Trials cut boarding times
CARNIVAL Cruise Line has shaved an hour off ship turnaround times through advances in its processes, easing one of the most complained about “friction points” in cruising.
The line’s svp of commercial port ops and int’l Terry Thornton told Cruise360 Australasia a series of trial processes in the US had streamlined both disembarkation and boarding systems.
“We focussed on every minute piece of each interaction that happens - how do we get people through customs faster, how do we get luggage to them faster,” Thornton said.
“There is no one magic bullet, it’s across all the touch points - making three minute changes, five minute changes, making 20 minute changes,” he said.
Among the adjustments was a rethink of allocated disembarkation times.
“We found people weren’t getting off at the time assigned on the ships, so the luggage hall got congested,” Thornton said.
“Now we ask guests what time would you like to get off - you give them the choice and match the luggage to that, and it works better in the luggage hall.”
With turnarounds cut, the next phase of the process would involve assessing ways to utilise the time saved.
Thornton said this could involve later departures or additional time spent at an itinerary’s first port of call.
Advances pioneered in the US would be extended to other destinations worldwide, he said.