FTTF, anyone else have mixed feelings?

[cruisersunsetbrat]

And this thread was not started to get anything going...

 

Read those nasty posts. Most from the fttf.

 

I say it again. Everyting that could be said has been said.

 

Go sail ncl. Or celebrity. Watch for specials. They are not that much more expensive.

 

Vote with your money. Save your breath on this topic.

 

I hardly ever post but just have to say I agree 100% with this post.

 

I am Platinum on CCL. I have been for a few years now. I will be taking my first Celebrity cruise soon (and can hardly wait!) This will be my 19th cruise. Out of my last 5 cruises, only one has been on Carnival. Yes, we will probably cruise on Carnival again if the itinerary and price work but there are other lines we will consider first.

 

I look at this as a win-win. Carnival cruisers get to purchase their FTTF and we discover there are a lot of other cruise lines we prefer over Carnival for nearly the same price.

Edited January 23, 2014 by cruisersunsetbrat

[Jana60]

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... :(

 

Not me, I'm thrilled with the FTTF program! Before they started that program even if you are Platinum you had to wait to go to your room. When they added the program they added the perks of having the room ready when you board the ship. They still board the diamond and platinum members 1st then they allow the FTTF group to board. I think it's great and I've been perfectly happy since becoming a platinum. I think my favorite things is not having to wait in a long line when I need to ask a question or get change from the information desk. Despite the faster to the fun program, I have not noticed any congestion in that line. If I weren't platinum I would definitely pay for the faster to the fun program. But it's really great that I get the program for free including the faster to the room perk. And by the way they don't get all of the Platinum perks. They don't get to go to the Past passenger party unless they qualify, they don't get free laundry service, they don't get two for one tournament entries in the casino, they don't get chocolate covered strawberries unless they pay for them, and they don't get the carnival logo gift. But even if they did get everything that I get as long as it didn't cause me any harm I have no objection. Although I greatly enjoyed the Platinum perks on my last 5 cruises and will be enjoying them again on my 16th cruise Sunday, I do not consider them to be something I earned. I paid to go on some fabulous trips and got exactly what I paid for. I didn't pay for the little extras I now enjoy which makes them all the sweeter.

 

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Edited May 3, 2014 by Jana60

[BallFour4]

I'm sitting here with my logo hat on watching all this with my binoculars and I must say, I nearly choked on a chocolate strawberry at the nerve of some people.

I'm so upset my feet hurt. Perhaps flip-flops that accessorize my jean shorts will be more comfortable at priority dining.

To make matters worse I stepped on my collectors item silver ship pin and dropped my clothes in the shower. The free laundry bag will be full on this cruise.

I might complain to John about this...

 

Once... I walked up to the Guest Services desk when there was a big line. I got stared at big time. After that I go during slow times in the atrium.

 

I've given all our pins away to a kid or couple on their honeymoon. The dates mean something to them.

 

:)

 

 

 

 

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[cruzn buckeye]

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 am also Platinum with 26 cruises. And I agree with the OP. If you had read it closely, you will see that yes, he probably would buy it if he wasn't Platinum, and so would I. As a matter of fact, when I bring new cruisers, or encourage them to book with Carnival as i do lots of times, I also encourage them to buy FTTF if it is available. That being said, the OP is right. And he/or she is not saying anything bad about those that buy it.

As far as revenue for Carnival... well.. think about it. It starts at 15 cabins at 49 per cabin. That is a whole $735.00. They add as it is seen that they have room to add by 15 cabins at a time. So if they get up to 45 cabins, that is $2,205 dollars. Not really that much revenue considering the amount of money that cruisers spend on the ship. 45 cabins can add up to anywhere from 90 to 180 extra people in the priority embark, guest service line, and early tenders. Perks that were earned by those who simply love cruising with Carnival, like myself. I was Platinum as soon as they started the program. I have read that many Platinum cruisers are going to try other lines as they feel their loyalty program is better, and they don't sell it to anybody that wants it. I am not one of those people because I enjoy Carnival so much. I wouldn't be against selling or even giving freely some of these perks to someone with any kind of disability, whether it be someone who is totally wheelchair bound, elderly, or even someone who has difficulty walking or standing due to injury such as broken ankles. However, I do think it has caused much frustration to Platinum cruises, especially those who were grandfathered into Platinum if they could get up to 10 cruises, with another year to purchase them. I was told that as a milestone, I would be grandfathered to Diamond. Doesnt matter who says Milestone isn't a level, this is what I was told and it didn't happen.

The OPs post is just a post about peoples feelings, not to start to have people make nasty comments.

On a final note, i don't understand why Carnival to sell these perks for a measly 2200 profit, when it aggravates the hundreds or possibly thousands of Platinum cruisers that they have.

Perhaps the next step should be to do away with the Loyalty program and just sell the perks. Then there wouldn't be so many people who love cruising with them, going against each other over it.

Edited May 3, 2014 by cruzn buckeye

[cruzn buckeye]

The lines are longer at the VIP side of the customer service desk with many (newbie?) FTTF people there

I agree with this part of your post. On my last cruise, I had to get out of the VIP line because it was taking too much time, and went to the other line and got taken care of much sooner.

[cruzn buckeye]

Not in Miami we all board together.

two cruises ago, in Miami, my friends were FTTF. My daughter and myself in another cabin are both Platinum. Took the same cab to the port, (actually treated ourselves to a limo):D. Went through the same security line together, then they were sent to FTTF line and we were sent to Platinum Lounge. They boarded and had lunch and were calling our phones 45 minutes later while we were still waiting to board.:rolleyes: Our plan was for us to wait at the embark photo for them so we could get our pics together. Well... that didnt happen...

Edited May 3, 2014 by cruzn buckeye

[melsmom303]

i cant understand why so many people have it its always sold out lol :eek::eek:

[bellagabriella]

Wow, this is so KG. We all paid to enjoy the same cruise. Why lord it all over everyone else that you get to jump to the head of the line because your privileged and are platinum or bought a "Disney jump ahead" card? Do you all realize how childish this all sounds? It's unfair unless you've earned it by putting in your years or "paying your dues" as us musicians say. Either way, we're all the same paying to enjoy the same food, same booze, same entertainment, same pools, same jacuzzis. So hush up and be nice :p

[momof3cruisers]

Glad it makes sense to you. It is in fact a very mis-guided solution and one that shows a very poor understanding of customer relations.

 

Why do you think so? Have all the Platinum and Diamond cruisers stopped cruising? Are the majority of them upset? I doubt it. CC represents a very small percentage of the cruising public.

 

Also a small percentage...the actual amount of FTTF cruisers. Out of 3000 passengers (on a smaller ship) even if 300 of them (WAY more than reality) are FTTF that is still only 10% of the entire ship. Is that really going to impact anyone's cruise experience? How?

 

We do have FTTF on our upcoming cruise. I got it because we have a balcony and I love the idea of being able o go there and start relaxing instead of sitting with our carry ons on the Lido. Which is an extra perk that didn't exist before this program came along.

[Rudyard]

...really? I said I wasn't intending to rile anyone up

 

I call shenanigans on this. Unless you've been living under a rock since FTTF started you would know that these threads always rile people up. Always.

 

It's like with the people that start their threads with "I don't want to rile anyone up, but let's talk about smoking/tipping/alcohol smuggling". They all know what is going to happen when they start their threads and then insult our intelligence by acting surprised that their post had the desired effect.

 

I used to feel sorry for the Platinum cruisers over this issue, now it's fun to sit back and watch them kvetch over this.

 

ETA: To the Plat cruisers who do not complain about FTTF, you guys rock. Too bad they can't all be like you.

Edited May 3, 2014 by Rudyard

[dljones]

I just see it as another "service" Carnival offer's SOME of their guests, and for a price mind you, and without the same perks. JMHO... :D

[v3cruiser]

From someone who has seen both sides of the coin. I am now Platinum but I have used FTTF and in no way to I feel cheated. As Platinum I get on prior to FTTF and also get more perks. I also get to go to room faster and get my luggage quicker since they brought on FTTF. They did not offer these before. I now do not have to pay to get through the line a little faster. I do not see where people have such a problem with this program. It takes nothing away from being Platinum so get over it.

Well said!

 

I bought it for my upcoming cruise because i didnt want my mother in law to have to wait around in possible long lines Hopefully we can just get to it!

On prior cruises ive never had a problem with the time it took to get on the ship anyway. I just wanted the insurance this time around.

[Jenhem31]

I just got off the Paradise yesterday. I did purchase FTTF but also had a grand suite which included priority check in. I sailed out of Tampa, and I saw no VIP lounge. There was a different area for us to check in, but once that was complete, we sat with the regular folk in the terminal.

 

They made a call for Diamond and Platinum to board, and after called for suite guests and FTTF. I saw no trampling.

 

I purchased FTTF for one reason only- so my room would be ready when I got on the ship to drop off my carry ons. That was worth the $50 to me and I'd do it again.

 

I won't lie, priority tendering was nice. I didn't plan on utilizing it but we asked where we were supposed to go and were personally escorted down. I also appreciated the priority debarking. I got no nasty comments from anyone.

 

I wish people would stop flaming the FTTF folks. It's a money maker for Carnival plain and simple. Platinum and Diamonds should remember that they too had to take their first cruise at some point. You have to start somewhere!

 

 

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[jhaasz]

At least you don't lose your Carnival status like you do with the airlines...

[Island Crazed]

I think it was worth the $49 for 1- dropping carry-ons off upon boarding. 2- Disembarking early. AND our 6 pieces of luggage were all together. That never happened in our past 3 cruises. Don't know if that was due to FTTF. ( There were 4 of us.)

 

 

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[kteachcruiser52]

What irritates me is all the platinum Carnival Cruisers who got there with 3 or 4 day cruises and then complaining that someone like me who have only 8 Cruises but a lot more days at sea would purchase FTTF .

 

We also have taken 7,8, and 15 day cruises and have more days than some of those that took 10 3 and 4 day cruises, but I don't let that upset me. You're on vacation. Don't stress out about the little things.

 

Although some start every other sentence with I'm platinum and convey the attitude I am better than you, most do not and I have had very interesting conversations with them about their early cruising experience. One couple told us all about their cruising experiences back when you had a room and there was a common bathroom. They had sailed many different lines, some of which no longer exist. I looked forward to talking to them at dinner each night.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I just purchased FTTF yesterday for my cruise in August.

 

Honestly, I can't believe they are offering this service for only $50. I was ready to pay $50 per person, then I found out that the $50 covered all three in my cabin!! Yatzee!! They could charge more and people like me who hate lines would still buy it.;)

 

And FYI, I have only taken a few cruises on Carnival (this will be my 4th), but I have 16+ with Royal, and am pretty high up in their rewards program. If Royal offered this service, it wouldn't bother me at all, I have never much cared about what other people do or don't do.:eek:

 

The main reasons I got FTTF were

 

1. To tender in GC without huge lines.

2. I like getting my bags early.

3. I am going to try to get off the ship as late as I can since my flight home isn't til 7:30pm.

 

I don't really care about getting on first.

[CTI1WLM]

I just purchased FTTF yesterday for my cruise in August.

 

Honestly, I can't believe they are offering this service for only $50. I was ready to pay $50 per person, then I found out that the $50 covered all three in my cabin!! Yatzee!! They could charge more and people like me who hate lines would still buy it.;)

 

And FYI, I have only taken a few cruises on Carnival (this will be my 4th), but I have 16+ with Royal, and am pretty high up in their rewards program. If Royal offered this service, it wouldn't bother me at all, I have never much cared about what other people do or don't do.:eek:

 

The main reasons I got FTTF were

 

1. To tender in GC without huge lines.

2. I like getting my bags early.

3. I am going to try to get off the ship as late as I can since my flight home isn't til 7:30pm.

 

I don't really care about getting on first.

 

First, a good number of PLAT cruisers achieved their status under the set of rules in play way back when (i.e., after you complete so many cruises, you are a PLAT).

 

Then Carnival changed the rules to a specific number of cruise days are required to be ranked as a PLAT. Will one [or more] or you "old time PLATs" answer this question - When Carnival changed the rules, did you say 'Well, gee, I have not cruised that many days. Maybe I should surrender my PLAT benefits?' I do not think so. I think you said, "We got our privileges fair and square and that is that."

 

So, why do SOME PLATs begrudge people who have bought FTTF?

 

FTTF is a service that Carnival has offered for a price. No one has to buy it. The people who do buy it obviously think the program has some value for them. PLATs do NOT have to sacrifice any of their benefits. And, the benefits for being a PLAT are more than FTTF [laundry, for example].

 

So why the big hangup? If this were the only thing I had to gripe about, life would be good.

[quickrate]

First, a good number of PLAT cruisers achieved their status under the set of rules in play way back when (i.e., after you complete so many cruises, you are a PLAT).

 

Then Carnival changed the rules to a specific number of cruise days are required to be ranked as a PLAT. Will one [or more] or you "old time PLATs" answer this question - When Carnival changed the rules, did you say 'Well, gee, I have not cruised that many days. Maybe I should surrender my PLAT benefits?' I do not think so. I think you said, "We got our privileges fair and square and that is that."

 

So, why do SOME PLATs begrudge people who have bought FTTF?

 

FTTF is a service that Carnival has offered for a price. No one has to buy it. The people who do buy it obviously think the program has some value for them. PLATs do NOT have to sacrifice any of their benefits. And, the benefits for being a PLAT are more than FTTF [laundry, for example].

 

So why the big hangup? If this were the only thing I had to gripe about, life would be good.

I don't begrudge the people who purchase FTTF and have no beef with them. I think what has caused the ill feelings for us "old Platinum" cruisers is we were led on for months and months to believe that the new platinum program was going to be" brilliant" and when they finally rolled it out, they had taken away benefits, not added them!! Then they introduced FTTF-kind of a slap in the face to platinum and diamond cruisers. And to those who say, but because of FTTF you now get to go straight to your cabin upon boarding-shouldn't that have been a perk already offered to plat./diamond, not offered by default?! To sum this up, no beef with FTTF cruisers-only with Carnival on how they handled everything. And, yes, we have choices on who we cruise with. We have stayed with Carnival for now cause they are a match for our style of cruising.

Pat

[Karlou]

We have purchased FTTF for several cruises. We think it is fantastic! I like to get our cabin early, unpack, then sit on the balcony and enjoy-knowing our vacation has really started.

FTTF was also a godsend for my 86 year old mother in law last year. It was her first cruise and she was exhausted after boarding. Having her room and luggage ready was great!

The people who would begrudge us the chance to purchase these "perks" are pretty small, in my opinion.

 

 

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[fishtaco]

I thinks its a great pay for perk!

 

I also think Diamonds only should have first boarding option along with suite guests and Platinum given as their perk the choice to pay half the FTTF rate to board with FTTF purchasers! This would ultimately free up more fully paid FTTF places:D

[prattmom]

I thinks its a great pay for perk!

 

I also think Diamonds only should have first boarding option along with suite guests and Platinum given as their perk the choice to pay half the FTTF rate to board with FTTF purchasers! This would ultimately free up more fully paid FTTF places:D

 

You wanna take away another Platinum perk???

[tpiper55]

what irritates me is all the platinum carnival cruisers who got there with 3 or 4 day cruises and then complaining that someone like me who have only 8 cruises but a lot more days at sea would purchase fttf .

 

^^^^ this

[dubois]

As a Platinum cruise, I actually like the FTTF program. I love the perk of now being able to drop off our carry-on once boarding.

I also haven't noticed any delay in our boarding, or any mad rush onto the ship with the extra FTTF passengers.

[glassman352]

To me, Plat and Diamond cruisers that are annoyed with FTTF people would be the same as me saying I'm annoyed with people who just walk up to the bar and buy a drink when I have the Cheers program. But then again, after my 13th drink, I won't care. :D