staggered check-in

[First and Ten]

They won't let you inside to sit down or use a restroom or water fountain. I think you are missing the entire issue.

 

Don't show up before your time....sit in the hotel lobby. If you have to pee, go to a gas station before driving to port. By a bottle of water at the local "quickie" mart to quench your thirst and suck on that. First and foremost, FOLLOW THE RULES, not your wants of "I need to be there first because I want to be there first". We are adults, not spoiled 8 yr olds

Edited September 21, 2016 by First and Ten

[Athankfulheart]

Ha! Disney World is just as bad. Booking restaurants 180 days in advance and its a battle for the more popular restaurants. Having to book fast passes 30-60 days in advance again with the more popular rides hard to get. People often not getting what they want is common.

 

Good luck with your vacation being as you dictate it when at a theme park with 70k other people.

 

I agree ! We went to Disney this past August for a family reunion. If you don't like waiting, being inconvenienced and waiting some more I wouldn't recommend Disney. We stayed on the property and it still took forever to get anywhere just to wait in lines. All the planning ahead that was required made it less enjoyable and I am a planner ! We booked reasonably far ahead but still could not find a single restaurant on the property that could/would accommodate reservations for a party of 24. It was very disappointing. In order to have dinner together we had to order pizza to our cabins and pick them up at the front gate and then all cram in together to eat. On the flight home I turned to my husband and said " I'm taking you on a real vacation" and booked a January cruise on the Freedom the next day.

[LMaxwell]

So don't show up before your time? Why is it Carnival's fault people have nowhere to pee because they can't follow the rules?

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

 

Some people get off planes or have to leave a hotel. Not every one drives.

 

What was so broken about the system that has been in place for 40+ years and worked fine? Nothing. Carnival wanted to save money and make it the guest problem.

 

I will choose as I please - don't start being snarky, it's uncalled for.

 

I wasn't being snarky. You said you prefer a later time. So choose the later time. I don't mind 11:30AM or noon, but 2:30PM or 3:00PM would bother me. If it wouldn't bother you, choose accordingly. Very simple. Or are you saying you are going to choose an early time just in case you change your mind?

[LMaxwell]

Don't show up before your time....sit in the hotel lobby. If you have to pee, go to a gas station before driving to port. By a bottle of water at the local "quickie" mart to quench your thirst and suck on that. First and foremost, FOLLOW THE RULES, not your wants of "I need to be there first because I want to be there first". We are adults, not spoiled 8 yr olds

 

Won't work at Port of Miami or Port Everglades.

 

This isn't a problem for MSC, Royal Carribean, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America. And it hasn't been a problem for Carnival for 40+ years. They just want to save money. They think their clients aren't sophisticated enough to know when they are getting a raw deal, and by and large, they are right.

Edited September 21, 2016 by LMaxwell

[yuccaman]

I'm not sure why you need to make into some kind of a moral flaw to want to be able to check-in on a first-come-first-served basis. :confused: It's the people who liked the old system who are saying that their wait in line to check in really wasn't ever too bad, so it seems like they're okay with taking their turn and accommodating other people. They just think it makes sense to check people in as they arrive.

 

I preferred that system, and I was the person patiently waiting in a seat for my zone number to be called and then calmly boarding the ship with one small purse and my swimsuit under my clothes, eating my lunch before the Lido got crazy busy, and then moving on to an uncrowded area of the ship to relax.

 

THANK YOU! You're one of the few who gets it.

 

As an aside, I'd also like to know what time these people checked in before the new system. I think that so many of them are assuming that the earliest birds created the cattle lines- but no, the lines really did not form until 30-60 mins after I used to get there under the old system. Sounds like you and trvlgirlmq have similar experiences- getting there even earlier than the formation of the cattle line.

 

So we weren't part of the problem, we were just the opposite end of the spectrum of the people who traditionally arrived late to avoid the cattle lines. But so many have assumed that we were the cause of the issue. Even newbie cruise companions bugged me about leaving for the port so early, until we all would get there and breeze through before the mess. Then they were happy that we did.

So many persons here are commenting, "all the early people made the mess, because everyone wanted to be first". Not true, the mess was quite a bit later than the earliest birds.

 

If anything, I bet the new system on average forces many people to come earlier that they used to "on their own", spreading the mess out into the earliest hours that used to be empty.

Edited September 21, 2016 by yuccaman

[First and Ten]

Won't work at Port of Miami or Port Everglades.

 

This isn't a problem for MSC, Royal Carribean, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America. And it hasn't been a problem for Carnival for 40+ years. They just want to save money. They think their clients aren't sophisticated enough to know when they are getting a raw deal, and by and large, they are right.

 

Their cruise line, their rules....simple concept....Maybe you should go on these other lines instead. So you can pay $1500 more, but hey, you can get on an hour earlier, quite the deal :rolleyes:

Edited September 21, 2016 by First and Ten

[yuccaman]

Won't work at Port of Miami or Port Everglades.

 

This isn't a problem for MSC, Royal Carribean, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America. And it hasn't been a problem for Carnival for 40+ years. They just want to save money. They think their clients aren't sophisticated enough to know when they are getting a raw deal, and by and large, they are right.

 

Yup. You're right.

 

I'm the biggest CCL fan but I know when "enhancing the customer experience" is corp slang for "padding our bottom line for pennies wherever we can, because our stock has been in the tank for a while. Damn the customer, let's reduce services continually, 'cuz we'll build it and they will come, because they're hooked. Just like Disney."

[LMaxwell]

Their cruise line, their rules....simple concept....Maybe you should go on these other lines instead. So you can pay $1500 more, but hey, you can get on an hour earlier, quite the deal :rolleyes:

 

I go on all the lines. Loyalty to a particular brand is not any big deal.

[LMaxwell]

Yup. You're right.

 

I'm the biggest CCL fan but I know when "enhancing the customer experience" is corp slang for "padding our bottom line for pennies wherever we can, because our stock has been in the tank for a while. Damn the customer, let's reduce services continually, 'cuz we'll build it and they will come, because they're hooked. Just like Disney."

 

Thank you for accepting my opinion and analysis of the situation without speaking to me as if I am a child unable to understand why companies really do a lot of the things they do.

[jimbo5544]

Some people get off planes or have to leave a hotel. Not every one drives.

 

What was so broken about the system that has been in place for 40+ years and worked fine? Nothing. Carnival wanted to save money and make it the guest problem.

 

 

 

I wasn't being snarky. You said you prefer a later time. So choose the later time. I don't mind 11:30AM or noon, but 2:30PM or 3:00PM would bother me. If it wouldn't bother you, choose accordingly. Very simple. Or are you saying you are going to choose an early time just in case you change your mind?

 

Actually , it was broken. I speak from Carnival experience. If the late times bother you, sign up early and use that as motivation. I think you would actually have to cruise on Carnival tho.....;)

[LMaxwell]

Actually , it was broken. I speak from Carnival experience. If the late times bother you, sign up early and use that as motivation. I think you would actually have to cruise on Carnival tho.....;)

 

First Carnival cruise in 1992, most recent Carnival cruise in 2015. Next Carnival cruise booked for 2017.

[firemanbobswife]

Won't work at Port of Miami or Port Everglades.

 

This isn't a problem for MSC, Royal Carribean, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America. And it hasn't been a problem for Carnival for 40+ years. They just want to save money. They think their clients aren't sophisticated enough to know when they are getting a raw deal, and by and large, they are right.

 

 

I still don't see how this is saving Carnival money. Sure there may be less port employees working, but that was the case pre staggered check in. See my response in post #46.

 

The less food, less drink part of your theory in a previous post seems totally out in left field to me. There are plenty of people that don't buy Cheers and they have no way of knowing who will or won't unless they purchase ahead of time. It can also work the opposite way as well - those that don't buy it could very well arrive late and therefore, Carnival will lose out on their bar tabs as well. So the less food, less prepaid drink thing makes zero sense to me.

 

How else is staggered CHECK IN (not BOARDING) saving Carnival money? People get on the ship at the same time as usual. You can only load a certain amount of people on the gangway at once. I have been in line when they have shut it down due to the number of people trying to get on the ship.

[Domino D]

Staggered check in is the reason I will never book a last minute vacation with Carnival again. If I can't get the earliest check in time then Carnival will lose my business and I will take my vacation dollars to someone else.

 

1. I'm not sure you can find out what check in times are available before you book.

 

If I can plan ahead and book more than a year in advance and I can ensure that the earliest time is available then I will be happy to book with them.

 

2. I booked a cruise for this 11/21/2016, on 9/1/2016 and was able to get a 10:30 check in time, not sure that the check in times are taken as fast as you seem to think.

 

My vacation beings when I say it does. If you plan to dictate to me when that is then I will go somewhere else. Simple as that.

 

Glad we are going to Disney World next year :D

 

I wouldn't book a last minute cruise with any line. Some of us also can't afford a suite while we have kids who travel with us. Love how people like to think everyone is made of money; book a suite, pay extra for FTTF. If I had money I wouldn't be sailing Carnival.

 

So if you are not going to book with Carnival, and you don't have the money to book with other cruise lines. You are simply not going to cruise anymore? It's totally your decision and your choice, I'm just trying to understand.

[Maraprince]

They won't let you inside to sit down or use a restroom or water fountain. I think you are missing the entire issue.

 

If they are not letting you in, they are not ready to board new passengers.

 

The arriving passengers are still in the terminal and all services are directed to getting them off the ship and out of the port and onto buses. They are cleaning the ship and cabins and taking on provisions. Porters are not available since their focus is in getting the arriving passengers out of the terminal. They will not check you in until they are instructed to do so. If more than one ship is arriving or departing, porters will be moved from one terminal to another as needed. Clearly, they have not switched over to processing the new arriving passengers for the next sailing. They are not denying you entry just to be mean. So I am not missing the entire issue as you stated.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

Edited September 21, 2016 by Maraprince

[LMaxwell]

If they are not letting you in, they are not ready to board new passengers.

 

The arriving passengers are still in the terminal and all services are directed to getting them off the ship and out of the port and onto buses. They are cleaning the ship and cabins and taking on provisions. Porters are not available since their focus is in getting the arriving passengers out of the terminal. They will not check you in until they are instructed to do so. If more than one ship is arriving or departing, porters will be moved from one terminal to another as needed. Clearly, they have not switched over to processing the new arriving passengers for the next sailing. They are not denying you entry just to be mean. So I am not missing the entire issue as you stated.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

 

If you show up at 2:00PM and it is Cricket City, but you received a 2:30PM check in time they STILL won't let you in the terminal. No, they are not assisting other guests off at that time, they are not still preparing cabins, and no, porters do not move terminal to terminal.

[jimbo5544]

First Carnival cruise in 1992, most recent Carnival cruise in 2015. Next Carnival cruise booked for 2017.

 

 

There you go, that's progress. I was unaware of the 2015, which ship was it?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

Edited September 21, 2016 by jimbo5544

[LMaxwell]

I still don't see how this is saving Carnival money.

 

You're a smart person, you usually can see both sides of the coin here. I am surprised you really can not see the ways in which this is saving Carnival money to have less staffing in the terminal and not allowing all guests on as early as practical.

 

So let me put it on the flip side of the coin; to alleviate the issue (by hiring more port staff) would cost Carnival more money.

 

Next time you cruise take a look at the check in counters and see how many are staffed and checking in guests.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Some people get off planes or have to leave a hotel. Not every one drives.

 

And why is that Carnival's problem. Hotels make their rules, Carnival doesn't. If you get to the airport early and want to get on the cruise first....book a Carnival transfer. Then you are exempt from the check-in times. Otherwise just mellow at the airport for a few hours...there are always coffee shops and boutiques to browse.

 

There are always solutions if one thinks out of the box. I have yet to stay at a Hotel that forces me off the premises when I check out. In fact, they are accommodating at storing our luggage for a few hours if we want to "walk around the block"...they even are good at extending check out time if you ask. The one's I have stayed at even provide bus service to the pier after the 11 am check out.

 

And, as others have said, if you don't like the new staggered check-in just choose another line. All things are not equal in this world of ours...and we do have the freedom to take our business elsewhere if one doesn't meet our expectations.

[LMaxwell]

There you go, that's progress. I was unaware of the 2015, which ship was it?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

Victory. 25 years of cruising with CCL. Although you do have many more than I do.

[LMaxwell]

And why is that Carnival's problem.

 

They are in the hospitality business. Why is all of this a "problem" for Carnival at all when it's not a problem for ANY other company, even the ones under Carnival's corporate umbrella?

 

A lot of you are asking the wrong question here.

 

Yes, we all accept 3000-4000-5000 people can not show up at 10:00AM and board a ship, or even fit inside the terminal. But if that REALLY is the problem, Carnival's solution was to shift the heavy lifting to the guest, and not figure out a way to streamline things.

 

Will you volunteer for a 2:30PM check in slot? I wouldn't.

[firemanbobswife]

You're a smart person, you usually can see both sides of the coin here. I am surprised you really can not see the ways in which this is saving Carnival money to have less staffing in the terminal and not allowing all guests on as early as practical.

 

 

 

So let me put it on the flip side of the coin; to alleviate the issue (by hiring more port staff) would cost Carnival more money.

 

 

 

Next time you cruise take a look at the check in counters and see how many are staffed and checking in guests.

 

 

Again, the less staffing issue has been around for awhile and has nothing to do with staggered check in.

 

The less prepaid booze and food is really reaching for straws. How do you know that the people that arrived the earliest had Cheers? I'm willing to bet many didn't (including my entire family). Instead, we would buy a drink or two. So your theory doesn't hold water. They could be missing out on many more cash sales vs prepaid. The truth is there's no way to prove (or disprove) what you are proposing.

 

And the food part, um, just no. The buffet is the buffet is the buffet. Guy's and Blue Iguana still will have "x" amount of food allocated. I would say that a good majority of the people will eat at one of those venues whether they board at 12PM or 2PM just because.

 

I agree that Carnival has had cutbacks, but I'm sorry, I'm not convinced in the slightest that staggered check in was implemented with that in mind.

[Maraprince]

If you show up at 2:00PM and it is Cricket City, but you received a 2:30PM check in time they STILL won't let you in the terminal. No, they are not assisting other guests off at that time, they are not still preparing cabins, and no, porters do not move terminal to terminal.

 

I am confused...you want to get on board early so what does 2:30 PM have to do with anything???

 

In NYC, porters work in whatever terminal requires their services. More than one ship is arriving and departing from different cruise lines in neighboring terminals especially on Saturday.

 

If you want to experience a congested check in try sailing with NCL! Even their priority lines are long and they do not have any dedicated priority lounges. You just wait with the rest of the passengers once you are placed in the "priority" line and the casino passengers.

 

Same thing with RCL. Sometimes the regular line is shorter than the priority line!

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[LMaxwell]

 

I agree that Carnival has had cutbacks, but I'm sorry, I'm not convinced in the slightest that staggered check in was implemented with that in mind.

 

In your opinion, why was staggered check in implemented? What was in mind when the plan was thought up?

[LMaxwell]

I am confused...you want to get on board early so what does 2:30 PM have to do with anything???

 

In NYC, porters work in whatever terminal requires their services. More than one ship is arriving and departing from different cruise lines in neighboring terminals especially on Saturday.

 

If you want to experience a congested check in try sailing with NCL! Even their priority lines are long and they do not have any dedicated priority lounges. You just wait with the rest of the passengers once you are placed in the "priority" line and the casino passengers.

 

Same thing with RCL. Sometimes the regular line is shorter than the priority line!

 

 

MARAPRINCE

 

I'm not trying to be snarky or mean, but I really think you do not understand the issue being discussed here.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

They are in the hospitality business. Why is all of this a "problem" for Carnival at all when it's not a problem for ANY other company, even the ones under Carnival's corporate umbrella?

 

A lot of you are asking the wrong question here.

 

Yes, we all accept 3000-4000-5000 people can not show up at 10:00AM and board a ship, or even fit inside the terminal. But if that REALLY is the problem, Carnival's solution was to shift the heavy lifting to the guest, and not figure out a way to streamline things.

 

Will you volunteer for a 2:30PM check in slot? I wouldn't.

 

Of course I would. Less hassle.

 

Carnival states on their website that boarding is from x to x. And no one apparently thinks they are serious. So now they are "enforcing" the times by scheduling check-in, and are being gracious by having check-in times much earlier than their scheduled boarding time.

 

Unless someone has embarked from "every" port they don't have a clue what the issues may be at each of them: drop off lanes, parking, availability of stevedores, entrance into the pier area, cross-over congestion with other cruise lines, cross-over congestion with debarking passengers from Carnival and other cruise lines.

 

Besides it seems that Carnival is rewarding loyal passengers with early check in (platinum and above), those that use their airport transfers, those who have scheduled weddings on board, and those that have "paid" for the privilege. Why should these passengers have to fight through the crowds of early arrivals who aren't getting on the ship for hours, anyway?