Has anyone ever asked at Butler to....

[abbyar]

Here's a suggestion. Do not book with NCL. Go on one of the other cruise lines that you have loved to mention that is so much better. I find fun things that we can do as a family and don't need to drop my school aged children off in the kids club. My daughter actually enjoys just walking around the ship with her parents. I don't gamble and I don't drink so I spend the time that most are drunk in the casino with my children on our family vacation. And yes. By the tone of your posting. You would be the first one to sue anyone and everyone if the children you don't like to spend time with gets hurt while in someone else's care on the ship. How about taking a children's book along and actually interacting with your children while waiting in line. Hmmm. What a novel idea. Look at the bright side. Having to wait all that time at the kids club is saving you from losing money in the casino which u keep pointing out is a big money maker for NCL.

 

 

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I don't gamble.

[abbyar]

With sympathies, I think your anger and call to action are misplaced. We're just passengers here with no authority to make the changes you desire (should you choose to continue to cruise with NCL). May I suggest you prepare a well crafted letter and e-mail to the appropriate people at NCL that has the authority to make changes?

 

Here are some high ranking NCL corporate contacts (they will direct you to the appropriate personnel if they are unable to respond to you personally):

 

Primary Contact

Vivian Ewart

Vice President, Passenger Services

7665 Corporate Center Dr.

Miami, FL 33126

(305) 436-4011

vewart@ncl.com

Chief Executive

Andy Stuart

President and Chief Operating Officer

7665 Corporate Center Dr.

Miami, FL 33126

(305) 436-4000

astuart@ncl.com

 

I did exactly this, after my last Gem cruise. And this is a "known" issue, in that it is frequently commented on in this forum. I'm not angry, I'm rather amused that people complain about children everywhere, yet even those who complain don't realize there are rather simple solutions that would make their cruise more enjoyable as well.

[abbyar]

Seems like you will be teaching your children a great lesson, if you let them run amok in the Haven to annoy everyone, and that is: If you don't like the way things are done, make sure you make everyone else as miserable as you are.

 

A better lesson to teach them is: If you dislike how something is done, offer up a suggestion by writing a letter to the company with your alternative plan to make things better and if things aren't changed, make the best of things and deal with it with class and as a role model should.

 

Yes, I would teach them the lesson of enjoying themselves on vacation and to not let judgmental people impact their fun.

[abbyar]

And just think. If u cruise with some other line than that person that would have been behind your husband at the kids club would get to check their child in 4 minutes earlier. Hey it's a win win all around.

 

 

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Your text speak is so poor I can't understand your argument.

[watchdiva]

The OP posted this as a joke right? I mean...seriously...?! Hilarious. Abbyar thanks for the chuckle!

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Yes, I would teach them the lesson of enjoying themselves on vacation and to not let judgmental people impact their fun.

Well actually you will be teaching them that it is okay to ruin another passengers vacation, because you don't like the rules.

[LrgPizza]

Yes, I would teach them the lesson of enjoying themselves on vacation and to not let judgmental people impact their fun.

 

It's more important that you teach them that they are better than other kids, and they shouldn't have to wait in lines like other kids.

[abbyar]

Which is different than their parents not waiting in line for evening entertainment because.....?

[blackwing]

Yes, I would teach them the lesson of enjoying themselves on vacation and to not let judgmental people impact their fun.

It sounds like you are teaching them to act spoiled and entitled, but it's ok, as long as you are rich and have more money than others.

 

Seems to me that NCL is not the line for you. I think you'd be happier on a private yacht. That way there are always many people to cater to your every whim and you won't have to wait in line for anything since you'd be free of the hoi polloi.

[LrgPizza]

Which is different than their parents not waiting in line for evening entertainment because.....?

 

You're kidding, right?

[abbyar]

No, I never kid.

 

NCL advertises the additional expense of Haven as worthwhile because of the additional services it offers, including bypassing lines. If one is inclined to pay the price of that access, it is neither entitlement nor snobbery, but receiving a service for which one has paid. Why should this line be defined as different?

[Love my butler]

It's more important that you teach them that they are better than other kids, and they shouldn't have to wait in lines like other kids.

 

If they have a butler at their disposal, they are better than the other kids.

[triptolemus]

No, I never kid.

 

NCL advertises the additional expense of Haven as worthwhile because of the additional services it offers, including bypassing lines.

 

Citation needed.

 

Psst... it doesn't say that...anywhere.

[abbyar]

"From embarkation to debarkation, boarding of tenders to shore, onboard entertainment to dining times you will have priority. "

[abbyar]

Pictures

[abbyar]

Seems like you will be teaching your children a great lesson,

 

What's wrong with the lesson of getting what you pay for?

[cadien]

I think what the community can do is to offer helpful suggestions to the OP. First, I think it is poor management for anyone dropping off their children to have to wait 30 minutes or more, Haven or not. Perhaps the parents utilizing the kids club can provide constructive feedback to NCL.

 

Until NCL makes it more efficient, could I suggest that the parents drop off their children during slightly off-peak periods. If something starts at say 8 A.M., perhaps do something until 8:30 or 9 A.M. and hopefully avoid the initial drop off rush. I can't imagine that it takes 30 minutes or more per child all day long since it would then take 4 hours just to check in the 8th parent's child.

 

So give feedback to NCL and check in during slightly off-peak times would be my suggestions.

 

It depends on the cruise. The reason the lines were so ridiculously long for us was because there were just over 1,000 kids on board and the club had a maximum capacity of 85. (It was the Star. Smaller.) If you weren't in line ten minutes before the club opened, you weren't getting in.

 

DS was a toddler and had always been home with one or the other of us. Playing with other children was far more exciting for him.

[fatherlu]

Actually, that was the first persuasive use of facts that I have seen from abbyar, though I would question how extreme that interpretation can be pushed? See this link for a better read: https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/haven-cruise-suite

 

Assume for a moment that NCL is breaching its promise against abbyar in not allowing her children to have priority over non-Haven children at kids club. What are abbyar's legal remedies if NCL doesn't change after repeated complaints? It seems to me that abbyar could either file a lawsuit for the lost of value that she claims was promised to her (and hope that she wins) or change cruise lines.

 

As a Haven guest myself (and I have never cruised outside of a suite), I don't think it is right to cut in front of other children. I think that priority should have its limitations--especially for children and emergency situations.

Edited May 18, 2016 by fatherlu

[tlecker]

Hey, why stop at having the butler babysit. My next cruise when I want to sleep in ill ask the butler to clear the pool deck so I can get a chair. And when I'm ready to swim I'll call him to empty the pool so I don't have to mingle with the non suite guests. If I feel like an afternoon snack? I'll call the butler to empty the buffet so I can walk right in and fill my plate with no distractions. The ice cream line? No problem. I'm a suite guest. Out of my way. I have priority. This is working so good. I wonder if I could get the butler to empty the whole ship so I can have it to myself. That would be perfect. No line at the kids club.

 

 

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[watchdiva]

Nothing is going to convince the OP that she is being ridiculous. I'm just happy that we will not be sharing Haven space.

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

What's wrong with the lesson of getting what you pay for?

Well, if you don't get any of these items listed for suite guests, then you are not getting what you paid for and should be saying something to NCL and I would be taking my children with me, so that they can learn how to politely and professionally stand up for oneself. Here is what NCL offers to suite passengers: "From embarkation to debarkation, boarding of tenders to shore, onboard entertainment to dining times you will have priority. "

 

No where does it say, and NCL is pretty specific about the perks they list, that you have priority or can cut in line at the kids club, the buffet, standing in line to wait for the hostess to seat others in a restaurant, standing in line for a public restroom, standing in line to get a drink at one of the public bars, etc.?

 

I always cruise in a suite on NCL and there are many times I don't want to wait in line (not because I'm in a suite, but because I'm not the most patience person on the earth), but since those times are not covered by what NCL offers suite passengers, I wait even though it is a pain in the butt to wait in line at the buffet behind a parent who is letting their child pick what they want and as soon as the kid picks something, the parent says no pick something else, which slows up the line tremendously or standing behind an adult who just can't make up their mind and slows up the line. Now, with your way of thinking, I should either be able to hop in front of them or make their visit to the buffet annoying because I don't want to stand in line waiting for them, while loudly telling them I'm in a suite thus I'm more important than them, but fortunately that is not the way I act.

Edited May 18, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[Jenjer]

You asked a question and the answer is NO sorry the butler can not do that. Feel free to ask your concierge if a member of kids club staff could escort your child to and from kids club. I don't think you will like the outcome of that request. But please go ahead and make it.

 

Child care is beyond the scope of duties offered by Butlers and Concierges. Just like the example of a neck massage. I can not remember if they offer private baby sitting services at a charge but maybe that would work for you. You will have to pay for it above and beyond your cruise cost.

[blackwing]

There was a thread several weeks ago from someone who said they were in the Haven and were wondering what kind of special treatment they would get if they stepped "outside the bubble" of the Haven. She wanted all of the NCL employees to know who she was and to greet her by name and cater to her every whim.

 

I can't find that thread anymore, but I'm wondering if this is the same OP. The attitudes seem to match.

[fatherlu]

And the very ironic thing on this thread is the same people who whine and complain that the ship is overrun with children are the same who suggest we deal with the lines/ bring a nanny, when we are paying for the kids club service already. Now I know why people let their children run amok in the Haven. Might as well make the Haven valet deal with childcare than waste two hours a day in line. I'm very incline to do so, just to annoy everyone until a simpler drop off service is implemented.

 

For those who may encounter a passenger that threatens and carries out activities that will disturb other passengers as the OP has threatened to do, please bring it to the attention of the captain. He has the authority to refuse passage according to NCL's terms found here: https://www.ncl.com/about/additional-terms-and-conditions

 

The specific terms are here:

Refusal of Passage

 

NCL reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a passenger on the cruise at any time. Each passenger - or if a minor, his/her parent or guardian - shall be liable to and reimburse NCL for all damage to the ship and its furnishings, equipment and property caused by any willful or negligent act or omission on the part of the passenger. The ship's captain may refuse transportation to any passenger or may require any passenger to disembark who, in the sole discretion of the ship's captain, is believed to be dangerous to himself or herself, or others, or disturbs NCL's other passengers or crew. Such passenger may be left at any port or place the ship calls without any liability to NCL. NCL shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare paid by any passenger who must leave the ship prematurely for any of the reasons set forth in this paragraph or who voluntarily disembarks or leaves the ship for any other reason, nor shall it be responsible for lodging, medical care expenses, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by the passenger. (For further information, see paragraph 4 of the Guest Ticket Contract.)

[Diane123boys]

Abbyar when are you cruising? Is it a time of year that may not be as many children therefore shorter lines. And what ship ? sorry if I missed this ,its a long thread