My review of FTTF and CHEERS!

[gene g]

purchase the FTTF for upcoming cruise for the first time, sound like a good deal, :):)

[pamlkirby]

Thanks for your review. Just purchased FTTF for our December 2014 cruise based on your review.

[JIslandGirl]

Macklovin38, thank you for posting about the CHEERS program. We are a group cruising the Fascination the end of November and have some happy cruisers now the CHEERS program will be available. When we first booked I told them about it. They were excited then I had to retract my statement. :mad: So happy they now have a choice. Can you tell me if you were able to take advantage of it on Half Moon Caye? I am being told it only applies on the ship but maybe only because it is less than a 7 day cruise.

[Laurie S.]

No, it's not available on HMC other than being able to use the soda portion of it.

[baracegirl]

We just returned home from our cruise on the Fascination and we had a great time. I am not going to go into the cruise portion as much as my two cents on FTTF and CHEERS!

 

FTTF- I will purchase it every chance I get!

 

We got to the port at about 10:45 and it was already getting busy. We were able to walk right through the doors of the port and directly to the security scanners. Once finished there, we were taken right over to the desk for our sign and sail cards. We then turned around and got in line to board- took our pics and then onto boarding the ship!

 

Once inside we went directly to our rooms and there was our luggage! I was unpacked and touring the ship by 11:45- no joke!! Did i mention i had two cabins full of people to unpack? I watched people carrying their stuff around for hours after that!

 

The one feature of FTTF that I didn't think I would use, I ended up using quite a bit. It was being able to use the platinum/diamond line at Guest Services. On the first day the regular line was crazy long. I was able to just walk on up to the desk because of my FTTF sticker. Saved me lots of time.

.

We did tender when we went to Little Stirrup Cay and I did not have to use it then cause were just early so I don't really have use the feature so I can't give any opinion on that.

 

All-in-all if you get a chance to buy it- DO IT!!!

 

Now on to CHEERS! I bought it the first day and until we left the port I was charged tax on all of my drinks (not that many, geez). I never even got close to 15 drinks a day but my husband is a different story- he had 14 on multiple days. Don't judge, he was on vacation and very responsible!!

 

I felt like the bar staff waited on us just as often as someone without the program. I did a couple of times order a drink to try (Hurricane Wave and Mocha Chocolate Getaway) and I did not like them- at all- and gave them to my mother to finish without even thinking that it could be considered sharing.

 

The 5 minute rule is real- I ordered a drink once while at Waterworks and the attendant brought it to me and said, 'I'll be back in 3 minutes'. It was cute!

 

I wouldn't buy it for me again because I just didn't come close to drinking enough. The last two days I drank a total of 5 drinks for two days! However, I would get it for my husband. With his too many drinks and my not enough drinks we probably broke even.

 

Let me know if you have any questions and I will try my best to answer them.

 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter: @SarahELewis38

 

 

Glad to hear the report on the FTTF! I am using it on my next cruise. I have purchased the Cheers program previously and felt it saved me money.

 

Debbie

[Shayneele]

Here is a Question maybe its been asked before but I am in a Grand Suite and I think that already gives us priority embarkation/debarkation and early to our room? Is that right?

 

I think I would get it otherwise my hubby is VERY impatient to get on the ship and hates waiting to board. Am I correct about the early to our room

and early embarkation with a Suite?

[prattmom]

Here is a Question maybe its been asked before but I am in a Grand Suite and I think that already gives us priority embarkation/debarkation and early to our room? Is that right?

 

I think I would get it otherwise my hubby is VERY impatient to get on the ship and hates waiting to board. Am I correct about the early to our room

and early embarkation with a Suite?

 

Only priority embarkation. Not many suite perks on Carnival...

 

 

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[bigdog1958]

one clarification point on the tax on drinks before the ship gets to international waters. This tax is payable on drinks whether you get the cheers program or not. All drinks get taxed until the ship reaches international waters, so the cheers program has nothing to do with the tax you have to pay

[yancycruiser]

Thanks for taking time to post your experience with FTTF. We have purchased it for our upcoming cruise and you reinforced why we bought it.

 

Thanks again,

[bankofdad]

I am not going to go into the cruise portion as much as my two cents on FTTF and CHEERS!

 

I know what FTTF is now (and booked it for our upcoming cruise), but have no idea what Cheers! is. Can you please explain? I haven't cruised on Carnival for quite some time, but am sailing with them in April.

[dreamcruiser525]

Can you order the cheers program in advance or do you have to wait to you get onboard?

Also, do the platinum cruisers get to go to the cabin early also too?

 

Can't wait... thanks for the info.

[bradm77]

My wife drinks very little and I am a party animal on vacation, Cheers works for us because of the MATH.

 

If you drink SIX drinks a day on Cheers, you break even, everything after that is BONUS.

 

So she drinks 2-3 drinks per day, I average 10-12, so it's not a GREAT deal for us, but it does save some money. Plus, the biggest benefit to me is that I KNOW my total bar tab on Day 1.

[okgirl]

My last 3 cruises offered both FTTF and Cheers and since I'm Diamond I don't need FTTF, but it was nice being able to go directly to our cabin because they added that to our VIP perks too.

 

Both in Miami and NOLA the crew was being pretty strict about making sure your S&S card was either the right color (Platinum or White) or you had the FTTF sticker on your card before they would let you go to your cabin. Being in a suite does not get you into your cabin early.

 

Before FTTF a lot of people went to their cabin anyway, but now that they are selling that perk I guess they feel an obligation to only allowing those authorized to go to the cabin.

 

I haven't seen any problems with FTTF, they go through a different screening line and check in desk and are even seated in a different area prior to embarkation.

 

I have purchased Cheers since it was available. I don't usually get up to 15 drinks but definitely go over the 6 drink breakeven point.

[HO HO]

Here is a Question maybe its been asked before but I am in a Grand Suite and I think that already gives us priority embarkation/debarkation and early to our room? Is that right?

 

I think I would get it otherwise my hubby is VERY impatient to get on the ship and hates waiting to board. Am I correct about the early to our room

and early embarkation with a Suite?

 

If you're in a Grand suite (or Ocean suite for that matter), you're boarding pass will be marked PRIORITY, and you will receive the same perks as FTTF: Priority boarding and baggage handling; priority tendering off ship in tender ports; use of the VIP line at guest services; priority assignment of dining choice.

 

From the CCL FAQ's on priority boarding:

Priority Check-In Program

Carnival’s Priority Check-In is an exclusive service designed to afford our Platinum and Diamond guests and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations with special check-in privileges. Cruise documents are stamped, PRIORITY and state, if you have priority check-in (listed on your documents), please proceed to the PRIORITY lounge.

 

Just ask for ‘Priority Check-In’ upon arrival at the cruise terminal. Embarkation staff will ensure that are expedited through the check-in procedure as quickly as is possible, while providing quality service.

 

Please Note:

· We offer Priority Check-In at ALL embarkation ports.

· For those guests traveling with an additional stateroom that does not fall into one of the three categories above, the additional stateroom may check in through the Priority Check-In Program only if, 1) there are minor children traveling in the additional stateroom, or 2) the guests in the additional stateroom share the same Sail & Sign account with the qualified guest.

[coops]

If you're in a Grand suite (or Ocean suite for that matter), you're boarding pass will be marked PRIORITY, and you will receive the same perks as FTTF: Priority boarding and baggage handling; priority tendering off ship in tender ports; use of the VIP line at guest services; priority assignment of dining choice.

 

From the CCL FAQ's on priority boarding:

Priority Check-In Program

Carnival’s Priority Check-In is an exclusive service designed to afford our Platinum and Diamond guests and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations with special check-in privileges. Cruise documents are stamped, PRIORITY and state, if you have priority check-in (listed on your documents), please proceed to the PRIORITY lounge.

 

Just ask for ‘Priority Check-In’ upon arrival at the cruise terminal. Embarkation staff will ensure that are expedited through the check-in procedure as quickly as is possible, while providing quality service.

 

Please Note:

· We offer Priority Check-In at ALL embarkation ports.

· For those guests traveling with an additional stateroom that does not fall into one of the three categories above, the additional stateroom may check in through the Priority Check-In Program only if, 1) there are minor children traveling in the additional stateroom, or 2) the guests in the additional stateroom share the same Sail & Sign account with the qualified guest.

 

Suite guests, only get Priority check in and thats it. No other FTTF perks.

[xrayvin]

We also just returned from our cruise!! FTTF and Cheers were both amazing for us. The guest service line and early access to our room came in very handy.

I wanted to add to the cheers part of this. I feel it can also make a big difference in the worthiness of it depending on what you drink. We mostly drank at the alchemy bar. Those drinks are $9-$10 each. We never came close to the 15 drink max but we broke even and then some, and maybe a little more! Lol

We did go to HMC and had some trouble using the pop portion I the card but I think they are getting that straightened out.

We felt we were more willing to try different things because of the program. We had such a great time at the alchemy bar and without the cheers program we never would have "hung out" there. They put on a great show and we meet some really fun people.

I would absolutely do cheers again, because I tend to drink higher priced drinks. I also loved having it paid for. We just budgeted into our trip.

 

 

~Dawn

[ZRC1MLC2]

We just returned home from our cruise on the Fascination and we had a great time. I am not going to go into the cruise portion as much as my two cents on FTTF and CHEERS!

 

FTTF- I will purchase it every chance I get!

 

We got to the port at about 10:45 and it was already getting busy. We were able to walk right through the doors of the port and directly to the security scanners. Once finished there, we were taken right over to the desk for our sign and sail cards. We then turned around and got in line to board- took our pics and then onto boarding the ship!

 

Once inside we went directly to our rooms and there was our luggage! I was unpacked and touring the ship by 11:45- no joke!! Did i mention i had two cabins full of people to unpack? I watched people carrying their stuff around for hours after that!

 

The one feature of FTTF that I didn't think I would use, I ended up using quite a bit. It was being able to use the platinum/diamond line at Guest Services. On the first day the regular line was crazy long. I was able to just walk on up to the desk because of my FTTF sticker. Saved me lots of time.

.

We did tender when we went to Little Stirrup Cay and I did not have to use it then cause were just early so I don't really have use the feature so I can't give any opinion on that.

 

All-in-all if you get a chance to buy it- DO IT!!!

 

Now on to CHEERS! I bought it the first day and until we left the port I was charged tax on all of my drinks (not that many, geez). I never even got close to 15 drinks a day but my husband is a different story- he had 14 on multiple days. Don't judge, he was on vacation and very responsible!!

 

I felt like the bar staff waited on us just as often as someone without the program. I did a couple of times order a drink to try (Hurricane Wave and Mocha Chocolate Getaway) and I did not like them- at all- and gave them to my mother to finish without even thinking that it could be considered sharing.

 

The 5 minute rule is real- I ordered a drink once while at Waterworks and the attendant brought it to me and said, 'I'll be back in 3 minutes'. It was cute!

 

I wouldn't buy it for me again because I just didn't come close to drinking enough. The last two days I drank a total of 5 drinks for two days! However, I would get it for my husband. With his too many drinks and my not enough drinks we probably broke even.

 

Let me know if you have any questions and I will try my best to answer them.

 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter: @SarahELewis38

OK, so I booked our March cruise on the Sunshine a couple of weeks ago. I checked for the FTTF program and it is already sold out. I was bummed about that because Grand Cayman is a tender port and I know from experience that the lines are so long and the sun is grueling when trying to get back on the ship. I really don't care anything about getting off the ship in Grand Cayman as we have been there many times and it is so Americanized but the kids will want to get off I am sure. My question is: Do they ever offer more FTTF after saying they are sold out? We are over 5 months out (booked at 6 months out) I see where people that are booked 3 months out on this board have bought it. I guess if we cannot get it we will get off in GC later, eat lunch at Margaritaville and get back on before the massses. AS far as the Cheers program, still contemplating that one. Bought it on RCCL but still not convinced we used it to full potential. Thank you for answering. :confused:

Edited October 12, 2013 by ZRC1MLC2

[prattmom]

OK, so I booked our March cruise on the Sunshine a couple of weeks ago. I checked for the FTTF program and it is already sold out. I was bummed about that because Grand Cayman is a tender port and I know from experience that the lines are so long and the sun is grueling when trying to get back on the ship. I really don't care anything about getting off the ship in Grand Cayman as we have been there many times and it is so Americanized but the kids will want to get off I am sure. My question is: Do they ever offer more FTTF after saying they are sold out? We are over 5 months out (booked at 6 months out) I see where people that are booked 3 months out on this board have bought it. I guess if we cannot get it we will get off in GC later, eat lunch at Margaritaville and get back on before the massses. AS far as the Cheers program, still contemplating that one. Bought it on RCCL but still not convinced we used it to full potential. Thank you for answering. :confused:

 

New spots do open up. Sometimes people cancel their fttf or their cruise. It's like all excursions. I think they may even open some spots if there are fewer plat/diamonds. However, it does not get you priority tendering back to the ship. Only off the ship... You would still have the line at the GC pier to contend with...

 

 

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[yancycruiser]

I can now vouch for FTTF. Purchased it for our cruise out of New Orleans. Just for the privilege of getting on and off the ship quickly was well worth the $49.95. We were escorted to the front, got all documentation done, sat in a special section. Quickly boarded, went straight to our cabin, dropped off luggage, and was one of first one's to the buffet. In our opinion, it was fantastic. Happy Cruising everyone.

[connieh1968]

On the cheers program, do you get charged gratuity on EACH drink?

[5Hawkeyes]

On the cheers program, do you get charged gratuity on EACH drink?

 

Nope, you pay the 15% gratuity when you purchase the program up front so no other gratuity is added after that.

[2beachlovers]

Thanks for your info on FTTF and Cheers.

We love FTTF and also get it whenever we can.

I am considering Cheers for our next cruise. We usually get a wine package and have a bottle with dinner. I wonder if it would be a problem getting our 2nd or 3rd glass in the dining room.

Where can I find the cost and other info for Cheers?

Thanks

[peck]

How do you actauuy use FTTF, do you just push to the front of the queue or is thier a FTTF line?.Also how will it work with my time dining. Any tips for using FTTF for Carnival newbie would help.

 

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[yancycruiser]

There is a priority line and they send you through that. There are others who know more about this who may give you more information. Basically, everyone we ran into, we told them we had FTTF and they directed us. Really a piece of cake.

[bambilin]

We purchased FTTF for our August 2014 cruise on the Dream. Was thinking about Cheers. Hubby drinks Jack Daniels and Coke. My drink of choice is almost always a Patron Silver Margarita. Thought we would be good based on previous posts (9.75 for the Patron Silver) but then ran across a Carnival 2013/2014 Drink Menu page that said Patron Silver is $10.50 (so would not be included in Cheers). Of course, now I cannot find that page again!!

 

I guess we can check a bar menu before deciding once we are on board!!