Sharing suite benefits / connecting rooms

[OriginalBoat]

I know you normally can't share the benefits of a suite with another cabin, but I have an unusual situation that I'm trying to work through.  We're looking to book a trip for a party of 7 that best breaks down to a group of 2 (us who are paying for it) and 5 (two children and three grandchildren.)  It will probably be on the Star (Dawn Class) so there is no Haven.  The ideal situation would be a Garden Villa, but those don't appear to be available on the website, maybe I need to call in for them.

 

Second choice would be a 2-Bedroom Deluxe Family Suite (S4) with a connecting Mini/Club Suite (MA) on deck 11.  I know the Club suites don't normally get all the benefits of the full suites, but does it change when they're connecting?  Like I said, there's no Haven so the main things to us would be keeping our party together for Boarding and upgraded dining.  I'm guessing that the Concierge and Butler would be helpful as needed and room service could be ordered to the full suite.  Any other perks I'm missing? 

 

Is there any benefit to doing shenanigans with the bookings and putting us and grandkids in the suite and kids in the mini?  Or adults in the suite and grandkids in the mini?  Either might make it tricky for unlocking the correct door.

 

Depending on the answers, I think our next choice would be 3 Club Suites with two of them connecting and the other adjacent with an open balcony partition.  Us in the unconnected room, parents sleeping in one and three grands in the connected.  If we can't all take advantage of the suite benefits, we really don't want to pay for them.  We're more about enjoying the experience together than the perks, but the perks are nice.

 

I know there are some options for other connecting suites, but those are not as appealing to us.  TIA!

[Coastalbreezes]

In a nutshell, only suite guests are entitled to suite benefits. Just because a family member is in a connecting non-suite does not afford you any extras. That being said you will likely be able to board and disembark together as a family.

[FLcruisergrl]

No, it does not change when they are connecting. The only way to get full suite benefits for all parties is to book enough suites to hold everyone.

[RosieRoo]

When you go to eat in the specialty restaurant for breakfast or lunch they ask for your cabin number or your sea pass card. This would show who was in the suite.  I do not believe they would allow anyone in a cabin that is not a suite to eat there since it is a perk for full suites only. It’s not a large venue and it gets crowded at times so I think the addition of five extra people wouldn’t be allowed. 

[Beaver1975]

4 hours ago, Coastalbreezes said:

In a nutshell, only suite guests are entitled to suite benefits. Just because a family member is in a connecting non-suite does not afford you any extras. That being said you will likely be able to board and disembark together as a family.

I beg to differ. We have been in a connecting cabin with friends who were in a suite.  We were given full suite benefits as to access to the Haven.  The only thing we did not receive were the afternoon snacks. And that was resolved by our friends ordering what we wanted, or extras of what they were receiving, and calling us over when things arrived.

[MotownVoice]

11 minutes ago, Beaver1975 said:

I beg to differ. We have been in a connecting cabin with friends who were in a suite.  We were given full suite benefits as to access to the Haven.  The only thing we did not receive were the afternoon snacks. And that was resolved by our friends ordering what we wanted, or extras of what they were receiving, and calling us over when things arrived.

Yeah, that’s what’s known in the underworld as a “workaround”.  You’re not actually entitled to something, but you figured how to get it anyway.  
 

Not knocking it, I’d do it myself.  But the only difference from pirating cable TV is that your neighbors knew about it.  

Edited August 14, 2022 by MotownVoice

[kylenyc]

Your mileage may vary and it depends on the individual's situation. Just because someone's Haven suite benefits were extended to a non-suite guest in the past could depend on different factors such as the hotel director (whatever their title is now), concierge, butler, and the type of amenity. They may look at your cruise history and get authorization from the manager before extending said amenity. Some amenities don't cost them anything to extend while others do. It also depends on other guests with priority who may have the amenity extended already because of their cruise and casino history and spend. An amenity may be capacity controlled and there may already be VIPs and casino guests who already were extended the amenity which could preclude you from getting it.

 

Having a non-suite passenger spend time in the Haven area if there is one? Doubtful.

Having a non-suite passenger get served by the butler in your own suite for  dinner? Likely. You'll need approval from Concierge and they will need to be escorted directly to your room. No unattended guests roaming the Haven area. Tip well in advance.

Having a non-suite passenger join you for breakfast in Cagney's on a ship without a Haven? Maybe. Depends on your cruise history and spend. I can't remember if you need to pay for the extra guest.

 

You get the idea.

In past, I got parents in a non-Haven suite the amenities by also booking them in my Haven suite during a 3rd 4th guest free promo. This is how I did long ago and double booked guests like this. Not sure if this can be done now and may require escalating to a Haven rep during booking. In essence you are paying for their Haven privileges and they get to sleep in their own non-Haven cabin. However, unless the cabins are connected, the butler isn't going to service a non-connected non-Haven cabin out of his way.

Edited August 14, 2022 by kylenyc

[mjkacmom]

You can’t open the balcony dividers.

[complawyer]

hope this helps you decide. the ncl ship that dont have haven suites but cabins listed as "suites" the cabins are virtually the same. the ships that list both "haven" suites, and "suites" (not club balcony suites,  ) the only difference is access to the haven pool and bar area.

 

the 2 bedroom suites, have both a master bedroom and the 2nd bedroom can comfortably sleep 2 adults, or the children/grandchildren if they are young. the sofa in the living room  pulls out and again can accommodate another person, possible 2 if hey are small children.  if this works for you, your entire party can enjoy the suite perks.

[Coastalbreezes]

On 8/14/2022 at 11:00 AM, Beaver1975 said:

I beg to differ. We have been in a connecting cabin with friends who were in a suite.  We were given full suite benefits as to access to the Haven.  The only thing we did not receive were the afternoon snacks. And that was resolved by our friends ordering what we wanted, or extras of what they were receiving, and calling us over when things arrived.

To be clear, your experience is NOT the norm.

[complawyer]

coastalbreezes:  please , dont brag, you lucked out. "ONLY" haven guests get the perks.

[gknep]

We had linked reservations with my parents in a two bedroom suite and my wife, daughter, and I in the connecting mini-suite. The room steward suggested that my daughter take the unoccupied second bedroom in the suite so she did. We were allowed to disembark with them at each port. We were invited to some of the special things but not others. They also allowed us to eat with them at breakfast (on this ship it was in Moderno) one of the mornings. The butler took us into account when bringing snacks during the week and checked up with my wife an I to see if there wan anything we needed. We didn't go in with any expectations so the extras that we did get were very appreciated. 

[Coastalbreezes]

14 hours ago, complawyer said:

coastalbreezes:  please , dont brag, you lucked out. "ONLY" haven guests get the perks.

??????  It was Beaver1975 who was bragging. See Post #5

 

[complawyer]

ok, sorry

[rigs32]

I’m not sure why NCL would be inclined to give suite benefits to someone who didn’t pay for a suite.  It would make sense if they allowed people to pay for access in a connecting mini.

[YVRteacher]

On 8/16/2022 at 12:11 PM, complawyer said:

coastalbreezes:  please , dont brag, you lucked out. "ONLY" haven guests get the perks.

Not true.  We did this once.  We booked a non-Haven 2 bedroom suite plus the adjoining balcony cabin next door for us and some additional family and a friend. On the first day of the cruise we all went to the Garden Cafe for breakfast.  On the second day of the cruise we received a letter from the concierge inviting all of us to dine in the Haven for breakfast and lunch (so Moderno for breakfast and Cagney’s for lunch) for the rest of the cruise.  We didn’t ask for this and we didn’t expect it but it was offered.

It may not be the norm but it does happen.

 

 

[Beaver1975]

On 8/17/2022 at 5:20 AM, Coastalbreezes said:

??????  It was Beaver1975 who was bragging. See Post #5

 

Not bragging, just stating a fact.  It happened three times in fact.  It was explained to me, by the Hotel Director and Concierge, that it is a general rule.

[Beaver1975]

On 8/14/2022 at 11:12 AM, MotownVoice said:

Yeah, that’s what’s known in the underworld as a “workaround”.  You’re not actually entitled to something, but you figured how to get it anyway.  
 

Not knocking it, I’d do it myself.  But the only difference from pirating cable TV is that your neighbors knew about it.  

Please read my latest response to this topic.  All of these supposed know it alls have really ruined this place as a source for good information.

[PATRLR]

On 8/14/2022 at 4:49 AM, OriginalBoat said:

Depending on the answers, I think our next choice would be 3 Club Suites with two of them connecting and the other adjacent with an open balcony partition. 

I'm sure it's not critical to your planning, but, they no longer open or allow open balcony partitions.

[MotownVoice]

1 hour ago, Beaver1975 said:

Please read my latest response to this topic.  All of these supposed know it alls have really ruined this place as a source for good information.

 

good thing we have beaver cop. 
 

😒

[wolft927]

On 8/17/2022 at 5:07 PM, YVRteacher said:

Not true.  We did this once.  We booked a non-Haven 2 bedroom suite plus the adjoining balcony cabin next door for us and some additional family and a friend. On the first day of the cruise we all went to the Garden Cafe for breakfast.  On the second day of the cruise we received a letter from the concierge inviting all of us to dine in the Haven for breakfast and lunch (so Moderno for breakfast and Cagney’s for lunch) for the rest of the cruise.  We didn’t ask for this and we didn’t expect it but it was offered.

It may not be the norm but it does happen.

 

 

What ship?

[complawyer]

YVRTEACHER. i dont believe your original post indicated you had booked a "suite" most suites (not club balcony) have almost the same perks as the haven suites. the cabins are essentially the same, you get the butler and concierge, the difference is no access to the haven complex. you cant use the pool area.

 

so yes, if you would have originally indicated your 2 bedroom suite, all these post could have been avoided. people not in haven or suites are not entitles to any of the perk. if  you are i n any other category cabin, if youget them it's by a stroke of luck, o somebody likes you

[Treasure Hunter]

You cannot book two cabins with the same name. Even if the parents are the third and fourth people in your suite ( and with current free at sea would be at no cost) I asked. Then the parents would have Haven ( or suite amenities) and privacy to sleep. NCL stopped this.