Terrible Check-in So Far for the Edge

[Ken the cruiser]

3 minutes ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

I’m the original OP.  In an effort to assist those who are anxious about their own future boarding, here is what I now know.  According to Claire, the Retreat Mgr., Celebrity does not handle the lines, etc., outside the terminal.  That is all Port Authority, even though they wear Celebrity shirts.

Somewhere in the responding posts is a photo of the exterior of the entrance.  You can clearly see the door on the left, and doors on the right.  In our situation you could see no doors due to the mass of people in front, winding around in unorganized lines.  I believe what happened with us is that the huge line winding back and forth of passengers just standing in line waiting for their boarding time wound through what was actually the suites line.  You could not differentiate one from the other, and with no ability to see the doors you couldn’t see where you were supposed to be.  Added to that was the absolutely incorrect statements and lack of correct response guidance from the PA staff.

My advice to suites passengers is to hang left.  Get a sight on the left hand door and aim for that. I believe that enough passengers have complained about this past boarding that there will be an effort to improve for the next boarding, and I hope that is the case for all of you looking forward to cruising days finally arriving again.  And when you seek info do not rely on the blue shirted folks....I’m sure they are well meaning but find an actual Celebrity employee if you can.

we are loving the cruise.  Staff is magnificent.  Very comfortable crowd sizes onboard.  No masks for passengers or crew.  

Thanks GeorgiaPeach! We will definitely hang left and look for the suite door. Have a wonderful cruise!!! 😎

[helen haywood]

Thanks for the update!  Could you ask the Retreat manager how one could tell the difference between a Celebrity shirted port authority employee and an actual Celebrity employee outside the terminal?

[markeb]

1 minute ago, helen haywood said:

Thanks for the update!  Could you ask the Retreat manager how one could tell the difference between a Celebrity shirted port authority employee and an actual Celebrity employee outside the terminal?

I’m  betting you can’t. There’s probably a subtle difference on their ID, identifying them as a cruise line employee or a port authority employee (essentially contracted to the cruise line). Pretty sure the same is true of that group of people checking you in and escorting you off and out. 

[helen haywood]

That’s what I thought as well, but as the OP suggested it I thought I’d ask.

[markeb]

@Georgia_Peaches  and anyone else who recently cruised or is cruising soon. Sounds like you arrived right before your scheduled window, which is probably what we would have done. At one point, didn’t Celebrity’s plans specifically call for later boarding times to ensure turnover and cleaning? Noon is stuck in my head, although I’ve seen people posting an 11-11:30 boarding time. But no way that 10:00 would be workable, and showing up that early would just doom the entire day. Two years ago, with no infection control protocols, OK. Show up and take your chances. 

A little crazy!

[conodor]

6 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

Your post makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Try again, with a little more thought and effort. I'd like to know where you are coming from.

Put the Spif down for a bit and reread the post maybe.

[mk960072]

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?

how long did if finally take to get onboard?

 

[RICCruisers]

I totally understand the fact that the Port Staff is contracted by Celebrity. What I don’t understand is why there is not enough Celebrity Staff out there to make sure their guests are not treated well during the embarkation process. For many cruisers this is their first impression of Celebrity and while Celebrity will have the next 7+ days to improve their impression, some will always remember their first impression. 

[middlehaitch]

2 minutes ago, RICCruisers said:

I totally understand the fact that the Port Staff is contracted by Celebrity. What I don’t understand is why there is not enough Celebrity Staff out there to make sure their guests are not treated well during the embarkation process. For many cruisers this is their first impression of Celebrity and while Celebrity will have the next 7+ days to improve their impression, some will always remember their first impression. 

 

I would suspect there are contractual limitations and maybe union vs non union overlap. 

 

I have noted a lot of the ushers in the building pre COVID were volunteers, not sure if they can or would work outside. 

 

@GeorgiaPeach51thanks for your recent update with door directions. 

 

Cheers, h. 

[ipeeinthepool]

10 minutes ago, mk960072 said:

how long did if finally take to get onboard?

 

 About 30 minutes from the middle of the OP's arrival window.  Is that terribele?

[mom says]

29 minutes ago, mk960072 said:

how long did if finally take to get onboard?

 

OP said she got in 75 minutes after getting in line. Since she was 30 min early, she waited 45 min past her booked entry time. How much of that was due to the long line of suite guests who started lining up hours earlier no one can say.

 

If every suite guest continues to ignore their booked entry time and continues to arrive early, I don't see how this situation will change.

Edited July 19, 2021 by mom says

[NMTraveller]

Are you sure this wasn't a Carnival cruise? 🙂  Anyways I remember long lines on the bigger/biggest RCL ships.  I have been fortunate to have sailed through on Celebrity.  Hope you are enjoying your cruise.

[Oville]

1 hour ago, mom says said:

OP said she got in 75 minutes after getting in line. Since she was 30 min early, she waited 45 min past her booked entry time. How much of that was due to the long line of suite guests who started lining up hours earlier no one can say.

 

If every suite guest continues to ignore their booked entry time and continues to arrive early, I don't see how this situation will change.

Or more importantly non-suite cruisers who also ignore their entry time, they are in a vast majority.  The OP was sent into the wrong line, don’t blame her.

[cangelmd]

4 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks GeorgiaPeach! We will definitely hang left and look for the suite door. Have a wonderful cruise!!! 😎

LOL, I’m really going to sound like a “Karen”, but based on everyone’s experience, we may plan on arriving exactly at our allotted time, head for the left double doors (honestly, IIRC, there’s a big sign that says The Retreat), and keep going, waving our Express passes and vaccine cards until someone stops us….😚. We will be those people… just kidding, too much of a Southern upbringing and no one is messing’ with my kids.

[markeb]

Just now, cangelmd said:

LOL, I’m really going to sound like a “Karen”, but based on everyone’s experience, we may plan on arriving exactly at our allotted time, head for the left double doors (honestly, IIRC, there’s a big sign that says The Retreat), and keep going, waving our Express passes and vaccine cards until someone stops us….😚. We will be those people… just kidding, too much of a Southern upbringing and no one is messing’ with my kids.

 

Do it! And have your AMA card and your license handy as well! Wear scrubs and an N95 if your have to!

 

😃🍸

[cangelmd]

Just now, markeb said:

 

Do it! And have your AMA card and your license handy as well! Wear scrubs and an N95 if your have to!

 

😃🍸

LOL, no way, some poor gramma will see that N95 and think there’s an outbreak, or another bomb scare - not going to be responsible for that no sirree!

[4cats4me]

3 hours ago, mk960072 said:

how long did if finally take to get onboard?

 

Earlier she posted 75 mins total , from stepping off the bus transfer to getting onboard the ship.  

[ipeeinthepool]

32 minutes ago, 4cats4me said:

Earlier she posted 75 mins total , from stepping off the bus transfer to getting onboard the ship.  

 

And the OP arrived 45 minutes before the middle of her boarding time, so maybe a wait of 30 minutes to board.  Not bad considering we are recovering from a pandemic.

Edited July 20, 2021 by ipeeinthepool

[4cats4me]

1 minute ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

And the OP arrived 45 minutes before the middle of her boarding time, so maybe a wait of 30 minutes to board.  Not bad considering we are recovering from a pandemic.

 

The X transfer dropped her off.  She had no control over that. 

You're just being argumentative. 

 

[zaxanon6]

6 hours ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

I’m the original OP.  In an effort to assist those who are anxious about their own future boarding, here is what I now know.  According to Claire, the Retreat Mgr., Celebrity does not handle the lines, etc., outside the terminal.  That is all Port Authority, even though they wear Celebrity shirts.

Somewhere in the responding posts is a photo of the exterior of the entrance.  You can clearly see the door on the left, and doors on the right.  In our situation you could see no doors due to the mass of people in front, winding around in unorganized lines.  I believe what happened with us is that the huge line winding back and forth of passengers just standing in line waiting for their boarding time wound through what was actually the suites line.  You could not differentiate one from the other, and with no ability to see the doors you couldn’t see where you were supposed to be.  Added to that were the absolutely incorrect statements and lack of correct response guidance from the PA staff.

My advice to suites passengers is to hang left.  Get a sight on the left hand door and aim for that. I believe that enough passengers have complained about this past boarding that there will be an effort to improve for the next boarding, and I hope that is the case for all of you looking forward to cruising days finally arriving again.  And when you seek info do not rely on the blue shirted folks....I’m sure they are well meaning but find an actual Celebrity employee if you can.

we are loving the cruise.  Staff is magnificent.  Very comfortable crowd sizes onboard.  No masks for passengers or crew.  

Thank you for taking the time during your vacation to help others.

[4cats4me]

10 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

Really?? Who booked the flight?  Seems like you are the one being argumentative and looking for excuses.  The OP knew what time she was supposed to arrive at the port.

Maybe X booked the flight.  Maybe her flight got changed.   

Maybe the X transfer bus left half an hour earlier than expected. 

Now, please go away.  

[jagoffee]

GeorgiaPeach51,

 

Thank you for taking the time to explain what happened in your situation.  It is helpful and it makes a lot of sense.  Very thoughtful of you.

 

Have a great cruise.

[Blackduck59]

@GeorgiaPeach51 I have to confess I was one who was ready to pile on against your post. I am glad I held off. Thanks for taking time from your vacation to help the next group navigate the embarkation maze. I will admit the title of the thread will touch the usual suspects off (including me).

Enjoy your cruise and thanks for sharing.

[mtnlvr53]

On 7/18/2021 at 5:33 PM, wrk2cruise said:

 

You need to recheck the captains club benefits.   All priority boarding has been discontinued due to covid.  Only suites have priority boarding now.

I just checked concierge class and they are still allowed priority boarding.

[wrk2cruise]

14 hours ago, helen haywood said:

Thanks for the update!  Could you ask the Retreat manager how one could tell the difference between a Celebrity shirted port authority employee and an actual Celebrity employee outside the terminal?

 

Pretty much all employees in the terminal are not crew of the ship.  They are wearing blue shirts.  I didn't see any crew until we were checked in and waiting in the suite lounge for a few minutes where we saw a Retreat concierge and the Suite manager who both were wearing their white uniform shirts.