NCL suite 1st-timer - where is the concierge located & how do you use the service?

[DMH15]

I got this directly from a Hotel Director, who asked me not to post his name.

 

"I alone reserves the right to allow non-courtyard guests access. Often, guests tell me their travel agent has told them their family can have access because their reservations are linked. I have the unfortunate duty to tell them to take it up with their agent when home..."

 

He went on to say he is more lenient on Cagney meals than courtyard access.

 

Al

 

And that is how it should be.

 

Thanks, Al.

[tdcjerry]

Both the Courtyard access and breakfast/lunch at Cagney's are a big deal with the soap box posters, who can or can't go is a very hot topic.

[beachchick]

Just curious ...have you ever stayed in a Courtyard Villa ???

 

Yes, we have. It was delightful. (Usually, we book a balcony or mini-suite, so the CV was an incredible treat.)

 

Thank you so much for your reply. And I, honestly, agree completely, as the reason we are doing this cruise is for the privacy that the Courtyard offers. We are in an a3 and an inside. We have 6 of us, me, wife and two 15 yo boys and 2 17 yo girls. My concern with only having one cabin, is the space for the 4 of them and they are not all Brothers / Sisters, so the privacy for the girls getting ready etc.... The inside is about the same price as adding extra passengers, so I am not saving any money by doing it this way.

 

That said, the main things we were needing was Restaurant Reservation, Priority checkin / Tender and having them come sit with us while in the courtyard. I guess I am not as concerned with them having a key that is coded for the courtyard, but having access with me. Do they check when you come in or is it just having the coded key. Also, in an a3, what is the sleeping configuration that allows 6? Anyone know, factually, those answers, your input would be appreciated. Then I can decide if I just need to move them in my room, by the final payment Dec 20. Thank you so much.

 

Thank you for taking my post in the spirit it was intended. I hesitated to write it because it can sound so harsh to say, "No, your family can't be together in the Courtyard..." and so on, especially because I am sensitive to the difficulties of families traveling with minor children.

 

I completely understand your concern with the privacy issues for the teens. I agree with you too. The second bedroom is nice, but it's not roomy and would be very difficult for four teens to share, even if they were siblings. I'm almost (but not quite) positive that the sleeping for 6 involves a sofa bed in the living room. That is a possibility I suppose. You could book all six of you into the A3 and put the girls in the second bedroom and then have the boys in the living room for sleeping. To do that, you'd need to arrange for a rollaway. Your villa steward would need to move a few pieces of furniture each night and then fold up the bed in the morning to make it fit, but a really good tip is an excellent reward. As for privacy for the girls when getting ready, either they and the boys could take turns in the second bathroom or you could generously allow them to use the master bathroom, which is huge and has a door to close the entire area off from the living spaces. Is this way of booking something you would consider? I ask because it would be easier in many ways, including not having to worry about who has access and who doesn't.

 

You may or may not be allowed to have whichever teens are in the inside cabin use the Courtyard with you. It really isn't large and the seating (which is wonderfully comfortable with many options) isn't expansive. If all the passengers who are staying in Courtyard-access villas/OSs are in the space at the same time (not that common in our limited experience), then it could be a real issue. OTOH, there is the Courtyard Sundeck above with plenty of room. It will really depend on many factors, including what BikerAl mentions below. It's a very, very rare case where "extra" passengers are allowed to use the Courtyard, especially for the duration of the cruise.

 

As mentioned, there is no security at the elevator door (you cannot select Deck 14 unless your ship card is coded for it; you run your card through a slot above the floor buttons) or at the top of the stairs (there's a locked door where you must insert your ship card). However, the butlers really do know who is and isn't supposed to be there. Here's an example: One time we took the elevator up as we were too dang tired to climb 12 flights of stairs at the end of a long day. Two other passengers in the elevator decided to stay on to "take a peek" into the Courtyard. (Sadly, there's really nothing to see when you exit the elevator because it opens into a small foyer.) So the other passengers decided to exit the elevator and "take a look around." I suppose we could have said, "No, you're not allowed," but that wasn't our job, so we just smiled and walked down the corridor. About 2 minutes later, one of the butlers was gently escorting them to the elevator while explaining that the Courtyard is not open for "visiting" (e.g., touring).

 

If the privilege is extended and the teens don't abuse it (making a ruckus, inviting new "friends" to the Courtyard, etc.), then likely it won't be a problem with anyone if you have all four in the Courtyard at times. Certainly you can all be in your villa any time and your butler will no doubt be happy to deliver room service (suites have an expanded menu) or other food to all of you there. We found the butlers to be quite professional and accomodating whenever possible.

 

As for the other perks you mention, you should have no problem at all with VIP embarkation/disembarkation/tendering (if applicable), restaurant reservations, and even Cagney's breakfast and lunch (at least some of the time).

 

I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

I got this directly from a Hotel Director, who asked me not to post his name.

 

"I alone reserves the right to allow non-courtyard guests access. Often, guests tell me their travel agent has told them their family can have access because their reservations are linked. I have the unfortunate duty to tell them to take it up with their agent when home..."

 

He went on to say he is more lenient on Cagney meals than courtyard access.

 

Al

 

Sounds reasonable to me.

 

beachchick

[pmcue]

Beachchick, et all, Thank you very much for all the input. After thinking and talking to NCL (they actually told me oh sure your kids can join you) and my agent, again, who said she spoke with NCL and said they could not join, and reading all the great posts, I have decided to move the two into the A3 with me, request a rollaway and hope for an upsell to the GS (both show available) about a month b4 our sail.

 

I take vacation to not stress. I chose NCL for the first time for the Courtyard and Privacy. Combining those two, my decison was easy. Thanks again to everyone, as this is what I consider so useful with this board.