MaiTaiMary Posted September 22, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 22, 2016 We are flying Southwest airlines and need to check in 24 hours prior to our departure for our boarding order. For our departure, it won't be a problem. But when we return, we will be on a sea day this day. I wasn't planning on purchasing any kind of internet program. What have others done who fly Southwest? We are a family of 5, so I really didn't want to have to pay the fees to not have to check in. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayenu Posted September 22, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Can you ask a friend or a family member to check you in? Our adult children did that, and we printed the boarding passes at the airport when checking in the luggage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted September 22, 2016 #3 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Early Bird Check in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted September 22, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 22, 2016 We are flying Southwest airlines and need to check in 24 hours prior to our departure for our boarding order. For our departure, it won't be a problem. But when we return, we will be on a sea day this day. I wasn't planning on purchasing any kind of internet program. What have others done who fly Southwest? We are a family of 5, so I really didn't want to have to pay the fees to not have to check in. Thanks. Bite the bullet and pay by the minute for Internet access for that reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tip Posted September 22, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Can you ask a friend or a family member to check you in? Our adult children did that, and we printed the boarding passes at the airport when checking in the luggage. Excellent advice! From experience, trying to do this at sea on the ship's internet system is painfully slow!:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted September 22, 2016 #6 Share Posted September 22, 2016 We are flying Southwest airlines and need to check in 24 hours prior to our departure for our boarding order. For our departure, it won't be a problem. But when we return, we will be on a sea day this day. I wasn't planning on purchasing any kind of internet program. What have others done who fly Southwest? We are a family of 5, so I really didn't want to have to pay the fees to not have to check in. Thanks. Unless someone at home checks you in or someone onboard has some extra internet minutes for you, your only options are either to pay for early checkin or pay for some internet minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slidergirl Posted September 23, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Big difference between MUST check-in 24 hours in advance and WANT to check-in 24 hours in advance. You don't have to, you want to. You're paying cheap to fly on WN, so you have play the game to keep it cheap. You either 1) get a land-based friend or family member YOU TRUST to get on their computer at T-24hr and check all of you in, or 2)pay for the internet onboard long enough to check all of you in at T-24hr or 3)pay for the Early Bird FOR THE ENTIRE PARTY. How much is it for a couple minutes of Internet? Probably cheaper than the Early Bird and you don't have to trust that other person to remember to call it in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Honolulu Blue Posted September 23, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 23, 2016 I saw a few references to buying Internet access by the minute here. If the OP is sailing on Carnival, that won't work, as they no longer sell access that way - only by the day or for the whole cruise. My two cents on this dilemma: I always buy Early Bird when I fly Southwest, as much because I want my choice of a decent seat as not wanting to fool around with doing non-vacationy things while I'm on vacation. I take that fee into account when I compare them with other flights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slidergirl Posted September 23, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 23, 2016 I saw a few references to buying Internet access by the minute here. If the OP is sailing on Carnival, that won't work, as they no longer sell access that way - only by the day or for the whole cruise. My two cents on this dilemma: I always buy Early Bird when I fly Southwest, as much because I want my choice of a decent seat as not wanting to fool around with doing non-vacationy things while I'm on vacation. I take that fee into account when I compare them with other flights. I have not done Carnival, so not knowledgeable on their 'net fees. But, for the OP, who doesn't want to pay for EB for the whole group, surely a 1 day access fee would be less than the EBs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted September 23, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 23, 2016 I agree with "have a trusted person check you all in from home". It's free, it's faster than using ship's internet, and you will rest easy knowing it has been taken care of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packer99 Posted September 23, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 23, 2016 We were on the Norwegian Escape in March. We flew Southwest. NCL had a deal on the last night of the cruise, internet access for a short time, of like 15 minutes or something, it was like $15 maybe more, but it was worth it for our party of 10. We had a group tickets on Southwest, so one member got the deal and went online and checked us in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paggs Posted September 23, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 23, 2016 My two cents on this dilemma: I always buy Early Bird when I fly Southwest, as much because I want my choice of a decent seat as not wanting to fool around with doing non-vacationy things while I'm on vacation. I take that fee into account when I compare them with other flights. I agree with this and it's what we do. Early bird check in relieves the stress of it not getting done. It helps you to get to the front of the line so you have a better selection of seats. And, on the Boeing 737 I don't like sitting behind the wing. Plus it better guarantees that you all sit together if that is important. I also factor the cost into the flight cost and then don't worry about it. Just my nickel's worth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted September 23, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 23, 2016 We are flying Southwest airlines and need to check in 24 hours prior to our departure for our boarding order. For our departure, it won't be a problem. But when we return, we will be on a sea day this day. I wasn't planning on purchasing any kind of internet program. What have others done who fly Southwest? We are a family of 5, so I really didn't want to have to pay the fees to not have to check in. Thanks. last time we flew SW I think it was $2.50 to use the ship's computer to log in and print off boarding passes. that included lag time and being there a few minutes early to be able to press the button at exactly 24 hours out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted September 23, 2016 #14 Share Posted September 23, 2016 I saw a few references to buying Internet access by the minute here. If the OP is sailing on Carnival, that won't work, as they no longer sell access that way - only by the day or for the whole cruise. My two cents on this dilemma: I always buy Early Bird when I fly Southwest, as much because I want my choice of a decent seat as not wanting to fool around with doing non-vacationy things while I'm on vacation. I take that fee into account when I compare them with other flights. even by the day is probably cheaper. than trying to pay for EB for 5 people. or make really good friends with someone who has unlimited/ a package and buy them a round of drinks for their password. that being said I also always spring for EB or Business and get A group. worst I ever got was A30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Hag Posted September 24, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Do you have a smartphone? You could have the trusted person send all the boarding passes to a smartphone. I never print out my boarding passes anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted September 24, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) The problem with checking-in on the ship is that the internet is not reliable or fast. With Southwest, the delays do to lousy internet might get you a "C" seat. But, you will still be on the flight. If you are really concerned about getting a low letter/number you need to use Early Bird (we always do this on a return flight when on a ship). The idea of getting a friend or relative to do the check-in makes a lot of sense...assuming you know somebody who is very reliable. Once checked-in there is no reason to print out a boarding pass as your letter/number is in the system...and you can simply get your boarding passes at one of the airport kiosks. Hank Edited September 24, 2016 by Hlitner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Honolulu Blue Posted September 24, 2016 #17 Share Posted September 24, 2016 even by the day is probably cheaper. than trying to pay for EB for 5 people. True. Carnival's Value plan is $16/day vs. $15 each for EarlyBird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi217 Posted September 24, 2016 #18 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Can you ask a friend or a family member to check you in? Our adult children did that, and we printed the boarding passes at the airport when checking in the luggage. We have the same situation.do you know if you do the early check in, do you have to print the boarding pass at the kiosk, or do they print it when you check in your luggage , using your confirmation #. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruckerDave Posted September 24, 2016 #19 Share Posted September 24, 2016 The joys of flying WN. I don't have this issue on UA,AA or DL....I know what seat I have and what boarding group I am in before hand. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slidergirl Posted September 24, 2016 #20 Share Posted September 24, 2016 The joys of flying WN. I don't have this issue on UA,AA or DL....I know what seat I have and what boarding group I am in before hand. :p +1 Good thing WN, while the #2 airline in my market, is still more expensive than any other airline for where I travel to. Plus, I don't have to deal with Ma and Pa and their 6 children trying to put a guilt trip on me to move seats so they can sit together because they didn't want to pay EB to get everyone on together on the flights to Disneyland or Disney World ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil2Angelic Posted September 26, 2016 #21 Share Posted September 26, 2016 We are flying Southwest airlines and need to check in 24 hours prior to our departure for our boarding order. For our departure, it won't be a problem. But when we return, we will be on a sea day this day. I wasn't planning on purchasing any kind of internet program. What have others done who fly Southwest? We are a family of 5, so I really didn't want to have to pay the fees to not have to check in. Thanks. You can check in as early as 24 hours prior, but you don't have to check in that early. We just called Southwest once we got off the ship and checked in over the phone the morning of the flight. You can also just check in once you get to the airport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsfuzzmo Posted September 26, 2016 #22 Share Posted September 26, 2016 The joys of flying WN. I don't have this issue on UA,AA or DL....I know what seat I have and what boarding group I am in before hand. :p Sure, but if it's the difference between a non-stop flight that's less expensive(WN) and a one stop flight that's more (UA, AA, DL) I'll wait and take my chances on a seat. It's not always the price, but the schedule as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudgesmom Posted September 26, 2016 #23 Share Posted September 26, 2016 The joys of flying WN. I don't have this issue on UA,AA or DL....I know what seat I have and what boarding group I am in before hand. :p You're also paying to check your luggage and for extra leg room if you want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grpgrlcdn Posted September 26, 2016 #24 Share Posted September 26, 2016 I have someone at home that has the correct information do the SouthWest check in for me. Then I pick up a printed copy of my flight pass at the airport. It does make a difference between a seat during the "A" call and the "B" call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slidergirl Posted September 27, 2016 #25 Share Posted September 27, 2016 You're also paying to check your luggage and for extra leg room if you want it. Some of us never have to pay to check our bags (if we ever pack that much) on DL because of status or having a DL AMEX card... So, the bag issue is a moot one for me. 9 times out of 10, WN is more expensive that DL where I want to go. Plus, I like to be sure I have aisle seat where my left leg can get "free" of the seat to keep it from locking up on a flight. Can't guarantee me that on on WN unless I am the first person onboard ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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