I have a tough NCL question for you awesome Critics out there

[havoc315]

I have ABSOLUTELY no problem with them getting on and off the ship (in the situation you mentionned) My beef is for them to get access to Cagneys for breakfast and or lunch. I choose to pay extra for a suite specifically for the perk of Cagneys and I feel its not right for someone that didnt pay the extra to get the perk.

 

If it fills the restaurant, and makes your service worse, than this complaint is very well justified.

But if it doesn't adversely affect you, then so what?

If someone else gets a discount on a cabin that I couldn't get, should I complain that it's no fair that I had to pay more for my cabin?

 

It's nice to have "friends in high places." Someone who didn't book a suite, isn't getting a perk of going to Cagney's for lunch and dinner. They can't stroll in anytime they want. The perk belongs to the suite guest -- and part of the perk, as space allows, is to invite limited friends for lunch.

If you belong to a country club, your membership generally includes the right to invite non-members. Is it "fair" that non-paying individuals get into the country club?

 

And an NCL suite guest is supposed to be "pampered." And part of the pampering of that guest, can very well be considered letting them bring a friend or family member to lunch.

 

Now, where such courteous extensions actually get in the way of service to a paying suite guest, I see a very valid objection. But if it doesn't hurt anybody else, so what?

[che5904]

If you belong to a country club, your membership generally includes the right to invite non-members. Is it "fair" that non-paying individuals get into the country club?

 

 

Most of your post seems very thought out.

 

However the part I quoted above is where your example doesn't match NCL. You state "your country club membership generally includes the right..." And if NCL actually put a policy in place "fair to all" and included the right to... But they don't therefore, one suite cabin may get Granny able to dine with them at Cagney's, board with them through VIP and the person right beside them doesn't have that same opportunity with Grandpa.

[jdvmd]

Wasn't that for some special private restaurant on the Epic in the courtyard?

 

The Epic Grille only. Suite guests can invite non-suite guests to dinner. No more than four people, twice during a cruise, at a charge of $25 per person.

[che5904]

The Epic Grille only. Suite guests can invite non-suite guests to dinner. No more than four people, twice during a cruise, at a charge of $25 per person.

 

:D I wasn't sure what it was called, but I did seem to recall something on the Epic having what burghblast was describing. Thanks for the clarification Linda.

 

hmmm I wonder if anyone yet has tried for 5 people, 3 times during a cruise :eek: ;)

[havoc315]

Most of your post seems very thought out.

 

However the part I quoted above is where your example doesn't match NCL. You state "your country club membership generally includes the right..." And if NCL actually put a policy in place "fair to all" and included the right to... But they don't therefore, one suite cabin may get Granny able to dine with them at Cagney's, board with them through VIP and the person right beside them doesn't have that same opportunity with Grandpa.

 

Correct-- they don't make it a policy, probably to allow for the discretion of the concierge based on the circumstances. Giving the concierge the freedom to say "no" if Cagney's is full, or if a line is starting for form for priority embarkation. So certainly, nobody is guaranteed of being able to "ride coattails." And if anything, that's the reason to have your friends and family book suites themselves, to get the guarantee of being able to get those perks.

 

I sometimes see on the board, a similar bitterness about upsells -- How dare a guest get a suite at a steep discount, when other people paid "full" price.

[boopsahoy]

Most of your post seems very thought out.

 

However the part I quoted above is where your example doesn't match NCL. You state "your country club membership generally includes the right..." And if NCL actually put a policy in place "fair to all" and included the right to... But they don't therefore, one suite cabin may get Granny able to dine with them at Cagney's, board with them through VIP and the person right beside them doesn't have that same opportunity with Grandpa.

 

Thank you-I was going to post where did they see " part of the perk, as space allows, is to invite limited friends for lunch" as I have never seen that. If I had, on my past cruises, I would have had people join me, but I didnt even ask as it was nowhere in the policy (that I could find). If it IS then who am I to complain:), but Im sure it isnt.

 

People paying less for the same cabin is just good shopping! Kudos to you if you can get a better price than me!

:D

[havoc315]

Thank you-I was going to post where did they see " part of the perk, as space allows, is to invite limited friends for lunch" as I have never seen that. If I had, on my past cruises, I would have had people join me, but I didnt even ask as it was nowhere in the policy (that I could find). If it IS then who am I to complain:), but Im sure it isnt.

 

People paying less for the same cabin is just good shopping! Kudos to you if you can get a better price than me!

:D

 

Do you leave tips in restaurants? Even if there is no formal tip policy announced by the restaurant?

Whether something is officially put in writing or not, really doesn't make a difference in a situation like this. (And I'm speaking as an attorney).

Is there a written policy stating that "The Concierge has zero discretion to extend any benefits not explicitly listed"?

 

This is what it says about the suite perks on the NCL website:

 

"Eats, Treats and Libations

Champagne, custom selection of liquor, fruit, bottled water and sodas

Sparkling wine, bottled water and fruit on Embarkation Day

Mini-bar and espresso/cappuccino machine

24-hour Room Service

Special Suite menus

Treats delivered right to your door each night"

 

Tell me, if I invite a non-suite guest into my room, and order room service for both of us.... Should that be banned by NCL?

If my butler leaves bottled water in my room, and I give 1 of those bottles of water to a non-suite guest, should an undercover NCL agent swoop down and confiscate the water?

 

For that matter, am I even allowed to have a non-suite guest into my room? After all, they didn't pay for the large room, maybe they shouldn't even be allowed to enter my room?

 

NCL "written policy" is pretty silent in this regard. But I don't see any prohibition against *reasonable* sharing of perk benefits.

With what is "reasonable" to be based on common sense, and the discretion of the concierge.

[boopsahoy]

Do you leave tips in restaurants? Even if there is no formal tip policy announced by the restaurant?

Whether something is officially put in writing or not, really doesn't make a difference in a situation like this. (And I'm speaking as an attorney).

Is there a written policy stating that "The Concierge has zero discretion to extend any benefits not explicitly listed"?

 

This is what it says about the suite perks on the NCL website:

 

"Eats, Treats and Libations

Champagne, custom selection of liquor, fruit, bottled water and sodas

Sparkling wine, bottled water and fruit on Embarkation Day

Mini-bar and espresso/cappuccino machine

24-hour Room Service

Special Suite menus

Treats delivered right to your door each night"

 

Tell me, if I invite a non-suite guest into my room, and order room service for both of us.... Should that be banned by NCL?

If my butler leaves bottled water in my room, and I give 1 of those bottles of water to a non-suite guest, should an undercover NCL agent swoop down and confiscate the water?

 

For that matter, am I even allowed to have a non-suite guest into my room? After all, they didn't pay for the large room, maybe they shouldn't even be allowed to enter my room?

 

NCL "written policy" is pretty silent in this regard. But I don't see any prohibition against *reasonable* sharing of perk benefits.

With what is "reasonable" to be based on common sense, and the discretion of the concierge.

 

I thought the thread was about non-suite customers being allowed into Cagneys for breakfast or lunch? Thats all I was addressing. And as I said its all MHO.

[che5904]

Correct-- they don't make it a policy, probably to allow for the discretion of the concierge based on the circumstances. Giving the concierge the freedom to say "no" if Cagney's is full, or if a line is starting for form for priority embarkation. So certainly, nobody is guaranteed of being able to "ride coattails." And if anything, that's the reason to have your friends and family book suites themselves, to get the guarantee of being able to get those perks.

 

I sometimes see on the board, a similar bitterness about upsells -- How dare a guest get a suite at a steep discount, when other people paid "full" price.

 

There are only 2 problems I see with this method. One being those that come on here to brag, how they are "friends" with the consierge (you know have them on FB, email back and forth, etc). And how that gets them special considerations. Second, if people who are basically breaking policy would not come on to share how they got away with this or that (including non-suite guests getting suite perks). Very few people would have any need to get their feathers in a tizzy and very few people would even be aware this was happening.

 

The same can be said with upsells or even a discount that someone received when breaking policy like after final payment. People don't get near as upset when something is open to all even if they didn't get in on it.

 

And really I guess, I don't see where people feel the need to say "well we did it, or it worked for us", knowing full well that it may not be able to be done for the poster. Then getting them all upset once they return by saying "well i didn't get that, so now I'm really ticked".

 

As I said I don't have a dog in this fight and although I'm usually not a fence sitter I can see both sides of this coin. On one side the unfairness of special hand picked treatment that is not available to all. On the other side I am VIP at every casino I play at which comes with certain perks and benefits. My family also ride on my coattails for a good portion of those, including my comped cruises.

 

So as you can see I'm really not against what you are saying, I'm just pointing out good naturedly where a theory has holes IMO.

[khaide612]

It should be at the discretion of the concierge/staff on each sailing.

 

People only think in terms of themselves. "It's only 2 more people" but you aren't going to be the only people asking.

 

My Christmas Cruise is my first time in a suite. It is sold out. On the Jewel there are 46 full perk suites with a maximum occupancy of 206 people. If 12 of the suites decided to bring another couple along to embark that is an extra 24 people in the embarkation lounge. That doesn't sound like a lot but I don't think the lounge is that big. Plus Cagney's only holds 160 people.

[che5904]

It should be at the discretion of the concierge/staff on each sailing.

 

People only think in terms of themselves. "It's only 2 more people" but you aren't going to be the only people asking.

 

My Christmas Cruise is my first time in a suite. It is sold out. On the Jewel there are 46 full perk suites with a maximum occupancy of 206 people. If 12 of the suites decided to bring another couple along to embark that is an extra 24 people in the embarkation lounge. That doesn't sound like a lot but I don't think the lounge is that big. Plus Cagney's only holds 160 people.

 

If you read my post above you will see where that is not fair either. BTW that is who's decision it already is, except of course I have seen those that have went above the concierge's head to the HD and had the decision overturned by making a huge fuss because another suite got to take someone in.

[che5904]

If my butler leaves bottled water in my room, and I give 1 of those bottles of water to a non-suite guest, should an undercover NCL agent swoop down and confiscate the water?

.

 

:D :D That visual just tickled my funny bone.

[PeleNipsy]

I'm staying in the Haven next month. When I received our luggage tags for the cruise, there was a letter that directed us to www.ncl.com/welcomethehaven. On page 15 of the packet, it reads, "For a fee of $25 per person, you can bring guests not staying in The Haven, to the Haven restaurant and Haven lounge. Please see your butler or concierge for details." This language does not place any limitations on (1) the ship, (2) times per stay, or (3) number of guests per time. While the limitiations mentioned are most likely at the discretion of the staff on board, it would be easy to stay this applied to only the Epic if that was the case.

[che5904]

I'm staying in the Haven next month. When I received our luggage tags for the cruise, there was a letter that directed us to www.ncl.com/welcomethehaven. On page 15 of the packet, it reads, "For a fee of $25 per person, you can bring guests not staying in The Haven, to the Haven restaurant and Haven lounge. Please see your butler or concierge for details." This language does not place any limitations on (1) the ship, (2) times per stay, or (3) number of guests per time. While the limitiations mentioned are most likely at the discretion of the staff on board, it would be easy to stay this applied to only the Epic if that was the case.

 

Well considering right now (since the Breakaway and Getaway are still being built). To my knowledge the Epic is the only ship so far to have a Haven Restaurant. So naming the ship it applies to really is redundant.

 

They may have changed the rules on how many times and how many guests. However, the brochure does state "see your butler for details". That may be in the "details" the butler gives.

[PeleNipsy]

Well considering right now (since the Breakaway and Getaway are still being built). To my knowledge the Epic is the only ship so far to have a Haven Restaurant. So naming the ship it applies to really is redundant.

 

They may have changed the rules on how many times and how many guests. However, the brochure does state "see your butler for details". That may be in the "details" the butler gives.

 

It's called the Haven Grill, not the Haven Restaurant though. The same paragraph talks about only getting breakfast and lunch in the exclusive resturant, and never mentions dinner, which is only the case in the Haven Grill.

[che5904]

It's called the Haven Grill, not the Haven Restaurant though. The same paragraph talks about only getting breakfast and lunch in the exclusive resturant, and never mentions dinner, which is only the case in the Haven Grill.

 

:o Sorry never had the luxury of any Haven/Courtyard, easily made mistake I would think.

[2inTul]

It's called the Haven Grill, not the Haven Restaurant though. The same paragraph talks about only getting breakfast and lunch in the exclusive resturant, and never mentions dinner, which is only the case in the Haven Grill.

 

No it is the Haven Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Haven Grill is a separate but adjacent venue. The $25 PP guest is in the Haven Restaurant at dinner only.

[PeleNipsy]

ignore.

[KJE Atlanta]

Having been on the Epic in suites twice in the last few months, here's the deal on the names and venues:

 

Epic Club - this is the formal sit-down restaurant for suite guests located in the Haven Complex. When I say formal, that's based on the menu and the service - not that you have to get all dressed up to dine there. Epic Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to suite guests for no charge It replaces Cagney's as the private-dining perk (and it's better because it now has excellent dinners.... Cagney's only offered breakfast and lunch to suite guests and was then a normal specialty restaurant for dinner in the evenings- and yes, suite guests had to pay the cover charge for dinner at Cagney's just like everyone else. Note: Cagney's is still on the Epic - it's just not needed as a suite restaurant since there's the Epic Club now). On both of our recent sailings we took family members to eat in the Epic Club once or twice per cruise (when we inquired of the hostess, she said it could be done 2 times during the week; charge for the non-suite passengers was $25pp; not sure what the limit on people is, but it's not set up for really large groups, so 4 extras seems like a good and reasonable limit (we took 2 or 4 the times we invited guests to join us)). There may be a move to change the name to the Haven Club or the Haven Restaurant so that when Breakaway and Getaway start sailing there is consistency between them, but as of November 24th, it was still called Epic Club.

Epic Lounge - This is adjacent to the Epic Club and is a swanky private bar/lounge with funky furniture, TVs, and views of the pool deck. It can also be accessed by a private elevator directly from the pool deck. Drinks are not complimentary - you run a bar tab, just like you do in all the other bars (except at the special cocktail parties and private functions - then drinks are complimentary). Again, maybe they will start standardizing the names across the ships that have this venue, but as of a few weeks ago, this was still being called the Epic Lounge.

Epic Grill - This is a casual dining venue and bar for suite guests. We used it mainly for lunch. It is located right next to the Haven Courtyard/pool area in the Haven complex. It's kinda indoorsy and outdoorsy at that same time in that you feel fully enclosed, but the windows are actually only partial windows so you can feel some wind and hear the ocean. High-quality lunch-type and snacky food. This is where they also keep the all-day M&Ms, gummy bears, and cookies (just to the left of the Epic Grill's front bar area).

[havoc315]

Well considering right now (since the Breakaway and Getaway are still being built). To my knowledge the Epic is the only ship so far to have a Haven Restaurant. So naming the ship it applies to really is redundant.

 

They may have changed the rules on how many times and how many guests. However, the brochure does state "see your butler for details". That may be in the "details" the butler gives.

 

As they call all if their courtyards "Haven" now, they could interpret Haven redtaurant as being simply the suite restaurant -- currently Cagney's on most ships.

[che5904]

As they call all if their courtyards "Haven" now, they could interpret Haven redtaurant as being simply the suite restaurant -- currently Cagney's on most ships.

 

Yes I'm sure some people could "interpret" that to mean that. But lots of people interpret things that aren't so. Since Cagney's on the ships aren't any where near the Haven/Courtyard and since only some suites have access to the Haven, but all suites have access to Cagney's for breakfast and lunch. I think it would be a far fetch interpretation.