Received Carnival Email about Late Boarding

Okay, I depart on Saturday and I want to hear from prior cruisers. An email was sent from Carnival telling travelers that they are not boarding until 1:30 pm due to "testing"...what the helllzzzz.

I'm going to arrive at Penn station at 9:30 am what are we going to do for all those hours???? I guess it is better to be early than rushed. Is it better to stay at pen station and maybe let my husband wander around, and people watch...then go to the port???

Or does the Carnival port area have chairs and is enclosed like the Florida ports where you are inside a big place with chairs, bathrooms and vending machines.

If you are talking about NY, they do have lots of chairs. There should be a newsstand before you go through screening but you can pick up snacks in penn Station too. Sight seeing (people watching) in NY is entertaining everywhere!

Covered port with bathrooms.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I would go directly to the port, you should be able to at least check your bags.

Waiting at the port will be much nicer than waiting at Penn. IMO.

If you can check your bags, walk over to the Intrepid, it's a few block away. You can't miss it.

I recieved the same email on my last cruise, showed up early and was on the ship early.

Okay, I depart on Saturday and I want to hear from prior cruisers. An email was sent from Carnival telling travelers that they are not boarding until 1:30 pm due to "testing"...what the helllzzzz.

 

I'm going to arrive at Penn station at 9:30 am what are we going to do for all those hours???? I guess it is better to be early than rushed. Is it better to stay at pen station and maybe let my husband wander around, and people watch...then go to the port???

 

Or does the Carnival port area have chairs and is enclosed like the Florida ports where you are inside a big place with chairs, bathrooms and vending machines.

I was just on the conquest, embarkation was the same, everyone on, but we never left. They were doing computer testing. We didnt leave until 830pm. If this is the same type of testing, I bet you really won't board until 130

Most of the time they do it to try and spread out arrivals. I would take a chance and ignore it.

They send that bluff e-mail all the time. Ignore it! :D

thanks....we get to penn station by around 9:30-10:00 so I'm going to let my husband browse as we go to the port. I'm going to follow your advice, and just go on to the port. 1) probably safer then penn station.

thanks....we get to penn station by around 9:30-10:00 so I'm going to let my husband browse as we go to the port. I'm going to follow your advice, and just go on to the port. 1) probably safer then penn station.

Plus, I'm not too sure you want to browse in NYC. It's really easy to get distracted and lose track of time, plus won't you have all your luggage with you? Not really conducive to exploring the city.

thanks....we get to penn station by around 9:30-10:00 so I'm going to let my husband browse as we go to the port. I'm going to follow your advice, and just go on to the port. 1) probably safer then penn station.

once the chairs are full they will not allow more people through security- skip the browsing and go get a chair

thanks....we get to penn station by around 9:30-10:00 so I'm going to let my husband browse as we go to the port. I'm going to follow your advice, and just go on to the port. 1) probably safer then penn station.

Go straight to the port and check your luggage. Go through Security. Once you have done so, you can assess the situation about boarding time. If you are assigned a zone card, you then can judge how long you will have to wait to board. If you don't get a zone card, then you can expect a wait.

The snack place has some table and chairs as well. Carnival usually provides a limited beverage service at the check in area. Look for it and just relax. Your vacation has started.

Nothing to keep you from going over to the Intrepid for a quick tour. Also, there is an antique fair at Pier 84 (not sure what the cost is).

I too am sailing on Saturday and hope to be at the port between 11:30 and 12 noon.

Being a Saturday there should be at least one bridal party! They usually get priority for boarding.

MARAPRINCE

I've gotten the same email my last few cruises. Showed up and was on board long before 1:00. One thing is for certain - you certainly won't be able to get on board if you aren't there no matter what time they actually start.. :)

I think if it's a legit delay they will text/email you the day of. Things like surprise coast guard or ICE inspections can cause delays.

I know RCCL sends these emails out automatically regardless of circumstance, wouldn't surprise me if Carnival does the same.

Boarding time on ticket is showing 1PM. So, 1:30PM is not a big deal.

MARAPRINCE

They send that bluff e-mail all the time. Ignore it! :D

Agree. I have received this email on my last three cruises. Ignored it and got onboard early like I always do.