Don't kno much about FTTF, but in Miami they only got on boat 15minutes b4 me

[Lucinda IowaGal at heart]

Again, just a reader for the most part on these boards, and I debated FTTF program before my cruise in April on the SPlendor from Miami.

Instead I pre-registered for a 10:30 time slot ahead of time and was in the waiting area at 10:35 after a short check in.

We were all waiting for them to call the first folks to the boat, and I want to say the FTTF folks were called at 11:30 or so and I was in a numbered group 10-15 mintues after them.

Again I am sure you probably get other benefits with FTTF that I am not considering, but they were certainly not much earlier to the fun than I was.

[riclop]

That is why it's a waste of $$$. WE boarded 5 min after FTTF.

[Lucinda IowaGal at heart]

Also had no trouble tendering off the boat exactly when we wanted to--hubby went down and was able to get numbers for all of our group early in am and we were always off the boat with the first few groups.

[EBONI325]

But was your cabin ready at 11:45? I have a lot of carry on, and I like to unload it all in my cabin, with the door closed, not while they're still cleaning.

[Greggy_D]

$50 or $60 for 2-4 people is worth it to me from a peace of mind standpoint. That's a drop in the bucket compared to other cruising costs.

[ChicoCA]

But was your cabin ready at 11:45? I have a lot of carry on, and I like to unload it all in my cabin, with the door closed, not while they're still cleaning.

Bingo! Plus, I love to go to guest services and break a $20.00 just to laugh at the peeps grumbling in the long line. :D

[kona_wahine]

For me it's more about going straight to our room, locking my valuables in the safe and dropping everything else off. 2-3 hours of lugging around carry ons is not fun. #2 would be VIP line at guest services. I don't use it often but end up there at least a couple times. Last cruise twice, no waiting. The regular line was quite long. #3 would be if there is a tender port. Last cruise didn't have (2nd leg b2b) so had to get there early to get off first, as we had a private excursion booked.

 

FTTF is and always will be worth it for us.

[Raxter54]

Just curious - how quickly did you get OFF the ship? With the priority self-disembarking offered by FTTF, we were off the Dream and in our car within 40 minutes of docking. I heard from people who did normal disembarking that around 2000 people tried using the non-priority disembarking and that caused a huge delay.

 

Getting on the Dream, we arrived at the terminal a little after 11 AM, and were on the ship, dropped off our carry-ons in our room, and were eating lunch in Pasta Bella by noon. Until we become Platinum, it will always be worth it for us. YMMV...

Edited May 20, 2016 by Raxter54

[path145]

It's not worth it for us. Have never had much of a wait getting on. We're in the 11-1130 check in time for Saturday and the only carry on we have is my purse. Not a big deal to carry around. No tender ports.

 

On our last cruise I used Guest Service a few times but if there was a line I could wait until later. I went when there was no line and I was next. Actually one time I was being waited on and someone with FTTF came into line and had to wait until Guest Services was done with me.

 

I can see that there are some people who would really benefit from it, especially with elderly or disabled or children, but it's not worth it for us. And on my next new booking I will be Platinum so I guess it won't matter at that point.

[nchikk]

Again, just a reader for the most part on these boards, and I debated FTTF program before my cruise in April on the SPlendor from Miami.

Instead I pre-registered for a 10:30 time slot ahead of time and was in the waiting area at 10:35 after a short check in.

We were all waiting for them to call the first folks to the boat, and I want to say the FTTF folks were called at 11:30 or so and I was in a numbered group 10-15 mintues after them.

Again I am sure you probably get other benefits with FTTF that I am not considering, but they were certainly not much earlier to the fun than I was.

 

There is more to FTTF than boarding just a few minutes after them. Think about a line at Guest Services that's about 20-30 people long, but the Diamond/Plat/FTTF line has just two people in it. Think about going to your cabin immediately after boarding and not having to carry your things with you, regardless how much or little you may happen to have carried on. These are just a couple of advantages FTTF offers us. If you don't like it, that's fine...but like you said, "I am sure you probably get other benefits with FTTF that I am not considering."

[deborahjo]

Also had no trouble tendering off the boat exactly when we wanted to--hubby went down and was able to get numbers for all of our group early in am and we were always off the boat with the first few groups.

 

 

And I would be the one being escorted off the ship ahead of you no matter what your number was

[ToesntheSand]

On our last cruise we had FTTF. We were in line to disembark the ship and I realized I could not find my S&S card. I had just had it or so I thought. I was able to quickly go up to guest services, while there was a long line in the regular line, and get issued a new one within 2 minutes. After that instance the cost of FTTF was worth it for the guest service line alone. I never did find that other S&S card.

[MtnDweller]

We were all waiting for them to call the first folks to the boat, and I want to say the FTTF folks were called at 11:30 or so and I was in a numbered group 10-15 mintues after them.

Again I am sure you probably get other benefits with FTTF that I am not considering, but they were certainly not much earlier to the fun than I was.

 

Hey, 15 minutes might be nothing to you, but I would have already been in my cabin dumping off my carry on luggage and then headed out to get something to eat. You would still be back there maneuvering around the masses.

 

It also gives me priority with GS and dining reservations. I'd still be tendering before you AND I can debark while you are still standing in line. :D

 

For me...........it's worth it.

[Davey Wavey]

Bingo! Plus, I love to go to guest services and break a $20.00 just to laugh at the peeps grumbling in the long line. :D

 

Awww...but seriously...one cruise the account system was having real problems with charges getting mixed up on lots of accounts. I had a dozen charges appear that weren't mine. Went to customer service and OH BOY the line. Walked right up to the counter. A guy about 5 back in the big line flipped out and and started yelling and cursing. SEE THIS BS!!! This is why I will never go on Carnival again! Stormed off after waiting 2 hours. And how invaluable it was when my kids were young to get on the ship and get them to the room at noon for a nap while I went and got lunch for me and DW to eat in the room...no looking for seats on the Lido. And then we could take a nap before muster and be ready to go for the evening.

 

FTTF is an OPTION because it isn't for everyone. It doesn't work for you, don't buy it. But when I have needed it, it was the best bargain ever!

[simplelife]

The value of FTTF is a personal judgement. We don't usually buy it, but I would never say never. Circumstances could arise that justify it.

Edited May 20, 2016 by simplelife

[Raxter54]

The value of FTTF is a personal judgement. We don't usually buy it, but I would never say never. Circumstances could arise that justify it.

 

Well said...

[Sitzmark]

But was your cabin ready at 11:45? I have a lot of carry on, and I like to unload it all in my cabin, with the door closed, not while they're still cleaning.

 

Being able to go straight to the room does sound like a nice feature.

[Sabalon]

While sadly we got started on cruising later than we would have wished due to my fear of getting sea-sick, this is the first time we bought FTTF based on past experiences. Our reasons were:

• Being able to drop off carry-ons. For a family of four, these do add up, and my CPAP is annoying to carry
  
• Being able to have lunch without said carryons
  
• Being able to change into bathing suits and get in the pool before the crowds
  
• Being able to get off the ship and start the 12 hour drive home earlier!
  

 

We've never had trouble getting on the ship quickly so that's not a concern, but being able to ditch all the baggage will be nice. Yes, we could carry on suits and change, but that's more we need to carry and if we want to change back, ewww. Plus I'd be paranoid about my bag just laying in a chair.

 

The tender may not be an issue. Two ports are tender ports - Belize we have an excursion which will get us on the first tender anyway. Grand Cayman, we'll still be eating breakfast when they start leaving.

 

Hopefully we won't need guest services. We'll see if we find it worth it, but as I'm usually the one asked to hold/carry everyone elses bags, I'm thinking I'll find value!!!

[evandbob]

Bingo! Plus, I love to go to guest services and break a $20.00 just to laugh at the peeps grumbling in the long line. :D

 

Just to laugh at people? Isn't that kind of sick? Does it make you feel superior?

 

I use the VIFP line when I have a reason to, and yes, I have gone there just to break a $20 to have tip bills available, but to laugh at people?

 

I hope you were being sarcastic and not serious.

[JLee1973]

I don't buy FTTF for the early boarding which is nice. I like having my room ready as soon as a board and my luggage coming not far behind. I usually am able to grab a drink, eat lunch and unpack and ready to cruise before the rooms are open to everyone else.

[cruizinisthebest]

The value of FTTF is a personal judgement. We don't usually buy it, but I would never say never. Circumstances could arise that justify it.

 

This is true. After buying it several times, I find the value minimal and consider the money spent wasted. Others swear by it. Personal choice.

[SadieN]

Again, just a reader for the most part on these boards, and I debated FTTF program before my cruise in April on the SPlendor from Miami.

Instead I pre-registered for a 10:30 time slot ahead of time and was in the waiting area at 10:35 after a short check in.

We were all waiting for them to call the first folks to the boat, and I want to say the FTTF folks were called at 11:30 or so and I was in a numbered group 10-15 mintues after them.

Again I am sure you probably get other benefits with FTTF that I am not considering, but they were certainly not much earlier to the fun than I was.

 

 

But what if you couldn't get an early check in time? FTTF allows you to checkin at anytime.

 

 

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