Faster to the Fun Boarding Question

[jmcghee2024]

We have Faster to the Fun. Our boarding pass says that priority check in goes to the Captain's Lounge. And regular check in goes to the lines. I thought the Captain's Lounge was just for Diamond and Platinum members. So does that mean that Faster to the Fun people go to the regular check-in lines?? Thanks

[cruiser fanatic]

We have Faster to the Fun. Our boarding pass says that priority check in goes to the Captain's Lounge. And regular check in goes to the lines. I thought the Captain's Lounge was just for Diamond and Platinum members. So does that mean that Faster to the Fun people go to the regular check-in lines?? Thanks

 

In Galveston and New Orleans, FTTF will check in at the Captain's Lounge. In Galveston after you check in there is a seating area outside where you sit and wait to board. In New Orleans you go sit in the general waiting area.

Edited March 4, 2015 by cruiser fanatic

[lisajm]

We have Faster to the Fun. Our boarding pass says that priority check in goes to the Captain's Lounge. And regular check in goes to the lines. I thought the Captain's Lounge was just for Diamond and Platinum members. So does that mean that Faster to the Fun people go to the regular check-in lines?? Thanks

 

In Miami there is a dedicated line for security for priority check-in including Platinum, Diamond, Suites,and FTTF. Once past the security screening you head up to the terminal. All priorty, except FTTF goes to the captains lounge.

 

For FTTF folks, you have a separate line and are waited on prior to those in the regular line.

 

Once embarkation begins those with special events, Diamond, Platinum, and suites are allowed to enter first, THEN, FTTF. After that embarkation is done by zone. The earlier you check in the lower your zone number is.

 

AT Jax, once they saw that we had FTTF someone escorted us directly to the check in.

 

Can't speak for other ports.

 

Hope this helps!

[firemanbobswife]

They will direct you where to go once you arrive. In Miami, we were in the regular waiting room, but had separate lines for security, check in, and to get our boarding passes.

[cutiepiefred]

we had FTTF last time our friends did not, they got on board before us. both of out rooms were ready as soon as we got on board so no waiting and luggage by the time we got back from lunch in both rooms. definatly not worth the money

[firemanbobswife]

I love FTTF. We usually get there really early and love to bypass all the lines to check in and to get onboard. Not to mention when we had to visit GS a few times on the ship. It was worth it for that alone. The line was always almost to the Theatre!

 

Our rooms were ready while the other people's were not. They were still cleaning and the doors were shut.

 

Make sure to have the porters put the orange stickers on your bags so that they arrive sooner. Ours were there within 15 min of us getting on the ship.

 

Sure, hiccups can happen, but that's true with anything. It is a tremendous value to me and that's all that matters. I don't care what other people's opinions are about FTTF. Some just live to complain. I will get it every time I can until I turn Platinum.

 

Have a great cruise!!

[jay49307]

Follow the signage for FTTF when you get to the port. Tampa has an "entrance" for FTTF and a separate room for platinum, and diamond to check in. Enjoy your cruise.

[muffin]

With 2new hips recently, I willbe asking for a wheelchair to get onboard. I can walk but the distances can be daunting. We also have FTTF, and are travelling as a family of 8. We all have FTTF . Leaving from miami. Would greatly nappreviate suggestions on how to combine both needs. Thx

[mitsugirly]

 

Make sure to have the porters put the orange stickers on your bags so that they arrive sooner. Ours were there within 15 min of us getting on the ship.

 

 

I thought someone told me that your luggage tags already have something on them when you print them that indicates you have purchased the FTTF? We also need to tell the porters to put orange stickers on them too? Sorry, this will be our first time purchasing it and want to make sure we do it right. :)

[mosiegirl]

With 2new hips recently, I willbe asking for a wheelchair to get onboard. I can walk but the distances can be daunting. We also have FTTF, and are travelling as a family of 8. We all have FTTF . Leaving from miami. Would greatly nappreviate suggestions on how to combine both needs. Thx

 

 

Just some words of advise worth taking,,, you might want to rent a mobility scooter for your cruise? The ship is very long and you will no doubt be doing a LOT of walking.. if you rent a mobility scooter you can take it off ship when you are in port. I rent one every time I cruise (6 times so far !).. I too have had hip replacement (and both knees).. very much worth the $250 it costs to rent one.. you can google SPECIAL NEEDS AT SEA to get the phone number/website... they will have the scooter waiting for you in your cabin when you get onboard and they pick it up from your cabin at the end of the cruise..

[lisajm]

I thought someone told me that your luggage tags already have something on them when you print them that indicates you have purchased the FTTF? We also need to tell the porters to put orange stickers on them too? Sorry, this will be our first time purchasing it and want to make sure we do it right. :)

 

mitsugirly: Yes you print out luggage tags and they indicate you are FTTF, but once you get to port the porters mark your luggage with an orange sticker. So make sure you let them know that you have FTTF, just in case they don't see it on your tags.

 

The orange sticker flags it for the ship's staff so they know to get it to your room.

[MNKEITH]

I get FTTF every time I can.

 

On our Breeze cruise a few weeks ago, really the FTTF gave us no benefit (no tender ports, no visits go GS, and we were early enough that there was no line for check in in the regular line or the FTTF line). When we got to the terminal they were giving out zone 3 boarding cards. They called zone 1 boarding less than 5 minutes after FTTF.

 

Yes we did go straight to our room and our bags arrived rather quickly but they also arrived quickly last year when we did not have FTTF

 

Regardless of this, I will continue to purchase FTTF because I look at it like an insurance policy. My goal is always to get to the port early but what if something came up and we got to the port at 1PM- the line would probably be super long. What if some issue came up and everyone was at GS, sure would be nice to bypass some of the line.

 

I guess in the end it is just up to each person if they think it is worth it.

[SCcruiser2309]

My upcoming cruise will be my second, but my first with FTTF and we are sailing out of New Orleans. I am trying to understand the process that is being explained for check in and boarding with FTTF, and for some reason I am not getting it. My understanding is that once you check in, you were able to board the boat, but I am reading that you check in, and then go sit in a waiting area. What are we sitting in the waiting area for? Is this for those who arrive and check in before the boat has been cleared to board? Do I have the whole process messed up in my mind? :confused:

 

Unfortunately, all I remember from my first cruise out of Galveston in regards to the boarding process was going through security then upstairs to stand for an hour in a line to check in, then onto the boarding ramp where they scanned our cards and took a picture then we were on the boat headed to our rooms. The long wait to check in is what prompted me to get the FTTF for this cruise.

 

Thanks :)

[firemanbobswife]

My upcoming cruise will be my second, but my first with FTTF and we are sailing out of New Orleans. I am trying to understand the process that is being explained for check in and boarding with FTTF, and for some reason I am not getting it. My understanding is that once you check in, you were able to board the boat, but I am reading that you check in, and then go sit in a waiting area. What are we sitting in the waiting area for? Is this for those who arrive and check in before the boat has been cleared to board? Do I have the whole process messed up in my mind? :confused:

 

Thanks :)

 

You will wait in the waiting room if you get there before they start boarding. Otherwise, you will be escorted to the front of the line if boarding is already in progress.

[SCcruiser2309]

Thank you much for the clarification. That is what I was thinking it meant, but wanted to be sure. Happy Cruising!!!!:D:D:D

[firemanbobswife]

You're welcome! Enjoy your cruise as well!

[muffin]

Thank you,Mosie girl, foryour experienced suggestions. I am doing quite well and do not feel I need a scooter for the ship. I can walk its length if I do it slowly. I will bring a cane which I no longer use just in case.Embarking requires a lot of standing for long times,and rather hectic and quick moving when you do get to board. I also find the incline of the walkway can be challenging if the tide is out.

So, I adk for help to embark only. Should I go to the FTTF line with the rest of my family, or should I start at the wheelchair assistance meeting point with just DH ? FYI we are8 people in 4 cabins and all have FTTF passes. Of course I can meet them later in the lido,but would like to bosrd with them if possible.

Any observations? Thx.

[Artemus]

In Baltimore, the porters have no idea what FTTF is. The luggage is sorted once it gets inside.

[mitsugirly]

mitsugirly: Yes you print out luggage tags and they indicate you are FTTF, but once you get to port the porters mark your luggage with an orange sticker. So make sure you let them know that you have FTTF, just in case they don't see it on your tags.

 

The orange sticker flags it for the ship's staff so they know to get it to your room.

 

In Baltimore, the porters have no idea what FTTF is. The luggage is sorted once it gets inside.

 

 

So...yes, no, maybe? LOL

 

In Baltimore I will "not" ask for the orange stickers? :confused:

[Rudyard]

Regardless of this, I will continue to purchase FTTF because I look at it like an insurance policy. My goal is always to get to the port early but what if something came up and we got to the port at 1PM- the line would probably be super long. What if some issue came up and everyone was at GS, sure would be nice to bypass some of the line.

 

Agree. Experiences with FTTF are going to vary from cruise to cruise, and from person to person. Our first time on Triumph they weren't offering FTTF yet. We got to the terminal around 11:00 and were through the lines and on board in about 25 minutes.

 

Our second time on Triumph we arrived at the terminal about the same time, but this time we faced the lines from Hell. If we didn't have FTTF we probably would have been in line an hour or more. Instead we breezed through security and check in and after about ten minutes in the bullpen, we were called for boarding.

 

Not having to face those lines made the $50 money well spent and I'll do so again if I can.

Edited March 6, 2015 by Rudyard