questions.....please help

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icemaiden

Guest
My cruise documents state not to be at the port more than a 1/2 hour before the stated time. The stated earliest time is 1:30 pm. I'm sailing Carnival Miracle out of FLL.

Does anybody have thoughts on what the best time to arrive at port is to minimize the waiting. When I sailed the Triumph a few years ago I arrived at around 11:30 or noon and it took until 2:00 to get onboard. I remember I had to stand in about 3 different LONG lines. Is this normal??

I'm getting very excited since I leave in 45 days!!!! I booked a 6A guarantee and was upgraded to a verandah deck balcony 8F :) YESSSS!!! I've never had a balcony and I'm afraid I will fall in love with it lol.

LUGGAGE TAGS - they are just printer paper???!!!! Any suggestions for keeping them from ripping on your luggage?
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
It used to be that if you wanted to minimize the amount of time you had to wait in line, then you wanted to get to the port about two hours prior to the sail time.

However, because of the new reporting rules the cruise lines have to follow, cruise lines now tell you to be on board 90 minutes prior to sailing. So, I would recommend that you arrive 2 1/2 hours prior to sailing if your goal is to minimize the amount of time you spend in line.
 
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Mbandy

Guest
We always show up eary, about 11:15 - 11:30. I have never had to wait so I guess I'm just lucky. On our last three cruises were were on board and having lunch before noon.
 
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luv2fishpink

Guest
Regarding the luggage tags. If you print them off and then put packing tape over it, this will help strengthen them. Also, use a hole punch and put one whole in. Then find some strong string, Zip-strips, metal ties or something to use to attach to your luggage.

Also, our travel agent suggested not putting them on until you land and before you get on the bus to the cruise ship. This will help minimize any problems.

Have fun on your cruise, we're going in 5 days!
 
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luv2fishpink

Guest
BTW, you WILL fall in love with the balcony. I've cruised 4 times and this is the only way to go. It's great when you want to get away from everyone!
 
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Luv 2 Float

Guest
As for when to arrive, in my opinion, the earlier the better. As another poster stated, get there early and you'll be eating lunch on the lido deck. We usually arrive anywhere from 9:00 to 11:00 and are almost ALWAYS (with the exception of one time when there were 2 weddings on board) are on the ship by noon.

As for the luggage tags, there's really no need to do all this laminating and hole punching. Just follow the directions - fold where it says and then staple a couple times after you've folded them around your luggage handles (after you're off the plane, if you're flying). They honestly only need to make it from the terminal to your cabin. You'll get new ones for debarkation if you're checking your luggage and you won't need any at all if your doing self-assist debarkation. We did it the simple way last time and it worked just fine!! Of course, use a regular luggage tag with your name, address and phone # from the very beginning just in case it gets lost on the plane or in the off chance that one of the paper tags gets torn off by the porters. That way, they can look you up in their computer to find out which cabin you're in.

As for the balcony, yup - you'll be hooked! We had an aft balcony cabin last November on Victory and I'll never go back!
 
K

kimmie13

Guest
Well I am a really groomed cruiser. My husband and I are usually the last one on the ship and that is cause we live in Orlando 45 mintues away from Port Canaveral we really push it each time. Last time 11 of us went and we were the next to the last persons on the ship. I dont recommended doing it that way because that time it was very stressful that ship was ready to go, but a hour before sail time is just fine. It's just if you get there a little earlier you get to settle in and get to know the ship a little bit before BON VOYAGE time...
 
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KellyAnne

Guest
Personally, I like around 11-11:30 in the morning. Considering they count embarkation day as your first cruise day, my feeling is the sooner you get on the ship the sooner your vacation starts...it goes fast enough as it is. Of course, it's fun watching people come on board after you're safely tucked away and enjoying your lunch or exploring your new "home". I have to agree also, once you get a balcony, you'll never want anything else.

Enjoy your cruise!
 
H

Happy Traveler

Guest
We just got back from a Glory Cruise. We arrived at 11:00am at Pt Canaveral. We barely waited 15 minutes and our documents were checked and we were led upstairs to show our papers and receive our cards. It looked like the Carnival staff was controlling the number of people who entered at one time. We didn't wait long to get our sign & sail card. Then we enjoyed a meal while we waited for our room to be ready. I was happy we arrived early. We were able to relax while others waited in line as the time grew closer to sailing.
 
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jkmcroot

Guest
We arrived at about 11:00 on our last cruise and were able to get on right away and have lunch on the ship. We're planning to do the same thing in March. Arrive at the pier at around 11:00 so we can be onboard in time for lunch. We also put bathing suits in our carryons so the kids don't have to wait for our luggage to be delivered. They can jump right in.
 
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