FTTF price

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, TNcruising02 said:

I personally think one of the most profitable money-making programs for the cruise line is the drink package.

 

I have heard from pretty reliable sources that consistently the most profitable programs percentage wise (income/cost) are FTTF and bingo. 

[TNcruising02]

5 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

I have heard from pretty reliable sources that consistently the most profitable programs percentage wise (income/cost) are FTTF and bingo. 

Let's say they sell 100 FTTF spaces per cruise, so that's around $10,000.  I am sure they make MUCH more than $10,000 per cruise on the drink package.

Edited September 19, 2019 by TNcruising02

[Organized Chaos]

9 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I am surprised Carnival hasn’t already raised the price for FTTF.  There are frequent posts on this and other web sites taking about FTTF being sold out. It appears the demand for FTTF still exceeds  availability on the majority of Carnival’s cruises, which leads me to believe it is currently under priced. 

 

They'll eventually find that mark that's just a bit too high and they'll see a drastic drop in purchases, then they'll back it down just a bit to the sweet spot. I sure as heck don't like paying more, but I can't fault them for it since it is in such high demand. I don't know how long it'll be before they raise it again. Does anyone know how much time passed before last year's increase? Even though it does still sell out, I wouldn't think they'd want to bump it up again too quickly.

[TNcruising02]

I think Royal has a new plan called the Key, which is $25.99 per day per person for everyone over age 6.  It's more expensive than FTTF, but looks like it offers more benefits.  I wonder if that's always sold out and if the benefits are worth paying that much per day, per person.

I would not fault Carnival if they raised the price of FTTF until it's no longer constantly sold out.  It's working for them.

Edited September 19, 2019 by TNcruising02

[Organized Chaos]

17 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I have heard from pretty reliable sources that consistently the most profitable programs percentage wise (income/cost) are FTTF and bingo. 

 

FTTF is per cabin, Cheers is per passenger. Surely that has an effect. Not to mention the ones who are forced to buy Cheers when they don't want it, but because their cabin-mates do. Many, many people admit to buying Cheers knowing they don't break even with the cost of the package. And even when people do drink enough to break even, it's still profit for Carnival because the drinks are already marked up to begin with. It'd be interesting to see the list of top 5 or 10 profit-making extras on board.

[Joe817]

12 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

FTTF is per cabin, Cheers is per passenger. Surely that has an effect. Not to mention the ones who are forced to buy Cheers when they don't want it, but because their cabin-mates do. Many, many people admit to buying Cheers knowing they don't break even with the cost of the package. And even when people do drink enough to break even, it's still profit for Carnival because the drinks are already marked up to begin with. It'd be interesting to see the list of top 5 or 10 profit-making extras on board.

Boy it sure would! I would think that FTTF is pure profit that falls straight to the bottom line on an income statement. Are any additional expenses incurred beyond those that would have been encountered anyway for non FTTF cruisers? I honestly have no idea. On a side note, does anyone have any idea of the number of FTTF packages allocated to any given cruise? The program seems to sell out on every voyage. 

[PhillyFan33579]

43 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

Let's say they sell 100 FTTF spaces per cruise, so that's around $10,000.  I am sure they make MUCH more than $10,000 per cruise on the drink package.

 

My post was about profits based on the percentage of income related to the costs associated with that program. No doubt Carnival brings in a lot more revenue in other areas like the casino and alcohol like you mentioned. But those areas have higher costs associated with them too, which reduces profitability when you look at it from strictly a percentage viewpoint.  Programs like bingo and especially FTTF have very low operating costs. 

[crochetcruise]

I plan to purchase FTTF when I sail the Carnival Splendor in Australia in November 2020.

 

The tender shuttle is of no benefit to me-tender port and multiple handicaps which make me VERY afraid of falling and hurting myself. I DO like being able to take my carry on small case straight to my stateroom and unpack the basic overnight requirements. I consider the early boarding with a limited number of people will be safer for me. I think the price here in Australia for that cruise is AUD$100, I may be wrong. $25 a day for safety is something I will pay for. I have had the Priority Line at Guest Services on another cruise line and it WAS helpful when I needed it!

[TNcruising02]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

My post was about profits based on the percentage of income related to the costs associated with that program. No doubt Carnival brings in a lot more revenue in other areas like the casino and alcohol like you mentioned. But those areas have higher costs associated with them too, which reduces profitability when you look at it from strictly a percentage viewpoint.  Programs like bingo and especially FTTF have very low operating costs. 

It definitely costs Carnival nothing to sell front of the line access and immediate cabin availability. As far as bingo, I am sure they make a lot of money.  I have played a couple of times, but not on my last cruise.  I won once and think I only got $140 and a lanyard.  The entire bottom floor of the theater was nearly full, so they were making a lot of money. 

On my last cruise I watched the bingo game in order to get good seats for the Love and Marriage show.  For the last game, the winner chooses one of three envelopes and has a chance to win a whole $1,000.  Woohoo.  As if that wasn't cheap enough, when two people tied they had to split what was in the envelope.  Bingo is probably the biggest ripoff of all of the things that Carnival sells, but people play it.  I have played it a time or two.  At least when people play it, they know they are getting ripped off. haha.  Just like the slot machines.  I play about $200 each cruise, sometimes I come out ahead and sometimes I don't.  I go into it knowing it's money that will be lost.

Edited September 19, 2019 by TNcruising02

[Diggerof4]

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

My post was about profits based on the percentage of income related to the costs associated with that program. No doubt Carnival brings in a lot more revenue in other areas like the casino and alcohol like you mentioned. But those areas have higher costs associated with them too, which reduces profitability when you look at it from strictly a percentage viewpoint.  Programs like bingo and especially FTTF have very low operating costs. 

as well as the drink package.  You already have your bartender and supplies.  Alcohol purchases depending on where they buy their alcohol from regarding overhead cost. 

[Organized Chaos]

4 hours ago, Joe817 said:

Boy it sure would! I would think that FTTF is pure profit that falls straight to the bottom line on an income statement. Are any additional expenses incurred beyond those that would have been encountered anyway for non FTTF cruisers? I honestly have no idea. On a side note, does anyone have any idea of the number of FTTF packages allocated to any given cruise? The program seems to sell out on every voyage. 

 

I wouldn't say it's 100% profit, because even a service like that has some costs involved. They have to reallocate resources (i.e. more crew members to handle additional priority luggage and cabins) when you add FTTF to the mix. But I agree, there's no doubt the profit margin for FTTF is excellent.

 

 

[Organized Chaos]

2 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

It definitely costs Carnival nothing to sell front of the line access and immediate cabin availability. As far as bingo, I am sure they make a lot of money.  I have played a couple of times, but not on my last cruise.  I won once and think I only got $140 and a lanyard.  The entire bottom floor of the theater was nearly full, so they were making a lot of money. 

On my last cruise I watched the bingo game in order to get good seats for the Love and Marriage show.  For the last game, the winner chooses one of three envelopes and has a chance to win a whole $1,000.  Woohoo.  As if that wasn't cheap enough, when two people tied they had to split what was in the envelope.  Bingo is probably the biggest ripoff of all of the things that Carnival sells, but people play it.  I have played it a time or two.  At least when people play it, they know they are getting ripped off. haha.  Just like the slot machines.  I play about $200 each cruise, sometimes I come out ahead and sometimes I don't.  I go into it knowing it's money that will be lost.

 

Bingo can be quite profitable, just like all other forms of gambling. Our local American Legion has hosted bingo once a week for decades. Even though they've always paid out some of the best jackpots in our area (that's what the regular players have always said, anyway) that weekly session brought in enough to pay all their utility bills and keep the doors open. Bingo players are hardcore. They'll jump around from town to town to go to all the different ones every week. It's slowed down in recent years, though. There used to be a lot of bingo games in our area, but many of them have closed. Now it's all about those stupid video gaming machines.

 

The most I've ever won at a casino was $14. Woohoo! I got a job at one once upon a time just to get some money out of them. LOL Although, the wages were a joke, so they still got one over on me. 😌

[pinklucky61]

On 9/18/2019 at 11:21 AM, ishap said:

 

Very true.  I still find value in FTTF but there may be a price ceiling that I won't.  Seeing as though embarkation is technically day 1 of the cruise, I do like to get on earlier to enjoy my time on the ship.  Drop my stuff off in the room right away and then enjoy lunch while most people are still waiting to board.  

used fttf on a 5 day last year. liked getting on fairly early, dropping carry-ons off in cabin, and sadly had to go to guest services several times (only 1 person ahead of me there, 1 time) regular gs line 20 people or more in line.

[Diggerof4]

Some what off topic..but I have looked and unable to find the answer.  

1. How soon does FTTF became available  before you cruise?  I am going June 2020

2. How many (on the average) are there FTTF offered. I assume based on the size of the ship.

**I want to try it and afraid I am going to miss it.  I check 3 times a day. 

[bury me at sea]

31 minutes ago, Diggerof4 said:

Some what off topic..but I have looked and unable to find the answer.  

1. How soon does FTTF became available  before you cruise?  I am going June 2020

 

It became available for our March 2020 cruise in March of 2019.  At the same time it became available for most other ships on sailings through the summer of 2020.  If it is listed in excursions for your cruise as sold out, the initial offering has come and gone.  If it isn't listed at all and is one of the ships that offers it, just keep looking.

 

Quote

2. How many (on the average) are there FTTF offered. I assume based on the size of the ship.

 

When the program was implemented several years ago they said in most cases the initial offering would be fifteen cabins and more could be added later depending on the number of platinum and diamond cruisers on that particular sailing.  I suspect they offer more than that now.  If the average cabin holds 4 people there would be sixty passengers.  Awaiting FTTF debarkation in the theatre, the bottom floor is nearly completely occupied.

 

Quote

**I want to try it and afraid I am going to miss it.  I check 3 times a day. 

 

Check often the week of and immediately after final payment date if the initial offering is sold out.  Otherwise just keep watching.

Edited September 21, 2019 by bury me at sea

[Diggerof4]

Bury me at sea... Thank you so much for your advice.  I stated to look as soon as I booked it, which was almost 2 years ago.  I have to patient and also realize I may not get it.  Ophfta!  It's like playing in the casino! LOL!!

 

OH! by the way, I did find some answers to some of my other non written questions, but the heading was FFTF  not FTTF.   Thank you again, you are to sweet. 

Edited September 21, 2019 by Diggerof4

[bury me at sea]

5 minutes ago, Diggerof4 said:

Bury me at sea... Thank you so much for your advice.  I stated to look as soon as I booked it, which was almost 2 years ago.  I have to patient and also realize I may not get it.  Ophfta!  It's like playing in the casino! LOL!!

 

OH! by the way, I did find some answers to some of my other non written questions, but the heading was FFTF  not FTTF.   Thank you again, you are to sweet. 

 

Goodness if you booked that long ago are you sure it's on a sailing that will offer FTTF?  I could certainly be wrong but I didn't realize any summer of 2020 sailings hadn't already released the initial FTTF offering.  If that's the case I apologize.  I don't want to post misinformation!

[TonyinMD]

I'll say this,  IMHO the 109.99 price was too high for this trip.  DW insisted on it though so we got it.

 

I like being able to roll right on the ship early and being able to go right to my room...the madness that typically happens on the Lido drives me nuts the first day lol.  However,  I was completely willing to go with the flow this time due to price,  but alas,  I was overruled lol.

[Diggerof4]

6 minutes ago, bury me at sea said:

 

Goodness if you booked that long ago are you sure it's on a sailing that will offer FTTF?  I could certainly be wrong but I didn't realize any summer of 2020 sailings hadn't already released the initial FTTF offering.  If that's the case I apologize.  I don't want to post misinformation!

I actually thought of the same thing. We are going to Alaska. I will keep checking thou... you just never know.  I called Carnival and they can't tell me anything.  I originally booked this through a TA (never again) would they also be able to assist, or is it just a luck of the draw?   I am thinking the latter.