Faster to the Fun...worth it? YES!!!

[cruzn buckeye]

To make our luggage tags a bit sturdier I cover it with peel and stick laminate at home and use a paper punch to put a hole at the ends then use a small zip tie to attach it to our luggage handle prior to handing our luggage over.

 

We just purchased the FTTF and printed our boarding passes. The boarding pass has a FTTF logo on it and the luggage tags are also marked. I don't mind not getting my luggage til later in the day but to be able to get on the ship earlier and take advantage of the first cruise day is important to me. Priority boarding with Carnival requires more cruises then Princess, which we already have.

I do something similar for my tags. Used to use the laminate. But then I tried just clear packing tape. Works great. Easier to use than the laminate. and also use it to tape the tags to the luggage.

[laumicmah]

How does the priority tender work? We have a stop in Grand Cayman. I have a 9am excursion scheduled. Once the ship docks at 8am, I can be one of the first ones off?

Yes, just not sure how it works. I think you show them your F2F logo on your S&S card (the folks giving out tender #s) and they give you the 1st tender #. There may even be a special VIP line for tender # tickets (any VIP or priority line would be for F2F guests). Been to HMC twice on CCL and taking the tender took forever both times (long long lines to get tender TO and FROM the island). I would def get F2F if we ever do an itin with HMC again.

Edited August 16, 2013 by laumicmah

[figdu]

Yes, just not sure how it works. I think you show them your F2F logo on your S&S card (the folks giving out tender #s) and they give you the 1st tender #. There may even be a special VIP line for tender # tickets (any VIP or priority line would be for F2F guests). Been to HMC twice on CCL and taking the tender took forever both times (long long lines to get tender TO and FROM the island). I would def get F2F if we ever do an itin with HMC again.

 

FTTF Tender boarding reports to a specific place and are escorted down via elevator to the front of the line. At least that is what they did my for cruise in May.

Edited August 16, 2013 by figdu

[Laurie S.]

HAL cabins also are ready when you board.

[stewpapa]

I don't think I would ever pay $50 for FTTF. Doesn't seem worth $50 to me to get on sooner or tender faster or have a shorter guest services line or to avoid carrying my backpack to lunch on day 1.

 

But, the fact that it exists and people pay for it makes it seem like we get a $50 break being Platinum because we get that stuff for free. Kind of like another Platinum perk -- $50 value FTTF -- for free. I'm surprised they don't list that as a Platinum perk since none of the perks except laundry really save you any money. Now they do.

 

About what you are buying....

Getting on in the short line is a great perk! It is almost worth $50 by itself. The others are not important to me.

Our rooms have always been ready by the time we ate lunch and it isn't a problem to carry my backpack. Everything else is in suitcase.

No rush to tender

Never have much of a line at guest services. Don't wait til the last day though!

Debarkation: We self assist and are usally off by 9:00 anyway.

Edited August 16, 2013 by stewpapa

[cocobean1984]

What other cruise ships offer this kind of service. After experiencing FTTF for the 1st time, you don't want to go back...lol;)

[jgryder]

We did not purchase FTTF and had no problems boarding in fact since there was no one in the FTTR line they let us use it. We were at the port around 11:00 and on the ship enjoying the slides by 12:30. I packed a small bag with bathing suits.

[jellybeana]

I just booked it for our Oct 13 Miracle out of Long Beach. I remember last time Long Beach was a zoo so hoping this will help. Special guest service line and tender line in Cabo is also worth it to me.

 

I am traveling with my brother and last cruise as this chose twin beds, when we got there beds where pushed together. Looked for room steward, couldn't find. Went and stood in long guest services line and after 45 min without moving gave up. Went back to room later, still no steward, went back to stand in long guest services line for another 30 min without moving. Went back to room and found room steward and asked him to split up beds as we had requested as we are brother and sister. He told me that was not what he was told and even went so far as to show me his list that said Mr & Mrs double bed.

 

I told him that didn't matter what list said, I was not sleeping with my brother. He was not thrilled about splitting the beds and let it be known. My brother spotted a bunk in the wall and asked him if it would be easier for him just to use that. Long story short for 4 days my brother slept in the bunk and me in the double bed. It was a pain because if he came back to the room for a nap, no place to lay. Needless to say, the steward got the regular tip but nothing extra.

 

Also the tender lines in Cabo can be long and we are anxious to get off and do our parasailing before we changes our minds and chicken out

[Laurie S.]

I bought it for our upcoming cruise in November out of Long Beach. We don't need it to get on the ship early because we're in a suite, but I will love dropping off my heavy carryon filled with camera and scuba equipment in my room and not having to lug it all over the Lido Deck for a couple hours. We can drink and not worry about keeping track of very expensive stuff. Plus, since we are diving on a short day in Cabo, having first shot at the tender makes that day much less anxious. And, I hate standing in lines. :)

[askimdog]

We wander Ports all day and try to be amongst the first off the ship. All 3 cruises I just mentioned this to the tender folks on staff and it seems by asking we are always on the first couple tenders, never had a wait over 30 minutes?

 

Waiting to get to our room for luggage needs doesn't happen since my wife, daughter and I carry all our own, no checking luggage at airports ( overhead hold only) and no porters needed for us.

[Singer4Him]

I know that FTTF gives you priority when leaving the ship to tender but does it give priority when returning to the ship?

[Techycruiser]

I am booked on the Glory in October leaving from Norfolk VA and FTTF was not mentioned or offered I wonder if it is available?

[Laurie S.]

I know that FTTF gives you priority when leaving the ship to tender but does it give priority when returning to the ship?

 

No, it doesn't.

[stewpapa]

I just booked it for our Oct 13 Miracle out of Long Beach.

 

I am traveling with my brother and last cruise as this chose twin beds, when we got there beds where pushed together. Looked for room steward, couldn't find. Went and stood in long guest services line and after 45 min without moving gave up. Went back to room later, still no steward, went back to stand in long guest services line for another 30 min without moving. Went back to room and found room steward and asked him to split up beds as we had requested as we are brother and sister. He told me that was not what he was told and even went so far as to show me his list that said Mr & Mrs double bed.

 

I told him that didn't matter what list said, I was not sleeping with my brother. He was not thrilled about splitting the beds and let it be known. My brother spotted a bunk in the wall and asked him if it would be easier for him just to use that. Long story short for 4 days my brother slept in the bunk and me in the double bed. It was a pain because if he came back to the room for a nap, no place to lay. Needless to say, the steward got the regular tip but nothing extra.

 

 

This is so hard to believe. After 15 cruises, I cannot imagine reconfiguring the beds or any other request being a problem! Just so opposite from my experience. I would have demanded Guest Services, you can call, have the beds separated. What did they say? Why didn't it happen? FTTF won't help with a problem like this.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Bobby_Mac]

I'm on vacation and not in a hurry to do anything or go anywhere.

[mamachan515]

Just purchased for our cruise out of Tampa on the Legend - My question is what time do you arrive in port to board day one I have seen most around 10ish???

[bobsfamily]

Just purchased for our cruise out of Tampa on the Legend - My question is what time do you arrive in port to board day one I have seen most around 10ish???

It has been years since I went out of Tampa but I would think 10:30-11am would be the earliest to get to the port. In May out of Jacksonville we went to the port around 10:10 and were told to come back at 10:30... at 10:30 we were put in a "holding" line in an empty parking lot for about 15-20 minutes, then were allowed to go pay for parking and start towards the terminal. Our luggage was taken from the car by porters, FTTF tags put on and we were onboard in about 30-40 minutes.

Not sure about Tampa though...

[jporritt]

To make our luggage tags a bit sturdier I cover it with peel and stick laminate at home and use a paper punch to put a hole at the ends then use a small zip tie to attach it to our luggage handle prior to handing our luggage over.

 

I'm glad it's not just me :)

[YaKnowThatGuy]

I guess the "worth" all depends on the port. The mouse maze which is Charleston would surely make it worth it, but ports like Norfolk I would save the $$, that port is lightning fast embark/debark if you handle your own luggage.

[figdu]

I know that FTTF gives you priority when leaving the ship to tender but does it give priority when returning to the ship?

 

No it does not.

[laumicmah]

oops

Edited August 19, 2013 by laumicmah

[Loggra]

We have purchased FTTF for our October cruise and so look forward to being able to drop off our carryon luggage right away!!

 

Plus we have booked our first aft balcony and we will take every extra minute we can on it!:p

[cocobean1984]

That's one of the perks i liked about carnival.

I wished royal had an option like this

[Saltz]

So, if you have FTTF and you go to your room early how do you get through the hallway door? Isn't it locked?

[SMSACE6]

So, if you have FTTF and you go to your room early how do you get through the hallway door? Isn't it locked?

 

The only time I had FTTF was last November and the door was open already. That was about noon.