FTTF and possible cruise in Sept

[laumicmah]

So if all is well with cruising by Sept. And our 9/7 cruise happens. Would FTTF be a benefit or no, do you think? Are they still going to do scheduled arrival times like they did prior to shut down? Do we think (I guess no one knows for sure)? Are the cruises going to be smaller capacity where FTTF might not be needed? ALso wondering if we can still carry on a bottle of wine per adult (even for 3 nighter)?  ANd wonder if they'll do the free wine for 1st night at steak house???

Edited June 9, 2021 by laumicmah

[MeganGC1983]

No one, including Carnival, knows what September holds. They went from no unvaxxed to you can apply to be a select 5% in 24 hours. Steakhouse wine is a ways down on the priority list. 

[laumicmah]

We are vaxed and booked. So just trying to discuss possibilities once they resume. Since resuming is likely soon-soonish. There are enough posts on will they or won't they in regards to vaxed pax or un vaxed and when they'll resume and all that covid situation talk (the what, where and when has been talked to death). So I figured it would be nice to discuss the HOW. It's a more cheerful discussion with less bickering.

Edited June 9, 2021 by laumicmah

[Joe817]

We have FTTF for our Aug. 21 sailing out of Galveston. I was able to print out the luggage tags and it does show FTTF.  Now with that said, I have no idea if Carnival will honor that perk. Maybe yes....maybe no. If they do not, I'm confident I'll get a refund somewhere down the line. 

[laumicmah]

1 hour ago, Joe817 said:

We have FTTF for our Aug. 21 sailing out of Galveston. I was able to print out the luggage tags and it does show FTTF.  Now with that said, I have no idea if Carnival will honor that perk. Maybe yes....maybe no. If they do not, I'm confident I'll get a refund somewhere down the line. 

So, I have forgotten...it's been sooooo long. But does FTTF get us on ship earlier or will we still have to make arrival resies? 

 

Also, is there a way to use our OBC to pay for these things? It is asking me for CC info but we have $200 OBC. 

[wemjam]

7 minutes ago, laumicmah said:

So, I have forgotten...it's been sooooo long. But does FTTF get us on ship earlier or will we still have to make arrival resies? 

 

Also, is there a way to use our OBC to pay for these things? It is asking me for CC info but we have $200 OBC. 

So NORMALLY, FTTF gets you on the ship faster - but that is all up for debate right now and no one knows how it will play out.  May be everyone has to make a reservation and board at their time, and it may be they will honor FTTF and Diamond/Platinum first as before.  That is the Million Dollar question right now.

 

NO, you can not use OBC for FTTF.  It is "On Board" Credit, can't use it to buy anything before hand.

[laumicmah]

2 minutes ago, wemjam said:

So NORMALLY, FTTF gets you on the ship faster - but that is all up for debate right now and no one knows how it will play out.  May be everyone has to make a reservation and board at their time, and it may be they will honor FTTF and Diamond/Platinum first as before.  That is the Million Dollar question right now.

 

NO, you can not use OBC for FTTF.  It is "On Board" Credit, can't use it to buy anything before hand.

Ah...just thought we could book steakhouse and excursion and they can take it from our OBC after we board. Bummer. 

 

Here is another question...the steakhouse, will it be tough to book once on board (if we have the FTTF)? And I am looking at some Blue Lagoon adult only beach day in Nassau. Wonder if we can also book that once on the ship?

 

What to do, what to do??? We will spend that 200 OBC with bar drinks and whatnot (got free drinks in casino deal but we don't do much casino time). 

[wemjam]

2 minutes ago, laumicmah said:

Ah...just thought we could book steakhouse and excursion and they can take it from our OBC after we board. Bummer. 

 

Here is another question...the steakhouse, will it be tough to book once on board (if we have the FTTF)? And I am looking at some Blue Lagoon adult only beach day in Nassau. Wonder if we can also book that once on the ship?

 

What to do, what to do??? We will spend that 200 OBC with bar drinks and whatnot (got free drinks in casino deal but we don't do much casino time). 

Ya, kind of sucks.  You are left with the decision - do I wait and see if there will be an issue, or do I buy now.  It is a personal choice.

 

We have a lot of OBC racked up on our 3 cruises from rebooking through all the cancellations, but I still decided to prebook my excursions and the steakhouse.  Sometimes (seems more so in recent years) excursions DO sell out, especially if they are limited - like cabanas.  If you try to book the steakhouse as soon as you can once on board, I would "guess" no issues getting a reservation, just may have to pick a "less desirable" time to eat.  

 

Main question I would ask myself is:  

1.  Do you think you would/will spend $200 anyone on "other stuff"  if so they I could book away now just to be sure to get exactly what you want - I spend $200 no problem on a cruise lol.

2.  Is the excursion THE one you have to do, just to be safe I would book now if so.

3.  Are you OK with maybe having to eat at an "off" time in the steakhouse (not prime times that most people take), if so wait to book when you get on, if not book now.

 

IMHO

[laumicmah]

5 minutes ago, wemjam said:

Ya, kind of sucks.  You are left with the decision - do I wait and see if there will be an issue, or do I buy now.  It is a personal choice.

 

We have a lot of OBC racked up on our 3 cruises from rebooking through all the cancellations, but I still decided to prebook my excursions and the steakhouse.  Sometimes (seems more so in recent years) excursions DO sell out, especially if they are limited - like cabanas.  If you try to book the steakhouse as soon as you can once on board, I would "guess" no issues getting a reservation, just may have to pick a "less desirable" time to eat.  

 

Main question I would ask myself is:  

1.  Do you think you would/will spend $200 anyone on "other stuff"  if so they I could book away now just to be sure to get exactly what you want - I spend $200 no problem on a cruise lol.

2.  Is the excursion THE one you have to do, just to be safe I would book now if so.

3.  Are you OK with maybe having to eat at an "off" time in the steakhouse (not prime times that most people take), if so wait to book when you get on, if not book now.

 

IMHO

Lots of good advice. Will probably book steak house (would prefer to select day and time) and FTTF and order 12 pack of water bottles. We will spend that $200 no problem. Then just wing it on the excursion. Maybe book that first thing on board. Thanks for the help!

Edited June 9, 2021 by laumicmah

[wemjam]

9 minutes ago, laumicmah said:

Ah...just thought we could book steakhouse and excursion and they can take it from our OBC after we board. Bummer. 

 

Here is another question...the steakhouse, will it be tough to book once on board (if we have the FTTF)? And I am looking at some Blue Lagoon adult only beach day in Nassau. Wonder if we can also book that once on the ship?

 

What to do, what to do??? We will spend that 200 OBC with bar drinks and whatnot (got free drinks in casino deal but we don't do much casino time). 

PS:  There is LOTS of ways to spend $200.  Anything you want to buy in any of the stores or shops, Cherry on Top, Drinks (if you don't have cheers package), Gambling, Room Service (some items are free, other items are a nominal charge - love me some garlic parm chicken wings and sweet potato fries!), buying sushi (I don't eat raw fish but hooked on tempura rolls and California rolls - no raw fish just yummy), specialty coffees or milkshakes at coffee shop (again if you don't have cheers), also the "extra special" desserts at the coffee shop (again nominal fee - but amazing sky high carrot cake, and fancy desserts)

[wemjam]

4 minutes ago, laumicmah said:

Lots of good advice. Will probably book steak house (would prefer to select day and time) and FTTF and order 12 pack of water bottles. We will spend that $200 no problem. Then just wing it on the excursion. Maybe book that first thing on board. Thanks for the help!

Not sure when you cruise, but big debate right now about it.  My PVP said that FTTF had been "pulled" from a bunch of sailings because things are so fluid.  IF you can get it, and want to spend the $ now, worst case if they decide they are NOT going to do this, they would refund it back to you.

 

We are Diamond, but if I wasn't I would buy it.

 

I always get water too!  So much easier to have it in room!

 

 

[laumicmah]

DH and I just discussed and decided on Steak House, Blue Lagoon Adult VIP thing and bottled water. No VIFP. As there is no tendering. It's just a short 3 day. And we will be staying all Sept at our FL vacay townhouse in Regal Palms. So no hurry to get on or off ship. But that Blu Lagoon day looks divine. 

 

Now fingers crossed this cruise happens. It is our 25th anniversary and our original few trip plans got scrapped due to Covid. So a month at our vacy place with some Disney Food and Wine and then this Nassau shorty cruise. I hope!

[laumicmah]

Well, I was about to order the stuff and make final payment but now the site is down. Boo.

[ultrafighter]

Congrats on 25 years!

[wemjam]

25 years congrats!  Happy thoughts cruise goes off without a hitch!

[MeganGC1983]

1 hour ago, laumicmah said:

Lots of good advice. Will probably book steak house (would prefer to select day and time) and FTTF and order 12 pack of water bottles. We will spend that $200 no problem. Then just wing it on the excursion. Maybe book that first thing on board. Thanks for the help!

And you can use the OBC for gratuities. 

[ProgRockCruiser]

Slight necro-post, but whatever...

 

For the first time ever, I think, FTTF is available for one of my cruises - a booking I made today for a Sept cruise.  (Yay!  Cruising in just over two months!)  So I thought "what the heck, let's try it."

 

Although I can add it to my cart, it won't let me process the payment.

 

Growf.

 

It is still available after the transaction fails (yes, all CC info correct).

 

I suspect the "system" isn't quite sure it should be offered.

 

Growf.

[BoozinCroozin]

All we know currently, thanks to another thread, is that VIFP level (Platinum and such) have check-in dates 16-days in advance. There has been no communication or change for the FTTF group. Beyond that, it is speculation. 

 

The primary perk of FTTF is that they get to board with (or is it right after?) the VIFP Diamond/Platinum group. If CCL does not adjust or block off the earliest boarding times, then FTTF is useless and refunds need to be given. From an IT perspective, the change to the system is very easy and they did it for VIFP quickly. VIFP level can do online check-in 2 days earlier. They should be able to make FTTF check-in 1 day earlier. 

[ProgRockCruiser]

4 hours ago, BoozinCroozin said:

All we know currently, thanks to another thread, is that VIFP level (Platinum and such) have check-in dates 16-days in advance. There has been no communication or change for the FTTF group. Beyond that, it is speculation. 

 

The primary perk of FTTF is that they get to board with (or is it right after?) the VIFP Diamond/Platinum group. If CCL does not adjust or block off the earliest boarding times, then FTTF is useless and refunds need to be given. From an IT perspective, the change to the system is very easy and they did it for VIFP quickly. VIFP level can do online check-in 2 days earlier. They should be able to make FTTF check-in 1 day earlier. 

 

Oh, I agree. 

 

I just figured if it is going to be offered for my cruise, I'll buy it while I can (for once), and if it doesn't happen then I will get a refund.

 

And this morning, while still offering it on the Excursions page, if I click Add To Cart the page briefly flashes but nothing actually happens.  So still glitching out.

 

Maybe I'll try again later for giggles.

[mbarker10]

John Heald just said no FTTF for July cruises. Hard to say past that.

[tourismtessy]

We had FTTF booked for our Alaska August cruise and just got this email from Carnival

[TNcruising02]

7 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

 

Oh, I agree. 

 

I just figured if it is going to be offered for my cruise, I'll buy it while I can (for once), and if it doesn't happen then I will get a refund.

 

And this morning, while still offering it on the Excursions page, if I click Add To Cart the page briefly flashes but nothing actually happens.  So still glitching out.

 

Maybe I'll try again later for giggles.

Last year, I read a post where someone was able to process the purchase of FTTF with their phone when it wouldn't  work with their computer.

[Joe817]

7 minutes ago, tourismtessy said:

We had FTTF booked for our Alaska August cruise and just got this email from Carnival

Well, we now know. Thanks so much for posting this. One less thing to stress about. 

[LadyMac72]

I just checked my September 2021 Alaska cruise and FTTF is not listed.  As of yesterday it was there but said "sold out".  Today, it's gone.  

[LuckyStar]

On 6/9/2021 at 8:20 AM, Joe817 said:

We have FTTF for our Aug. 21 sailing out of Galveston. I was able to print out the luggage tags and it does show FTTF.  Now with that said, I have no idea if Carnival will honor that perk. Maybe yes....maybe no. If they do not, I'm confident I'll get a refund somewhere down the line. 

Fingers crossed for you.  I never want to embark again in Galveston without FTTF.  That port is nuts.