Rare bookmomoftwins Posted December 12, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 12, 2016 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted December 12, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 12, 2016 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 12, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 12, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted December 12, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 12, 2016 I have checked in for our October 2018 cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted December 12, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 12, 2016 I start checking in as soon as I make the deposit. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted December 12, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 12, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanobieFan Posted December 12, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 12, 2016 I have always started filling in my information as soon as it becomes available. Saving the final completion to a few days out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted December 12, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 12, 2016 I start checking in as soon as I make the deposit. EM This is also what I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoW mAn Posted December 12, 2016 #9 Share Posted December 12, 2016 I check in once I've booked all my flights and hotels but I don't print anything until the day before I leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscobeans Posted December 13, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I do it after the final payment is made. bosco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted December 13, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 13, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted December 13, 2016 #12 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Anytime you want...just so you know, you can still board without doing ANYTHING on the computer!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted December 14, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 14, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terri-eddie Posted December 14, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 14, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscobeans Posted December 15, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 15, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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