Priority boarding

Thanks maryred ... excellent info as usual. Appreciate your posts.

Thanks MARYRED....thats proof that cruise lines aren't all alike, which is what you hear sometimes onboard from folks who haven't cruised before...and why I strongly suggest, given the past year, stick with what you know..or, at least what you think you know,,,it'll be an interesting experience for veteran cruisers... can't imagine being a newbie right about now...

Here's my direct experience with 4 of the major USA departure cruise lines about their priority privileges. Perhaps others can fill in the other popular lines listed.

Carnival Cruise Lines: 1) book a Suite, all levels, 2) reach Platinum loyalty level and higher, 3) purchase of Faster to the Fun, & 4) special invitees of the casino or cruise line. SPECIAL NOTE: Starting with the Dream class of ships the size of the vessels used for cruising are classified as mega-ships due to passenger capacity, and there will be many on board venues consistently crowded.

Celebrity Cruises: 1) book Concierge Class staterooms, or suite, 2) reach Elite loyalty status (but only at USA homeports), & 3) purchase the Premier Pass. SPECIAL NOTE: Starting with the Edge class the size of the vessels used for cruising are classified as large-ships due to passenger capacity, and there will be some on board venues consistently crowded.

Costa Cruises:

Disney Cruise Line:

Holland America Line:

MSC Cruises:

Norwegian Cruise Line: 1) book a suite or penthouse, with the Haven suites having special area access 2) reach loyalty level, & 3) purchase Priority Access package. SPECIAL NOTE: Starting with the Epic class the vessels used for cruising are classified as mega-ships due to passenger capacity, and there will be many on board venues consistently crowded.

P&O Cruises:

Princess Cruises:

Royal Caribbean: 1) book a suite, but be careful on newer ships the suite may need to be classified as Sea, Sky, or Star class to get priority, also on newer ships certain suites may have access to private "neighborhood" areas 2) reach Emerald level loyalty, though stated on their website priority check-in is given starting with Gold level not until you reach Emerald there is a separate line & waiting area in the terminal, 3) purchase the Key program, & 4) receive a special offer from the casino that states it includes special boarding privileges. SPECIAL NOTE: Starting with the Freedom class the size of the vessels used for cruising are classified as mega-ships due to passenger capacity, and there will be many on board venues consistently crowded.

Virgin Voyages:

Not exactly....for those who aren't "entitled to it" as a perk of their status, and have to actually buy it...it comes up on their website as a "tour"...so if your cruise is flat cancelled (as MANY have been)....CCL refunds your $$ to whatever CC you used to buy it. along with anything else you "added on"....we have it for ours of Nov26, bought it gawd knows how long ago when it magically appeared. we usually cruise NCL as platinum, and don't have enough points to automatically get it on CCL......working on it...we have another with CCL Feb 2022, and it hasn't appeared yet. you actually need to log in daily. FWIW, I called CCL, and no, they didn't cancel it, don't know when it will become available.... as usual....patience....deep breaths...

Regent Seven Seas offers Priority boarding and portage for those in suites Consierge and above.

Or may be based off number of sailing, poo! I forgot...

unfortunately carnival is not offing the faster to the fun program right now...I purchased it for my august cruise and they cancelled it and refunded my money.... then they changed the itinerary to an eastern cruise...

It feels rather invigorating....

Aint it great to be discussing actual cruising issues...instead of...well....other stuff?????

We had Priority Boarding when we had a Junior Suite on Majesty of the Seas. Unfortunately, we got to the port too late to enjoy the food in the Priority Boarding Lounge. I set my bag down on a couch, and they announced boarding :Facepalm:

RCI Has priority boarding on all Suites, and Diamond level and higher Loyalty Status

I got a good deal on a Junior on Grandeur in April 2023, so hopefully that works out better in our favor!

The price IS per cabin...it covers everyone in the cabin for one flat rate, IF there are any left over AFTER those with automatic priority get theirs. Its entirely possible that FTTF wouldn't be offered if the ship sells out...Nobody, not your TA, or even folks you can call at the cruiseline know when it will open, or how many may be available on any given ship...you want it, log on DAILY...if its available, its considered a "tour", so book it immediately..