Priority embarkation and non-suite son

[Warmer Climes]

We are taking our first suite cruise on the Sun in February. Our son decided to book an inside cabin across the hall from us as the alternative sleeping arrangements in the suite were not feasible.

 

I am definitely not trying to sneak him any suite perks but I am concerned about embarkation since I understand we need to check in separately and he is an inexperienced and nervous cruiser. Can we just check in at the regular line? Should he check in first and then wait in our line? If he has checked in could he come with us to meet the concierge or whatever they have you do? I don't want to make him feel out of place.

 

Thanks,

Barb

[valleyvillage]

Have a great time on your cruise! You should not have a problem embarking with your son, according to all reports. They would probably rather have you checking in at the right line for suites, since the concierge will have your room cards.

 

By the way, you would have no problem ordering breakfast for three in your suite and inviting your son to join you. The butler will be happy to serve you all!

 

The Sun is a wonderful ship, there are not as many suites onboard and they love to shine!

[garycarla]

Though a few might come on and say it should be done, most will say sharing that perk is not a problem.

[mpk218]

More often than not its fine. Make sure your bookings are linked , call whom ever booked the cruise TA /NCL.

 

Have a great cruise and do your home work on these boards about being in a suite ;)

[downsized]

As for embarking early....maybe.

Just ask.

 

We have travelled with our (adult) kids in the cabin across from us, but would have never even presumed to ask for them to use priority embarkation.....but then again, we have stood in line with them on occasion, rather than leave them behind.

[Warmer Climes]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I don't expect him to come on early embarkation- I just don't want to leave him there while we go with the concierge. I would rather just forego the early embarkation. I was just trying to figure out the best way to handle it so we can all board together especially since he is in a cabin by himself and he is not an experienced cruiser and nervous about the whole thing.

 

It would have been easier in a way to have booked him into our suite but our TA felt it would be too cramped for four so he decided to get his own cabin. Next year I will make sure we are all in a suite (if he wants to cruise again.)

 

Thanks,

Barb

[Fishbait17]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I don't expect him to come on early embarkation- I just don't want to leave him there while we go with the concierge. I would rather just forego the early embarkation. I was just trying to figure out the best way to handle it so we can all board together especially since he is in a cabin by himself and he is not an experienced cruiser and nervous about the whole thing.

 

It would have been easier in a way to have booked him into our suite but our TA felt it would be too cramped for four so he decided to get his own cabin. Next year I will make sure we are all in a suite (if he wants to cruise again.)

 

Thanks,

Barb

 

You are actually better off going to the suite check-in line first (or regular check-in if you feel guilty, but the is no need to feel guilty really!) as your keys, etc will be with the concierge in most cases, so you will have to fetch them from him/her. While checking in at the suite line, you can also check your son in at the same time - it's really not imposing on anyone as your checkin should take about the same time. Then, you can simply fetch your keys from the concierge lounge (your son will get his key at check-in) and tell them that you will forgo priority embarkation and simply walk on without your escort if you wish, or you can choose to all be escorted to your suite and then you can go with your son to his cabin after your escort leaves. You will not be taking advantage of anything, really, as it will be the same procedure/time/service as if it was just the suite passengers.. Priority check-in is really no big deal, just a different line, an opportunity to meet the concierge before boarding, and an escort to your suite. If you haven't sailed in a suite before, it is the time where most people become acquainted with their amenities, so it might be easier to just all be escorted together. Have a great cruise!

 

Robin

[Warmer Climes]

You are actually better off going to the suite check-in line first (or regular check-in if you feel guilty, but the is no need to feel guilty really!) as your keys, etc will be with the concierge in most cases, so you will have to fetch them from him/her. While checking in at the suite line, you can also check your son in at the same time - it's really not imposing on anyone as your checkin should take about the same time. Then, you can simply fetch your keys from the concierge lounge (your son will get his key at check-in) and tell them that you will forgo priority embarkation and simply walk on without your escort if you wish, or you can choose to all be escorted to your suite and then you can go with your son to his cabin after your escort leaves. You will not be taking advantage of anything, really, as it will be the same procedure/time/service as if it was just the suite passengers.. Priority check-in is really no big deal, just a different line, an opportunity to meet the concierge before boarding, and an escort to your suite. If you haven't sailed in a suite before, it is the time where most people become acquainted with their amenities, so it might be easier to just all be escorted together. Have a great cruise!

 

Robin

 

Thanks! That sounds like a plan!

[BabsterA]

When I cruised on the Sun with my son and his girlfriend, they were graciously allowed to board with me even though they were in a separate balcony cabin nearby. The staff could NOT have been any nicer and since I was traveling in the suite by myself, they were invited to join me for breakfast. Again, VERY sweet of the staff and NOT expected by any means. I would love to sail on the Sun again! The aft suite was LOVELY and the staff bent over backwards to make my son's first cruise very special. He is now a total cruise junkie like his mother.

[downsized]

One thing that I might add...

When we cruised with our kids and grandkids we had an OS and the kids had inside cabins directly across from us. Our bathroom was larger than their cabin, so obviously, we all spent a lot of time in our suite.

When asked, our butler was able to produce key cards to our suite for the grandkids so that they could come and go as they pleased. The cards did nothing but open the door, but it was great for them. It gave them a place to "hang out" when the rest of us were wandering the ship.