FTTF--becoming not worth it

[cccer]

Just off the Dream this past Sunday. Main doors to the rooms were closed until 1:30 and they were not letting people through unless Platinum/FTTF. We were stopped and had to show our card to get through. Another couple we were with did not have FTTF and were not allowed through, not even to drop off their bags.

[Krissica]

Personal choice. Until we reach platinum status, I plan to buy it for every single carnival cruise we take. There are many benefits. Not just one.

 

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I absolutely agree and will continue to buy it for every cruise until we reach platinum. We love being on board quickly, getting to drop stuff off in our rooms immediately, having luggage shortly after (we have been fortunate and never got ours late), priority tenders, and the dedicated guest services line which has been well worth it on the few occasions we were able to bypass the crazy long line. But it is definitely a personal choice, and it might not be worth it for some.

[JennN]

I like to think of it (rooms being ready by 1:30pm) the exception and not the rule.

 

Did you go down to GS and ask them about it? Talk to them about how you paid $50 for the benefits that were offered to everyone? If that were the case for me, I'd have gone down and spoke with them about it, maybe getting my $50 back.

 

I have purchased FTTF twice now too and it's worth it to me to just not have to log my champagne and my MILs water all around with me. Plus, my backpack and of course, getting to change into my bathing suit so I can be one of the first ones in the newly added water of the pool! We have it for our next cruise (dec 6 on Sunshine) but most likely won't purchase it for our short 4 day in Feb.

 

To each their own, of course!

[cruzinlisa]

I'm traveling with a 3 year old AND tendering in Cabo (which can be pretty bad from what I've read on here). This will be our first cruise, but I'm quite certain that FTTF will be worth it for us.

 

Even without the tendering, I found it helpful with a little one. Someone really small can make you bring a whole lot more stuff, especially carry on stuff.

 

We bought it again this cruise for the benefit of being able to get to our room early and priority debarkation. We really cannot do self assist (well we could but with all of our luggage and a three year old I am not brave enough), and since we drive, they like to give us a late deboarding time. But our drive home is 12 hours, so we kind of like to get on the road as early as possible. Our first cruise driving home was before FTTF, we got off the ship and through customs around 10:30, there were issues with our hotel shuttle (not carnival's fault) and by the time we got back to our car it was noon. Last cruise we had FTTF and were in our car headed home around 9:30.

We also found benefit in the separate guest services line and phone number, when we had issues with our safe and a couple of times when I needed quarters to do some laundry.

 

Also, our luggage did arrive early. We unpacked, ate lunch, went to a meet and greet and relaxed for a while before muster drill.

 

OP- I am surprised that they had the doors open for all. Last cruise I had to explain to no less than 3 people trying to stop me that I was allowed to go to my room because I had FTTF.

Edited July 15, 2014 by cruzinlisa

[mejoe39]

I like to think of it (rooms being ready by 1:30pm) the exception and not the rule.

 

Did you go down to GS and ask them about it? Talk to them about how you paid $50 for the benefits that were offered to everyone? If that were the case for me, I'd have gone down and spoke with them about it, maybe getting my $50 back.

 

I have purchased FTTF twice now too and it's worth it to me to just not have to log my champagne and my MILs water all around with me. Plus, my backpack and of course, getting to change into my bathing suit so I can be one of the first ones in the newly added water of the pool! We have it for our next cruise (dec 6 on Sunshine) but most likely won't purchase it for our short 4 day in Feb.

 

To each their own, of course!

 

I purchased FTTF on my last two Carnival cruises. Both times the room was not ready. On the first cruise the luggage did not show up until much later than it should have.

 

I did just what you suggested which was to go down to guest services (the first time anyway). It took a couple day and several conversations but they did refund the $50. However, I was still able to keep the FTTF.

 

On the second cruise the room again was not ready. However, the luggage was right there when I got to the room So, I didn't complain the second time.

 

I am going on another Carnival cruise on 7/27/2014. I still feel that FTTF is worth the money because it comes in handy for other things as well. One being priority tendering which I will use at Half Moon Cay.

[mlrm]

We had FTTF for out last cruise, and our cabin appeared to be the only one ready in our section. I guess you could sneak thru and drop off your carry-ons, but all of those cabin doors are left wide-open. Since our carry-ons have the valuable stuff we don't put in checked luggage, I would not feel comfortable leaving belongings in a wide open cabin.

[pulledporky]

I'm traveling with a 3 year old AND tendering in Cabo (which can be pretty bad from what I've read on here). This will be our first cruise, but I'm quite certain that FTTF will be worth it for us.

 

I think your needs get the most bang out of the FTTF program, good call for getting it!

 

The Cabo tender is quite often a mess with folks waiting 2 hours or more to be called. If they drop anchor around 7AM and you already have your tender sticker you can get off quickly, but by 9AM it is backed up.

 

Our next visit to Cabo has a 10AM arrival time - almost everyone will be ready to get off the boat. Being platinum we just go to GS when we are ready and they escort us down a crew stairway to the loading area. Should work the same for you. (VERY steep stairway so hang on to the little one. ....Maybe they did have an elevator, there were 4 in our group and they asked if we could all use the stairs and we were all fine with it.)

[SadieN]

I'm traveling with a 3 year old AND tendering in Cabo (which can be pretty bad from what I've read on here). This will be our first cruise, but I'm quite certain that FTTF will be worth it for us.

 

If you have nothing planned in Cabo the lines are nonexistant around 11:30 the first day and very light the second day.

 

Hint--Everyone has to wait in line on the return. Line gets longer the closer it gets to Last Tender time. We arrive about 2 hours before with minimal wait.

If you do get there when there are long lines and multiple ships, make sure you are in the correct line!

When traveling with Mom we will have her wait on the shaded benches on the pier until the lines moves up.

[HawksFan74]

If you have nothing planned in Cabo the lines are nonexistant around 11:30 the first day and very light the second day.

Our cruise has only one day in Cabo, from 9:30 to 4:00. Doesn't leave much time in port for those who wait til 11:30 or noon. Last tender will be at 3:15 I believe.

[Raven Days]

I would purchase it even if it did not allow me to get my luggage faster or get into my cabin quicker. I would do it for the tender and guest services lines. I have a back injury that precludes me from standing for long periods. I can do it, but then I am in a lot of pain during and afterwards. I just bought 3 FTTF's for the 3 cabins that I will have on my next cruise. It was literally the 1st thing I bought after I booked. I have used FTTF on 2 separate occasions on the Magic and have yet to be disappointed.

[Velvetwater]

We bought it last year mainly because we wanted our luggage asap. (I like to unpack early so can have fun).

 

This year I have bought it for the same reasons and tendering as I dont like getting up early. Our last cruise had no tender ports.

 

 

Getting on early was good as it was our first cruise but as we want to explore FL we are not as bothered about getting on early and will probably drop our things off then board around 2ish...or board early then get off again.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Velvetwater

[mousey]

ME and DW got it for our first cruise ever but if it is useless than I don't want it. Should I cancel?

 

I would not cancel. Check it out for yourself as you may be one of the people that thinks it's great. Always take reviews of anything on these or other travel boards with a grain of salt. We'd have missed out on one of the best cruises of our life if we had listened to all the bad reviews about a particular cruise line...which turned out to be Carnival. We took a chance and loved it. We cruise to Mexico on the Carnival Inspiration on Fri. Some of the reviews for this ship have been good and some are bad. We'll make our own decision and come back and give a review...which people should take with a grain of salt! LOL!:D

[south-carolinagirl]

Early disembarkation is why we get it, have had #2 & #1 tags on last two cruises! Will be using it again in 3 weeks!

Edited July 15, 2014 by south-carolinagirl

[HectorAchilleus]

On my Pride cruise this year, I experienced the same issue. Everyone's luggage arrived in their rooms at the same time mine did and everyone appeared to be allowed access to their rooms at the same time I was.

 

I personally still felt that FTTF was well worth it though. I was around the 20th person to board the ship and I bypassed the line often at guest services. I would pay $50 for those two perks alone.

 

It certainly was not worth it in for boarding in Tampa. They had a roped off section but many people just came ahead over - no enforcement. When they announced the Plats and Diamond; SOME of them got on early, but a mob of people just barged ahead. It was absolute chaos. As far as guest services, you can usually find a time when there is no line at all.

[SadieN]

Our cruise has only one day in Cabo, from 9:30 to 4:00. Doesn't leave much time in port for those who wait til 11:30 or noon. Last tender will be at 3:15 I believe.

 

 

Yeah, then I'd get FTTF.

 

There is a small, 30 minute museum in the Plaza. Free but donations are encouraged. Covers the history of the area from birth of the Solar System to modern times. The animal and native displays are interesting. Signage is in English.

[ShellLoves2cruise]

I love FTTF and will always purchase it when it's available. I've had it twice so far, once on the Dream and then on the Sunshine. Both times the doors were closed and we had to show that we had FTTF but our rooms were ready. On the Dream, after a slight boarding delay we went right to our cabin and our luggage was all already in the cabin (I liked it wasn't left in the hallway). I also like to get unpacked and then I feel like my vacation has begun!

 

For our cruise on the Sunshine, we had decided to join friends kind of last minute and booked a bit later than normal so we were wait-listed for dinner but once I purchased the FTTF and let my PVP know, we were confirmed immediately (this could have been due to our booking being linked with our friends but it didn't happen until I purchased FTTF). When we didn't receive our luggage by sail away, I asked our room steward and guest services if they knew when it would arrive, I didn't complain or anything so I was pleasantly surprised the next morning when we got a call from GS letting us know they had refunded our $50 for our inconvenience however we were still welcome to use all the perks! :) To us it is well worth it!!

[irishnyc]

FTTF isn't worth it to me unless we have several tender ports and no excursion booked there. As soon as we get on board we find an aft table and put our belongings underneath. One of us always stays there with DD while the other goes to get food, drinks, whatever, and it's a meeting spot for others in our party then. Last Carnival cruise we only had to tender at HMC, and we had a villa booked, so no need for priority tendering. I've never had much need to visit guest services, so don't care about a line there. It's $50 for me to spend on something else.

[astroboy99]

I have been on several Carnival cruises over the past few years and the fire doors leading to the cabins have never been opened before 1:30pm. I do suppose there are those who will ignore the signs that are posted stating that only FTTF and Platinum/Diamond guest are authorized to proceed to thier cabins, but I for one will stick with purchasing FTTF rather than rudly interfering with an already over burdened turn-around day staff.

 

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[jkjmt]

We're Platinum so we get to go to our room and drop stuff off. I have seen numerous people try to walk to their room and turned back. The hall doors have been closed and the stewards know what rooms are FTTF and which are Platinum.

[Badfinger]

Why not just check all you luggage with a porter? And I mean all of it. It is a great feeling walking into the terminal with nothing but my wallet and a few pieces of paper.

[aaron3219]

We were in our room by noon without FTTF. We walked down just to see and the stewardess said go on ahead she was ready for us. If she would of said she wasn't ready we would of went back upstairs and waited.

[2Shoes2Go]

It certainly was not worth it in for boarding in Tampa. They had a roped off section but many people just came ahead over - no enforcement. When they announced the Plats and Diamond; SOME of them got on early, but a mob of people just barged ahead. It was absolute chaos. As far as guest services, you can usually find a time when there is no line at all.

 

Our experience too! What a mess. Did survey response.:(

[SadieN]

Why not just check all you luggage with a porter? And I mean all of it. It is a great feeling walking into the terminal with nothing but my wallet and a few pieces of paper.

 

 

You are lucky enough not to need medical supplies.

[jkjmt]

It certainly was not worth it in for boarding in Tampa. They had a roped off section but many people just came ahead over - no enforcement. When they announced the Plats and Diamond; SOME of them got on early, but a mob of people just barged ahead. It was absolute chaos. As far as guest services, you can usually find a time when there is no line at all.

 

In Miami, we saw groups of people trying to cut in before Platinum/Diamond and FTTF and only got so far and was sent back. Carnival personnel were checking.....loved it....because these rude people (for cutting) would get so mad...but had to go back. :D

[Lovetwocruz2009]

I have bought FTTF for my last 2 cruises. I do it because I do not like dragging my luggage around until the rooms are ready and I like to relax and eat on my balcony-away from the crowds.

 

On this last cruise, I was talking to people in the area we check in and so many were saying that they dont wait until after 1:30 to go to their rooms, they just go. So, when I got on board, i noticed that the doors to the hallways were open, nobody there to check anyones cards (platinum or FTTF) to be able to be there early. Nobody stopped me to ask to see anything either on our way to the room(we were back a forth a few times before the rooms were officialy available) (this was the Breeze on 7/5/14)

 

This makes me think that I shouldnt even waste the money on this in the future--thats the only benefit I even look for out of the program.

 

I know on previous cruises, the doors were closed to the hallways and there were stewards there that explained people couldnt go there yet. (unless fttf or platinum etc)

 

We were on your same sailing. DH and I checked in about 11:45. The lady who gave us our sail and sign card told me that the room would be ready at 12:30. I asked if she was sure and she said yes. So by the time our zone was called, we went directly to our cabin on the Lido deck. It was 12:35. The cabin was not ready. Sergio our cabin steward said it was ok to leave our carry on bag in the closet. He apologized for the room not being ready. I explained that the cabins were not available until 1:30 on our previous cruises. He did not make a comment. He just apologized again. Soo I am not sure if they are pushing the stewards for a 12:30 time or not. It sure does look like it based on this cruise.