Sapphire Priority Dining. What is this?

[mscdivina2016]

7 hours ago, DrUrsula said:

Why would you against everyone "doing" it? Pretty rude to brag about your special treatment and then mock we, the pathetic Sapphire masses who know not of the secret pre-boarding concierge! 

At first I was replying to a post that stated it doesn't exist. But it does and I like it. 

 As I posted in the prior posting, that is what I got .

 Why would I disclose to possibly hundreds of other Sapphires or Diamonds the way to do it.  Ambassadors know what it is, as they get it.  Keep in mind it also depends on the ship whether it has a Haven or not and if the haven restaurant is inside the enclave and if the concierge recognizes the status. Your milage may vary.

[graphicguy]

8 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Last non haven cruise was last October on the Spirit. I had a balcony cabin.

 I got canapes every afternoon, was able to eat in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch, got to sit up on the upper reserved balcony for shows, had the concierge book specialty dining which we had 8 dinners on a 16 night cruise and all were booked by the  concierge.

 When coming back from shore excursions we were escorted to the front as well as getting off on tender ports also escorted to the front.

 

 

You were in a Suite.  On The older ships (and now some newer ships with non-Haven suites), Concierges and Butlers are available, as is breakfast in Specialty venues.

 

None of this is a function of Latitudes status or secret Latitudes contacts!

[DrUrsula]

10 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Last non haven cruise was last October on the Spirit. I had a balcony cabin.

 I got canapes every afternoon, was able to eat in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch, got to sit up on the upper reserved balcony for shows, had the concierge book specialty dining which we had 8 dinners on a 16 night cruise and all were booked by the  concierge.

 When coming back from shore excursions we were escorted to the front as well as getting off on tender ports also escorted to the front.

 

 

Spirit doesn't have a Haven so........that"s the normal treatment for suite guests on the older, smaller ships.  Talk to us when you get on Bliss in a balcony and get all the Haven perks. 

Edited June 28, 2023 by DrUrsula

[DrUrsula]

10 hours ago, graphicguy said:

You were in a Suite.  On The older ships (and now some newer ships with non-Haven suites), Concierges and Butlers are available, as is breakfast in Specialty venues.

 

None of this is a function of Latitudes status or secret Latitudes contacts!

Yup! We love the suite service on the smaller ships. Poor Divina is confused.

[graphicguy]

52 minutes ago, DrUrsula said:

Yup! We love the suite service on the smaller ships. Poor Divina is confused.

Did an Aft Suite on the Gem several years ago.  Not a Haven Suite, just a regular suite.  My Concierge was outstanding.  She would set up shop at Cagney's, where we would enjoy breakfast while arranging things through her. I can't recall her name, but she was excellent.  

 

She was excellent.  I recall her carrying her mobile phone where she doled out her phone number to us.  I would call, sometimes at 9:00 p.m. at nite thinking I could just leave her a voice mail.  Nope...she always answered.  She always took care of my requests in a prompt and friendly manner.

 

But again, none of this had anything to do with being a Latitude member.

 

BTW....NCL concierges are the best in the Cruising industry among the mainstream cruise lines.  Everyone I've had has been not only good, but great.  I've had 6 cruises where I had access to a Concierge.

 

Unfortunately, most have left NCL given the shutdown.  But, looking forward to interfacing with new Concierges on the Epic in the Haven on my next cruise.

[YVRteacher]

13 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Last non haven cruise was last October on the Spirit. I had a balcony cabin.

 I got canapes every afternoon, was able to eat in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch, got to sit up on the upper reserved balcony for shows, had the concierge book specialty dining which we had 8 dinners on a 16 night cruise and all were booked by the  concierge.

 When coming back from shore excursions we were escorted to the front as well as getting off on tender ports also escorted to the front.

 

 

You likely got those perks because you organized a meet and greet, not because of an NCL latitudes tier. What are describing are not latitudes tier perks.

[YVRteacher]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Did an Aft Suite on the Gem several years ago.  Not a Haven Suite, just a regular suite.  My Concierge was outstanding.  She would set up shop at Cagney's, where we would enjoy breakfast while arranging things through her. I can't recall her name, but she was excellent.  

 

She was excellent.  I recall her carrying her mobile phone where she doled out her phone number to us.  I would call, sometimes at 9:00 p.m. at nite thinking I could just leave her a voice mail.  Nope...she always answered.  She always took care of my requests in a prompt and friendly manner.

 

But again, none of this had anything to do with being a Latitude member.

 

BTW....NCL concierges are the best in the Cruising industry among the mainstream cruise lines.  Everyone I've had has been not only good, but great.  I've had 6 cruises where I had access to a Concierge.

 

Unfortunately, most have left NCL given the shutdown.  But, looking forward to interfacing with new Concierges on the Epic in the Haven on my next cruise.

There are still great concierges on NCL: Armando, Gian, Teo, Carlos, John de Souza

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

You likely got those perks because you organized a meet and greet, not because of an NCL latitudes tier. What are describing are not latitudes tier perks.

The M&G I organized they sent some chocolate covered strawberries.  Not a fan, but it was a nice gesture.

 

My Haven and Suite cabins had the Butler bring finger sandwiches, petit-fours, cheese and nuts, dried fruits, Mellon slices daily!

 

I think I got chocolate covered strawberries in my cabin upon embarkation for being Sapphire  Latitudes.  Cruise Next kiosk gave me Latitudes and Military pins.  That’s the extent of any Latitudes “perks” Inside, Solo, Oceanview, BAlcony, Club Balcony, etc. perks!

 

”True” Suites and Haven Suites are the only cabins who have access to Butlers and Concierges.

 

BTW…where are you cruising to next?  Love your reviews!

Edited June 28, 2023 by graphicguy

[YVRteacher]

@graphicguy this will be my summer of NCL! July 5-19 on the Spirit B2B Vancouver-Seward-Vancouver then home for one night and fly to Iceland. I board the NCL Star July 23 for a B2B (23 nights on board) that does Iceland, Norway, the Shetland Islands and the Faroe Islands.  I will be doing live reviews as much as I can given ship wifi.

Edited June 28, 2023 by YVRteacher

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said:

@graphicguy this will be my summer of NCL! July 5-19 on the Spirit B2B Vancouver-Seward-Vancouver then home for one night and fly to Iceland. I board the NCL Star July 23 for a B2B (23 nights on board) that does Iceland, Norway, the Shetland Islands and the Faroe Islands.  I will be doing live reviews as much as I can given ship wifi.

Jelly!  Looking forward to your live reviews.

 

My hope that I'll be able to do the same in the Mediterranean in October.

 

Chomping at the bit to sail the Prima or Viva....but their fares are really high given they're new ships and seem to have strong bookings.  So, it may be a while.  Really interested in trying NCL's smallest ships, too.  Anxious to hear/ see your take on the Star and Spirit.

Edited June 28, 2023 by graphicguy

[omahabob]

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said:

...I will be doing live reviews as much as I can given ship wifi.

 

Just please don't post pictures like the ones graphicguy did.

[mking8288]

The only sapphire "perk" with priority dining that we've been able to take advantage of, apparently, both in 2022 and 2023, is to ask "discreetly" for, once we get up to the host/ess podium outside or at the restaurant (that's without a confirmed reservation made) possibly preferred or faster seating, sort of skip the usual long queue like everything else.  This typically result in a shorter wait time to get seated vs. most other pax ... you'll still get a pager for alert and get placed on the list like everyone else, to set aside & wait in the area until called.  Except ... you will, hopefully and likely, get paged or call earlier once a table is available.  

 

Instead of 30 to 45 minutes wait them, our MDR on days without a confirmed reservations made previously, wait time was cut in half, from 15 to 20 minutes in getting seated.  This worked on the Joy and Getaway, and most recently on the Epic - with the 2023 cruises at almost ++ 95% double occupancies - in the MDR and Shanghai Noodles.  

 

With our next cruise, 3 cabins linked together already - we've setup reservations for specialty already and 3 other nights in the MDR, leaving just 1 evening open ... it is against the spirit and principle of the once "freestyle cruising" for our (in)convenience.  But, with 1 person in our group using a rollator-walker to get around these days, needing wheelchair assistance for embarkation & disembarkation - decided ahead that it is best to make things easier for the rest of us ... and, we'll dine early whenever possible in alignment with port schedules.  

[graphicguy]

18 hours ago, omahabob said:

 

Just please don't post pictures like the ones graphicguy did.

I resemble that remark... 😉