Lee Cruiser

If you don't get it, just arrive at port a little later. We have used FTTF several times, but it would not be the deciding factor on what cruise we choose. One of our best cruise experiences was a great Pack and Go rate out of Port Canaveral. Because it was just a few weeks out, there was no FTTF available. We drove to the port and arrived about 1 p.m. It was actually the easiest check in process of any of our cruises. There was no line. We went straight through the process, boarded, and were able to go straight to our room. We then went up to the Lido to eat. Because people were already able to go to their cabins, the Lido wasn't nearly as crowded as some other times. We have had times using FTTF that were much more stressful. Thankfully we only have one more cruise before we turn platinum on cruise number 13 in April.

Great to hear! Hope this spreads to other ships.

I don't recall getting maps on my last couple of cruises. I just use the HUB app. It has the map, menus, and fun times.

Yes, it has been on all the cruises we have been on. But in all honesty, it hasn't been that good lately. I love chocolate, but haven't been impressed by the taste.

Can't speak directly to the Conquest. We haven't been on it before, but we will be in a couple of weeks. However, We made the mistake of getting in that area on the Sunshine a few years ago. It was a pack and go deal. You could hear the music until well after midnight. We made the decision then that we would not book above the promenade deck again. Always choose areas with cabins above and below even if it costs a little extra.

We have cruised with it several times. For us, it was worth it, especially for a tender port. However, that was also before the latest huge price increase. We have one cruise remaining before platinum. It is a four day out of N.O. in November. It is simply not worth $70 for a four day cruise with Cozumel as the only port. That makes the cruise fare almost 10% more. We will not be doing FTTF for that cruise. Instead, we will do what we have before when we didn't have it. We will wait until one or so (depending on our check in time) to arrive at the port. Then we will be able to check in and go straight to our room anyway.

With that being said, only you can answer the question for yourself. Since you are going on the Valor, you probably do not have a tender port, so that part is not even a consideration. Are the other benefits really worth paying $80? What else could you spend the $80 on during your cruise?

I guess my wife and I are in the minority, but we are not big fans of the chocolate melting cake. It is okay, but not great. My wife makes a much better chocolate cobbler and chocolate chip cake that I would take any day over the melting cake.

Am I correct in assuming that the Carnival card gives you one point for every $100 spent, so that you need to spend $100,000 to get that 100,000 points and the resulting $1,500 special statement credit?

 

This compared to the Citi 2% card, with which the $100,000 spend would get you 200,000 points, and a statement credit (or cash back) of $2,000. To put it a different way, you only have to spend $75,000 on the Citi card to get the $1,500 statement credit.

 

i continually question why folks think the Carnival card is such a good deal.

You are correct that $100,000 in spending equals 100,000 points for every day purchases, so it is not the best for every day use. You do get 2 points for any Carnival purchases, but you can get that with Citi on any purchases. Many choose to get it for the up front 20,000 bonus points. You can use it for that and then another card after you redeem those points. The thing that I do use the Carnival card for is the 10% shore excursion credit.

If you use this card, then the way to get the best value is to wait until you build up 100,000 points, which makes the points worth 1.5%. For instance, once you reach 100,000 points you can book a cruise, pay $1,500, then you can request a statement credit for the $1,500. If you use the points before you reach 100,000, they will only be worth 1%. Example: 10,000 points = $100 statement credit.

There are much better cards out there. For instance, there is a Citi card that gives you 2% cashback and you are able to use that cashback for anything, not just a cruise.