SA/SB/SC on Noordam - priority boarding?

My wife and I just returned from a 10 day Mediterranean cruise departing from Rome on June 17th. We were in a deluxe veranda suite and did a priority check-in but to my surprise, when embarkation began, we found we had no priority boarding. When I questioned the HAL staff at the boarding area, I was told in no uncertain terms that only the penthouse suite guests had priority boarding. This is the first time I've been denied priority boarding as a deluxe suite guest. Is this a new HAL policy?

The HAL staff person was wrong.

Someone should tell him/her to read the HAL website to learn what amenities Deluxe Veranda Suite guests have purchased. You bought it and you should have been provided priority embarkation.

My wife and I just returned from a 10 day Mediterranean cruise departing from Rome on June 17th. We were in a deluxe veranda suite and did a priority check-in but to my surprise, when embarkation began, we found we had no priority boarding. When I questioned the HAL staff at the boarding area, I was told in no uncertain terms that only the penthouse suite guests had priority boarding. This is the first time I've been denied priority boarding as a deluxe suite guest. Is this a new HAL policy?

Back in December, we were surprised that there was no priority boarding announcement when embarking in Sydney, Australia (Volendam).

I wonder what is going on here. Priority boarding is part of your benefits for being a suite passenger. I'll have to say on the last cruise we were on I saw one of the pier persons walk the Penthouse passengers up the gangway. That was a first for us to see.

I wonder what is going on here. Priority boarding is part of your benefits for being a suite passenger. I'll have to say on the last cruise we were on I saw one of the pier persons walk the Penthouse passengers up the gangway. That was a first for us to see.

Melodie - there are a few ports where there is no priority boarding for deluxe verandas - it has to do more with the port facilities themselves and the lay out than anything else I think.

As to the Penthouse passenger being escorted - that is normal procedure I believe. When we were upsold the PH a few years ago, they escorted us the whole way (and our friends who were travelling with us and were in SA) and introduced us to the Neptune Lounge concierge:)

Just a tad off topic: we will be in a SS but my husband will be needing a wheelchair for embarkation as he would not be able to comfortably walk up the ramp on a Vista ship. (He will not need one on the ship, however.) How do we arrange for assistance? At the ship or in advance? Thanks.

We've never cruised on HAL before, and are booked on Eurodam later this year. I'm a bit confused about this. Our TA told us that our Superior Suite includes priority boarding at the embarkation port. Is that not true?

Thanks.

Just a tad off topic: we will be in a SS but my husband will be needing a wheelchair for embarkation as he would not be able to comfortably walk up the ramp on a Vista ship. (He will not need one on the ship, however.) How do we arrange for assistance? At the ship or in advance? Thanks.

You should have your TA arrange this in advance. At least your husband will be on the ship's list that way. That matters more when disembarkation is arranged.

I have found that once I arrive at the pier, I have to take matters into my own hands. I have to let someone greeting the bus, or at the door, or find a HAL rep---something, someone---know my needs and do something then.

Frequently, I have to do some walking to get to a place where I can be helped. Assistance varies a great deal on that score! Some ports won't let HAL render assistance until after you pass Check-In---they do it before that point. Not always well.

Since your husband has you there to run interferrence for him, he should find it easier than if he were alone.

We've never cruised on HAL before, and are booked on Eurodam later this year. I'm a bit confused about this. Our TA told us that our Superior Suite includes priority boarding at the embarkation port. Is that not true?

 

Thanks.

If you are in a superior suite on the Eurodam (SS, SY, SZ) then priority boarding is not included. If you are in a deluxe veranda (your TA might be calling the category the wrong name:confused:) - SA, SB or SC then you receive priority boarding:) Hope this helps:)

You should have your TA arrange this in advance. At least your husband will be on the ship's list that way. That matters more when disembarkation is arranged.

 

I have found that once I arrive at the pier, I have to take matters into my own hands. I have to let someone greeting the bus, or at the door, or find a HAL rep---something, someone---know my needs and do something then.

Frequently, I have to do some walking to get to a place where I can be helped. Assistance varies a great deal on that score! Some ports won't let HAL render assistance until after you pass Check-In---they do it before that point. Not always well.

 

Since your husband has you there to run interferrence for him, he should find it easier than if he were alone.

Ruth, I booked directly with HAL. I'll give them a call. Thanks. As far as "running interferrence," I have become a pro at being an advocate!

I'm just afraid someone is going to see him pre-boarding in a wheelchair and being able to walk on the ship without one and be nasty to us. If we could all walk in someone else's shoes for a day............ If this does happen, his advocate will deal with it with a sweet smile and firmness in voice!!!

I'm just afraid someone is going to see him pre-boarding in a wheelchair and being able to walk on the ship without one and be nasty to us. If we could all walk in someone else's shoes for a day............ If this does happen, his advocate will deal with it with a sweet smile and firmness in voice!!!

I board/disembark in a wheelchair, and walk with a cane around the ship, so this thought has crossed my mind, too.

But no one has ever questioned it to my face. Were that to happen, I would take the opportunity to educate, that's all.

In the meantime, I don't give it a second thought.

Glad I could help with the info.

Thank you, again, Ruth.:) And yes, he will have his cane, if for no other reason that to whoop anyone rude!!!

Thanks kazu. Not the best news, but thanks for the info. I'm starting to think I would have been better off booking directly with HAL. This is not the first bit of info that the TA got wrong...

So other than more room, what does an upgrade from a V class cabin to a SY buy you for an extra $350/person?

Thanks kazu. Not the best news, but thanks for the info. I'm starting to think I would have been better off booking directly with HAL. This is not the first bit of info that the TA got wrong...

 

So other than more room, what does an upgrade from a V class cabin to a SY buy you for an extra $350/person?

first of all the room is much bigger:) as is the veranda:)

you might also get an upsell offer dirt cheap to the deluxe veranda if they are not sold out;) best dibs go to those in the superior veranda.

You do have concierge service - 24 hours by telephone - so you can do your reserves for the restaurant and other things on the phone line.

Nice pillow selection and a few other things - the superior veranda (if you like space) is a bargain IMO - the opportunity to be upsold at a cheap price to the deluxe veranda is really great.

Tell your TA you are interested - check out the prices and decide what you are willing to pay so that if you get the call you can say yes or no right away. Deluxe verandas are bigger and carry a LOT more amenities - those of us that pay the full price are always a bit jealous but happy for the people who get the upsells.:)

We are suite “bottom feeders” in SY 8077 on Noordam out of Vancouver this May. 3 ships that day. What should we expect? Does SY get any boarding priority?

We are suite “bottom feeders” in SY 8077 on Noordam out of Vancouver this May. 3 ships that day. What should we expect? Does SY get any boarding priority?

Wow, amazing to see this old thread bumped.

Sorry, no priority boarding for Signature Suites (SY) .

But you will have a bigger cabin, bigger verandah, telephone concierge and few other little things like pillow choices.

I have read with interest this entire thread and now I am wondering about embarkation for Pinnacle Suite. Do we just get in line with a group of other suite passengers? I know on RCCL we were taken on board as soon as the genie was notified we were in the waiting area. I do not want to sound stuffy or anything, we just really like the ability to get onboard and begin our vacation. Thanks for all the answers. We will be sailing Sept 15 on Eurodam with an 11 yr old girl and would love to hear from any others who might be sailing with a young adult that age.