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VIP check in Long Beach

stacy3057

By stacy3057,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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mindymariexxo

mindymariexxo

Posted
Posted (edited)

It's all based on when customs clears everything. We cruise out of LB 1-2 times a year and we have been able to board as early as 11:15 without waiting outside.

 

Having said that, we will be getting married onboard in port next year and did a "site inspection" last month. We got to board the ship with another wedding party to see how the wedding embarkation experience is and to see the provided wedding decorations and spaces available. Wedding parties are the first to board the ship, before platinum/diamond/FTTF. We have been instructed to have all guests arrive for our wedding by 10:45 to board as soon as customs clears the ship. For our site inspection we arrived at 10:30 and we weren't able to board until almost 11:45.

 

So arrive when you want, but know that if you arrive before 12 you may or may not have to wait outside on cement benches, and that Carnival has no control over whether you wait or not. It was really sad to see people going up to them freaking out about how they already should have been able to board and why are they having to wait bla bla bla. If waiting to board is going to put you in a bad mood then just get there at 12 to be safe and start everything out on the right foot.

Edited by mindymariexxo
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sanmarcosman

sanmarcosman

Posted
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It was really sad to see people going up to them freaking out about how they already should have been able to board and why are they having to wait bla bla bla. If waiting to board is going to put you in a bad mood then just get there at 12 to be safe and start everything out on the right foot.

 

What's just as sad is that Carnival doesn't make any P.A. announcements to the effect that U.S. Customs has not cleared the ship for boarding. All you hear on the speakers in Long Beach is canned steel drum music while waiting to cruise to Mexico.

 

People often handle things better when they know the why when something is or is not proceeding to their expectations. Carnival should step up their communication game for those waiting to board in the Port of Long Beach.

 

Congrats on the impending wedding!

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mindymariexxo

mindymariexxo

Posted
Posted
What's just as sad is that Carnival doesn't make any P.A. announcements to the effect that U.S. Customs has not cleared the ship for boarding. All you hear on the speakers in Long Beach is canned steel drum music while waiting to cruise to Mexico.

 

True to an extent. I watched 4 different groups walk up at least 3 times in the hour we waited. One of the groups walked up every 10 minutes (I wish I was exaggerating). Each of the times the groups were politely told that they were sorry for the delay but the ship was still being cleared, over which they had no control, and that as soon as the ship was ready to be boarded there was a wedding party that would board and then an announcement would be made. The one group who checked every 10 minutes was even upset that the wedding party would board first.

 

Personally, I would have been just as annoyed sitting there if every 5 or 10 minutes an announcement was made that the ship was still being cleared and boarding would begin soon. They would have to make the announcement regularly as people are continuing to arrive. And I did feel like the Carnival reps were great at explaining the situation in a way where most of the people who walked up knew what was going on and were satisfied to wait.

 

And thank you. We're very excited for the wedding [emoji1]

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riffatsea

riffatsea

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You can arrive at the port as early as 9:30AM but you won't likely be boarding until at least noon.

We sail once a year out of Long Beach and have priority all the time. We usually get there around 10:30 but have never been on board by 11 at that port.

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candigirl41

candigirl41

Posted
Posted
Remember....Long Beach now has Staggered Check in.

 

This is true but if you are Platinum or Diamond you can arrive whenever you like. They do not make the Platinum or Diamond people adhere to the staggered times even though they make you pick a time.

 

Candi

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SadieN

SadieN

Posted
Posted

Just off the phone with Mom and Sis, they're on the HI cruise right now.

Priority check in was at the Little Building and a line outside.

Staggered check in is still a 'suggestion' in Long Beach.

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gumballz

gumballz

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We sailed out of Long Beach a couple weeks ago and, although it was still somewhat of a mess, it was a little more organized. Diamonds/Platinums (as well as FTTF) still check in at the small building across from the parking garage. They tell you that you can wait inside, and they will escort you into the front of the line when we are allowed to board (we've tried that several times and not once were we escorted anywhere) or you can wait outside by the #1 sign.

 

We chose to wait outside this time and a rep approached the group waiting by the #1 sign and asked all the Diamond and Platinum guests to move over in front of the sign and the FTTF people were told to wait behind the #1 sign (some FTTF people got heated about this and caused a scene...which the rep handled well). Shortly after we were told to move, they allowed the Diamond & Plat people to board (after the two wedding parties). I'm guessing the FTTF people boarded right after us.

 

We checked in around 10:40 and were allowed to board at 11:10. That's the earliest we have been allowed to board in Long Beach in awhile. Usually it is later...in our experience.

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HectorAchilleus

HectorAchilleus

Posted
Posted (edited)
We are in a suite as well and I was wondering if we get to go before fttf?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I do not know how it works in Long Beach, but in Miami two weeks ago, it seemed like everybody got to go before FTTF. The ship did not start boarding until almost noon, then a wedding party of 80, then 76 Diamonds (I was one), then over 400 plats, then suites, them Priemier Crusers (whatever they are), finally 250+ FTTF (which included my sister and brother-in-law.) He told me that they did not get on until well after 1:30, and related that many were furious at the delays.

Edited by HectorAchilleus
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riffatsea

riffatsea

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We have been booking suites for the last few cruises and we also buy FTTF because we want our suite ready when we board!

The last few cruises suites boarded before FTTF in Long Beach.

We just came back from a cruise on the Triumph out of New Orleans and for the first time at debarkation FTTF was off the ship before suites.

Not sure why that happened but it did.

Until we turn platinum after our next cruise we will continue to buy FTTF along with our suite cabin to make sure we get on and off the ship in a timely manner. DH is not good at waiting!!

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  • 3 weeks later...
JackMedic

JackMedic

Posted
Posted

Trying to figure this out. Our check-in time is 12:00 on the Imagination.

 

If we arrive early can we at least drop off luggage with porter, so we can do some luggage free exploring around the port? What have you all seen with this.

 

This will be my first staggered check in experience. TIA

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mindymariexxo

mindymariexxo

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Trying to figure this out. Our check-in time is 12:00 on the Imagination.

 

If we arrive early can we at least drop off luggage with porter, so we can do some luggage free exploring around the port? What have you all seen with this.

 

This will be my first staggered check in experience. TIA

You can drop your luggage off with the porters before 12, however aside from the Queen Mary there is nothing within walking distance to explore. You would have to get back in the car and drive somewhere.

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JackMedic

JackMedic

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You can drop your luggage off with the porters before 12, however aside from the Queen Mary there is nothing within walking distance to explore. You would have to get back in the car and drive somewhere.

 

Alrighty sounds good, thanks for quick reply!

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  • 1 year later...

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