Pre cruise Hotel - Check In for Cruise

[nanashirl]

I saw on a recent post that if we had booked a hotel thru HA for the night before that we could check in for our cruise at the hotel and get our card and just go directly to get picture made - board ship.
I called HA this morning to inquire about this and was told that she didn't think that was right. That we had to check in at pier. Has anyone done this before? I know that Carnival did this when we have cruise before but don't know what HA does. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows for sure how this works.

[TedC]

I saw on a recent post that if we had booked a hotel thru HA for the night before that we could check in for our cruise at the hotel and get our card and just go directly to get picture made - board ship.
I called HA this morning to inquire about this and was told that she didn't think that was right. That we had to check in at pier. Has anyone done this before? I know that Carnival did this when we have cruise before but don't know what HA does. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows for sure how this works.

We usually book our own hotels but I know we were able to check in at a HAL hotel on at least one of our cruises about five years ago. It makes sense and saves you and HAL time at the busy terminal.

It's not unusual for people at HAL headquarters not to have all the right answers all the time: i.e. left hand doesn't always know what right hand is doing etc.

[Willsot]

We have stayed at HAL hotels the last two cruises in the last year and did not have this service offered. You mentioned Carnival doing this. One thing to keep in mind that check-in with HAL goes much more smoothly, and quickly, than check-in with the large Carnival ships.

[gizmo]

I know Hal and other cruise lines did this before 911.

Did Carnival or Hal start this procedure again ?

[nanashirl]

Not sure if Hal has started again or not. Saw a post that said they did it but no one has responded for sure that they did it recently. Would be nice.

[HALOnlyCruiser]

We have done hotel check-in at HAL hotels in Montreal and Vancouver. It is so much more convenient and quick than standing in line for hours at the pier. If you are part of a HAL pre-cruise package, you should be given this info on hotel check-in. If not, ask them at the desk. Some hotels have a separate check-in desk for those with cruise line vouchers. The procedure entails filling out the credit card registration and doing the Immigration Form thing. Your are given a little pamphlet with ship info and your cabin key-card. All you need to do at the pier is go through security, smile for the photograher, and board the ship!

[nanashirl]

HalOnlycruiser- Thanks for the info. Have you done this recently?
I called the Sheraton Hotel in Seattle where we are staying and they said that HA does have a desk there. I then called HA and the lady said NO they do not do that at the hotel and I told her that I had called and they did have a representative at the hotel. She got really ugly and said again NO we DO NOT do this. You must check in at the pier. When I questioned what the representative did at the hotel she said she did not know and got even worse.
I didn't mean to question her but thought it would be nice and save some time and that I had done this on Carnival before. She said I was sure welcome to check at the hotel and hung up. Oh well, not that big a deal just thought she was rude.

[HALOnlyCruiser]

Hi Nanashirl,
The Montreal check-in was last June. I don't mean to say that the people at HAL don't know what the other divisions are doing, but it happens. I think you had every right to question. Some folks will be adamant that something is true, and either it is as far as they know and don't want to be bothered to check (which IMHO is what she should have done), or some folks just can't admit they don't know, so they make something up. (She has a 50/50 chance of being right......) I've found that people (especially those who believe they are "in authority") think that if they say something with enough conviction, that makes it true.
I would plan on being able to check in at the hotel. If it doesn't happen, it's something they've changed recently (probably because it was a good idea and made things easier for the pax.) If it does happen, you got lucky, and you should leave a message for the "helpful" agent at HAL. I like HAL a lot, but that doesn't mean everybody there is a keeper. :D