To FTTF or not FTTF

[BBigfoot613]

I need opinions on this please? The sailing is out of Miami on the victory. The ports are all docks and we wont be in a huge rush to exit the ship depending on flights. I've always attempted to be one of the first at the pier anyways (not impatient...just prefer early over late). Is it something to even consider for me or would it likely be a waste of the $$?

[BENHANDEL]

Getting on the ship early and dropping the bags in the room right away are well worth it to me. The shorter line at guest services was an unexpected benefit (not a whiner but we needed it 3 times on a 6 day cruise: electric outlet tripped, dd lost her s&s card and kids ran out of money in their account). 

[Lee Cruiser]

With the latest price increases I personally don't feel it is worth it (especially if all ports are docking ports.)  On our last cruise we decided not to purchase it because it was only a four day cruise and it was going to cost $79.95.  Instead we arrived at the port about 1:15.  We also decided to just carry on our own luggage. There was no waiting as boarding had already started.  Going through security was quick and we were able to board the ship right after checking in.  Because it was just past 1:30 then, we were able to go straight to our room and unpack our luggage before grabbing a bite to eat.  Again, because the rooms were ready, the lido was not crowded at all.

[Baxter1234]

I am just off the Magic out of Miami.  I was give a 1230 boarding time and was on the ship by 11am.  If early access to the stateroom is important it may be worth it to you.  But it wasn’t to me...I was shocked I could just walk right on.

[BBigfoot613]

50 minutes ago, Baxter1234 said:

I am just off the Magic out of Miami.  I was give a 1230 boarding time and was on the ship by 11am.  If early access to the stateroom is important it may be worth it to you.  But it wasn’t to me...I was shocked I could just walk right on.

 

As much as I'd love the early access to the room I don't see it as a realistic possibility. I'll be with 2 teens that will likely be wanting some lunch and/or exploring the ship. They were 5 and 8 last time they cruised. Although my son says he remembers his cruises I expect this to be a pile of new experiences for him.

 

When were you given a boarding time? when you did the online checkin thing 90 days before sailing?

[jayscore]

Back when.....FTTF was $50 and truly worth it.(Oh, I snatched it up for every cruise, mind you!) Now, it's in the neighborhood of $90, and I'm not so sure getting to your cabin early and the rest  is worth it.

My opinion, of course!

[RWolver672]

7 hours ago, BBigfoot613 said:

 

When were you given a boarding time? when you did the online checkin thing 90 days before sailing?

 

You aren't given a boarding time.  When you check in on line,  you pick a time to check in at the terminal.  Boarding will begin only after the ship has been cleared from the previous cruise.  It could be anywhere from 10:30 to noon or even later if the ship was late coming in to port.  

[Jerseygirl1416]

For us it’s worth it. We carry on our luggage on so getting on early and going straight to the cabin to unpack and then to lunch while it’s still not crowded on board is nice and priority self debarkation is worth the $ on it’s own since we cruise on bigger ships. 

[keywest1]

We were FTTF addicts and had it for our first seven cruises.  We booked late for our eighth cruise and weren't able to get it.

We didn't miss it at all.  We have since sailed RCCL and NCL--they don't have an equivalent program, and we did just fine.

We won't be buying it anymore.  

Go to Guest Services early morning or late evening--no lines.  Also, you can do a lot at the self-service kiosks.

The only thing we really miss is the priority self assist disembarkation, but that's something we are willing to do without to save the money for other things we will enjoy more.

[Baxter1234]

50 minutes ago, RWolver672 said:

 

You aren't given a boarding time.  When you check in on line,  you pick a time to check in at the terminal.  Boarding will begin only after the ship has been cleared from the previous cruise.  It could be anywhere from 10:30 to noon or even later if the ship was late coming in to port.  

We were given a boarding time when I did the online checkin.  There were no options given to me.  It just said that my assigned checkin time was 1230-130.  I wasn’t being intentionally defiant...I just took the last shuttle from the hotel which got me there around 1045.  I was fully prepared to sit outside and enjoy the sun.

[RWolver672]

8 minutes ago, Baxter1234 said:

We were given a boarding time when I did the online checkin.  There were no options given to me.  It just said that my assigned checkin time was 1230-130.  I wasn’t being intentionally defiant...I just took the last shuttle from the hotel which got me there around 1045.  I was fully prepared to sit outside and enjoy the sun.

 

That was a check in time.  Not a boarding time.  They have no idea from one cruise to the next, what time the ship will be ready for boarding.  You could get there at 12:30 and still sit there until 2 pm or later if the ship isn't ready for boarding.

[beachbum53]

9 hours ago, BBigfoot613 said:

I need opinions on this please? The sailing is out of Miami on the victory. The ports are all docks and we wont be in a huge rush to exit the ship depending on flights. I've always attempted to be one of the first at the pier anyways (not impatient...just prefer early over late). Is it something to even consider for me or would it likely be a waste of the $$?

 

The question "Is FTTF worth it?" is asked almost weekly on here, and the answers are pretty much the same every time. If you're undecided, take a look at everything that's included. As someone else already mentioned, when FTTF was first introduced, it was $49.95 for a 7 day cruise. Here is the current price list (from the F.A.Q. section of Carnival's home page: 

 https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1374/kw/FTTF/session/L3RpbWUvMTU1MTg3Mzk4MS9zaWQvZlVVckltZ2VyTDdIZkZtYldLSElCQ2hCeTZMR2pjQXBpWHd5SFM2NDdHQlJfZTJYQzdzJTdFUk1uam5uMyU3RVBQbEVZeHE0VCU3RWZ3ZE1Dc05LMEZoWHAyUkd5ZkQxaGtQbDNvM01WcW14S1E1WUp2RFFXZ2tlQ3MzeWt3JTIxJTIx   

   The price for a 7 day has nearly doubled. We've decided it's no longer worth it. We managed just fine back when there was no FTTF. And, we're very close to becoming Platinum. I believe we can manage for a couple of cruises. without FTTF. 

 

[Baxter1234]

15 minutes ago, RWolver672 said:

 

That was a check in time.  Not a boarding time.  They have no idea from one cruise to the next, what time the ship will be ready for boarding.  You could get there at 12:30 and still sit there until 2 pm or later if the ship isn't ready for boarding.

Point taken.  The language on the boarding pass said “arrival appointment”.  I guess I lucked out.

[schazzy]

9 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

With the latest price increases I personally don't feel it is worth it (especially if all ports are docking ports.)  On our last cruise we decided not to purchase it because it was only a four day cruise and it was going to cost $79.95.  Instead we arrived at the port about 1:15.  We also decided to just carry on our own luggage. There was no waiting as boarding had already started.  Going through security was quick and we were able to board the ship right after checking in.  Because it was just past 1:30 then, we were able to go straight to our room and unpack our luggage before grabbing a bite to eat.  Again, because the rooms were ready, the lido was not crowded at all.

 

This is pretty much our plan for our upcoming cruise and I'm glad worked out for you like I think it will for us. Considering we have no tenders, we are never in a hurry to get off the ship, and we don't want to feel rushed trying to get to the port early only to get stuck in traffic like we did in Tampa last year, we felt it wasn't really worth paying $80 more than last time for FTTF for 2 cabins this time around.

[elcuchio24]

If its just me and DW, then its not worth it to us. BUT, with our kids, absolutely. Avoiding ANY sort of wait is well worth the money with kids, as is having your room ready for you when you get on the ship. Thats my two cents. 

[stellarose]

We chose to do FTTF for 4 reasons 

 

1. First on and the room is available. you can drop off your stuff and start vacation early

 

2.  Half Moon Cay first tender. that way we could get a clam shell and optimize our time there.

 

3. Special CS line- guest services. very helpful. 

 

4. first off at disembarkation . our son had to be at camp early that day.

 

worth worth worth it. 

[LuckyStar]

12 hours ago, BBigfoot613 said:

I need opinions on this please? The sailing is out of Miami on the victory. The ports are all docks and we wont be in a huge rush to exit the ship depending on flights. I've always attempted to be one of the first at the pier anyways (not impatient...just prefer early over late). Is it something to even consider for me or would it likely be a waste of the $$?

FTTF is a very personal decision. I haven't found an essential reason.  I guess if I had an early flight and wanted to make sure I could get off the ship early.  But to some it is essential.  I get on the boat and am usually in my room within a few hours.  I'd rather save the money personally.  

[Joebucks]

All it really does is get you into your room about 2 hours earlier. Aside from wanting to go to guest services during peak hour, everything else is solving a problem that doesn't exist. Show me a program that gives you priority access and/or actually skips lines, and I'm all in.

[moondog73]

For us it is worth it.  We do not live close to the ports so we have to drive in the day before.  Check out is 11 or 12 so it just makes sense to us to get tot he ship as early as possible.  We drop some stuff in the room and head for lunch immediately before the masses.  upon returning to our room (before everyone's rooms are ready) our luggage is usually there waiting on us.  We unpack and get settled and then explore the ship a bit all before muster.  We also like that we get priority debarkation since we have a long drive home.  the earlier we get started the better.  We have even been given priority debarkation at some ports.  It was well worth it being escorted off the ship past a long line of people waiting.  We got cabs before the long ling formed there.

[Lee Cruiser]

The price has doubled in the last few years and that makes it not worth it for me.  But one thing is for sure, as long as people keep searching every day to find a FTTF spot open and are willing to pay that price, the price will continue to rise drastically.  It has become a good money maker for Carnival.  When they started the price at around $50, I'm not sure if they didn't know that people would pay it or if they just wanted to get people hooked on it before raising the price.  Either way they now know they can basically charge whatever they want.  Because even if some wouldn't consider paying $50 per hour or more to get on earlier, there will be enough who will pay whatever the cost.

[Jerseygirl1416]

23 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

All it really does is get you into your room about 2 hours earlier. Aside from wanting to go to guest services during peak hour, everything else is solving a problem that doesn't exist. Show me a program that gives you priority access and/or actually skips lines, and I'm all in.

The priority self debarkation skips the lines. You literally walk straight out to the curb and your not stuck on the stairs of the ship in line or at a back up in customs.

 

We all value different things with our money. Some people admittedly pay a premium for Cheers, most likely leaving hundreds on the table, so that they don’t have to worry about a bill at the end or they can “try” different drinks. We all have to decide if these things are worth it to us and everyone will have a different answer.

[moondog73]

Definitely no right or wrong answer to this and what anyone else thinks should not sway someone one way or the other.  All that should happen is allow people to make informed decisions.

[BBigfoot613]

Ok so this question wasn't a generalization of if FTTF was worth it but more about it being worth it in Miami on the victory (why I included those details). One said it is asked every week....yet I went back about 10 pages before posting this and found nothing. For those that gave your opinion ( even if it was different ships or ports) I am completely thankful. The cruise is only 4 days and FTTF costs $60. With it being a ship I have sailed 3x (one victory and 2 triumph) I decided the extra time is really not that important for the price. I'll save it towards a nicer hotel room or another excursion or something. Now if only I could get this much traffic and responses to the flight and pre-cruise questions I have posted...

[ProgRockCruiser]

4 minutes ago, BBigfoot613 said:

Ok so this question wasn't a generalization of if FTTF was worth it but more about it being worth it in Miami on the victory (why I included those details). One said it is asked every week....yet I went back about 10 pages before posting this and found nothing. 

 

Your specific nature of the question does make it a valid post.  So I don't mind you asking it.

 

OTOH, @beachbum53's statement also has validity: there are about 10 threads created since last Monday (25 Feb) with "FTTF" in the title, many asking whether it is "worth it".  (The search function works well, if you know how to manipulate it.  Going back 10 pages takes you to Friday, a mere 5 days ago, and it can be hard to spot the context.)

 

As pointed out, you have to decide if FTTF is going to be worth it based on your own values.  Although people may respond to your individual situation, I'm not sure that weighs any differently from the knowledge gleaned from other similar threads.  But sometimes someone will make a comment that sheds different light on a topic, and it can be "illuminating" (pun intended) for someone.

 

FTTF, Cheers, and dress codes are the three topics that get hashed and re-hashed here on CC continuously.

[Tapi]

Not worth it in my opinion, unless you MUST be on the ship as early as possible. I'm a firm believer in arriving at the port later rather than early. Normally, we grab lunch somewhere near the port and then proceed to the terminal after all lines have died down. By then, we are usually the only ones in line at the check in counters. Rooms are ready when we board and we don't need to battle the other 3,000 people lined up at the buffet because we already ate before getting on the ship. For us, its the absolute best way to start our vacation.

 

But for our last cruise, we decided to "test the waters" and head to the port early. We had priority embarkation and early access to our cabin. Long story short, we will NEVER do that again. The car line, just to enter the terminal and drop our luggage off, was long. Inside the terminal, the lines were long as well, but we were able to skip them because of our priority status. We did go straight to our stateroom which was ready. That was the only bonus. We dropped our carry ons off and proceeded to the buffet for lunch which was chaotic. Hordes of people still hanging on to their carry ons, lounging and waiting for their rooms to be ready, while we walked around with our food trays with nowhere to sit. We were directed to go two decks down to the main dining room that had been opened just for people to have a place to sit. By the time we returned to our stateroom, we were pretty frazzled, and we all agreed that we would be going back to our "old ways", even if we have priority embarkation. 

 

Reading comments here, I see a lot of people who swear by FTTF, and its because of them why the price keeps going up. Good for them. For us, its the biggest waste of money, and even though we get these perks for free because of my loyalty status, I will never use them again.