Carnival’s Faster to the Fun: Is It Worth It?
Carnival offers a paid add-on called Faster to the Fun (FTTF) that promises priority perks normally reserved for Platinum and Diamond guests. On our recent Carnival Vista cruise, I purchased FTTF to test whether it was worth it for my family. Some of the benefits worked exactly as advertised, but others left me questioning the value. Here’s my honest take on whether Faster to the Fun is worth the cost.
What Faster to the Fun Includes
According to Carnival, Faster to the Fun provides:
- Priority boarding at embarkation
- Early access to your stateroom
- Priority luggage delivery
- Dedicated line at Guest Services
- Priority tender access at tender ports
- Priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise
The cost varies by sailing. Most places on the internet say it is generally between $59.95–$99.95 per stateroom (not per person). On our cruise, however, I paid $180 total —and at that price point, it felt like a rip-off. However, only a limited number of passes are sold per cruise.
Our Experience with Faster to the Fun
Embarkation Day
This was where FTTF really shined. We booked the earliest check-in time (10:30 a.m.) and arrived at the terminal a little after 10. The process was smooth:
- Quick passport and photo check.
- Short security line.
- Waiting in the designated FTTF section of the terminal.
Once they started boarding, we were among the first groups called—right after Platinum/Diamond guests. We walked straight onto the ship, were greeted in the atrium, and thanks to FTTF, we could drop our bags in our stateroom immediately (rooms normally aren’t ready until later in the afternoon).
That said, this perk was confusing in practice. The doors were still closed with signs saying staterooms opened at 1 p.m.—and there were no posted signs saying FTTF guests could ignore that. Everyone with FTTF just started opening the doors and walking through. If you’re a strict rule-follower, this might feel uncomfortable—especially with other guests looking at you like you’re breaking the rules.
Another thing of note is that if you get on the ship this early, there might actually be a limited amount of things you can do at that time! The pools opened at 11, splash area at 12, and most other things we wanted to do (like going to the dining room to alter our dining time) didn’t open until at least 12. However, you are able to explore the ship and, of course, eat!
Tender Port (Half Moon Cay… almost)
One of the biggest reasons I bought FTTF was for priority tender access. With a 4-year-old who doesn’t do well in long lines, I thought this would mean quicker boarding both ways.
What I didn’t realize: FTTF only provides priority going to the island, not coming back.
- FTTF guests (along with Platinum and Diamond) met in a lounge and were escorted to the tenders together.
- There was no special line or fast option for return tenders.
In our case, the point was moot—our Half Moon Cay stop was canceled due to thunderstorms. Carnival rerouted us to Grand Turk the next day, which was great, but I came away feeling that I wouldn’t have bought FTTF had I known the tender perk only worked one way.
Guest Services
I did use the Guest Services priority line once. There was a long line, and with FTTF I was able to skip right to the front. Honestly, it was something I could have come back and handled later when the line was shorter, but it was nice to save time in the moment.
Disembarkation
FTTF also includes priority disembarkation. On our cruise, that meant meeting at 8 a.m. in a lounge to be escorted off. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it by 8, and there was no backup option. We just went through the regular line instead, which wasn’t bad at all. With passports, customs was a breeze—look at the camera, photo taken, and cleared instantly. (Those traveling with birth certificates or other IDs do have a longer line since they must see an agent.)
Pros and Cons
The Pros of Faster to the Fun
- Early stateroom access made embarkation day much easier with carry-ons and kids.
- Boarding early meant less crowded spaces and time to explore.
- Priority luggage delivery was a nice touch (our bags arrived quickly).
- Guest Services line skip save
The Cons of Faster to the Fun
- Tender perk is one-way only (outbound, not return).
- Disembarkation perk is limited—if you miss the set time, you lose it.
- Stateroom access perk is awkwardly implemented (no clear signs, feels like you’re breaking rules).
- The cost can be steep—at $180 for my sailing, it wasn’t worth it.
d time once.
- Could be worth it if you’re set on getting priority tendering to shore at ports like Half Moon Cay or Belize.
So, Is It Worth It?
For families with small kids, the embarkation perks are the biggest win. Getting into your room right away, dropping off bags, and settling in makes day one feel smoother. But for us, the other perks didn’t live up to the hype.
Would I buy it again?
- Yes if it were priced at the usual $60–$100 range and my sailing included tender ports.
- No at higher prices, or for itineraries without tender ports. Once you’re past embarkation day, the benefits just don’t add up.
My advice: Weigh the cost against how much you think the first-day stress relief is worth for your family. If you’re cruising with young kids and want the smoothest boarding day possible, it may be worth it once. But for most sailings, I’d probably skip it.
✨ Curious how Faster to the Fun fit into the rest of our trip? Head over to my full Carnival Vista recap for the big picture
Jenny Even
As I grew up, my main bucket list item became to visit all 50 states (which I just completed in 2023 with an island-hopping trip in Hawaii)! When asked what my favorite type of vacation is I never have an answer – I love to do it all! And now being a mom of two young kids it has been fun getting more into the family vacations for our own family.I plan vacations because I love to help people have the best experience and make unforgettable memories.
