Fftf

[gamecockinnc]

I was on the CCL Breeze last week with my sister. We didn't know until we arrived at the port that this particular sailing was made up primarily of cruisers participating in the $1000,000 Bingo tournament and a Championship Slot tournament. The demographic of the cruise was unlike any other sailing in my entire life. We arrived to the port around the normal time we always arrive for a cruise (11:15-11:30 am) and the checkin went pretty quickly but we waited over 2.5 hours for our group number to be called. The same thing happened with de-embarkation. We used the self assist option and waited for our deck to be called but I have never felt bad for a cruise director or heard a cruise director let his anger come through during his announcements. And I could NOT blame him one bit. Basically the same 1000 folks that caused the embarkation to be delayed caused the de-embarkation to be delayed. We didn't get off the ship until around after 11:00 am. Now I'm not sure if it was the demographic of the cruisers or what happened but it was unusual and I've been on a Carnival cruise where their entire computer network went down during embarkation and we all had to sit there for 3 hours for the system to be fixed. I don't hold Carnival responsible for any of these delays but too bad there isn't a time out area for those who don't follow the instructions.

 

So my question is I'm crushing on the Breeze again in a month for the Christmas cruise with my husband and 3 sons. Is the $300 for express boarding worth it?

 

Any and all thoughts would be welcome.

[vlynn]

FTTF is 59$ per stateroom not individual. :D Maybe that will make your decision easier.

[sanmarcosman]

Yes. Tendering and the guest service express line use are also nice perks when needed. We've used FTTF twice now and consider it a bargain.

[Cruisegirl6]

$59.95 and yes definitely worth it to us:

 

If you:

 

1- like to board asap and not be in long lines checking in and waiting to board

 

2- like to have priority tendering and not wait in that very long line to get off the ship

 

3- want to get off the ship as fast as you can (most of my cruises come back on saturday so I like to get off fast so I can pick up my dog before the pet resort/vet/kennel closes at noon and or get to the airport for a flight) and you also can choose late disembarkation

 

4- if you have a carry on bag and not want to lug it around the ship waiting for your room to be ready--- your room be all ready when you board the ship.

 

5- if you have questions or need guest services you have an express designated lane no need to wait on long lines

 

If any of the two above applies to you yes, its worth it.

[willyt25]

Was on the same cruise, for departure day the delay was caused by the gang way hitting a lifeboat and causing damage, that slowed everything down.

[jabberjaw070596]

I was on the CCL Breeze last week with my sister. We didn't know until we arrived at the port that this particular sailing was made up primarily of cruisers participating in the $1000,000 Bingo tournament and a Championship Slot tournament. The demographic of the cruise was unlike any other sailing in my entire life. We arrived to the port around the normal time we always arrive for a cruise (11:15-11:30 am) and the checkin went pretty quickly but we waited over 2.5 hours for our group number to be called. The same thing happened with de-embarkation. We used the self assist option and waited for our deck to be called but I have never felt bad for a cruise director or heard a cruise director let his anger come through during his announcements. And I could NOT blame him one bit. Basically the same 1000 folks that caused the embarkation to be delayed caused the de-embarkation to be delayed. We didn't get off the ship until around after 11:00 am. Now I'm not sure if it was the demographic of the cruisers or what happened but it was unusual and I've been on a Carnival cruise where their entire computer network went down during embarkation and we all had to sit there for 3 hours for the system to be fixed. I don't hold Carnival responsible for any of these delays but too bad there isn't a time out area for those who don't follow the instructions.

 

So my question is I'm crushing on the Breeze again in a month for the Christmas cruise with my husband and 3 sons. Is the $300 for express boarding worth it?

 

Any and all thoughts would be welcome.

 

I believe this Breeze cruise is a premier casino cruise so that means lots of people with have priority embarkation as well as debarkation

[Havingfun2010]

I was on the CCL Breeze last week with my sister. We didn't know until we arrived at the port that this particular sailing was made up primarily of cruisers participating in the $1000,000 Bingo tournament and a Championship Slot tournament. The demographic of the cruise was unlike any other sailing in my entire life. We arrived to the port around the normal time we always arrive for a cruise (11:15-11:30 am) and the checkin went pretty quickly but we waited over 2.5 hours for our group number to be called. The same thing happened with de-embarkation. We used the self assist option and waited for our deck to be called but I have never felt bad for a cruise director or heard a cruise director let his anger come through during his announcements. And I could NOT blame him one bit. Basically the same 1000 folks that caused the embarkation to be delayed caused the de-embarkation to be delayed. We didn't get off the ship until around after 11:00 am. Now I'm not sure if it was the demographic of the cruisers or what happened but it was unusual and I've been on a Carnival cruise where their entire computer network went down during embarkation and we all had to sit there for 3 hours for the system to be fixed. I don't hold Carnival responsible for any of these delays but too bad there isn't a time out area for those who don't follow the instructions.

 

So my question is I'm crushing on the Breeze again in a month for the Christmas cruise with my husband and 3 sons. Is the $300 for express boarding worth it?

 

Any and all thoughts would be welcome.

 

Have you thought about another cruise line? As Carnival continues to sell perks, than those that don't shell out the extra money, wait longer. After paying for all the "free" extras, you should be able to find another cruise ship at a close price, and who values your business more.

[mabones]

I was on the CCL Breeze last week with my sister. We didn't know until we arrived at the port that this particular sailing was made up primarily of cruisers participating in the $1000,000 Bingo tournament and a Championship Slot tournament. The demographic of the cruise was unlike any other sailing in my entire life. We arrived to the port around the normal time we always arrive for a cruise (11:15-11:30 am) and the checkin went pretty quickly but we waited over 2.5 hours for our group number to be called. The same thing happened with de-embarkation. We used the self assist option and waited for our deck to be called but I have never felt bad for a cruise director or heard a cruise director let his anger come through during his announcements. And I could NOT blame him one bit. Basically the same 1000 folks that caused the embarkation to be delayed caused the de-embarkation to be delayed. We didn't get off the ship until around after 11:00 am. Now I'm not sure if it was the demographic of the cruisers or what happened but it was unusual and I've been on a Carnival cruise where their entire computer network went down during embarkation and we all had to sit there for 3 hours for the system to be fixed. I don't hold Carnival responsible for any of these delays but too bad there isn't a time out area for those who don't follow the instructions.

 

So my question is I'm crushing on the Breeze again in a month for the Christmas cruise with my husband and 3 sons. Is the $300 for express boarding worth it?

 

Any and all thoughts would be welcome.

 

It is only $59.95 per Cabin, not per person.

[Cruisegirl6]

I would highly suggest if it is a Premier Cruise (as it was on my Valor cruise) don't bother spending the money for FTTF....unless having your room waiting for you and boarding asap is important to you.

[Podna's]

Have you thought about another cruise line? As Carnival continues to sell perks, than those that don't shell out the extra money, wait longer. After paying for all the "free" extras, you should be able to find another cruise ship at a close price, and who values your business more.

 

 

Op Look at this guys history before you follow his advice. I promise you he's does not have your best interest at heart.

You're obviously are going on repeat Carnival cruises for a reason. Great company. As for FTTF, absolutely worth every penny.

[Bamagirl_gina]

I would highly suggest if it is a Premier Cruise (as it was on my Valor cruise) don't bother spending the money for FTTF....unless having your room waiting for you and boarding asap is important to you.

 

How do you find out if yours is a Premier Cruise? We are on the Dream Feb 21st and have wondered if there is something special going on since I have been unable to obtain FTTF as far back as the day we booked way back in May. (Or last cruise on RCCL had a chartered group--very rowdy and scheduled private events in public areas that were then off limits to regular pax) that we did not know about under too late and hoping we don't have a similar repeat in February)

[notyours75]

FTTF is worth every penny if you can get it. Had it on our last cruise and it was a big time saver. Managed to snag one for our Jan cruise. Would be really disappointed if we didn't have it.

[Cruisegirl6]

Bamagirl_Gina- Unfortunately I threw the old mailer out and have the new one that starts in January...call carnival and ask them whether that particular cruise sailing is on the list for a premier cruise. They have got to know somebody there does.

You can also create a post asking people maybe others know.

[riclop]

FTTF is a waste of $$$.

[gamecockinnc]

Thank you for all of you're replies. Looking at my cruise history posted in my profile we tend to stay with Carnival because of the great past cruiser rates and the military rates. We also take one adults only cruise a year (usually with other cruisers we have met through the years) in the Fall which cuts down on the rowdy type of cruisers. We cruise RCI and DCL too. As our two older boys have gotten older they tend to always choose the 8 night cruises and as a family we choose the cruises for ports and then the ship. Since we have a late in life blessing who's only 4 I suspect I will be sailing DCL a few more times in the coming years too. The Breeze happens to be one of our favorite ships. It is just a lovely ship. Big but not too big and tons of features and space.

 

And yes I did learn my lesson about checking before hand to see if my sailing is a charter or speciality type of sailing. But with that being said I sailed with my sister this year since my husband couldn't take leave so close to our Christmas cruise and other than the slow embarkation and issues with de- embarkation (which sound as if it was due to the gangway incident ) this sailing was actually perfect. It was quiet and orderly. There was never a rush for pool loungers or the usual crush of people. Because most cruiser were there for their respective gaming tournaments. So that sailing fit our needs perfectly, quiet and relaxing. And everyone was very friendly so it was a great cruise.

 

I will check into the FTTF today. Hopefully it's not too late.

 

Now if I can find the answers to my Christmas questions and 2 ports (La Romana and Curaco) I will be making progress : )

[gamecockinnc]

Well I was one day too late FTTF is sold out : (

 

And we are gold members and about 2 cruises away from the next level so I guess we will just go with the flow.

 

But I'm mad at myself.

[cruisetodayteachtomorrow]

I was on the CCL Breeze last week with my sister. We didn't know until we arrived at the port that this particular sailing was made up primarily of cruisers participating in the $1000,000 Bingo tournament and a Championship Slot tournament. The demographic of the cruise was unlike any other sailing in my entire life. We arrived to the port around the normal time we always arrive for a cruise (11:15-11:30 am) and the checkin went pretty quickly but we waited over 2.5 hours for our group number to be called. The same thing happened with de-embarkation. We used the self assist option and waited for our deck to be called but I have never felt bad for a cruise director or heard a cruise director let his anger come through during his announcements. And I could NOT blame him one bit. Basically the same 1000 folks that caused the embarkation to be delayed caused the de-embarkation to be delayed. We didn't get off the ship until around after 11:00 am. Now I'm not sure if it was the demographic of the cruisers or what happened but it was unusual and I've been on a Carnival cruise where their entire computer network went down during embarkation and we all had to sit there for 3 hours for the system to be fixed. I don't hold Carnival responsible for any of these delays but too bad there isn't a time out area for those who don't follow the instructions.

 

 

 

So my question is I'm crushing on the Breeze again in a month for the Christmas cruise with my husband and 3 sons. Is the $300 for express boarding worth it?

 

 

 

Any and all thoughts would be welcome.

 

 

I was on the same cruise and had FTTF and felt it was an extremely unorganized embarkation and debarkation! Why were the boarding areas not separated for the priority boarding like other cruises and terminals???

[cruisetodayteachtomorrow]

Well I was one day too late FTTF is sold out : (

 

 

 

And we are gold members and about 2 cruises away from the next level so I guess we will just go with the flow.

 

 

 

But I'm mad at myself.

 

 

Keep looking they will often open more.

[Cruisegirl6]

I booked my next cruse up three weeks ago and taking it in 16 days it was full kept looking daily a week ago they opened more up and we have it hoping same happens for you keep looking.

[KnEcruisers]

Im probaby in the minority, but I dont feel FTTF is worth it at all. I had it on my first cruise, and felt it was a waste of money(my opinion only). For me, the point of vacation was to be relaxed, and fun...having to pay extra to be first on the ship, or first to the tenders wasnt worth the extra cost to me. We could casually get to the ship, board at our leisure, take our time getting off the ship, etc...Again...just my personal preferance. and on my first cruise...it was only 49.99, but my cruise in Oct it was at $59.99, no thanks.....that was 5 extra cocktails on the ship for me to enjoy!!

[NCTribeFan]

I'm Platinum so FTTF isn't something I'm interested in (but personally would never buy it).

 

I did two consecutive Premier sailings out of FLL and embarkation was absurd. There's one small room and they pack all the Plat/Diamond, Premier AND FTTF people in there. It's been SRO by 11:15 both times.

 

Sailing in <10 days on a Premier that is also a Journeys out of Port Canaveral, so there will be lots and lots of priority boarding. We'll see if it's any better than it's been at Ft Lauderdale.

 

If I didn't already have priority boarding and found out it was a Premier cruise, I wouldn't bother with FTTF and wouldn't show up early. After all, not everyone can be first on and I'd rather not arrive early and sit in a terminal for hours. Yes, we all want to get our vacation started, but they won't run out of food at the buffet or DODs before muster drill! ;)

[Schoifmom]

FTTF is a waste of $$$.

 

I can appreciate why you might feel that way, but everyone's circumstances are different. DH has mobility issues and we enjoy the ability to drop our carry-on's off in our room, rather than having to tote them around the ship for a couple of hours. For that alone, the money is worth it to us. We are on vacation, we don't want to have to fight crowds and schlep our stuff around.

[Cruisegirl6]

I also have medical problems that give me chronic multiple pains daily so boarding asap is wonderful for me as I do not have to stand in a long line and wait a long time to get on the ship, I also am able to drop off my carry on bag in the room, don't have to lug it around and be in pain doing so, its worth it to me.

 

We took our first and last premier cruise this past May we also purchased FTTF not realizing we had priority boarding but it was ok because my daughter and her bf and my father in law did not have the offer and we all boarded together but to pay for FTTF on a Premier cruise when you have hundreds of others with the same priority not mentioning those who purchased it and platinum...needless to say the staff was overwhelmed getting luggage to the cabins my daughters bf and my luggage arrived probably last out of everybody on the ship, so I would never purchase FTTF on these Premier cruises but we never will take another premier cruise. My other half has offers right now for others but we chose to pay for our cruise because we also found on these Premier cruises the casino is way too crowded and the table stakes are raised higher than normal.