Just debarked Magic today - staggered check-in

[clhayes]

Well it's absolutely a fact! No one was allowed into the terminal until their check in time. It was poring rain outside and those who arrived early were made to wait. Those who did not checkin online were assigned a later checkin time. Once inside, there were 3 separate lines: Priority, FTTF, and General. Excellent signage once inside with Carnival Hosts who were on the same page, so to speak, directed people to go exactly were they needed to be.

 

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There were almost no lines. 11:30 am.

 

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Boarding began around 11:40 am.

 

We waited in the Captains Lounge.

 

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Stayed in the Presidential Suite - Galveston Hilton Island Resort the night before. Comp upgrade Hilton Diamond.

 

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First on board - Casino for a drink - room was ready and good to go.

 

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Platinum Gift - Carnival Tote/ Gym bags. Awesome!

 

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We had an excellent time! Last night we received a letter around 10:00 pm from the Casino - Free Cruise up to 15 days. Must book by January'16 good through June'16. Wow!

 

 

Headed home to Lake Texoma. We met several wonderful people, which is the best part for us. Looking forward to another great Carnival cruise!!!!!

 

Safe travels and Happy Holidays!!!

 

Christopher

[clhayes]

Not sure why the pics didn't upload. Maybe too big, so will try again.

 

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[S.C.]

Nice suite :)

[Uncwrn93]

THanks for the information. We have FTTF and choose the 1030-11am check in prior to the FTTF being available. Sounds like we'll be able to get on early without problems.

 

Hope everyone pays attention to their check in time

[zdcatc12]

 

 

Stayed in the Presidential Suite - Galveston Hilton Island Resort the night before. Comp upgrade Hilton Diamond.

 

 

Thanks for the info---let me guess, you drive a BMW without a license plate on the front also?

[clhayes]

 

Next cruise April 16, 2016 out of Ft. Lauderdale on Conquest. Couldn't pass up a free cruise.

[clhayes]

Thanks for the info---let me guess, you drive a BMW without a license plate on the front also?

 

 

Nope. Hyundai Elantra. It gets great mileage.

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you for taking the time for the review hope to hear more, especially about the food lol.

 

What determines what time one gets to board, is it by their status or their stateroom category? I don't think its fair as people need to drive or take a plane and its not fair making them wait to get into the terminal. We all got FTTF but it was sold out when we got my daughter and her bf the cabin.

 

We have balcony but gave my daughter and her bf interior cabin on the Empress deck near our staterooms would you happen to know what time they would be able to board? They will be spending the night in Pt. Canaveral before the cruise it be nice they can board early.

 

Also is this staggered boarding just on certain ships, we be on the Magic out of Pt. Canaveral.

Edited December 21, 2015 by lyndamr

[BallFour4]

Well it's absolutely a fact! No one was allowed into the terminal until their check in time. It was poring rain outside and those who arrived early were made to wait.

 

Glad you had a great cruise. The outside part of the terminal is out of the weather. If it does rain it's well covered in the area people wait in.

 

Today we walked around after finishing the fun run and saw people lined up awaiting their time slots.

 

We cruise in a few days and are platinum, in the past we've walked on the ship about 20 minutes after arrival at the terminal. I'll see soon what to experience.

 

Back on the Magic again in February!

 

.

Edited December 21, 2015 by BallFour4

[cbCRR]

lyndamr - sign into your Manage My Booking and click on CheckIn. The first step of the process now is to pick your check in time. It's not yet available in all locations as far as I know. Mine for NOLA next summer was available to choose about a week ago.

[Cruisegirl6]

cbCRR I signed in her account there is nothing that says choose time, I assume its because Pt. Canaveral doesn't have it yet?

[cbCRR]

lyndamr - yes, that is probably right. Keep checking, and watch this site for updates. That's how I knew to check mine. ;)

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you very much!

[clhayes]

Thank you for taking the time for the review hope to hear more, especially about the food lol.

 

 

 

What determines what time one gets to board, is it by their status or their stateroom category? I don't think its fair as people need to drive or take a plane and its not fair making them wait to get into the terminal. We all got FTTF but it was sold out when we got my daughter and her bf the cabin.

 

 

 

We have balcony but gave my daughter and her bf interior cabin on the Empress deck near our staterooms would you happen to know what time they would be able to board? They will be spending the night in Pt. Canaveral before the cruise it be nice they can board early.

 

 

 

Also is this staggered boarding just on certain ships, we be on the Magic out of Pt. Canaveral.

 

 

The food was great! We ate in the steakhouse the first night (free bottle of wine for anyone on the first night). The new checkin process will be rolled out fleet wide next year. Actually, I spoke with many people who had general boarding who said the new process got them through the terminal very quickly. Repeat guests said they noticed a significant difference for the better.

 

The link below will take you to Carnival's FAQs re: staggered checkin. Have a great cruise!

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3180

[clhayes]

 

Glad you had a great cruise. The outside part of the terminal is out of the weather. If it does rain it's well covered in the area people wait in.

 

Today we walked around after finishing the fun run and saw people lined up awaiting their time slots.

 

We cruise in a few days and are platinum, in the past we've walked on the ship about 20 minutes after arrival at the terminal. I'll see soon what to experience.

 

Back on the Magic again in February!

 

.

 

 

Pretty good experience. Only difference with the new process is as Plat & Diamond you get your S&S card at the checkin counter, not in the lounge as before. You are directed to lounge after, unless boarding has already begun. Have a great cruise on Magic!!

[cruisemom67]

Pretty good experience. Only difference with the new process is as Plat & Diamond you get your S&S card at the checkin counter, not in the lounge as before. You are directed to lounge after, unless boarding has already begun. Have a great cruise on Magic!!

 

So does Diamond/platinum have to wait in the regular Check in lines? Or is there a priority line?

[Cruisegirl6]

clhays- thank you....yes we love the steakhouse in fact in May on our 8 night southern caribbean cruise on the Valor we ate there 7 nights! We definitely will eat there on the Magic at least 4 evenings, maybe 5-6 not sure we play it by ear but truly love the atmosphere, service and the food there.

I am more concerned what they offer on the lunch buffet since I have to be gluten and dairy free, two weeks ago on the Fascination there was only salad bar and a carving (two of the days was lamb which I do not eat so it was only salad and some meat from the deli) but everything else contained gluten pretty much....on the Dream when we went three years ago they had many types of different salads, veggies, even hot main entrees that were gluten free, it be nice actually having variety this next cruise.

 

I will keep and eye on her reservation to see if they have this boarding process on our cruise....is there a list of boarding times we can choose from, not sure what that would be, be nice to know.

Edited December 21, 2015 by lyndamr

[cbCRR]

My boarding times to choose from were in half hour increments, with the first being 10:00-10:30a.

Edited December 21, 2015 by cbCRR

[Cruisegirl6]

Oh thats perfect because we always arrive at the port that time, good to hear she have that option so we can get on pretty much the same time. I just keep my eyes open whether they have this type of boarding on April 30th out of Pt. Canaveral.

[It's a Ship!!!]

Oh thats perfect because we always arrive at the port that time, good to hear she have that option so we can get on pretty much the same time. I just keep my eyes open whether they have this type of boarding on April 30th out of Pt. Canaveral.

As of now, the only ports that are doing the staggered check in are Galveston and New Orleans. However, there is always the possibility that they roll it out to other ports by April, so just keep an eye out for any news.