Is FTTF worth it? Yes...

[Tallyfins]

There are several current threads asking is FTTF worth it. In a word - YES.

 

My family and I recently sailed on the Conquest out of FLL on an 8-day Southern Caribbean itinerary - so this is my basis for my most recent FTTF review below.

 

I have been on 8 Carnival cruises in the past 15 years, so I am at the lowly "Gold" status (43 VIFP points). I only have 32 more days to reach Platinum (here comes the sarcasm)...so given my current progression, I should make Platinum by the time I'm 60 and hopefully Diamond by the time I'm 75. Or...I can get many of the same benefits for $60 more on a cruise that I've already spent thousands of dollars on...and not have to wait 15 more years...(In "Carnival Math", $60= one night at the Steakhouse, ~5 cocktails, or about 10 minutes in the casino).

 

On my most recent cruise, we jumped to the head of the queue for Embarkation, were the first FTTF's in line (right after about 20-25 Platinum and Diamond), our room was ready (~ 11:30 when we boarded), and we were one of the first up on the Lido deck for lunch.

 

Several times during the 8 days I needed to go to Guest Services, and while there were typically 10-15 people in line, I was always the next to be waited on.

 

For Debarkation we chose to do self-assist. It said to be in one of the Dining Rooms at 7am the morning of. I was a little skeptical that we would be getting through customs that quickly, but they promptly called us at 7:05 to debark. There were approximately 50+ people ahead of us in the immigration line, which only took about 15 minutes to get through. We were in our car and on the road by 7:30. I heard from someone I met on the cruise that they were in a much later zone and the immigration line was about 2 hrs long.

 

So is spending an extra $60 worth it? For my time, it certainly was - and I'll do it on my next cruise too!

[riffatsea]

Thanks for describing your experience in FLL on the Conquest. We'll be there in October and hope our FTTF works out as well as yours did!!

We don't travel without it these days but it is our first time using it in Florida.

[snc_cam]

I agree with you regarding the value. We have purchased it for each cruise since they started it a few years ago. Fortunately the upcoming Sept cruise is the last time we will need to purchase since after that cruise, we become platinum. We got there a bit faster than planned since we normally do one 7-8 day cruise a year but in the past 12 months, we will have done 4 for a total of 36 days. Really jumped us up in the standings :)

[ttown]

We used it for the first time on the Freedom on August 1st and would not want to go on a Carnival cruise without it. Since we generally have a 9+ hour drive home, the fast disembarkation alone is worth it. At Galveston disembarkation started just after 8AM and we pulled out of our parking lot at 8:30. We will be on the Breeze next July and have already booked FTTF.

[PortSideCruzan]

Hi Tallyfins :)

 

Thank you for sharing your FTTF experience with us.

 

My wife & I have also had quite a few positive experiences on sailings with the FTTF program as well.

 

We thoroughly enjoy the priority security/check-in (benefit), along with the priority boarding (benefit), the access to your stateroom after you board (benefit) & we EXTREMELY like the express luggage delivery (benefit).

 

Receiving our luggage HOURS BEFORE the muster drill is a tremendous (benefit). It's nice to have our luggage delivered approximately between 11:30am to 12:30pm, rather than 2pm, 3pm, 4pm or sometimes even later. Expedited luggage delivery in regards to my wife & I is a huge plus.

 

The dedicated 4-digit phone line (benefit) to guest services is a nice touch too! Often eliminating the FTTF priority line (benefit) at guest services, unless of course we need to do a transaction in person.

 

The priority tender (benefit) is wonderful. When we use it, we simply go to guest services and are escorted to the next awaiting tender.

 

We haven't used the priority dining reservations (benefit) yet, because we typically use your time dining.

 

The early 'or' late debarkation choices (benefit) has been very helpful. We either visit guest services or use the dedicated 4-digit phone line the evening prior to request luggage tags with a zone number (of our choice).

 

During our last sailing we had a 4 hour airport wait time, we requested late debarkation zone number luggage tags so that our luggage was not sitting too long in a luggage pick up area or going round & round on a luggage carousel for a couple hours.

 

Was nice to spend much of the wait time on the ship rather than in the airport.

 

Of course FTTF being beneficial to somone & their sailing is very individual. FTTF has far more benefits than merely boarding faster, that is for certain.

 

All in all, so far, in regards to my wife & I, it has been money well spent and very beneficial...

 

 

 

 

:)

 

 

 

 

Edited August 11, 2015 by PortSideCruzan

[jlc22043]

I will be travelling next year with a 2 year old. I purchased fttf for thar reason alone. If I can reduce any chance for a grumpy toddler then it is money well spent.

[mcgratru]

We have always had fttf on Carnival. For me just getting into your cabin right away is worth it!

 

On my second Carnival cruise DH was like "Why do we need that? There are never any lines and the cabin is always ready." I informed him that was because we had fttf and never waited for cabin, to board, debark, tender, guest services etc. He didn't realize how much was affected by that $60.

[annestis]

Is the price $60.00 per person?

[riclop]

Is the price $60.00 per person?

 

No per cabin.

[ObstructedView2]

Is the price $60.00 per person?

 

$59.95 per stateroom for 5 day or longer sailings.

$49.95 per stateroom for shorter sailings.

 

 

 

;)

[Warm Breezes]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have to say that I still don't see it as something that we would pay for. I rarely have to go to guest services and when we do there is no rush so if there is a line we just check back later. We normally get to the ports around 11 - 11:30 and are usually onboard within 30 minutes. Rarely is it much longer. We are in no rush for our suitcases to get to our room. They get there when they get there. We carry-on board a hard sided carry-on with 360 wheels that my travel bag sits on top of. My husband likes to use it as a walking stick. He loves the thing so no big issue having it with us as we check out the ship and get our lunch before the rooms open up. As for debarkation I usually get a mid-afternoon flight or an extra night at the port so we try to be one of the last ones off. FTTF is a subjective purchase. In our case it would not be worth it.

[Brighton Line]

My current sailing there are about 8 interior cabins left, everything higher is sold out.

Even though there is no tender ports I'm keeping FTTF just to beat the check in crowd and be off first on the ship. Since we are traveling more than two weeks (8 day cruise) from home getting the luggage early is a benefit I'm willing to pay for and a place to drop everything as well.

[StolidCruiser]

With such an eloquently worded post on the subject, it would difficult for the handful of repeat responders to chime in with their "FTTF is a rip-off and a charge for something you can get for free".

 

Clearly the benefits you received by purchasing FTTF were well worth it to you (the same reasons it is well worth it to me) and not something everyone else "can get for free".

[mdhaugh]

I just got the email that FttF has been manually added to our booking. Yay! My question is whether this may increase our chances of changing from late dining to early or YTD?

 

Thanks for letting me know if you've had this perk help out with changing dining times. Late is too late for us...

[Vitamin_Sea]

Its worth it if you wish not to wait in lines.

 

Perfect for impatient folk. :cool:

[snc_cam]

I just got the email that FttF has been manually added to our booking. Yay! My question is whether this may increase our chances of changing from late dining to early or YTD?

 

Thanks for letting me know if you've had this perk help out with changing dining times. Late is too late for us...

 

I'm wondering how you got it manually added since it is first come/first serve on the excursions website for your cruise. But either way, congrats...

 

I am pretty sure FTTF does not change your chances of switching dining times. I think it may get you up to the Maitre D' faster. I am sure others will know this. If you can't get it fixed on the first day, try again on the 2nd since things may have settled down by then and most people switching will be done on the first day, so some additional slots may open for ED or YTD.

[mdhaugh]

FttF was sold out on our ship. But I learned about how to get on the waiting list from a thread here on CC! I was able to get on the FttF waiting list by sending an email with my booking #, ship and date of sailing to FttFinfo@carnival.com

 

They responded that they would let me know if space opened up, once they knew how many platinum / other VIP folks were on the ship.

 

I just got the email this morning, and our sailing is Sunday.

 

Thanks to my CC peeps for the info! Hopefully we'll get our dining time changed...

[snc_cam]

FttF was sold out on our ship. But I learned about how to get on the waiting list from a thread here on CC! I was able to get on the FttF waiting list by sending an email with my booking #, ship and date of sailing to FttFinfo@carnival.com

 

They responded that they would let me know if space opened up, once they knew how many platinum / other VIP folks were on the ship.

 

I just got the email this morning, and our sailing is Sunday.

 

Thanks to my CC peeps for the info! Hopefully we'll get our dining time changed...

 

Great, now you tell me this... since after the upcoming cruise, I won't need to purchase it any longer (unless they change the Platinum policy). :)

 

Hope you enjoy it and good luck with the dining switch!!!

[PortSideCruzan]

 

I'm wondering how you got it manually added since it is first come/first serve on the excursions website for your cruise.

Hi Snc_cam :)

 

A passenger can email FTTF @ FTTFinfo@carnival.com (to be considered) for a wait list so they can be added to the FTTF manifest manually. If accepted/approved, when they arrive at the cruise terminal their name will be on the FTTF manifest for the (head porter) & at the (check-in counter).

 

If added to the manifest, when arriving at the terminal, the passenger then requests to see the head porter & he or she will place the orange FTTF stickers onto the luggage.

 

If your name is manually added to the manifest it will appear on the manifest at the check-in counter also.

 

(Important Note)

Emailing the FTTF department at Carnival (does not) automatically put a passenger on the manifest, the FTTF department merely can assist you in regards to getting on a the manifest manually (when possible). Some passengers are considered right away and added, some are told no right away, and some are placed onto a wait list for possible consideration.

 

Also, If the FTTF department is able to assist a passenger & manually place them on the FTTF manifest, they do not charge your credit card, it is added to your Sail & Sign ship bill once onboard your sailing.

 

Your luggage tags will not have the FTTF logo on them and your boarding pass will not reflect the FTTF either, HOWEVER your name will certainly be on the manifest if approved/accepted to be manually added by the FTTF department.

 

Have a terrific day!

 

 

 

:)

 

Edited September 4, 2015 by PortSideCruzan

[snc_cam]

Hi Snc_cam :)

 

A passenger can email FTTF @ FTTFinfo@carnival.com (to be considered) for a wait list so they can be added to the FTTF manifest manually. If accepted/approved, when they arrive at the cruise terminal their name will be on the FTTF manifest for the (head porter) & at the (check-in counter).

 

If added to the manifest, when arriving at the terminal, the passenger then requests to see the head porter & he or she will place the orange FTTF stickers onto the luggage.

 

If your name is manually added to the manifest it will appear on the manifest at the check-in counter also.

 

(Important Note)

Emailing the FTTF department at Carnival (does not) automatically put a passenger on the manifest, the FTTF department merely can assist you in regards to getting on a the manifest manually (when possible). Some passengers are considered right away and added, some are told no right away, and some are placed onto a wait list for possible consideration.

 

Also, If the FTTF department is able to assist a passenger & manually place them on the FTTF manifest, they do not charge your credit card, it is added to your Sail & Sign ship bill once onboard your sailing.

 

Your luggage tags will not have the FTTF logo on them and your boarding pass will not reflect the FTTF either, but your name will certainly be on the manifest if approved/accepted to be manually added by the FTTF department.

 

Have a terrific day!

 

 

 

:)

 

 

thanks for the info :)

[fwsportsnut]

Just off the Freedom, first time to try FTTF. Had to keep checking everyday and it finally became available. Keep checking and don't give up.

 

For me it was the best $60 I could have spent. Arrived in Galveston at 11:15 dropped of luggage and went to park. When back at terminal about 11:45 the regular lines were out the door. FTTF line had 12 people. Good start! After getting through that line and security went to get sing and sail, 1 person in line. Regular line had at least 300 people. Better start!

 

Got out S&S in about 5 minutes, walked directly onto Freedom, to our room and dropped off carryon. Went to get a bite to eat, back to our room by 12:30 and luggage was there. Unpacked and ready to go by 1:00.

 

Only went to guest services once, but did not have to wait in line at all, regular line always had 5-10 people in it.

 

Did not use tender feature, they had groups debarking based on excursion so was not an issue for me.

 

Did self assist debark, arrived at pier about 6:45-7:00, went to ding room about 7:15, they let us go by 7:40, was in my car and on the road at 7:59. Best debark ever.

 

GREAT start and finish. IMHO well worth it and I will never sail without it if possible.

[VacationCharlene]

We LOVE FTTF :p It has great benefits and for us the biggest one is bypassing the long lines at check-in and getting our luggage into our room early and freeing up our hands for that first cocktail of the day...yes vacation has started :D I highly recommend purchasing it.

[carolinaviking71208]

I love FTTF. As a solo, just being able to drop my bags in the cabin before lunch is worth it to me.

[Donh44]

FttF was sold out on our ship. But I learned about how to get on the waiting list from a thread here on CC! I was able to get on the FttF waiting list by sending an email with my booking #, ship and date of sailing to FttFinfo@carnival.com

 

They responded that they would let me know if space opened up, once they knew how many platinum / other VIP folks were on the ship.

 

I just got the email this morning, and our sailing is Sunday.

 

Thanks to my CC peeps for the info! Hopefully we'll get our dining time changed...

 

 

 

Exact same story with me. I decided at the last minute that I might need FTTF due to major back problems. I didn't relish having to wait in that long line in the main terminal area. I was put on a waiting list and was surprised that a vacancy popped up and I got it. Today is the 4th and my cruise is the 6th. So glad that they did that.

[SMSACE6]

It is worth it for me too. I used it last year and it was very much worth it, for many if not all reasons mentioned above. I am using it again this year. While I dont do self assist, getting zone 1 for debarkation was also worth it. I was about 10 in line for custom's clearance at about 8.30am, and while it was slow (port everglades, with only two customs agents manning the desks), I waited about 10 mins, and looked around behind me were suddenly about 300 people, with more filing in behind them. Soooo glad for that one reason alone. I doubt that I will ever reach platinum level, so whenever possible, I will spend the 60.00 for FTTF.

Edited September 5, 2015 by SMSACE6