JFontaine

3 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

So sorry this happened to you.  I wonder if ship security would have been more responsive/proactive than someone from the hospitality side of the ship.

I asked for Security when I called the front desk. The officer that they sent did have access to cabins. Whoever spread the word that it was the Penthouse who complained was very unprofessional. 

On the  day after i heard the cruisers discuss me  I did try to reach the head of guest relations who I had met and who told me to call him for anything,  big or small. He never returned my call. 

8 minutes ago, Alakegirl said:

Too bad you stopped with the Butler…..it should be reported to Guest Relations and from there to an officer.  

I didn't stop with the butler. 

I was in a Penthouse on the Summit a couple of weeks ago. Nearby someone was smoking pot, every day, throughout the dsy, from before 9 am until after 7 pm - followed by cigarette smoking (perfect weather, I rarely left balcony, didn't go ashore). I reported it to butler, it continued. Next day, thinking if someone came right away they might see the person, I called the front desk. By the time someone came the person had stopped, but the officer went into a cabin above me to look around.  It continued throughout the cruise, but I tried to ignore it. 

Throughout the week I found garbage on my balcony - french fries, napkins, and then bigger things, a lighter, a water can, a magazine.  Not stuff you usually see flying on to the balcony from above. I've been in this cabin many times before.

As we are pulling out of Bermuda two couples above me were talking to each other loud enough for me to hear: 'Yeah, the woman in the Penthouse has been complaining about the smoking, what a b___,'  kind of in an aggressive, loud tone, looking at me. Then they walked out of view, lit up, laughing their heads off.  Very uncomfortable.  They smoked openly the last day all the way back to NY.  

And while I'm at it, one more cruise story. We were the last ones in Luminae on the final morning when a couple were seated across from me. I watched as the husband handed out envelopes to the waiter and the restaurant manager. He thanked the restaurant manager profusely for allowing them to eat in Luminae, and named all of his upcoming cruises (not that many compared to what i read here).  The manager said that they always try to make room for their frequent cruisers. I never had to wait for a table, so this did not impact me. I just wonder how much of this goes on. 

I pay a very high per diem to stay in a high level suite. I've tried luxury lines and I go with the cruise that checks the most boxes. It is (mostly) not a financial decision.  

7 hours ago, Cruzin64647 said:

 
Do you recall what it did include?

Priority boarding, priority luggage tags, Luminae all meals, Retreat areas, reserved theater seating, priority disembarkation with priority luggage tags.  The pre-cruise concierge emailed a list (see the thread that you bumped from 2019). She said they have 10 slots to offer each cruise, she starts at the Penthouses and if there are any left she would offer to RS.  She said sometimes they are gone at the Penthouses level, and some cruises there is no interest.  She said if your reservation is not linked with another, she would not make an offer (sometimes i forget to link).  Since we were in the same car our luggage was tagged together, we checked in together and I paid for Luminae.  I was wrong about the price back then, it was $59 per day per person. 

36 minutes ago, Cruzin64647 said:

Anyone ever heard of a program where you can add retreat benefits to an adjoining/linked reservation if your in a upper suite?

Yes, before the pandemic (Summit Penthouse) I received a call asking if I wanted to do so.  I think it was $50 a day, but did not include specialty restaurants.   I declined. One cruise weeks before pandemic (Edge Villa) and two cruises since the pandemic where I had linked reservations (Edge Villa and Summit Penthouse), and no offer. 

56 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

Three ships is unusual. I believe that it happens once more this season. July 20/21.

Our bad luck!  Thank you. 

2 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I don't recommend asking the shoreside concierge for food for a sailaway party.  I simply asked her to alert our butler that I would be holding one.  She sent me a catering menu with a $550 setup charge!  And more charges for the food.  This was not my first rodeo and I knew that the butler would take care of this for no charge.  So, if you're planning to do this, just connect with your butler ASAP after you board.  If he/she is not hanging around, have the Retreat concierge contact him/her.

I was just off the Summit on Sunday in a PH, no charge - not a big party, two smallish platters. 

If the pianist (sorry I dont recall his name) has a return appearance on this cruise, that's a show not to miss. 

Horseshoe was very very crowded last week when there were three ships at Dockyard (2 docked, 1 anchored). Very long waits for bathroom (which would close for cleaning) and food or drinks.  Friends who went to Tobbaco Beach on the same day said it was also very crowded.  Neither were enjoyable in our collective opinion. 

The pajama bottoms run very small. The L/XL pants, which should be roomy, look like a medium to me. I was told pre-cruise that they ran out of them, but they were available on the Summit last week.  I would also prefer another robe and/or a nice canvas tote bag (which I continually suggest); I leave the nylon tote bag in the cabin. 

To the original poster, you might want to ask the pre-cruise concierge for food if you will have a sailaway celebration in your suite. Also, your stairs are fairly steep, I ask the butler or room attendant that my luggage be brought upstairs. Your balcony is tight, and the furniture has been in two different configurations (couch near door or couch near pool) - I think passengers move them around, which is no easy thing. You might determine what is best for you. I've never seen the lounge chairs facing the water, even though that's how it is depicted on the drawings. I wonder if there's enough room. Finally,  the upstairs TV (on the Edge, at least) has a weirdly set up remote, have your butler explain it. Have fun!  It's a really great cabin. 

You need to go to the Casino cashier and sign for the money, it is then loaded onto your account. To acess the money, at the machine you log into your Personal Banker and move the money onto the machine. The casino will give you step by step written directions.  

9 hours ago, bnurick said:

@JFontaine any port Retreat check-in tips or experience you can share. Gonna Uber to port…. Enjoy your final day on the Summit!  Brian

Try to enter the building and go through security on the left.  The Retreat checkin is on the left. Uber has surge pricing in Manhattan now - a short drive can cost many times a normal trip.  You never know when prices will surge - it used to be in the afternoon/night and during bad weather.  Now it feels like all the time. If the Uber price is insane, ask your hotel doorman if there are any drivers around. Sometimes drivers hang out at hotels for this type of trip.  Just set the price in advance. Evian and watermelon has appeared!  Stock is down in stores. Weather has been perfect all week. Trip back was smooth.  Have a wonderful trip. 

29 minutes ago, bnurick said:

@JFontaine have you experienced any supply chain type issues onboard with selection availability, etc?  Many thanks. Brian

Hi Brian, I'm probably not a good judge because I'm in the Penthouse (which I seldom leave), and I eat/drink the same few things. Evian large bottles haven't been available to me, and no watermelon this afternoon.   Everything else I've asked for has been no problem.  

6 minutes ago, bnurick said:

Thanks, we are in Suite Class, did put in for a MoveUp.  Can you explain what after Day 1 means.  Thank you.

I met several people who tried to move up prior to the cruise but didn't get what they ultimately wanted. On day 1 the ship is able to tally no shows, and people who expressed interest on board were able to move either that night or the next day. I have no idea what they paid. 

8 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks...  Our ship will be full also.    It's the Summit TA to Greenland/Iceland and has been sold out for 5-6 months but sporadic rooms open up with cancellations.    I think I will be plan like you did.

 

Jim, do you check in at Special Delivery? No placards any longer in Bayonne. Security will direct you where to unload.  Special Delivery (top suites, and also Zenith?) are Portal 6, the last one as you are driving in. 

2 hours ago, bnurick said:

Thank you sooo much for the information.  Can you ask what one June 26th occupancy is looking like?  Any chance of posting some event invitations?  Enjoy!

They said next week is full. Not going to post invitations as I don't know who is invited to what, but there's been two helipad events, entertainment related events, officer events. I booked this Penthouse many months ago but I do know of several move ups after day 1, so if anyone is interested check at reception. 

27 minutes ago, kpark895 said:

 

Masks "suggested" or required?  I received an e-mail that said they were required.

In the daily newspaper, suggested. In the casino, less than 5 people wearing them and the casino is packed every night.  If there has been an announcement I haven't heard it. 

17 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Thanks for the information.   Was curious as to how crowded it was.   Been a couple years since we sailed from Port Liberty.    We have a 11:00 checkin time and wondering if we should show at 11 or closer to 11:30 -  don't need to be the first on the ship but looking for a more relaxed processing.

I arrived at 12 and it wasn't very crowded,  although the ship is full this week. 5 minutes to get through security and we were checked in right away (Penthouse).  I do pick a later time because I want to avoid the early rush. 

I'm on this cruise now. I wish you the same weather we've had so far. The trip from NY was like being on a lake. Weather so far in Bermuda has also been nice.  For the Retreat guests - I've never had so many invitations to special events. I haven't gone to any, but it's been very nice to see then trying so hard. Almost nobody wearing masks (except me and my family).  Masks are only suggested in casino and theater. Ship is full, very few kids. 

Yes, after security it is on the far left. Id enter security on the left. Not a separate room but a separate area, seats and some drinks and  snacks. 

Last night we were offered a Cherry Pie wine which is about $8 in Costco.   We declined and got something slightly better.  

6 hours ago, lizinindy said:

So so sorry to hear you got a bum butler. Our man on the Apex was fabulous. I called and asked for some crackers because our friends had picked up some cheese from the buffet and we were going to have wine and cheese before dinner. He arrives with crackers——and two charcuterie boards, chocolate covered strawberries, and a bottle of Dom Perignon! WHAT? Now, that’s a darned great butler! 

I've never seen anything remotely like that in all my cruises. Good for you!  

21 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

And, all members of the group should board together.

Only if they are in the same cabin. 

I think posts like these are useful to set expectations.   I mostly cruise in high level suites and sometimes I have great suite service and sometimes I don't. Same as when I travel in Sky Suites.  Sometimes I try to fix it on board but usually I don't. Fixing it takes time and effort away from my vacation and in my experience doesn't always solve the problem; an inattentive employee will continue to be inattentive. There's a management issue when this happens and im not there to solve it. So I try not to let the shortcomings bother me and move on. I'm cruising this Sunday in a Penthouse and had a difficult time with pre-cruise concierge; the person didn't contact me, never sent list of booze, menus etc, said no to my two small requests and has confirmed nothing.  All i heard was how busy this person is. I was going to escalate it but decided to just deal with it on ship.