Carnival Faster to the Fun: Is FTTF Worth It?

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Carnival Mardi Gras Cruise ship taken from the starboard side with a view of the bolt roller coaster, and whale tale funnel

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The Carnival Faster to the Fun (FTTF) package makes your cruise vacation seamless and more enjoyable. Imagine skipping the lines, getting first access to your cabin, and priority dinner reservations.

With FTTF, you’ll unlock a suite of benefits that promise to elevate your cruising game. Stay tuned as we dive into the top reasons why booking Faster to the Fun could be the best decision for your next sea adventure.

What is Carnival Faster to the Fun?

Carnival Liberty departing Port of Miami in FloridaPin

Faster to the Fun (FTTF) is a priority services package from Carnival Cruise Lines designed to enhance your cruise experience from the moment you step aboard. Unlike a loyalty program, anyone can purchase a Faster to the Fun package and receive priority benefits.

When you opt for FTTF, you’ll feel like a VIP, with benefits that streamline several aspects of your cruise. Imagine bypassing the long lines during boarding — with FTTF, that’s exactly what you’ll do.

The package is all about reducing the hassle of making every moment count.

But the perks don’t end at the gangway. Once on board, early cabin access allows you to drop off your baggage, freshen up, or simply kick back and relax while other cruisers must wait for their cabins to unlock.

With FTTF, your vacation starts as soon as you’re on the ship, not hours later. With access to your stateroom from the moment you step onboard, it truly feels like a faster start to fun.

Beyond priority boarding and cabin access, you get a dedicated Guest Services line. In the case of tender ports, priority water shuttle access is invaluable. These conveniences add up to a smoother, more delightful cruise experience that lets you focus on enjoyment rather than logistics.

Spots for FTTF are limited to ensure the exclusivity and efficiency of the services provided.

So, when considering your next sea adventure, remember that a bit of planning for FTTF could make a significant difference in how your journey unfolds.

What Does Faster to the Fun Include

Carnival’s Faster to the Fun (FTTF) program is designed to elevate your cruising experience. Let’s delve into the perks you receive and the value added to your cruise vacation.

Priority Security Screening, Check-In, and Boarding

When you wake up on the day of your cruise, you might be excited to board the ship and hit the ground running. Unfortunately, it is very common to arrive at the port only to be greeted by long lines of passengers waiting for their chance to embark.

Waiting in line to board the cruise ship isn’t how anyone envisions their vacation. And it definitely puts a damper on the pre-cruise excitement.

So, having priority boarding means you get to skip to the front of the line and explore the ship before anyone else, right? Almost.

Faster to the Fun passengers have a dedicated check-in lane and security set aside for all Priority guests. FTTF guests board after VIFP Diamond, Platinum, and guests who book deluxe suite accommodations on embarkation day.

While you may not be at the front of the line, the priority embarkation will get you on the ship faster than the regular check-in lines.

First Access to Your Stateroom

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Carnival’s Mardi Gras’ Excel Presidential Suite (Render Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)

When you first arrive on the ship, you may not have access to your room for several hours. Cabin stewards are busy working to get thousands of cabins ready for a new set of passengers.

All that to say, it could be several hours before you have access to your cabin.

If you can’t already tell, we LOVE this perk.

When you purchase the FTTF package, your room is ready for you as soon as you board the cruise ship. Instead of waiting with the general boarding crowd, FTTF grants you early access. Your room, your sanctuary, will be ready for you to kick back and start your relaxation that much sooner.

If you don’t mind waiting, you can visit the buffet or hang out by the pool. But you’ll be stuck carrying all your belongings around the ship.

Of course, you can avoid the wait by checking in later. But this perk allows us to drop off your bags and explore the ship from the minute we step on deck.

Express Luggage Delivery

By now, you know that regular passengers have to wait to access their rooms. But it can take several hours longer to receive your luggage.

While we recommend packing a carry-on with essentials, you may be left without your luggage until well into the evening. And you won’t have access to all the items packed away.

FTTF offers a streamlined solution with priority luggage delivery. Your bags are tagged and delivered to your stateroom promptly. You may need to wait a bit to get your bags, but you’ll receive your luggage hours before the general cruisers.

Dedicated Phone Extension and Line at Guest Services Desk

You’ll no doubt have to visit Guest Services at least once during your cruise.

Whether you want to book dinner reservations, need directions, clarification on billing, or anything else cruise-related, Guest Services is there to help.

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.

In addition to the special line at the desk, you’ll also receive a dedicated phone line.

It’s important to note that you will share this benefit with VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests.

Editor’s Tip

If you want to avoid long lines without purchasing FTTF, visit Guest Services in the early morning or late at night when lines are shorter – or non-existent.

Priority Dining Reservations

The Cucina del Capitano specialty restaurant on Carnival Mardi Gras cruise shipPin

If you have a preferred dinner time, you might be disappointed when you receive your assigned dining time in the main dining room.

With the Faster to the Fun package, you get priority dining reservations for the main dining room and specialty restaurants.

VIFP Diamond guests and passengers traveling in a suite stateroom have priority regarding dining reservations.

But that shouldn’t matter.

In our experience, we’ve always received our preferred dining times with FTTF.

Editor’s Tip

If you’re not one for set dinner times, you can select “Your Time Dining.” This way you can dine on your time, though you may need to wait for a table to become available.

Priority Tendering at Ports

When the ship’s anchored offshore, water shuttles are your link to exciting shore excursions. FTTF elevates your experience with priority tender service. You’ll be among the first to disembark at these ports of call, maximizing your time on land.

When you purchase the Faster to the Fun package, simply visit the Guest Services Desk when you are ready to visit the port.

Here is a complete list of tender ports where you can use this perk.

Choice of Debarkation Time

Cruising is funny. We can’t wait to board the ship, and by the end of the cruise… we can’t wait to get off the boat and return home.

For this reason, the debarkation process is long, as thousands of passengers try to leave the ship simultaneously.

All good things must eventually transition to the next great thing. With FTTF, you choose your debarkation time early or late on the final day. This means you can easily plan your onward travel without the rush or stress that might come from waiting for your turn to leave the ship.

If you have an early flight and don’t want to purchase FTTF, you can visit Guest Services. They will assign you one of the earlier Zone numbers to help you debark earlier in the morning.

Carnival Cruise FTTF Important Notes

Carnival Splendor dock in Grand Turk in the CaribbeanPin

Before purchasing FTTF, there are a few things you should know.

Here are some important considerations before you decide to purchase Carnival Cruise Line’s Faster to the Fun:

  • The FTTF price is per stateroom. One ticket per stateroom covers all occupants of the stateroom. In other words, only one guest must purchase FTTF, and all occupants receive the benefits. 
  • For guests sailing on multiple cruises back to back, you must purchase FTTF for each voyage to receive the benefits on every sailing.
  • Guests can only purchase FTTF before the cruise.
  • There is a limit to the number of FTTF packages sold on each sailing. The number of people who may purchase the FTTF package varies based on the number of VIFP Diamond and Platinum members booked on the sailing and the passenger capacity of the cruise ship.
  • Guests who completed their Online Check-in before purchasing the FTTF package will need to re-print their boarding pass and luggage tags, so the FTTF stamp reflects on the documents.
  • All guests, including FTTF guests, must select an Arrival Appointment during online check-in. 
  • VIFP Diamond and Platinum members and guests traveling in suite accommodations are the only guests to have access to the Captain’s Lounge at embarkation.   
  • During embarkation, VIFP Club Diamond guests will board first, followed by VIFP Club Platinum guests, guests traveling in suites, and then Faster to the Fun guests.

Visit here to get all the information on Carnival’s Faster to the Fun.

Faster to the Fun Price

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.

Here’s a quick rundown of typical FTTF fees based on the length of the cruise:

  • 2 to 3 Days – $69.95 per cabin
  • 4 to 5 Days – $99.95 per cabin
  • 6 to 8 Days – $139.95 per cabin (Excel class $159.95)
  • 9+ Days – $189.95 per cabin

How to Purchase Carnival Faster to the Fun?

Carnival Splendor docking in New ZealandPin

The first step in elevating your cruise experience with Carnival’s Faster to the Fun (FTTF) is to head over to Carnival.com. To find this exclusive package, navigate to the In-Room Gifts & Shopping section listed as “Faster to the Fun.” Selecting your cruise ship departure port will give you availability and pricing specific to your sailing.

When purchasing FTTF, remember that only one person per stateroom is required to buy the package. Once purchased, all guests sharing the same cabin will enjoy the FTTF benefits. The streamlined process ensures everyone in your party experiences the same elevated service from the get-go.

The booking window typically opens six to 18 months before your departure date. Due to the program’s popularity, checking back for cancellations can be smart if it initially sells out.

Remember, the FTTF package is not available for all itineraries.

Is FTTF Worth It? We Think So

You might wonder if the Faster to the Fun (FTTF) package is the right choice for your next Carnival cruise. Here’s the scoop: FTTF dramatically enhances your cruising experience by providing benefits unavailable to general boarding guests.

Faster stateroom access, priority boarding, and shorter lines at guest services are why we purchase FTTF on our Carnival cruises.

Article by

Marcello De Lio

3 Comments

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  1. I reached out to Carnival about FTTF via FB messenger on 24-AUG-2022 and quickly got this response: “It is still paused until further notice”.

  2. I am happy to read your article that was put out last week. Sadly, I have a cruise for August and do not see FTTF available. I was told was discontinued due to COVID restrictions, but guess my cruise didn’t reinstate. I will keep checking or may call (though calling has a horrible hold time).

    • From my understanding, it was removed temporarily and should be reinstated sometime in the near future. Unfortunately, it may not be reinstated until closer to the end of the year.