VIP Priority Plus

[JohnIreland]

For those of you that want to cancel your suites and save money....

 

 

I will be on the Dawn in a few months. I wanted a suite but they were all booked. I have 2 connecting ocean views. Please cancel and take your chances with the $99 VIP upgrade. I will upgrade to your suite. :D

 

There is an one SJ (Family Suite) open on your cruise. Act quick and you might get it. :D

[mydreamvacation]

They are not adding in all the balcony and mini suites. Not sure where you read that.

 

I am sorry if you misunderstood what I was getting at.

 

I don't think for a moment they would be offering it to ALL balcony and minisuite cabins. Mathematically that would be impossible.

 

What I was getting at is in my particular case on the Star it is quite possible that suite passengers that paid thousands of dollars for the perk could be displaced if VIPP cruisers opt to dine in Cagney's or take the priority disembarkation etc.

 

On the Baltic's cruise we arrive into port very early and have very long days for us a good breakfast is important as we will be nonstop all day. I suppose I can always opt to have the butler bring us breakfast and dine on the balcony but I would prefer to eat breakfast in Cagneys and head right out.

 

The star has 62 suites on it. (Assuming that no more are added when she goes into dry dock for refurbishment this spring.) Those 62 suites have a full capacity of 314 guests. (yes I know that all suites will probably not be filled to capacity but it is conceivable that if could happen)

 

Cagney's only holds 108 people at full capacity. So that means at any given time only one third of the suite allowance can fit in Cagneys at the same time. If you add in multiple people from Balcony and mini suite cabins it is quite possible that the people who paid thousands of dollars to have the suite dining option will not be able to take advantage of it when they would like.

 

As I said before I don't care what other people want to spend their money on as long as it does not affect me negatively.

 

I also highly doubt that this will be "extremely limited.' There is no financial motivation for them to only accept ten or twenty people paying $99 each. I think that they will be happy to take as many people as they get- just like the udp and ubp that say "limited" I have never heard of it being sold out.

 

Personally I think if that NCL should open a second specialty restaurant for the VIPP guests and set up a priority disembark and tender hierarchy and we all can go back to planning our trips.

[mydreamvacation]

Without hijacking the thread, I would like to turn this discussion into something more positive, which will hopefully highlight why people are upset about the VIP package.

Excluding Haven perks, what is your favorite/most valuable VIP perk as a suite guest?

I have excluded the Haven perks because not all of the suites have access to the Haven, but feel free to add Haven perks to your list.

Here are mine.

1) Bigger room and upgraded amenities

2) Breakfast and lunch at a private venue

3) Priority embarkation/tendering/disembarkation

4) Butler

5) Concierge

6) Captain reception

7) Afternoon snacks

 

One two three and four in that order. Sorry Captain I don't care about you lol

[puli]

Without hijacking the thread, I would like to turn this discussion into something more positive, which will hopefully highlight why people are upset about the VIP package.

Excluding Haven perks, what is your favorite/most valuable VIP perk as a suite guest?

I have excluded the Haven perks because not all of the suites have access to the Haven, but feel free to add Haven perks to your list.

Here are mine.

1) Bigger room and upgraded amenities

2) Breakfast and lunch at a private venue

3) Priority embarkation/tendering/disembarkation

4) Butler

5) Concierge

6) Captain reception

7) Afternoon snacks

 

#s 3, 1 & 2 for us with #s 6 & 7 not needed at all!

 

sorry ,do not know what happened to number 7!!! have no idea why the type is such! LOL

Edited September 24, 2014 by puli

[medsed]

If an extended breakfast menu via room service was offered on all ships so that suite passengers were assured that there would not be overcrowding at Cagney's, it would go a long way to reassuring suite passengers. As for the priority on/off the ship....the concierge would surely make accommodations as needed, or, at least I would think they should. I am still a bit upset that these changes were made after my final payment but I am going to have my one and possibly only pampering experience in my lifetime and I am going to lounge on my balcony, sleep in my cozy bed in my suite, smile and profusely thank all who wait on me, remember my manners, tip well, and most of all enjoy myself......but , I do hope NCL comes back and takes another look at this...there is a package that could be put together that would not seem unfair...just tweek it a little......at least I think it might work??

Edited September 24, 2014 by medsed

[knitlady037]

here are the details of the package. it is being limited to 40 passengers per sailing

 

The VPP package includes:

 

• Invitation to Captain’s Cocktail Party

 

• 1 Tray of Canapés twice per voyage per stateroom

 

• 1 Bottle of Sparkling Wine per stateroom

 

Sparkling Wine is not offered on Pride of America; instead guests will receive chocolate covered pineapple wedges.

 

• 1 photo per person (8x10 or 6x8)

 

• Priority Debarkation

 

• Tender Priority

 

• Breakfast and Lunch in the following restaurants (based on ship):

 

Cagney’s Restaurant for all Ships except Norwegian Sun, Jewel, Breakaway, Getaway and Epic.

 

La Cucina on Norwegian Sun

 

Moderno on Norwegian Jewel

 

On Breakaway, Getaway, and Epic this benefit will be substituted with the Suite Room Service Menu for Breakfast, and one free standard/banquet seating admission per person to either Cirque Dreams or Illusionarium.

 

 

 

Pricing for the VPP package is as follows:

 

• $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 is assessed 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).

 

 

 

VPP Package restrictions:

 

• Available to purchase onboard ONLY

 

• Not offered on 1 or 2-day voyages.

 

• Not available on charters.

 

• The VPP package must be purchased by all individuals residing in the balcony or mini-suite stateroom or any additional suite or mini-suite staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages and benefits may not be shared with guests of family members in lower category staterooms and are non-transferable.

 

 

 

• Children 3 years old and younger are upgraded for free when traveling with at least one adult who has purchased the package.

[rhinomike]

There is an one SJ (Family Suite) open on your cruise. Act quick and you might get it. :D

 

Yes. It just became open a few days ago. I seriously debated it. But there are 6 of us and I can't imagine all 6 of us in that room. Although it is made for 6 people it is quite small. 1 bathroom too. Now if it connected to another cabin or suite for my kids I would be all over it.

 

But I am thinking about upgrading from our ocean view room to balcony rooms so I can TRY to take advantage of the $99 VIP upgrade. If it was a sure thing I would do it for sure. But don't know if I could get on the ship fast enough.

 

Thank you so much for checking. I really appreciate it. That was very nice of you.

Edited September 24, 2014 by rhinomike

[CasinoCruzGirl]

here are the details of the package. it is being limited to 40 passengers per sailing

 

The VPP package includes:

 

• Invitation to Captain’s Cocktail Party

 

• 1 Tray of Canapés twice per voyage per stateroom

 

• 1 Bottle of Sparkling Wine per stateroom

 

Sparkling Wine is not offered on Pride of America; instead guests will receive chocolate covered pineapple wedges.

 

• 1 photo per person (8x10 or 6x8)

 

• Priority Debarkation

 

• Tender Priority

 

• Breakfast and Lunch in the following restaurants (based on ship):

 

Cagney’s Restaurant for all Ships except Norwegian Sun, Jewel, Breakaway, Getaway and Epic.

 

La Cucina on Norwegian Sun

 

Moderno on Norwegian Jewel

 

On Breakaway, Getaway, and Epic this benefit will be substituted with the Suite Room Service Menu for Breakfast, and one free standard/banquet seating admission per person to either Cirque Dreams or Illusionarium.

 

 

 

Pricing for the VPP package is as follows:

 

• $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 is assessed 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).

 

 

 

VPP Package restrictions:

 

• Available to purchase onboard ONLY

 

• Not offered on 1 or 2-day voyages.

 

• Not available on charters.

 

• The VPP package must be purchased by all individuals residing in the balcony or mini-suite stateroom or any additional suite or mini-suite staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages and benefits may not be shared with guests of family members in lower category staterooms and are non-transferable.

 

 

 

• Children 3 years old and younger are upgraded for free when traveling with at least one adult who has purchased the package.

 

 

Excellent thank you so much for finding this out. So basically it's 40 people. Everyone can calm down now about their breakfast and lunches. Or is 40 people to much still for everyone? I don't think so.

[maywell]

Excellent thank you so much for finding this out. So basically it's 40 people. Everyone can calm down now about their breakfast and lunches. Or is 40 people to much still for everyone? I don't think so.

 

Come now, you know very well that even if one peon / lesser being gets snacks twice per trip in their balcony room; it will still be too much for people with "sensible fragile" feelings...*eyeroll*

[SissasMomE]

Careful - your green-eyed monster is showing ... again.

[puli]

Just checked with NCL ( not sure how absolutely correct the response was, given the newness of this program ) however, I was told..... on ships without the Haven yet with many suites (i.e. Star and Dawn) there could be a crowding issue, especially at breakfast. Somehow suite passengers are to be given preference.(??) Same with tender service and disembarkation.

 

Any problems should be referred to the concierges who have been alerted to the potential issues that might arise.

 

As far as the twice weekly afternoon snacks ...they will be delivered by standard room service not the suite butlers.

 

 

When I asked about possible additional perks for suite guests, specifically free laundry service, I was given the old stand- by line "anything is possible!"

[SissasMomE]

Just checked with NCL ( not sure how absolutely correct the response was, given the newness of this program ) however, I was told..... on ships without the Haven yet with many suites (i.e. Star and Dawn) there could be a crowding issue, especially at breakfast. Somehow suite passengers are to be given preference.(??) Same with tender service and disembarkation.

 

Any problems should be referred to the concierges who have been alerted to the potential issues that might arise.

 

As far as the twice weekly afternoon snacks ...they will be delivered by standard room service not the suite butlers.

 

 

When I asked about possible additional perks for suite guests, specifically free laundry service, I was given the old stand- by line "anything is possible!"

 

People don't normally eat breakfast at the same time, so I'm not sure that would even be an issue. I can see it being an issue when it's time to disembark, or tender. IF suite passengers are given priority, then this needs to be clearly advertised before selling these $99 packages to people. Personally, I never saw the allure with being the first on or off a ship. You are on the ship literally 5 minutes or less before anyone else. As for disembarking, unless you have somewhere to go ... what's the rush?? I've strolled down plenty of times and either just walked right off, or maybe waited 10 minutes, at most. Also, those canapes are nasty ...

[SuiteCruiser]

Just checked with NCL ( not sure how absolutely correct the response was, given the newness of this program ) however, I was told..... on ships without the Haven yet with many suites (i.e. Star and Dawn) there could be a crowding issue, especially at breakfast. Somehow suite passengers are to be given preference.(??) Same with tender service and disembarkation.

 

Any problems should be referred to the concierges who have been alerted to the potential issues that might arise.

 

As far as the twice weekly afternoon snacks ...they will be delivered by standard room service not the suite butlers.

 

 

When I asked about possible additional perks for suite guests, specifically free laundry service, I was given the old stand- by line "anything is possible!"

 

Thank you for this. I'm getting tired of all of the non suite passengers looking down their noses at people in the suites, there's far more of that going on here than the reverse.

 

I'm sure there will be issues, not all the time, but it's bound to happen. Imagine when the VIP99ers arrive at Cagney's for lunch and are told they have to wait as they are only seating those in suites. Yikes.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Careful - your green-eyed monster is showing ... again.

 

Who?

[SissasMomE]

Thank you for this. I'm getting tired of all of the non suite passengers looking down their noses at people in the suites, there's far more of that going on here than the reverse.

 

I'm sure there will be issues, not all the time, but it's bound to happen. Imagine when the VIP99ers arrive at Cagney's for lunch and are told they have to wait as they are only seating those in suites. Yikes.

 

Which is why IF that is going to be the case, NCL needs to make that clear to these folks, because that would be completely unfair.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Thank you for this. I'm getting tired of all of the non suite passengers looking down their noses at people in the suites, there's far more of that going on here than the reverse.

 

I'm sure there will be issues, not all the time, but it's bound to happen. Imagine when the VIP99ers arrive at Cagney's for lunch and are told they have to wait as they are only seating those in suites. Yikes.

 

 

Really? How can you even say such a thing wow!!! I for one have a balcony booked AND and suite on my following cruise. Seems like pot calling the kettle going on here wow wow wow what a response. So your still not happy it's only 40 passengers I thought this would make everyone happy omg

Edited September 25, 2014 by FootballParent

[triptolemus]

I thought this would make everyone happy omg

 

Everyone?? Have you forgotten what forum you're on?

[puli]

Thank you for this. I'm getting tired of all of the non suite passengers looking down their noses at people in the suites, there's far more of that going on here than the reverse.

 

I'm sure there will be issues, not all the time, but it's bound to happen. Imagine when the VIP99ers arrive at Cagney's for lunch and are told they have to wait as they are only seating those in suites. Yikes.

 

I gathered the concern regarding the possibility of crowding most likely would happen at breakfast on port days with early ship excursions. This certainly needs watching on those unique port intensive cruises. However, on this type of cruise you probably could not give away lunch at Cagney's! Empty Ship!!!

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Everyone?? Have you forgotten what forum you're on?

 

Lol smacking myself in the head I'm sorry 😢

[SissasMomE]

Really? How can you even say such a thing wow!!! I for one have a balcony booked AND and suite on my following cruise. Seems like pot calling the kettle going on here wow wow wow what a response. So your still not happy it's only 40 passengers I thought this would make everyone happy omg

 

I don't think anyone is looking down anyone's nose. I mean, let's face it - this is not a luxury cruise line ... suites or not. I think some people like to think of themselves as taking a "luxury trip" because they are in a suite, but anyone who has stayed in an upscale resort knows the difference. Also, I really don't think NCL is going to differentiate between suite guests and the VIP package guests. It would have been advertised like that from the get-go. I think that was just a comment made to placate. I'm just taking a guess though ....

[puli]

I don't think anyone is looking down anyone's nose. I mean, let's face it - this is not a luxury cruise line ... suites or not. I think some people like to think of themselves as taking a "luxury trip" because they are in a suite, but anyone who has stayed in an upscale resort knows the difference. Also, I really don't think NCL is going to differentiate between suite guests and the VIP package guests. It would have been advertised like that from the get-go. I think that was just a comment made to placate. I'm just taking a guess though ....

 

You could be right...As I tried to imply...My source was not the author of the perk...not even close!

 

I do not honestly think anybody really knows how this will play out ... Sound like to me one of those "ready,.... fire ,...aim...! ideas!

[SissasMomE]

You could be right...As I tried to imply...My source was not the author of the perk...not even close!

 

I do not honestly think anybody really knows how this will play out ... Sound like to me one of those "ready,.... fire ,...aim...! ideas!

 

Yeah, I think you're right!!

[funat55]

Who even knew about this deal before it was brought up on this thread. I'm willing to bet that if anyone recently had a major problem getting a seat for breakfast or lunch because of crowding, the complaint would have been posted by now. Seriously, I don't see how anyone will be inconvenienced or have their suite experience diminished because of this plan. On a flight once we ran into problems (won't go into details) but as a result, everyone on the flight got free drinks. Gee whiz, no one in first class complained because the airlines gave the coach passengers a free drink.

[maywell]

Thank you for this. I'm getting tired of all of the non suite passengers looking down their noses at people in the suites, there's far more of that going on here than the reverse.

 

I'm sure there will be issues, not all the time, but it's bound to happen. Imagine when the VIP99ers arrive at Cagney's for lunch and are told they have to wait as they are only seating those in suites. Yikes.

 

More like it's suite passengers that are crying wolf over thinking they are getting ripped off by NCL for offering $99 package to balcony & minisuites guests without really looking what's not being offered in the plan. Its not all suite guests, just the ones who think that the package offers the exact same things (It doesn't - there's no butler, specialty dining deliveries or personal suite concierge service provided at all in the $99 plan) and that it will ruin their vacation if other non-suites passengers have what they have (you're on vacation on a mass market cruise line - nobody know cares what you have as long as you're not being a jerkwad towards them or others).

 

Another thing, NCL has plenty of meal options, so if Cagney is not available, thay can: 1) go elsewhere for lunch like the buffet, O'Sheenan's or MDR that's open or 2) make reservations for another day. its not the end of the world, it not that serious but you have people that think their vacation will be ruin to heck for not eating everyday at the same place at the same hour at the same minute. If you do think it will be ruin for that reason, maybe you need to relax more plus look at the big picture and realize that not everything or everyone is going to go according to your plans a/k/a unpredictable thing called life.

[mpk218]

Careful - your green-eyed monster is showing ... again.

 

Hahahahaha.....:p