Edge Retreat Escort Embarkation Questions

[detwings]

This will be the first time we are cruising on the Celebrity Edge Retreat.  We are in a Sky Suite.  We have sailed in the NCL Havens numerous times.  This will be our chance to compare Celebrity's Retreat vs NCL Haven experience.  We are curious about how Celebrity boards the Retreat guests?

 

By comparison, NCL sends all of their butlers, aka Retreat Hosts, to the Haven Lounge in the terminal and escorts all the Haven guests in dedicated elevators to the Haven Lounge.  They are then greeted by the Haven Concierges where they are given a quick brieifing about the services offered, met by the bar staff with drinks and welcome aboard food.  This is all done prior to the Haven Restaurant opening for lunch.

 

Our check in time is 11 and plan to be there by 10:30 am and waiting to get checked in.  We expect to be on the ship shortly after that but are curious how Celebrity boards their Retreat guests on the Celebrity Edge.  Thanks.  Looking forward to sailing on the Edge.

[dkjretired]

40 minutes ago, detwings said:

This will be the first time we are cruising on the Celebrity Edge Retreat.  We are in a Sky Suite.  We have sailed in the NCL Havens numerous times.  This will be our chance to compare Celebrity's Retreat vs NCL Haven experience.  We are curious about how Celebrity boards the Retreat guests?

 

By comparison, NCL sends all of their butlers, aka Retreat Hosts, to the Haven Lounge in the terminal and escorts all the Haven guests in dedicated elevators to the Haven Lounge.  They are then greeted by the Haven Concierges where they are given a quick brieifing about the services offered, met by the bar staff with drinks and welcome aboard food.  This is all done prior to the Haven Restaurant opening for lunch.

 

Our check in time is 11 and plan to be there by 10:30 am and waiting to get checked in.  We expect to be on the ship shortly after that but are curious how Celebrity boards their Retreat guests on the Celebrity Edge.  Thanks.  Looking forward to sailing on the Edge.

On Celebrity you would go directly to your room upon boarding where you can drop off your carry ons and pick up your sign and sail cards.

[kokopelli-az]

We were on the Equinox in August in a Sky Suite.  When embarking, there was a dedicated line for Suite passengers (no matter what time your check-in is).  They took us through a different door on to the ship and to a room (with non-alcohol beverages and snacks) where they completed the Covid checks.  At this point we boarded the ship and you could go wherever you want.   We went to our room (it was 11:50 and rooms weren't officially ready until 1) and dropped off our luggage.   We then went to our muster station (having previously viewed the muster drill) where they scanned our room card.   Then off to the Martini Bar.   

As far as I know, the Retreat Lounge would be open when you board but its hours on boarding day were not listed in the embarkation newsletter.  Maybe someone who has gone directly to the Retreat Lounge upon embarkation would know for sure what time they open.   But no one escorts you there.  

[CalTexCruiser]

we were on the Apex Sky Suite

 

After check in and the COVID test at the terminal, a staff member pointed us and everyone else in the general direction of the ship.  We walked through the security screening and another 200 feet to the ship, whereupon we took the elevator straight to our room.  The room key was right outside and we dropped our bags off and went to the Luminae for lunch--Luminae is fantastic by the way (both food and service).

 

We did not meet our Retreat Host until we ran into her accidentally in the hallway on the way back to our room after lunch.  Our Retreat Host was simply amazing.

[djh]

2 hours ago, detwings said:

This will be the first time we are cruising on the Celebrity Edge Retreat.  We are in a Sky Suite.  We have sailed in the NCL Havens numerous times.  This will be our chance to compare Celebrity's Retreat vs NCL Haven experience.  We are curious about how Celebrity boards the Retreat guests?

 

By comparison, NCL sends all of their butlers, aka Retreat Hosts, to the Haven Lounge in the terminal and escorts all the Haven guests in dedicated elevators to the Haven Lounge.  They are then greeted by the Haven Concierges where they are given a quick brieifing about the services offered, met by the bar staff with drinks and welcome aboard food.  This is all done prior to the Haven Restaurant opening for lunch.

 

Our check in time is 11 and plan to be there by 10:30 am and waiting to get checked in.  We expect to be on the ship shortly after that but are curious how Celebrity boards their Retreat guests on the Celebrity Edge.  Thanks.  Looking forward to sailing on the Edge.

We were just on the Edge in a suite. At T25, there is a separate door for suites. It is the far left one. After stepping inside, cards, covid tests and passports were checked. They then walk you to a separate elevator and there you go through security and into the lounge. There are retreat concierges there to greet you, (currently they are Amber, Joao and Hussain).  At 11:15, we were escorted to our suite to pick up our keys, drop our items and then were able to go to lunch in Luminae at 11:30. We were in an upper level suite so I’m unsure if you will be escorted or just directed to your cabin. Have a great time, we loved the Edge!

Edited October 9, 2021 by djh

[C-Dragons]

1 hour ago, dkjretired said:

On Celebrity you would go directly to your room upon boarding where you can drop off your carry ons and pick up your sign and sail cards.

Yes, and to be honest, we like it this way. 😊

We don’t feel the need for anyone to escort us, the staff have so many things to do on embarkation day. But it is a nice touch for those who wish to take advantage of the service, and those who are first time cruisers with X.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We haven't sailed on Edge yet but were escorted a few times when in a royal or penthouse suite. Reminded me of our 1st cruise in an ocean view on zenith when we were escorted to our cabin.

[detwings]

Thanks for all the replies.  Just wanted to know since this is the first time.  Countdown begins.

 

[lv2cruisgrl]

14 hours ago, djh said:

We were just on the Edge in a suite. At T25, there is a separate door for suites. It is the far left one. After stepping inside, cards, covid tests and passports were checked. They then walk you to a separate elevator and there you go through security and into the lounge. There are retreat concierges there to greet you, (currently they are Amber, Joao and Hussain).  At 11:15, we were escorted to our suite to pick up our keys, drop our items and then were able to go to lunch in Luminae at 11:30. We were in an upper level suite so I’m unsure if you will be escorted or just directed to your cabin. Have a great time, we loved the Edge!

So what is the earliest we can arrive to check in? We have a suite on Edge.

[dkjretired]

14 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

Yes, and to be honest, we like it this way. 😊

We don’t feel the need for anyone to escort us, the staff have so many things to do on embarkation day. But it is a nice touch for those who wish to take advantage of the service, and those who are first time cruisers with X.

Agree, best part is being able to get rid of the carry ons. 

Edited October 10, 2021 by dkjretired

[djh]

4 hours ago, lovrccl said:

So what is the earliest we can arrive to check in? We have a suite on Edge.

I think it varies a bit from week to week.  We had a shuttle scheduled for 11 am but the shuttle picked us up early. We were actually at T25 before 11 and we checked in with no problem. Suites may check in at any time and don’t have to adhere to the scheduled time. When we left the next week, we were among the last to leave at 9:30 and they were not checking passengers in then. To be safe, I would not arrive before 10:30 am for sure. 

[lv2cruisgrl]

3 hours ago, djh said:

I think it varies a bit from week to week.  We had a shuttle scheduled for 11 am but the shuttle picked us up early. We were actually at T25 before 11 and we checked in with no problem. Suites may check in at any time and don’t have to adhere to the scheduled time. When we left the next week, we were among the last to leave at 9:30 and they were not checking passengers in then. To be safe, I would not arrive before 10:30 am for sure. 

Thank you!