What is check-in like? What time to get to port?

D

Diva

Guest
What is the best time to head down to the port of Miami to avoid excessively long line-ups? And what is Carnival check-in like?
I have the Princess check-in down to a science...be at the port for 10:30, followed by Platinum check-in and be having lunch by 12:30 (if the debarkation went smoothly).
This will be my first Carnival experience so I would like to know what to expect...Thanks!
 
Y

YoRay

Guest
Yo! Tracey,

In most cases...at Port of Miami...
Move everything forward about 30 minutes from what you do on Princess, and you'll be in the ballpark. 11 - 11:30 arrival and 1pm cocktails onboard - (Sooner with priority boarding.)

(With the same assumption on the debarkation of the prior cuise.)
 
J

J

Guest
How do you get priority check-in? Is it based on your cabin assignment? Also, I've heard that certain hotels in Miami do pre-check-in, even if you're not staying with them. Does anyone know about that?? Thanks a bunch!
 
D

Diva

Guest
I know that for Princess, priority check in is a special line for those who have sailed before with Princess at least once (Express check-in) or Platinum check-in if you have sailed more than 6 times like what I have.

I was told by Carnival that priority check-in is for those in mini-suites, etc. I won't be in one of those so I realled didn't listen to what the representative said.

I would also like info on that hotel-priority check-in even if you aren't staying at the hotel....
 
Y

YoRay

Guest
Yo! J,
Priority boarding - "Skippers Club", only applies to categories 11 & 12. Mini-suites and suites. It's comes with the cabin rate.

Tracey & J,
The only hotel I'm aware of that offers PRE-check-in is the Sheraton Biscayne Bay.
It's not priority boarding, just pre-check-in. And yes, even if you're staying somewhere else, if you're at the Sheraton at Carnivals check-in time, you can pre-register. Then you have to get a taxi ($5) to the pier - which is very close. Carnival will send check-in reps to the Sheraton only if they are aware that there are Carnival passengers there. The hotel needs to know your plans. I'd suggest making the arrangements when you call to book your room.

Hope this helps.

Have fun!
That's an order!

.
 
D

Diva

Guest
YoRay!
Does this pre-check-in mean that Carnival reps will take your bags then and there?
By doing this, do you avoid having to stand in a line at the pier and do you avoid having to lug around your suitcases?
Can you go in a "special/faster" line once you get to the pier?

You seem to be the expert YoRay...Did you work for a cruiseline?
 
Y

YoRay

Guest
Yo! Tracey,

I believe that if you've arranged transfers with Carnival, they will take you and your luggage by bus, which doesn't leave the hotel till near noon.
Quicker/faster/earlier/cheaper is to take your luggage by cab. The cabbie will drop you right at the luggage porters at the pier. You don't have to schlep bags or compete with 60 other bus passengers. The solution to the long lines is pre-check-in at the hotel and getting to the pier early(11-11:30ish). However, if you're not priority boarding, eventually you'll have to deal with a line boarding the ship.

A word of caution. Carnival will do hotel check-in only if they have a certain number of Carnival passengers requesting it. I don't know what that number is. That's why it's important to let the hotel and Carnival know your plans. Let your TA help you with the arrangements.

Oh!...request a oceanview room so you can watch the ships while you have your morning coffee.

I never used this hotel or service-yet. I just looked into it and gathered this info on these cruise boards. That's why I like it here.
 
K

kellyb

Guest
just got back from our first cruise. arrived around 10:30 a.m. and probably 30 or so people already there. sat in lobby for 30 minutes. they keep you moving from location to location every 20 minutes or so. went through metal detectors, then proof of citizenship, then pick up carnival sign & sail card, then photos for sign & sail card, then wait to board. i don't know about any priority boarding, but when they called to board, my kids jumped and we were first on the ship and it was just after noon....we had to knock on the door for the crew to open up and there didn't appear to be any passengers already there.
 
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