Faster to the Fun vs other cruise lines

[58Piano]

I do not understand paying $50 for faster to the fun. On Princess your cabin is ready when you board. Your luggage arrives quickly.

So on Carnival you cannot have your cabin right away unless you pay $50

This is crazy!

[imnance]

It's an option. You don't have to avail yourself of it.

[shonuf]

If the equivalent fare on Princess is $50 more than Carnival, there you go.

 

No one is making you choose Carnival if you prefer Princess.

[MIZZ_K]

I do not understand paying $50 for faster to the fun. On Princess your cabin is ready when you board. Your luggage arrives quickly.

So on Carnival you cannot have your cabin right away unless you pay $50

This is crazy!

 

It's not just having your cabin right away, early embark and debark, priority tendering, you don't have to stand in the regular long line at GS, I've used it 3 times and loved it and if I weren't going to become platinum on my upcoming cruise I'd buy it again.

 

It's an option that's there for those who want it.

[Ehpride]

I'm sailing to the eastern caribbean for 7 days in a balcony in early Nov. 2014.

 

A Princess cruise for 7 days to the eastern caribbean in a balcony in early Nov. 2014 would cost the two of us almost 600 dollars more than what we're paying on Carnival.

 

Yes, I will gladly pay an extra 50 dollars, sail on Carnival and have FTTF benefits.

[OCruisers]

Yes, on Princess we can go directly to our cabin upon boarding the ship. Very nice to be able to get things in our cabin safe.

 

On our last Carnival we found a convenient table to sit around the pool and continued to sit there after the announcement cabins were open for all until it was time to get ready for Muster Drill.

 

Things are what they are and we just deal with it ... depending on the cruise line and the length of the cruise.

 

LuLu

~~~~

[Sqwii]

I do not understand paying $50 for faster to the fun. On Princess your cabin is ready when you board. Your luggage arrives quickly.

So on Carnival you cannot have your cabin right away unless you pay $50

This is crazy!

 

How early can you embark/disembark on Princess? Carnival starts to board the minute the last person disembarks the previous cruise. Is it the same with Princess? Maybe that's the difference? I've never experienced any long delays but then again I never bring a carry on so it's never mattered when the room was ready.

[cruizinisthebest]

OP leaves out many of the perks of FTTF. And it's a part of Carnival's regular offerings by now. Rolling out on more ships regularly. I booked it for our cruise next Summer. Worth it to me - even with no tender ports. You don't have to do it. Having the option is nice.

[halos]

Options offered are a good thing, never bad.

[winddawn]

I do not understand paying $50 for faster to the fun. On Princess your cabin is ready when you board. Your luggage arrives quickly.

So on Carnival you cannot have your cabin right away unless you pay $50

This is crazy!

FTTF benefits are also benefits of the loyalty program. So now the loyalty program benefits have been sold to others, making the loyalty program less attractive. Platinum and Diamond guests are now allowed to join the crowds that the benefit was originally designed to avoid at embarkation, debarkation, and at Guest Services. Go figure! :rolleyes:

[RWolver672]

FTTF benefits are also benefits of the loyalty program. So now the loyalty program benefits have been sold to others, making the loyalty program less attractive. Platinum and Diamond guests are now allowed to join the crowds that the benefit was originally designed to avoid at embarkation, debarkation, and at Guest Services. Go figure! :rolleyes:

 

I slightly disagree. I find FTTF no different than when Platinum/Diamond guests get their laundry done for free and I have to pay for it. It's a benefit for those that have earned it and those that haven't have to pay extra for it. They get a free hat right now. If I want one, I have to buy one and it won't be the same quality as the one they are getting. Loyality cruisers have their own special line at Guest Services for free, I have to pay to use it, etc. , etc.

[JLee1973]

And FTTF pays for express luggage which is not a Platinum or Diamond perk but they get it for free on FTTF ships. Enough with all the smirking about FTTF. You all come off like a bunch of cry babies.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

[fergusonvt]

I used FTTF in Feb. I wish all cruise lines offered it. Even though my luggage had two tags with the FTTF logo on it and was dropped off along with DH's mine didn't arrive until in my cabin until about 5pm. So that part didn't work so well. We also had a little hitch with the priority disembarkation. We took our luggage down and were waiting in the room that was assigned for FTTF disembark but nobody showed up until we had been waiting for over 30 minutes. We were just about ready to walk off the ship on our own when our escort showed up. We were the only two that were waiting for him. I liked it best for getting on the ship early and getting into the cabin early.

[Tapi]

I do not understand paying $50 for faster to the fun. On Princess your cabin is ready when you board. Your luggage arrives quickly.

So on Carnival you cannot have your cabin right away unless you pay $50

This is crazy!

 

Just like the Holiday Inn offers a different level of service and staffing than the Westin, different cruise lines offer different levels of service as well.

 

To answer your question, a way that Carnival can keep their fares lower, and maintain their budget cruise line status, is by staffing differently than other cruise lines (less staff per passenger). Less staff to clean cabins means it takes longer (thus the 1:00pm ready time).

 

I honestly don't get why people sail on a budget cruise line and don't understand why they don't get the same level of service as on a more premium cruise line.

[bankofdad]

FTTF benefits are also benefits of the loyalty program. So now the loyalty program benefits have been sold to others, making the loyalty program less attractive. Platinum and Diamond guests are now allowed to join the crowds that the benefit was originally designed to avoid at embarkation, debarkation, and at Guest Services. Go figure! :rolleyes:

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but it does look like Carnival has a limit on the FTTF slots. I've booked it for the first time, but it looked to me like it was limited to ten cabins and their occupants, so it's not like hoards of people are doing this.

 

I envy that Diamond and Platinum members get this for free, so to me it wouldn't take away from the benefit if I had achieved that status, but that's just MHO.

[bobmal99]

I am with you on this, simply

can not understand it either!!

 

Paying $50 for the FTTF program

or paying hundreds of dollars or

more, on another cruise line.

Duhhhh

 

Just like the Holiday Inn offers a different level of service and staffing than the Westin, different cruise lines offer different levels of service as well.

 

To answer your question, a way that Carnival can keep their fares lower, and maintain their budget cruise line status, is by staffing differently than other cruise lines (less staff per passenger). Less staff to clean cabins means it takes longer (thus the 1:00pm ready time).

 

I honestly don't get why people sail on a budget cruise line and don't understand why they don't get the same level of service as on a more premium cruise line.

[graphicguy]

OP....I understand what you're saying. We were on the Breeze last month. We never had any issues getting on or off whenever we wanted, with little or no lines. We never waited at Guest Services. Our cabin was ready shortly after we boarded and our luggage delivered shortly after that.

 

The value of FTTF is up to each individual. But, for us, to maybe, perhaps get into our cabin 30 minutes before anyone else, or to wait behind one other person at Guest Services, or wait another 15 minutes to embark/disembark just isn't worth it.

 

Just my opinion, but to me that's just handing them $50 for very little in return. Then again, I don't hand out $50 bills for no good reason, either. Heck, I'll give my room attendant $20 and feel much better about an investment for good service.

[figdu]

Correct me if I am wrong, but it does look like Carnival has a limit on the FTTF slots. I've booked it for the first time, but it looked to me like it was limited to ten cabins and their occupants, so it's not like hoards of people are doing this.

 

I envy that Diamond and Platinum members get this for free, so to me it wouldn't take away from the benefit if I had achieved that status, but that's just MHO.

 

They are done in slots of 15 depending on the number of Diamond / Platinum on the cruise.

 

Diamond and Platinum have actually gained benefits because of FTTF. Rooms ready and early delivery of bags did not exist before.

[Warm Breezes]

OP....I understand what you're saying. We were on the Breeze last month. We never had any issues getting on or off whenever we wanted, with little or no lines. We never waited at Guest Services. Our cabin was ready shortly after we boarded and our luggage delivered shortly after that.

 

The value of FTTF is up to each individual. But, for us, to maybe, perhaps get into our cabin 30 minutes before anyone else, or to wait behind one other person at Guest Services, or wait another 15 minutes to embark/disembark just isn't worth it.

 

Just my opinion, but to me that's just handing them $50 for very little in return. Then again, I don't hand out $50 bills for no good reason, either. Heck, I'll give my room attendant $20 and feel much better about an investment for good service.

I have to agree with you....the value of FTTF is subjective. Patience is a virtue that is practiced in our family, but I have to say that our patience is rarely put to the test on our cruises. Waiting in line for us to board or go on shore have been few and far between and we usually are able to get to our rooms with our carryons not long after boarding. Suitcases have usually arrived at a reasonable time and if they didn't who cares??? There really isn't any benefit offered with FTTF that I would be willing to pay for. But others feel differently and that is their choice where to spend their money.

[graphicguy]

I have to agree with you....the value of FTTF is subjective. Patience is a virtue that is practiced in our family, but I have to say that our patience is rarely put to the test on our cruises. Waiting in line for us to board or go on shore have been few and far between and we usually are able to get to our rooms with our carryons not long after boarding. Suitcases have usually arrived at a reasonable time and if they didn't who cares??? There really isn't any benefit offered with FTTF that I would be willing to pay for. But others feel differently and that is their choice where to spend their money.

 

We're on the same page. I remember thinking to myself when I heard about this offering for a $50 charge..."if I were at home, would I pay it?" The answer is always the same...."wouldn't even remotely consider paying it."

 

As you say...to each their own.

[JUGGER]

i do not understand paying $50 for faster to the fun. On princess your cabin is ready when you board. Your luggage arrives quickly.

So on carnival you cannot have your cabin right away unless you pay $50

this is crazy!

hi---come on---in 58 cruises--we have never---never--paid to get in our cabin early------the reason some have to wait----is because--carnival is a very--very popular cruise line---and always goes out full--full----while other do not--and also there are some people who are inconsiderate--and wait to leave the ship the last minute---and then the stewards have to rush---to clean up after them-----so be patient-----irene and john-----58 cruises with carnival--

[tkportersat]

I am not sure why some get so up in arms about this; you don't have to buy FTTF if you don't want to. And honestly if you get to the terminal early enough you get your luggage early too (I think all but one time I Have gotten my luggage by Muster). I will be Platinum this trip and I am not bothered at all that some have gotten some of my perks by buying it; I actually told my parents about it so they could board close to us.

 

I don't compare what Princess does to Carnival. I haven't looked into sailing them and I would venture to guess it is more expensive and you should expect more.

 

Either way, I have always gotten good service from Carnival. If I wasn't becoming Platinum I probably would never buy FTTF. I was fine with everything I was getting without it.

[CRUZBUDS]

hi---come on---in 58 cruises--we have never---never--paid to get in our cabin early------the reason some have to wait----is because--carnival is a very--very popular cruise line---and always goes out full--full----while other do not--and also there are some people who are inconsiderate--and wait to leave the ship the last minute---and then the stewards have to rush---to clean up after them-----so be patient-----irene and john-----58 cruises with carnival--

 

I agree Carnival is very popular, but I don't think I've every be on any cruise on any line that wasn't full.

 

I'm one of the old timers that remembers when every cabin was ready when boarding began on all the lines we sailed on. I just wish I could remember what time boarding would start in the "good old days" :)

[58Piano]

So just what do you get with this FFTTF? I am still unclear as to just what it is. We are going on a five day on the Paradise. The only tender is Grand Caymen. Without buying this how long should I plan when I go to port? I mean say my excursion is 10 Am Then how early should I line up to go on the tenders so I get there on time?

[gusandgidgetsmom]

I am platinum and feel I have Benefited from FTTF's existence. Having your room ready and getting to place carry-ons in it is a great benefit. Even tho some say they always put their bags in the room, it was not a benefit with platinum/diamond.

I too remember when all rooms were ready when you boarded, but back then "all" rooms were a significantly lower number with a lot "less" room.

@58 piano- Is your excursion with Carnival? If it is no worries as they will give you a place to meet and a time. If it is on your own you will have to try to get a very low number when they give tender tickets out. Times will be given in the "Fun Times".The lines can be very long. I personally never schedule an early excursion unless with Carnival at a tender port. I am platinum and get to be one of the first-but gosh those lines can be looooong.