What's VIP pool seating?

[luckyprincess]

It's not about trying "be better than everyone else" or looking like a Rockafeller. It's about less stress and a little more luxury from a mass market cruise line which features activities my kids will love. You just stated you were interested in NCL's Epic and the perks they had there. Are any of the perks on the Epic ones you mentioned here that you would like (sports deck, kayak, jewelry)?

NCL - thank you - I couldn't remember (have only done RCCL). I either need to hone my writing skills or you need more coffee - the jewelry, sports deck and kayak thing was a joke!:p I hope I haven't disappointed you if you were looking for those perks on NCL! lol.

As to the first of your sentence - I was writing that to pete78 because of what he wrote here:

What I meant by that is that I didn't care and was actually looking for the nasty looks (I kind of enjoy it so that I can smile back at them, and at the same time tell my wife - so everyone can hear - how great the perk is; makes them more angry).

I certainly hope you aren't condoning that type of behavior? And the second sentence was in reference to pete78 talking about how chaotic and full of 'the masses' and wild behavior RCCL cruising is and yet they still cruise it but try to make it feel like a luxury line. I guess my question is why not just move up to a more high end line to get the experience you want instead of trying to hide from and avoid the experience on RCCL :confused: I'm not being sarcastic - I'm truly curious as to why?

[olemissreb]

As soon as we went to Deck 1, there was a Royal person there saying, sorry, but you have to start the line on Deck 3, it's backed up. I said, I am a GS guest and thought we have priority tendering. She asked to see my card and said of course sir, please follow me, and she escorted us to the front of the line into the waiting boat. Obviously, some people in line were making faces as we were getting escorted to the front, but that just made the experience that more enjoyable. I could care less what they think.

 

Enjoy! Make sure you know your benefits. If I didn't know, then I would have waited in line like everyone else.

 

This didn't happen to us on a cruise, but in the airport in Honolulu. We were flying first class and my husband is a platinum member of Delta Sky Miles so we were instructed to use the "gold" line. There was no one in the "gold" line, but the other line had at least a 30 minute wait. As the guard escorted us in front of everyone else to go thru security, someone said "I guess they think they don't have to wait in line" - the guard put that person in their place - he told them that we were first class passengers and platinum frequent fliers! The looks on their faces was priceless!! I hate that my hubby travels so much, but sometimes the perks make it worth it! :D

[pete78]

NCL - thank you - I couldn't remember (have only done RCCL). I either need to hone my writing skills or you need more coffee - the jewelry, sports deck and kayak thing was a joke!:p I hope I haven't disappointed you if you were looking for those perks on NCL! lol.

As to the first of your sentence - I was writing that to pete78 because of what he wrote here:

What I meant by that is that I didn't care and was actually looking for the nasty looks (I kind of enjoy it so that I can smile back at them, and at the same time tell my wife - so everyone can hear - how great the perk is; makes them more angry).

I certainly hope you aren't condoning that type of behavior? And the second sentence was in reference to pete78 talking about how chaotic and full of 'the masses' and wild behavior RCCL cruising is and yet they still cruise it but try to make it feel like a luxury line. I guess my question is why not just move up to a more high end line to get the experience you want instead of trying to hide from and avoid the experience on RCCL :confused: I'm not being sarcastic - I'm truly curious as to why?

 

I assume you are talking about the behavior of folks giving nasty looks, right? I'm not going to be ashamed when people give me nasty looks because I'm enjoying a perk, no one should. I just do the opposite, and put it in their face because they deserve it. Otherwise, I am not flaunting a perk or being annoying about it...but if someone is going to give me a nasty look, I am not going to give them the gratification of seeing me feel ashamed/scared of them, I'll just turn it around them, which is what I did.

 

And the high end feel thing, well that's wanting to get a little of both worlds...the fun factor of a Royal cruise and the great product that they put out, and some of the luxury/quiet feel of being a suite guest...it's a perfect combo!!. BTW, I live in DC, with access to the many theaters, including the Kennedy Center, and go to shows often, but still love going on the cruise shows to get the night going, or to enjoy after dinner.

[pete78]

This didn't happen to us on a cruise, but in the airport in Honolulu. We were flying first class and my husband is a platinum member of Delta Sky Miles so we were instructed to use the "gold" line. There was no one in the "gold" line, but the other line had at least a 30 minute wait. As the guard escorted us in front of everyone else to go thru security, someone said "I guess they think they don't have to wait in line" - the guard put that person in their place - he told them that we were first class passengers and platinum frequent fliers! The looks on their faces was priceless!! I hate that my hubby travels so much, but sometimes the perks make it worth it! :D

 

Nice!!! Some people are just soooo annoying, I just love it when it's put back in their faces. When I see someone enjoying a perk like that, I applaud them and figure out how I can be in their lucky position next time....I don't get jealous and make nasty faces.

[olemissreb]

Nice!!! Some people are just soooo annoying, I just love it when it's put back in their faces. When I see someone enjoying a perk like that, I applaud them and figure out how I can be in their lucky position next time....I don't get jealous and make nasty faces.

 

We're the same way - don't get jealous (maybe a little envious) and figure out how we can do it next time! That's why we don't cruise as often as I would like. We had a balcony on our first cruise, so I won't cruise in anything less now and we had a suite on Celebrity for our last cruise! That wasn't good because sooner or later I'm going to run out of upgrades and we'll just have to buy our own yacht!!:D

[stretch44]

NCL - thank you - I couldn't remember (have only done RCCL). I either need to hone my writing skills or you need more coffee - the jewelry, sports deck and kayak thing was a joke!:p I hope I haven't disappointed you if you were looking for those perks on NCL! lol.

As to the first of your sentence - I was writing that to pete78 because of what he wrote here:

What I meant by that is that I didn't care and was actually looking for the nasty looks (I kind of enjoy it so that I can smile back at them, and at the same time tell my wife - so everyone can hear - how great the perk is; makes them more angry).

I certainly hope you aren't condoning that type of behavior? And the second sentence was in reference to pete78 talking about how chaotic and full of 'the masses' and wild behavior RCCL cruising is and yet they still cruise it but try to make it feel like a luxury line. I guess my question is why not just move up to a more high end line to get the experience you want instead of trying to hide from and avoid the experience on RCCL :confused: I'm not being sarcastic - I'm truly curious as to why?

 

Fair question - Just like we sailed numerous times on Disney when the kids were younger, we chose RCCL because of the great reviews on kids activities. Yes, I would prefer a more high end cruise line but this is a family vacation. I don't think there are too many high end cruise lines that offer what RCCL does. We'll save those trips when our children are grown. By choosing RCCL and making it as luxurious as possible, I guess you could say we are trying to take a family vacation that everyone would be happy with!

[stretch44]

For tendering: Go down to Deck 1, where it usually is, and find a Royal person (they usually will be right by the elevators) and show them your card and they'll know you have priority (if not, just tell them). Definitely don't fight your way through the crowds. Just find a Royal person, somewhere, and they will handle it!

 

 

I guess my question was how did you get to deck 1? Did you use the elevators or did you walk down the stairs past all the people waiting?

[CruisinManiac]

Portofino Breakfast: Most mornings, the restaurant was empty....we had the a table for two at Portofino, eating breakfast, with waiter service, and no one else in the restaurant, with a beautiful view of the Ocean. Not everyone eats breakfast at the same time and not all suite folks know about it or take advantage of the perk, so taken together, that makes the Portofino empty most times. This was one of the highlights of our trip. So romantic, and so nice to be away from the crowds (seems like you like to be away from the groups, so that would be great for you).

When we eat breakfast in the Windjammer, we go in our bathing suits and cover ups, before heading to the pool or excursion. Can we still go into Portofino looking like that? :o

 

I am so looking forward to the GS perks on the AOS ...to each his own! :rolleyes: They had better have a new cappachino machine by the time I get there.;)

[pete78]

I guess my question was how did you get to deck 1? Did you use the elevators or did you walk down the stairs past all the people waiting?

 

Elevator down to Deck 1; Royal person was right there to turn people away and tell them to go back up to 3 because it was backed up; that's when I told them about our suite. So just take the elevator down...if it's empty, then go through...if it's packed, tell them you're a suite guest, and they'll usher you through.

 

Don't make the line!

[pete78]

When we eat breakfast in the Windjammer, we go in our bathing suits and cover ups, before heading to the pool or excursion. Can we still go into Portofino looking like that? :o

 

I am so looking forward to the GS perks on the AOS ...to each his own! :rolleyes: They had better have a new cappachino machine by the time I get there.;)

 

Yep, that's exactly what we did everyday! Got ready in our rooms for our pool/exercursion day and headed off to Portofino....Most days I just had my swim trunks, tank top or tshirt, and my flip flops...my wife had her bathing suit, tshirt and flip flops as well. No problem at all!!

 

Enjoy!!

[CruisinManiac]

Thanks pete78 - Don't want to have to dress just so we can eat in Portofino's unless it's at night. :D

[temple1]

This didn't happen to us on a cruise, but in the airport in Honolulu. We were flying first class and my husband is a platinum member of Delta Sky Miles so we were instructed to use the "gold" line. There was no one in the "gold" line, but the other line had at least a 30 minute wait. As the guard escorted us in front of everyone else to go thru security, someone said "I guess they think they don't have to wait in line" - the guard put that person in their place - he told them that we were first class passengers and platinum frequent fliers! The looks on their faces was priceless!! I hate that my hubby travels so much, but sometimes the perks make it worth it! :D

 

I never encountered anything like that at the airports. DH used to fly weekly and we were always in the "special" line at the airport. It is a lovely perk and I never noticed anyone making rude comments.

[tnt10]

Just let me get this straight: The specialty Restaurants for breakfast and lunch were still self serve from the Buffet? Right?

When waiters were mentioned, made me kind of wonder....

Thanks,

Happy Cruising,

TnT

[pete78]

Just let me get this straight: The specialty Restaurants for breakfast and lunch were still self serve from the Buffet? Right?

When waiters were mentioned, made me kind of wonder....

Thanks,

Happy Cruising,

TnT

 

Correct, I just meant to say that we had the same waitress everyday at the Portofino (she worked the Portofino at night as well) to help us out with anything if we needed. We of course still had to get our food from the Windjammer, but she was there to assist with anything, and after day 1, she always had our fancy silverware/plates ready for us, with water and OJ in nice glasses (not the plastic cups). She also made us speciality coffee drinks upon request.

[olemissreb]

I never encountered anything like that at the airports. DH used to fly weekly and we were always in the "special" line at the airport. It is a lovely perk and I never noticed anyone making rude comments.

 

I never have either until the airport in Honolulu. Who knows they may have been waiting a long time and maybe it was just a bad day for them. Oh well - didn't faze me any! I just laughed after we got thru security and into the Crown Room (another great perk! - free alcohol pre-flight!)