Boarding the Boat

[mmbrad02]

What can I expect when we arrive in Jacksonville to board the Carnival Fascination. I am thinking in terms of my five year old - we have faster to the fun purchased. Is it a long time through security, customs, check in? Is the medical form separate from the check in line? Is it something where we can do her part and then move out of the way and let one parent finish? Will we need to have some sort of entertainment ready for her or does it typically move quick? Also is it noisy or if she decides to speak loudly or sing a song is the whole place going to stop and stare? She is usually well behaved - I'm just trying to be prepared as I know she is going to be so excited to get on that boat!

[cb at sea]

It's pretty much like checking into a hotel. You'll go thru security before getting to the check in counter, but less invasive than at the airport. Walk thru the metal detector, put your carryon stuff into the scanner...then head to the counter to "check in". You all will have to go thru the security, but if your child gets "antsy", one of you can step out of the line while the other continues the check in stuff.

Noisy? Not really, but not quiet, either. Folks are talking and laughing, etc....

Edited November 17, 2015 by cb at sea

[Essiesmom]

In JAX there is a separate door for priority boarding. You go through there and are given the health form to check off and sign, then directed to the short line through security where they scan your bags, just like at the airport. There is no customs check. that's when you come back. After security, you will be directed to the check in desks. Once checked in, you will be given a zone number for boarding. Wedding parties and Platinum/Diamond cruisers board first. If you arrive after the first ruch for checkin, there probably won't be any wait for boarding. EM

[mmbrad02]

Thanks for your reply! Can you bring any types of snacks through this process or does it really move fast enough that you don't need to worry about that?

[OCruisers]

In JAX we've found it varies. Once, it only took about 10 minutes. Another time, it was well over an hour ... but only one of the scanners for the luggage was working.

[Kerry's Girls]

Waits/lines/standing-around time can be long and the areas chaotic. I would never do the boarding (or debarking) process without a bottle of water (leave it sealed until after security), a snack and an amusement. I've also found it helps not to be hungry when boarding. There can sometimes be a delay getting the passengers off the cruise before you, so it's difficult to anticipate the wait time - hopefully yours will be very smooth!

 

Also, though it's tempting to wait to eat until on board, everyone else has the same idea and the food areas also have lines and chaos which can be trying for a kid who's excited to start the vacation. More fun to eat before and be able to start exploring the ship, or, if it's warm enough, go swimming.

 

Best,

Mia

[ladygal4.4]

Snacks and mobile devices help our kids. Make sure she can tell the agents her birthday. They will ask her

 

 

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[mmbrad02]

Thanks for the heads up on the birthday. She can tell them month/date but doesn't have the year downpat. Is that an issue?

[mmbrad02]

So drinks/food if sealed are okay? Or is it only water?

[ladygal4.4]

Dry snacks like crackers and cereal are fine. For the drink, just take a single water bottle that you can fill up past security.

 

 

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[ladygal4.4]

Thanks for the heads up on the birthday. She can tell them month/date but doesn't have the year downpat. Is that an issue?

 

 

No. The year isn't an issue. I was surprised when they questioned my 4 year old, but we made a game out of it and all was fine.

 

 

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