NCL does it again......extremely irritated

[CruisnGram]

I was hoping that things would change on the Epic, but after doing some research, it seems that is not the case.

 

There are 7 Suite categories on the Epic. AC, SA, A7, A4, A6, A3, & A2. Every single one of them only accomodate 2 people until you get up to the A6 which is a Courtyard Villa. So yet again, NCL is offering no reasonably priced suites for people who are traveling with 3 people in a cabin. If you are a couple who travels with a parent, like we do, you're out of luck. Or if you are a young couple with a small child, no options unless you want to spend the cash to stay in a CV.

 

I love NCL but this really bugs the heck out of me. I know that's intentionally done that way to cut down on the amount of guests they need to offer suite perks to, but would it really be that big of a deal to put a sofa bed in a suite and allow up to 3 or 4 people in a Penthouse?

 

CG

[Partyatsea]

CG we have a similiar beef, we live in NY and have 2 small boys and would love to cruise on the Dawn again. Unfortunately the smallest room with a balcony that sleeps 4 is an AF and on the expensive side. Wish they had some regular balconies that slept 4 like most other NCL ships. Also neither the Dawn or the Epic have any aft rooms that sleep 4. 1 more thing while I'm rolling, are we the only ones that hate the itinerary pop window when it "says "map coming soon" on NCL.com?

[LOWTYD]

I was hoping that things would change on the Epic, but after doing some research, it seems that is not the case.

 

There are 7 Suite categories on the Epic. AC, SA, A7, A4, A6, A3, & A2. Every single one of them only accomodate 2 people until you get up to the A6 which is a Courtyard Villa. So yet again, NCL is offering no reasonably priced suites for people who are traveling with 3 people in a cabin. If you are a couple who travels with a parent, like we do, you're out of luck. Or if you are a young couple with a small child, no options unless you want to spend the cash to stay in a CV.

 

I love NCL but this really bugs the heck out of me. I know that's intentionally done that way to cut down on the amount of guests they need to offer suite perks to, but would it really be that big of a deal to put a sofa bed in a suite and allow up to 3 or 4 people in a Penthouse?

 

CG

Wow, I didnt realize that. That's nuts. maybe they are leaning towards couples only and this is the way of telling us........

[noreddye]

Completely agree with and understand the frustration. I don't understand why NCL does not realize that they need to have suite cabins (other than the expensive GV, CV and AB) that can accomodate 4 people in a room.

[LadyShiva]

How many of those suites have connecting doors?

[manny500]

How many of those suites have connecting doors?

 

 

This is why they do it, so that you book 2 instead of one. If you are looking at suites, it is very unlikely that you are going to want to stay in an inside quad- and compared to the CV, 2 suites is reasonable.

[*Wink*]

You'd think with the ship being so massive, they'd build ALL their suites to hold AT LEAST three!! That soooo blows, CG.. sorry you're disappointed.

 

Tell you what.. I'll share a cabin with your dad.. is he cute? LOL

[mpk218]

This is one of my biggest gripes , we have two kids and its so hard to get a dedcent suite. When they started the 2.0 nonsense they claimed they were going to add sofa beds to some of the suites . And now they build an entire ship with 2 pax max . NUTS

[CruisnGram]

How many of those suites have connecting doors?

 

This is why they do it, so that you book 2 instead of one. If you are looking at suites, it is very unlikely that you are going to want to stay in an inside quad- and compared to the CV, 2 suites is reasonable.

 

Exactly. So a family of 2 adults and 2 children are forced to book 2 suites with connecting doors or the CV. Either way, out of most families price range.

 

In our case, it's worse then that, and would be the same for a couple with one child. We travel with my dad..3 of us. So booking 2 suites, one would have to pay the single's supplement. Again, totally makes it unaffordable.

 

And, if you locate a suite that has a connecting door to a non suite room, or put the 3rd person across the hall in an inside, you still have the singles supplement plus they get no suite perks.

 

I understand why they do it, it all comes down to the dollar. But to me, it could be solved easily by not offering such heavy discounts on the 3rd and 4th person in a suite. Keep that rate higher...no $99 or other great price breaks you get when booking 3rd and 4th passengers now. That would make suite bookings more affordable for familes and NCL could still realize revenue from those 3rd and 4th persons.

CG

[Addictedtwo]

CG we have a similiar beef, we live in NY and have 2 small boys and would love to cruise on the Dawn again. Unfortunately the smallest room with a balcony that sleeps 4 is an AF and on the expensive side. Wish they had some regular balconies that slept 4 like most other NCL ships. Also neither the Dawn or the Epic have any aft rooms that sleep 4. 1 more thing while I'm rolling, are we the only ones that hate the itinerary pop window when it "says "map coming soon" on NCL.com?

 

Here is a solution for your 2 small boys. JUST KIDDING LOL

[CruisnGram]

Tell you what.. I'll share a cabin with your dad.. is he cute? LOL

 

Yeah, well I think he is! :) Of course, I'd give you the same warning as I gave on our Sky cruise back in January. He shared a cabin with my husbands mother and all of us kids put them on warning that we didn't want her to come back fromt that trip pregnant. You have to watch those 86 year olds! :D

 

CG

[Mooder]

You'd think with the ship being so massive, they'd build ALL their suites to hold AT LEAST three!! That soooo blows, CG.. sorry you're disappointed.

 

Tell you what.. I'll share a cabin with your dad.. is he cute? LOL

 

LOL. That's so cute! At my age, I don't care if he's cute. If he cruises, he's all I want in a man. :) So, CG, keep me in mind if MIL and Wink don't work out.

[big green]

i was hoping that things would change on the epic, but after doing some research, it seems that is not the case.

 

There are 7 suite categories on the epic. Ac, sa, a7, a4, a6, a3, & a2. Every single one of them only accomodate 2 people until you get up to the a6 which is a courtyard villa. So yet again, ncl is offering no reasonably priced suites for people who are traveling with 3 people in a cabin. If you are a couple who travels with a parent, like we do, you're out of luck. Or if you are a young couple with a small child, no options unless you want to spend the cash to stay in a cv.

 

I love ncl but this really bugs the heck out of me. I know that's intentionally done that way to cut down on the amount of guests they need to offer suite perks to, but would it really be that big of a deal to put a sofa bed in a suite and allow up to 3 or 4 people in a penthouse?

 

Cg

 

according to the ncl booking site the follwing suites accomodate 4 people a2 and a5--- the following accomodate 6 people a3 and a6.

 

They are expensive but your would get the third and fourth person price etc.

 

Also who said a suite should be reasonably priced????

Supply vs demand--few suites higher prices.

 

 

Big green

[CanadianTwosome]

Yeah, well I think he is! :) Of course, I'd give you the same warning as I gave on our Sky cruise back in January. He shared a cabin with my husbands mother and all of us kids put them on warning that we didn't want her to come back fromt that trip pregnant. You have to watch those 86 year olds! :D

 

CG

 

Ha ha ha That's so funny. My mom remarried when she was 75 (he was 77) and they were the 'younger' couple getting married that day at the church. :p

 

I think this sucks, Gram! I'm quite surprised that they don't offer even SOME of the lower category suites for three at least. I mean, I can see not wanting to put an unsightly pull down bed in an otherwise attractive suite, but a pull out couch? That's just crappy.

[LOWTYD]

LOL. That's so cute! At my age, I don't care if he's cute. If he cruises, he's all I want in a man. :) So, CG, keep me in mind if MIL and Wink don't work out.

 

Well, I was going to offer too, but now with the three of us and dad, what would be have to book to hold all 4? :)

 

Edit: Oh I see Big Green already answered this!

[Mooder]

Well, I was going to offer too, but now with the three of us and dad, what would be have to book to hold all 4? :)

 

Edit: Oh I see Big Green already answered this!

 

Dad will need a BIG suite for his harem. ;)

[LOWTYD]

Dad will need a BIG suite for his harem. ;)

 

 

The Ali Babba Suite!;)

[LadyShiva]

On Deck 13 (Aft), I also see a Penthouse suite (AC) that hooks up to a balcony (BA?).

 

Geez... Looking at these tiny deck plans makes my eyes cross... *wry grin*

 

ETA: It looks like a lot of decks have this set up of an aft AC paired with BA.

[cruisindonna]

My husband and I just returned from the Dawn to Bermuda. Had an AB Penthouse Suite. My 83 year old Aunt was with us and the separate bedroom with bath was perfect for her. Everyone had their privacy. We found out too late that the couch in the living area is pull out so we could have brough along another person for $99. Last year on the Gem the same suite had a regular couch. We had the cabin attendant add an egg crate and mattress pad to my aunt's bed so she would be comfortable. It's really a couch that is flattened out for sleeping. There is also a bunk in that room so you could have 3 children sleep there. Loved the suite. Got a great price from Casinos at Sea so it was definitely worth it.

[LadyShiva]

I need to take back my "a lot of decks"... it's just several. Sorry about that! :)

[challada]

Well, they are not building the private areas (villa pool, exercise room, private dining room) big enough for all the potential folks if they book full and all want to do the same thing at the same time, so it makes sense they are limiting the amount of bodies to rooms.

 

As a mom, I find it frustrating too......Disney had family cruising right and I thought everyone else was going to learn from them!

[terrymtex01]

CG.. I do agree with you.. and another thing that I honestly do not know if they have changed on the EPIC, but, last Oct we met the nicest couple from Canada who always travel with her (I believe it was her's not his) mother. They asked the hotel director at the M&G why there were no HC suites. I had never realized that before because we do not have a need for them and never looked to see if they had any. She told the HD that they would love to travel in suites, and they do on other cruise lines, but on NCL they could only book a mini HC, at least I believe that was true for the Pearl. Now I have done no research on this myself, just going by what she asked in the M&G and what the HD's response was, which to his knowledge NCL had no plans to make any suite HC.

[ROGER CT]

soooo true

I have family of five (5).

Not many ships left that have rooms for that many.( in one room)

The newer the ship the smaller the rooms it seems .

I don't think I should "have' to get a 'suite' everytime I cruise .

So we end up taking family or freinds and putting one kid in there room ( on paper)

[Ms belp]

Sorry, CG! That would be irritating if you wanted to sail on the Epic. Personally, I've never found anything remotely attractive about that ship. Not the design, not the decor. Now that they are talking about blue men and ice room and circus tents, I like it even less. I think it is geared towards someone younger than me. Heck, I'm not even young at heart anymore.

 

I have enjoyed the comments about your dad and his harem of willing travel partners.:)

[odblnt]

CG.. I do agree with you.. and another thing that I honestly do not know if they have changed on the EPIC, but, last Oct we met the nicest couple from Canada who always travel with her (I believe it was her's not his) mother. They asked the hotel director at the M&G why there were no HC suites. I had never realized that before because we do not have a need for them and never looked to see if they had any. She told the HD that they would love to travel in suites, and they do on other cruise lines, but on NCL they could only book a mini HC, at least I believe that was true for the Pearl. Now I have done no research on this myself, just going by what she asked in the M&G and what the HD's response was, which to his knowledge NCL had no plans to make any suite HC.

 

 

They actually do have two HC suites on the Pearl. They are both of the inner AE's on deck 9 (9172 & 9672). The problem is that they only hold 2 people (which gets back to the OP's gripe).