Carnival Cruise Lines will introduce a staggered embarcation process next year featuring pre-booked time slots for arriving passengers. The new process aims to cut down on wait times and help passengers board their vessel fast.
The move comes after an “extremly successful testing period” in November, says Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald. The test with Carnival Freedom, Carnival Triump and Carnival Magic “has led to less wait times and quicker embarcation for passengers.”
The new process basically makes passengers select a board time window upon online checkin. These time windows are 30-minute time slots between 11am and 3pm. The chosen time slot will be printed on the boarding passes and Carnival staff at the port will enforce these boarding windows. If you are showing up at the wrong time staff will make you wait until your time window is being called.
When your time has come you can show your passes, drop your bags and sign a quick form and then be on your way onboard.
If someone is not choosing a boarding time window Carnival will automatically assign one for the passenger and inform them via email the day of the departure. All passengers must go through the online checkin as a boarding pass and valid ID (or passports depending on location) are still needed.