Just Booked Our First Suite..Tell Me How Happy I will be....

[WinnieinWA]

Do these perks apply to mini-suites, too? Listening to all the benefits, I may have to upgrade from a balcony.

 

NOPE..mini's are only deluxe balcony and get NO perks...well, a fruit bowl.

 

A recent review stated that in Miami there was a long line for the Pearl snaking to outside of the building at port. My question is: If you have booked an AD or above suite, is there a different line that we will wait in? I had read we had priority embarkation, but since we are first-time cruisers, where exactly are we supposed to start standing in line? (Not trying to sound snob-ish, but we don't want to step on any toes going past people, when we actually should be at the end of the line.)

 

You just step right up there and ask a NCL rep where the suite check in is. You will be whisked off to the suite line and the into a small area with concierge with snacks etc. who will explain everything about the suites to you. Your butler will then escort you to your cabin after picking up a glass of bubbly! He/She will then explain how the suite life works and what you should expect.

 

I ask that you get a list going and take notes from this thread as to what delights you will experience. Each post will get better and better. The suite life on NCL is the best on the seas but you need to be aware of what you can ask for and expect.

 

My favorite perks:

 

1. Breakfast and Lunch in Cagneys with only other suite guests at no extra charge. Your Butler will be able to bring anything on this menu to your suite. Dinner at the Specialty Restaurants will have the normal charge en suite but you can eat anywhere you like.

 

2. Priority Disembarkation for tours/tenders in ports. Your Concierge will arrange this.

 

3. Hors' de Ouvres menu to choose from nightly. The butler will deliver them between 4-5 pm daily.

 

4. Cappuciano machine. The Sun didn't have that but I understand your cruise will have it in your cabin. Ask.

 

5. Ask your Conciege if you can get into the Chocoholic Buffet prior to public opening to take pictures. ASK. They may not suggest it to you but do ask. Actually I'd sort of even insist.

 

6. Concierge is there to make your restaurant reservations at the Specialty restaurants if needed. ASK!

 

OK.. I've run out of suggestions and am making my own list for my Suite on the Jewel in Jan.

 

Make sure you tip the Butler and Conciegre accordingly. I tipped the Concierge $25.00 becaue the only time I used them was to embark and disembark the ship. I tipped the butler $10.00 per person per day for daily coffee, juice, danish and one full breakfast and one full lunch in the suite one day and for bringing DVD's along with their other duties. That's an individual thing but thought I'd give you a little info concerning that.

 

I hope you have the time of your life. I know NCL staff and crew will do their best to make this a cruise of a lifetime. I love NCL crew!

 

Happy sails:)

[kevinmg]

It's been very interesting reading this thread as we're going on our first ever cruise - Christmas / New Year on NCL Jade. When we started researching options earlier this year I said I didn't want an inside cabin, so we looked at outside cabins, then we wanted a picture window rather than a porthole. "What about a balcony?" we said - then, "How about a mini-suite to give a bit more room?" Before you know it, we'd book the AE penthouse!

 

Everyone says that once you've been on a cruise you're hooked, and as we've started at the high end with all the perks you've all told us about, how can we ever settle for anything less in future? It's a good job we're good at making the most of our money!

 

Thanks everyone for all the hints and tips. Less than two months to go!!

[woofdog]

I second the emotion regarding the ability to go back to any other suite. Our first cruise in 2006 was a mini-suite. 2nd in 2007 I decided I wanted to "do it up" and we went for an AE on the Pearl. Needless to say....our third will be in 2010 thru the Panama Canal in an AE (same room as 2007!) on the Pearl. The AFT area was suggested to us and I'm so glad we took it. The butler was "always there" but unobtrusive. (We mostly like to be left alone unless we really need something) The in-room coffee maker is such a joy!

Enjoy!

WOOF! :)

[jaja]

gee guys...scary idea that "we can never go back"....:D (to anything other than a suite)

[SeattleCruiselover]

JaJa.. first of all.. Congrats on booking Aft and congrats on booking a suite. I hate to repeat what has already been posted, but our favorite benefit is breakfast and lunch in Cagneys. Without a doubt makes the suite worth the extra cost. We have always been Aft on NCL...once in an AC on the Sun and three times in an AE (Star twice and Pearl once). Loved the suites and loved the Aft. Next year when we sail on the Star again we have an AA and have to say are a little tiny bit nervous about not being on the Aft. From what we have seen the suite is to die for, but we so love our Aft.. 8-)

 

DD and I just booked AE aft (8670) on Star for our return to NCL after five years away. Neither of us has ever sailed aft, and we are going really late (25 Sep 09). After the Force 10 winds and 25 foot seas we had on Golden Princess this year, two weeks earlier than that, am wondering.....how bad is the motion of the ocean back there?

[woofdog]

gee guys...scary idea that "we can never go back"....:D (to anything other than a suite)

 

Well....just as long as you never call it "addicted"....we're merely very committed to these choices! :)

[ictcruiser]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the suite life, but people need to stop posting about how great it is...I need the prices to stay LOW :-)

[odblnt]

DD and I just booked AE aft (8670) on Star for our return to NCL after five years away. Neither of us has ever sailed aft, and we are going really late (25 Sep 09). After the Force 10 winds and 25 foot seas we had on Golden Princess this year, two weeks earlier than that, am wondering.....how bad is the motion of the ocean back there?

 

Last year on the Pearl PC Repo, we hit seas that were severe enough for them to put barf bags out by the elevators, but we had no problems at all in our aft suite.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Last year on the Pearl PC Repo, we hit seas that were severe enough for them to put barf bags out by the elevators, but we had no problems at all in our aft suite.

 

Cool. Glad to hear that. I wasn't much more than queasy, and that for only an hour or so, this year, and we had the storm for 36 hours from Ketchikan to Victoria. So should be fine next year then.

[mum and son]

I too have just upgraded to my first Suite.

I'd heard that you can email your concierge pre-cruise, is that right?

Is it possible to get the concierge to arrange for Spa Passes to be in your cabin when you board, so you don't need to race to the spa to get them?

[terrymtex01]

NOPE..mini's are only deluxe balcony and get NO perks...well, a fruit bowl.

 

 

 

You just step right up there and ask a NCL rep where the suite check in is. You will be whisked off to the suite line and the into a small area with concierge with snacks etc. who will explain everything about the suites to you. Your butler will then escort you to your cabin after picking up a glass of bubbly! He/She will then explain how the suite life works and what you should expect.

 

 

 

Happy sails:)

 

Winnie I don't think this is true for Miami. At the Miami port you don't break off into the Suite lines until after you go through security so everyone has to wait in that long line out of the building, unless they have changed it since we were there last October.

 

DD and I just booked AE aft (8670) on Star for our return to NCL after five years away. Neither of us has ever sailed aft, and we are going really late (25 Sep 09). After the Force 10 winds and 25 foot seas we had on Golden Princess this year, two weeks earlier than that, am wondering.....how bad is the motion of the ocean back there?

 

My memory is that no matter how bad the motion we felt on other parts of the ship it was never that bad in our Aft Suite. It was always more of a gentle rocking motion. But that being said, we have never had seas as badly as you describe them here.

 

I can't believe no one has mentioned the bed!! Those Bliss beds in the suites are to die for! The best night's sleep ever! Also the pillow menu...(although we find the feather pillows that they give you are just perfect).

 

Oh, and the giant, soft bath sheets. Oh, they're wonderful!!!

 

OK.. another thing to mention would be the towels. They maybe the same towels for all staterooms but they are HUGE. Literally so big and heavy I sometimes have trouble using them.. LOL. I can assure you, we have had trouble finding any that compare back here at home.

[jaja]

Hey Terry...thanks...and have a GREAT time on YOUR cruise :)

ps--did you get me email re: CAS question..??

[Eurovisionfan]

I too have just upgraded to my first Suite.

I'd heard that you can email your concierge pre-cruise, is that right?

Is it possible to get the concierge to arrange for Spa Passes to be in your cabin when you board, so you don't need to race to the spa to get them?

 

That information would be very interesting - how do you know who the concierge will be. Apparently there's Ruth and Danielle on the Jade.

 

But wouldn't it be a nice little perk to get the passes included as a suite passenger?

 

Dream on, I suppose...

[terrymtex01]

Hey Terry...thanks...and have a GREAT time on YOUR cruise :)

ps--did you get me email re: CAS question..??

 

I did and I just responded. I am not great about checking that email daily, but I do at least once a week.. 8-)

 

That information would be very interesting - how do you know who the concierge will be. Apparently there's Ruth and Danielle on the Jade.

 

But wouldn't it be a nice little perk to get the passes included as a suite passenger?

 

Dream on, I suppose...

 

You can ask your Concierge to arrange for anything for you while onboard. That is what they are there for. As far as getting it included with suite perks that would be nice. Would be a good suggestion to submit on your post cruise survey or to the H.D. when you meet him/her.

[WinnieinWA]

Winnie I don't think this is true for Miami. At the Miami port you don't break off into the Suite lines until after you go through security so everyone has to wait in that long line out of the building, unless they have changed it since we were there last October.

 

Yes, I did mean AFTER Security.:o In my mind the cruise doesn't actually begin until after the dreaded security lines!:eek:

[Eurovisionfan]

I've read somewhere that on the first day there are spa tours - anyone know what this includes, and is it something that the concierge organises for you?

 

And are there any other things to do when you embark (we are first timers, after all!!!) or is that a whole new topic?!

[jame_g]

I've read somewhere that on the first day there are spa tours - anyone know what this includes, and is it something that the concierge organises for you?

 

And are there any other things to do when you embark (we are first timers, after all!!!) or is that a whole new topic?!

 

No, the concierge doesn't arrange it. You just show up and they will have small groups start the tour every few minutes. They show you the treatment rooms, they highlight some of the treatments, and they show you the areas you will be able to use with the spa pass. It's all to generate interest in the treatments. I think they typically have you register for a drawing for a free treatment.

[terrymtex01]

Yes, I did mean AFTER Security.:o In my mind the cruise doesn't actually begin until after the dreaded security lines!:eek:

 

They are dreaded, aren't they. I'm with you.. that is when vacation begins, when you are finally through security.. LOL.