Carnival Stop misleading guest with embarkation time

[mikenhe]

I not long finished a cruise on the Breeze. on arrival in Miami it took forever to process everyone through customs. I finally got off the ship at 11.30.

 

can you imagine if everyone had ignored Carnival and turned up at 10.30am to get on the ship? it would have been mayhem in the terminal.

 

and the OP - being a fool and not thinking things like this through - would have been right in the middle of it and posting about how Carnival need to get their embarkation times right and that they need to tell everyone to get there between 1pm and 4pm....

[hockeyluver]

I don't get how it is misleading. Yes maybe they board early more often than not but there are times that doesn't happen and they board at normal times. If they said we board at 11am and there were delays for any reason people would be pitching a fit that they had to stand around and wait. This way if you chose to get there early and boarding is delayed its too bad because you made the choice to get there before they tell you to.

 

Well said! :)

[NCTribeFan]

You can show up at anytime. Carnival sends times out to try to regulate the flow of traffic.

 

Exactly. I just don't understand why people get all bent when they receive this info from Carnival. If you think it shouldn't apply to you, then ignore it. Who cares what anyone else boarding ends up doing? :confused:

 

It only makes sense for them to try to NOT have everyone waiting when embarkation starts. Too many people already complain about not being able to go straight to their cabins. Perhaps they don't want 2,000 people packed in the Lido buffet at noon dragging around their carry-on luggage. Perhaps they think it might be nice if the checkin process went as smoothly as possible and people could head straight to their cabins, get into their swimsuits and head to the Lido deck to buy those FunShip Specials? :rolleyes:

[Phlybice]

Just printed out my documents for next weeks Glory sailing and of course it states boarding 1:30 -4pm. Now I have been on 26 cruises, 5 being with Carnival so I know better. But with the low prices Carnival is promoting there are many new people cruising for the 1st time. Can you imagine the mayhem at the pier if everyone showed at 3pm. There is no way in heck they could board so many in such a little time frame. Fact is Carnival as well as many other cruise lines count on the fact that many guests will arrive early to space boarding out. How about being honest and state boarding begins at approx 11:00, but the least crowded time to board is between 1:30 and 3:30.

Just a suggestion!

 

I always remember boarding time being listed as 1:30 even in my early days of cruising.

 

I just didn't control what time I got there if I flew in, and subjected myself to a Carnival transfer, or worse, Carnival Air.

 

But when I started controlling my flight times, or sailed locally, I found I could get on board WAY before 1:30, and planned on that. My earliest stands at 11:15AM

 

What I object to is this latest scheme of email notifications, telling people not to arrive at the port before X time, in an attempt to handle this FTTF as well as all the metal carrying card holders. Worst was when a Diamond member said he got one.

[Cozumel Jim]

I always call ahead where I park and ask them when is the best time to come park and board the ship. Usuall get two different times which have worked everytime.

[Cozumel Jim]

But with the anyone who has cash can get on with the VIFP people. Getting just like the airlines. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. Where is the loyalty in the cruise company?

[Florings]

I want to go early...but usually wait to arrive about 1:00 so the cabins are ready when we board. Don't have to cart around the carry on bags.

[panoramaofthepast]

I just printed out our boarding passes and saw the embarkation time of 1-3 pm and wondered about it. I did purchase the FTTF package and so I guess expected the time to be earlier because of that. It sounds like from what I'm reading here though that we could show up at 11 if we like and still board just ignoring the time printed on the passes. Is that correct?

Pretty much. FTTF doesn't guarantee early boarding, just priority after the VIPS and Diamonds/Platinums. If customs clears everything quickly, you could be boarding as early as eleven, but there is no guarantee on that, since it really is out of the hands of the cruise ship then. We usually try to arrive between 10:30-11 am. On my last RCI cruise we waited outside in line for an hour; on our last Carnival cruise it took us until noon to clear customs [and we had FTTF], so the embarkation of the next cruise was seriously delayed. You just chill and hope for the best. Then enjoy your cruise!!

[KenyaCruise]

That time frame works perfectly for me.... All the first timers will show up at the posted time, so there are no lines when I board at 11 am. :D

 

I couldn't agree with you more!!

[katiel53]

I just printed out our boarding passes and saw the embarkation time of 1-3 pm and wondered about it. I did purchase the FTTF package and so I guess expected the time to be earlier because of that. It sounds like from what I'm reading here though that we could show up at 11 if we like and still board just ignoring the time printed on the passes. Is that correct?

 

 

I think that Carnival's IT department hasn't programmed in that FTTF and Platinum guests have earlier arrival and access to their cabins. When we went on Dream in January, we received the embarkation time of 1-3 and I wrote to Carnival asking why, if we are Platinum and our cabin is supposed to be ready early and we are supposed to board before others are you telling us to arrive between 1-3?

 

I received an email back telling us that we were allowed to board as the first guests (right after the wedding parties) and to disregard the embarkation notice we received.

 

They explained why they stagger the times, which I had already understood, but they still haven't fixed the program to change the time to an early time for all FTTF and others who qualify for early boarding.

 

We are usually at the port about 10:30 and now onboard by 11 or so. Just go and enjoy what you paid for.

[deborahjo]

Since it is the first day of my cruise you better believe I am at the port early. I mean 9 am. I do not mind waiting. You can meet the nicest people while waiting to get on.

 

Now SSSHHHHH so no one else learns this.....

[PAPERBKWRITER]

If you've cruise that much you know most people show up early and the biggest crowds are around noon to 1.

[G_Girl]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I appreciate the information. We will probably plan to arrive around 11 and hope that there are no delays with customs clearing the ship. If there are, so be it. We will just wait until we get the chance to board. We are on vacation after all, no reason to stress. We just want to enjoy as much time on the ship as possible. Thanks again!

Edited July 15, 2013 by G_Girl

[ginurse]

We just got back Saturday from a 5 day on the elation. We were due to sail Monday the 8th and got a email Sunday while in NOLA that boarding time had changed to 3-6 with sailing being shortly after. I thought huh, so did a search and turns out the Mississippi was shut down for a while because of a sunken tug boat.... Later Sunday night got a email it was open again but boarding was still later because they were having to bus another ship to Mobil AL...told my husband let's just go early and see what happens. Got to the port and had pretty long lines at the port to get to the parking garage (turns out the line was for another ship and as soon as we got near the parking part we went right up). Got to the terminal, checked in, got our sail and sign and boarded by 11:30. Another couple who were at our hotel we saw later and said something about when we got on and they said HUH we got an email saying not to come that early....I said we did to but we just ignored it. Don't think it made them very happy. We took a risk going that early knowing what had happened but it worked out great for us.

[arpie05]

Just printed out my documents for next weeks Glory sailing and of course it states boarding 1:30 -4pm. Now I have been on 26 cruises, 5 being with Carnival so I know better. But with the low prices Carnival is promoting there are many new people cruising for the 1st time. Can you imagine the mayhem at the pier if everyone showed at 3pm. There is no way in heck they could board so many in such a little time frame. Fact is Carnival as well as many other cruise lines count on the fact that many guests will arrive early to space boarding out. How about being honest and state boarding begins at approx 11:00, but the least crowded time to board is between 1:30 and 3:30.

Just a suggestion!

 

Are you sailing out of Boston or is the Glory already moved on to NY?

My Boston Glory was not scheduled to depart until 7 pm so our embarkation start time was later. (It was then changed to 11 pm departure - which became 12:30 pm the next day.... long story...)

 

So, the later time could be because you have a later sailaway time. :confused:

[Green4me]

A few weeks ago on the 6 day Breeze in Miami we arrived at our normal time of 11am and found people still getting off the ship. In fact that lasted until 12:15, then they escorted some back to back cruisers, then let two wedding parties on board followed by platinum and diamond, then FTTF then regular, which we were, and had boarding zone 9, they went as high as zone 30. The place was packed but we were called right after the FTTF, so glad we did not waste $50/pp on that option.

[mzloolue]

I used to wait until 1:30 as requested.

 

There would always be a horribly long line.

I have stood in line holding my carry ons for two hours.

It was not fun.

 

Now I show up as close to 11 as I can.

[Out to sea!]

A few weeks ago on the 6 day Breeze in Miami we arrived at our normal time of 11am and found people still getting off the ship. In fact that lasted until 12:15, then they escorted some back to back cruisers, then let two wedding parties on board followed by platinum and diamond, then FTTF then regular, which we were, and had boarding zone 9, they went as high as zone 30. The place was packed but we were called right after the FTTF, so glad we did not waste $50/pp on that option.

 

Just an FYI, there is a whole lot more to FTTF other than early boarding of the ship.

[irishgirl4605]

We are sailing on Valor in October. FTTF was sold out. Carnival website says embarkation is 12:30-3, sailing at 4pm. This is only our second cruise, first was on Celebrity with a group sailing out of San Juan at 8pm and we left for the pier after breakfast and boarded by noon or so. I am confused!

 

Reading all this, seems we could get to the pier about 11 and be ok? :confused:

[Rottweiler Puppy]

I not long finished a cruise on the Breeze. on arrival in Miami it took forever to process everyone through customs. I finally got off the ship at 11.30.

 

can you imagine if everyone had ignored Carnival and turned up at 10.30am to get on the ship? it would have been mayhem in the terminal.

 

and the OP - being a fool and not thinking things like this through - would have been right in the middle of it and posting about how Carnival need to get their embarkation times right and that they need to tell everyone to get there between 1pm and 4pm....

 

Wow calling the OP a fool and even creating scenarios where OP acts like one? This place never changes.

 

Jakzak. Go when you want. If its delayed its delayed. Just keep that in mind its always possible. Evidently even with FTTF

Edited September 3, 2015 by Rottweiler Puppy

[Club Disney Chandler]

I have to say a huge "thank you" to the OP for starting this thread. My first cruise on CCL is next June on the Vista and had it not been for this thread if I had received instructions to wait until 1:30 I would have waited. All our previous cruises have been on DCL and they give port arrival times in 15 minute increments and will not even allow you to enter the terminal until your PAT. Good info to know.

[Smart Arsenal Fan]

Just printed out my documents for next weeks Glory sailing and of course it states boarding 1:30 -4pm. Now I have been on 26 cruises, 5 being with Carnival so I know better. But with the low prices Carnival is promoting there are many new people cruising for the 1st time. Can you imagine the mayhem at the pier if everyone showed at 3pm. There is no way in heck they could board so many in such a little time frame. Fact is Carnival as well as many other cruise lines count on the fact that many guests will arrive early to space boarding out. How about being honest and state boarding begins at approx 11:00, but the least crowded time to board is between 1:30 and 3:30.

Just a suggestion!

 

So they are advising to arrive when it is least crowded to be able to board quickly?? Those bastards! :mad:

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

The reality is that you can get to the pier when you want just be aware....

 

If you are parking at the pier the lot is subject to the debarkation of the previous cruise....many people relate how some parking doesn't open until it is cleared....others talk about driving around for a considerable amount of time looking for a space.

 

Curbside is a mess until the debarking passengers have cleared out. I've seen drop off vehicles in line for an hour or more just trying to get to the curb and then people having to stand there for sometime waiting for porters to be free to take their luggage.

 

Don't forget there are several bottlenecks....xray, check-in, and security and that after check-in you are still waiting for your zone to be called and the chairs are often limited.

 

And, rooms do not open until 1:30 (and they are getting more and more controlling about anyone without priority boarding having access) so you carry your stuff with you.

 

The buffet gets very crowded and once seating with all their goodies people DO NOT vacate the tables until they can leave for their rooms. You may spend a considerable bit of time carrying your food around looking for a table.

 

Its 12:30 to 1:00 arrival for us. Lines outside may be there but they go quickly since the bottlenecks have cleared up. Always on board by 1:30, direct to room, drop off, grab some lunch, and then find a nice obscure spot to relax (usually my balcony) until drill begins. We haven't "MISSED" anything and have avoided the frustration. We also leave the ship at debarkation as the final group so we get just as much, if not more, time on the ship as those who arrive early.

[dave76310]

Those calling cheers will do anything to make something wrong look right. Its not misleading...it is an outright lie. If they want to RECOMMEND a certain time for all the reasons noted above, that is what they should state. If they will ACTUALLY start earlier, they should give the details noting it depends on circumstances. They actually do this somewhat in the FAQs. People plan their days based on information they get. If they want to get there early to get good parking and "free" lunch, they need to be told that could happen if circumstances permit. Otherwise they may need to pay late check out at the hotel, or find something else to do including buying lunch. I once showed up in New Orleans at 1:30 and had a heck of a time finding parking in the garage and I'll never do that again. This is like a retail store opening at 10 but telling folks not to bother showing up until 2. Not going to happen. No other business lies like this...why does Carnival get away with it?

[NCTribeFan]

Club Disney - are you aware that this thread is over 2 years old?

 

AND, there's at least one new thread every week about the embarkation emails that people still receive.

 

Surprised you couldn't find something more recent. But then, all the responses in every one of these threads is the same and probably will be over and over and over. :p