More CCL agreed: FTTF Going to $59.95

[Rottweiler Puppy]

....

Its like waiting to be seated at a restaurant and someone walks in hands the hostess a twenty and gets seated first...kind of rubs others the wrong way.

 

Thats different as there are no restaurants that have a corporate well known policy of paying your way past others. Would you go out to a restaurant that has an advertised policy of paying the hostess more gets you in faster? If you are booked on a Carnival Cruise you basically are saying yes to such a system.

 

Still, the only person to be mad at is the one who allowed it.

 

There is absolutely no logical reason to be mad at the person taking advantage of it. The only reason to be mad at the ones who pay to get past lines is from pure jealousy. They did nothing wrong. Either the hostess who is taking bribes, or the corporate entity that allows it is where the emotions need to go.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Rottweiler Puppy

[misterchatter]

Thanks. I see your point, however, I was challenging people to actually say something to someone in person instead of being keyboard tough guys. -- because they won't. But I do see your point.

 

After re reading your post, I can see your point also. You would not be the complaining party, but the actual ones that do. GOT YA.

[MrMileStoner]

I have said it over and over...If Carnival sees how much people are willing to pay any price for FTTF, then why would they continue to give it to Platinum/Diamond as a free loyalty reward. My fear is they will take it away from the Platinum/Diamond and make everyone that wants the benefits to pay for them.

 

^^This is why it bothers me.^^

 

To date, FTTF has taken nothing away from Platinum/Diamond and in fact, has caused enhancements and added value to Platinum/Diamond.

[ccartman2]

Gosh....Didn't realize it was this was such a hot topic. The truth is simple....carnival will continue to raise the price until they can just barely sell it out, maximizing their profits. Where that price point is, I could never guess, but it'll be more then $60. It's smart business.

 

As for me, I did it last time, and I will likely do it next time. Now, if it is just me and my wife sailing, maybe not, or if we wind up with 2 cabins (doubling the price), I doubt I'd do it then. But sailing with kids, definately makes it worth it for me. Plus, when it comes to sitting around and waiting on something, I'm not a real happy camper, so by paying a small fee (relative to the cost of a cruise), it was well worth the money.

 

Priority embarkation - If this is all it was, I wouldn't do it. I would just get there early and wait online. It is nice, but the early arrivers are boarding right after you, so in reality, maybe you are saving 30 minutes, if that. As for those to say wait until 100 or 130 and just walk on: I would be very opposed to waiting in the port city, so I didn't have to wait at the port. When I get up a cruise day, i want to get on the boat, not sit at McDonald's drinking coffee. Plus waiting would have cost me about 3 drinks on the cruise program. :)

 

Room early - This why we did it, because we had a young child, and wanted to be sure there was a place we could take her if she got tired or overwhelmed. Plus we had a Lido balcony, so bathroom access was another nice plus. My kids comfort is well worth $50 (or $60). It was nice, but a perk I could live without with no kids.

 

Guest Services - First 6 cruises, I don't believe I ever used it and didn't plan on it this time either. This cruise, I used it multiple times. Glad I had it, but hope I don't have to bother guest services so much in the future.

 

Tenders - Zero Tender ports.

 

Priority disembarkation - Liked this a lot (more so then getting on early). We have a long drive back to home from any port, so hitting the road as soon as possible was pretty sweet and the lack of crowd by doing so, made it a fairly peaceful process.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

So buy FTTF then and you too could be one of those people that roll out of bed in the morning with no plans at all and stroll up at your leisure and sail to the front of the line of those people that planned and woke up early and stood in line all day.

 

But see...the point is that I find it uncomfortable to pay for a service that relegates others to second class status. It is bad enough that the "loyalty" program is set up such that "ordinary" passengers are affected and displaced, and now the whole thing is exacerbated with a program that charges to place oneself in the hierarchy program.

 

I'm not mad at anyone, can fully understand why Carnival offers the program because it puts millions in their coffers. And I understand why people buy into the program....I just don't like it and find it slightly distasteful.

[Vitamin_Sea]

The money I've saved on not buying FTTF on every cruise I've been on easily covers the cost of another cruise. I can easily live without it, and the savings really adds up.

 

I agree 100%, its nothing but a waste of money.

[richstowe]

The money I've saved on not buying FTTF on every cruise I've been on easily covers the cost of another cruise. I can easily live without it, and the savings really adds up.

And that's fine . How do you feel about buying drinks , going to the casino or the steak restaurant ? What about excursions or spa treatments ?

 

We all spend money the way we see fit. Personally I never buy cancellation insurance . In your words, the money I've saved by not buying it easily covers the cost of another cruise.

Edited April 25, 2015 by richstowe

[MrMileStoner]

If the money someone saved by not buying FTTF would buy them a cruise, would they not be at least Platinum and not need FTTF?

[keishashadow]

I've noticed something interesting...many people who purchase FTTF are merciless in their defense of the product, and they insist on trying to convince others that they are spending their money wisely...and they use the word "get" a lot (ie: I get to board early, I get on a tender first). When the truth is they don't "get" anything...they paid to board early and they are paying to tender first.

 

A "service" purchase has no intrinsic value.

 

Everyone eventually gets on the ship, everyone who wants eventually gets on a tender, everyone's room is ready for them at the advertised boarding time, anyone can talk to customer service, and anyone can choose to do self-disembark and lug their suitcases around when disembarking, and I have never heard of any passenger having to give up their specialty dining time because FTTF lists that it's users have priority in making reservations.

 

The best analogy of FTTF is the difference between self-parking and using a valet...neither makes a difference to the quality of a restaurant or how a customer is treated once inside the restaurant.

 

Like Valet service FTTF is strictly a convenience that you pay for. And Carnival will continue to raise the price as long as people want the service...I can remember when tipping a valet meant $2...now their are signs that suggest $10 to $20.

 

Arguably, perhaps not intrinsically, but FTTF certainly has varying levels of extrinsic value to many since it is so popular.

 

Having valet parking offered often dictates what restaurant I will choose. Along with food/service/ambiance of a restaurant it is a very desirable amenity. Having a valet option can enhance one's overall experience. Health issues, a very high pair of heels;), etc. don't necessarily agree with self-parking; especially when there is a lot of ground to cover between the parking garage and the restaurant in an urban environment.

 

Value, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

 

As for the increase in tipping valet attendants you reference, there is a trend in larger facilities to use subcontractors or a parking service. In most hotels both self parking fees & the valet tip are mandatory & added to one's bill.

[Lisichka]

if the money someone saved by not buying fttf would buy them a cruise, would they not be at least platinum and not need fttf?

 

▲▲this ▲▲

[stobe1]

If the money someone saved by not buying FTTF would buy them a cruise, would they not be at least Platinum and not need FTTF?

 

I was thinking the same thing. That's a helluva lot of cruises of saving $50 a pop to even pay for one cruise, even more so obtaining platinum status.