It's a separate line for RCI elites, similar to priority check-in lines for airlines, and I believe some departure ports have a check-in lounge as well with light refreshments. There are also separate lines for RCI elites to get back on board from the ports. Particularly at embarkation for the larger ships, this can be a huge time saver.

I actually haven't been on RCI in a few years, so I was going to bounce over to CruiseCritic before I went to see what the current setup is. In the past, I believe there was also a lounge onboard w/breakfast for disembarkation. Beats sitting around at the buffet waiting for your color to be called.

Here's a brief report from a platinum on a 5 day:

Check-in - not sure if you get expedited or not. At the point after security where there was an opportunity to go in the expedited line we were told that if there was a letter in your reservation you could use it. However, once I checked in there was an indication on my cruise card that I was gold and there was a sign indicating that if you were gold you could use it. So I would try it.

Welcome Amenity - There was fruit and water in the room when I arrived.

Drinks - In my cabin I received a punch card for 10 free drinks that could only be used in the casino.

Specialty Dinner - In my cabin I received a coupon for a free dinner for 2 at one of the two specialty restaurants that would have been $30 each at one and $20 each at the other. I easily made the reservation for the following day and the bill at the end of the dinner was $0. I would have had to pay for alcohol but I didn't drink any. There was no dress code to worry about (jeans and a sweater was fine).

Gold Coupon book - In my cabin there was a gold coupon book that had various discount certificates including a $5 match play (there was another one in another book as well), a 2 for 1 drink ticket, an extra bingo card, etc.

Gambling $$ - For that cruise only (otherwise there was apparently a 3% fee), I could take out up to $2K per day on my account that will apparently be coded as a purchase along with the other purchases. I'll have to report back on that one.

Gambling - I'm not sure how closely they were tracking me and sometimes not at all. Probably partially my fault and partially theirs. The limits were not very high on table games but were playable. The lowest min blackjack table I found was $6 and I saw someone playing with multiple black chips at another table - the only maxes I am sure of are $500 per third and $1000 per 50/50 bet on roulette (min was $1 inside and $5 outside). 2 roulette tables, 4 regular blackjack and 1 single deck blackjack table and 2 three card poker tables along with a craps table and lots of slots.

Departure lounge - There was a separate departure lounge for those who were gold (and others for other levels in their system) but I did not make it down there. I also don't know if the status had an effect on timing of getting off the ship as I was lazy that morning and didn't make my departure group.

So, mlife gives out 100 Noir freebies to Hyatt elites. :rolleyes:

From the Hyatt Gold Passport forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...u-invited.html

It's not clear if the Noir status is just for the weekend, till Sept. 30 when tiers expire, or permanent.

QL

I just got my monthly MLife junk mailer, and noticed in the section that list all the tier credits, it says:
I had never noticed that first one before, or seen it in the tier benefits online (just the usual cut-the-line buffet pass for Pearl and higher). Is this new, or did I just miss it? We're headed to LAS this weekend and I'd be down for a couple free breakfasts if I can snag it. Taking my wife mainly for shows, so I likely won't be gambling as much/enough to just get the usual comps.

Never seen it, thanks for the heads-up. I'll check this out, although I might not be able to get back to you before you're in Vegas.

As an update, I inquired with mife tonight and was told the free monthly buffet offer is property-specific. The rep I spoke to also claimed that the offer is targeted, so only certain members are eligible. (I suppose the offer of private self-parking is another hint that the mailing is property-specific.)

Thanks for checking! You are exactly correct.

I got curious and called ahead myself, and the MC said they had no such thing. Then I had an epiphany that I always use the private self parking at Beau Rivage in Biloxi. I called BR directly and they confirmed that they'd treat me to a couple buffets each month if I came and stayed with them, but it was "exclusive" to BR only.

With the stay requirement I'll probably pass anyway on my next trip down, as I can't stand the BR rooms...

mlife (mgm) questions
 

Some quick random observations/updates/reports from my current Vegas trip - I was researching these beforehand and thought others could benefit from the info:
1. Monte Carlo VIP lounge and staff is great. Rest of the hotel/casino is starting to look VERY worn, though.
2. MLife Plat and Noir are still entitled to many of the hidden benefits, including 3 free passes to Secret Garden @ Mirage, and 3 free passes to Shark Reef @ Mandalay Bay. Apparently it's up to 3 passes at each attraction per month. Both are very much worth a visit.
2a. Based on the above, I would assume that other benefits are still active, such as access to the Bellagio Fountains Brunch and Art Gallery. Haven't attempted those on this trip yet, though I might in the next couple days and will report back if I do.
3. There is still a VIP lounge at Mirage, just to the right of the check in and concierge desks. Nice and well staffed. I talked to one of the agents in there, and apparently access is given to Plats staying on property, and Noirs regardless of where/if they are staying.
4. Plat/Noir cards still grant early access to Mandalay Beach. Also, Plat/Noir cardholders are granted access to the Beach even if not staying on property.
5. Aria is still by far my favorite property out here.
6. The new Quad place that took over the old IP property is very weird, and kind of scary, but serves as a good air conditioned cut through if you're walking down that side of the street. It is a TR prop.

mlife (mgm) questions
 

Visted ARIA again ( have only got gold mlife status ) but have to say I was very very happy by treatment and rates
Has become my favourite casino in Vegas by some way. Prefer sleeping at the Mandarin but the Aria Hotel is fine

I can confirm that as a mlife Platinum, you are eligible for two free tickets to the Art Gallery at the Bellagio.

I am on the cusp of reaching Pearl (3300 tier credits short) I'd have to take a short hop to Vegas to qualify. Would this be a worthwhile venture? I'd be using Southwest points and taking a comp room offer from Mirage so it would be almost free to go.

The comp trip is fine if you actually want to take a trip to Vegas (and would normally burn RR to get there). But if the only reason you're going is to earn Pearl, not worth the time, IMO.

+1 go to vegas for fun (or not) and don't consider making Pearl in your decision. The first level worth making is Gold but I don't think I would make a special trip just to make that.

Thanks. I also just realized that I can get the Hyatt CC which comes with HGP Platinum status = MLife gold for a grand total of $75/year. But I do have some week 1 NFL action I would like to (hopefully) collect on so maybe just a day trip then. Thanks for the advice!