Online check in

[wjcruise]

I'm organizing a cruise for 32 people. I recently received notification that it is time to do online check-in. Several in our group seem unwilling to do so. The cruise line has told us that if they don't check in online, a minimum of 24 hours before boarding, they will not be allowed to board the ship. Is this true? Is it a security issue? If they are refused permission to board, will they receive a refund? Thank you.:confused:

[Clarea]

I'm organizing a cruise for 32 people. I recently received notification that it is time to do online check-in. Several in our group seem unwilling to do so. The cruise line has told us that if they don't check in online, a minimum of 24 hours before boarding, they will not be allowed to board the ship. Is this true? Is it a security issue? If they are refused permission to board, will they receive a refund? Thank you.:confused:

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

This is the type of question that is best to ask on your cruise line's forum. If you post the name of your cruise line, we can direct you.

 

If you are on Royal Caribbean, online check-in is not mandatory. It will save you time at security and the check-in counter, but they can do it all there while you wait.

[goneclear]

You can check in at the pier. The process is just much longer with filling out all the paper work etc.

I cant imagine why people would not want to do the on line check in. It's there to make the check in process an easy and good experience for everyone.

[paul929207]

I have not heard of anyone being denied boarding for failure to check in prior to arriving at the port. It will slow them down to have to complete the process at the counter, but it should be doable.

 

If they are denied boarding, there would NOT be a refund.

[SadieN]

Exactly what is their fear?

We fill out everything except giving a credit card. We click 'cash' account, then give our CC at check in.

 

 

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[Clarea]

This is one reason why when we had a group cruise, we engaged a travel agent and told everyone to deal with her.

[Dayenu]

They MAY be refused boarding if their documents are not in order, so it's in their best interests to check in online, to make sure that the passport is not expired, maybe they need visas.

 

If all their paperwork is ship-shape, it will just take a little longer to check in.

 

Can you get their information and check them in?

[Essiesmom]

There are some ports that will not let you in the gate without a boarding pass, which you cannot get unless you do the online checkin. EM

[Cruisin' Chick]

This is one reason why when we had a group cruise, we engaged a travel agent and told everyone to deal with her.

 

I would agree...if you have a large group, why not use a cruise specialist who has experience with booking groups? You shouldn't be charge any fees to do so (else find one who won't charge you) and the specialist can handle all of the details and advise you on what you need to do. Certainly one of these would involve having each person (or couple or family) do the on-line check in which will certainly expedite the process on sailing day. And if someone doesn't have access to a computer, the TA can input the info.

 

What is the reason for the reluctance?

[Clarea]

There are some ports that will not let you in the gate without a boarding pass, which you cannot get unless you do the online checkin. EM

Our experience has been that if the passenger does not have a boarding pass, the security people will look up the passengers's name on the manifest.

[marco]

Just wondering why they are "unwilling". Afraid of hacking? All your info is already in the cruise line's compute somewhere, including your CC info if you charged your deposit and/or final payment on a CC. And can you even print out luggage tags if you don't check in on line? I hope those folks are not going to start yippin' if it takes them 3X or 4X as long to check in and board if they wait until they get to the pier.

Edited April 22, 2016 by marco

[wheezedr]

There are some ports that will not let you in the gate without a boarding pass, which you cannot get unless you do the online checkin. EM

 

This is true and has especially been the case at FLL. First time I cruised from there I had all my documents in my carry on but threw it in the cabs trunk. At least it only slowed us down but could be a bigger issue for your friends. Would let them know the onus is on them if issues occur.

[goneclear]

Just wondering why they are "unwilling". Afraid of hacking? All your info is already in the cruise line's compute somewhere, including your CC info if you charged your deposit and/or final payment on a CC. And can you even print out luggage tags if you don't check in on line? I hope those folks are not going to start yippin' if it takes them 3X or 4X as long to check in and board if they wait until they get to the pier.

 

I am not sure about other lines but with Royal Caribbean yes you can still print out luggage tags even if you do not do the online check in.

I would not like to be stuck in the line at the pier behind a group of people who are doing the manual check in. :eek:

[SadieN]

Our experience has been that if the passenger does not have a boarding pass, the security people will look up the passengers's name on the manifest.

 

 

Not an issue unless they cannot find the Keeper of the Manifest.

 

 

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Edited April 22, 2016 by SadieN

[1025cruise]

It would definitely be in their best interest to check in online.

 

With that being said, if they were denied boarding, they would not get a refund.