Do Platinum/Diamond and FTTF board together?

[AmberTeka]

This is what we have experienced every cruise since FTTF began. Diamond, Platinum, and FTTF are all in the VIP boarding area together and are not separated when they start boarding the ship. This has been in Tampa, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Galveston.

 

Some get upset about this but to me it is a petty concern. We are still among the first to board, (and wedding parties take priority over us even, and FTTF isn't even required for them.)

 

I would never stand up and say, "I'm diamond, so you have to wait until I board." That's just silly. They aren't going to run out of food and the ship won't sail any sooner.

 

I appreciate that others have paid for the benefit because that means I don't have to lug my carryon around anymore and my luggage should arrive earlier, making it easier to get everything squared way before muster drill.

 

You are going on a cruise! Don't sweat the small stuff. Who cares if 50 people boarded before you?

 

put your crown of sainthood on when you are old and infirm....sailed on Carnival for 15 or 20 or 40 times and you are pushed down an escalator by someone who paid 50 bucks to be there and will never sail Carnival again. And don't tell me it did not happen on the Breeze...Sept 14-22. I bet you would not be grinning and happy to be caught up in that mad house.

[RWolver672]

We had FTTF on our Freedom cruise out of FLL. We were given Zone 1 boarding cards and had to sit with all of the other passengers. Diamond/Platinum were in the VIP lounge. They called them first, then wedding and handicapped passengers, then Zone 1. It looks like it's different from every port.

[Binks240]

I was just on the Pride and this was my first platinum cruise. I can't say whether or not the FTTF went into VIP lounge to get their sail/sign cards because once we had our cards we didn't stay in the VIP lounge. We were escorted out and sat in a separate roped off area in the main terminal. The FTTF group was sitting with us and we all boarded at the same time.

Didn't bother me any since I was probably the 10th on the ship.

[cruzn buckeye]

This is what we have experienced every cruise since FTTF began. Diamond, Platinum, and FTTF are all in the VIP boarding area together and are not separated when they start boarding the ship. This has been in Tampa, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Galveston.

 

You are going on a cruise! Don't sweat the small stuff. Who cares if 50 people boarded before you?

In Miami, a couple of weeks ago, Platinum and Diamond were in the lounge downstairs. Our friends were fTTF. They were sent to an area up the escalators with others. We chose to go with them so we could board together.

[cruzn buckeye]

We had FTTF on our Freedom cruise out of FLL. We were given Zone 1 boarding cards and had to sit with all of the other passengers. Diamond/Platinum were in the VIP lounge. They called them first, then wedding and handicapped passengers, then Zone 1. It looks like it's different from every port.

Definetely different. Normally, which I agree with, wedding and handicapped board first.

[RWolver672]

Definetely different. Normally, which I agree with, wedding and handicapped board first.

 

Now that you mention it, wedding and handicapped did board before Diamond/Platinum.

[jstcruizin]

It's a toss up as to how it will happen at port Canaveral. May and June cruise called by wedding then diamond then platinum and finally FTTF. September cruise it was wedding and then everybody else.

 

We just sailed out of Port Canaveral and when we got there The vip lounge was full so the lady took us up to the regular counter got us checked in, went to get our cards and escorted us to ship, was'nt expecting that. We got there at 11

[LHP]

This is one of those areas that just glaringly shows Carnival's inconsistency .....

 

 

there is no uniform answer from port to port or even ship to ship sailing from the same port.

 

 

And there is no big deal about getting on the ship first...it is a matter of principle.

 

All we heard when the FTTF was introduced was how it was not going to affect the Plat/Diamonds in any way.

 

We heard that over and over and over again....and when reports of just the opposite immediately started to surface, we were told these were "exceptions" (which again was not the case)....

 

sorry if I am weird...but if someone gives me their word, I expect them to honor it.

 

and when they lie about the results, I do not take kindly to it.

 

Still love Carnival...will still cruise Carnival...

 

but I will tell you when a mess is a mess.

[dougandmo]

Getting off of the BREEZE on Sept. 22, 2013 hundreds of self assist passengers joined the VIP and FTTF mad house. It was disgusting. dangerous. pushing. shoving. Even on the escalator. I was pushed by a suitcase.

 

Based on your own description, it sounds like the problem debarking has less to do with FTTF and more to do with the self assist passengers. We never rush to get off the ship, but we have noticed that there are a ton of people doing the self assist to try and get off quicker.

[Noel182002]

We had ftff...but it was insane....so many people just start coming from all different areas and walkways and elevators.....this was in Miami....it was like a mad house....The ship ain't going anywhere.....lol but I think ftff was called after the wedding parties because I was behind a bridesmaid

[cruzn buckeye]

We just sailed out of Port Canaveral and when we got there The vip lounge was full so the lady took us up to the regular counter got us checked in, went to get our cards and escorted us to ship, was'nt expecting that. We got there at 11

I have had this happen in Port Canaveral also. I have to say, I think their priority boarding is the best....

[TruckinMama]

This is what we have experienced every cruise since FTTF began. Diamond, Platinum, and FTTF are all in the VIP boarding area together and are not separated when they start boarding the ship. This has been in Tampa, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Galveston.

 

Some get upset about this but to me it is a petty concern. We are still among the first to board, (and wedding parties take priority over us even, and FTTF isn't even required for them.)

 

I would never stand up and say, "I'm diamond, so you have to wait until I board." That's just silly. They aren't going to run out of food and the ship won't sail any sooner.

 

I appreciate that others have paid for the benefit because that means I don't have to lug my carryon around anymore and my luggage should arrive earlier, making it easier to get everything squared way before muster drill.

 

You are going on a cruise! Don't sweat the small stuff. Who cares if 50 people boarded before you?

 

This was our experience also. We sailed on the Elation out of NOLA in May. There was only one VIP area which served all of the Plat/Diam/Suites/FTTF passengers, and all of them went through together, with no segregation. It really wasn't any big deal, and no one seemed to feel "slighted" because of it. :)

[MIZZ_K]

So with FTTF they let you go to the VIP area? We had FTTF in January but we weren't directed to the VIP lounge. We go again this upcoming January so would appreciate the info.

 

I've cruised from Miami twice using FTTF and wS not put in the VIP room, I sat with all the others, FTTF was called after weddings and plat/diamond, this wS in 2012 and 2013.

[tattoos]

Just sailed out of Tampa last week on the Legend. All Priority guests were seated in the same large open area of the terminal near the entrance to the gangway, including FTTF. After they boarded the wedding party and wheelchair people, they announced boarding for Priority guests and everyone ran, pushed and shoved their way to the roped off area. Two Carnival employees directed everyone to make two lines...one for Diamond/Platinum guests and the other for FTTF guests. The Diamond/Platinum guests were allowed to board first...we all had priority zone cards but the FTTF guests had a different color. The Carnival employees checked everyone's zone card color to make sure they were in the correct line.

 

As far as debarkation when we arrived back in Tampa, we were held up because of non-US Citizens not reporting to the lounge to go through Immigration. Carnival kept announcing their room numbers over and over and over. They did not start calling passengers who were self-assist until 9:05 a.m. I can't believe what some of these self-assist passengers were struggling with...suitcases, duffel bags, boxes of alcohol, foam mattress pads, pillows, backpacks, etc. They were pushing their suitcases with their feet and dragging and carrying everything else. This is an accident waiting to happen, very bad. Zone 1 was not called until 10:05 a.m.

[gnocchi_mommy]

How many FTTF guests are there on a given cruise? I just booked for Conquest in OCtober of NEXT YEAR lol, and it said 11 FTTF passes were left on the excursions list- that got me wondering, surely not many have already actually booked for a cruise a year away, so does that mean there are only a dozen or so FTTF passes per cruise?

[jimbo5544]

How many FTTF guests are there on a given cruise? I just booked for Conquest in OCtober of NEXT YEAR lol, and it said 11 FTTF passes were left on the excursions list- that got me wondering, surely not many have already actually booked for a cruise a year away, so does that mean there are only a dozen or so FTTF passes per cruise?

I don't know the final number but I do know that it also has to do with how many Plat/diamond crusiers there are on that sailing.

[Rudyard]

How many FTTF guests are there on a given cruise? I just booked for Conquest in OCtober of NEXT YEAR lol, and it said 11 FTTF passes were left on the excursions list- that got me wondering, surely not many have already actually booked for a cruise a year away, so does that mean there are only a dozen or so FTTF passes per cruise?

 

Supposedly there are 15 FTTFs released right away, then another 15 get released as it gets closer to the cruise. I've read that it can be as high as 50 total, but don't know if that's a rumor of fact. As the previous poster said, the second block that gets released is supposed to be based on how many P/D cruisers are on that cruise.

[cynthe66]

The last two cruise (August and just last week) we boarded at the same time as the FTTF and P/D. So we didn't get to put our carry on in the room if in law are with us we just have them put ours in their cabin. As far as tendering in Grand Cayman we were some of the first off the ship. Getting off the ship big deal we drive to the port so we like to stay on the ship for as long as we can. For some people FTTF is great but as for my hubby and I it's not a big deal.

[Artemus]

I have a silly question while we're talking about who goes first regarding Diamond Platinum and FTTF...

Why don't Diamonds go ahead of Platinum? Just curious.

[Georgiagolfer]

In June on Fascination, we checked in at the VIP lounge, then directed to an area with 3 rows of chairs. FTTF checked in at regular counter then sent to the same area as us. When announced, all boarded at the same time. Still no big deal, as we went directly to our room, thanks to FTTF.;)

[miataman19]

That is not the way it should happen, keep those fttf people away from the Dia/Plat's, make them wait like they should.

 

I know what you're saying. We Princess Elite say the same thing about you Carnival folks when you upgrade to Princess, keep those Carnival people away from us ...:eek:.......:rolleyes:.......Just kidding. See how ridiculous that sounds. :D

[AmberTeka]

You bet they do. And on the Breeze Sept.14-22 they let the Self Assist mix in with them

 

they said one elevator was not working. So hundreds and hundreds of people fighting to off "early"

 

FTTF...if they are booked under the same credit card.....for $50 the entire group gets to push and shove with everyone else.

 

party of Ten..booked under one credit ( can be undone and new SS cards issued...while standing in the VIP line..all ten of them........Supposedly they are not allowed to use CArnival. I called Carnival after such an incident and I was told that it could not have happened because FTTF cannot use the Plat/Dia line. THEY HAD FTTF STUCK ON THE SIGN FOR VIP LINE. REALLY. CARNIVAL DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE SHIPS ARE DOING AND DON'T SEEM TO CARE.

 

THE PARTY OF TEN.......GOT VIP EASY ON EASY OFF EASY TENDERING FOR $5 A POP. STUPID BUSINESS. iN RETROSPECT cannot blame them for buying it. Can blame them for scamming it...as many are doing. Can blame Carnival for slapping Loyal passengers ......and it is like a rude slap.

[AmberTeka]

I have a silly question while we're talking about who goes first regarding Diamond Platinum and FTTF...

Why don't Diamonds go ahead of Platinum? Just curious.

 

The Carnival Office says that Diamond go first. Then plats. then FTTF. And they are in separate lounges. Never mixed. HA HA HA HA

 

getting off........diamondS go first. Then Plats. then seated in another area... FTTF. tHEN Seated in another area.... Self Assist. DOUBLE HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

 

They have this list of rules they give to passengers. but ships do it anyway they want.

 

Bad Management. And I bet morale on Carnival..from top to bottom is low. BAD Management.......shows in every area.

[skiwee]

Curious but when do suite people board and what room are we in prior to boarding. We are non plat, diamond, or FTTF people. Just regular lowly suite folks. :D

[AmberTeka]

Supposedly there are 15 FTTFs released right away, then another 15 get released as it gets closer to the cruise. I've read that it can be as high as 50 total, but don't know if that's a rumor of fact. As the previous poster said, the second block that gets released is supposed to be based on how many P/D cruisers are on that cruise.

 

And each one of those FTTF covers everyone in the Cabin...so that is FIVE People. Five times X 50 could be an extra 250 people. And with the folks who get together, book a lot of people..say nine..under the same credit card and get it for all of them..and apparently they can..it is happening......add 250 more people.

 

500 PEOPLE added...for like $5 a person..hacking off the people who usually live in Florida, sail 4.5.6 or more times a year.............

 

It is BAD MANAGEMENT. BAD BUSINESS. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OF SNOBBERY. IT IS AN OBVIOUS CASE SOME ARE HOAXING THE SYSTEM.

 

Next cruise you are on...Look at the VIP line. See if it does not have a big FTTF to the fun sign..and if you do need to talk to anyone at the desk. Get in the regular Line. Much quicker. Or go early in the morning or late at night.