New Procedure for Carnival Cruise Lines - Staggered Check- In Times at Embarkation

Staggered check in times must be working for there is very little complaining about it.

I used staggered and the port transfer and had no problems on my last cruise. The cruise be before that, we stood in line in the beating sun for almost 2 hrs! It was terrible. I think the only thing that made it bearable was the fact we were waiting to get on a cruise, the excited outweighed the conditions. We were in Miami by the way. I think if planned well staggered cuts down on frustration.

Someone stated earlier that rudeness was the order of the day... I think some people are just naturally rude. They must be wired different? We were getting some of the best service ever on my last cruise and the people next to us..... OH MY STARS!!! They were just flat out mean to the workers. Then complained the whole time about how far we had to walk through the terminal to get onboard.

We used the 'staggered check-in' in Long Beach in January and it was wonderful. They didn't start the check-in process until noon and it was in half hour periods. We walked right thru check-in and were on the ship and eating lunch within 10 minutes. It was great.

We did staggered in Galveston May 2018 it was fine a 20 minute wait after check in at most. We will see how it works in Nawlins March 2019... the count down continues

We did staggered check-in it worked out fine. No complaints

We are platinum, no times for us

The new system on Carnival seems to be working. On our January cruise we didn't get to the port until 12:30 and the terminal was essentially empty. All boarding numbers had been called and there wasn't a line anywhere. I'm sure each sailing has it's own quirks so maybe your FTTF one more time...or try to see what it might be without it. Personally, if I already had it purchased, I think I'd keep it.

With FTTF, the check-in appointment time does not apply -- show up at any time.

Without it, you may be (will probably be) turned away if you are early.

Personally, I would still try to get FTTF.

So now I am wondering if FTTF even makes a difference. I have a 12pm check in but also have FTTF. On our last cruise we had to stop at the desk to get our keys but the Ecstasy didn't have mailboxes either.

We left out of Miami in December 2018. I have had experience with the staggered check-in before and have not noticed a huge difference (I am Platinum, so that may be why). What I did notice that was different, however, was that the queue line to the desk did not exist. NO ONE went to the desk. Once you went through security, the line of people simply proceeded through the photo ops, took the security photo, and walked on. We were continuously moving. Once on board, our sign and sail cards were in our mailboxes outside of our room. Nothing more was needed. It was the smoothest boarding I have ever experienced! Am leaving out of Port Canaveral in 3 days and am curious if this is a new process throughout the line, or if it is just Miami....