Suite question..

[mrssmith0]

We are sailing soon on the Carnival Magic, we are a family of 6 comprising of my husband and I, my mom, and 3 little ones aged 4, 3 and 6 months.

 

We have a suite and a balcony room booked (they are side by side but I don't think that matters for my question). When I am selecting check in times it doesn't show me the same times for both rooms. At the time of booking my travel agent inquired with Carnival about whether we could all check in and board together through the priority line since we had a suite or did we need to purchase FTTF on that balcony room and she was told we could all board together because there was a suite on our booking and we were all family, however when I called Carnival to inquire she said that's not their policy and we would either have to split up our party (which would mean that my husband, my 3 year old and 6 month old would go in one line and my mom, myself and 4 year old in the other) or everyone would have to wait in the regular line to check in.

 

I'm just curious if anyone else has had experience with this, as a new family of 5 we brought my mom along and booked 2 rooms to try and not be outnumbered by the kids and it's our first time with a suite so I would be super disappointed if we didn't get to experience everything that goes along with that! Also mad that we could have purchased FTTF and avoided any confusion but the travel agent assured us we didn't need it based on her conversation with Carnival.

 

Thoughts? Thanks!

[AmberMarie]

I'm not sure what the policy is (I always get "bad request" when I try to search Carnival's help pages.) officially, and I'm not saying this is right, but I wonder if they would even stop your family from boarding with you. I feel like I've read about and seen at Galveston port where families went through with a "they're with me."

[AmberMarie]

My search worked in internet explorer, and this is what I found.. Is it possible for you to put all adults in one room and kids in the other for booking, then switch how you want it when you get on board?

 

Please Note:

• We offer Priority Check-In at all embarkation ports.
  
• Deluxe Suite Accommodations include the following categories: CS ES GS SS VS FS HS SS OS JS OB
  
• For those guests traveling with minor children alone (without an adult) in separate staterooms that do not fall into one of the three categories above, these additional staterooms may check in through the Priority Check-In Program as well.
  
• Guests who have purchased the Faster to the Fun package do not have access to the Priority Check-In Lounge.
  
• Guests may access staterooms no earlier than 1:30pm unless a VIFP Diamond or Platinum level guest or have purchased Faster to the Fun.
  

Boarding the Ship

On most occasions, guests board the ship in the following order:

• Special functions
  
• VIFP Platinum, Diamond, Milestone and Suite guests
  
• Faster to the Fun guests
  
• Premier Casino guests
  
• Special Assistance guests
  
• Assigned Zones
  
• General Boarding (straight from check-in to boarding)
  

[mrssmith0]

I did see this myself, which is what prompted me to ask her about FTTF when we booked. I'm going to call the travel agent and see. She told me before there had to be an adult in each room because the kids are so young but I'll ask again. Thanks

 

My search worked in internet explorer, and this is what I found.. Is it possible for you to put all adults in one room and kids in the other for booking, then switch how you want it when you get on board?

 

Please Note:

• We offer Priority Check-In at all embarkation ports.
  
• Deluxe Suite Accommodations include the following categories: CS ES GS SS VS FS HS SS OS JS OB
  
• For those guests traveling with minor children alone (without an adult) in separate staterooms that do not fall into one of the three categories above, these additional staterooms may check in through the Priority Check-In Program as well.
  
• Guests who have purchased the Faster to the Fun package do not have access to the Priority Check-In Lounge.
  
• Guests may access staterooms no earlier than 1:30pm unless a VIFP Diamond or Platinum level guest or have purchased Faster to the Fun.
  

Boarding the Ship

On most occasions, guests board the ship in the following order:

• Special functions
  
• VIFP Platinum, Diamond, Milestone and Suite guests
  
• Faster to the Fun guests
  
• Premier Casino guests
  
• Special Assistance guests
  
• Assigned Zones
  
• General Boarding (straight from check-in to boarding)
  

[mrssmith0]

This is what I'm hoping will work! Thank you :)

 

I'm not sure what the policy is (I always get "bad request" when I try to search Carnival's help pages.) officially, and I'm not saying this is right, but I wonder if they would even stop your family from boarding with you. I feel like I've read about and seen at Galveston port where families went through with a "they're with me."

[AmberMarie]

I did see this myself, which is what prompted me to ask her about FTTF when we booked. I'm going to call the travel agent and see. She told me before there had to be an adult in each room because the kids are so young but I'll ask again. Thanks

 

I recently read on these boards where if you are in connecting or next door rooms that don't connect, there doesn't have to be an adult.. maybe someone can confirm that for us.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

Of course you can all board together. Just not as priority.

 

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[firemanbobswife]

I would keep checking and try to get FTTF that way you will have at least one cabin ready at embarkation as suites do not get that perk. I'm sure you'll have a lot of carry ons with kids that small so it will be nice to be able to go right to your cabin and drop them off. Other alternative is to board after the cabins are ready at about 1:00PM-1:30PM and you can all walk on together. I doubt you will be able to change people around this late in the game, but it won't hurt to ask.

[StolidCruiser]

Your travel agent was the one to give (or get) bad information. Strange that you were able to get the right information but your travel agent could not.

 

You need to hold your travel agent accountable for figuring out how to get you the boarding privilege they told you (contrary to all published information) was possible.

[Drazil65]

Get FTTF, then no question and no chance of being questioned. Also your cabin will be ready when you board with FTTF.

[kandrews18]

I booked a suite and a balcony room right next to my suite for my kids. My TA told me we would have to buy FTTF for us to board at the same time.

 

 

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[Shaded Lady]

I heard from another cruiser on this site (so take it for what it's worth, I haven't experienced it myself) that if you paid for both cabins on the same credit card that you would be able to embark together. I think I'd call Carnival back and ask them again if this is the case, and if that means you can all board together as suite occupants.

[firemanbobswife]

I heard from another cruiser on this site (so take it for what it's worth, I haven't experienced it myself) that if you paid for both cabins on the same credit card that you would be able to embark together. I think I'd call Carnival back and ask them again if this is the case, and if that means you can all board together as suite occupants.

 

 

They closed that loophole awhile back.

[lizardhowson]

Doesn't matter what your TA claims, they are not making the rules that will be in effect at the checkin/boarding location. You will be under Carnival's rules & restrictions.

[louanne93]

We are sailing soon on the Carnival Magic, we are a family of 6 comprising of my husband and I, my mom, and 3 little ones aged 4, 3 and 6 months.

 

We have a suite and a balcony room booked (they are side by side but I don't think that matters for my question). When I am selecting check in times it doesn't show me the same times for both rooms. At the time of booking my travel agent inquired with Carnival about whether we could all check in and board together through the priority line since we had a suite or did we need to purchase FTTF on that balcony room and she was told we could all board together because there was a suite on our booking and we were all family, however when I called Carnival to inquire she said that's not their policy and we would either have to split up our party (which would mean that my husband, my 3 year old and 6 month old would go in one line and my mom, myself and 4 year old in the other) or everyone would have to wait in the regular line to check in.

 

I'm just curious if anyone else has had experience with this, as a new family of 5 we brought my mom along and booked 2 rooms to try and not be outnumbered by the kids and it's our first time with a suite so I would be super disappointed if we didn't get to experience everything that goes along with that! Also mad that we could have purchased FTTF and avoided any confusion but the travel agent assured us we didn't need it based on her conversation with Carnival.

 

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

 

Maybe this would work? Call Carnival. Put the 3 year old and the 4 year old in the balcony room next door (It doesn't have to stay like this once onboard). Then use the rule that minors get to board with the adults that have priority.

[Schoifmom]

Maybe this would work? Call Carnival. Put the 3 year old and the 4 year old in the balcony room next door (It doesn't have to stay like this once onboard). Then use the rule that minors get to board with the adults that have priority.

 

 

You can't put the kids in a balcony room by themselves.

 

• Guests 12 and younger
  If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).