Carnival Tests Self-Service Check-In Kiosks

In a pilot program, Carnival Cruises is testing self-service check-in kiosks at their Miami terminal in an effort to streamline the embarkation process.

According to Carnival, "The state-of-the-art kiosks provide guests with a fast and convenient way to check in for their 'Fun Ship' cruise."

To use Carnival’s self service kiosks, guests must have pre-registered online and be a U.S. or Canadian citizen, or from a Visa waiver country. To access their booking information and check in via the kiosk, guests simply swipe their passport or the credit card used to pre-register online. Additionally, the kiosks accept cash deposits for guests’ shipboard Sail & Sign accounts. Once guests have successfully checked in, the station prints a receipt confirming that their registration process is completed and directs them to pick up their stateroom keys at a nearby desk.

The kiosks are part of a pilot program at the Port of Miami and, if met with positive response from guests, will be expanded to the line’s other year-round homeports.

Personally, I don't think I'd want to use them for a cash deposit on my account, but swiping my credit card or passport would be no problem - I already do that to check in for flights, why not for cruises?

I'm all for speeding the embarkation process and if this works, bravo to Carnival for the innovation! Just don't change to self service cabins and restaurants onboard. And especially not self-service massages!

What do you all think? We're Tweeting about it over at @CruiseResource. Are you on Twitter? Come follow me and let me know your thoughts.