FTTF, anyone else have mixed feelings?

[Vitamin_Sea]

Give me a friggin' break – that's exactly why you started this thread. This horse has been beat to death so much it's finally turned into glue.

 

Its typical of this message board. Things are repeated, repeated and repeated dozens of times.

This poor horse has been beaten to death several times by now and has turned to dust.

[Artemus]

I had it on the Carnival Pride this past summer and it was the best $50 I ever spent and I have it again for my CP cruise in 2 1/2 weeks. J s.:)

[Carnival_Brides]

I just became Platinum over the summer and have only done 2 cruises so here's my take.

 

During my wedding cruise last January my Mom (who was Platinum) had two large groups checking in ahead of her. Each group of 15-20 had one or two Platinum guests who pulled the now defunct "credit card" loophole and while in line told their guests to change their payment method on board. This was on a cruise where there was something like 130 Platinums and 3 Diamonds (it was announced at the past-guest party). It slowed everything down and made the actual Plats in the lounge a bit on the frustrated side because the numbers were not contained. At least with FTTF, the number of passes sold is dependent on the number of Plats and Diamonds so there is a finite number of people using the perk who all had the option to purchase, instead of a select group who "knew someone".

 

Honestly, I don't care about the Platinum perks. I don't vie to be the first on and off the ship (usually I'm the last off), I don't use the laundry service for fear of wrecked clothing, and I don't eat strawberries. At least with the introduction of FTTF, I get to drop off my bags or get unpacked before muster instead of schlepping them around Lido.

[careycouponer]

I can see where the Platinum cruisers could be unhappy and I do wish Carnival would do a better job of letting them embark and debark before FTTF.

 

That being said, I've always taken longer cruises. So while I'm under the ten cruise requirement by a fair bit, it's possible that I've actually got more cruise days than some of those who pushed to get Platinum before the program switched over.

 

I reckon it is what it is and that's life! I'll get there eventually.

[AmberTeka]

I totally understand your frustration but considering we can buy the perks at a cost we will. Maybe it's not fair to you but it creates revenue for Carnival. If there are enough Platinum members on board then no FTTF will be offered. Like the previous poster asked, can you honesty say you wouldn't have purchased it prior to earning it given the chance.

 

I totally agree with you. that is why my next cruise is booked on Princess. I have one more cruise there and we are Plats there with them.

 

Vote with your money if you don't like FTTF.

 

Getting involved in senseless arguments is silly. The name calling and the Snobbery charges...................Everything that could be said...has been said.

 

If Carnival Likes it..........keep on doing it

If I don't like it...............go to another cruse line that does not do it.

 

After the Ruby, My booking for next will be on RCCI...Freedom of the Seas. We are going to explore a little.

[jimboridesmtb]

I totally agree with you. that is why my next cruise is booked on Princess. I have one more cruise there and we are Plats there with them.

 

Vote with your money if you don't like FTTF.

 

Getting involved in senseless arguments is silly. The name calling and the Snobbery charges...................Everything that could be said...has been said.

 

If Carnival Likes it..........keep on doing it

If I don't like it...............go to another cruse line that does not do it.

 

After the Ruby, My booking for next will be on RCCI...Freedom of the Seas. We are going to explore a little.

 

I can't agree more. We are not smokers and now that several cruise lines have banned smoking on their balconies Carnival is attracting them. We are booked on another Carnival cruise Jan.12 but that will probably be the last and then we will take our money elsewhere. If you don't like what's going on then make a change.

[Linerguy]

Vote with your money if you don't like FTTF.

 

Although I think jumping ship over FTTF is a bit drastic, I agree 100% with this statement.

 

But I also believe that people who do decide to take their business elsewhere should tell Carnival why – otherwise, it's like not voting and then being upset over who's in office.

[Sparky2]

...really? I said I wasn't intending to rile anyone up and your response is that you're irritated with my post? You could've kept scrolling...

Would I pay for FTTF? Perhaps. Like I said, I understand why people buy it. However, now that I'm platinum, I see the frustration of feeling cheated because we invested time and lots of money for the benefit. If you earned a promotion to a new office at work, would you appreciate someone else being able to buy the office beside yours? Or a premier parking spot or any other perk that took time and effort on your part.

 

The only reason I'm not irritated with it is because I do receive an additional Platinum perk due to FTTF. I can go directly to my cabin to drop off carry-on luggage and my luggage will be delivered early.

[Mira28]

I find this debate perplexing. We are all so lucky! I am grateful to be getting on any ship, for any cruise at all! :D

[soccersharon]

I find this debate perplexing. We are all so lucky! I am grateful to be getting on any ship, for any cruise at all! :D

 

My sentimates exactly :)

 

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[Rena921]

I find this debate perplexing. We are all so lucky! I am grateful to be getting on any ship, for any cruise at all! :D

 

Agree. :)

[cruisinbilly]

ME FIRST ME FIRST ME FIRST!!!

 

I couldn't resist :D

[Missileer]

My wife and I are Diamond level cruisers and we have never been imposed upon by the FTTF folks in any way.

I say buy it if you can and enjoy!

[evanAction]

First time cruisers....leaving on the Carnival Freedom 2/2.

 

DW and I love to travel, and purchase upgrades whenever possible as part of the experience.

 

I thought the $50 was super inexpensive for priority boarding!

[happy cruzin]

First time cruisers....leaving on the Carnival Freedom 2/2.

 

DW and I love to travel, and purchase upgrades whenever possible as part of the experience.

 

I thought the $50 was super inexpensive for priority boarding!

 

....and immediate access to your cabin upon boarding - so that you don't have to haul around your carry ons! ;)

[BattyL]

My wife and I are Diamond level cruisers and we have never been imposed upon by the FTTF folks in any way.

I say buy it if you can and enjoy!

 

 

That's nice of you to say! :) I do buy it and I do enjoy the quicker boarding. I've had 2 back surgeries and it's difficult to stand for too long..

[Georgiagolfer]

My wife and I are Diamond level cruisers and we have never been imposed upon by the FTTF folks in any way.

I say buy it if you can and enjoy!

 

I so agree with this. CCL has decided that the interest for FTTF is great enough to keep selling, and we all know they can use any extra revenue available. I think it is here to stay until replaced by something else, so we might as well get used to it.:cool:

[cbMcruiser]

First, my intention is not to "rile" anyone up... We recently reached Platinum status, not that we didn't thoroughly enjoy every step of the way, but it was a process! I feel a bit cheated that others can "buy" their way on the ship for the same priority perks that we've invested 10 years into receiving. On our last trip, we were nearly trampled by FTTF participants. I totally understand why people would pay for the perks, just a bit irritated that the cruise line offers these perks for a price... :(

 

Carol & I thought long and hard about doing two short cruises to get her to platinum prior to the end of 2013, however, life got in the way.

 

We are so thrilled when we are able to cruise, we look so forward to the time alone and the sights.

 

We don't need to be the first ones on the ship. For all of our prior cruises, we kind of enjoy staying on the beach in Florida until check out and then heading to the port. We always rent a car, so the return is part of the process.

 

So, we try to stay mellow by letting the people that really want to be on first, get on. We catch up with them later...and we all leave together!

[Avril]

Casino: Buy 1 tournament entry, get one free

I can buy a seat right next to your free one.

 

 

Complimentary Arcade credits

(valued at $5; guests under 18 only)

I can spend $5 while your son or daughter waits to play that same game.

 

 

Carnival logo gift on every sailing

I can buy all of your free gifts at the gift shop.

 

This is not true!! The gift we get for being Platinum are different and not sold in the shops onboard or on the Bon Voayage section of the website. And Yes, I have looked in both places many times. :)

 

Oh, and what you said about your laundry being in the same machine as my free laundry? That's true, but mine mine is still free and you had to pay (a lot). Same with the slot tournament, arcade tokens, etc.

 

I as well dislike FTTF because I feel like it isn't fair that after I've spent thousands of $ sailing with Carnival and being loyal to them, that a 1st time cruiser can pay $49 for (almost) all the same perks. Aand yes, I found on my last cruise on the Breeze, the FTTF people were very pushy, especially at the guest services line where they would try to push me out of the way saying "I paid for this line, the regular line is over there)". :( Simple solution, just hold up my Platinum card and say (ok, think about saying but don't really because it's rude) "So did I, and I paid a lot more than you"!! :D

 

However, all that being said, I do enjoy being able to go straight to my cabin when I board the ship!! :D Sometimes, you have to look for the positives in life!!!!

[crooooze]

. Think about that the next time you are nearly trampled by FTTF passengers during embarkation or debarkation or standing in the long FTTF/Platinum/Diamond line at Guest Services on board.

 

"Trampled" by FTTF passengers? Yeah, ok... The last cruise I was on, there were many times more people crammed in that little "special" Platinum/Diamond waiting room than there were in the FTTF seats!!

 

 

 

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[Rena921]

"Trampled" by FTTF passengers? Yeah, ok... The last cruise I was on, there were many times more people crammed in that little "special" Platinum/Diamond waiting room than there were in the FTTF seats!!

 

 

 

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This was true on my last cruise also - the VIP area was loaded, but the FTTF people only took up a small area. Maybe it's the people in the suites that are taking up all their space?

Edited January 9, 2014 by Rena921

[Georgiagolfer]

This was true on my last cruise also - the VIP area was loaded, but the FTTF people only took up a small area. Maybe it's the people in the suites that are taking up all their space?

 

And this is the ironic part of the FTTF argument by some Platinum cruisers. Suite guests always were offered priority embark (the only suite perk) and there are more people in Suites than FTTF, and no one ever complained. When CCL decided to sell the perk, well, we all know what happened.:rolleyes:

[Mysticks1]

This is not true!! The gift we get for being Platinum are different and not sold in the shops onboard or on the Bon Voayage section of the website. And Yes, I have looked in both places many times. :)

 

 

You might not be able to buy the Platinum gifts onboard but you can buy them before you board or after your cruise on eBay. I have 2 of the Tervis Tumblers that I bought from there, still in the boxes for less than $10 including the shipping (for both). You should look there if you want to buy one.

[AtSeaWithChris]

First, my intention is not to "rile" anyone up... We recently reached Platinum status, not that we didn't thoroughly enjoy every step of the way, but it was a process! I feel a bit cheated that others can "buy" their way on the ship for the same priority perks that we've invested 10 years into receiving. On our last trip, we were nearly trampled by FTTF participants. I totally understand why people would pay for the perks, just a bit irritated that the cruise line offers these perks for a price... :(

 

I definitely HAD mixed feelings as I've checked daily for months and they were sold out.

 

Today, I finally got it booked. Got the last one at this point.

 

Now, I'm not mixed, I'm happy! :;):

 

 

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[AtSeaWithChris]

First, my intention is not to "rile" anyone up... We recently reached Platinum status, not that we didn't thoroughly enjoy every step of the way, but it was a process! I feel a bit cheated that others can "buy" their way on the ship for the same priority perks that we've invested 10 years into receiving. On our last trip, we were nearly trampled by FTTF participants. I totally understand why people would pay for the perks, just a bit irritated that the cruise line offers these perks for a price... :(

 

One point that I would make is that you have to pay for faster to the fun and platinum members get that perk for free.

 

 

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