Staggered Boarding and FTTF

[firemanbobswife]

Actually this is port and ship dependent.

 

In Baltimore for 2016 those w/ disabilities requiring Carnival equipment or staff to assist were their own little section regardless of priority level. As a crew member or the equipment became available the disabled person and 1 adult care taker would be boarded (along with any minors associated to the same booking). So that meant starting at the same time as Diamond boarding a general boarding person (that had an early check-in time) in the assistance require area could board earlier than someone that purchased FttF that arrived 10-15 minutes later. Those not requiring Carnival crew or equipment to help (had there own wheelchair, scooter, etc.) and family assisting them would board within their grouping, priority w/ priority, general boarding when their zone is called.

 

Also in 2016 for NYC it was completely different. Those requesting or visibly showing a disability where boarded ahead of the particular boarding group the belonged to. Simply put if disabled and Diamond they were the first to board after the Wedding Party and the B2Bers, if they arrived prior to boarding. While those with disabilities and general boarding waited until between priority and the zones to be called, if they had an early check-in. In NYC every so often they would halt general boarding to escort any priority disabled to board, then once they were mostly up the ramp have the next wave of general boarding disabled passengers head up the ramp before resuming calling zone #s.

 

 

Not anymore. This is from Captain Carnival:

[RTRMom]

It also depends on what type of special boarding you need. We were granted expedited boarding for my child...so we will not have to wait with the zone.

 

 

My suggestion is to always talk with the Special needs department...to see what they can do.

[js]

Diamond, Platinum and FTTF may check in at their leisure regardless of time selected.

 

Thank you for this information. If I am staying in a Havana Cabana Suite, would I get to board whenever or are suites not included?

 

Thank you so much!

[firemanbobswife]

Thank you for this information. If I am staying in a Havana Cabana Suite, would I get to board whenever or are suites not included?

 

Thank you so much!

 

Suites can also check in as early as the first window which for Vista is 11:00AM. Boarding will commence in the order as listed in post #26.

[deborahjo]

I just don't understand that then. Why can't we for October? Have you completed your online check in process? We still have one person who I just can't seem to get on there to complete the check in. Would that be holding it up do you think?

 

 

We cannot pick our check in time either. November on the Splendor

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[2009]

Hi Everyone,

 

When viewing our Cruise Details on Carnivals website, our FTTF has a time designated on it of 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

 

Is that the time we are allowed to board regardless of which check in time we select?

 

We are cruising out of Miami in May 2017.

 

Thanks in advance.

[jwth2005]

Hi Everyone,

 

 

 

When viewing our Cruise Details on Carnivals website, our FTTF has a time designated on it of 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

 

 

 

Is that the time we are allowed to board regardless of which check in time we select?

 

 

 

We are cruising out of Miami in May 2017.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

The time slot shown is not a boarding time. It is a check in time. You can check in anytime you like with FTTF and will be called with one of the first groups to board when they start boarding.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[mluirette]

I can totally see that point (and I used to think the same thing), but the whole idea behind staggered check in is to keep everyone from showing up at once causing delays like before. So if all the Priority people chose later times, and they along with the scheduled people showed up first thing, it defeats the purpose. That's why they ask people to select which time they anticipate to arrive. It makes sense if you think about it. As having experienced staggered check in myself, I can attest that it is much better with no lines. Please select the time in which you you wish to check in so that it works as designed.

 

 

Exactly! Why would I not block out my preferred time and help the process? I get priority check-in, but everyone has to stand around somewhere to get on the ship at some point.

[2009]

Thanks for clarifying jwth2005

 

Having said that, is the time slot of 12 - 1 pm shown on my FTTF the earliest we can check in?

[js]

Suites can also check in as early as the first window which for Vista is 11:00AM. Boarding will commence in the order as listed in post #26.

 

Thank you so much! So, it won't matter what time I choose (or what would be left), correct? Also, there is a separate lounge for VIP and Suites? That is news to me so thank you very much!

[maryred]

Thanks for clarifying jwth2005

 

Having said that, is the time slot of 12 - 1 pm shown on my FTTF the earliest we can check in?

With FttF you can check-in as soon as the port opens regardless of what time is printed on your boarding pass. Check the cruise port's own website for times. But if you do show up that early be prepared to wait in the terminal for boarding.

Debarking the previous cruise takes 3-5 hours after customs opens for processing (depends on the size of the ship). Then at minimum customs has to clear the ship for new passengers and sometimes the USCG or the FDA might have to do inspections before any new passenger is allowed to board.

By arriving early and having FttF you will secure yourself a prime position to board within your priority group. If you arrive later you will skip much of waiting and proceed directly from physical check-in to boarding.

 

Sent from my STV100-2 using Forums mobile app

[luv2trvlnow]

Thanks for clarifying jwth2005

 

Having said that, is the time slot of 12 - 1 pm shown on my FTTF the earliest we can check in?

 

I think you keep missing that people are saying you can check in whenever you want with FTTF. That time is just a marker. It is listed as an excursion. All the excursions have a time listed. They probably cannot list it without a time so they just fill that entry with a general time not an exact time. IT department just didn't allow it to be listed without a time.

 

So if they start checking people in at 11 and you have FTTF you can check in anytime from then until you need to be checked in before sailing.

[firemanbobswife]

Thank you so much! So, it won't matter what time I choose (or what would be left), correct? Also, there is a separate lounge for VIP and Suites? That is news to me so thank you very much!

 

That is correct. Yes, Diamonds, Platinums, and Suites go to the Captain's Lounge.

[js]

That is correct. Yes, Diamonds, Platinums, and Suites go to the Captain's Lounge.

 

 

Thank you so much!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[millineumwoman]

We are booked on the Freedom for October 2017. Still cannot pick our check in time. So frustrating. I know, and have been told it's too early yet, and I keep checking. But I do have FTTF so why am I so anxious to get our check in time chosen! lol. I just want to GO!! :D

 

I'm surprised that you can't I picked mine I while ago and I don't cruise till dec

[riclop]

just did my online check in and I selected a time for staggered boarding (1-130) even though I have FTTF. will I still be able to check in/board early?

 

Yes you can.

[2009]

I think you keep missing that people are saying you can check in whenever you want with FTTF. That time is just a marker. It is listed as an excursion. All the excursions have a time listed. They probably cannot list it without a time so they just fill that entry with a general time not an exact time. IT department just didn't allow it to be listed without a time.

 

So if they start checking people in at 11 and you have FTTF you can check in anytime from then until you need to be checked in before sailing.

 

Thank you very much for the explanation luv2trvlnow!!!

[pearose]

It should be there. Look on the left hand side.

 

 

 

Nope, mine just shows stateroom preferences, onboard expense account and cruise ticket contract. No check in time selection tab yet. I keep checking, but so far nothing.

[firemanbobswife]

Nope, mine just shows stateroom preferences, onboard expense account and cruise ticket contract. No check in time selection tab yet. I keep checking, but so far nothing.

 

 

Well that's where it will be. Guess you'll just have to keep checking.

[hishorselover]

How much time should we allow after landing to get to the ship? Our flight lands at 1:35.

[SNJCruisers]

How much time should we allow after landing to get to the ship? Our flight lands at 1:35.

Is your ship sailing at 400 or possibly at night time out of San Juan? If you're sailing at 400, you could be in trouble. Flight delays, baggage delays, weather delays, traffic or any combination of these could cause you to miss your ship

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app

[hishorselover]

Is your ship sailing at 400 or possibly at night time out of San Juan? If you're sailing at 400, you could be in trouble. Flight delays, baggage delays, weather delays, traffic or any combination of these could cause you to miss your ship

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app

 

Our ship doesn't sail until 10:00 PM. I'm wondering what time to select for staggered check in?

[SNJCruisers]

Our ship doesn't sail until 10:00 PM. I'm wondering what time to select for staggered check in?

You can always pick 300 and if you get there at 400, you're OK. If you pick 400 and get there at 300, you could have to wait around. Don't know how strict they are these days or if it's just to stretch out the times when the newbies arrive. Been platinum for years so it does not pertain to me.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app