Did FTTF go up, AGAIN?

[First and Ten]

I'm amazed at the following it has. They even get requests to be waitlisted for it. So I see nothing wrong with an increase with such a demand.

 

Ruthless, I am amazed at what FTTF does to people....there are whole threads dedicated to "I HAVE 39 DAYS AND FTTF IS SOLD OUT, WHAT WILL I DO IF I CANT GET IT" :eek::(:eek::(

 

They email Carnival, call Carnival, post here....then if they suspect they wont get it, they get either inconsolable or downright nasty "I CANT BELIEVE CARNIVAL WONT OPEN UP FTTF AGAIN"

 

They go online after midnight and constantly refresh the excursion website every 15 seconds to see if the "Sold Out" changes

 

They do provide entertainment tho :D

Edited August 26, 2016 by First and Ten

[cruisemom67]

Why would a Platinum cruiser have an issue with FTTF? Platinum get the perks for free

 

I first had an issue with it because if they sell a lot of them, then the line for everything just got longer! I like not having the lines for the service desk,for the boarding, and for tenders. If they sell it to everyone, then there is no value. But they have done a good job of limiting it, based on how many platinum and diamond members book. That is why they sell a certain number, sell out,then sell it again. They don't know for sure how many incoming bookings will be platinum or diamond. I don't have a problem with it now as Carnival has managed it well.

Edited August 26, 2016 by cruisemom67

[Warm Breezes]

I can definitely see where the upper tier would be upset with it. I, a fairly newbie to Carnival can pay 69.95 to obtain perks they paid thousands and took several years to obtain.

 

Boy I just have a hard time thinking like that. I am not paying thousands and thousands to achieve some loyalty perks several years in the future. I am paying thousands and thousands for cruises I am enjoying today. I don't even count on the perks being there or being the same if (when) I eventually get there. I can't see myself ever paying for FTTF, but I also don't see myself having issues with those who do buy it if (when) I become Platinum.

[First and Ten]

I first had an issue with it because if they sell a lot of them, then the line for everything just got longer! I like not having the lines for the service desk,for the boarding, and for tenders. If they sell it to everyone, then there is no value. But they have done a good job of limiting it, based on how many platinum and diamond members book. That is why they sell a certain number, sell out,then sell it again. They don't know for sure how many incoming bookings will be platinum or diamond. I don't have a problem with it now as Carnival has managed it well.

 

LOL, the only thing I will say about your post....you are not unique about lines....I don't know of anyone who LIKES standing in lines....Maybe there are to many Platinum/Diamonds and they should up the requirement for achieving that status

Edited August 26, 2016 by First and Ten

[pblack]

I wonder if the price varies for length/port? I just checked for our booking out of NOLA in October and it's still 59.95, which is what i paid for it a few months ago. This will be the first time having it, and the only reason i even wanted it is so we can nap as soon as we get on. (We're driving all night from Austin to NOLA)

[DJW8385]

Wow, I just booked FTTF to my cabin and my parents cabin for our 8 day cruise next year on the Magic. When I paid, it was $59.95, THREE days ago.

 

 

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[DnD_Cruisin]

For our 4day cruise Oct 2nd it's still available for $49.95...I wonder what the criteria is for the rate increase?

[bury me at sea]

After posting above I checked again. FTTF no longer shows "Sold Out" for our August 2017 cruise. It now shows available at $69.95. Glad I got it last week.

 

Apple used to say Save Early and Save Often. With Carnival it's Book Early. There is probably a price at which I would say No Thanks. Until Carnival reaches the point of diminishing returns I will still buy, and my back will be happy.

[ryano]

I am not paying thousands and thousands to achieve some loyalty perks several years in the future. .

 

That isnt what I was trying to convey. Im saying it took at least several years and thousands of dollars to reach Platinum and get perks I can buy for 69.95 as a two time Red Carnival cruiser.

 

Sorry for any ambiguity :)

Edited August 26, 2016 by ryano

[CruisinDawn]

Book FTTF for Sept 2017 @ $59 and yup it's up to $69 now. Glad I booked the day I booked the cruise :D

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[originalgeek]

Why would a Platinum cruiser have an issue with FTTF? Platinum get the perks for free

 

I've seen more than a few plats on other boards complain they don't feel as special if common folk get to do what they do.

 

They don't word it like that but when you press them for why they are upset about it that's what it boils down to. "We paid a lot of money to get here and it's not fair if you can get the same perks..."

 

I will say I have not seen that here at CC but then I don't read every single post.

[CruzerDeb]

I've had FTTF on my last cruise and on my upcoming cruise--mostly because I booked a cabana at HMC. Feel the need to get on the ship ASAP to get the cabana that I want. We'll see if on future cruises I want to have the additional cost.

[First and Ten]

I've seen more than a few plats on other boards complain they don't feel as special if common folk get to do what they do.

 

They don't word it like that but when you press them for why they are upset about it that's what it boils down to. "We paid a lot of money to get here and it's not fair if you can get the same perks..."

 

I will say I have not seen that here at CC but then I don't read every single post.

 

Ahhhhhhhhh, got it....the "I want to be treated special" mindset

Edited August 26, 2016 by First and Ten

[poobears]

I tried to get FTTF for our March cruise when we booked it a couple weeks ago but it was sold and has been ever since. It finally showed back up today but yes it was at the higher price of $69.99. I still booked it even though it was higher than it would have been if it wasn't sold out when we booked the cruise. That's $17.50pp for us, when you break it down pp and consider the cost we paid for our lido balcony that's not bad at all.

[originalgeek]

Ahhhhhhhhh, got it....the "I want to be treated special" mindset

 

Yep. And I will freely admit I like to be treated special too lol. I'm even willing to pay 60 bucks for it. Not sure yet if I'm willing to pay 80 or 90 though. I'll have to see next time I'm booked on a 7+ day cruise with a lot of tender ports where I don't plan to book excursions through Carnival.

 

I am not the least bit ashamed of having had it on our cruise in July. We used the absolute heck out of that guest services line.

[First and Ten]

Yep. And I will freely admit I like to be treated special too lol. I'm even willing to pay 60 bucks for it. Not sure yet if I'm willing to pay 80 or 90 though. I'll have to see next time I'm booked on a 7+ day cruise with a lot of tender ports where I don't plan to book excursions through Carnival.

 

I am not the least bit ashamed of having had it on our cruise in July. We used the absolute heck out of that guest services line.

 

Question if I may....what the heck are you abusing the nice Guest Services people about? problems with the bill?

Edited August 26, 2016 by First and Ten

[Podna's]

I wonder if the price varies for length/port? I just checked for our booking out of NOLA in October and it's still 59.95, which is what i paid for it a few months ago. This will be the first time having it, and the only reason i even wanted it is so we can nap as soon as we get on. (We're driving all night from Austin to NOLA)

 

 

Na, probably starts a certain day. My April 2017 Dream cruise out of Nola is $69.95 now.

 

 

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[Florings]

Glad I bought it for my two upcoming cruises before the price went up!

[Seago2]

I had it once and it really didn't change my life :rolleyes:. I would get it if I had a tender-heavy cruise, or one with notorious tender problems like Belize, or if I had really little kids with me. Otherwise, it's not worth it to me at that price.

[winddawn]

I just looked at FTTF on Carnival's website using Explore, Shore Excursions, then FTTF.

 

I see $49.95 for every port except Baltimore and Seattle which are showing for $59.95. Unlike in the past, every port shows a different entry on this section of Carnival's website.

 

Confused!?!?

[Podna's]

Ruthless, I am amazed at what FTTF does to people....there are whole threads dedicated to "I HAVE 39 DAYS AND FTTF IS SOLD OUT, WHAT WILL I DO IF I CANT GET IT" :eek::(:eek::(

 

 

 

They do provide entertainment tho :D

 

 

It is entertaining but I'll be more amaze about the people that'll complain about this increase. They forget 2 things. 1st, no one is forcing them to get it and 2nd Carnival is a business. By the demand for this brilliant idea I would've jack up the price again long ago.

 

 

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[originalgeek]

Question if I may....what the heck are you abusing the nice Guest Services people about? problems with the bill?

 

They were INCREDIBLY nice and patient with us. lol it was our first Carnival cruise (only second cruise ever and the first was so short it hardly counts). We had to sort out gift cards, order Dr Suess breakfast, cancel Dr Suess because we decided to go on the behind the fun tour of the ship (loved it), had them escort us to the tender boat twice, got 2 free decks of playing cards, rearranged some credit card payments for some art we bought at one of the auctions (no, I don't think I'm an art collector now lol. It was a 3 pack of prints I liked and I could afford them so I got them. We really just went for the free champagne. that's how they get ya!) and in general just asked a lot of dumb n00b questions that now I shouldn't need to ask again.

 

Sascha and Kevin on the Conquest. Complete professionals at helping the customer while maintaining a smile. I wrote a note to guest services after we got home just to tell them how great those guys treated us.

 

Oh and just for grins I looked at FTTF for my cruise in December and it still shows as $49.95 for a 3-day. Not gonna get it this time though - no tender, n00b questions done and we live 40 minutes from PC so I'm sleeping in and arriving late anyway lol.

Edited August 26, 2016 by originalgeek

[First and Ten]

It is entertaining but I'll be more amaze about the people that'll complain about this increase. They forget 2 things. 1st' date=' no one is forcing them to get it and 2nd Carnival is a business. By the demand for this brilliant idea I would've jack up the price again long ago.

 

 

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Here is the funny thing, they will complain and whine about the price increase and either STILL buy it or if they don't, as they get closer to their cruise and they crumble and want it, if its still sold out.....they will turn into a "Crazy" all over again....LOL, too funny :D

Edited August 26, 2016 by First and Ten

[poobears]

My comfort is worth way more than $60 or $70 and having a room ready when I get there ensures my comfort. No matter how hot and humid it is on the Lido I can ditch my bags. Grab my food and start my vaca on my balcony. When I get to hot I can pop into the AC in my room. Awwwwwwwww lol

 

Now if my room isn't ready like a few of the FTTF reviews state then yes you will see my cranky butt down at the GS desk complaining because that is the reason I buy FTTF. But I'll be doing it politely. Worked CS too many years to take it out on them.

Edited August 26, 2016 by poobears

[Angua]

I have gotten it for 3 of my most recent cruises and have found it useful, if not essential. The special guest services phone number was essential when dealing with a smoker in the balcony next to ours in a spa cabin, before all balconies were smoke free. I shouldn't have had to use the special number but only got a response when I did.

 

I was keeping an eye on it for our vista repositioning in November, but now it has been completely removed from the excursions list. If it is more expensive I probably won't get it, especially since these journeys/premier cruises have so many platinum and diamond members that the "normal" lines are actually shorter! [emoji12]

 

 

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