FTTF....question when boarding

[Joie]

We bought the FTTF for our next cruise.....Freedom in March

Question is what do we do when we arrive at the port ...... is there a different area we go to going into the building.....will we have special tags. and where do we go when once inside the building?

thank you for any info you can offer.

[marjenn]

We used the FTTF on our last cruise. When we arrived at the port the porters saw our luggage tags and noticed the FTTF on the tags. He then put another sticker (I think it was orange) on the bag to show the bags should go on first.

 

Then as we entered the building we showed our boarding pass to one of the Carnival workers who directed us to the Platinum, Diamond, FTTF line. We were the only ones in that line at the time. After check in they directed us to a room to wait until all the Diamond, Platinum and wedding party members left then they called for us. We had literally only sat down for 5 minutes before they called for FTTF to board.

 

We loved FTTF and will buy it every time we cruise until we finally reach Platinum! :)

[RWolver672]

When we used it on the Freedom, we turned out luggage over to the porters then walked up to the building. There was a Carnival employee sitting on a stool that ask to see our boarding passes. He saw the FTTF and told us to go to a different door. Inside the door, we went through security, then at the end of the queue, there was a lady standing there handing out zone cards. Then we went straight ahead to the check-in where we got our S&S cards. From there we were told to go into a large waiting area where "Glenda" was telling everybody to sit in one row at a time.

 

She kept the crowd alive while that room and the one next to it filled up. B y the time we started boarding, both rooms were standing room only. We got there around 10:30 and they didn't start boarding until 11:45. They first called for Handicapped and wedding parties, then Platinum/Diamond, then FTTF.

 

As for your question about the special tags, your luggage tags and boarding pass will have a small circle on them that have FTTF on it. On the side of your luggage tags will be F2F. If the porters don't see it, point it out to them. Your luggage will be put in a special bin that's just for FTTF. It will be one of the first bins put on the ship.

Edited November 30, 2013 by RWolver672

[Joie]

thank you for the info.....and as usual we will be watching our countdown. :)

[crusinpsychRN]

Make sure the porter puts the oragne tag on luggage.

[CatlinSTJ]

Last summer we had FTTF and DH is hooked, we got to the port about 10:30, the porter showed us the special priority tags they were adding and showed us that they would be loaded separately and taken to the ship approximately every half hour. We were guided to the priority security and check in lines, then onto the ship - no waiting! Best experience ever! It was nice to get on the ship and to our rooms before the crowds. Our room steward popped in to greet us as soon as we arrived, very sweet. All this before noon :)

[Joie]

nice to know it goes so nice....thanks

[lilmizz]

When we used it on the Freedom, we turned out luggage over to the porters then walked up to the building. There was a Carnival employee sitting on a stool that ask to see our boarding passes. He saw the FTTF and told us to go to a different door. Inside the door, we went through security, then at the end of the queue, there was a lady standing there handing out zone cards. Then we went straight ahead to the check-in where we got our S&S cards. From there we were told to go into a large waiting area where "Glenda" was telling everybody to sit in one row at a time.

 

She kept the crowd alive while that room and the one next to it filled up. B y the time we started boarding, both rooms were standing room only. We got there around 10:30 and they didn't start boarding until 11:45. They first called for Handicapped and wedding parties, then Platinum/Diamond, then FTTF.

 

 

As for your question about the special tags, your luggage tags and boarding pass will have a small circle on them that have FTTF on it. On the side of your luggage tags will be F2F. If the porters don't see it, point it out to them. Your luggage will be put in a special bin that's just for FTTF. It will be one of the first bins put on the ship.

 

So it took you an hour and 15 minutes to Board with FTTF? Wow, Every one else says it takes not even 15 minutes! What happened?

Edited December 1, 2013 by lilmizz

[Colorado Kat]

Usually FTTF should be in a smaller waiting area. Sounds like they were in with the general boarding.

[MIZZ_K]

So it took you an hour and 15 minutes to Board with FTTF? Wow, Every one else says it takes not even 15 minutes! What happened?

 

It depends on when you get there and when they start boarding, if boarding has started you will get on quicker, they had not started boarding yet, so you would have to wait.

[RWolver672]

So it took you an hour and 15 minutes to Board with FTTF? Wow, Every one else says it takes not even 15 minutes! What happened?

 

Usually FTTF should be in a smaller waiting area. Sounds like they were in with the general boarding.

 

We were on the first cruise on the Freedom where FTTF was offered. We never got any orange tags put on our luggage.

 

Boarding was held up while they tried to clear the ship. Yes, we were put in with the general boarding area. Only D/P were in the VIP room.

 

When we went to check in, our S&S cards weren't at the FTTF counter. When the lady gave us our boarding card, it said Zone 1. Finally a guy comes along and went looking for our cards. They were with the regular ones. He ask for our boarding card and when he saw it he said that it should have been a Priority card instead.

 

After straightening things out, we went to board and "Dinged" our cards. Neither DW's or mine would "Ding". They escorted us onboard and took us to Guest Services and expained that our cards were useless. A guy issued new cards to us and I turned it over and there wasn't a FTTF sticker on them. He then had to look us up on a list and came back with a roll of the stickers and put them on our cards. From then on, everything went smooth.

 

As I said, this was the first time Freedom had FTTF. More than likey they have the bugs worked out of it by now. Through all of those mishaps, we still feel that was the best cruise we've been on.

[funfunfuncruzininthesun]

It depends on when you get there and when they start boarding, if boarding has started you will get on quicker, they had not started boarding yet, so you would have to wait.

 

yes it all depends on when you arrive, and when the ship is cleared. We were on the Splendor out of NY in Nov. We got to the port early because we had to take an earlier train than expected, so we were at the terminal by 10:30 and we did not have a VIP waiting area. The ship was cleared around 11:30.. FTTF was called right before Zone 1. We went straight to our cabin and our bags were waiting for us, We also Loved the early disembark with self assist. If you don't mind taking your own luggage off the ship you are off very quickly. We were told to meet at 7:30 am and were off the ship and in a cab to the train by 7:45 and home by 9am. The best easiest time ever getting off of a ship to date. Very smooth.