VIP Priority Plus

[jmele999]

Methinks someone paying a price to be important isn't . . . :rolleyes:

 

I am going to be the more important person and ignore this comment. My importance is not determined by the type of cabin I book, but by the service I provide to my community.

[jmele999]

Where you get the idea that people book suites to "be important" is beyond me...and certainly the post you quoted doesn't even remotely say that.

 

Thanks NJhorseman.

[SeaShark]

Call them given, call them perks, call them whatever you want....speaking for myself, I buy the whole suite package as advertised, which includes the stateroom, the bathtub, the soap, the butler, Cagneys, etc etc.

 

In any case, you are splitting hairs and I'm not sure you understand the difference...because there really isn't one. Let's use Wikipedia...

 

Amenity, n. In real property and lodging, amenities are any tangible or intangible benefits of a property, especially those that increase its attractiveness or value or that ...

 

As I said...a number of people don't know the difference.

 

 

Don't worry about me...I understand. People in suites, and those "special" casino guests, part with a lot of their money in return for the ammenities that NCL gives them as a result.

 

VIPs simply receive their perks for being what they are: "VIPs". They don't have to pay money for the perks they receive.

[UPNYGuy]

As I said...a number of people don't know the difference.

 

 

 

 

 

Don't worry about me...I understand. People in suites, and those "special" casino guests, part with a lot of their money in return for the ammenities that NCL gives them as a result.

 

 

 

VIPs simply receive their perks for being what they are: "VIPs". They don't have to pay money for the perks they receive.

 

 

 

Exactly! DW and I sail almost exclusively in The Haven, and pay a premium to do so. We do not want the benefits watered down one iota when we spend what we do, even for 40 extra people having Cagneys benefits. If you want the priority benefits, sail until you reach Platinum, join CAS, or book a suite.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited September 27, 2014 by UPNYGuy

[Demonyte]

I haven't seen the release by NCL saying the 99VIP was discontinued ...

 

 

You could have by reading this exact thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44230268

[FreestyleNovice]

Interesting development, besides the great value for money that was offered with the (discontinued) $99 package, to see how NCL tries to increase onboard revenue without actually cutting back on service and quality or workload.

 

Of those 40 passes say perhaps a mere 30 would show up for a breakfast/lunch, as not every suite sails at full capacity the increase in guests wouldn't be notable to the other suite guests.

 

I expect more to come, someone mentioned the airline industry which is a good comparison. Customers are demanding choices, even if they don't use them it still gives a customer a good feeling to know that you can choose if you would like. And that sets apart a company from others in differential. It's good to see NCL is continuing and trying to be the best in her own game, freestyle cruising.

[janpo]

Ok, I have read through this thread and still don't quite understand the problem.

 

The people who want a suite on a cruise put the $$$ up to get ALL of the perks that are included. They should as they have paid for it!

 

The $99 program was offering a few extras to other passengers ( only 40 on each cruise from what I have read here) that did not appear to be even remotely near the perks that a suite passenger gets (and again certainly they pay for).

 

IMO is like the airlines; when you buy Economy Comfort you get a bit more room and maybe earlier boarding but certainly not even close to what you would get if you booked First Class.

 

I understand that now NCL has cancelled this program but it seemed there was a lot of speculation (and it appeared a bit of arrogance) on what could possibly happen.

 

Again, IMO I don't think NCL would lessen the suite perks people paid for; so what is this really about?

 

My second question which is really rhetorical so no answers needed; there are some of us who spend much more because we cruise many times a year and spend probably more $$$ than a suite person on one cruise. No perks for us even though we have spent the same $$$$.

 

.......discuss.......:)

 

Stop talking sense!!! :)

 

Your post makes complete sense . Amazing how 40 $99 passes could cause people's noses to get out of joint. So afraid that looking down on people would be harder than it normally is.

[emcelh]

Is it possible that this promotion was cancelled for reasons other than the fact that there were comments from a hand full of unhappy posters on Cruise Critic? The promotion was offered for at least a week or two before we read about it here, so maybe there were issues onboard that resulted in the decision to discontinue offering it.

[CPT Trips]

Stop talking sense!!! :)

 

Your post makes complete sense . Amazing how 40 $99 passes could cause people's noses to get out of joint. So afraid that looking down on people would be harder than it normally is.

 

Exactly!

 

When you look at all the suite/Haven perqs, none of them would be "watered down" by the former/proposed VIP package. We have been provided with the Cagney's and concierge amenity on a number of cruises. Cagney's was seldom close to half full when we went. Perhaps 2/3s on debarkation morning.

 

It's all about feeling "better than" the proles.

[SeaShark]

Exactly!

 

When you look at all the suite/Haven perqs, none of them would be "watered down" by the former/proposed VIP package. We have been provided with the Cagney's and concierge amenity on a number of cruises. Cagney's was seldom close to half full when we went. Perhaps 2/3s on debarkation morning.

 

It's all about feeling "better than" the proles.

 

You are absolutely correct.

 

It is amazing how people get bent out of shape because NCL is offering an ammenity package for sale to their guests...even though they themselves also purchased ammenities thru NCL.

 

Yet they have nothing to say about the VIPs onboard who receive their perks AT NO CHARGE. :rolleyes:

[NLH Arizona]

You are absolutely correct.

 

It is amazing how people get bent out of shape because NCL is offering an ammenity package for sale to their guests...even though they themselves also purchased ammenities thru NCL.

 

Yet they have nothing to say about the VIPs onboard who receive their perks AT NO CHARGE. :rolleyes:

You said exactly what I was thinking. They are not complain about the CAS VIPs who also paid for the perks through their gambling and water down the suite perks. Isn't it the same thing? I see no reason why NCL can't sell a VIP package to their passengers. If someone wants it, like those gamblers, they simply pay for it.

[mpk218]

You said exactly what I was thinking. They are not complain about the CAS VIPs who also paid for the perks through their gambling and water down the suite perks. Isn't it the same thing? I see no reason why NCL can't sell a VIP package to their passengers. If someone wants it, like those gamblers, they simply pay for it.

 

You may want to take a closer look ... Do you really think there is a CAS player that wagers $99. and gets all those perks you refer to ...

 

I think its fairly plain to see that the entire issue "was" based on the $99. , first come first severed . As opposed to a CAS player wagering $50K or a suite guest dropping several thousand $ .. If you can not see the difference stopping looking ...

 

But as it is all irrelevant now , Everyone try and have a nice cruise ;)

Edited September 27, 2014 by mpk218

[NLH Arizona]

You may want to take a closer look ... Do you really think there is a CAS player that wagers $99. and gets all those perks you refer to ...

 

I think its fairly plain to see that the entire issue "was" based on the $99. , first come first severed . As opposed to a CAS player wagering $50K or a suite guest dropping several thousand $ .. If you can not see the difference stopping looking ...

 

But as it is all irrelevant now , Everyone try and have a nice cruise ;)

I don't care if someone is buying the $99 package or gambling $50,000, they are still buying the perk and watering down the suite perks for those that travel in suites and that is what people have an issue with. As I said, I don't have an issue with either one, but let's call a spade a spade....they both are purchasing the perks in one way or another. Sorry, you don't see that it is virtually the same thing....buying perks.

Edited September 27, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[PokerDave]

they are still buying the perk and watering down the suite perks for those that travel in suites and that is what people have an issue with.

 

However that has been going on without issue for years. To get to Golden you have to get 15,000 points in a year. At $20 a point for Video Poker that is $300,000 coin in. At 97% return at best on Video Poker, that essentially means an expected loss of $9,000 to get to Golden. Likely worse on Slots.

 

If anything, the Suite Perks are watering down the Casino VIP's as much as the other way around (and a lot of the CAS VIPs are in suites already). And Cagney's has not had issues with the volume of suites plus Casino VIPs.

 

When they said they were going to take away one of the perks that ease the pain of your expected loss in the casino, they pulled the tiger's tail... I suspect a few big players cancelling is more the reason for the change than Suite guests complaining about watered down perks although I'm sure it was both. Pissing off that combined group for maybe 50 people paying a total of $5,000 for the VIP perks was never a good idea. Losing one CAS VIP would cost them more.

[monkeybone]

However that has been going on without issue for years. To get to Golden you have to get 15,000 points in a year. At $20 a point for Video Poker that is $300,000 coin in. At 97% return at best on Video Poker, that essentially means an expected loss of $9,000 to get to Golden. Likely worse on Slots.

 

If anything, the Suite Perks are watering down the Casino VIP's as much as the other way around (and a lot of the CAS VIPs are in suites already). And Cagney's has not had issues with the volume of suites plus Casino VIPs.

 

When they said they were going to take away one of the perks that ease the pain of your expected loss in the casino, they pulled the tiger's tail... I suspect a few big players cancelling is more the reason for the change than Suite guests complaining about watered down perks although I'm sure it was both. Pissing off that combined group for maybe 50 people paying a total of $5,000 for the VIP perks was never a good idea. Losing one CAS VIP would cost them more.

 

Agreed!

[NLH Arizona]

However that has been going on without issue for years. To get to Golden you have to get 15,000 points in a year. At $20 a point for Video Poker that is $300,000 coin in. At 97% return at best on Video Poker, that essentially means an expected loss of $9,000 to get to Golden. Likely worse on Slots.

 

If anything, the Suite Perks are watering down the Casino VIP's as much as the other way around (and a lot of the CAS VIPs are in suites already). And Cagney's has not had issues with the volume of suites plus Casino VIPs.

 

When they said they were going to take away one of the perks that ease the pain of your expected loss in the casino, they pulled the tiger's tail... I suspect a few big players cancelling is more the reason for the change than Suite guests complaining about watered down perks although I'm sure it was both. Pissing off that combined group for maybe 50 people paying a total of $5,000 for the VIP perks was never a good idea. Losing one CAS VIP would cost them more.

Well thank you for schooling me on what it takes to become Golden. Just for the record, I made Golden after my second cruise and I play slots. I'm now down one tier, because I choose to enjoy my third cruise instead of spending all that time in the casino, not to mention since I cruise in a suite, I already get the perks. With all the complaining when it was announced that perks were being taken away, I would guess that most are not cruising in suites, otherwise it really wouldn't matter. Bottom line is, no matter if it costs someone $99 or $9,000 in loses for gambling, they are still buying the perks. And as I've said before, I don't care if they sell the packages or give it as a perk to CAS VIP's or pull every other person out of line and give them the perks, I just think it should be understood, that everyone buys these perks in one way or another and yes that includes those of us in a suite. And if the suite passengers who complained about the VIP package watering down their perks, they should also feel the same about the CAS VIP's that are not traveling in a suite.

[PokerDave]

Well thank you for schooling me on what it takes to become Golden. Just for the record, I made Golden after my second cruise and I play slots.

 

Pretty sure I didn't disagree with you or school you. At least that wasn't my intent. Just making the point that if the situation is suite guests and casino VIP's getting B&L in Cagneys that seemed to be not an issue for the last two years, but if you place a $$$$ value of $99 on the perk AND take it away from the VIP casino players at the same time that wasn't very smart...

[NLH Arizona]

Pretty sure I didn't disagree with you or school you. At least that wasn't my intent. Just making the point that if the situation is suite guests and casino VIP's getting B&L in Cagneys that seemed to be not an issue for the last two years, but if you place a $$$$ value of $99 on the perk AND take it away from the VIP casino players at the same time that wasn't very smart...

And my point was that it shouldn't matter what one pays for the perks, if a passenger in a suite feels that someone not in a suite waters down their perks, then they should feel the same about everyone who gets them (including CAS VIP guests) while not staying in a suite.

Edited September 27, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[PokerDave]

And my point was that it shouldn't matter what one pays for the perks, if a passenger in a suite feels that someone not in a suite waters down their perks, they should feel they should feel the same about everyone who gets them (including CAS VIP guests).

 

Ok, now I WILL school you. What I and some others have said that you don't seem to grasp is that it isn't so much that others can pay for the perk, it's that suite passengers AND casino VIP's know they've paid a LOT for the perk and for NCL to take it away from half that group and devalue it hugely to the other half wasn't a smart call.

 

Your point that all are paying for the perk is true and obvious and misses the issue...

[Travel Junkie Judy]

And when I posted it was discontinued yesterday no one believed me

 

I believed you.

 

I’ve been reading this thread, but have not commented.

I knew when I saw that you said it was discontinued - well I knew it was true.

 

I hope your knee is feeling better.

[Travel Junkie Judy]

I want to thank all of the contributors for the entertaining posts.

 

As a frequent suite passenger, I am not sorry to see this end.

Unlike others, we have had to wait for a table in Cagneys on the Star.

I love X 3 the Star.

I never minded waiting, but I’m not sure how I would feel about waiting if they were selling these passes.

 

Maybe I wouldn’t care....maybe I would????

More than likely, it would depend on how hungry I was at the time.

 

I just know one thing for sure.

 

No matter what happens.......there is no such thing as a bad cruise.

I don’t cook, I don’t clean and I don’t make my bed.

Life is good.

[sjnyc323]

I believed you.

 

 

 

I’ve been reading this thread, but have not commented.

 

I knew when I saw that you said it was discontinued - well I knew it was true.

 

 

 

I hope your knee is feeling better.

 

 

My knee is getting stronger each day. Thanks . Enjoy your upcoming cruise on the Dawn.

 

Suzanne

[NLH Arizona]

Ok, now I WILL school you. What I and some others have said that you don't seem to grasp is that it isn't so much that others can pay for the perk, it's that suite passengers AND casino VIP's know they've paid a LOT for the perk and for NCL to take it away from half that group and devalue it hugely to the other half wasn't a smart call.

 

Your point that all are paying for the perk is true and obvious and misses the issue...

Your schooling FAILED. Now I understand your thinking, those that paid a LOT are more deserving than someone who would have purchased a legitimate program for a lesser amount. All I can say is WOW. Possibly, unbeknown to you, suite passengers were complaining about the CAS VIP's watering down their perks....just saying. Edited September 28, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[PokerDave]

Your schooling FAILED. Now I understand your thinking, those that paid a LOT are more deserving than someone who would have purchased a legitimate program for a lesser amount. All I can say is WOW. Possibly, unbeknown to you, suite passengers were complaining about the CAS VIP's watering down their perks....just saying.

 

Ok... You win...

[Katie'sMom]

Perhaps it would be best that everyone be thankful that they are in the position to even enjoy a wonderful vacation whether it is in a suite, balcony, ocean view, or inside cabin. So many cannot and will never be able to have such an opportunity. Try to think about that instead of complaining if you have to wait an extra 5-10 minutes in a restaurant, or if your cruise is not perfect. If that is your only concern, then your life is pretty darn good. :)