Terrible Check-in So Far for the Edge

[terrydtx]

As cruise ships in FLL gradually increase capacity going forward, the problem will only increase with passengers trying to board outside their assigned check in times.

[verizon]

59 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Yes the website under concierge class stateroom amenities states it still.  I have posted and will post again that first hand experience at terminal 25 in PE the only ones with priority boarding are suites and then I had to ask 3 or 4 people to be allowed in that line as a Suite passenger.   Believe what you want but if you show up outside your boarding time expect to wait in the sun in a long line.

 

If you read the posts from the recent Edge sailings you will  see the special concierge class embarkation lunch in the MDR has been moved to lunch on the first sea day.  Probably because most concierge passengers weren't onboard until after the lunch closed.

 

Priority boarding actually meant very little even in the past as if you counted all the people with it you had at least 1/2 the ship with priority.

I just don't understand this thread cause so much confusion.

The suite guests check in area is at the end of the building and with a different entrance.

You do need to take the elevator to first floor, go through the security and there are the Celebrity crews to check you in.It only take a minute or so.

Just look for the suites sign if you don't see please ask for help.

Before the pandemic you can check in any time as wish within the check in time.

Edited July 20, 2021 by verizon

[CHEZMARYLOU]

19 minutes ago, verizon said:

I just don't understand this thread cause so much confusion.

The suite guests check in area is at the end of the building and with a different entrance.

You do need to take the elevator to first floor, go through the security and there are the Celebrity crews to check you in.It only take a minute or so.

Just look for the suites sign if you don't see please ask for help.

To add to this, there is an employee standing outside the suite area by the pillar with the black sign checking off names of guests sailing in higher level suites who will direct you to the correct area, or have you tag along with a guest being escorted to the check in area for suites. You can see the pillar in the earlier photo.  Here's a close up of it.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by CHEZMARYLOU

[kearney]

A number of years ago we had a similar experience when boarding Freedom of the Seas. thousands of us stood in line in the sun, slowly winding around including people with walkers and one guy with an backup artificial leg slung over his shoulder..I kid you not...  It was hot as hell... no water and no one from the cruiseline... just one poor cop/security guy who kept encouraging everyone to move over. I realized he was trying to get everyone in the long winding line... into the shade. Anyway it turned out that someone did not check out of the previous cruise or at least their seapass card was not properly checked out... and it took hours to check the ship.  So there was an explanation..but it did get us off to a bad start. At the time I suggested to Royal that while the port staff are not employed by Royal... the lack of water, information or apparent care..(particularly for those with mobility issues)... reflected badly on them... even if they had no responsibility..it would have been a good idea to have staff... involved to make passengers aware of the issues and if possible provide water and or seating to those who needed it.   So I understand the frustration... especially when you are not given enough information. Next cruise ...we just about walked on..so it can vary cruise to cruise. Don't get me started on the 2 hour delay getting off Edge during their second inaugural sailing... things do happen..and it can color your view of the trip if you let it... fortunately..one fluffy drink later and all was almost forgotten

[NMTraveller]

5 hours ago, terrydtx said:

As cruise ships in FLL gradually increase capacity going forward, the problem will only increase with passengers trying to board outside their assigned check in times.

Agreed.  I don't see what the issue is with people checking in outside of their allotted times.  This has been occurring since the beginning of cruising.  Celebrity most likely will not be able to change this behavior.  It sounds like they need to hire more check in people.

[hcat]

There is plenty of  space in the A/c waiting area  for non suite guests for EDGE.  They also do have check in counters which they try not to use.

 

Maybe the old ways were better???

[cangelmd]

8 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Passengers arriving early/ignoring their arrival times is unfortunately the norm. 

 

Yesterday in Seattle we had the first revenue cruise to Alaska - the Serenade of the Seas.  At 9:30 AM there were at least 20 passengers standing outside the terminal - and passengers kept arriving.

 

There are some people that just don't get that we are in a Covid cruising protocol and passengers just can't show-up anytime as they have done in the past.

Hello from the non-vaccinated capital of the USA.

There are lots and lots of people who don’t have a clue and even more who just don’t care anymore. They are past their attention span for pandemics and therefore, for them, it doesn’t exist anymore. So they will do what they would have done before for their Alaska cruise.

[graphicguy]

14 hours ago, hcat said:

There is plenty of  space in the A/c waiting area  for non suite guests for EDGE.  They also do have check in counters which they try not to use.

 

Maybe the old ways were better???

They’re going “touchless” as much as possible.  So, Celebrity is taking your pic for your xPress pass and sea card at the terminal.  They’re also taking a pic of your Vaccine card to list with your passport at check in and to make sure your ID and Vaccine card match to your name and birthday.  You will have already registered your credit card.  So, the days of going to a counter to hand over your credit card, your “paper” ticket, your Passport, etc are long gone.

 

Personally, I think the way they’re doing it now is way better than snaking through a line to check in at a station or kiosk.

[PTC DAWG]

10 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

They’re going “touchless” as much as possible.  So, Celebrity is taking your pic for your xPress pass and sea card at the terminal.  They’re also taking a pic of your Vaccine card to list with your passport at check in and to make sure your ID and Vaccine card match to your name and birthday.  You will have already registered your credit card.  So, the days of going to a counter to hand over your credit card, your “paper” ticket, your Passport, etc are long gone.

 

Personally, I think the way they’re doing it now is way better than snaking through a line to check in at a station or kiosk.

My last cruise, in Sept 2019, my Wife and I checked in on the app at the port...was very simple..our sea pass cards were at the cabin.  I don't remember having to do much except let them scan something..obviously the scanning and checking of vaccine cards will add another layer...

 

^^^This was on the Equinox...

Edited July 21, 2021 by PTC DAWG

[graphicguy]

5 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

My last cruise, in Sept 2019, my Wife and I checked in on the app at the port...was very simple..our sea pass cards were at the cabin.  I don't remember having to do much except let them scan something..obviously the scanning and checking of vaccine cards will add another layer...

 

^^^This was on the Equinox...

Mine was the simplest check in I’ve ever had on any cruise when I sailed last week on the Edge.  It took an extra second to scan my vaccine card.

 

Plus, disembarking and going through customs via facial recognition was a breeze.  

[shibby sails]

I was on the first June 26th sailing. My two cents. I showed up at my appropriate time, 12:30 was ushered in, had my vaccination card and was on the boat at 12:50. Imagine that, I followed the rules and did not expect any entitled privileges and it worked. Try it. Don't make a mountain over a mole hole.

[runningtide]

I’m going to try this again. Several pages back I advocated for some shade, seating, and water for those in these long lines. I don’t care why they are there, because there are many reasons. As many on this post, I plan to arrive when I’m scheduled. But when I showed my Paramedic Son the pictures of those in line and in the sun, he just shook his head. Heat stroke, especially among older people can be fatal. Along with the sun, what happens if a thunderstorm hits the port? My son also asked are there Paramedics on site to handle all medical emergencies? On my previous post I got flamed by several people about my suggestion of a tent with water and seating. Of course a better approach is letting those arrive early inside the terminal in a separate area where they can wait in safety. Regardless, I and my Son believes if this situation continues, someone will become seriously ill…., or worse. The port and Celebrity must provide a better and safer environment for those in long lines. Yes I know the new rules clearly, but do people seriously think that those guest in long lines should have their health at risk . Get serious !

[Denny01]

Kind of reminds me of those that line up 1/2 hr or so before the MDR opens……you know what time it opens; you know you have an assigned table and it isn’t ‘first in first serve’ since most waitstaff start taking orders when the table is full…….whatever. 

 

Den

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 minute ago, Denny01 said:

Kind of reminds me of those that line up 1/2 hr or so before the MDR opens……you know what time it opens; you know you have an assigned table and it isn’t ‘first in first serve’ since most waitstaff start taking orders when the table is full…….whatever. 

 

Den

 

There's a benefit to lining up early, if you want a specific section such as a more private nook or a want a window table, you can probably get it immediately when they open if you line up early.  Request that after it opens and you'll probably need to wait around for a bit.

[Ken the cruiser]

20 minutes ago, runningtide said:

I’m going to try this again. Several pages back I advocated for some shade, seating, and water for those in these long lines. I don’t care why they are there, because there are many reasons. As many on this post, I plan to arrive when I’m scheduled. But when I showed my Paramedic Son the pictures of those in line and in the sun, he just shook his head. Heat stroke, especially among older people can be fatal. Along with the sun, what happens if a thunderstorm hits the port? My son also asked are there Paramedics on site to handle all medical emergencies? On my previous post I got flamed by several people about my suggestion of a tent with water and seating. Of course a better approach is letting those arrive early inside the terminal in a separate area where they can wait in safety. Regardless, I and my Son believes if this situation continues, someone will become seriously ill…., or worse. The port and Celebrity must provide a better and safer environment for those in long lines. Yes I know the new rules clearly, but do people seriously think that those guest in long lines should have their health at risk . Get serious !

Would it be possible for you to post the picture that you showed your son because, obviously, it wasn't this one that was posted early on in this thread.

 

[terrydtx]

4 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

There's a benefit to lining up early, if you want a specific section such as a more private nook or a want a window table, you can probably get it immediately when they open if you line up early.  Request that after it opens and you'll probably need to wait around for a bit.

That only applies if you are select dinning. those in assigned times have the same table every night.

 

[graphicguy]

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Would it be possible for you to post the picture that you showed your son because, obviously, it wasn't this one that was posted early on in this thread.

 

That’s why it has been suggested to get to the pier as close to your designated check in line as possible, to avoid standing in these lines.  Short of that, I think we also know it’s probably a good idea to bring some bottled water/snacks with you if you’re going to wait in line.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Just now, terrydtx said:

That only applies if you are select dinning. those in assigned times have the same table every night.

 

 

Sort of, if you have say a 6pm traditional dining time and want a window table, if you show up to the MDR right at 6pm, due to others lining up early you most likely won't get a window table.

[runningtide]

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Would it be possible for you to post the picture that you showed your son because, obviously, it wasn't this one that was posted early on in this thread.

 

The sun moves. And the heat remains. As the day progresses , what about thunderstorms ?

[Fouremco]

11 minutes ago, runningtide said:

I’m going to try this again. Several pages back I advocated for some shade, seating, and water for those in these long lines. I don’t care why they are there, because there are many reasons. As many on this post, I plan to arrive when I’m scheduled. But when I showed my Paramedic Son the pictures of those in line and in the sun, he just shook his head. Heat stroke, especially among older people can be fatal. Along with the sun, what happens if a thunderstorm hits the port? My son also asked are there Paramedics on site to handle all medical emergencies? On my previous post I got flamed by several people about my suggestion of a tent with water and seating. Of course a better approach is letting those arrive early inside the terminal in a separate area where they can wait in safety. Regardless, I and my Son believes if this situation continues, someone will become seriously ill…., or worse. The port and Celebrity must provide a better and safer environment for those in long lines. Yes I know the new rules clearly, but do people seriously think that those guest in long lines should have their health at risk . Get serious !

While I saw a good number of posts that disagreed with your stance, I didn't see any in which you were flamed; expressing a contrary point of view doesn't constitute flaming. I believe that the majority of posters feel that if passengers simply followed the directions they are provided with respect to arrival time, there would be no need for the measures you have proposed.

[keesar]

15 minutes ago, runningtide said:

The sun moves. And the heat remains. As the day progresses , what about thunderstorms ?

 

What about common sense,  reading and then following  the information sent by Celebrity?  We had a 1:30 pm arrival and guess what?  We stayed at our hotel, had a late breakfast,  hung out by the pool and took the shuttle that would arrive close to that time.    Then when we arrived,  an easy boarding.  

[Ken the cruiser]

1 minute ago, runningtide said:

The sun moves. And the heat remains. As the day progresses , what about thunderstorms ?

Sorry, but I don't know what to tell you. If you're worried about this stuff, pack a small umbrella and a bottle of water or two in your care-on case or at least wear a hat with a brim? That's what we do, but we're only in our late 60s. However, I can't think of anytime we really were outside so long in the "weather" that we needed these things. But thinking the cruise lines are going to change their mode of operation at the terminal that they've employed for years now may be a little wishful thinking. But, you never know ...

[runningtide]

1 minute ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Sorry, but I don't know what to tell you. If you're worried about this stuff, pack a small umbrella and a bottle of water or two in your care-on case or at least wear a hat with a brim? That's what we do, but we're only in our late 60s. However, I can't think of anytime we really were outside so long in the "weather" that we needed these things. But thinking the cruise lines are going to change their mode of operation at the terminal that they've employed for years now may be a little wishful thinking. But, you never know ...

I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried about all those people in that long line. This new terminal must have room inside considering all the PR videos I’ve seen. As for Celebrity changing their procedures, I’ve sailed out of Miami and other ports and regardless of my arrive alive time, all I had to do was pass security to get inside the terminal. If I had to wait, I waited inside. Please understand my concern for the people in line. I guess many on this thread feel they deserve what they get. How damn sad !

[Ken the cruiser]

11 minutes ago, runningtide said:

I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried about all those people in that long line. This new terminal must have room inside considering all the PR videos I’ve seen. As for Celebrity changing their procedures, I’ve sailed out of Miami and other ports and regardless of my arrive alive time, all I had to do was pass security to get inside the terminal. If I had to wait, I waited inside. Please understand my concern for the people in line. I guess many on this thread feel they deserve what they get. How damn sad !

If you look closely at the person in the wheelchair in the line, you'll see a Celebrity logo on it. She also has a hat on. 

[Fouremco]

35 minutes ago, runningtide said:

I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried about all those people in that long line. This new terminal must have room inside considering all the PR videos I’ve seen. As for Celebrity changing their procedures, I’ve sailed out of Miami and other ports and regardless of my arrive alive time, all I had to do was pass security to get inside the terminal. If I had to wait, I waited inside. Please understand my concern for the people in line. I guess many on this thread feel they deserve what they get. How damn sad !

In the past, there was no pandemic to deal with or related measures taken to protect the health and safety of passengers both prior to and after boarding. Your comments about sailing out of Miami and elsewhere aren't germane to the discussion as your experiences there pre-date the pandemic. You really need to ask yourself why these new measures are being taken as cruising restarts in 2021 and not base your opinions on historical circumstances. We all need to take responsibility in the fight against COVID-19, including cooperating with Celebrity in the revised approach to checking in.

Edited July 22, 2021 by Fouremco