Star garden villa perks?

[carontori]

Can someone please tell me what the perks are for the garden villa? We have been in an Owners suite, but wondered what else would be included with the GV.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

A fabulous time, tons of room, luxurious accommodation, and being treated like royalty plus......

 

• Priority mbarkation
  
• Expedited check-in
  
• Butler and concierge service
  
• Butler to unpack your luggage
  

• French champagne, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, bottled water and sodas
  

 

• Up to 5,000 square feet of luxury
  
• Butler and concierge service
  
• Your own private terrace and sundeck with hot tub, lounges and dining area
  
• Access to exclusive Courtyard area with private pool, sundeck, hot tub, lounges and fitness area*
  
• Living room with baby grand piano, plus separate dining room
  
• Three elegant bedrooms with large closets
  
• Three luxury bathrooms with tub and shower, plus a half bath.*
  
• Flat screen TV* with DVD & CD library
  
• Wireless Internet access, plus personal computer with printer*
  

* Not available on all ships.

• Espresso/cappuccino machine*
  
• Sleeps up to six people
  
• Perfect for family reunions
  
• Space to entertain up to 100 people
  

 

 

 

• Invitations to VIP breakfasts, luncheons and cocktail parties*
  
• 24-hour room service with special suite menu*
  
• Full in-room breakfast menu
  
• Gourmet hors d’oeuvres served nightly
  
• Fine linens, duvet and feather pillows
  
• Plush bath robes and towels, luxurious
  bath amenities
  
• Custom Selection of Liquor
  
• Fresh flower arrangement
  
• Fruit basket refreshed daily
  
• Binoculars
  

* Not available on all ships.

 

 

 

 

• Priority boarding of tenders to shore
  
• Priority disembarkation
  
• Limousine service from the pier to the airport
  

* Not available on all ships.

 

 

 

 

[carontori]

WOW!!!

How does one return to a regular cabin after this much pampering?

[OceanDreaming2]

WOW!!!

How does one return to a regular cabin after this much pampering?

 

It'll be tough, but we'll try! The link to my review of the Star (and our Garden Villa) is in my signature.

[carontori]

Thanks so much for all the info. Can you tell me what liquor is included. Did you take advantage of the limosine service and was it included or was there an extra charge.

We have decided to take advantage of an upsell we were offered and are looking forward to a once in a lifetime experience.

[CarolynB]

There will be a liquor menu to chose from. If you want to upgrade from the brands listed you will pay the difference. The butler will also supply you with bar mixes.

 

We did take advantage of the limo, yes it is included, but only from the ship back to the airport.

[ImADaneFan]

Thanks so much for all the info. Can you tell me what liquor is included. Did you take advantage of the limosine service and was it included or was there an extra charge.

We have decided to take advantage of an upsell we were offered and are looking forward to a once in a lifetime experience.

Please be sure to post a review when you return. We also just accepted an offer from the upsell fairy for the GV. :D We can't wait. I have been trying to research all the perks that come with the GV.

[dcpolet1]

Here are some pics of the Gem GV.

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/1dcpolet/GardenVillaGem?feat=directlink

[carontori]

We are so excited, I don't know how we are going to get through the next week!!!!!

[tdcjerry]

Are there some perks with the GV that are not on the printed list? We plan on spending about 20hrs. a day in the GV on our cruise. I see there is a booze list, what about wine? if we go to check-in , for owners suite and GV only will they take are carry-on bags or do we still carry them thru security. I would like to bring some wine onboard, I know all about the $15 corkage fee, but will they look the other way since we have a GV. We will pay the fee but will bring on more if we don't have to pay.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

Are there some perks with the GV that are not on the printed list? We plan on spending about 20hrs. a day in the GV on our cruise. I see there is a booze list, what about wine? if we go to check-in , for owners suite and GV only will they take are carry-on bags or do we still carry them thru security. I would like to bring some wine onboard, I know all about the $15 corkage fee, but will they look the other way since we have a GV. We will pay the fee but will bring on more if we don't have to pay.

 

Wine is included on the booze list. You may select 6 bottles of liquor or wine. We chose all liquor because it allowed more individual drinks than bottles of wine. You carry your own bags through security. We didn't attempt to bring any alcohol onboard so I can't answer that question.

 

We used the limo from San Pedro to LAX. There was no charge other than the tip to the driver. We were personally escorted off the ship by the concierge, our bags were in a special VIP area and a staff person on the ground escorted us to the limo. It was very nice.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

WOW!!!

How does one return to a regular cabin after this much pampering?

 

We have been cruising annually for 20 years but this was our first cruise on NCL since 1990. We switched just to try the GV and it was a great experience - one I highly recommend! It would be very difficult to cruise with NCL and know someone was in the GV and it wasn't me!

[NoPiratesPlease]

The Concierge will give you extra special treatment so be sure to be nice to Simone, or her fill-in if she's on vacation.--We think she's one of the best concierges NCL has.

 

On the Star or Dawn, the GV has a level of privacy you don't get on any other ship, including the Jewel class. There are just the 2 villas on Deck 14, nobody else, no courtyard villas. The gardens are huge and the hot tubs protected from the winds, so you can use them at sea at night, even in Alaska--don't try THAT in the Villa hot tubs on the Jewel class! The upper deck area is immense--one time, the people in the other villa held their wedding reception there and had 70 people. We were invited to join them and stayed briefly--nice folks. With all those people there it STILL wasn't crowded. I gather they then had "clothing optional" group there the week after we left. How that worked is beyond me, but I gather Simone and her staff kept their eyes ALWAYS at eye level.....

[carontori]

We have been cruising annually for 20 years but this was our first cruise on NCL since 1990. We switched just to try the GV and it was a great experience - one I highly recommend! It would be very difficult to cruise with NCL and know someone was in the GV and it wasn't me!

 

I am a bit concern as to how to handle the tipping for the GV. I know we will probably spend a lot of time in the stateroom so we will be eating several meals there. This is a once in a lifetime splurge for us since the GV would normally not be in our price range. Would you mind making a suggestion as to what would be expected for the butlers tip?

[ImADaneFan]

I am a bit concern as to how to handle the tipping for the GV. I know we will probably spend a lot of time in the stateroom so we will be eating several meals there. This is a once in a lifetime splurge for us since the GV would normally not be in our price range. Would you mind making a suggestion as to what would be expected for the butlers tip?

After a lot of research on the boards here, it looked like most were recommending a range of $200-600 per week for the cabin, not per person. It just depended on how much you used the butler. We are in the GV 2 weeks after you, thanks to the upsell fairy.:D Be sure to post a review when you return.

[tdcjerry]

Linda

Do you ever sleep?

No sleeping will be aload in the GV on our cruise, just a short nap to recharge.

Also NCL told me that you only get the limo ride if you book airfare with NCL, it would be a long shot to get the limo from our hotel.

[ImADaneFan]

Linda

Do you ever sleep?

No sleeping will be aload in the GV on our cruise, just a short nap to recharge.

Also NCL told me that you only get the limo ride if you book airfare with NCL, it would be a long shot to get the limo from our hotel.

Sleep. Who needs sleep when there's planning to do. :D We only have 19 days!!!

 

I'm going to have my PCC check on the limo thing. When I called they pulled up our reservation and saw that we didn't have air thru them, but they said that they would only take us from the pier to the airport, not from the airport to the pier. That seems a little strange. What difference would it make, it's the same distance either way. I tried to explain that we needed to get to the pier, but we were staying and extra day, and were not leaving immediately for the airport.

[tdcjerry]

I'm thinking the same thing with the limo, is it a GV perk or an airline perk. They should pick us up from the Plaza it's a shorter drive then it is from the airport.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

Linda

Do you ever sleep?

No sleeping will be aload in the GV on our cruise, just a short nap to recharge.

Also NCL told me that you only get the limo ride if you book airfare with NCL, it would be a long shot to get the limo from our hotel.

 

In November we had NOT booked our airfare with NCL and my understanding is that the limo would have taken us to a hotel if we were staying over. As it was, out of our party of 20 - and even though there were only 6 of us in the GV, they allowed 8 plus a toddler in the limo. It was a very nice perk.

[tdcjerry]

We have 4 out of 6 coming from out of state, we live about 1 hour from the port so we will drive to the hotel. It still would be nice if NCL would make this a little more clear to GV guests.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

I am a bit concern as to how to handle the tipping for the GV. I know we will probably spend a lot of time in the stateroom so we will be eating several meals there. This is a once in a lifetime splurge for us since the GV would normally not be in our price range. Would you mind making a suggestion as to what would be expected for the butlers tip?

 

We had 6 adults and 1 toddler in the GV, but another 14 family members located around the ship - mostly in balcony rooms during a very busy, crowded Thanksgiving week. The entire staff was very accommodating to our entire group, all of whom visited often! We used the concierge much more than the butler who brought breakfast twice, dinner once and snacks, drinks, milk, juice the rest of the time. Our room steward was fantastic, too - he knew all our names within hours of our arrival and did a great job, in and out several times a day - making sure everything was in order. With 6 adults we tipped the room steward an additional $200 because he is already in the tip pool, the butler $400 and the concierge $600. That was for a 7 day cruise.

[Silverspoon]

GARDEN VILLAS ~ A1

Embarkation

Personal escort to stateroom

Metallic Color key card

1 Bottle of French Champagne (w/compliments card from NCL)

1 Floral Arrangement

Selection from "Suite Treats" menu

1 Fruit Basket*

2 Bottles of Spring Water*

2 Bottles of Sparkling Water*

6 Bottles of Liquor From Menu

6 Sodas * (Variety of cokes/ Diet Cokes/Sprite/Tonic/club soda)

Whole Milk/Skim Milk for Cappuccino Coffee set up

Warm face towels, embarkation by Butler

"Bubbly Welcome" Embarkation Champagne by Butler in suite

Upon request, unpack guest suitcases by Butler

*Replenished upon consumption

Bath Amenities

Cotton ball & Q-Tip Caddie

Bath salts, presented in container, shell scoop

Loofah , cello wrapped, no logo

Elemis brand products presented on tray:

Pure Shine Shampoo 3.4oz

Pro-Vitamin Conditioner 3.4 oz

Sharp Shower Gel 3.4 oz

Vitamin Rich Body Lotion 3.4 oz

Pure Zest boxed Soap 80g

Lip rescue 10ml

Cooling Eye Gel 10ml

Instant Refresh Gel 10ml

Shower Cap, paper envelope

Other

Butler and Concierge Service

Access to Star Bar day lounge and Court Yard

Daily Breakfast and Lunch in Cagney's

Deluxe chocolate for bed turndown (prepared onboard) - Begin July 08-Phase II

Pillow menu selection (tent card on night stand)

Personalized Stationary

DVD and CD Player

DVD & CD Library, DVD Movie Library Binder

I-pod docking station/cable available

Deluxe Coffee/Espresso/Cappuccino Machine serving Lavazza coffee

China cups/saucers, espresso cups, teaspoons

Tea Box with selection of tea

Bathroom Scale

Clock

Bath Robes (Plush Terry Robe-Waffle Design)

Slippers (matching to robe- plush terry waffle design)

Feather Pillows, King/Euro

Feather Duvet Insert

Upgraded linen - 300TC with Embroidery

Upgraded Towels including oversized bath towel 800g

Long stem barware, 6 each, space available.

Binoculars

Bar Utensils

Full Breakfast Menu

24 Hour Room Service Menu (Suite Menu)

"Suite Treats" delivered each evening

Complimentary pressing for formal night/shoe shining

Priority restaurant reservations

Priority disembarkation

Personal Computer

In Suite Dining

Cookie turndown amenity on last evening of voyage

Homeland Limousine/Sedan Program

 



Limousine/sedan service is available for purchase to all guests with US segments of their travel plans. Service is offered from guests' home to the airport/pier or from an airport to a pier. Rates vary by location.

Complimentary limousine service from the pier to the airport is available for those guests in one of our Garden Villas (one limousine per villa). All arrangements will be made on board by the personal concierge.

LIMOUSINE COMPANY: Commonwealth Limousine

LOCATION: Continental United States, Alaska & Hawaii

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE TIMES: Depend upon pick-up locations

RESERVATIONS: Booked directly with Common Wealth Limousine once NCL reservations are confirmed. Guest must have a valid NCL reservation number to inquire/book the Limousine service including Sedans. Reservations can be booked onboard with the Shore Excursions Desk.

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 1-800-558-LIMO (5466)

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

RATES: Depend on location (Subject to Change)

FORM OF PAYMENT: Credit Cards Only (Visa, MasterCard, Discover,

American Express and Dinner's Club).

[carontori]

Silverspoon,

 

Thanks so much! This is going to be the vacation of a lifetime!!! How will we ever be able to return to life as usual???

[noreddye]

Please be sure to post a review when you return. We also just accepted an offer from the upsell fairy for the GV. :D We can't wait. I have been trying to research all the perks that come with the GV.

 

May I ask what type of room were you in prior to your upsell?

[carontori]

We had 6 adults and 1 toddler in the GV, but another 14 family members located around the ship - mostly in balcony rooms during a very busy, crowded Thanksgiving week. The entire staff was very accommodating to our entire group, all of whom visited often! We used the concierge much more than the butler who brought breakfast twice, dinner once and snacks, drinks, milk, juice the rest of the time. Our room steward was fantastic, too - he knew all our names within hours of our arrival and did a great job, in and out several times a day - making sure everything was in order. With 6 adults we tipped the room steward an additional $200 because he is already in the tip pool, the

butler $400 and the concierge $600. That was for a 7 day cruise.

 

WOW!!! $1200.00 in tips for one week! I'm sure the staff were very pleased but there are only 4 of us and I can't see us tipping that much. In the past we have tipped $10.00 per person per day and I felt that was sufficient. I realize that we are going to be in the GV but it was given to us as a very reasonable upsell otherwise we wouldn't be doing it. Now I am wondering if we have made a mistake, if that is what is expected in tips.