I just got a message from carnival that says please do not come to the pier before 2pm. It says we will not be able to board before then. Has anybody else gotten that call? Is it just to try to keep the crowd away or is this true. Please let me know asap.

Yes, the message is real.  I received a similar call last July.  My guess is that they are trying to stagger the number of people, so that everyone doesn't show up at once.  If it gets too crowded, you'll spend more time waiting in lines.  When I showed up a my appointed time it took about 30 minutes to board the ship.  If you arrive a little early or a little late I don't think it matters.  Leave yourself time to park and unload your car.  Enjoy your cruise.

ajbrickell:

I just got a message from carnival that says please do not come to the pier before 2pm. It says we will not be able to board before then. Has anybody else gotten that call? Is it just to try to keep the crowd away or is this true. Please let me know asap.

Hey Aj,

I got the same call, and i'm bummed cuz i was planning to get there earlier. I got it today.

pebblez....If it was me I would get there earlier anyway...Most people will mind Carnival so you just go ahead and get on board and start your cruise!

thanks darrin I will do that, like someone else said, the earlier i get on the ship the longer i'm on my cruise.

Ya..we love to get on board as soon as posible..It is fun to watch all the people getting on board and you are right...the sooner you are on the ship the sooner you start that cruise.  We love the first day!

I got that call before our trip in July this year, but I didn't heed the warning, we got there around 11:45 am and then did just pal around on the pier until about 12:45 and got in line, the process still went very smoothly,even though there were at least 1000+ people at the dome.  Boarding was an easy process though.