Normal
just got back from our first cruise. arrived around 10:30 a.m. and probably 30 or so people already there. sat in lobby for 30 minutes. they keep you moving from location to location every 20 minutes or so. went through metal detectors, then proof of citizenship, then pick up carnival sign & sail card, then photos for sign & sail card, then wait to board. i don't know about any priority boarding, but when they called to board, my kids jumped and we were first on the ship and it was just after noon....we had to knock on the door for the crew to open up and there didn't appear to be any passengers already there.