No More Mad Rush to Embark Carnival ships?

[TheSeagoer]

10 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

 

Hehe.

But isn't that because they are not checking baggage to save money and thus need to use up the overhead bin, and under the seat?

Southwest.  2 free bags

[scpirate]

5 hours ago, TheSeagoer said:

The wanna be first crowd is special. Just like the first off crowd🤦‍♂️

Its a huge crowd though.

[K_e_short]

38 minutes ago, TheSeagoer said:

Southwest.  2 free bags

 O.k well then they are just silly 🙂

[mz-s]

9 hours ago, Bgcruising said:

The mad rush continues.  In one of my groups they are all proudly telling their check in times of 1030.

 

Your cruise fare covers embarkation day, if you can get on early why not?

[Virga]

2 hours ago, K_e_short said:

 

Hehe.

But isn't that because they are not checking baggage to save money and thus need to use up the overhead bin, and under the seat?

 

On Southwest, it doesn't matter when you stand up and gather near the door - your boarding order is determined by your check-in.  Absolutely no value in joining the fray until they call the group before you.  And, as someone else mentioned, it's less of an issue with Southwest because they let you check bags for free, so the competition for overhead space isn't nearly as fierce.  Southwest really, really upset me a couple times earlier this year - they're in a race for the bottom, as far as I'm concerned - but I'm still all in on their boarding and baggage policies.  

[Virga]

2 hours ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

We'll see about that once they announce their new fare tier.  Who knows what that will bring?  Since it's a fare above the WGA fare, WGA fares may cut back on that, or at least that's been speculated on a SW forum.  Either way, I don't check bags so it won't matter to me.

I've been following this speculation with great interest.  I haven't heard anything realistic suggested they can add that will appeal to the average traveler, and the things they've suggested might be taken away are the things that have always differentiated Southwest from the competition.  Can't wait for the formal announcement!

[K_e_short]

1 hour ago, Virga said:

 

On Southwest, it doesn't matter when you stand up and gather near the door - your boarding order is determined by your check-in.  Absolutely no value in joining the fray until they call the group before you.  And, as someone else mentioned, it's less of an issue with Southwest because they let you check bags for free, so the competition for overhead space isn't nearly as fierce.  Southwest really, really upset me a couple times earlier this year - they're in a race for the bottom, as far as I'm concerned - but I'm still all in on their boarding and baggage policies.  

 

I fly Air Canada mostly and sometimes Westjet.

Both airlines charge for luggage and so many people pack everything into the biggest carry on you can imagine and thus rush to be the first in line of their zone to get a spot to put their luggage.

 

I remember flying home from Alaska and walking past our gate a good hour before boarding was to start and the line up went past the main area. I thought it was boarding for the flight before but after we got food and came back we're like "oh wow no it's our flight"

[TheSeagoer]

1 hour ago, Virga said:

 

On Southwest, it doesn't matter when you stand up and gather near the door - your boarding order is determined by your check-in.  Absolutely no value in joining the fray until they call the group before you.  And, as someone else mentioned, it's less of an issue with Southwest because they let you check bags for free, so the competition for overhead space isn't nearly as fierce.  Southwest really, really upset me a couple times earlier this year - they're in a race for the bottom, as far as I'm concerned - but I'm still all in on their boarding and baggage policies.  

you missed the point

[Virga]

1 hour ago, TheSeagoer said:

you missed the point

 

Maybe so?  I thought the first half of my post made it clear that I agree that there's absolutely no point in lining up early on Southwest - it doesn't change a darn thing, because their boarding position is the same whether they bunch up around the posts an hour early or hop in by A-20 right as the wheelchairs roll on.  Did you have some other point that I missed?

[ilovesparky13]

I like to be on first so that I can start using the amenities right away and relax before sail away. It’s also why I like being one of the last ones off—gotta keep using those amenities that I paid for. Plus I like to start the morning with a lazy breakfast 😁

[Brkintx]

Statistically, we’re down to 16-20% (depending on what source you use) of adults that smoke, and that number continues to decline as people die and fewer people start.
Any rush to board that is present is certainly not to get to the casino (which is closed in port) for any statistically large portion of the cruisers. 

[Joebucks]

14 hours ago, icft said:

Boarding earlier will always be seen as better by the vast majority of folks simply because it avoids complications. The later you wait the more time for a tanker truck to close the freeway leaving you stuck on an overpass for hours or the parking garages to all be full because of some event you never heard of or for someone to have a medical event in the terminal or for equipment to break or similar disruption that causes a massive backlog resulting in long, long lines to board. Once you are on board the only thing that can go wrong is the ship breaks. Once you are on board the work is over and the worries are gone. I guess some smokers can't go a few hours without a cigarette, but I think most are like me and are quite used to it.

 

While in theory, I agree with planning for the worst, that is a long list of anxiety to have. When I'm 5-10 minutes away from the ship, on the beach, with 4-6 hours until it sails, I don't have a care in the world. 

 

10 hours ago, Virga said:

 

On Southwest, it doesn't matter when you stand up and gather near the door - your boarding order is determined by your check-in.  Absolutely no value in joining the fray until they call the group before you.  And, as someone else mentioned, it's less of an issue with Southwest because they let you check bags for free, so the competition for overhead space isn't nearly as fierce.  Southwest really, really upset me a couple times earlier this year - they're in a race for the bottom, as far as I'm concerned - but I'm still all in on their boarding and baggage policies.  

 

This is why I really dislike flying Southwest. Everyone has a carryon because it's included and is battling for overhead space. Everyone is battling for a seat since they're unassigned. Couples will often take the window and aisle, and leave open only the middles. All because everything is "free". When in reality, it's often not even the cheapest bottom-line price. I avoid this whenever I can.

[carolinablue704]

For us, I want to get an early check in appointment so that we can get on board as early as possible, given that we want to take advantage of every minute of amenities that we have already paid for.  There is nothing like stepping foot on the cruise ship for me, as that is when my vacation has officially started so to speak, so the earlier the better as it always seems to be over way too soon! 

 

With all that said, everyone is different, so there is no right or wrong answer, as it comes down to preference, but of course people on both sides of the issue seem to like to try and convince others that their way is THE way, for whatever reason. 

 

At the end of the day, it's all good either way, as I am just thankful that we have the opportunity to cruise again! 

Edited December 20, 2021 by carolinablue704

[Roscoe13]

My 3.47 cents...you know, inflation...

The people who are complaining about the cruisers who desire to get on the ship sooner rather than later are missing the big picture.

 

If you desire to get on later and have a decent chance of just walking right thru check in and directly on to the ship, that's awesome.  But understand part of what makes that a possibility is the pioneers who paved the way and got on the ship early.  That lessens the pressure later in the day.

 

As to why some people are hard wired this way?  I am a truck driver, (your welcome!) and most successful truck drivers have to have a sense of urgency and the ability to think logistically and see the big picture.  The go with the flow attitude rarely makes for on time deliveries.

 

I am zero fun on road trips too as I cannot detach myself from the goal oriented arrival time.  I see posts of cruisers taking 2 days to drive to get to port.  I would do it in 1 day if at all possible, but that's just me.

[Buckeyefrank100]

20 hours ago, TheSeagoer said:

And an hour relaxing on the ship changes what?

the time that group actually gets to relax at their home, that's what changes...  When we drive, depending on the port, we could have a 10 - 15 hour drive without stops.  So that extra hour on the road is important to quite a lot of folks.

[TheSeagoer]

1 hour ago, Buckeyefrank100 said:

the time that group actually gets to relax at their home, that's what changes...  When we drive, depending on the port, we could have a 10 - 15 hour drive without stops.  So that extra hour on the road is important to quite a lot of folks.

If an hour put of 15 is so important, then rush off

[TheSeagoer]

4 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

While in theory, I agree with planning for the worst, that is a long list of anxiety to have. When I'm 5-10 minutes away from the ship, on the beach, with 4-6 hours until it sails, I don't have a care in the world. 

 

 

This is why I really dislike flying Southwest. Everyone has a carryon because it's included and is battling for overhead space. Everyone is battling for a seat since they're unassigned. Couples will often take the window and aisle, and leave open only the middles. All because everything is "free". When in reality, it's often not even the cheapest bottom-line price. I avoid this whenever I can.

Southwest is the only airline with free baggage.  There is zero reason to carry it on

[TheSeagoer]

3 hours ago, Roscoe13 said:

My 3.47 cents...you know, inflation...

The people who are complaining about the cruisers who desire to get on the ship sooner rather than later are missing the big picture.

 

If you desire to get on later and have a decent chance of just walking right thru check in and directly on to the ship, that's awesome.  But understand part of what makes that a possibility is the pioneers who paved the way and got on the ship early.  That lessens the pressure later in the day.

 

As to why some people are hard wired this way?  I am a truck driver, (your welcome!) and most successful truck drivers have to have a sense of urgency and the ability to think logistically and see the big picture.  The go with the flow attitude rarely makes for on time deliveries.

 

I am zero fun on road trips too as I cannot detach myself from the goal oriented arrival time.  I see posts of cruisers taking 2 days to drive to get to port.  I would do it in 1 day if at all possible, but that's just me.

Driving a truck and boarding a ship are unrelated.  

[ARcruisin2]

DH is like @Roscoe13 above... retired military and then truck driver, hard to get him to chill 😉

Gotta be early  to start relaxing as soon as possible...LOL

 

One time (back before set arrival times...covid, etc) we drove all night, arrived early at port and were allowed to board and to go to our room with the earliest group.

That allowed us to take a shower and a nap before a leisurely lunch, long before needing to go to muster.

[Roscoe13]

41 minutes ago, TheSeagoer said:

Driving a truck and boarding a ship are unrelated.  

My post was about a certain mindset.  That's what this whole thread is about.  You know, kinda like being obtuse.  That's a mindset too.

[TheSeagoer]

12 minutes ago, Roscoe13 said:

My post was about a certain mindset.  That's what this whole thread is about.  You know, kinda like being obtuse.  That's a mindset too.

That's a horrible insult.  Just probes how nasty people are. I was in a profession where time was everything.  Not my mindset.  Its called an inference

[TexasBrit]

16 hours ago, Virga said:

 

On Southwest, it doesn't matter when you stand up and gather near the door - your boarding order is determined by your check-in.  Absolutely no value in joining the fray until they call the group before you.  And, as someone else mentioned, it's less of an issue with Southwest because they let you check bags for free, so the competition for overhead space isn't nearly as fierce.  Southwest really, really upset me a couple times earlier this year - they're in a race for the bottom, as far as I'm concerned - but I'm still all in on their boarding and baggage policies.  

I've seen people stand in line for boarding on SWA for longer than the flight is, e.g Dallas to Houston. Kinda like standing in line for an hour to get into a 2nd rate comedy show on a cruise ship!

[Brkintx]

4 hours ago, Roscoe13 said:

I am zero fun on road trips too as I cannot detach myself from the goal oriented arrival time.  I see posts of cruisers taking 2 days to drive to get to port.  I would do it in 1 day if at all possible, but that's just me.

I'm in the camp that hates the drive portion... When I was younger - sure, put me in a car and I'll drive.  Now?  If it's more than 3 hours in the car, fly me there.  There's no sense of rush, and trading a 3 hour drive for a plane ride (and the security and waiting) is about the same time investment - longer if there's a connection. But nearly that entire time I can be productive with SOMETHING. Driving that same period of time... at best you can be on the phone.

[Joebucks]

3 hours ago, TheSeagoer said:

Southwest is the only airline with free baggage.  There is zero reason to carry it on

 

There are many reasons people may opt for a carry-on instead. As you often see in this forum, it's not ALWAYS about what is the most free (but pretty darn close). Some people don't want to be separated from their luggage due to damage/loss. Some people don't want to physically have to handle a larger bag. Some people are quite content with a carryon only

[Brkintx]

3 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

There are many reasons people may opt for a carry-on instead. As you often see in this forum, it's not ALWAYS about what is the most free (but pretty darn close). Some people don't want to be separated from their luggage due to damage/loss. Some people don't want to physically have to handle a larger bag. Some people are quite content with a carryon only

I'm in the quite content category myself.  (e.g. a two week trip requires nothing more than a carry on and a little room in the backpack that I'll have for my computer anyway.)

 

That said...  Southwest checked bags aren't "free" - they're priced into the ticket. And they are by no means a low fare carrier - in many cases not even competitive with DL, UA, and AA (at least in my market anyway). (And of course... Southwest does not book through Sabre - many would say primarily to reduce direct comparisons of their fares against their competitors.)