Question about online check in

[everylastbreath]

We are still waiting on one of our party’s passport (the youngest of our family - 2yr old) can we check in using his birth certificate and change his identification to his passport when we arrive at the terminal? Do we have to do online check in or can we just check in upon arrival? How long can we wait to do online? Don’t know if it matters but we are traveling Haven so do we have specific time or do we board whenever we arrive? Appreciate anyone who can answer! Thank you!

[omahabob]

You should have no problem using a passport at the terminal. It's immigration that wants to see it, and technically, it isn't required for a 2 year old going to Bermuda anyway. You should do the online check in regardless. Part of it is the safety briefing/muster drill video. If you don't do that, your check in at the port will be delayed, perhaps significantly. Online check in doesn't start until 21 days before boarding, and can be done up to 3 days before boarding. You'll reserve a boarding time, but they don't really stick to those much, and Haven guests board first anyway.

[cruiseny4life]

On 6/25/2023 at 5:41 PM, everylastbreath said:

We are still waiting on one of our party’s passport (the youngest of our family - 2yr old) can we check in using his birth certificate and change his identification to his passport when we arrive at the terminal? Do we have to do online check in or can we just check in upon arrival? How long can we wait to do online? Don’t know if it matters but we are traveling Haven so do we have specific time or do we board whenever we arrive? Appreciate anyone who can answer! Thank you!

Regarding the passport: You won't have any issues at all, except that check-in at the terminal might take slightly longer. Back in March, my husband didn't get his passport until after online check-in closed so our check-in wasn't 100% complete. The online check-in window closes 72 hours prior to embarkation day (honestly, not sure what time they use).

 

We finished everything we could, but had no e-docs. Since we were in Haven (as you are), we were waved in to the Haven pre check-in area (Miami). When the check-in opened, we were first to the counter. The process took less than five minutes. You'll definitely be totally ok, even if you don't finish the online check-in. 

 

For all passengers that finish online check-in, you'll be able to select a terminal check-in time. You can just use that...or since you're Haven, who cares. It doesn't matter. I have seen port security ask for check-in times from passengers on two of our four cruises. Each time we told security we were in the Haven and they just waved us on. 

 

I hope you have a great time on your cruise! 

[cruiserbear55]

On 6/25/2023 at 5:41 PM, everylastbreath said:

Don’t know if it matters but we are traveling Haven so do we have specific time or do we board whenever we arrive?

   If you check in, let's say, at 9:30 and boarding doesn't commence until noon, you'll be the first group to board but will still have had a 2 1/2 hour wait. OTOH, if you arrive and check in at 1:00PM and boarding started at noon, you should go straight from check-in to boarding with no wait.

[GORDONCHICK]

18 minutes ago, cruiserbear55 said:

   If you check in, let's say, at 9:30 and boarding doesn't commence until noon, you'll be the first group to board but will still have had a 2 1/2 hour wait. OTOH, if you arrive and check in at 1:00PM and boarding started at noon, you should go straight from check-in to boarding with no wait.

If you're in the Haven, it's a different ballgame.  

[cruiserbear55]

11 minutes ago, GORDONCHICK said:

If you're in the Haven, it's a different ballgame.  

  Haven or not, if you arrive early and boarding doesn’t start till hours later, you’re going to have a wait until boarding begins.

[GORDONCHICK]

1 minute ago, cruiserbear55 said:

  Haven or not, if you arrive early and boarding doesn’t start till hours later, you’re going to have a wait until boarding begins.

True, but the waiting area is nicer there and has drinks and snacks.  So it's a little different.

[LloydJr]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

I have seen port security ask for check-in times from passengers on two of our four cruises.

Which port was this?

[cruiseny4life]

21 minutes ago, LloydJr said:

Which port was this?

Oooops! Thanks for asking. I meant to mention this and obviously forgot. It was at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (April, 2022 and December 2022). It did not happen during our September, 2022 cruise at MCT. 

[knitlady037]

On 6/25/2023 at 5:41 PM, everylastbreath said:

We are still waiting on one of our party’s passport (the youngest of our family - 2yr old) can we check in using his birth certificate and change his identification to his passport when we arrive at the terminal? Do we have to do online check in or can we just check in upon arrival? How long can we wait to do online? Don’t know if it matters but we are traveling Haven so do we have specific time or do we board whenever we arrive? Appreciate anyone who can answer! Thank you!

What type of cruise are you doing? If it is closed loop just check in with the baby's birth certificate. Avoid any hassles at terminal. Bring it with you along with passport when you get to terminal. In haven, you can arrive any time you want, up to 2 hours before departure. If you are going to Bermuda,  you must bring ID for everyone plus your ship card every time you leave the ship in order to reboard . I usually arrive at the NY terminal around 10 and if the ship arrived back on time will be on board by 11:30. They will bring you right to haven for lunch.

[omahabob]

4 hours ago, GORDONCHICK said:

True, but the waiting area is nicer there and has drinks and snacks.  So it's a little different.

Unfortunately,  not in San Juan.

[GORDONCHICK]

14 minutes ago, omahabob said:

Unfortunately,  not in San Juan.

Well, that's unfortunate.

[RocketMan275]

7 hours ago, cruiserbear55 said:

   If you check in, let's say, at 9:30 and boarding doesn't commence until noon, you'll be the first group to board but will still have had a 2 1/2 hour wait. OTOH, if you arrive and check in at 1:00PM and boarding started at noon, you should go straight from check-in to boarding with no wait.

 

6 hours ago, GORDONCHICK said:

If you're in the Haven, it's a different ballgame.  

It's still the same game.  Regardless of whether you're in the Haven or not, you will wait  until boarding commences at around 11:30.  Being in the Haven will only get  you onboard maybe 15 minutes before anyone else and even then you'll wait   until the handicapped are boarded.

In 2022 we arrived at Breakaway NOLA at IIRC 0930, we boarded at about 1130. 

In 2022 we arrived at Breakaway NOLA at 1100.  We boarded at about 1130.