Timing Question - New Orleans

[littlemonkeymom]

We are planning on taking our first cruise ever out of New Orleans in March. We'd like to combine it with a college visit for our oldest. With a 4:00 departure on a Monday, how early do we need to be at the port? We'd be done with the college tour around 11:00, so at the port by 12:00-12:30. Is that time enough? Or is there a possibility we'd need to be there before then?

[VolzCruiser]

That will be plenty of time and congrats on your first cruise.

[Lottacruises]

Youd be getting there to port plenty early. Have a good visit and cruise!

[tidecat]

We are planning on taking our first cruise ever out of New Orleans in March. We'd like to combine it with a college visit for our oldest. With a 4:00 departure on a Monday, how early do we need to be at the port? We'd be done with the college tour around 11:00, so at the port by 12:00-12:30. Is that time enough? Or is there a possibility we'd need to be there before then?

 

 

You’ll need to select a check-in time around 90 days before your cruise (when you log in to Carnival.com and select “Manage My Cruises” it should tell you when you can check in online). Once that is available you can select a check-in window at the terminal.

 

Remember that staterooms are not available before 1:30 PM, so even if you get a later check-in time, you would have your room ready as soon as you board. The exception would be if you have Faster to the Fun (obviously if it ‘s your first cruise, you won’t be Diamond or Platinum), in which case you can arrive at any point during the boarding process, and your room will be ready as soon as the ship begins the boarding process (typically around 11:00 or 11:30).

 

 

Sent from my eye phone using a three legged yak FFS

[dsotm73]

From Carnival's FAQ:

 

In preparation for departure, all guests must be on board the ship no later than 60 minutes prior to the published sailing time (printed in the cruise documents) or they will not be permitted to sail.

So for a 4:00 departure you should be on board for 3pm. I would be at the terminal no later than 2, 2:30.

[Saint Greg]

Yeah you're great. I think I checked in at 2:30 on my first cruise out of New Orleans. Now I usually have the 11:30 check in and try to get there 11:30-12.