Pride 4/2 to 4/9/17 Embarkation/Debarkation Info

[JMAE]

We had a great time on our Pride cruise below is some info regarding embarkation and debarkation.

 

Embarkation

We drove to Baltimore and arrived at the parking lot at 1pm. We dropped off our suitcases and proceeded to pay for parking. We always pay cash and only had to wait for one car. All the lines for credit cards were very long. We parked our car and proceeded to the terminal. We are Platinum so we went directly to security and then was directed the new Platinum/Diamond lounge. After completing check-in we were on the ship by 1:30pm. Tip: The line to enter the terminal blocked the doorway and was very long and went around the outside of the building, you may have to cut the line to get into the terminal to get to the security checkpoint, some waiting were nice some not so nice.

 

Debarkation

As Platinum we chose to self-assist with a scheduled return of 10:00am. The instructions we received the last night instructed us to be in the Annex (Chef’s Table room on deck 2) by 9:15. The ship returned early and we docked at 9:00am. Based on past Pride experience we left our stateroom at 9:00pm. We were in the Annex for about 10 to 15 minutes until a crew member escorted us from the ship. We cleared customs and was on the road back to NE PA by 9:40am.

[As You Wish]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Are you planning on writing a review? I'd love to read it.

[Kadeeu]

Thanks for the information, but I wanted to clarify a few things. So you are saying that the regular check-in line blocked the entrance to the priority (platinum, FTTF, suites) check-in doors and in order to get in the priority entrance you had to fight through those in the regular check-in line? When was your boarding information checked for priority and was the priority entrance clearly marked? Thanks.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

Thank you. I am hoping that our experience is the same. We have a 4.5 hour drive to my girlfriends parents house after our cruise for a picnic

[JMAE]

Thanks for the information, but I wanted to clarify a few things. So you are saying that the regular check-in line blocked the entrance to the priority (platinum, FTTF, suites) check-in doors and in order to get in the priority entrance you had to fight through those in the regular check-in line? When was your boarding information checked for priority and was the priority entrance clearly marked? Thanks.

 

Yes, the priority entrance is clearly marked by a large sign. The sign is by the same entrance as non-priority. There is a second set of doors but they were locked, we have been on the Pride 6 times and these doors have always been locked. We had to cut the line and after we entered the terminal we showed our priority boarding pass to the Carnival employee and they sent us directly to the security check point.

 

 

I plan on writing a review, but work is calling. I need another cruise. :cool:

[nat_mychelle]

Thanks for the information, but I wanted to clarify a few things. So you are saying that the regular check-in line blocked the entrance to the priority (platinum, FTTF, suites) check-in doors and in order to get in the priority entrance you had to fight through those in the regular check-in line? When was your boarding information checked for priority and was the priority entrance clearly marked? Thanks.

 

We were on the same sailing and I just wanted to add. We arrived early the lot was closed until 12 however if you had priority boarding the let you through to park. We parked around 1145. They allowed priority guests to begin checking in at 12 but guests with regular check in we're outside in line until there boarding time. The line did get VERY long at one point in the afternoon!

[jcdean]

We leave on the Pride with FTTF in August this is good info. Thank you. Looking forward to your review.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[riclop]

Thanks for the report.

[BigDoug]

The check-in for the Pride is quite disorganized outside. There is no one from Carnival outside to direct people. The signs are right at the doors to the terminal and are usually blocked by the people standing around waiting to enter. With these new check-in times, Carnival needs to have personnel OUTSIDE to sort the guests. Once inside, things get better and are more organized. Security will search all of your carry-on items especially all sodas. Security was opening the 12-packs to search every can, so bring some tape to close them up. After security, priority check-in is a breeze and has it's own waiting area. Carnival does have a problem separating the FTTF guests from the Diamond and Platinums. When boarding began the FTTF guests were mixing in with the Diamonds and Plats instead of boarding after. This is not such a big deal on boarding but it did cause some issues at HMC with tendering.

[fair-winds39]

The check-in for the Pride is quite disorganized outside. There is no one from Carnival outside to direct people. The signs are right at the doors to the terminal and are usually blocked by the people standing around waiting to enter. With these new check-in times, Carnival needs to have personnel OUTSIDE to sort the guests. Once inside, things get better and are more organized. Security will search all of your carry-on items especially all sodas. Security was opening the 12-packs to search every can, so bring some tape to close them up. After security, priority check-in is a breeze and has it's own waiting area. Carnival does have a problem separating the FTTF guests from the Diamond and Platinums. When boarding began the FTTF guests were mixing in with the Diamonds and Plats instead of boarding after. This is not such a big deal on boarding but it did cause some issues at HMC with tendering.

 

We had the opposite experience when we checked in on 26 Mar. We were dropped off by the hotel shuttle around 12:15 and I think we scheduled check-in time for 12:30-1:00. There was a long line and it was a little chilly that day. We went to the end of the line, which was out past the terminal into the parking lot. About 5 minutes later, a carnival/terminal worker came along the line asking for folks with 12:30 check-in, and we were all told to go to the next doorway and into the terminal. We did, and we were seated inside the terminal, about 15 minutes after we arrived at the port. Going through security was the quickest check that we went through in all of the times leaving from Baltimore. We just got lucky I guess.

[BubblesJo]

Is there a separate line for cars that are dropping people off?

[speedster]

Thanks, great info for our upcoming cruise in August! Looks like we missed out on the FTTF but we keep checking in case it pops up.

[BigDoug]

Is there a separate line for cars that are dropping people off?

Yes, you drop off the luggage and then the passengers can walk directly to the terminal. You can then pull straight ahead to the exit.

[stellarose]

so really the only perk for FTTF is early tender on HMC???

[BigDoug]

so really the only perk for FTTF is early tender on HMC???

You get priority embarkation after wedding and Diamond/Platinum guests board. Priority on luggage delivery and your cabin should be available on boarding. The early tendering at HMC. Priority debarkation also.

[G8R On Board]

Thanks for the information, but I wanted to clarify a few things. So you are saying that the regular check-in line blocked the entrance to the priority (platinum, FTTF, suites) check-in doors and in order to get in the priority entrance you had to fight through those in the regular check-in line? When was your boarding information checked for priority and was the priority entrance clearly marked? Thanks.

 

Thanks for the good information. Just to clarify....is FTTF considered "priority"? So if the line is out the door and around the building, should FTTF passengers cut the line like a platinum person would to get to the priority boarding entrance?