Suite Guests on the DAWN questions!!!!!!!!!!!!

[takeadip]

Hi Fellow Critics,

Sailing in just under 6 mos on DAWN out of NYC. (florida/ Bahamas Itinerary)  I was looking at excursions (i know i am a bit late) well there is not much left. 

Question 1 : Is there any excursions "saved or put aside" for suite guests ? or do we pick from the general population of what is available?

 

Question 2 : If i pick an excursion that is "beach transportation" and for 4 of us its $39 total will i receive $50 credit per port perk or just the $39 ?

 

Question 3 : If i choose the (2) person wave runner excursion in Bahamas with my (8) year old son can he ride sitting in front of me? or must he sit behind me? i'm afraid he may fall off when i hit the max throttle and really open up the engine. or from the waves created. I know it says you cannot "switch" ridding positions once you start but would rather him sit in front of me. 

 

Question 4 : We are cruising with my in-laws (they are in a balcony) (and want to book our (3) free dining options at the 130 days out mark (suite guests i understand can do this) my inlaws cant book until 120 days out....we want to all eat tgether...they also have the (3) free dinners...SO can i book a table for (6) people at the 3 restaurants we like? if i have to call NCL customer help...or email them for the reservations it doesn't matter (i just want us all to be able to eat together as a family) especially since we are bringing our (21 month old son on his first cruise)

 

Thanks,

Mark

[Gampy1967]

2 hours ago, takeadip said:

Hi Fellow Critics,

Sailing in just under 6 mos on DAWN out of NYC. (florida/ Bahamas Itinerary)  I was looking at excursions (i know i am a bit late) well there is not much left. 

Question 1 : Is there any excursions "saved or put aside" for suite guests ? or do we pick from the general population of what is available?

 

Question 2 : If i pick an excursion that is "beach transportation" and for 4 of us its $39 total will i receive $50 credit per port perk or just the $39 ?

 

Question 3 : If i choose the (2) person wave runner excursion in Bahamas with my (8) year old son can he ride sitting in front of me? or must he sit behind me? i'm afraid he may fall off when i hit the max throttle and really open up the engine. or from the waves created. I know it says you cannot "switch" ridding positions once you start but would rather him sit in front of me. 

 

Question 4 : We are cruising with my in-laws (they are in a balcony) (and want to book our (3) free dining options at the 130 days out mark (suite guests i understand can do this) my inlaws cant book until 120 days out....we want to all eat tgether...they also have the (3) free dinners...SO can i book a table for (6) people at the 3 restaurants we like? if i have to call NCL customer help...or email them for the reservations it doesn't matter (i just want us all to be able to eat together as a family) especially since we are bringing our (21 month old son on his first cruise)

 

Thanks,

Mark

Question #1 - Nothing is saved for suite guests

 

Question #2 you would get the $39 credit so it would cost a net 0.  You don't get to make money on it.

 

Question #3 - no idea

 

Question #4 - Make the reservations yourself for 6 people.

[takeadip]

1 minute ago, Gampy1967 said:

Question #1 - Nothing is saved for suite guests

 

Question #2 you would get the $39 credit so it would cost a net 0.  You don't get to make money on it.

 

Question #3 - no idea

 

Question #4 - Make the reservations yourself for 6 people.

Thanks for the input... i have never eaten/ made reservations pre-cruise so wasnt sure if i could just request 6 people...

[rtkenmore]

2 hours ago, takeadip said:

Hi Fellow Critics,

Sailing in just under 6 mos on DAWN out of NYC. (florida/ Bahamas Itinerary)  I was looking at excursions (i know i am a bit late) well there is not much left. 

Question 1 : Is there any excursions "saved or put aside" for suite guests ? or do we pick from the general population of what is available?

 

You’re a bit early to be honest.  More excursions will be posted closer to sailing and no, nothing is reserved for suite guests.  You have to book your excursions the same as the lowly general population.  😕

 

2 hours ago, takeadip said:

 

Question 2 : If i pick an excursion that is "beach transportation" and for 4 of us its $39 total will i receive $50 credit per port perk or just the $39 ?

 

That price is likely $39/person.  So you would essentially get one person free and another ⅓ off.

 

2 hours ago, takeadip said:

 

Question 3 : If i choose the (2) person wave runner excursion in Bahamas with my (8) year old son can he ride sitting in front of me? or must he sit behind me? i'm afraid he may fall off when i hit the max throttle and really open up the engine. or from the waves created. I know it says you cannot "switch" ridding positions once you start but would rather him sit in front of me. 

 

No clue. Best to call the excursions department and ask for a better answer.

 

2 hours ago, takeadip said:

 

Question 4 : We are cruising with my in-laws (they are in a balcony) (and want to book our (3) free dining options at the 130 days out mark (suite guests i understand can do this) my inlaws cant book until 120 days out....we want to all eat tgether...they also have the (3) free dinners...SO can i book a table for (6) people at the 3 restaurants we like? if i have to call NCL customer help...or email them for the reservations it doesn't matter (i just want us all to be able to eat together as a family) especially since we are bringing our (21 month old son on his first cruise)

You can book for more than your actual party.  Larger tables tend to go quicker from my experience so do it as soon as you can under your account.  Cagney’s and Teppanyki are some of the first times to book up normally.  Just do parties of 6 or 8 if you need to and then be sure to go to the reservations desk when you board to have them modify the 8 to 6.

 

2 hours ago, takeadip said:

 

Thanks,

Mark

 

No problem!

 

Robert

From the general population. 

[mjkacmom]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen any port transportation for $39 for four people. When deciding between using the perk with a ship excursion, check and see how much a non-ship excursion would cost, it might be cheaper.

[dexddd]

For #3 you'd have to consider what is he going to put his hands on?  He is probably more likely to be hitting the handlebars if in the front as you go over waves.  Also, if it has a tiered seat for the 2nd rider the front might not be big enough for the both of you.  I'd put him on the back and have him hang onto you firmly (if there is a strap between riders those don't usually give much confidence to the back rider).

[don't-use-real-name]

takeadip

 

You did not indicate what suite you are in on the DAWN ?

If it is a OS DOS or Garden Villa talk and expect your Concierge

to take care of all the details about dining reservations.

If he is unable to seat your party be flexible and tell him what

would work or your plans - show times are not reserved but

seating for the shows is deck 7 port side lower balcony.

 

Recent trip on the DAWN Concierge was Roel Gonzales and

everything was done to perfection.

 

Go ahead and make the pre-cruise dining reservations at the

120 day window - if not able you should receive a suite

introductory letter about 90 +/- days out from sailing.

While Shore Excursions can not be saved with slots the

dining reservations are another category.

There will be a Concierge line to call for further assistance.

At the time of Registration and Check-In at the terminal there

will be an area for your Suite check-in and a Concierge Lounge.

You will meet your Butler for an escort onto the ship and can

discuss any details or problem areas with the Concierge.

Remember to que your Butler in for help.

 

Reply will any other dining concerns - - -

 

   

 

[takeadip]

3 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

takeadip

 

You did not indicate what suite you are in on the DAWN ?

If it is a OS DOS or Garden Villa talk and expect your Concierge

to take care of all the details about dining reservations.

If he is unable to seat your party be flexible and tell him what

would work or your plans - show times are not reserved but

seating for the shows is deck 7 port side lower balcony.

 

Recent trip on the DAWN Concierge was Roel Gonzales and

everything was done to perfection.

 

Go ahead and make the pre-cruise dining reservations at the

120 day window - if not able you should receive a suite

introductory letter about 90 +/- days out from sailing.

While Shore Excursions can not be saved with slots the

dining reservations are another category.

There will be a Concierge line to call for further assistance.

At the time of Registration and Check-In at the terminal there

will be an area for your Suite check-in and a Concierge Lounge.

You will meet your Butler for an escort onto the ship and can

discuss any details or problem areas with the Concierge.

Remember to que your Butler in for help.

 

Reply will any other dining concerns - - -

 

   

 

we are booked in a family suite..

[don't-use-real-name]

You would be on Deck 12 forward with (SD) or without balcony (SJ).

While these categories are not in the top-dog category of suite you

do get the full services of the Butler and Concierge - the dining

reservations should not be slighted or any other aspect.

Check in and escort would be the same.

Dining reservations as previously posted unchanged.

Your non-suite in-laws can be your guests at any dining or

show event.

 

Suggestion - if offered an opportunity to upgrade to a 2BR suite

on deck 11 for a few dollars more consider it - a few square feet

more space and a full 2nd bath/shower room. Suites forward and

aft are smaller in space than yours on deck 12.  Few dollars more

nothing breaking the budget.

 I have had 5 trips on the DAWN mighty fine ship enjoy it !

[toyotaford]

We just got off the Dawn 4 days ago and had a wonderful time.  Roel Gonzales was as good a concierge as we have ever had.  The ship was in good condition and food was great in every venue we tried.  We didn't make any dinner reservations or shore excursion reservations until we got on board.  We were able to do everything we wanted, including 18 of us eating together at Teppanyaki.  If you are a planner there is no need to wait but we usually end up changing dinner reservations if we have booked them in advance.  We didn't have great luck with request sent to the pre-cruise concierge but never do so that doesn't upset us.  We are just always kind of curious to see if it may start working some day.  I hope you enjoy your time on The Dawn as much as we did.

[takeadip]

18 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

I don’t think I’ve ever seen any port transportation for $39 for four people. When deciding between using the perk with a ship excursion, check and see how much a non-ship excursion would cost, it might be cheaper.

it was just a beach transport 2 adults i child and 1 free (baby) it was $39/ total but yes we are thinking maybe wait and see other off ship transportation options

[takeadip]

9 hours ago, toyotaford said:

We just got off the Dawn 4 days ago and had a wonderful time.  Roel Gonzales was as good a concierge as we have ever had.  The ship was in good condition and food was great in every venue we tried.  We didn't make any dinner reservations or shore excursion reservations until we got on board.  We were able to do everything we wanted, including 18 of us eating together at Teppanyaki.  If you are a planner there is no need to wait but we usually end up changing dinner reservations if we have booked them in advance.  We didn't have great luck with request sent to the pre-cruise concierge but never do so that doesn't upset us.  We are just always kind of curious to see if it may start working some day.  I hope you enjoy your time on The Dawn as much as we did.

i hope we have good luck with our concierge.. thanks for the info

[takeadip]

16 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

You would be on Deck 12 forward with (SD) or without balcony (SJ).

While these categories are not in the top-dog category of suite you

do get the full services of the Butler and Concierge - the dining

reservations should not be slighted or any other aspect.

Check in and escort would be the same.

Dining reservations as previously posted unchanged.

Your non-suite in-laws can be your guests at any dining or

show event.

 

Suggestion - if offered an opportunity to upgrade to a 2BR suite

on deck 11 for a few dollars more consider it - a few square feet

more space and a full 2nd bath/shower room. Suites forward and

aft are smaller in space than yours on deck 12.  Few dollars more

nothing breaking the budget.

 I have had 5 trips on the DAWN mighty fine ship enjoy it !

we are hoping for a cheap upgrade option...not sure what to expect...rest assured i will post whatever option we are offered

[maja651]

23 hours ago, toyotaford said:

We just got off the Dawn 4 days ago and had a wonderful time.  Roel Gonzales was as good a concierge as we have ever had.  The ship was in good condition and food was great in every venue we tried.  We didn't make any dinner reservations or shore excursion reservations until we got on board.  We were able to do everything we wanted, including 18 of us eating together at Teppanyaki.  If you are a planner there is no need to wait but we usually end up changing dinner reservations if we have booked them in advance.  We didn't have great luck with request sent to the pre-cruise concierge but never do so that doesn't upset us.  We are just always kind of curious to see if it may start working some day.  I hope you enjoy your time on The Dawn as much as we did.

Did you happen to find out if Roel will be on the ship in March? We will be on the Dawn in March and hoping for s good concierge.

[kopiko]

27 minutes ago, maja651 said:

Did you happen to find out if Roel will be on the ship in March? We will be on the Dawn in March and hoping for s good concierge.

 

Just my opinion of course, but we were on the Dawn last week and Roel was the most absent/disinterested concierge we have ever had on NCL.

[don't-use-real-name]

That is interesting - perhaps he was overwhelmed with Concierge this Concierge that - every now and then

his services are in demand and taxing to the limits - there is only -1- Concierge on the DAWN.

The Butlers fill in for him when needed and called for.

The Butlers are rotated around the ship with 1 for the 2 Garden Villa suites - 1 for the aft suites - 1 for 10 suites

forward on deck 11 - 2 split for the suites on deck 12 forward - and 1 for the deck 9 & 10 suites forward.

The Butlers have a pool for the late night shift service with 1 serving the entire ship during that time.

The Butlers are rotated so that no one butler gets the prime high rolling tipping suites and they are all familiar

with what each suite demands and offers.

Recently being in the Garden Suite on the DAWN I found out a great deal about this.

The Concierge watches the GV suites with a great deal of personal attention as I found out and when I

needed help with a shore excursion - he was unable to be there because of other pressing agenda - he

dispatched my Butler to take care of the escort directly to the vendor and again at the end of the cruise

my Butler was dispatched to the luggage claim area and airport transportation.

The DAWN has 64 suites - that is an awful amount of work load and then the occasional Platinum P+ and

Ambassador status guests that may require some personal attention.

On turn around day it is a wonder how the Concierge can be here and there ironing out problems getting

guests off the ship and settled in !

 

Sorry that you caught Roel in a down moment - he does a fine job and his butlers are a great help !  

[takeadip]

5 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

That is interesting - perhaps he was overwhelmed with Concierge this Concierge that - every now and then

his services are in demand and taxing to the limits - there is only -1- Concierge on the DAWN.

The Butlers fill in for him when needed and called for.

The Butlers are rotated around the ship with 1 for the 2 Garden Villa suites - 1 for the aft suites - 1 for 10 suites

forward on deck 11 - 2 split for the suites on deck 12 forward - and 1 for the deck 9 & 10 suites forward.

The Butlers have a pool for the late night shift service with 1 serving the entire ship during that time.

The Butlers are rotated so that no one butler gets the prime high rolling tipping suites and they are all familiar

with what each suite demands and offers.

Recently being in the Garden Suite on the DAWN I found out a great deal about this.

The Concierge watches the GV suites with a great deal of personal attention as I found out and when I

needed help with a shore excursion - he was unable to be there because of other pressing agenda - he

dispatched my Butler to take care of the escort directly to the vendor and again at the end of the cruise

my Butler was dispatched to the luggage claim area and airport transportation.

The DAWN has 64 suites - that is an awful amount of work load and then the occasional Platinum P+ and

Ambassador status guests that may require some personal attention.

On turn around day it is a wonder how the Concierge can be here and there ironing out problems getting

guests off the ship and settled in !

 

Sorry that you caught Roel in a down moment - he does a fine job and his butlers are a great help !  

Gret information...i dont have a butler or concierge at home so my family and i would prob not use him/ her to the fullest potential...i read you can have dinner in your suite if you would like...i wonder how that would get set up..

[don't-use-real-name]

Dinner or any other food service in your suite see your Butler for the details.

If ordering off the menu of the MDR or any other complimentary restaurant - no charge - consider tip

at your discretion best done at the end of the cruise.

If ordering off the menu of a Specialty restaurant the usual fees service charge would be applicable

and your on board account would be charged (applies to each guest).

If you want breakfast there should be a door hanger card that you can order items from the buffet and the butler

will serve that at the time you would require.

In any event food service is the butlers job not your cabin attendant - the butler even cleans up afterward.

 

Since you are a guest in a suite - breakfast and lunch are served in Moderno deck 13 adjacent to Cagney's.

 

Enjoy - bon appetite !

[BirdTravels]

14 hours ago, maja651 said:

Did you happen to find out if Roel will be on the ship in March? We will be on the Dawn in March and hoping for s good concierge.

We have sailed with Roel before and he was pretty much a dud. When he made a guest appearance at the concierge table in the suites dining room, he could barely tell you where the next port of call was. 

[kopiko]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

We have sailed with Roel before and he was pretty much a dud. When he made a guest appearance at the concierge table in the suites dining room, he could barely tell you where the next port of call was. 

 

That's exactly what we experienced with Roel last week on the Dawn!!

 

He never introduced himself; only know his name from the welcome letters they leave in your room. He had a "concierge desk" sign set up at the entrance to Moderno; we ate breakfast there every day (and a few lunches) and never saw him. I'm used to (especially on the Dawn) seeing the concierge when boarding, then greeting and chatting up suite guests every morning and offering port and show information. There was none of that with him. Never saw him either at the Stardust when going up to the OS/GV seats. I don't mean to bash him, but he was just absent.

 

I finally met Roel at the disembarkation meeting 2 days before departure. He was nice but quiet, and apologized to the crowd because he "didn't feel comfortable with large groups of people".

 

We had Ceasar as our butler, who provided good/average service. Room Steward was Wayne, nice but extremely quiet. I don't think we saw him smile once.

 

Having said all of that, we had a great time! Love the Dawn.

[kopiko]

12 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

That is interesting - perhaps he was overwhelmed with Concierge this Concierge that - every now and then

his services are in demand and taxing to the limits - there is only -1- Concierge on the DAWN.

The Butlers fill in for him when needed and called for.

The Butlers are rotated around the ship with 1 for the 2 Garden Villa suites - 1 for the aft suites - 1 for 10 suites

forward on deck 11 - 2 split for the suites on deck 12 forward - and 1 for the deck 9 & 10 suites forward.

The Butlers have a pool for the late night shift service with 1 serving the entire ship during that time.

The Butlers are rotated so that no one butler gets the prime high rolling tipping suites and they are all familiar

with what each suite demands and offers.

Recently being in the Garden Suite on the DAWN I found out a great deal about this.

The Concierge watches the GV suites with a great deal of personal attention as I found out and when I

needed help with a shore excursion - he was unable to be there because of other pressing agenda - he

dispatched my Butler to take care of the escort directly to the vendor and again at the end of the cruise

my Butler was dispatched to the luggage claim area and airport transportation.

The DAWN has 64 suites - that is an awful amount of work load and then the occasional Platinum P+ and

Ambassador status guests that may require some personal attention.

On turn around day it is a wonder how the Concierge can be here and there ironing out problems getting

guests off the ship and settled in !

 

Sorry that you caught Roel in a down moment - he does a fine job and his butlers are a great help !  

 

It was just weird not seeing a concierge around, ever. I guess we got spoiled by Leah last year!

 

[Tricialy]

Our last two cruises have been on the Dawn.  We've had Roel and Leah as Concierge - anyone know if he's still on for Dec. 23rd?  Honestly, we didn't have a problem with either, but we pretty much do everything ourselves.  They were both friendly.   

 

You never know about Concierges - the worst one we ever had is a favorite of many here on CC, but he was not willing to help us with the one dinner reservation I asked for - flat out lied and said there were no openings when we asked him at breakfast. (this was pre-dining perk, so specialty restaurants weren't as busy and the board showed "green") - at 8 am we walked down to the atrium and made our own reservation.  He didn't even try.    Maybe he wasn't feeling well, maybe he had bad news from home, because everyone else raves about him.

[don't-use-real-name]

46 minutes ago, Tricialy said:

.    Maybe he wasn't feeling well, maybe he had bad news from home, because everyone else raves about him.

 

I would not state that I raved about his service but it was as expected.

I did not find his service unacceptable or unfriendly at any time.

Best noted as Business was as usual but not overly exceptional but I did not require that level of service.

Something else should be noted I was on this back to back cruise and had had contact with him on the previous leg.

On the B2B day at Quebec City he escorted my traveling companion and myself down to guest services and

arranged the key card exchange and then to the GV for a tour and introduction to these quarters. If I was embarking

at Quebec I would have expected to meet him in the Concierge lounge for the escort onboard the DAWN. All the

restaurant reservations and shore excursions were handled with no problem excepting for mother nature cancelling

a port call going to Quebec P.E.I. and returning St. John's Bay not a concierge issue.

 

On a side note: Maybe NCL is satisfied with one Concierge on a ship the size of the DAWN with his butlers running

a degree of the show that also taxing the butlers ability to do the job that is expected of them with the number of suites

that they take care of.  On the -AWAY class ships the Concierge has an dedicated assistant relieving the butlers

of double duty.

If one of the NCL staff is not performing as expected a visit or note to the Hotel Director should be entertained with

expectation of a response.

[Tricialy]

3 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

 

I would not state that I raved about his service but it was as expected.

I did not find his service unacceptable or unfriendly at any time.

 

I hope my comment wasn’t misunderstood.  I was talking about my experience with a different Concierge that now seems to move around the bigger ships with rave reviews.  The two we’ve had on the Dawn were great.