Question Re: F2F on Fantasy from Charleston

[JustCruzinSC]

Curious if anyone has experienced Faster to the FUn with the Fantasy? I know this is a smaller ship and all reviews I have rea seem to be fairly quick embarkation process.....Is it necessary ...or worth the money? Or I guess is it needed? Will it really get us onboard any quicker? My husband is handicapped and getting on the Breeze this was a lifesaver whhen we did not book a suite to be VIP....but we were to compete with over 4000 other passengers. Next trip we booked a suite.... If it will be quicker I will gladly pay the money for his comfort, but if its not alot of difference I won't bother....any thoughts out there. Maybe the question should be time frames, if you have used F@F on Fantasy what was your time frame like boarding and disembarking? Thanks abunch!!:confused:

[All4fun&fun4all]

I personally haven't used Faster to the Fun on Fantasy and other than the perk of being able to leave your luggage in your cabin, I haven't seen the need for it. I have never had to wait to embark. I think because the way they shuttle everyone in keeps the lines down on the inside. I am usually right through security, directly up to the counter to check in, embark photo, take pic for sail and sign, first "ding" getting on the ship and then up to lido within 30 minutes total.

 

I have sailed on her 3 times out of Charleston.

 

If you are going to a tender port you will have priority tendering but if you aren't going to HMC then I personally would save that money for something fun.

[JustCruzinSC]

Thanks thats kinda what I was thinking, good to have a little reassurance. I assumed with only a little over 2000 passengers anyway, how bad could it be?

[mamajules]

I'll be the other side of the coin. We did purchase F2F this past October on Fantasy. We arrived at the port, and after going through the scanners, they directed us directly over to check in instead of going through the winding line. From there directly onto the ship. Went straight to our cabin, dropped our things off, put valuables in safe and then up to lido to get food - no crowds. There was a priority line at guest services to use, which was nice the couple of times I had questions about something. While we didn't have tenders, I did enjoy the quick embarkation/debarkation and the cabin being ready when we got there, was worth it for me. However, i do understand spending that $50 elsewhere.

[NCTribeFan]

I thought handicapped (or anyone needing assistance) also boarded early.

 

I'm Platinum so don't need FTTF. If you have priority boarding, you still have to stand in line for a scanner (they don't have a dedicated VIP scanner at Charleston), then you go to the left-hand line which takes you to the end of the check-in desk closest to the photographers.

 

From there, you take an elevator (or stairs) up one level where you have your security photo taken for you S&S card.

 

With the way they shuttle everyone from the parking/dropoff area to the building, the crowd is staggered anyway and the line is never too long.

 

If you choose to not purchase FTTF, I'd definitely see if you can't get priority boarding anyone because of his disability. I've seen passengers using canes and walkers told that they would board right after the VIPs. I'm guessing that with FTTF, these folks would board right after them (you could probably contact the special needs people at Carnival directly and get an answer).

[JustCruzinSC]

If you choose to not purchase FTTF, I'd definitely see if you can't get priority boarding anyone because of his disability. I've seen passengers using canes and walkers told that they would board right after the VIPs. I'm guessing that with FTTF, these folks would board right after them (you could probably contact the special needs people at Carnival directly and get an answer).

 

I did ask at the special needs department. I was told there was no way to get priority except F2F, book a suite, or platinum members. He is in a wheelchair so at least he won't be standing. He just has some brain damage from strokes and gets very impatient. It sounds like this could go either way for us though?? Hard to decide if I should get it or not?

[Jimtown]

Also looking at F2F for Sept, but my question is I see online it says you can not park until noon at the port? we will be driving in from Indiana. would is still be best to get F2F?

[SCDreamWeaver]

Let's see $50 so my luggage gets there an hour earlier and of course there's not really anything I need out of it anyway, or 7 more DOD's while I'm sitting on the lido of the ship waiting to set sail and the party's starting. I'll take the latter of the two choices.....:)

[eyesofbrown]

We did F2F out of Charleston last October and loved it. It was worth it for me because I do not like lines. I get antsy in them. We were dropped off at the terminal and within 10 minutes were on the ship. We didn't have to wait at all and we were one of the first ones bussed over. We also were able to drop off our carryons, including our sodas, in our room as soon as we boarded and then hit the buffet before everyone and then wander the ship. It was worth it.

 

Concerning parking, we didn't park, but saw everyone else waiting to park. I think they allowed parking about 11:00 to 11:30. Still would be worth it for me to avoid the lines.

 

Hope this helps.

[allilivesay]

We did F2F out of Charleston last October and loved it. It was worth it for me because I do not like lines. I get antsy in them. We were dropped off at the terminal and within 10 minutes were on the ship. We didn't have to wait at all and we were one of the first ones bussed over. We also were able to drop off our carryons, including our sodas, in our room as soon as we boarded and then hit the buffet before everyone and then wander the ship. It was worth it.

 

 

 

Concerning parking, we didn't park, but saw everyone else waiting to park. I think they allowed parking about 11:00 to 11:30. Still would be worth it for me to avoid the lines.

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

What time did you arrive at the port?? Just curious my mother and I are leaving Saturday from Charleston and got FTTF. We thought it was worth it for HMC and having our room ready. I called carnival today and they said we can get there as early as 11 am. Then they called me and a recording said not to arrive till 12:30 :-(

 

 

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[SadieN]

For boarding --What time do you want to get to port? If you want to be first on then get FTTF for your husband's well being. Otherwise get to port around 1pm. By the time you checkin and get onboard your cabin will be open. They open around 1:30, depending on port and ship.

 

For the second cruise--Are you in the same cabin or different cabins? For debaeking the first cruise you will be escorted on and off the ship. For the second WC assistance has their own schedule.

Edited May 30, 2014 by SadieN

[Don't tell my wife]

I got the F2F for the Fantasy for 11/27/14 cruise. What time do you guys recommend we get to the port in order to take advantage of the ship and maximize our time on board?

[kybluecruiser]

I think FTTF is great. However i dont see it's benefit at charleston. You still have to wait in the same lines to get to the cruise terminal that everbody else has to. My experience is that once at the cruise terminal things move very quickly. When i take my mother who i use a wheelchair for, they will take you on board via the gangway on deck 3. Not with the masses on deck 7. So you bypass the crowds. The only benefit i could see is if you wanted to drop your stuff of at your stateroom. Also to note if you have a handicap placard or licenses plate. You will, get free parking.

[NCTribeFan]

Search for the "All Things Fantasy" thread that I started several years ago. I know there's lots of discussion about when to arrive.

 

But I won't let that stop me from repeating myself yet again...

 

The port at Charleston is a very different animal from other ports. They have very limited facilities, including a 1-level terminal. So, they have to get everyone off the ship, to their luggage, through customs and out of the way, then convert the building over to scanners, check-in lines, and boarding photos.

 

Obviously, they cannot accomplish this at a very early hour. I'm not sure what they do with the parking, since many people are parked across the street in warehouses.

 

So, my experience has been that there really is no reason to arrive before 11. And it's possible that you may have to wait.

 

Ah, yes, waiting. There is one small tented area with a dozen or so chairs. That's it. You have to wait for the first shuttle and if you're early, but not early enough to get a seat, you have to stand.

 

Honestly, I think they do a great job given the extreme limitations. But it is what it is and getting there super early hoping to board right away just has never worked for me.

 

When I did my B2B, I was solo on the 1st leg and the shuttle took me from the hotel way earlier than necessary (I went because he was going to pick up people). I had to wait over an hour.

 

When my friend came to join me for Leg 2, she picked up my DD & her husband, and parked. They didn't arrive until after 2 and it was all went very smoothly and quickly.

 

Once they get started, it runs very quickly. But honestly, this is the one port that I think it is just easier to wait and let the early rush clear out.

 

I don't think that ANYONE likes to stand in lines. But I can tell you, if I were not Platinum, I would not be purchasing FTTF. I just have so many other things I can waste $50 on! And half the time, I haven't received my luggage any earlier than I did pre-Plat/FTTF.