Did our online check in today for this cruise - as lowly silvers I was surprised to get BG 11. It’s getting close now!!
Woohoo!!!
Here’s my question - those who are getting BG 6 or higher - are you finding you are standing / sitting around the Terminal, waiting for your number to be called? Is there a noticeable difference in your time in ship or is it more of a removed recognition / reward?
Curious, not condemning. I acknowledge that they have removed something they initiated and we have gotten used to. (I have appreciated it since 2011). What I really like is a dedicated Platinum check-in counter - I have often been processed at the Concierge desk, giving the Cast Member something to do.
I cannot remember sitting in any terminal after check-in since the restart.
I had BG 10 or 11 in Miami when we were still doing testing at the port. We tested, Waited for results (in chairs) checked in (very minimal line), walked over to the Boarding Line to hear our # called as we got there. Then it was walking to the ship.
I don’t remember even seeing a sitting/waiting area in San Juan this May. Now the line outside - that was an error in organization (while the cool, extremely large area set up with stanchions/queue space and lots of available and waiting Check-in stations was empty).
We have done 2 Dream sailings since Covid, where the ship was still at reduced capacity. We had 3, and I think 4 for those and there wasn't much waiting. It didn't really affect our experience.
We also sailed on a full Wish this past February, with BG 5. That one affected my experience. Its not about recognition, the extra 1/2 hour on the ship, or anything like that for me. What I have enjoyed since 2012, is being one of the first ones on the ship, and as we call it, "rope dropping" Cabanas. We have our pick of seats, no lines for soda, no crowds, and of course, no lines for food...even if we go back for seconds its still fairly slow. My DS's claim to fame is he has been the first one through the line at Cabanas.
With our carry ons with us, having plenty of space makes it easy too. It's a nice relaxing start to the cruise and would really set the tone. On this recent Wish Cruise we did not get that experience. We stood there in the terminal as hundreds of guests filed on in front of us...group 2.....group 3....etc... By the time we got to Marceline Market it was packed, we could only get 2 seats up at one of the counter tops, not a table, barely had space for our bags, etc... We experienced the chaos that I always hear people talk about when discussing embarkation day.
Honestly, if we never had BG 1 I may not even care so much, as I wouldn't know what I was missing, but after 11 years of getting BG 1,and fully enjoying what went along with it, it did make a big difference to us.
Needless to say I'm thrilled over this. Anyone who has read my posts the past few years knows I've been very bitter about losing the automatic BG 1. 
