FTTF Worth purchasing?

[scpirate]

Buy it .:evilsmile:carnival needs the money.

[riclop]

Will be cruising on the Fascination in October. First cruise in 10 years. Last time we went the was no such thing as FTTF. Is this worth the purchase? Thinking since it's the last week of October there should not be many kids on board. All comments welcome!

A waste of $90.

[pacruise804]

What dollar value do you put on your time?

 

How much time do you think FTTF would save you and those in your cabin?

 

Now multiply.

 

There is your answer.

 

 

For me, it is an easy no. As if I bought it, I know I would want to get my money's worth. So on embarkation day, I would get up at 5:30 am so we could be to the port NLT 11:00. That is like getting up for work...Ugh. So no thank you. Given it is my first day of vacation I prefer to sleep in until 8am, make the drive, Get on the ship, drop the luggage (yeah 1:30 baby) and start the vacation And since we are usually on Deck 12 or 11, which are the first ones called self-carry your luggage off the ship, no real time savings there. And we book are excursions through carnival, so we gather up in the theatre on those tender ports, so no need there. I just see zero benefit for our approach to a cruise.

 

I really like your well thought-out answer (even if the evaluation for me is that it is worth it;)). Before reading your post I was thinking that the "Worth it" question is harder to quantify with FTTF than Cheers (which still has a subjective factor), but you showed a very valid way to compute it.

 

We are typically early risers and likely won't start relaxing until we are onboard and in the room. Since we allow extra time to get to the port, minimizing our waiting time when nothing does go wrong is a bonus for us. Since we arrive early, having immediate cabin access is a plus (sailed a line once that said all cabins available at boarding, but weren't ready until 2:00). I really like the guaranteed cabin access since we can then take all of our luggage with us and unpack right away (have had luggage delayed on a prior cruise) and not have our bags in anyone's way while waiting. We typically don't book excursion at tender ports, so it is a benefit for us. If I have to visit guest services I'm probably dissatisfied already and waiting in a long line will likely make me more grumpy. A priority line buys me some patience;)(or less need for it). I see a definite benefit for my approach.

 

I suspect many are somewhere between our two styles:cool:

[LuckyStar]

Search the forum under FTTF, this question is asked every week if not almost daily. Only you can decide if it's perks are worth it to you.

 

I agree with this. If I needed it for early disembarkation, I would consider it. But for a later flight, etc., I would not.

[asalligo]

I love FTTF and will always buy it when available. That being said, it saved me probably 3 hours in New Orleans due to a bad boarding day and probably only an hour or so in Tampa and maybe only 30 minutes in Jacksonville. Nothing like stepping on that almost empty boat and delivering your luggage right to your room though. All the choice seating still available in the buffet, walking past the giant line at guest services oh and the queue for tendering. Buy it once and just take note every time you would have waited. I hate waiting in line.

[asalligo]

What dollar value do you put on your time?

 

How much time do you think FTTF would save you and those in your cabin?

 

Now multiply.

 

There is your answer.

 

 

For me, it is an easy no. As if I bought it, I know I would want to get my money's worth. So on embarkation day, I would get up at 5:30 am so we could be to the port NLT 11:00. That is like getting up for work...Ugh. So no thank you. Given it is my first day of vacation I prefer to sleep in until 8am, make the drive, Get on the ship, drop the luggage (yeah 1:30 baby) and start the vacation And since we are usually on Deck 12 or 11, which are the first ones called self-carry your luggage off the ship, no real time savings there. And we book are excursions through carnival, so we gather up in the theatre on those tender ports, so no need there. I just see zero benefit for our approach to a cruise.

 

Good post, and it makes me think, I am totally a type A personality and if you are a person who can sleep the night before your cruise, you probably do not need FTTF. I cannot sleep the night before a cruise, waste of time even trying and if they ever let me pay to have a sleeping bag in the terminal the night before, I will buy that too.

[stellarose]

first time on carnival since they started FTTF. worth it for numerous reasons.

1. early on- room available embarkation

2. early off- disembark- had to take son to camp

3. CS line

4. HALF MOON CAY first tender

 

worth it

[LadyMac72]

My mother is cruising with me on my next cruise. She is (love her to bits) REALLY neurotic when it comes to being somewhere on time. She is one that if you're supposed to be at the airport two hours in advance, she's at least three. And even then she still worries. So I bought FttF because she will want to get to the terminal as early as possible and she won't have to wait in really long lines which would make her nervous. It's well worth the cost to me to keep Mama happy!

[BrezQ]

We carry on, despite being Platinum. It is for this reason as after lunch, we generally go back and unpack and are well settled before muster.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

So, we could carry our suitcases on, get our rooms faster (we’re only gold) with FTTF? Might be worth it to me. Lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Seagull7]

I just checked out the FTTF for my cruise on the Glory in September. I've never done it before and thought I'd check it out after I've read so many reviews. First off I noticed that it is already marked "sold out," and the second thing I saw was the price was $90!!! Seriously? Just to get on and off the ship faster? Give me a break. I'd rather spend that $90 on something I can see, feel, or taste. To me it's like flushing it down the toilet...or better yet, ya'll can just hand it directly over to me!

[grandmarnnurse]

I just checked out the FTTF for my cruise on the Glory in September. I've never done it before and thought I'd check it out after I've read so many reviews. First off I noticed that it is already marked "sold out," and the second thing I saw was the price was $90!!! Seriously? Just to get on and off the ship faster? Give me a break. I'd rather spend that $90 on something I can see, feel, or taste. To me it's like flushing it down the toilet...or better yet, ya'll can just hand it directly over to me!

It’s a matter of personal preferences. I feel it’s worth every single penny.

[SRQbeachgirl]

Having disembarked from the Magic today, I can state with 100% certainty that having FTTF saved me hours in line at Guest Services this week. Yes, I said hours. I had to visit GS 5 times this week for issues that could not be handled through the kiosk. The regular GS line was ridiculous all week, with no fewer than 20 people in line, but usually upwards of 50 people. Everytime I walked passed GS - which was often and at all hours - there were lots and lots of people in the regular line. Several times it snaked around to the opposite side of the lobby. So going back at a less crowded time was impossible.

 

The priority line, on the other hand, was never more than 5 people deep, and usually only 1 or 2.

 

For that alone I will continue to buy FTTF.

[moondog73]

I just checked out the FTTF for my cruise on the Glory in September. I've never done it before and thought I'd check it out after I've read so many reviews. First off I noticed that it is already marked "sold out," and the second thing I saw was the price was $90!!! Seriously? Just to get on and off the ship faster? Give me a break. I'd rather spend that $90 on something I can see, feel, or taste. To me it's like flushing it down the toilet...or better yet, ya'll can just hand it directly over to me!

While you are waiting

1. In line to check in

2. In line to board

3. For your room to be ready

4. 15-20 deep in the guest services line

5. In line for tenders

6. In line to debark

 

I will be long gone doing other things. After paying $2500 for a balcony, another $90 to not wait in lines is worth it to me. I will be sure to wave as I pass you!!!!

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

[cruisingberger]

I have only sailed Carnival one time. On that cruise the lines seemed long for everything. We waited over 2 hours just to board. I would say overall on a 7 day Caribbean cruise we waited a total of 6 hours for tendering, embarkation and debarkation. I had never heard of FTTF and wish I had. This time, we are going on a 3 day out of LA to Mexico. I told DH that I wouldn't go without FTTF. We purchased it and I'm a happy camper. For me its worth it, but for others lines are not that big of a deal. The luggage and the room being ready are a nice perk also, but for me its all about avoiding the long lines at the beginning of my vacation. Enjoy your cruise!

[girlsjustwannacruise]

uhggg..

at the current price, no not worth it to me. Everyone is so excited to start vacation and all this sounds appealing, but in reality, it saves you not much time, nor does it really benefit imo

[Seagull7]

Holy cow, you paid $2,500 for a balcony?!!! If that's the case, you need to be using THAT instead of being out "doing other things," otherwise, what's the point of a balcony, especially for that price?

 

After seriously thinking about it now, for my cruise last year, I only waited a half-hour to check in, walked straight through to board (i.e., no waiting in line at all!), and didn't have to wait in line to tender at all, nor to debark, as I was eating a leisurely breakfast while everyone else was trying to rush to get off the ship and find their luggage. I also only had a carry-on bag, so I had no luggage to wait in line to claim. I never had a need to use the Guest Services, so no line there for me, either. In fact, the only lines I had to wait in were to go into the MDR, and at airport security in New Orleans!

Edited July 28, 2018 by Seagull7
Quoting and missing word.

[mkmaj]

Well, I just bought it for our January cruise so I guess we'll see how it plays out. The biggest factor for me is the tender port and not having to wait very long to embark.

 

Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

[Iwant1]

Purchased FTTF once. When we got to our room it was NOT ready, it was STILL being cleaned so the cabin steward asked us not to leave anything and to come back. Then my luggage never arrived. I had to call the desk several times that afternoon/evening to find it. They finally told me several bags were there & I could come see if one of them was mine. Both my personal & the carnival tags had been torn off. Had they bothered to open my bag, they would’ve also found a tag right on top clearly labeled with my name on the inside as well. 2nd day of cruise the service desk called & told us that they were refunding our FTTF fees since the service wasn’t up to par. Glad they did because I wasn’t happy but didn’t want to cause a stink while cruising with my friend...she doesn’t like any kind of confrontation so I was trying to blow it off. Anyway, I’ve cruised twice with Carnival since then and haven’t purchased FTTF and didn’t need it as waiting times, etc weren’t an issue.

[PhillyFan33579]

I bought FTTF several times in the past prior to becoming Platinum, but I don’t think I would buy it at the current prices. To me the benefits are not worth the current prices, but I realize others feel differently. I am surprised CCL hasn’t raised the price even higher, since I usually see it listed as sold out when looking at excursions online.

 

One of the biggest benefits I bought it for was to avoid waiting in long lines when boarding the ship. Now with staggered check-in times and other changes like getting sign and sail cards at your room, the check-in process is much quicker. I have been on 20 cruises with CCL and during those cruises I have gone to guest services once, so that benefit never helped me.

[pacruise804]

I just checked out the FTTF for my cruise on the Glory in September. I've never done it before and thought I'd check it out after I've read so many reviews. First off I noticed that it is already marked "sold out," and the second thing I saw was the price was $90!!! Seriously? Just to get on and off the ship faster? Give me a break. I'd rather spend that $90 on something I can see, feel, or taste. To me it's like flushing it down the toilet...or better yet, ya'll can just hand it directly over to me!

 

At $90 per cabin (so $45 pp for a couple or $22.50 pp for a family of 4) is worth it to me for something I can see, feel and taste. Since I "get on and off the ship faster" I feel more relaxed. I see shorter lines where I have less wait time if an issues arises needing guest services. My first drink tastes better because I can relax with it and see the views, rather than juggling my carry-on's while waiting for rooms to open.

 

I could say that spending money in the casino - or spending extra on Cheers (for those who recognize they don't break even) just to not have a bill at the end - is like flushing it down the toilet and you should just give it to me, but I realize that others have different priorities than I do - and how others spend their $ isn't my business.

 

 

Purchased FTTF once. When we got to our room it was NOT ready, it was STILL being cleaned so the cabin steward asked us not to leave anything and to come back. Then my luggage never arrived. I had to call the desk several times that afternoon/evening to find it. They finally told me several bags were there & I could come see if one of them was mine. Both my personal & the carnival tags had been torn off. Had they bothered to open my bag, they would’ve also found a tag right on top clearly labeled with my name on the inside as well. 2nd day of cruise the service desk called & told us that they were refunding our FTTF fees since the service wasn’t up to par. Glad they did because I wasn’t happy but didn’t want to cause a stink while cruising with my friend...she doesn’t like any kind of confrontation so I was trying to blow it off. Anyway, I’ve cruised twice with Carnival since then and haven’t purchased FTTF and didn’t need it as waiting times, etc weren’t an issue.

 

I'm glad to read they refund FTTF. Delayed luggage is one reason we carry everything on when possible, and having the room ready upon boarding with FTTF is one of the main reasons we purchase it. If I couldn't use these features I would also be unhappy.

 

I've often read about putting extra tags in the luggage, but wondered if it would even be opened to check if outer tags were missing.

[mryeh17]

I just paid $70 for FTTF on my upcoming cruise. With a 4-year old and 2-year old, securing immediate access to our cabin so we can drop off all our bags, change into our bathing suits and go to the kiddie pool (not to mention the aggravation I would get from my SO) is worth the possibility I paid $70 for nothing.

 

To me it's a complex calculation of how much you think your time is worth (as previously stated) as well as your personal level of annoyance at being delayed boarding, talking to GS, etc.

[Bert64]

I wonder what percentage of cruisers actually go to guest services? Because it seems like nearly everyone on this board goes, every single cruise. I've been on many cruises on RCL and CCL and visited one time.

 

For their jacked up price of $90, they only need half as many people to buy it than before to make the same money. But, it seems that they still have a good number of people purchasing, so that's a lot of profit for $0 of cost. So, much like the casino, if people want to spend $$ on this extra and it'll keep my fares down, I'm all for it!

[Badfinger]

On five cruises, I have needed to go to GS twice. The first time was to arrange for refund of a booked excursion when our son was sick...I think the wait was maybe 10-12 minutes. The second time was to get key cards for everybody since we had booked two cabins. Since had already ate lunch, but could not go to our cabin, I decided to wait in the long line...about 30 minutes. But I would have just been sitting around doing nothing anyway. I have stopped there a few other times, but only as a want rather than a need when there was no line. Many times the line really is not that long...say 3-4 people.

 

But I am all or FTTF for other people. The more people that get out of my way early, the better it is for me. They are making the wait for us non-FTTFers shorter as well (but don't tell them that!).

[Florings]

Absolutely - if for nothing else than having your cabin accessible when you board!

[greatestvalue]

Just want to give you the "reality" of what generally happens vs. those short burst statements shown online at Carnival.com. See my comments in red.

"Priority Check-in with Express Boarding

The quicker you board the ship, the quicker you're holding a frosty drink.

Yes you get to use the priority line in the terminal the same as those in suites and with Platinum + loyalty status, and ignore your arrival time appointment. BUT for boarding you will be boarding after the Back2Back passengers, the Wedding party & guests, Diamonds, Platinums, suite, and special invite passengers, basically a mere few minutes prior to them calling the first general boarding zone #s. Also none of the port terminals that have the Captain's Lounge allow FttF passengers to wait in that priority lounge with the Platinum + and suite passengers, if you arrive prior to officially cleared boarding time.

Where FttF pays off here is if you have an arrival appointment time that does not agree well with your travel plans that you can enter the terminal prior it, you need not wait outside the terminal for your appointment window to open. And the second instance is when it is of help is when your travel arrangements have you arrive at the port during the general boarding "rush hour". Usually between 11:30am and 12:30pm when the terminal is still playing catch-up with the general boarding passengers seated and waiting with zone #. Since the advent of Carnival using the arrival appointments and the S&S cards in your cabin's mailbox lines for security and check-in have become vastly shorter making then more manageable. Having FttF once boarding has begun will get you once finished w/ check-in to the next group heading on board.

Guaranteed Stateroom

Your stateroom will be ready as soon as you board, so you can relax or freshen up for the fun you're about to have.

This along with the priority tendering is perhaps the biggest selling point to most passengers.But if your travel plans have you arriving at the terminal about 12:30/1pm by the time you get through general boarding the cabins are ready anyway. With FttF your cabin will be cleaned and ready enough that you can drop off your carry-ons and for you to take a nap or shower.

Where the big payout here is if you are arriving early and will be boarding early (before 1pm) this is just as described. BUT if you have any online FunShop preorders, like cabin decorations, half cases of water, or bottles of liquor don't expect them to be there on arrival. These things are generally brought up to the stateroom between noon and 3pm.

 

Express Luggage

Your luggage will be expedited to your stateroom so you can unpack and get settled in for a great vacation!

This perk is relative. It also depends on the port authority curbside porters (that have no affiliation to any particular cruise line) marking and sorting you bags dockside correctly. The way this works if you and another passenger arrive at the same time curbside to hand over your checked luggage your bags to the same porter yours will arrive at your cabin door prior to that general boarding passenger next to you curbside. Now this "sooner" could be 3+ hours, but it can also be just a mere 15 minutes sooner.

 

Guest Services

You'll have a dedicated phone number and line at Guest Services so you can quickly have your questions answered.

This is not a move to the front of the line type of situation. Just like the terminal it is a priority line shared by special circumstance guests, Diamonds, and Platinums. There have been actual times I have witnessed on board where this line is longer than the general guest services line. Plus with the installation of the S&S kiosks, the interactive in cabin TV, and the Carnival HUB app many of the minor things like ordering excursions, depositing more funds, or viewing your on board account can now be done at these usually these no wait machines.

 

Dining Reservations

Priority Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurant reservations (excluding Your Time Dining).

Another subjective perk. If you are already confirmed for your preferred dinner time and speciality restaurants in your cruise manager this does nothing for you except maybe move you higher on the Chef's Table seating chart. If not confirmed or no response on specialty dinner reservations this will move you higher on the waitlist right behind Diamonds, Suites, and Platinums waiting for dining assignments and reservations. For YTD this does not get you a table from the hostess any faster than anyone else on line with you at the desk.

 

Tender Priority

You will have the option to choose a priority tender from the ship to shore (multiple departure times may be possible), so you can explore ashore as quickly as you would like.

A great perk if you have tender ports a wasted effort if you don't.

Just remember those with ship sponsored excursions generally will have guaranteed tender seats, and could be boarded to a tender before those with "priority" status. Also to receive this perk you need to follow the instructions delivered to your cabin concerning where to find your priority escort to the tender. You can not just start cutting the line on your own. This is only for outbound from the ship tenders, everyone has the same status on the return from port tenders.

 

Debarkation

We're always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late disembarkation time upon arrival to your homeport."

If looking to leave last, any passenger is eligible to do that, just wait for the last call ashore for your prefered type of debarkation, self assist or relaxed.

Where this really pays off, as long as you follow the special instructions sent to your cabin, is on priority self assist debarkation. Depending on how many Diamonds, Platinums, and suite passengers decide on this method you will be among the first 1 to 4 groups let off the ship. It is also helpful for those that choose relaxed debarkation but still want to get off among the earliest zones allowed. Again depending on those with higher priority than you, you will be entitled to receive tags for zones 1-4. Again follow the special instruction to fully utilize this perk, as the first few calls for these low zone numbers will only be made in the lounge or restaurant that priority disembarkation passengers are meeting in.

If you believe that the perks offered that apply to your particular cruise are worth the fee being asked then go ahead and buy it. If on the fence and it's available you should buy it just to lock it in, as it can always be refunded (1-4 weeks processing) to the method you used to pay for it up to 2 days before the cruise without penalty fees. If it seems not to fit your vacation outlook just ignore it.

 

Excellent - thank you for putting the explanation all in one place.

 

Great suggestion to lock it in and if you determine its not a good value for you later, than release it.

 

Opted to do this for my upcoming cruise on Imagination, over Christmas week.

 

This is my first Carnival Cruise so the thought of being able to drop off our stuff immediately, will be enough value for my DH & I.

 

I don't know if I'll be getting on the ship any earlier or even that I need to worry about my room being ready, we don't leave until 6:30 p.m.

 

I would hope all rooms would be ready by then.

 

When I chose the FTTF, the time of 12: 30 to 1 pm, popped up. I don't even know what that means....Lol

 

Thanks again for laying it all out.