How long will I be able to hide that we are in a Suite?

[cruisecritiquer]

We have our first S4 (2 bedroom villa) on Epic coming up. I just don't want to have any unrealistic expectations about how long I can keep this a secret once I get to the port.

 

Every time I've planned a surprise for DH he almost always finds out before it is time. I really would love to see the surprise on his face when he opens the stateroom and sees we are in a Suite. But, I don't know how realistic it is that I can keep it a secret that long. He doesn't really know what a Haven is and I'm not sure priority embarkation would tip him off unless they referred to us as Suite guests. I could probably convince him (temporarily of course) that the priority embarkation is because we jumped latitude member tiers. BTW, I usually do all the planning for our family vacations and he's the type that just pays and about 2 weeks before we leave asks "now where are we going again".

 

So can someone describe the embarkation process when we get to Miami for Suite guests and how long you think I can keep this under wraps.

 

*Some of this is me trying to keep my nerves calm before I go up to the stadium today and search for his lost ID (another thread) so it helps me to talk about him actually making it on the ship. :o LOL

Edited November 4, 2013 by cruisecritiquer

[youngestof9]

Well when you check in with the haven at the port you go to a separate area with snacks. The concierge is usually there taking care of questions and taking notes on reservations you want. It's pretty obvious you're in a suite. Then the concierge takes you onboard separately where you do a tour of the haven and have lunch in the epic club. This is all before you see your actual room. If you make it to the port as a surprise consider it a success and enjoy all the immediate pampering you feel!!

 

I did a few surprises for dh. One was the actual cruise and I held that it for 9 months and one was a Suite upsell that I held for 5 days. Both equally hard. Lol

[terrydtx]

You could check with NCL and see if you can check in with the rest of us peasants so that you do not ruin the surprise. I think when he walks to the suit the first time he will know before you open the door anyway, If he doesn't get a photo ID by Friday it may be a moot point too, but I know he will find one so that shouldn't happen. Have a great cruise next week I love St Martin and you will too.

 

Terry

[dlynn0366]

You could check with NCL and see if you can check in with the rest of us peasants so that you do not ruin the surprise. I think when he walks to the suit the first time he will know before you open the door anyway, If he doesn't get a photo ID by Friday it may be a moot point too, but I know he will find one so that shouldn't happen. Have a great cruise next week I love St Martin and you will too.

 

Terry

 

I booked the DOS on the Epic this past March and when we opened the door Blair said in delight "What the H.... did this cost us :eek:" ...it's on a need to know basis :). I've booked a DOS again for this coming March :p

[cruisecritiquer]

I booked the DOS on the Epic this past March and when we opened the door Blair said in delight "What the H.... did this cost us :eek:" ...it's on a need to know basis :). I've booked a DOS again for this coming March :p

 

LOL, I totally expect a comment like that to start. But, shortly thereafter when he realizes two bedrooms means more adult time I know he'll get over it. ;)

[cruisecritiquer]

You could check with NCL and see if you can check in with the rest of us peasants so that you do not ruin the surprise. I think when he walks to the suit the first time he will know before you open the door anyway, If he doesn't get a photo ID by Friday it may be a moot point too, but I know he will find one so that shouldn't happen. Have a great cruise next week I love St Martin and you will too.

 

Terry

 

I actually thought about this...I wondered if it would be worth giving up the embarkation perks to see the look on his face but the jury is still out on that one. :D

[cruise4kicks]

I think the jig will be up when you check in. I just don't see any way to wave off the check-in agent from escorting you to the suite pax lounge; it's just part of the experience.

 

I managed to keep our January GV a secret from hubby until we were inside the lobby of the GV, but only because we were previously booked in a suite before the upgrade... He was already expecting the suite treatment at check-in. You should have seen the look on his face when we entered the GV! :D Complete confusion, then utter delight.

[spirit rev]

Then there is the issue of receiving your key cards. Usually they are given to you by the concierge in the suire lounge at check-in - unless it has changed in the past year.

[youngestof9]

I actually thought about this...I wondered if it would be worth giving up the embarkation perks to see the look on his face but the jury is still out on that one. :D

 

You actually check in in a separate area where you get your Haven key cards.

 

Plus you don't want to miss the tour of the Haven, especially if you've never seen it. Enjoy all the perks of checking in. You may not be able to get to your room right away, so then if you're not in the regular suite area, you would still want to go to Epic Club for lunch.

 

Start the suite perks off right at embarkation and enjoy!! He's still going to be shocked when you walk in that room and see all the space. Enjoy it all!!!

[GeezerCouple]

Great fun to plan surprises like this!

 

There are suites and there are suites...

 

You could consider mentioning something at the last minute about a "little surprise" like a little suite, but that wouldn't lead him to expect a full 2BR suite.

 

The PH suites are really just larger balcony accommodations, along with the suite perks. It would probably still be a wonderful surprise when he walks in, starts exploring, and realizes that one of the doors is NOT to just another closet ;-)

 

Does this 2BR suite have an extra bathroom, too? That should be quite a delightful surprise, too!

 

I surprised DH this past summer at a hotel. We were in an amazing, but small, balcony room directly over the water. When we planned to extend our stay before arrival, he told me we could, but we'd have to move to the smallest room, and no balcony. We were just delighted not to have to change hotels before we left town. He was at a conference that last day, and I was to "manage" the room transfer. I spoke with the manager, and found that the only bigger room was their grand penthouse suite, at several times the cost of our first balcony room, but what a suite it was! We'd seen the photos. While I was inquiring at the front desk, two calls came in for reservations, and they turned them away because they were "full". We have some vacation properties, and we know all too well that an unsold night is revenue lost forever. I mentioned that, and asked if they would consider a lower price for the big PH, which would get them revenue for it for that night AND would almost guarantee them an opportunity to re-rent our smaller room, and probably at a higher rate, too. We bargained - and I usually HATE that type of "haggling" - and then made a lower "offer". Mgr said she'd need to contact the owner. I thanked her, and said I'd be upstairs packing for the move, and just let us know where we'd be going. A few minutes later, a call: *DONE* :). So DH arrived back that afternoon, knowing full well he'd find a smaller, non-balcony room for our last night. He had called to ask how it was. Me: "Oh, it's really not bad, and they told us the window would overlook the water, so the view is still great." Misleading, but... true ;). Because the PH was on the same floor - a small boutique hotel, so no dead giveaway in the elevator, etc. - he was clueless. I opened the door to greet him, and his face went from amazement to jaw-dropping. We joked that they were going to need to carry us out kicking and screaming the next day :eek: :). It was so worth it! I'm going to try to do occasional upgrade surprises in the future, but it probably won't be quite that dramatic.

(And yes, an early comment was along the lines of "How much did this cost?", and then he dropped the issue entirely.)

 

Enjoy it, no matter how it works out. It will be a wonderful surprise no matter when he "learns", or if it's in "stages" ;-)

 

GeezerCouple

[dlynn0366]

LOL, I totally expect a comment like that to start. But, shortly thereafter when he realizes two bedrooms means more adult time I know he'll get over it. ;)

 

I've never stayed in a 2 bedroom Haven on the Epic but did get a tour of one and for more than 2 people this is perfect. The DOS are really only for 2 people, yes the couch in the living room pulls out into a bed but then you lose the living room so what's the point, plus you only have 1 1/2 baths where the 2 bedroom suite has the 2 bathrooms.

[mpk218]

My guess is YOUR GONNA BLAB way before you get to the dock :eek::D

The pressure will Slooowly build ..

BWaaHhahaha

[McDebbie]

Don't miss the suite check in experience! Our last 2 cruises out of Miami we were not escorted to the suites but to Cagneys as the rooms were not yet ready. And the concierge was not there either time, it was shore staff who escorted us up to the gangway and then a butler took over. He might get suspicious when you all get to go ahead of everybody else but I would wait and let him figure it out himself.

[Julienatul]

you are so lucky!!! Congratulations! I thought baout upgrading but just got too busy to call plus we have tons fo family with us in nearby cabins. Ill see you onboard at the M&G! 5 more days woohoo!

[cruisecritiquer]

My guess is YOUR GONNA BLAB way before you get to the dock :eek::D

The pressure will Slooowly build ..

BWaaHhahaha

 

LOL, I'm going to try really hard not to say anything. I'll let you know if I'm successful. ;)

[youngestof9]

LOL, I'm going to try really hard not to say anything. I'll let you know if I'm successful. ;)

 

after all you've been through with the ID fiasco, this is just the pampering you need and deserve!! Get ready for pampering.....it's such a great experience.

[NeilD]

I actually thought about this...I wondered if it would be worth giving up the embarkation perks to see the look on his face but the jury is still out on that one. :D

 

Don't give up the embarkation perk. We look forward to that every year. Like the other poster said, if you get him there without him knowing it that is great. You and he will love it.....Enjoy!

[mpk218]

Don't give up the embarkation perk. We look forward to that every year. Like the other poster said, if you get him there without him knowing it that is great. You and he will love it.....Enjoy!

 

I really have to agree . Getting on and off the ship is my number 1 perk . I really hate lines . Especially at the end when people are lined up from stem to stern in that unGodly line . Its at that point I always say to myself "well worth the cost".. As the concierge walks you right off the ship and on your way...

 

That and B&L in Cagneys.. ;)

[pliskin]

I really would love to see the surprise on his face when he opens the stateroom and sees we are in a Suite.

 

I'm sure the other men-folk on this board will agree, you are a kick ass wife. What a cool thing you have done as a surprise for him. :D

[skittl1321]

You could even try to hide it for a little while on embarkation by acting like you were sneaking into the suite check-in line. Maybe it would work?

 

On the Carnival (?) board a woman told a story about surprising her daughter with a cruise. They were on a weekend beach trip, and she saw the cruise ships, so the Mom said "let's just go look at them". Then, with their packed bags from the short trip, the Mom said "wanna see if we can sneak on". They got on the ship and IIRC the daughter was almost in tears thinking they were being dishonest before the Mom finally told her it was real and they were actually on the cruise.

[SuiteCruisin14]

I can't wait to hear how this all plays out, with the ID and the Suite.

 

On our Jade cruise in 2010 we met up with some Cruise Critic friends the night before. The Hubby was bursting to tell someone about the upgrade to the 2b suite and what a surprise it would be, she thought she was in a porthole cabin!

Since we were in a PH suite, they came on board with us and she thought he was "sneaking" her in our line to pre-board. We left them to see the cabin with out us and boy! She cried for almost 2 hours whenever someone mentioned it. Best surprise I ever saw.

 

Good Luck with everything.

 

Lynda

[johnsak123]

I think you will have to come clean once you get to the port. You get priority check in and priority boarding so why miss out on that.

My dealings with NCL port personnel last sailing was a disaster so there is little chance they will help you keep the secret.

[rhinomike]

LOL, I'm going to try really hard not to say anything. I'll let you know if I'm successful. ;)

 

I think it is really nice what you are doing. But have you thought about telling him? I think half of the fun about stuff like this is the anticipation and talking about it before it happens. Me and my wife both agreed many years ago that we would not surprise each other. It s funner to think about it and share it with each other. Just a thought. I know not everyone is the same. You know your husband and know if he will like the surprise or to be told now and look forward to it.

 

Plus it is easier on you if you tell him now. Lol.

[triptolemus]

I think you will have to come clean once you get to the port. You get priority check in and priority boarding so why miss out on that.

My dealings with NCL port personnel last sailing was a disaster so there is little chance they will help you keep the secret.

Yeah, pretty much this. The gig is up at the port when you go to check in. It's hard not to notice the giant flags and giant signs and everything else that says "Haven / Suites Check In" - I was so giddy myself at that point keeping any secret any longer was impossible.

 

I did this same suite surprise with my wife. She hates lines and crowds and absolutely loved being whisked past all of that. This is a part you really don't want to miss.

[Vyhanek]

Your gig will be up long before you get to your stateroom.

First of all, your luggage tags will say VIP!!

 

Then when you get to the port, there will be attendants in the Latitudes Line that will see you have a suite number stateroom and will try to direct you to the suite check in. It won't happen once.