VIP Priority Plus

[mydreamvacation]

I wouldn't change your plans yet. First of all we don't know how long this promo will be good for and second they say limited space so we don't exactly know how many they are selling for each cruise. I would wait and see what the outcome is.

 

This reminds me so much of when the no smoking on balconies came out so many people said well now I'm not cruising anymore. So with this new promo people are doing the same thing by saying so now I won't buy a suite anymore. You will still miss out on all other perks that this promo does not give. Do people only get a suite just to eat in Cagneys?

 

I can't speak for all people who get suites but since I personally have given NCL over $50K of my hard earned money over the years for the pleasure of sailing in a suite.

 

I can say what is important to me. The exclusivity of a suite, the priority boarding, tendering etc and all things that go along with my big price tag.

 

It is ludicrous to me that I should pay four times what someone else is and they are getting the same perks for $99!

 

It would be like someone paying for a Hyundai but upgrading at the lot for $99 and drive away in a Mercedes. The perks are not free- I pay a lot of money for them and by paying that large sum I feel I am entitled to exclusivity. This is no comparison to a smoking policy. Maybe it is a good thing NCL bought Regent as it may be time for me to switch lines.

[albertamom]

I doubt that there will be more guests in Cagneys for breakfast and lunch now. This perk was taken away from the Golden and VIP CAS guests. On my last Gem cruise there were 6 VIP and 24 Golden CAS guests, that amounted to 60 plus(anyone staying in the room had the perk) guests with the Cagneys benefit. Granted some were already in suites, so lets say at least 40 people. If the New plan is limited, it will more than likely be close to the same number of non-suite guests in Cagneys.

 

This is interesting. I hadn't read the CAS threads, because I don't visit the Casinos. I didn't even realize that they received the breakfast/lunch perk.

[JohnIreland]

Pitty we already have a suite booked for November.

 

Could have saved a good chunk with this deal.

[medsed]

I can't speak for all people who get suites but since I personally have given NCL over $50K of my hard earned money over the years for the pleasure of sailing in a suite.

 

I can say what is important to me. The exclusivity of a suite, the priority boarding, tendering etc and all things that go along with my big price tag.

 

It is ludicrous to me that I should pay four times what someone else is and they are getting the same perks for $99!

 

It would be like someone paying for a Hyundai but upgrading at the lot for $99 and drive away in a Mercedes. The perks are not free- I pay a lot of money for them and by paying that large sum I feel I am entitled to exclusivity. This is no comparison to a smoking policy. Maybe it is a good thing NCL bought Regent as it may be time for me to switch lines.

 

We are about to embark on our first suite experience...I spent substantially more than anyone in a balcony and minisuite.....we booked early at a fairly high price that increased over time. So there was no chance of savings.. NCLs suites are popular for a reason and command top dollar for the most part. I have looked at cruises a year out and a great deal of them are already sold out in the suite category or have a very few left. How many cruisers will continue to book early and pay top dollar...part of what keeps the price high is that the demand is great...cabins that do not fill early are the ones that get reduced over time....why not wait it out, see how low a suite fare will be...if it doesn't get low enough just get there early and book this package. I am very disappointed to learn that many of the perks I paid a substantial premium for are being sold for no where near what they were considered to be worth a few months ago when I booked this cruise. I feel like we were "taken" by being told these were exclusive benefits to a few VIPs and those that booked suites. It is too late for us to change cabin categories but my disappointment at the moment is palpable.

Edited September 23, 2014 by medsed

[BuffetPantsPls]

Yup. With the except of ships with a dedicated Haven restaurant, if sailing the older ships, you'd have to be crazy to pay for a suite. In fact, the Butler is the least desirable amenity for us.

 

not only that

 

you get room service included in this package. so ummm you're not really even losing out on the butler.

 

the priority boarding / disembark is a slap in the face though. Esp for those of us who hate planning/likes just strolling out at the last minute, will now have to potentially wait depending on how many of these priority vip passes sell.

[david_sobe]

I hope whichever employee came up with this grand idea has been brushing up on their resume' :p

They probably will get promoted. Just think removing the free VIP status and making people pay $99 for the perks. Say they give it out to 25 people per cruise that is $2500 times 56 weeks (one sailing per week) and that equals $140,000 just one ship for one year. Times that for all their other ships and it comes close to a million dollars in just one year :eek:

A little nickel and diming goes a LONG LONG way ;)

[BuffetPantsPls]

They probably will get promoted. Just think removing the free VIP status and making people pay $99 for the perks. Say they give it out to 25 people per cruise that is $2500 times 56 weeks (one sailing per week) and that equals $140,000 just one ship for one year. Times that for all their other ships and it comes close to a million dollars in just one year :eek:

A little nickel and diming goes a LONG LONG way ;)

 

pretty sure they'll lose alot more haven/suite sailing customers with this promo then the measley 140k$ they make by selling this.

 

you typically try not to agitate the customers paying 7-10k per room by letting them know someone else can get pretty much the sme perks + a free meal at cirque (that suite guests have to pay for) for 99$.

 

going by the numbers, you would easily lose 140k in haven bookings in one sailing that you spent the entire year trying to make. That's pretty bad math.

[SissasMomE]

not only that

 

you get room service included in this package. so ummm you're not really even losing out on the butler.

 

the priority boarding / disembark is a slap in the face though. Esp for those of us who hate planning/likes just strolling out at the last minute, will now have to potentially wait depending on how many of these priority vip passes sell.

 

That's the part that bothers me the most. As silly as it sounds, that's the main reason I even booked a suite.

[KateQ22003]

Well, this sounds wonderful. I hope the Dawn will offer this in four weeks.

 

I just got off the Dawn a few weeks ago and they were offering this in my balcony room.

[david_sobe]

pretty sure they'll lose alot more haven/suite sailing customers with this promo then the measley 140k$ they make by selling this.

 

you typically try not to agitate the customers paying 7-10k per room by letting them know someone else can get pretty much the sme perks + a free meal at cirque (that suite guests have to pay for) for 99$.

 

going by the numbers, you would easily lose 140k in haven bookings in one sailing that you spent the entire year trying to make. That's pretty bad math.

It could happen but the Haven is routinely sold out so time will tell. Cruising is a business and upsetting some passengers is ok if profit is up and bookings are solid.

[BuffetPantsPls]

just pricing out my sailing for 4

 

1x midship minisuite with balcony for 1 adult 1 child

$1,767.34

2x 207 sq ft., Balcony 32 sq ft.

$3,534.68

+ 4x 99$ vip pass

$3,950.68

 

1x 2br haven -

495 sq ft., Balcony 48-50 sq ft.

$7,398.35

+4 x cirque dinners ( $30 Adults | $15 Children ) - 90$

$7,488.35

 

 

so with a whopping 3537.67 total saved.

 

I could acutally even get a housekeeper/baby sitter for 1.5k$ for the 7 day sailing + pay for her as an extra person to one of the rooms and still

come out with 1000$ in savings.

then i dont even need to bother with dropping the kids off at the day care center.

[mydreamvacation]

That's the part that bothers me the most. As silly as it sounds, that's the main reason I even booked a suite.

I just checked my getaway booking. I can move us from the Haven to a balcony cabin for $3000 less than I am paying now. Granted I would lose my $450 obc but it really bothers me that for $99 i'm one can basically get the perks that I'm paying thousands of dollars for

I am not as troubled about the Getaway as it does have a haven but I'm seriously rethinking our Baltics trip.

[BuffetPantsPls]

In all honesty, what they should do is offer udp and ubp as part of the suite packages to bring up the perks back to somewhat parity if they keep this 99$ vip package

Edited September 23, 2014 by BuffetPantsPls

[jaja]

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

 

Thanks NCL for posting the complete info here ...We all appreciate it...And I do hope you will return to let us know how it is going! (and to tell us if you can..How many will be sold on each sailing as that will impact the suite pax experience)

 

PS--IF this program is still in effect in 2015..I surely will be "downgrading" my booked suite for a balcony...and saving LOTS of money!

[david_sobe]

In all honesty, what they should do is offer udp and ubp as part of the suite packages to bring up the perks back to somewhat parity if they keep this 99$ vip package

Now you're talking!

I always thought those should have always been included.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

That's the part that bothers me the most. As silly as it sounds, that's the main reason I even booked a suite.

 

 

That's funny. That's the main reason I would want to buy it but now that I think about it DH is a lot cheaper and he can run up to the buffet and get me breakfast.

[mydreamvacation]

Yup. For my Baltic trip there would be enough left over to pay for two more planes tickets to Copenhagen had to return from Munich

Hotel rooms for my son and his girlfriend in Copenhagen Munich and Berlin and a balcony cabin for the two of them putting myself in a mini suite. Definitely going to be having some discussions about that trip

[BuffetPantsPls]

Now you're talking!

I always thought those should have always been included.

 

yea, me 2

 

i acutally just like paying one price, throwing away my wallet for the entire trip.

 

like not having to worry about signing anything or sorting out potential mismatches or tryign to get credit back on silly things like reservations.

[mydreamvacation]

In all honesty, what they should do is offer udp and ubp as part of the suite packages to bring up the perks back to somewhat parity if they keep this 99$ vip package

Oh I forgot to add that in my drink package cost me over $800 on top of the $6000 suite. Region is looking more and more attractive daily. Fact I booked the all in package for the Baltics but that's probably all going to be changing

[jmele999]

Now you're talking!

I always thought those should have always been included.

 

I agree.

 

Even though NCL has indicated that only a limited number of VIP packages will be sold, if the program is successful, I can see them increasing the number of VIP packages they sell.

 

I am disappointed that NCL is doing this and offering nothing in return to those who are paying a PREMIUM for those perks. I plan on writing a letter to NCL regarding this.

[Old & Retired]

I think the butlers will become a lot busier now. If Cagney's turns into a madhouse with people I bet lots of suite guests will be ordering their breakfast served by the butler.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I'm booked in a suite for my getaway May 2015 cruise and I'm not upset if someone gets upgraded room service breakfast or gets a bottle of wine and a ticket for a show. Who is it hurting? I'm not booked in a suite for my breakaway November 2014 cruise and will seriously think about buying it.

 

But my big question is who is going to know who bought a VIP priority pass or is a suite guest? Do you actually think they will tape a big red label on people's heads saying I'm a suite guest or I bought the VIP Pass? You would never know who is who unless you follow them to their rooms.

Edited September 23, 2014 by FootballParent

[BuffetPantsPls]

I'm booked in a suite for my getaway May 2015 suite and I'm not upset if someone gets upgraded room service breakfast or gets a bottle of wine and a ticket for a show. Who is it hurting? I'm not booked in a suite for my breakaway November 2014 cruise and will seriously think about buying it.

 

But my big question is who is going to know who bought a VIP priority pass or is a suite guest? Do you actually think they will tape a big red label on people's heads saying I'm a suite guest or I bought the VIP Pass? You would never know who is who unless you follow them to their rooms.

 

oh, i certainly don't mind eating with the rest of the herd. Am simply pointing out the value proposition. Why would one even bother consider booking a suite unless they enjoy throwing away money?

 

You get pretyt much the same perks + room service + priority tender/disembarking, an extra show/dinner and the same cheap bottle of sparkling for 50% off the price of booking a suite.

 

as with your november sailing, i'd think the value alone makes this 99$ package worth buying.

it's a no brainer

30$ for cirque + 30$ (cheap sparkler on their wine list) + breakfast/lunch at cagneys i'm going to say 40$ (but it's clearly alot more) + room service for breakfast $?? + priority embarking/disembarking - this is pretty priceless to me. but regardless,, your bang for the buck is tremendous.

[rhinomike]

This reminds me of when a Carnival introduced the Faster to the Fun program. All of us Platinum members were upset that others could buy what took us years to earn. But we forgot about it, got over it and everything is fine now.

 

I am on the other side. I have 2 connecting ocean view rooms booked on the Dawn. I am going to try and upgrade to a balcony or mini suite. Then rush onto the ship and see of I can buy my way to VIP status. I would of got a suite but they were all sold out.

 

This also makes me think it is going to be a mad dash onto the ship to buy this VIP status. People are going to arrive at the terminal early and fight to get on the ship first.

[Rileyz]

I'm booked in a suite for my getaway May 2015 suite and I'm not upset if someone gets upgraded room service breakfast or gets a bottle of wine and a ticket for a show. Who is it hurting? I'm not booked in a suite for my breakaway November 2014 cruise and will seriously think about buying it.

 

But my big question is who is going to know who bought a VIP priority pass or is a suite guest? Do you actually think they will tape a big red label on people's heads saying I'm a suite guest or I bought the VIP Pass? You would never know who is who unless you follow them to their rooms.

 

I think you would care more if you were on one of the smaller ships. It's not about the room service and wine. Would you want people being able to pay $99 and go into the Haven restaurant? I'm 3 weeks away from my 5th suite and I know what I like about it and what I am apprehensive about. It's hard to know for sure until some of us have experienced it, but my initial reaction is that I don't like it. However, if I find it isn't as bad as I feared I will definitely share that on cc.