Princess Cruises Streamlines Check-In Due to eTicket Popularity
Date: 09 Jan 2008
Princess Cruises has streamlined its passenger check-in process in Australia and New Zealand following the overwhelming success of its eTicketing system, introduced just two months ago.
With most local passengers now choosing to use the system to print off their boarding passes at home prior to their holiday, the cruise line has decided to reduce the check-in levels at ports across Australia and New Zealand from three levels to two.
Under the changes, Princess Cruises will now offer Preferred Check In for preferred boarding pass holders, including full suite passengers and Platinum and Elite Captains Circle members, while General Check In is available for all other passengers.
Passengers cruising on Sun Princess will also have the opportunity to check in first, then explore the local city sights before proceeding directly through security and customs to board the ship.
The changes underline the success of the eTicketing program, which has proved a hit with local passengers and travel agents since its introduction in November 2007 to coincide with Sun Princess’ Australasian debut.
In response to feedback from travel agents, Princess Cruises recently added several new functions to the program, making it easier than ever for agents to monitor their clients' documentation process, and to print out boarding passes for large groups.
The new features of Princess eTickets include two ways for agents to keep updated on which clients have completed the necessary pre-cruise documentation needed to sail.
First, each day they will receive an email notification, listing clients whose files have just been completed and can now be printed. Second, the line's innovative POLAR Online booking system will offer an at-a-glance screen to show which passengers have completed their documentation, or what information is missing. With these new tools, agents can keep track of their clients and note which ones may need assistance with the pre-cruise process.
Once a passenger's file is complete agents can now use POLAR Online to print out that client's boarding pass or can choose to print multiple passes for an entire group.
To be eligible for a boarding pass, passengers must have completed their immigration information, added credit card details, and have paid in full for the cruise. Once these requirements are met, the boarding pass becomes available 75 days prior to the cruise.
Agents can learn more about Princess eTicketing by calling Polar Online’s helpdesk on 1300 653 819 in Australia or 0800 880 016 in New Zealand from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday (AEDT), or by logging on to www.polaronline.com.au
A web training seminar is available online each Wednesday at midday (AEDT) or 2pm NZ local time
