Long Lines

[SweetDara]

Hi, I apologize in advance if this question has been asked but I couldn't find anything doing a search function. I am new to cruising and have noticed during embarkation day SUPER LONG lines at the pursuer's desk. I initially though folks just had problems and wanted some customer service to get it fixed. But, during my second cruise I started to wonder if they knew something I didn't and was getting some goodies! Just wondering, why would anyone stand in that line? :confused:

[uppitycats]

Sorry, can't help you! We have never stood in line at the purser's desk, and certainly never even approached the desk now that you can print just about everything you need on-line! I don't know WHY folks are there. Maybe booking excursions? Looking for an upgrade?

[paul929207]

I have never been on the line, so I can't say for sure. I have heard there are people who go to the Purser's Desk to complain about their cabin before they have been there hoping for an upgrade.

[Keith1010]

The layout of the desk will vary by cruise lines and sometimes the desk includes a variet of personnel from those at the reception desk, purser, and shore excursion personnel.

 

These desks can be busy on embarkation day for many reasons;

 

-Passengers providing their credit card to use for their shipboard account if this was not done on the pier or in the pre cruise registration.

-Verifying a shipboard credit if they had one coming to them from their travel specialist.

-Signing up for shore excursions

-Getting change

-Asking basic questions

-And an assortment of other things

 

If you don't need to wait on a long line, be happy and start to enjoy the cruise.

 

Keith

[Caribbean Sunsets]

In addition to all the other information, I would suspect that those that don't have credit cards or choose to do cash have to actually give the cash to secure their on board account.

[kitty9]

I love sitting in that area and watching people at the Purser's desk. I see lots of traveler's checks being cashed, complainers about everything from dining assignments to cabin problems and people asking about free upgrades. It's not about people getting any freebee's or gifts

[grandmato4]

Many different reasons to need to go to the pursers desk that first day but not for getting any goodies. Often to put cash on their sail and sign card, verifying their OBC amount, getting additional room cards and/or changing cabins if the've orginally booked one adult and one child in each of two cabins and now want to switch the adults to one cabin and the children to another cabin, to complain about a problem in in their cabin which may be real or exagerated;), to inquire about a question they may have. It can be fun to watch as long as you're not standing in the line waiting your turn;):D

[Keith1010]

Just remember the good news is that if you can avoid the desk that day all the better. And, if they were giving away something then the line would go around the ship.

 

Enjoy your next cruise.

 

Keith

[mypleasure]

Some folk go there on the first day to make various personal arrangements as outlined above. Some go to register their first moan.

[shelli1571]

There as times I had to stand in a long line but it was not near as bad as it looked. The lines actually moved pretty fast.