We're in S Suite, Mom's in balcony room

[SANDY BEACH]

We had our Suite booked before mom decided to go. Could not talk her and her husband into the extra for a S. Have any of you every traveled with others that were not in a Suite with you. Did you find it a problem? My husband says we're not changing. He loves the S as much as I do. They will only be a few rooms away on the same deck. Any helpful input would be much appreciated.

[doone]

I just did this on the Zuiderdam this past March. We had 5 girls sailing, so we got a corner aft suite, 5187 for 3 girls and next door was a VA balcony cabin, 5185. While the suites have alot of perks, we just didn't really use them. We tried to be fair with the other girls so we didn't part take in alot of the perks, we really only got the suite for the extra space for 5 girls to "hang" out in basically. We didn't find it a problem at all. You can invite your mom and her husband over for cocktails on your balcony. I wouldn't really worry about it, you'll be fine. I am not sure what your looking for in your answer, but bottom line is, you and your husband enjoy your suite life and your mom and her husband will be having a great time in the balcony cabin, just invite them over once in a while.

[RuthC]

What kind of problems are you anticipating?

Sure Mom and her husband can't go to the Neptune Lounge, or the Suite passenger gatherings, but they can enjoy all the other amenities of the ship. And it isn't as if Mom will be all alone when/if you choose to enjoy the Suite-passenger only amenities.

True, I've only visited in Suites, but I can't imagine having a problem if I were traveling with others who booked one.

[SANDY BEACH]

I probably wouldn't have a problem traveling with others but it's different with mom. I hate to leave her when boarding the ship as Suite guests have priority boarding and are escorted to the Neptune Lounge. She will be in a line that possibly could be very long. I guess I just wanted her to enjoy the extra amenities too and I'm very disappointed she won't. I imagine I could probably get priority tender tickets for them if I tipped my room steward good. After reading your comments I guess it was a silly question and one I probably knew the answer to but didn't like. I just know she can afford it but doesn't chose to spend her money that way and ofcourse that is her decision. She is getting up in age but still very active and it will be great to cruise with them again.

[peaches from georgia]

I'm sorry she made the choice she did, but you can only do so much. You can meet them up in the Lido when you board and have lunch- you'll be there first and can grab a nice table.

 

As for tender tickets, that is not something the room steward is involved with at all. There are no longer separate priority tkts- your ship's card is a different color if you are in an S or PS and that is what you show when you board the tender. You will not have a tender tkt showing priority. The non-S pax do have to go first to the Lounge to get their tkt when they are ready to board a tender. The room steward does not distribute any tender tkts. But you can certainly get on any tender with them when they get their tkts.

[TedC]

On our last couple of cruises there were no priority tender tickets needed. The priority suite status was keyed in the ID card used to get on and off the ship, charge things, etc.

[sail7seas]

You might wish to talk this over with your Mom before you go so she will be aware of the situation. If she knows there are amenities you have purchased by booking your "S", she can choose to do the same or not.

 

We traveled with two couples on a Rotterdam cruise in Europe. We were in an "S" and both of them were in "B" category cabins. It worked out okay. There were a few situations that they were not included that we partook in but it was their choice to book (and pay for) whichever category they wanted. We didn't have any big deals over it though.

[ekerr19]

I really like the fact that they have done away with the priority tender tickets. Changing the color of the ship ID was a good idea, imo - much easier!

 

What color is it though? It looked white/gold to me, but read another post where it was referred to as white/brown... maybe I just need new glasses, lol!

[Typhoon1]

I really like the fact that they have done away with the priority tender tickets. Changing the color of the ship ID was a good idea, imo - much easier!

 

What color is it though? It looked white/gold to me, but read another post where it was referred to as white/brown... maybe I just need new glasses, lol!

 

It is gold on white, which may look like brown on white as opposed to the non S or PS which are blue on white.

[sail7seas]

I agree that the color is rather indistinct. It's gold and white but does have a brownish tinge IMO ....maybe depending upon the light.

 

[SANDY BEACH]

The rooms are definitely booked and mom is just around the corner about 6 rooms down. Not too bad. We will have to just go with the flow and hopefully all turns out ok. I find it very hard to travel with others. I'm always worried about them having a good time. The next cruise will be just DH and myself. I find those cruises very relaxing. Thanks to all of you for your comments. I would love to meet a lot of you someday and hopefully will on one of the beautiful Holland ships.

[AmyinVail]

Sandybeach, we just returned from the 4/23 Oosterdam. We were in an S suite and my mom was in a SS suite, 3 doors down. When we got to the pier, they allowed my mom to come with me to check in and the gal checked her in along with us. Now, our DD was also in her room, so I don't know if that had anything to do with it (or the fact we had paid for her room, too?), but to let you know that was the biggest perk for us and she was able to partake in it. We didn't go (and normally don't go because of our young children) to the suite parties - so it was no big deal. Just wanted to let you know.

[kryos]

The rooms are definitely booked and mom is just around the corner about 6 rooms down. Not too bad. We will have to just go with the flow and hopefully all turns out ok. I find it very hard to travel with others. I'm always worried about them having a good time.

I would just relax and don't sweat it. Presumably, mom's a big girl and can understand that there are certain perks that she opted not to enjoy by booking a lesser category cabin. I doubt not having those perks will impair her cruise experience in the slightest, nor that she will resent you having them. After all, there will be plenty of things for you all to do together ... the couple of suite perks ... such as the Neptune Lounge ... that she can't join you in will likely not matter to her in the slightest.

 

Go and enjoy. Leave your worries at dockside. They'll be there waiting for you once you return. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Scrumpy]

Sandy Beach - a lot will depend on your normal dynamic with your mom. I think you will probably be fine. We got a few nasty comments from my MIL in a similar situation, but she got over it and now says it was a trip of a lifetime. Forgot all about her cabin after the first day and thoroughly enjoyed herself. I was not brought up having a lot of travel time with my family (grandparents excepted) or others, so the trips we've done with my MIL have been tough. However, what has worked best for me is to go with the flow as much as possible. It's not always easy, but there is an art to compromise. Also, you may find that you don't need to be together as much as you expect. She may have a very good time doing a few things by herself (or w/her husband) or doing nothing at all by herself (or w/her husband).

 

Have fun!

 

The rooms are definitely booked and mom is just around the corner about 6 rooms down. Not too bad. We will have to just go with the flow and hopefully all turns out ok. I find it very hard to travel with others. I'm always worried about them having a good time. The next cruise will be just DH and myself. I find those cruises very relaxing. Thanks to all of you for your comments. I would love to meet a lot of you someday and hopefully will on one of the beautiful Holland ships.

[spirithaven]

I have had people with me who were not in S and with all the priority boarding and shore excursions they just went along with me. One time we were stopped on a shore excursion and when I explained she was with me there was no problem.

 

Good luck.

 

:o

[General Max]

Why don't you surprise your mom and upgrade her to a suite like you. Years from now, you won't regret it. If my mom were still with us, I would do the same on our October cruise.

 

By the way, we have had non-suite passengers in the Neptune Lounge with us and it wasn't a problem .

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[SANDY BEACH]

General Max, My DH and I have already had that conversation. He says she would be very upset if we did that. He's probably right; however, I haven't ruled that option out yet. I'm afraid even if I do that, I would hear how room doesn't matter, just 4 walls. That would be very irritating. We will probably leave everything as is. I'm over the initial worry. It will be a great cruise.

[stormyc]

I have no doubt that your mother and her husband will have an absolutely fabulous cruise. They will be in lovely accomodations on a beautiful ship. There is no reason they shouldn't have the time of their lives.

 

I AM a little concerned that you will be hesitant to take advantage of the Suite amenities, and that your hesitancy to enjoy these perks to their fullest will negatively impact your husband's experience - and YOURS. :)

 

Have a wonderful cruise, and enjoy every moment!

[Cruisin Kay D]

I agree that you should NOT worry so much about this situation because it is their choice to be in a balcony and yours to be in a suite. Just enjoy each other's cabins!!! I don't think it will be a problem to take them along with you when checking in or when getting on tenders. I think you're worrying over things you should not worry about!! If you were the parents & your children were across the hall in an inside room, you would not be worrying about this!! You would just bring them along with you. Just do same with your parents!!

 

I can certainly understand their feelings about not wanting to spend the extra money for a suite over a standard balcony. I wouldn't do that either. To me the balcony is enough -- although I would NOT reject a free upgrade or very cheap upgrade if ever offered by cruise company!!

 

When we took our 3 adult children & spouses on a cruise last year we all had balconies but 2 cabins were on port side & 2 were on starboard, and none were next door to each other -- all were separated by 3 or 4 cabins because all 3 of our kids wanted their privacy from us & from each other!!! We all had fun going back & forth "getting the view" from each side. We considered upgrading our balcony to a suite just for more space getting together, but used the money instead to buy 3 bottles of wine each dinner!! We ended up having plenty of space on the balconies & that's where we ended up congregating, not inside the cabins!!

 

SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN: Why does the time on my posting show 11:50 PM when it's really only 6:50 PM when I'm writing this and I live in Central Time Zone!!!

[dakrewser]

SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN: Why does the time on my posting show 11:50 PM when it's really only 6:50 PM when I'm writing this and I live in Central Time Zone!!!

 

Check your local computer settings - the time shows correctly to me (4:47, which - since I'm in the Pacific time zone, would be 6:47 your time....) My posting time shows as 10:11 PM (12:11 AM your time) - how's that compare to the time you see?

[Cruisin Kay D]

Your message on the thread is listed on my screen as 5:11 AM!!!

But the computer screen in lower right corner right now shows 12:23 AM

EDIT: and just now my message is logged into thread at 5:23 AM!!!!

[Cruisin Kay D]

Solved the Problem!!! I went into the User CP up on top of these pages and clicked on various topics that came up -- one eventually took me to date & time in the basics of this board where I could reset the time to Central & turn on daylight option -- this has been driving me CRAZY for over a month!!! Once I did that, VOILA, now the correct time appears EVERYWHERE!!

 

Wonder if these settings disappear when one has to clear temp files & cookies??