Question about VIP boarding in Tampa

[tdmullins]

I am going on my second cruise in February on the Paradise. My first cruise was out of Mobile on the Fantasy. I splurged the first cruise and got a grand suite that entitled me to VIP boarding. When we got to the port the line was super long and went way out the door. But I was escorted around the line through the doors and the VIP section.

 

I was spoiled with my GS on the Fantasy and decided to book another one this time. I love reading reviews on here and have been reading everything I can on Tampa. I read a couple of reviews on here in which people were VIP but made the comment that they had to wait in line to get inside the cruise terminal. My question is do I not get to skip this line in Tampa like I did in Mobile?

[crusinpsychRN]

Getting into the terminal is one by one. The person at the door checks ticket and ID. Once inside you go up the elevator, go through security in a line with everyone else, get a health form to complete, then go to VIP area to check in. They seat you in a certain area. Wedding parties go on first then VIP.

[rickcop44]

When we cruised Legend last February, we had a suite booked. When we got to the terminal, we walked in the front door, walked up to a Carnival rep and showed him our VIP ticket. He pointed us toward an elevator which we took up a floor. There, another Carnival rep met us, escorted us to the VIP lounge where we got our S&S card and completed any last minute paperwork. We were then taken to a waiting area where we sat perhaps 5 minutes and were then allowed to board. From front door to the Lido deck was about 20 minutes total. Piece of cake.

[tdmullins]

Thanks for the information. In Mobile I was completely spoiled because they let us skip to the front of the line that was letting everyone in the terminal one by one. They also took us to the front of the security line before escorting us to the VIP area. They then also let us skip line for our embark picture.

 

And I have to say skipping all those lines made me feel very VIP.

[dst]

We just cruised out of Tampa last month; the terminal is my least favorite for VIP perks....

 

You can walk up to the door (you'll get nasty looks) show your ticket "VIP" and they will allow you through the glass door and in line, you'll stay in line as you go through the security stuff. You will be directed to a small side room where you will be checked in. Then you sit in the same area as everyone else, there is separate room or beverages etc. (there is water available in the check-in room).

 

They will board the weddings first, then announce the VIP's - we were on the ship and enjoying a beverage by 11:00

 

Have a great cruise

[tdmullins]

Thanks DST. VIP Embark is the really only perk with getting a suite. I love the room and the balcony. And would probably book this room anyway for those reasons only on that class of ship. But may not choose a suite on other class ships if embark really doesn't have any perks.

[cruising3times]

Thanks for the information. In Mobile I was completely spoiled because they let us skip to the front of the line that was letting everyone in the terminal one by one. They also took us to the front of the security line before escorting us to the VIP area. They then also let us skip line for our embark picture.

 

And I have to say skipping all those lines made me feel very VIP.

 

We are platinum members that have cruised from Tampa, we did not have to wait in line, there was a separate door for the VIP boarding, this was in Dec. 09 so things may have changed. We are leaving out of Tampa again in January.

[WEPunkin]

We just returned this past Sunday (10-23) from Tampa on NCL "STar" and getting on the ship was a PAIN. We had a suite and was considered "priority" and we waited in long to get checked in by NCL rep. over an hour. This was the first NCL cruise out of Tampa and believe me they didn't have their act together. There was several lines 4-5 that was either for suites or prioruty and they had an elderly man directing the lines and he catered to certain lines and let our line just stand there. We were the fifth people in line and waited and waited. Finally my daughter and I ask him why he wasn't letting our line go and he didn't have a comment, but finally started letting our line go to the checkin reps. People coming in off the street was getting checked in ahead of us

 

Suites or priority didn't mean a thing to him or NCL. In leaving the ship, we found our luggage quickly, but still had to get in line behind everyone else. We heard other people say they were "priority" and made such a fuss, they let them go through. Not us. NCL was not prepared going or coming on this cruise. Hope you have better luck!!!

 

Will have to say Carnival "Legend" was much better prepared. Didn't take near as long, so maybe you won't have this problem.

[tdmullins]

Thanks cruising3times. Since I don't sail til February, maybe you can come back and update me after you sail in January..lol.

 

 

I have heard several people say that sailing out of Tampa was a breeze and I am sure things will be great. But I want to take advantage of the one perk I will receive and I would hate to mess it up just from the simple fact of not knowing any better.

 

Thanks everyone for the information!!