Boarding time!

[Emilyethanmom]

We are leaving with Grand Princess to Alaska next week, I just receive an email said our boarding time for Our desk is at 1:00pm, if I remember correctly we can start check-in at 11:00am, is that true or do I have to wait until after 1:00pm. I have a special needs 8years old just don't want to stuck in a long long line even we are in full suites. Thanks!

[chrysalis]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2041812

[Colo Cruiser]

We are leaving with Grand Princess to Alaska next week, I just receive an email said our boarding time for Our desk is at 1:00pm, if I remember correctly we can start check-in at 11:00am, is that true or do I have to wait until after 1:00pm. I have a special needs 8years old just don't want to stuck in a long long line even we are in full suites. Thanks!

 

Its a suggestion.

[RNGALNG]

Boarding begins anywhere from 11:30 to 1:00, if all goes well with the previous cruise. There will be those who feel they need to board first and yes, there will be a line. But, once they start checking you in, the lines move quickly.

 

If it is no lines you want to have, come a little later - between 2:00 and 3:00 (yes you will miss lunch in the MDR) but there should be no lines and you can just walk right on after getting paperwork done.

 

We were the last of 15 to board after a hurricane messed up all of Florida many years ago. We had three employees getting our paperwork done as everyone onboard wanted to take off hours ago! (We had been lucky to get on the last flight that made it to Ft. Lauderdale in time for cruise ships!) We sailed around 7:00 that night!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[ggprincess2004]

You have priority boarding if you are in a suite - board at your pleasure once boarding begins, you do not have to wait until a suggested time.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We ignore the time as it's just a suggestion. The last few cruises (out of San Pedro) our docs or email said 1pm. We're already on board and often eating by then. Two of the three times we didn't have any line to wait in for checking (as Gold level in insides or OV so it wasn't a priority advantage) and had arrived by 12:15 or earlier.

[Susie51]

You have priority boarding if you are in a suite - board at your pleasure once boarding begins, you do not have to wait until a suggested time.

 

One of the perks of being in a suite is priority boarding. You will be able to by-pass the long lines and check-in at a separate area or go to the front of the line . We have encountered both scenarios.

[Emilyethanmom]

Thanks everyone, we are planning to get there by 11:00 because we have to park our car at the week long parking lot that is nearby, so by the time I drop off my hubby, mom and DD. I have to park the car with my DS(5 years old) take the shuttle back to the checking place. I am sure by then we can start check in already!:)

[ozziecruiser10]

One of the perks of being in a suite is priority boarding. You will be able to by-pass the long lines and check-in at a separate area or go to the front of the line . We have encountered both scenarios.

 

if you are in a suite and there's people in the priority line i wouldnt like to jump the queue, you might be told off

[Eaglecw]

Thanks everyone, we are planning to get there by 11:00 because we have to park our car at the week long parking lot that is nearby, so by the time I drop off my hubby, mom and DD. I have to park the car with my DS(5 years old) take the shuttle back to the checking place. I am sure by then we can start check in already!:)

 

We live about 40 miles from the Pier 91 terminal. The last 4 years we’ve parked at the Seattle cruise park lot http://www.seattlecruiseparking.com/ $140 for the week and they will pick you and everyone else in your party up at your car and drop you off at the terminal. Last year we left the house at 10:15am. Arrived at the parking lot at around 10:45am and caught one of the first shuttles to the terminal. Once you’re at the terminal you drop off your checked luggage downstairs at then proceed upstairs to finish the check-in process. Your carryon bags will go through an x-ray machine. Once you’re past this point you’ll see the different lines, get in the one that is for Elite, Platinum, suites, handicap or something like that. Another little tip, have all your paperwork handy, Passports, Boarding passes, etc. nothing get my blood pressure up faster than being behind someone who is digging around trying to find their papers, one year I walked around them, now got them PO’d. Once you’ve gotten all checked in Elite, Platinum, suites, handicap and go out the door to the left on to the platform, everyone else will go out to long line on the right. At least this is how it was last year. I detest driving in Seattle, I had to go to Ballard yesterday mid-morning, and it was terrible. The Mercer Street is still a mess off of I-5. Emilyethanmom, Where about in Washington do you live?

Edited May 15, 2014 by Eaglecw

[Emilyethanmom]

We live about 40 miles from the Pier 91 terminal. The last 4 years we’ve parked at the Seattle cruise park lot http://www.seattlecruiseparking.com/ $140 for the week and they will pick you and everyone else in your party up at your car and drop you off at the terminal. Last year we left the house at 10:15am. Arrived at the parking lot at around 10:45am and caught one of the first shuttles to the terminal. Once you’re at the terminal you drop off your checked luggage downstairs at then proceed upstairs to finish the check-in process. Your carryon bags will go through an x-ray machine. Once you’re past this point you’ll see the different lines, get in the one that is for Elite, Platinum, suites, handicap or something like that. Another little tip, have all your paperwork handy, Passports, Boarding passes, etc. nothing get my blood pressure up faster than being behind someone who is digging around trying to find their papers, one year I walked around them, now got them PO’d. Once you’ve gotten all checked in Elite, Platinum, suites, handicap and go out the door to the left on to the platform, everyone else will go out to long line on the right. At least this is how it was last year. I detest driving in Seattle, I had to go to Ballard yesterday mid-morning, and it was terrible. The Mercer Street is still a mess off of I-5. Emilyethanmom, Where about in Washington do you live?

 

Eaglecw, we live at Newcastle. Thanks for all the info. Can't wait til next week!

[Caribensun]

Last week no one got priority boarding, so hope it was better this week. No Suite/Elite priority we were in a long line with everyone else waiting to get on and also no special check-in lines either. Seadeck2

[dorisis]

We often book suites and are also Elite. We still have to wait in a Suite/Elite waiting room to board. I believe handicapped board before anyone else. Since we normally stay in a hotel the night before the cruise, we try to get to the pier before noon. Sometimes there are long lines before entering the terminal to find our check in line. being a Suite or Elite passenger won't get you to tha front of that line.

[Colo Cruiser]

We often book suites and are also Elite. We still have to wait in a Suite/Elite waiting room to board. I believe handicapped board before anyone else. Since we normally stay in a hotel the night before the cruise, we try to get to the pier before noon. Sometimes there are long lines before entering the terminal to find our check in line. being a Suite or Elite passenger won't get you to tha front of that line.

 

Where is the Elite waiting room in Seattle?

We have always been in a little roped off corner of the main check in area. :(

[VVickedme]

We are on the Grand Princess leaving Seattle May 25th our AAA agent called us yesterday and said Princess has changed how they do boarding. They now give people a boarding time based on what Deck you are on. We are on Baja deck and our boarding time is 1:30pm now. Originally we were just going to show up at 11am, but now if its by deck we will probly be there around 12:30/1pm

[sherryf]

We are on the Grand Princess leaving Seattle May 25th our AAA agent called us yesterday and said Princess has changed how they do boarding. They now give people a boarding time based on what Deck you are on. We are on Baja deck and our boarding time is 1:30pm now. Originally we were just going to show up at 11am, but now if its by deck we will probly be there around 12:30/1pm

 

Princess has been "suggesting" staggered boarding for years, but I have never seen it enforced in Seattle. Show up whenever you want.

[Colo Cruiser]

We are on the Grand Princess leaving Seattle May 25th our AAA agent called us yesterday and said Princess has changed how they do boarding. They now give people a boarding time based on what Deck you are on. We are on Baja deck and our boarding time is 1:30pm now. Originally we were just going to show up at 11am, but now if its by deck we will probly be there around 12:30/1pm

 

Like I said its a suggestion and has not been enforced in Seattle at Pier 91.

They have been sending the times out since early 2009.