Suite and Non Suite Guests

[Sparkygirl]

We have a challenge that I am hoping folks can provide some alternatives. We are booking a cruise with my DH, our daughter and his two children from his previous marriage. His ex-wife and her husband are also going on the same cruise.

 

DH and I have sailed previously in an owners suite and have our hearts set on booking the family suite on the Dawn. I am thinking that I should book the three children in our room so that we can all go to Cagney's if we wanted.

 

My concern is boarding the ship, we will have priority boarding but then the older kids mom and stepdad will not be able to join us as we board the ship. We do not want to have their mom miss the kids first experience of the cruise ship. But we also know that their mom will not be able to afford a suite.

 

Would we be able to work out a way that mom and stepdad could board with us?

[canadianjovigirl]

We too are booked in a family suite on the Dawn, but not until Feb 2014.

 

Could you not just board with them thru regular boarding?

 

I am confused as to why so many people are asking how to get others the same perks as they get in a suite.............if they want the same perks pay for a suite. We want the perks so choose to pay for them........why should those who dont pay for them get them?

 

Maybe i am missing something as this is our first cruise i have ever booked but it just seems like this is all i read about on here.

[camz]

You will not be able to bring anyone other than a suite guest in the room they have alloted for suite guests for priority boarding. In the alternative, you can all just do the regular boarding. If you get to the port early enough there may not be much difference. The priority boarding simply gives you immediate access to the ship and usually most suite guests go directly to Cagneys for lunch. There is no wiggle room for this. Have a great cruise.........

[philip_eunice1]

We too are booked in a family suite on the Dawn, but not until Feb 2014.

 

Could you not just board with them thru regular boarding?

 

I am confused as to why so many people are asking how to get others the same perks as they get in a suite.............if they want the same perks pay for a suite. We want the perks so choose to pay for them........why should those who dont pay for them get them?

 

Maybe i am missing something as this is our first cruise i have ever booked but it just seems like this is all i read about on here.

 

i dont think your missing anything

the old quote is right you get what you pay for

next they will be asking for the great unwashed to be having lunch and breakfast in cagneys

[Cruisin&Relaxin]

We too are booked in a family suite on the Dawn, but not until Feb 2014.

 

Could you not just board with them thru regular boarding?

 

I am confused as to why so many people are asking how to get others the same perks as they get in a suite.............if they want the same perks pay for a suite. We want the perks so choose to pay for them........why should those who dont pay for them get them?

 

Maybe i am missing something as this is our first cruise i have ever booked but it just seems like this is all i read about on here.

 

This would be my suggestion as well. The OP should skip their priority suite embarkation and just do a normal regular boarding with the other parties.

[Cuizer2]

We have a challenge that I am hoping folks can provide some alternatives. We are booking a cruise with my DH, our daughter and his two children from his previous marriage. His ex-wife and her husband are also going on the same cruise.

 

DH and I have sailed previously in an owners suite and have our hearts set on booking the family suite on the Dawn. I am thinking that I should book the three children in our room so that we can all go to Cagney's if we wanted.

 

My concern is boarding the ship, we will have priority boarding but then the older kids mom and stepdad will not be able to join us as we board the ship. We do not want to have their mom miss the kids first experience of the cruise ship. But we also know that their mom will not be able to afford a suite.

 

Would we be able to work out a way that mom and stepdad could board with us?

 

Why don't you just wait for them after you check in.

[conandrob240]

And, not that you asked, but in this situation where the kids are going to be put in the middle of having to decide to be at Cagneys or the Haven, etc with you or elsewhere with their mom, suck it up and book a balcony or mini- suite for this cruise. You' ll live. And with the money you save, you can take another cruise under different circumstance ( without the ex) and enjoy your suite.

[sstrong]

We too are booked in a family suite on the Dawn, but not until Feb 2014.

 

Could you not just board with them thru regular boarding?

 

I am confused as to why so many people are asking how to get others the same perks as they get in a suite.............if they want the same perks pay for a suite. We want the perks so choose to pay for them........why should those who dont pay for them get them?

 

Maybe i am missing something as this is our first cruise i have ever booked but it just seems like this is all i read about on here.

 

Groups of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds and with different tastes often travel together on vacation. Not everyone can afford a suite and many who can simply prefer not to spend 2X-4X the cost of a regular cabin. Which explains why this is a semi-frequent topic of discussion. It's difficult to generalize every post on the subject, but most of them are *not* "How can others mooch off our suite perks?" but rather "Will others be able to share in any of these perks?" and, when they find out the answer is probably not, "How should we coordinate things like boarding and tendering?"

[Sparkygirl]

And, not that you asked, but in this situation where the kids are going to be put in the middle of having to decide to be at Cagneys or the Haven, etc with you or elsewhere with their mom, suck it up and book a balcony or mini- suite for this cruise. You' ll live. And with the money you save, you can take another cruise under different circumstance ( without the ex) and enjoy your suite.

 

We have already discussed this cruise with the ex and as this is the ONLY vacation that we are taking for two years we are not going to adjust our room preference. And if you read my post you will have noticed that there was NO mention of Cagney's or the Haven! The children are not in the middle and we are not discussing asking for access to other suite perks. I didn't realize it was possible, we will forgo our priority boarding that will make things easier on everyone. The larger room and butler also allows us to host the kids mom and step dad in our cabin for snacks, etc.

 

We are going to have dinner together each night but on the days the kids are with us we will take them to Cagney's for breakfast and on the days that the kids are with their mom, DH and I will enjoy lunch in Cagney's.

[Cruisin&Relaxin]

And, not that you asked, but in this situation where the kids are going to be put in the middle of having to decide to be at Cagneys or the Haven, etc with you or elsewhere with their mom, suck it up and book a balcony or mini- suite for this cruise. You' ll live. And with the money you save, you can take another cruise under different circumstance ( without the ex) and enjoy your suite.

 

Just want to correct a couple of your points. The OP says they are staying in a Dawn family suite. Your response would lead one to believe that the Dawn has a Haven area. It doesn't. Your response would also lead one to believe that Family suites have Haven access. They do not.

[camz]

For what it's worth, I am sure you were not trying to open up a big can of worms here and create a big ordeal with one simple question. You would think embarkation would not be that big a perk, right? There is also priority board for certain Lattitude Member levels, however, it does not sound like that would apply in your group. Anyway, kudos to you for traveling with an ex of any kind! :eek:

[sjbdtz]

I would go through check-in along your respective priority-lines (Suite/Latitudes/Platinum, etc)

 

Then as you retreive your Suite Keys from the concierge, and let them know that you don't need an escort on to the ship because you have non-suite people you're travelling with, and so you are going to wait with them in the main area... you have a 50/50 chance that the concierge will instead invite you to bring them along when boarding with your escort.

 

In other words, they would wait outside, but when you start to move to board, they would join you. Once aboard, they could head off to the MDR with/without the kids, while you head to Cagneys.

 

 

.

[Sparkygirl]

I would go through check-in along your respective priority-lines (Suite/Latitudes/Platinum, etc)

 

Then as you retreive your Suite Keys from the concierge, and let them know that you don't need an escort on to the ship because you have non-suite people you're travelling with, and so you are going to wait with them in the main area... you have a 50/50 chance that the concierge will instead invite you to bring them along when boarding with your escort.

 

In other words, they would wait outside, but when you start to move to board, they would join you. Once aboard, they could head off to the MDR with/without the kids, while you head to Cagneys.

 

 

.

 

Thank you! This post makes perfect sense. We are not planning on eating in Cagney's on the first day but rather the MDR all together as a group and explore the ship.

[Relax@Sea]

Thank you! This post makes perfect sense. We are not planning on eating in Cagney's on the first day but rather the MDR all together as a group and explore the ship.

 

Try to get there early and just ask when you get to the VIP desk, it is up to there discretion if they would allow the non suite guests to board with you. NCL reps will let you know want they will allow as far as the others boarding with you. Just expect no if there are busy and have another plan if that is the outcome.

[mjkacmom]

DH and I have boarded and disembarked with suite guests, and we weren't in a suite. And they were complete strangers! Lol! I met a woman here on our roll call, who lived a couple of hours from the port. We live 20 minutes, so they parked their car in our driveway for the week, and we shared a taxi to the pier. It was nice that they let us board with them - it was no biggie to us, either way - but since we were sharing a taxi back, it was great to get off of the ship at the same time.

[valleyvillage]

OP have a great time! You will love that family suite...you're right about it being perfect for hosting the group and having your butler bring you food there...it works! Our butler was eager to do it for us! :D

[rvsullivan]

Just off the Star last week and the VIP area was jammed. A couple tried to bring in non suite guest and security at the VIP would not let them in. You have to check in with the Concierge in the VIP area and are then free to leave and join the rest of your group. Please remember your Butler for going the extra mile in serving your guests. I'm sure you will. Hope you guys have a wonderful cruise!!!

[DMH15]

I admire you all for cruising as a blended family. Lucky kids.

 

I agree. I choose a suite and balance spending time with family and friends not in a suite. Very doable. It's all about you choosing plan a or plan b.

 

Actually, what is my "magic moment" is the actual sailaway. Once that big tub blows its horn and we start to mive it's giddy feeling time for me.

 

Have a great cruise.

[genealogyfan]

It's always nice to hear that blended families can be together, and especially like you on a vacation - it'll mean alot to the shared children

[Bocadude85]

Everytime we have had someone traveling with us that was not in a suite the concierge has invited them to join us in suite waiting room and has also allowed them to board with us. On our last cruise the concierge even invited them to have lunch in Cagneys with us.

[Aladdin1968]

Everytime we have had someone traveling with us that was not in a suite the concierge has invited them to join us in suite waiting room and has also allowed them to board with us. On our last cruise the concierge even invited them to have lunch in Cagneys with us.

 

Yep. It depends on the stress level of the concierge at that moment and if you indeed are 1 party. Just step into the appropriate suite line and ask polite. Should not be a problem.

[havoc315]

I never understand the bitterness towards people who ask about the sharing of any suite privileges.

 

I can only speak as to one occasion -- we were suite guests, my parents were traveling with us non-suite. The VIP check-in area was empty, and we asked if they could check in with us and board with us. We were told it was no problem at all.

I'm not suggesting that it will be definite. I'm sure if it's very crowded, they might decline to extend the courtesy. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

[DMH15]

I never understand the bitterness towards people who ask about the sharing of any suite privileges.

 

I can only speak as to one occasion -- we were suite guests, my parents were traveling with us non-suite. The VIP check-in area was empty, and we asked if they could check in with us and board with us. We were told it was no problem at all.

I'm not suggesting that it will be definite. I'm sure if it's very crowded, they might decline to extend the courtesy. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

Would you elaborate how the rest of your trip went as regard to suite perks?

[havoc315]

Would you elaborate how the rest of your trip went as regard to suite perks?

 

Over a 7 day cruise, my parents did priority tenders, disembarkation with us. They had lunch at Cagney's 1 or 2 times. The concierge indicated that it was no problem as long as the dining room wasnt crowded. Got the impression it could have been a "no" if we were really trying to bring in lots of people often. Were told by the concierge, that the only absolute, was they couldn't use the suite courtyard.

[sassyredhat]

This is what we are doing:

We have 4 aft penthouses, 1 balcony, and 4 insides booked.

Our Penthouse group is boarding VIP. The others, in the insides, are all deaf so they will board as disabled after the wedding parties and suites. The balcony will wait until they are called. The 3rd person in our suite, who is not deaf, has elected to board with her deaf sisters.

Our suite group will go to Cagney's for lunch, the others to Lido. We will have a pre-arranged meeting place for sailaway.

Pat