Getting access to cabin early to drop off luggage

[Vettebuf]

I was on a HAL cruise in early December. They now allow you to go to your room as soon as you board (similar to what Princess has been doing for years). I suspect that Carnival will get there eventually--hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

Does anyone remember when the rules changed?

 

I suspect they won't "get thereeventually" since they already were there and decided to change it. We used to be allowed to go straight to our cabins when I first started cruising. From 1993 until 2003, we were greeted in the atrium and went from there to our cabin. I don't know when the new "rules" went into effect because we cruised on Princess and RCCL between 2004 and 2007. In 2008, we went back to Carnival. I remember carrying my laptop and soda or pushing my carry-on on all cruises after 2009. I guess they have their reasons and, for now, for the price they charge to cruise, I'll continue to cruise with them even though I don't like this rule.

[tallyho8]

The hallways are about 5 feet wide and the carts are only 2 feet wide so when luggage or room service trays are placed outside the doors there is still plenty of room to pass.

 

On all ships I have been on your checked luggage is placed in the hall by your door and many times it is there by the time you are allowed to go to your cabin.

[crusinpsychRN]

The rules are only guidelines. Do what you want. Just like I will smoke where I want because after all they are just guidelines.

 

You can't smoke where you want. $250 fine if smoking in cabin.

 

I usually drop my stuff off early. Platinum cabins seem to be done first.

[spacepotatoes]

A simple solution that Holland America does is that it ropes of a section on the lido deck and passengers check in their carry-on luggage receiving a claim check. When cabins are ready, passengers simply go to this area and present their claim check and recieve their carry on luggage.

 

Holland America is owned by Carnival Corporation, so I'm sure Carnival Corporation could implement this on Carnival Cruise Lines. A backpack is the best carry-on luggage, but I understand those who don't check in luggage cause luggage has been lost.

 

NCL also provides a secure area to check carry-ons while you wait. Their staterooms are typically not available until 2:00 and they actually do enforce this. The stairways are roped off, doors are closed, and there are crew members standing by the stairs to redirect you.

 

As someone else mentioned, HAL now has what they call Stateroom Express - they guarantee your stateroom will be ready when you come on board after 11:30 so it's a non-issue for them. The feedback in the HAL forums about this has been pretty good.

 

If Carnival rules in place that they want people to follow, they need to consistently enfore them. But people also need to exercise some common courtesy and scale back that sense of entitlement.

[jetskier]

NCL also provides a secure area to check carry-ons while you wait. Their staterooms are typically not available until 2:00 and they actually do enforce this. The stairways are roped off, doors are closed, and there are crew members standing by the stairs to redirect you.

 

 

Unless you are booked in a Suite on NCL, then you are personally escorted from the pier straight to your Suite where you can place your luggage. You are then escorted to Cagney's for lunch.

 

Dave

[spacepotatoes]

Unless you are booked in a Suite on NCL, then you are personally escorted from the pier straight to your Suite where you can place your luggage. You are then escorted to Cagney's for lunch.

 

Dave

 

Well, yes, the suite life on NCL is a whole other thing...one that, so far, I can only dream about ;):D

[ALLMYKIDS3]

I think I've read on CC a secret way to get access to the cabins before 1:30 on embarkation day to drop off carry-on luggage. Does anyone know if it's possible?

 

No secret.Every cruise I have been on, I go directly to my cabin and drop off my carry ons.I also give my steward a cash tip.Then I leave until 1:30.I have to admit on the last cruise they did have staff that stopped us.I showed him my Platnium card and he opened the door for me and said "welcome back" :p

[FlaParrotHead]

No secret.Every cruise I have been on, I go directly to my cabin and drop off my carry ons.I also give my steward a cash tip.Then I leave until 1:30.I have to admit on the last cruise they did have staff that stopped us.I showed him my Platnium card and he opened the door for me and said "welcome back" :p

 

Ahh .. More entitled cruisers who don't feel that the rules apply to them.

 

Just wait until the bloody doors are open to all, no wait you are not like us, you are entitled, I forgot.

 

Oh, yes, we are also platinum as well but have never thought of flashing the card to anyone for anything not offered under the program. What would you have said had the staff said .. No, I'm sorry you'll have to wait?

 

B

 

 

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[ALLMYKIDS3]

Ahh .. More entitled cruisers who don't feel that the rules apply to them.

 

Just wait until the bloody doors are open to all, no wait you are not like us, you are entitled, I forgot.

 

Oh, yes, we are also platinum as well but have never thought of flashing the card to anyone for anything not offered under the program. What would you have said had the staff said .. No, I'm sorry you'll have to wait

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Like I said earlier ... we just go in and tip our steward and leave until the Muster drill ...I am not entitled . by any means .. it is nice to have the perks ..but I did the early entry to my cabin on my 1st cruise ..with no problems ..just dropping off carry on stuff and leave !!! They probably like us more than then the people who hide in their cabins during the Muster Drill!!!

[futaba951]

Ahh .. More entitled cruisers who don't feel that the rules apply to them.

 

Just wait until the bloody doors are open to all, no wait you are not like us, you are entitled, I forgot.

 

Oh, yes, we are also platinum as well but have never thought of flashing the card to anyone for anything not offered under the program. What would you have said had the staff said .. No, I'm sorry you'll have to wait?

 

B

 

 

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For a Parrothead, you are sounding uncharacteristically uptight and testy.

[H82seaUgo]

Like I said earlier ... we just go in and tip our steward and leave until the Muster drill ...I am not entitled . by any means .. it is nice to have the perks ..but I did the early entry to my cabin on my 1st cruise ..with no problems ..just dropping off carry on stuff and leave !!! They probably like us more than then the people who hide in their cabins during the Muster Drill!!!

 

actually, our experience has been flashing that card makes the staff treat you like they used to treat everyone years ago.

[dolphins76]

We have always gone right to our room...no problems at all!