The first day of a cruise can be very exciting, but before you can enjoy the food, fun, and excitement of your cruise you have to check-in and actually board your cruise ship. Throughout my years of cruising, Carnival Cruise Line has implemented changes to their check-in procedures that have made check-in a little easier and more efficient. Here are some tips and things to keep in mind when checking in for your Carnival Cruise that could make your first day much easier:
1. Secure Your Luggage Tags To Your Luggage Prior to Arriving At The Cruise Terminal
In Carnival's online booking manager, you will have the ability to print luggage tags. I recommend taking time to secure these to your suitcase prior to arriving at the cruise terminal. When you get to the cruise terminal or parking lot that will shuttle you to the cruise terminal, there may not be enough time to put your luggage tags on.
If you happen to forget to print your luggage tags, typically someone working at the cruise terminal will be able to provide you with a generic luggage tag that you will write your name and stateroom number on.
2. Have Your Boarding Pass and Required ID Ready When You Get To The Cruise Terminal
Before your cruise actually begins, it will feel like you show your boarding pass and required identification a million times. When you turn over your luggage to a porter, you will have to show your boarding pass & id. As you try to enter the cruise terminal building, you will have to show your boarding pass. When you check-in for the cruise inside the terminal, you will once again have to show these two things. Have your boarding pass and acceptable ID ready when you get the cruise terminal. It is not fun to have to step out of line because you can't find one of these things, so make sure you know where yours is and keep it handy!
3. Complete Your Health Questionnaire Prior To Arriving At The Cruise Terminal
You can make your check-in process faster inside the cruise terminal if you print and complete the required health questionnaire prior to arriving at the cruise terminal. For women, a pregnancy questionnaire is required too.
4. When Going Through Security In The Cruise Terminal...
Make sure you listen and follow written instructions provided by the security staff members in the cruise terminal. Failure to follow directions could result in your carry on bags being searched because you didn't take out your laptop or getting a pat down because you left something in your pocket.
5. Do Not Take Pictures Inside The Cruise Terminal
Taking pictures or video inside the cruise terminal is not allowed and terminal staff members will tell people to stop taking pictures/videos if they are caught. This is something I am not very good at following! I typically try to get pictures of my cruise ship from the terminal for the cruise reviews I write on here. I have been told several times to stop taking pictures! If you don't want to be yelled at our get in trouble for your cruise, don't take pictures in the cruise terminal!
6. Knowing The Order Of Boarding Will Make Waiting No Seem As Long
When you know which group of cruisers is in front of you for boarding you can have a mini countdown in your head of how much longer you have until your group gets to board. Carnival starts with VIFP Diamond guests. These guests have sailed 200+ days with Carnival. Next is Carnival's VIFP Platinum guests. These guests have sailed 75+ days with Carnival or were grandfathered in under an old loyalty program. The next group of guests is Faster to the Fun. These guests paid for early boarding as well as priority luggage delivery. Following Faster to the Fun guests, will be the numbered zones. Guests with zone 1 are first and the process continues from there.
1. Secure Your Luggage Tags To Your Luggage Prior to Arriving At The Cruise Terminal
In Carnival's online booking manager, you will have the ability to print luggage tags. I recommend taking time to secure these to your suitcase prior to arriving at the cruise terminal. When you get to the cruise terminal or parking lot that will shuttle you to the cruise terminal, there may not be enough time to put your luggage tags on.
If you happen to forget to print your luggage tags, typically someone working at the cruise terminal will be able to provide you with a generic luggage tag that you will write your name and stateroom number on.
2. Have Your Boarding Pass and Required ID Ready When You Get To The Cruise Terminal
Before your cruise actually begins, it will feel like you show your boarding pass and required identification a million times. When you turn over your luggage to a porter, you will have to show your boarding pass & id. As you try to enter the cruise terminal building, you will have to show your boarding pass. When you check-in for the cruise inside the terminal, you will once again have to show these two things. Have your boarding pass and acceptable ID ready when you get the cruise terminal. It is not fun to have to step out of line because you can't find one of these things, so make sure you know where yours is and keep it handy!
3. Complete Your Health Questionnaire Prior To Arriving At The Cruise Terminal
You can make your check-in process faster inside the cruise terminal if you print and complete the required health questionnaire prior to arriving at the cruise terminal. For women, a pregnancy questionnaire is required too.
4. When Going Through Security In The Cruise Terminal...
Make sure you listen and follow written instructions provided by the security staff members in the cruise terminal. Failure to follow directions could result in your carry on bags being searched because you didn't take out your laptop or getting a pat down because you left something in your pocket.
5. Do Not Take Pictures Inside The Cruise Terminal
Taking pictures or video inside the cruise terminal is not allowed and terminal staff members will tell people to stop taking pictures/videos if they are caught. This is something I am not very good at following! I typically try to get pictures of my cruise ship from the terminal for the cruise reviews I write on here. I have been told several times to stop taking pictures! If you don't want to be yelled at our get in trouble for your cruise, don't take pictures in the cruise terminal!
6. Knowing The Order Of Boarding Will Make Waiting No Seem As Long
When you know which group of cruisers is in front of you for boarding you can have a mini countdown in your head of how much longer you have until your group gets to board. Carnival starts with VIFP Diamond guests. These guests have sailed 200+ days with Carnival. Next is Carnival's VIFP Platinum guests. These guests have sailed 75+ days with Carnival or were grandfathered in under an old loyalty program. The next group of guests is Faster to the Fun. These guests paid for early boarding as well as priority luggage delivery. Following Faster to the Fun guests, will be the numbered zones. Guests with zone 1 are first and the process continues from there.
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