waltero61

@dexddd...I don’t understand the $.70 comment. 

And if I'm not mistaken, the limits on the Latitudes meals are the same as the limits on a meal plan meal. I’m actually OK with the free Lats meals. You could easily have a $120-$140 meal at Cagney’s with that one. 

@jaja...We too eat many meals there. Most breakfasts, and all of our non-upscale dinners. 

We’re kind of on a first-name basis with many of the ships crew, especially the restaurant folks, so that doesn’t hurt either. 

At the Grand Pacific, the Asst. Maitre’D is “almost” a close friend. Same for the Asst. Maitre’D at O’Sheehan’s. Luckily for us, they will both still be on the ship in those same positions on our next sail in October. Good to have contacts on a 14-day cruise with 6 full sea days. 

@jaja...That’s if you can get to the hostess at the top of the stairs, if she’s even there. 

Last trip, the line was up the stairs, past the elevators and into the adjacent hallways in both directions. And to make matters even worse, you have the people coming off the elevators exactly where the lines are. Talk about a roadblock. LOL

I’ve written 2 letters to high level NCL brass about this. So far, no response. 

@jaja...I would agree with your assessment 100%. 

The uncomfortable part, at least at the Grand Pacific on the Gem, is that you have to walk past the line of already upset people to get to the hostess. 

And the reason the people are upset is because they make reservations online for the Grand Pacific, only to find out that it’s really a first-come first-served restaurant. A situation that would be easily remedied by stating online that reservations for that restaurant are not available. I can honestly say that the only place I’ve ever seen people genuinely angry is on the Grand Pacific line on a busy night.  

@goldmom...I never even considered better seating as a perk. I always considered “priority” front-of-the-line. Like “priority boarding.”

But I honestly think that you’re expecting too much from them if you’re expecting premium reserved seating at the upscale restaurants. 

When you consider how many people they deal with on a daily basis, and how many people just don’t show up for reservations without cancelling, it would probably be asking a little too much of them. 

I would, however, say something to the hostess before sitting down if you consider a table your shown to, to be in a bad location. This has happened to me in the past, and I will just inform the hostess that I’d prefer to wait a little longer for a better situated table. In every case so far, we were instantly seated at a better table. 

This is an old, but very informative thread. 

I am about to reach Platinum Plus status with my next cruise on NCL in October. This cruise will be my 10th with NCL. Thanks to accelerators in my early days with NCL (just 6 years ago), I reached this reward level rather quickly. 

I too have been trying to get someone at NCL to put a definition to “priority entertainment and restaurant seating.”

I believe I have the entertainment part figured out. If you show up at showtime and show your Plat+ card, if there are seats available...they will seat you in the special Haven section (I’ve sat there in the past). Mind you, “based on availability.” If there are no seats...you’re out of luck. 

The “priority restaurant” one is most intriguing. I honestly believe that it gives you front-of-the-line status at every non-upcharge restaurant. The issue is whether or not the hostess is aware of this benefit. If they are, you’re in. If not, you’re at the end of the line with everyone else. 

NCL should be ashamed of themselves for adding this perk to their most loyal travelers without clarifying exactly what the benefit is. I have written letters to the upper management about this and have yet to receive a response. 

But it I can tell you this from recent personal experience...I’ve shown my regular Platinum card at the Grand Pacific restaurant on the Gem when there was quite a line. And I was awarded front-of-the-access. Like I said, all depends on the hostess. 

Thanks for the reply, Tom. 

I will follow your advice and try Vivian Ewart. I’ve found in the past that when you write to the CEO...it usually filters down to the appropriate person. 

I do hope to get an actual answer to what “priority restaurant and entertainment seating” for Platinum Plus members really means one of these days. 

And thanks for the the nice wishes. 

I apologize in advance if this topic has already been discussed.

Part 1.

I was on the Gem in May of this year. You are able to make reservations online for the Grand Pacific. However, when you arrive there, they tell you there are no reservations and that it is first come, first served. Until this last trip, there was never a line longer than 2 or 3 couples for this venue. However, on this last trip, some nights the line was up the steps and past the elevators.

People with "reservations" were trying to get down the stairs to the hostess desk, and there were people arguing with each other because they thought they had reservations, when they really didn't. It's the only time I've been on the Gem (this was my 9th sailing on the Gem) where I saw this happen. I'm going on the Gem again in October and I've already made my "reservations" for the Grand Pacific for multiple nights already knowing that they probably mean nothing.

I e-mailed the President of NCL and got no response. I then printed that e-mail and dropped it in the mail. I'm not expecting a response...but who knows.

Can anyone here with a similar experience shed any light on this?

Part 2.

One of the times I was online for the Grand Pacific last May, a couple walked down the left side of the stairs right past the line of angry people. I walked down after them myself and inquired politely as to why they were walking past everyone. They said that they were Platinum Latitudes members and that entitled them to front-of-the-line privileges. I too am a Platinum member, and politely followed in their footsteps and was given  front-of-the-line access, as well. We actually needed to do it on a number of occasions, and each time succeeded. To be quite honest, I felt a little guilty. But not guilty enough to avail myself of this privilege.

When I returned home, I investigated this and could not find where in the Platinum benefits list front-of-the-line restaurant access was available. I did notice that there was a reference in the Platinum Plus category that states... "Priority Restaurant & Entertainment Seating^* (subject to availability)...^*Present your keycard to receive these benefits and discounts."

Unfortunately, that is a very vague description. And to be 100% honest, when I presented my card to the hostess, she looked at it like she wasn't quite sure what to do before granting us the privilege.

Once again, can anyone with a similar experience shed any light on this?

Thank you in advance for any responses.

Sounds like Royal Carib and Carnival.

Thank you all.

Gonna try one of them next.

Happy sailing!!!

FYI the wait staff in the haven restaurant and courtyard are included in the tipping pool, so you are already tipping them with the tip that is charged to your account daily. Of course, extra special service deserves an extra tip, but that is a personal choice.

I've read so many articles, and been told by certain "not-so-tight-lipped" employees, that they get a very meager part of that "service charge" and/or "tipping pool" that Norwegian charges. Norwegian keeps most of it for themselves.

If it's earned, I tip everyone at every meal. Not over-the-top tipping, but a little extra. Usually 5 for breakfast and lunch...and 10 for dinner. This past trip on the Breakaway, I had the unlimited dining plan. So I was a little more generous at dinner to the tune of 20. Shared the wealth a little.

in my opinion, since all the mainstream cruise lines offer a "freestyle" type option these days, you could probably get that feel to some extent anywhere.

you can get flexible dinning with almost all of them and generally there's at least 1 casual option (usually the buffet) each night.

I also find that destination matters... in hot weather places like the caribbean & hawaii there's usually more casual dress to be found. in Europe people tend to dress up more period.

that being said, for keeping with the fun vibe of NCL, I'd probably suggest Carnival or Royal Caribbean would be the most similar.

Just read an article online that Royal Caribbean would be the closest to Norwegian.

Heard from a friend that Disney still does 2 dinner seatings.

Thanks for the input.

Just upgraded from 2 balcony cabins to The Haven 2 Bedroom Suite. Traveling with my elderly father and felt its was a better way for us to care for him and keep an eye on him. I was wondering if reservations were necessary in The Haven restaurant. Also, is there any musical entertainment in The Haven Lounge in the evenings. I noticed that there are lounge chairs on an upper level above The Haven pool area that are still under the retractable roof. Is there an elevator available to get to this level (think it's deck 17?) or only stairs?

No reservations for The Haven restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And you can eat in the pool area if you like, as well.

No entertainment. But there is a bar in the lounge area between the restaurant and the pool area.

No elevator to deck 17 that I know of. Only one set of stairs. And you really need to get up there to get a chair because there are no lounge chairs on the pool level, except for the 6 in the "cool pool." They have 2 cabana style benches and tables for people to eat.

It's possible there's an elevator that I'm not aware of because there's a handicap accessible bathroom up on that level. If there is an elevator, I never saw it. Maybe someone else knows otherwise. Or you can contact NCL and inquire.

1000 threads on butlers and concierge

 

but what do you do for the 3 things mentioned in the title of this thread. just wait until the end like the other services? we will definitely be using the restaurant heavily for bfast and some lunches

 

in the courtyard do they bring drinks with your UBP? i did find out there's a smaller menu to bring food out there but would they bring stuff that is on the normal haven menu at the appropriate B/L/D time?

 

also if you run out, where's appropriate to get change for bigger bills?

Just stayed in The Haven on the Breakaway.

My suggestion is just to tip as you go, and if you feel it's deserved.

As for The Haven restaurant...he restaurant, the bar area, and the courtyard are pretty much all connected. If you want a drink from the bar, you can just walk through the sliding doors and have a drink within a minute. Or you can wait for one of the Haven waiters to get it for you, when they're around...which is pretty much all of the time. You can get breakfast or lunch from the restaurant the same way. Sit in the restaurant, or have a waiter bring it to you in the courtyard.

The tipping thing is a little tricky. On the Gem, there aren't that many Haven rooms, the Haven is smaller, and there are less staff to help you, so you get the same few people the whole week.

On the Breakaway, there are so many more Haven rooms. The Haven is a lot bigger, and there are a lot more staff. So what happens is...you may see the same waiters every day, you can be served by 5-6 different ones in the course of the week. So tipping on the last day would be a little difficult. That's why I suggest tipping on a meal by meal basis.

The bartenders rotate at the Haven bar too. I think one before 1 PM and a different one after. Hard to keep track when you're having fun.

Just so you know, if you have the unlimited beverage package, once you leave port, there is no tax or service charge on the drinks. So tipping the waiter maybe a buck per drink is probably appropriate. That's what I did.

Feel free to ask any other questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

I've cruised 4 times in the last 3 years...all with Norwegian. 3 times on the Gem, once on the Breakaway just last week. These are the only cruises I've ever been on.

Despite my dislike of Norwegian corporate...I really do like the whole idea of "freestyle cruising." I'm not really big on the whole "dress up" thing and like the casual attire atmosphere on Norwegian.

I also like the "freestyle dining" set-up. Dining at a table for 2 with just my wife, at various times and restaurants, is very appealing to me...and her.

So my question to the forum is for those who have sailed other cruise lines.

What other cruise line are similar in style to Norwegian?

All input would be greatly appreciated.

Believe me...I understand the frustration of what you folks on the Breakaway are going through. I really do. Nothing stinks more than a long-planned vacation being ruined by Mother Nature.

That being said...it is what it is.

If you're going to be miserable, and look for someone to blame, then I hate to say it...but you should not have booked a cruise during peak hurricane season. Just a little research would have told you that the two months from mid-August to mid-October are PEAK hurricane season.

I just got off the Breakaway on Saturday, Oct 8th. Watching the hurricane center website every day was agonizing. For awhile it looked like our itinerary was going to be drastically changed. In the end, our week-long trip to Bermuda basically went off without a hitch. The last day in port, Friday, the Captain decided that we had to be back on board by 12:30PM instead of the originally scheduled 2:00PM. There were people angered by that to a level that I personally could not believe. I saw the predictions for the week ahead and realized just how lucky we were not to have our trip changed in almost any way. We were very lucky...and thankful.

Understand the facts. The chances of being affected by the weather during peak hurricane season are a known quantity. It's the reason that such great deals can be had during those periods. But with lower prices come risks. Unfortunately, the folks on board the Breakaway this week are getting the short end of the stick. I truly feel for you all. Especially the ones that are on this cruise specifically to see Bermuda.

But understand this...while NCL is by far NOT the greatest customer service company, the people working on the ship are not to blame for what's going on here. Try to understand that they are just there to do their jobs and are not happy when their passengers are not happy. Whatever you do, don't take your anger out on them. Remember, they are just employees who take orders and have no say in what goes on.

So my advice to you all is simple...just try to relax and enjoy your cruise. Get to know your ship. There really is so much to do every day on board if you're so inclined. The shows are great. We saw the Cirque show, Rock of Ages, and Burn the Floor. All were exceptional. Think about what you would be doing if you weren't on this cruise. I'm pretty sure that a week on a cruise ship is better than a week at work. Remember that. And while the $200 per cabin "gift" from the cheapskates at NCL corporate doesn't seem like much (and it really isn't), you can still buy quite a few cocktails with those extra greenbacks to help ease your pain.

Trust me on this...you'd much rather be in Port Canaveral and Nassau this week than in Bermuda when you were scheduled to be there. Can you even imagine what it would be like to be there when Nicole arrives? You would all be cursing NCL if they were to put you through that, rest assured.

You're getting the best that can be expected, considering the circumstances. So just try to relax and enjoy everything that amazing ship and crew has to offer you.

My best wishes go to everyone on board the Breakaway this week.

Safe sailing.

Thanks so much for the follow up post. Glad it is working out for you. Just a recommendation, I would request one of the egg crate mattress pads for the air mattress. Your room steward can make up the pad and air mattress just like a "real" bed. Have a great cruise!

If they indeed do not have roll-aways...I will do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

We have the same issue on our upcoming cruise on the Epic. DD is getting the couch and DS said he will sleep either in a sleeping bag with inflatable pad or on a sun lounger. Neither of my kids wanted to sleep in the 2nd bedroom without windows so we decided against the 2 bedroom suite. When I spoke to the pre-concierge, she suggested that I get a couple extra egg crate mattress pads for him to put under his sleeping pad. My DS has slept on a boulder while hiking in New Mexico so this will be "deluxe" accommodations for him.

Just received a long-awaited reply from Norwegian that reads...

"I wanted to follow up and advise that I have received a response back from the ship and port operations and it has been approved for you to bring your air mattress onboard with you for your sailing on the Norwegian Gem."

We have the same issue on our upcoming cruise on the Epic. DD is getting the couch and DS said he will sleep either in a sleeping bag with inflatable pad or on a sun lounger. Neither of my kids wanted to sleep in the 2nd bedroom without windows so we decided against the 2 bedroom suite. When I spoke to the pre-concierge, she suggested that I get a couple extra egg crate mattress pads for him to put under his sleeping pad. My DS has slept on a boulder while hiking in New Mexico so this will be "deluxe" accommodations for him.

LOL.

Well...hopefully Bubbles experience will be our experience.

Maybe they just changed the policy first of the year?

I'm bringing the air mattress to be on the safe side. Then I'll speak with the on-board concierge or butler or steward as soon as I get on board to see if they can accommodate us.

They do have rollaway cots - we had one brought into the Gem GV in November. They actually have two different kinds and our steward made sure we got the "better" one. We saw both (they brought one and she had it swapped). So I think you were given bad info.

 

 

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I hope you're right.

At this point, I think I'll just wait until I'm contacted by Norwegian for our room preferences.

I'll discuss it with our "pre-cruise concierge" at that point in time.

Thank you very much for that info.

The 2nd BR in the 2BR suite has a pullout couch, a pullman type pulldown and a separate bathroom. This is all separated by a door, just like the entrance to the bath and master BR has a door. Not the same in the OS.

I'm aware of that.

When I originally booked, I was only expecting one kid to come. The other got an unexpected break from school so decided to tag along.

I thought a roll-away wouldn't be an issue until I called Norwegian and was told no-can-do.

My wife and I had that same room last year and wanted it again, hence, the inflatable bed question.

We did but the cabin steward put new ship linens on the bed.

Great.

Many thanks for your responses.

I can't believe the person I spoke with could not answer such a simple question.

And that was after she said she spoke with her supervisor.

I did the same thing in our Family Suite on the Dawn last year and it worked great. Same as other poster, the steward made it up everyday.

Thanks for your response too.

:o)

No problem bringing an inflatable bed if you wish. We did that 2 weeks ago in the GV for one of my grandsons so 4 could sleep in one of the bedrooms. Not exactly he got the walk in closet :D The cabin steward made it up everyday.

Appreciate that info.

Should we bring our own sheets?

If they claim that the room sleeps 4, and you book 4 in it, I'd let THEM figure out to accommodate you. I'd leave the air mattress at home. It's not your problem. Believe me, they will figure out sleeping arrangements, and I highly doubt that they don't have folding beds on board. That would be like a hotel not having any. Just dumb. I think you were given bad info.

Their answer would be that the pull-out sleeps 2.

They said they used to have cribs and roll-away's but now they only provide cribs.

I have an S3 (The Haven Owner's Suite with Large Balcony) suite booked for May.

It states it sleeps 4. Maybe if you're travelling with 2 small kids. I will be travelling with my wife and 2 college age children.

The king is for me and the wife (LOL). The fold out is for one of the kids. Norwegian told me they no longer have roll-away's.

My question is this...are inflatable mattresses allowed in your cabin?

I called, and believe it or not, they did not have an answer for me. They said they would get back to me, but they haven't yet.

There's plenty of room for one, I just want to know if there are any rules against it.

Anyone with experience on this?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.