Unexpected Shoreside Concierge Invitation to GO Princess Lounge at Port Everglades

[CalTexCruiser]

Unexpectedly, I received a call and email on Friday from a Princess Shoreside Concierge inviting us to the GO Princess Lounge on the day of embarkation next Tuesday because we are in a full suite.  This lounge appears to be outside of the port area, on the first floor of Princess Cruises HQ. 

 

Apparently, they will handle our luggage and a shuttle will take us to the terminal.  The email said "that waiting in line can be a hassle, so we want to make sure you can get onboard as quickly and smoothly as possible."  Not sure what that means. 

 

We don't have our medallions so wonder if the concierges in the lounge can produce those for us.

 

The concierge also said that we can "book any onboard experiences you may be interested in," presumably including the Sanctuary.  It'll be interesting if that's the case, as suite passengers (at least in Port Everglades) would have first dibs ahead of other passengers (except for B2B passengers). 

 

I have not heard of a shoreside lounge as a service for full suite passengers, but then again this will only be our third time on Princess so I may have just missed the announcement on this.

 

If indeed this lounge will allow full suite passengers to check in at a relaxing lounge and provide a fast lane to board it will be a great feature. 

[Rick&Jeannie]

Yes...this is something new that Princess is trying on an experimental basis.  I personally can't imagine them keeping this up given all of the emphasis on cost-cutting. (Just my opinion!)

[seagunthera]

Does anyone know which ports are piloting this new service? I'm in a suite going out of the Port of LA and would love to try it!

[BettyCruiser]

I thought Princess HQ was in California, not Florida??

[SCX22]

The Medallion development HQ is in Fort Lauderdale near Terminal 2 and 4 (terminals Princess uses most often) of Port Everglades. The suite lounge is here and as far as I know only Port Everglades offers this service for suite guests.

 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

It’s only in FLL right now as an experiment. In a penthouse suite in December so I hope we get the call!

 

but I am curious what it entails. Do you ship all the lines and board directly or do they just take you to the front. I don’t need them for that. But if they get our medallion and do all the necessary check in work and we walk on the ship, I’m there!!

 

And it’s not at their HQ, they just rented some space in a building. 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Please report back on your experience!!

[CalTexCruiser]

6 minutes ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

 

And it’s not at their HQ, they just rented some space in a building. 

 

😄LOL a rented space has become "Princess Cruises Headquarters"...see the blurb below in the email they sent me.  Good thing you warned me otherwise I would have been looking for some grand Princess HQ signage.

 

 

Also note the last sentence there...seems to suggest that in the future suite passengers may be able to park their vehicles at the GO Princess Lounge.

 

 

[CalTexCruiser]

19 minutes ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

 

but I am curious what it entails. Do you ship all the lines and board directly or do they just take you to the front. I don’t need them for that. But if they get our medallion and do all the necessary check in work and we walk on the ship, I’m there!!

 

 

 

I hope they'll get our medallions.  Otherwise it's just a free shuttle to the port from a lounge.

 

At a minimum we hope to reserve some spots in the Sanctuary for a few sea days.

[Guardsy]

We were in the first folks to use this service back in April.  It was wonderful.  Some snacks and beverages (no alcohol).  They will make spa reservations for you, Sanctuary and specialty dinner reservations, all from the lounge. Private vans to the ship.  Escorted you directly through the lines and onto the gangway.  They do transport your luggage, but ship side you are asked to check out a special area to see that all of it is there, so it doesn't get to your suite ahead of you.  We were told that this is a new amenity, mainly for suite holders who fly in the same day, early, so they can decompress and not be so rushed to get to the port.  We had flown in the night previous, but were coming from the west coast.  All in all, this was a very nice service.  I am not sure about medallions, but they seemed to be able to take care of everything for you.

[Guardsy]

I should also add, no matter what port they may offer this service in, if you are in a suite, the lounge is a MUCH nicer place to wait to board the ship than the port waiting rooms are.  Hands down!

[Pam in CA]

If they book the Sanctuary, how do you select a specific lounger from those available? The loungers are moveable and not always in the same layout. Unless things have changed in the last two months, Sanctuary bookings are done on paper sheets, one for each day. 

[Guardsy]

6 minutes ago, Pam in CA said:

If they book the Sanctuary, how do you select a specific lounger from those available? The loungers are moveable and not always in the same layout. Unless things have changed in the last two months, Sanctuary bookings are done on paper sheets, one for each day. 

No idea how they do it, we don't use the sanctuary.  However, we were asked at least twice if we wanted to book it.  I would imagine they fax or hand-deliver copies of the daily layout sheets to the lounge.  The ship is only 4-5 blocks away.  

[cr8tiv1]

They did not have this offering for suite passengers in the summer.  Envious since lines at PE are so unruly.  

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

Unexpectedly, I received a call and email on Friday from a Princess Shoreside Concierge inviting us to the GO Princess Lounge on the day of embarkation next Tuesday because we are in a full suite.  This lounge appears to be outside of the port area, on the first floor of Princess Cruises HQ. 

 

Apparently, they will handle our luggage and a shuttle will take us to the terminal.  The email said "that waiting in line can be a hassle, so we want to make sure you can get onboard as quickly and smoothly as possible."  Not sure what that means. 

 

We don't have our medallions so wonder if the concierges in the lounge can produce those for us.

 

The concierge also said that we can "book any onboard experiences you may be interested in," presumably including the Sanctuary.  It'll be interesting if that's the case, as suite passengers (at least in Port Everglades) would have first dibs ahead of other passengers (except for B2B passengers). 

 

I have not heard of a shoreside lounge as a service for full suite passengers, but then again this will only be our third time on Princess so I may have just missed the announcement on this.

 

If indeed this lounge will allow full suite passengers to check in at a relaxing lounge and provide a fast lane to board it will be a great feature. 

They initiated this last Spring sometime.  Obviously they have decided to continue it. 

 

It is as you mention in your last sentence.  You will be shuttled over to the pier when boarding commences.  Your baggage is taken over as if you handed it to porters yourself.  Reports from last Spring were good.  

 

If you are interested in booking Sanctuary, please provide some details such as do they radio over to the ship to find out available chairs?  How do you know what chair(s) you get when booking?  Last Spring, no one who posted about the experience was into Sanctuary nor had details.  You are correct - as long as you are at the offsite lounge prior to commencement of boarding, then you would be ahead of all pax in the terminal other than B2B'ers. 

 

I doubt they keep the lounge open much after noon as the terminal would be cleared out and guests just stream onto the ship after check-in. 

 

 

ETA = you will be able to make dining reservations as well.  I bet they take names for CT or WMD as well.

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by Steelers36

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, seagunthera said:

Does anyone know which ports are piloting this new service? I'm in a suite going out of the Port of LA and would love to try it!

Only PE in Fort Lauderdale.

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, BettyCruiser said:

I thought Princess HQ was in California, not Florida??

True - but there is an office on 17th St near entrance to the port.

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

😄LOL a rented space has become "Princess Cruises Headquarters"...see the blurb below in the email they sent me.  Good thing you warned me otherwise I would have been looking for some grand Princess HQ signage.

 

 

Also note the last sentence there...seems to suggest that in the future suite passengers may be able to park their vehicles at the GO Princess Lounge.

 

 

Or, it is just another dangling carrot stick.  If driving to port, guest would need to park in the garage (for example) and then get transportation over to the office - or walk if dropped off other guest and luggage first.  May not be worth it if parking at the garage.

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

It’s only in FLL right now as an experiment. In a penthouse suite in December so I hope we get the call!

 

but I am curious what it entails. Do you skip all the lines and board directly or do they just take you to the front. I don’t need them for that. But if they get our medallion and do all the necessary check in work and we walk on the ship, I’m there!!

 

And it’s not at their HQ, they just rented some space in a building. 

All the check-in is completed at the office and your luggage goes directly to the ship.  I believe you are directly escorted on board - or have a pass card for that.  I forget exactly the step from Spring 2023 posts in this Forum.  Definitely not waiting to board as they only take guests over once ship is ready for boarding.  I believe you get sent up front, but forget the details.

 

PS - they have noshes and beverages there like in the Elite/Suite lounge on second floor of T2.

Edited October 21, 2023 by Steelers36

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, Pam in CA said:

If they book the Sanctuary, how do you select a specific lounger from those available? The loungers are moveable and not always in the same layout. Unless things have changed in the last two months, Sanctuary bookings are done on paper sheets, one for each day. 

Good question.  I tried to find out back in the Spring and no answers.  Hopefully, someone will post the process this Fall. 

 

If they have copies of the sheets, there is still the issue of communicating back to the ship as to what has been booked by Suite guests so they know when the racers arrive up top following start of boarding what inventory is available.  Also, guests arriving at the offsite post general boarding start won't be able to book unless the hosts over there can radio the ship and discuss. 

 

Perhaps the ship blocks off X nbr for Suite check-in and then releases any not taken later.  It's all a mystery and hopefully someone will post the information.

Edited October 21, 2023 by Steelers36

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

They did not have this offering for suite passengers in the summer.  Envious since lines at PE are so unruly.  

What ship was sailing from PE this Summer?

[dog]

5 hours ago, Guardsy said:

We were in the first folks to use this service back in April.  It was wonderful.  Some snacks and beverages (no alcohol).  They will make spa reservations for you, Sanctuary and specialty dinner reservations, all from the lounge. Private vans to the ship.  Escorted you directly through the lines and onto the gangway.  They do transport your luggage, but ship side you are asked to check out a special area to see that all of it is there, so it doesn't get to your suite ahead of you.  We were told that this is a new amenity, mainly for suite holders who fly in the same day, early, so they can decompress and not be so rushed to get to the port.  We had flown in the night previous, but were coming from the west coast.  All in all, this was a very nice service.  I am not sure about medallions, but they seemed to be able to take care of everything for you.

Thank you so much for reporting on YOUR first-hand experience!

I hope to take advantage, if it is still available, next October, for my cruise on the SUN!

[cr8tiv1]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

What ship was sailing from PE this Summer?

July 22, FLL/PE to Quebec….surely you do remember.  

[Steelers36]

39 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

July 22, FLL/PE to Quebec….surely you do remember.  

Oh, right.  That said, it is not surprising for them to not operate the Suite reception in the off season.

[cr8tiv1]

34 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Oh, right.  That said, it is not surprising for them to not operate the Suite reception in the off season.

 

But….we could have been the last to be serviced. I’m sure they paid rent for all of July.