katier825 Posted April 4, 2005 #1 Share Posted April 4, 2005 Hello, In 32 days :D we will be leaving on our first Carnival cruise. I was just wondering how Carnival's embarkation process differs from Princess. I always thought Princess did a pretty good job of it. Waited longer for security than anything else. Thanks! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slynnr Posted April 5, 2005 #2 Share Posted April 5, 2005 VERY SLOW. We got back from the Glory on the 3/19 sailing. Arrived at port Canaveral at 11:30 am . Got on Fast Pass line (went quickly). Then we went to another line for room key/sign & sail card ( went slow). Then got on another line to pass though to a LONG LONG LONG wait to board the ship. Didn't board the ship until 1:30. No chairs to sit on. Stood the whole time. Your best bet is to arrive at Port at 2:00 pm. The ship will be open and you can board right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intrudr Posted April 5, 2005 #3 Share Posted April 5, 2005 sailed on 3/26/2005. we entered the terminal at 230pm and were sipping cocktails at the turquoise pool bar by 315pm after dropping bags off at the room. I used to believe in early boarding - now I can't figure our why.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katier825 Posted April 5, 2005 Author #4 Share Posted April 5, 2005 Thanks for your replies! On our first cruise (NCL/Miami), we took the cruiseline's bus to the ship and arrived about 1:30, along with many other busses. That crowd prompted us to be there early! After that, we always grabbed a cab at about 10:45-11:00. It sounds like Princess has a more streamlined process, get in one line for checking in & receiving cruise cards, then the security line, then onto the ship (after snapping your picture). I've never waited more than an hour from time I arrived to getting my first margarita! I still think I'd prefer to get there earlier rather than later. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneysteve Posted April 6, 2005 #5 Share Posted April 6, 2005 We were also on the 3/26 sailing and I agree with Intrudr. Boarding was reasonably quick and painless. All the paperwork says boarding is from 1:30 to 3:30 so I'm not sure why anyone would choose to show up at 11:00. If you do, I would fully expect a long wait because the ship probably isn't ready for boarding yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted April 6, 2005 #6 Share Posted April 6, 2005 They start boarding sooner than what the posted time says. The cabins aren't usually ready for you until 1:30 but the rest of the ship can be explored and most of the facilities are open. (Pools, buffet restaurants, bars, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneysteve Posted April 6, 2005 #7 Share Posted April 6, 2005 They start boarding sooner than what the posted time says. The cabins aren't usually ready for you until 1:30 but the rest of the ship can be explored and most of the facilities are open. (Pools, buffet restaurants, bars, etc.) I guess that makes sense. Personally, we'd rather board when we can go straight to our cabin and ditch our carry-on bags before we go exploring. Plus, from reading a lot of the comments here, it sounds like boarding later may result in a shorter wait time at check-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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