Long Beach embarkation time

We are sailing on the Paradise in a couple of weeks.

On our documents, it says embarkation begins at 1:30 p.m. I think I've seen posts where people have said they have gotten on the ship as early as 11:30 a.m.

So is the time printed on the documents the absolute earliest or what?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

I've sailed out of Long Beach 4 times. Except when they have the delay due to the periodic customs check for cruise ship staff, they generally start boarding around 12:30 pm. Do the early check in at the Queen Mary.

We are sailing on the Paradise in a couple of weeks.

I am going on the Paradise 4 April 2005

Please give a review after your cruise is over.

Thanks

kajsb,

What is "early check-in at the Queen Mary"?

I'll do a review.

What is "early check-in at the Queen Mary"?

Long Beach Check In

from

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=83405&highlight=queen+mary+check

The Carnival Lounge aboard the Queen Mary, offering guests an opportunity to check in prior to their cruise

from

http://www.carnival-club.com/carnspecial22.html

A floating city awash in elegance, the Queen Mary in Long Beach

from

http://www.queenmary.com/

kajsb, What is "early check-in at the Queen Mary"?

Pre Check-In at Long Beach Cruise Terminal

For guests arriving at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal early on the day of

embarkation, we offer a Pre Check-In service from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Whether arriving by air and using our motor coach or arriving by private car, the guest will give the luggage to the Porter; the customary tip for this service is $1.00 per bag. The guest will proceed to the Queen Mary where the Queen Mary Staff will

direct the guest to the Carnival Check-In Lounge.

The check-in includes submitting cruise documents, showing proof of travel

documentation and issuing a credit card (if applicable) for his/her Sail & Sign Account. Guests opting to pay in cash for the Sail & Sign Account will do so on board at the Information Desk.

The guest will receive a stamped boarding pass and be advised to return to the cruise terminal at 12:00pm for the boarding procedure.

The guest will have many entertainment options while waiting to board the ship (see list below).

After 12:00pm, the guest may proceed to the cruise terminal for the embarcation process, but bypassing the Check-In Counter.

The guest will pass through the X-ray Security Machines with his/her carry-on bags. Luggage larger than 11"x 17" will not be permitted through the security machine and must be checked-in with a curbside porter.

The guest will have a "Welcome Aboard" photo taken by the Ship's Photo Staff. The photo will be on display later in the cruise for purchase.

The guest will go to another area to collect his/her boarding card. The guest will be issued a boarding card that is used for, 1) getting on/off the ship, 2) stateroom key or

A separate plastic key will also be issued for the stateroom door, and 3) Sail & Sign Account.

The Security Personnel will take the guest's boarding card and with the A-Pass System, will imbed a full color, digital photograph together with personal database information directly onto the boarding card.

The guest at this time may proceed on board for his/her cruise.

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Entertainment options in Long Beach, California

The guest may take advantage of the following options:

Take a guided or self-guided tour of the Queen Mary; tickets are $8.00 per person and can be purchased through the Queen Mary Staff. Eat lunch on board the Queen Mary, at his/her own expense.

Complimentary Passport Shuttle Bus; runs every fifteen minutes to the

following destinations. The Water taxi takes visitors between the Queen Mary, the

Pine Avenue shopping district and the Aquarium = $2.00 per person.

Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach is the excitement mecca, with sidewalk cafes, restaurants and trendy shops. Shoreline Village is a replica of an early California resort. This lively waterfront boardwalk, lined with jewel colored buildings is home to

specialty shops, souvenir stores and restaurants.

Rainbow Harbor is the centerpiece of Long Beach's waterfront, surrounded by a 2,000 foot long multi-level public esplanade that connects Shoreline Village to the Aquarium.

The Aquarium of the Pacific has three main aquariums in the facility as well as a few semi-permanent exhibits. Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm daily;

Admission = Adults: $18.75; Kids 3-11: $9.95; Seniors: $14.95.

Oh cool, Im going to do that in May then! Im thinking about staying on the QM too...we'll see about that. Not sure if i really want to stay on a ship for a night, then stay on another one for 7 MORE nights :)

then stay on another one for 7 MORE nights :)

I feel your pain. We are going to spend a night aboard the Queen Mary before out cruise. What a stepdown from the Queen Mary to the Carnival "Paradise".

We just returned from our Dec. 6th cruise. I can't tell you when check in began, but can say that we got there around 12:45 and there were hundreds of people in line. Based solely on this observation, I'd say you might want to get there early (11:30?) or late(2 or after). I'd venture to say the lines probably would be much shorter then. Of course, if you have a suite (Cat. 11 or 12 on Paradise), then the Skipper's Club will allow you to bypass the lines outside and enter the terminal directly.

We got to the early check-in at the Queen Mary at 9AM. Checked out luggage and were done. Then just hang out, shop a little and get in line (left side) when you see the line forming. We were on the Pride by 12:30. Very easy.

Thanks for the great information. I just asked about early check-in on another thread.

Do you think this also will work with pier pick-up of docs?

Willl I be able to check-in at the Queen Mary if I am scheduled to pick up my docks at the pier?