opensaysme

I’m looking forward to Big Chicken too! But yeah, I was told the same thing about the boarding times from Carnival agents but I have concluded that they are just standard times but they usually board early. People have reported to me that they boarded by 10:30am on the sailing that left on 4/9. It would be nice to get to board at that time as well!

@Illbcruzn4life So sorry to here that! I will be getting keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. And if you get to go on the cruise I pray you'll be able to take it easy and have the best time ever!

I'm so hopeful! I'm also super excited! Are you getting pretty excited?!

I'm in awe of your knowledge. That's so cool that you own a mine! And a famous one at that! 😍 A shame you can't operate it. Thanks a lot for your advice on finding a mentor. I am going to look into finding my local gem and mineral society. I love learning from my elders so I hope I can fit right in! I have been to the Indianapolis Gem Show. Ironically it's located outside of the city in a very small town. It was cool but a little underwhelming. We have another one coming up in a week. This time I go I will inquire about joining the society. Thanks so much!

I've only heard a very few people got the email. It's so weird. But after my investigations I have determined that the 1pm boarding time, 12:30pm for priority, is, I believe, a standard boarding time but usually they board early. I have heard from some people that the cruise that went out this Sunday started boarding at 10:30am. I was also told that a lot of people were reporting that their rooms weren't ready by the time they were supposed to be because the crew was backed up for some reason.

Are you referring to ShopHQ? I believe that's the one we always watched simply for the INVICTA's. XFINITY just informed me that they are dropping ShopHQ starting May 12, 2023. But anyway, I think I will surprise him this cruise with an INVICTA to make up for my oopsy. 😅

So generous to share your knowledge. As one new to the gemstone and mineral industry I would love a mentor like you! Thanks a lot for all the details! I took it all in!

Great! Weird that FTTF was not in the same sitting area. I have FTTF!

I am!

My husband wanted an INVICTA so badly on the ship one year and it was, to me, too expensive. I said to him, "we can find that on land for cheaper." And doggonit when we got back to land he searched for that watch and he did not fail to mention to me that he never did find that exact INVICTA. Oops. 🙊

Can you just by looking identify a lab created tanzanite? Also, what are your thoughts on EFFY gemstones?

Thank so much for your kind comment about your boarding experience! So, when did you end up boarding after all? I am at the edge of my seat 🤣😇! Also have a wonderful cruise and I hope you are enjoying yourself so far!!!!!!!

I'm realizing that I got you confused with rtfnl as your profile icons are the same color purple. I do thank you for the video and and the advice. That's a pretty cool scooter! My father realized he needed a scooter just recently and since we are unable to rebook our cruise we were told the transportable scooter can fold down pretty well. He has limited mobility.

That's good to hear as they seem to be small in comparison to what we're used to and ppl say the cabins are kind of tight, especially the bathrooms. What time was your scooter ready for you at the terminal?

Please report back on when board the ship!

So I called Carnival to inquire. The answer I got was she was able to check boarding times for this ship starting the beginning of April and onward and she was able to confirm that the boarding time is actually 1:00pm, boarding stops at 3pm and the ship leaves at 4pm. Priority boarding guests are given a boarding time of 12:30pm which explains why only diamond and platinum guests are reporting to have received the email and no one else has yet. I have fttf. She also assured me that there would be no way we’d board earlier than that. Idk if that part is true or not but I’m wondering if as of April they have started a new thing.

So I called Carnival to inquire. The answer I got was she was able to check boarding times for this ship starting the beginning of April and onward and she was able to confirm that the boarding time is actually 1:00pm, boarding stops at 3pm and the ship leaves at 4pm. Priority boarding guests are given a boarding time of 12:30pm which explains why only diamond and platinum guests are reporting to have received the email and no one else has yet. I have fttf. She also assured me that there would be no way we’d board earlier than that. Idk if that part is true or not but I’m wondering if as of April they have started a new thing.

I actually found this post after I posted. I should have dug deeper before I posted. I searched first but not properly. Thank you!

I’m wondering the same. I don’t want to be there waiting for 2 hours before they let us board. I’m going to call and attempt to get an answer. I’ll report back.

I sure hope it’s wrong.

thank you for that info and for the video! I will check out the video just because I like to! I saw that the cruise before mine is sold out. Maybe it’s because of the amount of ppl on board the previous cruise 🤔. I’m perplexed.

I know exactly what you are trying to say OP. I am on that cruise as well and received the same email and have the same question about boarding time at 12:30 seems late. I was wondering why I hadn't heard boarding that late was a thing. I just opened up a topic regarding this question before finding this thread. I see where someone mentioned a charter cruise debarking Celebration that day. I don't know how charter cruises work but I question why they need extra time to debark and will cabins still be ready at 1:30.

I received an email for my end of April cruise saying boarding starts at 12:30. That is pretty late compared to what I remember pre-"C". I remember boarding as early as 10:30 - 11 o'clock. What has been people's experience with this? I have been hearing people getting arrival times at around 10am. That's a long time to wait to board. Are cabins still ready by 1:30pm?

So, even with the scooter folded up it was hard to pass by it inside the cabin? My dad will be using one and I am a bit concerned as these new Excel class cabins are so tiny. Also, with Scootaround what time was your scooter at the terminal?

Moral of the story is do not hand over your bank account to Carnival. Or anyone now that you mention it. Sheesh! 😅