Paradise Tender Process

[tcarter8199]

Can someone help me decide on purchasing FTTF? We are going on the Paradise at the end of May and have booked a 3rd party excursion in Grand Cayman. The checkin for the excursion is at 9:00 and we arrive at 8:00. Do you think we will be able to get off the ship in an hour or should I purchase FTTF to make sure? I have tendered at Grand Cayman twice before on the Breeze and it wasn't difficult at all. We just walked to the Ocean Plaza and followed a crew member to the tender. I have read something about having to get tender tickets on the Paradise though. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[naz022292]

We were on the Paradise for the Jan 18th cruise. We had FTTF and had an excursion through carnival. For those without, they had to get tender tickets early in the morning. As it turned out, the ship arrived at port a lot earlier than they expected. We had instructions to meet in the theater but when we got there, we were instructed to just go down stairs and walk off - no line at all.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[tcarter8199]

We were on the Paradise for the Jan 18th cruise. We had FTTF and had an excursion through carnival. For those without, they had to get tender tickets early in the morning. As it turned out, the ship arrived at port a lot earlier than they expected. We had instructions to meet in the theater but when we got there, we were instructed to just go down stairs and walk off - no line at all.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thanks for the info. Did you think the FTTF was worth it?

[naz022292]

Thanks for the info. Did you think the FTTF was worth it?

 

We have had it for each of our cruises because we travel with my elderly parents. In my opinion, the biggest benefit is having the room ready. My husband ends up having to lug around the soda that my parents bring, plus ours - so it makes it a little easier on him to be able to bring it to the room right away. Oh, by the way, we were on the ship by 11 am that morning! Actually, even without FTTF people were on pretty early. They seemed to have a good system. There was really never any long lines prior to that. FTTF also lets you get off quick. Getting off quick isn't a high priority for me, but it means less lines which is helpful for my parents.

 

We all really enjoyed our cruise. We rec'd GREAT service from our room steward and our waitstaff in the dining room! If you get a chance, go to the Piano Bar. The Piano player was very funny. Fair warning though... his jokes have some adult content (even the earlier time) and could possibly offend some. It's not terrible, just keep that in mind.

[missy428]

We are in the same situation and we purchased FTTF because we didn't want to take any chances and I liked the other features. I did find out that GC does not observe daylight savings so while we are on the same time now, we won't be when the clocks spring forward in March so make sure you take that into account! We are set to arrive at GC at 8am ship time and our 3rd party cruise transportation leave at 8:30 island time with is an hour earlier then ship time, so we will have over an hour to get off the ship in time.

[Schoifmom]

We were on the Paradise in December with FTTF. The only ones who meet in the theater and are escorted off into the first tender are those who have early CARNIVAL excursions. If you have a private excursion, you need FTTF to be on the first tender. Without FTTF, we would not have made our excursion on time. I would recommend it.

 

Have fun!