Tampa - is it really 1:30 check in for boarding? (depart on Sunday)

[seattle]

I called to try to find out what time they will begin taking luggage and begin the paperwork for boarding and the lady was rude and would only say that boarding starts at 1:30, I asked if I could check luggage and get my boarding documents earlier and she just repeated boarding starts at 1:30.

What is the deal???

Do they really begin boarding the ship at the exact same time that they begin processing travel documents and going through security? Seems like it would open earlier than 1:30 but don't want to show up to early to sit on the curb unable to get my bags on their way.

[mikeymars]

I actually have the same question, since we are sailing on the Miracle out of Tampa next March.

As for sitting on the curb, I can state that on our prior sailing on Carnival (the Inspiration out of San Juan back in December 1999), people started lining up outside the entrance to the pier a good hour and a half before the doors even opened (granted, that was for a New Year's "turnover to the new millenium" holiday cruise, so people may have more "worked up" about arriving early than normal).

[kristikae]

I've never seen them wait until the time they list for boarding. Depending on when they get all the passengers off, they usually let people start getting on around noon or 12:30. I always show up at the pier around 10-10:30 to be one of the first on the ship.

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[zonemasconi]

was just on the sensation and they didnt start calling for boarding till around 12:30.

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[serene56]

Of course the people at Carnival will tell you no boarding until 1:30. Thats to save themselves in case boarding didnt start at that time. Imagine little Besy who couldnt get onboard at 1:35 how she will complain and want a free cruise because of that.
With that being said--- I get to the pier about 10:30 so I can be one of the first onboard,

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[fla gang]

It depends on how quick everyone is off from the previous cruise, and how fast the cleanup process is going.I live near Tampa and have heard of people boarding before noon.

Barry

[Josie77]

Embarkation generally starts around noon or shortly after. I like to get there around 1:30 or 2:00 when the crowds have died down. What's the sense of starting your vacation standing in line?

[seattle]

I understand about getting on the ship. I just wanted to know what time the porters are their to take bags, and get boarding documents not actually board the ship.

[SUSANITA]

We just sailed Sensation, got to port at 10:45 and they were waiting to take our bags. Embarkation started around 12:15.

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[Brneyznfl]

I arrived at the Tampa port about 11:00 a.m. Absolutely NO lines! Breezed right on through checking in. Like Sue said above, they let us on the ship about 12:15 or so.

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[pazooter]

Bruce and I usually arrive as early as 11:00 a.m., drop the luggage, get parked and get into line to go upstairs and check in. (There were about 50 people in line already.) Once your boarding documents are processed (be sure to do the Fun Pass on line), then you'll be seated for about an hour looking right out the window at your ship. They begin calling groups to board at 12:15. You may have to wait a bit on your cabin, but you can go for the buffet. Enjoy Tampa and your cruise!! Cathy

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[katie286]

I have a question...our husbands are dropping us off at the pier and returning the car rentals to the airport and then coming by taxi back to the pier. Here's my question: Can we check the luggage with the porters and get on line without the husbands or do we have to wait for them to return to us before we can check luggage and get on line? We were figuring on them dropping us at the pier around 10:00 am.

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[Charliesmom]

Katie 286

Have you checked with your car rental agency to see if they have a shuttle to the port from the airport. We've done that in both Fort Lauderdale and Miami. It might be worthwhile to find out before you have to spend money on a taxi after dropping off the rental car.

Roberta

[katie286]

Charliesmom: I haven't check with the car rental company about that. Other posters have told me that its about a $20.00 cab ride back to the pier. I thought it would be faster for the guys to take a taxi than wait for a shuttle.
We just don't know if we are allowed to give our luggage over to the porters and get on line without the husbands.

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[bjkeen]

I boarded the Sensation at 11:30. It must have to do with when the ship is clean and the passengers are off so the new arrivals can board.

Becky
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