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Suite Passenger Etiquette Question

coffeecat

By coffeecat,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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coffeecat

coffeecat

Posted
Posted

Hello,

I have sailed several times in a suite and just wanted to get some opinions on a situation.

 

My husband, my daughter (1 yo) and I have a 2 bedroom villa booked on the breakaway this summer to BDA. We have invited my brother and sister in law and their two kids (ages 9 and 11). They will be staying in an inside (possibly balcony cabin if the prices come down). There is no way we can afford a suite for their family on this sailing.

 

My question is this, their kids will likely be spending a lot of time in the kids club. My brother and SIL will likely have a lot of free time on the ship.

 

I was thinking about booking my SIL into our cabin so that she would have ability to use the Haven facilities ( most likely just the haven complex...she would do breakfast and lunch etc with her family in the buffet or MDR). We get along really well and it would be fun if she could hang out with me in the Haven for a couple of hours a day.

 

She would be physically staying/sleeping/keeping her clothes in their inside cabin though. If she was booked into our cabin they would be easily able to come and go to visit us in the Haven (I know the rest of the family could not use the pool up there or go to the Epic club). She would also be able to have the concierge for reservations etc.

 

Has anyone ever done this or something similar before? Any opinions on whether or not this is an acceptable thing to do? I feel like this should be fine but wanted some other opinions.

 

Thanks!

Coffeecat

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FLAHAM

FLAHAM

Posted
Posted

I don't think there's anything wrong with this, but suggest fully disclosing to the concierge upon embarking. Suite room attendant will show a daily undercount and inside room attendant a daily overcount. Better to furnish answers ahead of time than raise questions.

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yoyocruiser

yoyocruiser

Posted
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I am sure someone will have an issue with this. But I think as long as she is booked in your room, then you are good to go and it is an excellent idea. You have the right to book who you wish into your room, and then where people actually sleep is not monitored by the cruise line--LOL!! Have a great time. You sound like a great SIL! I never thought about the count situation, but flaham raises a good point--obviously you don't want to make confusion for the staff.

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Demonyte

Demonyte

Posted
Posted
I believe te 2 bedroom suite sleeps 6? Book everyone except 1 adult into the suite.

 

That would be expensive with the solo Passeger paying 2X the full fare.

 

But at the same time they would save some on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th passengers fares in the suite.

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coffeecat

coffeecat

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Thanks for your replies!

 

The total fare would be the same if we book SIL into our suite or into the inside as the rates for 3 and 4th passengers are the same. The only way it would cost more would be to book three of them into the suite and then just my brother into an inside cabin as we would then pay double occupancy.

 

So just for clarification, we would book her into our suite (4 people total) and then my brother and his kids in an inside cabin (3 people total). SIL would stay in the inside cabin during the cruise though.

 

It doesn't sound like anyone thinks this is a bad idea as long as we let the concierge/stewards know.

 

Maybe we just need to cough up the extra money for a full suite for them. The prices are so high for this sailing though that I don't know if we can justify it.

 

Thanks for all your opinions! Very helpful!

Coffeecat

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Starry Eyes

Starry Eyes

Posted
Posted
what about you brother? whats he going to do all day by himself? Could You book all the adults and the 1 year old in the suite and the 2 kids in the other room?

 

Due to the kids ages, this cannot be done unless the second room is next door or across the hall from the suite....probably impossible with a haven suite. Maybe they could find a non haven suite with an inside across the hall to book as you suggest, but I have the impression that the haven is too important to them.

 

If OP and SIL would like some Haven time, book SIL in the suite. She can sleep where she pleases. You could have SIL and one of her children booked in the suite. Or whoever, as long as the second cabin is either nearby or the booking includes an adult.

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jdvmd

jdvmd

Posted
Posted
what about you brother? whats he going to do all day by himself? Could You book all the adults and the 1 year old in the suite and the 2 kids in the other room?

 

That wouldn't work as there are age requirements for children being in a room by themselves.

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david_sobe

david_sobe

Posted
Posted

Hmmm, doesnt the brother lose out on this deal? Does it not separate him from his wife?

I would be surprised any spouse would volunteer to be separated from their family simply because of breakfast at Cagneys.

 

I would think the brother would feel isloated and this could create problems (even if the brother says this is ok). I would probably say it was ok too but would miss my wife at breakfast and lunch with our kids.

 

Sorry, I just dont understand the logic on this one. What is the SIL gaining by agreeing to this? Most families spend time together on their vacation. It seems you are putting them apart from eachother even before the cruise begins. You say your brother's kids will be in kids club all day and the SIL will be in your suite.

It just sounds bizzare and famlies enjoy sharing time TOGETHER on cruises, not trying to worry about trying to impress the SIL

 

Just my 2 cents

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jdvmd

jdvmd

Posted
Posted
Hmmm, doesnt the brother lose out on this deal? Does it not separate him from his wife?

I would be surprised any spouse would volunteer to be separated from their family simply because of breakfast at Cagneys.

 

I would think the brother would feel isloated and this could create problems (even if the brother says this is ok). I would probably say it was ok too but would miss my wife at breakfast and lunch with our kids.

 

Sorry, I just dont understand the logic on this one. What is the SIL gaining by agreeing to this? Most families spend time together on their vacation. It seems you are putting them apart from eachother even before the cruise begins. You say your brother's kids will be in kids club all day and the SIL will be in your suite.

 

I agree.

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havoc315

havoc315

Posted
Posted
That would be expensive with the solo Passeger paying 2X the full fare.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone - Jim

 

No, the total price should be about the same. As you'd still be paying 4 "full price" and 3 "extra passenger" fees. May be a couple hundred more, at most.

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havoc315

havoc315

Posted
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I applaud you for being honest, paying for the extra person and not trying to pull one over as so many people try to do

Have a great trip

 

You realize that paying for a 3rd passenger in a suite, is the same price as paying to be the 3rd passenger in an inside cabin.

Only the first 2 people in the suite are technically paying the suite premium (even in a Garden Villa). The 3rd+ passengers always get suite privileges on the coattails of the first 2 guests.

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coffeecat

coffeecat

Posted
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Posted
Hmmm, doesnt the brother lose out on this deal? Does it not separate him from his wife?

I would be surprised any spouse would volunteer to be separated from their family simply because of breakfast at Cagneys.

 

I would think the brother would feel isloated and this could create problems (even if the brother says this is ok). I would probably say it was ok too but would miss my wife at breakfast and lunch with our kids.

 

Sorry, I just dont understand the logic on this one. What is the SIL gaining by agreeing to this? Most families spend time together on their vacation. It seems you are putting them apart from eachother even before the cruise begins. You say your brother's kids will be in kids club all day and the SIL will be in your suite.

It just sounds bizzare and famlies enjoy sharing time TOGETHER on cruises, not trying to worry about trying to impress the SIL

 

Just my 2 cents

 

Hi Dave-

Thanks for your input. I actually thought about this as well and totally see where you are coming from.

 

If you read my original post I said that she would likely be doing breakfast and lunch with her family. Mainly I thought this would offer them some benefits:

 

1) They would have access to the concierge for booking shows and dinners...I have a feeling this would be a great perk for them given that the ship is so large. Of course, they would tip the concierge accordingly.

2) They would be able to access the suite area to come and go from our cabin as needed. Not a huge deal because we could always meet them at the door but it simplifies things. I am sure their girls will be sleeping over a couple of nights so that they can get some sleep as well ;).

3) If we invited them to dinner at Epic club we would save $25 on the cover charge for her each night that they dined there (I think there is a limit to how many times you will be able to invite guests)

4) My SIL would be able to use the courtyard if she ever wanted some quiet time (which believe me she deserves!). I really don't think that she would be up there very much but I thought it would be something that she would enjoy if her husband was at the gym or doing other things (casino, sports etc) that she wasn't interested in. They have cruised before and while they spent a lot of time together, they did do some things individually. Believe me, I am not going to be pressuring her to ditch my super awesome brother and his kids!

 

We definitely want to spend time together as a family and I certainly wouldn't want to interfere with their family time! I suppose we (mainly me because I was the one that wanted to invite them) are being selfish because we have invited them on this cruise because we want to spend time with them and their children. We are paying for their passage....but I hear you when you say that this may cause some hurt feelings...don't want that for sure!

 

Anyway, it is something to think about. I haven't even asked her yet about this so I don't even know if she would agree to it.

 

I am happy that so many people have weighed in on this! My husband thinks it is all completely shady which I don't really agree with as we are not trying to (nor will we try to) obtain perks beyond what she herself would be entitled to as a suite guest (i.e. we aren't going to ask for the club breakfast and lunch for the whole family, or priority embarkation for everyone, or invites to the cocktail party for everyone etc).

 

Does this clarify things/my intentions any? Started to work husband to get them a suite last night but he is balking (Boo!)...maybe the prices will come down a little- at 10K I don't think we can swing that right now.

 

Thanks!

Coffeecat

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