My FTTF experience

[kat2009]

Due to recent backache, I bought Faster to the Fun for my recent Elation cruise so I wouldn't have to stand in long lines. At the FTTF check-in, even though I was in the port at 10 am, Carnival took so long to check us in I ended up boarding with the 3rd tier passengers. At the shore excursion desk, there was no line for FTTF. At Guest Services, I was bypassed for the next person in the regular line. I was able to use it for early debarkation but they didn't check. So, anyone can claim they are FTTF and get off the ship with them. My opinion - wasn't worth it.

[nursemommy7578]

were they not giving out "FTTF" priority boarding passes? Did you ask anyone?Thats what we got in December and what I got in April.

 

Well worth it!!

[KenMo]

That sucks you feel you didn't get your money's worth.

 

Just an FYI, there has never been a Plat/FTTF line at the shore excursions desk. Only the Customer Service Desk has that.

[Brighton Line]

Did you ID yourself as FTTF after security before getting in the Queue?

I did in NY last year and was escorted to the head of the checkin line no wait.

We got Zone 1 luggage tags to disembark, we got zone 20 something in the morning but by lunch on the bed was Zone 1. I don't believe there is FTTF walk off but not sure as we don't walk off.

Never used Guest Services so can't compare there.

[Mrs.G's Mr.G]

Due to recent backache, I bought Faster to the Fun for my recent Elation cruise so I wouldn't have to stand in long lines. At the FTTF check-in, even though I was in the port at 10 am, Carnival took so long to check us in I ended up boarding with the 3rd tier passengers. At the shore excursion desk, there was no line for FTTF. At Guest Services, I was bypassed for the next person in the regular line. I was able to use it for early debarkation but they didn't check. So, anyone can claim they are FTTF and get off the ship with them. My opinion - wasn't worth it.

 

What about the other perks? Tender priority, your room ready at boarding and your luggage in your room? We had it for the first time on our last cruise and we took advantage of all the perks, with one exception. We were somehow left off the list of FTTF guests. We showed our boarding passes at check in that indicated we had it and was given the sticker for our S&S card and allowed to board early. Our room was not ready and our luggage was not in our room. We did request and were granted a refund on those grounds.

 

Even it we did not get the refund, it was still worth it, so much so that I bought for our upcoming one.

[Dayenu]

At the FTTF check-in, even though I was in the port at 10 am, Carnival took so long to check us in I ended up boarding with the 3rd tier passengers.

 

Of course! It says clearly on the website, you will board after... I forgot, like verandas and those with lots of points, so 3rd tier is the earliest for FTTFs.

 

They also promised priority tendering, again as 3rd tier, have you tried to get that?

 

I hope your back is better now, and you had great vacations regardless.

[Tapi]

At Guest Services, I was bypassed for the next person in the regular line.

 

Now you know what it feels like to be Platinum! ;)

[Need-a-vacation]

Did you ID yourself as FTTF after security before getting in the Queue?

I don't believe there is FTTF walk off but not sure as we don't walk off.

Never used Guest Services so can't compare there.

 

When we left the Imagination in Long Beach this past Sunday, there was a FTTF walk off -- I think it was at the same time as the platinum, etc guests. It was bright and early but we were there. We gathered in the Shangri-La lounge then they released us to go down to deck 7 and leave. At several points along the way, crew members did ask if we came from the lounge or had FTTF and when we got to the last stop before the actual scan out line the person actually asked to see the sticker on our cards. So there was a reasonable attempt to limit who did the early walk-off.

 

Hubby said that alone was worth the FTTF price, especially since we were driving back to Phoenix. We were in our truck and leaving the parking lot by 8am and home by 1:30.

[Mrs.G's Mr.G]

Of course! It says clearly on the website, you will board after... I forgot, like verandas and those with lots of points, so 3rd tier is the earliest for FTTFs.

 

They also promised priority tendering, again as 3rd tier, have you tried to get that?

 

I hope your back is better now, and you had great vacations regardless.

 

Order of boarding:

VIP's (Platinum & above, those staying in a suite)

Special needs guests (handicapped individuals and their families)

FTTF

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

etc.

etc.

 

Sorry you were disappointed in the program. Guest services can be hectic at times and I have seen even Platinum guests passed over and the next in line in the "regular" line be served. As far as tendering, the policy for us on the Splendor was to report to guest services and we were escorted down to deck zero by a uniformed officer and put in the front of the line for the tender.

[KirkNC]

Thanks, I have wondered how well this works.

[lovetocruise2020]

I'm on the Iinspiration right now.Today is Catalina.FTTF service is such disorganized shennagians, embarkation was a mess, no communication, my luggage delivered after dinner, priority tendering on catalina is also a mess, we were told to take the elevator down to 3, and show our FTTF cards and it was taped off so u couldnt even get off! However the cruise, the cabin, the steward, and MDR dinner is great. (Horribble breakfast service this am, our drinks came after we ate, after asking 4 times... For us, this time FTTF has been a mess and a waste of $. But cruise is great.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I always print out everything and carry it with me. I have printed out a list of what the FTTF benefirts are, and will be carrying that lsit with me when I use my FTTF on Breeze in Aug.

 

To me it's all very simple, if I am denied even one of the benefits listed, then Carnival has failed to meet their obligation and I will receive a full refund.

 

It's not a thing to get upset about, they either do it right or they don't (I have every reason to believe they will), and if they don't, they give me back my $49. No big thing.

[serene56]

What is a 3 tier passenger?

 

and how do you board with them when you were there at 10am?

 

boarding usually starts around 12... thats two hours.

[stargate fan]

Order of boarding:

VIP's (Platinum & above' date=' those staying in a suite)

Special needs guests (handicapped individuals and their families)

FTTF

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

etc.

etc.

 

Sorry you were disappointed in the program. Guest services can be hectic at times and I have seen even Platinum guests passed over and the next in line in the "regular" line be served. As far as tendering, the policy for us on the Splendor was to report to guest services and we were escorted down to deck zero by a uniformed officer and put in the front of the line for the tender.

[/color']

 

Actually, weddings embark first.

[celticd1]

I personally think it's a waste of $50 but I sure hope people keep buying them. Keeps my cruise cost down. ;)

[winddawn]

Order of boarding:

VIP's (Platinum & above' date=' those staying in a suite)[/color']

Special needs guests (handicapped individuals and their families)

FTTF

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

etc.

etc.

 

Sorry you were disappointed in the program. Guest services can be hectic at times and I have seen even Platinum guests passed over and the next in line in the "regular" line be served. As far as tendering, the policy for us on the Splendor was to report to guest services and we were escorted down to deck zero by a uniformed officer and put in the front of the line for the tender.

Diamonds, platinums, suites board after weddings. Weddings go first.

Edited June 10, 2014 by winddawn

[winddawn]

Now you know what it feels like to be Platinum! ;)

Good point, Tapi. Lol.

[ShellLoves2cruise]

I've used FTTF twice and have been lucky I guess ~ everything has worked like it's supposed to! The only time I had a problem was on the Sunshine and my luggage was delayed in being delivered, so when I saw a crew member in the hall I just asked if they knew when it may show up.....the next morning I received a phone call in my cabin letting me know that my $49 for FTTF had been refunded to my S&S card ~ I thought that was great customer service considering I didn't complain, I was just curious about when the luggage might be delivered!! And they told me that I was still welcome to use any of the other FTTF perks during my trip.

[Need-a-vacation]

I personally think it's a waste of $50 but I sure hope people keep buying them. Keeps my cruise cost down. ;)

 

LOL -- I was just thinking it's actually a good deal for Carnival. They have a certain cost for providing the platinum+ benefits whether there are 5 platinum passengers or 500. If they can basically "sell" some of the empty platinum spots, they come out ahead. They just have to manage the capacity controls to not totally devalue the benefits. Honestly, if you're a platinum guest and you're going to "share" your benefits with 100 other passengers, does it really matter whether they are platinum or forked over $50? The effect on your access to the benefits is the same.

[sgttami]

I just did 3 cruises on Splendor from NY and never waited long to board. Usually arrived at 12:30 and on the ship by 1.

 

The last one was 15 minutes from drop off to putting my suitcase in the cabin. The door was open and my room steward was there (all three times).

 

I do carry on only when leaving from NY and if I need Guest Services, I wait till a port day when the ship is empty. I carry off luggage and we were first off at 7:45 am last week.

 

On tender day my travel companions and I were on the first one to Half Moon Cay. No waiting.

 

I compare it to paying extra to fly first class..it's like thinking your'e going to land first because you paid more.

Edited June 10, 2014 by sgttami

[KPfromCT]

So, this will be our first trip with FTTF.

It's on our boa

rding passes and luggage tags.

We still have to let them know when we enter the building?:confused:

I understand there is a special security/check-in line for FTTF.

[kona_wahine]

So, this will be our first trip with FTTF.

It's on our boa

rding passes and luggage tags.

We still have to let them know when we enter the building?:confused:

I understand there is a special security/check-in line for FTTF.

 

Look for the signs for VIP/FTTF.

[riclop]

Due to recent backache, I bought Faster to the Fun for my recent Elation cruise so I wouldn't have to stand in long lines. At the FTTF check-in, even though I was in the port at 10 am, Carnival took so long to check us in I ended up boarding with the 3rd tier passengers. At the shore excursion desk, there was no line for FTTF. At Guest Services, I was bypassed for the next person in the regular line. I was able to use it for early debarkation but they didn't check. So, anyone can claim they are FTTF and get off the ship with them. My opinion - wasn't worth it.

Like i keep saying its a waste of $50.

[Starfire_rules]

Our group of four out of San Juan had a bad experience with FTTF. We booked the Captain's Suite (4 women need 2 bathrooms) and when we arrived they couldn't find our S&S cards. After checking us all in, almost 30 minutes had passed. Our cards were in the VIP room. Took them 3 times going back and forth to find them. We boarded later than others that didn't have FTTF. I did like the priority disembark though. Get to set in a lounge by the dining room. If you have a suite beware of FTTF on the Valor. Just not really worth it.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ATHENA3]

FTTF is the best $50 you can spend on a ship. Alot of negatives are coming from Platinum guest that are crying foul. Sorry op you had a bad experience.