Is online check in mandatory?

[mheinrich]

I was always under the impression that online check in was not mandatory, but more a convenience for checking in. Just received a phone call for an upcoming cruise and was told it was mandatory. Anyone know the answer to this? I have a group of friends from Mexico that are coming with me and I've handled all the bookings and none of them have done the check in. I really don't want to have to explain all this or get all their information and have to do theirs for them. Help!

[cruiser fanatic]

I was always under the impression that online check in was not mandatory, but more a convenience for checking in. Just received a phone call for an upcoming cruise and was told it was mandatory. Anyone know the answer to this? I have a group of friends from Mexico that are coming with me and I've handled all the bookings and none of them have done the check in. I really don't want to have to explain all this or get all their information and have to do theirs for them. Help!

 

It is not mandatory. I just know that if you don't do the online check in it takes longer to check in at the pier.

Edited April 19, 2016 by cruiser fanatic

[SadieN]

Make sure they have their cruise info to give at the door. It'll take a while to check in.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[troublemaker256]

It is now mandatory as carnival has to report passenger list to Homeland Security 48 hrs prior to departure.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kamloops50]

Cruise lines have to a passenger list about 72 to 48 hours before departure for security clearance.

[klfrodo]

Question

Isn't it required to check in online so you can select your boarding time?

[bobsfamily]

I was always under the impression that online check in was not mandatory, but more a convenience for checking in. Just received a phone call for an upcoming cruise and was told it was mandatory. Anyone know the answer to this? I have a group of friends from Mexico that are coming with me and I've handled all the bookings and none of them have done the check in. I really don't want to have to explain all this or get all their information and have to do theirs for them. Help!

Mandatory, and if you have people from another country then I am amazed you are even asking. A real possibility of not being able to board if you don't... as others have stated it's either 48 or 72 hours State Dept/Homeland has to have the manifest with all passengers and their proof of who they are (Passport/BC and visas (if needed) for foreigners).

Please for you and your friends do it, even if by some chance they allowed you to do it at the port the extra time involved would slow down the line and inconvenience others unnecessarily.

[rufflesmom]

Don't you have to do online check-in to get your boarding pass?

[Kamloops50]

You need to do the online check in get your boarding pass and luggage tags.

[loxley]

There is no requirement that you must have internet access to cruise.

 

When you get to the door, give them passports and things and they will check the list and let you in.

 

Same thing with the porters.

[SadieN]

You need to do the online check in get your boarding pass and luggage tags.

 

 

Can give the door people a copy of the confirmation and the porters only need a cabin number.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[spider211]

I would think if Carnival called and told you what you have to do they answered your question...Why would they call telling you you need to check in on line if you did not need to? I think I would do as they say and not listen to people telling you their opinion....Enjoy your cruise!

[AnonomissX]

I was always under the impression that online check in was not mandatory, but more a convenience for checking in. Just received a phone call for an upcoming cruise and was told it was mandatory. Anyone know the answer to this? I have a group of friends from Mexico that are coming with me and I've handled all the bookings and none of them have done the check in. I really don't want to have to explain all this or get all their information and have to do theirs for them. Help!

 

It's easier to check in online, and you don't have to do it all in one sitting. You can pick up where you left off if you don't have complete details for everyone in that cabin. Carnival's online process is pretty painless.

 

And the poster is posting online, so they do have internet access :p

[reerun25]

Most ports will not even let you in the gate to get dropped off or park without showing ID and boarding pass, and you can't get a boarding pass without doing the online check in...

[hftmrock]

it doesn't appear to me mandatory according to the wording on the carnival site

 

 

 

 

Online Check-In Advance Registration

Due to U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations for cruises departing from U.S. ports, all cruise lines are required to submit a final departure manifest at least 60 minutes prior to departure. As a result of this regulation, guests are required to provide us with check-in information prior to embarkation.

 

The easiest and most convenient way to provide this information is to complete the Online Check-In process via Manage My Booking at https://secure.carnival.com/BookedGuest/. Please note that to log in or register, you will need your Carnival booking number, ship name and sail date, as well as the last name and date of birth of any one guest in the booking. To access your booking after logging in, select New Cruise Details followed by Online Check-In.

 

Guests may check-in online, from the time their booking is deposited, up until 11:59pm ET, the day prior to the sail date. Every effort should be made for guests to check-in online. Guests who complete their Online Check-In will go through a quick verification process once they arrive at the terminal.

 

Failure to provide this information by this deadline may result in delays at embarkation. All guests are required to check-in at embarkation at least 60 minutes prior to the published sailing time.

 

If you have problems using Online Check-In, please contact Carnival.

 

Assistance in navigating the Online Check-In procedure or questions on how to fill out the information - contact your travel agent or if booked directly, contact our Service Specialists at 800-327-5782, Monday through Sunday, 24/7. Live Chat is available, Monday through Friday, 11:00am-7:00pm ET.

Assistance with technical issues or system errors - contact our eSolutions Desk at: 800-845-2599, Monday through Sunday, 4:00am-11:00pm ET.

Edited April 20, 2016 by hftmrock

[coevan]

they surely are not encouraging personal check in, "embarkation may be delayed"

[loxley]

Most ports will not even let you in the gate to get dropped off or park without showing ID and boarding pass, and you can't get a boarding pass without doing the online check in...

All you need is id and citizen ship papers. You know that clip board the lady at the door is holding, they will look you up.

 

You can not say this because I am assuming you always have a boarding pass so you are just assumed you had to have one.

[PoppyandNana]

Cruise lines have to a passenger list about 72 to 48 hours before departure for security clearance.

 

Believe it's now 12 hours.

[BallFour4]

There is no requirement that you must have internet access to cruise. When you get to the door, give them passports and things and they will check the list and let you in. Same thing with the porters.

 

So what did you use to post this? How will others that learn from this handy information you share read your advise?

 

Inquiring minds want to know. :)

 

.

Edited April 20, 2016 by BallFour4

[loxley]

 

So what did you use to post this? How will others that learn from this handy information you share read your advise?

 

Inquiring minds want to know. :)

 

.

Reading comprehend problems? I never said I do not have internet access, but have shown up more than once with no printed boarding pass. I don't waste ink on what I don't need. Never once had there even been a five second delay in me getting into the door. I now have it on my phone.

 

And there is still no requirement for internet access to take a cruise.

 

If you do not do online check in, you have to give them your info to type in to the system at check in.

[BallFour4]

Reading comprehend problems? I never said I do not have internet access, but have shown up more than once with no printed boarding pass. I don't waste ink on what I don't need. Never once had there even been a five second delay in me getting into the door. I now have it on my phone.

 

And there is still no requirement for internet access to take a cruise.

 

If you do not do online check in, you have to give them your info to type in to the system at check in.

 

My initial response is "Lighten Up Francis" and you missed the tinge of humor in my post.

 

I'd never cruise without completing online check-in, but that's just me. We cruised the Glory to Canada from Boston once and I left all our documents except passports on the kitchen counter. It wasn't easy convincing the initial line person that we were priority as all they did was review papers and send you to the correct line.

 

.

Edited April 20, 2016 by BallFour4

[thinfool]

To the OP...who called you? Your post did not say it was Carnival.

 

Please check the above post that quotes the actual directions from Carnival rather than the well-intentioned but wrong posters who toss around numbers like 24-48 or 12 hours.

 

The actual requirement is in the Carnival quote.

 

An alternate to just showing up would be to ask permission from those who have no way to fill out the online information to do it for them.

[jandb6266]

To loxley. I'm sorry but you will never convince me that you never have as much as a five second delay checking in. Did you ever think that all the time it takes to check you in and get all your information delays everyone behind you. They could probably process 10 cruisers in the time it takes to do your check-in just because you do not want to use you ink. That sounds selfish to me.

Anyway HAPPY SAILING!!!

[loxley]

To loxley. I'm sorry but you will never convince me that you never have as much as a five second delay checking in. Did you ever think that all the time it takes to check you in and get all your information delays everyone behind you. They could probably process 10 cruisers in the time it takes to do your check-in just because you do not want to use you ink. That sounds selfish to me.

Anyway HAPPY SAILING!!!

I don't know what you're problem is but I said I did not have a printed boarding pass, the lady looked on her clip board, to the Ls, checked my passport and let me in the door. Yeah, 5 seconds.

[nednrom]

To loxley. I'm sorry but you will never convince me that you never have as much as a five second delay checking in. Did you ever think that all the time it takes to check you in and get all your information delays everyone behind you. They could probably process 10 cruisers in the time it takes to do your check-in just because you do not want to use you ink. That sounds selfish to me.

Anyway HAPPY SAILING!!!

 

I always check in for my own inconvenience as well as others so I agree with you about delays in line. I do however, wonder in this day and age why we don't also save "ink". The technology exists and can easily adopted by all cruise lines to scan boarding passes on smart phones or tablets just like the airlines do.

 

The OP poster said that he was responsible for booking 10 people from Mexico. I would ask him if everyone speaks English or if they are at the same location as he is--that might make a difference.