FTTF and HMC tendering

[CnCsMom]

I have looked for an answer to this question and have found conflicting answers. Anyone with first hand experience. If you had FTTF did you get priority tendering to HMC?

 

Thanks!

 

Cyndi

[GTO-Girl]

YES and it is great!!!!!

 

Just go down to Guest Relations when you are ready and they will walk you down and put you on a tender......

[CnCsMom]

Thanks for the quick response!

[elklemi]

I used it in December for HMC and like previous poster stated we met at guest relations and were escorted to the tender. Getting to HMC as early as possible was worth the cost of FTTF to me.

[Express Man]

Yes well worth it. I went to gym at just before 7am and saw the line for Tender tickets on the main hall on Hollywood blvd hallway. Just was like WOW all those people waiting for a tender ticket. Came back from Gym and showered and famly and I walked to desk at 9am. We walked right to tender and got on 2nd tender out. Spoke to 2 couples who waited 2 hrs in line to get tender..No less the people who were lined up as early as 6am to get tickets..FTTF paid off large there.

[deborahjo]

Will be using for Half Moon Cay for sure. I love FTTF and have not even cruised with it yet.

[beachbum53]

Something to keep in mind. Don't wait until the last 1/2 hour to 45 minutes at HMC to take the return tender back to the ship. The waiting line by then will be very long! HMC is a great beach day, probably one of the best we've ever experienced, and it can be tough to tear yourself away from it and head back to the ship. However, your mood can go from happy and relaxed to cranky and irritable when you're standing in line for close to an hour (or more) in the hot sun waiting to board a tender back to the ship.

[Mr Happy Toes]

Thanks for the information on tendering to HMC. Waiting 2 hours to tender would not be fun. I checked and found out that FTTF was still available. We now have FTTF for our next cruise to HMC.

[quickrate]

Thanks for the information on tendering to HMC. Waiting 2 hours to tender would not be fun. I checked and found out that FTTF was still available. We now have FTTF for our next cruise to HMC.

Be aware that priority tendering does not include back to the ship. It should, but doesn't. Much discussion about that on these boards and platinum and that particular perk. As has already been mentioned, don't wait till the last minute to go back to ship as the line gets very long and there is no shade to wait in. Have a great trip- you will love HMC!!

Pat

[snowteacher]

Do the suite guests go before or after the FTTF people?

[misguidedangel]

I have always had a cabana at HMC. However, if I didn't have a tour or cabana and being Platinum, I would go to the lounge where early tours and cabanas meet and get off on the first tender. You'd be wise to ask Guest Services and they could tell you which lounge the tours/cabanas are meeting in.

 

To avoid the crowds, go further down the beach. Anywhere past the new ship bar is located.

 

When going back to the ship it is very wise to leave early!!!! I was there in 2010 and we left at 3, ship sailed at 5. The wait for tender was a good 45 minutes. Then once we got back to the ship the wait for security was another 30-45 minutes. Needless to say by the time we got back to the cabin the ship left within 30 minutes. You'll want to shower and clean up after you get back from a day at the beach......Even when we had the grand cabana, by 230pm the last of us left and we were lucky enough to get in a short line for the tenders. It still took at least an hour to get back on the ship from lining up and getting through security.

[Laurie S.]

Why stand in line? Wait at the bar. ;)

[DaDivaMom]

Suite guests get no priority in tendering, unless they are Platinum/Diamond or FTTF. Only on embarkation and debarkation.

[oldrailfan]

Now, the next part of the question - who gets higher priority: Platinum, FTTF, or people with cabanas or early excursions? I understood that the cabana renters were supposed to be first off, but they stuck us behing the FTTF's and Platinums last time. (...or maybe the guy that escorted us down just didn't have the cojones to tell people to move back)

 

I'm asking, because I'm Platinum, but I'm also renting a cabana when we go in October, and I'm trying to figure out which way I get off the ship fastest...

[DaDivaMom]

OldRail you should just yell...I'm double important durn it, let me off!!!!:D LOL!

[oldrailfan]

OldRail you should just yell...I'm double important durn it, let me off!!!!:D LOL!

 

:D :D :D ...I'm a retired drill sergeant and correctional officer, so I have the lungs, but it wouldn't be that polite! :eek:

[caro1998]

That's what I was thinking. It seems smarter to just wait until the very last tender. Anyone just do that instead? I feel like the majority of posts I've read about HMC mention how people just leave early- only to have to wait on long lines?

 

Caro

 

Why stand in line? Wait at the bar. ;)

[Midwestgal]

Being in a suite I can't decide if its worth the cost to get FTTF since we have only one tender port...thoughts?

 

 

Update ...I just booked it only because there were only 6 left and I would hate to regret not doing it. Guess it will be nice to go right to our cabin and then lunch!

[oldrailfan]

Being in a suite I can't decide if its worth the cost to get FTTF since we have only one tender port...thoughts?

 

Well, a suite gets you priority embarkation and debarkation, but it does not get you priority tendering unless you are Platinum/diamond. However, if you're planning to rent a villa or a cabana at HMC, that gives you priority tendering.

 

You don't say which ship you'll be on. A Fantasy-class ship usually has everyone off in an hour or so. The bigger ships can take a lot longer.

 

FTTF is fifty bucks for the whole cabin, not for one person, by the way...

[Josher61]

That's what I was thinking. It seems smarter to just wait until the very last tender. Anyone just do that instead? I feel like the majority of posts I've read about HMC mention how people just leave early- only to have to wait on long lines?

 

Caro

 

Good question, I was thinking that too. But then if everybody waits when is the last tender??:D

Do they leave people behind at HMC?? LOL

[Jamman54]

Good question, I was thinking that too. But then if everybody waits when is the last tender??:D

Do they leave people behind at HMC?? LOL

 

I've been to HMC a half dozen times, and we always rent a cabana. We ALWAYS wait until about a half hour before the last tender is supposed to leave, then go to the bar by the tender (rumrunners). We sit and have a few drinks while watching the people standing in the long line waiting to board the tenders. We board the last tender back to the ship, along with the bartenders and wait staff. Why leave early, or stand in a long line?

 

 

[CnCsMom]

I've been to HMC a half dozen times, and we always rent a cabana. We ALWAYS wait until about a half hour before the last tender is supposed to leave, then go to the bar by the tender (rumrunners). We sit and have a few drinks while watching the people standing in the long line waiting to board the tenders. We board the last tender back to the ship, along with the bartenders and wait staff. Why leave early, or stand in a long line?

 

 

 

This is what I was plan to do too. Too bad they discontinued the Cheers program on HMC since we booked this cruise.

[Midwestgal]

Well, a suite gets you priority embarkation and debarkation, but it does not get you priority tendering unless you are Platinum/diamond. However, if you're planning to rent a villa or a cabana at HMC, that gives you priority tendering.

 

You don't say which ship you'll be on. A Fantasy-class ship usually has everyone off in an hour or so. The bigger ships can take a lot longer.

 

FTTF is fifty bucks for the whole cabin, not for one person, by the way...

 

We're on Liberty.

[Josher61]

"I've been to HMC a half dozen times, and we always rent a cabana. We ALWAYS wait until about a half hour before the last tender is supposed to leave, then go to the bar by the tender (rumrunners). We sit and have a few drinks while watching the people standing in the long line waiting to board the tenders. We board the last tender back to the ship, along with the bartenders and wait staff. Why leave early, or stand in a long line? "

 

Now that makes perfect sense to me :) Thanks!