WillCruiseForMoney

There is a video done by Danny Harr that explains and shows the 3 configurations. If you search for "H5 The Haven Owner’s Suite with Master Bedroom" on You Tube you will find thm for the Prima and the Viva.

I will add this description to that code in the master list 😁

A few years ago, we used to book directly with the cruise line. Then we tried a big box TA, which was very impersonal. Then tried one of the cruise bid sites and were fortunate enough to find our current small travel agent (franchise of a large cruise agency) We have continued to use the same Travel Agent for the last several years. Pros: They provide refundable OBC or send a check at the end of the cruise (my choice), 5-10% of the cruise price. They often have deals that pay for gratuities and/or provide other extras (water, special dining, etc.) Sometimes have deals that offer additional non-refundable OBC. They have a relationship with American Express that gives me $100-$300 non-refundable OBC with every cruise along with a free meal for 2 at LeBistro (or equivalent restaurant) when I use my AMEX Platinum card. Benefits are different on non-NCL bookings. Personalized service - they know what I like, which makes my contact with them quick and easy. They almost always answer the phone in person, if not I get a call back within minutes, even if I do not leave a message. They do not add any fees for changes or cancelations. They will contact the cruise line for any issues that need resolution and fight for me if needed. All credit card charges are posted direct to the cruise line, they do not transact and hold. Cons (not many): They are only open M-F during business hours. If there is a price drop on a weekend, or a cruise with a room that I really want opens up I have to wait until Monday, so could miss an opportunity - although in theory I could book directly with NCL and transfer. For most issues that could arise with a booking I do not have the option of contacting NCL direct We cruise quite a bit, often in suites, so we have saved thousands of dollars by using a travel agent. As others have stated, ask other cruises for recommendations, and talk with a potential travel agency about practices, policies, and discounts before choosing them.

Mock booking on NCL for a club suite comes to $2,942.80 which is less than what the OP claimed to have paid. NCL does not allow "upgrades" to rooms that have a lower cost. Apparently they "offered" the upgrade for $800.

Once you click into the details, normal price returns.

Interesting, I have been seeing this on some cruises today - I am guessing another system glitch. Probably not supposed to see these fares.

The extra benefit has always shown as "Exclusive amenities unique to each cruise line, such as premium wine or assorted canapes". For NCL it is dining at a French restaurant. Varies for other lines, Oceania was a bottle of wine (good quality). Have had it for every cruise that was eligible. Sometimes it cannot be combined with other benefits. We have had free onboard gratuities that excluded the AMEX Platinum cruise benefit.

When you get your eDocs, look at the section "onboard amenities" and you should see a line like this:

Have cruised on the Pride of America 4 times, in 2009, 2017, 2019, and 2022 and had great service and staff experiences all 4 times. In 2022 a couple of the Specialty restaurants were not open due to dining staff shortages, but did not seem to impact service in any restauants that were open. If not for the high cost would happily crusie POA every year. Have had good to excellant service on every NCL cruise we have been on. For contrast, we have tried Princess a couple of times and found staff and service to be underwhelming.

Click on the arrow next to your user name - Right side of the screen near the top Click on account settings Click on signature Make changes in box and hit save

We also use the Pre Concierge for all of our Suite/Haven bookings. About 90% of our requests have been handled by the time we arrive in our room. We also engage with the butler as soon as we meet them and let them know our likes/dislikes.

@seemoreroyals if you look at the tier benefits for Latitudes rewards it states which benefits are per stateroom. https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program When it comes to the laundry benefits, you do not need the coupon, just write your Latitudes level, i.e. "Platinum" on the laundry bag form. In addition you usually get additional free laundry for long cruises. Basically one per week for each member. 2 per member for 14+ day cruises, and 3 per member for cruises of 20+ days, although this should be verified with the ship's CruiseNext team onboard.

The price difference is related to dates of the cruises. August is the end of peak season for the Caribbean. Many kids do not go back to school before labor day. If cost is your priority do RCCL.

We will be on the Jade next month for 11 days, so looking froward to your updates.

My guess is that you will end up with a couple of extras as a result of the agency affiliation, Could be anything from bottles of water, strawberries, specialty meals, or even free gratuities. Please let us know once you get your edocs.

@StarfishCruiser have seen VIP codes for 2 different things. Recently as a special package of benefits from a Travel Agency. In the past NCL also used it for Latitudes sales. Did you book via a Travel Agency?

@Broons77 hmm, a little strange, as DINMEAL is usually not included if you have ALL4CHO. But you will be fine as an extra code won't hurt.

Not sure why both codes are showing, but as long as you have FASUDP you will have the standard FAS meals (1-3 depending on cruise length and stateroom type) plus the two extra's you purchased. If you want to post the full list of codes, it may help a bit.

I have checked in for my next cruise at the Internet Cafe on board. Could not upload a picture but was able to do the rest.

No charge in suites, just contact your butler, or when you call in your order to room service let them know you are in a suite and they will have your butler deliver.

Have cruised POA in a suite 4 times and have not noticed any difference in quality of service from the butlers vs other NCL ships. The only limitation we ever experienced was regarding not delivering breakfast or lunch from Cagney's. The 2 best butlers we have ever had were on the POA.

They are NCL codes that reflect what (often extra benefits or perks) is included with the booking.

@Sthrngary, nice write-up. Took me a while to read such a long document, but appreciate all the work you put into it. Thank you for this well written and very helpful document. I have Cruised in the NCL Haven several times and was in a Penthouse suite on the Riviera early this year. Most of my experiences were similar to yours. The one that was different was with the butler. You talk about the elevated butler experience, and how they do much more for their guests on Oceania. That was not our experience. Our butler did do a nice job, but in general was no better or different than our NCL suite experience. Example 1 - Asked about additional dining at specialty restaurants and were referred to the concierge. Example 2 - Asked about snacks other than what was on the standard form and were told that they only bring items on the standard from. Our butler was nice, polite, and personable, but no different than our NCL experience. Perhaps being in a Vista Suite vs. Penthouse elevates the interaction a bit. On NCL we have had more attenitive butlers in Owners suites vs standard suites. We did have a positive Ocenaia experience, so will sail on them in the future, in fact we will be sailing on the Oceania Vista in March 2024.

It seems to still exist, may not be classified correctly - perhaps a moderator could correct it.

@Candy Apple 12 As you mentioned in your post guest #3 can change it on board at guest services