Garden Villa Room Service; Specialty Restaurants

[psycomac]

99.9% sure I know the answer to this question but I've been poking around in archives today for info on this suite and I've seen what can only be described as either conflicting comments or inaccuracies due to lack of detail.

 

I was under the impression that ordering room service from the specialty restaurants was possible for the suites but that you'd still pay the cover charge for the meal. Reading through some of the comments regarding people's stay in the GV, it reads as though pax in these rooms can order off of *any* menu on the ship and pay nothing for the meal.

 

Just wanting some clarification. Like I said, 99.9% sure I know the answer (and that the answer is you pay) but I'd like to be 100%.

 

Also, since I'm here and so are you...I know they'll bring you a blender for mixing drinks in the suite but will they bring you recipes and ingredients for specialty drinks like what you'd find at the bars? I'd love to be able to make a daiquiri, or a mud slide or some other frothy fruity concoction but have no idea how or what to use. I suppose I could find a recipe book myself and bring it but that doesn't solve the ingredient issue (yes, I know they'll bring you mixers, etc but I'm curious on the specifics.)

 

Thanks :)

[Bobbye]

You can order from any restaurant except Teppenyka. If a specially and you order a main course you will be charged.

 

I never asked for recipes for drinks, best to probably bring those with you -- goggle is your friend :) But they will bring you the ingredients for the drinks if you ask.

[psycomac]

Thank you muchly...

 

One other thing I forgot to ask about in the first post, I've seen mentioned in a couple of reviews (or just plain comments) of the GV is a massage chair...? I have yet to see anything that resembles a massage chair in any of the videos I've been watching. Granted, I've focused mainly on the jewel class ship GV's because the Dawn ones are completely different so if it's in one class but not the other, that would explain my difficulty in finding it.

 

Any word on (or experience of) a massage chair?

 

...thought of one more thing. I know that you can't use your OBC to prebook (and pay) for excursions and that you can use it once you're actually on board. Can I grab the concierge at the earliest point possible (like while we're boarding) and ask them to get the ball rolling on getting our excursions booked and use the OBC as payment? I don't want to interfere with any duties they need to get taken care of prior to sail away but I also am paranoid and OCD about making sure that we have the experience that I hope we can have. And since they can be pre-booked, I'm concerned that they'll get sold out before I can get them booked.

 

What if I just handed the concierge a typed out list of the ports and excursions we want with the request that they get to them just as soon as they can but not so as to interfere with other things they need to get done in that time frame...?

[DMLyons]

Can I grab the concierge at the earliest point possible (like while we're boarding) and ask them to get the ball rolling on getting our excursions booked and use the OBC as payment? I don't want to interfere with any duties they need to get taken care of prior to sail away but I also am paranoid and OCD about making sure that we have the experience that I hope we can have. And since they can be pre-booked, I'm concerned that they'll get sold out before I can get them booked.

 

What if I just handed the concierge a typed out list of the ports and excursions we want with the request that they get to them just as soon as they can but not so as to interfere with other things they need to get done in that time frame...?

 

I've always found giving a Concierge a typed/printed list to be the most expedient way to do things. Just be pleasant when you do it, and they will take it in the spirit it is intended...a way to make it easier for the concierge and you. With a typed/printed list, he/she has it in writing and can take care of it later, if he/she is busy that moment.

 

I've heard that they hold some spots on excursions back from per-registration, so you should technically still have some available when you board...and concierges tend to wrangle some extras for suite guests anyway. So, contacting the concierge when you get aboard is a good way to do it. As I understand it, the concierge on Dawn can usually be found that first day in the Star Bar, and since suite guests can go to Cagney's for lunch anyway, you're right there. Very convenient.

 

OOPS, sorry. You're on a Jewel class. Not Dawn. Grin... But similar setup.

 

DML

[psycomac]

I've always found giving a Concierge a typed/printed list to be the most expedient way to do things. Just be pleasant when you do it, and they will take it in the spirit it is intended...a way to make it easier for the concierge and you. With a typed/printed list, he/she has it in writing and can take care of it later, if he/she is busy that moment.

 

I've heard that they hold some spots on excursions back from per-registration, so you should technically still have some available when you board...and concierges tend to wrangle some extras for suite guests anyway. So, contacting the concierge when you get aboard is a good way to do it. As I understand it, the concierge on Dawn can usually be found that first day in the Star Bar, and since suite guests can go to Cagney's for lunch anyway, you're right there. Very convenient.

 

OOPS, sorry. You're on a Jewel class. Not Dawn. Grin... But similar setup.

 

DML

 

Thanks, and yes I figured that if I didn't get right up in their face and all 'demandy' about it right off the bat that it would probably be better received. I'm also hoping to be able to communicate to the check-in staff and any other cruise staff that come to greet us that they need to keep mum about the suite because nobody but me is going to know about it until they stick their keycard in the door and open it. I'm the only one actively planning and looking so I don't have to worry about them knowing something is up by being in 'the wrong area' of the ship but I don't want the staff to give the game away.

 

Of course I may bust something between now and November trying to keep it a secret lol

[DMLyons]

I'm also hoping to be able to communicate to the check-in staff and any other cruise staff that come to greet us that they need to keep mum about the suite because nobody but me is going to know about it until they stick their keycard in the door and open it. I'm the only one actively planning and looking so I don't have to worry about them knowing something is up by being in 'the wrong area' of the ship but I don't want the staff to give the game away.

 

Of course I may bust something between now and November trying to keep it a secret lol

 

Hmmm...that part may be difficult. There is a separate line for VIP and suite, a separate waiting area...and the butler coming down to guide you up might raise an eyebrow or two. Grin... Good luck! Hope you have a great time.

 

DML

[psycomac]

Hmmm...that part may be difficult. There is a separate line for VIP and suite, a separate waiting area...and the butler coming down to guide you up might raise an eyebrow or two. Grin... Good luck! Hope you have a great time.

 

DML

 

I actually already took care of that in the initial planning. Since the regular checkin area cannot process VIP check-in, and since the entire reservation is being made with my credit card and in one folio, we had no choice but to all go to the VIP section. I had this confirmed a couple of weeks ago by calling NCL directly but also by someone here on the forum who just went through it themselves last month during check in. So while DH and SS's will be none the wiser to what's going on, I told my friend that I would book her reservation for her and she could just send me a check for the amount, that way we'd all get to board together. So until we actually get on the ship, everything will be just as it was supposed to be according to what everybody knows.

 

And I'm thinking I'll just tell her that they said her room wasn't ready yet but that our suite was so she could drop her carryons there while we waited and had lunch, that way she won't have to try to lug them around *and* keep track of her 4 yr old DD. I'm sneaky...I got it from my mom :p :D

[SuiteCruiser]

How did I miss this change? Last I heard you were looking at an aft suite on Breakaway with an inside across the hall. Now you're in a GV on the Gem :) Awesome!

 

I'm in the GV on the Star in October for 12 nights, I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself! We all just made our final payments today, so it's all set.

 

I want to hear all about your trip, though don't have too much fun as having too positive a review isn't allowed on here anymore ;).

[toyotaford]

99.9% sure I know the answer to this question but I've been poking around in archives today for info on this suite and I've seen what can only be described as either conflicting comments or inaccuracies due to lack of detail.

 

I was under the impression that ordering room service from the specialty restaurants was possible for the suites but that you'd still pay the cover charge for the meal. Reading through some of the comments regarding people's stay in the GV, it reads as though pax in these rooms can order off of *any* menu on the ship and pay nothing for the meal.

 

Just wanting some clarification. Like I said, 99.9% sure I know the answer (and that the answer is you pay) but I'd like to be 100%.

 

Also, since I'm here and so are you...I know they'll bring you a blender for mixing drinks in the suite but will they bring you recipes and ingredients for specialty drinks like what you'd find at the bars? I'd love to be able to make a daiquiri, or a mud slide or some other frothy fruity concoction but have no idea how or what to use. I suppose I could find a recipe book myself and bring it but that doesn't solve the ingredient issue (yes, I know they'll bring you mixers, etc but I'm curious on the specifics.)

 

Thanks :)

You can order from any of the food venues on the ship and if it is a pay restaurant you will pay the corresponding charge. Your group could order from several different restaurants for a meal if you wanted. I have never asked for anything in the GV that could not be done except for an in suite massage. The deck on the Star is so large and there are areas that could be private and I would have loved to have had a massage while listening to the ocean.

[psycomac]

How did I miss this change? Last I heard you were looking at an aft suite on Breakaway with an inside across the hall. Now you're in a GV on the Gem :) Awesome!

 

I'm in the GV on the Star in October for 12 nights, I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself! We all just made our final payments today, so it's all set.

 

I want to hear all about your trip, though don't have too much fun as having too positive a review isn't allowed on here anymore ;).

 

I have jumped ship so many times that I'm still dizzy. The cabin I wanted on the breakaway sold out for both of our target months (oct-nov) so I moved to the Gem and an OS. However, having the 2 extra days to the cruise length ruled out spending extra time in NYC which was why I was going there to begin with. That opened up more ports and more itineraries so we decided to go with a trip that included ports we actually *wanted* which put us on the Jewel in an OS. BUT last night a friend of mine agreed to go with us and bring her 4yr DD which brought our party total to 7 and gave me the justification to book a GV. I just have to cross my fingers, knock wood and dance around a bon fire at midnight naked while a firefly flashes out morse code to make sure it doesn't get booked before I can put down a deposit next week (hopefully next week). And God willing, it'll be that way and I'll be done jumping from rock to rock and ship to ship and can settle in and start actually planning.

 

I just found out that DH is going to actually want beer so now i have to start looking into bucket prices and adding that to the consumable OBC lol

 

I'm buying a new camera just for the occasion and I plan on getting all the little things that I'm noticing are missing in the videos I'm watching (but that people constantly ask about). Like for example actually showing a close up of the Lavazza coffee capsules that are available instead of just panning by it and not being able to tell people specifically what they offer. And giving clear indication as to whether or not the bathtubs have jets in them. And the actual size of the mini bar fridge. And how exactly the hot tub works (the hot tubs in regular suites are always empty and filled with just a faucet but the one in the GV looks like a 'real' hot tub-if you catch my meaning)

 

I'm already making a list of the things I wish people would show in their videos and pictures lol

[SuiteCruiser]

I have jumped ship so many times that I'm still dizzy. The cabin I wanted on the breakaway sold out for both of our target months (oct-nov) so I moved to the Gem and an OS. However, having the 2 extra days to the cruise length ruled out spending extra time in NYC which was why I was going there to begin with. That opened up more ports and more itineraries so we decided to go with a trip that included ports we actually *wanted* which put us on the Jewel in an OS. BUT last night a friend of mine agreed to go with us and bring her 4yr DD which brought our party total to 7 and gave me the justification to book a GV. I just have to cross my fingers, knock wood and dance around a bon fire at midnight naked while a firefly flashes out morse code to make sure it doesn't get booked before I can put down a deposit next week (hopefully next week). And God willing, it'll be that way and I'll be done jumping from rock to rock and ship to ship and can settle in and start actually planning.

 

I just found out that DH is going to actually want beer so now i have to start looking into bucket prices and adding that to the consumable OBC lol

 

I'm buying a new camera just for the occasion and I plan on getting all the little things that I'm noticing are missing in the videos I'm watching (but that people constantly ask about). Like for example actually showing a close up of the Lavazza coffee capsules that are available instead of just panning by it and not being able to tell people specifically what they offer. And giving clear indication as to whether or not the bathtubs have jets in them. And the actual size of the mini bar fridge. And how exactly the hot tub works (the hot tubs in regular suites are always empty and filled with just a faucet but the one in the GV looks like a 'real' hot tub-if you catch my meaning)

 

I'm already making a list of the things I wish people would show in their videos and pictures lol

 

I hear you. I've been trying to soak up as much as I can and can see you are doing the same. I've had a suite before on NCL, so know how the LaVazza works, my understanding is that the hot tub is filled and cleaned daily in the GV, but I will know for sure in October :) If it's hot, I'd rather the water be a little cooler, so if we have any control over that, it would be perfect.

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

[psycomac]

I hear you. I've been trying to soak up as much as I can and can see you are doing the same. I've had a suite before on NCL, so know how the LaVazza works, my understanding is that the hot tub is filled and cleaned daily in the GV, but I will know for sure in October :) If it's hot, I'd rather the water be a little cooler, so if we have any control over that, it would be perfect.

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

One of the threads I read from someone with a lot of experience in the GV said that you have to call the concierge about the hot tub because the call to adjust the temp needs to go through the bridge (???)

[Demonyte]

...thought of one more thing. I know that you can't use your OBC to prebook (and pay) for excursions and that you can use it once you're actually on board. Can I grab the concierge at the earliest point possible (like while we're boarding) and ask them to get the ball rolling on getting our excursions booked and use the OBC as payment?

 

Just so you'd know - there is no such thing as "using OBC as payment" so no need to mention anything about that part to the concierge.

 

Everything that you haven't prepaid will be charged to your onboard account and if you happen to get OBC from somewhere, it also appears there at some point during the first few days. Unless there are any problems with charges that require you to contact Guest Services desk (or them to contact you), only people that know how your onboard account will ultimately be settled are the people in checkin (your payment method while checking in) and people in the backoffice onboard. For everyone else all passengers are the same, they have their keycard and that is used to making charges to the attached onboard account - OBC or not.

 

In a nutshell: After you have checked in, there is only one place to pay anything (with the exceptions of casino and medical center) with - your onboard account - and all charges are put there.

[psycomac]

Just so you'd know - there is no such thing as "using OBC as payment" so no need to mention anything about that part to the concierge.

 

Everything that you haven't prepaid will be charged to your onboard account and if you happen to get OBC from somewhere, it also appears there at some point during the first few days. Unless there are any problems with charges that require you to contact Guest Services desk (or them to contact you), only people that know how your onboard account will ultimately be settled are the people in checkin (your payment method while checking in) and people in the backoffice onboard. For everyone else all passengers are the same, they have their keycard and that is used to making charges to the attached onboard account - OBC or not.

 

In a nutshell: After you have checked in, there is only one place to pay anything (with the exceptions of casino and medical center) with - your onboard account - and all charges are put there.

 

 

 

Oh yes, that I know I just meant as opposed to pre-booking and having it come off my credit card. I wasn't meaning I was going to tell them 'make sure it goes toward my OBC and not my CC!!' lol but thank you though :)

 

 

 

Anybody know anything about that massage chair??

[Nalagh]

In a GV you will still pay for all SDR's. I so hope you were not referring to my post as they sent me sliders from the apps menu and did not charge me the dinner price. Why he did not charge is clear, there was not a meal.;)

[psycomac]

In a GV you will still pay for all SDR's. I so hope you were not referring to my post as they sent me sliders from the apps menu and did not charge me the dinner price. Why he did not charge is clear, there was not a meal.;)

 

oh, no no...Since I decided to do this this morning, I've been digging around the archives trying to find any and all posts about the GV's including pictures and videos. Most of what I've found is years old so I have been trying to find more recent stuff (including hopefully changes in some of the decor..that living room carpet in one of them puts the colors in some of my daughter's diapers when she was a baby to shame)

 

I honestly couldn't even tell you what thread(s) I read that stuff on, they've all blended together. But the way people talked about it (not mentioning the fee), sometimes it was just very vague. I couldn't tell if they just neglected to mention it or if it was possibly something available when the GV was first introduced that they'd since done away with (like maybe that massage chair???? lol)

 

I'm glad to see you posting by the way. I've been thinking about you over the week and hope that things are going better for you with regard to NCL communication(s). :(

[Bobbye]

Massage chair - That's hard to answer. I remember the massage chair in the Pearl (I think it was the Pearl) in the living room but I believe most of the other GV's didn't have it.

 

We've done the Dawn twice, Jewel twice, Star and Pearl and only one had that. We were toying with doing the Dawn this summer but although a week ago a lot were available now they are all sold out for the weeks we can go :( Took too long to get commitments from the family. Oh well -- there will be other times.

 

By the way, we always type up a list of the alcohol we want, specialty dinner times and restaurants, things we want for the bar (mixers, drink mixes, limes, etc.) and suggestions on munches in the late afternoon. We just mention we did it to save time and to do at their convenience. We have used the pre-cruise concierge desk but that seems to be hit or miss on if the info gets to the butler and concierge.

 

It's an amazing experience. We thought our first time was going to be a "once in a lifetime" experience. It's addicting!

[Nalagh]

The Chair

 

[Bobbye]

Hot Tub - it's a real hot tub. They will clean it early morning. You don't need to do anything. If it's not working (on one the heat kept shutting down) you can call the butler and he'll take care of having it fixed.

 

Mini-fridge - they are the same size as those in a regular cabin or suite. But every bedroom has a mini-fridge plus the one in the living room.

 

My husband is an ice freak (why I have no idea because he rarely uses it) so he always asks if they can bring in a cooler filled with ice. Sometimes they do and other times they just bring in a few extra ice buckets. If you are going to be making a lot of drinks that need ice this may be something to add to the list.

[psycomac]

The Chair

 

 

 

oh goodness I hope it's in our suite lol Thank you :)

[psycomac]

Hot Tub - it's a real hot tub. They will clean it early morning. You don't need to do anything. If it's not working (on one the heat kept shutting down) you can call the butler and he'll take care of having it fixed.

 

Mini-fridge - they are the same size as those in a regular cabin or suite. But every bedroom has a mini-fridge plus the one in the living room.

 

My husband is an ice freak (why I have no idea because he rarely uses it) so he always asks if they can bring in a cooler filled with ice. Sometimes they do and other times they just bring in a few extra ice buckets. If you are going to be making a lot of drinks that need ice this may be something to add to the list.

 

Thank you so much :) Yah, I know it will be but unfortunately for us this *will* be a once in a lifetime thing unless we win the lottery or something. Or find 2-3 other couples who want to split it with us lol. So I'm really looking forward to it.

 

I've already cut back the airfare to coach instead of first class to make up some of the difference in price. And I doubt we'll stay a day on either end in NOLA.

[Bobbye]

Thank you so much :) Yah, I know it will be but unfortunately for us this *will* be a once in a lifetime thing unless we win the lottery or something. Or find 2-3 other couples who want to split it with us lol. So I'm really looking forward to it.

 

I've already cut back the airfare to coach instead of first class to make up some of the difference in price. And I doubt we'll stay a day on either end in NOLA.

 

I hear you -- we said the same thing :) But after doing it one time we were hooked.

 

Please go one day prior. You don't want something happening and missing the ship. I can't imagine the pain of watching the ship and your garden villa floating away without you if you had flight delays and missed it.

[psycomac]

I hear you -- we said the same thing :) But after doing it one time we were hooked.

 

Please go one day prior. You don't want something happening and missing the ship. I can't imagine the pain of watching the ship and your garden villa floating away without you if you had flight delays and missed it.

 

 

that's my biggest issue right now is the day of/day before. Plus NOLA seems pretty solidly booked right now so that's another consideration.

 

Without going into too much (unnecessary) detail, the only reason we can afford to go on a vacation at all is because my mom passed away last month and left me some money. Without that, we wouldn't even be booking an inside, let alone this. So once this is done, we might be able to sneak away to Wisconsin Dells or SD for Mt Rushmore but other than that, one shot deal lol I want to get as much out of this as possible, both to decompress from the last few months but also to give my DD (4 yrs old) something to really treasure for family memory. I plan on taking enough pictures and videos that there's no way she *won't* remember it lol

[Bobbye]

You have plenty of time to plan. You might want to look at hotels near the airport the night prior, they are less expensive. I wouldn't trust the airlines to get me there the same day. Last year we flew down to Miami the day prior for a cruise -- we were supposed to arrive at 11:15 AM and didn't get in until almost 9 PM. Many on our flight were flying down for a cruise that day and missed the ship. Horrid weather/high winds and they closed the airport and deviated our flight to Tampa to sit for hours until Miami opened and air traffic control allowed them to resume the flight.

[OceanDreaming2]

OP - we enjoyed a GV on the Star several years ago. It was the best cruise - ever - and we've been on many!

 

I would suggest you research a hotel using Hotwire or another consolidator. We were able to stay in NOLA in the Hotel W post-cruise in January. It was very reasonable and nearly across the street from the port. Still had to taxi it to the ship, but the cost was minimal.

 

If you have any other specific questions, I may be able to help. The master bedroom is the one closest to the living room but I'd suggest you take the back bedroom since it gives you direct access to the patio. :)