Express check in?

[sue222]

We are going on the Caribbean Princess Sep 25th This will be our first cruise on princess.We always cruised with RCCL before. In the catalog it talks about Express Check in. Does it cost money to get this? Is it fast? We are coming by cruise bus when will the bus arrive in Ft.Lauderdale? What are the chances of an upgrade ? Thanks for any info. I almost feel like a newbie [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Oh and how is the coffee? Do they have sugar free desserts and low carb breads?

[Lidi]

Sue222, We are going on the same cruise and it will be our first cruise on a Princess ship. I have heard nothing but good! I am very excited. I don't know the answers to your questiong though, except that I did hear of someone already being upgraded. They had a mini suite and got upgraded to a nicer minisuite I think. What is the cruise bus? Where do you catch that? We will be flying into FLL.

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Norway 5/11

[Hulagirl]

When you go to the cruise personlizer at Princess.Com and fill out all your information there, then you will have the Express Check-In sticker on your documents when they arrive. It is so easy to fill out all your information there and be done with it. You can also sign up for any excursions you may want to take through Princess also. These will not be charged to you until you actually take the excursion on board.

Upgrades do happen, but if the ship fills up then there is a very little chance. Seems to be a bit of the luck of the draw, but you never know. We have been upgraded several times but not always. This last cruise we just took they started offering lower prices, but all the mini suites had filled up so early there was little to upgrade to. Was hoping for a suite, but didn't happen this time. Did once and it was wonderful.

They do have sugar free deserts in the dining room and sometimes on the buffet. Coffee is just okay. Some hate it so it will be a personal taste thing.

We love Princess and hope you have a great cruise.

Hulagirl

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Grand Princess Baltic Cruise

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Star Princess Eastern Caribbean

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Diamond Princess Northwest Cruise

[tommyboy7]

Express Check-in is a fantastic Princess amenity (provided that they have your info when you arrive at the terminal).

We arrived at the terminal around 1pm with the Princess bus from the airport. We walked up to the express check-in counter, and were on the boat within 5 minutes. The others were still in very short lines.

Make sure you guys have fun on the cruise, and make sure to post your positive experiences here for all to be jealous about!

[LindaKE]

Princess handles lines better that Carnival did. We never had to wait in line long. On Carnival, there was a long line everywhere we went. We did use express-in and got through, like tommyboy7, in 5 minutes. The only hold up was waiting for immigration to open up.

LindaKE

Sun Princess(Alaska)
Carnival Inspiration

[005flyer]

I don't think I have ever waited more than a few minutes to check-in. I've always been very impressed with that process.

As for Sugar-Free deserts, they always have them, but you always have to ask. If you go to the buffet, just ask someone to grab you a couple deserts and they will go back to the cooler and grab them for you. The sugar-free mousse is awesome!

In the main dining room, they always have sugar-free as well. They don't put it on the menu, but you can always get sugar-free ice-cream in the main dining room.

Have a great time!

[bob&karen]

Sue 222 - Make sure you fill in your info ahead of time through the Princess Cruise Personalizer. At check-in, there will be two lines for a given deck, one regular and one for express. If it should happen that the express line is quite a bit longer, then use the regular one - but keep in mind the express line will move faster. In any event, Princess really does embarkation / de-embarkation right, it should be a breeze.

Coffee - repeat cruisers we spoke with tell us that it's a bit better than it used to be, but not great if you're a real coffee hound. Tip: Go to the bar closest to the 5th-floor dining room and get fresh-brewed coffee there, no extra charge (at least this was the case on our recent Golden cruise).

We tried some of the sugar-free desserts in the dining room and they were actually quite good. (005flyer, thanks for the hedz-up on the sugar free ice cream, didn't know that! ). Don't know about low-carb breads but I'd make a point of asking.

Lidi - there are a number of companies that have transfers from hotel or airport to the port. Some hotels have their own shuttles. The good news is that the airport, most hotels, and the port are all literally within a mile or two of each other so it's easy and cheap to use a cab. You can get info at: [url="http://www.cruiseconcierge.com/"]Fort Lauderdale Transport Info[/url]

If you go to the link below, I just posted new pix of the Caribbean Princess leaving Fort Lauderdale on April 10th (she was just behind our boat, the Golden Princess) - give you a little feel for what you're in for [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Bob

[img]http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Geography_and_History/Islands/Ship_at_island.gif[/img]
"These moments we’re left with - may you always remember
These moments are shared, by few
And those harbor lights, lord they’re coming into view
We’ll bid our farewells much too soon
So drink it up, this one’s for you -
Honey, it’s been a lovely cruise."
-- James W. Buffett

Carnival Triumph, April '02
Carnival Sensation, January '04
Golden Princess, April '04

Carnival Sensation, Golden Princess / Caribbean Princess pix at: [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/mageesworld"]Cool Cruisin' Pix[/url]

e-mail: [email]bobandkarenny@yahoo.com[/email]

[Lauire]

Hi
As sighted before just go to the cruise peronalizer for princess & fill out all your forms ahead of time. You will then receive an express check in sticker on your final docs/tickets. Along with a passport you will fly through all of the lines in no time. Princess has this area well orgainzed.
Remember just watch for the right lines @ boarding & disembarking . . . & have a great trip!

[Princess Di]

SUE is talking about the Love Boat Express. Sue, these buses have pickups all over Florida. If you call 1-800-Princes, give your booking number and name, the res agent can look at the intranet and tell you the schedule of your arrival at the dock. It varies according to where you are starting From. Bon Voyage!

A Smile is just a little curve that sets a lot of things Straight.
Fair Winds and Following Seas!

[sue222]

Thanks for all the answers! Lidi are you going with husband? kids? Also thanks for the tip to call the Cruise line about the bus schedule. I will call there tomorrow. Someone told me the busses are nice and even show movies! I think i will bring a small coffee maker with us.I am searching for reviews and pictures of the C.Princess but besides cruise addicts there are none!

[Lidi]

Sue222, I am going with my husband and our dear friends. No kids this trip. It is a trip for me to get away from it all! And I plan to take total advantage. Unless it is something pretty major you won't hear any complaining from me. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2003;5;11;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Norway 5/11

[DUBIDUB2]

First time on Golden this April. I was very impressed with the checkin. When they opened the lines they were VERY VERY fast. From them openning the lines (and we were about 300 back), we were on the ship in less than 25 minutes.

Awesome. All this advanced registration is makeing the whole process a breeze. At least we have something to thank the internet for [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

We could have gone to the suite line, but it wasn't worth it as every line was moving fast.

[CaptData]

You can also book Spa appointments before too. For the bread talk with the Mait'd when you arrive, sometimes they can do this. I believe it asks if you have a speical diet on the Personilzer. I'm diabetic so I always get suger free desserts. The dessert is listed on the menu usually second one down. Ask for the ice cream. They try hard with the diet stuff as I can not have raisins and they will tell oh this is nice but we can leave out the raisins or sorry but the sauce is made with raisins perhaps madam would perfer this.

Hopfully a Hawiian Cruise

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2006;12;5;11;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Until we sail away on the ocean blue



Navigator of the Seas Western Crib 08/03
Dawn Princess - Eastern Carb 01/03
Dawn Princess Panamal Canal 11/02

[sue222]

I am also watching out for sugars and do the low carb thing <for life> I know on the web site you can request different dietary stuff I might do this today! Thanks for all the info!<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CaptData:
You can also book Spa appointments before too. For the bread talk with the Mait'd when you arrive, sometimes they can do this. I believe it asks if you have a speical diet on the Personilzer. I'm diabetic so I always get suger free desserts. The dessert is listed on the menu usually second one down. Ask for the ice cream. They try hard with the diet stuff as I can not have raisins and they will tell oh this is nice but we can leave out the raisins or sorry but the sauce is made with raisins perhaps madam would perfer this.

Hopfully a Hawiian Cruise

[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2006;12;5;11;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500 Until"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2006;12;5;11;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500 Until[/url] we sail away on the ocean blue



Navigator of the Seas Western Crib 08/03
Dawn Princess - Eastern Carb 01/03
Dawn Princess Panamal Canal 11/02
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[sue222]

Lidi we are also leaving the kids at home! My husband and I are going with my MIL only. I think we will enjoy this cruise also. Just read a new review on cruise mates and this person sounded very negative about his C.Princess cruise. He wrote the food was bad, entertainment was "sucks" and the private island was aweful.Oh well I am still looking forward to it!<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lidi:
Sue222, I am going with my husband and our dear friends. No kids this trip. It is a trip for me to get away from it all! And I plan to take total advantage. Unless it is something pretty major you won't hear any complaining from me. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2003;5;11;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2003;5;11;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/url]
Norway 5/11
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Lidi]

Sue222, sounds like this will be a great cruise with some great new friends to meet!

About that other review. You know some people are not happy no matter what. They always have to be crabbing about something. Dh and I took delight in finding the most petty thing we could overhear someone complaining about on our last cruise. I am just so thankful to be in that wonderful part of the world with my very best friend and not have to clean, cook, or entertain my kids. My major complaint is that the cruise is not long enough and that I can't cruise more often.

Looking forward to some fun in the sun!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2003;5;11;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Norway 5/11

[PenelopeCruise]

If I didn't receive any type of "express check-in sticker" with my tickets/documents, but have already filled out the Passenger Forms on the internet, will I still be able to go through the express check-in line?

Thanks

Sun Princess, May 04
Diamond Princess, May 04
RC Monarch, March 04
Star Princess, Sept. 03