staggered check-in

[nwo4life]

So, since we are in a suite, we do not have to pick a check in time? :confused:

 

 

They still want you to select a time, but you can show up whenever you choose.

 

 

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[Kevin308]

I don't understand. We are sailing out of Galveston in October 2017. Everyone has told me that Galveston has the staggered check-in time but nowhere on my booking is there a place to choose your check-in time where everyone says it should be. Do you have to complete your online check-in for it to show up? Or is it maybe too early being over a year away? Help! I really would like to choose the earliest possible check-in time, but can't find where. :confused:

 

 

As I recall it is part of the online check In process.

[simplelife]

My understanding is that they are now enforcing the times and you have to wait outside the terminal until your specified time.

 

 

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[cruisin froggy]

They still want you to select a time, but you can show up whenever you choose.

 

 

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Thank you. :)

[Cruzin2paradise09]

I don't understand. We are sailing out of Galveston in October 2017. Everyone has told me that Galveston has the staggered check-in time but nowhere on my booking is there a place to choose your check-in time where everyone says it should be. Do you have to complete your online check-in for it to show up? Or is it maybe too early being over a year away? Help! I really would like to choose the earliest possible check-in time, but can't find where. :confused:

 

 

Go to carnival.com

Log in to My Cruise Manager

Edit online documents

My Check in Time

 

 

 

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Edited September 25, 2016 by Cruzin2paradise09

[Maraprince]

Just returned from 9/24 C. Sunshine sailing and had Priority Boarding. Went directly to Priority lounge and were called up as accommodations were ready by name. All check-in processing was done in the lounge including our photo ID cards with the hole already punched in it. Once on board, we went to the casino after sailing to get lanyards. There was coffee, tea, water and juice available in the lounge. We never stood on any line other than security. Very easy process. We were able to board the ship when this was done. In case, you are wondering, cabins are not ready until about 1:30 PM and they will not let you drop off hand carries either. They will let you know when the cabins are ready. We took our hand carries with us up to the buffet for our first meal on board. Only Zone 1 boarded before we did! There was a wedding party and VIPs on board doing a tour of the ship before passengers were allowed on board.

 

So if you are not Platinum or Diamond, definitely do FTTF it is worth the extra money. You will not be standing on any lines.

 

Carnival's system does work.

 

MARAPRINCE

Edited October 2, 2016 by Maraprince

[Evillefamily]

My booking says 10:30-11:00 am. I didn't request it , it just showed up.

 

So, we will be able board with just our carry bags, eat, drink and tour the ship until our room is ready? Earliest is 1pm for sure?

[StolidCruiser]

My booking says 10:30-11:00 am. I didn't request it , it just showed up.

 

So, we will be able board with just our carry bags, eat, drink and tour the ship until our room is ready? Earliest is 1pm for sure?

 

Nothing is for sure but more often than not staterooms are available at 1:30... sometimes it is earlier (just like boarding schedules). Plan for the "worst" and hope for the "best". :)

[luv2trvlnow]

Just returned from 9/24 C. Sunshine sailing and had Priority Boarding. Went directly to Priority lounge and were called up as accommodations were ready by name. All check-in processing was done in the lounge including our photo ID cards with the hole already punched in it. Once on board, we went to the casino after sailing to get lanyards. There was coffee, tea, water and juice available in the lounge. We never stood on any line other than security. Very easy process. We were able to board the ship when this was done. In case, you are wondering, cabins are not ready until about 1:30 PM and they will not let you drop off hand carries either. They will let you know when the cabins are ready. We took our hand carries with us up to the buffet for our first meal on board. Only Zone 1 boarded before we did! There was a wedding party and VIPs on board doing a tour of the ship before passengers were allowed on board.

 

So if you are not Platinum or Diamond, definitely do FTTF it is worth the extra money. You will not be standing on any lines.

 

Carnival's system does work.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

I am confused. You said you had priority boarding but Zone 1 boarded before you. And then you were not allowed to go to your cabin until 1:30. I thought you were allowed to go to your cabin upon boarding if you had priority boarding. At least that has been the case for me. With priority boarding we boarded before the zones and we went straight to our cabin to drop off our carryons. One time one of the crew members tried to tell us that we couldn't go to our cabin but we told them we were platinum.

[firemanbobswife]

I am confused. You said you had priority boarding but Zone 1 boarded before you. And then you were not allowed to go to your cabin until 1:30. I thought you were allowed to go to your cabin upon boarding if you had priority boarding. At least that has been the case for me. With priority boarding we boarded before the zones and we went straight to our cabin to drop off our carryons. One time one of the crew members tried to tell us that we couldn't go to our cabin but we told them we were platinum.

 

 

I'm thinking (and I could be wrong) that they arrived as boarding had already started. Unless by "Zone 1" they meant Diamonds and Platinums.

 

As far as the cabin not being ready, if they were in a Suite and not D/P/FTTF, than that is correct as they are not ready early like D/P/FTTF.

Edited October 2, 2016 by firemanbobswife

[Life_Traveler]

Since I am Platinum. I chose the latest check in time available. This gives others chances to get the earlier ones if they want. Since I can actually check in at any time being Platinum.

[luv2trvlnow]

I'm thinking (and I could be wrong) that they arrived as boarding had already started. Unless by "Zone 1" they meant Diamonds and Platinums.

 

As far as the cabin not being ready, if they were in a Suite and not D/P/FTTF, than that is correct as they are not ready early like D/P/FTTF.

 

I hadn't thought about the Suites not getting to go to their cabin. But I still am confused when they said they were called up by name as the accommodations were ready.

[firemanbobswife]

I hadn't thought about the Suites not getting to go to their cabin. But I still am confused when they said they were called up by name as the accommodations were ready.

 

 

I agree. I have no idea about that either.

[Domino D]

I hadn't thought about the Suites not getting to go to their cabin. But I still am confused when they said they were called up by name as the accommodations were ready.

 

I agree. I have no idea about that either.

 

I think maybe she/he meant credentials (sign and sail cards), not accommodations (cabins). Given where it is the description of what happened, I am guessing they got to the Priority Lounge, gave them their name, were called up to complete check in by name (that what is meant by accommodations), and then boarded after platinum and fttf (which they are mistakenly describing as Zone 1). I guess.

Edited October 2, 2016 by Domino D

[Maraprince]

I am confused. You said you had priority boarding but Zone 1 boarded before you. And then you were not allowed to go to your cabin until 1:30. I thought you were allowed to go to your cabin upon boarding if you had priority boarding. At least that has been the case for me. With priority boarding we boarded before the zones and we went straight to our cabin to drop off our carryons. One time one of the crew members tried to tell us that we couldn't go to our cabin but we told them we were platinum.

 

We were waiting in the priority lounge when we heard Zone 1 called. They were called to go to the check in window, not to board the ship. A Zone being called does not mean that they were able to go directly to their cabin. They still had to have their photos taken and their paperwork processed.

 

Not sure how we were called up to the desk -- by deck/cabin category? Definitely not by last name. There was a list that they worked from when calling the names. Entire processing was done there so there was no need to stand on any line. Then we proceeded to board. Gentleman took our photo ID cards and inserted them into the machine. No need to take our photos. We showed our Boarding Passes once on board and were told that we could not drop off our hand carries since the cabins would not be ready before 1:30 PM and we should listen for an announcement. We were told to go to the buffet for lunch.

 

MARAPRINCE

[luv2trvlnow]

We were waiting in the priority lounge when we heard Zone 1 called. They were called to go to the check in window, not to board the ship. A Zone being called does not mean that they were able to go directly to their cabin. They still had to have their photos taken and their paperwork processed.

 

Not sure how we were called up to the desk -- by deck/cabin category? Definitely not by last name. There was a list that they worked from when calling the names. Entire processing was done there so there was no need to stand on any line. Then we proceeded to board. Gentleman took our photo ID cards and inserted them into the machine. No need to take our photos. We showed our Boarding Passes once on board and were told that we could not drop off our hand carries since the cabins would not be ready before 1:30 PM and we should listen for an announcement. We were told to go to the buffet for lunch.

 

MARAPRINCE

Were you in suite? If you were FTTF, diamond or platinum you should have been able to drop your carryons off in your cabin. That is one of the benefits you earned or purchased.

 

The crew will automatically tell everyone to go up to the buffet and wait for the announcement of when the cabins are ready. They expect you to know that you are allowed to go to your cabin in you are one of those passengers that are FTTF, Diamond, Platinum. They don't want other passengers hearing that some people can go to their cabins because then those people will probably try to go to their cabin too causing a lot of trouble for the stewards.

Edited October 3, 2016 by luv2trvlnow

[pearose]

I can't speak for Galveston , but FWIW I am leaving out of Norfolk and the option also was not there when I did my online check in. After speaking with Carnival to inquire they said they would send me an email to let me know the option was available. So keep an eye out for that.

 

Thanks! I usually check at least once every day, and probably will continue to do so until it pops up.

[mistycruiser]

How I interpret the "calling you by name" scenario would be what I've experienced in both Long Beach, Port Everglades and San Juan. In the priority lounge you turn in your boarding pass and have a seat. Once an agent is available to check you in they call you by name to approach the counter and you do the check-in and get your S&S card etc. This assumes their are people ahead of you at check in and you need to wait your turn. JMHO

[Maraprince]

Were you in suite? If you were FTTF, diamond or platinum you should have been able to drop your carryons off in your cabin. That is one of the benefits you earned or purchased.

 

The crew will automatically tell everyone to go up to the buffet and wait for the announcement of when the cabins are ready. They expect you to know that you are allowed to go to your cabin in you are one of those passengers that are FTTF, Diamond, Platinum. They don't want other passengers hearing that some people can go to their cabins because then those people will probably try to go to their cabin too causing a lot of trouble for the stewards.

 

We are Platinum and it was not a big deal to take on carry ons with us to the buffet. They saw our cards that clearly stated Platinum on them. We were also offered to leave them with Guest Services. Living in NYC we felt keeping them with us was the safest option.

 

MARAPRINCE

[xbatt8]

Since I am Platinum. I chose the latest check in time available. This gives others chances to get the earlier ones if they want. Since I can actually check in at any time being Platinum.

 

A very generous thing to do, and I considered doing the same thing when set check in times first rolled out. Here is why I don't do that...

 

You are actually doubling up the size of the crowd for the early check in times. The idea of the program is to minimize the crowds in the earlier hours. In doing so, they only allow X number of people to have that first half hour. Then another X number for the next half hour. Then....

 

So if, say, 200 diamond/platinum folks - that plan to show up early - take late time blocks so that their 200 spots are still open for the 10:30 arrivals, you will have an EXTRA 200 people showing up at 10:30. If each time block allows 400 people, then there would be 600 people checking in at 10:30, rather than the 400 Carnival was hoping for. By taking your 10:30 block - as is your right to do so by doing your online check in early - you help to prevent the overcrowding Carnival hoped to alleviate with their new system.

 

I know it sounds like a, "I got mine - $crew you" attitude, but I really am helping to make the system work the way Carnival set it up. If I plan to be at the dock early, then I take one of the early check in slots. If I plan to arrive later, then I take a later time block. It's not like my status gets me preferential treatment when choosing a time block online. I have to select from the available blocks. So I take the earliest time block (if I'm going to be there early), and my status doesn't skew the numbers.

 

Keeping the crowds to X number of people at any one time is the goal of the system, AND the way to make the system work.

 

Of course, this is just my 2 cents worth... :)

 

Bob

[Life_Traveler]

A very generous thing to do, and I considered doing the same thing when set check in times first rolled out. Here is why I don't do that...

 

You are actually doubling up the size of the crowd for the early check in times. The idea of the program is to minimize the crowds in the earlier hours. In doing so, they only allow X number of people to have that first half hour. Then another X number for the next half hour. Then....

 

So if, say, 200 diamond/platinum folks - that plan to show up early - take late time blocks so that their 200 spots are still open for the 10:30 arrivals, you will have an EXTRA 200 people showing up at 10:30. If each time block allows 400 people, then there would be 600 people checking in at 10:30, rather than the 400 Carnival was hoping for. By taking your 10:30 block - as is your right to do so by doing your online check in early - you help to prevent the overcrowding Carnival hoped to alleviate with their new system.

 

I know it sounds like a, "I got mine - $crew you" attitude, but I really am helping to make the system work the way Carnival set it up. If I plan to be at the dock early, then I take one of the early check in slots. If I plan to arrive later, then I take a later time block. It's not like my status gets me preferential treatment when choosing a time block online. I have to select from the available blocks. So I take the earliest time block (if I'm going to be there early), and my status doesn't skew the numbers.

 

Keeping the crowds to X number of people at any one time is the goal of the system, AND the way to make the system work.

 

Of course, this is just my 2 cents worth... :)

 

Bob

 

i see his point. However, the flaw i see in it is as a platinum, we check in at a different place and person, so it would not cause too many people checking in at the regular check in location for non Platinum and Diamond. This is of course unless Carnival is increasing the number of people with early time hopeing that platinum and diamond take those spots reducing there numbers in the other line.

[HectorAchilleus]

Since I am Platinum. I chose the latest check in time available. This gives others chances to get the earlier ones if they want. Since I can actually check in at any time being Platinum.

 

I think it is best to allow the system to work the way Carnival designed it. Why mess up and overload the early check-in slot by showing up early when you say you are coming in later? If the first slot gets backlogged, it could cause a ripple effect that would slow down the whole process.

 

Plus, what if you get an ill-informed, overzealous security official (who does not work for carnival) that won't let you in until the time you marked. This actually happened to my brother-in-law who was FTTF.

[Maraprince]

Always better to be safe in port rather than toughing out on the open sea and being tossed about.

 

Right decision. Storm will not hit NYC. We are enjoying nice weather with no rain expected until into Sunday. Getting future cruise credit is definitely a nice bonus. Someone will always complain and never be satisfied no matter what.

 

Just returned Saturday from C. Sunshine and was amazed during priority check in that one passenger was complaining that he had to wait to board the ship! Zone 1 wasn't even called as yet. Mind you in Priority Lounge all processing including the taking of your ID photo is done there. So you never are standing on any line other the Security check.

 

As my mom would say, "Some people's children!"

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[LMaxwell]

Always better to be safe in port rather than toughing out on the open sea and being tossed about.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

Not always. Depends on proximity of storm. For instance with Florida ports closed due to the storm being near multiple ships were put to sea without guests. Maybe unpleasant ride but much safer at sea than at Port.

[firemanbobswife]

Not always. Depends on proximity of storm. For instance with Florida ports closed due to the storm being near multiple ships were put to sea without guests. Maybe unpleasant ride but much safer at sea than at Port.

 

 

Very true. Actually it is much safer for ships to be skirting the storm out to sea than tied up at the dock where severe damage will occur. I live by a Navy base and whenever a major storm comes, the sailors necessary for the operation of the ship are called in and they take the ships out to sea.