Concierge Question?

[Va. Plumber]

I am sorry, but I have to take issue with all the posters who suggest ways around the Cagney's perk.

I have sailed in a suite once and have one reserved a year from now. The cost is a major stretch for us. Diluting the value takes away from the suite experience

[Cruisin&Relaxin]

I am sorry, but I have to take issue with all the posters who suggest ways around the Cagney's perk.

I have sailed in a suite once and have one reserved a year from now. The cost is a major stretch for us. Diluting the value takes away from the suite experience

 

I whole heartedly agree with your sentiment.

 

I pay lots of money to cruise in a suite. Seeing others discuss ways to get into Cagney's without paying for a suite is disheartening.

 

If you want suite privileges then pay for a suite.

[Fishbait17]

I am sorry, but I have to take issue with all the posters who suggest ways around the Cagney's perk.

I have sailed in a suite once and have one reserved a year from now. The cost is a major stretch for us. Diluting the value takes away from the suite experience

 

I completely agree for the most part. If the "extra passengers" are old enough to be in their own cabin, they should pay for a suite to get the benefits, no doubt about it. But there are also some gray areas, with perhaps minor children that are too young to be in a cabin alone and must be booked in a connected room - and the ship has no suite-to-suite combos large enough to accommodate the family, like on the Sun. My solution in this case is to charge the equivalent of the suite for the connected cabin - then we would see how many would actually pay thousands more $$ for it.. Rather than putting pressure on the Concierge on board, this could be done upon booking on a case-by-case approval basis, with a distinct limit (basically adding one or two extra "suites" per sailing). But in cases where the ship does offer connected suites combos for large families, they need to book those.

 

In the case of the OP, since I have learned that the extra passengers are their adult children, in a non-connected cabin, then No Way - they shouldn't be given suite perks. No "kids across from us in an inside", "Grandma in a balcony down the hall" - They could easily book their extras in another suite, i bet there are several close by, no excuses.. We do - its expensive to book several suites, but that's the price we pay for sailing with a large family when we all want suite perks.

 

Robin

[DMH15]

I completely agree for the most part. If the "extra passengers" are old enough to be in their own cabin, they should pay for a suite to get the benefits, no doubt about it. But there are also some gray areas, with perhaps minor children that are too young to be in a cabin alone and must be booked in a connected room - and the ship has no suite-to-suite combos large enough to accommodate the family, like on the Sun. My solution in this case is to charge the equivalent of the suite for the connected cabin - then we would see how many would actually pay thousands more $$ for it.. Rather than putting pressure on the Concierge on board, this could be done upon booking on a case-by-case approval basis, with a distinct limit (basically adding one or two extra "suites" per sailing). But in cases where the ship does offer connected suites combos for large families, they need to book those.

 

In the case of the OP, since I have learned that the extra passengers are their adult children, in a non-connected cabin, then No Way - they shouldn't be given suite perks. They could easily book their extras in another suite, no excuses.. We do - its expensive to book several suites, but that's the price we pay for sailing with a large family when we all want suite perks.

 

Robin

 

Robin, I agree with you.

 

I love the Sun too and it would be great if the balcony cabin adjoining next door to the Suite could be used as a second bedroom. However, it should come at a hefty price tag, so that it is respectful to those in suites paying a premium, like you said.

[russianmom]

I did a quick scan of the Jewel since someone asked about that.

 

At quick glance there are 14 suites that connect to a balcony or a mini-suite.

 

If each of those 14 suites booked anywhere from 1-4 people in these non-suite cabins and then expected them to dine at Cagney's and/or get priority tendering etc you are looking at the potential for anywhere from 14-56 extra people. :eek:

 

In my opinion that would most definitely dilute the suite product that I am paying a lot for.

 

This past May I travelled w/ a cousin who couldn't afford a suite. So I booked a balcony and she had an inside. Problem solved….

[DMH15]

I did a quick scan of the Jewel since someone asked about that.

 

At quick glance there are 14 suites that connect to a balcony or a mini-suite.

 

If each of those 14 suites booked anywhere from 1-4 people in these non-suite cabins and then expected them to dine at Cagney's and/or get priority tendering etc you are looking at the potential for anywhere from 14-56 extra people. :eek:

 

In my opinion that would most definitely dilute the suite product that I am paying a lot for.

 

This past May I travelled w/ a cousin who couldn't afford a suite. So I booked a balcony and she had an inside. Problem solved….

 

The jewel has suites that accomodate 6.

 

However the Sun and Sky only have suites that accomodate 4. Some people have more than 2 kids.

 

My mom and I were in a suite on the Sun and my cousin was not. We either met up after breakfast or lunch or we went to the MDR with her. It is doable. We did not ask for favors. Would not expect any.

 

 

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[Fishbait17]

I did a quick scan of the Jewel since someone asked about that.

 

At quick glance there are 14 suites that connect to a balcony or a mini-suite.

 

If each of those 14 suites booked anywhere from 1-4 people in these non-suite cabins and then expected them to dine at Cagney's and/or get priority tendering etc you are looking at the potential for anywhere from 14-56 extra people. :eek:

 

In my opinion that would most definitely dilute the suite product that I am paying a lot for.

 

This past May I travelled w/ a cousin who couldn't afford a suite. So I booked a balcony and she had an inside. Problem solved….

 

Agreed, the Jewel has plenty of suites and connecting suite accommodations to handle 8, so no need to sell more than what they already have. Couples with more than six children would either have to sail in non-suites or bring adult "help" and book more suites/suite-to-suite combos, I think a completely reasonable expectation.

 

A good example of this is people who book an OS on deck 9 or 10, and then book their kids in the connecting balcony and expect suite perks for all - shouldn't work that way as they could have easily booked the connecting penthouse suite instead of the balcony, therefore paying for and insuring suite perks for everyone (of course everyone complains that that's sooo expensive, but hey, you want the perks, you pay for them).

 

But, as DMH pointed out above, there are NO suites, or suite to suite combos on the Sun (I don't know much about the Sky or the Spirit) that can hold more than four. A problem for anyone with three or four kids.. Since those ships have fairly few suites to begin with, perhaps it's a doable option to have people pay a matching suite price for their kids in whatever cabin connects to their suite. And LIMIT these combinations, to perhaps two per sailing, to protect suite perks for everyone else, once they're sold out, too bad. So, when you book the OS, and the connecting mini suite, you pay for TWO OS's instead of one. Again, parents will cringe at the price, but hey - you want perks for all, you pay for them.. And after the cash-out-of-pocket is calculated, I'm fairly certain that at least half those *thinking* about doing this will back out because of the expense (when otherwise they would ask for free perks onboard after paying the much lower price). This seems more fair than instead expecting/granting suite perks for nothing to some families who book connecting rooms without paying extra cash.

 

Less "freebies" would mean less "extra" people diluting other suite tenants perks (a win for all suite passengers), guaranteed perks for those willing to pay (a win for whose willing to pay), and extra cash for the cruise line (a win for NCL).

 

Robin

[rhinomike]

I am in a similar situation. We aer going to be on the Spirit next summer in Europe. We wanted a suite for me, my wife and 4 kids. However the spirit does not have a suite that can accommodate us. So they said our only option would be a penthouse suite with a balcony room connecting. I am going to find out if the 3 kids in the connecting balcony room will get some suite perks too. I don't mind paying extra or them. But I want my 3 kids to eat at Cagneys with me and have priority debarkation with us in the ports.

[DMH15]

I am in a similar situation. We aer going to be on the Spirit next summer in Europe. We wanted a suite for me, my wife and 4 kids. However the spirit does not have a suite that can accommodate us. So they said our only option would be a penthouse suite with a balcony room connecting. I am going to find out if the 3 kids in the connecting balcony room will get some suite perks too. I don't mind paying extra or them. But I want my 3 kids to eat at Cagneys with me and have priority debarkation with us in the ports.

 

Like Robin said.

 

Perfect example.

[jaja]

Agreed, the Jewel has plenty of suites and connecting suite accommodations to handle 8, so no need to sell more than what they already have. Couples with more than six children would either have to sail in non-suites or bring adult "help" and book more suites/suite-to-suite combos, I think a completely reasonable expectation.

 

A good example of this is people who book an OS on deck 9 or 10, and then book their kids in the connecting balcony and expect suite perks for all - shouldn't work that way as they could have easily booked the connecting penthouse suite instead of the balcony, therefore paying for and insuring suite perks for everyone (of course everyone complains that that's sooo expensive, but hey, you want the perks, you pay for them).

 

But, as DMH pointed out above, there are NO suites, or suite to suite combos on the Sun (I don't know much about the Sky or the Spirit) that can hold more than four. A problem for anyone with three or four kids.. Since those ships have fairly few suites to begin with, perhaps it's a doable option to have people pay a matching suite price for their kids in whatever cabin connects to their suite. And LIMIT these combinations, to perhaps two per sailing, to protect suite perks for everyone else, once they're sold out, too bad. So, when you book the OS, and the connecting mini suite, you pay for TWO OS's instead of one. Again, parents will cringe at the price, but hey - you want perks for all, you pay for them.. And after the cash-out-of-pocket is calculated, I'm fairly certain that at least half those *thinking* about doing this will back out because of the expense (when otherwise they would ask for free perks onboard after paying the much lower price). This seems more fair than instead expecting/granting suite perks for nothing to some families who book connecting rooms without paying extra cash.

 

Less "freebies" would mean less "extra" people diluting other suite tenants perks (a win for all suite passengers), guaranteed perks for those willing to pay (a win for whose willing to pay), and extra cash for the cruise line (a win for NCL).

 

Robin

 

 

Agree!!!

[khaide612]

It isn't as if you just walk up and they let you in. Don't they check your room card and note how many people are dining?

 

We are traveling with about 20 people next year. Only 5 of us are in suites. We wouldn't dream of asking about taking everyone through priority boarding or to Cagney's. However, I don't typically make it to breakfast. If my brother-in-law wanted to take his father to Cagney's for breakfast one morning in my place would that be a problem? He was going to check with the concierge and if there was no substitution just pay the fee for that one morning.

[Fishbait17]

I am in a similar situation. We aer going to be on the Spirit next summer in Europe. We wanted a suite for me, my wife and 4 kids. However the spirit does not have a suite that can accommodate us. So they said our only option would be a penthouse suite with a balcony room connecting. I am going to find out if the 3 kids in the connecting balcony room will get some suite perks too. I don't mind paying extra or them. But I want my 3 kids to eat at Cagneys with me and have priority debarkation with us in the ports.

 

I'm not all that familiar with the Spirit, but aren't there at least two connecting suite combos that will sleep six on deck 10 forward? I think I see two SE to SE connecting suites all the way forward (10502/10500 and 10001/10002).. Those would work for you. If they aren't available on your sailing, you will have to look at alternate dates to guarantee suite perks for all.

 

Robin

[rhinomike]

I'm not all that familiar with the Spirit, but aren't there at least two connecting suite combos that will sleep six on deck 10 forward? I think I see two SE to SE connecting suites all the way forward (10502/10500 and 10001/10002).. Those would work for you. If they aren't available on your sailing, you will have to look at alternate dates to guarantee suite perks for all.

 

Robin

 

A suite connecting to a balcony is the only option the NCL rep gave us for connecting rooms and a suite. We aren't going until June. We already have our airfare paid for so we cant change. We already have 2 inside cabins reserved but thinking about upgrading to a suite.

[Fishbait17]

A suite connecting to a balcony is the only option the NCL rep gave us for connecting rooms and a suite. We aren't going until June. We already have our airfare paid for so we cant change. We already have 2 inside cabins reserved but thinking about upgrading to a suite.

 

Check again for availability of those two connecting suites combos (I put the cabin numbers on the other thread) and ask the booking agent about the cabin numbers specifically. This is the only way you can absolutely guarantee suite perks for all and have connecting cabins. If they're not available and you cannot book them, there is no guarantee, you can only hope for the best onboard (sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, I have had it go both ways). I know this is not what you want to hear, but it's the way it is on NCL right now - the only way to guarantee suite perks for everyone is to have everyone booked in a suite or two or three. You can book the suite and connecting balcony, but just be prepared in case the concierge says no to the Cagney's benefit once onboard (you can always just have breakfast delivered to your suite for everyone, and priority embarkation/disembarkation and tender tickets should be fine for all of you - its really not that big of a deal). NCL phone reps cannot confirm the exception, even if they say it will be fine, they don't have the authority. Good luck! :)

 

Robin

[emcelh]

It isn't as if you just walk up and they let you in. Don't they check your room card and note how many people are dining?

 

We are traveling with about 20 people next year. Only 5 of us are in suites. We wouldn't dream of asking about taking everyone through priority boarding or to Cagney's. However, I don't typically make it to breakfast. If my brother-in-law wanted to take his father to Cagney's for breakfast one morning in my place would that be a problem? He was going to check with the concierge and if there was no substitution just pay the fee for that one morning.

I don't believe there's an option to pay a fee at Cagney's for breakfast or lunch.

[kchiumento]

It isn't as if you just walk up and they let you in. Don't they check your room card and note how many people are dining?

 

We are traveling with about 20 people next year. Only 5 of us are in suites. We wouldn't dream of asking about taking everyone through priority boarding or to Cagney's. However, I don't typically make it to breakfast. If my brother-in-law wanted to take his father to Cagney's for breakfast one morning in my place would that be a problem? He was going to check with the concierge and if there was no substitution just pay the fee for that one morning.

 

I have gotten several answers on this type of question. Some say "NO!!!!! Rules are rules!" I have heard of others that have asked the concierge at the time and they have been allowed 1 time. I have heard, "yes but the non-suite guest must pay a service charge". Some of the posters are "Black and White" rule followers. When I spoke with a dear friend that worked for NCL for 8 years, then Disney, he said that there are always exceptions. Its a service industry, they try to accommodate the requests of suite passengers to make them happy. However, they also have to be aware of special favors for guest of suite passengers getting in the way of actual paying suite guests. Basically, if the suite passenger restaurant is full and busy, the request probably wont be granted or if there have been many similar requests. And he said, how one goes about asking for a favor goes a looooong way. I'm sure a few extra $$ wouldn't hurt either ;)

[rhinomike]

Check again for availability of those two connecting suites combos (I put the cabin numbers on the other thread) and ask the booking agent about the cabin numbers specifically. This is the only way you can absolutely guarantee suite perks for all and have connecting cabins. If they're not available and you cannot book them, there is no guarantee, you can only hope for the best onboard (sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, I have had it go both ways). I know this is not what you want to hear, but it's the way it is on NCL right now - the only way to guarantee suite perks for everyone is to have everyone booked in a suite or two or three. You can book the suite and connecting balcony, but just be prepared in case the concierge says no to the Cagney's benefit once onboard (you can always just have breakfast delivered to your suite for everyone, and priority embarkation/disembarkation and tender tickets should be fine for all of you - its really not that big of a deal). NCL phone reps cannot confirm the exception, even if they say it will be fine, they don't have the authority. Good luck! :)

 

Robin

 

Ok. Thank you for the advice. I will call tomorrow and see if there are 2 connecting suites available. If not I think I will take my chances and get the suite connecting to the balcony. I think it will be fine.

[cruzsnooze]

If I paid for a suite and had to wait for a table at cagneys because someone's elderly parents were seated without having a suite I'd complain. It's not about age, it's about a paid perk. The ship isn't based on age, need, or socialism, it's solely based on capitalism. If you pay for a perk you get it, if you don't pay you don't get it. If I saw the concierge taking a bribe to seat someone who didn't belong in cagneys I would take note of his.her name and report them. Bribes are inappropriate. I would be unhappy to yield to someone taking my perk away from me if I paid for it.

[rhinomike]

If I paid for a suite and had to wait for a table at cagneys because someone's elderly parents were seated without having a suite I'd complain. It's not about age, it's about a paid perk. The ship isn't based on age, need, or socialism, it's solely based on capitalism. If you pay for a perk you get it, if you don't pay you don't get it. If I saw the concierge taking a bribe to seat someone who didn't belong in cagneys I would take note of his.her name and report them. Bribes are inappropriate. I would be unhappy to yield to someone taking my perk away from me if I paid for it.

 

Does that ever happen? Has anyone ever had to wait for a table at Cagneys. I figured it is always kind of empty but have no experience.

[Love my butler]

Does that ever happen? Has anyone ever had to wait for a table at Cagneys. I figured it is always kind of empty but have no experience.

 

Yes, it has happened to us more than once. The last time some blowhard wasted about 10 minutes talking to the hostess about how much money he brings to NCL because all his friends cruise with him. He wanted to get some of them into Cagney's for lunch with him. They were not in suites. We had to wait behind him listening to his crap. I was not happy.

[cruzsnooze]

Yes, it has happened to us more than once. The last time some blowhard wasted about 10 minutes talking to the hostess about how much money he brings to NCL because all his friends cruise with him. He wanted to get some of them into Cagney's for lunch with him. They were not in suites. We had to wait behind him listening to his crap. I was not happy.

I hope you reported the incident to guest services so they can educate the concierge about suite guests entrance only to Cagneys. I have never sailed in a suite on NCL but when I do I want to enjoy what's included in the suite perks. If all it takes is a bribe to get perks then why pay thousands more for a suite when a $20 bill will accomplish the same thing.

[Fishbait17]

Does that ever happen? Has anyone ever had to wait for a table at Cagneys. I figured it is always kind of empty but have no experience.

 

We hardly ever use the Cagney's benefit, preferring breakfast in our cabin and usually off the ship at lunch, so we maybe eat there maybe 2-3 times per week. Even with that low frequency, we have had to wait several times, for varying periods of time (usually less than five minutes, rarely more than 15-20).

 

Embarkation day can be slow, because it seems every suite guest goes there first and pretty much at the same time (many times you are directed or taken there upon embarkation). On that day, there is usually a line at the hostess desk, and the host(s) are busy checking names and cabin numbers of the new guests, and very often others (non-suite passengers) get in the line thinking they might be missing out on something. The line can move slowly, and sometimes the tables are full and you have to wait for one. Later in the week, the host(s) recognize you and the line moves mich quicker if there is one (people fall into different schedules during the week, lessening the "crush"). Sometimes on a sea day when the weather is less than perfect, the restaurant may fill up at lunch and you might have to wait a bit. The very few times we have gone for breakfast on a port day, the restaurant is packed shortly before port arrival - this is the reason we prefer room service- on sea days, breakfast is more staggered. A lot depends on the sailing - on a sailing with few sea days and less "sunning" weather, it seems that everyone wants to eat lunch there on their one sea day and linger a bit; on longer, sunny sailings, less people use the benefit or hurry through the meal to get back outside. I have, though, also been waiting behind people bringing "guests" and arguing with the host - it's an uncomfortable scene, especially since the host has no authority to make that decision.

 

So, usually no or little wait, occasionally longer.

 

Robin

[kcwingwalker]

Yes, it has happened to us more than once. The last time some blowhard wasted about 10 minutes talking to the hostess about how much money he brings to NCL because all his friends cruise with him. He wanted to get some of them into Cagney's for lunch with him. They were not in suites. We had to wait behind him listening to his crap. I was not happy.

 

I would not have been happy either. It must have been unpleasant for everyone. The "blowhard" should have gone to guest services and not subjected everyone to his opinions. Feel sorry for the staff who had to deal with this.

 

If you really want to bring a guest(s) to the "suite" breakfast/lunch restaurant it makes sense to make arrangements ahead and be willing to pay for the guest. It's just good manners.

[DMH15]

Perfect. Allow suite pax to bring guests. Reserved in advance. $100 a head each meal. Wonder how many will bite?

 

 

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[B6ConMe]

Perfect. Allow suite pax to bring guests. Reserved in advance. $100 a head each meal. Wonder how many will bite?

 

 

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I have to say that I've never been a suite pax and after reading this thread I'm really not sure I want to be. I was so looking forward to being in a suite for our anniversary cruise next year but I'm afraid my bubble has been burst and I think I may just forego the suite life and just go with the mini suite. Between this issue and the concierge/butler issues I've been reading about, we may be better off looking after ourselves with the helpful and wonderful stewards.

 

Very disappointing. We'll wait and see though, we still have lots of time to decide.