Accept upsell to suite on Gem 12/19?

[Kodathedog]

I am cruising with my two teenage sons on the 12/19 Gem to the Caribbean. We are booked in a mini suite. Probably enough room for us with the large bed for me and the sofa bed and Pullman bunk for them.

 

Already spent a chunk of change on this vacation/therapy. (Probably TMI here but bad divorce and both of my parents who lived with us died in the past 3 months. I can not face Christmas at home this year with just the 3 of us alone .) Booked fun excursions for each port, a thermal spa pass for me, and counting on unlimited soda and the teen club to do the trick.

 

Just received upsell email with opportunity to book a 2 bedroom family suite (not Haven) for additional $1500 total. Huge splurge for me on top of what I've already spent and anticipating inevitable expenses onboard. But I am being lured by the dream of the large accommodations including the lovely bathroom and the BUTLER! It's been years since anyone has even asked if I needed anything.

 

But is it really worth the $$$? Is the dream too good to be true? I imagine I won't spend much time in the room anyway...

 

Opinions please. And apologies for getting so personal. Thank you.

[js]

I am cruising with my two teenage sons on the 12/19 Gem to the Caribbean. We are booked in a mini suite. Probably enough room for us with the large bed for me and the sofa bed and Pullman bunk for them.

 

Already spent a chunk of change on this vacation/therapy. (Probably TMI here but bad divorce and both of my parents who lived with us died in the past 3 months. I can not face Christmas at home this year with just the 3 of us alone .) Booked fun excursions for each port, a thermal spa pass for me, and counting on unlimited soda and the teen club to do the trick.

 

Just received upsell email with opportunity to book a 2 bedroom family suite (not Haven) for additional $1500 total. Huge splurge for me on top of what I've already spent and anticipating inevitable expenses onboard. But I am being lured by the dream of the large accommodations including the lovely bathroom and the BUTLER! It's been years since anyone has even asked if I needed anything.

 

But is it really worth the $$$? Is the dream too good to be true? I imagine I won't spend much time in the room anyway...

 

Opinions please. And apologies for getting so personal. Thank you.

 

Hi. Sounds like you have a great plan so far! Personally, I love to spend money on vacations but for $1500 and NOT the Haven, I wouldn't do it. How much would it be to upgrade to Haven? Maybe ask about those cabins and not a 2 bedroom cabin in the Haven?

[owl1up]

I stayed in a two bedroom on the star. If you can swing it you will be pampered. There is a second bathroom for your sons and lots more privacy for all. And I understand you will not be charged for room service in a suite. The butler can work magic.

[mjkacmom]

Did you book excursions through the ship? You can save a lot by doing private excursions.

[runner15km]

For me, no. If you have the $$$, go for it. :)

[pathubia]

If you can wait it out and there are a lot of the suites available, I would wait. As the cruise gets closer, the upsell price should go down.

[luckyinpa]

i dont know if true or not but based on reading this forum, people have said the 2nd BR (at least on the BA) , is not worthy of 2 adults. i have watched a video on youtube and i sort of agree. there is a thread on this forum about 4 people who split the bill and the couple with the smaller bedroom thought they got screwed.

 

but like i said, i know nothing about gem so maybe the layout is better

[Kodathedog]

If you can wait it out and there are a lot of the suites available, I would wait. As the cruise gets closer, the upsell price should go down.

Thank you. You are obviously an experienced cruiser. Looked online as if booking and it listed 5 family SC suites available to choose. Called upsell number just to get an idea and ask some questions. Was told family suites no longer available. What gives? Did they just take them off the table? Any chance they will put them back on? If not, oh well, guess I just missed my chance but saved some money.

[SuiteTraveler]

Probably the family suites sold out fast. But on this ship, if you are going to get a suite, you are better off getting a suite in the Haven. If it were $1500 for the Haven, I would take it, if I were you - it's really a great experience. But for a family suite, although it is so much larger, you don't get access to The Haven pool and sundeck, only The Haven breakfast and lunch and then the much larger accommodations. I would way rather be in The Haven on this class of ship than in a suite outside of The Haven because it is a very special experience and they pamper the heck out of you plus stepping outside your suite and into The Haven Courtyard is wonderful!

 

Anyway, don't worry about it. If they offer you something in the Haven, then I'd grab it, but for non-Haven suites - not so much...

[OddJob]

I'm sorry for the stressful time in your lives and on the passing of your parents.

 

I wouldn't do the upsell. You've got a wonderful room, a cruise, lots of excursions planned ... enjoy what you planned.

 

You're going to have a great time

[khaide612]

I've travelled in the 2-bedroom on the Gem. You get all the suite perks (breakfast & lunch & concierge & butler) except Haven access. The 2nd bedroom is a little smaller than an inside cabin. If you were going to have them sharing with you in the 1 minisuite then the 2-bedroom would definitely be an upgrade for size - 2nd bedroom has the pullout & a pull down bed and a 2nd bathroom.

 

They may have the rooms holding for people who also got upgrade offers. Call again if you think the price is worth it for the extra space & extra bathroom or wait and see if the price comes down.

[Bullies3]

You'll get as many opinions of suite vs. non-suite here similar to the water bottle issue.... BTW, love the Gem!

 

For my two cents: I'd be hesitant to book a non-haven suite for a Caribbean cruise due to still having to deal with the masses on the main pool deck. There's nothing like the tranquility of the Haven pool and deck area.

 

I purposely booked a non-haven suite on the Pearl to Alaska as I love the perks of the suite life but didn't feel we'd use the pool area as there's so much to see in Alaska. For the Gem I booked an owners suite (1004) to get the use of the Haven pool area.

 

I'm sure you've seen the warning of others; once you book a suite it's hard to go back. I'd recommend as another suggested; get a price on a Haven suite for comparison. If you can swing it, do it! Waiting too could be beneficial but it's also a crap shoot that Haven suites could sell out.

 

Been though the life issues you describe. Life goes on and things will get better in time. I wish you the best.

 

Whatever you decide enjoy your cruise!!

[BS Racing]

Thank you. You are obviously an experienced cruiser. Looked online as if booking and it listed 5 family SC suites available to choose. Called upsell number just to get an idea and ask some questions. Was told family suites no longer available. What gives? Did they just take them off the table? Any chance they will put them back on? If not, oh well, guess I just missed my chance but saved some money.

Someone can just have a hold on them so yes they can go back in the Que.

How bad do you want to get changed in the bathroom? With the two bedroom you would have a ton more privacy.

[pathubia]

Thank you. You are obviously an experienced cruiser. Looked online as if booking and it listed 5 family SC suites available to choose. Called upsell number just to get an idea and ask some questions. Was told family suites no longer available. What gives? Did they just take them off the table? Any chance they will put them back on? If not, oh well, guess I just missed my chance but saved some money.

 

You never know...Back in May the original offer for the upsells ranged from $500pp for the family suite with balcony. I originally took that upsell, negotiated for $400 per person. I kept checking NCL website and the week before the cruise I noticed that there was still a deluxe owners suite available. I was able to upsell my upsell from the family suite with balcony to the deluxe owners suite for an additional $100pp. At the time we had a very active roll call and just about everyone that wanted to upsell was able. When I got the second upsell, I put it out on our roll call and someone from there was able to upsell to my suite. On the cruise we all did a cabin crawl, ended it with our DOS and the DOS next to us. (when we called the last time, we were offered the Garden Villa for $2000 each ($4000 total) we turned it down. It was too much money for the week and way too much room for the two of us.

[herdingdogmom]

We were just on the Gem and were offered an upsell from a mini to a non haven 2 bedroom for $1,500 - too much for us, although the extra room would have been nice. One thing to note is that it didn't look like the cabins on deck 11 had been refreshed during the dry dock last year. The sofa in our mini was in rough shape and the carpet was really icky. I would have been upset paying $1,500 more if the suites are in the same condition.

 

The upsell department held back 6 of the SC's for 4 weeks before our sailing. Then the Monday before sail date all became available. They wouldn't negotiate on the $1,500 and sold out by the end of the day.

Edited November 30, 2016 by herdingdogmom

[Kodathedog]

Excellent feedback. Thank you.

[js]

i dont know if true or not but based on reading this forum, people have said the 2nd BR (at least on the BA) , is not worthy of 2 adults. i have watched a video on youtube and i sort of agree. there is a thread on this forum about 4 people who split the bill and the couple with the smaller bedroom thought they got screwed.

 

but like i said, i know nothing about gem so maybe the layout is better

 

I've sailed twice in a B4 on the Breakaway and both times my dh and I were in the second bedroom, since we were guests of my mom. My dh is a very big guy, and I'm smaller, 5'6" and thin but we both sleep on the couch that is made to a bed. We sleep on a king at home but have not had a problem each time we used the second bedroom. I read the thread about the other couple and if they split the bill 50/50, then they have not nice friends that didn't give them a heads up beforehand. Like I said, my dh is a big pooh sized guy and we were just fine, although it could have been the use of the UBP that kept us that way hahaha

 

Enjoy OP!

[Laszlo]

You have enough crap going on with your life. I wouldn't stress over the $1500. If the price drops great, if it doesn't......get yourself a Thermal Spa Pass;). I'm betting you'll enjoy more than the larger cabin. Sorry about your parents, best of luck!!

Edited November 30, 2016 by Laszlo

[SuiteTraveler]

Kodathedog, I'm so sorry about the loss of your parents - it's so painful and a difficult divorce on top of that just makes things worse. I lost my mom in 2014 and it's a tough transition. I want you to know that there are others going through this same thing and we understand and in time, it does get better. I think what you are doing - going on a cruise - is smart. You might decide to do something different and unique for Christmas every year. I've been contemplating this for after my father passes (he's 92). I read that the national parks have great Christmas celebrations and also Jamestown:

http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/dining/special-dining-events/

https://www.tenayalodge.com/things-to-do/events?gclid=CjwKEAiAjvrBBRDxm_nRusW3q1QSJAAzRI1tUQ-9byFENFufd07OqNpILtkLkKYd_I52_fjQqU7EQxoC8HTw_wcB

 

http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement/a-colonial-christmas/

 

And other places like Biltmore Estate do unique Christmas celebrations:

http://www.biltmore.com/events

 

I think my future will include planning unique Christmas trips.

 

Anyway, back to your Gem cruise Christmas...the Gem has a really nice spa. It has steam room, dry sauna, thalisotherapy pool, hot tub and heated tile loungers. If I were you I would get a spa pass (I believe you can buy this online prior to the cruise and then possibly at the spa on the first day of the cruise) and use the heck out of that area of the ship. Here's a video:

 

Please take good care of yourself and know you are not the only one going through this huge transition in our lives. Take the time you need to heal and I promise, things will get better. It just takes time.

[Barb Nahoumi]

I would go for the upsell, just for the luxury of the second bathroom. That would be important, if you're sharing with two teenagers. Just saying.

[Gershep]

Keep the cabin you have. Use that $1500 towards another vacation.

[shark with a laser]

I've heard lots of people say they won't spend much time in the cabin, and I used to feel that way to an extent. With an NCL suite, you may find that changing very quickly. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy some waking down-time away from the masses. A suite is a great way to do that. Forgive me if I'm wrong but I believe you're the mother of the 2 teenage boys? The added privacy for all is worth the money alone, I would think.

 

That said, the suite life is addictive. I booked an upcoming cruise for myself, my husband, and our 5 yo. Husband and I've travelled NCL 4 times previously, 3 in suites (1 was such a small fare increase from a balcony, 1 was an upsell call), plus 4 other cruises on other lines not in suites. I know it's too far out, but I've been hoping for the upsell call. I got impatient and yesterday upgraded us to a family suite with balcony at a much more substantial cost than what you're looking at because the suite perks are so great.

 

Do consider the additional promo perks for a suite vs minisuite. You automatically get all 5 free at sea options. Plus there are the exclusive suite perks such as breakfast and lunch at Cagney's or Moderno's depending on the ship. Your concierge can pretty much get you dinner reservations anytime, anywhere but Teppanyaki, on a few hours notice, and in the aft MDR can get you an aft window table. Tender port? No line to get tickets or off the ship, you get escorted through some crew areas to the front of the line. Waiting in line to get back on board? Use the cordless phone from the cabin (which you took with you) to call your butler and request ice and a pitcher of water in your cabin. And much more!

 

Don't let the non-Haven aspect deter you. If you haven't done the Haven, you won't miss it with all the other perks. I've been to a cocktail party in a Haven (Jade, same ship class), never traveled in it, have very little interest in doing so for the even higher fare, especially on a Jewel class (I might feel different on a mega-ship but we avoid them for now), but I still think NCL suites are an incredible value.

 

All in all, if you can spare the $1500, I would strongly encourage you to take the upgrade. It likely will spoil all of you, but it's well worth the additional cost.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[maryisme]

Sorry about your parents. I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[BirdTravels]

Just received upsell email with opportunity to book a 2 bedroom family suite (not Haven) for additional $1500 total. Huge splurge for me on top of what I've already spent and anticipating inevitable expenses onboard. But I am being lured by the dream of the large accommodations including the lovely bathroom and the BUTLER! It's been years since anyone has even asked if I needed anything.

 

Don't let the "not a Havens room" deter you. The only thing that the Havens gets you is access to the [very] tiny courtyard. You get all of the same services as the suites in the courtyard. You get invited to the Haven's cocktail party. You get invited to any special events in the Havens.

 

The upsell is a great price for the 2BR and won't last more than a day.

 

I would take it.

 

Private dining room for breakfast and lunch.

 

A butler to bring you snacks every day, and white tablecloth room service (we do that on early port days). A typical breakfast for us would have things like eggs over easy, filet steak, bacon, ham, coffee, fresh fruit, juice, soda, croissants, omelettes.

 

Suites Breakfast Buffet (to supplement the hot menu)

Edited December 1, 2016 by BirdTravels

[Kodathedog]

I did it! I got it! The 2 bedroom suite! Just called and it had become available. And the exact starboard cabin I wanted. I can hardly believe it!

 

I know it's crazy and a bit $ irresponsible, but I really want/need this. So thank you to all for your input. I weighed it all. BirdTravels, your post with pics got to me.

 

Again, thank you all for taking the time to offer your advice and kind words.