FTTF worth it with staged check in times?

[A&Jfamily]

Personally it is not worth it; we travel with our kids in a separate cabin so we would have to spend double. That aside, when we boarded in December on the Conquest, we arrived at the pier by 11, didn't spend more than 30 minutes doing the whole check-in process and were seated to wait for boarding by 11:35. I had time to run to the rest room as they started boarding platinum then FTTF. As we were zone 5, we we literally called to board like 5 minutes later.

 

And even at tender ports, if the ship doesn't run it properly, then its useless. We had a tender at GC. Followed the signs down to Deck where we were stopped. There was a huge roped off line, of which I assume was Carnival excursions and FTTF. They started going, but within a couple of minutes, one of the CD staff walked us to mid-ship to board the 2nd tender.

 

As for carrying luggage, we always give everything but our backpacks to the porters - we keep meds and necessary things with us. You still aren't in your room til 130, so simply find a nice spot on the Lido, enjoy lunch, the view and let your cares float away.

 

Another time we tried it, when it first rolled out and I think it was even cheaper. It was "nice" but I am not sure we really got much out of it, other than a shorter line here or there.

 

I really think it is a crap shoot whether it works out or not and I simply wont pay for it anymore.

[ShakyBeef]

...As for carrying luggage, we always give everything but our backpacks to the porters - we keep meds and necessary things with us. You still aren't in your room til 130, so simply find a nice spot on the Lido, enjoy lunch, the view and let your cares float away...

 

What do you mean by this?:confused: With FTTF, your cabin is guaranteed to be ready upon embarkation. We got into our cabin long before 1:30 when we had FTTF. The signs on the closed hallway doors to the cabins welcome Plat, Diamond, and FTTF guests to enter their cabins. That is one of the perks of FTTF that I really appreciate.:)

[TaDaaa!]

We go first when buying FTTF. Best thing Carnival ever did. Why earn loyalty, we can buy it! 😀😀😀

 

If the port is operating correctly, you are wrong. First is wedding parties, then Diamond, Platinum, FTTF, and then the cattle.

[TaDaaa!]

Personally it is not worth it; we travel with our kids in a separate cabin so we would have to spend double. That aside, when we boarded in December on the Conquest, we arrived at the pier by 11, didn't spend more than 30 minutes doing the whole check-in process and were seated to wait for boarding by 11:35. I had time to run to the rest room as they started boarding platinum then FTTF. As we were zone 5, we we literally called to board like 5 minutes later.

 

And even at tender ports, if the ship doesn't run it properly, then its useless. We had a tender at GC. Followed the signs down to Deck where we were stopped. There was a huge roped off line, of which I assume was Carnival excursions and FTTF. They started going, but within a couple of minutes, one of the CD staff walked us to mid-ship to board the 2nd tender.

 

As for carrying luggage, we always give everything but our backpacks to the porters - we keep meds and necessary things with us. You still aren't in your room til 130, so simply find a nice spot on the Lido, enjoy lunch, the view and let your cares float away.

 

Another time we tried it, when it first rolled out and I think it was even cheaper. It was "nice" but I am not sure we really got much out of it, other than a shorter line here or there.

 

I really think it is a crap shoot whether it works out or not and I simply wont pay for it anymore.

 

Don't know which ship you were on but when I had FTTF on the Glory we were told to meet at the GS Desk and we were escorted down to the tender line and put at the front of the line and onto the first tender. Worked like a charm.

[HectorAchilleus]

We go first when buying FTTF. Best thing Carnival ever did. Why earn loyalty, we can buy it!

 

I think that you are joking, but we were actually on a cruise where a woman insisted that she had a right to board before us Plats, stating "I paid extra to be First To The Fun, and I am going first!" Of course, the Carnival employees did nothing to stop her.