If you’re the type who likes to get the party started early, Carnival’s Faster to the Fun package might just be your new best friend.
For a small fee, you can be among the first to board, head straight to your stateroom, and breeze through the first day’s usual crowds.
It’s more than just faster boarding. It’s a shortcut to a smoother, relaxed cruise.
Here are nine reasons to buy Faster to the Fun.
1. Faster Embarkation
Arguably, the biggest perk of the Faster to the Fun package is the speedy embarkation process. Many embarkation ports even have designated seating areas for Faster to the Fun guests, with better seating and refreshments provided.
You also get your own priority check-in line and private line for security, so you get to board the ship first. You can beat the Lido Marketplace buffet lines and Guy’s Burger Joint crowds.
Or, you can try to score a free beer at RedFrog Pub by being the first guest to stop by. Either way, you skip the lines and beat the crowds.
2. It’s Charged Per Stateroom
It’s important to understand that the Faster to the Fun package costs per stateroom, not per guest, making it easier to stomach and much more valuable for what it’s worth.
Pricing for sailings through November 2025 starts at $79.95 per cabin for 2-3 day cruises, $109.95 for 4-5 day cruises, $149.95 for 6-8 day cruises (and $169.95 on Excel-class ships), and $209.95 for cruises lasting 9 days or more.
Prices vary by ship and itinerary, so check with your travel agent or the Carnival website to verify the latest rates.
| Cruise Length | Price (per stateroom) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 Days | $79.95 | |
| 4-5 Days | $109.95 | |
| 6-8 Days | $149.95 | Standard ships |
| 6-8 Days (Excel Class) | $169.95 | Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, etc.) |
| 9+ Days | $209.95 | |
| Australia | $189.95 |
3. Capacity Controlled
It would sort of negate the entire purpose of the program if Faster to the Fun was for sale to all guests.
That’s why Carnival limits the number of passes available for each sailing, depending on the number of Platinum and Diamond cruisers booked, as you’re basically ‘buying’ all the perks that those cruisers are already granted.
This way, Carnival can still cater these exclusive perks to guests willing to pay while maintaining the program’s exclusivity.
4. Ready-To-Go Stateroom
Like suite guests or VIFP Diamond and Platinum cruisers, with Faster to the Fun your stateroom is ready for you as soon as you board the ship.
This is a big perk for those carrying on soda or anyone with a lot of carry-on luggage. No one likes the inconvenience of hauling their bags around the ship for an hour or two while waiting for the room to be ready.
A Faster to the Fun pass lets you drop off your items immediately and enjoy the ship, free from your bags.
5. Faster Luggage Delivery
Along with early access to your stateroom, your luggage will be delivered almost immediately, allowing you to unpack and organize even sooner.
There’s no need to worry about whether or not you’ll receive your bags in time to change clothes for dinner or if the kids’ favorite toys will make it to the room in time for their afternoon naps. You can unpack and unwind.
6. Dedicated Onboard Services
This benefit sometimes gets forgotten: Faster to the Fun grants you access to a private phone line to Guest Services and a private express line at the Guest Services desk, so your questions and concerns are addressed faster than those of other cruisers. This way, you can spend less time waiting and more time enjoying your cruise.
7. Priority Dining
Another Faster to the Fun perk is priority dining reservations (except Your Time Dining). At any specialty dining venue, you get first pick of dining times and access to priority reservations.
As more cruisers turn to specialty restaurants instead of the main dining room for their evening meal, this could come in handy if you like to eat what you want when you want.
8. Faster Tender Boat Lines
Or should we say “water shuttles.” For ports that require tendering, like Grand Cayman, FTTF buys you an express pass to Carnival’s water shuttles.
And if you’ve ever had to tender to a port before, you know that this alone makes purchasing FTTF worth it. First-time cruisers, take our word for it.
The difficulty of thousands of cruisers trying to funnel into small water shuttles all at once, usually early in the morning when many are still waiting for their caffeine to kick in, can be overwhelming.
A FTTF pass offers you exclusive rights to bypass the masses and avoid the stress of the crowds.
9. Faster Debarkation
Last but not least, you also enjoy priority debarkation when your cruise is over.
This perk may benefit those who need to get off the ship early for a flight but don’t want to endure the hassle of carrying off luggage via the self-assist debarkation option. With a Faster to the Fun pass, you are a priority guest for the entire cruise until you disembark the ship.
Our Take
We’ve personally found that Faster to the Fun is one of those splurges that’s worth it if you hate waiting around on embarkation day — or anytime, really.
Especially with how much more crowded cruise ships can feel, having a little VIP shortcut to dining, guest services, and tender boats makes a surprisingly big difference.
For the price of a nice dinner out, you get a whole cruise of stress-free moments. We’d book it again in a heartbeat.
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