Platinum behind the scenes tour

[jamminlion]

So I have Platinum status, my husband is Gold. A long ago error in Latitudes that we didn't catch in time to get corrected, and no hope of that now. Whatever. 

Hub's very much looking forward to a behind the scenes tour that I get with my status. I'm not so interested in going. I have read here that taking a companion without Platinum status is usually a "no" or at the ship's discretion. What about signing just my hubs up? Do they check your key card, or just check your name off a list?

 

Not trying to game the system, just looking for your experience so he can have appropriate expectations.

 

Thanks!

[copper004]

19 minutes ago, jamminlion said:

So I have Platinum status, my husband is Gold. A long ago error in Latitudes that we didn't catch in time to get corrected, and no hope of that now. Whatever. 

Hub's very much looking forward to a behind the scenes tour that I get with my status. I'm not so interested in going. I have read here that taking a companion without Platinum status is usually a "no" or at the ship's discretion. What about signing just my hubs up? Do they check your key card, or just check your name off a list?

 

Not trying to game the system, just looking for your experience so he can have appropriate expectations.

 

Thanks!

Can’t answer your question, sorry. BUT, be sure to sign up for the tour as soon as you get onboard! We did a 14 day on the Gem and went to sign up embarkation evening and was told it was full. We were placed on the waiting list in case they ran a second tour, but never heard back from them. Disappointing. 

[don't-use-real-name]

When you get on board (that is when you schedule or make yourself available for the tour) talk with the

Cruise Next folks who handle the function. Present your situation to them and if they are worth any salt

in customer relations should solve the problem.

As noted it is for the only the Platinum member -

Have had situations more than 1 where a companion was allowed -

And 1 other NOT -

Substitution is an easy to do request -

You may even be invited to go along too ? Who knows !

 

HOWEVER

With this virus 19 thing - guest spacing may be an issue limiting the number of participants

The customary grouping on the small ships is 15-20 guests -

I don't know about the -AWAY class ships -

But I would expect that those numbers may be curtailed or perhaps two or more tours required -

 

For now you are not cruising anywhere or doing any back scenes anything !

 

See how things develop and talk with the Cruise Next people on board for the outcome.

The first couple of times the tour is definitely interesting and after that ???

 

The tour is usually done on a SEA day about 10am and takes about hour to an hour and half covering

the ships Laundry - theatre back stage - Galley between the two Main Dining Rooms (MDR) and walk

down the I95 central deck (3) corridor seeing the recycle operation and perhaps the crew dining area etc.

No longer any Bridge Tours (Security).

Wear shoes not flip flops going up and down steep grated staircases.   

 

 

[BirdTravels]

The policy is “no”. 
 

That being said, on embarkation day, talk to the cruise next desk when you sign up and ask them to allow hubby to accompany you. I have seen them allow a non-plat guest to tag along. We take the tour on every cruise. 

[MeHeartCruising]

As said above, the official policy is no, he can't go.   But here's my findings...  I just earned Platinum a couple cruises ago, so on my February cruise on the Getaway, I wanted to go on this tour.  My travel companion is not Platinum.  I went to sign up as instructed on embarkation day and politely asked if my friend could join the tour too.  I was politely told no.  So that's fine.  I just signed myself up.  The person verified my status and put my name and cabin number on a paper sign up list.

 

The tour was on the next day.  I went down to the desk where we were told to gather.  The employee was checking off names from that paper list as the guest came up and announced themselves.  I never had to show any ID.  They didn't scan my card.  I Just gave my name and cabin number.  I was given a sticker to wear, but I don't recall what was on it.  I don't think it had my name on it.  Then we all started to gather around in the area waiting for everyone to show up and for the tour to commence.    My thinking is, that if you really wanted to, you and your husband could both go down to the area.  You could check in.  Then quietly give him the sticker, if they give one.   And you leave and he stays and mingles with the others waiting until the tour starts.  No further checks were done for anything.  

 

Is it against the rules?  Yes.  Will it matter?  Probably not.  You'll be in a group of 15 to 20 people and he will just be part of the crowd.

Edited August 23, 2020 by MeHeartCruising

[complawyer]

if you're in a suite,talk to your concierge. i dont think it will matter if either you or your husband go as one only.

 

personally,my wife and i took this tour a couple of years ago,and call i can say is MEH! tell your husband he aint missin' a whole hellova lot

[PelicanBill]

When I last toured we were under the watchful eye of a security officer.  She would have noticed if I were wearing a name sticker with a female name.  

[podgeandrodge]

I just wish we were in a situation where we had this problem!

[dexddd]

Unless it is new, never had sticker with name.

 

Stickers are so the can keep track of everyone and so no one jumps in.

 

Security person in back has been past few years.

[mking8288]

I would make a wild guess, and mine alone only, that it is slightly more than 50:50 chance that in the post Covid-19/pandemic era, until the world learn to manage and cope with the new normal, that complimentary Platinum (Plus for us) offers on these BTS tour would - likely be limited at best, and fair chance for the tour to be suspended ... in line with social distancing & best practices as we understood/know them to be (much remained unknown & un-proven on what worked or not ...) to keep crew/officers and guest contacts apart, especially below decks.  

 

Of course, ("lighten up, everyone" ... as in tongue-in-cheek) it isn't unreasonable to offer "us" a virtual reality tour for going BTS - without getting us into PPE, wearing a face mask, washing our hands before & after, and putting on a pair of non-latex gloves to minimize the odds for ...  Just saying.  There are "bigger" worries" on when we are going to cruise again, how and bigger considerations.  

 

The shortened/condensed 1 hour or 60 minutes tour isn't what it used to be ... as in "meh" 

[hamrag]

I think the question is moot, this benefit will not be on the radar post COVID-19 and may never return!

[jemz1949]

I agree with hamrag.  Likely a moot question regarding something which may never return.  As a side note, I asked the Haven concierge if my BIL could go instead of me.  I am Platinum Plus; he is not and we were both staying in the Haven.  The answer was a polite but very firm No.  He wanted to go so we paid for him to go on the paid tour instead.  

[Laszlo]

As soon as you get on the ship you want to sign up for the tour.

 

 

 

[jaja]

On my last cruise, I heard the rep turn down others asking to bring others.  Answer was no. Rules were strictly enforced day of tour, rep even sent 1 woman away for wearing sandals.  Security officer was always close by.

But , as already mentioned,...I surely doubt there will be any tours anytime soon after Covid especially since it would be impossible to social distance. 

[don't-use-real-name]

YES the official answer for companion participation is a B-I-G """NOOO""" !!!

Probably more so when the number of guests is at capacity trying to keep things manageable.

If the tour was half filled maybe some consideration ?

In a suite or haven cabin maybe some consideration - but as previously posted the Concierge couldn't do it !

 

And in the future questions about the tour operating - Platinum or PAID at all -

due to guest distance spacing and the issue of masks hasn't been entertained.

 

Solution a video of the tour presented to all on the in house TV channel -

No spacing masks required

AND perhaps service charge gratuity FEE FREE ?! --- LOL !

 

So referring back to my crystal magic "8" Ball the answer still remains as a "NO" !

 

The security person follows along to prevent straying off into restricted areas

AND a note here about photography video still digital - ask the tour conductor when

it is allowed to avoid any issues - generally anywhere is OK - BUT the I95 deck 3 and

back stage dressing rooms ?

 

Oh and did I mention the BRIDGE tours are history - the closest one would get is on the

JEWEL class ships JEWEL PEARL JADE GEM on deck 11 forward there is a Bridge

Observation facility - and what is offered on the in house TV channel. 

 

 

[dexddd]

On 8/23/2020 at 1:01 PM, mking8288 said:

I would make a wild guess, and mine alone only, that it is slightly more than 50:50 chance that in the post Covid-19/pandemic era, until the world learn to manage and cope with the new normal, that complimentary Platinum (Plus for us) offers on these BTS tour would - likely be limited at best, and fair chance for the tour to be suspended ... in line with social distancing & best practices as we understood/know them to be (much remained unknown & un-proven on what worked or not ...) to keep crew/officers and guest contacts apart, especially below decks.  

 

Of course, ("lighten up, everyone" ... as in tongue-in-cheek) it isn't unreasonable to offer "us" a virtual reality tour for going BTS - without getting us into PPE, wearing a face mask, washing our hands before & after, and putting on a pair of non-latex gloves to minimize the odds for ...  Just saying.  There are "bigger" worries" on when we are going to cruise again, how and bigger considerations.  

 

The shortened/condensed 1 hour or 60 minutes tour isn't what it used to be ... as in "meh" 

I was kind of thinking they could do like what they had on the BA when we went.  At the time they had the BTS tour and later in the week they had a video presentation with captain and senior crew in the front theater for anyone.

 

Maybe they could have a set time in a lounge with option to order from bar and some nice snacks if doing the actual walking tour is a no go.

[Laszlo]

24 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

The security person follows along to prevent straying off into restricted areas

AND a note here about photography video still digital - ask the tour conductor when

it is allowed to avoid any issues - generally anywhere is OK - BUT the I95 deck 3 and

back stage dressing rooms ?

 

 

The are very strict about this, at least they were on my last two times doing it. I think you can even hear in my video them telling us at one point to turn off cameras. Two or three times ago someone was escorted out of the group for not following the camera directions. I don't know what secrets they have along I95 they don't want people to record but that is where it happened

Edited August 24, 2020 by Laszlo

[Budget Queen]

Sorry,  it's no.    Don't try and put the Cruise Next on the spot with the request,  thinking you're entitled to an exception.     There are people who  try this every cruise.    It's already over run with huge numbers of qualifiers.     Actually people are checked,  as there is a list of photos that security has checking people off.    

 

I question if this will be suspended as,  I can't imagine any social distancing possible,  or the ships wanting the public parading through galleys and stores.      

[The Traveling Man]

It really depends on the Cruise Next Manager.  Some are real sticklers for the rules, some are more relaxed.  Depending on who you speak with, you may be able to have your spouse accompany you.  I really doubt that they would let a non-platinum guest take the tour in your place, though.  Also, as others have mentioned, it's anybody's guess as to what will happen when cruising resumes.  One good sign is that the list of Latitudes Member Benefits still mentions the BTS tour for Platinum members.  Closed toed shoes are a requirement, of course, and I have seen guests turned away for wearing sandals.  The Cruise Next folks have a list of all Platinum passengers on board, so when you stop by their desk on embarkation day to sign up for the tour, they just check your name off the list.  In almost a dozen tours, the ID tag that they have given us to wear has never included our name, just "Behind The Scenes Tour" in bold letters.  Both the tour guide and a Security Officer have always kept a keen eye on the ID tags to make sure no interloper sneaks in with the crowd.  The comments about not being able to tour the Bridge reflect the stated policy, but there can be exceptions.  There were only about a dozen Platinum Plus Members on board one of NCL's megaships on a Transatlantic cruise a year ago.  P+ guests get to have diner with one of the officers and on this occasion the Captain was our dinner companion.  He was kind enough to invite us all to visit the Bridge the following day.  Strictly hush-hush, of course, as NCL's official policy does not allow it, but it can happen under the right circumstances.