Embarking and Debarking on Carnival

[lola4795]

I have only gone on one other cruise several years ago with NCL. If I remember correctly, the Embarkation process was just a matter of going through a brief queue and then getting on board. Very similar to boarding a plane. Debarkation was basically the same in reverse.

 

I don't remember having to wait on either end or being dismissed by decks, etc. But, it's been a few years and I could be way off!

 

From what I can tell on these boards, Carnival's process is a little more involved.

 

Can you give me a heads up for what to expect?

 

We are booked on Main Deck in a standard Ocean View.

 

Thanks!

[cruisergrandma]

At debarkation you can self assist (carry off your own luggage) and be among the first to leave the ship. If you do not want to carry off your luggage you leave it outside your room the night before and it is carried off for you. You are then assigned a zone #. You leave ship according to when your zone number is called.

[mrpayroll]

When you arrive at the port and check in, you will be given a ZONE boarding card. After checking in, you wait for your ZONE number to be called. If you arrive later in the day, you usually just check in and then get in line. ( no zone numbers ).

[lola4795]

At debarkation you can self assist (carry off your own luggage) and be among the first to leave the ship. If you do not want to carry off your luggage you leave it outside your room the night before and it is carried off for you. You are then assigned a zone #. You leave ship according to when your zone number is called.

 

We have an evening flight, so we will want to stay on board as late as possible. Are we better off keeping our luggage and doing self assist, or leaving it out the night before?

[lola4795]

When you arrive at the port and check in, you will be given a ZONE boarding card. After checking in, you wait for your ZONE number to be called. If you arrive later in the day, you usually just check in and then get in line. ( no zone numbers ).

 

I'm still not sure I understand this zone thing. Why don't they just keep shuffling you through the line until you are on the ship? Does the zone have something to do with your cabin and category? Or is it first come, first served?

[big_duck]

I'm still not sure I understand this zone thing. Why don't they just keep shuffling you through the line until you are on the ship? Does the zone have something to do with your cabin and category? Or is it first come, first served?

 

Zone boarding is only used for those who arrive prior to the ship being ready for boarding. Once the backlog is cleared then it is just check-in and board.