suite perks

[thiswillbefunnj]

Doubt it since the invites should come to the cabin but maybe. Now I won't have to worry about standing in line to remove the DSC since it will be a form to merely email in. I prefer to tip in cash as I go along and not double tip dinner since I already paid 18% on the specialty dinner package. To each his own and without judgement would be nice but you aren't secure enough acknowledge that apparently.

 

We tip in cash too, but leave the DSC in place because I can't meet everyone who made our trip so nice. We also usually leave a cash tip at dinner just as we would if dining on land.

 

How do you know who to give tips to?

I see so many different employees all over the ship & in the corridors, but have no idea who most of them are.

 

I can't imagine spending a lot of my vacation trying to track down all the employees in the background to hand a tip to -so I'm wondering how you do it.

 

Thanks.

 

To the OP: On the Jewel we received an invite in our Suite.

[Cruise a holic]

Great thread. We've just booked our first Haven on Breakaway ! Hubby and I are excited to experience the suite life!!:p:p

 

Great News! You will love it!

[Linda the Book Lover]

Great thread. We've just booked our first Haven on Breakaway ! Hubby and I are excited to experience the suite life!!:p:p

 

Beware...it is hard to cruise in other than a suite after you cruise with one;) Enjoy!

[SAPMAN]

I did not see any recent posts on embarkation process in L.A. (San Pedro) for Suite guests. Is it still hit and miss as to getting on board quickly and smoothly? Anyone with a suite departed from there in the past 4 months?

 

Or is it just better to arrive 2 hours after they open up (about 1:30pm?) when much of the rush is over?

[Linda the Book Lover]

I did not see any recent posts on embarkation process in L.A. (San Pedro) for Suite guests. Is it still hit and miss as to getting on board quickly and smoothly? Anyone with a suite departed from there in the past 4 months?

 

Or is it just better to arrive 2 hours after they open up (about 1:30pm?) when much of the rush is over?

 

In March we arrived early (10:30ish) taking the first shuttle from the hotel. We walked right in was greeted and directed to the VIP area. There were other people sitting in that area. Around 11ish they started lining us up to to the onboard credit info etc. and we then we were walked over to the adjacent suite area to pick up our cards. We had little sandwiches and cold drinks and we boarded around 12ish. I think I have the times pretty close. It was easy breezy. I know this is past your 4 month request but I think San Pedro boards smooth.

[don't-use-real-name]

I did not see any recent posts on embarkation process in L.A. (San Pedro) for Suite guests. Is it still hit and miss as to getting on board quickly and smoothly? Anyone with a suite departed from there in the past 4 months?

 

Or is it just better to arrive 2 hours after they open up (about 1:30pm?) when much of the rush is over?[/QUOTE]

 

You are in a Suite why show up later and miss the fun of Lunch at Cagneys

and the Priority Check-In and escort to your suite stateroom.

Show up early and make the most of the Suite Perks.

While general boarding may occur before your escort on board and you will

use the same gangway but the process will be smoother - your Butler or the

an aide to the Concierge will take you past the waiting folks and right on board

then to either your stateroom if available or Cagneys to wait for your suite to

be ready.

It is minimal waiting at best and have a mini-snack or beverage waiting for

your escort.

[SAPMAN]

Thanks, Don't Use Real Name.

 

I think I will arrive early, maybe about 11:30 and bring crossword, ebook, or video on my laptop to pass the time, if needed.

 

I guess I was not aware they have a waiting room area, although not fancy, at least a place to sit.

 

If anyone else has a LA port embarkation experience during Oct - Dec 2015, please leave a post. Thanks.

[triptolemus]

If anyone else has a LA port embarkation experience during Oct - Dec 2015, please leave a post. Thanks.

 

Whoa!

 

[Merriem]

Great thread. We've just booked our first Haven on Breakaway ! Hubby and I are excited to experience the suite life!!:p:p

 

The Haven is lovely. I found the invites to the parties in a stand on the desk. No mention of it to us at any time. Did not see binoculars . I was disappointed the next to the last day that we had not been invited for a bridge tour. I ask the concierge, and she said it was by request only. We were in a Deluxe Owners Suite, and would have though we would have been asked to see the bridge, but no. Really enjoyed the haven on the Breakaway. It was very peaceful

[vulcan1971]

The Haven is lovely. I found the invites to the parties in a stand on the desk. No mention of it to us at any time. Did not see binoculars . I was disappointed the next to the last day that we had not been invited for a bridge tour. I ask the concierge, and she said it was by request only. We were in a Deluxe Owners Suite, and would have though we would have been asked to see the bridge, but no. Really enjoyed the haven on the Breakaway. It was very peaceful

 

Thanks for your post on your experience (re: bridge tour). We are booked into the Haven in a 2 bedroom Family Villa on the Epic in 2016 with two friends that have never cruised before. I hope I am successful to request a tour of the bridge for us.

[Merriem]

It is too bad you have to ask. I was amazed at how smooth that big shipped sailed and would have enjoying seeing it. Frankly the concierge should mention it.

[cadien]

The bridge tour procedure must depend on the concierge. We received an invitation without asking first. It went to all the suites.

[Vacationlover2]

Do sc suites on jade get any bottles of alcohol?

[triptolemus]

Do sc suites on jade get any bottles of alcohol?

 

No.

[cruise4family]

We will be in a Haven aft penthouse on the Breakaway. Are the bridge tours complimentary, or is there a charge? Just wondering. Thank you.

[triptolemus]

We will be in a Haven aft penthouse on the Breakaway. Are the bridge tours complimentary, or is there a charge? Just wondering. Thank you.

 

There is normally a charge. Occasionally, a complimentary tour will be offered at a meet and greet. It's rare, but not unheard of.

 

It's called the Behind the Scenes tour and your concierge can hook you up with the details on board.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Sometimes as cadien posted, the concierge can arrange a bridge tour for suite/haven guests. There is no charge.

[tiggerfan616]

The bridge tour doesn't depend as much on the Concierge as it does the Captain. Our son was offered to tour the bridge at the request of the Captain a few times.

[don't-use-real-name]

To elaborate about 'The Bridge Tours':

 

There is the PAID (usually about $80+) tour available to anyone on board

and this arranged through the Shore Excursion Deck on most ships. The

tour is limited to about 20 persons and takes from 2-3 hours covering

commonly the galley (ships kitchen) ships laundry theatre back stage and

the Bridge (although it is not guaranteed) and other areas.

 

There is the Platinum Latitudes guest tour No Charge but with very limited

areas covered.

 

AND then as previously noted the bridge tour to distinguished guests those

in the Owners Suite Haven or Garden Suites. Some ships offered right up

front through an invitation from the Concierge -OR- inquiring about it may

be the key to getting the tour - talk to your Concierge or mention it to your

Butler to get the wheels rolling.

 

AND REMEMBER NOT TO WAIT TILL THE LAST DAY OF THE CRUISE TO PLAN

ON TAKING THIS MOST INTEREST TOUR.

Give the staff time to put together a package for the both of you -or- to

get your name on the PAID tour list. On some ships it is only 20 or so people

taking the tour once a day PLAN PLAN PLAN !!!!!

 

Final note some NCL ships have a viewing room in the back of the bridge

pretty much open to anyone to observe the operation from behind a glass wall.

[Cruzn Bills Fan]

Does anyone have a copy of the Breakfast Menu from Cagney's they can post? I'm curious if it's the same as the Haven restaurant breakfast menu.

[Demonyte]

Yes it is. The VIP breakfast and lunch menus are the same fleetwide no matter what venue those are served in.

Edited October 4, 2015 by Demonyte

[Linda the Book Lover]

To elaborate about 'The Bridge Tours':

 

There is the PAID (usually about $80+) tour available to anyone on board

and this arranged through the Shore Excursion Deck on most ships. The

tour is limited to about 20 persons and takes from 2-3 hours covering

commonly the galley (ships kitchen) ships laundry theatre back stage and

the Bridge (although it is not guaranteed) and other areas.

 

There is the Platinum Latitudes guest tour No Charge but with very limited

areas covered.

 

AND then as previously noted the bridge tour to distinguished guests those

in the Owners Suite Haven or Garden Suites. Some ships offered right up

front through an invitation from the Concierge -OR- inquiring about it may

be the key to getting the tour - talk to your Concierge or mention it to your

Butler to get the wheels rolling.

 

AND REMEMBER NOT TO WAIT TILL THE LAST DAY OF THE CRUISE TO PLAN

ON TAKING THIS MOST INTEREST TOUR.

Give the staff time to put together a package for the both of you -or- to

get your name on the PAID tour list. On some ships it is only 20 or so people

taking the tour once a day PLAN PLAN PLAN !!!!!

 

Final note some NCL ships have a viewing room in the back of the bridge

pretty much open to anyone to observe the operation from behind a glass wall.

 

Excellent summing up!

 

tiggerfan616 -- You are right on it is always up to the Captain but one may request through the Concierge. My DH and I had the fun of being on the bridge together after an invitation. He is a retired Naval officer so being on the bridge was not as thrilling as for me or at least I owned up to being excited...;)

[JunPOA]

I don't recall that NCL provides binoculars - brelly sticks yes.

You may have the binocular issue confused with Carnival or Holland America

in their better class suites - and then I may be confused.

Traveling companions in a Carnival Suite had binoculars.

Others have experience with this - binoculars are not to be overlooked on a

Alaska cruise and to include a land package to Denali !

 

Hi- Wanted to report back post NCL Jewel Inside Passage in the SC 2 BR Family Suite: About 2 weeks prior to the cruise I placed a call to the NCL Concierge toll free # and placed a specific request for binoculars & umbrellas (w were a party of 3 sharing the suite).

 

Low & behold there they were 3 umbrellas and 2 pairs of binoculars.

The Suite Concierge CSR phone line was initially uncertain if these were standard amenities to the Cabin so he checked and DID call back confirming the umbrellas & binoculars would be placed in the Suite.

 

Just a NOTE about some inconsistencies in communication between HG phone Concierge accuracy in resources & actual on-ship supplies. Apparently the Phone concierge has a check off list of Suite items to select from including pillow types (memory foam, down, cool temp etc) - I made a specific request but upon questioning steward & Butler I was told No- the Jewel doesn't have the cool temp pillows. Just an FYI not a complaint.

 

Just throwing this out there about the Butler on Jewel (Ronald)- his performance & service was less than mediocre at best (downright lazy at times) BUT The Concierge Mr. Hanno Meyer was outstanding going above & beyond the call of duty! Hope those join on Jewel will experience the superb service from Mr. Meyer & his great sense of humor.The Suite service steward (Jonathan) was also great. Our tips surely reflected the individuals level of performance.

[jenseib]

Hi- Wanted to report back post NCL Jewel Inside Passage in the SC 2 BR Family Suite: About 2 weeks prior to the cruise I placed a call to the NCL Concierge toll free # and placed a specific request for binoculars & umbrellas (w were a party of 3 sharing the suite).

 

Low & behold there they were 3 umbrellas and 2 pairs of binoculars.

The Suite Concierge CSR phone line was initially uncertain if these were standard amenities to the Cabin so he checked and DID call back confirming the umbrellas & binoculars would be placed in the Suite.

 

Just a NOTE about some inconsistencies in communication between HG phone Concierge accuracy in resources & actual on-ship supplies. Apparently the Phone concierge has a check off list of Suite items to select from including pillow types (memory foam, down, cool temp etc) - I made a specific request but upon questioning steward & Butler I was told No- the Jewel doesn't have the cool temp pillows. Just an FYI not a complaint.

 

Just throwing this out there about the Butler on Jewel (Ronald)- his performance & service was less than mediocre at best (downright lazy at times) BUT The Concierge Mr. Hanno Meyer was outstanding going above & beyond the call of duty! Hope those join on Jewel will experience the superb service from Mr. Meyer & his great sense of humor.The Suite service steward (Jonathan) was also great. Our tips surely reflected the individuals level of performance.

 

We had some major issues when boarding (our reservation was never sent to the ship, so even though I had all the paperwork and had been in contact with Concierge on the land side prior, the ship didn't think we existed). We had Florentina for Concierge and she was just OK. She did not go out of her way to make things right nor did she tell us about things that I should have been told or wouldn't have known if I hadn't read this thread. Our butler was mediocre too. Nice, but never went out of her way for anything.

 

Glad you had a good time!

[3kidsncats]

Hi- Wanted to report back post NCL Jewel Inside Passage in the SC 2 BR Family Suite: About 2 weeks prior to the cruise I placed a call to the NCL Concierge toll free # and placed a specific request for binoculars & umbrellas (w were a party of 3 sharing the suite).

 

Low & behold there they were 3 umbrellas and 2 pairs of binoculars.

The Suite Concierge CSR phone line was initially uncertain if these were standard amenities to the Cabin so he checked and DID call back confirming the umbrellas & binoculars would be placed in the Suite.

 

Just a NOTE about some inconsistencies in communication between HG phone Concierge accuracy in resources & actual on-ship supplies. Apparently the Phone concierge has a check off list of Suite items to select from including pillow types (memory foam, down, cool temp etc) - I made a specific request but upon questioning steward & Butler I was told No- the Jewel doesn't have the cool temp pillows. Just an FYI not a complaint.

 

Just throwing this out there about the Butler on Jewel (Ronald)- his performance & service was less than mediocre at best (downright lazy at times) BUT The Concierge Mr. Hanno Meyer was outstanding going above & beyond the call of duty! Hope those join on Jewel will experience the superb service from Mr. Meyer & his great sense of humor.The Suite service steward (Jonathan) was also great. Our tips surely reflected the individuals level of performance.

 

Hopefully Ronald is on vacation when I board in January, lol. I'm not high maintenance, but hope for at least a feeling of enthusiasm for customer service. Cool info about the binoculars -- after reading about it, I was thinking I would ask for a pair to be put in the cabin, but since we are driving to the port, I may just bring ours so that the ones on the ship are available for others.