Carnival Embarkation

[Safeteeguy]

From everything I've read, without a passport anyone over the age of 16 must have his/her birth cirtificate plus a photo ID to get on board; we have this. However, I could not find what the rules are for those under 16. Our three year old doesn't have a photo ID, yet. Has anyone ever had issues at embarkation where they traveled all the way to port and couldn't get on? (My fear.)

 

We're bringing small quantities of sodas (in plastic bottles), bottled water, and wine (wrapped for breakage protection). Is it advisable to check this with luggage as opposed to carry on?

 

According to the Carnival brochures, the safe in the rooms are accessible with a credit card. Does this mean we'll be charged to use the safe? What keeps anyone with a credit card from accessing our safe?

 

We're signed up for Rose Hall beach in MoBay, the 7-mile in Cayman, and Playa Mia in Cozumel (to name a few activities). How are the jet ski's and parasailing in these locations?

 

< 1 WEEK!!! :D

[tef43]

According to the Carnival brochures, the safe in the rooms are accessible with a credit card. Does this mean we'll be charged to use the safe?

No.

What keeps anyone with a credit card from accessing our safe?

The safe locks via the coding on the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. As such, only the card that locks the safe may be used to re-open it.

[Cotton]

Children under the age of 16 do not have to have any ID.

 

You can take the wine, soft drinks, and water in your carry-on luggage.

 

No, there's no charge for the safes. You just use any credit card, even a grocery card, to open the safe.

 

Have a good cruise!:)

[hlfdzn]

I put all my water, pop and beer in a rolling cooler ( small one soft sided) and brought it right on with me. My cooler fit thru the xray machine and nobody said a word. I have heard that they are stricter in New Orleans about bringing alcohol, but both times I went through Port Canaveral I had no problem getting thru security with my beer.

[hlfdzn]

If kids under the age of 16 do not need ID, does that mean I do not have to buy them passports to go on a cruise in 2006? I have been told that EVERYONE has to have a passport and at $85 each, getting 5 kids a passport is a few bucks. 4 of my kids will still be under 16 next March when we are going...that would be great if they did not need a passport..only a birth certificate.

[Safeteeguy]

I certainly hope a passport isn't needed, we're in the 11th hour here. :confused:

[DaytonCruiser]

If kids under the age of 16 do not need ID, does that mean I do not have to buy them passports to go on a cruise in 2006? I have been told that EVERYONE has to have a passport and at $85 each, getting 5 kids a passport is a few bucks. 4 of my kids will still be under 16 next March when we are going...that would be great if they did not need a passport..only a birth certificate.

 

In 2006 EVERYONE will need a passport.

[F5Loar]

I've not heard of under 16 needs nothing. I thought the BC was still required.

True Passports for everyone in 2006 and children's don't run as long as adults for expiration dates. I've always used my Sail&Sign card to operate the safe.

Anybody else do this? Makes sense to not be carrying a credit card all around the ship. That's what the safe is for is to put the credit cards/cash/valuables in. If you have to leave one out to lock it this sort of defeats the purpose IMO.

[Cotton]

I've not heard of under 16 needs nothing. I thought the BC was still required.

 

Thx F5. You are correct.

 

What I meant to say is that children under the age of 16 do not need a PHOTO ID. Yes, every passenger must have a state-issued b/c.;)

[kelligirl]

I sailed in 2001 on the Elation with a 14 and 10 year old. I brought only the birth certificates with no problem!

[dms_cruisers04]

I've not heard of under 16 needs nothing. I thought the BC was still required.

True Passports for everyone in 2006 and children's don't run as long as adults for expiration dates. I've always used my Sail&Sign card to operate the safe.

Anybody else do this? Makes sense to not be carrying a credit card all around the ship. That's what the safe is for is to put the credit cards/cash/valuables in. If you have to leave one out to lock it this sort of defeats the purpose IMO.

Actually, and this might depend on the ship, but I've had my S&S card demagnetized using it on the safe. :confused: So when I went to get another, the purser suggested I not do that anymore. :D We always do as Cotton suggested, a meaningless card like from the grocery store.

[floridaboyz]

True Passports for everyone in 2006 and children's don't run as long as adults for expiration dates.

Passports are good for ten years for adults and five years for kids. Everyone must have one to in 2006 to go cruising. Still some debate about Canada and Mexico car trips.

 

I've always used my Sail&Sign card to operate the safe.

Anybody else do this? Makes sense to not be carrying a credit card all around the ship. That's what the safe is for is to put the credit cards/cash/valuables in. If you have to leave one out to lock it this sort of defeats the purpose IMO.

We use a AAA card for the safe. It has the magnetic strip on the back. I believe the directions for the safe say not to use your S&S card due to the possibility of demagnetizing it. Not sure why S&S cards demagnetize so easily and other cards do not.

[Cotton]

Not sure why S&S cards demagnetize so easily and other cards do not.

 

Maybe because they can make the cards less magnetized (cheaper), since they're only used for a few days?:D

[richfret]

Regarding the safes, you can set up any credit card to open the safe. The strange part is that if you and your wife use the same charge, only the original card will work and your partner is out of luck even if the their card has the same account number. That is really inconvenient. Several times, I wanted to open the safe and could not until my wife was in the cabin and we could use her original card. I guess Carnival has their reasons.

[MyImagination]

Regarding the safes, you can set up any credit card to open the safe. The strange part is that if you and your wife use the same charge, only the original card will work and your partner is out of luck even if the their card has the same account number. That is really inconvenient. Several times, I wanted to open the safe and could not until my wife was in the cabin and we could use her original card. I guess Carnival has their reasons.

 

Although the card is the same account the info on the card is not. The safe is reading the info from the magnetic strip. I always use a library /grocery/casino card, I put it in the jacket pocket of a suit in the closet or in a shoe.

[F5Loar]

You might add not just a state issued BC but a certified BC. You can get just a copy that is not certified for less money but to cruise it has to be state issued and certified. I've seen people turned away bringing in hospital stamped BC. We get those pocket type that are certified.

I've heard that about the S&S card but we've never had that problem. They can get demagnitzed anytime most anyway and we have no problem getting it redone.

[Cotton]

I have also seen a couple turned away because she 'forgot' to bring the birth certificates. She was crying, and the husband was upset. All that money down the drain. Sad.:o

[big_duck]

I've heard that about the S&S card but we've never had that problem.

 

Strangely enough, I had to have a new S&S issued because of demagnatization and the new one wouldn't open the safe I had to get issued another. Even if you use your S&S card to operate the safe, it does not solve the "spouse" problem.

 

Get a magnatized non-credit card as suggested and keep it hidden somewhere in the room where you both know where it is.