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Finally got FTTF - for our whole party!

KatieBug28

By KatieBug28,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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KatieBug28

KatieBug28

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Sorry guys, I just had to do this dance of joy somewhere, and there is no one else who will understand!

 

I finally booked FTTF for my MIL and SIL, who were the last people in our travel party who didn't have it. It hadn't been sold out yet or anything, they are just not very proactive when it comes to making travel arrangements. I and the others in our party had it booked before Christmas, and I was so worried that they would never get on it and it would sell out and then they'd be left behind when it came to boarding and tendering. But, I was finally able to get all their info and create a profile for them, and snag one of the last 2 FTTFs for our sailing! Wahoo!

 

Now we'll see if it ends up being worth it. I'm thinking it will, as I have two small kids, an 88 year old grandma, someone with MS and someone with an anxiety disorder in tow. Can't wait to not have to drag my carryon while carrying my 2-year-old on my hip while having lunch!

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Surf and Suds

Surf and Suds

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We are booked on the Freedom departing April 11, 2015. I have tried to purchase the FTTF excursion since the day I booked this cruise. So far I have had zero luck. I have cruised Carnival many times. I cannot get my cruise rep to answer my emails. I am a VIFP member as well as a stock holder. Carnival sent my travel companion a $25.00 certificate for free play in the casino. They did not send me one! I am going to check and see what is the last day I can cancel this cruise without penalty. It may be time for me to try a different cruise line.

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travlngrl1996

travlngrl1996

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Congrats! On my Dream cruise on 9/20/15 the FTTF shows Sold Out right now. Will there ever be any open spots for me to grab?

 

Thanks,

Alice

 

I have found that the closer to your cruise and/or final payment, you will find slots open up. During final payment, people may have to cancel for whatever reasons and if they have FTTF and cancel, the FTTF go back into inventory.

 

Keep watching and good luck!

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BigB0882

BigB0882

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Congrats! We are sailing in early April on the Dream and we booked very late so we haven't been able to get any FTTF. It isn't a necessity (there are no tender ports on our cruise) but we would like to get it if we can to get on the boat as soon as possible. I keep checking but I have a feeling I may have missed out by booking so late. No big deal, though!

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KatieBug28

KatieBug28

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I have found that the closer to your cruise and/or final payment, you will find slots open up. During final payment, people may have to cancel for whatever reasons and if they have FTTF and cancel, the FTTF go back into inventory.

 

Keep watching and good luck!

 

I would totally agree with this! I currently have it booked for all four of our cabins, but we purchased one for my grandmother knowing that she may not be able to come (she's the 88 year old). So we've got insurance for her and may end up canceling later, and that would release a FTTF slot for someone on our cruise.

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Gon2hwe

Gon2hwe

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I got ours 32 days out on my next cruise. Last cruise it was 3 weeks out. You have to check 2 or 3 times a day if you want it bad enough. They may only release 2 or 3 of them at a time as they estimate how many VIP's will be onboard.

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hftmrock

hftmrock

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We are booked on the Freedom departing April 11, 2015. I have tried to purchase the FTTF excursion since the day I booked this cruise. So far I have had zero luck. I have cruised Carnival many times. I cannot get my cruise rep to answer my emails. I am a VIFP member as well as a stock holder. Carnival sent my travel companion a $25.00 certificate for free play in the casino. They did not send me one! I am going to check and see what is the last day I can cancel this cruise without penalty. It may be time for me to try a different cruise line.

 

if they are sold out of FTTF at the moment then they are sold out. what does your VIFP and stock holder status mean in this matter. You need to check every day. if more open up they will be online for you to get. your cruise rep is not going to provide information on when more will come available or IF more will come available. your cruise rep will not be able to get you FTTF if they are currently sold out.

 

regarding the 25.00 certificate. maybe your companion plays more than you or has lost more than you? who knows. Many people got free cruises last year from Carnival and there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason.

 

just check every day for FTTF and you might snatch one. I'm not sure why you would think of going to a different cruise line for these issues. Seems a bit extreme

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hightownCO

hightownCO

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I also scored FTTF tonight for March 29. Been stalking the site for over a week and I think finally showed up.

 

I did too! March 29 sailing on Magic. Are you on that cruise too?

 

I had been checking daily and nothing yesterday but checked last night and there they were!

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ryanedoyle

ryanedoyle

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For our cruise March 22, 2015 on the Magic when we booked, FTTF was sold out. At 58 days before the cruise a block of 20 opened (we purchased one then) and now at 45 days until the cruise another block of 20 opened. I am not sure what drives these decisions or why they are released when they do.

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Surf and Suds

Surf and Suds

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if they are sold out of FTTF at the moment then they are sold out. what does your VIFP and stock holder status mean in this matter. You need to check every day. if more open up they will be online for you to get. your cruise rep is not going to provide information on when more will come available or IF more will come available. your cruise rep will not be able to get you FTTF if they are currently sold out.

 

regarding the 25.00 certificate. maybe your companion plays more than you or has lost more than you? who knows. Many people got free cruises last year from Carnival and there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason.

 

just check every day for FTTF and you might snatch one. I'm not sure why you would think of going to a different cruise line for these issues. Seems a bit extreme

 

One of the people in our group received this cruise free from Carnival. I have been on more cruises with Carnival than she. Like I said, my travel companion received the free $25.00 certificate to the casino. I have also cruised more with Carnival than she has. I must be doing something wrong!

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travler27

travler27

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When my daughter got to her room she had 2 bars of soap in the bathroom. We only had one. I'm tired of all the cut backs and I've cruised a lot more than she has. I'm red VIFP and she's only blue. I feel cheated and I'm moving to Disney Cruise lines. :p

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Athankfulheart

Athankfulheart

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Congrats :D

 

We booked FTTF for our 3 family cabins the day we booked (a few cruises back). Then friends started tagging on to our sailing (8 cabins!). They were all cruise newbies and needed help with stuff. I hawked Carnival.com from June to December picking up FTTF tickets here and there as they came available (cancellations?) and the last couple towards the date of sailing when 5 or 6 opened at once. It was a little stressful - Im not gonna lie :p

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KatieBug28

KatieBug28

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Congrats :D

 

We booked FTTF for our 3 family cabins the day we booked (a few cruises back). Then friends started tagging on to our sailing (8 cabins!). They were all cruise newbies and needed help with stuff. I hawked Carnival.com from June to December picking up FTTF tickets here and there as they came available (cancellations?) and the last couple towards the date of sailing when 5 or 6 opened at once. It was a little stressful - Im not gonna lie :p

 

Oh my gosh, I cannot even imagine how stressful that would be! I was only trying to get 4 and I was losing sleep over it!

 

For us it wasn't a matter of there not being any available (though booking my in laws left only one remaining). We're far enough out — and on a slow enough sailing — that they haven't sold out yet, for us it was just getting everyone to finally set up an account and DO it.

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SandyBShores

SandyBShores

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I've been researching this today and I think perhaps the releases of more FTTP along the way has to do with balancing the potential number of people receiving a 'priority'. Obviously, Carnival has to put a limit on the number of cruisers they offer a priority to. When I read the full FAQ (including the italicized print about Platinum and Diamond receiving absolute top priority) I assumed as the bookings/ship fills up and they're not Diamond or Platinum cruisers, Carnival can release more options for us lowly cruisers to use FTTP. Maybe?

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