Staggered Embarkation and FTTF

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Traffic. In our port, if you're not there the latest 10:30, you sit for hours sitting among those leaving, and those arriving. We have our arrival and departure down to a science.

 

Except for the very rare instance you have to be off the ship by 10am...and waiting until then pretty much guarantees that your luggage is waiting in isolated splendor and that customs is down to a mere dribble. But, heck, once you hit the curb you are bombarded with hoards of people being dropped off curbside and you have to drag your luggage while trying to find your transportation while the early arrivals clog up everything. And if you park then the lots are jammed with peeps trying to get out while the lanes are jammed with peeps waiting for your spot.

 

Debarkees have no choice...embarkees do. But then the word consideration doesn't seem to be part of an embarkees vocabulary.

[SeeBurd]

Except for the very rare instance you have to be off the ship by 10am...and waiting until then pretty much guarantees that your luggage is waiting in isolated splendor and that customs is down to a mere dribble. But, heck, once you hit the curb you are bombarded with hoards of people being dropped off curbside and you have to drag your luggage while trying to find your transportation while the early arrivals clog up everything. And if you park then the lots are jammed with peeps trying to get out while the lanes are jammed with peeps waiting for your spot.

 

Debarkees have no choice...embarkees do. But then the word consideration doesn't seem to be part of an embarkees vocabulary.

 

Again, we have debarkation down to a science. Once were through customs, I make the dash for the car, while the rest of the family is making their way curbside for me to pick them up.

 

We are usually off the ship by 7:30, and home by 8:15.

[rtap23]

If the published time is 11 why then are peeps getting to the terminal at 9:30 and adding to the congestion curbside of people trying to get off their cruise and to their cars, cabs, or airport transportation?

 

Well I'm not sure about 9:30 but I find arriving at 10:30 for the published 11:00 boarding time is fine. It gives me time to drop of the family with our bags and go find parking. By the time I get back from parking it is around 11. Never had a problem with this. No lines

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Again, we have debarkation down to a science. Once were through customs, I make the dash for the car, while the rest of the family is making their way curbside for me to pick them up.

 

We are usually off the ship by 7:30, and home by 8:15.

 

Since we fly home, don't do self-assist, stay on decks that invariably receive the highest debark number we are always among the last to leave. Why should we have to fight the curbside crowds who can't get on the ship for another couple of hours?

[discjoker]

Since we fly home, don't do self-assist, stay on decks that invariably receive the highest debark number we are always among the last to leave. Why should we have to fight the curbside crowds who can't get on the ship for another couple of hours?

 

You can only control YOU. Make some choices that will lessen the impact on yourself from arriving passengers. You know they will be there...why do that to yourself if you so dislike it?

[SeeBurd]

Since we fly home, don't do self-assist, stay on decks that invariably receive the highest debark number we are always among the last to leave. Why should we have to fight the curbside crowds who can't get on the ship for another couple of hours?

 

I think I did that once. We find it depressing to sit in a ship where the service has virtually shut down, with no activity. Even when we fly, we are first off and then explore the airport. It's better than sitting waiting, which is one step better than sitting in rush hour traffic that is not moving because the bridge is closed.

 

 

But that's us.

[jimbo5544]

Well I'm not sure about 9:30 but I find arriving at 10:30 for the published 11:00 boarding time is fine. It gives me time to drop of the family with our bags and go find parking. By the time I get back from parking it is around 11. Never had a problem with this. No lines

 

All that is fine, but just don't bark when they tell you to come at 1 and you have been around for 2 1/2 hours and people have no place to sit. Our last two cruises on the Breeze out of Miami, that was exactly what happened.

[jimbo5544]

I think I did that once. We find it depressing to sit in a ship where the service has virtually shut down, with no activity. Even when we fly, we are first off and then explore the airport. It's better than sitting waiting, which is one step better than sitting in rush hour traffic that is not moving because the bridge is closed.

 

 

But that's us.

 

Getting off the ship I would agree with your plan. Getting on.... Things may be changing.

[rtap23]

All that is fine, but just don't bark when they tell you to come at 1 and you have been around for 2 1/2 hours and people have no place to sit. Our last two cruises on the Breeze out of Miami, that was exactly what happened.

 

Nah. You won't see me bark. I'm not much of a complainer. I have never even been to guest services once in all my cruises.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

I think I did that once. We find it depressing to sit in a ship where the service has virtually shut down, with no activity. Even when we fly, we are first off and then explore the airport. It's better than sitting waiting, which is one step better than sitting in rush hour traffic that is not moving because the bridge is closed.

 

But that's us.

 

Actually leaving the ship later has its perks. They serve breakfast at the buffet. We usually leave our rooms at 8. Head to the buffet, eat leisurely. No luggage to lug around except for our nighties stuffed into our totes. We sit outside on the lido deck, enjoy the last morning of sunshine, visit together as a family and when our number is called (last time we had #24) we head off. Besides I've been in enough airports to last me a lifetime...food is expensive, seats are uncomfortable.

[jimbo5544]

Nah. You won't see me bark. I'm not much of a complainer. I have never even been to guest services once in all my cruises.

 

Understand, on our last cruise on the Breeze in April, it was the ugliest crowd we have ever done. At 12:50 when they started to bring VIP's to board, it got ugly as we made our way thru the crowd (granted crappy logistics in the the VIP is in the back and you have to cross the the hoards to get to board).

[rocketship]

Sc4125 I'm on the same sailing as you. I received the email yesterday but with a boarding time from 12:30 - 1:30.

 

Same cruise and same boarding time! We are flying in day of the cruise though, so cross your fingers its an easy and successful flight! :)

[gapeachcruzr]

So, are you going to risk it & get there earlier? I've never sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale (well I did MANY years ago when I was working onboard), so not sure how well embarkation works there.

 

My sister & I will be staying at the Fairfield Suites the night before & leaving our car there -only about $10 more than the parking alone would cost at the port. We live in Lakeland (central Fla), only about a 3 1/2 hour drive, so we normally drive to the ports the day of. But, with that cost I'm looking forward to a relaxing morning the day of sailing.

 

Hope to see you onboard - do you spend much time in the casino?

 

Shirley

 

We have FTTF on this same cruise and are staying at the Fairfield Suites also. Ever since we have been doing FTTF we always get to port by 11:00 and have no issues . You will get to board just after priority. Make sure you get your shuttle ticket as soon as you check in. They make appointments for the departure times at the table set up in the lobby. Maybe we will see you on board or at the Fairfield!

Edited July 8, 2015 by gapeachcruzr

[HectorAchilleus]

Actually leaving the ship later has its perks. They serve breakfast at the buffet. We usually leave our rooms at 8. Head to the buffet, eat leisurely. No luggage to lug around except for our nighties stuffed into our totes. We sit outside on the lido deck, enjoy the last morning of sunshine, visit together as a family and when our number is called (last time we had #24) we head off. Besides I've been in enough airports to last me a lifetime...food is expensive, seats are uncomfortable.

 

I agree with you, SDG. I can never understand why people who get to the port ridiculously early are often the same ones who want to get off before anyone else. Don't get me wrong, I like to get on early and have a nice lunch before it is chaos, but staying late also has its strong points. Unless we have an early flight, we ignore our early debark privilege (as Plats) and are among the last group to leave the ship. We have NEVER had a problem getting around those who are early for the next cruise, either.

[sc4125]

We have FTTF on this same cruise and are staying at the Fairfield Suites also. Ever since we have been doing FTTF we always get to port by 11:00 and have no issues . You will get to board just after priority. Make sure you get your shuttle ticket as soon as you check in. They make appointments for the departure times at the table set up in the lobby. Maybe we will see you on board or at the Fairfield!

 

Hello Lisa - we will probably plan on getting at the port around 10 or so - both of us are Platinum, so hopefully we won't have to be sitting around too awfully long - but if so, I'm good with that. I have my Kindle & I just like to get where I'm going.

 

I thought about getting the shuttle, but then someone told me that it's less than $15 for a taxi and that the shuttle can get really chaotic. So, still not sure, but right now we're leaning toward the taxi.

 

I do hope we run into you - we plan to arrive to the hotel around 3:00 or 3:30 Saturday - then we'll probably hit the pool and relax with a drink.

 

Have a safe trip.

Shirley

[loxley]

Except for the very rare instance you have to be off the ship by 10am...and waiting until then pretty much guarantees that your luggage is waiting in isolated splendor and that customs is down to a mere dribble. But, heck, once you hit the curb you are bombarded with hoards of people being dropped off curbside and you have to drag your luggage while trying to find your transportation while the early arrivals clog up everything. And if you park then the lots are jammed with peeps trying to get out while the lanes are jammed with peeps waiting for your spot.

 

Debarkees have no choice...embarkees do. But then the word consideration doesn't seem to be part of an embarkees vocabulary.

 

I think those "suggested" embark times will soon become enforced embark times.

 

Of course diamond, plats and fttf would be exempt.

[HectorAchilleus]

I think those "suggested" embark times will soon become enforced embark times.

 

Of course diamond, plats and fttf would be exempt.

 

Maybe Diamonds, but I would not count on the Plats and FTTF being exempt. They might even have a two-tier level for FTTF & Plats. The regular FTTF & Plats at the assigned time and an earlier time at an extra cost.

[jvmiami]

Where is the roll call?

 

 

just go under Roll calls and look for Breeze July 12 Sailing :)

Heads up we are meeting in the Red Frog Pub at 3pm on embarkation

day and also wear a mardigra style bead :D

[stevenr597]

FTTF is Faster to the Fun. Priority check-in, boarding after diamond and platinum, direct to room, priority tender, diamond/platinum customer service line, priority disembarking. Costs about $60 found in the excursion section of your departure port. Only one FTTF per stateroom needed and slots are limited. Some people like me love it, some would rather save the money.

 

In other words, " Another Way for Carnival to add another surcharge and make more money."

[jimbo5544]

In other words, " Another Way for Carnival to add another surcharge and make more money."

 

 

Is that not what all cruise lines try to do? I do t know who cameo with the idea for FTTF but it is probably the best idea I have heard of in a long time.

 

FTTF is an option, options are a good thing. If you want it, buy it. If you don't then don't buy it. Turning it into its "it's another way for Carnival to scam more money from us" is a nonstarter.

Edited July 8, 2015 by jimbo5544

[SeeBurd]

Is that not what all cruise lines try to do? I do t know who cameo with the idea for FTTF but it is probably the best idea I have heard of in a long time.

 

Making money off some customers at the expense of other customers? I don't think so.

[jimbo5544]

Making money off some customers at the expense of other customers? I don't think so.

 

 

What expense to others?

[SeeBurd]

What expense to others?

 

Two people arrive at the pier at the same time. One buys their way to the front of the line. The other goes to the back of the line.

[jimbo5544]

Two people arrive at the pier at the same time. One buys their way to the front of the line. The other goes to the back of the line.

 

 

The one at the back is no worse off than when they. came in. Weddings, Diamonds, Platinum and suites either earned or paid for this. No loss from my perspective. You are diamond, correct?

[SeeBurd]

The one at the back is no worse off than when they. came in. Weddings, Diamonds, Platinum and suites either earned or paid for this. No loss from my perspective. You are diamond, correct?

 

Yes I'm diamond. But weddings through suites have paid for something else, not a place in line.