Do you expect better service with more expensive cabins?

[texsun49]

You pay more for a suite.... you get better accomdations, so you are getting more for paying more... you get priority boarding, what other service would you expect? Are you paying more in proportion to your accomodations than someone that is paying for another cabin... someone purchases a balcony they are getting more than someone who purchases inside cabin so on and so forth....see how that works.

[thephantomsgirl]

On Carnival no. But they don't have concierge and I know that.

 

On say DCL, or another line that advertises concierge level - yes.

[Tapi]

what other service would you expect?.

 

When you sail on other cruise lines, A LOT more. Just to compare Carnival to its two closest competitors (not even going to bother with the more upscale cruise lines):

Norwegian:

 

Exclusive amenities on Suites and Penthouses

 

Special Services

• Distinctive keycard
  
• Butler & concierge service
  
• Butler to unpack your luggage
  

 

Eats, Treats and Libations

• Champagne, custom selection of liquor, fruit, bottled water and sodas
  
• Sparkling wine, bottled water and fruit on Embarkation Day
  
• Mini-bar and espresso/cappuccino machine
  
• 24-hour Room Service
  
• Special Suite menus
  
• Treats delivered right to your door each night
  

 

 

Thoughtful Touches

• Bliss Collection by Norwegian™ pillow-top mattress
  
• Fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu
  
• Plush bathrobes, slippers and towels
  

 

Arrival and Departure

• Priority embarkation and disembarkation
  
• Escort to suite
  
• Priority boarding of tenders to shore
  
• Complimentary limousine service from pier to airport (for Garden Villa guests)
  

Royal Caribbean

• Priority check-in
  
• Personalized attention throughout the cruise with complimentary Concierge Club service on select ships
  
• Reserved prime seating in the main theater for entertainment shows, where available
  
• Priority tender tickets on select cruises. (Tender service is provided when smaller vessels are necessary to reach shore in locations without docking ports large enough for cruise ships.)
  
• VIP pool deck seating, where available
  
• Full breakfast, lunch and dinner dining room menus available for in-room dining
  
• Private breakfast and lunch seating in specialty restaurants on our Voyager and Freedom Class ships
  
• Mattel® board games available to order for in-room entertainment for the kids
  
• Complimentary luggage valet service
  
• Luxury spa bathrobes for use onboard
  
• Complimentary pressing service on formal night
  
• Priority departure with exclusive suite* departure lounge featuring continental breakfast
  

[golfadj]

I'm confused. Are you saying as a platinum member you are automatically assigned to a more expensive cabin and thus receive better service? The question posed by the OP is: do you receive better service in a more expensive cabin? I'm still a way from platinum so I'm assuming you're saying as a perk you receive a suite each cruise and thus better service.

 

As a platinum member we get the cabin we have paid for. Sometimes inside, sometimes outside and once in awhile a balcony.

 

I think that stewards recognize people as platinum and thus good customers of the cruise line and perhaps give a notch better service.

[Breezy72]

I expect a bit more. Just like airlines, when flying 1st/business class, you get a more experienced attendant than you do in coach, first on the plane, free drinks, and better food & service....not to mention, more space and a quieter atmosphere.

I don't see why a suite on a cruise ship would/should be any different... well, food cannot be helped! ;)

 

NO, I'm not saying a butler is necessary (freaks me out!), but a bit more attention to detail wouldn't hurt considering I'm paying a premium price, not only for more space, but for quality service. If I wanted to be treated like "cattle" as so many have put it, then I would have saved a few bucks and got an inside room on a lower level. But I've chosen to spend more (2 Ocean suites) so I can relax the way l like while on vacation.

 

And before I get flamed for my comments, please know I don't "look down" on those who have chosen smaller cabins as I'm well aware that there are people who make a hellova lot more money than I do and chose to go the less expensive route. Kudos to them! But this is my vacation and I will spend my money the way I see fit and expect to get what I pay for.

 

And before anyone feels the need to point it out... yes, I'm sailing Carnival; not Princess or Celebrity or NCL or RCCL, but chose this cruise as I get 8 days, four ports, a new cruise ship, and 2 suites all at a better rate and time frame/dates. (plus my kids chose this ship! :))

 

Flame away. ;)

[golfadj]

I expect a bit more. Just like airlines, when flying 1st/business class, you get a more experienced attendant than you do in coach, first on the plane, free drinks, and better food & service....not to mention, more space and a quieter atmosphere.

I don't see why a suite on a cruise ship would/should be any different... well, food cannot be helped! ;)

 

NO, I'm not saying a butler is necessary (freaks me out!), but a bit more attention to detail wouldn't hurt considering I'm paying a premium price, not only for more space, but for quality service. If I wanted to be treated like "cattle" as so many have put it, then I would have saved a few bucks and got an inside room on a lower level. But I've chosen to spend more (2 Ocean suites) so I can relax the way l like while on vacation.

 

And before I get flamed for my comments, please know I don't "look down" on those who have chosen smaller cabins as I'm well aware that there are people who make a hellova lot more money than I do and chose to go the less expensive route. Kudos to them! But this is my vacation and I will spend my money the way I see fit and expect to get what I pay for.

 

And before anyone feels the need to point it out... yes, I'm sailing Carnival; not Princess or Celebrity or NCL or RCCL, but chose this cruise as I get 8 days, four ports, a new cruise ship, and 2 suites all at a better rate and time frame/dates. (plus my kids chose this ship! :))

 

Flame away. ;)

 

Why would anyone flame you? Your money and you get to spend it as you wish. Have a great cruise.

[Starlight Durban Cruising]

I expect good customer service everywhere on the ship. i do not expect someone in a suite to be treated any better than someone in an inside cabin on the lowest deck. I had hoped the days of class sunk with the Titanic.

Gosh that reminds me of '76 when we sailed on RMS Windsor Castle - us Tourist Class children were invited for lunch with the First Class children one day. The rest of the time they kept away from us :eek:.

 

Carnival is just not the kind of line where you are treated in a way that would scream either "steerage" or "first class." Maybe on a line like Cunard, where you have the different levels of cabins like the Grill Class.

 

I found a blog asking whether there are "too many commoners" in the grill class restaurant. Perhaps I'd best stick with Carnival no matter what I can afford - hate to splurge on a vacation only to be looked down on.

And I am sure there would be some "Grill Class" passengers who state in their poshest accent when they get back home "Oh Yes, we sailed Grill Class, Cunard you know. Absolutely no commoners."

:D

[Breezy72]

Why would anyone flame you? Your money and you get to spend it as you wish. Have a great cruise.

 

Thanks Stu! My sediments exactly, however, we all know how posts can be misconstrued and taken the wrong way. :rolleyes:

[cruiseonthebrain]

We expect decent service no matter where we book. We have never expected better service based on our cabin class.

 

That being said, our best cabin stewards by far were when we had suites- I mean really above and beyond especially on our last cruise.

[Tapi]

I expect a bit more. Just like airlines, when flying 1st/business class, you get a more experienced attendant than you do in coach, first on the plane, free drinks, and better food & service....not to mention, more space and a quieter atmosphere.

I don't see why a suite on a cruise ship would/should be any different... well, food cannot be helped!

 

Well, you need to think of Carnival as Southwest, Jetblue or other budget air lines. Everyone gets treated pretty much the same.

 

And lets say that we compare Carnival's Suite with Spirit Airlines Big Front Seats. Yes, it's a notch above the rest of the ship/airplane, but it's still a budget product. You can't compare Spirit's Big Front Seats with say Delta's Int'l Business Elite. On the same token, you can't compare Carnival's Suites with other more upscale cruise lines Suites

 

And BTW, as an airline pilot, I can tell you that the flight attendants serving in First class are not necessarily more experienced. A lot of times, the more senior flight attendants prefer to work Economy instead of First Class. So you may have the junior Flight Attendant working First and dealing with the additional "challenges" that go with it (trying to be very diplomatic here).

[dagibbet]

As has been the case on most cruises, if you really want great service, that is above the normal, just give the room steward a little gratuity upon meeting him/her on the first day. Even in some of the lowest category cabins in a ship, being nice to the steward will reap rewards for the duration of the cruise.

 

It has nothing to do with which category the cabin is, or your VIP level.

 

A little gratuity in the beginning can go a long way.