Hate to say it, but giving up FTTF...

[cruzelover55]

I see no reason for my family to purchase FTTF. We're platinum, usually on the ship before the rest of our family. When they embark, we meet them at the elevators and let them drop their carry-ons in our room. No problems.

 

Only reason I see for FTTF purchase is a tender port.

 

For the person who never had FTTF, not plat, and able to self debark before everyone else, this just means the directions were not followed and failed to wait until the floor was called, which usually causes a back up debarking.

 

If this was directed to my post: I have purchased FTTF every time it is available. We have never caused a "back up". Rarely ever see anyone else. In front of us or behind us.:)

[crusinpsychRN]

The good thing about the GS plat line is trading your plat gift for something else! Or getting a deck of cards. Or having a charge you didn't make taken off.

 

Many times GS staff are not very knowledgeable about their ship. When I asked where outside smoking was I was told the opposite of where it was. HAL GS were just as incorrect, got 3 of 4 questions wrong. It's like if you ask 4 people at Carnival a questions you're likely to get 4 answers.

[HectorAchilleus]

I keep my cameras and other valuables/breakables in my carry on because I've seen how the bags are thrown around and each person is only reimbursed $50 if there is damage, no where near enough to replace my cameras, not to mention being without for the vacation which would break my heart! I love my pics :) I also have a fear of them losing bags all together so I always pack a change of clothes and tooth brush for each person just in case. You may think it's silly since all they have to do is load it right there but my MIL was on a cruise where an entire load of luggage went into the water and was lost! [emoji15]

 

For your situation, FTTF really makes sense then. I guess the value of it just varies from person to person.

[HectorAchilleus]

I was lucky enough to get a few Platinum cruises in before they started offering FTTF. Embarkation and Self Disembarkation lines were a breeze. Now with FTTF, the casino perks people, it has become the cluster f*&* to end all cluster F*&*s just to get on and off the ship. I just have to remember to pack my patience. In June, I sailed RCCL out of Galveston and I think the general embarkation line was easier than I can remember Carnival's Priority line in recent cruises We'll see how this whole pick your time thing works out in February.

 

I also remember the Plat perks before FTTF with fondness. The tendering group was usually 10-15 people instead of hundreds on our last three cruises; no one at the GS line; no mad surge of people as on SOME ports (yes, I mean you Miami!). Other than the laundry, the perks are very diluted. The early room and luggage are meaningless to me.

 

I do not blame people who purchase FTTF - If I were not priority I would probably buy it; but it is disconcerting to us Diamonds and Plts.

[threedjmay]

I also remember the Plat perks before FTTF with fondness. The tendering group was usually 10-15 people instead of hundreds on our last three cruises

 

I don't think FTTF is to blame, they don't sell hundreds of FTTF, it could be more Plats who have 'earned' the same perks and are now on your last cruises.

[HectorAchilleus]

I don't think FTTF is to blame, they don't sell hundreds of FTTF, it could be more Plats who have 'earned' the same perks and are now on your last cruises.

 

I am not trying to be funny, but I was wondering how you know how many are actually sold, or what that number is. At Baltimore (which was very orderly and organized) they had Plats & Diamonds sit in one section with FTTF across the aisle. There were many more in the FTTF area when boarding began. I am a Plat, but I stayed after with some friends that were Zone 2. I would estimate at least 200 in the FTTF section, and that was at 11:15. Who knows how many came at 12:00, 1:15, etc.

 

I know it is based on the number of Plats & Diamonds, but I was curious as to what the cutoff actually is. It also seems as though they have increased the number since the program began.