New Sign & Sail card delivery system??

[Crusin5252]

This sounded scary at first, possible fraud and room access and all, but it sounds like they have thought of that with the sealed envelope. I see no problem with this new process and embrace anything that might get me on the ship even a few minutes earlier.

 

I wonder if it is also meant to keep people who are not diamond, platinum, FTTF, or suites from going to the room "just to drop things off" before the stewards havethe room ready. If they do not put the keys in the box until they have finished the room, it would solve the problem of people slowing down the stewards by doing this. You read more and more posts where people say just ignore the sign and go put your stuff in your room.

Edited October 19, 2016 by Crusin5252

[peachy92]

So, if I'm understanding correctly, the only change to the check in process is that you would not actually get your S&S card, and you would use your boarding pass to be "dinged" onto the ship.

 

Correct. We needed the boarding pass to get on the ship. Prior to boarding, they either scan your passport or took a new photo when scanning the boarding pass. We got the S&S in a SEALED envelope in the room's mailbox. The cards also had pre-punched holes on them.

[jgskes]

Ha! Since my passport is due for renewal next summer, the photo is over 9 years old. Not that I've aged any since then. ;) But it's got to be better than the ones they've taken at the port that past few cruises. Just hope that with the age difference they'll know it's me when they scan it. Hate to be left behind in one of the ports! :p

 

But seriously, folks. You can't manage for an hour without a drink? Just have a double when you finally get one!

 

 

It is not in any way that I can not live without a drink for an hour...However, it is my tradition to get on and have the fun ship special.

[jimbo5544]

Surprisingly, a lot of people opt for them. They are pretty convenient for those who don't mind wearing them. Yes, they are available on Harmony.

 

Thanks, we had them in Disney but I got a little paranoid in them knowing exactly where I was at all times.

[jgskes]

I love this.

 

Run into it all the time at work. Some new process/procedure is going to be implemented and almost everyone immediately starts griping about how It Will NEVER Work!!!!! I'm one of the oldest people in the office yet I'm one of the few who actually thinks change is a good thing. Usually. But you certainly never know until you try it out.

 

Eventually, those who were adamant that It Will NEVER Work admit that they were wrong and maybe, just maybe, it wasn't such a bad idea after all.

 

Sheesh. The handful of people who have experienced this are saying it was no big deal, yet there are dozens here insisting that it's The Worst Idea Ever!! :rolleyes:

 

Hey, I never wanted them to change the name from "Capers" to "FunTimes" but I've managed to sail several times since they changed. And then they had the audacity to decrease the size and now I can fit the whole thing in my pocket. The nerve!

 

I like your positive attitude. However, 2 or my 3 kids are sailing without a passport so we will have to go through the wait time any way. I hope they are only testing it on Splendor and no other ship at this time.

[Sparky2]

I wonder if it is also meant to keep people who are not diamond, platinum, FTTF, or suites from going to the room "just to drop things off" before the stewards havethe room ready. If they do not put the keys in the box until they have finished the room, it would solve the problem of people slowing down the stewards by doing this. You read more and more posts where people say just ignore the sign and go put your stuff in your room.

 

 

That sounds like a good way to stop people from trying to go to their cabin before they are allowed to do so. I wonder how they will handle allowing Diamond/Platinum, etc. access to their cabins without showing their S&S card.

[shof515]

[/u][/b]

 

 

That sounds like a good way to stop people from trying to go to their cabin before they are allowed to do so. I wonder how they will handle allowing Diamond/Platinum, etc. access to their cabins without showing their S&S card.

 

if you are diamond/platinum, i think your boarding pass says Priority or something like that and you use that to enter the halls if you do no have faster to fun

[jimbo5544]

if you are diamond/platinum, i think your boarding pass says Priority or something like that and you use that to enter the halls if you do no have faster to fun

 

Many times you are not challenged, but we have from time to time. Showing them the silver or white card settles it and we get a "welcome home" response, and a t times even escorted to our cabin.

Edited October 19, 2016 by jimbo5544

[Retired_to_Cruise]

So, instead of having your S&S card before you board the ship, you will have to use your boarding pass as your identification for getting on the ship, buying anything once you are on the ship , and for proving that you are D or P to get through the closed doors to get to your room once you get on the ship. That sounds like all the things you currently have to use your S&S card for.

 

And, if your cards are not in the mailbox, you have to lug all of your stuff down to Guest Services and stand in line to get a new card. You cannot leave the rest of your roommates and their stuff up by the room because the guest services people will have to see them in order to verify who they are before they are able to replace the cards that did not show up. And remember how swift the atrium elevators are on embarkation days.

 

It would be interesting to have someone from Carnival explain the rationale behind this less than brilliant change. After all, you will still have to stand in line to get checked in, have your passport scanned (or a picture taken), turn in your health report, and get your boarding position. All that has been taken from that process is the retrieval and delivery of the S&S card to the people standing in front of the check in person. This just does not make logical sense.

[norawatson]

Do we still get to keep the cards?

 

 

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[bumorgan]

I would really miss the "BONG" when you first enter the ship:(

 

 

Dan

[NCTribeFan]

Why would you not get to keep your card? They're still going to have your name, folio number, muster station, dining room table, etc printed on them. They can't erase them and re-use them.

 

Guys, I'm pretty much just playing Devil's Advocate here, I hope people realize that. It's just the typical over-reaction when folks really don't know how it's going to work that makes me laugh.

 

Hey, I want a drink soon after boarding, too! But if I can simply use my boarding pass, I think I'll manage. ;)

 

We'll see how it goes. I write reviews, so I'll include my thoughts on it when I return in early November.

[magictam]

This from John Heald's facebooked post this morning.

 

In the days ahead I will chat with you about a new test we are trying on the Carnival Splendor during embarkation involving cabin keys that has already been very well received by our guests who were there this past week.

 

Meanwhile a question for you.

 

How quickly after you get on the ship do you want to go to your cabin

 

A. Straight away if possible

B. Within an hour of me being on the ship

C. Really not bothered.

[ScottsSweetie]

Isn't the Conquest at a port when you have to pick a check-in time? If so then maybe you can go to your room right away since they will know the earliest time you are able to board.

 

BOARDING time has nothing to do with the staggered CHECK-IN time. Check-in can start as early as 10:30; I've never seen boarding before 11:30 anywhere.

 

How are these kids going to get into the hallways unseen by all the employees keeping people out of the halls without proper access and all the early guests entering so they can steal all these cards? That also puts you back at, if your card is missing or been opened/tampered with you know it immediately so again no worry about charges you won't know about.

 

These scenarios just aren't realistic.

 

I have rarely encountered anyone standing at the doors to the rooms. On one occasion, they argued with me about letting me pass (they didn't care that I had a Platinum card - they said NO ONE was allowed until 1:30).

 

It will be interesting to see how this new system works.

Edited October 19, 2016 by ScottsSweetie

[volmoma]

Not many but some people will do it and order a bunch of quick drinks.

 

 

Not sure how that would happen' date=' when your card is scanned for a charge, the picture that is tied to that card is pulled up on the screen. If picture/ person ordering doesn't check out, then the employee should void charge n hold the card.

 

 

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[DebJ14]

Could they be using your passport photo as your sail and sign photo? This system may be a pain for us, as my first stop is usually at guest services to put cash on our account, and they ask for the card then. Now we would have to stop at the cabin first. Ugh.

 

Yes, they are using the passport photos as the sail and sign picture. When you first enter the terminal, before security in Galveston and Miami, they scan the passports and if the photo is a decent likeness of you it is used for the S&S card. If using a birth certificate or the photo looks nothing like you, then you will have to have it taken for the card.

[winddawn]

I find it amusing that JH even has to ask this question at this point in the company's history. Of course most customers want to access their cabin as soon as possible. OMG.

[jimbo5544]

I find it amusing that JH even has to ask this question at this point in the company's history. Of course most customers want to access their cabin as soon as possible. OMG.

 

 

Maybe, just maybe he is not really asking but the trying to build momentum for the test/trial

to move to production

 

 

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Edited October 19, 2016 by jimbo5544

[sanmarcosman]

I find it amusing that JH even has to ask this question at this point in the company's history. Of course most customers want to access their cabin as soon as possible. OMG.

 

It's ingratiating and annoying for John to ask when he knows the answer.

[DrHfuhruhurr]

How are these kids going to get into the hallways unseen by all the employees keeping people out of the halls without proper access and all the early guests entering so they can steal all these cards? That also puts you back at, if your card is missing or been opened/tampered with you know it immediately so again no worry about charges you won't know about.

 

These scenarios just aren't realistic.

 

Neither is a scenario where a stolen card gets the charges "wiped clean" or "reversed" without any hassle. There will almost certainly be a hassle, and any charges that have already posted as a hold against your credit card could take more than a week to clear.

[volmoma]

It is not in any way that I can not live without a drink for an hour...However, it is my tradition to get on and have the fun ship special.

 

 

Haha, I feel your pain! My hubby and I get our first drink either at the lobby bar as we walk on the ship or if it's to crowded we go to the casino bar. Then head to the room to drop stuff off. It doesn't matter if you can or can't live without, it's what YOU do and it's your vacation!! Cheers!

 

 

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[volmoma]

[/u][/b]

 

 

 

 

 

That sounds like a good way to stop people from trying to go to their cabin before they are allowed to do so. I wonder how they will handle allowing Diamond/Platinum, etc. access to their cabins without showing their S&S card.

 

 

Probably refer back to boarding pass....

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

Probably refer back to boarding pass....

 

 

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Which has the same info on it......

 

 

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[RWolver672]

OK, so you can use your boarding pass to get a drink. We print ours off so that we are both together. That means that only one of us can get drinks at a time. If we aren't together, one of us doesn't have the boarding pass.

 

Unless they've changed it, I though they always took our boarding pass when we checked in.

[jimbo5544]

OK, so you can use your boarding pass to get a drink. We print ours off so that we are both together. That means that only one of us can get drinks at a time. If we aren't together, one of us doesn't have the boarding pass.

 

 

 

Unless they've changed it, I though they always took our boarding pass when we checked in.

 

 

My guess is they have on the trial ship if these reports are accurate. They may be able to give you a sheet at checkin even of you only brought one .......

 

 

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