Faster to the Fun - Conquest

Just returned from the Conquest last week and had a wonderful time. The staff work very hard to provide with you with a positive experience. I would say this crew is one of the best that I have had in many years on either Carnival or RCCL.

I just want to reach out to inquire the FTTF experience of other cruisers on board. We arrived at port at 11:00 am, boarded 11:50 and our cabin was available after 12:30. Our luggage did not arrive in our cabin until after 3:00 after a trip to Guest Services where I waited about 20 minutes to be assisted in the line (no fault of the staff member at the time there was an unreasonable person ahead of me). Location of our table in the Main Dining Room was next to the prep station where staff set up napkins and washed their hands. We tried to request a window view table in the steakhouse and it wasn't available. Priority tender boarding was not available. The service to disembark was very efficient for FTTF cruisers. I think they advertise guaranteed stateroom when you board, express luggage, priority reservations and tender priority. We felt that there wasn't any value in the purchase of FTTF based on our experience. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Hi there

If you have done a done a "search" on this thread about FTTF, you would be aware that people are often discussing whether purchasing it is "worth" it. So many insist that they couldn't imagine cruising without it. Many others suggest that it is a waste of money, but it is your money and you have to decide (for the next time).

I wouldn't pay for something that I don't need, but if I was in your position, when you went to guest services at 3 p.m. not having received your luggage, I would have been asking for my money back (they would have given you a credit). Same in the MDR, if you don't like your table assignment, you need to ask for a change right away.

Personally, I am one of those in the camp who don't think it is worth it, but we are platinum and I can't really complain if my luggage doesn't arrive when I would hope. I just hope it arrives.

glad you had a great cruise otherwise

I am debating on purchasing the same.. but my problem may be solved as it appears sold out..LOL ;p is it true they open up more spots closer to sailing? Should I check everyday as has been suggested? TIA!!!!

I was not happy with our FTTF on our 2016 cruise. Similar situation to yours. It was not what they had "sold" it as. When I discussed this with Guest Services they said that "FTTF is only for getting on and off the ship quicker in ports"! Obviously no one educated them about the availability of the room and the luggage being in your room earlier!

I was later advised by a Carnival Rep that if I had called in the first 3 months after my cruise they may have given me a credit of some kind but since I waited too long she was not able to help me. So, I recommend calling Carnival ASAP and making your complaint.

Also, I learned on our cruise at the beginning of February that not everyone in Guest Services knows what they're talking about. I had a Supervisor overhear what I was told by another rep and he corrected her. So always ask two or maybe three times.

I am debating on purchasing the same.. but my problem may be solved as it appears sold out..LOL ;p is it true they open up more spots closer to sailing? Should I check everyday as has been suggested? TIA!!!!

Yes it opened up a month before the cruise. We were checking every day.

I thought FTTF also included a special Guest Services number that you could call so that you would not have to wait in the long Guest Services line? Is this something that I made up in my mind? lol

Sorry it didn't work out for you as you had hoped (and been told that it would)

I was not happy with our FTTF on our 2016 cruise. Similar situation to yours. It was not what they had "sold" it as. When I discussed this with Guest Services they said that "FTTF is only for getting on and off the ship quicker in ports"! Obviously no one educated them about the availability of the room and the luggage being in your room earlier!

 

I was later advised by a Carnival Rep that if I had called in the first 3 months after my cruise they may have given me a credit of some kind but since I waited too long she was not able to help me. So, I recommend calling Carnival ASAP and making your complaint.

 

Also, I learned on our cruise at the beginning of February that not everyone in Guest Services knows what they're talking about. I had a Supervisor overhear what I was told by another rep and he corrected her. So always ask two or maybe three times.

Thanks for the information. I may give them a call this week. I did ask at the front desk about the policy and they just said they were behind in luggage delivery. I guess I should have asked at that time for a credit, but I was trying to be on vacation and not stressing about things.:)

In 2016, I tried to get a refund of FTTF at Guest Services as soon as we boarded (could not use FTTF advantages when boarding), but they refused saying it must be cancelled 24 hours before cruise departure. Your experience may be different.

I have only used it once, and found it worth the money. I tried for my cruise on the Conquest in May, but it's already sold out. Nice to know they open it up closed, I just keep checking each day.

Since I am a Plat, I have not purchased FTTF in a while, but I have experienced similar issues. I think that there are just more and more priority people, and the staff has a hard time keeping up. We rarely get our luggage before 5:00, tendering is chaotic, and Guest Services lines are often slow (with only one person taking care of priority).

On a cruise after Thanksgiving, my wife and I (she is diamond) went to a diamond party, and the Hotel manager said that there were 78 diamonds, over 400 Plats, plus 250 FTTF people. I said that I thought that they limited the number of FTTF based on other priority people, and he just smiled.

I have only used it once, and found it worth the money. I tried for my cruise on the Conquest in May, but it's already sold out. Nice to know they open it up closed, I just keep checking each day.

We are on the same cruise as you in May!!!!

We have gotten FTTF for the past 2 cruises, and are getting it again for the upcoming one. Is it worth it? For us, absolutely.

There is a separate line at GS desk, not a separate phone #, but the OP mentioned that there was a difficult passenger in front of them, and there's no way to control that. May your journeys ever be free of complicated problems you need help with. ;)

Priority boarding is awesome, and it's on you if your schedule makes use of this or not. Luggage is 'supposed' to be in your rooms when you get there or shortly after, and that's been 50% for us. At least we got our luggage, and that's a good thing!

Priority tendering is still a mystery to me. There was no call for priority boarding at Half Moon Cay, so I don't know how this is supposed to work, short of muscling your way to the front of whatever lounge you're directed to and demanding you get on first. Personally, I wouldn't recommend that. :)

Disembarking was wonderful - we were ready and waiting for the shuttle to Orlando (from Canaveral) before the bus even got there. Arrived at the airport with tons of time to spare for flights out that day.

If you ask 50 people if FTTF is worth it, I think you'll get about 40 different answers. For us, it's a big YES! :D

I was given a special number for GS when I had FTTF. It was on a letter in my cabin the first day. It explained all the benefits of FTTF. When I called the number someone answered promptly.

We've done FTTF on every cruise we've done ever since it was offered. It's worth it for us until we hit Platinum. We are always one of the first guests on board (after diamond and platinum). It's nice to be able to go to our room and drop off our luggage before we go to lunch. That was always one thing we hated about cruising was dragging our luggage around the ship until the rooms were available, so that perk is enough for us to buy it. The dedicated line at guest services has always been very helpful when we needed it. Obviously you may be standing there a while if they only have one person working and they're dealing with someone else already. The priority tendering is nice if you have a tender port. Just go down guest services and they will escort you to a tender.

I've had F2F for my previous Carnival cruises to Eastern and Western Caribbean out of South Florida. It was money well spent. However, like you mentioned, I heard from another person that ALL passengers are allowed to board around 12 pm in San Juan (but this is on Carnival Fascination there are no ports with tender (St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St.Maarten). The only perk for this itinerary is the line for guest service, dinner reservation (except my time dinning), express luggage, and debarkation. This is a 7-day cruise so it's about $70 per cabin. So I am contemplating whether I should get it or not for this particular itinerary.

Any thoughts for others that have done this itinerary before, especially with boarding times?

Thanks!

We've been platinum for a lot of cruises and I've read the FTTF promises as friends have purchased the package. I've never seen a luggage guarantee for arrival at ones cabin. Can you share where the "by 3 o'clock " promise is made?

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We've been platinum for a lot of cruises and I've read the FTTF promises as friends have purchased the package. I've never seen a luggage guarantee for arrival at ones cabin. Can you share where the "by 3 o'clock " promise is made?

 

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Carnival doesn't make any time of day promise for delivering the luggage, just that it will get priority in delivery. This is from the web site:

"Priority Luggage

While we process thousands of bags, FTTF luggage will receive priority delivery.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests."

Carnival doesn't make any time of day promise for delivering the luggage, just that it will get priority in delivery. This is from the web site:

 

 

 

"Priority Luggage

 

While we process thousands of bags, FTTF luggage will receive priority delivery.

 

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests."

Knew that; 33 cruises with Carnival. My response was for the post that said if they hadn't got their luggage by 3 then they'd have demanded money back.

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I've had FTTF my last 3 cruises and it was absolutely worth it. We board pretty early and can go straight to the cabin to drop our stuff. I've been stopped once trying to get to my cabin but I showed him I had FTTF and he let me through. My luggage usually shows up not long after I have lunch. I've never had to tender so I can't comment on that. My FTTF experiences have all been positive. We're using it again for our upcoming Conquest cruise in August.

I've had F2F for my previous Carnival cruises to Eastern and Western Caribbean out of South Florida. It was money well spent. However, like you mentioned, I heard from another person that ALL passengers are allowed to board around 12 pm in San Juan (but this is on Carnival Fascination there are no ports with tender (St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St.Maarten). The only perk for this itinerary is the line for guest service, dinner reservation (except my time dinning), express luggage, and debarkation. This is a 7-day cruise so it's about $70 per cabin. So I am contemplating whether I should get it or not for this particular itinerary.

 

Any thoughts for others that have done this itinerary before, especially with boarding times?

 

Thanks!

In San Juan, it's a great money maker for Carnival as they give you almost nothing in return. Just as you mentioned, general boarding begins after 12:00 noon, no tender stops, debarkation starts early enough to make a 10AM flight going home.

We've had FTTF three times, and have found it worth it if only for the priority line at GS and the priority GS phone line. Every time I have gone to GS there has been a massive line (easily more than 25 ppl, several times closer to 100 ppl), but usually no line at all for the diamond/plat/FTTF service. The few times there was a line, someone from the general area pulled me over there to help me right away.

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We do like FTTF and have it for our Magic cruise 2/2018! Not sure it will be available in 11/2018 due to all the Diamond folks that book journeys.

I will say that FTTF might be worth it on the Conquest if you are cruising before it goes into dry dock. We were on the April 29th sailing. The part of their system that allows you to check your sail & sign account on the TV doesn't work. Most of the things you can do on the TV on other ships you cannot do on the Conquest due to it not working. Such as the no cameras, no seeing the menus, no ordering room service. All not working. In fact even when cruising the speed was listed at 0 knots.

In fact you can't even use the Carnival website to look for a future cruise. And if you haven't downloaded the App before sailing you will need to purchase an internet package to download it. The App allows you to check your account. You can also check your account using the kiosk. Of course it wasn't always working either. In fact is was down many times. The line at Guest Services line was long because of this. Only 1 on the kiosks would allow you to print out your statement, causing that kiosk to have a long line. In fact if it didn't have a line it was because it was not working.

I had FTTF in March and frankly it was worth it to me just for the earlier boarding, but you are right that the rest of the perks did not happen. My room was not ready at 2pm (still being cleaned) and luggage arrived around 2 or 3. I never used the guest services line and we got first debark at the tender port anyway since we had an early purchased excursion.

Knew that; 33 cruises with Carnival. My response was for the post that said if they hadn't got their luggage by 3 then they'd have demanded money back.

 

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Sorry.... I was just trying to provide a quoted source to backup your response to the OP.