,being able then to book the exclusive ship's tour,and make spa ,dinner ,and Sanctuary reservations ahead of the crowd.

I am a little confused.

Is a BVE available to passengers already booked on a certain cruise or does a BVE guest need to disembark the ship the same day?

I am thinking that it would give a booked passenger a way of getting onto a ship earlier ,being able then to book the exclusive ship's tour,and make spa ,dinner ,and Sanctuary reservations ahead of the crowd.

BVE.....2 ways....Book the BVE as a way to see a ship and get the $39 fee as a credit on another cruise, or have friends book the BVE for your cruise and have your booking number linked with them and you also get to board with them. Usually after 11 am and yes board before everyone else so you board early.

Tom:)

I am a little confused.

Is a BVE available to passengers already booked on a certain cruise or does a BVE guest need to disembark the ship the same day?

I am thinking that it would give a booked passenger a way of getting onto a ship earlier ,being able then to book the exclusive ship's tour,and make spa ,dinner ,and Sanctuary reservations ahead of the crowd.

BVE.....2 ways....Book the BVE as a way to see a ship and get the $39 fee as a credit on another cruise, or have friends book the BVE for your cruise and have your booking number linked with them and you also get to board with them. Usually after 11 am and yes board before everyone else so you board early.

 

Tom:)

Just to reinforce ..... You have to have some friends who are NOT cruising do the BVE, so you can get on early with them. I haven't heard of someone being able to book a BVE when they are also a passenger.

As Tom says, do be sure and have the passenger's booking number linked up with the booking number of the person doing the BVE, to be sure the passenger will be able to get on early.

Thanks for the BVE review in SF. It's similar to San Pedro. I'm guessing that San Pedro is much more organized since I've done several BVEs and every Princess rep or check-in person knew exactly what it was and where to direct us.

 

For those expecting to board the ship by 11am, that's rarely the case for a BVE. More likely, it'll be between 11:30am-Noon.

 

FYI, on Princess, your card is called a "cruise card."

My experience in San Francisco is that you can get on around 11:00 AM. We've done three so far, and it has been that way for each one.

Thanks for the correction on the name of card. I think NCL uses "Sail and Sign."

sure wish they'd offer this in Vancouver

Thank you trbarton and Smokeyham for nfo about BVE.

I'm confused. If you are not sailing on a particular cruise, and don't know anyone who is, are you allowed to do the BVE? I'd love to go onboard Royal Princess for lunch and a look around while it's in New York this fall.

I'm confused. If you are not sailing on a particular cruise, and don't know anyone who is, are you allowed to do the BVE? I'd love to go onboard Royal Princess for lunch and a look around while it's in New York this fall.

Yes, you can do a BVE even ifyou do not know anyone who is sailing on the cruise. We have done this a couple of times.

I did have one confused Princess customer service person who seemed to think that we had to know someone who was going on the cruise. After some discussion we convinced her that this was not necessary. If they tell you that, then have them check with BVE office.

They don't offer this for every port and/or every sailing, and the only way to find out if the specific sailing you are interested in will offer a BVE is to call Princess.

Thanks for your report.:)

We did the BVE with friends on the Grand to Hawaii from San Francisco on April 28th I believe. We were able to board at 10:45 and like the previous poster stated, the agents were confused. We all received the boarding picture and it was at no cost to us (those sailing and our friends that were here for the BVE). We are going on the CA coastal in October so I hope that they have a BVE for that one too.

We did the BVE with friends on the Grand to Hawaii from San Francisco on April 28th I believe. We were able to board at 10:45 and like the previous poster stated, the agents were confused. We all received the boarding picture and it was at no cost to us (those sailing and our friends that were here for the BVE). We are going on the CA coastal in October so I hope that they have a BVE for that one too.

timesurfer7,

We probably saw each other when we both did the BVE on April 28th. :)

I tried to convince the staff member at the photography counter to give a copy of the boarding photograph to my friends who were sailing, but he politely declined. Guess it is all in who you talk to! :)

If you are going on the October 11th Coastal then please feel free to join our roll call at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1934660#post42907276

Hi Smokey, were you part of the CC gathering on the Grand?