FTTF question

[lbow2006]

I have looked over our itinerary, etc. and I don't think that FTTF would be worth it to us, but wanted to seek other opinions since we'll be traveling with our two year old.

 

We are cruising out of Miami in November. We will either arrive quite early or more around 2pm to avoid the crowds at POM.

 

We only have one tender port (Grand Cayman) which we have been to before. We aren't planning a shore excursion there (since we have a two year old and plans could likely change).

 

We rarely use guest services and the one time we did last cruise the line wasn't long at all.

 

We will likely do self assist when disembarking the ship as we have a late afternoon flight and are in no rush.

 

Given the above information is there any reason we should consider getting FTTF? I just want to be sure in my decision since it is currently available. :)

[lbow2006]

Also instead of making two posts I have one more quesiton:

 

I paid for two rooms on the cruise. We have $50 OBC in each room. Is there a way to get the $50 from the second room transferred to my name?

[riffatsea]

We buy FTTF because we like to be onboard early with our cabin ready and we like to be off the ship quickly at the end of the cruise! It doesn't sound like you care about any of that so I cannot see why you'd buy it.

Not sure about your OBC question?

IF your credit card is the one that is used for both cabins then you'll have use of all the OBC.

It is attached to the booking for each cabin.

[Gecko7]

What is FTTF? Sorry for the dumb question, but I've not seen this before.

 

thanks!

[Rockjock64]

Fttf is faster to the fun, it allows for priority boarding and sone other perks.

[Elaine515]

I have looked over our itinerary, etc. and I don't think that FTTF would be worth it to us, but wanted to seek other opinions since we'll be traveling with our two year old.

 

We are cruising out of Miami in November. We will either arrive quite early or more around 2pm to avoid the crowds at POM.

 

We only have one tender port (Grand Cayman) which we have been to before. We aren't planning a shore excursion there (since we have a two year old and plans could likely change).

 

We rarely use guest services and the one time we did last cruise the line wasn't long at all.

 

We will likely do self assist when disembarking the ship as we have a late afternoon flight and are in no rush.

 

Given the above information is there any reason we should consider getting FTTF? I just want to be sure in my decision since it is currently available. :)

 

 

 

Are you flying or driving in the morning of the cruise ? If you're planning on getting to the Port early, then with a 2 year I would consider getting FTTF.. does she/he still take naps during the day? Are you carrying a diaper bag/supplies for the baby that you would like to drop off in the cabin?

 

Personally, that is the only reason I can think of that you might consider FTTF... If not a problem, save your $50 for something else...

[Elaine515]

Also instead of making two posts I have one more quesiton:

 

I paid for two rooms on the cruise. We have $50 OBC in each room. Is there a way to get the $50 from the second room transferred to my name?

 

 

 

Probably not, what/how did you get the $50 OBC ?

[Gecko7]

Fttf is faster to the fun, it allows for priority boarding and sone other perks.

 

thanks!

[Rockjock64]

Also u only have to book it for 1 person in cabin but it includes the whole cabin, pretty cool for only $49

[Elaine515]

What is FTTF? Sorry for the dumb question, but I've not seen this before.

 

thanks!

 

http://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/miami-fl/faster-to-the-fun-101031

 

 

 

 

CARNIVAL’S FASTER TO THE FUN PACKAGE:

 

BOOK IT TODAY TO JUMPSTART THE FUN

 

Here's what it includes:

 

(Note: VIFP Club Platinum and Diamond members do not need to purchase this package as these and other benefits are included as part of your VIFP Club status.)

 

Priority Check-in with Express Boarding

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

 

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.

 

Express Luggage

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

 

Guest Services

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

 

Dining Reservations

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

NOTES

 

•The Faster to the Fun price is not Per Person as listed. The $49.95 price covers all occupants of the cabin so only 1 guest needs to purchase but all occupants receive the benefits.

•Please note, there is no specific "set" time, nor a specific arrival time required... once clearance is received from Customs to start boarding, Faster to the Fun guests will board after our VIFP Club Platinum & Diamond Guests.

•Space is Limited.

•After purchasing Faster to the Fun package, please remember to re-print your boarding documents so Faster to Fun reflects on your documents. Have FUN!

[SadieN]

Also instead of making two posts I have one more quesiton:

 

I paid for two rooms on the cruise. We have $50 OBC in each room. Is there a way to get the $50 from the second room transferred to my name?

 

 

Guest Services should be able to help with this. Have you paid gratuities? If not, the OBC could be used towards that.

[chrislo]

I like having my room ready when we board and receiving my luggage early. This way we can drop our carry on items before getting lunch and then I can unpack and relax before dinner while my husband and son are at the pool.

[deadmoney]

I've read that it's a good thing and I've read that it's a waste of $50.

Still on the fence and am leaving in 30 days.:confused:

 

What does everyone think?

[kelkel2]

Just as with anything there are those that love it and those that hate it. But I was on the fence about it for this cruise that we have coming up since we have no tender ports. Ultimately it was my husband, the tightwad, that convinced me we needed it. But we really did enjoy the program on the last cruise. We get to the port early. On cruise day I CAN NOT SLEEP and we get to the port early, like 10:15 ish and we enjoy getting on the ship early. We went to our cabin got settled, dropped off our stuff, took some pics and then headed to lunch. After lunch we went back and our luggage was there. We unpacked and had plenty of time to relax before the safety drill.

I liked it just for that and it really isn't that much money, we are really trying to get it again!

[Seany527]

Hmmmm I would get it just because your room will be ready and your luggage will be delivered sooner. I'm in the same boat as you. I arrive to port early and have no need for priority tendering.

But like I said, with early access to my room, I will keep my fftf.

[lbow2006]

Are you flying or driving in the morning of the cruise ? If you're planning on getting to the Port early, then with a 2 year I would consider getting FTTF.. does she/he still take naps during the day? Are you carrying a diaper bag/supplies for the baby that you would like to drop off in the cabin?

 

Personally, that is the only reason I can think of that you might consider FTTF... If not a problem, save your $50 for something else...

 

We're flying in the day before and staying in a hotel, but we may stay in Fort Lauderdale and get a shuttle/car to drive us to Miami in the morning vs staying in Miami the night before. (Having a hard time deciding this as well, lol). He does still take one nap a day usually, but has days where he goes without already. I'm thinking by then he could wait to nap or go without fairly easily. As for the diaper bag/supplies I honestly don't know yet. I'm sure I'll have some sort of items for him, but I think I could get by with a sippy cup and a few snacks and a diaper in my purse since there's plenty of food available on the ship. :)

[lbow2006]

Probably not, what/how did you get the $50 OBC ?

 

I'm not really worried if I can't, just was curious. We got it through the most recent promotion because I booked under Early Saver and sent in the price protection forms. :)

[lbow2006]

I like having my room ready when we board and receiving my luggage early. This way we can drop our carry on items before getting lunch and then I can unpack and relax before dinner while my husband and son are at the pool.

 

I think my mindset has me remembering out last cruise where our room was ready fairly early. We went up there at around 1pm-2pm and it was good to go so I keep expecting that this time. Luggage arriving early I'm not too worried about, but I'll have to keep in mind our rooms may not be ready until later and figure out if that's worth the FTTF for us. :)

[lbow2006]

I've read that it's a good thing and I've read that it's a waste of $50.

Still on the fence and am leaving in 30 days.:confused:

 

What does everyone think?

 

Same here which is why I tried to give all the info for our situation to make it easier to get opinions, lol. I'm just not quite sure. :)

[lbow2006]

Hmmmm I would get it just because your room will be ready and your luggage will be delivered sooner. I'm in the same boat as you. I arrive to port early and have no need for priority tendering.

But like I said, with early access to my room, I will keep my fftf.

 

I'm thinking about it. At first I was like well maybe I can just get it for one room so the room is ready early, but I wouldn't want it to separate us from getting on the ship at the same time, lol.

[rbis_steve]

Guest Services should be able to help with this. Have you paid gratuities? If not, the OBC could be used towards that.

 

Even if you have paid them, you can cancel that and use your OBC then. That is something we always do with our OBC.

[dono72]

If you have FTTF for one of your two cabins, I'm pretty sure that the FTTF cabin can wait and board with the people without FTTF. You'd still have one cabin between the two that will be ready when you get on board. And you still board together.

[mpcaruth]

Here is an excerpt from my long picture review of our Sunshine cruise in which we tried FTTF for the first time:

 

"Faster To The Fun:

 

Right after booking this cruise, I noticed there were two FTTFs available on the Carnival website. I knew they were very limited and hard to come by, so I said, "What the heck, lets try it".Though I have included details throughout the review, I will also provide a summary of our experience:

 

Embarkation: Literally, we got on the ship (11:25) only 10 minutes before our neighbors on the shuttle bus who did not have FTTF.

 

Cabin readiness: Our cabin was clean and ready as soon as we went to our cabin (11:35). We did get to drop off our backpacks.

 

Early arrival of luggage: FAIL. We did not see our luggage until after muster drill (approx. 3:30). This was a nuisance, as we had planned to change attire once onboard (shoes for ropes course).

 

Guest Services priority line: Only used Guest services twice and there was no one in line at either counter, so really not a benefit: 1) upon boarding we had holes punched in our Sail & Sign cards for our lanyards, and 2) the morning of debarkation when I inquired about my casino winnings.

 

Priority Tender: we saw two other non-priority groups go before us while waiting at Belize. These groups were NOT Carnival tour groups, as they had gone earlier. We waited in the lobby area standing with the FTTF group for more than 25 minutes before being escorted down to the tender boat. Since I am an early riser, getting a zone ticket (like other non-FTTF people) for tendering would not have been a problem.

 

Embarkation: we were among the first to get off the ship as FTTF pass holders and we were also doing self-assist. We were off the ship by 7:45. Finally, we had reaped a benefit of FTTP. Though, it may have only got us 5 to 10 minutes, as we would have normally been the second group called for self-assist.

 

So, I tried FTTF and thought it was a complete waste of money for us. I think the reasons it did not benefit my family so much are because we always arrive at the port early, our prepared & prompt, and know what to expect (rarely need guest services). Our cabin steward questioned me about FTTF, and smirked wanting to know if I thought it was worth it."

Edited April 10, 2015 by mpcaruth