Carnival Cruise Line enhances debarkation with biometric technology.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Amidst the bustling summer travel season, Carnival Cruise Line is revolutionizing the cruise industry by expanding facial biometric technology to streamline the debarkation process for its guests. The cruise line's partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proven successful, significantly enhancing the experience for over three million Carnival guests.

Nine out of Carnival's 14 U.S. homeports have adopted this cutting-edge, secure technology, with major ports like Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Mobile, Galveston, and Long Beach leading the way. Across these homeports, the debarkation process has been expedited by an impressive average of 30 percent, marking the largest deployment of facial biometric technology in the cruise industry.

“Expanding this technology at our U.S. homeports ensures we’re doing everything we can to make the debarkation process as simple as possible for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Thanks to our partnership with CBP, these technology solutions make the process more efficient while giving guests a sense of safety and security, knowing their information is protected.”

Upon debarking after a closed-loop cruise, guests pause at a designated kiosk equipped with a camera. Within seconds, the system biometrically compares their image to their passport or visa photo, boasting an impressive accuracy rate of over 98 percent, thus verifying the guest's identity.

“CBP is excited to expand the use of facial biometrics in the debarkation process to further secure and streamline the passenger experience through public/private partnerships with the cruise industry,” said Diane J. Sabatino, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Through our partnership with Carnival Cruise Line, we will continue to transform cruise operations by leveraging technology and enhanced processes while also strengthening our data sharing agreement to further secure U.S. seaports.”

While most guests embrace the convenience of facial biometrics, U.S. travelers and select, foreign nationals can still opt out of the process. Those who prefer an alternative can request a manual document check from a CBP Officer, aligning with existing admission requirements in the United States.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit http://www.carnival.com. For more information on CBP’s efforts to expand facial biometrics in the entry and exit process for travel to and from the United States, please go to http://www.cbp.gov/biometrics.