Carnival Cruise Line Bringing Back Popular Priority Program

Table Of Content

• Carnival Opens Priority Package for 2024 Cruises, Price Increased
• Favorite Caribbean Cruise Ports (And 5 Least Favorite)
• No More Queuing at Guest Services
• About Our Tips and RECOMMENDATIONS
• Always Get to the Shore First
• Carnival loyalty program benefits- free cruise, onboard credit/OBC
• (new) Carnival FTTF pricing

The cost of FTTF varies by cruise length and is not a per-person charge but per stateroom. This means that once you purchase the package, everyone staying in your room benefits from the perks. Consider it a one-time investment for a smoother, more pampered cruise experience. Carnival Cruise's Faster to the Fun can only be purchased prior to sailing, and usually opens for booking six to 18 months prior to embarkation day. The number of packages available varies by cruise, and is usually based on the number of Diamond and Platinum loyalty members booked on that sailing. Faster to the Fun consistently sells out, so if you're interested, be sure to constantly check the Shore Excursions page for your cruise (where the package is sold) and book as soon as reservations open.

Carnival Opens Priority Package for 2024 Cruises, Price Increased

So having priority boarding like what’s included with FTTF would be a huge benefit, right? By purchasing the program before your cruise, you get all of the following benefits for you and everyone in your stateroom. FTTF is typically offered on a limited basis and can be purchased up to a year in advance, but for the best chance of securing it, mark your calendar for when your sailing’s booking window opens. This is great if you have a shore excursion early in the morning that has been booked independently of the ship or grab the best beach spots at Half Moon Cay. The FTTF package is a premium add-on that allows you greater convenience aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships.

Favorite Caribbean Cruise Ports (And 5 Least Favorite)

Many times, we’ll find non-priority bags delivered well before ours. The program is designed to replicate many of the perks Carnival’s most loyal cruisers receive when they sail. Carnival’s VIFP Club provides access to each of the benefits included in Faster To The Fun for Platinum (75 nights) and Diamond (200 nights) members. Carnival Cruise Line isn’t the only cruise line out there that allows you to essentially purchase priority status. But they were early to the game when they first piloted the program all the way back in 2012 on 2 ships.

No More Queuing at Guest Services

We’ve never had a cabin not be ready when boarding later in the check-in period. Sure, if your room isn’t ready you can just hang out by the pool, or hit the welcome buffet. Note that if you board early, your room may not be ready just yet even with this perk. Even so, the benefit lets you drop off your bags until the room is ready. In return for that fee, you get a number of benefits that are designed to get you priority access all around the ship. By paying a little more, passengers get to avoid many of the lines that other cruise passengers have to wait in.

For example, priority check-in, early stateroom access and express luggage delivery are a few of the biggest benefits of Faster to the Fun that let you maximize your vacation time. That means getting on board early (right after VIFP Club loyalty program Diamond and Platinum members and suite guests) to hit the pool deck buffet before the crowds come or grab a spot in an empty hot tub. You can drop your bags off in your room right away because you can get into your cabin immediately, skip the long lines at guest services when you need assistance and more.

This perk can help you relax and not feel as rushed when trying to leave. “The Key” members can enjoy dedicated seating at shows in the Aqua Theatre, Main Theatre, Two70, and Studio B. Keep in mind that reservations are required on some ships. In October 2018, Carnival Cruise Line once again raised FTTF prices.

If your cruise itinerary includes a visit to a port without a standard pier, sometimes tender boats have to be utilized. Usually, these ports have very shallow water around the island and it’s impossible to navigate a large cruise ship in these waters. In cases like this, smaller boats take loads of passengers to the dock. If you purchase “The Key” you will receive priority departure from ship-to-shore. Any checked bags are also expedited to FTTF staterooms to be delivered sooner.

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Carnival loyalty program benefits- free cruise, onboard credit/OBC

Only one person in the room needs to purchase Faster to the Fun for all of the guests sharing the cabin to receive the benefits. The price of Faster to the Fun is per cabin, so the benefits apply to everyone staying in the room. Since Carnival charges per cabin — no matter how many people you have in one room — families or other groups of four to a cabin will have a lower per-person cost for the program. It's a paid add-on to your cruise fare that gives regular passengers an expedited embarkation process and other exclusive perks.

Travelers boarding at noon, however, will find that benefit very useful indeed. Leaving you to purchase beach umbrellas which on some ports are almost the same cost as this package. You together with your cabin mates will have priority access on the tendering boats.

Prices start at $39.95 for all two-night cruises and $39.95 to $59.95 for three- and four-night cruises (depending on ship). They go up to $119.95 for one-week and longer sailings (again, varying by ship). With facial recognition technology now being used in more US homeports, check-in time at the cruise terminal is getting shorter. When visiting ports of call, FTTF guests have priority water shuttle access at any tender port, after guests with shore excursion tickets. The prices for this package vary depending on the cruise ship you are on.

In addition, FTTF isn’t offered in the home ports of Honolulu, Norfolk, Vancouver, San Diego, and San Francisco. Faster to the Fun isn’t available on cruises in Europe, or for any Carnival Journeys cruises. There is an overwhelming amount of positive feedback with the Faster to the Fun package. Unfortunately, the pricing on Carnival’s Faster to the Fun can be a bit confusing. Historically, the cost has fluctuated based on ship and cruise length, which longer trips seeing a higher cost.

Only one person needs to book the upgrade online, which will automatically apply to everyone in the same room. You can expect long lines at Guest Services as thousands of passengers look to resolve their issues. Having a dedicated line helps you quickly get the answers you need without wasting your precious vacation hours waiting in line. By now, you know that regular passengers have to wait to access their rooms.

Or you could book a full suite, which is way out of the price range of the average cruiser. One of the downsides of early check-in, is that you are generally onboard the ship before the staterooms are ready. With FTTF you will be allowed priority access to your room to go and drop off your carry-on luggage and not have to drag it around as you explore the ship.