Carnival Pride - Embarkment

[Wiredusk]

My husband and I went on the Carnival Pride October 2013 and embarking was super simple, just go in the port, get in line, register and whatnot and you are on the ship. It seems from reading some of my paperwork for my upcoming cruise August 23rd, some things have changed? It sounds to me like you don't simply get in line and get on the ship but you have to wait around to be called? Can anyone elaborate or clarify this for me? It also says our arrival time should be about 1:30 but I am noticing some people saying they recommend getting there even before 12pm. We are in Baltimore so it's no problem at all time wise, just wondering what everyone suggests. Thanks!

[StolidCruiser]

Show up whenever you want. If you arrive before general boarding has started, you'll get a "zone number" and board in that order.

 

If you arrive after general boarding has begun, you'll just get in line behind the last zone (or walk right on if all zones have been boarded).

 

Ignore the 1:30 arrival time proffered by Carnival if it doesn't work for you. It's their attempt at crowd control. It fails miserably because almost everyone wants to (or needs to) arrive around 10-11am.

[Wiredusk]

Show up whenever you want. If you arrive before general boarding has started, you'll get a "zone number" and board in that order.

 

If you arrive after general boarding has begun, you'll just get in line behind the last zone (or walk right on if all zones have been boarded).

 

Ignore the 1:30 arrival time proffered by Carnival if it doesn't work for you. It's their attempt at crowd control. It fails miserably because almost everyone wants to (or needs to) arrive around 10-11am.

 

Great, thank you! Sounds easy enough.