Planmaam

Thank all of you for the civil posts; this thread is now what I had hoped it would become. Hearing other's experiences and thoughts, plans and desires vs. reality is informational and something we can all learn through. (Yes, I know, ending a sentence in a preposition. But I don't think I should post what I once heard as a joke about this................!)

Just wish suites were more within our reach; they were nice while they lasted. But I, too, wish to cruise more rather than in a suite less often.

It was on my bucket list to cruise in one of these two suites, and I'm proud to say I've been able to cross it off already. My sister moved us to it as a surprise to her three sisters, and we enjoyed it more than I can say. It's one of the best suites in the fleet and has an amazing balcony.

So don't worry, and enjoy your cruise in this exemplary suite! I'm jealous!!!!

I vote for the cruise to Cuba. We don't know how long this will remain an option, I think it's wise to grab it while it is still available. You can go to the other destinations anytime in the future. JMHO

We are on the May 26, 2018 sailing, and after reading the mystery here on CC, called my PCC. We have been reassigned cabins on the Jewel which are almost identical to the layout we had on the Sun: Two adjoining cabins then the next cabin is the next lower category. So be assured that they are working diligently to get everyone placed in equivalent cabins on the Jewel.

Our reservation was for the 10th deck on the Sun, but on the 9th. on the Jewel. Being that the Jewel is larger/taller, we are probably about the same level above the sea, and still have cabins above and below us, too. So my advice is to just wait..........

To the OP. Since I haven't gone back from suites I can't say how that experience was.

 

I do think that it's easier to go back on a smaller ship with less "special things".

 

If someone gave me a cruise in a balconycabin on for example the Jewel I should be happy to go even if I for some reason could not upgrade to a suite.

 

If someone wanted to give me a cruise on the Epic I might refrain to go because I should probably think about the Haven I wish I was there.

Thank you for your response, sveirgecruiser.

Looks like this thread has gotten a little out of hand; let's reign it in a little, OK?

My next cruise, a 9-day in a balcony cabin, is the same cost I paid for my last cruise, a 7-day in a penthouse suite. We thoroughly enjoyed the suite. No, we didn't need the snacks delivered, nor asked for anything special. Did love the chocolate-covered strawberries, though. And as I said previously, loved eating in the specialty restaurant for breakfast and lunch. My husband especially loves the larger room and roomier bathroom. We don't use the butler, but enjoy talking to the concierge in the morning as he (she) makes rounds in the specialty restaurant. We do like the priority embarkation and disembarkation, but don't think everyone else is lesser in any way.

Anyway, the price of suites is about double what our balcony would cost, so it's a no-go for us anymore unless they come down in price. Just was interested in others' experiences, not snarky remarks about how one should or should not spend their money.

Reminds me of the time I talked a friend to trying a balcony instead of inside; she said she was never in the room except to shower/dress or sleep. After trying a balcony, she found she spent a LOT of time out on that balcony!!! I wouldn't spend a lot of time in an inside, either!

Thanks to all who have civilly shared their experiences.

After reading this, I just called my PCC, and yes, our reservation for May 2018 has been changed from the Sun to the Jewel.

She told me the rooms our party of 3 cabins has been assigned, and referenced a letter. I told her I had not yet received the letter, just read it here on Cruise Critic. I looked at changing to the equivalent deck I had been on on the Sun, but the room configuration we had previously reserved was not available on the Jewel, so we kept our reservations where they were. We will probably be the same height above the ocean, just on a lower floor than on the smaller Sun. No change in fees or amenities.

So I guess it is true.

I'm not bothered by the change, as I really did want a spa pass, and the Sun doesn't have a spa, but the Jewel does so we will be able to get a pass! That and both ships have the front Observation Lounge, which is what I liked so much about the Sun, so all is good as far as I'm concerned.

I hope you all go ahead and call your PCC to assure that your reservation is still in place, and that you are happy with the cabin location!

I've brought flowers onboard, too. We cruised Alaska once and left on Mother's Day. Our DHs gave us beautiful bouquets of flowers. This was 8 years ago, so don't know if there's a new rule, but I was very happy back then!

I found it to be true, once we tried a suite, every booking after that was in a suite; until the most recent booking. Because of the increase in suite prices, we have booked a balcony for our next cruise, and though we are Platinum, know we will miss those suite perks! :( Though we have never been on a ship large enough to have a separate Haven restaurant, we always enjoy breakfast and lunch in the suite venue, as well as the larger bathrooms and cabins.

If you have done this, what was your experience? Did you really miss all those suite perks? Did you manage fairly well in an "other than suite" room? Just want to know others' experiences.

Frank,

The Pearl has the best spa of the NCL ships I've been on (none of the mega ships yet), so yes, go for it! The thelosotherapy pool is where we spent a lot of time, as it has more areas for relaxation than most spas. The crooked-neck areas where you can stand and get pounding water to massage your neck is wonderful!

I'm jealous, please do get the pass and enjoy enough for me, too!

I have gotten spa passes on every ship I've been which has a spa, twice to Alaska. Needless to say, I think they're worth it. I've been in the Jewel spa, and granted, it is the smallest I've been in, but still enjoyable. But the loungers are NOT in the bathroom!!! The Pearl is the spa I think is the best, but I must say I haven't been on any of the larger ships.

I'm just sorry the Sun doesn't have a spa, because I'll be on her for the third time for my next cruise, which is to Alaska, and wish I could spend time enjoying the spa.

People say Alaska isn't worth getting a spa pass because it is so port-intensive, but I disagree. As Quilting_Cruiser says, the thermal hot tubs are bliss after a day out on excursions. Especially if you have cool/rainy days in Alaska.

It's also a great place to be as you cruise Glacier Bay, too. Not for taking pictures if that's what your main interest is, but for sitting back and relaxing and enjoying the ethereal feeling of Glacier Bay.

Despite the time you get to the port, when you might be able to board is another thing. They have to wait until everyone from the previous sailing is off the ship. One time we had to stand in line over two hours to be let into the terminal because they were searching for the last few passengers who, it seemed, refused to leave the ship!

I have threatened not to leave, but never try to delay so that the next sailings' folks can't board!!!! :cool:

The good thing about cruising the Sun in Alaska is that it still has the front Observation Lounge, which is a great place to be to see the sights. There is even a front open deck area you can access from there if the weather is warm enough or the ship is not moving (maybe just rotating like it does in Glacier Bay).

Enjoy Alaska! So far my favorite place to cruise.

A transatlantic is on my bucket list. Balcony would be the minimum cabin category, and the spa pass a must!

Have a great time!

Yes, it's worth it! I've been in spas on the Pearl, Star, Jewel, and Dawn.

On those ships, you show up to the spa wearing whatever. You give your key card at the desk, which they keep while you are in the spa, and give you a robe and locker key in exchange.

That's where we'd change into bathing suits, sometimes worn under regular clothing. Then we'd go into the steam room for a few, then the sauna. After that was the hot tub if there was one in the separate male/female areas. Then into the co-ed area and into the thalassotherapy pool for the relaxing bubbles and jets. Once we were sufficiently soaked, we'd head to the heated tile loungers. I need to put a towel over it to lay on, as I can't take too much heat on my skin. After about 10 minutes there, its onto the loungers facing the front of the ship (or the back, wherever the spa is located). Watching the water is mesmerizing. Sometimes we talk quietly amongst ourselves. I have taken a book to read, but can't concentrate when that view is out those windows, I love just watching it. I've taken an i-pod with an audible book, but that has put me to sleep! I've spent several hours in there at a time, and even gone more than once a day. I love the smell of the spas with their infusers, lavender is the one I most remember. There are rain shower stalls with different types of sprays for different shower experiences to choose from.

I was in the Pearl spa the first time we entered Glacier Bay, and would have stayed there except my DH was back in our cabin, and I felt that I should join him for the experience on our balcony.

I have never regretted getting the pass, and was overjoyed when they began offering them for a discount before the cruise.

My only complaint is that there is not a spa on the Sun for my next cruise!

My ultimate bucket list cruise, a transatlantic, will most definitely be done on a ship with a nice spa!!!

Another vote for Little French Key, we've been there twice. Not offered through the cruise line, it's on your own. Lovely private island with a meal and 2 drinks included. Would go there again in a second!

After reading on here about the problems getting specialty dining reservations for those having the package as an ammenity, just wondering what your experience was.

Did you get all your free meals? Did you have trouble making reservations? Did you have to stand in line at the restaurant and wait for a table?

And most importantly, did any of you NOT get one/any of your free, pre-paid amenity dinners at a specialty restaurant?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

So this is an "offer"? As in you have the right to accept or deny this option?

I've been trying to log on to NCL for 45 minutes, and the site is unavailable. Just wanted to check what the pricing has done for my sailing.

They have an appitizer that my family and I all just love; it is the stuffed mushroom with marinara sauce. Both my sister and I have tried making this ourselves at home (quite successfully, I might add), and my husband gets two whenever they are offered!

We were on 9276 on the Sun, and love, love, love it! Have a great time on of my favorite ship to my favorite place, too!

The Sun is my favorite ship; probably a lot of romanticism involved, as it was the ship of our first cruise. Went again in November of 2014 with my 3 sisters (gosh, was it really almost 2 years ago?!!!!) It was a sisters cruise, no DHs, and we were in an aft penthouse, which was on my bucket list. One sister upgraded us to the suite as a surprise to the 3 of us. No sewage smells at the aft of the ship that we could discern.

I like all the NCL ships which still have the Observation Lounge in the front of the ship. I spent lots of time there with my laptop during my first cruise, writing a diary and an article for my industry newsletter. That's where I learned about the Chocolate Martini, which NCL has changed from that original recipe since.

Our first cruise was to Alaska, and that is also my favorite itinerary. We took an itinerary out of Ketchikan which was also my favorite excursion, called Misty Fjords sea and sky. We took a catamaran for 3.5 hours up the fjords, then stopped at a dock and got on a float plane for the ride back to Ketchikan. I don't know if they still offer this, as it requires a long stay in Ketchikan. If I return to Alaska again, I want to do the itinerary that does the Tracy Arm Fjord excursion, which I only learned about here on CC.

Like has been stated, the cabins on the Sun are larger than on subsequent ships. Our next cruise was on the Pearl, a balcony cabin again, and as I entered our cabin on the Pearl I remember remarking how the size was smaller than our balcony cabin had been on the Sun.

Have a great cruise, and enjoy the SUN!

When we were on the Star, the Star Bar was used as the concierge lounge. And yes, Cagney's was the suite breakfast and lunch restaurant.

Has the Star Bar been changed on the Star yet? I think it was being turned into the Mojito Bar on several ships. No reason it couldn't still be used as the concierge lounge, though.

Interesting.......................

I've hosted 4 M & Gs, and have never received anything until the most recent cruise. Then the group coordinator sent the sign-in list to my room for me to keep.

So don't count on anything, for sure. It's hit and miss, I guess!

I will say that for at least 2 of my times hosting I've been in a suite. But never even got anything saying they were going to do something special so that I COULD pass it on to someone else.

After the last time hosting, I told my DS that I thought I was done.......it is a lot of work, and I'm ready to just sit back and relax.

I looked, too. Probably completely booked!

I've found a lot of good cooked vegetables on the buffet. Who knew that I would love parsnips....never had them before but now I look for them!

Aren't parsnips wonderful? I've recently discovered them, too! Sweeter than potatoes, but not as sweet as carrots.

I've started roasting vegetables in the oven with just olive oil, salt & pepper, with rosemary and a little garlic. I've found myself picking out the parsnips first and eating all of them!

I want to hear from OP, too! Hopefully, no news is good news.

But I also wonder if OP had enough cash or a credit card to give to NCL as required. Or was he traveling with someone who could/would do this for him?

Just this week, a friend just returning from 10 days in Europe told me the story of having her passport stolen on the train her first day over there. She went to the American Embassy to get a new passport. She was looking at an all-day process, but as soon as she told them she had a copy of the passport on her phone, they said OK, come on in, we can get this going right now. She still had to go to the local police department and have a police report done, but without the copy of her passport, things would have taken a lot longer. She now has a "file" with Interpol! But it's a good thing, because as soon as someone tries to use her old passport, it will be flagged as stolen and they can do their thing, whatever the process might be.

As an aside, this is the latest scam in Europe: "fake" officials on trains asking for your passport, then they hand it off to someone behind them. When asked, they then say they gave it back to you. My friend told me that she honestly doesn't remember, in all the flurry to provide that and Eurailpass.