New Boarding Procedures?

[DVCLady]

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[suwoogie]

We sailed on the Magic, October 15th. It was the first time DSL tried this new system.

We got to the port about 10am. We were let into the port at 10:30. (we waited outside on the sidewalk with the luggage and then DSL employees took the luggage)

The sun was shining and it was warm. That's all I cared about. Oh, and I had Group 2

 

[Mickeyhugger]

The sun was shining and it was warm. That's all I cared about. Oh, and I had Group 2

Do you remember how long you had to wait?

American Airlines (haven't flown on other carriers in recent years, maybe they do it too) boards by groups, and I think it's efficient. However, there are tons more people waiting to board a cruise ship.

Oh well. We can live with it, I guess. And maybe a few more bugs will be ironed out before we sail. I just didn't have any problem with the old system, and wished they'd kept it at that.

 

[suwoogie]

We were let into the terminal at 10:30 and got on the ship at 12:45.

 

[lmok]

suwoogie,

2 hours that is unreal. When we went in 2004 we waited no more than 45 min. At leat we will know what to excpect.

Lisa

 

[Verandah Man]

suwoogie,

2 hours that is unreal. When we went in 2004 we waited no more than 45 min. At leat we will know what to excpect.

Lisa

You have to remember that suwoogie was on the first cruise after the Magic was in dry dock, could have been the reason for the later boarding time. The last two cruises we took on the Magic we were boarding by 11:45am.

 

[oybolshoi]

I was also on the 10/15 cruise - was not thrilled with the new boarding process but that was primarily because it was terribly unorganized. I second earlier comments about segregated areas for each boarding group and adding additional seating.

We were shocked to arrive at the terminal after noon and find so many people waiting to get on the ship - we expected to find people boarding by then. A CM later told us it had to do with the whole dry dock thing and the ship just not being ready on time.

DH and I ended up with group 7 and were on the ship by about 1:30PM. Not what I wanted or planned, but still not bad.

 

[crisi]

You have to remember that suwoogie was on the first cruise after the Magic was in dry dock, could have been the reason for the later boarding time. The last two cruises we took on the Magic we were boarding by 11:45am.

Yep, the ship doesn't normally open until 11:45 or so - and it isn't exact - its "when they are ready" which is sometime after all the guest from the previous cruise have gotten off and the public areas have been cleaned up. And that can be delayed. The question is "how long did you wait after they called the first group?" With the old system, you showed up at 10:30, checked in, and stood in line until the "ears" opened if you wanted to be among the first to board. By the time the ears opened, the line snaked all the way around the terminal. We sat, waited the half hour for the line to get reasonable, and then got in line and were still having lunch by 12:15 or so - which meant plenty of people who showed up later boarded first, but we didn't care to stand in line. If I show up, am handed a card, and am boarding within half an hour or so of the ears opening - its a wash for me.

 

[suwoogie]

The late boarding (as opposed to the usual 11:30–12:30) was due to the dry dock modifications not being ready yet. They were still cleaning carpets (our cabin carpet was still wet as was the hallway carpets), laying carpets, and other things that they were frantically trying to finish before letting everyone board the ship.

I'm sure all this has been worked out by now and anyone getting ready to go on the Magic will find it all nice and pretty!

 

[ValenciaJoe]

We were on the October 15 Magic cruise and did not find any problem with boarding according to given numbers. In all honesty, when they called our group, 3, we basically walked on board to the ship, with no crowd around us.

 

[Mmketeer]

Hi,

I am very disappointed to read about this new boarding procedure change. I have never in my cruising career ran into this kind of sceniro and I am not looking forward to doing it now. It seems their just isn't any "perfect' time to arrive at the port now. In the good old days, you'd get there as early as you could before 11:00 and wait around to be first in line. Or, after you did the "first one on board" thing and it wasn't as big of deal anymore you'd just plan on getting there before 1:00 to try and beat the WDW resort crowds. Now, I have never been much later than 12:30 to DCL, but it didn't ever seem to be a crowd issue at that time. Busy, yes, a line to wait in at the ears, yeah but not to bad and it moved quick. But, never a mad rush to jump in line! I like the easy pace of get checked and then go stand inline at the ears.
I sure hope the card group thing ends and soon. It reminds me of the hassel of waiting for your color to be called to just to get off most of these other ships and the sudden herds of folks rushing out that it causes. Hence, why I try to pack only two suitcases and carry mine on off on short cruises.

Those of you cruising in the next few weeks keep us updated please....I don't want to be the first at the port, but I don't want to wait an hour to get onboard either. Need to try and find that 'perfect' time again. Thanks!

Mmketeer

DCL- Magic & Wonder
RCCL- Mariner & Enchantment
CCL- Miracle & Fantasy

 

[DIS NURSE]

Am leaving in 10 days for the magic (Nov. 12th) and to think I had it all planned out! Now I am not sure what we will do!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I find this change to be very interesting. On the travel channel special about the best cruises in the world, they feature DCL as being the best cruise for families and they highlight it for it's unique and streamlined boarding procedures. Funny that they would change it

 

[jordanyosh]

Just a thought. Maybe they are trying to stagger the boarding process. I know when we were at Beach Blanket on the Wonder, it was a zoo. I know lines at the Shore Excursion Desk can get long....By staggering boarding by groups, they are perhaps providing an overall better flow in all areas of the embarkation process not just the boarding itself.

I mean really, who knows for sure, but I thought I would just offer a different perspective.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Now I'm really confused. This was posted on a trip report going on while this person is on the ship right now.

The boarding process works firstly by stateroom category, and I believe also to some extent arrival time at the port. All concierge guests get boarding pass #1, and so on down the line.

This makes it sound like it's not first come, first served, but rather dependent on your stateroom category, doesn't it?

 

[jgalecpa]

Now I'm really confused. This was posted on a trip report going on while this person is on the ship right now.



This makes it sound like it's not first come, first served, but rather dependent on your stateroom category, doesn't it?

Concierge class and handicapped always had priority boarding, I believe.

Jim

 

[RachelTori]

Now I'm really confused. This was posted on a trip report going on while this person is on the ship right now.



This makes it sound like it's not first come, first served, but rather dependent on your stateroom category, doesn't it?

Karen, I don't have much faith in that being accurate. It was the part where the poster said "...firstly by stateroom category and I believe to some extent arrival time at the port...." - plus that's the only post that mentioned categories.

I tend to believe the posts that cruisers are being grouped by arrival time (of course concierge & disabled first). But then I'm hoping that this *new* procedure was just a test that will fall flat on its face

 

[SRUAlmn]

Concierge class and handicapped always had priority boarding, I believe.

Jim

Absolutely, but this made it sound like it went down the line depending on what category your stateroom was. There is no way that would even work because would they have to make people sit around and wait until it was time for their category? People who arrived later could get on first due to their category number.

 

[Laurabearz]

Hmmmmm Sounds like you get a boarding number based on when you arrive so you dont have to wait IN LINE, you can wait and walk around the terminal until your group is called.... And apparently there is a bottle neck of folks in later groups hoping to be the first in their group to board, making it harder for thr early arrivals to actually board.

I am not appose to grabbing a card and hanging out.... we will arrive early and hang out, board towards the end of our group... no worries...

Hmmm Now I wonder... can one person grab a number very early, and then head out of the termial for breakfast somewhere then head back in..... Oooh isnt that a can of worms???

 

[jgalecpa]

I, for one, can see some benefit in this. We arrived promptly at 1030 last time, checked in promptly, then planted ourselves in line to await boarding.

All the others in my family took turns wandering around the hall, looking at the models, etc.

Being Dad, I was elected to be the stationary anchor.

I would love to be able to have a chance for free form wandering.

Dunno if it will work, though...

Jim