AFT or Concierge

[diamonddee1929]

I’m booked on the Joy To Alaska in an Aft balcony and just noticed the concierge level suite was similiar in price, would you recommend switching cabins? And does it matter what side of the ship you are in when sailing round trip to Alaska?

[diamonddee1929]

Anyone have any thoughts? 

[Sand and Seas]

I am intrigued by the Concierge class.  If you have never been in a Haven or Suite, this sounds like a good time to try it out.  Not full Haven, but lots of pluses.   Our favorite part of our Haven cruise was the private breakfast & lunches.  Really loved that restaurant. 

We want to cruise more often so not planning to try Haven again.  But on the Joy, I might try a bid for concierge.

[diamonddee1929]

Thanks. 

The idea and perks of a suite are intriguing but not sure if it’s worth giving up an Aft balcony on the Alaskan cruise?  Does it matter where your balcony is on a round trip to Alaska?  

[milolii]

According  to another thread,  the information on the perks looks confusing.  AFT cabins are great, and extremely hard to book.  Are you going to Glacier Bay?  We cruised Alaska in an AFT suite on the STAR.  We saw everything, but did not go to Glacier Bay. We are doing that this summer.  But on Princess. 

 

Good luck!  Breakfast and Lunch in a speciality restaurant is very nice, as well.  

 

[diamonddee1929]

Yes we are going to Glacier bay and that’s why we decided to go with an Aft balcony. But I hear conflicting things regarding where your balcony should be and that it doesn’t matter. Just all so confusing. 

Thanks!!

[milolii]

Yes,  I  hear conflicting things also.  On our cruise this summer, we would go with an aft suite, but it is just too expensive.  Our ship has a “Sancuary”  at the front of the ship, so we may book that for the day.  

 

I found this article.  It seems to say guest have priority dinning, concierge service, and priority embarkation and disembarkation.  Not sure if that means the speciality restaurants for breakfast or lunch.  My guess is no. What is may  mean is the concierge will get you reservations.  They do this all the time.  They also escort  folks on and off ships.  

 

We we were on the STAR a few weeks ago.  Suzanna, our Conceirge had trouble getting reservations at the speciality resturants for even the suite passengers once on board. Some on our roll call had the same  issues even months before the cruise.  So advice here is to book those the  first day it opens up for you. 

 

https://www.travelagentcentral.com/running-your-business/west-coast-rising-olivere-outlines-norwegian-s-strategy

 

 

[Sand and Seas]

It does get you several things that are similar to Haven.   If you do a mock booking of Joy Concierge cabins it describes this:

 

Features & highlights

Mid-ship and forward locations, two beds that convert, Murphy bed. Access to concierge service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, daily breakfast and lunch in private restaurant.