Pier 29 Fort Lauderdale....

[chemmo]

Just received an email saying our cruise next week is sailing from terminal 29 at Fort Lauderdale (Reflection). Anone know anything about ease of boarding at this terminal? Is there a suite class queue to go through security or is it a general one until you are in the terminal? I have no objection to queuing I just have some physical limitations and cannot stand for too long....

 

We are in a RS and have been told to look for a banner saying ‘Special Delivery’ and to drop our bags there. It is part of the new programme to expedite speed of luggage delivery to the top suites. Has anyone experienced this before?

 

Thanks

[justcrusn]

As far as I recall there is NO priority through the screening, one line for everyone, but it doesn’t take long. After that, you will find the different queues for suites, elite, etc. Depending on the time you arrive, you should be aboard the ship in less than 30 minutes, perhaps much less.

Let them know if you need any assistance!

We have not experienced the special delivery luggage, but it sounds nice, Enjoy your cruise.

[chemmo]

As far as I recall there is NO priority through the screening, one line for everyone, but it doesn’t take long. After that, you will find the different queues for suites, elite, etc. Depending on the time you arrive, you should be aboard the ship in less than 30 minutes, perhaps much less.

Let them know if you need any assistance!

We have not experienced the special delivery luggage, but it sounds nice, Enjoy your cruise.

 

Thanks for that....very reassuring. As I say, no issues with general queues unless they are really long. We plan on arriving 11ish although it says on the email boarding is 12 - 3...I hope to be sipping my Champagne in Michael’s well before Midday!

 

The email says that it aims to have our luggage at our room as the room becomes available. It would be so nice to be all unpacked and settled in by 2pm...

 

I will report back on how it goes.

[susancelica]

We're on that cruise too! We hope to it's like when we boarded Eclipse last year at Southampton. In bar sipping champagne by 11.27 Cheaper cabin mind just a C1 :(

[dcbiker97]

When we were in a RS in November, we were also told to go to the special desk outside the terminal at the port in MIA. We dropped off our luggage with the person manning the station. They walked us past all of the lines up to the front of security screening. Then after that, he walked us to the agent to check us in. Then another person escorted us onto the ship. That would probably be a great service if you're mobility limited as they will get you past all of the lines. Our luggage was in our room when we went up to it around 2. We had boarded at noon.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We sailed Feb 25 and although we were in a RS we did not get out luggage until after muster drill, that's the 1st time that's happened. We never received an email to look for a special banner and just gave the luggage to the porter where the van dropped us off. The line for security was quick and we were directed to the suite's line for check in. Check in was very smooth and the MC concierge was there to escort us and a few other suite guests on board. I think we were the 1st to board and we arrived just before 11:00.

 

Getting our luggage when we disembarked was another issue because, according to the porter, they did not put suites luggage in the correct area. I would not have minded if we had not booked an early flight, but it all worked out.

 

Non of this impacted the enjoyment of the cruise.

 

We used either pier 26 or 29 and it was much better than the old 24/25 combo. Looking forward to sailing from the new Edge pier in November on our Reflection cruise.

[chemmo]

When we were in a RS in November, we were also told to go to the special desk outside the terminal at the port in MIA. We dropped off our luggage with the person manning the station. They walked us past all of the lines up to the front of security screening. Then after that, he walked us to the agent to check us in. Then another person escorted us onto the ship. That would probably be a great service if you're mobility limited as they will get you past all of the lines. Our luggage was in our room when we went up to it around 2. We had boarded at noon.

 

Thanks, hopefully it will be similar for us...Was the ‘Special Desk’ clearly marked?

[sippican]

Just boarded at Terminal 29 last week -suite class. We arrived around 11:30. There was no priority screening line but we breezed right through. The priority check-in line was no faster than regular check-in. I'd say we were onboard within 15 minutes. Luminae was quite busy but we did get a table (there was a short line when we left). Out luggage was waiting at our door.

[chemmo]

Just boarded at Terminal 29 last week -suite class. We arrived around 11:30. There was no priority screening line but we breezed right through. The priority check-in line was no faster than regular check-in. I'd say we were onboard within 15 minutes. Luminae was quite busy but we did get a table (there was a short line when we left). Out luggage was waiting at our door.

 

Sounds good to me! I can nearly feel those Champagne bubbles tickling my nose!

[dcbiker97]

Thanks, hopefully it will be similar for us...Was the ‘Special Desk’ clearly marked?

 

 

 

At Miami not really. They said to go a numbered area outside. Then you had to guess it was the desk near there.

 

 

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[Orator]

As a RS passenger you will be contacted by a Shoreside Concierge. The Shoreside Concierge will ask you if you have any preferences and/or needs and will convey your requests to the ship. I've asked for things like the mini fridge be cleared and Isotonic pillows. I've been contacted as much as 5 weeks prior to the cruise and within a week of the cruise, so the time can vary. Great service. Someone should meet you at check in and escort you to the ship and Michael's Club. This is a very nice touch!

[FRMPEI]

Just received an email saying our cruise next week is sailing from terminal 29 at Fort Lauderdale (Reflection).

 

Is this the March 23, 2018 sailing you are referring to?

[Luvcrusn]

As I recall from December the suite passengers were escorted through a separate door avoiding the lines from outside the terminal to the inside. We had a bit of a chaotic and delayed boarding because of norovirus on the cruise before ours but I do recall suite passengers being escorted past the outside lines. As suggested previously, check with the shoreside concierge that should be in contact with you pre cruise.

[chemmo]

Is this the March 23, 2018 sailing you are referring to?

Yes!

[chemmo]

As I recall from December the suite passengers were escorted through a separate door avoiding the lines from outside the terminal to the inside. We had a bit of a chaotic and delayed boarding because of norovirus on the cruise before ours but I do recall suite passengers being escorted past the outside lines. As suggested previously, check with the shoreside concierge that should be in contact with you pre cruise.

 

It is the shoreside concierge that has sent us the message. We had already emailed our bar set up etc when we had a first email last week...We will look out for signs etc....

[chemmo]

As a RS passenger you will be contacted by a Shoreside Concierge. The Shoreside Concierge will ask you if you have any preferences and/or needs and will convey your requests to the ship. I've asked for things like the mini fridge be cleared and Isotonic pillows. I've been contacted as much as 5 weeks prior to the cruise and within a week of the cruise, so the time can vary. Great service. Someone should meet you at check in and escort you to the ship and Michael's Club. This is a very nice touch!

 

 

Thanks, we have already emailed our requests, we were contacted last week. It is just this latest email that is new to us...We have previously experienced being escorted on board but never experienced somewhere different to hand over the luggage....

[Luvcrusn]

It is the shoreside concierge that has sent us the message. We had already emailed our bar set up etc when we had a first email last week...We will look out for signs etc....

Check with the shoreside porters when you get there as well. They should be familiar with where to take suite guest bags.

[chemmo]

Check with the shoreside porters when you get there as well. They should be familiar with where to take suite guest bags.

 

Will do!

 

I think the snag may come if this is new in Fort Lauderdale and not for all suites as our email indicated...we will just be alert and ask.

[mduffy1834]

Just boarded Reflection from terminal 29. They had one line for security but there was an employee directing wheel chair and people with mobility issues to another shorter line. Security took all of 10 minutes, concierge line about 5 minutes, and on board after that.

[Nanatravel]

Just received an email saying our cruise next week is sailing from terminal 29 at Fort Lauderdale (Reflection). Anone know anything about ease of boarding at this terminal? Is there a suite class queue to go through security or is it a general one until you are in the terminal? I have no objection to queuing I just have some physical limitations and cannot stand for too long....

 

We are in a RS and have been told to look for a banner saying ‘Special Delivery’ and to drop our bags there. It is part of the new programme to expedite speed of luggage delivery to the top suites. Has anyone experienced this before?

 

Thanks

 

We are with you on this cruise and I have the same issue with standing for long periods of time. As long as I keep moving, the back and leg pain aren't so bad. Once past security screening, you will see banners for Suites, Elite Plus and Elite. I would think the Suite line will be your best and fastest option. I've stood in Elite and my friend in "regular" got on board sooner! You just never know.

 

I haven't looked up Terminal 29 yet, but I'm thinking it is either the Oasis/Allure terminal (new and very efficient) or the old one at the far end of the port. I know there is terminal construction going on. Once we get inside, we should be fine. Boarding usually starts about 11AM as long as there are no immigration issues on board. The entire ship must be cleared before new passengers are allowed on board.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Pier 18 is the new one for Oasis Class RC ships. Pier 29 is at the far end of the pier. I'm pretty sure this is the one we used and embarkation was fine.

[chemmo]

Thanks everyone for the information....soooooo excited!

[shofer]

I showed up for a Med cruise with a broken foot and informed them while dropping off the luggage. They couldn't have been nicer, getting me a wheel chair and taking me right to a special desk for handicapped.

 

Sue

[chemmo]

I showed up for a Med cruise with a broken foot and informed them while dropping off the luggage. They couldn't have been nicer, getting me a wheel chair and taking me right to a special desk for handicapped.

 

Sue

 

Thanks for the reassurance. On my last cruise on Eclipse I was in a wheelchair and orthopaedic boot following surgery. As you say staff could not have been more helpful. This cruise, I hope to manage the walking and should be fine as long as I don’t have to queue for too long. As a previous post said, somehow standing is worse than walking!

 

I haven’t booked any airport wheelchair transfers either but at both venues if I am struggling I will ask for help. I must say walking on and off the cruise ship has been a real target during a long recovery period....looking forward to this cruise has really kept me going!

[mjmagee]

We are on the 3/18 Silhouette cruise leaving from Terminal 29, but not till late as ship is dropping passengers in Miami before sailing to Ft. Laud. Our email from Celebrity said check-in would begin at 2 and embarkation would begin at 2. Any recommendations on how to handle this? I usually try to get to the port by 11:30 for a 12 embarkation. Would it be smart to get to the port around 1:30 or will we be at the back of the line? Anyone experienced this yet? Thanks. Marilyn