Check in.. Platinum

[southbayer]

Got another question Long Beach Terminal check in... So, assuming i start my "online check in" at the earliest time and being a platinum cruiser, and I get to port, and there is a big line already that early to get in... Will i have to wait in that long line, or will they let platinum guests in by seeing the attendant at the front first, thanks

[mondello]

Likely have to join the line. However, it shouldn’t matter as most ships don’t start boarding until around 11:00.

[Buffettfan 225]

We sailed mod Aug 2022, and arrival apt was 10:30am. We arrived with Seniors needing wheelchair assistance and were told go to checkin outside and let them know. Once there they called for wheelchair help. BUT there were a few aisles- appointments, and ai believe those not yet called. However they were calling come in over anyone can come in now. Yes no line outside or at first chexkin table- where they verify documents,boarding pass and vaccine cards. Then go through security, then checkin desk to get sign n sail photo taken and final check. Now Sit and wait. Benches were 3/4  full at 10:45. No special Platinum treatment, other than boarding after suites.So a hurry up and wait. Will sail soon so can double check procedures. 

[jsglow]

There may be a line of 'cheaters' arriving well before their appointment time as happened to us us New Orleans a couple weeks back. I was unaware initially and dutifully lined up at the tail end.  Within 3-5 minutes, a Carnival employee walked the line asking anyone who actually had a 10a arrival to show her their boarding pass.  We were then pulled from the line and escorted to the very short entrance queue.  So just be careful about that.  There's something unusual about New Orleans that way as we noticed the same line when we disembarked.  Perhaps severe parking limitations? Only a guess.

 

To answer the second implicit part of your question, there's no separate of 'special' line for Plats/Diamonds.  You simply enter at your appointed time and complete the process.

[sanmarcosman]

OP, to answer for Long Beach specifically everyone gets on the line outdoors at the dome. No, it is not a long line due to the staggered arrival times. The staff outside the dome will check your arrival time before admitting you to the dome. The outside line is quick then once inside and past the x-ray security check stations you will see the sign for platinum guests ahead and above you. 

 

Edited October 2, 2022 by sanmarcosman

[havanadaydreaming]

LB was a weird embarkation, decent amount of walking back and forth up the ramps.  

[sanmarcosman]

43 minutes ago, havanadaydreaming said:

LB was a weird embarkation, decent amount of walking back and forth up the ramps.  

Not when you take the escalator.

[southbayer]

Thanks!  Yeah I’m taking the elevator up this time!

[sanmarcosman]

27 minutes ago, southbayer said:

Thanks!  Yeah I’m taking the elevator up this time!

i only use the escalator, the elevator is very small and there can be a line of people even without scooters and wheelchairs waiting to use the elevator.

[vwrestler171]

8 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

OP, to answer for Long Beach specifically everyone gets on the line outdoors at the dome. No, it is not a long line due to the staggered arrival times. The staff outside the dome will check your arrival time before admitting you to the dome. The outside line is quick then once inside and past the x-ray security check stations you will see the sign for platinum guests ahead and above you. 

 

Do they actually pay attention to the times on the boarding pass?  In February, I had a 10:30 check in time and was in line behind people with 11:30-1 and the port personnel didn't care, just put us all in 1 line.

[sanmarcosman]

4 minutes ago, vwrestler171 said:

Do they actually pay attention to the times on the boarding pass?  In February, I had a 10:30 check in time and was in line behind people with 11:30-1 and the port personnel didn't care, just put us all in 1 line.

We've sailed from Long Beach 10 times since last October and our arrival time has been checked each time. Long Beach impresses us as being bettered managed than other ports. 

[ninjacat123]

51 minutes ago, vwrestler171 said:

Do they actually pay attention to the times on the boarding pass?  In February, I had a 10:30 check in time and was in line behind people with 11:30-1 and the port personnel didn't care, just put us all in 1 line.

This happened to me and DH in Charleston.  

[skrufy]

Have sailed from Long Beach on numerous occasions and the check in times are ignored. We are platinum and find LB to be a disaster.

[vwrestler171]

4 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

We've sailed from Long Beach 10 times since last October and our arrival time has been checked each time. Long Beach impresses us as being bettered managed than other ports. 

Judging by the posts after yours, you were the minority.  Port Canaveral had 3 lines for people that were arriving.  One for on time, one that was in the next 30 min window, and then another line for the next 30 min window.  

 

When i went through Long beach, they only had 1 line.

[groundloop]

50 minutes ago, vwrestler171 said:

...... Port Canaveral had 3 lines for people that were arriving.  One for on time, one that was in the next 30 min window, and then another line for the next 30 min window. ..... 

 

 

 

Curious if you were on Mardi Gras.  I've sailed out of Port Canaveral multiple times (but never yet on Mardi Gras and most recently Sept. of last year) and have never seen them do it this way.  Every time I've been there it was a single line getting into the terminal (with a "bypass line" for priority guests) and nobody bothered to check your appointment time.

 

Maybe (hopefully) Carnival is getting more organized about this because the last couple of Carnival cruises I've been on have had lines based on arrival appointment.  This seemed to help a lot.

[sanmarcosman]

6 hours ago, vwrestler171 said:

Judging by the posts after yours, you were the minority.  Port Canaveral had 3 lines for people that were arriving.  One for on time, one that was in the next 30 min window, and then another line for the next 30 min window.  

 

When i went through Long beach, they only had 1 line.

Judging by the post after yours, there aren't always 3 lines at Port Canaveral. 

[lele100]

While yes it is true, depending on the port there could be one line with people getting in it, even if their "Arrival Appointment" is later in the day.  However once they are inside, what matters most is the Boarding Zone, which the personnel at the port do check for sure,  They cannot get on the ship unless their boarding zone is called, and the boarding zone is assigned to you when you do your check-in 2 weeks prior.  So if you are platinum you get to check in 16 days prior (2 days before everyone else), so not only your arrival appointment will be early but so will your boarding zone.  That means you will get on that ship prior to those who were in front of you with a later arrival appointment.  Hope that makes sense.

Edited October 3, 2022 by lele100
added photo

[csm5986142]

We have sailed out of Long Beach 4 times in the past year (we were also Platinum, with early arrival appointments).  Out of the 10 cruises we've done since cruising resumed, I'd say Long Beach is one of the best/most organized.  Every time we were there, they would not even allow people into the terminal until their stated arrival appointment time (with at least 3 staff people at the entrance to the terminal checking all boarding passes). 

They had very organized lines outside the terminal (based on arrival appointment time) but an open path to the front door for current/late arrivals.  Twice our plane was late and we were able to bypass the lines outside, show the staff person at the door our arrival appointment time (which had passed) and were let in immediately. 

That's not to say we didn't wait in line once inside (it's a process to load 4,000 passengers) but it wasn't bad.  Our experience was back when they were still covid testing people at the pier, which did create some delays/longer waits I think.

Edited October 3, 2022 by csm5986142

[Buffettfan 225]

On 10/2/2022 at 6:16 AM, sanmarcosman said:

Not when you take the escalator.

In mid Aug Long Beach escalator would only allow those to go up if had Nothing to push, carry or pull for safety reasons. 

The elevators were realy being used at slow pace for wheelchair and their companion as small and only two wheelchairs can fit and 5 others can squeeze in elevator (his is including two wheelchair assistants). 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by Buffettfan 225