Debarkation with FTTF?

[kstravelers]

Can someone tell me what the debarkation process is like if you have FTTF? We are hoping to get off the ship early.

[TexCrsr]

Just off the boat last Sunday with FTTF. Fast and easy! The afternoon before we debarked the room steward left a very detailed letter and instructions in the cabin. We did self debark so basically all the FTTF people waited in one of the lounges and were escorted off (after the Diamond/Plat) together. They had an elevator waiting and they escorted us down stairs and to the gangway. We all commented on how this alone was worth the $50!

 

There was an option for a later debark if you needed assistance with your luggage. Seems like it would be similar. You were given Zone 1 luggage tags and asked to report to the same lounge about 1.5 later in the morning.

 

Have fun!

[carrieluvsgreg]

The way I understand it, you will be given #1, meaning you can go first after self-assist. If you really want to speed things up, opt for self- assist, then you'll be first and will already have your luggage with you. We are never in that big of a hurry to leave the ship... I like to savor it...

[kstravelers]

TexCrsr, were you on the Triumph? We will be on the Triumph the end of the month. I have a bad back and can't do long lines, so I was really hoping the FTTF would help. Sounds like it worked well for you, thanks for the info.

[TexCrsr]

We were on Elation out of New Orleans. I think FTTF would be a great option for someone with a back problem. There was no random waiting in long lines, we even breezed right through customs. We were out of our room and off the ship in a matter of minutes. Having the staff reserving the elevator and assisting with where to go etc was wonderful!

 

Plus our room was ready when got on the ship!

 

I would definitely buy FTTF again.

[kona_wahine]

It sounds like some of the ships make all FTTF join up and then are assisted off. I've heard the Liberty does this, which we are on next Saturday. On the Dream we had zone 1 with FTTF and I guess I don't understand why all the ships don't do it this way. We were allowed to leave when we wanted.

 

We don't have a flight until 12:40 and are doing luggage express so not in that big a rush to get off the ship. I'm just wondering what happens if we want to wait a bit and not leave with all the other FTTF?

[LuvCruising01]

I was on the fascination this morning and had to get the steward to contact his supervisor for the official letter and zone 1 tags. They appeared to have left me off the list, so I would ask the steward if they forget to get you your correct tags the night before. I had bought my FTTF months in advance. Enjoy!

[fireman935]

The wife and myself bought F2F last year on the dream we received luggage tags numbered 2. We got off pretty quick. so enjoy fast disembarkation. We love f2f.

[KenMo]

We don't have a flight until 12:40 and are doing luggage express so not in that big a rush to get off the ship. I'm just wondering what happens if we want to wait a bit and not leave with all the other FTTF?

 

You don't have to get off with the other FTTFs. Just leave when you want...or until they kick you off.

 

We're Platinum and can be the first off the ship. We wait until the pushing and shoving is over, then we leave when most everyone else is gone.

[BigRed93]

It sounds like some of the ships make all FTTF join up and then are assisted off. I've heard the Liberty does this, which we are on next Saturday. On the Dream we had zone 1 with FTTF and I guess I don't understand why all the ships don't do it this way. We were allowed to leave when we wanted.

 

We don't have a flight until 12:40 and are doing luggage express so not in that big a rush to get off the ship. I'm just wondering what happens if we want to wait a bit and not leave with all the other FTTF?

 

Actually with the luggage express you should also be given directions to meet at a certain place and a specific zone number. They will escort you out and up to the customs line.

 

 

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[DallasGuy75219]

It sounds like some of the ships make all FTTF join up and then are assisted off. I've heard the Liberty does this, which we are on next Saturday. On the Dream we had zone 1 with FTTF and I guess I don't understand why all the ships don't do it this way.

 

Probably because some people will debark when the first group is called, whether or not they are not in that group. (For those that have checked luggage, they also look foolish when they get to baggage claim and their assigned group's bags haven't been put out yet.) Having Platinums/Diamonds and FTTF meet in a specific place, to debark before anything is announced over the PA system, allows these groups to debark without the others debarking prematurely.

 

If you are Platinum/Diamond or FTTF, you are of course allowed to debark with any general debark group (i.e., after your early debark time/group).

Edited January 12, 2014 by DallasGuy75219

[Amyracecar]

We paid for FTTF last December on the Carnival Valor. We were given number 1 tags for debarkation. The letter could be a little more informative as it assumes everyone wants to leave asap and doesn't give any information for those who don't.

 

We were staying in a hotel with check-in from 3pm so we had no intention of getting off early. We asked at guest services and he just said 'get off when you want'. (The only not-terribly-helpful member of staff we met all week, i might add. The rest were all brilliant)

 

Only US Citizens were allowed to do self assist so we put our bags out the night before. We left our room at about 9am and spent the rest of the morning hanging around on deck. Most people seem unable to enjoy themselves on the final day and crammed themselves in the buffet looking miserable, waiting for numbers to be called.

 

We left at about lunchtime but this proved to be a mistake as the queues for passport check were huge. The trick to avoid this seems to be going first or last. If you want to go early then self assist or getting to the front of the zone one queue should be fine. Zone one luggage was right at the bottom of the escalator so easy to find. Otherwise (as someone has already said) stay on as long as you can and wait for the rush to go down. Either way you have the best choice with FTTF.

 

And Embarkation, that was a dream!

[RWolver672]

In February, we were the first ones to have FTTF on the Freedom. We were given Zone 1 luggage tags and instructed to meet in a very small "Conference looking" room next to the front MDR. When we got there, it was already packed with people and no place for probably a third of the people to sit. They had empty orange, apple juice and water containers sitting there and empty plates that looked like they may have had some kind of breakfast rolls on them.

 

Needless to say, I hope they make better arrangements now that they know how many people are going to be in there. The snacks I could do without but we waited for almost an hour before they escorted us to the gangway and it would have been nice to have a place to sit.

[mosaic_mom]

We had FTTF on Paradise in December and it was the same there. We were given a letter the night before and given Zone 1 luggage tags.

 

They had one lounge for FTTF who put out luggage the night before and one lounge for those carrying off all their luggage. They had a table with coffee, juices, and pastries. The bad part about the lounge was we were one of the first ones there very early and people that came in behind us would stand right in front of the door. Like the lounge was loading from the back to the door instead of people moving entirely into the lounge. Not Carnival's fault though.

 

They took us to an elevator and we all went down, but I think they did it too fast because there was a huge traffic jam when the elevator door opened. It was great once it started moving. Very fast getting off the ship from that point.

 

We will do it again next cruise.