Suite as a surprise

[Brandis]

I want to surprise my friend with a suite. He thinks we are booked in the lowest cat. on Prinsedam. If possible, I want to keep it a secret until we open the door of the suite... :-)

As for using the check-in line for suites, I already told him that we could use an express line as I cruised with HAL before, so he shouldn't become suspicious there.

Can anyone give me some informations about the check-in procedure? I was planning to put a little note on the tickets, saying that the suite is a surprise and if the check-in rep could keep it a secret as well. Do they need to give us a lot of informations about special suite perks etc.? I'm not sure if I could keep my friend busy during this so he doesn't notice... :-)

Marc

[Cruishappy@aol.com]

If I remember correctly the check-in for the suites only and the past passenger line are separate --- so you may have to come up with a better excuse than that ==== the suite lines are usually shorter --- also --- if my memory serves me correctly --- you are given somthing to wear -one of those sticky things ---- and you are then sent to the private lounge to wait for your suite to become ready ---- it would be a good idea for you to call HAL and check with them --- perhaps they will come up with a good plan for you ---- and good luck and enjoy your cruise ---

[Orcrone]

I haven't cruise with HAL before, but I'd guess that the suite check-in line is an amenity (shorter line) and not a requirement. So I'd just get in the regular line. Perhaps your idea of slipping a note in the docs so that the rep doesn't slip would work well.

I'm in a similar situation, though not as dramatic. DW thinks we have an inside room, but we have an outside instead. I'd like to keep it secret until we walk into the cabin. I know that DW will not know whether it's an inside or outside based on cabin number or category as I took care of the details. However, until your post, I didn't think that the check-in rep might say something about an outside.

Marc

PS I see you spell you name correctly.

[Brandis]

He hasn't cruised with HAL before and usually let's me handle all organisational stuff as far as vacations are concerned. So he probably won't realize that we are standing in the "wrong" line.

As our flight arrives rather late, we probably won't have to wait for the suite to be ready. I just have to find a good excuse to lure him up to the Sports deck where our cabin is located... :-)

Marc

[kruzkeen]

If you are sailing from a European port it should be easier at the pier as check in is not so structured as it is in FLL. The check in agent will probably not know it is a suite from the number of the stateroom. The only tip off might be if the card is gold colored instead of the usual blue. I have never cruised on the Prinsendam so do not know but others might.

When you board the ship decline the offer of being escorted to the suite as the person showing you to the suite might start telling you the advantages of a suite.

[Brandis]

Yes, we are sailing from Lisbon, it's the transatlantic voyage to Ft. Lauderdale.

I'll let you all know how it went... Only 20 more days... and counting.

Marc

[sail7seas]

I don't know if this has become universal to all HAL ships but our "S" ID card on Zuiderdam was a different color than non-Suite cards. He probably would not notice but be prepared with an answer if he does ask.


I don't know if all the ships are issuing a different color card.

You will be given gold stickers to place on your shirts to indicate you have priority boarding and to be recognized as being entitled to use Neptune Lounge initially upon boarding. If you will be arriving after cabins are already for occupancy, you can skip going to Neptune Lounge. You can skip it anyway, even it you get there early, by simply going up for lunch.

[Candy]

Here's how I did it:

Suite Surprise (http://home.g-net.net/%7Ecbrock/Zuiderdam2004Review.html)