When it comes to cruising, embarkation day can be both exciting and stressful for passengers. One of the most contentious issues passengers face is how cruise lines handle luggage and cabin access. Among Carnival Cruise passengers, there is a growing demand for a perk that other cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises, already offer—early cabin access to drop off luggage.
Embarkation Day Luggage Woes: A Common Frustration
Every cruise line manages embarkation day differently, and the way they handle luggage and cabin access varies as well. For most passengers, the hassle of lugging around heavy carry-ons while exploring the ship is a frustrating experience. While all cruise lines offer the option of checking bags that will be delivered to your cabin, many passengers hold on to carry-on luggage containing essentials like toiletries, medication, and a change of clothes. The main reason for this? Checked luggage may not arrive at your cabin until late afternoon or early evening.
The current system leaves many passengers dragging their carry-ons around the ship for several hours before they can finally access their rooms. On Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, only select passengers have early cabin access, leaving the majority to hold onto their bags until around 1 or 1:30 p.m. This creates an awkward, uncomfortable experience for many, as they navigate crowded elevators, buffets, and common areas with their luggage in tow.
Celebrity Cruises Leads the Way with Early Cabin Access
Unlike its competitors, Celebrity Cruises—a brand under Royal Caribbean—allows all passengers to drop off their bags in their cabins upon boarding. This simple gesture significantly improves the embarkation day experience, providing passengers with the freedom to explore the ship unencumbered.
Celebrity Cruises requests that passengers drop off their luggage and then leave their cabins so the room attendants can finish their tasks. This system ensures that the ship is ready for everyone without burdening passengers with their bags.
For many passengers, this small but impactful change has made Celebrity Cruises stand out in customer satisfaction. Carnival Cruise passengers, on the other hand, are left wondering why they don’t enjoy the same convenience.
Carnival’s Current Policy: Exclusive Early Access
Carnival Cruise Line does offer early cabin access, but it’s limited to select passengers, specifically those who are part of the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club at Diamond and Platinum levels, as well as guests in deluxe suites. Known as “Priority Check-in,” this perk allows these passengers to enjoy special embarkation and debarkation privileges on cruises from the U.S. and Europe. However, the vast majority of Carnival’s passengers do not qualify for this privilege and are left with their luggage until standard cabin access begins.
According to Carnival’s website, “Priority Check-in is not offered for Carnival Journeys cruises. Minors traveling with parents who have Priority Check-in in separate staterooms may check in together using this exclusive service.” While this policy caters to a small segment of guests, it does not address the needs of the majority who would prefer early access to simply drop off their carry-ons.
Why Carnival Passengers Want Early Cabin Access
John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, sparked a lively discussion when he questioned why passengers were so eager to access their cabins early. On his Facebook page, Heald asked, “Why do people want to have their cabins ready as soon as they get on the ship? Is it so they can unpack or go for a sleep or use the bathroom or all of the above?”
Heald seemed to overlook the key reason most passengers crave early cabin access: They want to drop off their luggage. Carrying around bags for hours, especially in crowded areas like the buffet or Lido deck, can make embarkation day a lot less enjoyable. Many passengers also want to store important documents like passports in their cabin safely and quickly upon boarding.
While Heald suggested that passengers should focus on enjoying embarkation day by grabbing a drink, having a meal, or exploring the ship, the overwhelming response from passengers was that dropping off luggage would make those activities far more enjoyable.
Passenger Feedback: It’s About Convenience, Not Early Occupation
The discussion on Heald’s post revealed that the primary desire for early cabin access isn’t to immediately occupy the cabin but rather to free passengers from their luggage. As one commenter, Richard King, stated, “So I can put things away like my C-PAP machine and not have to worry about lugging it around.”
Another passenger, Terri Whitaker, echoed a common sentiment: “I don’t think people necessarily want the cabin ready as much as they just want to drop off their carry-ons. It’s very difficult to tote those bags around buffet lines and the crowded, chaotic Lido deck.”
For many passengers, the ability to drop off bags would alleviate much of the stress that accompanies embarkation. Some even pointed out that being able to relax in their cabin early would enhance the cruising experience. As Amanda Comer commented, “I cruise to chill and relax not to party, so if I could get into my cabin and out on my balcony right away, I’d be happiest.”
Practical Reasons for Early Access
Passengers also cited more practical reasons for wanting early cabin access. For example, after a long morning of travel, many people simply want to freshen up. Teresa Oliver Gilbert shared, “We want to drop off luggage mainly, but I also want to freshen up, brush my teeth and hair, etc. Change clothes possibly if it’s hotter than I thought it’d be.”
For these passengers, early cabin access is not about occupying the room but rather about convenience and comfort. Dropping off bags, freshening up, and then exploring the ship sounds like an ideal start to a cruise.
Carnival Should Consider the Perk
Given the overwhelming passenger demand and the success of the early cabin access policy on Celebrity Cruises, Carnival may want to reconsider extending this privilege to all passengers. Allowing early luggage drop-off could vastly improve the embarkation experience, reducing stress and making embarkation day more enjoyable for everyone.
As Carnival continues to innovate its offerings, adding early cabin access for all passengers could be a simple, effective way to boost customer satisfaction and align with industry leaders like Celebrity Cruises.
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