What you'll find at the Port Of Miami when you pull up in whatever mode of transportation you've chosen is what appears to be a madhouse of activity. There is a lot of activity but it is anything but a madhouse. The cruise lines have become experts at moving thousands of people and their luggage off and on the ships. When you arrive the previous cruise's passengers may still be getting off the ship from their cruise. Those will be the sad looking people who appear to have lost their best friend.
First you'll unload your luggage and give it to a porter who will be sure it gets on the ship. Tip them $1 per bag and forget about your luggage for now. They will place it in big cage like carts that will be put on the ship prior to sailing.
Now you'll go inside the cruise terminal to wait for boarding to begin. Officially in Miami boarding begins at 1:00 PM . We go there no later than 11AM and don't really have to wait all that long considering the number of people they have to move. You'll wait less if you've completed the pre-embarkation procedures online and obtained your "Fun Pass" that expedites your embarkation, avoiding some of the stops along the way.
When boarding begins you'll go through a security station much like you'd find at the airport. Carnivalwill need to physically see your identification and whatever you've brought along to pay for your incidental charges while on board.
From there you'll go upstairs to another waiting area where you'll get your Sign and Sail cards and wait for boarding to begin. This could take a while so be sure to bring a book, CD or MP3 player to kill time or you can do what I do, people watch. You'll see people from all walks of life getting ready to board, filled with anticipation. Every single one of them. No matter how many cruises people have been on Embarkation is a high point of the vacation. Waiting is part of it so be prepared but othewise relax, they'll get you on the ship as soon as they can, believe me.
When boarding starts you'll walk down a long corridor and have your picture taken by the ships photographers to commemorate the moment. From there you'll have another picture taken right before stepping on your ship. This one will be for security purposes and be associated with your Sign and Sail card which is also your boarding pass.
If you were early getting to the port you'll be walking onboard probably about 1:00 if not earlier. We've boarded as early as 11:30 and average about noon.
Have a great cruise!
As the busiest and best prepared port in the world, Miami is the standard by which I measure all other ports. These people really know how to handle cruise passengers and do a great job of it. We will choose a cruie sailing out of Miami over any other port if given the opportunity.
