SweetSuiteCruiser Posted January 28, 2014 #1 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I wanted to share our ONCE IN A LIFETIME cruise experience with you. I know some people will be upset that they paid more and have never had this happen, but I think it’s nice for regular people to know that they could be visited by the upgrade fairy (and boy did we ever). It is somewhat of a long story but I will just tell it like it is. My husband and I had no intention of taking a cruise, but while eating breakfast Friday morning 1/3/14 we decided we just needed to get away. Around noon we started calling for cruises that would leave in the next couple weeks (we didn’t care where it went). We looked up NCL and they had a Panama Cruise that left on Sunday 1/5/14, but it was booked. We called on a Hawaiian Cruise that left on 1/4/14, but it was booked. Everything seemed to be booked. Later about 5pm on Friday we called NCL directly and asked about a Panama Canal cruise going from Miami to LA on 1/19/14, we were told it was booked also. But that they had one Guarantee Inside Cabin available on the LA to Miami 1/5/14 cruise on the STAR! It must have changed since earlier when they were booked. We were very happy and definitely okay with an inside cabin and thrilled with the last minute price that we got. We had a whirlwind day and a half packing and driving 12 hours to LA. When we arrived in San Pedro we didn’t have luggage tags and when inquiring at the luggage drop we’re told that our name wasn’t on the list and that since we didn’t have a room number we would just have to drop our luggage with a GTY 0 on it and it would find us. We were nervous. There we were standing in the long line at the terminal not knowing if we had a room or not. when we finally made it to the front of the line and were called to the counter we explained to the agent we didn’t have a room number. So he looked on the computer and to our relief he found our names. He told us we had room 12502. That number meant nothing to us as we were just glad to be listed and officially going on a much needed, relaxing cruise. He took our credit card information and went to get our keys. This is when we got really nervous, because when he gets back he tells us he can't find our keys. then he left again and after being gone for about 5 minutes he comes back and tells us he doesn’t have our keys, because we are in the wrong area. He tells us we need to be in the VIP area! Being completely confused and not even knowing a VIP area existed, I said “what does that mean”? He leans over the counter and says “that means you paid a lot more than everyone else here”! (little did he know) The agent then asks us to wait while he comes around the counter and escorts us to the VIP area. At this point we are completely dazed and confused! I had a vague idea that suites with special perks existed, but my husband had no idea and was completely confused (until he saw the mini buffet in the VIP lounge then he was happy as a clam). Upon arrival to the lounge we were introduced to a nice lady who looked for our envelope with our key cards in it. When we got the envelope under our names it said “OWNERS SUITE”! We were completely taken aback and surprised (at least I was because my husband was already getting coffee and pound cake). But we still didn't really know exactly what an owners suite was (other than it wasn't an inside cabin). We were only in the lounge for a couple of minutes when we were told to line up and we would be escorted onto the ship for lunch (at the private dining area for people in suites, “Cagney’s”). While lining up a nice young lady in uniform comes up and tells us she wanted to introduce herself to us, she said my name is Lea and I am your BUTLER! (You could have slapped us as both our jaws hit the floor). After eating our lunch and meeting some fantastic people we finally went to our room (Owners Suite). When we entered our room, we were complete shocked and awed! The room was absolutely beautiful. Now we’ve been on a few cruises before but didn’t even know rooms like this existed (it was all ours for 14 days!). We were treated like royalty and had the vacation of a lifetime and that we couldn’t even have imagined. In closing we would like to thank NCL for making us feel, not only special but like we were part of their FAMILY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrNora Posted January 28, 2014 #2 Share Posted January 28, 2014 It is SO nice to read this story!!! Glad that you had an amazing experience. 14 days in an Owner's Suite sounds just heavenly!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ2002 Posted January 28, 2014 #3 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Welcome to CC, and what a GREAT story! So glad that you got that wonderful upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twelvevman Posted January 28, 2014 #4 Share Posted January 28, 2014 What a great story. So happy someone was able to get the upgrade of a lifetime. Now the bigger question....think you can ever go back to an inside cabin :confused: :rolleyes: :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolou Posted January 28, 2014 #5 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Oh oh....now you're spoiled...you'll never go to an inside cabin now :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetSuiteCruiser Posted January 28, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Going back to an inside cabin will be very hard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzface Posted January 28, 2014 #7 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Wow, inside to an owner's suite!!! That is one major upgrade. I guess it pays to book really last minute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk218 Posted January 28, 2014 #8 Share Posted January 28, 2014 WoW .. ;) Thats quite an upgrade... Congrats. All I got was a rock .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackjia199637 Posted January 28, 2014 #9 Share Posted January 28, 2014 HOLY MOLY JESUS Go out and buy a ****ing lottery ticket,thats all I am going to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinIllinois Posted January 28, 2014 #10 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Wow, and to think I was happy finding five bucks in my jeans pocket when I did laundry. LOL Good for you. That's great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear3412 Posted January 28, 2014 #11 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Welcome to CC, Great first post. :D Nice read and change of pace, compared to some threads lately. Congrats, and start saving now for your next OS. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted January 28, 2014 #12 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I am so very happy for you. Really, I am. But - it is beyond me why somebody at NCL would not have taken a minute and upgrade a Platinum member from a balcony, moved them to the OS and give you a balcony. Now you have many people very happy. Again, happy for you, but if I was a manager at NCL, I would be slapping somebody around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSUmom Posted January 28, 2014 #13 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Wow that was awesome! You are very lucky and it is going to be tough going back to a regular cabin ever again :) I for one have never seen the inside of an OS but will finally get to experience the suite life in a PH come April. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor95 Posted January 28, 2014 #14 Share Posted January 28, 2014 What a great story & awesome upgrade! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nlsoftly Posted January 28, 2014 #15 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Thank you for sharing a truly wonderful experience!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtn Posted January 28, 2014 #16 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Enjoyed reading your story...and what an upgrade!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xenagurl Posted January 28, 2014 #17 Share Posted January 28, 2014 What a wonderful experience! Awesome! Thanks for sharing! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhry Posted January 28, 2014 #18 Share Posted January 28, 2014 How great, what a fantastic upgrade. 12502 has got to be the very best room on the ship. It is for sure our favorite.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norwegianlatvian Posted January 28, 2014 #19 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Congrats! Very nice! Great to read! (A bit on the side: Kinda fun to see that no one reacts with skepticism when the first post is positive. If it was a negative posting, you bet a bunch of CC members would flame that person). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersharon Posted January 28, 2014 #20 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Wow! Great story :) Sent from my SGH-I747M using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted January 28, 2014 #21 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I wanted to share our ONCE IN A LIFETIME cruise experience with you. I know some people will be upset that they paid more and have never had this happen, but I think it’s nice for regular people to know that they could be visited by the upgrade fairy (and boy did we ever). It is somewhat of a long story but I will just tell it like it is. My husband and I had no intention of taking a cruise, but while eating breakfast Friday morning 1/3/14 we decided we just needed to get away. Around noon we started calling for cruises that would leave in the next couple weeks (we didn’t care where it went). We looked up NCL and they had a Panama Cruise that left on Sunday 1/5/14, but it was booked. We called on a Hawaiian Cruise that left on 1/4/14, but it was booked. Everything seemed to be booked. Later about 5pm on Friday we called NCL directly and asked about a Panama Canal cruise going from Miami to LA on 1/19/14, we were told it was booked also. But that they had one Guarantee Inside Cabin available on the LA to Miami 1/5/14 cruise on the STAR! It must have changed since earlier when they were booked. We were very happy and definitely okay with an inside cabin and thrilled with the last minute price that we got. We had a whirlwind day and a half packing and driving 12 hours to LA. When we arrived in San Pedro we didn’t have luggage tags and when inquiring at the luggage drop we’re told that our name wasn’t on the list and that since we didn’t have a room number we would just have to drop our luggage with a GTY 0 on it and it would find us. We were nervous. There we were standing in the long line at the terminal not knowing if we had a room or not. when we finally made it to the front of the line and were called to the counter we explained to the agent we didn’t have a room number. So he looked on the computer and to our relief he found our names. He told us we had room 12502. That number meant nothing to us as we were just glad to be listed and officially going on a much needed, relaxing cruise. He took our credit card information and went to get our keys. This is when we got really nervous, because when he gets back he tells us he can't find our keys. then he left again and after being gone for about 5 minutes he comes back and tells us he doesn’t have our keys, because we are in the wrong area. He tells us we need to be in the VIP area! Being completely confused and not even knowing a VIP area existed, I said “what does that mean”? He leans over the counter and says “that means you paid a lot more than everyone else here”! (little did he know) The agent then asks us to wait while he comes around the counter and escorts us to the VIP area. At this point we are completely dazed and confused! I had a vague idea that suites with special perks existed, but my husband had no idea and was completely confused (until he saw the mini buffet in the VIP lounge then he was happy as a clam). Upon arrival to the lounge we were introduced to a nice lady who looked for our envelope with our key cards in it. When we got the envelope under our names it said “OWNERS SUITE”! We were completely taken aback and surprised (at least I was because my husband was already getting coffee and pound cake). But we still didn't really know exactly what an owners suite was (other than it wasn't an inside cabin). We were only in the lounge for a couple of minutes when we were told to line up and we would be escorted onto the ship for lunch (at the private dining area for people in suites, “Cagney’s”). While lining up a nice young lady in uniform comes up and tells us she wanted to introduce herself to us, she said my name is Lea and I am your BUTLER! (You could have slapped us as both our jaws hit the floor). After eating our lunch and meeting some fantastic people we finally went to our room (Owners Suite). When we entered our room, we were complete shocked and awed! The room was absolutely beautiful. Now we’ve been on a few cruises before but didn’t even know rooms like this existed (it was all ours for 14 days!). We were treated like royalty and had the vacation of a lifetime and that we couldn’t even have imagined. In closing we would like to thank NCL for making us feel, not only special but like we were part of their FAMILY. Wow that is nice. What did the room look like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antsnanny Posted January 28, 2014 #22 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I wanted to share our ONCE IN A LIFETIME cruise experience with you. I know some people will be upset that they paid more and have never had this happen, but I think it’s nice for regular people to know that they could be visited by the upgrade fairy (and boy did we ever). It is somewhat of a long story but I will just tell it like it is. My husband and I had no intention of taking a cruise, but while eating breakfast Friday morning 1/3/14 we decided we just needed to get away. Around noon we started calling for cruises that would leave in the next couple weeks (we didn’t care where it went). We looked up NCL and they had a Panama Cruise that left on Sunday 1/5/14, but it was booked. We called on a Hawaiian Cruise that left on 1/4/14, but it was booked. Everything seemed to be booked. Later about 5pm on Friday we called NCL directly and asked about a Panama Canal cruise going from Miami to LA on 1/19/14, we were told it was booked also. But that they had one Guarantee Inside Cabin available on the LA to Miami 1/5/14 cruise on the STAR! It must have changed since earlier when they were booked. We were very happy and definitely okay with an inside cabin and thrilled with the last minute price that we got. We had a whirlwind day and a half packing and driving 12 hours to LA. When we arrived in San Pedro we didn’t have luggage tags and when inquiring at the luggage drop we’re told that our name wasn’t on the list and that since we didn’t have a room number we would just have to drop our luggage with a GTY 0 on it and it would find us. We were nervous. There we were standing in the long line at the terminal not knowing if we had a room or not. when we finally made it to the front of the line and were called to the counter we explained to the agent we didn’t have a room number. So he looked on the computer and to our relief he found our names. He told us we had room 12502. That number meant nothing to us as we were just glad to be listed and officially going on a much needed, relaxing cruise. He took our credit card information and went to get our keys. This is when we got really nervous, because when he gets back he tells us he can't find our keys. then he left again and after being gone for about 5 minutes he comes back and tells us he doesn’t have our keys, because we are in the wrong area. He tells us we need to be in the VIP area! Being completely confused and not even knowing a VIP area existed, I said “what does that mean”? He leans over the counter and says “that means you paid a lot more than everyone else here”! (little did he know) The agent then asks us to wait while he comes around the counter and escorts us to the VIP area. At this point we are completely dazed and confused! I had a vague idea that suites with special perks existed, but my husband had no idea and was completely confused (until he saw the mini buffet in the VIP lounge then he was happy as a clam). Upon arrival to the lounge we were introduced to a nice lady who looked for our envelope with our key cards in it. When we got the envelope under our names it said “OWNERS SUITE”! We were completely taken aback and surprised (at least I was because my husband was already getting coffee and pound cake). But we still didn't really know exactly what an owners suite was (other than it wasn't an inside cabin). We were only in the lounge for a couple of minutes when we were told to line up and we would be escorted onto the ship for lunch (at the private dining area for people in suites, “Cagney’s”). While lining up a nice young lady in uniform comes up and tells us she wanted to introduce herself to us, she said my name is Lea and I am your BUTLER! (You could have slapped us as both our jaws hit the floor). After eating our lunch and meeting some fantastic people we finally went to our room (Owners Suite). When we entered our room, we were complete shocked and awed! The room was absolutely beautiful. Now we’ve been on a few cruises before but didn’t even know rooms like this existed (it was all ours for 14 days!). We were treated like royalty and had the vacation of a lifetime and that we couldn’t even have imagined. In closing we would like to thank NCL for making us feel, not only special but like we were part of their FAMILY. Good for you, sounds like the Owners Suit went to a couple who really appreciated it. Love hearing these stories.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LrgPizza Posted January 28, 2014 #23 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I hope you have lots of pictures to share! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fins2theleft Posted January 28, 2014 #24 Share Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) Congrats! It's refreshing seeing a first time poster with a story like this, unlike the first time posters that just post to trash the cruise line. Edited January 28, 2014 by Fins2theleft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planmaam Posted January 28, 2014 #25 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Wow, congratulations! I never tire of hearing happy stories. You'll have to come back here and do a review, now; lots of us would love to hear about your two-week vacation! On a side note, I'm glad that this cabin did not sail empty. I've read other threads that NCL was letting these cabins sail empty because those that paid for them would find out what those upgraded paid, etc., etc., etc. I think it's better to upgrade/upsell pax to one of these, whether it's upgrading a Platinum in a balcony or something like this instance. I think it's good PR and a chance for more people to get a chance to upgrade and forever be in love with NCL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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