08/07/2016, What is a priority check-in?

It is when you get checked-in onto your ship before many other passengers do. The check-in process can be a long, drawn out affair. I only sail from Southampton,so I can only write how things are done there. I have literally sailed through [forgive the pun] on several occasions,waited reasonable time on many other. Quite a few times I waited far too long and just as often I had waited,and waited,and waited. If you book a concierge class stateroom,aqua class stateroom or a suite on any Celebrity ship, you automatically get to be checked in as a priority passenger. Travelling this august to Scandinavia and Russia,I so very much wanted to spoil myself. The aqua class cabin was advertised for £1,999 per passenger,but, of course, often when you phone,you are told the prices had risen because the demand had risen. And suddenly the anticipated £4,000 [ because unless it is a proper single cabin I have to pay full price for two people without any reduction whatsoever ] goes sky high and becomes £5,500. Well,it was a silly price and I know when to say a yey or a ney. The next class down, the concierge level,had recently had various benefits added,there is not an automatic access to the special relaxation areas the Aqua class offers, but it has what helps to make the cruise something quite special as far as I am concerned - a priority check-in and freedom dining. So once I get to the port on 14th August, I will be whisked through onto the Eclipse. If you are a frequent traveller with a particular cruise line,you become a member of a particular club and are awarded points. I do not know if the points I have already amassed with the Celebrity cruises would have been enough to grant me the priority check-in status,I never asked, as it wan't necessary,I qualified by booking a concierge cabin. With Cunard I have a platinum level membership and I automatically get checked in as a priority passenger regardless of the class of the cabin I book. With Cunard I also get free internet minutes,240 a cruise,to be precise. And I absolutely love,love,love it. The company that takes the longest to get the people on the ships is the Royal Caribbean. The worst thing about it is,that you have to stand and queue in a slow moving mile long queue. There are old people, frail people, handicapped people, people with children,tired people,hungry people,thirsty people,many having travelled for 6-8 hours on planes,trains,automobiles. This makes no difference to anyone. With Cunard and P & O you are given a number,sit down and wait in comfort for your number to be called. And that is the way it should be. I do not recall how it was with Celebrity the two times I had sailed on the Eclipse. I let myself be surprised. And,of course,you will get my honest appraisal,as always.