VIP Priority Plus

What??!!! Whiners on Cruise Critic get a policy changed in a couple of days by spouting vitriolic what-if's and maybe's with absolutely no observable facts ? Let's see, have there been any other policy changes recently that generated heated posts on Cruise Critic? Why so quick to react to this one without at least getting some data on how it works in practice?

 

For the record, please add me to the list of people who think this short-lived proposal was a very good idea, but sadly didn't realize that we had to be as vociferous in support as the whiners were in opposition.

 

I have to assume that some thought went into the development of the policy, including a review of underutilization of Cagney's. While I only have a snapshot view and not the multi-year, multi-ship data set that NCL would have, I never saw Cagney's crowded for breakfast or lunch, and in fact often saw it half full or less. Why not get a little extra income for this underutilized resource and at the same time do something nice for people who 1) could be persuaded to book Suites in the future or 2) missed the opportunity to book a suite on a particular cruise because they were sold out?

 

We were disappointed because on our current booking we were too late to grab a suite and had to settle for a mini. We got our hopes raised that we might at least be able to enjoy the calm of Cagney's B&L. Now disappointed twice.

 

After going through the trouble of putting this together, why not observe how it works for a period of time before pulling it? What a shame.

I suspect NCL cancelled it not b/c some traditional suite guests were whining, but rather because many were gleeful that they could now STOP paying up for suites! Think of the financial hit - we are spending much more than I care to admit to for an upcoming January cruise in a suite - I would have loved to have these perks and only pay for a balcony or mini-suite.

Quite the contrary, I was looking forward to saving a HUGE amount of money by booking a balcony on my next trip!

 

Cagney's breakfast/lunch and priority boarding/embark are the main reasons I book a suite on NCL. Would love to have saved the $ and booked a balcony.

As I posted earlier, another reason it was cancelled.

I'm still amazed at the number of people who still think that $99 was going to buy full suite perks. The cancelled program offered barely a taste of what you get in a suite. And the reality is that half of those perks could be purchased on your own. Thank you very much but I will buy my own bottle of wine, send myself some chocolate strawberries and purchase my own photo.

Maybe most people in high-end cabins don't subscribe to roll calls.

On our Dawn cruise this spring, I think there were about 7 or more suites on our cabin crawl.

Dear Cruise Critic Members,

As always, we appreciate your feedback and have listened to your concerns.

 

The VIP Priority Package is being discontinued and will be re-evaluated at a later time.

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Best,

Norwegian Cruise Line Public Relations

What? I was going to buy one on Breakaway on Sunday! Hey!!

Looks like we all just got trolled by NCL...

And to that poster I replied to above...looks like your source was right! :D

I'm still amazed at the number of people who still think that $99 was going to buy full suite perks. The cancelled program offered barely a taste of what you get in a suite.

This.

I suspect NCL cancelled it not b/c some traditional suite guests were whining, but rather because many were gleeful that they could now STOP paying up for suites! Think of the financial hit - we are spending much more than I care to admit to for an upcoming January cruise in a suite - I would have loved to have these perks and only pay for a balcony or mini-suite.

We're spending a heck of a lot more than I care to admit for our next couple of cruises...so i'm really hoping my wife dosesn't ask how much they are :confused:

I'm still amazed at the number of people who still think that $99 was going to buy full suite perks.

Could you please list the posts where somebody had stated that? For example I have said that the package would have included all the perks that are important to us when cruising in a suite (especially on older ships).

Okay,

Consider me uninformed but I have never made it past Hot on NCL. I think I spend a lot of time in the casino but since I mainly play video poker I know I don't rack up the points as quickly.

That being said, I was hoping to make Golden on my 11/9 cruise. I have another cruise at Thanksgiving so I would have my Golden status there.

I admit my ignorance that I did not realize that Cagneys for breakfast and lunch were included as Golden perks. Guess I never expected to make it there.

Anyway, exactly what perks were taken away from Golden and VIP as I cannot see them now? Want to know what I am missing, lol.

I tried the search but just keep coming up with the current perks.

Kudos to NCL for this. I think that besides upsetting suite cruisers, there were too many unknown about how the addition of 40 VIP customers was going to affect the overall VIP experience of those who paid a premium to be VIP.

 

NCL - The idea is great from a business point of view and also to expose other cruisers to the VIP experience. However, it has to be done in a way that does not diminish the VIP experience for others. We pay more to enjoy the suite life because we love the perks.

Methinks someone paying a price to be important isn't . . . :rolleyes:

Ahh hahaha Take that steerage ....:p

 

 

Just kidding ;)

 

 

Looks like CAS will be taken care of , which is a good thing .. ;)

 

 

Ok whats next ?

Those of us in steerage will be rowing much slower . . . You sweeties enjoy your hour at the Dockyard. :p

Methinks someone paying a price to be important isn't . . . :rolleyes:

Where you get the idea that people book suites to "be important" is beyond me...and certainly the post you quoted doesn't even remotely say that.

Could you please list the posts where somebody had stated that? For example I have said that the package would have included all the perks that are important to us when cruising in a suite (especially on older ships).

Don't hold your breath waiting for a response...;)

Those of us in steerage will be rowing much slower . . . You sweeties enjoy your hour at the Dockyard. :p

Slower I can handle ... Its when you all get tired and start banging the side of the ship with the Oars.. Its such an annoyance... please pass it along :D

Methinks someone paying a price to be important isn't . . . :rolleyes:

How very true. It certainly does not apply to everyone, but there are a number of people who sincerely believe that they can buy "importance".

VIP status and the perks that come with it are given. Suite guests buy their ammenities. I've run across a number of people who don't understand the difference.

Its so sad when those that do not wish to pony up , Find it necessary to explain why they should have the same amenities as those that do . Its not a class issue , its spend it where you like issue..

When NCL offers a coupon , shouldn't we all get a taste ;)

I suspect NCL cancelled it not b/c some traditional suite guests were whining, but rather because many were gleeful that they could now STOP paying up for suites! Think of the financial hit - we are spending much more than I care to admit to for an upcoming January cruise in a suite - I would have loved to have these perks and only pay for a balcony or mini-suite.

Do you think NCL will sail with empty suites? There will always be someone willing to pay a hefty price for those cabins. For the most part no one knew about this "perk" until this thread....not all cruisers are on cruise critic either. With this program only 40 additional people could pay for this so there isn't even a guarantee that if you booked a lower catergory cabin you could get it.

Ok, I have read through this thread and still don't quite understand the problem.

The people who want a suite on a cruise put the $$$ up to get ALL of the perks that are included. They should as they have paid for it!

The $99 program was offering a few extras to other passengers ( only 40 on each cruise from what I have read here) that did not appear to be even remotely near the perks that a suite passenger gets (and again certainly they pay for).

IMO is like the airlines; when you buy Economy Comfort you get a bit more room and maybe earlier boarding but certainly not even close to what you would get if you booked First Class.

I understand that now NCL has cancelled this program but it seemed there was a lot of speculation (and it appeared a bit of arrogance) on what could possibly happen.

Again, IMO I don't think NCL would lessen the suite perks people paid for; so what is this really about?

My second question which is really rhetorical so no answers needed; there are some of us who spend much more because we cruise many times a year and spend probably more $$$ than a suite person on one cruise. No perks for us even though we have spent the same $$$$.

.......discuss.......:)

 

VIP status and the perks that come with it are given. Suite guests buy their ammenities. I've run across a number of people who don't understand the difference.

Call them given, call them perks, call them whatever you want....speaking for myself, I buy the whole suite package as advertised, which includes the stateroom, the bathtub, the soap, the butler, Cagneys, etc etc.

In any case, you are splitting hairs and I'm not sure you understand the difference...because there really isn't one. Let's use Wikipedia...

Amenity, n. In real property and lodging, amenities are any tangible or intangible benefits of a property, especially those that increase its attractiveness or value or that ...

How very true. It certainly does not apply to everyone, but there are a number of people who sincerely believe that they can buy "importance".

 

 

VIP status and the perks that come with it are given. Suite guests buy their ammenities. I've run across a number of people who don't understand the difference.

Don't kid yourself, those that get VIP status from CAS are paying a whole lot for those perks and that status. They didn't get to Golden tier without spending a lot in the casino.

What I don't understand is why those CAS VIP's are not in a suite. I booked through CAS and my aft penthouse for 11 days is under $800 and I don't gamble as much as those that are Golden - a suite for them should be free.

I was in Cagney's once and a couple asked from across another table what suite I was in. I gave them a blank stare as I chewed on my steak and swallowed some eggs benedict. After a swish of fresh squeezed orange juice I looked them square in the eyes and said, "Jeg forstår ikke deg ... hva er det du spør meg ... la meg være alene for jeg er kapteinens datter!"

coka

I was in Cagney's once and a couple asked from across another table what suite I was in. I gave them a blank stare as I chewed on my steak and swallowed some eggs benedict. After a swish of fresh squeezed orange juice I looked them square in the eyes and said, "Jeg forstår ikke deg ... hva er det du spør meg ... la meg være alene for jeg er kapteinens datter!"

 

coka

Jeg har hørt denne historien før .

I haven't seen the release by NCL saying the 99VIP was discontinued but wonder if they will now reinstate giving it to a few for whatever reason.

We were cruising in a mini suite last year and didn't know that we had been given VIP status until later the first day. We did eat at Cagney's for breakfast a few times and lunch one day and it was very nice. And very empty which surprised us. We also went to the captain's party in the Haven and enjoyed getting a peak at what the other side was enjoying.

We enjoyed the special treatment and went back to our mini each day knowing we weren't really getting the full suite life, just happy to get a taste of it.

I doubt we will ever have a suite since our budget is limited but we're happy to be cruising and aren't going to let all the negative comments about being less deserving bother us. Hopefully all the suite dwellers can relax and go back to enjoying their perks now.

Med mindre du er faktisk kapteinens datter , da du ikke har vært sannferdig, ;)