Blitzburggirl

Last year we cruised and had FTTF and it worked out great, zipping us to the front of a long line at the terminal due to a fire alarm on the cruise that just came in.

 

I read through this entire thread but I am still a bit confused, so maybe someone can clarify.

 

1. With the staggered check-in, how does FTTF help me (during boarding) if I still have to select a time?

 

2. According to the Carnival website, if I am arriving through the Miami Airport, apparently I can check in there. Does this mean I avoid the staggered check-in at the terminal? And can I enter the terminal at any time if I am already checked in from the airport? And does FTTF do anything then?

 

3. Also, if you purchase a transfer (i.e. transportation) from the airport through Carnival, it also appears to provide check-in at your leisure...although I am confused about this, as I would think one would have already checked in at the airport.

 

4. I have seen references to checking in on-line, but that appears to be different than checking in at the terminal...

Guests who have already completed their Online Check-In must re-visit us at http://www.carnival.com/Onlinecheckin to select their check-in window. If you do not select a window, one will be automaticallyassigned to you the morning of your cruise. You will be notified via email and will have the option to print or save your boarding pass to your mobile device. A boarding pass is required to gain access to the terminal.

So what's the point of checking in on line? Just to pick your time to check in at the terminal?

 

 

This all seems very confusing...much more complicated that our last cruise where we showed up and were whisked to the front of the line because of FTTF.

These are exactly the questions I have. I will be flying into miami a few days prior and will be renting a car. The morning of my cruise, I'm returning the car to the airport. I'll then be taking an uber/taxi to the port. I have FTTF as well as 10am -10:30am check in.

I don't think it's worth my time to check in at the airport because it's my understanding the rental cars are not in the same building as checkin? According to what it says on the boarding pass I printed, there is YET another line for airport checkins? You already have your S&S card, is that the only step you bypass by doing airport checkin?

Let's pretend I want to be the first person on the ship (behind plat/diamond) what time should I arrive to the port? 10?

I've been on a few cruises before, but I always drive, and checkin wasn't staggered. Thanks in advance!!

Thank you @stargate fan!

We have the earliest checkin... (I think) already, but didn't know if it could be even earlier with FTTF. I'm gold and wasn't sure if there were earlier slots for plat and diamond. Everything I read said we can go right after them. (yes, wow, impatient!! Heheheh! It HAS been five years, soooo yes... I can't wait to get on that ship!!)

Your magic debark is exactly what I was thinking! Lol 😂 Boston is our home now too!

I was thinking that I need to try to change my dining time!

My older daughter is 23 lol

More specific on the debark day question.. What time do they want you off the ship/out of cabin? I know they have to get it ready for the next trip...

We're on the Glory for Western Carribean on the 27th! It's been about 5 years since our last cruise and some differences (in us and in Carnival lol) have me wondering about a few things.

First, it's my son (14) and I. And we are spending a few days in FL on either end of our cruise.

We used to drive to port (from NC) and there was no staggered checkin. We'd drive home directly after, so we'd self assist debark. This time we're flying.

This cruise... We have FTTF. And since we'll be spending the night in WPB and driving down to return the rental to the Miami airport and uber to the port, I would like to know what is the earliest to arrive?

On the return, we'll be ubering/shuttling to the airport to pick up another rental, and I'd really rather let the crowds die down and enjoy the ship as long as possible. We are easily capable of handing our own bags, but would it make sense to let Carnival handle them off the ship while we play til we have to leave? Again, FTTF, and I'd rather spend my time on a quiet ship as long as possible than to fight for a ride to the airport lol I don't have anything pressing going on and it's not like an early start on the road trip home will be a concern this time.

Also, what time do the shows tend to start at night (generally- but especially Glory.) I have read it's not easy to get a seat at punchliners if you have late dining? We do)

Sorry for the wordy questions! Also, if anyone happens to have kids that were recently in Circle C on Glory, I'd LOVE to hear about it!

Thank you!!

Call me an evil and awful parent... I have left my 9 year old on board while I went snorkeling (because I wasn't sure he was up to it.) On a 7 day, 4 port cruise. He wasn't into the kids club, and only went 2 times during the whole trip. The first time was embarkation day to check it out (with me) the second time was for 20 minutes when I promised him if he didn't like it he didn't have to go. He went, stayed 20 minutes and left. I never made him go again. On that cruise we did excursions together at the first three ports and had the best time!! The fourth port, I told him I wanted to go snorkeling, and I wasn't 100% sure he was ready for it. His eyes got huge when he thought he had to go back to kids club. I told him he didn't. He suggested that he'd stay in the room. My son is a late sleeper, we had an interior, and there was a TV in the cabin. We went to breakfast, he brought lunch back for himself from the buffet, and he went back to the cabin. While I was gone, he slept, ate a rediculously large number of chocolate chip cookies, and watched tv. When I got back, we went back off the ship and did some souvenir shopping for our loved ones, then got back on board. I don't think he felt cheated. He's now 14 (15 in Sept) and he's already complaining he's a rising sophomore and he's going to be "stuck" with middle schoolers (Carnival) if he goes to the youth programs. I told him same will apply. Check it out, but I won't force him. But this time, we have excursions planned for all 4 ports (same intinery as the 9 year old trip) but now he can do anything.

All this to say, you know your child and what they are capable of. I knew my kid wasn't going to go wild on the ship. I knew he wasn't going to freak out. I knew my kid wasn't going to go up on deck and harass someone with small talk like some kids have done to me. I once went for a pedi and the shop owners grand daughter (5ish) talked incessantly and kept showing me stupid YouTube videos!!! I knew he wasn't going to feel abandoned, and I have no insecurities about whether my son and I spend enough quality time together. If he'd rather stay on the ship and eat cookies for a morning.. He's on vacation too!

I agree it would take some real supervision and effort to take any group of kids off the ship. Personally, I'd rather be in charge of a group of 12-14 year olds than 15-17 year olds.

Interesting that it was closed while in port. Our last cruise, he was 9 and stayed in the kids club while we were at Roatan and Cozumel as the excursions I wanted to do we're not age appropriate for him. We both had great days!

Today I locked in the last of our excursions!! I'm so excited! Less than a month to go!! Yay!!!

So the general consensus is there is no general consensus? Hahah that you all for your experiences! I'd love to hear more if anyone else wants to weigh in. I'm sure he'll be fine either way, I just want him to have fun 😊 !

As far as the excursion goes, that just seems so iffy!!! I don't want to wait too late to book ours and not get something we REALLY want to do. Especially when I haven't seen anything official about it anywhere. You'd really think this would be a more visible thing. I mean, on line check in we register them for their club, you'd think they'd have two questions.. Interested in kids excursion? Which one? And let us book it hahaha

Thank you all again!!

Hi, my son is a rising sophomore... But only 14. I know carnival considers the age tiers strict- so even though his peers in real life are 14-16 he'll be lumped with middle schoolers. He's not thrilled about that, but other than dedicated spaces, he'll be fine with the freedoms of the ship. Is there a Circle C schedule or event list someone could share?

Question, I read somewhere, that with enough interest, Carnival arranges excursions for the kids. Like one a cruise or something? How do we know which port? I have to lock in our excursions soon and I'd like this to be an option for him. Does anyone have any first or second hand experience with this? FWIW.. We're on the Glory the 27th of August!!! Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel, and Belize.

Happy Sailing!!!