Galveston/Conquest VIP question

[Havinsnest]

Scene: Galveston Terminal

When: Last December 23

Ship: Conquest

 

On our first ever cruise last Christmas, we had VIP check-in because of our suite. When we got to the terminal we asked the porter what direction to go, he pointed to the door and in we went. We were met by two women who wanted to see our Fun Pass. Showed it to them, one of them made a check mark with a highlighter and said go up those stairs. Which we did.

 

There was a line of about 200 people which I got in. My DH went to the front of the line where a man with a Carnival shirt was standing and asked about the VIP check in. He told Terry to "sit right there in those chairs" and you will go in after the wedding parties. Terry motioned for me to get out of line and we sat where indicated. The man was sweet as could be and made small talk with us while answering the questions of those in the line.

 

Within about 20 minutes he called for the wedding parties and after they went past his roped area he had opened up the rope again and he had us go on through. He just sort of pointed and we went up to the long counter.

 

It took the lady a while to find our S&S cards and I vaguely remember her saying "they were in with the VIP cards." She pointed to another line and we walked over to that gentleman. He told us to head one way but when DH mentioned VIP to him he pointed in a different direction and said "oh, you need to go this way" and moves a rope to let us pass. We went to where he pointed, sat there about 10 minutes and we and another couple were the first people on board behind the wedding parties. Didn't get an embarkation picture, though. The photographer wasn't there.

 

Okay, all that to say...

 

From reading here after the cruise, and looking back at/remembering what that lady said to us about our S&S cards' location, I now realize there must be a VIP line at the long counter somewhere and we shouldn't have just gone to an open person at the counter. I also keep seeing the phrase "VIP Lounge" here on CC. Are those chairs the VIP lounge in Galveston?

 

We have another Conquest cruise in January which also has VIP check in due to a suite. And I'm also hearing about VIP debarkation. We have grown kids going with us this time and don't have VIP. I realize they have to go in the "real" line. I figure we'll just tell them where to meet us (Sur Mer!) once they get on board. DH and I would like to take advantage of the VIP system again but we want to do it correctly this time. I feel guilty about making the lady at the counter hunt for our S&S cards and would prefer not to put anyone to extra work this time.

 

 

 

What did we do wrong last time? Who should we have talked to, what line/ where should we have been in. Does Conquest do VIP debarkation?

 

 

 

Mach? Anyone?

[Ship Addict]

After you go upstairs and thru the initial check where they look at your tickets, you should proceed to a VIP security line. Then after that, you should bear left and there is a room on your left for VIP check-in. There are 2 desks in the main room and then off to the side of that is a room with some couches.

 

After you leave that room, they just vaguely point you to the waiting area/photography area. We went to the front of that and showed our tickets so we could bypass the long line for pics. Then from there, I'm not sure if you're supposed to go to the front of the line anymore after that. We were just pointed toward the concourse. There was a HUGE line of people waiting to get on the ship at that point. We tried to ask a security person if we were supposed to go to the front of that line, but she basically told me "there ain't no VIPs in my line."

 

It would help if you could find someone willing to escort you thru the process. I did find the Galveston people rather vague about what we are entitled to do and how to go about it. And I felt like a clod cutting in line in front of all those people cos they didn't know I was VIP, and probably didn't even know what a VIP was. If we had had someone in an official red jacket with us, there probably would have been a whole lot fewer questioning stares.

[robtx100]

We've had VIP check in at that terminal two times. There was a small room all the way to the right of the terminal where nice ladies checked us in and got our cards for us. Then they would lead us to board the ship when the ship was ready. Sorry yours didn't go as smoothly.

[Havinsnest]

We've had VIP check in at that terminal two times. There was a small room all the way to the right of the terminal where nice ladies checked us in and got our cards for us. Then they would lead us to board the ship when the ship was ready. Sorry yours didn't go as smoothly.

 

After you go upstairs and thru the initial check where they look at your tickets, you should proceed to a VIP security line. Then after that, you should bear left

Now I'm really confused. Right? Left?

 

And, um, we didn't go through a security check. I wondered about that at the time. :o

[BlueC5Kitten]

On my cruise earlier this year I had VIP boarding...it was in Port Ft. Lauderdale. There was an additional entrance for the VIP boarders. I was given quite a bit of hassle at first...the man asked to see my FunPass, and then asked to see my documentation. Shortly thereafter I was taken to the front of the line...and that was it...I checked in, was on board and went from there. There was no VIP waiting area or anything...went through security screening, got photographed and had my S&S card with its first drink charged in under 20 minutes. :D

[Ship Addict]

Now I'm really confused. Right? Left?

 

And, um, we didn't go through a security check. I wondered about that at the time. :o

 

As of September 2008, it was on the left just after you went thru the security/x-ray area.

[Havinsnest]

Thank you. I'll be looking and asking more questions when we get there this time.

[Havinsnest]

Now that Conquest has been back in Galveston for a while I'm asking this again...

 

Can someone help me so we don't inconvenience anyone this year...up the stairs and then where do we go for VIP check in?

[232271]

We waited in a seperate line to the left of the massive "regular" line.

Then once thru XRAY there was a room to the left.......with desks and a few chairs.....I am sure if you ask someone they can help you as well.