FTTF worth it with staged check in times?

[cruizinisthebest]

Cruises over 5 days it's been $60 since last Spring. $50 was enough.

[matymil]

Cruises over 5 days it's been $60 since last Spring. $50 was enough.

 

I must have just made the cut. I'd probably still do it for $60 though.

[HectorAchilleus]

When we used it in Ft. Lauderdale the wait seemed like it was closer to an hour rather than 20 mins. After traveling all morning for us it was totally worth it. We said we'd never do another cruise again without it.

 

I was just going by what others had said earlier on this thread.

 

My Sister had FTTF last June on the breeze. She was travelling with five other couples who did not have FTTF and all arrived together. They arrives about 11:30. There was a large group of FTTF and Plats ahead of her and only two people checking them in, while the other couples checked in relatively easily. When boarding started she was still on a list to check in and kept getting bumped by plats & diamonds. As things turned out, she ended up getting on the ship AFTER her friends. She did enjoy the GS line, but the other perks were useless to her. (there were no tenders, all the rooms were ready by the time she got on, and her luggage arrived about the same time as the others.

[Naomi John]

FTTF and these staggered check in times are interesting. Usually, if you arrive at the port around 12 pm, you can miss the mass cattle call, (those with the "me first" problem), and walk on to the ship around 12:30 - 1 Pm. The rooms are normally ready by then, those with the "me first" problem have eaten and which frees up the lido. I'd rather spend $60 on something else.

 

I have also read some ports, the FTTF are so numerous, they are placed in a "holding area", which does not have enough seats and they have to wait until weddings, plats and diamonds board. Does not seem very fun to me.

[Vitamin_Sea]

FTTF is a waste of money

[Butterbean1000]

FTTF is a waste of money

 

It's an waste of money in your opinion and I respect that. However, we like starting our vacation as early as we can. We arrive early to the port, board as soon as we are allowed. It is worth it to us to go directly to our cabin, drop off luggage and unpack.

 

So if it is worth it to us, it is not a waste of money because we have the choice to buy it or not.

[indychristine]

Hi all! When I booked my sailing about a week ago FTTF was available and now I had a change of heart and want to do it but of course it is sold out. Do you keep on looking and it may open up again? Thoughts? Sailing is April 23.

 

 

Our last cruise they were sold out when we booked. I kept checking and found one right around finale payment due date.

So I would keep looking! Good luck! Have fun!

[esdoorn]

I sailed the Carnival Triumph in Galveston in late November. They were enforcing the staggered times.

 

My fiance and I had FTTF, rest of the family had the earliest check in block, 10:30am.

 

The entire process for us was quicker, however they were not far behind. We boarded before general boarding and were on the ship before them, but I believe it was only a 20 minute difference.

 

As for disembarkation, we missed the FTTF group (they meet early and we are admittedly slow in the mornings haha) so I cant speak much to that.

 

In the future if I get the early check in time I wont worry about getting FTTF. 20 minutes in time didnt justify the money. And for me a carry on is just a backpack so I dont mind waiting for my room.

 

 

The 20 minutes could be a big deal if you are going to Half Moon Cay and have booked a cabana, as the first thing you do when getting on ship is select your cabana. If folks are ahead of you, you could get stuck with cabana's 1,2,3,4 or 5 where the beach will be crowded.

 

 

.

[cruser3]

IF i buy FTTF, does it cover the cabin or just me?

[LuckyZ]

So with FTTF you pay $60.00 to get on the ship 10-20 minutes faster than the other people? Unless there is a tender port, or you use CS, it seems a waste of money.

 

I agree it's a waste of money. You beat the main crowd by 20 min, and you can still get into your room by 1:30pm like everyone else.

I haven't heard any compelling arguments on what other benefits you get with FTTF that make it worth it

[billfish]

So with FTTF you pay $60.00 to get on the ship 10-20 minutes faster than the other people? Unless there is a tender port, or you use CS, it seems a waste of money.

 

We always arrive early to the port and want to get on board as soon as possible . It sure is nice to be able to go to your cabin and get rid of your carry on. Nice plus to have your luggage get to your room early . We get to unpack and everything put away before muster and ready to relax. FTTF well worth it

[JMAE]

When we used FTTF we always thought the best feature was the priority tender for leaving the ship.

[erinmarie424]

We like dropping off the bags right away in a room that is ready for us. Makes it easier to navigate the lunch lines. Also we don't go to GS so that perk doesn't mean too much but last time my roommate and I were putting our bags in the hall on the last night and the door closed with both our cards inside. It sure was nice for her to not have to wait in the long line to get a new card!

Edited February 7, 2016 by erinmarie424

[clhayes]

1) Would only purchase FTTF today if I planned on arriving to the terminal early.

 

2) If I wasn't already Plat, then I would arrive after 2pm and walk on, room ready (almost always), and go get a bite to eat.

 

3) Tender; go a little later. Carnival Excursion with tender - already taken care of with a waiting spot to be escorted off the ship, not leaving without me.

 

4) Guest Services; not needed, but if so, I'm a nite owl and will go late at night. It's been my experience, little to no line at all. Same for early in the morning.

 

5) My luggage; self assist, carry-on and a garment bag. With some extra room for anything I buy on the trip.

 

I have experienced the staggered check-in and it was great! Look forward to it rolling out fleet-wide. I have also read more positive experiences with it then negative here on CC.

[lylone]

We buy Fttf just for the customer service line. Have used it every cruise for putting cash on out S&S account when the kiosk is down to asking them to send someone to fix our room toilet. Don't want to get stuck behind several people griping at someone for 30 minutes when I need my toilet fixed. And on every cruise there seems to be a lot of griping and whining in the CS line which is WAY long!

[IPlayWithString]

I think so.

 

We experienced the staggered check in times for the first time during our Jan 21 cruise. I felt so bad for all those people who'd showed up ahead of their check in time because they were NOT letting them into the terminal AT ALL and forced them to stand outside in the warm sun. Now,this WAS January, so it wasn't terrible but I can't imagine being forced to stand outside during about March through maybe the end of September, early October (depending on the weather, of course). Because it's going to be BRUTUAL, especially come mid-late May and early June.

[riclop]

It's not worth it regardless.

[jh2360]

I think so.

 

We experienced the staggered check in times for the first time during our Jan 21 cruise. I felt so bad for all those people who'd showed up ahead of their check in time because they were NOT letting them into the terminal AT ALL and forced them to stand outside in the warm sun. Now,this WAS January, so it wasn't terrible but I can't imagine being forced to stand outside during about March through maybe the end of September, early October (depending on the weather, of course). Because it's going to be BRUTUAL, especially come mid-late May and early June.

 

Why do you feel bad for people who didn't follow the rules? They decided to show up outside of their window. What happened was their own doing.

[cruizinisthebest]

Why do you feel bad for people who didn't follow the rules? They decided to show up outside of their window. What happened was their own doing.

Exactly. It's those same bone heads that caused the new process. And I see they took it for a joke just like the last and much less stringent way.

 

I love that Carnival is sticking to their guns with this. About time. Pick a time. And show up then. By March into the Spring and Summer, anyone who shows up early deserves to bake in the sun. It will have been in place in Galveston for at least 6 months by then.

 

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

Edited February 8, 2016 by cruizinisthebest

[IPlayWithString]

They could have at least let them (or as many would fit anyway) inside the lower part of the terminal where it's at least air conditioned instead of making them stand outside in the hot sun.

[Sparky2]

We were debating whether or not to purchase FTTF for our upcoming cruise because we won't have any tendered ports. However, being able to board the ship and go directly up to our room has us spoiled. Also, I had to go to GS a few times last cruise and did not have to wait in that hopelessly long line. That alone is worth it. So I pulled the trigger and purchase FTTF tonight.

 

This will be my last time I'll have to buy FTTF as I will be Platinum on our next cruise ~happy dance~:cool:

 

I assume you're talking about the next one after your upcoming one?

[TaDaaa!]

They could have at least let them (or as many would fit anyway) inside the lower part of the terminal where it's at least air conditioned instead of making them stand outside in the hot sun.

 

Why? Should people not be responsible for their own actions?

[smarks]

Cruises over 5 days it's been $60 since last Spring. $50 was enough.

 

I booked my daughter for FTTF for Oct. 2016 for a 5 day on the Valor and it did cost $59. It has gone up.

[smarks]

IF i buy FTTF, does it cover the cabin or just me?

FTTF covers everybody in your cabin.

[franknberry]

The go behind diamond and platinum, not in front of them.

 

 

We go first when buying FTTF. Best thing Carnival ever did. Why earn loyalty, we can buy it! 😀😀😀