Terrible Check-in So Far for the Edge

[GeorgiaPeach51]

18 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

As I remember there are plenty of seats inside the terminal for people waiting to check in, perhaps the PA doesn't want large crowds inside for Covid reasons.

You are correct.  We are all accustomed to sitting inside waiting for our time or number. This time, no one was allowed inside to loiter.  So when you finally got through the door it was up the elevator and a quick check, then on the ship.  No one was sitting around inside.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I appreciate that you took time out of your vacation to state the facts re your boarding. Hopefully it has given pause to some who still have the mindset that "I can show up when I want even though my boarding time is 2:00." I see posts about this on other social media sites every day, "just show up and you will get onboard right away, etc." It's too bad your suite boarding experience was so disorganized  and less than it should have been.

[terrydtx]

20 minutes ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

You are correct.  We are all accustomed to sitting inside waiting for our time or number. This time, no one was allowed inside to loiter.  So when you finally got through the door it was up the elevator and a quick check, then on the ship.  No one was sitting around inside.

Your experience as a suite guest was why I called our shore concierge to clarify why Suite guests have to wait outside in line or wait until assigned times.. I was told suite guests can check in and board anytime after noon in the special Suites Only entrance at the FLL terminal, which is what we intend to do next month. She also told me under no circumstances will the terminal allow even suite guests to enter before noon when they open, if anyone arrives before noon they will have to wait outside in a line.

Edited July 23, 2021 by terrydtx

[ipeeinthepool]

Hopefully this thread will educate people not to arrive before their assigned boarding time.   People arriving early only slows down the procedure for others following the rules.  

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Forgot to add that the smell in Eden is gone.  I know some people liked it, but I was not a fan.  It really bothered me on our first cruise on Edge....and led to us not lingering in Eden.  If you didn’t experience it, no difference for you now...I didn’t discern any aroma there this time.  If you wonder what the smell was, I can’t tell you...it was cloying and medicinal to me...and was a purposeful part of the ambiance of Eden.  I am glad it is gone.  I don’t think lack of that smell will negatively impact your enjoyment of Eden if you liked it previously.

[Denny01]

9 minutes ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

Forgot to add that the smell in Eden is gone.  I know some people liked it, but I was not a fan.  It really bothered me on our first cruise on Edge....and led to us not lingering in Eden.  If you didn’t experience it, no difference for you now...I didn’t discern any aroma there this time.  If you wonder what the smell was, I can’t tell you...it was cloying and medicinal to me...and was a purposeful part of the ambiance of Eden.  I am glad it is gone.  I don’t think lack of that smell will negatively impact your enjoyment of Eden if you liked it previously.

Always enjoyed Eden on our B2B, glad you can enjoy it now. Loved the seating areas up on the winding walkway out of Eden. 

 

den

[Oville]

27 minutes ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

Forgot to add that the smell in Eden is gone.  I know some people liked it, but I was not a fan.  It really bothered me on our first cruise on Edge....and led to us not lingering in Eden.  If you didn’t experience it, no difference for you now...I didn’t discern any aroma there this time.  If you wonder what the smell was, I can’t tell you...it was cloying and medicinal to me...and was a purposeful part of the ambiance of Eden.  I am glad it is gone.  I don’t think lack of that smell will negatively impact your enjoyment of Eden if you liked it previously.

Thanks for this update.  That scented mist that was sprayed was unappealing and caused allergy issues for quite a few people.

So glad you enjoyed your cruise after the rocky start.  Safe travels tomorrow.

Edited July 23, 2021 by Oville

[Cachecara]

Thank you.  😃 glad you had a great cruise and am appreciative for the info. 

[JeanieC,Aston]

6 hours ago, Homosassa said:

I am in my early seventies. I am in average physical shape for people my age that haven't destroyed themselves with smoking, alcohol abuse, or recreational drug use.

 

I take commonsense measures for hot and humid weather - plenty of water, a hat, and find shade (readily available).

 

My point is, as a traveler, one must be aware of the conditions in the location to which one is traveling.

 

I would not travel to a cold location in the winter wearing a tee shirt, shorts, and flip flops without a coat and then complain that I have hyperthermia.

Hi.

Thanks for your reply.

My point is in what people have described for many in the terminal queue there is no shade.

Even in the shade it could be 35 deg,,,hats to protect from burning,water to stop dehydration,an umbrella for shade,,,,,it’s still 35 deg plus,,, 

Not all of the older demographic are triathletes many suffer heart problems,diabetes etc,,,for those people the heat can be a big problem.

 

Lots of people are unsteady on their feet,standing around in the heat they suffer,,,from the photos I’ve seen and personal testimonies there is not even a seat in that queueing area.

Celebrity should recognise this and do something about it.

Saying that people who turn up 30 min before their allotted time being the problem is a cop out.

 

Its not acceptable and either Celebrity or Port Authority should take responsibility.

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by JeanieC,Aston

[Mike981]

4 hours ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

A quick update....we have had a wonderful cruise.  We sailed Edge once before and because we had an infinity balcony which we didn’t love, this experience has been more enjoyable.  But the basics are the same.  She is spotless and full of visual treats.  The entertainment has been better, in our opinion.  The band Nu Image is just great.  They are in The Club and play in the Plaza at 5 most days.  The guy they call Slim can play the keys off a saxophone and I’m not kidding.  Wow!

 

This was our first time in a sky suite on Edge.  A Retreat host told us the ship is at 52% capacity with suites full.  So, the Oceanview is blessedly uncrowded with empty seats galore.  Very few waits for an elevator.  No lines anywhere.  I had thought it might feel a little bit creepily uncrowded, like everyone left but you didn’t get the memo....but it wasn’t.  The Martini Bar was nice, usually easy to find a seat.  Cafe al Bacio always had seating.  So those of us blessed enough to sail now are really getting a treat as far as the usual crowds or elevator waits.  However, in fact, the ship feels so spacious we didn’t find that to be an issue on the first trip.  This is just a little more effortless.

 

No masks for crew or passengers.  A first for the crew, and a welcome relief, according to staff we talked with.  We have had no concerns or issues with any Celebrity covid protocols.  In fact, it has been a blessed relief to just ignore the news, the world, the fussing, the ranting, the stress that is part of our daily lives.  We have basically just hunkered down and enjoyed being together and when I say we did nothing, I am absolutely serious.  I got on the treadmill to do my mandatory five miles each day, but other than that we went to no shows, no sales, no talks, nada.  We just read and ate and threw away some money in the casino, then went back to visit it each night.  🧐🙄

 

if you are boarding soon you made a good decision.  The staff is THRILLED to be back and their relief to be working again touches my heart.  You have such a treat ahead of you.

 

in regard to my original post, and the way it was received, I guess it is like the world in general.  Some are supportive, some appreciative, some angry and full of accusations, some neutral, some adding helpful info, some adding noise.  My only goal was to help others as they boarded, standing in the sun, trying to type on my iPad, and I remain startled by some of the flak and criticism I received.  To those who were supportive or who came to my defense,  I REALLY appreciate it, because the snarky, accusatory comments bothered me and I would find myself waking at night and thinking about some of the mean comments.  I guess I am not very thick skinned.  If you are, don’t assume everyone is like you.

 

if you have questions I will try to respond on this last day.  As usual, internet has been less than we would all want, a consistent complaint for years.  
 

Joanie

 

 

Joanie, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I'm sure you never thought your helpful post to warn others would go sideways. I have always appreciated your help and insight. I wish you a wonderful last day and a safe trip home.

[goofysmom99]

GeorgiaPeach51, thank you for all your info.  I'm concerned enough about my physical abilities to be taking some precautions next weekend that I would never ever have considered might be necessary, i.e., Amazon delivered a sun hat today that will definitely assist with social distancing and can double as a beach umbrella.  Thanks again.

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by goofysmom99

[GeorgiaPeach51]

As noted earlier, we spoke to Claire, the Retreat Manager, about the boarding issue when we boarded.  As an extra precaution for you future Edge folks, we also spoke to Joao, a Retreat Concierge, about the same issue and asked how we could tell a port employee from a Celebrity employee.  He committed to passing the info on in preparation for tomorrow.  He agreed with me that it is probably a port employee training issue.  I am hopeful for those of you boarding tomorrow that it will be “like buttah” as we say in Georgia.  

[Homosassa]

2 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

 

Even in the shade it could be 35 deg,,,hats to protect from burning,water to stop dehydration,an umbrella for shade,,,,,it’s still 35 deg plus,,, 

Not all of the older demographic are triathletes many suffer heart problems,diabetes etc,,,for those people the heat can be a big problem.

 

 

 

It depends on what one is used to.

 

For many parts of the USA, 35 C (95 F) or higher  is normal summer time temperatures and we are used to being out and about in those temperatures.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

4 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

GeorgiaPeach51, thank you for all your info.  I'm concerned enough about my physical abilities to be taking some precautions next weekend that I would never ever have considered might be necessary, i.e., Amazon delivered a sun hat today that will definitely assist with social distancing and can double as a beach umbrella.  Thanks again.

 

Ruth, you are so very welcome.  I really have faith that Celebrity will make this a one and only occurrence...counting on it, actually.  I just feel that this got away from them, and they won’t allow a repeat.  We happened to meet a nice couple that was booked in a Villa and they encountered the same mess boarding....they are not normally Celebrity cruisers so they were taken aback by how disorganized it was (for some of us).  I tried to assure them that it was just a fluke, and I hope my assurances to them are accurate!

 

they appear to be all over the disembarkation.  Not ready to go!  The week FLEW!  I am excited for those  of you who are cruising soon.  How blessed we are to have the world slowly moving to normal.  I am grateful.  I know you are, too.

[jg51]

10 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

... My point is in what people have described for many in the terminal queue there is no shade.  Even in the shade it could be 35 deg,,,hats to protect from burning,water to stop dehydration,an umbrella for shade,,,,,it’s still 35 deg plus,,, 

Not all of the older demographic are triathletes many suffer heart problems,diabetes etc,,,for those people the heat can be a big problem. 

 

Lots of people are unsteady on their feet,standing around in the heat they suffer,,,from the photos I’ve seen and personal testimonies there is not even a seat in that queueing area.  Celebrity should recognise this and do something about it. Saying that people who turn up 30 min before their allotted time being the problem is a cop out.

 

Its not acceptable and either Celebrity or Port Authority should take responsibility.

.

We support your position on this, @JeanieC,Aston, and we most definitely do not support the position of @Homosassa, whose reply to you is copied below.  Homosassa lives in a town near the nation's capital (an exurb of the District of Calamity), where at least two summer months are typically extremely hot and humid.  [We know, because we lived in that metropolitan area for almost thirty years.] 

 

The problem with Homosassa's statement is that it is inaccurate and misleading -- possibly by accident, due to his/her lack of knowledge about the climate around this huge country.  It is definitely NOT true that, in "many parts of the [nation], 35 C (95 F) or higher is normal summer time temperatures."  In fact, in more than half of the U.S., "35 C or higher" is very rare -- something that one can go for years without experiencing.

.

7 hours ago, Homosassa said:

It depends on what one is used to.

For many parts of the USA, 35 C (95 F) or higher  is normal summer time temperatures and we are used to being out and about in those temperatures.

 

[jg51]

11 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

... Its not acceptable and either Celebrity or Port Authority should take responsibility.

 

.

Hello again, Jeanie.

We tried to edit our first post (above), but it was too late ... so we decided to simply add this second post, with which you may or may not agree (in whole or in part).  It will be controversial (we predict)!

 

You were right to say that "either Celebrity or the Port Authority should take responsibility."  The Port needs to give Celebrity permission -- if they have been withholding it -- to fully reopen the terminal to "business as usual."   In this way, at-risk people will be safe -- out of the sun/rain/etc. -- and able to use chairs, restrooms, water fountains, etc..

 

Then, Celebrity will need to discard the unwise and unnecessary use of "staggered" embarkations (with assigned times), returning instead to the customary "first-come-first-served" method (with exceptions for certain high-priority check-ins [e.g., for people in suites and those in advanced "loyalty" tiers]).

 

In our opinion, the majority of cruising guests (at least in America) are now thinking beyond the "CoViD-19 era," thanks to >=95% of their fellow guests being vaccinated -- including 100% of those who would be in the main room of the terminal (since the few unvaccinated people will have been segregated elsewhere, undergoing tests).

 

We think that the majority of cruising guests would not be cowards, "quaking in their boots," fearing a possibility of catching a virus (from fellow vaccinated people) while sitting/standing inside a cruise terminal -- just as they will not be in fear while aboard the ship, a very short time later.   Nevertheless, to calm the fears of the small minority that may remain a bit uneasy, we would not object if Celebrity were to enforce mask-wearing and the usual physical distancing within the terminal (even though these would really be unnecessary).

 

Farewell -- and bon voyage!

[ipeeinthepool]

3 hours ago, jg51 said:

...

 

Then, Celebrity will need to discard the unwise and unnecessary use of "staggered" embarkations (with assigned times), returning instead to the customary "first-come-first-served" method (with exceptions for certain high-priority check-ins [e.g., for people in suites and those in advanced "loyalty" tiers]). ...

Sorry, but this is exactly the wrong approach.  The OP's problem originated from suite guests (including the OP by her own admission) arriving early and expecting the port to have unlimited resources to accommodate them whenever they walked up to the door.   Embarkation will run smoothly without any long waits if everyone just follows the instructions and arrives at their assigned boarding time.  Anyone who arrives outside of their assigned boarding window should be directed to a line that is accommodated when time is available.

 

 

[mayleeman]

@Homosassa Being out and about, which means moving around and likely entering areas of shade or going into air conditioning, on a 95 degree day is vastly different from standing on concrete moving very little. That more likely involves reflected heat and ambient temperatures of 100 or more which on a windless day can feel like being in an oven.

 

Moreover, anyone who is exposed to that heat daily is likely conditioned to it over time. The hundreds or even thousands of heat deaths in more temperate climates whenever there is a huge heat wave (Pacific northwest this year, Europe a few years back) shows the dangers. 

 

Moreover, the danger includes not realizing you are in danger as your body overheats. 

 

I am not disagreeing with you on personal responsibility, only on your comment implying everyone can tolerate this type of heat. It is not always a willpower or even preparation thing.

 

 

Edited July 24, 2021 by mayleeman

[norwega]

On 7/23/2021 at 3:23 PM, Homosassa said:

It depends on what one is used to.

 

For many parts of the USA, 35 C (95 F) or higher  is normal summer time temperatures and we are used to being out and about in those temperatures.

haha!  not in Seattle!  85 and we're roasting!  

[jjsnonna]

On 7/17/2021 at 1:21 PM, jelayne said:

Why did people start showing up at 10?  It was my understanding that everyone had a assigned check-in time, and I thought the earliest was 11:30  or 12. 
I never figured out the rush to be on the ship first and willing to stand in lines to do so.

I agree, can' t understand waiting in a long line to get on the ship and hour or so earlier.  FOMO I guess.

[graphicguy]

Thanks @GeorgiaPeach51 for sharing.  Glad everything was great after boarding.

[Gracie115]

@GeorgiaPeach51  Just wanted to post and state I'm sorry for being so snarky to you on this thread. Should have realized you were just trying to be informative.  Glad the rest of your cruise was wonderful.

[Homosassa]

On 7/24/2021 at 2:17 AM, jg51 said:

.

 

 

The problem with Homosassa's statement is that it is inaccurate and misleading -- possibly by accident, due to his/her lack of knowledge about the climate around this huge country.  It is definitely NOT true that, in "many parts of the [nation], 35 C (95 F) or higher is normal summer time temperatures."  In fact, in more than half of the U.S., "35 C or higher" is very rare -- something that one can go for years without experiencing.

.

 

You are guilty of Ass - U -Me-tion.

 

I live full time in Florida and go back to Maryland to visit my daughter.

 

Central Maryland, by the way, is a hell hole in the summer. It is actually warmer and more humid than Florida is in the summer. There is always a period when temperatures hit the triple digits and the moisture is just hanging in the air. The day my daughter was born, it was 115 F and while the hospital and our home had air conditioning, our car did not.

 

I have also traveled  around the US, including the Southwest in the summer.

 

And in my over seventy years of existence in the US, I have probably always had days of 95 F temperatures at some point in the year.

 

So, yes, I am use to being out and about in warm temperatures (including the eight hour shift I spend outside volunteering at a local Florida state park).

[Homosassa]

On 7/24/2021 at 11:52 AM, mayleeman said:

 

 

I am not disagreeing with you on personal responsibility, only on your comment implying everyone can tolerate this type of heat. It is not always a willpower or even preparation thing.

 

 

And I agree with you, which raises the point of if someone is so ill prepared to deal with warm weather, why would they spend money to go to Florida and the Caribbean in the summer?

 

Yes, there is air conditioning available, but at some point one will have to be out in the heat and humidity.

[Arzeena]

On 7/17/2021 at 12:30 PM, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

Well, unimpressive to say the least.  We arrived at 12 for a 12:30 check-in for a suite.  We were directed to a suite line outside...a Disney-like line that winds and winds and moves incrementally.

 

We joined the line at 12 noon.  We are still in line at 12:28.  My husband estimates that there are still about 75 people ahead of us.  THE longest wait we have EVER experienced and certainly not what others have posted who have sailed before us.  Adding that there is no water available and no seating for those with canes and walkers.  
 

Not a great start to this long awaited cruise!  Things can only improve, right?

Different strokes for different folks:
We were on the same cruise. We arrived at 1.15 pm. There was a line but it was fast moving . We were not the suites line adn a bit later than you. We had no complaints except that they could have social distanced. One can stand 6 ft away from the people in the front, but what are you going to do with the idiot that comes up right behind you like they are climbing your back! I am sorry your wait was uncomfortable. I think it will take time to smooth out boardign day kinks.

Edited August 7, 2021 by Arzeena