Carnival Cruise Line announced earlier this week that priority boarding is returning for Diamond & Platinum VIFP guests. Priority boarding did not return in July 2021 when Carnival began cruising after the pandemic shutdown due to the focus on health protocols during check-in. Carnival allowed Diamond & Platinum guests to complete online check-in 48 hours early, but there was no special check-in lines or waiting area in the cruise terminal on embarkation day. Starting on sailings on or after November 3, 2022 Carnival is resuming Diamond & Platinum priority check-in & boarding (not available for Journeys cruises).
Online Check-In:
VIFP Diamond & Platinum guests will still complete online check-in and can begin the online check-in 48 hours earlier than other guests. Carnival asks Diamond & Platinum guests to select an arrival appointment time that best corresponds with their plans to get to the cruise terminal.
VIFP Diamond & Platinum guests will still complete online check-in and can begin the online check-in 48 hours earlier than other guests. Carnival asks Diamond & Platinum guests to select an arrival appointment time that best corresponds with their plans to get to the cruise terminal.
How Priority Check-In Typically Works:
Upon arrival to the cruise terminal, VIFP Diamond & Platinum guests will need to look for the Priority check-in line. If you are a Diamond or Platinum guest and do not see where you are supposed to go, ask one of the cruise terminal staff for directions. Depending on the particular homeport you are sailing out of you will likely have a dedicated check-in line that is separate from other guests.
After check-in is completed if boarding has not yet started you should be able to sit in a dedicated space that is for priority guests. Prior to the pandemic most cruise terminals either had a lounge or a dedicated section of chairs setup for Diamond & Platinum guests. It is not yet 100% clear at the time of writing if Carnival will continue having a dedicated lounge for VIFP Diamond & Platinum guests. However, my best guess is a separate waiting area will be setup for Platinum & Diamond guests to help facilitate the priority boarding before the first general embarkation zones are called.
Upon arrival to the cruise terminal, VIFP Diamond & Platinum guests will need to look for the Priority check-in line. If you are a Diamond or Platinum guest and do not see where you are supposed to go, ask one of the cruise terminal staff for directions. Depending on the particular homeport you are sailing out of you will likely have a dedicated check-in line that is separate from other guests.
After check-in is completed if boarding has not yet started you should be able to sit in a dedicated space that is for priority guests. Prior to the pandemic most cruise terminals either had a lounge or a dedicated section of chairs setup for Diamond & Platinum guests. It is not yet 100% clear at the time of writing if Carnival will continue having a dedicated lounge for VIFP Diamond & Platinum guests. However, my best guess is a separate waiting area will be setup for Platinum & Diamond guests to help facilitate the priority boarding before the first general embarkation zones are called.
Priority Luggage Service & Dropping Bags By Stateroom Early:
Carnival announced that Diamond & Platinum guests will be allowed to drop-off bags in their staterooms upon boarding. However, Carnival has asked that Diamond & Platinum guests do not remain in their staterooms due to the housekeeping team still working to prepare staterooms. This means if you bring carry on bags that you want to drop off in your room you should go back your room and then go back to the public areas.
Additionally, Carnival has announced for all checked bags priority luggage delivery service will be reinstated. Prior to the pandemic shutdown guests with priority luggage delivery would have a special tag put on their bags and luggage tags indicated priority status. It will be interesting to see how this works now.
Carnival announced that Diamond & Platinum guests will be allowed to drop-off bags in their staterooms upon boarding. However, Carnival has asked that Diamond & Platinum guests do not remain in their staterooms due to the housekeeping team still working to prepare staterooms. This means if you bring carry on bags that you want to drop off in your room you should go back your room and then go back to the public areas.
Additionally, Carnival has announced for all checked bags priority luggage delivery service will be reinstated. Prior to the pandemic shutdown guests with priority luggage delivery would have a special tag put on their bags and luggage tags indicated priority status. It will be interesting to see how this works now.
Are there any cruises where Priority Boarding is not offered?
Yes, Carnival has said that the Diamond & Platinum benefit is not available for Carnival Journeys cruises. This is usually due to a higher volume of Diamond & Platinum guests. There could be other cruises where priority boarding is not offered, but this was all Carnival mentioned in their email.
Yes, Carnival has said that the Diamond & Platinum benefit is not available for Carnival Journeys cruises. This is usually due to a higher volume of Diamond & Platinum guests. There could be other cruises where priority boarding is not offered, but this was all Carnival mentioned in their email.