FTTF? Yay or Nay and Why?

[bowen9475]

We've never gotten FTTF before. Have always been interested in it. Considering it for our cruise in a few weeks. Please, give me your opinions. Thank you!

[Purvis1231]

I almost bought FTTF for our last cruise but I decided against it. We boarded only 15 minutes after FTTF, we did not mind waiting for our room to be ready-we ate lunch and meet-up with friends, and made new friends. Our luggage was at the room at 2:00 since we dropped our bags off early. The customer service desk was never that crowded-except when tips were posted. We had a Carnival excursion for the tender port so we had a spot of the first tender. Finally, we were in no hurry to leave the ship.

[mz-s]

The only perk of FTTF that is worth it to me is having your room ready before 1:30 if you want to be on the ship early. With staggered check in lines in the terminal are acceptable nowadays so without FTTF I've not really had a bad wait.

 

If you want to be able to get into your room before 1:30 and are willing to pay the price, FTTF is worth it. Otherwise I'd pass.

[MCH2340]

FTTF = Faster To The Food

[Blackjack22]

FTTF = Faster To The Food

 

Amen sister

[LCTXcruiser]

For me the only reason I would buy the FTTF is if we were docking in countries that required a tender ship to get to the island. Then, and only then is it worth it. I can say in Galveston they've got the boarding down to a science so it moves relatively quickly.

[SRQbeachgirl]

I like getting our bags to the cabin early so we don't have to carry them around. The idea of just getting to the ship later - after the cabins are available at 1:30 - holds no appeal to us since the sooner we get on the ship the sooner we can really start to feel like we're on vacation.

 

We also like priority status for tendering ports if we don't have a Carnival excursion booked.

 

The priority line at guest services is also something we like. We had to go to the desk 3 times on our last cruise and there were at least 5 people in line every time. We're not going to keep coming back to see if the line has gone down - that's just a waste of good vacation time, IMO.

[azjim66]

We always get FTTF because we like to get on fast and start partying. We like dropping our bags in the room as soon as we board. Separate line at Guest Services Desk should you need it (and that line can be looooong, so it can come in handy)We frequently cruise out of Long Beach to the Mex Riviera and when you have the 2 days in Cabo itinerary the priority tender is a great perk. Lastly when it is time to go we use self assist with FTTF and are usually off the ship between 7:30/8 am. To us it is obviously worth it. It is an individual choice.

[keywest1]

We bought FTTF for our first 8 cruises. For the 9th we booked late and weren't able to get it. As mentioned, with the assigned check in times, lines move quickly. We didn't miss it, and by the time we finished lunch and meandered around the ship a bit, our room was ready. Luggage little if any later than our experiences with FTTF. We carried our own luggage off the ship, so were able to disembark relatively early and quickly. If I need Guest Services, I either watch for short line, or suck it up and wait with everyone else. The self-service kiosks are great, and I rarely need to stop at the desk anyhow. The only perk I might miss is priority tendering, and if it's that important to us at a particular port, I'll just get a shore excursion.

We won't be buying it again, particularly with the jump in prices.

[teknoge3k]

When I am on vacation I don't want to wait around. I want to go as much as possible and avoid as many lines as possible. That being said.

 

The priority embarkation is great because while I could pick a late check-in, the morning of the cruise we're excited and want to get on the ship and avoid the lines at the food and be able to find a table on lido. So that's #1.

 

We want our room to be ready as soon as we embark, because we always have 48 sodas + 4 back packs to drop off. Sure, I could carry them around until 1:30 but why? It's better to drop them in the room and not worry about them.

 

I don't really care about the priority luggage but it's nice to be unpacked before muster.

 

Priority tendering is a must for us. Yes I could chance it to be on the first tender but what if it's full and I have to wait for the second? I always have an excursion in the ports we go to so if we need to be tendered in, I want to get to the port to get my day started.

 

Priority guest services is great because the line is always super long. I am not waking up bright and early just to go to GS. Since we pay with the discounted gift cards, I go the last night of the sailing to pay my balance with the gift cards. I don't want to wait in a 45 minute line to pay.

 

Priority debarkation is another meh.

 

It's definitely worth it to us. Even if the price goes to $200, I'll still pay it.

[RWolver672]

 

More than likely it's already sold out and won't become available for you this late.

 

We cruised on the Dream before FTTF was invented. From the time we boarded until 1:30, it was so crowded on the Lido Deck that you couldn't move. And there was carry-ons scattered all over the walk ways. For that alone, when FTTF became available, we started getting it as soon as it became available.

 

Our next cruise we will become Platinum so we won't have to get it anymore.

[moondog73]

We get it for several reasons but to each their own. Don't listen to the people who say it is a waste of money. It is up to you to decide.

 

1. We don't live close to the port so we must arrive the night before. Hotel check out is usually 11-12. If I have a late check in time, what am I supposed to do int he meantime? I don't want to drag my luggage around with me while I wait to check in.

 

2. Some of us drop carry on bags at room while others head to lido. We beat the masses on board and can eat in peace and quiet while not waiting in lines. We eat and then get out before the masses start arriving.

 

3. We have always received our luggage quickly with FTTF so we get a drink a a bar and unpack well before Muster. Nice not to feel rushed.

 

4. Priority line at Guest Services. It seems we always have an issue and it is so nice to by pass the 20-25 people in line so we can get our issue solved quickly.

 

5. our last cruise on the Sunshine, we arrived in Aruba 3 hours late. We received a letter in our cabin stating Plat, Diamond, FTTF to report to a lounge for priority debarkation in Aruba. It was great because they let NO ONE off (and there was a huge line) before we were escorted down to get off the ship. This was a HUGE time saver as the line for taxis behind us was ENORMOUS!!!

 

6. Priority debarkation. We get off right after the carry off people. Why deal with luggage if we can leave it our the night before, get off boat quickly, through customs, shuttle to hotel and on road before 9am?

[Organized Chaos]

Here's a couple recent threads on the subject. You might find more input there. There's no straight answer because it's value is subjective. The best you can do is look at all of the perks it includes and decide if they are worth it to you.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2560574

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2648932

[Towel Critter]

If one has the means and can easily afford FTTF, sure, why not? Having those perks do not make or break a cruise though, so if money is an issue, skip it. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy Platinum perks for a few cruises. They are nice. But personally, I would not pay a hundred bucks for them. If I were to lose my Platinum status for some reason, I'd just go back to doing it the way I did the first dozen cruises. Not a biggie.

[txjenny77]

We bought it for our spring break vacation. We have kids, wanted to board as early as possible (skip having to buy lunch elsewhere) and didn't want to have our luggage with us. So, after dropping our stuff off, we went to grab lunch. Shortly after we got our food, rain started and people were trying to get food while trying to keep themselves and their luggage dry. For us, it was worth it. Next year, we have two cabins so the cost of FTTF is double for us and we're still buying it for the convenience.

[mrswagesmoney]

We have purchased FTTF for our last 2 cruises. I do not think I would cruise without this purchase. Here are the reasons we love it: fast boarding, room is ready, priority bag arrival, priority guest services line, tender priority, dinning priority & priority debarkation. As i say it is worth the price of admission.

[cb at sea]

Even if you need to tender ashore, unless you MUST be 1st off, it doesn't take that long to wait on the 2nd or 3rd tender....they run all day....

[Darwal]

I find the time of year and cruise can also play a factor of whether or not it's worth it. If you are sailing at a time that schools are in session there will be less families. Anyone with kids (this includes myself) know that no matter how hard you try it always takes a bit longer to do anything and that can slow the process down for everyone behind you. In this case maybe FTTF has a little more value.

 

If you go at a time that there are less families or maybe an itinerary that typically is less appealing to families then you may find the lines move quicker and perhaps FTTF is not as important.

[Joebucks]

As someone who hates waiting in lines, I find it to be a huge waste. I bought it for my last cruise, and immediately returned it. It's around $100 now for a week long cruise for what, to get to your room an hour quicker, maybe? The staggered check-in is painless. My room has always been ready within a reasonable time. Probably because I'm at a hotel previously, and I'm enjoying that vs trying to be the first one on the boat. If you have an early flight out, they will bump up your debarkation zone too.

 

If it included skipping food lines, early Punchliner entry, and/or priority entry/exit for ports then SIGN ME UP! I'd probably pay $200 for that. Otherwise, that $100 can be spent on tons of other things that bring me way more joy than the earliest possible room access.

[riclop]

We've never gotten FTTF before. Have always been interested in it. Considering it for our cruise in a few weeks. Please, give me your opinions. Thank you!

No way too much $$$$ and we boarded 5 min. after FTTF. We went and had lunch and the rooms were ready.

[ronandannette]

Here's a couple recent threads on the subject. You might find more input there. There's no straight answer because it's value is subjective. The best you can do is look at all of the perks it includes and decide if they are worth it to you.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2560574

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2648932

Absolutely agree with this. I wouldn't give $0.05 for FTTF. We purposely arrive late to board (will have to make sure I get a late boarding window for our upcoming cruise - that's new to us). We walk straight on after the rush and are much happier having had a nice lunch in an interesting restaurant shore-side than fighting the hordes for the buffet offerings. We never carry luggage on; we're fine without it until our bags are delivered (never lost one or had one super-late; knock wood). Cabins are almost always ready by the time we get there and as for debarkation - we get a time assigned appropriate for our flights (never hauled our own luggage off and never will). That only leaves priority tenders as having any possible benefit to us and we've always managed just fine without - we never plan our shore excursions for first-thing anyway. I'm happy to leave FTTF available for the rest of you who want it.

[bingomamma19]

We've never gotten FTTF before. Have always been interested in it. Considering it for our cruise in a few weeks. Please, give me your opinions. Thank you!

 

 

I have done it both ways. Now that Carnival has made staggered check in times, I don't bother with it.

 

We stay the night before at a hotel (we fly in), and always get a late check out. We usually stay at the Embassy suites, so you get a huge breakfast buffet for free. So we are not even worried about lunch until 2 or so.

 

We show up at the port around 1:30pm...walk right through with our luggage to carry on. Go right to our rooms to drop them off (as the rooms are ready at 1:30), then off to grab a bit to eat.

 

I don't have issues that I have to go to guest services for usually, and if I do, I would just go at an off time.

 

I don't have a need to be the first off the ship at any tender port. Don't mind waiting for the rush to be over.

 

We to self debark, we try to be one of the last off the ship.

 

So, for us...its a no.

[jjqube]

We always buy FTTF... If they raise the price again we probably wont buy it!! Here are the perks to buying it!!

CARNIVAL’S FASTER TO THE FUN PACKAGE:

Here's what it includes:



(Note: VIFP Club Diamond & Platinum members do not need to purchase this package as these and other benefits are included as part of your VIFP Club status.)



Priority Check-in

Bypass lines and have exclusive security screening lanes for initial embarkation at onset of cruise.

 

Guaranteed Stateroom

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

 

Express Luggage

Your luggage will be expedited to your stateroom so you can unpack and get settled in for a great vacation!

 

Guest Services

You'll have a dedicated phone number and line at Guest Services so you can quickly have your questions answered.

 

Dining Reservations

Priority Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurant reservations (excluding Your Time Dining).

 

Priority Tender Boarding

We hope you take advantage of Carnival's Excursions. If you choose to explore the destination on your own, you will have the option to choose a priority tender from the ship to shore.

 

Debarkation

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

[4jaynki]

Just my two sense, both of my cruises I did not have FTTF and was able to go right to my room, also I noticed a very small difference in when FTTF luggage arrived and mine.

[lukeduke07]

Used to be worth it. The price went up and it probably will again.

 

Probably shouldn't listen to me though. we just turned platinum and dont need it anymore. :cool: