Priority boarding for naptunes?

[kazu]

You are being placed in front of others. They are being inconvenienced and you did not pay the people being inconvenienced. As a new 4 star mariner I am now part of that problem. HAL should assignment more people to checkin and make it good for every customer.

 

Roy

 

You EARNED that 4* and the privileges that go with it Roy :). and believe me, it has been paid for :p ;) Last time we were in FLL, check in was very fast for suites, 4* & 5*. I didn't see any issue at all :)

 

 

We'll see how San Diego goes :)

[frankc98376]

Last September in Seattle they were stamping key card holders with large letters. Our had an "A" on it -no boarding cards.

[avian777]

... HAL should assignment more people to checkin and make it good for every customer.

 

Roy

 

Great suggestion, Roy! Any idea how much HAL would need to increase cruise prices to cover the cost of additional check-in staff at each of its embarkation sites?

[rafinmd]

Great suggestion, Roy! Any idea how much HAL would need to increase cruise prices to cover the cost of additional check-in staff at each of its embarkation sites?

 

Hard to say but HAL has to process everybody anyway. They could likely recoup some of what they spend on more people at the beginning by having some go home sooner. I remember the now closed thread and the impression checkin may have had on a first time HAL cruiser becoming a last time HAL cruiser and there's a cost there. Perhaps some onboard staff could also help with the initial checkin rush.

 

I became Platinum with Cunard several years ago and seen long checkin lines for other customers when boarding several times. When I see that it goes on my end of cruise comments.

 

Roy

[kenphy]

This will be our 13th cruise with HAL, and we had a suite on cruise #3 on the old Rotterdam (still makes my eyes mist when I think of her). Then we started on the Neptune Suites. While we, like everyone else, have a choice about how often to cruise based on our budget, we have chosen to cruise less often and always have a Neptune Suite. Others certainly make other choices (that's the great part of cruising!). One of the benefits of a Neptune is a different line for embarkation -- very often, we get to the terminal a little later than we could, so the different (and much shorter!) line is a pleasure for us. We have never had an "S" card, just got into the line, checked in and boarded immediately. Everyone else on the cruise has already started boarding, so for us, it just eliminates waiting time. If the suite line isn't obvious, we just ask one of the attendants at the terminal. Like everyone at HAL, they are glad to show us where to go with a genuine smile. We don't think of it as anything other than something we paid extra for. We never talk to other passengers about have a Neptune, we just treat everyone the same and enjoy our extra space and the Neptune Lounge. We are almost 4 star now anyway and will still love that short line and waiting time.

[catl331]

If you want to see what a slow check-in looks like, try Disney. On our one-and-done Disney cruise it took us 45 minutes to get from the parking garage to the check-in desk. After checking in we stood for another 30 minutes waiting for our number to be called. It wasn't that all chairs were full - there were no chairs for anyone as far as I could see.

Edited March 19, 2016 by catl331

[Lizzie68]

This will be our 13th cruise with HAL, and we had a suite on cruise #3 on the old Rotterdam (still makes my eyes mist when I think of her). Then we started on the Neptune Suites. While we, like everyone else, have a choice about how often to cruise based on our budget, we have chosen to cruise less often and always have a Neptune Suite. Others certainly make other choices (that's the great part of cruising!). One of the benefits of a Neptune is a different line for embarkation -- very often, we get to the terminal a little later than we could, so the different (and much shorter!) line is a pleasure for us. We have never had an "S" card, just got into the line, checked in and boarded immediately. Everyone else on the cruise has already started boarding, so for us, it just eliminates waiting time. If the suite line isn't obvious, we just ask one of the attendants at the terminal. Like everyone at HAL, they are glad to show us where to go with a genuine smile. We don't think of it as anything other than something we paid extra for. We never talk to other passengers about have a Neptune, we just treat everyone the same and enjoy our extra space and the Neptune Lounge. We are almost 4 star now anyway and will still love that short line and waiting time.

 

Thanks for that report. Glad to see we are not the only ones not to receive this "S" card. I assumed the colour of your card was what was checked before you proceeded to the Neptune waiting area.

[sail7seas]

You are being placed in front of others. They are being inconvenienced and you did not pay the people being inconvenienced. As a new 4 star mariner I am now part of that problem. HAL should assignment more people to checkin and make it good for every customer.

 

Roy

 

Being a Five Star in a Neptune, that priority embarkation was bought many times over :). Over 80+ HAL cruises and all in a Neptune/Pinnacle.

 

Not such a big deal they honor what they sold us all those times which was priority embarkation for an "S" Suite that is what a Neptune Suite is now called. We got it the old fashioned way...... bought and paid for.

 

It is merely business. Someone buys a first class air ticket and boards first with extra leg room etc

Someone wants Concierge Floor in a Hotel and has a lounge, concierge and other amenities that those on different floors of that hotel do not have.

Some people buy first row balcony theater tickets and have great seats. Others sit in the back of the theater.

Choices......

 

 

Edited March 19, 2016 by sail7seas

[106f]

I liked the typo in the name of the thread. I have enjoyed a "Naptune suite" on sea days quite often.

[PatsyAnne]

I liked the typo in the name of the thread. I have enjoyed a "Naptune suite" on sea days quite often.

 

 

So glad someone said this. I've had a mental image of lullabies being escorted onboard early since I saw this title. I'll take smiles where I can get them.

Edited March 22, 2016 by PatsyAnne

[CowPrincess]

Maybe I was wrong about the S card in FLL - I just do not remember getting one.

 

Possibly they have been discontinued in the last while? Would be interesting to know the approximate dates of the various experiences. I can't remember us getting an "S" card either (I'd have wanted to keep it as a souvenir of being in a suite :D )

[RocketMan275]

Maybe I was wrong about the S card in FLL - I just do not remember getting one.

 

We received an S card three weeks ago in FLL.

[chefestelle]

I liked the typo in the name of the thread. I have enjoyed a "Naptune suite" on sea days quite often.

 

 

Ok, I'm so glad someone said that. I've got such a chuckle out of this typo and I look forward to the day I too can have a naptune!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[sail7seas]

We received an S card three weeks ago in FLL.

 

I'm guessing you got to the pier about 10:50 or so?

I think those that have never gotten an "S" card when in a 'Naptune" :) is because they came a bit later and they either didn't need one or there weren't any left as they never seem too have many.

 

Perhaps people are keeping them for souvenirs? :D

 

Edited March 23, 2016 by sail7seas

[trout62]

I liked the typo in the name of the thread. I have enjoyed a "Naptune suite" on sea days quite often.

 

I thought this thread was going to be about the new Bose Docking Stations...

 

Trout

[3rdGenCunarder]

I'm guessing you got to the pier about 10:50 or so?

I think those that have never gotten an "S" card when in a 'Naptune" :) is because they came a bit later and they either didn't need one or there weren't any left as they never seem too have many.

 

Perhaps people are keeping them for souvenirs? :D

 

 

Souvenirs, or for future use? ;)

 

I can't remember when we've been given a priority or number card and when we haven't. But I do know that when we've had cards, they were collected. I've never seen anyone try to get by the card checker without surrendering the boarding card.

[blizzardboy]

Seems to me that our Boarding Passes have had a big S on them.

[kazu]

Seems to me that our Boarding Passes have had a big S on them.

 

Exactly, as does your key card. Same with 4* and NS & up have a Big S on their boarding pass & gold key cards. No real need for the S tags IMO - the staff direct you to the spot and they certainly know easily if you should be there.

[Lizzie68]

Yes I figured it must be based on the boarding card. We are usually at the pier anywhere after 10:30 am (which is when we leave the hotel) and then I have to pick up DH's wheelchair which doesn't take long. But then I have enough to hold without having to worry about an extra card - which I would sure notice LOL! I feel like a pack mule until we get onboard.:D Seems to me only a quick look at the boarding card is needed to send you to the right area.

[RocketMan275]

I'm guessing you got to the pier about 10:50 or so?

I think those that have never gotten an "S" card when in a 'Naptune" :) is because they came a bit later and they either didn't need one or there weren't any left as they never seem too have many.

 

Perhaps people are keeping them for souvenirs? :D

 

 

Maybe a bit earlier so you maybe right. We did get one though.

 

When first got in line, they gave us a boarding number, IIRC, four. When we got to the check in, the lady took the four saying you don't need that, and gave us the S. We were told to just sit down and wait for suites to be called. I continued to notice that people would approach a person, show them something, and they would escorted further into the terminal. I asked this person when they would be boarding suites and was told we should be in another area. We were escorted further into the terminal where a group was seated. As we got there, they called suites so we boarded.

[sail7seas]

Yes I figured it must be based on the boarding card. We are usually at the pier anywhere after 10:30 am (which is when we leave the hotel) and then I have to pick up DH's wheelchair which doesn't take long. But then I have enough to hold without having to worry about an extra card - which I would sure notice LOL! I feel like a pack mule until we get onboard.:D Seems to me only a quick look at the boarding card is needed to send you to the right area.

 

They got away from using a card one needed to hold and switched to a clip on card. It has one of the clips like many 'work ID's'. I clip it on handbag strap.

 

[cruz chic]

They got away from using a card one needed to hold and switched to a clip on card. It has one of the clips like many 'work ID's'. I clip it on handbag strap.

 

I've inly seen the clip on type. I've never seen one you had to hold.

[Lizzie68]

I've inly seen the clip on type. I've never seen one you had to hold.

 

A clip-on "S" card? Then that confirms it - I've definitely never had one. Not in Fort Lauderdale or Vancouver, anyway, which is where I have boarded as Neptune, x4.