VIP Priority Plus

[maywell]

Seriously. The thread is about the $99 VIP package. What does this woman's rudeness have to do with that?

Freshly squeeze orange juice looks and taste completely different from concentrated orange juice from the supermarkets (its lighter in color and less sweet if no sugar is added)- so if you can't see or taste the difference and actually ask if it freshly squeezed, then something is wrong with you. But if don't care if its concentrated or fresh squeeze, should it bother you? Same thing with $99 VIP program - Are you going to ask people if they're in suites, mini-suites or balconies to see who paid for what? Isn't that being extremely nosy and rude?

[ClarkBHM]

Up until they don't. Up until NCL sells too many of the things and negatively impacts the suite-VIP operations.

 

Keeping in mind, too, that more folks priority tendering/disembarking, will increase wait times for non-suite, non-VIP$ pax as well. Eating would be the only other function which could impact suite guests. The rest of the perks obviously don't stress the system all that much.

 

Be honest: Do passengers in those suites actually eat at Cagney for Breakfast & lunch and if so does it get crowded at all?

 

This is what I'm most upset about. I don't necessarily care that someone is getting these perks by paying extra money. What I do care about is if it impacts the perks that I receive in the suite. One of the nice benefits of Cagney's was that I didn't have to wait to sit down at a table--except for the one sea day at the end of the cruise when I did have to wait because they were full. If this program results in Cagney's being "full" more often, then I will have to wait more often...not exactly a way to make me happy.

 

Similarly, if $100 perks people are given priority tenders, it is likely that some of those people will be in line ahead of me. Not generally a big deal, unless those people fill up the tender boat and I'm forced to wait.

[KateQ22003]

Freshly squeeze orange juice looks and taste completely different from concentrated orange juice from the supermarkets (its lighter in color and less sweet if no sugar is added)- so if you can't see or taste the difference and actually ask if it freshly squeezed, then something is wrong with you. But if don't care if its concentrated or fresh squeeze, should it bother you? Same thing with $99 VIP program - Are you going to ask people if they're in suites, mini-suites or balconies to see who paid for what? Isn't that being extremely nosy and rude?

 

Again, I don't care what people are paying for things, I care what I pay for things. The value of a suite in my mind was just reduced drastically.

Why would I pay 4 or 5 times for a perk if I can get it for next to nothing?

 

I still don't know what that has to do with a woman that asked about OJ. Are you suggesting that she must have been a suite guest because she was rude?

Edited September 24, 2014 by KateQ22003

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Let's really get to the meat of the anger stemming from this VIP package. It's really about self righteousness and entitlement. Why does it bother people who buys what? Who cares? I'm booked in both a balcony courtesy of CAS on this next cruise and a suite on the following cruise. I could care less it's my money my decision just like it's all of yours. It's your money do what you want with it buy a suite buy an inside who cares. Does it make you feel better than a peon balcony passagnger when you stay in a suite? I'm not directing this to any one person it is just a general observance through this entire thread. When I first posted the question I had NOOOOOOO idea it would cause such controversy. Like I have said this has been ongoing for several weeks and not one person mentioned that it was a problem they were I'm sure clueless as to who was a suite passenger and who bought the package. If your not happy with this new offer sail another cruise line. Like others have said here there will be people to take your suite. Ncl will not suffer because some cc members are upset. It is just like the smoking deal how many people said I'm doing land vacations now because I don't get my own way. Well some are saying the same exact thing because of this.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

This is what I'm most upset about. I don't necessarily care that someone is getting these perks by paying extra money. What I do care about is if it impacts the perks that I receive in the suite. One of the nice benefits of Cagney's was that I didn't have to wait to sit down at a table--except for the one sea day at the end of the cruise when I did have to wait because they were full. If this program results in Cagney's being "full" more often, then I will have to wait more often...not exactly a way to make me happy.

 

Similarly, if $100 perks people are given priority tenders, it is likely that some of those people will be in line ahead of me. Not generally a big deal, unless those people fill up the tender boat and I'm forced to wait.

 

 

It's been going on for weeks already

[mpk218]

Just so we can get off this whole fresh squeezed OJ snag . NCL offers BOTH

concentrate and fresh squeezed OJ . Hence the question , "which is this" ??

 

Sometimes you need to get past the cover to read the book.. ;)

[jmele999]

Here are the problems that I have with this.

 

1) By offering the VIP package, NCL had "devalued" the VIP experience that most of us pay lots of money for when we book a suite. My favorite perk is having breakfast and lunch at Cagney's and now NCL is going to add more people to the mix. I wonder what is going to have happen in the Star and Dawn, which have a significantly higher number of suites.

 

2) NCL never made this public because they knew that it was going to upset people who book suites. We all know that NCL is very good at advertising new promotions so how come we did not hear about this until now.

 

3) NCL public relations should put out another notice explaining how they plan to control the "possible" overcrowding at Cagney's. Yes, it is going to affect me if I have to wait to get a table at a venue that I paid top dollars to enjoy. If you have not stayed in a suite, you have not paid lots of money for a "bigger room" and therefore you have no right to tell me that this is not going to affect me.

 

4) If NCL wants to improve on this, they can offer other VIP services to members even if we have to pay for them. What about a 50% discount to speciality restaurants or free wine with dinner.

 

5) I do not plan on cancelling any of my future cruises but I will voice my opinion onboard if I have feel that service and atmosphere at Cagney's has decreased due to the VIP package.

[surran12]

Some posters are really missing the point here. It's not about "elite" vs. "steerage", it's not about "some getting what they shouldn't", it's about dollars and cents. I just came off two cruises on the Norwegian Dawn back-to-back; I was in a balcony the first week and a suite the second. The difference in fare for the two rooms was just shy of $3000. Now I'm learning that I could have paid the balcony rate plus $99 per person for the same perks that I got in the suite; only difference being a butler and the extra space. How many of you would pay $3000 to have a butler for a week and a bigger cabin? I sure won't. That is real money to all of us, whether you consider yourself "steerage" or "elite".

 

 

This is an interesting topic and I hope it continues to be productive; it will certainly affect my booking choices going forward. Please let's not turn this into a class battle; it's not. It is about what some people are paying a lot for being offered for next to nothing to others.

 

So now you are an even happier NCL customer? This program will enable you the cruise experience you want at a price thousands less than you have been frequently paying in the past! Why is it that you do not sound happy about it? If I found a way I could regularly save a few thousand dollars and doing so had no impact on my enjoyment I would be all over that opportunity and doing a Happy Dance!

 

 

Rochelle

 

So as Rochelle has been saying a few times, this package should make you much happier for your future sailing as it will save you money and you still get what you like.

[surran12]

Here are the problems that I have with this.

 

1) By offering the VIP package, NCL had "devalued" the VIP experience that most of us pay lots of money for when we book a suite. My favorite perk is having breakfast and lunch at Cagney's and now NCL is going to add more people to the mix. I wonder what is going to have happen in the Star and Dawn, which have a significantly higher number of suites.

 

NCL has always had VIP's other than suites with CAS and others chosen at the HD discretion. With CAS no longer having this perk I doubt you'll be noticing a difference. The people who purchase this are just going to be taking the spots of the CAS folks.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Here are the problems that I have with this.

 

1) By offering the VIP package, NCL had "devalued" the VIP experience that most of us pay lots of money for when we book a suite. My favorite perk is having breakfast and lunch at Cagney's and now NCL is going to add more people to the mix. I wonder what is going to have happen in the Star and Dawn, which have a significantly higher number of suites.

 

2) NCL never made this public because they knew that it was going to upset people who book suites. We all know that NCL is very good at advertising new promotions so how come we did not hear about this until now.

 

3) NCL public relations should put out another notice explaining how they plan to control the "possible" overcrowding at Cagney's. Yes, it is going to affect me if I have to wait to get a table at a venue that I paid top dollars to enjoy. If you have not stayed in a suite, you have not paid lots of money for a "bigger room" and therefore you have no right to tell me that this is not going to affect me.

 

4) If NCL wants to improve on this, they can offer other VIP services to members even if we have to pay for them. What about a 50% discount to speciality restaurants or free wine with dinner.

 

5) I do not plan on cancelling any of my future cruises but I will voice my opinion onboard if I have feel that service and atmosphere at Cagney's has decreased due to the VIP package.

 

 

You are not understanding that this HAS been in effect for several weeks and there has been NOOOOO problems thus far with over crowding it is not something that is starting today. Why don't people get that

[rocky55]

I think the people that are upset, are not upset because they feel entitiled. Let's imagine you bought a Mercedez from a particular dealer, and you know you are paying a premium to own a good car. Now, if someone got that Mercedez for 1/4 the price you paid, you might be upset. I know some people are going to say that the perks are not the only thing, that you pay more for a bigger room etc. If someone books a suite for certain perks, that is their right. Some people feel like someone else is getting some perks for a much less cost. Maybe if NCL made it more money, people would feel differently. Why someone books a suite is not our business. My last cruise I was in a suite, the room was not that much bigger, I also prefer to be more midship, I did it for the perks. I know this affects the older ships a lot more.

 

 

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[jmele999]

You are not understanding that this HAS been in effect for several weeks and there has been NOOOOO problems thus far with over crowding it is not something that is starting today. Why don't people get that

 

Have you been on every single ship over the last few weeks to say that there have been NOOOO problems?

[mpk218]

I think the people that are upset, are not upset because they feel entitiled. Let's imagine you bought a Mercedez from a particular dealer, and you know you are paying a premium to own a good car. Now, if someone got that Mercedez for 1/4 the price you paid, you might be upset. I know some people are going to say that the perks are not the only thing, that you pay more for a bigger room etc. If someone books a suite for certain perks, that is their right. Some people feel like someone else is getting some perks for a much less cost. Maybe if NCL made it more money, people would feel differently. Why someone books a suite is not our business. My last cruise I was in a suite, the room was not that much bigger, I also prefer to be more midship, I did it for the perks. I know this affects the older ships a lot more.

 

 

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An exercise in futility , but some here just are not going to grasp it.. But thats Okay....Thanks for your attempt to make it clear.... ;)

[SissasMomE]

an exercise in futility , but some here just are not going to grasp it.. But thats okay....thanks for your attempt to make it clear.... ;)

 

+1 :)

[rhinomike]

So you get on the ship and someone gets an upgrade for $99. Suite passengers are upset because they paid more for it.

 

What about after you paid full price for a suite and then the upgrade fairy calls and someone gets upgraded for far less than you paid?

 

You mad? What's the difference?

 

Don't book the suite. Take the chance and maybe the upgrade fairy will call.

 

Don't book the suite and maybe you'll get lucky and get the $99 VIP upgrade.

 

Choices are great. Life will be miserable if you worry about what everyone else is doing. Just do your thing and don't worry about others.

 

If I buy a car I am happy with the deal or I wouldn't have bought it. If it goes on sale a few months later or someone is a better negotiater than me.... Oh well. I don't worry about it. It didn't change me or my deal. I'm still happy.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Have you been on every single ship over the last few weeks to say that there have been NOOOO problems?

 

 

No I'm saying we haven't seen any complaints on this message board have you?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

So you get on the ship and someone gets an upgrade for $99. Suite passengers are upset because they paid more for it.

 

What about after you paid full price for a suite and then the upgrade fairy calls and someone gets upgraded for far less than you paid?

 

You mad? What's the difference?

 

Don't book the suite. Take the chance and maybe the upgrade fairy will call.

 

Don't book the suite and maybe you'll get lucky and get the $99 VIP upgrade.

 

Choices are great. Life will be miserable if you worry about what everyone else is doing. Just do your thing and don't worry about others.

 

If I buy a car I am happy with the deal or I wouldn't have bought it. If it goes on sale a few months later or someone is a better negotiater than me.... Oh well. I don't worry about it. It didn't change me or my deal. I'm still happy.

 

 

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[ma_t_gus]

Dear Cruise Critic Members,

Here is some further information on our new VIP Priority Plus package that was recently launched fleetwide.

 

The package is available only to guests in a balcony or mini-suite stateroom, on voyages of 3 days or longer. We are limiting the number of packages sold per cruise to a small number.

 

The package is available for purchase once onboard at the Guest Services Desk until 1:00 pm on Day 2 for all voyages four days and longer and by 6:00 pm on embarkation day for three-day sailings.

 

Pricing for the VIP Priority Package is:

$49 per person for 3-day voyage

$64 per person for 4-day voyage

$79 per person for 5-day voyage

$89 per person for 6-day voyage

$99 per person for 7-day voyage

An additional fee of $10 per person per day for voyages 8-days and longer, based on the 7-day voyage package price. For example: the price for one person on a 9-day cruise would be $119 ($99 plus $20 for the two additional days).

 

The VIP Priority package includes:

-Daily Breakfast and Lunch in Cagney’s Restaurant for all Ships, except Norwegian Sun, Jewel, Breakaway, Getaway and Epic.

- Breakfast and Lunch will be served in La Cucina on Norwegian Sun and in Moderno’s on Norwegian Jewel.

- On Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway, and Epic, guests can order from an upgraded Breakfast Room Service Menu PLUS one free banquet seating admission per person to either Cirque Dreams & Dinner on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic or The Illusionarium on Norwegian Getaway.

- Invitation to the Captain’s Party.

- Complimentary hors d’oeuvres delivered twice per week per stateroom

-One bottle of sparkling wine per stateroom (except on Pride of America, where guests receive chocolate covered pineapple wedges).

-One 8”X10” or 6”X8” photo per person.

-Priority tender and disembarkation.

 

Thank you for your interest in the package.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Public Relations

 

enough of the banter. I'm "sweet" person but not a "suite" person. I really don't care much for priority tender-em/disembarkation, picture, wine or eating with the "suite" peoples. I probably would eat at breakfast/lunch at Cagney's just to see the hoopla. Is it worth $99 for me? somebody give me a breakdown on what I'm really missing. :D

Edited September 24, 2014 by ma_t_gus

[BuffetPantsPls]

Gary

You are the most interesting poster on these boards. Just last week you cried boo hoo hoo when NCL announced they were restricting the gambling VIP status to eat at Cagneys for breakfast and lunch. You mentioned how much you have spent in the program for NCL to ignore that and take away breakfast at Cagneys for you.

Now you have been your consistent self by being completely inconsistent. People are simply mentioning what you were complaining about last week. Just pointing out the obvious how those who pay the most for simple perks are lost to those who pay less to get the same perks. It is NOT about being fair. Being "fair" is subjective. It is simply stating the facts that cant be disputed.

I just find your posts and logic fascinating. I would love to interview you for 10 minutes :)

 

 

:D hahah was going to say the same

[goldmom]

Personally, I'll just wait and see if this new program has any impact on my next cruise. It really seems that for the most part this should not really affect suite cruises other than the B & L in Cagney's on the smaller ships.

 

Maybe this should not be offered as part of this package on those ships and just offer the expanded breakfast room service menu like they are doing on the larger ships. As the B & L in Cagney's seems to be the biggest bone of contention.

 

Except for possibly annoying some of the current suite guests ( which could hurt them), NCL is actually pretty smart offering this. Wouldn't passengers who may never have considered booking a suite now think about it once they get a taste of it? Also, being invited to the party in the Haven, lets people see that area. I know that's how they sucked us in. LOL! It's very possible that people may want to book a suite and not chance trying to get the package onboard with a limited number being sold.

 

Also, you never know with NCL. They often try things or offer things that are then taken away (Are they still offering those crazy signature baths?). It's possible that this could also disappear or be changed and then people who didn't book suites would not have the package available once onboard..

 

It will be interesting to see where this goes.

[abe3]

I think the whole point of this new $99 VIP package that people are upset about is the water down of the suite amenities that people that pay good money for. I don't want my suite amenities that I paid for to be compromised by overcrowding and also my concigier service to be bogged down by the $99 requests.

 

For people that get upgraded for a cheaper fare I have no problem with that because the ship still has a limited number of suites but when you start adding standard balconies to this it will only hurt the people that paid for the suites and probably the level of service will be compromised because of adding more rooms to the mix.

[mydreamvacation]

Here are the problems that I have with this.

 

1) By offering the VIP package, NCL had "devalued" the VIP experience that most of us pay lots of money for when we book a suite. My favorite perk is having breakfast and lunch at Cagney's and now NCL is going to add more people to the mix. I wonder what is going to have happen in the Star and Dawn, which have a significantly higher number of suites.

 

2) NCL never made this public because they knew that it was going to upset people who book suites. We all know that NCL is very good at advertising new promotions so how come we did not hear about this until now.

 

3) NCL public relations should put out another notice explaining how they plan to control the "possible" overcrowding at Cagney's. Yes, it is going to affect me if I have to wait to get a table at a venue that I paid top dollars to enjoy. If you have not stayed in a suite, you have not paid lots of money for a "bigger room" and therefore you have no right to tell me that this is not going to affect me.

 

4) If NCL wants to improve on this, they can offer other VIP services to members even if we have to pay for them. What about a 50% discount to speciality restaurants or free wine with dinner.

 

5) I do not plan on cancelling any of my future cruises but I will voice my opinion onboard if I have feel that service and atmosphere at Cagney's has decreased due to the VIP package.

That was a very eloquent way to describe what a lot of us are feeling yesterday it was a knee-jerk reaction where people were angry. I am not self righteous or snob I just like to get what I pay for.

 

It really will not affect my getaway cruise at all so I really don't care I can eat in the haven and I have no important plans for those ports however on my Star Cruise this could have a large impact

 

I have a early flight out of Copenhagen to Berlin and am counting on my priority disembarkation to help me get to the airport on time. I want to be able to enjoy breakfast in Cagney's before heading out for a 12 hour day of exploring without concern about getting a table.

 

Because people didn't know about this before lot of them wouldn't pay the $99 once they were already on board so it probably had very little impact on recent cruisers. But now that people are aware of this in advance of their curtains they can budget for it and plan to take advantage of it

I don't begrudge anybody being able to enhance their vacation anyway they see fit I just don't want it at the expense of my experience

 

I think NCL should consider opening up anorher specialty restaurant on the older ships for the VIPP people to enjoy their preferred breakfast and lunch that they are paying additional sum of money for. That way people in suites will not have to wait to be seated or I hope at least preference will be given to the suite

suite people when it comes to being seated and who gets to disembark first. I think it would also be nice if NCL reviewed their suite perks which were always the best in the industry except for the top end luxury lines. Maybe they should consider giving something else to suite people like specialty dining Royal does that. Princess is a bar set up Internet and laundry to its suites.

[BuffetPantsPls]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpk218

an exercise in futility , but some here just are not going to grasp it.. But thats okay....thanks for your attempt to make it clear.... ;)

 

+1 :)

 

heh, exercise in futility indeed.

 

it's very simply a value proposition question. People make strawman arguments about entitlements/emotional baggages, so on.

 

Though it does make a fascinating study on how people can reason themselves to pay 100% more for the same exact benefits. Luxury brand makers take note!

[Rileyz]

i think the whole point of this new $99 vip package that people are upset about is the water down of the suite amenities that people that pay good money for. I don't want my suite amenities that i paid for to be compromised by overcrowding and also my concigier service to be bogged down by the $99 requests.

 

For people that get upgraded for a cheaper fare i have no problem with that because the ship still has a limited number of suites but when you start adding standard balconies to this it will only hurt the people that paid for the suites and probably the level of service will be compromised because of adding more rooms to the mix.

 

^this^.

[jmele999]

That was a very eloquent way to describe what a lot of us are feeling yesterday it was a knee-jerk reaction where people were angry. I am not self righteous or snob I just like to get what I pay for.

 

It really will not affect my getaway cruise at all so I really don't care I can eat in the haven and I have no important plans for those ports however on my Star Cruise this could have a large impact

 

I have a early flight out of Copenhagen to Berlin and am counting on my priority disembarkation to help me get to the airport on time. I want to be able to enjoy breakfast in Cagney's before heading out for a 12 hour day of exploring without concern about getting a table.

 

Because people didn't know about this before lot of them wouldn't pay the $99 once they were already on board so it probably had very little impact on recent cruisers. But now that people are aware of this in advance of their curtains they can budget for it and plan to take advantage of it

I don't begrudge anybody being able to enhance their vacation anyway they see fit I just don't want it at the expense of my experience

 

I think NCL should consider opening up anorher specialty restaurant on the older ships for the VIPP people to enjoy their preferred breakfast and lunch that they are paying additional sum of money for. That way people in suites will not have to wait to be seated or I hope at least preference will be given to the suite

suite people when it comes to being seated and who gets to disembark first. I think it would also be nice if NCL reviewed their suite perks which were always the best in the industry except for the top end luxury lines. Maybe they should consider giving something else to suite people like specialty dining Royal does that. Princess is a bar set up Internet and laundry to its suites.

 

Totally agree with your comments. Also, I just sent you an e-mail regarding your Baltics cruise.