Wedding/Diamond/Platinum/FTTF Boarding

[CCLCruiser4321]

I can agree it use to be organized I don't have a problem with fttf except for the fact that it has massively delayed platinum/diamond. Fttf should be boarded second and probably have a different checkin area.

[13cheermom]

I'm kinda confused about the Miami boarding process. I have boarded their twice and each time FTTF has been seated with everyone else. The Diamonds, platinums, suites, wedding parties were all in that room that is clearly marked separately. But I keep reading that many haven't experienced that at Miami. My most recent experience was in June, and we will be back again in December. I know there are 3 terminals there, is that where the difference lies? Why wouldn't all the terminals board the same? We are almost at platinum, but until December we will continue to try and obtain FTTF for those perks, but my experience has always been the fair and correct way to board. Doesn't seem that hard to achieve, it works fine at terminal 3 in Miami, or at least it has for us overtime we have been there.

[evandbob]

The current boarding order is as follows:

 

1. Wedding Guests

2. Diamond

3. Platinum

4. Suites

5. FTTF

6. Special (ambulatory) Needs

7. Numerical Zones

 

With Casino Premier and Ultra cruisers getting "priority boarding" you need to add these to you list. Probably another 200 - 300 pax on casino cruises

[evandbob]

When we cruised out of FLL in July there was 2 lines. One for FTTF and another one for suite, diamond and platinum at check in. But I agree it was longer than the regular line.

Weddings diamond platinum and suits were escorted up stairs where as FTTF was seated down stairs.

There was a lot of people upstairs.

When they did board upstairs it was all at once but there wasn't any FTTF up there unless people snuck up there.

I bet there were 500 people upstairs.

I know for a fact there were 66 D&P on this cruise. Add suites and wedding partys

I don't think all those groups could add up to the amount of people upstairs but it might.

 

If yours was a designated "casino cruise", ultra or premier pax get "priority boarding" also. They might # several hundred and account for the difference you noted.

[13cheermom]

With Casino Premier and Ultra cruisers getting "priority boarding" you need to add these to you list. Probably another 200 - 300 pax on casino cruises

 

So would you say that on those types of special casino cruises, where they also receive that privilege, there probably wouldn't be many FTTF passes sold? Don't have any knowledge about these (since we don't gamble) and didn't realize they received those perks. After reading about all these casino offers might have to start going to the casino. ;)

[mjhouse2]

The current boarding order is as follows:

 

1. Wedding Guests

2. Diamond

3. Platinum

4. Suites

5. FTTF

6. Special (ambulatory) Needs

7. Numerical Zones

 

Good to know. Thank you. Now to convince my DH not to board before me because he is booked in the suite with 2 of our kids and I am booked in an inside (with FTTF) with a child and grandchild. Maybe I just won't tell him he gets to go first. lol:)

[evandbob]

So would you say that on those types of special casino cruises, where they also receive that privilege, there probably wouldn't be many FTTF passes sold? Don't have any knowledge about these (since we don't gamble) and didn't realize they received those perks. After reading about all these casino offers might have to start going to the casino. ;)

 

IMO, CCL will sell as many FTTF's as they can. They claim it's based on the # of plats and diamonds. Casino cruise probably doesn't factor into their calculations.

 

IMO, too many people receiving similar perks waters down the uniqueness of that perk. Something similar happened with the past guest party where almost the whole ship participated. If too many get "priority boarding" then it isn't special anymore for those that earned it.

[bobsfamily]

So would you say that on those types of special casino cruises, where they also receive that privilege, there probably wouldn't be many FTTF passes sold? Don't have any knowledge about these (since we don't gamble) and didn't realize they received those perks. After reading about all these casino offers might have to start going to the casino. ;)

The premier cruise priority boarding is "supposed" to be after D/P along with FTTF... but we are Plat and we have done a Premier cruise and it was pretty much D/P/Premier and FTTF... but at that time FTTF was truly limited to about 15-20. Premier is kinda like having a charter on a cruise, the casino is truly taken over, or at least the busiest you have ever seen it, it stays open 24/7 and in some cases it's open while in port.

[13cheermom]

 

IMO, too many people receiving similar perks waters down the uniqueness of that perk. Something similar happened with the past guest party where almost the whole ship participated. If too many get "priority boarding" then it isn't special anymore for those that earned it.

 

I have to agree with you on some of this, because the past guest parties had become a free for all with massive lines and waiting. We did however get to experience those over the years, and more recent gold members had that opportunity taken away from them. It's like they say timing is everything, so I feel bad for those that almost got to experience it. However, I do like the perks of FTTF right now, and we are "paying for it", but I also feel it should be limited as to not compromise the ones that have "earned" it.

[evandbob]

I have to agree with you on some of this, because the past guest parties had become a free for all with massive lines and waiting. We did however get to experience those over the years, and more recent gold members had that opportunity taken away from them. It's like they say timing is everything, so I feel bad for those that almost got to experience it. However, I do like the perks of FTTF right now, and we are "paying for it", but I also feel it should be limited as to not compromise the ones that have "earned" it.

 

When a perk is generously awarded to many, it no longer feels special. Plats & Diamonds who have earned it through their past cruise loyalty may resent those who pay for FTTF. Those who purchase FTTF may resent those who get priority boarding through the casino. Those who get priority boarding through the casino feel that they have paid for it through their casino playing.

 

If all these groups no longer feel special about giving Carnival their business, repeated or otherwise, then what is the point of the perk?

 

{And I wonder if Carnival will now open the past guest party to golds who would pay for a ticket to get in?}

[Captain Carnival]

With Casino Premier and Ultra cruisers getting "priority boarding" you need to add these to you list. Probably another 200 - 300 pax on casino cruises

 

True perhaps but only around once a year.....

 

Hi Captain, I wish every embark port was run like yours (Tampa). :)

 

Thanks - I try to make all of our guest's Funship adventure fun and memorable BEFORE they board with some fun dance music, corny jokes, and lively announcements!

[SadieN]

True perhaps but only around once a year.....

 

 

 

 

 

...................

 

 

There are at least two Ultra and four premier cruises coming up.

 

 

******

The situation could always be worse. Some Princess cruises have practically half the ship as Platinum or Elite.

[idiebabe]

Carnival sucked in NYC last week on the Splendor. They never asked for Diamond or Platinum to board. They had 2 rooms with priority boarding and got our group second. We are Diamond and their were at least 100 boarded before us. Nothing special about that perk at all.

 

We experienced the same thing in NY a year ago on the Splendor. It was a nightmare with all the "Priority" boarding. Being Diamond or Platinum meant absolutely nothing with all the Diamonds/Plats, Suites, FTTF and the huge Premier Casino Group! There was no separation of Groups at all! They claimed that FTTF and Casino were in a different room but that was B.S. as we were talking with others who were FTTF and Premier Casino who were in our Room.

 

They ended up taking many of us over to the non-Priority check-in area and then the Rep would have to run back over to the Priority Lounge to get our keys.

 

What a mess!!!

 

We've also had issues with Self-Assist Debark especially on Conquest Class Ships where they put everyone in the Middle Dining Room. On the Glory they did attempt to call Diamonds/Plats off first but that was a joke as we were trampled by the FTTF's! Another mess where earning a Perk meant nothing!

 

Some of the Ships do it right and the Pride is one of them!

[lollylew]

How many times have you sailed out of FLL? I had my worst experience ever embarking in Fort Lauderdale. That was in July of this year.. Almost a 2 hour wait to get on board.. Never have I ever waited in line so long.

 

Im just wondering if this was a product of the bad setup in Fort Lauderdale...

 

 

Had this same experience last year. Got to the port early since we did have FTTF but then we just sat there for like 2 hours. Wasn't terribly impressed [emoji17] Now, if I purchase FTTF, it's mostly because I like the guarantee of having my room ready and luggage delivered early.

[love my grandkids]

We experienced the same thing in NY a year ago on the Splendor. It was a nightmare with all the "Priority" boarding. Being Diamond or Platinum meant absolutely nothing with all the Diamonds/Plats, Suites, FTTF and the huge Premier Casino Group! There was no separation of Groups at all! They claimed that FTTF and Casino were in a different room but that was B.S. as we were talking with others who were FTTF and Premier Casino who were in our Room.

 

They ended up taking many of us over to the non-Priority check-in area and then the Rep would have to run back over to the Priority Lounge to get our keys.

 

What a mess!!!

 

We've also had issues with Self-Assist Debark especially on Conquest Class Ships where they put everyone in the Middle Dining Room. On the Glory they did attempt to call Diamonds/Plats off first but that was a joke as we were trampled by the FTTF's! Another mess where earning a Perk meant nothing!

 

Some of the Ships do it right and the Pride is one of them!

 

Many have put us in a small room and forgot to call us for debarkation. Have learned to watch and see if they start debarkation and than we leave.

[HectorAchilleus]

We are sailing on the Conquest in June. I purchased Fttf because I had read about how nightmarish embarkation is in FLL. Does anyone have any advice on how to make embarking as painless as possible? I really don't want to start our vacation on a low note.

 

Show up between 1:30 and 2:00. You will walk right on to the ship. Even without FTTF, it should be stress-less. With FTTF, you will go to the front of the line, if there is one.

[imluvncruzn]

Just off the Victory out of Miami a few days ago. Embarkation was better than I had experienced on the Breeze in May (which was a complete mess). This time they called weddings first, then platinums and diamonds. However, there were a few people who jumped into the platinum line as they were leading us out of the captains lounge. One of those line jumpers was ahead of me at the shore excursion desk... :rolleyes: