Retreat guests and boarding times?

[lukaaj12]

I've read differently here than what I've been told by my parents, who have cruised more recently than I have. Can Retreat guests embark at any time, ignoring their "time slot" for check in? Or must they go off of the scheduled time?

 

My parents are traveling in the Retreat next week and are so certain they have to wait until the scheduled time they were assigned when they did the online check in. I'm traveling in the Retreat next month on a different ship/port but remember seeing multiple folks here post that suite guests can embark anytime they show up due to the priority status.

 

Appreciate the clarity!

[markeb]

Retreat guests can check in any time. You're not limited to your assigned time. You need to wait for the previous guests to clear, so probably 10:30-11:00 is safe at FLL. It could be earlier, and you could check in and wait to actually board. You have to select a time; you don't have to follow it.

[Northern Aurora]

@markeb is correct.  Retreat guests definitely check-in at their convenience.  Clearly the check in for Retreat guests starts after the ship has officially "zeroed out."  Other than that -- show up at their preferred time.

[jelayne]

We have arrived at Port Everglades  before 11 and had to wait outside as the terminal doors didn’t‘t open until 11.  Next cruise we arrived at 11:15 and the Retreat entrance was packed, shoulder to shoulder backed up to take the elevator to the Retreat check in.   Last time we arrived about 11:45 and no crowd, we were on the ship in 10 mins.

[cruisestitch]

You choose a time on line for check-in, but as a suite guest you are not limited to that time.

In Fort Lauderdale, you can enter the building whenever they open the doors. Often that is around 11. You then go through security and from there to the suite lounge where they check your documentation, photo, etc..  and when the ship is cleared they allow you to board.

[WestLakeGirl]

There is entry to the building, check-in for the cruise, and boarding the cruise. As soon as they open the building they will allow retreat guests to enter and check in. And once the authorities clear the ship they will allow them to board.

[Jim_Iain]

13 hours ago, lukaaj12 said:

I've read differently here than what I've been told by my parents, who have cruised more recently than I have. Can Retreat guests embark at any time, ignoring their "time slot" for check in? Or must they go off of the scheduled time?

 

My parents are traveling in the Retreat next week and are so certain they have to wait until the scheduled time they were assigned when they did the online check in. I'm traveling in the Retreat next month on a different ship/port but remember seeing multiple folks here post that suite guests can embark anytime they show up due to the priority status.

 

Appreciate the clarity!

 

You are 100% correct.  Suite Guests can checkin at anytime.    Just have them indiate they are Suite Guests and show boarding pass and you will be directed to the Retreat CheckIn area.  

 

 

[JDPCruisers]

When we have gone out of FLL there is a Retreat line sign outside. Once cleared you go to the Retreat desk and you are escorted to a dedicated elevator, once off the elevator is security before you enter the Retreat lounge where there used to be snacks, water, and, if I recall, soft drinks, not sure about that now, while they come around to your seat and check you in. On Connie in Dec so will see if anything has changed.  

[39august]

They should look for an entry  marked "Retreat". They enter there and will be directed to the Suite Lounge to be checked in. 

[agape01]

This is the latest information on embarkation for Retreat check in. 

Please forward to 18:53 if the video didn't start at that time stamp.

[DCPIV]

Yep. You can check in as soon as they'll let you in the terminal. The assigned check-in time is irrelevant. 

[jbcallender]

When we got on Millie in Vancouver in August, no one ever asked about our reservation time.  I think we selected 11:00 a.m., but went about 10:30.

[Algebralovr]

On 9/11/2023 at 10:16 AM, JDPCruisers said:

When we have gone out of FLL there is a Retreat line sign outside. Once cleared you go to the Retreat desk and you are escorted to a dedicated elevator, once off the elevator is security before you enter the Retreat lounge where there used to be snacks, water, and, if I recall, soft drinks, not sure about that now, while they come around to your seat and check you in. On Connie in Dec so will see if anything has changed.  

Connie will be in Tampa, so no retreat lounge.  They do have a shorter dedicated line, rather than the line everyone else is in.   We were on her in February. 

[dateacher]

Not only can they check in early but the wait to board in the retreat area is wonderful.  Worth getting there early for 

[Cap_D]

Just adding in case it helps a future reader:

 

At FLL if being dropped off insist that your driver take you all the way to the furthest end of the terminal, the traffic cop or driver may encourage them to do otherwise, and be sure to tell the porter you're in the Retreat/Suites (use both words).  Then, once out of the vehicle, tell your porter, everyone in a blue shirt that approaches that you're in Retreat.  Repeat until it's clear whomever it is is directing you in the direction of the path to the Retreat check in. 

 

At some point doing that process you'll be pointed to the left hand side of the entrance and then proceed to have credentials checked, and be pointed to the Retreat elevator (not escalator).  

 

Again, you may be discouraged from being dropped so far down the stretch of sidewalk, etc.  Don't give in, don't follow anyone except to the doors on the left side.  It's not that anyone doesn't want you to get to the right place, and the folks are great, but in the moment they want to keep things moving and for most rooms it's not the Retreat.

 

Porters have tags and staples if needed, though the tag template with color coding can't hurt.  (We think the Porters are rock stars, and tip generously).

 

Once in the portside Retreat lounge, check-in occurs with mobile blue shirts using iPads.  So, you can lounge if it looks like there is a back up.  Just make sure you don't end up lounging too long. The parties and drinks (if not cutback) are carted down from the ship.  

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Cap_D

[hampshirelad]

We have been always been looked after as Retreat guests over a number of years.

If we are flying from the UK, and transfer to the port , then there is a area set aside with refreshments and they normally take you on in small groups as soon as the ship is clear and then we go to the Retreat lounge until lunch.

 

We live near Southampton so if we cruise from there then we get the taxi to arrive about 11am. There used to be a separate check in but now its become much more automated and they scan your boarding pass and you go through . It helps if you make sure you have got your head around online check in and loaded your passport type photo. WIFI is not great at Southampton so it helps if you have printed your boarding pass as back up.

 

Again go to the Retreat lounge or deck until lunch.

 

Not sure if we shall still use the Retreat / and or Celebrity  after our next cruise in November. Its not what it was !

[billc23]

19 hours ago, Cap_D said:

Just adding in case it helps a future reader:

 

At FLL if being dropped off insist that your driver take you all the way to the furthest end of the terminal, the traffic cop or driver may encourage them to do otherwise, and be sure to tell the porter you're in the Retreat/Suites (use both words). 

 

It depends on which terminal at FLL. Celebrity uses 2 different ones. I do not recall the numbers but the layout is different.

[MMMCruiser]

On 9/14/2023 at 9:52 AM, hampshirelad said:

We have been always been looked after as Retreat guests over a number of years.

If we are flying from the UK, and transfer to the port , then there is a area set aside with refreshments and they normally take you on in small groups as soon as the ship is clear and then we go to the Retreat lounge until lunch.

 

We live near Southampton so if we cruise from there then we get the taxi to arrive about 11am. There used to be a separate check in but now its become much more automated and they scan your boarding pass and you go through . It helps if you make sure you have got your head around online check in and loaded your passport type photo. WIFI is not great at Southampton so it helps if you have printed your boarding pass as back up.

 

Again go to the Retreat lounge or deck until lunch.

 

Not sure if we shall still use the Retreat / and or Celebrity  after our next cruise in November. Its not what it was !

I came here looking for this information and found your post.  Very helpful!  

Can you advise on what time we can disembark at Southampton at the end of our cruise?  (Retreat guests and it says we have priority but I have never sailed with X before).  I want a to hire a car transfer to London and I am not sure what time to tell them to meet us.  I'd like to disembark on the early side. 

[agape01]

On 9/12/2023 at 8:37 AM, agape01 said:

This is the latest information on embarkation for Retreat check in. 

Please forward to 18:53 if the video didn't start at that time stamp.

 

Now that I am a week away from my cruise, I am hoping what I found out about Zach's check in timing and my upcoming check in timing holds true and steady.

Unlike Zach, I have the Celebrity airport (Haneda) to Port (Yokohama) transfer and as a Retreat guest, I am hoping that I am able to board earlier and hassle free.