amarvel

Surprising an established travel friend or a friend who already asked you to travel is very different than random friend/neighbor or family member sneaking onto a cruise as a surprise.

This 1000 times, yes! This sentence is the correct thought process and said perfectly. I think there are very rare times when surprising someone could be ok, but its rare. But if you plan to do this to someone, really think it through. If they wanted you there, they would have invited you!

we were surprised to see my moms doctor on our "mom survived cancer" cruise. but it was a coincidence and funny. i would not be happy by a surprise "we are crashing your vacation" unless its someone I usually travel with.

Any idea who the concierge is?

We've done the pride twice in a suite. first of all the suites are the way to go because it's just a better cost-effective way and the balconies are way bigger on the pride, and there are some great room configurations. And you still get to go to cagnes for your breakfast and lunch and get all the priority the same as you would with a haven. I actually think the fact its Americans gets a lot more flack than it should. We have had wonderful service both times we went by the staff. we did not find any difference in service when we left our room compared to any other ship. That said yes the butlers on that ship are different than butlers on any other ship. But what we found was that it's because it's such a port intensive itinerary the butlers are not used to having to work during the day. They kind of expect you to be off the ship touring so if you turn a port day into a sea day and stay on the ship, a lot of times they don't know what to do with you. That said, our first trip on the pride our Butler was terrible and did things that we had to report to the concierge but I still think that was of her own doing, she was just unprofessional. The second time we went the Butler was fine and actually still fulfilled all of our regular requests no problem. We would never hesitate to do that trip again and stay in a suite. in fact we've looked at doing it again it's just that it's gotten so expensive that other trips are more cost-effective for a haven.

Do not be hasty on this decision. You really need to think this through. Having 1 person in your party that is not in the haven is probably going to cause a little chaos and might not be worth the snoring problem. Is there anyone that can deal with the snoring that is going on the trip?

we've done this room with 4 adults and 2 kids 4 times with no issues; however, we actually will be doing it with 4 adults and 2 teens in about 10 days. we shall see if it still works out lol. my 15yo is basically an adult at 6'2". although we are used to traveling together and sharing bathrooms which is why it works for us, and my parents are the only ones we could ever do this with. i think knowing how you travel together is a bigger factor then size/how many adults, etc Because we couldn't do this same configuration with my inlaws, BIL/Sil, friends etc

i dont think they are off base and i would fight for something for sure or even file a claim. but with only a few days til the cruise it sounds like it's what going to happen. i think many of us are just trying to give ideas on how it can still work out. at this point you either be upset all week and that ruins your vacation, or you come up with realistic solutions to still make the best of a bad situation.

if they were going to share the room anyway, why can't that person come up to the room to have breakfast? if the butler is setting up a meal in the room, it's not like the person wouldn't know when that was happening and still get to share in the snacks, etc. i do agree that it only works if the remaining 4 people still agree to share the butler services. like ordering room service, the snacks being delivered etc.

Unless you are in the big king bed in the haven 2 bed the beds arent great. You should have a fight on who gets to use the balcony cabin. How have you already decided who gets the good bed? It's not equal at all. We travel in this room all the time with my parents but know and thus pay less than my parents. But if you split this 5 ways, the person in the balcony just lucked out.