Boarding Time for Bon Voyage Experience in San Francisco? BVE

[Smokeyham]

We just received our eBoarding passes for the Bon Voyage Experience in San Francisco. The boarding pass has a 1:00 pm boarding time printed on it. From past experiences the boarding time has been more like 10:00 am or 11:00 am.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has done a BVE recently and if you can advise what the actual time was that you were able to get on board?

 

Thanks.....

[Pam in CA]

The boarding time is incorrect. Plan to arrive at the pier by 10:30am for check-in. You’ll check in, be given a cruise card and sticker, and directed to sit in a special area. First to board are passengers doing a B2B; next are wedding parties, if any. BVE passengers are next. Boarding time depends on what time the ship is cleared for embarkation. It could be 11:15am or Noon. All depends.

[Smokeyham]

The boarding time is incorrect. Plan to arrive at the pier by 10:30am for check-in. You’ll check in, be given a cruise card and sticker, and directed to sit in a special area. First to board are passengers doing a B2B; next are wedding parties, if any. BVE passengers are next. Boarding time depends on what time the ship is cleared for embarkation. It could be 11:15am or Noon. All depends.

 

Thanks Pam,

 

Your advice jives with my prior experiences on BVE's, but since it has been a couple of years since my last one I thought I would check here to see if anything has changed. This is such a great program; I wish Princess would be better organized about it.

 

I am taking friends on board for their first taste of a cruise ship, but they have had some real hassles in getting registered for the BVE, and now were provided with the incorrect boarding time. They are questioning whether a cruise is really what they want to do. :(

 

Hopefully they will experience the sense of fun and adventure which we enjoy, once they get on board!

 

Thanks again.

[Sailor1959]

Maybe a silly question but:

Is it possible for a booked passenger to buy a BVE for themselves ?

 

We (Platinum) will be cruising with friends and they want to board the ship earlier than they normally would.

Being first time Princess cruisers... they would be in the very last group.

 

TIA

 

Sailor

[Pam in CA]

Maybe a silly question but:

Is it possible for a booked passenger to buy a BVE for themselves ?

No. It’s only for guests. When you book a BVE, you’re making an actual booking even though it’s for only a few hours on the ship. You can’t have two bookings at the same time.

 

You can always board with your friends if boarding with them is important.

[Smokeyham]

 

We (Platinum) will be cruising with friends and they want to board the ship earlier than they normally would.

Being first time Princess cruisers... they would be in the very last group.

 

If you have other friends who would like to do the Bon Voyage, then have them book and then link all of your reservations together. You will then all be able to board together (i.e. board early with the Bon Voyage guests).

 

Also, have those friends each bring a bottle of wine, which they can leave in your cabin.

[Sailor1959]

No. It’s only for guests. When you book a BVE, you’re making an actual booking even though it’s for only a few hours on the ship. You can’t have two bookings at the same time.

 

Kinda thought so but needed to seek advise here on C.C.

 

You can always board with your friends if boarding with them is important.

True.

Our plan now is for us to board ship when our group is called. Head to our cabin to drop off our hand-carries.

We'll wait for their call to meet them as the board. They'll be on the same deck.

Escort them to their cabin and head to lunch.

 

Thanks Pam for responding.

 

Sailor-1959

[Smokeyham]

I also posted this question on the West Coast Ports forum, but does anyone know if you still have to stand outside (in the weather) at the SF Cruise Ship Terminal? We want to arrive early for our BVE to take full advantage of our time on board, but the weather for our BVE this Saturday is supposed to be raining. :(

 

The last time I boarded in SF they kept us outside until they were ready to start registration.

[Sailor1959]

I also posted this question on the West Coast Ports forum, but does anyone know if you still have to stand outside (in the weather) at the SF Cruise Ship Terminal? We want to arrive early for our BVE to take full advantage of our time on board, but the weather for our BVE this Saturday is supposed to be raining. :(

 

The last time I boarded in SF they kept us outside until they were ready to start registration.

 

How long ago was it when you boarded in SF ?

They have a new, shiny, terminal building with more space.

I would think/hope they'll open the doors earlier if it's raining.

[Smokeyham]

How long ago was it when you boarded in SF ?

They have a new, shiny, terminal building with more space.

I would think/hope they'll open the doors earlier if it's raining.

 

This was at the shiny new terminal! We had to line up, outside of the doors, until they opened them to allow us in to register. Thankfully, it was a nice day on that occasion. For our BVE this coming Saturday they are predicting rain.

[MTJSR]

I just did a BVE a month ago and we entered the terminal at 10:50 but did not board the ship till 12:10. The last few BVE's I have done there, we typically boarded somewhere between 11 am and noon. The shrimp and avocado appetizer in the main dining room this last time was amazing!

[Sailor1959]

This was at the shiny new terminal! We had to line up, outside of the doors, until they opened them to allow us in to register. Thankfully, it was a nice day on that occasion. For our BVE this coming Saturday they are predicting rain.

 

How good are you at the Rain Dance ?

[Smokeyham]

Reporting back..... Here is what happened for us.

 

We parked in the parking facility at Pier 19.5 (really.... not kidding and it was not a Harry Potter location! :) ). Parking fee was $22 - booked online in advance. It is an easy walk from there to cruise terminal.

 

We arrived at the terminal at 10:30 am. Initially one staff member said we had to wait outside, but then another walked up and said they were letting BVEs in. The first one grumbled "no one told me." Sadly the lack of communication is something I have seen before with the BVE.

 

We were the first ones in the terminal. Other passengers were being made to wait outside. Thankfully it was not raining.

 

We registered and then had to wait about 20 minutes before we could board. The registration staff had some difficulties entering a driver's license into their system (which is what we had brought for ID). Hint.... suggest to them that they use the "Enhanced Driver's License" field on their screen as the choice.

 

One change from previous BVEs.... They had the fire doors closed to most of the accommodations decks so it was more difficult to get a peek into the different types of cabins.

 

Lunch (very good.... especially the orange souffle) was in the Da Vinci dining room.

 

On my way out from lunch I asked if anyone could have lunch there, or was it only for BVE guests. They said anyone, but I know that my previous experience as a cruiser has been to be turned away and told it was only for BVE. Of course, policies can change. However, the restaurant was very empty.

 

 

Hope all of this helps.

[Sailor1959]

Reporting back..... Here is what happened for us...... Hope all of this helps.

 

It did but.... since BVE are for non-cruising guests and it seems like you've been on several, who "sponsors" you ?