The Suite life - not really our "thing"

[ndabunka]

I've done the Haven one time, and like the OP, I really enjoyed it, but I didn't see the value in it. I just didn't use enough of the extra amenities. I ended up kind of forced into the deal. I wanted two connecting rooms, but they were sold out, so they offered me a deal on a two bedroom Haven suite. It was an amazing room (although the balcony was the same size as an ordinary balcony), but honestly, I'd rather take two cruises or a Disney cruise for the price. It would have to be a really special occasion for me to do it again.

 

OP--good perspective... No, we do not really make full use of butler and concierge (we are low maintenance for sure) but enjoy the option of Cagneys for lunch and breakfast, and love the priority embark and disembark. Yes..sometimes I think the suite life is over priced...but when I am there...I do feel pampered and special..;) and it kind of makes it really all worth while..:)

 

Seems like others also don't really "use" the butler and/or concierge services. I assume that both of you still left tips, right? We may be open to doing the suite's again if we could "opt out" of the butler/concierge components as it was a bit like paying for vaporware (in our case).

 

It's a bit like the old joke about the older couple in their 70's that had tried to drive straight through to their children's home some 14 hours away....

 

The couple had stopped at a hotel for a few hours sleep and were given a bill for $350 by the front desk. When asked "why so much" the manager said that the hotel had a state-of-the-art spa and workout room that the couple could have used as they had access to it. He also stated that they had a 5-star restaurant on premise that they had access to.

 

After a few minutes the 76 year old husband finally got with the program and wrote the manager a check & turned to walk out. The manager said "Sir, this is only for $50. Where is the other $300". The older gentleman said ..."$50 is for the room and I charged you $300 for sleeping with my wife".

 

The manager said, SIR, I did NOT sleep with your wife!

..to which the old gentlemen cleverly said "Well, she was here and you had access to her so...."

Edited August 3, 2015 by ndabunka

[sverigecruiser]

My wife ate at Cagney's....ONCE as she prefers a later wake up time and eating at the buffet as it has a LOT more selection. I did eat 2 breakfast & 2 lunches @ Cagney's and did enjoy the filet & eggs one morning & (personally) enjoy the less rushed/crowded atmosphere but I am also fine with buffet breakfast.

 

The buffet doesn't have more to choose from because everything they have there you can also get at Cagney's.

 

We don't really care about the extra space in the suite, for us the special breakfast and lunch is the main reason to book a suite.

[coldflame]

We just got off the PoA and while we had a fun, amazing trip almost none of it was due to this being our first "Suite" experience. While we did enjoy the extra space in the cabin and on the 200sq ft balcony, we likely won't be paying the additional cost (or even the extremely discounted price) on any future trips.

 

We've been offered discounted upgrades to concierge at port a few times (with DCL) and we have declined every time. For us, an active family with two kids, a butler would be completely superfluous and unnecessary. We already know what we want to do or eat well in advance and those times we "go with the flow" that's what we literally do. Same with SHOREX and entertainment. A "suite exclusive lounge" sounds entirely unappealing. You can always find a nook somewhere in the ship where to "get away from it all". For some people the concept of suite or concierge sounds appealing, but much like for you and your family that's not "our thing" either.

[cantthinkofanythingfun]

Seems like others also don't really "use" the butler and/or concierge services. I assume that both of you still left tips, right? We may be open to doing the suite's again if we could "opt out" of the butler/concierge components as it was a bit like paying for vaporware (in our case).

 

It's a bit like the old joke about the older couple in their 70's that had tried to drive straight through to their children's home some 14 hours away....

 

The couple had stopped at a hotel for a few hours sleep and were given a bill for $350 by the front desk. When asked "why so much" the manager said that the hotel had a state-of-the-art spa and workout room that the couple could have used as they had access to it. He also stated that they had a 5-star restaurant on premise that they had access to.

 

After a few minutes the 76 year old husband finally got with the program and wrote the manager a check & turned to walk out. The manager said "Sir, this is only for $50. Where is the other $300". The older gentleman said ..."$50 is for the room and I charged you $300 for sleeping with my wife".

 

The manager said, SIR, I did NOT sleep with your wife!

..to which the old gentlemen cleverly said "Well, she was here and you had access to her so...."

 

Yes, I brought $400 to split between the butler. concierge, and steward, and I stuck with it. That was another detractor from the suite to me. I was in the service industry at one time, and I wouldn't feel right not tipping even if I didn't really use the services because I know they depend on it. Even if I don't use the services, the butler automatically does a lot of things. So if I'm in a suite, that's another $400 added to my total cruise cost. I can afford it, but I'm not wealthy, so it does have some kind of an impact. As others have said though, it is great that the suites are there for those that do truly enjoy the experience and see a value associated with the cost. The priority embark was very nice.

[ndabunka]

Yes, I brought $400 to split between the butler. concierge, and steward, and I stuck with it. That was another detractor from the suite to me. I was in the service industry at one time, and I wouldn't feel right not tipping even if I didn't really use the services because I know they depend on it. Even if I don't use the services, the butler automatically does a lot of things. So if I'm in a suite, that's another $400 added to my total cruise cost. I can afford it, but I'm not wealthy, so it does have some kind of an impact. As others have said though, it is great that the suites are there for those that do truly enjoy the experience and see a value associated with the cost. The priority embark was very nice.

 

Thanks for the follow up feedback!

Edited August 3, 2015 by ndabunka

[ndabunka]

Y'all don't sound like much fun

 

LOL - I am not opposed to drinking but as the wife is allergic to it, trying to do so with her could end up with a visit to the ER so she becomes my designated driver instead ;) We did have a great time on the cruise though with the R2H & Molokini Snorkel on Maui, Volcanoes Nat'l Park on Hilo, Golf & Blue Hawaiian Helicopters on Kauai

 

Other than saving thousands over what other suite guest paid for this same cruise, one additional benefit is that we got 21 Lattitudes Rewards points for this one cruise so we are nearly gold now :D

Edited August 3, 2015 by ndabunka

[Sizzlechest]

OP: You're pretty much echoing my experience on the Star to Bermuda a couple years back. The room itself was great, but the perks were useless to me. Unless you're enfeebled, there's nothing the "butler" offers that is of any use. The breakfast at Cagney's was nice, but nothing special. You can get the SAME food in the MDR and it had a better ambiance than Cagney's. The only missing item is the hockey puck sized steak you can get for breakfast in Cagneys. I'd rather pocket the thousands of dollars and forgo the suite-life's perks. Now, newer ships with the Haven? That might be better, but quite frankly, I'm trying the other end of the spectrum. Next cruise, I'm going with an inside cabin. I don't spend inordinate amounts of time in my room when there's a ship full of entertainment, food and drink 100 paces from my cabin door.

[patch62]

OP--good perspective...glad you enjoyed and hope you continue to enjoy whatever you book...We are fortunate enough to be able to book suites (non haven) now..and enjoy the perks. No..we do not really make full use of butler and concierge (we are low maintainance for sure) but enjoy the option of Cagneys for lunch and breakfast, and love the priority embark and disembark. Yes..sometimes I think the suite life is over priced...but when I am there...I do feel pampered and special..;) and it kind of makes it really all worth while..:)

 

Could have written that myself...had a suite for the first time in May.. we are low maintainance too.. but did enjoy the perks.....

[Fitzyk23]

We are cruising a suite on the Dawn the first 2 weeks of Nov. I'm a late sleeper too though I don't mind getting up when I have plans. What time does Cagney's breakfast close??

[ndabunka]

We are cruising a suite on the Dawn the first 2 weeks of Nov. I'm a late sleeper too though I don't mind getting up when I have plans. What time does Cagney's breakfast close??

 

It was 9am on the PoA last week

Edited August 4, 2015 by ndabunka

[bonvoyagie]

I believe that the closing times vary with the cruise. I know that on the Pearl in 12 in AK on the port days they were open earlier and closed earlier than on sea days. I think they were presuming the people would want to sleep later :)

 

We also hit two of our three AK ports early in the morning.

 

I was not in a suite when I was on the POA in 06 but I do know that every day is a port day so they could easily keep the same schedule.

[Cruzncutie]

Your comment about late night dinner's throws me a bit as you can't actually order a "LATE" dinner from any restaurant on the PoA, can you?

 

Our experience was that you can't get any meal from any of the dine-in ones after 9pm even via room service (where they get food from the buffet or Cadillacs for you). It appeared that the Butler was basically off after 10pm (on the PoA) so any room service after that time would not be served by the butler but rather by "normal" room service. I would expect that a previously planned in-room party would be different.

 

 

Eating dinner any time after 7pm is considered late night to me lol. I've never sailed on the PoA. I was referring to staying in the Haven on the Breakaway and the Epic. Those ships have a night butler. I'm sure others do as well.

[Aquahound]

We've been in a suite once, and other than the extra size in the cabin, find it to be a lot to do about not much. IMO certainly not worth the $$$. Would much rather spend the money on a luxury line, in the end the luxury line is nicer and ends up being less expensive.

 

I agree, and I have to admit, I'm a little relieved to see this thread. Personally, I think the NCL "suite life" is one of the most overrated things on Cruise Critic. JMHO.

[buckirj1]

I think so, too, but a lot of folks disagree with us. Personally, that sort of thing is lost on someone like me. The way things are going, I'm happy we all still have options.

[coscab]

We sailed our first NCL cruise on the Pearl in June .We upgraded to an aft Penthouse the week of sailing. The extra space was wonderful and the bed was super comfortable. We didn't make any special requests of the butler. The only " perk" we used via the concierge was quicker disembarking at ports,which was really nice. If was nice to have the coffee machine for a few quick lattes on the balcony. I would say what really set the experience apart for us was the private breakfast and lunch at Moderno's . Breakfast was my favorite meal the entire week. Never got tired of waffles and steak and eggs! Got bored with the lunch menu,so we didn't go there all 7 days.

 

I would upgrade again in a heartbeat,if offered at a great discount like it was. It would be hard for me to pay for the suite experience without the upsell. Simply just don't have that much disposable income...however,we will always be super happy we had the suite life once.it made out trip that much more special!

Just curious if Totaram was your butler, our first suite experience was on the Pearl (aft suite) and he was our butler, he was wonderful, brought everything I had on my list for snacks twice a day, was very personable.

The folks in Cagneys would let us in when we returned from port with our snorkel gear in tow even though they were about to close lunch.

Each evening when we arrived at the MDR (or specialty rest.) everyone treated us like royalty, in the MDR we were escorted to our favorite waiter, they would save our favorite window table for two until we got there.

We are low maintenance and only had one breakfast in our suite.

When we got home from the cruise I immediately booked 3 more cruises in suites, a forward penthouse (amazing cabin) on the Sun that we took in March, we had a completely different suite experience, almost like we were invisible, although to be fair to our butler, I think some of the other suite guests were having dinner served every day in their suites, but we practically had to beg to get a window seat in the MDR and the girls at the entrance to La Cucina for lunch were borderline rude (and we were there long before lunch closing)

We think maybe we were so spoiled on the Pearl that our expectations were too high, but we feel fortunate that we had such a great experience thanks to Totaram and the rest of the crew.

When we returned from that cruise I switched the other 2 booked suites to aft balcony cabins even though we love having the extra room in suites, we love the aft no matter what we are in and we will find another way to spend the extra $$$$'s:)

[ndabunka]

Eating dinner any time after 7 pm is considered late night to me lol. I've never sailed on the PoA. I was referring to staying in the Haven on the Breakaway and the Epic. Those ships have a night butler. I'm sure others do as well.

 

LOL - We are opposites then. I would prefer to wake after 9 am when on vacation because I wake early enough on during a normal work week. I also tend to work quiet late in the evenings (often still up around midnight) so although dinner is normally between 7 & 8 pm here at home, I often don't actually eat until after 9 pm. On a port-filled cruise like Hawaii or Alaska, our last two NCL cruises, being able to eat a solid dinner after 9 pm becomes a critical selling feature. I really did think that the wife would have gone ahead and leveraged the butler one of those late nights but when the concierge announced the "normal" butler hours as ending at 9 pm (or maybe it was 10 pm) during our on-boarding that idea went out the window. There probably was a butler on "standby" for late night guest but the wife just said "let's just go to Cadillac" or we just hit the buffet as they were closing.

 

PS - One other thing I found a bit odd was that we learned that there are only SEVEN butler's on the Pride of America itself. I think there are around 100 suites so that would mean that each butler could have as many as 15 Suites to "work" during a cruise. I know that our butler had a couple of family groups that had planned parties in their suites on an almost nightly basis. I sure hope that those folks tipped him well (e.g. $500 to $1,000 for the cruise due to the additional attention they require) as it does take the butler out of pocket for other guests.

Edited August 4, 2015 by ndabunka

[jeffregpuck]

See....this is my mindset as well. I recently received the suite perks (although I was not in a suite) as a thank you from group services, and we only used a couple of them. We ate at Cagney's twice (we might would have used this one more if we had not had others with us who had not received the same perk). We only used the Concierge once, as I too had booked and paid for everything before leaving home (I don't like to have that big bill at the end of the cruise). There were no tender ports, so no perk there. I will admit that the priority disembarkation was nice, but not worth the extra $$$$ in and of itself. The Lavazza machine would be nice, but I've figured out how to make the in-room balcony coffee pretty decent by putting both coffee pods in the machine at the same time to make it strong enough (hee hee!!) The daily treats were mostly yummy, but certainly not necessary as there is always something to eat somewhere. It's just nice to be treated extra special sometimes, but if you're paying extra for it.....are you really being treated special, or are paying to be treated special????

[jaja]

. It's just nice to be treated extra special sometimes, but if you're paying extra for it.....are you really being treated special, or are paying to be treated special????

 

Actually, does it matter? ;) When I want to feel extra special I pay extra and book a suite...

Edited August 4, 2015 by jaja

[kba1988]

We just got off the PoA and while we had a fun, amazing trip almost none of it was due to this being our first "Suite" experience. While we did enjoy the extra space in the cabin and on the 200sq ft balcony, we likely won't be paying the additional cost (or even the extremely discounted price) on any future trips. This is not REALLY a price issue as we can afford any cabin we want and typically pay cash for most everything so it was really about benefit vs. costs.

 

For those of your "playing along at home" here's the underlying logic:

• We don't drink coffee so the coffeemaker was a big ZERO for us.
  
• We don't really drink much alcohol (less that $100 total for 7 days & that even included a $25 wine tasting event) so free bottle of wine was left in the fridge upon departure.
  
• We had already pre-booked all our shore excursions (and the solitary lobster night @ Jefferson's Bistro) so my entire interaction with the concierge had more to do with where to get on shuttles and the weather. No real value (for us) there.
  
• My wife ate at Cagney's....ONCE as she prefers a later wake up time and eating at the buffet as it has a LOT more selection. I did eat 2 breakfast & 2 lunches @ Cagney's and did enjoy the filet & eggs one morning & (personally) enjoy the less rushed/crowded atmosphere but I am also fine with buffet breakfast.
  
• The Butler was nice enough and did bring us 2 or 3 DVD's as there was ZERO children-oriented TV shows so our 12 year old needed... something he could watch here or there between activities.
  
• We asked our butler to bring us ONLY cookies or chocolates (not both) but each day we saw the salmon, cheese or other canopies and sometimes cookies as well. Basically a fail on his part but perhaps they are all already made up and he just brings what he brings.
  
• We never ordered room service as we were typically only eating breakfast & dinner on the ship (typically after 9 pm on overnight stays due to port activities).
  We aren't the types to throw "parties" in our suites as we never have been the party crowd.
  

We DID tip both our butler ($100) and concierge ($50) even though we never really used them. We did so because we both have prior service industry personal experiences and understand how they make their $ but the reality is that we simply don't use those types of services

 

PS - The cost of our suite was over 50% discounted off of the "original" price the 1st day available so it was essentially $800 over the cost of a similarly discounted balcony & what appears to be the least anyone could have gotten a suite for on our cruise. We did good on the pricing but will use that difference on future directly-booked excursions.

 

Good perspective and I am glad you had a great time, and can save a few bucks more next time. :) Yes, for the same reasons suites don't make much sense for your family, mine enjoy them immensely.

• I am a Morning person - have to have coffee in my hand within 10 minutes and enjoy a cup at 4am or 5am as we pull into the next port. Also like to have a juice and pastry delivered around six. (did I mention no one else in my family is a morning person?)
  
• I enjoy a variety of drinks and enjoy the cocktail party and having bottle service, rather than hanging at a bar.
  
• I too struggle most days to find what the concierge can do, other than priority on the tender, etc. I use them for dinner res, but to be honest I think I could do it myself pretty easily. We did have a great experience from Carlos once when my wife left her digital camera (back when they were a couple/three hundred) in a bathroom the night before and he was able to find it and have it returned the next afternoon.
  
• Breakfast at Cagney's is the real winner for me. And it probably gets the rest of my family up sooner.:D
  

 

 

Its great to see both sides of the coin here!! Thank you both!

[Linda the Book Lover]

Thanks for sharing your suite life experience on POA.

[3kidsncats]

Our next cruise will be the first time in a suite category -- we got an amazing deal on the Haven Family suite and because we only had to pay for the first two passengers, it ended up being not that much more than booking three lower category cabins. Plus we got lots of extras like the UDP, UBP and onboard credit.

 

So I don't have an official experience yet to compare. However, since we are a budget family, and always have to book based on a stringent cost basis, I'm really looking forward to some perks for a change. I have a feeling we won't use the butler or concierge all that much -- but I keep thinking I need to at least a little bit, since we have it available, and we've already paid the tips, so might as well enjoy it. We are a very low-maintenance family, but I think it will be fun to get pampered a bit.

 

I'm not an early riser generally, but I do love my coffee in bed so the coffee machine is super appealing. And I'm pretty sure we will arrange to have breakfast served ensuite most mornings. Lunch and dinner probably not so much. I like getting dressed up, and we are doing a Mexico trip, which means the ports are not of interest to me or my family -- this trip is all about the ship itself, the Haven experience and being together as a family.

 

If I'd had to pay full fare, we would definitely not be in a suite -- I don't think the butler/concierge service would matter enough to me to pay for it at the regular price.

[KitCatBrat]

Our next cruise will be the first time in a suite category -- we got an amazing deal on the Haven Family suite and because we only had to pay for the first two passengers, it ended up being not that much more than booking three lower category cabins. Plus we got lots of extras like the UDP, UBP and onboard credit.

 

So I don't have an official experience yet to compare. However, since we are a budget family, and always have to book based on a stringent cost basis, I'm really looking forward to some perks for a change. I have a feeling we won't use the butler or concierge all that much -- but I keep thinking I need to at least a little bit, since we have it available, and we've already paid the tips, so might as well enjoy it. We are a very low-maintenance family, but I think it will be fun to get pampered a bit.

 

I'm not an early riser generally, but I do love my coffee in bed so the coffee machine is super appealing. And I'm pretty sure we will arrange to have breakfast served ensuite most mornings. Lunch and dinner probably not so much. I like getting dressed up, and we are doing a Mexico trip, which means the ports are not of interest to me or my family -- this trip is all about the ship itself, the Haven experience and being together as a family.

 

If I'd had to pay full fare, we would definitely not be in a suite -- I don't think the butler/concierge service would matter enough to me to pay for it at the regular price.

 

Already paid the tips? The DSC doesn't go to the butler or concierge, I thought?

[3kidsncats]

Already paid the tips? The DSC doesn't go to the butler or concierge, I thought?

 

Not familiar with "DSC" but I prepaid my gratuities, and there was a higher rate for suite passengers, so I expect the butler is at least prepaid -- possibly not the concierge. I will make sure to review exactly what is prepaid, because we won't shirk on the tipping.

[3kidsncats]

So glad I made that comment and you made yours, because I had no idea that I wasn't prepaying the gratuity and rather a daily service charge. How irritating. And thank heavens I'm not finding out while on the cruise!!!

 

So the Butler and Concierge are in addition to the daily service charge. Ouch! So does the DSC cover the valet at the Haven Courtyard? Or just the waiters in the dining room and various free dining options?

[vinnytman]

So glad I made that comment and you made yours, because I had no idea that I wasn't prepaying the gratuity and rather a daily service charge. How irritating. And thank heavens I'm not finding out while on the cruise!!!

 

So the Butler and Concierge are in addition to the daily service charge. Ouch! So does the DSC cover the valet at the Haven Courtyard? Or just the waiters in the dining room and various free dining options?

 

 

Good Question about the Haven Courtyard valet -- I'm sure someone here can chime in and answer.

 

We were on our first NCL cruise last Dec in a Garden Villa-- there was no Haven courtyard. This year we're on the Jade in a GV so it will be a different experience with the Haven courtyard.

 

Definitely search the CC NCL board about tipping butlers and concierge-- your head will spin at all the threads. But you'll find some good nuggets of info.

 

I honestly wish NCL would just raise the Haven DSC (again, I know) to include the services of the butlers & concierge. Just my 2 cents.