Any plus to having both FTTF & a Suite (Priority)

[wingnt68]

Just curious if there is any perk to having both FTTF while booked in a suite? I know the suite gives you priority boarding but DOES NOT guarentee your room to be ready when you board. Are there any other perks to have both?

[Grannygirl21]

No, I wouldn't think so. I would save the FTTF money for something else.

[originalgeek]

VIP check-in yes but I didn't see anything about special line at guest services or priority tenders - both of which where the best thing about FTTF for us last month.

 

edit to add~ however, if you don't often need guest services and/or you won't be getting off the ship at tender ports on your own (as opposed to with a carnival excursion) that may be of limited value. 50~60 bucks can buy a few drinks though lol :)

Edited August 22, 2016 by originalgeek

[asalligo]

VIP check-in yes but I didn't see anything about special line at guest services or priority tenders

 

Exactly, you would lose this perk, but personally I would not buy FTTF if I was in a suite and I love FTTF, but boarding first and getting to my room is the perk I love which already comes with a suite.

[firemanbobswife]

Exactly, you would lose this perk, but personally I would not buy FTTF if I was in a suite and I love FTTF, but boarding first and getting to my room is the perk I love which already comes with a suite.

 

 

Your cabin is not ready upon boarding with a suite unless you arrive after 1:30pm. I would keep FTTF for that fact as well as the line at Guest Services. It's worth it right there. I never plan on going, but at some point I end up needing to.

[riffatsea]

We like having both!

For us it is not a waste of our money to be able to drop bags right away in our cabin which will be ready for us early. We also like the special line at guest services.

Until we are platinum or they add more suite perks we will keep buying FTTF when we cruise.

[lizardhowson]

Some of the benefits are overlapping so have one cancels out the other.

No perk to having both (1 + 1 still equals 2, not 3)

[firemanbobswife]

Some of the benefits are overlapping so have one cancels out the other.

 

No perk to having both (1 + 1 still equals 2, not 3)

 

 

You still don't get priority tendering, your cabin ready at embarkation, or priority line at Guest Services with a suite so FTTF is more valuable IMHO.

Edited August 22, 2016 by firemanbobswife

[ohitssunshine]

Exactly what riffatsea said... There's nothing like starting your vacation the second you board, by dropping off those carry-ons! I also like that my luggage comes faster so I can unpack and get situated right away too. I addition, if you're looking to book any excursions that have to be done on board, you'll be first on to get to guest services before everyone lines up. We were first in line for our HMC cabana thanks to FTTF. We never used the special line at guest services, but knowing that they can get long, it's a nice perk to have. Enjoy!

[ShakyBeef]

I always purchase FTTF in addition to booking a Suite. Although some of the perks overlap, they are not the same. Like some of the PPs, I purchase it for my Suite being guaranteed ready upon boarding, expedited luggage, as well as access to the VIP GS line.

 

Here's the FTTF features from Carnival's website. I have highlighted in red those that are already Suite Perks:

 

Faster to the Fun (FTTF)

 

 

 

 

Here's what the program includes:

 

Priority Security, Check-in and Express Boarding

Bypass lines and have exclusive security screening lanes and express boarding lane. This is only available on embarkation day. If you arrive after general boarding has begun, you may bypass the general boarding line and board via the Faster to the Fun lane.

Note: Only VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests as well as guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations will have access to the Priority Check-In Lounge and proceed on board before FTTF guests.

 

First Access to Stateroom

Your stateroom will be ready for you as soon as you board so you can relax or freshen up for all the fun you are about to have.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests.

 

Priority Luggage

While we process thousands of bags, FTTF luggage will receive priority delivery.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests.

 

Guest Services

Quickly have any of your questions answered or requests addressed as you will have a dedicated phone and line at Guest Services.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests.

 

Dining Reservations

Priority Dinner Time Assignment: FTTF guests will be cleared after VIFP Platinum guests. This benefit does not include specific time reservations for 'Your Time Dining'.

Note: VIFP Diamond guests and guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations are guaranteed their dining in the Main Dining Room.

 

Tender Priority

You will have priority tender service from ship to shore (multiple departure times may be possible) so you can explore ashore as quickly as you want to. When ready to go ashore, if not on a Carnival shore excursion, present yourself at the Guest Services Desk.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests.

 

Debarkation Choices

We are always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late disembarkation time upon arrival to your homeport.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests and guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations.

 

I hope this helps.:)

[travler27]

We always get a suite and always get FTTF. It's worth the money to me to access my room when I get on board and to get my luggage early. Others may not think it's worth it. I guess that's why FTTF is optional.

[cruzkitty]

We definitely enjoy having both a Suite and FTTF!! I will always purchase it when it is available, until we are Platinum.

[Drazil65]

FTTF = cabin ready upon boarding / Suite = No

 

This is best reason for getting FTTF...Keep it if you already have it...:)

Edited August 22, 2016 by Drazil65

[riclop]

Just curious if there is any perk to having both FTTF while booked in a suite? I know the suite gives you priority boarding but DOES NOT guarentee your room to be ready when you board. Are there any other perks to have both?

 

Yes there is , you just gave Carnival a $60 gift and they thank you .

[e050377]

We just did both and fttf worked well for us. Our room was ready and we utilized the fttf line a couple of times at guest services

[garmar73]

DW and I have booked Suites on four of our six CCL Cruises and have also purchased FTTF. Basically, all the "Priority" boarding perk with Suites gets you is a "leg-up" on the Lido Buffet line. If you want priority luggage, room ready when boarding so you can stow your carry-on luggage, priority tendering and the other FTTF "perks"; you need to purchase FTTF, if it is available. We just consider FTTF a part of the price of cruising CCL.

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

 

Here's what the program includes:

 

Debarkation Choices

We are always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late disembarkation time upon arrival to your homeport.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests and guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations.

 

I hope this helps.:)

 

When do you choose if you want early or late debarkation with FTTF? This will be our first time with FTTF. We like to get off as late as possible. (But we don't hang out until they ask you to leave, I have heard of people doing this.)

Edited August 23, 2016 by Steve and Sharon

[ShakyBeef]

When do you choose if you want early or late debarkation with FTTF? This will be our first time with FTTF. We like to get off as late as possible. (But we don't hang out until they ask you to leave, I have heard of people doing this.)

 

 

This will be my first time with this option, that I know of. On previous cruises with FTTF and Suite, on the last night's turndown, we were given "Zone 1" luggage tags and the instruction sheet to meet in the designated VIP debarkation lounge at a certain time in the morning. We were all escorted off the ship together - Diamonds, Platinums, Suites, and FTTF, after all the Self-Assist had debarked.

 

With the way it's worded now, I suppose they will send slightly different instructions on the last night - the same as above with the additional option of just not going to the lounge and debarking whenever you want to get into line, after VIP debarkation. That's my guess, anyway. As I said, I haven't done it this way yet. Maybe someone else here has. And I guess if we don't find out here, we could also use the VIP GS line perk to go and ask how it's done at some point during the cruise.;):D

 

ETA: Really, even though it wasn't always printed out this way, everyone with Priority debarkation always had this option to just not go when the Priorities left, but to hang around and leave at any point after that.

Edited August 23, 2016 by ShakyBeef

[IMKTDQT810]

I read on one of the "Suite" thread that there might be new perks being announced for "Suite Guests" in Sept. I don't have a clue what the perks would be nor if they will make the announcement Sept 1st or 30th.

 

Did anyone hear more about this or hints of what the perks might be?

[texreno]

There's another thread from another poster who booked a suite and his post was dated April. He stated that he received a letter from Carnival telling them about the $1.00 increase in the gratuity rates as of Sept. 1. It also stated that their suite perks would now include Priority Tendering, Free Bottle Water and Enhanced Turndown Service on top of the other suite perks they already had. I just read that thread a few days ago and have been looking for confirmation ever since.

 

That would add one more FTTF perk but would not add the Priority Luggage, Access to your cabin or dedicated line at guest services.

 

Truth be told, the first time we purchased a suite FTTF was new and things we were confused. We thought the suite purchase included access to our room so just dropped off and unpacked our carry-ons and went to lunch. We came back 3 hours later and our luggage was there. We saw our room steward while we were in the cabin and I tipped him a $20 to get my an extension cord for me C-Pap and add an egg crate pad to our bed. He said nothing about us not having access to the room yet.

Edited August 29, 2016 by texreno

[cruiseonthebrain]

Your cabin is not ready upon boarding with a suite unless you arrive after 1:30pm. I would keep FTTF for that fact as well as the line at Guest Services. It's worth it right there. I never plan on going, but at some point I end up needing to.

 

I completely agree. We normally book suites and always try to get faster to the fun so we can enjoy the suite as soon as we get onboard.

[gatormom108]

We upgraded to a Grand Suite after I had purchased FTTF on our previous cabin. When I called Carnival, she told me I didn't need it because I had Priority already with the suite. Upon arrival (11:30am), we were told to go directly to our cabin to drop off our carry on bags. Our cabin was ready. We were given priority seating at brunch, which was really nice. Disembarkation luggage tags were a 4. My guess is that 1, 2 and 3 went to the wedding party and Platinum members. It couldn't have been a smoother process. Carnival told us there was no benefit to having both and credited the FTTF.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

We upgraded to a Grand Suite after I had purchased FTTF on our previous cabin. When I called Carnival, she told me I didn't need it because I had Priority already with the suite. Upon arrival (11:30am), we were told to go directly to our cabin to drop off our carry on bags. Our cabin was ready. We were given priority seating at brunch, which was really nice. Disembarkation luggage tags were a 4. My guess is that 1, 2 and 3 went to the wedding party and Platinum members. It couldn't have been a smoother process. Carnival told us there was no benefit to having both and credited the FTTF.

 

 

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Well they were wrong. It just so happened that your cabin was ready, but you were not supposed to enter no matter what the Rep on the phone told you. They are misinformed about many things. Your cabin ready upon embarkation is NOT a benefit of a suite. Think about it. How in the world could the cabin Steward have all the suites plus the Diamond/Platinum/FTTF cabins ready by 11:30? It is physically impossible.

 

Plus you don't have access to the Priority line at GS. And if you had FTTF you would have had #1 tags. I know because I have a ton of them from having FTTF. You do not get Priority seating at Brunch. They don't swipe your card. In fact, you don't even show it so how would they know? It's not even a benefit for Diamond/Platinum/FTTF, and it's certainly not one for a suite.

 

Glad it worked out smoothly as you say, but that is not how it is.

[Lilly'sMom]

We are booked in a suite next month on the Magic. Just pulled up my luggage tag and it has the FTTF emblem on it as well as it saying Priority. We did not purchase FTTF. Thought maybe it was a new suite perk!;)

[firemanbobswife]

We are booked in a suite next month on the Magic. Just pulled up my luggage tag and it has the FTTF emblem on it as well as it saying Priority. We did not purchase FTTF. Thought maybe it was a new suite perk!;)

 

I think they all say that so hopefully the Porters will see it and know to put an orange sticker on your bags (but be sure to remind them). Mine also say FTTF and Priority and I'm Platinum, no suite. What does your boarding pass say?