First Time Cruiser

[posingcarrot]

My husband and I decided to take a cruise in October sailing out of Miami. I have heard that you can skip the line to get on the boat they just will not take your luggage to your rooms early. Is this true and if it is how do we do this? Also we have a private shuttle for myself, husband, cousin and her husband taking us from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami the day of the cruise. Our flight to Ft. Lauderdale is the day before the cruise so we should have plenty of time to get to the boat. Our check out time is noon from our Ft. Lauderdale hotel so we are having the shuttle pick us up then. Our boat boarding time is 4:00. What do we do with our luggage when we get there if we can not get on the boat early? Is there someone that will hold it there for you so you can walk around the port or will we be left standing outside the boat with all of our luggage?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have planned this entire vacation for all four of us so I'm a little nervous about the small details. I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable because of the decisions that I have made!

[Yazoo cruiser]

When you arrive at the terminal there will be plenty of porters to unload your luggage for you and take it to the ship. We have cruised over 40 times and I don't think you can bypass the check in line, unless you are a platinum member{ 10 or more cruises}, then you are escorted to a private check in area. Hope you have a great cruise, just a reminder, it is a SHIP not a BOAT.

[crsnfun]

Well, let me just first say WELCOME!!

 

Personally, I have never heard about being able to get on the ship early. The reason I am responding to your request is because I wanted to let you know that even though the ship leaves at 4, it is not a good idea to wait until 4 to board. Most people, you will find, are at the terminal by 10 or 11. I normally board around 1.

 

So, I guess what you could do is check out of the hotel, catch your shuttle, have the guys take your luggage and then you can explore before you board the ship.

 

These are just suggestions!

[BeyondKen]

The last time I sailed out of Miami (on the Victory) I simply left my tagged luggage outside with the porters at 11AM, went inside to check in, and was at the Lido buffet by noon.

[vkramer]

We are leaving Miami next Sunday on Valor and our transport is picking us up at our FL resort at 10:30am. Noon is a good time to have your transport, but I would try to get it a little earlier. More time on the ship before sailing.

 

Vicki

[Socref124]

My husband and I decided to take a cruise in October sailing out of Miami. I have heard that you can skip the line to get on the boat they just will not take your luggage to your rooms early. Is this true and if it is how do we do this? Also we have a private shuttle for myself, husband, cousin and her husband taking us from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami the day of the cruise. Our flight to Ft. Lauderdale is the day before the cruise so we should have plenty of time to get to the boat. Our check out time is noon from our Ft. Lauderdale hotel so we are having the shuttle pick us up then. Our boat boarding time is 4:00. What do we do with our luggage when we get there if we can not get on the boat early? Is there someone that will hold it there for you so you can walk around the port or will we be left standing outside the boat with all of our luggage?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have planned this entire vacation for all four of us so I'm a little nervous about the small details. I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable because of the decisions that I have made!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic. When are you sailing in Oct? DW and I are on the Destiny leaving Miami on Oct 16th. Whatever you do, make sure you are at the Cruise Terminal before 3pm. Homeland Security needs an hour to clear the passengers. Like everyone is saying, the porters will take your luggage for you. Make sure you have your boarding information and Fun Pass with you and not in your checked luggage. Platinum members and all that are in suites go to a VIP area and board first. Everyone else is given a boarding number and you get to board when they call your number. If you arrive after 2 pm, you shouldn't have much of a line.

If they are uncomfortable with anything you have done, kindly remind them that they are on vacation, on a Fun Ship and then buy them a DOTD (Drink of the Day).

[Payd]

My husband and I decided to take a cruise in October sailing out of Miami. I have heard that you can skip the line to get on the boat they just will not take your luggage to your rooms early. Is this true and if it is how do we do this? Also we have a private shuttle for myself, husband, cousin and her husband taking us from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami the day of the cruise. Our flight to Ft. Lauderdale is the day before the cruise so we should have plenty of time to get to the boat. Our check out time is noon from our Ft. Lauderdale hotel so we are having the shuttle pick us up then. Our boat boarding time is 4:00. What do we do with our luggage when we get there if we can not get on the boat early? Is there someone that will hold it there for you so you can walk around the port or will we be left standing outside the boat with all of our luggage?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I have planned this entire vacation for all four of us so I'm a little nervous about the small details. I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable because of the decisions that I have made!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

Just need to double check, is your ship sailing at 4pm or is it boarding at 4pm? Makes a big difference on when you can and should be at the port!

 

Are you working with a travel agent or did you book direct with Carnival?

[Cotton]

Hi, posingcarrot, and welcome to the boards. LOVE your screen name.:D

 

Sorry, but you were misinformed. You can't skip any lines. And, your carry-on luggage must fit through the scanner, which won't accommodate large luggage that you'll have for the cruise.

 

Even if you had all your items in small pieces of luggage, you'd have to lug them around w/you once you've boarded, because some cabins are not ready that early.

 

I usually get to a port around 11, and am on the ship having lunch by noonish.

 

Just check your luggage outside the terminal with the porters. The standard tip is $1 per piece of luggage. The porters are not Carnival employees, but are employed by the port commission of the city. Make sure all luggage has the proper tags sent to you by Carnival. Your luggage will be picked up by your cabin steward and delivered to your cabin door.

 

I hope y'all have a wonderful cruise, and I'm sure the other couple will appreciate your efforts! BON VOYAGE!:)

[posingcarrot]

Thank you all very much for your help!! I was a little misinformed and thought that you couldn't get on the ship UNTIL 4 o'clock. It really puts my mind at ease know that we will be able to get on the boat and do some exploring before 4!

 

Payd we booked directly through Carnival. I'm the travel agent, maybe they should've picked someone else, huh? :p

 

Socref124, we are leaving Miami on October 20th on the Destiny. We can't wait. Thanks for the information!

[Socref124]

Socref124, we are leaving Miami on October 20th on the Destiny. We can't wait. Thanks for the information!

 

We sail the week before you. We'll get the crew all warmed up and ready to go for you guys...;)