Suite Passenger Etiquette Question

[jdvmd]

Hi Dave-

Thanks for your input. I actually thought about this as well and totally see where you are coming from.

 

If you read my original post I said that she would likely be doing breakfast and lunch with her family. Mainly I thought this would offer them some benefits:

 

1) They would have access to the concierge for booking shows and dinners...I have a feeling this would be a great perk for them given that the ship is so large. Of course, they would tip the concierge accordingly.

2) They would be able to access the suite area to come and go from our cabin as needed. Not a huge deal because we could always meet them at the door but it simplifies things. I am sure their girls will be sleeping over a couple of nights so that they can get some sleep as well ;).

3) If we invited them to dinner at Epic club we would save $25 on the cover charge for her each night that they dined there (I think there is a limit to how many times you will be able to invite guests)

4) My SIL would be able to use the courtyard if she ever wanted some quiet time (which believe me she deserves!). I really don't think that she would be up there very much but I thought it would be something that she would enjoy if her husband was at the gym or doing other things (casino, sports etc) that she wasn't interested in. They have cruised before and while they spent a lot of time together, they did do some things individually. Believe me, I am not going to be pressuring her to ditch my super awesome brother and his kids!

 

We definitely want to spend time together as a family and I certainly wouldn't want to interfere with their family time! I suppose we (mainly me because I was the one that wanted to invite them) are being selfish because we have invited them on this cruise because we want to spend time with them and their children. We are paying for their passage....but I hear you when you say that this may cause some hurt feelings...don't want that for sure!

 

Anyway, it is something to think about. I haven't even asked her yet about this so I don't even know if she would agree to it.

 

I am happy that so many people have weighed in on this! My husband thinks it is all completely shady which I don't really agree with as we are not trying to (nor will we try to) obtain perks beyond what she herself would be entitled to as a suite guest (i.e. we aren't going to ask for the club breakfast and lunch for the whole family, or priority embarkation for everyone, or invites to the cocktail party for everyone etc).

 

Does this clarify things/my intentions any? Started to work husband to get them a suite last night but he is balking (Boo!)...maybe the prices will come down a little- at 10K I don't think we can swing that right now.

 

Thanks!

Coffeecat

 

Coffeecat, thanks for coming back and explaining things. I think you and your husband are extremely generous. Happy New Year!

[david_sobe]

Hi Dave-

Thanks for your input. I actually thought about this as well and totally see where you are coming from.

 

If you read my original post I said that she would likely be doing breakfast and lunch with her family. Mainly I thought this would offer them some benefits:

 

1) They would have access to the concierge for booking shows and dinners...I have a feeling this would be a great perk for them given that the ship is so large. Of course, they would tip the concierge accordingly.

2) They would be able to access the suite area to come and go from our cabin as needed. Not a huge deal because we could always meet them at the door but it simplifies things. I am sure their girls will be sleeping over a couple of nights so that they can get some sleep as well ;).

3) If we invited them to dinner at Epic club we would save $25 on the cover charge for her each night that they dined there (I think there is a limit to how many times you will be able to invite guests)

4) My SIL would be able to use the courtyard if she ever wanted some quiet time (which believe me she deserves!). I really don't think that she would be up there very much but I thought it would be something that she would enjoy if her husband was at the gym or doing other things (casino, sports etc) that she wasn't interested in. They have cruised before and while they spent a lot of time together, they did do some things individually. Believe me, I am not going to be pressuring her to ditch my super awesome brother and his kids!

 

We definitely want to spend time together as a family and I certainly wouldn't want to interfere with their family time! I suppose we (mainly me because I was the one that wanted to invite them) are being selfish because we have invited them on this cruise because we want to spend time with them and their children. We are paying for their passage....but I hear you when you say that this may cause some hurt feelings...don't want that for sure!

 

Anyway, it is something to think about. I haven't even asked her yet about this so I don't even know if she would agree to it.

 

I am happy that so many people have weighed in on this! My husband thinks it is all completely shady which I don't really agree with as we are not trying to (nor will we try to) obtain perks beyond what she herself would be entitled to as a suite guest (i.e. we aren't going to ask for the club breakfast and lunch for the whole family, or priority embarkation for everyone, or invites to the cocktail party for everyone etc).

 

Does this clarify things/my intentions any? Started to work husband to get them a suite last night but he is balking (Boo!)...maybe the prices will come down a little- at 10K I don't think we can swing that right now.

 

Thanks!

Coffeecat

Coffee

I understand many of your points and I put myself in your brother's position. I would want my wife to be happy and stay with you. But honestly on the ship, I think I would regret that (even though I may not say it). You are already saying the SIL is going to eat with you at the Epic Club and save the $25. Your brother and the kids wont be there and will cost $75 for your brother and kids to eat there just once with ther mom/wife.

So your idea stil does not excite me and think it could cause problems. I think families should stick together and enjoy the ship together.

Please keep us posted on her decision. I bet she declines. I am not at all saying it should not be done because you are taking advantage of suite perks, etc. I just dont like the separation and not sleeping with my wife.

 

Another 2 cents

The Epic Club is amazing and is a highlight of the Haven on Epic for me. The staff and breakfasts are amazing!!!! The dinners are good but not specialty restaurant quality IMO. So if you were going to splurge and invite your brother, SIL and kids to the Epic Club for $25 each, I think you can save money and even have a better meal if you treat them to Le Bistro or Cagneys. Those specialty restaurant dinners are far superior than anything the Epic Club serves for dinner (although it is still very good).

 

Keep us posted.

:)

[coffeecat]

Coffee

I understand many of your points and I put myself in your brother's position. I would want my wife to be happy and stay with you. But honestly on the ship, I think I would regret that (even though I may not say it). You are already saying the SIL is going to eat with you at the Epic Club and save the $25. Your brother and the kids wont be there and will cost $75 for your brother and kids to eat there just once with ther mom/wife.

So your idea stil does not excite me and think it could cause problems. I think families should stick together and enjoy the ship together.

Please keep us posted on her decision. I bet she declines. I am not at all saying it should not be done because you are taking advantage of suite perks, etc. I just dont like the separation and not sleeping with my wife.

 

Another 2 cents

The Epic Club is amazing and is a highlight of the Haven on Epic for me. The staff and breakfasts are amazing!!!! The dinners are good but not specialty restaurant quality IMO. So if you were going to splurge and invite your brother, SIL and kids to the Epic Club for $25 each, I think you can save money and even have a better meal if you treat them to Le Bistro or Cagneys. Those specialty restaurant dinners are far superior than anything the Epic Club serves for dinner (although it is still very good).

 

Keep us posted.

:)

 

Dave,

Thanks! To clarify some more, if she came to dinner with us it would be with her family as well and we would cover the $75 (i was just think that it would be $75 and not the full $100). We certainly would not be inviting just her to dinner without the rest of the family. She would also be staying in the inside cabin-not in ours although her kids will probably have a slumber party a couple of nights with us.

 

I don't know what she will say...they may very well decline which would be fine with us. However, I do think that the benefits that I listed above would outweigh any potential negatives. Truthfully, my husband and my brother are not ones to really sit in the sun all day so I think they will be spending a lot of time together cavorting around the ship/competing in the sexy legs contests:D/margarita tastings and what not so that at that point the girls could hang out in the serenity of the courtyard - although I am somewhat dubious about how relaxing this will be given some of the reviews of the CY that I have read on the epic recently.

 

Thanks for the input on the specialty restaurants vs epic club-we will keep this in mind. You are right, if the other pay venues are better, for the money, we will likely go elsewhere.

 

I will update the post-especially if I am able to talk DH into a suite for them:D-that would be the most ideal solution.

 

Thanks so much for your input-I appreciate it!

Coffeecat

[david_sobe]

Dave,

Thanks! To clarify some more, if she came to dinner with us it would be with her family as well and we would cover the $75 (i was just think that it would be $75 and not the full $100). We certainly would not be inviting just her to dinner without the rest of the family. She would also be staying in the inside cabin-not in ours although her kids will probably have a slumber party a couple of nights with us.

 

I don't know what she will say...they may very well decline which would be fine with us. However, I do think that the benefits that I listed above would outweigh any potential negatives. Truthfully, my husband and my brother are not ones to really sit in the sun all day so I think they will be spending a lot of time together cavorting around the ship/competing in the sexy legs contests:D/margarita tastings and what not so that at that point the girls could hang out in the serenity of the courtyard - although I am somewhat dubious about how relaxing this will be given some of the reviews of the CY that I have read on the epic recently.

 

Thanks for the input on the specialty restaurants vs epic club-we will keep this in mind. You are right, if the other pay venues are better, for the money, we will likely go elsewhere.

 

I will update the post-especially if I am able to talk DH into a suite for them:D-that would be the most ideal solution.

 

Thanks so much for your input-I appreciate it!

Coffeecat

When are you sailing? The Epic prices are going down and down late January and early February. I just had another price drop for my cruise. Now you can get a 2 bedroom suite for the exact price as the aft penthouse. It is crazy!

[JMHAM1]

I'm thinking in theory this sounds good but in practice...IDK. Could you not split the difference and do two non-Haven suites or gasp...2 minis or balcony cabins so everyone is equal?

[candycaramel]

Why don't you just purchase two equal cabins next to each other?

 

If you have extra funds then purchase a spa pass, spa treatments or something extra for you and your sister in law.

[coffeecat]

We are locked into dates traveling in July because of work and school commitments. It would definitely be cheaper if we could travel in the winter/early spring but that isn't an option for us.

 

My husband's mom and her sister are traveling on the cruise we have booked to Bermuda and they are staying in a suite and when we booked we all wanted to stay in the Haven together. Plus my husband snores so we wanted a two bedroom suite so that our daughter could have her own room and not be awake all night because of the noise! I am sure we would be more than fine in a standard balcony (that is my husband's vote on every cruise we take!) but having always sailed in suites, I am not sure I am one of the folks that can go back to a regular room. I am a bit of an introvert and truthfully, one of my favorite things to do is hang out in our room, read, sit on the balcony, or sit in the Haven etc.

 

I think the suggestion for spa passes for them is terrific! Thank you. We have never gotten them on a cruise before because we usually have Haven access (not always). I think that is something they would enjoy based on the reviews that I have read. I will look into getting them that.

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I really appreciate it!

 

Coffeecat

[DMH15]

We are locked into dates traveling in July because of work and school commitments. It would definitely be cheaper if we could travel in the winter/early spring but that isn't an option for us.

 

My husband's mom and her sister are traveling on the cruise we have booked to Bermuda and they are staying in a suite and when we booked we all wanted to stay in the Haven together. Plus my husband snores so we wanted a two bedroom suite so that our daughter could have her own room and not be awake all night because of the noise! I am sure we would be more than fine in a standard balcony (that is my husband's vote on every cruise we take!) but having always sailed in suites, I am not sure I am one of the folks that can go back to a regular room. I am a bit of an introvert and truthfully, one of my favorite things to do is hang out in our room, read, sit on the balcony, or sit in the Haven etc.

 

I think the suggestion for spa passes for them is terrific! Thank you. We have never gotten them on a cruise before because we usually have Haven access (not always). I think that is something they would enjoy based on the reviews that I have read. I will look into getting them that.

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I really appreciate it!

 

Coffeecat

Please let uys know what you decide and ultimately how it went on your cruise.

 

I for one, love the NCL suite life and it would be hard from me to give it up.

 

But, let me say that I have travelled in a suite with my mom with my cousin and her friend in a non-suite cabin and it works if you want it to. We either met up with them after breakfast and/or lunch or if we wanted to all dine together we went to the MDR or Great Outdoors. We loved having them and other friends up to our suite and large aft balcony. We acted as hostesses with my bar set up and the treats from the butler. I believe the wonderful Karin G, our concierge made reservations for all 4 of us a few times for dinner and because my cousins's friend had a birthday Karin gave her a set of Priority passes off the ship in a port as a gift. It worked great.

[coffeecat]

Hello Everyone-

Thank you to all who posted previously and gave me a lot of helpful advice. After a lot (A LOT!) of back and forth and crunching the numbers, we have decided on our booking.

 

It came down to balcony cabin plus lots of extras 4 of them (decided against booking SIL into our suite just because of many factors) versus a suite for them. Long story short, today we book a forward penthouse for three of them and then booked one of their daughters into our stateroom - had to go this route as there were no more suites available for 4 people. Got a pretty good deal through TR and the OBC promo plus FCC so it made it more reasonable.

 

It basically came down to us all wanting to spend time together and having some in suites and some not I think just would have been a big bummer on the cruise.

 

Plus, I think we would have spent nearly as much trying to upgrade their vacation (spa passes, posh passes, drink packages etc) that in the long run I think the cost would have been pretty similar.

 

Thank you all for the advice! Really appreciate the input!

 

Coffeecat

[jdvmd]

Hello Everyone-

Thank you to all who posted previously and gave me a lot of helpful advice. After a lot (A LOT!) of back and forth and crunching the numbers, we have decided on our booking.

 

It came down to balcony cabin plus lots of extras 4 of them (decided against booking SIL into our suite just because of many factors) versus a suite for them. Long story short, today we book a forward penthouse for three of them and then booked one of their daughters into our stateroom - had to go this route as there were no more suites available for 4 people. Got a pretty good deal through TR and the OBC promo plus FCC so it made it more reasonable.

 

It basically came down to us all wanting to spend time together and having some in suites and some not I think just would have been a big bummer on the cruise.

 

Plus, I think we would have spent nearly as much trying to upgrade their vacation (spa passes, posh passes, drink packages etc) that in the long run I think the cost would have been pretty similar.

 

Thank you all for the advice! Really appreciate the input!

 

Coffeecat

 

Hope you have an amazing time!

[david_sobe]

Hello Everyone-

Thank you to all who posted previously and gave me a lot of helpful advice. After a lot (A LOT!) of back and forth and crunching the numbers, we have decided on our booking.

 

It came down to balcony cabin plus lots of extras 4 of them (decided against booking SIL into our suite just because of many factors) versus a suite for them. Long story short, today we book a forward penthouse for three of them and then booked one of their daughters into our stateroom - had to go this route as there were no more suites available for 4 people. Got a pretty good deal through TR and the OBC promo plus FCC so it made it more reasonable.

 

It basically came down to us all wanting to spend time together and having some in suites and some not I think just would have been a big bummer on the cruise.

 

Plus, I think we would have spent nearly as much trying to upgrade their vacation (spa passes, posh passes, drink packages etc) that in the long run I think the cost would have been pretty similar.

 

Thank you all for the advice! Really appreciate the input!

 

Coffeecat

WOW

You outsmarted us all. Glad everyone will have the same access.

Have a great cruise!!!

[coffeecat]

WOW

You outsmarted us all. Glad everyone will have the same access.

Have a great cruise!!!

 

 

Hahahaha! I just had to wear my husband down :)-it took a while unfortunately (would have paid about $250 less had we booked a few weeks ago).

 

Thanks Dave for all your input (especially bringing up the downside(s) of things- it really made me think more about the cruise and which direction to go in).

 

We are really excited...I just don't think it would have been the same with people split up etc.

 

Best part is is that my brother and his kids think they are staying in an inside cabin (which they are super excited about so I can't imagine what the look on my brother's face will be when we check in at the port - SIL is in on it though )

 

Thanks again Dave!

Coffeecat

[david_sobe]

Hahahaha! I just had to wear my husband down :)-it took a while unfortunately (would have paid about $250 less had we booked a few weeks ago).

 

Thanks Dave for all your input (especially bringing up the downside(s) of things- it really made me think more about the cruise and which direction to go in).

 

We are really excited...I just don't think it would have been the same with people split up etc.

 

Best part is is that my brother and his kids think they are staying in an inside cabin (which they are super excited about so I can't imagine what the look on my brother's face will be when we check in at the port - SIL is in on it though )

 

Thanks again Dave!

Coffeecat

WOW

The surprise makes it even better. Congrats.

[camz]

Very nice! Have a wonderful vacation and please make sure you check back here to let us know how everything went. Here's to blue skies and calm seas. :)

[coffeecat]

Very nice! Have a wonderful vacation and please make sure you check back here to let us know how everything went. Here's to blue skies and calm seas. :)

 

Thanks so much! I will definitely post a review when we get back.

[happy cruzin]

Seems quite clear to me that they are talking about paying for her in the Haven.

 

That would be expensive with the solo Passeger paying 2X the full fare.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone - Jim

 

But aren't they paying twice for the SIL - then? Once in the inside to avoid the solo passenger rate and then also for her in the Haven - to get the perks?? :confused:

 

That doesn't make much sense to me - maybe I'm confused....

[johnsak123]

I think it makes great sense to book SIL in the haven if you can. I dont understand why you need to tell the concierge. As far as they are concerned she is staying in your cabin and thats all they need to know. Where she sleeps is her business. I stayed in the haven and friends in a penthouse and they were not allowed in the haven only to travel back and forth to my room. This way there are no issues for SIL to enjoy the haven.

[CaribJoey]

Haven is for suite guests only so that means she will be able to enjoy it but not her husband ....We pay for these rooms and they are only for suite people if every1 starts to do this it wouldnt be suite people only and Personally I dont think it is fair that some1 pays for regular room gets the haven benefits ....But thats my opinion and I'm sure lots of people( in the haven suites ) would agree

[coffeecat]

Haven is for suite guests only so that means she will be able to enjoy it but not her husband ....We pay for these rooms and they are only for suite people if every1 starts to do this it wouldnt be suite people only and Personally I dont think it is fair that some1 pays for regular room gets the haven benefits ....But thats my opinion and I'm sure lots of people( in the haven suites ) would agree

 

Thanks-as I updated previously, we are getting suites for everyone so this won't be an issue. As a clarification, the scenario in which I posted previously and elaborated upon later in the thread, my SIL would have actually been paying for the suite benefits because she would have been booked in our cabin and thus would have been a suite passenger. Her husband would not have had haven access etc because he was not.

 

Anyway, as we wanted everyone to be able to have access to everything, we just booked a full suite for them.