davewilliamt Posted August 31, 2009 #1 Share Posted August 31, 2009 When is the earliest you can drop your bags off at Miami for Carnival? Will they let you leave them there? Can you drop them off at 9am and go out for breakfast? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewilliamt Posted August 31, 2009 Author #2 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Is there anything to do at the port other than sit and wait? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhthree Posted August 31, 2009 #3 Share Posted August 31, 2009 You can drop off your bags whenever you want, but if it is before noon you may never see them again. It really depends on the ship but the porters are tied up getting everyone off the ship until about 11am. They don't set up to take luggage until everyone is off the ship and the area is clear. Exceptions are made but do you want to risk you luggage on an exception? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhthree Posted August 31, 2009 #4 Share Posted August 31, 2009 There is nothing inside the port - no stores - no restaurants - nothing. Outside seating is very limited - a few benches. Customs has control of the terminal so they will not let you inside until everyone is cleared out from the previous cruise. There are 2500 people getting off and 2500 getting back on so they do not like exceptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canner2u Posted August 31, 2009 #5 Share Posted August 31, 2009 You can drop off your bags whenever you want, but if it is before noon you may never see them again. It really depends on the ship but the porters are tied up getting everyone off the ship until about 11am. They don't set up to take luggage until everyone is off the ship and the area is clear. Exceptions are made but do you want to risk you luggage on an exception? They do accept luggage before 10am at Miami, in fact I was at the terminal for 9:30 and there was not an issue with them taking my luggage. My group of 3 where behind maybe 20 people when we got to the terminal. There were porters there just to handle those persons embarking and arriving early, such as ourselves. Is there anything to do at the port other than sit and wait? There is nothing around the port to do except to wait. We arrived as I said around 9:30 and were allowed in the building to wait in a line. There were 2 Carnival reps at the first desk, prior to the security screening area, that was checking documents and such. After waiting maybe 10 minutes in this line, we were directed to the security screening area and here we waited almost 30 minutes for security (they did not have custom uniforms on but rather security uniforms) to get the scanners and such running. They did allow wedding parties and such to pass prior to us. About 10:15 they started letting every one through. Once beyond security, we had a short line to get our sail n sign cards, then went and sat in some chairs. About 11 they directed us to get our pics for the sail n sign then we boarded the ship. We were on board and eating at the lido deck for 11:20. When leaving New Orleans, as we moved across the walkway to enter the ship, we actually saw others leaving the ship, am not sure that is the norm, but was kind of fun to think we were boarding and they had to get off. This is just my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewilliamt Posted August 31, 2009 Author #6 Share Posted August 31, 2009 There is nothing inside the port - no stores - no restaurants - nothing. Outside seating is very limited - a few benches. Customs has control of the terminal so they will not let you inside until everyone is cleared out from the previous cruise. There are 2500 people getting off and 2500 getting back on so they do not like exceptions. So what would you do? Wait at the airport? Or wait at the port? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canner2u Posted August 31, 2009 #7 Share Posted August 31, 2009 So what would you do? Wait at the airport? Or wait at the port? I would wait at the port. I enjoy people watching, and chatting with others that are getting ready to cruise. One never knows who they may meet while waiting. Also, waiting at the airport would drive me insane as I would want to be at the port so I could see the ship I was about to embark on and at the airport it would be like a let down waiting and waiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdy Posted August 31, 2009 #8 Share Posted August 31, 2009 We are using the fly away with Carnival and arrive at noon in Tamp. Our embarkation is 4 pm. Any idea what we are going to do for four hours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canner2u Posted August 31, 2009 #9 Share Posted August 31, 2009 We are using the fly away with Carnival and arrive at noon in Tamp. Our embarkation is 4 pm. Any idea what we are going to do for four hours? Unless something has changed Birdy, your ship will leave port at 4pm. By the time you arrive in Tampa, there may be cruisers already onboard the ship enjoying the lido grill, drinks of the day and the ship in general. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_duck Posted August 31, 2009 #10 Share Posted August 31, 2009 We are using the fly away with Carnival and arrive at noon in Tamp. Our embarkation is 4 pm. Any idea what we are going to do for four hours? Get off the plane Pick up your luggage Find a Carnival Rep Get directed to a bus Get on the bus Wait for the bus to be full Drive to port Wait for the bus driver to let you off the bus Point out your luggage to a porter Go to the terminal building Clear security Check in Wait for your boarding group to be called Have boarding picture taken Board the ship Get DOD Eat lunch at the Lido Get DOD Drop off carry ons in cabin Get DOD Get DOD Get DOD Go to Muster drill. Sail away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuyahoga11 Posted August 31, 2009 #11 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Get off the plane Pick up your luggage Find a Carnival Rep Get directed to a bus Get on the bus Wait for the bus to be full Drive to port Wait for the bus driver to let you off the bus Point out your luggage to a porter Go to the terminal building Clear security Check in Wait for your boarding group to be called Have boarding picture taken Board the ship Get DOD Eat lunch at the Lido Get DOD Drop off carry ons in cabin Get DOD Get DOD Get DOD Go to Muster drill. Sail away. Don You crack me up:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdy Posted August 31, 2009 #12 Share Posted August 31, 2009 By the second DOD I won't care where my luggage is! Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsAllAboutTheSass Posted August 31, 2009 #13 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Customs has control of the terminal so they will not let you inside until everyone is cleared out from the previous cruise. Untrue. Everytime we have cruised we have arrived while others were still debarking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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