Boarding without FTTF

[Pinkribbon0802]

I've been stalking the website but it still says sold out....1st time cruising Carnival. Is the wait bad without FTTF?

[Lottacruises]

No, it's fine. Have a great cruise!

[Lottacruises]

Which port are you sailing out of?

[beachbum6264]

It shouldn't be, if you go at your chosen/assigned arrival/check-in time.

[pjhootch]

It is fine to board without it. If you go at your assigned time the wait is not too bad.

[Pinkribbon0802]

Which port are you sailing out of?

 

 

Miami!

[Pinkribbon0802]

Thanks you for the replies!

[wamdam]

I have done cruises with & without FTTF...and I don't see enough of an advantage with it to justify the price. I have never had a long wait without it...even before the boarding times were commonplace.

 

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[cmecruise1962]

If you show up after 1pm you walk on board and your room is ready. I used to get there early...but I was running late one cruise and now I will always run a little late! LOL

[riclop]

I've been stalking the website but it still says sold out....1st time cruising Carnival. Is the wait bad without FTTF?

Get an early check in time and you will board right behind FTTF.

[newbeestl]

LOL, be happy you’re saving money. FTTF isn’t worth it.

 

 

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[RWolver672]

LOL, be happy you’re saving money. FTTF isn’t worth it.

 

 

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It may not be to you but apparently it is to a lot of people because it's always sold out. We have bought it for our last three cruises and thought it was money well spent.

[ProgRockCruiser]

As usual, FTTF is YMMV territory.

 

If you want to board absolutely as early as possible and drop your stuff at the cabin, then FTTF is probably worthwhile. The other perks are a bonus at that stage!

 

If you have minimal carry-on, and don't mind boarding an hour or two later, then FTTF is only worthwhile if you value the other perks - priority tenders, pass the line at Guest Services, etc.

 

So...it really is a judgement call. And a moot point right now for ya, it appears...

[Check50]

It's not bad if its just you and another adult or something to that effect.

 

I'll be driving from NJ to Tampa with 2 kids under 10. FTTF is definitely worth it for me

 

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[ronandannette]

If you show up after 1pm you walk on board and your room is ready. I used to get there early...but I was running late one cruise and now I will always run a little late! LOL

(y)Late is great!! I get that some people don't feel like they're getting their monies' worth unless they are on board as early as possible. For us though, boarding later means we almost always walk right on without a line and the cabins are ready. Missing one extra meal at the troughs on Lido is certainly no loss - a nice, relaxed lunch shore-side beforehand is much preferable.

 

We've not sailed Carnival since they implemented specified boarding times, so I'm unclear on how that exactly works, but when I check in on-line next week I plan to take the latest one available. I do find it interesting that after a few years of FTTF, the hype has new cruisers worried they're really missing out on something if they aren't able to purchase it. :rolleyes:Way to pull revenue out of thin air, Carnival!

[summersigh]

we never get FTTF. :D:D

We come at our appointed time. When we board we go to the Lido deck for a nice lunch and then outside for a leisurely umbrella drink. By that time the cabins are ready (around 1:30). We have wheeled tote bags so keeping them during lunch and the drink is no big deal.

[LakeWobegon]

We got it on our first Carnival Cruise and thought it was worth it. If its worth it to you is a personal matter. I don't like lines. The general boarding line in Miami when we were there just after 10 am was long. I'm not sure how fast it moved because we were whisked right to check-in and were in the waiting room in about a span of 5 minutes from time of arrival. The separate waiting room is nothing fancy, just a separate uncrowded room with water and lemonade. One of the attendants said they often have cookies but not today. lol.

 

What I did like was the fact that we went straight to our room, dropped off our bags, picked up our cards, met our room steward and were quickly on our way to lunch before the long lines. Next we went back to the room, changed into our swimsuits and headed up to the pool deck to use the slides and again, it was virtually deserted. No lines. Our checked bags were all there when we got back from the pool and we were unpacked just after muster and ready to explore the ship before an early dinner.

 

I also liked the dedicated Guest Services desk and phone line which I used a few times to avoid long waits on the last few days. No tender ports of us so we couldn't use that priority tendering advantage.

 

Regardless, it was worth it to us but may not be for everyone. Felt like we got a full Sea Day out of it that first day and a relaxing one at that.

[Joebucks]

It may not be to you but apparently it is to a lot of people because it's always sold out. We have bought it for our last three cruises and thought it was money well spent.

 

Ever since the price increase, I have yet to see it sold out for any of my cruises. I have a cruise in one month, you can still buy it today.

 

FTTF does not eliminate lines. You will wait in line cumulatively far longer to get on/off at ports, lines in the buffet, and Punchliner more than you will save embarking and debarking. Both of which have had the shortest lines for me.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

We've done about a dozen cruises and about half were with and half were without FTTF

First of all keep checking every day. I couldn't get it for the first 2 months after I booked my upcoming cruise but kept checking and finally it was available.

I love being able to board first and go straight to my room to drop off my belongings, then up to the Lido deck to have lunch before it's too crazy.

I also love to not have to line up at guest services should I need them.

If you have any tender ports it's also great to have as you get priority to get on the tender.

Having said all of that it is just a convenience and it will not negatively impact your cruise if you don't get it.

Good luck!!

[JTBCruiser]

We are sailing Carnival after over 25 years. Didn't get back int cruising until we became empty nesters. Sailing on the sunshine out of Port Canaveral and have a 1130-1200 boarding time. This suits us just fine. We have a carry on with wheels to carry necessities and swim suits. Worked great for us the 1st time sailing on RCI.

[tandemcruzr]

Your 1130 - 1200 is not your boarding time. It's your Check-in time.

[jetta8300]

I've been stalking the website but it still says sold out....1st time cruising Carnival. Is the wait bad without FTTF?

 

 

We bought FTTF one time and it made no difference whatsoever. it was 2015 so right after the program was introduced I believe. but nobody with Carnival knew what to do with us, and I don't believe we even gained any perks whatsoever. I bet it has changed since then, or our experience was unique, but I would never buy it again.

[maryred]

This is just my take from experience on the actual reaped benefits of FttF (or F2F). Just note any times listed are based on a 7/8am docking with a 4pm sailaway, adjust the times based on yu sailaway schedule.

 

"Priority Check-in with Express Boarding

The quicker you board the ship, the quicker you're holding a frosty drink."

With check-in not being allowed till 90 days prior to the departure date, arrival appointments are more equal opportunity. Since the advent of Carnival using the arrival appointments (and the terminals enforcing them) and the S&S cards in your cabin's mailbox (for select ports and select ships) lines for security and check-in have become vastly shorter making them more manageable.

With FttF you get to use the priority line in the terminal the same as those in suites and with Platinum + loyalty status, and ignore your arrival time appointment. BUT this does not always mean shorter lines. Especially if you decide to arrive early. General boarding passengers can only check-in after the time listed on their boarding pass and priority can ignore those. So many times the early priority line is longer than the general boarding line. Even priority early arrivals will need to wait for the ship to be cleared for boarding, and none of the port terminals that have the Captain's Lounge allow FttF passengers to wait in that priority area with the Platinum + and suite passengers.

As for boarding, if checking-in early, the boarding order is as follows...

Back2Back passengers,

the Wedding party & guests,

Diamonds, Platinums, and suite passengers,

special invite passengers,

then FttF...

basically a mere few minutes prior to them calling the first set of general boarding zone #s.

Where FttF pays off here is if you have a later arrival appointment time that does not agree well with your travel plans that you can enter the terminal prior it, you need not wait outside the terminal for your appointment window to open. And the second instance is when it is of help is when your travel arrangements have you arrive at the port during the general boarding "rush hour". Usually between 11:30am and 12:30pm when the terminal is still playing catch-up with the general boarding passengers seated waiting with zone #, while more general boarding passengers are still arriving.

General boarding passenger arriving at or after 1pm generally find small lines and no wait to board. Also by the time they do finish processing in they find their cabins are already open for occupation. Just be careful here though, some ports discontinue porter service after 2pm (carry-ons only), while others stop check-ins 2 hours prior to sailaway instead of 90 minutes. So check both Carnival's FAQs on your port and the port's direct website prior to selecting a late arrival appointment time.

 

"Guaranteed Stateroom

Your stateroom will be ready as soon as you board, so you can relax or freshen up for the fun you're about to have."

This along with the priority tendering is perhaps the biggest selling point to most passengers. But if your travel plans have you arriving at the terminal about 12:30/1pm by the time you get through general boarding the cabins are ready anyway. With FttF your cabin will be cleaned and ready enough that you can drop off your carry-ons and if you wish to take a nap or shower.

Where the big payout here is if you are arriving early and will be boarding early (before 1pm) this is just as described. BUT if you have any online FunShop preorders, like cabin decorations, half cases of water, or bottles of liquor don't expect them to be there on arrival. These things are generally brought up to the stateroom between noon and 6pm.

 

"Express Luggage

Your luggage will be expedited to your stateroom so you can unpack and get settled in for a great vacation!"

This perk is relative. It also depends on the port authority curbside porters (that have no affiliation to any particular cruise line) marking and sorting you bags dockside correctly. The way this works if you and a general boarding passenger arrive at the same time curbside to hand over your checked luggage your bags to the same porter yours will arrive at your cabin door prior to that non-priority passenger. Now this "sooner" could be 3+ hours before theirs, but it can also be just a mere 15 minutes sooner.

 

"Guest Services

You'll have a dedicated phone number and line at Guest Services so you can quickly have your questions answered."

This is not a move to the front of the line type of situation. Just like the terminal it is a priority line shared by special circumstance guests, Diamonds, and Platinums. There have been actual times I have witnessed on board where this line is longer than the general guest services line. Plus with the installation of the S&S kiosks, the interactive in cabin TV, and the Carnival HUB app many of the minor things like ordering excursions, depositing more funds, or viewing your on board account can now be done at these usually these no wait machines.

 

"Dining Reservations

Priority Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurant reservations (excluding Your Time Dining)."

Another subjective perk. If you are already confirmed for your preferred dinner time and speciality restaurants in your cruise manager this does nothing for yout. If not confirmed or no response on specialty dinner reservations this will move you higher on the waitlist right behind Diamonds, Suites, and Platinums waiting for dining assignments and reservations. For YTD this does not get you a table from the hostess any faster than anyone else on line with you at the desk.

 

"Tender Priority

You will have the option to choose a priority tender from the ship to shore (multiple departure times may be possible), so you can explore ashore as quickly as you would like."

A great perk if you have tender ports a wasted effort if you don't.

Just remember those with ship sponsored excursions generally will have guaranteed tender seats, and could be boarded to a tender before those with "priority" status. Also to receive this perk you need to follow the instructions delivered to your cabin concerning where to find your priority escort to the tender. You can not just start cutting the line on your own. This is only for outbound from the ship tenders, everyone has the same status on the return from port tenders.

 

"Debarkation

We're always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late disembarkation time upon arrival to your homeport."

If looking to leave last, any passenger is eligible to do that, just wait for the last call ashore for your prefered type of debarkation, self assist or relaxed.

Where this really pays off, as long as you follow the special instructions sent to your cabin, is on priority self assist debarkation. Depending on how many Diamonds, Platinums, and suite passengers decide on this method you will be among the first 3 groups let off the ship. It is also helpful for those that choose relaxed debarkation but still want to get off among the earliest zones allowed. Again depending on those with higher priority than you, you will be entitled to receive tags for zones 1-3. Again follow the special instruction to fully utilize this perk, as the first few calls for these low zone numbers will only be made in the lounge or restaurant that priority disembarkation passengers are meeting in.

 

 

If you believe that the perks offered that apply to your particular cruise are worth the fee being asked then go ahead stalk the excursions website until you can buy it. If on the fence and you feel up to looking if it's available you should buy it just to lock it in, as it can always be refunded (1-4 weeks processing) to the method you used to pay for it up to 2 days before the cruise without penalty fees. If it seems not to fit your vacation outlook just ignore it.

[Pinkribbon0802]

This is just my take from experience on the actual reaped benefits of FttF (or F2F). Just note any times listed are based on a 7/8am docking with a 4pm sailaway.

 

"Priority Check-in with Express Boarding

The quicker you board the ship, the quicker you're holding a frosty drink."

With check-in not being allowed till 90 days prior to the departure date, arrival appointments are more equal opportunity. Since the advent of Carnival using the arrival appointments (and the terminals enforcing them) and the S&S cards in your cabin's mailbox (for select ports and select ships) lines for security and check-in have become vastly shorter making then more manageable.

With FttF you get to use the priority line in the terminal the same as those in suites and with Platinum + loyalty status, and ignore your arrival time appointment. BUT this does not always mean shorter lines. Especially if you decide to arrive early. General boarding passengers can only check-in after the time listed on their boarding pass and priority can ignore those. So many times even the early priority line is longer than the general boarding line at that time. Even priority early arrivals will need to wait for the ship to be cleared for boarding, and none of the port terminals that have the Captain's Lounge allow FttF passengers to wait in that priority area with the Platinum + and suite passengers.

As for boarding, if check-in in early, the boarding order is as follows...

Back2Back passengers,

the Wedding party & guests,

Diamonds, Platinums, and suite passengers,

special invite passengers,

then FttF...

basically a mere few minutes prior to them calling the first set of general boarding zone #s.

Where FttF pays off here is if you have a later arrival appointment time that does not agree well with your travel plans that you can enter the terminal prior it, you need not wait outside the terminal for your appointment window to open. And the second instance is when it is of help is when your travel arrangements have you arrive at the port during the general boarding "rush hour". Usually between 11:30am and 12:30pm when the terminal is still playing catch-up with the general boarding passengers seated waiting with zone #, while more general boarding passengers are still arriving.

General boarding passenger arriving at or after 1pm generally find smal lines and no wait to board. Also by the time they do finish processing in they find their cabins are already open for occupation.

 

"Guaranteed Stateroom

Your stateroom will be ready as soon as you board, so you can relax or freshen up for the fun you're about to have."

This along with the priority tendering is perhaps the biggest selling point to most passengers. But if your travel plans have you arriving at the terminal about 12:30/1pm by the time you get through general boarding the cabins are ready anyway. With FttF your cabin will be cleaned and ready enough that you can drop off your carry-ons and if you wish to take a nap or shower.

Where the big payout here is if you are arriving early and will be boarding early (before 1pm) this is just as described. BUT if you have any online FunShop preorders, like cabin decorations, half cases of water, or bottles of liquor don't expect them to be there on arrival. These things are generally brought up to the stateroom between noon and 6pm.

 

"Express Luggage

Your luggage will be expedited to your stateroom so you can unpack and get settled in for a great vacation!"

This perk is relative. It also depends on the port authority curbside porters (that have no affiliation to any particular cruise line) marking and sorting you bags dockside correctly. The way this works if you and a general boarding passenger arrive at the same time curbside to hand over your checked luggage your bags to the same porter yours will arrive at your cabin door prior to that non-priority passenger. Now this "sooner" could be 3+ hours before theirs, but it can also be just a mere 15 minutes sooner.

 

"Guest Services

You'll have a dedicated phone number and line at Guest Services so you can quickly have your questions answered."

This is not a move to the front of the line type of situation. Just like the terminal it is a priority line shared by special circumstance guests, Diamonds, and Platinums. There have been actual times I have witnessed on board where this line is longer than the general guest services line. Plus with the installation of the S&S kiosks, the interactive in cabin TV, and the Carnival HUB app many of the minor things like ordering excursions, depositing more funds, or viewing your on board account can now be done at these usually these no wait machines.

 

"Dining Reservations

Priority Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurant reservations (excluding Your Time Dining)."

Another subjective perk. If you are already confirmed for your preferred dinner time and speciality restaurants in your cruise manager this does nothing for yout. If not confirmed or no response on specialty dinner reservations this will move you higher on the waitlist right behind Diamonds, Suites, and Platinums waiting for dining assignments and reservations. For YTD this does not get you a table from the hostess any faster than anyone else on line with you at the desk.

 

"Tender Priority

You will have the option to choose a priority tender from the ship to shore (multiple departure times may be possible), so you can explore ashore as quickly as you would like."

A great perk if you have tender ports a wasted effort if you don't.

Just remember those with ship sponsored excursions generally will have guaranteed tender seats, and could be boarded to a tender before those with "priority" status. Also to receive this perk you need to follow the instructions delivered to your cabin concerning where to find your priority escort to the tender. You can not just start cutting the line on your own. This is only for outbound from the ship tenders, everyone has the same status on the return from port tenders.

 

"Debarkation

We're always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late disembarkation time upon arrival to your homeport."

If looking to leave last, any passenger is eligible to do that, just wait for the last call ashore for your prefered type of debarkation, self assist or relaxed.

Where this really pays off, as long as you follow the special instructions sent to your cabin, is on priority self assist debarkation. Depending on how many Diamonds, Platinums, and suite passengers decide on this method you will be among the first 3 groups let off the ship. It is also helpful for those that choose relaxed debarkation but still want to get off among the earliest zones allowed. Again depending on those with higher priority than you, you will be entitled to receive tags for zones 1-3. Again follow the special instruction to fully utilize this perk, as the first few calls for these low zone numbers will only be made in the lounge or restaurant that priority disembarkation passengers are meeting in.

 

 

If you believe that the perks offered that apply to your particular cruise are worth the fee being asked then go ahead stalk the excursions website until you can buy it. If on the fence and you feel up to looking if it's available you should buy it just to lock it in, as it can always be refunded (1-4 weeks processing) to the method you used to pay for it up to 2 days before the cruise without penalty fees. If it seems not to fit your vacation outlook just ignore it.

Wow! Great information! Thank you so much! It's just me and my fiance we aren't in a rush! Think we will skip it.

 

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[newbeestl]

It may not be to you but apparently it is to a lot of people because it's always sold out. We have bought it for our last three cruises and thought it was money well spent.

 

 

 

LOL, why do you think it’s always “sold out” and then magically available again. Carnival knows how to get suckers to buy.

 

 

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