So much for club balcony suite Perks!!!

[Topdog52]

I tried to book 125 days out for a cruise out of NOLA and was told I can not book anything until the day before the cruise because of the Virus.                                                                                    I can understand this but I also told them that they are still selling the more expensive Balcony Suites anyways without saying anything about it.                                                                                 They should let people know before they purchase the more expensive rooms and I told them that this was not right. Their answer to me was                                                                                     that they were sorry I felt this way. Has anyone else tried to book 125 days out with this Perk? 

[All-ready2cruise]

The only cruise I saw from NOLA was BA which still has cruises listed for Dec/Jan with the latest Jan. 3 2021.  I was able to do a mock booking with no problems at all.  

It did give me a pop-up: "There are a few changes to this date's itinerary. Please review the new route before you continue with your booking." however, once I clicked on continue it went through no problem. 

 

Which perks are you referring to with the club balcony suite? 

 

Is this what you're talking about? 

 

Cruisers who book the Club Balcony Suites will get one laundry bag or pressing service, one bottle of sparkling wine, the delivery of a food and beverage amenity twice per sailing, and the ability to pre-book onboard entertainment and dining beginning 125 days prior to sailing. 

 

Edited September 8, 2020 by All-ready2cruise

[Topdog52]

It is in my post. 125 days out Perk which is a 5 day jump on everyone else for booking below Club Balcony Suites. What gets me is when I told them that they are selling the club suite which is more expensive than a balcony suite they are still promoting the extra 5 days early booking of meals and shows. I let them know and they just didn't care.   

[All-ready2cruise]

Sorry, i just updated my post. 

 

Have a good day. 

[oteixeira]

I cant even do the 125 day from a Haven reservation, right now it just lets me pick embarkation day, so it is useless.  Figured I would just check back in 5 days since the ship will not be 100% full, but do think this is odd (normally works fine at 125 days).

[All-ready2cruise]

I think they probably want to wait until the cruise is go before allowing pax to book their reservations for meal and shows.  At this point, it's still up in the air.  

Nothing to get upset about IMO.  

 

Enjoy the anticipation, at least you have a cruise booked. 

[oteixeira]

Being Haven I called the Concierge desk.  She was told due to the shutdown they did not have people populating the dates and reservations times.  She assured me that in 2-3 days they should all be there, and to just check back.  I am not sure if this helps you but I was told if they are not there to call at day 120 as normal cabins actually cannot book until 119, so you can still get in before them.  I still think the ship will be empty enough that this hopefully won't be an issue, but we will see.

[Topdog52]

That was my next step but I could of just booked a balcony room and saved $700 if I can not book early. They are still sucking up money on this perk and leading people on.  

[oteixeira]

13 minutes ago, Topdog52 said:

That was my next step but I could of just booked a balcony room and saved $700 if I can not book early. They are still sucking up money on this perk and leading people on.  

While I understand your frustration it is not just a balcony room with extra perks.  The bathroom alone is worth a few hundred in my opinion, once you have a shower with the full body jet system you wont want to go back to the normal balcony shower.  Also, as I said, they gave us an option to call in before others can book, so you are still getting the perks, they are not leading people on.

[Topdog52]

Thank You and I hope you are correct because her is the conversation I had with them yesterday as They are saying January 9th.  I hope you are right and I will catch you on day 120!!!     

 

 Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:38:30 AM): Hello XXXX
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:38:40 AM): Thank You for using Norwegian Cruise Line Chat. How can I help you?
XXXX(9/7/2020, 10:41:01 AM): I am sailing on the NCL Breakaway Jan. 10 2021. I have a club balcony suite and this is what I read about it. The site is telling me to come back 120 days out.                                                                                                                                                                           "Now, these staterooms do come with a few added perks which could make them even more appealing. One major benefit? The ability to pre-book onboard entertaining and dining beginning at 125 days prior to sailing."
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:41:44 AM): I am more than happy to assist you.
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:42:06 AM): That is correct.
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:42:55 AM): However all dining and entertainment is on a stop sell till January 9th.
XXXX(9/7/2020, 10:44:51 AM): I am leaving on the January 10th. I book the club balcony suite for this very reason and it cost me more than a balcony suite. The to suites are the same except for this Perk.
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:47:23 AM): Unfortunately, due to covid-19 we have changed our policy for the time being.
XXXX(9/7/2020, 10:49:18 AM): You changed your policy but are still selling the expensive suite without letting people know about the change. That is not right.
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:50:00 AM): I am sorry you feel that way.
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:50:18 AM): Is there anything else I can assist you with?
XXXX (9/7/2020, 10:50:53 AM): Well let me get on social media and see if anyone else has heard about the change. Have a good day.
Zakiyyah (9/7/2020, 10:51:44 AM): Thank you for chatting with Norwegian Cruise Line, have a great day! 

[oteixeira]

That seems wrong, I would have asked for a manager.  Sorry that they told you that, or at least explained it quite poorly (could have been the same message I got).

[complawyer]

just remember that these "club suites" are merely renamed mini-suites with the couple extras thrown in.  bagof laundry might run $20 , and you get goodies a coupe of times.

 

while not looking a gift horse in the mouth, it really is much ado about nothing. if i were going to book a club suite (which i believe is a total misnomer) it's because of the size of the cabin, and not for any other reason trust me-- a suite it ain't

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, oteixeira said:

That seems wrong, I would have asked for a manager.  Sorry that they told you that, or at least explained it quite poorly (could have been the same message I got).

So, a manager would just waste another 60 minutes of your time and not change anything. The call center agents and management have zero control over what the system allows them to do. If bookings are not being taken, they are not being taken. Jumping up and down and yelling won't change that. There are a lot of cruises (even before COVID) where restaurant reservations were slow to open. Sometimes, calling NCL would get you a reservation that the online system would not allow. In the case of the OP, the call center said "no can book",,, which seems plenty clear. 

[Topdog52]

Trust me number one I don't care about the size of the room because I am never in it. Just give me back my $700 dollars that it cost me to not be able to book early and I will be fine. Also they are still selling the expensive rooms and pushing the 125 day booking early Perk.  You may like people lying and taking your money but it bothers me. If I can't book early give me back the extra money and everything will be fine.

 

[MoCruiseFan]

8 hours ago, Topdog52 said:

That was my next step but I could of just booked a balcony room and saved $700 if I can not book early. They are still sucking up money on this perk and leading people on.  

Yes you could HAVE done that.  You seriously paid an extra 700 pp simply to reserve dining a little early, REALLY?

[adam_s_allen]

5 hours ago, Topdog52 said:

Trust me number one I don't care about the size of the room because I am never in it. Just give me back my $700 dollars that it cost me to not be able to book early and I will be fine. Also they are still selling the expensive rooms and pushing the 125 day booking early Perk.  You may like people lying and taking your money but it bothers me. If I can't book early give me back the extra money and everything will be fine.

 

You should still be able to cancel for full refund right now.

[Topdog52]

Yes I know but I will lose 20% discount and all my free at sea. I guess what bothers me is NCL is still selling the club balconey suite with the perk of booking early knowing they are not going to let that happen. Sort of when they were selling Canadian excursions knowing the cruise was cancelled.  

[Topdog52]

6 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

Yes you could HAVE done that.  You seriously paid an extra 700 pp simply to reserve dining a little early, REALLY?

Dining and shows. It helps a lot getting a good time for dinner when coming back from an excursion so you can make the early show. To each his own as I posted my discussion above with NCL they are putting a hold on it until the day before the cruise.

[oteixeira]

@Topdog52 I am just off the phone with a Haven manager.  All cruises through mid-January have pre-booking shut down at this time.  They said an email will go out if they open up but to expect to make the reservations on line.  When I said I better not loose my spots that the Haven affords me, it was explained that it should not be an issue since no one is pre-booking.  Seems odd, and I don't love that I know need to run to the concierge desk as soon as I get onboard, but I promised you an update....and this is the best I have.

[complawyer]

i dont see what all your fuss is about. after taking over 18 cruises on an ncl ship in mid-ship mini suites, penthouse suites and haven suites, the only time i had any trouble getting into one of the separate dining rooms was teppanyaki, other wise i just call down the morning that i want dinner at whatever  restaurant i want that evening and make a reservation. they dont have anything i particularly want to eat, or a show i feel I must see, to rush to pre-book 120 days out.

 

by the way, since you claim to be in a haven suite, the 1st day on board you dont have to "rush" to the concierge, you will be taken on board prior to most of the other passengers, and escorted to the haven restaurant or cagney's or moderno's for your separate lunch. at that time you can introduce yourself to the concierge and discuss your coming needs with him/her.

 

(giving them the old "VEGAS HANDSHAKE" wont hurt either.) I usually flip him a $50

 

whatever, you are on board to have a great time, please dont sweat the small stuff like when/where to eat dinner  or to get to a show. while i would prefer not to, if i had to eat at Cagney's 3-4 times during my cruise, i think i could muddle through.

 

finally, they are a little bigger, but the "club suites" are just renamed mini-suites. the size of the cabin hasnt changed, and i dont believe the new added perks would justify the extra costs. i would book the club suite because of the extra room and for no other reason.

 

since you're in a haven, isnt the club suite irrelevant?

[oteixeira]

57 minutes ago, complawyer said:

i dont see what all your fuss is about. after taking over 18 cruises on an ncl ship in mid-ship mini suites, penthouse suites and haven suites, the only time i had any trouble getting into one of the separate dining rooms was teppanyaki, other wise i just call down the morning that i want dinner at whatever  restaurant i want that evening and make a reservation. they dont have anything i particularly want to eat, or a show i feel I must see, to rush to pre-book 120 days out.

 

by the way, since you claim to be in a haven suite, the 1st day on board you dont have to "rush" to the concierge, you will be taken on board prior to most of the other passengers, and escorted to the haven restaurant or cagney's or moderno's for your separate lunch. at that time you can introduce yourself to the concierge and discuss your coming needs with him/her.

 

(giving them the old "VEGAS HANDSHAKE" wont hurt either.) I usually flip him a $50

 

whatever, you are on board to have a great time, please dont sweat the small stuff like when/where to eat dinner  or to get to a show. while i would prefer not to, if i had to eat at Cagney's 3-4 times during my cruise, i think i could muddle through.

 

finally, they are a little bigger, but the "club suites" are just renamed mini-suites. the size of the cabin hasnt changed, and i dont believe the new added perks would justify the extra costs. i would book the club suite because of the extra room and for no other reason.

 

since you're in a haven, isnt the club suite irrelevant?

Are you saying I am not in the haven?  I get they take us to the lounge, but you don't have to go to the concierge desk, and my wife and I normally go upstairs and straight to the restaurant after the first drink at the bar.  I will be happy to show you my past history or future reservations in screen shots.  I have no idea why people have to question things like if I am lying about booking into the Haven.  

Also, on my last cruise, in the Haven (and yes I can prove it) I called in the am to get a reservation to Cagney's.  It was fully booked.  They called me a few hours later to say they could squeeze me in at 9:30P.  No thanks, that is why I prebook my UDP meals.  Before you ask I pre-tipped my butler, the bartender, and the room steward, but not the Concierge as I hardly use them...maybe that is why I didn't get a better time.

Since I am in the Haven, the club suite is irrelevant TO ME.  The OP was in club, and I was trying to help them since I have access to the Haven number to ask these questions where they might not be able to get good answers.  I have been in mini-suites before and I too would only book because of the bathroom (it's nicer) and the bonus balconies on 8 forward, the perks don't add much.  I doubt I would ever go back now that I have been in the Haven though.

Edited September 11, 2020 by oteixeira

[complawyer]

so sorry, you either misread or misinterpreted by post.  i understood your post about being booked in a haven suite.i was merely trying to point out that there should be no rush to book a restaurant or show reservation that far out, and that there is usually not a problem getting a dinner reservation. (perhaps i misunderstood your post, it's quite possible)!

 

again, i am sorry for any misunderstanding, and sincerely hope you and your wife wife have a wonderful and happy cruise.

 

bon voyage, and when you get to the lounge, by all means, have a glass of champagne on me.

[Topdog52]

15 hours ago, oteixeira said:

@Topdog52 I am just off the phone with a Haven manager.  All cruises through mid-January have pre-booking shut down at this time.  They said an email will go out if they open up but to expect to make the reservations on line.  When I said I better not loose my spots that the Haven affords me, it was explained that it should not be an issue since no one is pre-booking.  Seems odd, and I don't love that I know need to run to the concierge desk as soon as I get onboard, but I promised you an update....and this is the best I have.

Thank You!! Yes I agree who wants to run concierge desk as soon as you get on the boat. As stated you may get a time in a restaurant but who wants to eat at 9:30 at night. That is why people pay more for the Club Balcony Suites and the Haven. But they keep advertising this perk knowing that you can not use it just to suck in some extra money. 

[njkate]

On 9/9/2020 at 12:48 AM, MoCruiseFan said:

Yes you could HAVE done that.  You seriously paid an extra 700 pp simply to reserve dining a little early, REALLY?

My thoughts exactly! No way I'd be shelling out $700 just to be able to book a few days early

[Jim The Lizard]

The reason they are not booking restaurant and entertainment reservations is many of the dining options will be impacted by social distancing and less people allowed in an area.   So, do you want to cruise again as quickly as possible or do you want these cruise line employees to be fortune tellers and mediums who can predict future restrictions and policy, and then piss of everyone again when even those policies change?!?!?  My God.....I workout at a gym but the place isn’t charging me less even though I have to wear a mask, use every other piece of equipment, and now have much more limited hours to access the gym!   Life has changed.  

Edited September 15, 2020 by Jim The Lizard