Carnival What is Faster to the Fun?

[Sabalon]

It is the ability for me to pay $60 to be at the front of the line where I have always known I was meant to be. Right behind platinum of course and any wedding party that I cannot sabotage before they get to the port. I heard Alejandro talking to his buddies last night and he said he thought you looked really fat in your gown.

 

"Oh...so you're the bride...I thought it was that other girl he was out with last night - looked pretty serious to me."

 

Oh the fun one could have :)

[hockeyguru32]

Does FTTF cost Carnival anything? No. In that I agree. Should Carnival be vilified for offering it? No. I think it's a very smart business move on their part.

 

For me personally... I will get it everytime. I hate lines. I hate waiting. So removing that stress improves my vacation. I feel the price is fair and I can afford it.

 

Besides...the evil side in me loves the dirty looks when I walk up and get immediate service in front of folks who have waited in line for an hour.

 

I totally agree. I will get FTTF when available for all my cruises until I do not have to purchase it. Nothing irks me more is waiting in line for a 2 minute clarification on a question

[First and Ten]

Does FTTF cost Carnival anything? No. In that I agree. Should Carnival be vilified for offering it? No. I think it's a very smart business move on their part.

 

For me personally... I will get it everytime. I hate lines. I hate waiting. So removing that stress improves my vacation. I feel the price is fair and I can afford it.

 

Besides...the evil side in me loves the dirty looks when I walk up and get immediate service in front of folks who have waited in line for an hour. [emoji48]

 

 

Does anyone out there really "like" lines or "like" waiting? Lol

 

 

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Edited June 16, 2016 by First and Ten

[DnD_Cruisin]

Does anyone out there really "like" lines or "like" waiting? Lol

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Apparently all the folks that think FTTF is a waste of $ must like lines and waiting or at least tolerate them 😎

[ncshp955]

The only time I use Faster to the Fun is if I am arriving at 1030 in the morning and only because I like my room to be ready so I can grab a bite to eat and take a nap before Muster

 

but if I am arriving after noon then I don't worry about it

 

You mean you can arrive later than 10am. I have always just told my DW that 10 was the latest you are allowed to get to the terminal. Please don't allow this post to get out to far or she might insist on sleeping in.

Edited June 16, 2016 by ncshp955

[Mikew0805]

I'll tell you what it is... SOLD OUT on my October, and January cruises. UGH I wanted to try it just once.

 

Oh well.

[DnD_Cruisin]

I'll tell you what it is... SOLD OUT on my October, and January cruises. UGH I wanted to try it just once.

 

Oh well.

 

Keep checking back.

 

On our last cruise when I booked it was sold out. I checked back a few times per day and 3 days later it was available again.

 

Good luck!

[First and Ten]

Apparently all the folks that think FTTF is a waste of $ must like lines and waiting or at least tolerate them [emoji41]

 

 

Not everyone wanting FTTF can get it, so I will take a crazy guess in stating 99% of people don't "like" waiting in lines

 

 

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Edited June 17, 2016 by First and Ten

[DnD_Cruisin]

Not everyone wanting FTTF can get it, so I will take a crazy guess in stating 99% of people don't "like" waiting in lines

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Touche' I'll give you that one 😆

[Vitamin_Sea]

Well it's like this. You pay $60.00 to Carnival and they give you a whole bunch of stuff, that cost them no money to provide. They receive 100% profit, and you get to jump to the front of the line, and get on a ship, only if you arrive early and about 15 minutes faster than others. You can also go to your room faster, and if all goes well, they deliver your bags faster.

 

Remember all these things will still happen but slight slower if you don't pay up.

 

The decision is yours, get things for free, or pay for free things.

 

Totally agree. The biggest waste of money!

Big profits for CCL.

[Mikew0805]

Keep checking back.

 

On our last cruise when I booked it was sold out. I checked back a few times per day and 3 days later it was available again.

 

Good luck!

 

I will keep checking. Thank you. :)

 

Can anyone answer this next question...

 

When I go check for the Conquest, it shows FTTF sold out.

When I go check for the Splendor, it does not show anything at all. Nothing listed at all under Miami.

 

Anyone know the reason for the difference in format?

[gordonzoo2]

As another perk we may or may not get. We booked a year early on the Vista for a Feb cruise and were waitlisted for early dining. Talk about planning ahead and still not getting what you want :rolleyes: I was able to get FTTF as it sold out in just a few hrs. It states in carnivals FTTF description, we are to get priority dining behind platinum and diamond. My cruise documents say were are still waitlisted. Does anyone know when it would be confirmed. I suppose it may likely be at check in.

Thx...

[elliair]

What is faster to the fun? Thanks

 

Actually, it's called Faster to Your Wallet. You pay for the privilege of boarding AFTER Diamond and Elites, you're greeted at the door with a foo-foo drink that will cost you $$$, you're immediately hit up for a photo shot. You pay for the privilege of debarkation after Diamond and Elite passengers, but not for embarkation at ports. Some think it's worth the money just to be able to drop your bags off at your cabin so you can hit the bar early or go to Lido for lunch where you're hit up again with the foo-foo drinks.

[elliair]

Not everyone wanting FTTF can get it, so I will take a crazy guess in stating 99% of people don't "like" waiting in lines

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

But we all wait. We're herded to a holding area to wait to either embark or debark. FTTF had a long long line to get off the ship in Juneau. Diamond and elite had to wait in a lounge off the MDR - we sat there for 2 hours waiting. We when we finally got to the stairwell, FTTF people where waiting in line as long as we were. So, for $60 you're still going to wait in a line at some time on your cruise.

[tree.critter]

I bet if you do a search for FTTF (there's a search function, believe it or not!) of this Carnival board, you'll find approximately 834 threads already dedicated to the discussion of FTTF. ;)

 

I personally wouldn't spend the money on it, but that's me.

 

And if everyone used the search feature before posting questions there would be almost no questions left to ask.

 

I would like to see a poll on FTTF, let the people that have used it vote whether or not they feel they got good value for their money. I'm guessing those that have used it generally love having the perks. I know I liked it very much before turning platinum. There are those that think Carnival shouldn't charge anything extra above the cruise fare, fine for them, nobody is twisting their arms to make the purchase.

[elliair]

Apparently all the folks that think FTTF is a waste of $ must like lines and waiting or at least tolerate them 😎

 

No one but the crew has any control over the lines. Whether you're Diamond, elite or FTTF, you are going to wait just like everyone else. When the crew decides to open the gates, it's Faster to Your Wallet time! Diamond and Elites are priivy to the marketing techniques carried out on Carnival, whereas FTTF folks think they're getting $60 worth of waiting in line.

[firemanbobswife]

Actually, it's called Faster to Your Wallet. You pay for the privilege of boarding AFTER Diamond and Elites, you're greeted at the door with a foo-foo drink that will cost you $$$, you're immediately hit up for a photo shot. You pay for the privilege of debarkation after Diamond and Elite passengers, but not for embarkation at ports. Some think it's worth the money just to be able to drop your bags off at your cabin so you can hit the bar early or go to Lido for lunch where you're hit up again with the foo-foo drinks.

 

 

Never have been greeted at the door with a foo-foo drink in all my Carnival cruises. Celebrity, yes and it was free no matter what level you were. And yeah so what if you're after Diamonds and PLATINUMS (Elite is Celebrity once again)? It's still better than waiting amongst the masses. Oh and now with the staggered check in if you don't get an early time and you have to be out of your hotel early or whatever, you can arrive to the terminal as soon as they are open. You can't board until the ship is ready, but at least you are inside sitting down.

 

It is worth the money to many including myself not only to be able to go directly to my cabin to UNPACK not simply drop my things off, but also for the line at GS. No one plans to go there but if and when you do, it's worth not having to wait in the line that typically goes back to the theatre.

 

Priority debarkation is also wonderful as well. We were a mere 2 min after D/P last cruise but off the ship way before everyone else. Very much needed when you have an early flight or simply don't want to stand in lines at Customs. The faster you get off and the less people in front of you, the faster you can be on your way.

 

It seems like the ones that are against FTTF are either the ones who can't snag one or Diamond/Platinum people who feel threatened that the FTTF people are somehow infringing on their perks. Heads up - I will be Platinum on my next cruise and don't begrudge FTTFers one single bit. They have to pay for what I will now get for free. Saves me $60 and it's because of FTTF that my cabin will be ready upon boarding. Before FTTF that wasn't the case.

 

If you don't like FTTF, don't buy it. And don't worry how other people spend their money. Nothing is being taken away from you.

[elliair]

Some, not all. Platinum still gets many other "perks" that people that purchase FTTF do not get.

 

Laundry and the Captains party where free drinks are served and that's about it. We still get a free drink coupon - good only in the MDR. Oh and those beat up strawberries dipped in chocolate that gets tossed.:rolleyes: I forgot about the dedicated line down at GS for diamond and elite, I rarely ever use it.

[elliair]

If you don't like FTTF, don't buy it. And don't worry how other people spend their money. Nothing is being taken away from you.

 

No skin off my nose how and what people spend their money on. Don't get miffed when these "perks" that you pay for doesn't pan out. Was greeted at the door when on the Legend in Alaska by a waiter and a foo-foo- drink. Went to Lido, waiters walking around with the foo-foo drinks. You cannot tell me that you have never stood in line debarking at a tendered port. :D As far as getting off the ship to go home, just show your boarding pass at GS and your early flight, and you will get a tag that will let you off early.:rolleyes:

[firemanbobswife]

No skin off my nose how and what people spend their money on. Don't get miffed when these "perks" that you pay for doesn't pan out. Was greeted at the door when on the Legend in Alaska by a waiter and a foo-foo- drink. Went to Lido, waiters walking around with the foo-foo drinks. You cannot tell me that you have never stood in line debarking at a tendered port. :D As far as getting off the ship to go home, just show your boarding pass at GS and your early flight, and you will get a tag that will let you off early.:rolleyes:

 

 

I won't pay for perks anymore I'm Platinum. As far as reaching that status, it's because I cruise a lot. I certainly wouldn't keep going on the same cruise line simply for the fact of reaching a certain level. I go because the price/itinerary/ship meet my needs. Perks are just that. Perks.

 

And actually no, I have never stood in line debarking at a tender port when I had FTTF. Right to the front of the line. I spend more time waiting for the tender to fill up than being escorted down a dedicated elevator and getting on the boat.

 

Don't need an early tag as I do self assist. Again, off first thing in front of many other people. FTTF is well worth it.

[firemanbobswife]

Laundry and the Captains party where free drinks are served and that's about it. We still get a free drink coupon - good only in the MDR. Oh and those beat up strawberries dipped in chocolate that gets tossed.:rolleyes: I forgot about the dedicated line down at GS for diamond and elite, I rarely ever use it.

 

 

And your free gift. I heard they were packing cubes or a USB charger or something like that now.

 

While some people may not enjoy whatever it is, there are many others that would gladly accept them. It's a nice gesture. If enough people complain about them, then that may very well be the next perk to go. Hey, it's free. I'll gladly accept whatever they throw my way. If it's something I won't use, I'll give it to someone on the ship that will.

[DnD_Cruisin]

No skin off my nose how and what people spend their money on. Don't get miffed when these "perks" that you pay for doesn't pan out. Was greeted at the door when on the Legend in Alaska by a waiter and a foo-foo- drink. Went to Lido, waiters walking around with the foo-foo drinks. You cannot tell me that you have never stood in line debarking at a tendered port. :D As far as getting off the ship to go home, just show your boarding pass at GS and your early flight, and you will get a tag that will let you off early.:rolleyes:

 

So far I guess I've been lucky ... but I have yet to experience the things you describe with FTTF. For me I get great value from it and gladly pay the nominal fee.

 

I'm sure we all have things on cruises that we would never buy. We all have different priorities, budgets and/or expectations. I for one have not, nor ever will, buy photos from the ship. We take our own pictures and are satisfied with that.

 

Happy cruising!

[Sabalon]

We still get a free drink coupon - good only in the MDR.

 

And if I remember right, it was only good during lunch in the MDR. That pissed me off. But I guess it's a way of offering something that so few will take them up on there is no major loss of profit.

[Bookbug53]

And if I remember right, it was only good during lunch in the MDR. That pissed me off. But I guess it's a way of offering something that so few will take them up on there is no major loss of profit.

 

 

"Complimentary beverage at Seaday brunch (on ships where brunch is not available, complimentary beverage at breakfast or lunch in Main Dining Room)"

 

If something is given to you and you CHOOSE not to take advantage of it why get mad at the corporation. They said 'here it is' and you say 'no thanks'. Your choice.

[elliair]

So far I guess I've been lucky ... but I have yet to experience the things you describe with FTTF. For me I get great value from it and gladly pay the nominal fee.

 

I'm sure we all have things on cruises that we would never buy. We all have different priorities, budgets and/or expectations. I for one have not, nor ever will, buy photos from the ship. We take our own pictures and are satisfied with that.

 

Happy cruising!

 

 

I've experienced those as a platinum passenger. Platinum and diamond go before FTTF. This past cruise on the Legend was a real doozy for Diamond and platinum, and I did feel sorry for the FTTF people. We waited 2 hours to debark in Juneau. Those who were on a tour got to go before everyone because they were paying excursion customers. Diamond/platinum and FTTF did not get priority debarkation. If I did pay for FTTF, I'd be complaining for sure, and some did and I heard they got a free bottle of wine to shut them up.

 

I self debark and always get right off, but we're platinum. We all met again in the MDR, Diamond/platinum then FTTF were all led out in a single line. Yes a line! Oh and we waited an hour to get off the ship in the MDR.

 

All I'm saying is once Carnival has your money for FTTF you have very little recourse if you do not get what you paid for. On the Legend there were lots of Diamond and platinum people so I can see where FTTF people would take it in the shorts and wait in a long line--embarking and debarking.

 

P.S. I normally give our platinum gifts away. I wasn't in the mood to do so this time. They were packing cubes and I've already donated them to our local Cancer Thrift store.

Edited June 20, 2016 by elliair