Carnival Cruise Line Raises Prices for 'Faster to the Fun' Perk

[LauraS]

Check out the latest Carnival Cruise Line news from Cruise Critic:

 

Carnival Cruise Line Raises Prices for 'Faster to the Fun' Perk

[coevan]

Did Carnival read this befor they posted it? Are 4 days $49 or $59? same ships too

[trippingpara]

Did Carnival read this befor they posted it? Are 4 days $49 or $59? same ships too

 

Apparently you didn't read it. Its $49 for all 4 day cruises except for the ships listed. Its $59 for those ships listed on 4 day cruises.

[coevan]

sorry, did not see excluded, very poorly worded

[toad455]

has anyone done this? Is it really worth the extra $$$ to get on the ship just a few hours earlier?

[AlPSUCruiser]

More like a few minutes early... I've done it twice - before the price increase. On our last cruise the rest of our group without FTTF boarded within 10 minutes of us (and had a great deal of fun at my expense the remainder of the cruise reminding me that I wasted $50). They even got their luggage well before us and disembarked faster than us. There were no tender ports on that cruise and we might have used the guest services desk once. So in that case we did not realize any value at all.

 

The other cruise with FTTF had a tender port and the priority boarding there made it worth the price alone.

 

There are many threads regarding FTTF, lots of opinions on both sides. I've replied in another FTTF thread that you are really buying peace of mind that you can board as soon as you arrive, and supposedly have access to your room immediately, but don't be surprised if Carnival doesn't fulfill all the promises of FTTF.

 

FTTF was sold out for my June 2017 Magic 8-day cruise since I booked in June and I checked daily hoping it would open up. It did this week - "limited availability" at $80! For now I'm passing due to a combination of disappointing prior experience, no tender ports, and once you pay $50 for FTTF it's a struggle to pay more - even $30 more... Folks are right - it's a cash cow for Carnival and they're milking it for all it's worth.

[Mfunnye]

More like a few minutes early... I've done it twice - before the price increase. On our last cruise the rest of our group without FTTF boarded within 10 minutes of us (and had a great deal of fun at my expense the remainder of the cruise reminding me that I wasted $50). They even got their luggage well before us and disembarked faster than us. There were no tender ports on that cruise and we might have used the guest services desk once. So in that case we did not realize any value at all.

 

The other cruise with FTTF had a tender port and the priority boarding there made it worth the price alone.

 

There are many threads regarding FTTF, lots of opinions on both sides. I've replied in another FTTF thread that you are really buying peace of mind that you can board as soon as you arrive, and supposedly have access to your room immediately, but don't be surprised if Carnival doesn't fulfill all the promises of FTTF.

 

FTTF was sold out for my June 2017 Magic 8-day cruise since I booked in June and I checked daily hoping it would open up. It did this week - "limited availability" at $80! For now I'm passing due to a combination of disappointing prior experience, no tender ports, and once you pay $50 for FTTF it's a struggle to pay more - even $30 more... Folks are right - it's a cash cow for Carnival and they're milking it for all it's worth.

 

 

That's funny because my cruise on the Sunshine next March also had FTTF sold out since I booked in July. But as soon as the price increased it was made available. Very suspicious. I bought for now. But I'm really hoping they didn't increase the number available just to make more$$$

[d12j28]

That's funny because my cruise on the Sunshine next March also had FTTF sold out since I booked in July. But as soon as the price increased it was made available. Very suspicious. I bought for now. But I'm really hoping they didn't increase the number available just to make more$$$

 

My cruise in January has been sold out all along and now it's available for $69.95 on the Splendor.

[Donh44]

has anyone done this? Is it really worth the extra $$$ to get on the ship just a few hours earlier?

 

I had never done it before a year ago. Now, I get it all of the time. Bad back here and it is so worth it to me to not have to stand in the general boarding line in the terminal. Faster checkin. Can arrive whenever I want. Bypass the general line to a special checkin. Then, priority boarding right after Platinum, Diamond and weddings. Can go straight to one's cabin to drop stuff off and then free to wander the ship without baggage. Few additional perks as well. Priority Tender boarding if your excursion calls for it, priority guest services line at the counter and priority phone line to GS as well. All depends on the person. I don't gamble, so don't use the casino. So, I treat myself to the FTTF. Not for everyone.

[easyboy]

has anyone done this? Is it really worth the extra $$$ to get on the ship just a few hours earlier?

Read in previous threads that some are happy with it despite the price increase. Some does not care about the priorities offered.. Who the majority is remain unknown.

[Trekker2016]

What if you just go to the Port early but did not have the FTTF option, will you be sent away later on or wait all day until it is time for your ship to leave, ours is at 4pm. If we go early at 11am, will we be waiting all day?

 

Just asking...I am a newbie at sailing and all the procedures...:confused:

[mayesq]

Just bought it for our Alaska cruise on the Legend in June of next year. We have used it twice. We feel it is worth it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[beachbum53]

What if you just go to the Port early but did not have the FTTF option, will you be sent away later on or wait all day until it is time for your ship to leave, ours is at 4pm. If we go early at 11am, will we be waiting all day?

 

Just asking...I am a newbie at sailing and all the procedures...:confused:

 

No, you won't wait all day to board the ship. When you check in at the terminal, you will be given a card with a zone number on it. After Priority boarding has completed, which includes wedding parties, special needs, Diamond, Platinum and FTTF, general boarding begins. Obviously, the earlier you are able to check in at the terminal, the lower the zone number you'll have. You didn't say whether or not the terminal you are leaving from has implemented staggered check-in times. If so, you won't be able to enter the terminal before your check-in time.

[ryano]

has anyone done this? Is it really worth the extra $$$ to get on the ship just a few hours earlier?

 

Its an individual thing. It is NOT worth it to me. Im disabled and confined to a wheelchair so I was priority boarded right along with FTTF on Magic. They pretty much called us together at the same time. I dont need my cabin ready upon boarding, priority luggage or a special line at Guest Services. I also didnt tender ashore either. Those are the main perks you are paying for. You really have to decide for yourself if those perks are worth the extra money. Many say yes, many say no :) I say no.

Edited September 2, 2016 by ryano

[JMAE]

We have used it two or three times, all on cruises with tender ports. I think the value has been diminished with staggered check-in. Now that we are Platinum we don't need FTTF. but thought it was worth the $49 we paid for faster boarding and tendering at the time. If we still needed FTTF I would have to think twice before purchasing this option, I don't see it as a a perk if I have to pay additional for it. It has been a great marketing plan for CCL, it costs CCL virtually no additional funds to offer this option but they created a population that are willing to pay for a no cost to CCL option. We paid for this option and now other will too, I think it is good for all since it helps keep the cruise prices "down". :rolleyes:

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

I have mentioned this before but I will reiterate:

 

Some people don't mind paying for some extra perks but I'm not one of them.

 

Out experience has been that if you plan your morning well...leisurely wake-up, breakfast near the hotel, pack up and exit room by eleven. Every hotel we have stayed out is very accommodating in storing our luggage for a few hours while we either take a walk around the area, or else we visit in the lounge until about 12:30 and then we are off to the port. If the hotel has a service to the port they have also been helpful in driving us later. If not it is usually a short taxi or limo ride.

 

When we get to the port we rarely encounter an outside line. We head to check-in and almost always board immediately. By then the rooms are open so we drop off our carry-on and head to lido for our lunch...encountering plenty of open tables, plenty of food, and a much more relaxed lunch experience.

 

We schedule our shore activities at tender ports to make sure it isn't necessary to get the first tender out. And FTTF doesn't help with the return to the ship. If we "ever" need guest services we just time our visit when no one else is there. We don't remove tips, bring along enough cash, don't book a cabana, and use our room phone if we need to contact a particular dept.

 

We book a later flight home, leave the ship with the last group, don't do self-assist debarking.

 

Can't see any reason to pay additional monies for things we wouldn't ever use. A little planning and some patience is all we need to make our cruise very enjoyable.

 

And, to top it off, our cruise fare stays reasonable what with Carnival making extra money and profit off of a service that costs them absolutely nothing. A win for us.

[Trekker2016]

No, you won't wait all day to board the ship. When you check in at the terminal, you will be given a card with a zone number on it. After Priority boarding has completed, which includes wedding parties, special needs, Diamond, Platinum and FTTF, general boarding begins. Obviously, the earlier you are able to check in at the terminal, the lower the zone number you'll have. You didn't say whether or not the terminal you are leaving from has implemented staggered check-in times. If so, you won't be able to enter the terminal before your check-in time.

 

I am sorry I did not take note of that so I googled it just now and it says that staggered checked is allowed in Conquest from October 9, 2016. Our trip will be on the 25th September with a 4pm departure.

 

Thanks, I will have to tell my husband to get a hotel that will allow us to store our luggage for a few hours or get one that has allowed later check-out than 11am. I will go from there, perhaps have lunch or something or go around nearby to take pictures if it is not raining or the sun too hot....I tried to buy a FTTF last night and there was no more available ones for our cruise.

 

Also what do you mean when you say, I will be given a lower number...does that mean lower than low priority even if we arrive a little bit earlier then come back to take our place? Just need a clarification...

 

'Appreciate your help.

Edited September 2, 2016 by Trekker2016

[TerReuv]

I am sorry I did not take note of that so I googled it just now and it says that staggered checked is allowed in Conquest from October 9, 2016. Our trip will be on the 25th September with a 4pm departure.

 

Thanks, I will have to tell my husband to get a hotel that will allow us to store our luggage for a few hours or get one that has allowed later check-out than 11am. I will go from there, perhaps have lunch or something or go around nearby to take pictures if it is not raining or the sun too hot....I tried to buy a FTTF last night and there was no more available ones for our cruise.

 

Also what do you mean when you say, I will be given a lower number...does that mean lower than low priority even if we arrive a little bit earlier then come back to take our place? Just need a clarification...

 

'Appreciate your help.

 

No need to check out later if you don't have staggered check in yet. You can check out of the hotel at 11 and head to the port. However, you might have to wait at the port a short time before boarding. But, there is no reason for you to have a late check out time at the hotel.

 

Boarding starts with Zone 1 then goes up in the numbers. Depends on what time you get to the port as to what zone you receive.

[Trekker2016]

No need to check out later if you don't have staggered check in yet. You can check out of the hotel at 11 and head to the port. However, you might have to wait at the port a short time before boarding. But, there is no reason for you to have a late check out time at the hotel.

 

Boarding starts with Zone 1 then goes up in the numbers. Depends on what time you get to the port as to what zone you receive.

 

Thank you so very much. I am not in a hurry to board the ship and I will be willing to go much later but not as late having the ship sail without me, but I planned this trip for our wedding anniversary and I want my husband to like it so we can go again. Thanks again...especially for the quick response.