Platinum cruisers demands on the Concierge

[DMH15]

I do not use the concierge much...I suspect that may be the case for many Platinums. still, if there are routes with consistently large numbers of Platinums desiring concierge service, NCL can add an assistant...it would be a good way to train future concierges and, if the Platinums value the service, it continues to build loyalty. depending upon utilization, the assistant concierge can also be assigned other duties, so the cost to NCL to add an assitiant should not be too great.

 

I agree with you. Many, ok most, hotels have a concierge in the lobby. They are there available. That does not mean most use their services. In fact on my last NYC stay in a 2 room suite at the Waldorf we only used the concierge once and tipped at the time.

 

I have read here on CC of folks who have not been in suites using the concierge so I am making a guess that in the past any professional concierge would never deny an opportunity to assist a guest, especially with something simple.

 

In some ways I equate the packing/unpacking perk with concierge. Maybe it is available... But how many actually use it?

[time2cruise1]

In some ways I equate the packing/unpacking perk with concierge. Maybe it is available... But how many actually use it?

 

That is a perk associated with the butler not the concierge. General rule butlers do thinks and concierges arrange things. Not a perk I would ever use. I would spend the whole cruise trying to find things :D.

[smeyer418]

the worst concierges are on Celebrity. I was in a concierge suite. They never introduced themselves, they didn't send a note, and the one time I went to the concierge desk to get a daily program, they wouldn't get it for me.

Obviously I tipped what they deserved...

BTW my room key showed that I was a CC level passenger.

[Budget Queen]

I just cruised NCL again 3 weeks ago, and have been platinum for many years. Platinum is nothing special now, easy to get and plenty of people have it.

 

Several years ago, I was frequently the only platinum on the ship. I also had a lot of dinners with cpts. Those days are LONG gone. It is nothing to have 50+++ on a sailing. I wish they'd up a level, like RCI (I will be diamond plus this year, Diamond, used to be "special" too, but the perks have cut down and diamond isn't anything much anymore either).

 

Cruising is popular. I now cruise 4-6 times/year and am just back from cruise 74. :)

[time2cruise1]

I just cruised NCL again 3 weeks ago, and have been platinum for many years. Platinum is nothing special now, easy to get and plenty of people have it.

 

Several years ago, I was frequently the only platinum on the ship. I also had a lot of dinners with cpts. Those days are LONG gone. It is nothing to have 50+++ on a sailing. I wish they'd up a level, like RCI (I will be diamond plus this year, Diamond, used to be "special" too, but the perks have cut down and diamond isn't anything much anymore either).

 

Cruising is popular. I now cruise 4-6 times/year and am just back from cruise 74. :)

 

Did you get your 250 point milestone reward yet. Wasn't that special :rolleyes:

[Starry Eyes]

the worst concierges are on Celebrity. I was in a concierge suite. They never introduced themselves, they didn't send a note, and the one time I went to the concierge desk to get a daily program, they wouldn't get it for me.

Obviously I tipped what they deserved...

BTW my room key showed that I was a CC level passenger.

FWIW, CC (concierge class) is just a name for a glorified balcony on X...there are loads of CC passengers, and they do not get special concierge service...just a silly name for a decent cabin. I'm surprised you even found a concierge on a X ship...I did not see one even when in a full suite...Of course, as mentioned above, I feel little need for a concierge, soI did not seek one out.

[familyof4cruising]

This is a perk that has to crash and burn. As the number of Platinum guests explodes with the new point plan providing any services to them will be imposible. As posted there were 188 Platinum guests on the Gem one cruise last month. If each averaged 1 min of concierge time per day that would add 3 hours to the work load daily.

 

I have talked with two different concierges about the pending disaster. What both plan to do is make sure the care for the penthouse guests that paid for their services first. Do what they can for the Platium guests. Over time for this perk to survive NCL will have to add headcount to handle just the Platinum guests and back up the concierge.

 

Sorry about the rant but I feel very strongly about this and sincerely feel for the concierges and dissappionted Platinum guest.

 

I just posted on one of my roll calls about this. I agree 110% with you.

 

I can not imagine how a concierge will be able to handle this. My other concern is when there are a lot of Platinums how do they get every one into Le bistro? This new points system is just getting everyone closer to platinum much quicker. I was at Platinum before the new point system. I think NCL really has to reevalute and I am concerned I will be losing the perks I really do enjoy.

[Spoiled Suite Brats]

Did you get your 250 point milestone reward yet. Wasn't that special :rolleyes:

What was it? Not that far up yet but from your post I guess I don't need to get too excited waiting to get it.

 

To me the new system is horrible as we always book suites so everything that is on all levels we already get because these perks come with being in a suite except for three perks. The only extra perks that are not included in the suite perks come in at the platinum level are: Complimentary Dinner for Two at Le Bistro with a Bottle of WineComplimentary, "Behind the Scenes" Ship Tour Complimentary and Laundry Service

I was curious to see if the perk of priority tender for suites would be affected at GSC if there were lots of plats who now have this perk. Unfortunately didn't get to find out as the captain decided it wouldn't be safe to go ashore last week due to weather conditions.

 

Also on top of not really benefitting much other than the 3 perks listed above they took away the $150 OBC for graduating to the next level. We would have been getting this for our next cruise and now nadda!:mad: To me we lost a lot and gained very little. Any suite cruisers agree?

[Aladdin1968]

What was it? Not that far up yet but from your post I guess I don't need to get too excited waiting to get it.

 

To me the new system is horrible as we always book suites so everything that is on all levels we already get because these perks come with being in a suite except for three perks. The only extra perks that are not included in the suite perks come in at the platinum level are: Complimentary Dinner for Two at Le Bistro with a Bottle of WineComplimentary, "Behind the Scenes" Ship Tour Complimentary and Laundry Service

I was curious to see if the perk of priority tender for suites would be affected at GSC if there were lots of plats who now have this perk. Unfortunately didn't get to find out as the captain decided it wouldn't be safe to go ashore last week due to weather conditions.

 

Also on top of not really benefitting much other than the 3 perks listed above they took away the $150 OBC for graduating to the next level. We would have been getting this for our next cruise and now nadda!:mad: To me we lost a lot and gained very little. Any suite cruisers agree?

 

Horrible? No.

 

Is it you do not want others to benefit or do you just want to get more than others get, maybe even in general?

 

By the way, I am pretty sure we had complimentary dinners with wine as a suite perk and not as a platinum perk. I guess it depends what suite you are in. :rolleyes:

 

But hey, you still have the free tour and the free laundry!

[familyof4cruising]

I do not think the free dinner and wine at Le Bistro and free laundry was ever a suite perk. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

I like that NCL gives these perks to Platinum guest. This is something that RCCL doesn't give. The only two perks that I think are worth it as Platinum. RCCL's free cocktail hour for 3 hours every night and coupon book ( free photos...) is their only great perk they offer.

 

After this coming cruise in April I will be in a suite for the next three cruises. This next cruise in 4 weeks should be interesting to see how crowded the priority tendering will be for GSC. Since I will not be in a suite in April I will not be bothering the concierge at all, BUT I will take advantage of the priority tendering IF offered to Platinum.

 

The new points system has made many NCL cruisers Platinum much sooner, and I think it will be an issue for the concierges and for NCL in general as time goes on.

[time2cruise1]

I do not think the free dinner and wine at Le Bistro and free laundry was ever a suite perk. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

I like that NCL gives these perks to Platinum guest. This is something that RCCL doesn't give. The only two perks that I think are worth it as Platinum. RCCL's free cocktail hour for 3 hours every night and coupon book ( free photos...) is their only great perk they offer.

 

After this coming cruise in April I will be in a suite for the next three cruises. This next cruise in 4 weeks should be interesting to see how crowded the priority tendering will be for GSC. Since I will not be in a suite in April I will not be bothering the concierge at all, BUT I will take advantage of the priority tendering IF offered to Platinum.

 

The new points system has made many NCL cruisers Platinum much sooner, and I think it will be an issue for the concierges and for NCL in general as time goes on.

 

Dinner and laundry have never been a suite perk. However it is not unusual for some Hotel Directors to pick up a dinner for some suite guests.

 

As far as Priority Tender tickets they have been around for a long time. They show up in your cabin and all they do is let you take any tender no need to wait for your number to be called. I still expect the concierge to escort select suite passenger down the crew elevators and to the front of the line.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

[familyof4cruising]

Dinner and laundry have never been a suite perk. However it is not unusual for some Hotel Directors to pick up a dinner for some suite guests.

 

As far as Priority Tender tickets they have been around for a long time. They show up in your cabin and all they do is let you take any tender no need to wait for your number to be called. I still expect the concierge to escort select suite passenger down the crew elevators and to the front of the line.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

 

Thats exactly what I thought.

 

I have been escorted down the crew elevator as a suite guest and as a platinum member. I have been very fortunate most of the time. Thats why I always return to NCL :). Lets see how April goes.

[Budget Queen]

 

. RCCL's free cocktail hour for 3 hours every night and coupon book ( free photos...) is their only great perk they offer.

 

QUOTE]

 

This has been cut way down, it used to be open bar, now it's free wine, soda, champagn, that's it. Hardly worth bothering. I've been Diamond for several years, and will be diamond plus- in November.

[familyof4cruising]

 

. RCCL's free cocktail hour for 3 hours every night and coupon book ( free photos...) is their only great perk they offer.

 

QUOTE]

 

This has been cut way down, it used to be open bar, now it's free wine, soda, champagn, that's it. Hardly worth bothering. I've been Diamond for several years, and will be diamond plus- in November.

 

I have been Diamond for a while also. I have had the diamond perk of sharing cocktail hour with suites taken away also. I still think the free wine and champagne is a great perk. I guess because that is what I drink.:) At least RCCL still offers 25% off all other drinks. As a suite guest and diamond plus the drinks are still free. November is soon enough!;)

 

Every cruise line has their own BIG perk to offer. To me NCL's free Le Bistro, laundry, and VIP embar disembar and tender are ones that I appreciate.

[jdvmd]

We had no need for their service when we were on POA in January on a b2b cruise.

Im pretty capable of picking up the phone and making dinner reservations.

 

One of the perks with Platinum is that u can make dinner reservations 72 hours in advance.

Other than that I see no need for them as a Platinum perk.

Agree. Don't see the need for the concierge to do something that I can do myself.

[marelind]

Agree. Don't see the need for the concierge to do something that I can do myself.

 

I sail in a suite because we have some special needs and appreciate the special service that comes with them. We tip accordingly and express our appreciation verbally and with STYLE cards.

 

I use the concierge a) when I can't get it arranged myself (I spent a half hour trying to get a spa appointment and the phone was busy; the concierge got me through in30 seconds), and b) when it's something I don't know how to arrange (wheelchairs to take my parents off the ship). I COULD have figured out how to handle these things myself, but appreciated the concierge making my vacation a bit easier.

[Got Tequila?]

I sail in a suite because we have some special needs and appreciate the special service that comes with them. We tip accordingly and express our appreciation verbally and with STYLE cards.

 

I use the concierge a) when I can't get it arranged myself (I spent a half hour trying to get a spa appointment and the phone was busy; the concierge got me through in30 seconds), and b) when it's something I don't know how to arrange (wheelchairs to take my parents off the ship). I COULD have figured out how to handle these things myself, but appreciated the concierge making my vacation a bit easier.

 

The STYLE program is no longer in effect on the ships....they have done away with the STYLE cards, as well as the STYLE pins the crew wore.

[njhorseman]

The STYLE program is no longer in effect on the ships....they have done away with the STYLE cards, as well as the STYLE pins the crew wore.

 

That must be a really recent change because they still were using the STYLE cards when we were on the 1/28 sailing of the Jewel.

[Clover's Mom]

Wow. I am surprised. We we're on a cruise in December and the style cards seem to be very important.

[Got Tequila?]

That must be a really recent change because they still were using the STYLE cards when we were on the 1/28 sailing of the Jewel.

 

The change happened after that, and was reported here on CC... Many CC members reported that they were given STYLE pins by crew members. They did implement a new program (Vacation Hero) to replace the STYLE one...

[cruiseat50]

The change happened after that, and was reported here on CC... Many CC members reported that they were given STYLE pins by crew members. They did implement a new program (Vacation Hero) to replace the STYLE one...

 

Hmmm... very strange because they had style cards on the Pearl last week.:confused:

[Got Tequila?]

Hmmm... very strange because they had style cards on the Pearl last week.:confused:

 

Maybe they are using the STYLE cards still, until the new program is fully implemented. The last I heard they hadn't received the new pins, and didn't have all the information on the program. Did you see any of the crew with the STYLE pins on?

[cruiseat50]

Sorry, I didn't notice or maybe I'm just not very observant.

[Starry Eyes]

Maybe they are using the STYLE cards still, until the new program is fully implemented. The last I heard they hadn't received the new pins, and didn't have all the information on the program. Did you see any of the crew with the STYLE pins on?

 

I will look when we board the Star tomorrow.

[www3traveler]

I will look when we board the Star tomorrow.

Have fun on The Star. I have friend on board as an entertainer (Don Alexander) and 2 friends who are Senior Staff Officers.