When to do online check in?

[bookmomoftwins]

We're cruising in a few weeks and noticed that the Carnival site is already suggesting we "check in"-- how early before the cruise are we supposed to do this? I'm so used to airline check-in being 24 hours or less before the flight that checking in to the cruise weeks in advance seems a bit early, but I wasn't sure. Thanks!

[Underwatr]

There's a (in my experience very small) chance that they'll change your room in the days leading up to embarkation, but in general I print out my e-ticket and baggage tags when they become available and check on it once a week or so to verify that it hasn't changed.

 

My travel agent sent me another notice to print my e-tickets this week so I got my hopes up but it didn't change. :)

 

Occasionally people report having trouble logging into the booking section of the cruise lines' websites, so I try not to put it off too long.

Edited December 12, 2016 by Underwatr

[Clarea]

We're cruising in a few weeks and noticed that the Carnival site is already suggesting we "check in"-- how early before the cruise are we supposed to do this? I'm so used to airline check-in being 24 hours or less before the flight that checking in to the cruise weeks in advance seems a bit early, but I wasn't sure. Thanks!

Really makes little difference, as long as you do it before the cut off time. We do it as soon as we can, so that if there's something amiss, like a passport or credit card that's expiring, we have max time to deal with the issue.

[paul929207]

I have checked in for our October 2018 cruise.

[Essiesmom]

I start checking in as soon as I make the deposit. EM

[Krazy Kruizers]

As soon as we book a cruise, HAL shows "please check in now". But I don't bother filling in the information that soon.

HAL will send a reminder about 50 days before the cruise to fill in the information. I still don't fill out the forms.

About 2 weeks before we are to leave I complete the information, print out the first page for each of us and print out as many luggage tags as we need.

[CanobieFan]

I have always started filling in my information as soon as it becomes available. Saving the final completion to a few days out.

[NMLady]

I start checking in as soon as I make the deposit. EM

 

This is also what I do.

[CoW mAn]

I check in once I've booked all my flights and hotels but I don't print anything until the day before I leave.

[boscobeans]

I do it after the final payment is made.

 

bosco

[Underwatr]

Maybe we need a more precise definition of online checkin.

 

If we're referring to filling in the passport and emergency contact information, I do that as soon as practical after booking (repeat passengers should discover that much of the data is pre-populated).

 

If we're referring to printing out the e-tickets and baggage tags, that is done when they become available a few weeks before the cruise, but I'll keep checking closer to embarkation to verify that my cabin number and arrival time haven't changed.

[cb at sea]

Anytime you want...just so you know, you can still board without doing ANYTHING on the computer!!!

[navybankerteacher]

Anytime you want...just so you know, you can still board without doing ANYTHING on the computer!!!

 

I suppose this is true, but you would then have to do it all when you get to the cruise terminal - by doing it in advance you have effectively reminded yourself what to bring with you.

[terri-eddie]

Now that Carnival has started the "staggered embarkation time" process for many ships and home ports, I like to do my online check-in as soon as possible so I get a good check-in time. I don't print anything until a week or two before the cruise, so my documents reflect all charges and payments.

[boscobeans]

Anytime you want...just so you know, you can still board without doing ANYTHING on the computer!!!

 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Requirements: The DHS requires cruise lines to provide a final passenger manifest two hours before departure.

 

This deadline by the DHS is why cruise lines ask their passengers to provide certain personal information well in advance.