GONE CRUISING - On Board the Carnival Paradise

Our cruise blog will be sailing out as of December 3rd as many of us are kicking off our cruise at the Long Beach Hilton for an overnighter before we set sail out of Long Beach towards Ensenada on the 4th. Thank you to each and everyone of our friends & family for helping to celebrate Roger’s Birthday Bash Cruise 2009. Can you believe it 55 cruisers, Wow!

Thanks for all who were loyal readers to our blog and we look forward to meeting you on board
the Carnival Paradise. Yeaaaaaah, the countdown has finally arrived!

It's Bon Voyage Time --- See you on board!

Diana & Roger

Photo provided by Flickr kthypryn

Finally, Our Embarkation Day is here!

Embarkation Hours:

Los Angeles (Long Beach) - 1:30 P.M.

This is the scheduled time that Carnival has designated, but we have easily began to check-in our baggage around 11:30-12 Noon at the cruise terminal. Its about Carnival being ready or not.

Guests staying at Pre-Cruise Long Beach Hilton

As part of your package you will have parking for the duration of your cruise on the back surface lot of the Hilton parking Lot. We will be taking the hotel shuttle to the cruise terminal and will announce the details, including what time to take the shuttle on Friday.

Remember to have your Fun Pass documents, Photo ID, passport & credit card information for check-in. Also it is customary to tip $1.00 per bag to the cruise terminal porter once we get off our shuttle. So plan on small bill denomination in cash!

Guests Arriving at the Cruise Terminal by Private Car

Arrival at the Cruise Terminal:
Guests will follow the directions to the Port and pass through Port Authority Security.

Guests will be asked to show Proof of I.D. and Cruise Documents.

Guests will drop off their luggage at the Baggage Drop-Off area and give the luggage to the Porter; the customary tip for this service is $1.00 per bag.

Guests will park their car in the designated parking area and walk back to the terminal; depending on the distance, some cruise terminals have a complimentary shuttle from the parking area to the terminal.

Guest will proceed into the cruise terminal for Check-In.

The Embarkation Check-In Process:
Security Checkpoint
Guests will pass through the X-ray Security Machines with their carry-on bags. Luggage larger than 24" x 16" will not be permitted through the security machine and must be checked-in with a curbside porter.

Check- in
Guests will proceed to the Check-In area. The embarkation process will include submitting cruise documents, showing proof of travel documentation and issuing a credit card (if applicable) for their Sail & Sign Account.

All guests must activate his/her Sail & Sign Account with a credit card (Amex, Visa, Discover, JCB, Visa/ MasterCard gift cards and MasterCard ) or opt to pay with cash. The credit card must be present at embarkation and the cash is deposited on board at the Information/Purser’s Desk.

Each guest will be issued a Sail & Sign card, which is used to (1) charge on their Sail & Sign Account, (2) get on/off the ship. On Carnival Paradise each guest will be issued a Sail & Sign Card and Stateroom Key.

Embarkation Photo
Guests will have a "Welcome Aboard" photo taken by the Ship's Photo Staff. The photo will be on display later in the cruise for purchase.

The Security Personnel will take guest’s Sail Sign Card and with the onboard security system, imbed a full color, digital photograph together with personal database information directly onto the Sail Sign Card.

Welcome Aboard the Carnival Paradise!

Photo provided by Flickr.e-mcgee