What happens on embarkation?

[needabreakcanada]

Never cruised before and I am wondering what to expect when we go to the ship?

 

Where do we put our checked luggage?

 

With the carry on luggage is there a security check like at the airport?

 

I have a CPAP machine and at the airport they make me take it all out for them to inspect - will I have to do it again at the Ship?

 

Anything else you think I should know please feel free to add!

 

Thanks,

[NCTribeFan]

Procedures will vary slightly from port to port. You didn't state your departure port.

 

Usually, you'll give your luggage to a porter. I normally tip a $1/bag.

 

Have your FunPass ready.

 

You'll go through a security line with your carry-on. If you bring the allotted 1 750 ml bottle of wine per adult, have that in your carry-on.

 

After security, you'll get in line to check in where they'll confirm your charge account for your onboard spending.

 

After check-in, you'll wait to board.

 

They'll herd you through the obligatory boarding photo. Then you'll get your room card/on-board spending card uploaded with your security photo.

 

Then you step on the ship!

 

Normally, you cannot go to your cabin until about 1:30. Head up to the Ldio deck and have your first lunch.

 

If a server comes by with those lovely drinks on a tray, they are NOT free! But they are tasty!

 

Enjoy your cruise! :D

[needabreakcanada]

We are cruising on freedom out of fort lauderdale.

 

Can you tell me a little more about the security proceedure?

 

Do they frisk you?

Will they make me take my CPAP out again for inspection?

Do they make you open your carry on or do they scan it like at the airport?

 

Thanks, and not intent on anything illegal here just wanting to know how invasive the securit will be.

[Room Service!]

No frisking (were you looking forward to that?). :) Sorry, couldn't resist.

They've only ever scanned our carryons.

[cuyahoga11]

We are cruising on freedom out of fort lauderdale.

 

Can you tell me a little more about the security proceedure?

 

Do they frisk you?

Will they make me take my CPAP out again for inspection?

Do they make you open your carry on or do they scan it like at the airport?

 

Thanks, and not intent on anything illegal here just wanting to know how invasive the securit will be.

 

No they dont frisk you

They dont take out the cpap

They just scan it like a airport. If you have soda or wine, you might be pulled aside to open it to make sure you are not smuggling

They are not invasive like at airports

[needabreakcanada]

I always get nervous at the airport. I feel like I have been sent to the principals office - and I never know why I feel that way.

 

Just wanted to mentally prep myself if I had to go through it again.

 

I remember the first time I travelled with my cpap - they weren't sure what it was (they are common nowadays). As they took extra time examining it everyone was staring at me. I was very uncomfortable and have been ever since.

 

It gets a little easier each time - but we don't travel much so that might be why the feeling still lingers.

 

We are looking forward to our first cruise for sure and thanks to everyone on CC for answering my multitude of questions!

[jules1121]

If you have soda or wine, you might be pulled aside to open it to make sure you are not smuggling

 

Just to make sure its clear for the OP, they will make you open the bag you have soda or wine in and take it out, they shouldn't make you open the soda or wine.

 

Its pretty much the level of security like if you have ever gone through court house security for jury duty.

[RWolver672]

Never cruised before and I am wondering what to expect when we go to the ship?

 

Where do we put our checked luggage?

 

With the carry on luggage is there a security check like at the airport?

 

I have a CPAP machine and at the airport they make me take it all out for them to inspect - will I have to do it again at the Ship?

 

Anything else you think I should know please feel free to add!

 

Thanks,

 

Hand your checked luggage to the porters. Tip them $1 per bag.

 

You will do like you do at an airport. Put your carry on on a belt, then walk through an x-ray machine.

 

They won't make you take out your CPAP machine. At most, they might open the bag and look in it. Do make sure that you bring along at least a 20 foot (in great condition) extension cord. There is only one plug in the cabin and it's not close to the bed.

 

Contrary to what another poster said, we have always gotten out S&S cards while we were checking in. Then you go get your boarding picture taken. After that, you proceed to either a waiting area or if the ship is already boarding, you can get onboard. Just before entering the gangway, they will take your S&S card and have you stand in front of a little machine. They will put your card in it and take a picture of you. From that point on, they can keep track of whether or not you are onboard. When you get off in a port, you put your card in another machine and it lets them know you got off. When you get back on, you do the same and it lets them know you are back onboard.

 

You will have to carry your carry-ons until the time the cabins are cleaned and available. That's usually after 1:30. You are free to roam the ship, have dinner, drinks, etc. Dinner that night is casual because some people don't have their luggage yet.

 

If you plan on gambling, you will set up an account on your S&S card. You put your card into a slot machine. Set up a pin number. Then put cash in the machine. Play. If you want to move to another machine and still have cash in it, you cash out and it goes on your card. Then when you get to the next machine, you put your card back in, enter your pin number, enter how much cash you want to put on the machine, then start playing. When you want any cash left on the card, you go to the casino cashier and hand them your card. They swipe it, then you enter your pin on a keypad and it shows them what amount you have. Then they give you the cash. It sounds more difficult than what it really is.

 

If you are going to buy a soda card, wait until you are out to sea. On land, they will charge you tax for it.

 

Once in your cabin, you can put your clothes in the closets and drawers. Then put your smaller suitcases into the bigger ones and store them under the bed. If you need more hangers, the cabin steward will be more than happy to get them for you.

 

If you go to a port with a different time zone, the ship's time won't change. Keep your watch on the ship's time and watch carefully not to get back to the ship late. It will leave without you.

 

When you get a chance, get on decks 6,7,9 or 10. Go all the way forward. At the end of the passageway, turn and walk to the end of that short hall. There is a door there. Go through that one and there is another one within a few feet. Go through that one and you are at the very front of the ship. It's a great place to be early in the morning or late at night. Very few people are ever out there.

 

Hope some of these have helped you. Enjoy your cruise and be prepared to be hooked!

[ladyluck27]

semi-related question - We're flying and only planning to have carry-ons. Would we give those to the porters or keep them with us? If it's our choice, is walking around with a small rolling suitcase on board a big PITA?

[DebBrown]

semi-related question - We're flying and only planning to have carry-ons. Would we give those to the porters or keep them with us? If it's our choice, is walking around with a small rolling suitcase on board a big PITA?

Unless you absolutely need them for some reason, I would give them to the porter. Yes, it's a PITA to lug them around for several hours.

[NCTribeFan]

When I check bags, I make sure I have my toiletries, meds and jewelry in my carry-on. I also make sure to have something to sleep in, and a spare pair of undies, just in case my checked bag doesn't make it to the cabin. You never know. Usually have a swimsuit in there, too.

 

Didn't mean to imply that you don't get your card until the security photo is taken - just that you'll need to keep it in hand until after that point. Yes, they're given out at check in.

 

If you're in a suite, you'll have Priority boarding, too. At FLL, that's upstairs. No separate security line, but they did stop the long line and escort us to the front and straight through the scanners.

 

I'm always anxious when I travel - not particularly worried about anything in specific, but until I'm actually where I want to be, I'm always a bit tense.

 

The earlier you arrive at the port, the less time standing in lines. But don't get there too early, either. I usually get there between 11 and 12, but I'm Platinum so get VIP and early boarding anyway. My first cruise out of FLL, our shuttle driver dropped off at two different ships before Miracle. By the time we arrived, the line was way out the door. It took us forever.

 

Didn't get on the ship until nearly 3 pm and I was about to faint from hunger. I now keep a granola bar in my carryon just in case boarding is slow/late.

[mizLORInj]

Make sure you complete all information online at carnival.com and print out the necessary documents to get you into the port (boarding pass). When you get to the check-in desk, hand over your passports which they'll scan, and in a few minutes you'll be given your cruise cards and off you go!

Have fun!!

We got to FLL around 1:45 earlier this month and one in our group kept her luggage with her (carry-on size) and we just dropped it at the cabin. Also there was VIP (platinum and suites) security line at FLL.

[nets33]

I remember the first time I travelled with my cpap - they weren't sure what it was (they are common nowadays).

 

My Fiancee travels with his CPAP - no problems at security.

 

I would suggest that you bring an extension cord with you for the CPAP and place it in the CPAP bag. There are not many outlets in the cabins on ship and you may need an extension cord.

[suzycruiser2]

Also, don't forget your passport and other form of ID or you won't get on the ship. I always take a lanyard with a clear badge holder for my sign and sail card. (Your S&S card is your ID while on the ship, your room key and is used for all monetary transactions.) All rooms have a small safe in the closet. Some use a code to open, but I think most now use a card with a magnetic strip that you supply. I usually take an old gift card to use.

 

Other tips:

 

If you order room service, tip about a dollar per item.

 

Cell phones will work on the ship, but beware charges are HIGH. Some phones incur data charges even if you don't answer, so we not only turn our phones off, we take out the battery. (They go in the safe immediately.)

[Blueboss]

semi-related question - We're flying and only planning to have carry-ons. Would we give those to the porters or keep them with us? If it's our choice, is walking around with a small rolling suitcase on board a big PITA?

 

We agree it's a PITA, trying to keep up with our carry ons and tripping over other's while in the buffet. You might think about using a larger purse or small tote for what you need to carry on. ALL cruise documents, ID's, meds., valubles, etc. My camera bag is large enough to carry my documents and a few personal things, that's all we carry on.

 

Another note about the security check, like the airport ones, be prepared to empty all change, keys, etc. out of your pockets. Need to add that to DH's list of reminders, "Arrive at port with empty pockets." He always carries a pocketful of change and keys, then ends up dumping it all into the carry on.

[okgirl]

The airport and pier are only about 5 minutes apart. You can actually see the pier when standing in the airport.

 

I usually get to the pier around 10:30ish, even though they say boarding doesn't start until noon, because it almost always starts by 11:30 at the latest.

 

I really don't mind having a carry on with me. We go immediately to the buffet and one of us sits with the bags while the other goes to get their lunch, and then the other one goes.

 

There are lots of lunch choices in the buffet (there are 4 lines), plus the deli is open, pizza is 24 hours a day, the burger placee is open and don't miss the fish and chips up on deck 10 just above the aft dessert tables.

 

After lunch we usually go down to the Promenade and hang out around the Casino bar until our cabins are ready.

[crusinpsychRN]

If you have to go up an escalator you have to have one hand free to hold the rail or they make you use the elevator. You can't be having to hold a bunch of carryons.

 

Carryons go through xray. You step through metal detector. If xray shows something they will search bag. I had an e cig and the battery caused them to check the bag. Rum runners on your person not detected.

 

No open liquids can pass security. I carry a mug of water that has to be emptied.

 

You can take wine or champagne.

 

You check in with funpass paperwork, ID and credit card or cash and get sail and sign card. I carry a hole punch and have my lanyard on. When I get my card I punch the hole and it goes on the lanyard where I can't lose it. Casino has lanyards also and will punch the card. Don't punch on the end that goes in the door!

 

You wait until zone called. If you're on a roll call you might find fellow cruisers if you all decided to wear something they'd recognize. Weddings, handicapped and platinum go first. Then zone numbers.

 

Give your card to the staff at the machine and picture is taken. Then the famous ding and you can wait to have boarding photo or pass them by.

 

If you plan to go to the steakhouse or do Behind the Fun sign up as soon as you board. Steakhouse is usually displayed prominently and staff will sign you up. Free bottle of wine if you go the first night. Excursion desk or purser for Behind the Fun tour.

 

Get a small map of the ship and a Fun Times. They are at purser and excursion desk.

 

Off to the Lido for lunch.

 

I find carry ons a PIA so I limit them. The champagne is heavy enough!

 

As Platinum my cabin is always ready early and if I can I put my carry on in the cabin and go to Lido for a pressed sandwich at the deli and get a salad. Serenity is a fun place to hang out at the aft. Lido will usually be crammed with lots of saving of seats for those in line getting their food.

 

If you can't find a seat, ask to join a table. Sometimes 2 sit at a big table and others won't sit there. I do it all the time without a problem.

 

If you opt for pizza you can have it made to order. I love anchovy pizza. 8 minutes later it's ready.

 

Smoking is allowed on one side of the ship out by the pool.

 

If you're going under a bridge that's always fun. Go up as high as you can to see the ship just miss the bridge.

 

Explore the ship until cabin is ready. Your luggage will show up when it shows up. No rhyme or reason when. I unpack my filled over the door thingie, hand up clothes on hangers, put other items in drawers and am unpacked in less then 5 minutes.

 

The Fun Times has a tear off part so you don't have to carry the whole thing with you all the time.

 

In all the stuff on the desk the first day will be the room service menu. Don't throw it out thinking it's junk like I did.

 

On some wall hoods will be placards for Cruising or (you're in the cabin--can't remember that one) and menu for room service breakfast. If you order white toast and want butter ask for the # of butters or you'll get one.

 

Enjoy your cruise!:D

[maldenmusic]

The check in part and going through security have always been pretty low stress for me. Only once, at Mobile, did we encounter a very long wait in line but usually its pretty easy.

[KarenMF]

semi-related question - We're flying and only planning to have carry-ons. Would we give those to the porters or keep them with us? If it's our choice, is walking around with a small rolling suitcase on board a big PITA?

 

Don't check medications, jewelry or other valuables!

[Georgiagolfer]

I find carry ons a PIA so I limit them. The champagne is heavy enough!

 

As Platinum my cabin is always ready early and if I can I put my carry on in the cabin and go to Lido for a pressed sandwich at the deli and get a salad. Serenity is a fun place to hang out at the aft. Lido will usually be crammed with lots of saving of seats for those in line getting their food. Enjoy your cruise!:D

 

That's interesting as DW and I are Platinum and closing in on Milestone and our cabin is usually ready when the others are. Even if they are ready early, deck doors are closed and we can't get to the room,so we just wait like the others.

[needabreakcanada]

Thanks for all the information and great tips.

 

So my next question...

 

how do you know when your room is ready?

[mlyn]

Your room will usually be ready by 1:30.

 

When you check your luggage with the porter, make sure you have your passports and boarding passes with you and not in your luggage. Also, if you flew in and need to attach your carnival luggage tags, I have found the porters can help you staple them to your luggage. You don't have to bring a stapler.