Pride-Early Embarkation Confusion

[sbnuggie]

Hello,

Lurking around these parts for a while, a little confused about early embarkation details. Wife and I would like to check in early and tour the Queen Mary and then get aboard the Pride with the least amount of wait/stress etc... What is the best way to do that? What time can you do "early check in"? Where do you do it? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

*****

Our First Cruise:

Carnival Pride 5/16/04

[croozer59]

Well early check-in as AT the Queen Mary so you can check in early and then leisurely tour the Queen mary for, I believe, $6.00 a person since you are a Carnival cruiser. If you have already filled our your Fun pass on Carnival's website and got your docs early check in wil be a breeze.

Can't Wait !!!
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[marklodi]

Here's the info I've been able to put together:

The early check-in for the Pride is on the Queen Mary. There is a special entrance, clearly marked for Carnival Cruises, leading to a room full of happy Carnival employees with computers. It opens at or around 9am.

Do note that the place to check your luggage is on the OTHER side of the complex, by the parking garage. So if you are parking at the pier, it works out great - drop your luggage off with the porters, then head over to the early check-in. However, if you are staying on the QM, I would recommend doing early check-in first, then walk over to the garage area and check-in your luggage.

Once that is done, you have some time to kill, so you can either get in line to board at the terminal early, or take the reduced-price tour on the QM. Previous sailers have recommended being back in line before noon, though, as the line does get quite long.

Have a great cruise! We'll be disembarking right before you get on, so be sure to wave. If anyone waves back, could be us. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Mark ºoº

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;05;09;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800
5/9/04 Pride Cruise - 1st Cruise!

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[KKCruisers]

We were just on the Pride and we checked in at the QM at 8:30 am and they took our bags and stored them for us because check in wasn't open yet. We went upstairs and had a nice breakfast and then went down to check in about 9:30 am. The line was already building up but only a 15 minute wait. After checkin we went back to the main entrance of QM hotel and the and the porter took us and our bags over to the cruise boat and checked them in for us. That was the easy part we then waited till almost 2PM to get on the ship. Carnival does not have it all together as far as embarkation in Ca. We went on the Pride in 2002 out of Port Canaveral and we were on the ship by 12. There were still people getting off the boat at 1:30 in Ca. I hope they straighten their problems out for embarkation. One good thing is there are tables and chairs and drinks outside where you have to wait. We could have stood in line from 10 to 2 but we chose to sit and drink and wait. Some people were in that line for hours. Once your on the boat you forget about the wait and have a great time, we did! I wish we were going back this week. We did stay on the QM on our last night there and that was very nice. Have a wonderful cruise, I know you will and maybe you will get lucky and they will have the embarkation problems cleared up by then. That is my only complaint about the whole cruise. If you have any other questions let me know I will be glad to answer what I can. Happy sailing!

KKCruisers

Pride 4/18
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;04;18;9;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800

[marklodi]

Hey KK! Awesome info - thanks. Just to clarify (and this has been one thing I was concerned about) - you're saying there will be porters near the Queen Mary check-in? That would be so nice! Can you tell us about where they were? Where to look for them?

Thanks!!!

Mark ºoº

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5/9/04 Pride Cruise - 1st Cruise!

Visit our Webshots Gallery (http://community.webshots.com/user/marklodi)

[KKCruisers]

No, the porters are at the hotel part of the QM.If you go straight to checkin, they will tell you to carry your bags over to the bagage area. A lot of people took their bags to check in. If you don't mind paying the porter at the QM, just tell them your early for check in and want them to hold your bags till after you check in. They were very happy to do that for us and said they would bring us and our bags over to the boat. Then when we got to the boat they just handed the bags over to the baggage people there. Of course we had to tip two people, but it was well worth it because our bags were very very heavy! I packed for 11 days and not knowing the weather it wasn't easy. Good luck and let me know how you make out.

KKCruisers

Pride 4/18
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;04;18;9;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800

[kajsb]

KK cruisers,

I down to 28 days before my cruise on the Pride!

Thanks for the updated information on the check-in. I know Mark will give us another report when he comes back.

How was the weather? I sure hope we have lots and lots of sun.

Kathy

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[kajsb]

KK cruisers,

I'm down to 28 days before my cruise on the Pride!

Thanks for the updated information on the check-in. I know Mark will give us another report when he comes back.

How was the weather? I sure hope we have lots and lots of sun.

Kathy

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[candigirl41]

When we went in Feb. We took our bags to the information booth where they have a hold for your luggage until the porters are ready to take them. We then did early check-in, very easy. We toured the QM and then went back and took our luggage out of the hold area and found a porter to check them for us. We were starting to board at 12:00. I think the reason for delayed boarding is because people do not clear immigration and customs on board like they are suppose to. When we debarked they were calling colors as early as 8:30. We were back at our truck by 10:15. I think this was one of the best programs for embarkation/debarkation I have ever experienced. I think it just depends on what is happening on the ship from the previous cruise that determines your wait time to board.

Candi

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[KKCruisers]

I agree with candigirl. It just depends what is happening on the ship. One thing I did notice when we were getting off. We were last to be called because we were staying in LB for one more night, but when we started to go through imigration they asked if we had passports and because we did we were able to get in a very quick line and were out of there in no time. We looked back and others who didn't have passports were in big long lines. I don't know the reason for that, but that was the way they were doing it then. Happy sailing!

KKCruisers

Pride 4/18
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;04;18;9;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800

[KKCruisers]

kajsb, The weather was cold when we arrived in LA on the 16th (50's). We left Florida at 80's so it was cold for us. We wore jackets in LA and when we arrived in LB, but while we were waiting outside to board it started warming up and we started taking our layers off. It was a little cool the first night on the ship outside but it was much better when we got going. You really can't go by our weather because when we arrived back in LB they had a heat stroke and it was 99 there. They were announcing on the radio that it was the hottest weather in years. They broke records, so who knows what it will be like but it will be nice in PV for sure. Bring a light sweater or jacket though because we found areas of the ship that were colder then others. If you are the type that gets cold, like I am you will need it. I was glad I did. My husband bought a sweat shirt the first night on the ship. Happy sailing, I wish it was me, again!

KKCruisers

Pride 4/18
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;04;18;9;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800

[bethee]

We did the early check in on the Elation last year and they gave us a slip of paper saying our boarding time would be at 3:15....then at 12 a ship's officer came and told us we could line up to board and we were on the ship by 1. Do not believe it if they give you the slip.

Since we are staying on the QM it is nice to know that the porter will be so accomodating. Well worth the $10 for each of them as we also pack very heavy. 14 days to go.

[kajsb]

I only live about 30 minutes away from the port in Long Beach so I know how our weather has been. One day last week, it was over 100, and the very next day, it dropped 30 degrees.

I guess I should have been more specific. I am interested in how the weather was for the days at sea. We hope to get lots and lots of sun.

Kathy

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800

05/30/04 Carnival Pride cruise & the wraparound balcony

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;28;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800
06/28/04 Ecstasy-
Mom's 80th birthday surprise!!

Ecstasy 09/13/02
Ecstasy 05/26/03

[sbnuggie]

Just adding Kajsb recent post, from another thread, about the official reply from Carnival regarding early check in, just in case anyone does a search for this topic.

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=969097554&m=268106681&r=268106681#268106681

*****

Our First Cruise:

Carnival Pride 5/16/04

[This message was edited by sbnuggie on 05-14-04 at 05:04 PM.]

[glrounds]

I just got off the PRIDE last Sunday 5/9/04

I early checked-in at the Queen and then waited approximately 1 hour in the lines. I laid in the grass under the trees, however and didn't find the wait unbearable. Carnival does need to set up some kind of "follow the yellow lines" thing to instruct people which line to get into while waiting for embarkation. A lot of confusion amonst those standing in line. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

I thought debarkation was a breeze. I think my color was the 4th or 5th color called at 9:15. I was on the gangplank at 9:30 (taking all my luggage with me) and in my truck at the parking garage at 9:54 and home by 10:45 (almost no traffic on the 405). http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I thought the debarkation went the smoothest of my 12 cruises. Just lucky I guess.

Live well, love much, laugh often.

Gary http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

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[Jana]

Sbnuggie and Bethee,

Since you are both sailing this Sunday (OMG, already???) you should know that embarkation doesn't start until 1:30 because of some crew immigration procedure taking place on the 16th. Someone from Carnival told me, I called again to verify.

I'm just letting you know so you can choose how early you arrive

Jana

[Sailfish]

Marklodi:

Will you bo posting a review of the Pride soon / I'd like to know where it is!

Suzi


05 July 2004 Monarch of the Seas
21 November 2004 Carnival Pride
20 February 2005 Mariner of the Seas CC Group Cruise

[marklodi]

Hi Suzi! Just posted part 1 of the review today. I will try to have more parts soon (depending upon work and home demands...reality sucks... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ) I will definitely be covering the Early Embarkation, by popular request. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Mark ºoº


5/9/04 Pride Cruise - 1st Cruise!

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[Sailfish]

Marklodi:

I'll go look for it...I looked earlier, but didn't see it.

Thanks, Mark. I am assuming you had a great time. Welcome home!

Suzi


05 July 2004 Monarch of the Seas
21 November 2004 Carnival Pride
20 February 2005 Mariner of the Seas CC Group Cruise

[marklodi]

Mmmmm. A good time indeed! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Much more to come, I promise.

Mark ºoº


5/9/04 Pride Cruise - 1st Cruise!

Visit our Webshots Gallery (http://community.webshots.com/user/marklodi)