Early Check-in Carnival

[chamberbear]

I have searched for information regarding early check-in for Carnival in Los Angeles, and don't seem to find anything. Does anyone have any information regarding the early check-in? I have read in other places that you can check in early for Carnival cruises on the Queen Mary. Does the early check-in really save you time and what do you have to do to take advantage of the check-in?

We will be going out of Los Angeles in October on the Pride.

Thanks for your help.

Steph and Mark

[teacp]

When you say early check in do you mean filling out the fun pass online or getting to the port early?

We have done both....we always fill out our fun pass online which saves a lot of time at the port. Just go to Carnival.com scroll down and click on Fun Pass.

If you mean getting to the port early we always get there by elevenish....We have never been onboard later than noon.....Our last cruise in January we got to the port at 11:35 and we were eating lunch on the Lido at noon. I don't know if this is what you meant but hoped it helped.

[SCIROCCO]

Maria your right on Thats what Me and Annie do as well Both things, Our forms ready when we get there and we also go around 11 AM as well!

[Suzila]

The regular boarding for passengers in Long Beach is 1:00pm. I believe you can call the Queen Mary and find out about their check-in procedures for Carnival, and I think early boarding is 12:00noon. There are a few problems w/ checking in at the Queen Mary.

1. You have all your baggage with you. They may have a shuttle to get you over to the terminal, but if not, you have to walk over with all your stuff. It's not far, but it's far enough where it's inconvenient with luggage.

2. Many times the rooms are not ready earlier than 1:00pm, when the regular boarding takes place. Then they will direct you upstairs to the Lido deck where you can probably have lunch, but will have your carry-ons with you at this point.

Are you flying in early? Is that why you need early boarding?

Since we just drive down there (less than an hour for us), we just wait until the crowds and lines have passed, and board ship about 2:00pm.

Make sure you have your fun-ship pass completely filled out- the line for that is much faster than the one for people who haven't done anything yet. No matter what, you'll have to wait on the line in the front of the terminal with everyone else so you can go through the machines with your shoes off, etc.

Also, if you already know your cabin number, when you first arrive in the parking lot, give the porter your large bags, and don't wait on the line in the parking lot....(that line is for people who don't have their cabin numbers). Go directly to the terminal at that point w/ your carry-ons.

[SCIROCCO]

Wow We only have to go through the Metal Detector in Galveston,Texas No taking off Shoes or any extra Security procedures! And we are on board in 30 to 45 minutes and in our Stateroom in an hour until then we go to the Buffet for Lunch!

[Suzila]

I have to say, using the fun-pass here in L.A. for Carnival ships, the embarkation is pretty fast, unless, of course, you show up at the same time as everyone else to get onboard at 1:00pm when they open the ship to everyone.

But yes, we're talking L.A. and we take our shoes off. We were on the ship a few weeks ago and everyone took shoes off before they'd let us on.

[SCIROCCO]

Hey Sue come down to Galveston and go on a cruise with me and Annie we would be Honored to have you and wed take you and DH out to Eat and show you Galveston My Friend we go in October because of great deals on cabins and its cooler weather Ill show you some good ole Texan Hospitality! This goes for everyone else too!And you wont have to take your shoes off either!

[Suzila]

I would LOVE to Robert! Thanks for the invitation...some day we'll surprise you and take you up on it. That would be a lot of fun! (with the added bonus of being able to keep my shoes on! LOL!)