Faster to the Fun

[Spcdlee]

I have searched and searched and can’t find anything dealing solely with FTTF.  We are first time cruisers and decided to do the FTTF.  There are some things I’ve been able to find out but still have questions.  We are on Paradise sailing from Tampa in July.  The main reasons we did was so we could go straight to our room and the priority tender in Grand Cayman.  But what I can’t find is what to expect the day we leave and what to expect when we tender in Grand Cayman.  Anyone with past experience that could give insight I’d appreciate it greatly!!

[Vigorosity]

I just had FTTF on the Paradise in November. Boarding the ship was easy! I got on probably around 11:30, right after Diamond/Platnium cruisers. I went straight to my room to sit down my luggage! You also can use the Diamond/Platnium Guest Services which is a MUCH shorter line should you need any help. (Sometimes the general line can be a 30+ minute wait)

 

The night before I got to Grand Cayman, a letter arrived in my room with where to meet (a lounge on the promenade) the next morning. I waited for maybe ten minutes before our group was guided down and put on the very first tender to leave. Very simple process! 

 

The night before debarkation, another letter arrived explaining that I could also be one of the first off the ship. However, I chose to leisurely sit around for a while. I do think that you have to carry all of your luggage off if you want to be very first. But you also get the number one  tags if you don't want to carry your luggage off.

[Spcdlee]

Thanks so much.  Getting a visual from someone who’s been there is very helpful.  When I do the online check in, will I select a time or, since we did FTTF, will we get a time to be there?

[Vigorosity]

I don't think the check in time matters, you can get to the port pretty early. I think I arrived around 10:45ish? Just make sure you print the documents/luggage tags/boarding passes AFTER you buy FTTF. Make sure they are marked correctly. 

[Babyfin]

1 hour ago, Spcdlee said:

Thanks so much.  Getting a visual from someone who’s been there is very helpful.  When I do the online check in, will I select a time or, since we did FTTF, will we get a time to be there?

The last few times we had FTTF and had times it was for later like 1 or 2. I asked one of the ladies in Tampa why that was that they said since you have FTTF you can just walk on without actually needing a time. That way the earlier times can go to the other guests that haven't purchased the FTTF package. To make staggered check in faster and smoother.

[RWolver672]

5 hours ago, Vigorosity said:

I don't think the check in time matters, you can get to the port pretty early. I think I arrived around 10:45ish? Just make sure you print the documents/luggage tags/boarding passes AFTER you buy FTTF. Make sure they are marked correctly. 

 

And when you drop your luggage off with the porters, make sure they put the orange tape on them.  It signals the staff to deliver them faster.

 

5 hours ago, Spcdlee said:

Thanks so much.  Getting a visual from someone who’s been there is very helpful.  When I do the online check in, will I select a time or, since we did FTTF, will we get a time to be there?

 

When you do your check in, you do have to pick a time slot to complete the process.  You can ignore the time and check in whenever you like.  When you get to the port, there will be three lines.  One for Platinum/Diamond/FTTF,  one for On Time and one for Early/Late.  The Early/Late line will be real long.  The other two you get in line and never stop moving until you are inside.

[okgirl]

Regarding tendering in GC.  If you are not in a hurry to get off the ship you can always go to Guest Services and be escorted down to the next available tender.

[Dvelocity]

20 minutes ago, okgirl said:

Regarding tendering in GC.  If you are not in a hurry to get off the ship you can always go to Guest Services and be escorted down to the next available tender.

 

This is great information!  I was not sure how that worked but I am pretty sure my travel companions are not going to want to be first off.  

[schazzy]

Also, I might add that if you plan to be there early, allow time for traffic. We sailed out of Tampa last year and had FTTF  and had picked the earliest time (DH wanted to get our monies worth). Wasn't so bad until we got close to Channelside Dr, then it turned into a mess, not only were people trying to get to both the Carnival and RC terminals, you had people leaving the terminals and there was something going on at the Florida Aquarium. I took us much longer to get down Channelside Dr and to park than it did to get checked in and board the ship.

[Anyislandwilldo]

3 hours ago, RWolver672 said:

 

And when you drop your luggage off with the porters, make sure they put the orange tape on them.  It signals the staff to deliver them faster.

 

Where do you get orange tape?  Does this really work?  Is this just for FTTF?

 

[Spcdlee]

54 minutes ago, schazzy said:

Also, I might add that if you plan to be there early, allow time for traffic. We sailed out of Tampa last year and had FTTF  and had picked the earliest time (DH wanted to get our monies worth). Wasn't so bad until we got close to Channelside Dr, then it turned into a mess, not only were people trying to get to both the Carnival and RC terminals, you had people leaving the terminals and there was something going on at the Florida Aquarium. I took us much longer to get down Channelside Dr and to park than it did to get checked in and board the ship.

I hope we have that solved.  We are staying in a hotel close to the terminal the night before.  If worse comes to worse, it’s within walking distance from what I see on maps.  

[RWolver672]

The orange tape is just if you have FTTF.  You get it from the porters when they take your luggage.  For our last cruise, we turned Platinum and I asked the porter for the orange tape.  He explained to me that FTTF is the only ones that get the tape.  They automatically know that Platinum/Diamond get expedited luggage delivery.

 

[Organized Chaos]

OP, we bought FTTF for the first time last year and I loved it. Just my opinion, but early boarding, immediate access to our cabin, and the priority line at Guest Services made it well worth the cost. We were on board, put our carry-ons in our cabins, had our S&S cards, and were done eating lunch by 11:25 (this was out of Miami). Well before the Lido buffet filled up with the rest of the passengers. With that said, we did buy it at the old, cheaper cost ($70 for a 7-day at that time). Now that the price has gone up, we said we'd have to think about it, but it's hard to say no. Enjoy it!

[mpdog42]

16 hours ago, Spcdlee said:

I have searched and searched and can’t find anything dealing solely with FTTF.  We are first time cruisers and decided to do the FTTF.  There are some things I’ve been able to find out but still have questions.  We are on Paradise sailing from Tampa in July.  The main reasons we did was so we could go straight to our room and the priority tender in Grand Cayman.  But what I can’t find is what to expect the day we leave and what to expect when we tender in Grand Cayman.  Anyone with past experience that could give insight I’d appreciate it greatly!!

You didn't search too hard as there are 100's of threads on FTTF 🙄, Just ask how to do a proper search

Thanks

Mike

Edited March 26, 2019 by mpdog42
CORRECT

[ShakyBeef]

14 minutes ago, mpdog42 said:

You didn't search too hard as there are 100's of threads on FTTF 🙄, Just ask how to do a proper search

Thanks

Mike

 

Oh my gosh, give the OP a break!  They are new to the boards and first time cruisers.  Weren't you ever new somewhere and needed a little help figuring things out?  Not helpful at all and really kinda jerky of you.  But I bet it made you feel all big and special, didn't it?

 

 

Spcdlee, please disregard the rudeness from this person and feel free to keep asking questions!

Edited March 26, 2019 by ShakyBeef
capitalization

[sunonfire]

6 hours ago, RWolver672 said:

The orange tape is just if you have FTTF.  You get it from the porters when they take your luggage.  For our last cruise, we turned Platinum and I asked the porter for the orange tape.  He explained to me that FTTF is the only ones that get the tape.  They automatically know that Platinum/Diamond get expedited luggage delivery.

 

When I sailed from Tampa I had FTTF and I asked the porter if he had something to identify my bags that I had FTTF.  He said that the printed FTTF luggage tag was the only identifier. He said that he did not have anything to “tag” the luggage.

[ShakyBeef]

I thought they stopped using the orange tape?  My last cruise (I get FTTF every time), the porter told me they don't use it anymore.  Is the orange tape back?

[CrazyIrving]

57 minutes ago, ShakyBeef said:

Spcdlee, please disregard the rudeness from this person and feel free to keep asking questions!

 

Im glad the OP posted this.  As a first time cruiser myself,  with FTTF. I just found out about the ORANGE TAGS.  Great to know, love the generosity of the CC members.  

 

Thanks for sticking by the newbies. 

[Organized Chaos]

1 hour ago, ShakyBeef said:

Oh my gosh, give the OP a break!  They are new to the boards and first time cruisers.  Weren't you ever new somewhere and needed a little help figuring things out?  Not helpful at all and really kinda jerky of you.  But I bet it made you feel all big and special, didn't it?

 

Spcdlee, please disregard the rudeness from this person and feel free to keep asking questions!

 

18 minutes ago, CrazyIrving said:

Im glad the OP posted this.  As a first time cruiser myself,  with FTTF. I just found out about the ORANGE TAGS.  Great to know, love the generosity of the CC members.  

 

Thanks for sticking by the newbies. 

 

I don't know what it is about some users, but they can't help but be rude. They could simply pass by a thread when they know they don't have anything good to contribute, but instead choose to post just to be rude & disrespectful. CC is a great source of information and a nice community of cruisers, but the handful of bad attitudes can often be the loudest voices, unfortunately. I took a break from the forum for several months because I got so tired of it. Just recently came back when we booked our next cruise. Some of the old characters who liked to cause trouble seem to be gone, but they've been replaced by new ones. And some of the usual suspects are still around. I was glad to see some new "faces," so to speak, because new members tend not to act that way. Everyone is new to this at some point...whether it's new to cruising, new to this forum, or both...but some people forget what it was like and develop a "holier than thou" complex. I've seen newcomers come, then go not long after, because of how they were treated by a select few, but I encourage you to stick it out. Welcome. 🙂

[RWolver672]

1 hour ago, sunonfire said:

When I sailed from Tampa I had FTTF and I asked the porter if he had something to identify my bags that I had FTTF.  He said that the printed FTTF luggage tag was the only identifier. He said that he did not have anything to “tag” the luggage.

 

1 hour ago, ShakyBeef said:

I thought they stopped using the orange tape?  My last cruise (I get FTTF every time), the porter told me they don't use it anymore.  Is the orange tape back?

 

We just cruised out of Miami and Brother and SIL had FTTF.  The porter put the orange tape on their luggage.  I asked about ours and he pointed out that with us being Platinum, we didn't need the tape.   Our cruise prior to that was Oct., 2017 from Tampa and we had FTTF and got the orange tape.  

 

The question now is have they stopped using it altogether or just at some ports.  Or did the porter just not have any of the orange tags?

Edited March 26, 2019 by RWolver672

[Organized Chaos]

Now that I think about it, when we sailed out of Miami last June, the porter didn't put orange tape on our bags. Not while we were standing there, at least. Someone in this forum had told me to make sure they do, but I forgot. And when they arrived at our cabin, there was no tape. Unless the crew members remove it?? Two of our bags came first...then one more about a half hour later...then the last one about ten minutes after that. I think we had all four by 1:30 or 2:00. Even with FTTF, I know they have a lot of priority bags to handle, so I'm sure it varies quite a bit.

[ShakyBeef]

1 hour ago, RWolver672 said:

 

 

We just cruised out of Miami and Brother and SIL had FTTF.  The porter put the orange tape on their luggage.  I asked about ours and he pointed out that with us being Platinum, we didn't need the tape.   Our cruise prior to that was Oct., 2017 from Tampa and we had FTTF and got the orange tape.  

 

The question now is have they stopped using it altogether or just at some ports.  Or did the porter just not have any of the orange tags?

 

Yep, that is (those are) the question(s) indeed.  Not a big deal, I guess the FTTF luggage gets expedited as it should with whatever system they use, but it's just one more example of the many inconsistencies in the way the cruise line as well as the port staff do things.

 

For the sake of information gathering, my last cruise (when I was told orange tape discontinued) was on Carnival Pride, out of Baltimore, in Fall 2017.  And so were the previous cruises on which I had orange tape. 

 

1 hour ago, Organized Chaos said:

Now that I think about it, when we sailed out of Miami last June, the porter didn't put orange tape on our bags. Not while we were standing there, at least. Someone in this forum had told me to make sure they do, but I forgot. And when they arrived at our cabin, there was no tape. Unless the crew members remove it?? Two of our bags came first...then one more about a half hour later...then the last one about ten minutes after that. I think we had all four by 1:30 or 2:00. Even with FTTF, I know they have a lot of priority bags to handle, so I'm sure it varies quite a bit.

 

Nope, the crew members don't remove the tape.  I still have some on a suitcase I used a couple cruises ago.  And I pulled it off of a few others this past November in preparation for a fly-to (non-cruise) trip to the Bahamas.

[Spcdlee]

I don’t foresee the luggage being an issue.  My son has cruised many times and said the size of our suitcase is small enough we can carry it on. My wife, 10 yr old daughter and I will each have our own suitcase but none of them are big.  They are all small enough for airplane carryon.  But all the other information has been invaluable.  Had no idea about the hall doors being closed.  I know my wife would have been mad had we not known we can simply go through and go to our room.  

Thabks for all the information!!!

[ccd228]

We cruised out of Tampa last month and  the porter did not use a orange tag for ours. We had our luggage by about 1:30 with others on our deck.

[Organized Chaos]

A few people are saying orange "tags." Just to clarify, what others are referring to are pieces of orange tape that the porters outside the terminal stick to the checked luggage to identify FTTF passengers and help the crew recognize priority luggage easier. Whether or not this practice has been discontinued seems to vary.

 

For FTTF folks, the luggage tag you print from your Carnival account will be a different color than general boarding tags and has the round FTTF logo on it (or at least ours did last year). Speaking of luggage tags, I've covered them in clear packing tape in the past just to make them a bit stronger and in case they got wet, but last year we bought a set of those luggage tag sleeves from Amazon. Much easier to deal with. I think they were less than $7 for an 8-pack. What I really like are the metal straps that these use to attach to luggage. Nice and secure. Some people don't do anything special at all, but I was paranoid they'd get torn off with the way they handle the luggage.