Priority boarding

[FabFam4]

I’m platinum for the first time on my June 15 sailing. My DH and I have a balcony and directly across the hall my 2 daughters ages 14 and 19 have an inside stateroom. My daughters are gold. What are the chances they will allow them to board priority with us? 

Thanks!

[quickrate]

I would say it depends on the port. some ports will let them board with you, some are much stricter and they will have to go thru genneral boarding. There are so many platinum and diamonds now that they are cracking down at the ports as priority boarding is getting very crowded. If they say no, you can always wait and board with them.

Pat

[maryred]

12 minutes ago, FabFam4 said:

I’m platinum for the first time on my June 15 sailing. My DH and I have a balcony and directly across the hall my 2 daughters ages 14 and 19 have an inside stateroom. My daughters are gold. What are the chances they will allow them to board priority with us? 

Thanks!

The key factor here is one of the occupants of  the other cabin is over 18, and considered an adult. So that cabin would not be under the minors traveling in another cabin inclusion clause of priority boarding for diamonds, platinums, and suites. Though all 4 of you will most likely arrive at the same time at many ports the priority line is separate from the general boarding line starting at the security check. So either you have to give up on priority processing and wade through for the general check-in process with the possibility of the clerk needing to retrieve any of your credentials from the priority processing area (different ports have different priority processing protocols with some still handing out S&S cards in the terminal)  or go your separate ways for processing and meet up when done in the general boarding waiting area to head to the ship.

The easy work around here is if you did not book ES and your DH is also Platinum is to book a Priority eligible person to each cabin so each cabin enjoys priority boarding and debarkation as well as priority tendering, if visiting any tender ports. Once on board you can get duplicate cabin only room cards and everyone can sleep where they wish. If booked ES there is a $50/person administrative fee to change names and in some circumstances you may not be able to switch the names without a PVP or call center supervisors assistance.

[quickrate]

Maryred, Her cruise is in 2 days so I don't think switching passengers this late would work. I acutually thought of that but then looked at her cruise date. 

Pat

[PhillyFan33579]

5 minutes ago, quickrate said:

Maryred, Her cruise is in 2 days so I don't think switching passengers this late would work. I acutually thought of that but then looked at her cruise date. 

Pat

 

I was going to say do what Maryred suggested until I read your post. I missed the cruise date in the OP’s post. 

[mom2girls]

If you have your credit card attached to their sail and sign cards they will let them board with you. 

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, mom2girls said:

If you have your credit card attached to their sail and sign cards they will let them board with you. 

 

How will that make a difference?  At the priority lounge at every terminal I have cruised from, several Carnival employees look at your boarding pass to verify it has the Priority chevron on it.  They usually also check your name off on their list of Diamonds and Platinums on the cruise. I don’t see how you setup a credit card with S&S cards is going to alter this process/verification. 

[livingthedream1]

I might be mistaken but I was told through my Carnival rep that you have to be 21 to sail without a parent/ adult. Or married.  So they would have to board with parents. My daughter boarded priority with us and I am assuming this would be why. She is now 21 with her own platinum status. 

[PhillyFan33579]

7 minutes ago, livingthedream1 said:

I might be mistaken but I was told through my Carnival rep that you have to be 21 to sail without a parent/ adult. Or married.  So they would have to board with parents. My daughter boarded priority with us and I am assuming this would be why. She is now 21 with her own platinum status. 

 

I know minor children in another cabin can board with their parents who have priority status. I always assumed 18 was the cut-off date, but I don’t know that for certain. Both of ours kids are in their mid 20s so not an issue I have to worry about. 

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, mom2girls said:

If you have your credit card attached to their sail and sign cards they will let them board with you. 

That loophole was closed along time ago

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, FabFam4 said:

I’m platinum for the first time on my June 15 sailing. My DH and I have a balcony and directly across the hall my 2 daughters ages 14 and 19 have an inside stateroom. My daughters are gold. What are the chances they will allow them to board priority with us? 

Thanks!

Unless it says "Priority" on their boarding documents, no.  You can wait with them for their arrival appointment and then board with them.  

[livingthedream1]

15 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

I know minor children in another cabin can board with their parents who have priority status. I always assumed 18 was the cut-off date, but I don’t know that for certain. Both of ours kids are in their mid 20s so not an issue I have to worry about. 

I had called our PVP a while back when she was not yet 21 she was 20 her boyfriend was turning 21 and she wanted to book a cruise for this occasion he said she had to be 21 or married to go alone so low and behold we had to go to.  I did look up Carnivals policy and it states under 21 would not be permitted to board. Only Carnival though other cruise lines she would of been fine.

[FabFam4]

Thanks everyone!

[Djptcp]

 DH works part-time for the cruise ships at the Port of Tampa and he said yes, they could all board together as a family (at least at Tampa). The Platinums could get into their cabin before 1:30, but the daughters could not so they would have to wait in their parents' cabin until then.

[Elaine5715]

4 hours ago, Djptcp said:

 DH works part-time for the cruise ships at the Port of Tampa and he said yes, they could all board together as a family (at least at Tampa). The Platinums could get into their cabin before 1:30, but the daughters could not so they would have to wait in their parents' cabin until then.

The kids won't be allowed to enter the terminal until their arrival appointment.  Of course, they can board as a family, the parents just need to wait for them.

[maryred]

12 hours ago, livingthedream1 said:

I had called our PVP a while back when she was not yet 21 she was 20 her boyfriend was turning 21 and she wanted to book a cruise for this occasion he said she had to be 21 or married to go alone so low and behold we had to go to.  I did look up Carnivals policy and it states under 21 would not be permitted to board. Only Carnival though other cruise lines she would of been fine.

Here's the official age restrictions on booking, it does mention the ability to embark is dependent on that the guardian must also be on board but does not forbid them boarding separately. Also pay attention to the last section in the On Board Restrictions as it gives the 19 year old generalized permission to debark with the younger child unless revoked by the guardian  through the security dept, ...

MINOR GUEST POLICY

Guests are required to be 21 years of age (on embarkation day) to travel on their own. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided at embarkation. For additional minor age restriction guidelines while on board, click here.

Guests Under the Age of 21 MUST travel with a relative or guardian of 25 years of age or older

• The guardian does not need to be a legal guardian.
• The bookings must be cross-referenced with the relative or guardian’s stateroom and documented properly.
• Guests who are 21 to 24 years of age may travel with their minor children.
• Minors Traveling Together: The policy is slightly different because of stricter guidelines as follows:
  • Must have 1 chaperone for every 8 minors
  • Prepaid gratuities per minor are due at final payment
  • 8 or more staterooms must be booked through the Group Department and a $100 damage deposit per minor will be charged.  

Traveling with a Minor
When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

Where minor guests can be booked in relation to relative or guardian:

• 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).
• Guests 13 - 17 years of age
  Can be separated by up to 3 staterooms from a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).
• Guests 18 – 20 years of age
  Do not have any restrictions and may book whatever location they prefer. 

 

Exceptions: Guests under the age of 21 may travel without a relative or guardian of 25 years of age or older under the following conditions:

 

Legally married couples, including same gender couples

• Proper documentation must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.
• Documentation includes: marriage license issued by the County Clerk’s Office; legal proof of civil union; for newly married couples: a copy of the marriage license application or certificate signed by the official that performed the ceremony.

Qualified Military Personnel

• Applies to US Military Personnel and Canadian National Defense personnel (and their traveling companions in the same stateroom) of 18 – 20 years of age.
• Copy of proof of service must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.

AGE RESTRICTIONS ON BOARD

Drinking Alcoholic Beverages / Cigarette Smoking

• Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served alcohol on board. Proper I.D with birth date is required. 
• Guests must be 18 years of age or older to smoke and purchase cigarettes.

Casino and Bingo  

• Guests must be 18 years of age or older to play the tables and the slot machines.
• Guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the casino. 
• Guests must be 18 years of age to purchase a bingo card and play.

Serenity

• Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be in the “Serenity” adults-only area.

Spa Carnival and Cloud 9 Spa

• Fitness Center and Studio: Guests must be at least 18 years of age to use the fitness facilities on their own. Minor guests (12-17 years of age) may use the facilities provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian (subject to restrictions posted outside the Fitness Center).
• Salon: Salon services (hair, nail and facial services) are available to guests of all ages.
• Spa Facilities: Guests must be at least 18 years of age to receive treatments or utilize spa facilities, including the sauna and steam rooms (within the locker rooms) as well as use of the Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool at the Cloud 9 Spas.
• ZSPA: Teens (13-17 years of age) must be accompanied by an adult when they book treatments on board. Parents or a guardian must complete and sign the spa’s consultation form acknowledging their consent before services are rendered.

Lounges, Shows and the Dance Club 

• Guests under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult in all public areas of the ship.
• Guests under the age of 18 must vacate the dance club by 10:00pm.
• Guests under the age of 18 may not attend the Late Night Shows, which are "R" rated. 

Pools, waterslides, whirlpools, WaterWorks and Splash Park

• To read about water sports policies, click here.

Shore Excursions

• Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) to participate in shore excursions. Some excursions require a minimum age to participate and will be noted accordingly.

Getting Off the Ship in Port

• Minor children 16 years of age and older may debark the ship in port without a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian wishes to raise this age limit, they must contact the onboard Security department.
• Minor children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) within the same travel group in order to debark the ship in port.