Galveston FTTF

[DES07]

Can anyone give me and ideal how the FTTF works in Galveston on the Triumph. We have never used FTTF before so any information I am sure will be helpful. We are not new to cruising just new to FTTF.

 

Thanks

[O2Cool]

You walk up to the priority entrance. It is marked as such. Before that, you make sure the baggage handler puts the Orange FTTF tape on your baggage. When you check in and get your cards, they will have the FTTF logo on the back. Be sure to look through the papers in your cabin. There is a special number for guest services that they actually answer and it will be on one of those papers. We always get FTTF when we cruise. If it is not available when I book, I will stalk the website multiple times a day until I get it. Have a great cruise!!

[cruzkitty]

Very Good Information to Know for my Galveston Cruise next year. Thanks for posting!

[notyours75]

Here is my detailed FTTF review from Feb 2014 on the Triumph. It may have changed somewhat since then.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1983295

[BallFour4]

One note about the priority door, the regular line can obscure it. Look right up front where the line enters the terminal and the priority entrance is about ten feet away. When you enter the terminal make sure the Carnival agent is there and steers you around the regular line.

 

We usually go as early as possible, but in September that changed due to dog sitters and when we arrived the line was looooong. I made some new friends when we stepped (after asking) between them to enter the door. I was nice, but shared with them when we made twenty-six Carnival cruises then the rewards kick in.

 

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Edited November 10, 2015 by BallFour4

[cruzelover55]

Just so you know, Galveston has many more ships docking nowadays, so there are 2 terminals now. Building a 2nd port is in the planning stages. I live here and did not realize when I dropped my parents off a couple of weeks ago that it was a different terminal than I was used to and got pretty confused before I got it straight where i was supposed to drop them off. We personally will not cruise without FTTF. Worth every penny!

[freedomcruiser891]

Just so you know, Galveston has many more ships docking nowadays, so there are 2 terminals now. Building a 2nd port is in the planning stages. I live here and did not realize when I dropped my parents off a couple of weeks ago that it was a different terminal than I was used to and got pretty confused before I got it straight where i was supposed to drop them off. We personally will not cruise without FTTF. Worth every penny!

 

 

Do you know if the triumph is always the further terminal? We have always lucked out somehow and never had to be at the farther port

[cruzelover55]

I live close enough to the port we at first used to walk to the port when we cruised, but now take taxi. Triumph seems to always leave on Saturdays and when I dropped my parents off it was in the 2nd slot. May depend on which ship gets there 1st. The 1st terminal you just drop off luggage and walk straight ahead to it. This is probably what you did. The second terminal you vear left and have to walk across the traffic leaving from the 1st terminal after dropping off your luggage. Not a big deal usually but I had to leave the car, with police yelling at me to move it, and go inside to try to get my dad a wheelchair. Try this, go to Galveston.com, click on connect. click on cruise cam, then click select cam, scroll to Triumph, click. If it is in Galveston port it will show it in "real" time, if not will show 2 pics, one of the pool deck. I see they seem to be in Port somewhere right now, and looks like it is raining as pool is empty, and it looks dreary. My parents booked without telling me as my dad likes to think he can get a better deal but never remembers FTTF, and I know this has been hard on him because of it. He is pushing 90 and can barely walk. I could not get him FTTF, too late by the time he let me know about the booking, and also could not get a wheelchair for him, could have if he had had it. Have a great cruise, and please try the Galveston.com thing. It is fun just to watch as they arrive, load and leave. Be sure to make it full screen.

[maeormaenot]

Triumph does the 4 & 5 day cruises out of Galveston until it moves to NOLA sometime in 2016.

 

She ports on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays- depending on length of cruise and what day she left.

 

The two times I have sailed on her she was in Terminal 1, but I have seen her in Terminal 2 on the Galveston.com cams.

 

In July, we arrived at the port close to 12:30 (last minute Walmart run, and barge on fire at the ferry held us up) the line was soooo long. We had FTTF and went in the priority boarding door after the nice lady checked our boarding passes. Went directly to the passport lady, then the xrays, then got our card...then...ding-the best sound ever!

 

Enjoy your cruise, I love the Triumph.

[DES07]

Thank you for all the helpful information. We are really looking forward to using the FTTF. We leave on thanksgiving day... Just the husband and I. A long need break from a really bad year.

[toosaxykk]

Thank you for all the helpful information. We are really looking forward to using the FTTF. We leave on thanksgiving day... Just the husband and I. A long need break from a really bad year.

 

We are on this same cruise as well! We have FTTF too.. Be sure to choose a check-in window. We live in Houston and usually arrive in port around 10am. We have always made it on board with FTTF before noon.

 

Hope to meet you on board!

[DES07]

We are on this same cruise as well! We have FTTF too.. Be sure to choose a check-in window. We live in Houston and usually arrive in port around 10am. We have always made it on board with FTTF before noon.

 

Hope to meet you on board!

 

Yes we picked a check in window. When we booked our cruise they were not doing this new check in window thing. I found out by reading things on here.

 

We are excited to get this cruise started. We need a vacation. We are flying in from OKC the morning of the cruise and taking the carnival shuttle.

Edited November 10, 2015 by DES07

[Danica Babaz]

You can go to the Port of Galveston's website and they have a cruise schedule for 2015 and 2016. The calendar will color code what day of the week Carnival/RCL/Disney ships leave and which terminal each ship will be dock at.

[Devo1459]

On the shore excursion page it shows FTTF $49.94, but when I went to purchase it the price was $59.95???

[cruzelover55]

Like all things nowadays it went up. But, remember, that covers everyone in the cabin. It is not per person. Still worth every penny. We arrive at port 10 am, and usually in room by 11 or 11:30. Love not having to lug carry ons around. Love in a tendered port being able to go right to the front of the line. Other OP's mentioned a window. I have never been aware of having one and if I did I would ignore it. Last cruise was 2014 and we live in the port city that we left from. On debark day simply left as soon as we were ready, did not leave any luggage in the hall the night before, so dragged it behind us. And it was a lot! we brought bungee cords to make that possible. I was home with my 1st load of clothes in the washing machine by 8:30, or 9, can't remember. We were in the car and on our way to Louisiana casino by noon.

[HollandAvery]

We plan to carry-on all our luggage so getting the orange tape isn't something I think we have to worry about...but how do we get into the parking lot and bypass the area where you drop-off luggage?

 

On our last cruise they forced us to stop in that area before we could be directed to the parking lot to park our car (we always get Port of Galveston parking paid ahead of time).

We tried to explain to them last time we wanted to carry our luggage on but they were very insistent that we let them take it to the ship for us. It was kind of annoying.

Is there a way to bypass this?

We were first-time cruisers so we really didn't know any better

[BallFour4]

We plan to carry-on all our luggage so getting the orange tape isn't something I think we have to worry about...but how do we get into the parking lot and bypass the area where you drop-off luggage?

 

On our last cruise they forced us to stop in that area before we could be directed to the parking lot to park our car (we always get Port of Galveston parking paid ahead of time).

We tried to explain to them last time we wanted to carry our luggage on but they were very insistent that we let them take it to the ship for us. It was kind of annoying.

Is there a way to bypass this?

We were first-time cruisers so we really didn't know any better

 

We've cruised from Galveston bunches and do exactly what you want to do. We take some to check, some to carry on and then have the porter help us unload the car.

 

In February we walked on the ship with a 22" rolling suitcase and small bag sitting on the handle. Here's how we do it.

 

I drop my wife at the terminal with our luggage. I pull the carry-ons off to the side and she waits for me in the shade. I go park the car at the city lot and ride back to meet her. I get on the bus with a backpack and grab my suitcase and off we go.

 

As I have mentioned before, you can easily miss the priority entrance if you aren't careful. They will catch it once inside, but there is no need to wait in the line outside if you have priority.

 

.

Edited November 12, 2015 by BallFour4

[HollandAvery]

 

We've cruised from Galveston bunches and do exactly what you want to do. We take some to check, some to carry on and then have the porter help us unload the car.

 

In February we walked on the ship with a 22" rolling suitcase and small bag sitting on the handle. Here's how we do it.

 

I drop my wife at the terminal with our luggage. I pull the carry-ons off to the side and she waits for me in the shade. I go park the car at the city lot and ride back to meet her. I get on the bus with a backpack and grab my suitcase and off we go.

 

As I have mentioned before, you can easily miss the priority entrance if you aren't careful. They will catch it once inside, but there is no need to wait in the line outside if you have priority.

 

.

 

Thank you, very good to know!

My SO and I plan to just park the car in the lot after saying a "No thank you!" to the porters I suppose, load our luggage onto the shuttle and tip the driver about $5 for having to put up with our two pieces of larger luggage.

 

Didn't know about the Priority being on the outside of the building though! I'll definitely keep an eye out! Thank you!

[Swampbaby]

. Other OP's mentioned a window. I have never been aware of having one and if I did I would ignore it. Last cruise was 2014 and we live in the port city that we left from.

 

Carnival has just gone to a window to arrive and Galveston is one of the first three ports to start. Believe it starts this month. When we booked our FEB cruise it was not there but is now. However, if you have FTTF it states you do not need to choose a time. Guess I wanted to be sure so even with FTTF I chose the first window of 10-10:30. LOL

[cruzelover55]

We plan to carry-on all our luggage so getting the orange tape isn't something I think we have to worry about...but how do we get into the parking lot and bypass the area where you drop-off luggage?

 

On our last cruise they forced us to stop in that area before we could be directed to the parking lot to park our car (we always get Port of Galveston parking paid ahead of time).

We tried to explain to them last time we wanted to carry our luggage on but they were very insistent that we let them take it to the ship for us. It was kind of annoying.

Is there a way to bypass this?

We were first-time cruisers so we really didn't know any better

 

I have never parked here as I live so close, no reason to pay to leave our car less than 1/2 mile from our house. So know nothing about the parking area. But, I do know that the porters that obviously intimidated you are not Carnival employees. Most of them are longshoremen and this is just a second job, so definitely work for tips so if they let you slip away that's a loss. I am a little bit intimidated myself, but for different reasons. I have seen them shake their head and the look on their face when someone stiffs them and I think, Wonder what shape That luggage will arrive in, and When? I have even told the people that did not tip them they had better run up and tip them before they get too far ahead. I would love to carry all ours on but we take 3 or 4 big cases that I don't think will go through the scanner. We do, take them off ourselves when coming home.Anyway, we tip well and so far have always received everything in good condition and prompt.

[cruzelover55]

Swampbaby, I booked about a week ago and did not see anything about it. We do have FTTF, but will go back and look and do as you did, just in case. Thanks

[HollandAvery]

I have never parked here as I live so close, no reason to pay to leave our car less than 1/2 mile from our house. So know nothing about the parking area. But, I do know that the porters that obviously intimidated you are not Carnival employees. Most of them are longshoremen and this is just a second job, so definitely work for tips so if they let you slip away that's a loss. I am a little bit intimidated myself, but for different reasons. I have seen them shake their head and the look on their face when someone stiffs them and I think, Wonder what shape That luggage will arrive in, and When? I have even told the people that did not tip them they had better run up and tip them before they get too far ahead. I would love to carry all ours on but we take 3 or 4 big cases that I don't think will go through the scanner. We do, take them off ourselves when coming home.Anyway, we tip well and so far have always received everything in good condition and prompt.

 

Yes, they are quite intimidating!

I can imagine even more so if you don't tip them, heheh.

We always make sure to, that I knew as a first-time cruiser.

 

I didn't think about our one really big suitcase maybe being too big for the scanner, hmm...

 

Does anyone happen to know the measurements that might mean the bag won't fit? That way I can measure the thing later just to make sure. I'd really hate to check the thing...we wanted to carry everything on ourselves because of the bags we watched get dropped into the ocean last cruise (not Carnival, probably worth mentioning, but we're still paranoid). We looked at each other with horrified looks on our face just hoping one of them wasn't ours (thankfully wasn't). But we really don't want to take risks :eek:

Edited November 12, 2015 by HollandAvery

[Athankfulheart]

Carnival has just gone to a window to arrive and Galveston is one of the first three ports to start. Believe it starts this month. When we booked our FEB cruise it was not there but is now. However, if you have FTTF it states you do not need to choose a time. Guess I wanted to be sure so even with FTTF I chose the first window of 10-10:30. LOL

 

Thats so odd ! I had already done out check in for our 12/6 sailing and got the email about the "window" so I went back to see if anything had changed. Sure enough there was a tab there asking me to choose a window, but it did not give the exception for FTTF that you mentioned. Not only that, but it specifically said that even if you have FTTF to choose one anyways but that we are still at liberty to come at our leisure LOL. It must have taken them some time to figure out how they wanted to do this.

 

The email was a pdf and I cant seem to copy and paste the wording =(

Edited November 12, 2015 by Athankfulheart