? on Solstice delayed boarding

[schmidlapp]

Just got a call from our TA regarding the Solstice delay on the 11th.

They are saying embarcation will begin about 2pm.

We are from Wisconsin, already part way there due to a family visit in

Alabama. We are flying out of Pensacola to Miami early morning the 11th.

Don't have any other flight options at this point that won't cost an arm and a leg for change fees.

I'm guessing that after picking up bags and getting shuttle from MIA to

Port Everglades this will put us at the port quite early, probably 11:30-12pm. Really do not have anywhere else to go with all our bags.

Will X have a waiting area for us or will be be left outside? DW has a bad back and I really don't want her to have to stand around for hours.

Also wondering if they will have some sort of onshore Elite lounge for their

most loyal customers??

[cruisestitch]

Usually there is a large, indoor waiting room for those who have checked in but can't board yet., You should not find yourself waiting outside, but be sure to tell the personnel when you arrive at the port that you have someone who needs a seat -- they should be able to find a wheelchair, or some seating for you.

[Leeroy-Jenkins]

.

Will X have a waiting area for us?

 

Yes.

[Orlandocruiser]

We were on a delayed boarding of the Solstice due to noro in March of this year. We arrived around 11:15 an were able to check in. There were signs and a flyer outside encouraging us to " enjoy" Ft Lauderdale and return but we had been dropped off by our hotel so we stayed. We were able to check - in and were escorted to a seating area. There was one of those signs in that area that the fire department puts up stating the area could only hold " x" people. ( I think it was around 275.) Well we got a seat and after a short amount of time I noticed that they had rearranged the barriers and were escorting people back to the other check in area after they had their pictures recorded in the little machines they use to get your picture into the ship's computer system . I understand that when that area was full people just had to stand outside. Boarding began shortly after two and there was no priority boarding they escorted everyone out by rows which were in order of arrival. We were unable to access our rooms until 6 so dinner times were changed and the muster was held the next morning.

[Hollywood Traveler]

We were on a delayed boarding of the Solstice due to noro in March of this year. We arrived around 11:15 an were able to check in. There were signs and a flyer outside encouraging us to " enjoy" Ft Lauderdale and return but we had been dropped off by our hotel so we stayed. We were able to check - in and were escorted to a seating area. There was one of those signs in that area that the fire department puts up stating the area could only hold " x" people. ( I think it was around 275.) Well we got a seat and after a short amount of time I noticed that they had rearranged the barriers and were escorting people back to the other check in area after they had their pictures recorded in the little machines they use to get your picture into the ship's computer system . I understand that when that area was full people just had to stand outside. Boarding began shortly after two and there was no priority boarding they escorted everyone out by rows which were in order of arrival. We were unable to access our rooms until 6 so dinner times were changed and the muster was held the next morning.

 

Thanks for the information. We're boarding on the 11th also. Good to know what to expect.

[JezzaC]

Seems that they have a lot noro problems in Solstice. They had delayed boarding also on 4th November cruise and priorities were followed.

[alreadypacked]

We are on this sailing too and are trying to determine the best time to arrive at the port given the delayed embarkation--we are local to the area.

 

The consensus here seems to be that if we still arrive early, we'll be able to check in and there will be a seating area to wait in (We don't really want to wait until 1:30 or 2 to arrive as Celebrity is suggesting).

 

We have sailed out of Port Everglades many times, but this is our first time on Celebrity, so we are not familiar with their terminal.

 

Can anyone tell me what time the terminal doors are usually opened (under normal circumstances)?

 

And, given the current situation, what time would you recommend arriving at the port?

 

Thanks!! Can't wait to board the beautiful Solstice!:)

[C 2 C]

We are presently on board and have experienced 2 delayed boardings in the last three sailings.

Since Solstice will undergo extra cleaning and many inspections I would not recommend arriving before 2. Last year when Constellation arrived from overseas we stood in the sun outside from about 10:30 to nearly 2pm.

There is no special seating for elites unless a newer terminal is available. Expect the worst and you will be pleasantly surprised if it is a a smooth process occurs.

[royalcruz]

We went through this in January. We checked in at noon and waited for about an hour to board. There was priority checkin for elite but no priority boarding. 2PM isn't really that late because they normally schedule boarding for 1-1:30 but then start boarding as soon as they are ready, usually sometime between 11 and 12. Since everyone has to be checked in by 3:30, I think they are going to start boarding before 2 if the ship is ready.

[alreadypacked]

We are presently on board and have experienced 2 delayed boardings in the last three sailings.

Since Solstice will undergo extra cleaning and many inspections I would not recommend arriving before 2. Last year when Constellation arrived from overseas we stood in the sun outside from about 10:30 to nearly 2pm.

There is no special seating for elites unless a newer terminal is available. Expect the worst and you will be pleasantly surprised if it is a a smooth process occurs.

 

This is my fear--that we will not be allowed in the building and will have to stand outside for hours on end.

 

We went through this in January. We checked in at noon and waited for about an hour to board. There was priority checkin for elite but no priority boarding. 2PM isn't really that late because they normally schedule boarding for 1-1:30 but then start boarding as soon as they are ready, usually sometime between 11 and 12. Since everyone has to be checked in by 3:30, I think they are going to start boarding before 2 if the ship is ready.

 

So, when you checked in at noon, was there a place for you to sit while you waited the hour to board? This is of concern to me, because I cannot stand for extended periods (I don't need a wheelchair or anything--I just have painful foot problems that limit how long I can comfortably stand).

 

Thanks for the responses.:)

[ClaireP]

Hope that the problem is all cleared up - please let us know how things are!

[cruisestitch]

You may not feel that you need a wheelchair under normal circumstances but if forced to wait outside, standing, do not hesitate to ask for one -- no need to start your cruise in pain!

[alreadypacked]

You may not feel that you need a wheelchair under normal circumstances but if forced to wait outside, standing, do not hesitate to ask for one -- no need to start your cruise in pain!

 

Agreed.:) I just would feel funny though--people would wonder how I could possibly need a wheelchair. I'm not up in age or anything and there's nothing obviously wrong with me...just have been suffering through foot problems for over 10 years.:(

[bjtomko]

Don't worry about what other people think, you know what is real. I am 35 and have had 2 hip surgeries in the last year. I can't stand or walk very long, but you would not know it by looking at me. Do what is right for your health!

[floridajen2000]

Don't worry about what other people think, you know what is real. I am 35 and have had 2 hip surgeries in the last year. I can't stand or walk very long, but you would not know it by looking at me. Do what is right for your health!

 

I get it. People need to mind their own business. I have a lot of orthopedic problems as well. Back problems, hip problems, etc. I'm only 40 but look 35! :D One time when I had a fractured hip and was at the airport in a wheelchair waiting in the pre boarding line for my flight some woman had the nerve to come over and ask what was wrong with me. When I told her that I had a fractured hip she looked at my toes and said, "well it certainly didn't stop you from getting a pedicure!" Wow! Just wow! Nothings going to stop me from getting a pedicure! :p

[Sloop-JohnB]

I get it. People need to mind their own business. I have a lot of orthopedic problems as well. Back problems, hip problems, etc. I'm only 40 but look 35! :D One time when I had a fractured hip and was at the airport in a wheelchair waiting in the pre boarding line for my flight some woman had the nerve to come over and ask what was wrong with me. When I told her that I had a fractured hip she looked at my toes and said, "well it certainly didn't stop you from getting a pedicure!" Wow! Just wow! Nothings going to stop me from getting a pedicure! :p

 

TO FLORIDAJEN2000,

 

Wow incredibly bold if you ask me...

 

Sorry, gotta laugh at the Pedicure comment... How a fractured hip in her mind could equate to the fact that you shouldn't have a pedicure is beyond me. Talk about a "stretch" on connecting the dots... but then again, by the same equation... she had a head and brain obviously... just no common sense within I guess !!

 

(Didn't her Momma ever tell her it was RUDE to stare, or ask Questions that are of an INTIMATE Nature and clearly NOT YOUR BUSINESS ???)

 

Still can't get over the gaul of her coming over to ask you what your ailment was... BEYOND RUDE !!

 

"WOW - JUST WOW !!" as you stated, really sums it up for me too.

 

Cheers!