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Carnival introduces quicker boarding of ships by kiosk

Carnival Cruise Lines is trying a new, speed-up check-in system at the Port of Miami FL. As in airports, cruise passengers will be able to board their ships by quickly swiping ID cards at an electronic kiosk that replaces the time-consuming live guard station process.

We recently returned from a cruise of the Mexican Riviera, and all facilities and services aboard the ship were easily and conveniently available. However, when boarding at the original Long Beach CA pier and at every port stop along the cruise, passengers  had to wait in hour-long lines for the guards in the terminal to go through the tedious security procedures before they allowed boarding.

Before arriving at the port of embarkation for the cruise at Carnival’s Miami pier, passengers who want to use the quick check-in kiosks are required to pre-register online and must be citizens of the U.S., Canada or other nation that issues visa waivers for US travel. The check-in requires passengers have authorized credit or passport cards to swipe at the kiosk, as is the usual procedures at airports. After passengers clear the security check-in procedure, they will be given their stateroom keys by cruise staffs as they arrive onboard.

If Carnival’s experiment proves effective, plans are in the works for the kiosk check-in procedure to be installed for other Carnival sailings. While we recognize and appreciate the need for tight security, we hope the kiosk check-in procedures will soon become universal for all cruise ships, and eliminate the frustration of long, time-consuming check-in lines.
Make Fluffy's Flight the Cat's Meow, Not a CATastrophe PDF Print E-mail
If you’re planning a long winter flight to warmer climates, or just a week away from home, you may want that special family member, your cat, to go along with you. Get valuable how-to tips about cat air travel from the many websites that offer that information.

Before you make any plans to take your feline flying, know some of the requirements. Most airlines restrict animals to 22 pounds, and a limit of two per human passengers. Your cat will need a vet’s note listing recent required inoculations.

You may also want to consult with your vet if you have fears that noise in the airport and while in flight will be too much for your cat’s nerves. Some medication could keep kitty calm.

You can’t just show up at the airport with your cat. You must call ahead to try to book her because some airlines restrict the number of animals aboard per flight to ten or less. Prices, depending on individual airlines, range frm $65 to $200, whether your cat rides in the baggage compartment or in the cabin with you. In today’s modern airliners, pets in cargo travel as safely as humans in pressurized and climate controlled air.

Your cat will need a roomy cage, equipped with a padded bottom, and small containers of fresh water and dry food. If in the passenger seat with you, the cage should be able to fit under the seat ahead of you, or if you can get a seat facing a bulkhead, some airlines have strong, mounted hooks for mothers to hang baby bassinets.

During the flight, you can hang the cage there in front of you, where your cat can see you through the wires of the cage, as well as enjoy a wide range of vision. Some occasional cat snacks and soothing words through the wire could help make the trip more bearable. If kitty decides to curl up and sleep, cover the cage with a coat or piece of cloth, leaving some space open for fresh air flow.

If you decide or must send your cat in the cargo hold, you should be assured that airline employees know what to do for safety and comfort of your pet. However, you may want to attach a note to the cage with the cat’s name, to pet or not and ask them to check food and water.

Provide a collar and leash with the cage, so that if it is a long flight, your note can ask some out-of-cage walking time on the leash, and maybe some above-and-beyond cage cleaning.
 
 
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