Cruising out of Mobile

[Tnvolgal]

My parents are cruising out of Mobile in a week. Their check in time is not until 1:30. Can they get there earlier and get on the boat? I saw where some ports wouldn’t let you in the building until your official boarding time. They are 70 plus so I don’t want them to have to wait outside! 

[canes20]

Best bet is to arrive at 1:30

[ParrotRob]

16 hours ago, Tnvolgal said:

My parents are cruising out of Mobile in a week. Their check in time is not until 1:30. Can they get there earlier and get on the boat? I saw where some ports wouldn’t let you in the building until your official boarding time. They are 70 plus so I don’t want them to have to wait outside! 

 

That's kind of the whole idea of an appointment time for check-in.  If they show up when they're supposed to, they won't have to wait outside.  Imagine if everyone showed up early.

If they show up early, all bets are off.

[cruzeluver]

See if you can get replies specifically from folks that have sailed recently from Mobile. I say that because enforcement of the check-in policy varies from port to port. We will be cruising out of Charleston next month and the overwhelming consensus is there is no enforcement whatsoever. 

[canes20]

2 hours ago, cruzeluver said:

See if you can get replies specifically from folks that have sailed recently from Mobile. I say that because enforcement of the check-in policy varies from port to port. We will be cruising out of Charleston next month and the overwhelming consensus is there is no enforcement whatsoever. 

Go for it!!  Why conform to anything that is designed to make  things work better? It is their vacation so they should be able to do what they want.

[conjr]

We sailed out of Mobile in March.  Our checkin time was 12:30, but arrived at the terminal around 11 am.  We walked right on-board.  There was no wait at all!

[Cruiser_1977]

This is my experience - I sailed out of Mobile in January. Ship was delayed getting into port by fog. I received the e-mail/message about delayed boarding. I pretty much walked right on because I got there when I was supposed to. The folks that got to port early (for whatever reason) were stuck waiting for the ship to debark because it arrived late.

[h_blond2]

If their check in as at 1:30, they should get there a few minutes early so they can park, unload, and be to the doors at 1:30 to enter the building. Why should they get there early?

[jonesbk]

Just back from sailing out of Mobile.

 

They started boarding at 11:15 on the dot for weddings, Diamond/Platinum, and FTTF. Seems that’s the normal start time for boarding as long as the ship isn’t delayed coming in. Our checkin time wasn’t until 12:30, and we walked onto the ship literally right after the wedding party at 11:15 (think it’s a perk of staying in an Owner’s Suite though).

 

Even at 11:00 though, there was no line to checkin and, as there is nowhere to wait outside, I can’t see Carnival strictly enforcing checkin times and making them wait outside. They may be given a later boarding number, but they’ll be seated inside, in the AC.

 

I have heard that the parking garage does fill rather quickly though (when we sailed, I didn’t see any available slots on the roof), so if they’re driving in, best to be early, in my opinion.

[linbobky]

if they are leaving monday on the 10 day panama canal cruise, there will be a bunch of diamond and platinum. they might go by the check in time. and by the way, 70 plus is not a bad age. LOL.

[cruisinmeme]

Been awhile since we did Mobil.  Platinum so went early.  Yes, once the garage is full it is off site parking and a shuttle.  We watched it happen. I do remember that NOBODY got into parking garage until everyone was off the ship. And out of garage.  We wrapped around the interstate until that happened.

[kenb]

Sorry for hijacking this post but I could not get an answer on the Gulf Port departure board. We are travelling  on the Fantasy in November. This will be our first cruise on Carnival after many other cruise lines. I am looking forward to being on a smaller ship with friends after being on the NCL Breakaway.  Now to my question, I have a 1:00pm  flight. What is the best way to get to the airport? Taxi, Uber Carnival transfer?

[Purvis1231]

I have cruised out of Mobile several times and it seems they do not honor the check-in time. We also had a early time but many people boarding ahead of us had the later times. If the passengers are elderly they may qualify for special assistance getting on board so I would call about this. I hope they enjoy.