Just booked a Bon Voyage Experience for 2 friends

[CineGraphic]

I just booked a BVE for two old friends of mine who have never been on a Princess ship.

We'll all board the Coral before we head off to see the Panama Canal.

 

One of them worked on Carnival in the 80s singing in the production shows, but he has not been on a ship since then.

(Won't he be surprised!)

 

His partner, has never been on anything bigger than a canoe.

This will be interesting.

 

Getting the whole thing set-up was a little more involved that I thought it would be, but now I understand why.

BVE guests have to be cleared through customs, just like everyone else.

 

Firstly, they needed to have a Captain's Circle account, so I needed full legal names, addresses, and birth dates.

Then, I needed to be transferred to the Bon Voyage Experience Department.

Who knew such-a-thing existed!

 

Once everything was paid for, ($39pp), they were assigned a booking number, just like the ones we get for cruises.

 

Next, they had to sign-in online and fill out all of the required information in the cruise personalizer, just like everyone else.

A credit card had to be on file, in case they wanted to purchase drinks.

 

After all of that, they could finally print their boarding passes.

 

Do your TA a favor and book this directly with Princess, as they don't make a single kopek for booking them.

[notentirelynormal]

I did it for my DH and DSIL last cruise and they had a blast. I was sailing with their kids and it was a fun time. As usual, my card was a problem. They couldn't find me in their system so I held up the whole line then had to go to the Pursers Desk to get a new ID. I was able to buy drinks so no worries there plus they got the complimentary glass of wine with lunch.

 

Don't forget - we took a picture of all of us and my DD and her family only on boarding. We went to the photo center and got our free pictures. Yes, they took a full group photo and one of my DD's family. Best free item we got. Talked to someone in our CC meet and greet and they didn't realize they got the free picture and were happy to know they could head down and get it.

 

After lunch was done there wasn't a whole lot of time. We boarded late and after a wedding party so by the time lunch was done my DD barely had time to unpack one suitcase.

[Thrak]

IMPORTANT: If you do this make sure the BVE bookings are linked with your bookings! Otherwise you may well not be allowed to board early with them!!!

 

Obviously the OP has already done this but many don't know about the BVE and may not realize they need to link the bookings.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Thrak

[hugger]

Wondering what this is and why it's so wonderful?

[Working 2 Cruise]

Wondering what this is and why it's so wonderful?

 

It's a lunch offered for passengers visitors. It's nice, the visitors get to enjoy the ship for about 3 hours, then, they go home!

[easyboy]

I just booked a BVE for two old friends of mine who have never been on a Princess ship.

We'll all board the Coral before we head off to see the Panama Canal.

I wanted to do that too but my current bookings has no schedule for BVE.

Hope your friends like it.

[Lucky TGO]

My friend in Florida did a BVE and love it.

Tony

[CineGraphic]

Wondering what this is and why it's so wonderful?

 

From Princess.com

The Bon Voyage Experience is an innovative new program harkening back to the nostalgic tradition from the early days of cruising, allowing guests the opportunity to invite family and friends aboard your ship on embarkation day. The program's new twist also allows cruisers new to Princess to see the inside of a Princess ship and experience the excitement of cruising first-hand -- even if they're not affiliated with booked guests.

Guests will spend up to four hours onboard before the ship sets sail, where they'll enjoy a four-course dining room lunch (including wine), a guided ship tour, and a souvenir photo! Plus, the $39 per person cost of the program can be applied toward a future cruise with Princess. Only 50 guests are able to participate in the Bon Voyage Experience on any given embarkation day, so make sure you make your reservations soon!

To learn more about Bon Voyage Experience reservations and availability near you, please contact your Travel Consultant or call 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) as long as it is not within 7 days of sailing.

[JimmyVWine]

Wondering what this is and why it's so wonderful?

Perhaps I am dating myself, (after all...who else would date me?)...but there is a phrase that used to be fairly common that went like this: "All ashore that's going ashore!" What does it mean? Well, back in the day before heightened security, guests could board ships along with passengers who they were "seeing off" (another phrase that has less meaning today). A friend, relative or neighbor might drive you to the pier, board the ship with you, walk around the decks, check out your cabin, grab a drink or a bite to eat, and then when the announcement came...""All ashore that's going ashore!"...the guests had to leave the ship and go back to dry land. This tradition more or less died with new security measures, but Princess has brought it back on a limited basis. They allow a small number of people to participate at certain ports of embarkation. But as you can see from the OP, the heightened security measures have been put into full force. Back in the day, anyone could simply walk up the gangplank.

[geocruiser]

Perhaps I am dating myself, (after all...who else would date me?)...but there is a phrase that used to be fairly common that went like this: "All ashore that's going ashore!" What does it mean? Well, back in the day before heightened security, guests could board ships along with passengers who they were "seeing off" (another phrase that has less meaning today). A friend, relative or neighbor might drive you to the pier, board the ship with you, walk around the decks, check out your cabin, grab a drink or a bite to eat, and then when the announcement came...""All ashore that's going ashore!"...the guests had to leave the ship and go back to dry land. This tradition more or less died with new security measures, but Princess has brought it back on a limited basis. They allow a small number of people to participate at certain ports of embarkation. But as you can see from the OP, the heightened security measures have been put into full force. Back in the day, anyone could simply walk up the gangplank.

 

I can also remember the "All ashore that's going ashore!" . do you also remember throwing confetti and streamers? I use to do that back in the mid 1970's as we would be leaving NYC on Home Lines Oceanic. I do miss that type of a cruise. And the ships were so small.

[JimmyVWine]

I can also remember the "All ashore that's going ashore!" . do you also remember throwing confetti and streamers? I use to do that back in the mid 1970's as we would be leaving NYC on Home Lines Oceanic. I do miss that type of a cruise. And the ships were so small.

We were given some streamers on the QE2 to toss upon departure from NY. The streamers were red white and blue to go along with the theme of the Bicentennial Crossing which departed on July 3, 1976.

[vampiress]

i remember being disappointed when there was no streamers on my first cruise

[land lover]

I still have some unopened rolls of streamers from my parents cruises...and my first cruise our honeymoon 1983. Can u believe it? they r in my ribbon box... I also remember going on board the ship to see friends off in the 80's out of San Pedro...

I even have an old room card from an RCI voyage in the early 90's.....it is solid white with holes punched in it....things were simpler then..but I wouldn't go back....planning a trip or cruise is so much easier now.....

 

L:)ri

Edited September 13, 2016 by land lover

[hugger]

I to remember the days when friends and family could come aboard with us to see the ship and enjoy a few hours over lunch with us.

 

We even used to go and see the ships this way to see IF we would one day like to cruise that ship.

 

How AWESOME that they are doing this once again - if with the charge. It's not a bad deal for 39.00 per person. And, I am sure it gets people to book cruises too.

 

Nothing like experiencing a ship for the first time. I still get goose bumps when driving up to the ships on embarkation day. Sometimes get a bit emotional seeing the beauty of the ships as well.

 

I have been on almost 50 cruises - several B2B's and hope to never loose that feeling of anticipation and excitement :)

[hugger]

we always arrive around 11-11:30 at the port

 

With the BVE do you get to board any quicker I wonder?

 

Has anyone done this on the Regal? This will be our first time on this class of ship - might be cool to have a more personal ship tour?

 

would have to decide if it's worth the 78.00 for both of us being we can do lunch in the MDR anyway and have the sip and sail promo on this cruise so wine is included already.

 

But, maybe for a future cruise?

Edited September 13, 2016 by hugger

[EatonDoolittle]

I just booked a BVE for two old friends of mine who have never been on a Princess ship.

We'll all board the Coral before we head off to see the Panama Canal.

.

 

Thank you for the detailed report.

Have fun!

[CineGraphic]

we always arrive around 11-11:30 at the port

 

With the BVE do you get to board any quicker I wonder?

 

Has anyone done this on the Regal? This will be our first time on this class of ship - might be cool to have a more personal ship tour?

 

would have to decide if it's worth the 78.00 for both of us being we can do lunch in the MDR anyway and have the sip and sail promo on this cruise so wine is included already.

 

But, maybe for a future cruise?

 

 

Yes, You board early.

One thing I'm not sure is noted elsewhere, but it's for US ports only.

 

Here's the text from the booking email, although the agent on the phone told me to arrive at 11, not 11:30.

 

Bon Voyage Experience 11:30 Arrival

Thank you for participating in Princess' "Bon Voyage Experience."

Provide all required Passenger Immigration information on Cruise Personalizer at www.princess.com no later than six days prior to your visit.

On the day of your visit, you'll be asked for your Boarding Pass,a valid photo ID and credit card. Arrive by 11:30 am for check-in.

Boarding will commence upon ship's clearance. (approximately 30 minutes after check-in.) If you are visiting with guests that are sailing, they may board with you.

Only passengers who board at this time will receive the ship tour.

The tour will be followed by lunch in the dining room. All visitors MUST disembark at least 60 minutes prior to ship's departure or when requested to do so by the ship's staff.

Visit fee of $39 is per person, non-refundable and non-transferable. Each paid visitor will receive a $39 Future Cruise Credit (FCC) which can be applied toward a future cruise booking on Princess.

The FCC is valid on bookings made up to three months from the date of your visit and cannot be transferred, refunded or used as a deposit.

[JF - retired RRT]

we always arrive around 11-11:30 at the port

 

With the BVE do you get to board any quicker I wonder? yes, the BVE is one of the first to board.

 

Has anyone done this on the Regal? This will be our first time on this class of ship - might be cool to have a more personal ship tour? The tour is no big deal, you can do it yourself.

 

would have to decide if it's worth the 78.00 for both of us being we can do lunch in the MDR anyway and have the sip and sail promo on this cruise so wine is included already. If you're booked on the cruise, you'd be wasting your $$. The only thing it would get you is on the ship a touch earlier (unless you're elite), a glass of wine and a picture.

 

But, maybe for a future cruise?

Here's the link for the schedule for 2016 (what's left of it). http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2330113&highlight=2305019

If the link doesn't work, do a search for 2305019 and click on the second choice.

Edited September 13, 2016 by JF - retired RRT

[pablo222]

It's a lunch offered for passengers visitors.

 

It is offered to anyone.

[Mamma Drum]

Back in 1990 we were on the Old Sea Princess in Alaska docked. One of the other Princess's ship was also there so we went over and walked up the gangplank and toured the ship. No one stopped us or asked for ID.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[pablo222]

would have to decide if it's worth the 78.00 for both of us being we can do lunch in the MDR anyway and have the sip and sail promo on this cruise so wine is included already.

 

 

You can only be on the manifest once.

 

You can't buy yourself the BVE on a cruise that you are also a passenger.

 

You can buy the BVE for a friend, and link your booking with their BVE

to get early boarding.

[CineGraphic]

 

You can buy the BVE for a friend, and link your booking with their BVE

to get early boarding.

 

That's an important point, you must link your bookings if you want to board early with your guests.

 

My guests are boarding without me because my planes lands just about the time they start the tour.

 

It's my understanding that one can opt-out of the tour and wander around on their own.

[IECalCruiser]

BVE's will typically board after any wedding parties or dignitaries but before those passengers needing assistance, Elite/Platinum, etc. You can skip the tour and explore by yourself. We treated DS and DD to a BVE prior to a Mexico cruise a few yours ago and then we had sort of an early M&G before one cruise as a BVE. With our DS and DD we were able to have lunch with them in the DR and we even got a glass of free wine (they probably screwed up). Remember that you can also purchased Future Cruise Deposits while on board in case you are running low.

 

 

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[pablo222]

 

It's my understanding that one can opt-out of the tour and wander around on their own.

 

This is true.

 

However, we did do the escorted tour on Royal when it entered service.

 

We got to quickly see all the areas of the sanctuary. I might not

have assumed they were open for viewing, if the guide did not

herd us through.

 

That day, our guide was Sylvain Coutoure -- he's pretty well know

here, and I think has done every job on princess except drive

the ship.

[riclop]

Hope they enjoy it.