Carnival Cruise Line Enhances Guest Experience with Facial Biometric Technology
In the midst of a bustling summer travel season, Carnival Cruise Line is furthering the use of facial biometric technology to streamline the debarkation process, enhancing the experience for over three million Carnival guests through its partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Carnival facial recognition
Biometric Technology Across U.S. Homeports
Currently, nine out of Carnival’s 14 U.S. homeports, including Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Mobile, Galveston, and Long Beach, are utilizing this secure, efficient technology. The implementation of facial biometrics has expedited the debarkation process by an average of 30 percent across these homeports, marking the largest deployment of the technology in the cruise industry.
Enhancing Guest Experience Carnival facial recognition
“By expanding this technology at our U.S. homeports, we are ensuring that we are doing everything possible to make the debarkation process as straightforward as possible for our guests,” stated Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our partnership with CBP allows us to make the process more efficient, while also providing guests with a sense of safety and security, knowing their information is protected.”
The Biometric Process Carnival facial recognition
The innovative process is straightforward. Guests disembarking the ships at the end of a closed loop cruise pause at a kiosk with a camera and take a photo. Within seconds, the image is biometrically compared to their passport or visa photo to verify the guest’s identity with over 98 percent accuracy.
CBP’s Commitment to Streamlining the Passenger Experience
“CBP is thrilled 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.”
U.S. travelers and select foreign nationals who prefer to opt out of the facial biometric process can simply request a manual document check from a CBP Officer, consistent with existing requirements for admission into the United States.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on Carnival, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit http://www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site. 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.
