Port Arrivals - Departures (just the facts)

[eponym]

On the Carnival website the itinerary shows port arrival times and departure times.

 

Are those ship times or local times on the Carnival website itineraries?

 

I can't accurately plan some of the port things we want to do without knowing the correct answer, and it's been frustrating getting to the truth (or at least having certainty in the answer).

 

Anyone know for certainty? I have some doubt that even my PVP knows for sure, and would trust platinum/diamonds answer the most.

 

IF it's ship time, how can I possibly determine the local times to coordinate with vendors in advance for reservation and planning?

 

Thank you in advance.

[riffatsea]

They are always on ship time! Be aware that ship time can change depending on the captain and the port.

[stobe1]

The published itineraries are based on ship's time. If you are trying to book something on your own, just Google which time zone each port is in and convert forward or backward an hour from ship's time.

Edited March 14, 2015 by stobe1

[eponym]

The published itineraries are based on ship's time. If you are trying to book something on your own, just Google which time zone each port is in and convert forward or backward an hour from ship's time.

 

That's interesting. Ship sails from Canaveral (which itself it EST). The port call in itinerary for Aruba says arrival at 1PM (which apparently is ships time). Aruba is on AST which is currently the same as EST. So, the ship arrives at 1PM on either ship's time or Aruba time?

[eponym]

They are always on ship time! Be aware that ship time can change depending on the captain and the port.

 

Wow, that can be confusing for planning purposes. Not sure how to put that into a working mathematical equation for reservations!

[BigRed93]

You can check a site like CruiseTT.com and compare.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[stobe1]

That's interesting. Ship sails from Canaveral (which itself it EST). The port call in itinerary for Aruba says arrival at 1PM (which apparently is ships time). Aruba is on AST which is currently the same as EST. So, the ship arrives at 1PM on either ship's time or Aruba time?

 

 

It is possible. Not everyone observes daylight savings time.

[volmoma]

Ship time never changes from the original port it departs from. The times stated in the itinerary is the ships time. If you book excursions outside of CCL, you need to make sure they're on ship time, normally they are as to keep down confusion.

[katiel53]

If you are using a vendor that has been recommended by posters on here, as an example, or one that books many cruise passengers, they know what time the ship arrives in their port and what time to pick you up or have you meet the vendor. Many of them will tell you in an email that they are an hour ahead, behind, whatever.

 

If you have a question, ask the vendor as they work with cruise passengers all the time and know about the time differences. Believe me, the vendor wants the business and will make sure you know the time to meet. Good luck and don't get all worried.

[Honolulu Blue]

Ship time never changes from the original port it departs from.

 

99% of the time this is true. I was on one of the 1% of cruises that this was NOT true. We actually changed time zones twice and the ship's time changed along with it.

[springs741]

Ship time never changes from the original port it departs from. .

 

That is not always correct. We changed time on our Alaska cruise (Seattle to Seattle). We also changed time on the repo cruise but that was to be expected.

 

To the OP always work around ship time. Any vender that is doing business will understand if you simple tell / email "our ship arrives at __ ship time where would you like to meet/"

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

[HappyHappy1]

The times listed are ship time. Make sure your ship will not change ships time as you change time zones.

 

On all of the Caribbean and Bahamas cruises we have sailed with Carnival, the ship has stayed on the port of embarkation time zone. However, When we sailed the Mexican Rivera from Long Beach, CA on the Miracle this past November, the ship changed time along with the changing time zones. This was our first experience with carnival changing times.

[SadieN]

Read the FunTimes. It will say when to change your clocks. There should be notices near the elevator as a reminder.

We've always changed times on the longer Mexican Riviera cruises.

 

Need to ask for specific ports.

[volmoma]

When we cruised to Hawaii in 2012 the ship changed time only because there was such a huge difference in times. Also out of CA.

[SFplusP]

The times are ship time.

 

If you are planning on your own, there are 2 things you can do.

1. Google 'What time is in it X (example, San Juan) right now?

A time will pop right up.

BE AWARE that many places do not observe daylights savings time, so if you are traveling after our next change, the times may be different if you google today. For example, a couple weeks ago, we were 1 hour behind all our ports for our April cruise, but now that we have 'sprung forward' an hour, our ship time and local time is exactly the same for every port!

 

2. When emailing the tour guide to make the reservation, 99% of them will ask you what ship you are on, and/or what time you get to port. Just say 'we are coming on the Carnival X and will be there at 8am SHIP TIME.'

They generally know when the ships are scheduled to be there. It is also how they make their living, so they want to pick you up and drop you off at the right time :)

[eponym]

The times are ship time.

 

If you are planning on your own, there are 2 things you can do.

1. Google 'What time is in it X (example, San Juan) right now?

A time will pop right up.

BE AWARE that many places do not observe daylights savings time, so if you are traveling after our next change, the times may be different if you google today. For example, a couple weeks ago, we were 1 hour behind all our ports for our April cruise, but now that we have 'sprung forward' an hour, our ship time and local time is exactly the same for every port!

 

2. When emailing the tour guide to make the reservation, 99% of them will ask you what ship you are on, and/or what time you get to port. Just say 'we are coming on the Carnival X and will be there at 8am SHIP TIME.'

They generally know when the ships are scheduled to be there. It is also how they make their living, so they want to pick you up and drop you off at the right time :)

 

Great clarity. Thank you!

Edited March 15, 2015 by eponym

[CeleBrat]

The independent tour operators are very familiar with the ships that visit their islands, and will know FOR SURE what time the ship comes and goes. Don't worry too much.

 

CeleBrat