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Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 27th, 2005, 06:05 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

We're on the Sun Princess repositioning through the Panama Canal on April
27.
Although we've been in other cruise terminals, we've never sailed from Port
Everglades. I know Princess uses Terminal 2, but past that we know nothing.
Can some experienced cruisers tell us what to expect after the shuttle dumps
our luggage on the curb?
What facilities are inside?
How long does check-in take using the Express option?
What's the earliest we should arrive there (sail at 5pm)?
When do they actually let people aboard?
What kinds of surprises might they spring on us?
What should I have asked about that I didn't?

Hate to sound like so much of a greenhorn, but I can find answers nowhere
else. HELP!


  #2  
Old December 27th, 2005, 09:20 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

Princess is usually fairly coordinated in Ft Lauderdale with the boarding
process vs. Miami where lots of things can go wrong. (different events,
construction, etc.) As soon as you drop your luggage off at the curb you'll
be ushered into the terminal with your carry on bags & proceed to line up at
an alphabetical line where you check in. Make sure you have all your
documents filled out prior to getting to the counter (many people don't) &
also have your passport ready. If you fill in their online web site it
speeds thing up. There's not much inside the terminal other than rest rooms
& waiting lines. If you arrive earlier than noon the express option doesn't
help much as all the line are usually moving quickly. It gets more hectic
after then. The worst that usually can go wrong is the ship arrives late &
thinks can get backed up considerably but that's rare. On our last cruise we
arrived about 11:30 AM & boarded the ship around noon.

"D. Williger" wrote in message
. ..
We're on the Sun Princess repositioning through the Panama Canal on April
27.
Although we've been in other cruise terminals, we've never sailed from
Port Everglades. I know Princess uses Terminal 2, but past that we know
nothing. Can some experienced cruisers tell us what to expect after the
shuttle dumps our luggage on the curb?
What facilities are inside?
How long does check-in take using the Express option?
What's the earliest we should arrive there (sail at 5pm)?
When do they actually let people aboard?
What kinds of surprises might they spring on us?
What should I have asked about that I didn't?

Hate to sound like so much of a greenhorn, but I can find answers nowhere
else. HELP!



  #3  
Old December 27th, 2005, 10:22 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Posts: n/a
Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

D. Williger wrote:
We're on the Sun Princess repositioning through the Panama Canal on April
27.
Although we've been in other cruise terminals, we've never sailed from Port
Everglades. I know Princess uses Terminal 2, but past that we know nothing.


I can't speak specifically about Princess, but I've sailed out of Port
Everglades several times, on a few different cruiselines, and it all
seems to be about the same...

Can some experienced cruisers tell us what to expect after the shuttle dumps
our luggage on the curb?


A porter will take your bags (and a tip) and place them either on, or
near a baggage cart, to be transported to the ship. Next time you see
your bags, they'll be in, or outside, your stateroom. Be sure to have
what you'll need for the day, in the bag you carry on, because it could
be several hours before you see your checked bags again.

What facilities are inside?


Do you mean like bathrooms? Some cruise terminals I've been in have had
a little convenience/candy store thing. Sometimes the ship's spa will
have a table set up for information or booking appointments. Sometimes
there has bee a display selling a wine package for the cruise. Once you
check in, there is usually a seating area to wait, until it's time to
board.

How long does check-in take using the Express option?


Express lines are usually faster, but if, for instance, the computers
are down (which has happened), Express won't be moving any faster than
the other lines. Also, the regular line probably has more people
working it, so it might actually move faster than an express line. You
can survey the situation when you get there.

What's the earliest we should arrive there (sail at 5pm)?


I wouldn't show up before 11:30. When you actually can board is very
dependent on when the last of the previous cruise's passengers
debarked. If there was a delay of any kind (immigration, weather,
etc.), it'll delay boarding of your cruise. The earliest I'd show up is
11:30, and for a 5:00 sailing, the latest I'd show up is probably
around 3:00 or so.

When do they actually let people aboard?


Can't answer that. There will be a boarding time printed on your
documents, but in my experience, they board way before the stated time.
Again, it depends a lot on when they're able to clear the ship of the
previous passengers. And, if they do board on the early side, it's
possible that your cabin will not be ready for occupancy. They'll try
to funnel everyone to the buffet area, and other public spaces.

What kinds of surprises might they spring on us?


What do you mean by surprises?

What should I have asked about that I didn't?


I think you've got it covered. Just go with the flow. There will be
lots of staff hovering about, that will be able to point you to the
right line to stand on. Be sure to have all your forms filled out
before entering the line, to expedite check-in.

And remember to smile for the welcome aboard photo...

Lee

Hate to sound like so much of a greenhorn, but I can find answers nowhere
else. HELP!


  #4  
Old December 27th, 2005, 11:03 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

In article .com,
LeeNY wrote:

Once you check in, there is usually a seating area to wait, until
it's time to board.


Princess moves people right through, they use a lot of embarkation
personel, so no seating area.

What do you mean by surprises?


Maybe a cabin upgrade....

--
Charles
  #5  
Old December 28th, 2005, 12:54 AM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

What a great help this group is! By surprises I mean saying things like
"Oh - you should have been told that..." and you have to whip out the credit
card when you hadn't planned on it, or there is some regulation that
requires you to leave something behind that you thought was perfectly
alright, or we have to make a last-second decision on some late choice we're
presented with.
The question was probably born out of paranoia from other
less-well-planned functions elsewhere, but I did want to make sure I covered
that base. Thanks, one and all.
Dennis

"Charles" LeeNY wrote:

Once you check in, there is usually a seating area to wait, until
it's time to board.


Princess moves people right through, they use a lot of embarkation
personel, so no seating area.

What do you mean by surprises?


Maybe a cabin upgrade....

--
Charles



  #6  
Old December 28th, 2005, 03:07 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

Follow Rich's advice. Fill out the information on Princess' website
right now. When you arrive, walk into the cruise terminal holding your
tickets, passport and credit card in your hand (sometimes they stop you
at the door until you find all of your documents).

So far, I have never waited in line when I checked in on Princess, but I
did not arrive on a bus full of people, either. That could make a
difference. I would arrive between 11:30-12:00 or between 2:00-3:00.

Enjoy your cruise on the Sun Princess.

Becca

RichC wrote:

Princess is usually fairly coordinated in Ft Lauderdale with the boarding
process vs. Miami where lots of things can go wrong. (different events,
construction, etc.) As soon as you drop your luggage off at the curb you'll
be ushered into the terminal with your carry on bags & proceed to line up at
an alphabetical line where you check in. Make sure you have all your
documents filled out prior to getting to the counter (many people don't) &
also have your passport ready. If you fill in their online web site it
speeds thing up. There's not much inside the terminal other than rest rooms
& waiting lines. If you arrive earlier than noon the express option doesn't
help much as all the line are usually moving quickly. It gets more hectic
after then. The worst that usually can go wrong is the ship arrives late &
thinks can get backed up considerably but that's rare. On our last cruise we
arrived about 11:30 AM & boarded the ship around noon.

  #7  
Old December 29th, 2005, 01:47 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?Additional question for drivers..

The OP requested information on how to best do things AFTER the shuttle
drops you off. I would like to know tips PRIOR to that. Should drop my wife
and luggage at the terminal and then park or park first? How far is it from
the drop off to the garage and is there a shuttle, etc. back or is it close
enough to hoof it? Any surprises like you have to pay in advance, they only
accept cash. Any "best" floor to park where the security guys might wander
through more often,etc. etc. etc.
  #8  
Old December 31st, 2005, 03:47 AM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

Hi, D. Williger, we just got back from the Sun's Christmas cruise, a
10-nighter in the Southern Caribbean. I will try to put together a review.
In the meantime, I'll just say we had a terrific voyage, our Sun experience
exceeded expectations. I do have all of the Patters and most of the other
papers they gave us throughout, so if you have any specific questions, don't
hesitate to ask.

the Port Everglades cruise terminal, we had poor experiences there both
coming and going. Highly disorganized embarkation procedures, understaffed,
no place for pax to sit when lines form, luggage a jumbled mess on
disembarkation, taxi system to get outta there a free for all (pre-arranging
a car to pick you up would be more civilized, but not economical considering
a cab ride to the airport is just under $15). Just think Murphy's Law and
keep your sense of humor.

Your pre-cruise docs from Princess will advise the check-in time, usually
beginning @ 11a. Our docs suggested arriving after 2p to avoid lines.

Diana Ball
near Houston, TX

"D. Williger" wrote in message
. ..
We're on the Sun Princess repositioning through the Panama Canal on April
27.
Although we've been in other cruise terminals, we've never sailed from
Port Everglades. I know Princess uses Terminal 2, but past that we know
nothing. Can some experienced cruisers tell us what to expect after the
shuttle dumps our luggage on the curb?
What facilities are inside?
How long does check-in take using the Express option?
What's the earliest we should arrive there (sail at 5pm)?
When do they actually let people aboard?
What kinds of surprises might they spring on us?
What should I have asked about that I didn't?

Hate to sound like so much of a greenhorn, but I can find answers nowhere
else. HELP!



  #9  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 03:18 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Posts: n/a
Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

D Ball wrote:
Hi, D. Williger, we just got back from the Sun's Christmas cruise, a
10-nighter in the Southern Caribbean. I will try to put together a
review. In the meantime, I'll just say we had a terrific voyage, our
Sun experience exceeded expectations.


Welcome home, Diana. I am looking forward to reading your review of the
Sun Princess.

Becca
  #10  
Old January 2nd, 2006, 10:49 PM posted to rec.travel.cruises
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Default Port Everglades - any first-timer hints?

Welcome home diana,did the sun princess get their deck chairs fixed?
When we sailed her last year all most all the deck chairs were brokenon
the promenade deck,and you had to prop them up against the side of the
ship to keep them from falling down.
Aside from that we loved the ship
surfer e2468

(.a cruise lover.)

 




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