What does Priority Embarkation and Debarkation really mean?

[rcrabb1513]

Our first time in a Retreat Suite is coming up.  We received what we consider a good price as we booked this cruise shortly after the restart when deals were to be had.  

 

What exactly is "priority" in context for embarkation and debarkation?  I can't find any definitive information on Celebrity's web pages. From what I have found it appears for embarkation there is a separate entrance line but that's about it.  Is that all there is?

 

Thanks!

[cruisestitch]

Which port?

[Shiba_Lover]

For retreat, you can board when you want.  Depending on the port, there may be a nice lounge area with some coffee, juices and pastries.  

 

Disembark - you can gather in the retreat lounge and be escorted of the ship, past the security lines.  Again, at a convenient time for you.  They will still collect your flight details like usual.

[rcrabb1513]

7 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Which port?

Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale

[PTC DAWG]

10 minutes ago, rcrabb1513 said:

Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale

You will have a separate entrance for Retreat guests..we just used it...worked excellent.  It is to the left as you approach the terminal entrance..

Edited February 15 by PTC DAWG

[kjc852]

Sydney, Australia; anyone have boarding experience there?

[CHEZMARYLOU]

At Port Everglades, once you check in at the Retreat area you will either be seated in the lounge until the ship is cleared for embarkation, or you will be directed to go directly on to the ship. If you get there early you will be among the first to embark. Other cabin categories will start to embark once the 1st group in the retreat are boarding.

 

For disembarkation you can wait in the retreat lounge and will be able to disembark as soon as all of the retreat luggage is off loaded at the terminal. If you are not in a hurry you can wait in the lounge until you are ready to leave.  The concierge will lead you to the front of the line.

[hrhdhd]

1 hour ago, Shiba_Lover said:

For retreat, you can board when you want.  Depending on the port, there may be a nice lounge area with some coffee, juices and pastries.  

 

Disembark - you can gather in the retreat lounge and be escorted of the ship, past the security lines.  Again, at a convenient time for you.  They will still collect your flight details like usual.

Well, you can arrive at the port when you want. You can board as soon as the ship is ready.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "security lines" upon debarkation. There are no security lines, just immigration lines. You don't get to bypass those.

[rcrabb1513]

Thank you all for the information.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

1 hour ago, hrhdhd said:

Well, you can arrive at the port when you want. You can board as soon as the ship is ready.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "security lines" upon debarkation. There are no security lines, just immigration lines. You don't get to bypass those.

The "security line" is the area where Celebrity personnel "ding" you off the ship one last time. There is usually a line waiting to exit so if in the Retreat you bypass that line and are taken right to the sea pass scanner. Depending on the terminal you might just use facial recognition so there is no immigration line to stand in.

[hrhdhd]

8 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

The "security line" is the area where Celebrity personnel "ding" you off the ship one last time. There is usually a line waiting to exit so if in the Retreat you bypass that line and are taken right to the sea pass scanner. Depending on the terminal you might just use facial recognition so there is no immigration line to stand in.

You'll have to wait for the facial recognition scanner with everyone else, though. Does it move quickly? Sure. But once you're off the ship, there is no priority. 

[wrk2cruise]

You luggage is also generally placed right at the point where you go to immigration and is the first off the ship.  Sometimes there is a worker there that will place you in the line if there is one.  Priority disembarkation is one of the very nice Retreat perks.

[Shellyd22]

Do retreat guests get luggage delivered first? How long does it normally take? I know there are many factors involved probably but last cruise I was on (NCL) my luggage did not arrive until after dinner. Wondering if I should pack dinner outfit in carryon but I rather not. 

[Northern Aurora]

4 hours ago, kjc852 said:

Sydney, Australia; anyone have boarding experience there?

 

Do you have a specific question?  

 

We have embarked in Sydney several times with the most recent being March, 2023.  Celebrity uses the Overseas Passenger Terminal.   I have always found embarkation and disembarkation in Sydney to be well organized.  When we embarked in March we had an early boarding time (we were in a Suite and are also Zenith members of the Captain's Club).  After dropping off the luggage we essentially just walked through, cleared Immigration and boarded the ship.  I don't remember any special area with beverages and so forth for Retreat guests.

[39august]

We've done Retreat several times and luggage has  been delivered by 3 PM.  This is FLL.

[Northern Aurora]

1 hour ago, Shellyd22 said:

Do retreat guests get luggage delivered first? .......

 

I really don't know if Retreat guests have priority for luggage delivery.  Since the resumption of cruising we the latest I remember receiving luggage was about 3 PM.  Years ago (2009?) one of our bags wasn't delivered until after dinner, but the cruise line luggage tag had been torn off.

[kjc852]

1 hour ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

Do you have a specific question?  

 

We have embarked in Sydney several times with the most recent being March, 2023.  Celebrity uses the Overseas Passenger Terminal.   I have always found embarkation and disembarkation in Sydney to be well organized.  When we embarked in March we had an early boarding time (we were in a Suite and are also Zenith members of the Captain's Club).  After dropping off the luggage we essentially just walked through, cleared Immigration and boarded the ship.  I don't remember any special area with beverages and so forth for Retreat guests.

We will be embarking out of Sydney on a transpacific cruise aboard the Edge on April 14.  We are in an Edge Villa suite that includes “priority check-in, departure,…” and are familiar with this Retreat boarding process on Celebrity cruises from Florida.  My specific interest is learning if such a dedicated check-in area for suite guests exists for Celebrity cruises departing from Sydney?  

[Baynanno1]

2 minutes ago, kjc852 said:

We will be embarking out of Sydney on a transpacific cruise aboard the Edge on April 14.  We are in an Edge Villa suite that includes “priority check-in, departure,…” and are familiar with this Retreat boarding process on Celebrity cruises from Florida.  My specific interest is learning if such a dedicated check-in area for suite guests exists for Celebrity cruises departing from Sydney?  

 

We have had polar opposite experiences boarding in Sydney.

 

December 2022 Eclipse - excellent, well organised, separate line for suite guests.

 

October 2023 Solstice - chaos - delayed clearance combined with hundreds of passengers arriving well before their allocated boarding time and even before the advertised first boarding time given the crowd already there when we arrived right on our allocated (first) boarding time and no sign of a priority line.

[Northern Aurora]

40 minutes ago, kjc852 said:

We will be embarking out of Sydney on a transpacific cruise aboard the Edge on April 14.  We are in an Edge Villa suite that includes “priority check-in, departure,…” and are familiar with this Retreat boarding process on Celebrity cruises from Florida.  My specific interest is learning if such a dedicated check-in area for suite guests exists for Celebrity cruises departing from Sydney?  

 

In March 2023 we were on the Eclipse for a B2B2B2B series all in and out of Sydney.  All 4 legs were in Suites.  I did not see any dedicated check-in area for the Retreat.  But it wasn't chaos either.

[Mauidiver]

Just for information, for AK cruises departing Vancouver, BC the priority embarkation/suite folks were in a separate area and boarded before everyone else who were staged in a huge warehouse type area.  It was well organized.

[worldtraveller]

Anyone know about Auckland? Is there a special area there for suites?

[Diplomat1]

My experience below should shed some light on Priority Self-Assist Debarkation (PSAD).

 

And answer the perennial question "What's the earliest I can I make a flight after a cruise?".

 

Arriving at Miami Cruise Port Sunday Feb 11, 2024 and trying to catch a 9:30am flight out of Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

 

Priority Self-Assist Debarkation (PSAD)
Carnival Horizon - Miami to FLL
PSAD for Platinum
Diamond went first, Gold maybe 30 mins later
Beforehand: SWA check-in 24 hours prior

Actual times (YMMV):
5:00am rise and clear cabin
5:00am ship docks
5:30am all bags to forward dining
5:35am bags first in PSAD line
5:50am others showing up
6:10am continental breakfast
6:30am official PSAD time
7:40am Customs clears ship
7:40am actual Diamond PSAD
7:50am actual Platinum PSAD
8:00am actual customs
8:10am actual in taxi
8:43am actual arrive FLL
8:45am actual last checked bags

NOTE: Bag check 45 mins prior to flight
8:50am actual TSA started
9:00am actual TSA done
9:00am actual boarding started
9:07am actual at gate and on the ramp
9:30am actual flight
11:45am actual arrival MCI

 

WARNING: This represents the absolute earliest flight time and I strongly recommend planning an additional hour at least.  (For example, customs can take as long as they want.)

 

Hope this helps!