Check in.....Who needs What?

[mrsfuzzmo]

OK, I'm just a little confused after reading the boards about check in. I hope some of you cruisers that have done this same scenario can help us out.

We are renting a car and spending the night in Cocoa Beach before the cruise. We know we want to be to the port early and check in asap, but have the rental to return (Budget). I think I have the timing thing all figured out.

If the men drop off the ladies, with the luggage at the port at 10:00 (or whatever the earliest time is we can get in) and then leave to return the car....I am assuming (from what I've read) that the ladies need all the cruise docs (yes, I'll have them filled out) and IDs for everyone to check us in. NOW... here lies the confusion.....Don't the men need their ID's and/or tickets to get into the terminal after shuttling back from Budget? Sounds like you need to go through a number of security checks before you can get all the way in. How does this work? Do the girls go and check in, then go back outside to meet the husbands and give them their IDs back so that they can get in?

Do I sound as confused as I feel? Can someone out there help me and let me know how this all works? I don't want to get up to the desk and not have and ID that I need, but of course I DO want my sweetie to cruise with me.

Any suggestions?

mrsfuzzmo

 

[The4OfUs]

I believe that you have to check in as a group...?

I love these boards, everyone asks the questions I need to know but never remember to ask! *grin*

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

I have seen posts that indicate both ways. Some people have said that one member can check everyone in and then when the men return, they simply have to go pick up their KTTW card. Then I've seen others who said that the whole group MUST be present.

Any recent cruisers with experience? Does it depend on the CM?

K

 

[jwann]

I don't remember having to show my ID before entering the terminal BUT both the men and the women had to be there to show themselves and their IDs at check in.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

See the confusion? I have read numerous times on this board that only one family member must be present to check-in, but must have all IDs and paperwork.

So for all those out there that have rented a car from Budget and dropped loved ones off at the port early........how does this work?????

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[The4OfUs]

Now see, that makes sense to me, mrsfuzzmo, but at the same time it doesn't - you'd think that when you check in, like at the airlines, you have to present both your ID and yourself to compare TO the ID, know what I mean?

I'm not quite in the same boat as you (pardon the pun), as we're using DCL transfers, but I'm asking because I'm the patient one, and more than happy to stand in line while DH entertains the kids elsewhere. *grin*

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

But what's the point in getting dropped off if you can't go ahead and check in.

Here's a better question - if DH brings 2 picture IDs (1 his DL and the other his passport), can he be checked in by someone else if they have his picture ID?

Again, I bet it really depends on the CM.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

By the way mrsfuzzmo - we will be doing EXACTLY that - DH dropping off...returning to Budget etc....so I'll be happy to give you a first hand answer. We leave in 10 days!

Karen

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Buzzboysmom, Thanks, I'd appreciate it. Maybe we'll get an answer before you go!

It is very confusing!

Have a great trip and post a trip report when you return!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

We are in the same situation; dropping the car at Budget the morning of the cruise. I have been thinking of just dropping the car early at Budget (around 9am) and using their complementary service to get to the port. If they have a backup there at the rental companywith people waiting for a ride, I thought we could take a cab. I really don't want to split up my DH, me and DDs that morning, as we'll all be too easily distracted. I don't want to have a "home alone" situation, with someone left behind. Does this sound like it will work?
Buggie

 

[kcashner]

Ok gang....everyone needs a cruise contract (ticket) to enter the port area. Adults need a photo ID.

To check in, all adults must be present.

The point of being dropped off is that mom can get in line to check in. IF you get to the front of the line and dad still isn't back yet, let the next person go ahead. Continue that way until you dad joins you. Also, an older kid can get in the boarding line. Then, when the adults have checked in, the rest of the family can join the older kid.

Getting dropped off does 2 things. First, it gets your party to the front of the lines faster. Secondly, it is easy to get a shuttle for one person, no luggage. You might wait thru several shuttle runs to get one for a party of 5 with luggage.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

So if I have this right.....Everyone can hang onto their own IDs, but here again...how does hubby get back into the terminal if I have the docs and am standing in line waiting for him?

We all must be present to check in. OK, got that. Maybe we will all just do the same as mentioned above and drop the car off early and take a cab to port together. Sounds easier, though a little more work with loading suitcases and such into a cab.

Do they have taxi "Vans"? We have 4 adults and 1 child (9).

Thanks everyone for your help!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[kcashner]

You do NOT have hubby's docs. He needs them to get back into the port. You are in the line waiting for him. You have your docs and the kid's docs. He comes with his own docs and meets you in the line (basically, he takes "cuts" to meet up with you). I'm sure they have vans that can take you from the hotel to the port, but I'd be sure to ask for one when you called. 5 people plus luggage in a regular taxi isn't a pretty picture....

 

[NJ Cruisers]

We did exactly what you want on the 11/29/03 cruise. Here is how it worked for us

1. DH dropped us off at the port at 10:00. We checked our luggage curb side.
2. DH drove back to AVIS. He kept only his picture license - need that to drive anyway!!
3. I took all of the cruise docs and the passports for all of us (DH included) and checked us in. No need to let people ahead of you waiting for DH.
4. When checking in I got everything except DH's KTTW card.
5. Then I got in line to board. Called DH on cell phone to tell him which counter we used to check in. But if you don't have a cell phone he can come into the port and find you in the boarding line.
6. DH arrived, went to the counter, showed license to prove who he was and then joined us in line to board.

I don't know what would happen if DH didn't have 2 picture ids. But it's good to have two anyway in case one is lost.

And one more thing ... this will only work if you wait for him before boarding the ship - not a problem if you get there early enough.

Diane

 

[mmouse37]

Diane...I am surprised DCL let your hubby in the terminal without his docs....

When we sailed in May we asked the CM at the gate how to work it and we were told to have hubby drop us all off but hubby KEEP HIS ID AND DOCS, return the car and then come back.....we were told he would need is docs and ID so he could get into the terminal. I checked all of us in except hubby and he checked himself in when we got to the terminal. By this time we were all waiting at the front of the boarding line. I had the charge privliges form all filled out so basically hubby just needed to show his ID and pick up his KTTW card.

MJ

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

HMMMMMM...I guess we will just have to wing it and ask someone there when we get dropped off what the guys will have to have.

Thanks. I thought I read some of that, but it seems people have had different experiences, so I guess we will just have to find out how it goes on that particular day!

Maureen

 

[NJ Cruisers]

Before I went on the November cruise I also saw conflicting reports about whether or not the driver had to take his documents. The best information I got was from the recent cruisers. It was exactly what we experienced.

mmouse37 - you went in May. Maybe it changed between May and November. And, of course, it could always change again!!!

We did have to show our documents when we all drove into the terminal in the rental car. But my DH did not need the documents when he returned - just needed to show his ID (picture license). He was returning on the Avis van. That might be different than just driving a private car into the terminal.

Then he just had to go to the counter (without standing in line) and prove who he was to get his KTTW card. But I had already checked him in.

Diane