question about check in time

[educator]

Would somebody please explain this check in procedure step by step? Also, does it apply to Baltimore? I can't imagine being denied entrance to the Baltimore terminal and being left out in the freezing cold in January.

[HawkIVette]

Check-in is exactly that, like getting to a hotel and checking in at the front desk.

They don't want every guest to show up at the same time or somebody has to wait.

So, they give you a time to stagger everybody from showing up at once.

 

Then, after maybe a little wait, you will get to board the ship. Just like in a hotel, if your cabin is not ready, you will have to wait. But for the ship, this is why they stagger you. People with an early check-in (FTTF, Diamond & Platinums) get priority, so their rooms are made up first, then the next check-in time people are made up next, and so on.

So when you actually check-in, you should NOT have to wait long till your room is ready.

 

All rooms are usually done by 1:00-1:30, so you will be in your room by then regardless.

[joepeka]

I cannot speak to Baltimore specifically, but the rules are that you will be denied check-in if you arrive at the terminal prior to your selected time. There really is no more specific step-by-step to it - once you're given access to the terminal, check-in is relatively painless and quick.

 

You select your check-in time via the Cruise Manager for your cruise on Carnival's web site approximately 6 months ahead of your cruise. However, the check-in time really does not apply to the high loyalty cruisers (Platinum, Diamond) and those with suite cabins or who have purchased FTTF.

[HawkIVette]

Now, I haven't sailed out of Baltimore, but I would assume it is a smaller port and not as busy and hectic as say, Miami. I would guess that things would move along pretty smooth and, if everybody arrives at thier check-in time, no one would be sitting out in the cold.

Just remember though, the weather outside the port, will be the same as up on deck. Dress appropriately.

[nwo4life]

Step #1 - arrive at your check in time or later, if you arrive early you may not be allowed to enter the terminal.

 

 

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[dcruisers]

What is the earliest available check in time and do we get to chose?

Our cruise is in January and it gave options starting at 11:30. We are traveling with 3 other couples and we all want to have the same check in time.

[HawkIVette]

What is the earliest available check in time and do we get to chose?

Our cruise is in January and it gave options starting at 11:30. We are traveling with 3 other couples and we all want to have the same check in time.

The earliest is what ever shows up in your Cruise Manager. If you see "options starting at 11:30" (your words), then that is the earliest.

 

Each couple has to select their own check-in time. I suggest if you are all wanting to "board" together, then select the same check-in time, or if you can't, then you can all wait together and check-in with the latest time the 4 of you have.

[Ocean Dancer]

What is the earliest available check in time and do we get to chose?

Our cruise is in January and it gave options starting at 11:30. We are traveling with 3 other couples and we all want to have the same check in time.

Then all pick the same check in time. Note, if you get a very late check in time...........after 2pm, you will probably have to carry on all your luggage as the porters go home.

[tef43]

I can't imagine being denied entrance to the Baltimore terminal and being left out in the freezing cold in January.

Then don't show up before your check-in time or you will be,

[HawkIVette]

I can't imagine being denied entrance to the Baltimore terminal and being left out in the freezing cold in January.

 

Then don't show up before your check-in time or you will be,

Exactly. That is why they have a check-in time for you to pick. So you come at the time you choose, and you can get in. This is what is fair for everybody.

 

This next comment is not meant directly at you (educator), but, for people who don't think that there are rules and think they don't apply to them, or think they are special and don't have to follow the rules, maybe sitting out in the cold is exactly what they deserve.

 

Also, next time cruise out of Miami. It's much nicer sitting outside of the port.;p

[sjcruiser]

Here's the check-in process for Port Canaveral I'm preparing for our group cruise the end of the month. It's a little long, but it's mainly for new cruisers, and to advise the cruise veterans of changes with sail and sign cards being issued in the terminal or being placed in their cabin mailbox. it's still a work in progress.

 

Once we arrive at the cruise pier, the bags will be given to porters or luggage handling that will load the bags into a cart, and transport the luggage into the terminal for security screening before it’s loaded onto the ship. You will not see the bags again until they are delivered later that afternoon or evening. It is customary to give the porters a tip for handling your luggage ($1.00-$2.00 per bag). Please wait until your bag has been received by the porters, and on loaded onto a cart before leaving the area.

For those wishing to take smaller luggage on board themselves such as a carry-on, back pack, tote bag, etc., this luggage must not exceed 21x14x7, or small enough so that it can fit through a standard conveyor belt x-ray machine.

DO NOT PLACE ANY IMPORTANT OR FRAGILE ITEMS SUCH AS YOUR IDENTIFICATION, MONEY, WALLETS, CREDIT CARDS, PURSES, COMPUTERS, TABLETS, TELEPHONES, JEWELRY, CAMERAS, MEDICATIONS, EYEGLASSES, WINE, ETC. IN THE BAGS YOU GIVE TO THE PORTERS. KEEP THESE ITEMS ON YOUR PERSON, OR IN A BAG THAT YOU CARRY ONBOARD. CARRYING ON VALUABLES AND FRAGILE ITEMS WILL PREVENT THEIR LOSS OR DAMAGE!!!!!

Arriving at the Terminal:

As noted above, when we arrive at the terminal, the first thing that will happen is that you will give your luggage to the porters for delivery onboard the ship.After giving the bags to the porter, you will walk towards the terminal for entry. At several points before entering the terminal, you may be requested to show your Carnival Boarding Pass and Identification to Carnival staff, security and law enforcement personnel. After entering the terminal, you may also be requested to show your Carnival Boarding Pass and Identification again to Carnival staff, security and law enforcement personnel. Once inside the terminal, Carnival staff or security will direct you to a security checkpoint, where you again will be required to show your Carnival Boarding Pass and Identification. At this point, you should be at the security checkpoint where you will go through a metal detector, and any bags that your have will be screened by an x-ray machine and/or security personnel. After going through security, you will be directed to one of the check-in lines. The Carnival Agents at the check-in lines will view your boarding pass and identification again, verify your sail and sign account preferences (credit card, cash, etc.), take your picture for your onboard sail and sign account, give you a map of the ship, give you the room key/sail and sign card, welcome you on board, and inform you that lunch is being served on the Lido Deck (NOTE: Carnival has been experimenting with delivering the room keys/sail and sign cards to your cabin/cabin mailbox, so you may not get the cards at check-in, but rather when you first get to your cabin. Your mailbox will be a silver box located to the right of the cabin door).

Sail and Sign Card/Account and Room Key:

Up until this point, including during your Online Check-in with Carnival, you have been hearing about the Sail and Sign/Ship and Sail Account or Card, which also serves as your room key and identification on the ship. The Sail and Sign/Ship and Sail Account or Card will be given to you in the terminal at check-in or in placed your cabin mailbox. The card contains pertinent information about you, your cruise, and your cruise spending account.

The cards are color coded to the Carnival Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) status that you hold with the cruise line. On the front and back of the card are barcodes that contain the same information that was entered in your online check-in, along with your picture that was taken by the Carnival Staff in the terminal at check-in. The front of the card contains the name of your ship, the date your are sailing, your name, your dining room location and time, your Carnival VIFP number, your Folio number (your sail and sign account number), and your Muster Station Location.

When leaving the ship to go into port, the card will be scanned by ship security, which allows them to determine that you are off the ship. When returning to the ship, the card will be scanned again, so they will know that you have returned. When leaving the ship to go into port, you must take your sail and sign card, along with a picture ID (adults, and those 16 years or older)

The cards should be handled or protected like personal identification or a credit card. Although it’s rare for someone to use the card to make illegal purchases onboard due your picture showing on register screen the whenever a purchase is made, illegal purchases using other peoples sail and sign card can happen, so keep them in a safe place on your person, such as in a lanyard or your pockets.

Waiting to Board the Ship:

After you’ve completing checking in with the agent, the agent will give you a number that will notate your place in the boarding process. For example, if Carnival is calling group number 5 after you check in with the agent, and you have a number 10, you will have to wait in the terminal waiting room until group number 10 is called before boarding. When your number is called, you will proceed to the line to enter the ship, during this point there will be a few places to have your pictures taken by Carnival photographers. After leaving this area, you will follow the line of people to enter the ship. Once you step foot on the ship, another agent will either scan your sail and sign card if you have it, or ask to see/scan your boarding pass. At this point, you should be on the ship, so WELCOME ABOARD!!!!

Boarding the Ship and Lunch:

 

We will enter the ship in the Atrium Lobby, which is your first stop to get a drink!!! (lol). Rooms are usually not ready for most guest until 1:30pm. The majority of guest head straight to the Lido Deck (Deck 10) for lunch or explore the ship. There are an unlimited variety of options available during lunchtime. You can walk around the entire Lido Deck to check out the menu available which will include: Guy’s Burgers, the Blue Iguana Burrito and Taco Cantina, the Lido Restaurant (Lido Buffet, Comfort Kitchen, the Sweet Spot, the Salad Bar, Good Eats, and Chef’s Choice, and the Mongolian Wok, the Deli and Grill, Swirls Ice Cream, the Tandoor (Indian Cuisine) and Pizzeria del Capitano (Both Deck 10 Aft/Rear), or the Captain’s Pasta Bar (Deck 11 Aft/Rear). All of these locations are included in your cruise fare and are free. There may be other food options that are also included that are free, such as Sea Dogs and Guy’s Pig and Anchor BBQ (Deck 5/Promenade, Exterior), which are only open on sea days. Guy’s BBQ is one of the most popular spots to eat on sea days. The line for the BBQ starts one hour before they open. There are two lines for Guy’s, and most people get in the longest line, not realizing there are two lines, so look for the shortest line.

[riclop]

Would somebody please explain this check in procedure step by step? Also, does it apply to Baltimore? I can't imagine being denied entrance to the Baltimore terminal and being left out in the freezing cold in January.

Yes you will if you arrive early.