How do you know when your cabin is available?

[ElvisAndretti]

I've been reading (and reading and reading) about the boarding process, carry on bags, etc. and I'm wondering how people know when their cabin is ready? Do you just cruise by and check for it? Or is it more like a hotel where they won't give you a key (or key card nowadays) until the room is ready?

 

I'm fascinated by all things nautical, so I hope to be able to explore the ship after we board, sort of 'get my bearings'. But the sooner I can unload my carry on (I'll be lugging two bottles of wine, cameras, meds, personal care stuff and maybe a laptop...) the better.

[cherylandtk]

On Princess the cabins are available the moment you board. On other lines, the doors to the passenger halls are kept closed until the specified time (~1 or 1:30) and there is usually an announcement when the rooms open.

[WisconsinFan]

It depends on the line. HAL now promises that all rooms will be ready upon boarding. RCI has rooms ready usually by 1:00. They often will keep the doors to the passenger cabin area closed with a sign until housekeeping is ready to allow access to the cabin areas.

[Idahobaker]

On the Celebrity Millenium, we were given our SeaPass before we boarded. It's also the room key. Once we boarded, we were treated to free champagne. Then, an all ship's announcement told us when we could go to our staterooms.

 

Have fun!:D

[leaveitallbehind]

It depends on the line. HAL now promises that all rooms will be ready upon boarding. RCI has rooms ready usually by 1:00. They often will keep the doors to the passenger cabin area closed with a sign until housekeeping is ready to allow access to the cabin areas.

 

Typically RCI is ready by 1:00, usually sooner in our experience (only once have we had to go get lunch first, but we also are almost always on by 12 or so). Just go to the room and check.

[leaveitallbehind]

I've been reading (and reading and reading) about the boarding process, carry on bags, etc. and I'm wondering how people know when their cabin is ready? Do you just cruise by and check for it? Or is it more like a hotel where they won't give you a key (or key card nowadays) until the room is ready?

 

I'm fascinated by all things nautical, so I hope to be able to explore the ship after we board, sort of 'get my bearings'. But the sooner I can unload my carry on (I'll be lugging two bottles of wine, cameras, meds, personal care stuff and maybe a laptop...) the better.

 

 

On RCI you are issued your card key - preprocessed with your credit card info embedded - at dock check in. Go to your room, drop of your stuff, and then grab lunch and begin exploring. Usually everything except the casino is open to see. Wear on what you want to wear that afternoon and carry on all essentials as your luggage usually will not get to your room until later in the day.

[GTO-Girl]

On RCI you are issued your card key - preprocessed with your credit card info embedded - at dock check in. Go to your room, drop of your stuff, and then grab lunch and begin exploring. Usually everything except the casino is open to see. Wear on what you want to wear that afternoon and carry on all essentials as your luggage usually will not get to your room until later in the day.

 

Usually the doors leading to the cabins are locked until the rooms are ready.....usually around 1:00 - 1:30.

 

When passengers insist on trying to go around those doors to drop off their luggage in their cabin they are greatly hindering the poor room stewards who are rushing to complete their work. They have many cabins to clean in a very short period of time.

 

Some passengers will say they always do it because the room steward doesn't mind at all, but as they well know that steward is dependent on passengers for their tips for the week......so what in the heck do you think they're going to say???

 

To the op.......please obey the rules and just find yourself a comfortable waiting area with all your stuff and wait until they announce your room is ready before going to your cabin.

 

Your room steward will be most appreciative....

[leaveitallbehind]

Usually the doors leading to the cabins are locked until the rooms are ready.....usually around 1:00 - 1:30.

 

When passengers insist on trying to go around those doors to drop off their luggage in their cabin they are greatly hindering the poor room stewards who are rushing to complete their work. They have many cabins to clean in a very short period of time.

 

Some passengers will say they always do it because the room steward doesn't mind at all, but as they well know that steward is dependent on passengers for their tips for the week......so what in the heck do you think they're going to say???

 

To the op.......please obey the rules and just find yourself a comfortable waiting area with all your stuff and wait until they announce your room is ready before going to your cabin.

 

Your room steward will be most appreciative....

 

Not sure your reference to my quote in your response. I agree with the ready time of 1:00 or so. If you note my previous response I simply mentioned to "go and check" to see if the room was ready - which is what everybody does and is the only way to know if the room is ready. They don't come looking for you or make announcements. By no means should anyone force their way into their rooms or disrespect the room stewards. I would never endorse this nor would I imply anything like that. If it is not ready, you simply leave and come back later. Not sure where you are quoting the "some passengers would say...." comments - but they are certainly not mine, as is nothing with your reference to my post in your reply.

[navybaby1113]

I see you're sailing Carnival. Your room key will be your Sail and Sign card, which they'll issue you when you check in.

 

They keep the large doors to the cabin floors closed until they rooms are ready, which is normally around 1:30pm. Until then, you can go up to the Lido deck and eat lunch and walk around the ship.

 

Have fun!

[skrufy]

Carnival tries for 130pm, when the cabins are ready they will make an announcement over the PA.

[paul929207]

From John Heald's posts on FaceBook, it appears Carnival is aiming to ge4t the cabins ready earlier.

[cruiselover57]

I've been reading (and reading and reading) about the boarding process, carry on bags, etc. and I'm wondering how people know when their cabin is ready? Do you just cruise by and check for it? Or is it more like a hotel where they won't give you a key (or key card nowadays) until the room is ready?

 

I'm fascinated by all things nautical, so I hope to be able to explore the ship after we board, sort of 'get my bearings'. But the sooner I can unload my carry on (I'll be lugging two bottles of wine, cameras, meds, personal care stuff and maybe a laptop...) the better.

 

Our experience on a recent Princess cruise was 1:00 (it might be different for other ships though) - they do let you board early (maybe 11:30-12:00) and have lunch and that's why one shouldn't bring on too much hand-carry luggage because they'll have to take it with them for about an hour.

[maldenmusic]

When we cruise CCL we just usually go to our room once or twice to see if it's ready. Otherwise we just enjoy our time on deck.

[serene56]

when you check in (ON carnival) they will tell you the cabins are available at 1:30.

 

Make your way to the lido buffet. (you will be keeping on your carry ons with you)

 

Board early since that lido buffet area will be uber crowded by 12:30-1pm as people wait there in the seats until the cabins are ready

[sparkscruiser]

Yes Carnival is trying very hard to get the cabins ready by 11:30 now which is great in my perspective. Not sure if that has gone fleet wide yet, but I do know it is in the works.

 

Have a great cruise!

[ElvisAndretti]

Thank you everyone for the information.

 

I think I'll plan on arriving early, getting some food and finding a place to people watch.

[serene56]

Yes Carnival is trying very hard to get the cabins ready by 11:30 now which is great in my perspective. Not sure if that has gone fleet wide yet, but I do know it is in the works.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

 

I can not even imagine.

 

Unless they make us get out of the cabins by 7am instead of 8

[jdvmd]

I've been reading (and reading and reading) about the boarding process, carry on bags, etc. and I'm wondering how people know when their cabin is ready? Do you just cruise by and check for it? Or is it more like a hotel where they won't give you a key (or key card nowadays) until the room is ready?

 

I'm fascinated by all things nautical, so I hope to be able to explore the ship after we board, sort of 'get my bearings'. But the sooner I can unload my carry on (I'll be lugging two bottles of wine, cameras, meds, personal care stuff and maybe a laptop...) the better.

Announcements will be made.

[twin28711]

Just saw your post, congrads on your planned trip; you made mention you would be lugging 2 large bottles of wine. I am planning my first cruise and am wondering how I can take my wine(or vodka ?) on board; never cruised before so am getting overwhelmed myself...:confused:

[WisconsinFan]

Holland America Line is owned by Carnival. HAL went fleet wide last year with having the staterooms ready at 11:30. As we brought a huge bouquet of flowers from Pike Market it was nice to have our room ready. We weren't able to get a vase very fast, so they ended up in the trash can in the bath tub until the attendant was able to come back later with a vase!

 

It is amazing they get it done so fast. One way they do it is by bringing new linens and other supplies at turn down the night prior. They have everything they need to turn your room over and can get to it much quicker. We did not have to get off any earlier than normal.

 

Be aware, with this quick turn over we did note with our large party (we had 5 staterooms) one room had the beds apart when they should have been together and one room had the beds together when they should have been apart. It took longer to have the siblings room corrected (beds apart) then it did to have my parents beds put together.

[paul929207]

Princess, another part of Carnival Corp. has had the cabins ready by 11:30am for years.

[sparkscruiser]

I can not even imagine.

 

Unless they make us get out of the cabins by 7am instead of 8

 

I am just reporting what I had heard..... maybe its because there are SO many folks doing self assist that they think they can get the cabins turned faster?

[Krazy Kruizers]

I really like that HAL is having the cabins ready by 11:30. It's nice to be able to drop off our carry-ons and then go and have lunch.

Only once since this new system began have we not been able to go directly to our cabin. The ship was getting a CDC check.

On announcement was made when we could go to our cabins.

HAL cabin stewards really work hard to get the cabins ready by 11:30 considering that passengers can remain in their cabins until the color/number is called to disembark the ship -- which can be as late as 9 - 9:30.

[indiana123]

Embarkations is so exciting... on P and O we just went to lunch, had a look round and people watched. We then ambled down to our cabin. All part of the fun.. no rush. I can't remember any announcements though.