Another Suite Perks Q

[conandrob240]

In an AB penthouse suite, I understand we get priority check in and end of cruise disemarkation but do we get priority boarding/disembarkation at every port as well? That will really help us get a jump on some of the ports like Santorini where I understand the cable cars get really backed up with lines.

[Cosmopolitan]

In an AB penthouse suite, I understand we get priority check in and end of cruise disemarkation but do we get priority boarding/disembarkation at every port as well? That will really help us get a jump on some of the ports like Santorini where I understand the cable cars get really backed up with lines.

 

You will be issued "priority" (disembarkation) tender tickets for ports where you will tender in to the port. However, we do not walk to the front of the line with the priority tickets...we stand in line with whatever color is being called when we go down to disembark. IMHO it is rude to walk directly to the front of the line but it is your choice;)

 

No priority boarding at ports.

[terrymtex01]

You will be issued "priority" (disembarkation) tender tickets for ports where you will tender in to the port. However, we do not walk to the front of the line with the priority tickets...we stand in line with whatever color is being called when we go down to disembark. IMHO it is rude to walk directly to the front of the line but it is your choice;)

 

No priority boarding at ports.

 

Walking to the front of the line makes me feel weird..

 

We have been on ships where when they tendered they had a seperate line/tender for suite guest.. it was just the one launch i think though.. after they dropped us off and went back it was for all pax. That worked out well because we actually went to a different area to board the tender.

[Cosmopolitan]

Walking to the front of the line makes me feel weird..

 

We have been on ships where when they tendered they had a seperate line/tender for suite guest.. it was just the one launch i think though.. after they dropped us off and went back it was for all pax. That worked out well because we actually went to a different area to board the tender.

 

Yes, you are correct. It only happened on ONE of our cruises where we had to meet the concierge at a certain time to board that first tender out to port. Don't know if that has changed...may depend on the ports:confused:

And, the concierge did advise us of that the day before the port tendering.

[beachchick]

For us, the priority disembarkation was only for the tender port (we had VIP tender passes delivered to our suite the evening before; they were for disembarkation and not for tendering back to the ship, for that we just queued up with everyone else) and final disembarkation (we were issued VIP luggage tags, etc. the last night of the cruise). Priority embarkation was only on the actual embarkation day.

 

beachchick

[Bennett'sCruise]

In St. Petersburg recently, we had an excursion set up with a private company which had an early start time. The conceirge had us meet at Cagneys and escorted us to the head of the line to get off the ship early. It can be a tad embarrassing, but it was a luxury we took advantage of and appreciated.

~d

[big green]

You are paying for a suite and the perks that go with them-- why not use--it is like buying a first class plane ticket and boarding first. Having VIP tender tickets does alow to go go the front of the line for the VIp tender.

 

Big Green:)

[terrymtex01]

You are paying for a suite and the perks that go with them-- why not use--it is like buying a first class plane ticket and boarding first. Having VIP tender tickets does alow to go go the front of the line for the VIp tender.

 

Big Green:)

 

For me it is the having to pass people in the long line that I am uncomfortable with. At the airport they generally call first class and you go and board. Generally you don't go in front of people who are standing in line..maybe people waiting around to get into line.. but.. to each his own.. most people do use the perk or they wouldn't have it in place.

[retiredonthesea]

A couple of times when we have had early excursions our concierge took us down a different way so we didn't have to walk in front of everyone. It was actually kind of cool, got to see the behind closed doors corridors. We are like most----a little uncomfortable going around everyone. You may be paying for a suite, but we're the same as everybody else. The line usally moves pretty fast anyway, besides gives us an opportunity to vist with other cruisers as we wait.:)

[cruising Baje]

Just back from Suite AB on Norwegian Jade. Priority embarkation begins after you go through security, so you still wait in that long line with everyone. After security comes the VIP treatment. You have a special check in then and an escort to your suite.

 

As other pax said priority disembarkation in ports was for those with tenders only. The concierge sent us tickets the day before, but we did not need them since we were taking a ship excursion that day.

 

Now VIP disembarkation of the ship on the final day is really good. You tell the Concierge what time you wish to disembark, and she tells you where to meet her, along with other suite pax leaving at that time. She also sends you VIP luggage tags. She meets you at the appointed time and leads you off the ship. No hassle whatsoever. Lovely!!!

[conandrob240]

Ooooh!!! cruising Baje, tell me EVERYTHING!!! Any pics of the AB?

[Belltown]

We are like most----a little uncomfortable going around everyone. You may be paying for a suite, but we're the same as everybody else.

 

However, we do not walk to the front of the line with the priority tickets...we stand in line with whatever color is being called when we go down to disembark. IMHO it is rude to walk directly to the front of the line but it is your choice;)

 

The concierge...escorted us to the head of the line to get off the ship early. It can be a tad embarrassing' date=' but it was a luxury we took advantage of and appreciated.[/font']

 

 

Please don't take this question the wrong way, but I am puzzled about why anyone would hesitate to take advantage of this perk (priority disembarkation) for which you paid. I am genuinely curious about what causes embarrassment...

 

Do the non-priority passengers give you dirty looks, or say something as you are passing by?

 

Like an earlier poster, I too was thinking of it as akin to First Class boarding at the airport. And not just when boarding the plane. When you fly first class, you also get to jump to the head of the security check line. Who would not take advantage of that??

[conandrob240]

I am with you! I plan on using those VIP passes at every port! I paid for it! Now, I won't be rude about it or stick my tongue out at anyone on the line ;) but I will use them to go the front and save myself the time.

[Chipster2]

I would be more than happy to take advantage of suite perk but but being escorted around a long line of other passengers just doesn't sit well with me either.

 

But if as retiredonthesea mentioned they would route us around the line......that works for me!:D

[Belltown]

I would still like to hear from some of the folks who have indicated embarrassment at the priority disembarking perk.

 

I am wondering if there is something about the process that NCL does or doesn't follow that may cause some discomfort (?)

 

I would also be interested in feedback from folks who do NOT have that perk, and their reactions to seeing suite passengers using it.

[conandrob240]

IMO, it is the same as any perk- you always feel a little weird when all the people look with envy at you sitting in first class. You have paid money for the suite and some people will be a little envious or a little pissed (or both) at your good luck. I look at it this way- great for the the person getting the perk. It could be someone who saved their whole lives for that one special trip in a suite or someone who really deserves it- I am always glad to see someone getting something special.

[Belltown]

IMO, it is the same as any perk- you always feel a little weird when all the people look with envy at you sitting in first class. You have paid money for the suite and some people will be a little envious or a little pissed (or both) at your good luck. I look at it this way- great for the the person getting the perk. It could be someone who saved their whole lives for that one special trip in a suite or someone who really deserves it- I am always glad to see someone getting something special.

 

I agree with you on all points but one. I don't feel weird when in First Class or enjoying some other special treatment for which I paid (either with cash, or points, or whatever.) And I don't begrudge people who are enjoying them when I am not. That is why I am genuinely baffled by the other posts.

[retiredonthesea]

Please don't take this question the wrong way, but I am puzzled about why anyone would hesitate to take advantage of this perk (priority disembarkation) for which you paid. I am genuinely curious about what causes embarrassment...

 

Do the non-priority passengers give you dirty looks, or say something as you are passing by?

 

Like an earlier poster, I too was thinking of it as akin to First Class boarding at the airport. And not just when boarding the plane. When you fly first class, you also get to jump to the head of the security check line. Who would not take advantage of that??

 

We DO take advantage of priority embarkation & disembarkation, just not at every port of call as the OP was asking. At embarkation you just go to the Penthouse & Villas special assigned ck-in and they will escort you through all the maze & security. Usally the Butler will meet you on ship and take you to your suite. If we do not have any time consuming excursions at ports we don't use our VIP tender tickets ect. Just wait our turn.

 

On disembarkation you usally meet at a designated place on the ship along with other AE & higher suite passengers and your all escorted off together if you want to. It's only when it's the two of us that I feel funny jumping the line as people do think your trying to do just that!!:rolleyes: That's why I like an escort.

 

It is a little different when we fly first class, it's announced and people know & expect you to go ahead. On a ship they have no idea why your jumping line.

 

Okay I hope I made since at explaining some of this.

[terrymtex01]

Just back from Suite AB on Norwegian Jade. Priority embarkation begins after you go through security, so you still wait in that long line with everyone. After security comes the VIP treatment.

 

This is not true for every port. In Seattle suite pax have a special line to go through security.

 

 

It is a little different when we fly first class, it's announced and people know & expect you to go ahead. On a ship they have no idea why your jumping line.

 

quote]

 

This is exactly the difference to me. The pax that are already in line have no idea why you are "cutting" in line ahead of them.. Yes.. you do get dirty looks from the and dirty comments.. mainly because they don't know why you are cutting in line.

[Belltown]

On disembarkation you usually meet at a designated place on the ship along with other AE & higher suite passengers and your all escorted off together if you want to. It's only when it's the two of us that I feel funny jumping the line as people do think your trying to do just that!! That's why I like an escort.

 

The pax that are already in line have no idea why you are "cutting" in line ahead of them.. Yes.. you do get dirty looks from the and dirty comments.. mainly because they don't know why you are cutting in line.

 

Thank you for the additional insight. Very helpful. What I am reading is that there is nothing that visibly identifies you as having the priority perk, thus the other pax conclude that you are just a line-cutter.

 

So, now I better understand the discomfort factor. And I really understand the value of having your butler escort you.

 

Thanks!

[insidecabin]

the real advantage of VIP tender tickets is on returning tothe ship, the lines can be VERY long then.

 

Ideally they set up two lines with a sign and manned so that it is clear you are getting checked before you cut in to the head of the line.

 

Saved us a 400+ line in Nice last year.

[big green]

You are given VIP tender tickets that says the same on the ticket and usually has the ships name--is not that enough???

 

Big Green

[big green]

You are given VIP tender tickets. They say the same on the ticket and usually the have the ships name--is not that enough???

 

Big Green

[big green]

You are given VIP tender tickets. They say the same on the ticket and usually the have the ships name--is not that enough???

 

Big Green

[big green]

You are given VIP tender tickets. They say the same on the ticket and usually the have the ships name--is not that enough???

 

Big Green