What’s Next Cleaning Your Own Cabin?

Is Carnival’s newest innovation really an effort to streamline the check-in process or a thinly veiled ploy to reduce its costs at the expense of its cruisers? Personally, I think its a great idea no matter what the motivation but what I think isn’t important. The question is what do you think?

In an effort to supposedly make the embarkation process faster and more efficient, earlier this month Carnival Cruise Lines installed new state of the art self-service check-in kiosks in the cruise terminal at the Port of Miami. In order to use the new kiosks are with passengers must first preregister online and also be a citizen of the US, Canada or a visa waiver country. Passengers that fit those requirements will be able to access their reservations and check-in by swiping a credit card used to preregister or their passport.

Once you are checked in at the self-service kiosk it prints out a boarding pass which is then exchanged at a nearby desk for a statement he. Passengers with documents which cannot be scanned such as naturalization papers or birth certificates will be checked in at this desk. Additionally, those passengers who wish to set up a cash-based spending account instead of using a credit card will be able to do so from the kiosks. Each kiosk has the ability to add cash deposits directly to your sail and sign account saving you a trip to the Purser’s desk.

At the moment the kiosk are part of a pilot program for Carnival’s ships sailing out to the Port of Miami but, if it gets a positive response the self-service kiosks will be implemented at the other year-round home ports. Carnival’s sister cruise line Costa cruises ran a similar test in the past at Port Everglades which was well received. Costa is now planning to roll out self-service kiosks at some of its other reports.

The question now becomes are the self-service kiosks truly faster and more convenient. Anyone who has used the self service check out at the grocery store knows two things. If you are savvy enough to know how to use the kiosk check-out is a piece of heaven. Conversely, if you are stuck in line behind someone who has no idea what they are doing the self-service kiosk is a trip to hell. Also, one of the biggest advantages to cruising is that everything is done for you, I’m not sure how well received this will be by those who place a high value on such things. The good news is no one will be forced to use these kiosk’s (not that it will stop people from complaining), they are completely optional. There will still be traditional check-in complete with agents for those who prefer to check-in the old fashioned way.

Personally. I can’t wait to use one of these kiosk’s, especially since I am relatively tech-savvy and really do prefer to do everything online and then check-in with the swipe of a card.

Related posts:

1. Fanmail Friday: January 16th Edition
2. Making Embarkation Easier – Online Check In
3. Fanmail Friday: January 23rd Edition
4. Fanmail Friday: April 24th Edition
5. Controversial Carnival Cruise Picture

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