I keep going back and forth on FTTF.

[CoconutJD]

It's worth the $50 to me to be able to leave our carry-ons in the cabin. Lugging those around the ship isn't fun. I want the fun/relaxation to start as soon as I'm on the ship. :D

[sshelly0525]

I bought FTTF for our last cruise as kind of a novelty, thinking we wouldn't really need it. Well, after the DW lost her wallet after being on board for only a couple hours, we definitely got our monies worth at the GS desk. The regular line was 30 ppl deep, whereas the FTTF line only had one person waiting.

We'll be platinum someday, but until then we'll buy FTTF.

[Luvsparties]

We had it on the Conquest and purchased it for our upcoming Splendor cruise. For us it is worth it just to be able to drop our carryon bags in the cabin.

[kona_wahine]

i agree, FTTF is not worth the price, I think newbie cruisers are the ones falling over all this "deal".

 

Well, I really don't consider myself a newbie anymore. I have three cruises down, and number 4 booked for next April. (unless by newbie you mean non-platinum ;)( 2 of our previous cruises we had FTTF. I absolutely love it. I was just able to book it for our April cruise. I would much rather spend $50 on it than $70 at the steakhouse. We are going to HMC, so priority tendering is important. Last cruise I had to go to GS on the last day 3 times because of an unforeseen problem. Walking past that LONG line of people 3 TIMES and being first was definitely worth $50.

[erby2283]

From everything I have read, it is not worth it. Though many people will now come and chime in as to why it IS worth it to them.

 

Why I am not choosing to do it:

1: early boarding....not worth it. If you get there around 12:00-12:30pm you walk right onto the ship

2: get suitcases early.....I have read a LOT of reports where that is just not happening

3: able to drop off carry-on in cabin....ok, if that is worth $50 to you, maybe? Then again, if you board at Noon, you can do that anyway.

4: early off the ship.....you can ask for a group 1 tag anyway.

5: short line for CS. I never got here, so no biggie for me.

 

$50 buys me quite a few drinks. :D

 

I've gotten it twice and think it's worth it - depends on you and YOUR situation. In response to the above.

 

1) On my last cruise, embarkation was delayed b/c they were setting up Christmas decorations and the line was around the block in Tampa. I was literally escorted to the next available agent and on board in 5 minutes once I got inside the terminal. Others have also written about similar situations where embarkation was delayed so I'm sure it was helpful for them as well.

2)If your suitcases aren't there early, as promised, others have complained and gotten their $50 FTTF reimbursed. We had one of our bags delayed but I didn't complain. Must have just gotten mixed up.

3)When you're carrying 2 12-packs of soda, or may have small children, it's nice to be able to drop off your carry-on or get the kids settled in the room and possibly put down for a nap before the afternoon festivities begin.

4)You cannot always ask for group 1 tags. We asked for group 1 on the last cruise and we HAD FTTF and we were denied b/c they had so many other Platinum and others needed to get off the ship. We had a noon flight out of Orlando and would have liked group 1 but understood and stayed with zone 4.

5)About 80% of the time I have needed guest services there has been a line.

 

So again, it's just a personal opinion. I don't drink - so to me, it's well worth $50 since I don't spend this money on drinks - not even the virgin kind. :D Some might spend money on the steakhouse but since I don't eat salad, or seafood, "I" would consider that a waste of money (no appetizers I would eat and limited choice of main course) so it's really all in the eye of the beholder.

Edited May 28, 2014 by erby2283

[craftykitty]

i agree, FTTF is not worth the price, I think newbie cruisers are the ones falling over all this "deal".

 

I'm far from a newbie cruiser and I book FTTF whenever I can. Mostly because of my cruising companions. My mother is 79 and I like to ensure her comfort as much as I can. My husband has COPD, anything I can do to make things easier for him is also a priority.

 

In both cases it's $50 well spend, so you see, it's always what it's worth to the individual. $50 will not make or break any of us, but the decision is what is it worth to each of us on an individual basis. We all know whether we purchase the program or not, we will have the nice drink or the dinner in the steakhouse, or buy pictures (my vice :o ). It's a matter of determining whether the program works for you at this time.

[graphicguy]

What time of year did you sail? Sailing at peak times would certainly impact the wait times for embarkation and debarkation and change the perception of the value of FTTF. I highly doubt during summer months you could arrive at noon and walk right on the ship unless you were extremely lucky to get zone 1 or 2.

 

 

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We sailed the Breeze last August.Walked right on (maybe 5 minute wait), and walked right off. Never had any waits to talk to customer service.

Edited June 2, 2014 by graphicguy

[mskbee]

I too went back and forth. When I booked my cruise (two months ago) F2F was sold out. Three days ago they opened up a few spots and I decided I would book it. I like it just for the fact that we can get on board early and have access to our rooms to put our carry on items away. I figure it's only $50 and at least we can try it and decide from there if we want it for future cruises.

[hereisjohnny]

We sailed the Breeze last August.Walked right on (maybe 5 minute wait), and walked right off. Never had any waits to talk to customer service.

 

 

Certainly not at noon you walked right on. You probably arrived at 3pm and you most likely sailed the end of August when most kids are back in school.

 

 

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[Ehpride]

It's worth the $50 to me to be able to leave our carry-ons in the cabin. Lugging those around the ship isn't fun. I want the fun/relaxation to start as soon as I'm on the ship. :D

 

 

This is why I bought it. I'm thrilled to be able to be unburdened. I realize that if I got to port at 1 pm that my cabin would be ready, but I have zero interest in waiting that long. I'm the one up at 6 a.m. on embarkation day ready to go to the port!

 

 

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[bluejay555]

I say get it! I was on the fence, just like you, and by the time I decided I really wanted it, it was sold out. Now I'm full of regret.

[timmy1958]

I went ahead and bought it because it was available. I haven't decided whether I will keep it or not. Worst case, I'll cancel it, get my money back and board with the masses.

 

We went back and forth too until my wife reminded me we will likely have heavy backpacks/carryons and a possibly cranky seven year old in tow, so I went and booked it. We will see if it turns out to be a good thing. But I like the idea of getting onboard and into our room early.

[graphicguy]

Certainly not at noon you walked right on. You probably arrived at 3pm and you most likely sailed the end of August when most kids are back in school.

 

 

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Pretty close...I had to go look at my review to see when we actually got to the pier and boarded.....http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1908076

 

Again, we had no lines. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other how you spend your money. It would have been a waste of money for us. And, there were actually a few FTTF people who found the line for customer service longer than the regular line. I can't comment on when they got luggage. I know ours came pretty quickly...right after we had lunch.

 

For $50? That's a steak dinner at the upscale steak house (which is VERY good) and a couple of glasses of wine. Or, it's a day or two of drinks. I'd rather spend it doing those things.

[RAVI360]

i agree, FTTF is not worth the price, I think newbie cruisers are the ones falling over all this "deal".

 

Im not a newbie.....if fact i am 15 days from platinum......my crew always seem to get to port at 12pm.........two years ago sailing on the valor out of miami ....it took us 21/2 hours to board ......so i purchased FTTF last year for the breeze.......again arrive at the port at 1220pm.......the line was coming out the door.....FTTF....got us right on the ship.....less then 30 min we were on the lido deck

i also had a continuing problem with the cabin....and being able to go right up to guest relations with out a line was a blessing.....and help me deal with the problem....better i think ....

 

but i guess it to each is own,.....huh!

[bury me at sea]

Worth every penny for me. My back hurts when I stand very long. Avoiding long wait while standing on embarking and dropping off carry-on in cabin made our cruise much more enjoyable. I have procured it for the next two cruises booked.

 

If you are young and physically fit skip it and spend the dollars elsewhere.

[VASOXFANN]

We didn't have it, and it wouldn't have been worth it for us. We got on the ship maybe 20 minutes after the FTTF people. Had our luggage right away. Were on the second tender. Never had a line of more than 1-2 people at GS. Debarked when we wanted to.

 

Just a tip, if you do get it, be polite about it. While I was pulling my passport out to show the security guard, I was practically knocked over by a "lady" who thought she was God's gift because she had FTTF. I get the whole FTTF thing, but there is no need to push and shove over it. Just sayin'

Edited June 3, 2014 by VASOXFANN

[cynthe66]

The last two cruises we've been on, we were at the port by 11:00 and on the ship by 11:30. Carry ons, sticking ours in the in laws cabin till we can get in ours, tendering...none of our ports this trip have them, Customer service, never really have had an need for them, Early debarkment, I like to be one of the very last off, so they might have to take me off kicking and screaming.

[cruzinlisa]

Whether FTTF is worth it depends on a person's situation. It is totally worth it for our family, because we travel with a 3 year old. That means we take a lot more stuff, and some of it is carry on stuff. (Luckily this year she is potty trained so that is one less thing to tote around!) Plus, we like to bring wine, soda and a little water, which has to be carried on, so its nice to have a place to stash our stuff. Its hard enough to navigate the buffet on embarkation day with a preschooler, without dealing with bags too. Also, priority boarding is good, since DD is impatient and I am impatient too. Finally, we enjoy the priority debarkation, because we have a 12 hour drive home and its nice to get on the road as soon as possible. And the patience thing too. ;)

 

If it were DH and I only and we were not driving, we might do not do FTTF. But we still might, just depends.

[hereisjohnny]

Pretty close...I had to go look at my review to see when we actually got to the pier and boarded.....http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1908076

 

 

 

Again, we had no lines. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other how you spend your money. It would have been a waste of money for us. And, there were actually a few FTTF people who found the line for customer service longer than the regular line. I can't comment on when they got luggage. I know ours came pretty quickly...right after we had lunch.

 

 

 

For $50? That's a steak dinner at the upscale steak house (which is VERY good) and a couple of glasses of wine. Or, it's a day or two of drinks. I'd rather spend it doing those things.

 

 

Just as I suspected, end of August sailing when families are not vacationing unless you're from Europe. Try sailing the same ship at peak times in June or July and you wouldn't be walking right on the ship at noon at all, but an experienced cruiser like yourself would already know this. Think of FTTF as a cheap insurance policy for worst case scenarios when lines can be long at peak times. Not everyone can sail at off peak times.

 

 

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[RAVI360]

Just as I suspected, end of August sailing when families are not vacationing unless you're from Europe. Try sailing the same ship at peak times in June or July and you wouldn't be walking right on the ship at noon at all, but an experienced cruiser like yourself would already know this. Think of FTTF as a cheap insurance policy for worst case scenarios when lines can be long at peak times. Not everyone can sail at off peak times.

 

 

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omg...thats EXACTLY...what it is...thank you.....where the like button....better to have and not need ....than need and not have......

[BlancaNoir]

Your insurance analogy is a bit off. This is not like weather or a medical emergency or something unforeseen.

 

Carnival is selling you a solution to a problem that they created. Could they let you stash your bags in the room? Could they maybe put an extra staff member at guest services during peak times? Could they have a better system for tendering and disembarking?

 

They could, or they could save money (less staff) and then charge you for the privilege of skipping lines. Win-win for carnival! And if you choose not to particiapte in this scam (oops, I mean FUN!) then you can save your money and plan your arriving/tendering/embarking/visiting guest services in a way that minimizes waiting. Cruise critic is all about sharing these strategies.

[hereisjohnny]

Your insurance analogy is a bit off. This is not like weather or a medical emergency or something unforeseen.

 

 

 

Carnival is selling you a solution to a problem that they created. Could they let you stash your bags in the room? Could they maybe put an extra staff member at guest services during peak times? Could they have a better system for tendering and disembarking?

 

 

 

They could, or they could save money (less staff) and then charge you for the privilege of skipping lines. Win-win for carnival! And if you choose not to particiapte in this scam (oops, I mean FUN!) then you can save your money and plan your arriving/tendering/embarking/visiting guest services in a way that minimizes waiting. Cruise critic is all about sharing these strategies.

 

Let me answer your first question about "letting you stash your bags in the cabin" which is not "could" btw. As they try to clean 1200+ rooms having access to them to place your bags would be a nightmare and your room might not be ready until after dinner. Nice try on thinking you have all the answers. Open mouth insert foot......

 

 

 

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[JustCruiseMe]

We've got it 2 times and last time we actually got our own luggage off the cart in hall because it was so late. I think the porter didn't put the right tag on it. But we got it again because we love it for tendering if nothing else. We won't be arriving early so that won't be an issue. Another thing it's worth to us is the line for the service desk. We had to go there several times and the regular line was always long, except once, yet we walked up and were at the most second in line. But if you have lots of tenders, it's soooo worth it. You just go to the service desk when you are ready and they have someone come meet you and escort you directly onto the tender.

[graphicguy]

Your insurance analogy is a bit off. This is not like weather or a medical emergency or something unforeseen.

 

Carnival is selling you a solution to a problem that they created. Could they let you stash your bags in the room? Could they maybe put an extra staff member at guest services during peak times? Could they have a better system for tendering and disembarking?

 

They could, or they could save money (less staff) and then charge you for the privilege of skipping lines. Win-win for carnival! And if you choose not to particiapte in this scam (oops, I mean FUN!) then you can save your money and plan your arriving/tendering/embarking/visiting guest services in a way that minimizes waiting. Cruise critic is all about sharing these strategies.

 

Amen!

:D:D

 

Again, of all the things you spend money on to cruise, this has to be at the very bottom.

 

You're paying money to get on the ship a few minutes early to spend more money. Brilliant marketing by Carnival.

[kona_wahine]

Why do any of you care if I spend my $50 on this?? :rolleyes: I happen to love it and I will buy it every cruise I'm on if I can. I've had it the last two and found it to be totally worth it. Peace out!