Jewel Aft Mini-Suite question

[reporterjen]

In November 2008, I sailed on the Pearl, in an aft mini-suite (11554), which was classified an AF.

 

Now, I'm contemplating sailing in May on the Jewel in another aft mini-suite (perhaps stateroom 11656), which is in the same location but is classified an M1.

 

In 2008, we were spoiled by our mini-suite experience, which included a great cappuccino maker in our staterooms and butler/concierge service. I was hoping to get the same amenities this time around, but it appears that butler/concierge service is now reserved for penthouses and larger.

 

As far as I can tell, there's no AF category right now on the Jewel -- or at least, none are still available on the cruise I'm considering. The mini-suite categories that are available include only M1, MA, MB and MX. The next level up is of course the penthouse, beginning with category SF.

 

Basically, I'm wondering what the amenities are for the mini suites on the Jewel. Even without butler/concierge service (which I understand from searching the boards has been discontinued for budget reasons), I really want to know if I can get my caffeine fix from the great in-room espresso/cappuccino maker I had last time around. (I couldn't find a clear answer in board searching).

 

Does anyone know if that's so?

 

Thanks,

Jen.

[dnlpac]

I really want to know if I can get my caffeine fix from the great in-room espresso/cappuccino maker I had last time around.

 

Was on Jewel this past July in a mini - suite (AFT). Had a regular coffee maker...non expresso/cappuccino maker.

[reporterjen]

Thanks for this info -- even if it isn't what I hoped to hear! :)

 

Frankly, I was willing to spring for the mini suite over just a balcony because of the perks I remembered from the last go around (when we had butler/concierge service, the option of breakfast in an area for suite guests and the espresso machine in the stateroom).

 

But if we're basically just paying for a bigger balcony room and a curtain, it's probably not worth it for us. Darnit.

 

(It doesn't help that we were spoiled on a Regent cruise in August. Forget the included alcohol and specialty restaurants; just having a free laundry was so refreshing! This will be our first NCL cruise since they got rid of the laundry rooms).

[guyver]

In November 2008, I sailed on the Pearl, in an aft mini-suite (11554), which was classified an AF.

 

Now, I'm contemplating sailing in May on the Jewel in another aft mini-suite (perhaps stateroom 11656), which is in the same location but is classified an M1.

 

In 2008, we were spoiled by our mini-suite experience, which included a great cappuccino maker in our staterooms and butler/concierge service. I was hoping to get the same amenities this time around, but it appears that butler/concierge service is now reserved for penthouses and larger.

 

As far as I can tell, there's no AF category right now on the Jewel -- or at least, none are still available on the cruise I'm considering. The mini-suite categories that are available include only M1, MA, MB and MX. The next level up is of course the penthouse, beginning with category SF.

 

Basically, I'm wondering what the amenities are for the mini suites on the Jewel. Even without butler/concierge service (which I understand from searching the boards has been discontinued for budget reasons), I really want to know if I can get my caffeine fix from the great in-room espresso/cappuccino maker I had last time around. (I couldn't find a clear answer in board searching).

 

Does anyone know if that's so?

 

Thanks,

Jen.

 

Are you sure on this? I have never had nor heard of mini suites having the fancy coffee machines. Nor the suite perks unless you were somehow granted VIP status.

Not accusing or anything, just never seen it before.:)

[reporterjen]

Just in case someone else with a similar question stumbles on this thread in the future, I called NCL and confirmed that the Lavazza espresso/cappuccino machines are indeed no longer provided in any of the mini suites on the Jewel. Those are now only offered in penthouse and better staterooms.

 

The same is true of some of the other perks that were previously available to mini suite passengers, including breakfast and lunch in Cagney's and priority embarkation. This has been noted elsewhere on the NCL board.

 

My confusion stems not only from the changes in amenities and perks for various stateroom categories, but also NCL's decision to change its categories and category codes. (For example, AF is becoming an M1). I was told the category changes kick in for cruises beginning by April 1, but that for some reason they also show for *some* cruises taking place before then.

 

Hope this is helpful to others.

[reporterjen]

We enjoyed the machine and other perks during my last NCL cruise, which was in November 2008.

 

We sailed out of Miami on the Norwegian Pearl on Nov. 30. It was a seven-day western Caribbean cruise. We were in staterooms 11554 and 11556, which according to my notes before that cruise were both classified as AF. They were aft cabins.

 

During that time, we had access to a great and friendly butler who helped us with dinner reservations once or twice. We were able to order snacks for afternoon delivery. We ate a few breakfasts in Cagney's. We had lunch in Cagney's on embarkation day. We had priority embarkation and were led to the ship directly by a staff member after being checked in with others in a separate room at the facility at the Miami port. When we disembarked, we waited with other guests in the Bliss lounge and were escorted off (I'm almost positive our butler did the escorting). No other big perks still stand out in my mind.

 

It started out as an unusually cheap cruise, which is one of the reasons we decided to book it about a month beforehand. It's possible that perks were extended to these cabins as a sweetener, if the ship itself was significantly underbooked, but even if that were the case, I can't imagine NCL moving in such things as coffee machines.

 

I have pics of the room, which I think I posted with a review after the cruise here on cruisecritic. I was in love with that coffee machine -- so much so that my husband snapped a shot of me enjoying it one morning.

 

Unfortunately, this is my only NCL experience with a mini-suite. Our prior NCL cruises, on Gem and Sun, were outside cabins.