Ask Bahama Mama - The Official Q&A Thread for "Freeps Ahoy!", an FRN Caribbean Cruise

Free Republic Network | 11/01/2002 | MinuteGal

[MinuteGal]

The answer to your question is on reply # 205 of this thread.

You can get to the terminal at 10-10:30, but this doesn't mean you can get on then.

I've never been on Carnival, but on every other cruise line I've sailed on, you're issued either a colored or numbered card when you check in and present your tickets. Then you wait in the terminal waiting room till your number or color card is called over the loudspeaker. Then everyone in that group gets up and heads for the security scanner line. Then you go to the gangplank.

There are thousands of passengers in that terminal waiting to board, and things have to be handled in an orderly way. Actually, it's a very smooth operation although there is some waiting in line at the scanner.

Remember, the ship we're boarding just pulled in a few hours earlier that morning from the same trip we're starting out on, and cabins and things have to be cleaned and prepared before guests can board.

I was told by our travel agent that boarding begins around noon (eastern) or shortly thereafter.

I don't know exactly what time our group will arrive at the terminal. The Embassy hotel van(s) will take us. There's about 20 of us with luggage, so we may be arriving in relays. Just look for us, we'll be there!

To sum up, we won't necessarily all board as a group at the same time, or I should say, the card we get issued will determine when each of us can board.

When your number or color is called, just board, don't wait for anyone else.

We'll all meet on the Lido deck for lunch after we check into our cabins, wash up.....and put fresh lipstick on.

Leni

[BreitbartSentMe]

Are you trying to tell me to be patient?? I want to go NOW!! I am literally counting the hours until our cruise:
36 hours until we leave the house
38 hours until we take of on our first of 3 flights...(free tickets)
47 hours until we land in Miami
60+ hours until we board the Triumph!!

Are we there yet???

[MinuteGal]

Hey, my mind is already on board ship.

My body is leaving for Miami tomorrow.

Leni

[Trust but Verify]

Unfortunately, I won't be on the FReeper cruise, but we cruised on a Royal Caribbean ship earlier this month and stayed the night before at Embassy Suites. We had the same set-up with airport-hotel, hotel-port transportation.

Here are a couple of key points to remember:

1) You must go up one level after collecting your bags in baggage claim. The upper level is where the Embassy Suites vans patrol to pick up their guests.
2) The vans are a maroon color. This will make them easier for you to spot since there are a lot of buses, vans, traveling through there looking for their customers.

Last, have a great time! Cruises are a wonderful way to vacation and I have to think FReeper cruises take it all to a new level! Enjoy!!

[MinuteGal]

Thanks for your bon voyage and your info. I'm going to put a notice on the general cruise thread for the early birds going to the Embassy from the airport.

Thanks for the helping hand. Sure wish you could be with us.

On, Wisconsin!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

You have freepmail.

Leni

[Utah Girl]

Great information! I was just going to post the same thing, I did not know this, went to the little hotel kiosk and it was out of order...I ended up taking a taxi over to the hotel, rather than wander around by myself with all my luggage in tow. If one does end up taking a taxi, it costs $8.00. :)

[BreitbartSentMe]

Just thought I'd be the first to ask..........

WHEN'S THE NEXT CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!

(Posted from on board Carnival Triumph, the FUN boat!!)

[LurkerNoMore!]

I hear y'all are having a Fabulous time!!!

I will definitely NOT miss the next one!

By the way, y'all should start an actual aboard-the-ship thread.

[MinuteGal]

These Bahama Mama threads are now for the archives. A new after-cruise report thread is now currently running with our voyagers' comments and pix.

Just type "Freeps Ahoy" into "search" on the latest posts page and join the fun.

Bahama Mama