Carnival has rolled out electronic web registration  that will speed up the new data-gathering process required by the Department of Homeland Security -- as well as speed up guests' embarkation process. Carnival will issue a " FunPass" to passengers who register prior to 40 days before sailing that allows them to "fast-track" through embarkation. All other guests who register after this time, but before two days prior to the sailing, will still be able to print their "FunPass" from home.   Passengers, or their travel agents, may access the site at www.carnival.com/mycruise and register at any point after the initial deposit is made. "With today's stricter security measures and data-collecting requirements, we wanted to develop a system that complies with the new DHS regulations while enabling our guests to board their 'Fun Ship' cruise in the quickest and most efficient manner possible. Our new on-line embarkation portal meets these new requirements while serving to speed up the embarkation process," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Here's a few things you can do to make it go smoothly:

• Have your documentation ready.  You'll need your passport, social security number (optional)  booking number and post cruise travel information for each person your booking pays for. 
• If you don't have a passport be sure to read the information concerning other identification that can be used- there's nothing to do with it online so you'll need to be sure you have the right thing before you get to the port
• All fields, except those deemed OPTIONAL must be filled out in order to get a completed Fun Pass
• At the end of each section there is a button to click on for "SAVE" or "CONTINUE". Click the "SAVE" button first, that way if your computer crashes you shouldn't have to go back and enter all that information again
• If you are flying home it asks for information about your flight including the "Fare Basis".  If you have a paper ticket that's easy enough to find.  If you'll be using a e-ticket it's not.  I had to call the airline for this required information before I could proceed.  The first person I talked to thought I was nutz and was making it up or quite confused.  I am nutz and frequently confused but I needed that number!  A supervisor found it for us and the initial person I talked to and I learned something new.  (This is a real common thing that a TA knows all about....unfortunately I never use a TA to book air)
• Be patient.  At least right now there are a lot of people trying to register online and the more that do the slower it works.  I thought my computer had frozen up but it was just thinking.
• If you go there and get the message "page not found", Carnival's system is overloaded so try agoin later, like at 3 AM when most people are asleep.
• Concerning your post cruise plans- the dates need to match up.  For example, we are staying a couple days in Ft Lauderdale after our Legend cruise before we fly back home (we like to ease back into the real world).  Until I entered my hotel information I kept getting "incomplete" when I thought I was done.  The cruise was over on 12/31/02 and our flight didn't leave till 01/02/04.  When I plugged in that we would be at the Holiday Inn from 12/31/03 to 01/02/04 it worked just fine.  The don't care about how you got to the ship but leaving they want to know all about.  I think that's so they can track you down if some silverware comes up missing but it might be one of those Homeland Security things.
• When you are all done and go to print your "fun pass" you will be in a screen that shows your name (s) and says "complete" under the Funpass heading.  Print this page.  Also click on "summary" for each person and print that too.  That's the "funpass" that will get you whisked through embarkation.  I was looking for something that resembled a ticket but there is no such animal
• Have fun filling it out and tell your friends about it.  If you know others on your cruise, email them with the good news.  Carnival has gone to a lot of trouble to make this easy for us.  More importantly, Carnival has gone to a lot of trouble to give us something to do while we wait for our cruise.  Every little thing counts!

On of the best things Princess does is Embarkation and it starts right here.  On the Princess website by entering your name and booking number almost all registration information can be completed for each passenger in your party. 

In addition, Princess allows us to pre-reserve shore excursions up to 120 days in advance of our sailing.  I recommend doing this as soon as possible as Princess' shore excursions fill up really fast.  You can alway cancel them later if you change your mind .  If you see one you like which is full make a note of it then check with the shore excursion desk after boarding.  Often passengers will book in advance then cancel and open up space when on board.

There are few items that cannot be accomplished on line.  When you arrive at the port you'll still need to show your identification and provide a method of payment for your onboard purchases.  If you're traveling with a child other than your own or with just one of your child's parents you may be required to provide a notorized letter saying it's ok.  Princess does a really good job of informing us of the requirements which do change from time to time, mostly due to evolving homeland security concerns