Preordered Perks

I just received a letter in the mail with our priority embarkation luggage tickets for our upcoming cruise. There was also a letter enclosed that said we could call and preorder different things. Now I know about ordering certain kinds of pillows, but what other things would we call and suggest? Can you please help because this is our first time on NCL and I will have my 90 year old parents with me and want it all to go smoothly.

Is it possible to order lunch to be delivered for the first day?

They say in the letter something about snacks, but what does that mean?

Please let me know what can be preordered and what you would suggest. Thank you to all of you experienced NCL cruisers.

Be glad to help, however, need a little more info. If you could indicate what ship and what category of cabin you're in, that would help facilitate some of the information.

I would imagine they're referring to the standard amenities and gifts they list on their website - cakes, flowers, etc.

Found here:

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/gifts-and-more

We will be in an SC (I think, a two room family suite) on the Dawn to Bermuda.

The letter says that "as a suite guest you can make special requests and arrange a variety of services and amenities prior to sailing" I am just wondering what those might be?

The pre-cruise concierge desk can be hit or miss, most things we have tried to pre-order have not been accomplished before we boarded (as we board fairly early) but were easily done on board after embarkation. We have requested things like beer on ice in the suite upon embarkation (never been done, but easily done after biarding), extra pillows (sometimes done, sometimes not until we ask on board), stocked sodas (again, hit or miss), stuff like that. You can also request restaurant reservations or spa reservations, but these will need to be confirmed once onboard.

With the two bedroom suite, one thing you might ask for is a mattress topper for the second bedroom, to take some of the "bite" out of the sofa bed. Many her say it makes a difference - I have never slept on the sofa bed but my daughter and MIL have on different trips, and did fine without the topper. If you pre-order this, it won't be done until the bedroom is set up at turn down, so make sure you remind your steward or butler once you have boarded.

Having lunch delivered on embarkation day might be more hassle than it's worth, if it's even possible. The butlers are very busy on embarkation day escorting, setting up, fulfilling different requests, your suite probably won't be completely ready, and you often won't even meet your butler until late in the day, sometimes even the next day. Suite boarding procedure usually has your party escorted directly to the suite lunch venue (Cagney's on the Dawn) where you will enjoy a relaxing lunch while your suite is prepared. Generally, by the time you are done with lunch, your suite will be ready.

The snacks mentioned are your daily "treats" automatically delivered by the butler, usually in the late afternoon. They are usually pre-set snacks (canapés, cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries, etc) unless you request differently. This is something that easy to take care of on board, and you can order whatever you want (that's served onboard at that hour) delivered whenever you want it, so it's not a big deal.

Robin

The pre-cruise concierge desk can be hit or miss, most things we have tried to pre-order have not been accomplished before we boarded (as we board fairly early) but were easily done on board after embarkation. We have requested things like beer on ice in the suite upon embarkation (never been done, but easily done after biarding), extra pillows (sometimes done, sometimes not until we ask on board), stocked sodas (again, hit or miss), stuff like that. .

 

With the two bedroom suite, one thing you might ask for is a mattress topper for the second bedroom, to take some of the "bite" out of the sofa bed. Many her say it makes a difference - I have never slept on the sofa bed but my daughter and MIL have on different trips, and did fine without the topper. If you pre-order this, it won't be done until the bedroom is set up at turn down, so make sure you remind your steward or butler once you have boarded.

 

Having lunch delivered on embarkation day might be more hassle than it's worth, if it's even possible. The butlers are very busy on embarkation day escorting, setting up, fulfilling different requests, your suite probably won't be completely ready, and you often won't even meet your butler until late in the day, sometimes even the next day. Suite boarding procedure usually has your party escorted directly to the suite lunch venue (Cagney's on the Dawn) where you will enjoy a relaxing lunch while your suite is prepared. Generally, by the time you are done with lunch, your suite will be ready.

 

The snacks mentioned are your daily "treats" automatically delivered by the butler, usually in the late afternoon. They are usually pre-set snacks (canapés, cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries, etc) unless you request differently. This is something that easy to take care of on board, and you can order whatever you want (that's served onboard at that hour) delivered whenever you want it, so it's not a big deal.

 

Robin

Thank you Robin this was very helpful. Elizabeth

The letter says that "as a suite guest you can make special requests and arrange a variety of services and amenities prior to sailing" I am just wondering what those might be?

Ah, yes, the suite life would be much different, then. Sorry that my post was completely unhelpful!

Since you are travelling with older folk, if they have any kind of medical needs that can be dealt with ahead of time as well. For example, if a CPAP machine is required, NCL can provide distilled water. Also, on that note, if anyone does require such an appliance. you should also bring an extension cord because the Dawn is an older ship, the outlets may not be around the bed area and a cord would be required. Hope this helps!!

Since you are travelling with older folk, if they have any kind of medical needs that can be dealt with ahead of time as well. For example, if a CPAP machine is required, NCL can provide distilled water.

This is something that NCL's Access Desk team will handle for anyone regardless of their cabin category, not something that one would ask from the Pre-Cruise Concierge desk.

The day you board, your BEST option is to go to Cagneys for lunch. No extra charge. They do not do room service for that day since your room may not be ready yet.

The day you board, your BEST option is to go to Cagneys for lunch. No extra charge. They do not do room service for that day since your room may not be ready yet.

This sounds like a good plan, as I imagine everyone may be a bit done in after boarding. Does anyone have an idea of the menu?

Thanks for all of the above advise. My parents do not need anything special, just a little extra attention as they are in their 90's, but I am very blessed to be able to cruise with them. They are actually quite a bit of fun!

They are actually quite a bit of fun!

Sounds like! Anybody still cruising in their 90's would definitely be the top of my list to cruise with! I can just imagine the stories they could share (and I bet one or two of them may be a little on the "blue" side!:eek:)

And here you go for the menus:

http://www.beyondships.com/files/M_Cagney_breakfast.pdf

http://www.beyondships.com/files/M_Cagneys_lunch.pdf

Sounds like! Anybody still cruising in their 90's would definitely be the top of my list to cruise with! I can just imagine the stories they could share (and I bet one or two of them may be a little on the "blue" side!:eek:)

 

And here you go for the menus:

 

http://www.beyondships.com/files/M_Cagney_breakfast.pdf

http://www.beyondships.com/files/M_Cagneys_lunch.pdf

Tarps:

Thank you for the menus! I have been looking and looking.

And yes, they are absolutely very, "with it" and could tell a lot of great stories. My Dad was in the Royal Navy and my Mom continues to make quilts for children in need weekly, so you never know where the conversation may go.

This is something that NCL's Access Desk team will handle for anyone regardless of their cabin category, not something that one would ask from the Pre-Cruise Concierge desk.

Yes, Thank You! I should have been clearer in my post. I was just adding it as the OP was new to NCL and in case they needed the info. :)

[quote name=Toad;44182799

Thanks for all of the above advise. My parents do not need anything special' date=' just a little extra attention as they are in their 90's, but I am very blessed to be able to cruise with them. They are actually quite a bit of fun![/quote]

That's great! Have an awesome cruise!!! :)

Hi Toad, I have to agree with what was said about the Pre Concierge Desk it is rather hit and miss. Once you get on the ship everything you request is perfect but before hand not so much. I have tried twice with the pillows and requesting what type of sodas to have in the cabin neither time was it done but the pre-reservations for dinner I would do was always correct. So for our November cruise I am just going to set up the dining.

Once you are on board the Concierge will handle everything you want perfectly :)

I am on countdown and since the Luggage tags have arrived it makes it that much closer :D

Hi Toad, I have to agree with what was said about the Pre Concierge Desk it is rather hit and miss. Once you get on the ship everything you request is perfect but before hand not so much. I have tried twice with the pillows and requesting what type of sodas to have in the cabin neither time was it done but the pre-reservations for dinner I would do was always correct. So for our November cruise I am just going to set up the dining.

 

Once you are on board the Concierge will handle everything you want perfectly :)

I am on countdown and since the Luggage tags have arrived it makes it that much closer :D

Hi Laffnvegas: I often see you on the HAL board, which is where I have all of my cruising experience, so I am glad to see another HALITE on this board. Who knows, I may become an NCL convert!

Thank you for posting the cagneys menus. Does anyone know if they offer childrens choices? I have never traveled with little ones, and this time there will be 3 in my group.

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Thank you for posting the cagneys menus. Does anyone know if they offer childrens choices? I have never traveled with little ones, and this time there will be 3 in my group.

On dinner NCL has childrens' menus that are available for free in every restaurant, I'm pretty sure that they can whip up something similar also on lunch in Cagney's or Haven restaurant (depending on the ship).

One thing I have learned is that NCL wants you to be completely happy, so your Concierge and Butler, even your room steward, will go to any lengths to make your requests happen.

I asked for my mini-fridge to be empty upon my arrival, and it was. I requested special dietary items to be delivered daily, and they were.

My pillow requests were met, and I also requested an ashtray and a lounge chair be placed on my balcony, and they were there that afternoon.

Don't be disappointed if everything isn't in place when your first arrive in your room. Being in a suite, you will be among the first passengers to access your room. Anything you request, within reason of course, will be fulfilled!

Have a great time! The Dawn is a wonderful ship and the crew is amazing! Enjoy!

J

Hi Laffnvegas: I often see you on the HAL board, which is where I have all of my cruising experience, so I am glad to see another HALITE on this board. Who knows, I may become an NCL convert!

Toad there are several of us over here ;). Just seems like Lisa and I are more vocal about admitting that we prefer NCL to HAL for whatever reason.

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