New cruisers- curious on Galveston process for boarding, etc

[dkc1973]

We are first time cruisers and we are sailing out of Galveston on July 30. I'm curious about the steps that happen between parking the car and walking in our cabin.

 

We have a reserved spot at the Park and Cruise so when we park there, we'll walk across to the ship. Is there only one place to go in for the check-in or are there multiple areas? Is everything well marked as far as where to go and what to do? Are there employees around to help confused newbies? What paperwork will we need to have ready to go? I've heard there is a customs process, so how does that work? About how long does it take to get through it all (on average)? At what point do we get our s&s card? I had someone mention to me that the area where you check in was very HOT but they had not been there in several years... any verification on that?

 

I'd love any other tidbits folks would care to share.

[Kamloops50]

Drop your bags off with dockside porters before you park the car.

When you at the port there will be people to direct you to the correct line.

At this point each cruise line does things differently .

I'll speak for my experience with Princess

1 - After arrival you'll be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire

for each person.

2 - You'll be given a number for the group that you'll check in with. If

handicapped you'll be sent to a special check in counter .

3 - you'll go thru check in where all your documents , picture taken for

sail pass ( room key) .

4 - After check in you'll be assigned a group for boarding. Note

Handicapped and a certain level of repeat cruiser get on board

before earlier.

5- After your group is called . All hand luggage is scanned on you board

the ship.

6 - You'll have run pass a number ship photographers wanting to take

pictures

7 - The security will scan your Sail Pass.

8 - Once on board you'll be directed towards the Buffet restaurant .

Here you can try and get your room ( if ready0.

9 - Then let the cruise begin.

[dkc1973]

Thank you! That's exactly the kind of information I wanted. We are cruising on Carnival.... Maybe someone will chime in with their process (though I bet it's not too different)

[VideoTech]

Every port is slightly different because the physical layout of the port facilities is slightly different, and different cruise lines may vary some of the procedures, but in general there are 4 major steps:

 

1. Hand off your checked luggage to the porters (then go park your car if you haven't already).

 

2. Go through a minimal security check point (carry on goes through airport style x-ray, you walk through a magnetometer).

 

3. Wait in line to get to a cruise line rep who will check your reservation, examine your travel documents, setup your on-board account, swipe your credit card, take your picture, and create your room key/ship's security card.

 

4. Wait in line to get on the ship.

 

That's it. In most ports this process is smooth and fast. They've got a few thousand passengers to process in as short a time as possible, and they're usually very good at it.

 

You can help by having your documents ready to go, by having read and complied with your cruise line's "do's and don'ts" for things you can bring on board, and by being happy and smiling and ready to go on vacation!