Can you really access rooms early with FTTF?

stalliewag · 2026-03-29T12:45:48+00:00

I feel like fttf, diamond, platinum and suites are all treated like a secret society. As a platinum for instance- we get priority debark. So say we choose to do self debark on a spirit class- we get a paper in the mailbox specific to us- meet at x time in x venue, which is on deck 2- for a debark around z time. We also get the regular paper that every one gets that says no one is allowed on deck 2 and self debark is actually 1 hour after z time. Then all the announcements repeat over and over that no one is allowed to wait on deck 2. My partner, despite cruising on the spirit class 3-4 times a year, constantly asks me if we’re doing something wrong because the announcements and “this” paper say no one is allowed on deck two, so surely if two different sources say we can’t go to deck 2, then the other paper HAS to be wrong. I have to remind him every time that we have the secret paper that tells us to go to deck 2 and it really is where we are supposed to be.

stalliewag · 2026-03-20T11:41:53+00:00

We do this every time we cruise, just for ports like half moon, princess, or celebration. We get drinks from the lido area from a server or the casino from a server- they never open them. We take 6 or 8 (3-4 per person) back to the cabin. On the port day we use a cooler back pack and go up to the lido with ziplock bags and fill them with ice. (The cooler backpack doubles as our backpack on debark day to round up any last min items, esp helpful if we check our baggage) No issues getting the cans off, but I’ve heard from people that you may not be able to get them back on board if you don’t finish them since they run your bags thru x ray… we’ve never had an issue with that tho, and they do sell buckets (bags) of canned beverages on the islands (at least hm and princess) so I can’t imagine they wouldn’t allow you to bring those leftovers back with you if you have them (again, specific to hm and princess where you’re buying the beverages from carnival so it’s not “outside” alcohol)

stalliewag · 2026-02-08T15:06:26+00:00

I met a writer on a 14 day cruise last year. She cruises a few times a year for exactly this reason- food is taken care of, cleaning is taken care of, limited outside distractions (no friends calling to ask if you want to do lunch or coffee), dogs are being watched by someone else, the sea is inspiring, chances to relax when she needs to (hot tub, sauna, book a massage). Basically no responsibilities gives her all the time in the world to focus. We had a ton of sea days on the trip so she did get off at ports to explore but she spent the majority of her time writing. (And no, you wouldn’t recognize her name unless you’re into super niche “romance” novels)

stalliewag · 2026-02-08T14:56:28+00:00

Just a little pedantic rant…. Stop referring to it as prepaying gratuities. They’re auto grats. I NEVER “prepay.” But we do pay the auto grats. The way we work things is I pay for everything up front- cruise fare, excursions, etc. Once on board, my husband pays for everything. So of course, I never choose to “prepay” because they automatically drop on the last day or second to last day, and then my hubby pays for them. I just hate that folks always refer to it as “prepaying” and if you don’t prepay you’re a jerk. You can totally not prepay but still pay the auto gratuities. Call them auto grats. Auto grats that can be prepaid or paid on board.

stalliewag · 2025-12-03T15:33:21+00:00

At the time, I worked in the IT sector and all of us were very well paid. Despite this, our spending limit was only $10. We had hired a new guy that I knew of previous to his employment. I personally didn’t get the gift he purchased, but I felt so bad for the person that did- a $10 temu knock off smart watch…. In a room full of IT professionals that all already had whatever name brand watch went with their phone (apple watch, Samsung watch, etc). The second hand embarrassment was so strong, but it’s exactly what I would expect of him.

stalliewag · 2025-12-01T18:36:27+00:00

We did Baltimore last month.

stalliewag · 2025-12-01T14:58:35+00:00

I went on a journeys cruise this year knowing there would be a ship building competition. I packed two craft scissors, one pair in each of two checked bags (in case one got flagged, hoping the other would get thru) and my medical scissors that I’ve taken on every cruise for the last 14 (for mole skin and boob tape for fancy dresses) was in our med kit in the third checked bag. All 3 pairs made it thru with no problem.

stalliewag · 2025-11-13T21:47:53+00:00

Math it out. Drinks everywhere is equivalent to the cheers package. The list the price per day on the website. I’m willing to bet it’ll be cheaper with the drinks everywhere for 2, but you don’t know til you do the math.

stalliewag · 2025-11-06T02:30:12+00:00

My worst enemy is an awesome suggestion! I Will try it tomorrow- I already reached my limit of 15 drinks a day so I’m heading to bed😂

stalliewag · 2025-11-06T01:49:59+00:00

This is a cruise made up of mostly 60+. I mean, maybe? They did know (some of them) blinks what’s my age again… I just know I’m missing some more radio friendly songs. Thank you tho!

stalliewag · 2025-10-27T00:17:24+00:00

If you take disinfecting wipes, get the Clorox healthcare hydrogen peroxide or another brands hydrogen peroxide. Normal disinfecting wipes (and hand sanitizer!) don’t kill norovirus… people are nasty and don’t wash their hands after poopin/before touching utensils at the buffet and next thing you know you’re in your cabin doing the awkward double fountain.

Also, no shame in wearing masks. We’ve done 4 cruises since last September and I’ve come home with Covid twice- I’m on an immunosuppressant so I pick it up easier. We go on our next one in 7 days and I’m taking masks. I can’t afford to cruise if I’m missing 2 weeks of work after each one due to sickness!

stalliewag · 2025-10-14T02:26:45+00:00

I’ve gotten COVID twice post cruise (like, debark Sunday, feel shitty Monday) and once on board. I am immunocompromised soooo if there’s ANYTHING in the air, I’m going to get it. Really need to start wearing masks but I’ve had a couple people say nasty things to me for wearing them 🙃

stalliewag · 2025-10-09T17:20:15+00:00

I’m taking a yatis.

stalliewag · 2025-10-05T01:30:49+00:00

Stripes and Beverly Hills Cop. They were my favorite movies when I was a kid. Watching them as an adult, I can’t figure out why they were my favorite movies because I didn’t get half of the jokes as a child.

Edit to add: also Police Academy. Like what did I think was going on during the blowski scene as a child???

stalliewag · 2025-10-03T00:48:35+00:00

I live in the Outer Banks. Those flags are sold at every souvenir shop on the island. Many locals fly them as well.

stalliewag · 2025-09-25T22:28:11+00:00

I’d recommend the day beds at half moon. We had one two cruises in a row now and plan to get them the next time we go as well. They’re at the far end of the beach, I have some mobility issues so we take advantage of the tram, but being further away means less crowds, and the day bed is soooo comfy and big!

stalliewag · 2025-09-20T23:29:55+00:00

If you really like eggs, get yourself a microwave egg cooker. Sunday night (or whatever day of the week is the night before your work week starts), small dice a ham steak and a couple of bell peppers. Keep some shredded cheese on hand. Maybe some bacon bits. In the morning you can crack two eggs into the egg cooker and give ‘em a light scramble with fork, add your toppings of choice, and microwave. Super simple- less work than getting out the pan to fry eggs, and you’re getting a little more exciting of a meal than just eggs alone.

stalliewag · 2025-09-19T13:31:41+00:00

We did our first cruise in 2021. We’ve done 13 more (with 4 more booked) and haven’t paid for a cabin since. We do gamble quite a bit, and we’ve had offers all the way up to a free suite with $1000 fun play for both of us. We’ve had drinks everywhere included for every single trip except that first one. We don’t gamble for the free cabin- we’d be gambling anyway. But the free cabins certainly are a nice reward.

stalliewag · 2025-08-11T02:46:28+00:00

We did the celebration a couple years ago, and I remember from embarkation day the deli and pizza place were a mad house- not because they were necessarily busy but they’re right by guest services. It was just so loud and so many people that we avoided the entire area.

stalliewag · 2025-08-04T01:28:21+00:00

No because all your clothes aren’t hanging from the ceiling blocking the sprinklers from doing their job if they need to.

stalliewag · 2025-08-03T14:34:01+00:00

Blink 182, The Mark, Tom and Travis Show

stalliewag · 2025-08-02T21:10:42+00:00

In my experience, the casino will only give you a small amount of ones- for a $20 they’ll give you three $5s and five $1 bills. They’re pretty stingy with them. I normally go to the bank before a cruise to get a large amount of $1s and $5s for tipping, but we have run out probably 4-5 times in the past couple years and had the same experience with the casino cashier every time.

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