libby10205 Posted September 7, 2010 #1 Share Posted September 7, 2010 When you arrive at the port is there usually a special entry into the building for VIP boarding. Every time I ask they tell me that VIP starts once inside and they make me wait in the line outside. Somehow I don't think this is right. What have been your experiences? Please tell me how to get into the building as a VIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted September 7, 2010 #2 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Every port handles it differently. Which port are you asking about? Galveston has a area you sit on the side. Triumph had a special VIP area where you check in ...then we were on our own to wait to board with everyone else. (and they hadnt given me a boarding card). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Mach* Posted September 7, 2010 #3 Share Posted September 7, 2010 None of the ports I've visited have a separate entrance for VIP guests. Once you're inside there's normally a line for VIPs through security and check in... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby10205 Posted September 7, 2010 Author #4 Share Posted September 7, 2010 None of the ports I've visited have a separate entrance for VIP guests. Once you're inside there's normally a line for VIPs through security and check in... :) Thanks Mach...... that has been my experience but so many say they skip the line outside and enter as VIPs. Maybe some of them will speak up and tell me how and where. I've always thought they were ... well... maybe.... breaking in line..... ?? I especially noticed it when we were boarding The Splendor in Ft Lauderdale to sail around The Horn. The outside wait was two hours but some walked straight up to the door and in. I wondered if I needed a password or something (LOL). Thanks to the VIP line inside we were on board before they closed the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhamplady Posted September 7, 2010 #5 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Anybody know the procedure for VIP in Miami? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfadj Posted September 7, 2010 #6 Share Posted September 7, 2010 In past few years since we have been platinum in Miami, Ft Lauderdale and NY there was separate line for VIP so no waiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacSmooth Posted September 7, 2010 #7 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Anybody know the procedure for VIP in Miami? Thanks My wife and I sailed out of Miami on the Valor last year. Soon as we entered the port building, there was a special VIP line. It was clearly marked and there was a Carnival representative checking credentials of the people getting into that line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDfromTN Posted September 7, 2010 #8 Share Posted September 7, 2010 When we went out of Port Canaveral. There was a separate line. The security was right inside the door and we were on in no time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine515 Posted September 7, 2010 #9 Share Posted September 7, 2010 None of the ports I've visited have a separate entrance for VIP guests. Once you're inside there's normally a line for VIPs through security and check in... :) We sailed out of Ft Lauderdale last April and the "regular" line was outside along the building leading inside. But, looking at the building, and to the left of the line, there was a separate entrance for VIP boarding, thus, we didn't have to wait on the long line....They just asked to see our boarding passes and we were allowed right in, up the elevator etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usrbphi Posted September 7, 2010 #10 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Long Beach has a special check in area and a VIP line to board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRLLAL Posted September 7, 2010 #11 Share Posted September 7, 2010 3 of my cruises had separate lines outside and 2 of them, both port canaveral i think, had ropes separating the two. each time, there was no "line" for vip, we just went in a separate door than where the other line was forming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 7, 2010 #12 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Long Beach has a special check in area and a VIP line to board. Your correct, not only is it a special area, it is an entirely separate building (OK it's a small building), the check in area that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruzVinnieCruz Posted September 7, 2010 #13 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Fort Lauderdale and Miami both have separate VIP lines but if you don't know about it one could wait in the general boarding line for awhile. If you ask Carnival Reps will say to bypass the general boarding line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 7, 2010 #14 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Fort Lauderdale and Miami both have separate VIP lines but if you don't know about it one could wait in the general boarding line for awhile. If you ask Carnival Reps will say to bypass the general boarding line. I think that is the general rule for all embarkation areas and a good rule to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obx_fintoo Posted September 7, 2010 #15 Share Posted September 7, 2010 None of the ports I've visited have a separate entrance for VIP guests. Once you're inside there's normally a line for VIPs through security and check in... :) JaxPort in Jacksonville has a VIP entrance door that is clearly marked. Then a slight merge as you get to security line, (which the guards direct)then a nice comfy VIP lounge! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c&d Posted September 7, 2010 #16 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I have learned to tell the Reps I am VIP then they will tell you what line to get into. In Miami we had a group ahead of us at the VIP entrance. We referred to them as the Clampets of Bevery Hills. We could have walked through the regular line to security fast than it took the 4 of us to wait for the Clampets to show pasports and move on to security. The lady who was checking to verify they were ALL VIP's told them and them made a general announcement if anyone in this line is not VIP you be sent back to other line. However I think they would have been sent to other line for registration. Screening was not big deal it was once you got passed screening that the split for VIP came. I figured we paid our money to become VIP I am going to enjoy the few perks I receive. Avoiding all the lines is one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowendy Posted September 7, 2010 #17 Share Posted September 7, 2010 in new orleans, each time is different. Once when we were going into the building thru the side entrance they had a division for the two lines and you could just go up to the door and of course the vip line was none short so we could just walk in. The last two times we had to line up with all the passengers and after we got into the terminal we had a divider that allowed us to go into the vip line. This really irks me. They toot their horn that we get VIP entrance, but to be honest with you when we go with family, they finish just as fast as we do. I don't like to wait in line. I want to be able to have my own entrance marked VIP so we can go in and not be hackled by all the other passengers. New Orleans does have a nice lounge to wait in after you get in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseDreaming Posted September 7, 2010 #18 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Long Beach has a special check in area and a VIP line to board. Where is the special checkin area and VIP line to board for Long Beach, just so I know where to look. Thanks. Kerrie:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrmende63 Posted September 7, 2010 #19 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I can't wait til our next cruise as it is my platinum! And it is out of Miami! So hubby and I get to make use of the VIP line and room! YAH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usrbphi Posted September 7, 2010 #20 Share Posted September 7, 2010 There is a building in front of the main terminal that is VIP check in. Also some areas to wait in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosefloater Posted September 8, 2010 #21 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Where is the special checkin area and VIP line to board for Long Beach, just so I know where to look. Thanks. Kerrie:) After you cross the street from the parking garage to the dome, the VIP building is to the left. You need to show your Fun pass/Boarding pass to the person outside the building. After you check in, go to the furthest doors to the right at the dome. That is where the VIP line is to get into the dome and go thru security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forchunut1 Posted September 8, 2010 #22 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I'll finally be VIP on my next cruise (although I did get to get on with the VIP group in NOLA because they forgot to give me a group boarding number). Is there any chance that the couple and other solo cruiser I'm traveling with could check in with me?? I'll be cruising out of Port Canaveral if that makes any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruzVinnieCruz Posted September 8, 2010 #23 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I'll finally be VIP on my next cruise (although I did get to get on with the VIP group in NOLA because they forgot to give me a group boarding number). Is there any chance that the couple and other solo cruiser I'm traveling with could check in with me?? I'll be cruising out of Port Canaveral if that makes any difference. The problem with trying to have non VIP passengers check in with you is that their room keys will be in the general boarding area. Last time we were in Miami a few platinum guest tried that and they were told that the non VIP guests would have to do general boarding but they were more then welcome to do general boarding also if they did not want to be split up. Vinnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurbanfan Posted September 8, 2010 #24 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I'll finally be VIP on my next cruise (although I did get to get on with the VIP group in NOLA because they forgot to give me a group boarding number). Is there any chance that the couple and other solo cruiser I'm traveling with could check in with me?? I'll be cruising out of Port Canaveral if that makes any difference. We have a couple that cruises with us that are not VIP and this is what we do. When we book our cruise we put them on our credit card so at check in their sail and sign cards are with ours. After we get on board we go to the pursers desk and change the card. Since we are VIP and the first ones to board there is not a line at the desk.....takes 5 minutes. Kinda like when people book with 2 different couples and one couple is a past guest......they book each non past guest with a past guest. Once on board just switch...... Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joebat1 Posted September 8, 2010 #25 Share Posted September 8, 2010 When you arrive at the port is there usually a special entry into the building for VIP boarding. Every time I ask they tell me that VIP starts once inside and they make me wait in the line outside. Somehow I don't think this is right. What have been your experiences? Please tell me how to get into the building as a VIP. There is always a couple of Carnival reps outside the terminal. Just go to one of them and tell them you have VIP Boarding. He/She will escort you to the head of the line or at least take you to the door where another Carnival rep. will escort you to the VIP security scanner and to the VIP Lounge or check in area. In Ft. Lauderdale it is to the right of the always long line outside. In Miami, as best I can remember, we were escorted to an elevator for the ride up. This was also the case in Mobile after the Carnival Rep checked our doc's and escorted us to the door and then told us where the elevators were. In NOLA we rode the escalator up and once we showed our doc's., we were directed to the VIP lounge. Sorry I do not remember the details in Galveston, but again I know there was no wait, and had a couple of check-in personnel for VIP check in only. I have never had to wait in a long line, except at debarkation, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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