STAGGERING IN

Posted on 02/19/2016

For the past year Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line have all been using staggered check-ins to some degree. The goal is to break up the “big block” of passengers who arrive at noon, said Andy Stuart, president of Norwegian.

Guests on the Norwegian Cruise Lines are asked to select a half hour window (between 11 to 3 pm) to board the ship.This procedure has been rolled out through most of the fleet with Pride of America being the exception due to its later departure times. The Anchorage Seward itineraries are not participating.There are some glitches to work out still.  “I won’t say it’s perfect. I think it’s improved it.  It has started to spread people out a little more efficiently,” said Stuart.Carnival continues to add the staggered check-in to more of its fleet, but unlike Norwegian they are strictly enforcing the check in times.  If a passenger arrives earlier than their assigned time, they are asked to leave the terminal and come back at the scheduled time.Those who arrive later than their assigned times are checked in.If someone does not select a specific check-in time, one will be automatically assigned to them the morning of the cruise.Anthem of the Seas is the only ship using staggered check-in for Royal Caribbean at present and those times are assigned by the cruise line.Passengers receive an email and apparently a robo call with their check-in times that are based on the deck number of their cabin.Suite guests, Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members, and guests with previously arranged transportation can arrive anytime within a three-hour window.