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Faster to The Fun San Juan


Kathyds
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I know this has been asked before (and I'm sorry for asking again) but I can't find the thread (plus I keep seeing different times). We have FTTF and I'm needing to know the earliest we can board. Our boarding pass says 1:30 but we have to check out of our hotel at 11:00. We are in San Juan and board tomorrow! Thanks for your help.

 

 

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We did FTTF out of PR a couple of years ago, we were at a hotel close by and walked over around 10:30. We started to board around 11:00 and were on the Lido at 11:15 having some food.

 

If you have FTTF, don't worry about the boarding time of 1:30. Have a great cruise

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If you check out of your hotel at 11am, you can go to the port and drop off your bags with the porters...no need to wait until 130. Then you can wander around Old San Juan until your check-in time. Have lunch or go buy pop to take aboard with you. Whatever.

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If you check out of your hotel at 11am, you can go to the port and drop off your bags with the porters...no need to wait until 130. Then you can wander around Old San Juan until your check-in time. Have lunch or go buy pop to take aboard with you. Whatever.

Agree with this above. Drop your bags with the porters an tip them a buck or 2 / bag. They will make sure they get on the ship.

Then cross the street to Senor Frogs and start the party. Conga line shots will get you in the party mood. Or jump on the Tourist Train and ride up the hill to the Fort. Train ride free, Fort was $3 last time I was there.

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Why would anyone need FTTF out of SJ? Does it really give you a boarding advantage in SJ over regular cruisers? I've read here on CC that most can board after noon, and since there are usually no tenders on a southern itinerary, the advantage of FTTF may be getting to your cabin early and having a priority line at guest services?

 

I don't want to rain on your parade, but is FTTF really necessary in SJ?

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Why would anyone need FTTF out of SJ? Does it really give you a boarding advantage in SJ over regular cruisers? I've read here on CC that most can board after noon, and since there are usually no tenders on a southern itinerary, the advantage of FTTF may be getting to your cabin early and having a priority line at guest services?

 

I don't want to rain on your parade, but is FTTF really necessary in SJ?

 

 

We had FTTF in San Juan and it was definitely worth it. The lines at Guest Services were always long, so not having to wait in them saved us lost of headaches. For that alone, I was glad we had it. Bottom line, to each his/her own. You may not think it's worth it, but someone else might.

 

 

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This board is used to exchange info so that cruisers will know what to expect. I mentioned the limited FTTF in SJ.

If someone still wants to purchase it, as you did, fine. I only posted so that someone wouldn't think they got ripped off by purchasing an add on and not getting full benefit.

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
We had FTTF in San Juan and it was definitely worth it. The lines at Guest Services were always long, so not having to wait in them saved us lost of headaches. For that alone, I was glad we had it. Bottom line, to each his/her own. You may not think it's worth it, but someone else might.

 

 

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How often do you go to GS? I go once every 6-7 cruises on average. (not once a cruise, but once every 6-7 cruises).

 

FTTF = Pay for items others get for free.

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How often do you go to GS? I go once every 6-7 cruises on average. (not once a cruise, but once every 6-7 cruises).

 

 

 

FTTF = Pay for items others get for free.

 

 

Normally we might go once or twice per cruise. On the Fascination, it was different. We hand to go at least a half dozen times and the lines were outrageously long.

 

As I said, whether it's worth it is subjective. Our time on vacation is certainly worth the $50 or so I paid for it (back when it was cheaper).

 

 

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Normally we might go once or twice per cruise. On the Fascination, it was different. We hand to go at least a half dozen times and the lines were outrageously long.

 

As I said, whether it's worth it is subjective. Our time on vacation is certainly worth the $50 or so I paid for it (back when it was cheaper).

 

 

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Ok, so if you have to go 6 times on a cruise, than something must be going wrong already with your vacation. It seems (as subjective as it is) that you are paying in advance because you know you will have issues on the ship.

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How often do you go to GS? I go once every 6-7 cruises on average. (not once a cruise, but once every 6-7 cruises).

 

FTTF = Pay for items others get for free.

 

I hear ya HavingFun, I think some posters view GS like an excursion, they love being at that desk :')

 

I have cruised a lot, and I think I have been at the GS desk maybe 5 times combined. I would understand if the AC in the room didn't work, the shower was broke or you had water pouring into the room. What is so urgent that you would waste 1-2 hrs waiting on line....just come back when its not crowded :rolleyes:

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Just got back from San Juan. We are Platinum and were at the port at 10:30. Gates are locked til 11. Once they opened, we got on within about 15 minutes. It was very easy. I am not sure I would waste money on FTTF at San Juan, as it doesn't appear they care when your check in time is. My daughters had another cabin and are not Platinum, and their info was never looked at. They only benefit for it would be the GS line. It seemed like the line was long pretty often.

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Normally we might go once or twice per cruise. On the Fascination, it was different. We hand to go at least a half dozen times and the lines were outrageously long.

 

As I said, whether it's worth it is subjective. Our time on vacation is certainly worth the $50 or so I paid for it (back when it was cheaper).

 

 

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If you don't mind my asking, what types of things brought you to guest services so often? We are sailing on the Fascination in a month and have a suite, so the only benefit for us to purchase FTTF would be the access to guest services line.

 

 

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We went to GS because I wanted to add the carnival gift card I had to pay for tips. Had to go later because my daughters account somehow didn't get paid with that and they hadn't linked my credit card to it. That was all for us, but the lines were long, especially on the last night. I think many line up to take off tips, which is utterly ridiculous. Some will say they want to do it themselves, but we leave on the automatic tips and tip additionally where we see fit. This cruise, there was one waiter we connected with that got extra cash. Leave the tips on, and tip extra where you see fit. Those workers work very hard to make sure you have a great time. If you can afford to cruise, you can afford the minimum tips.

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Thank you! I don't plan on removing the tips, and I plan to use my gift cards to prepay for excursions. Also, I understand gift cards can be added at a kiosk somewhere.

I'm curious why the poster had to visit six times on "this" particular ship because it makes me concerned there were service issues.

 

 

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Thank you! I don't plan on removing the tips, and I plan to use my gift cards to prepay for excursions. Also, I understand gift cards can be added at a kiosk somewhere.

I'm curious why the poster had to visit six times on "this" particular ship because it makes me concerned there were service issues.

 

 

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Morning, Carnival has excellent customer service. If you are a normal person, barring a major issue with your bill or something major with your room, you wont have the need to go to guest services. I have been on multiple Carnival cruises and the number of times I have been to the guest service desk can be counted on 1 hand. Some people absolutely love to complain and they ADORE the GS desk. I think they view the GS desk as an excursion :')....I heard one lady at the GS desk complaining because the steward forgot to place the towel animal on the bed (absolutely true story, half the Atrium bar patrons turned around to hear this woman vent loudly....seriously, a towel animal!!!!). I don't know how the Carnival rep kept a straight face like this was some serious issue....don't let the "crazies" scare you, you will have a great time

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Morning, Carnival has excellent customer service. If you are a normal person, barring a major issue with your bill or something major with your room, you wont have the need to go to guest services. I have been on multiple Carnival cruises and the number of times I have been to the guest service desk can be counted on 1 hand. Some people absolutely love to complain and they ADORE the GS desk. I think they view the GS desk as an excursion :')....I heard one lady at the GS desk complaining because the steward forgot to place the towel animal on the bed (absolutely true story, half the Atrium bar patrons turned around to hear this woman vent loudly....seriously, a towel animal!!!!). I don't know how the Carnival rep kept a straight face like this was some serious issue....don't let the "crazies" scare you, you will have a great time

 

Sounds like you are pretty low maintenance. So Am I. I rarely go to GS, and this cruise was the same as normal. I didn't see any service issues. Oops, my towel animal was placed on a shelf. I didn't know I was supposed to complain! Oops, once a crew member didn't greet me properly. I guess I should have complained. If you are easy-going, you won't need to go to GS for the most part. Sometimes things DO happen. I wish people would save it for something that really happened, and the lines would be much shorter!

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Sounds like you are pretty low maintenance. So Am I. I rarely go to GS, and this cruise was the same as normal. I didn't see any service issues. Oops, my towel animal was placed on a shelf. I didn't know I was supposed to complain! Oops, once a crew member didn't greet me properly. I guess I should have complained. If you are easy-going, you won't need to go to GS for the most part. Sometimes things DO happen. I wish people would save it for something that really happened, and the lines would be much shorter!

 

 

I need to hang out with Cruisemom....Cheers to us "low maintenance" people :champagne-toast:

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If you don't mind my asking, what types of things brought you to guest services so often? We are sailing on the Fascination in a month and have a suite, so the only benefit for us to purchase FTTF would be the access to guest services line.

 

 

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It was a bunch of little things, nothing major. Once, to buy a roll of quarters for the laundry. Then I had to go back because they charged me for two rolls. Then I had to go back later to inquire as to the status of the "investigation" they were doing in regards to the double charge. Another time we had to inquire as to my husband's bingo winnings that didn't post to our account for days (I'm not even sure if this was normal or not). Anyway, it was just little things, but nonetheless nice that we didn't have to wait 30 or so minutes in line each time.

 

 

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It was a bunch of little things, nothing major. Once, to buy a roll of quarters for the laundry. Then I had to go back because they charged me for two rolls. Then I had to go back later to inquire as to the status of the "investigation" they were doing in regards to the double charge. Another time we had to inquire as to my husband's bingo winnings that didn't post to our account for days (I'm not even sure if this was normal or not). Anyway, it was just little things, but nonetheless nice that we didn't have to wait 30 or so minutes in line each time.

 

 

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You can get quarters from the casino for cash. That would have saved atleast 3 trips right there.

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If you don't mind my asking, what types of things brought you to guest services so often? We are sailing on the Fascination in a month and have a suite, so the only benefit for us to purchase FTTF would be the access to guest services line.

 

I average once or twice a cruise

 

  • Paying my S&S balance with Carnival Gift Cards. Sometimes the kiosk doesn't work for this. I usually pay as I go when I see the lines are short.
  • Opening the divider between balcony cabins when traveling with others.
  • A few times our PVP cross booked us with travel companions to get better prices and we go to get our S&S cards assigned to the right rooms.
  • When traveling with youngsters that book an inside cabin we stop at GS to get them a card that lets them into our room to use the balcony.
  • On rare occasions we have stopped by to resolve room or billing issues, or make sure OBC credits are properly applied.

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