Traveling with friends in different class rooms?

[hgrant]

Early days here - We are looking at traveling with 2 other couples - each couple will book their own room based on a price level they are comfortable with.  My husband likes to do suites (just got off the Prime in a Haven suite and meh, didn't see much difference from just a suite on the POA).  Does anyone know if our friends just book a balcony and not a suite, can they have breakfast/lunch with us in Cagneys (or wherever the suites can have meals)?  We don't want to waste money being escorted on/off the ship and the other suite perks if we keep deferring them so we can hang with our friends.  Is it better to just get a regular balcony and not a suite.  We are not sure what type of room our friends will choose just yet.  Pretty sure one couple (my parents) will not go the suite route or maybe not even the balcony route.  Surprisingly, we don't think that our consultant will give us a correct answer as she is in Miami and wants to make a sale so will probably just tell us what we want to hear and have different answers on the ship.  TIA

[Rick&Jeannie]

We ran into a very similar situation recently on a Princess cruise.  We were booked into a cabin (mini-suite, Reserve Class) which had special dining area features.  Our companions (family) were not.  We were always having to decide whether or not to forego our special dining just so we could eat with our family.  In retrospect, we would not have booked as we did, but we were expecting them to book the same.  Apparently they waited too late and all Reserve Class was gone.

 

Not being as experienced on NCL...I probably cannot give you a *totally* relevant answer...but if it's important to you to all be together (as with us) then we would probaly skip the suite until a time sailing when it is only us...or everybody gets a suite.

 

Edited March 25 by Rick&Jeannie
Wrong cruise line stated!

[www3traveler]

Simple answer is NO.  I would book a balcony.  No matter what cabin selection any of you make, have a wonderful time.

 

Suggestion for you: try to find a local travel agency to advise you.

 

 

[PatJim]

I would not book a suite if traveling companions are not also booked there.  You would be giving up many of the suite perks you’re paying for, to spend time with friends/family.  
 

What ship are you on?  Surprised you thought the Prima, with its Haven restaurant and bars, etc., was meh.  But if you’re booking on a Gem-class or older ship without these Haven facilities, you could still enjoy breakfast & lunch at your private venues and meet up for dinner with the other 2 couples.  

It is possible to invite non-Haven guests to the Haven for dinner, maybe once, if the Concierge agrees, but you would be charged a steep fee for each guest.  They can also visit you in your cabin, but would not be allowed in other Haven spaces.

 

The only thing you might be able to do with them, related to Haven privileges, is to join you in Haven for an early disembark if you are all booked on the same excursion.  The Concierge would have to allow it.  A Roll Call couple, not in the Haven,  shared an excursion with us that had an early meeting time.  They were allowed to join us in the Haven, so we could be together in the staff elevator to be escorted off the ship.

[www3traveler]

5 minutes ago, PatJim said:

I would not book a suite if traveling companions are not also booked there.  You would be giving up many of the suite perks you’re paying for, to spend time with friends/family.  
 

What ship are you on?  Surprised you thought the Prima, with its Haven restaurant and bars, etc., was meh.  But if you’re booking on a Gem-class or older ship without these Haven facilities, you could still enjoy breakfast & lunch at your private venues and meet up for dinner with the other 2 couples.  

It is possible to invite non-Haven guests to the Haven for dinner, maybe once, if the Concierge agrees, but you would be charged a steep fee for each guest.  They can also visit you in your cabin, but would not be allowed in other Haven spaces.

 

The only thing you might be able to do with them, related to Haven privileges, is to join you in Haven for an early disembark if you are all booked on the same excursion.  The Concierge would have to allow it.  A Roll Call couple, not in the Haven,  shared an excursion with us that had an early meeting time.  They were allowed to join us in the Haven, so we could be together in the staff elevator to be escorted off the ship.

They mentioned POA (Pride of America) which would be a Hawaiian island cruise.  If the Pride has Haven cabins, I do not think there is a restaurant.  She might have a very small bar probably open very limited hours.

[schmoopie17]

I would equate this to you having a suite at a ballgame, which typically comes with food and drinks as part of the deal. Could you invite your friends to join you who are sitting in the bleachers?

 

Edited March 25 by schmoopie17

[cruiseny4life]

If the intent of your cruise is to be joined at the hip, or at least 80% of the time, booking the Haven would be the wrong category for you. I'm not sure what ship you're looking to book - if it's one without a Haven Restaurant (like Pr1ma has), then if you're fine having breakfast/lunch apart, but then joining your friends for dinner, then perhaps it is worth it. Personally, a huge value of the Haven is the restaurant to me, so...my friends would be out of luck at meal time. 

 

Also, if you are on a ship with a Haven bar/lounge, your friends won't be allowed to join. So, if you want to spend most of your time with the friends, forget the Haven. You all could look into booking Vibe or thermal suite. If you all have a pass, then you all can enjoy the amenities there and the reduced number of passengers. I bet for the price difference of a balcony vs. Haven, you could even purchase everyone Vibe passes or the thermal suite (not saying you should, but you probably could). 

 

At any rate, let us know what your decision is. We're interested and vested in your cruising enjoyment now! 

[Sailing12Away]

It all depends on the ship and what the expectations of the group are. We've done a few trips with us in the Haven and family or friends not, and it's been ok if expectations are managed before getting on board.

Our most recent trip was on Prima with my sister and her family and some friends. We were in Haven, the rest of them were not. We had a few specialty dinning meals planned out for the group, and during the day we would meet up at times and wander together for lunch in the Local once, but we did our own things. We had breakfast in our room, they went to the buffet. One night we ate dinner in the Haven restaurant, they ate at the MDR. For disembarkation, they got off first on their own, we took our time skipping the line with the concierge and met them outside off the ship.

 

Another trip we sailed with my parents, same situation. Had a single dinner in the Haven restaurant (fine with me, I'm in the minority and don't rave about the food there so one and done is more than ok), and all other dinners were with my folks. During the day we would go to the Haven pool, mom went and played bingo, dad went and napped. After dinner we went to the Haven bar, mom went to the show in the theater, dad went to bed. 

 

So it all depends on how much time is needed to spend with the group together. If they're fine with seeing you every now and then and sharing stories of what the other person did that day - great. If they expect to have a babysitter and someone to take them to each activity all day long - it will be exhausting and you will feel like you're missing out on what you paid for. 

They can certainly come to your room, and my sister & family did on Prima many times. But there's only so much you can do sitting on a large balcony in cold weather before teens get bored and everyone wants to go do something else.

 

The older jewel class ships are also very different from say the breakaway plus class. Jewel class you can do it and not miss out on much, whereas the breakaway plus - you would be wasting your money if you didn't spend a bit of your time there. If your friends are fine with you going without them to your private place, then fine, but if they're passive aggressive about it like my mother it's not worth the headache. Trust me.

[complawyer]

simple answer. any cabin up to and including club balcony suites (although not really suites) and your travel companions can join  you at any of the other available eating venues. if you book a suite, you can eat breakfast at moderno's, lunch in cagneys, your companions cannot.

 

if the particular ship you're choosing, has a dedicated haven complex, you can eat all  your meals in the haven restaurant. again, your companions cannot. 

 

here's an idea, however: possibly you and your parents can book a 2 bedroom suite and you'll all get the perks, your friends can book a lessor suite and get the perks. 

 

by the way, as i've posted before, on ncl ships that offer both haven and "suites", the rooms are essentially the same, the perks are essentially the same, except if here is a true haven, you get a specially designated pool/jacuzzi/sundeck area, a private bar, lounge and restaurant.

 

the difference is about 2-3000 in price. we usually book the suite, although as much as it pains me to do so, to save the extra 3k, i can forgo the private private parts (excuse the pun)offered in the true haven

[PatJim]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

…So, if you want to spend most of your time with the friends, forget the Haven. You all could look into booking Vibe or thermal suite. If you all have a pass, then you all can enjoy the amenities there and the reduced number of passengers. I bet for the price difference of a balcony vs. Haven, you could even purchase everyone Vibe passes or the thermal suite (not saying you should, but you probably could). 

 

At any rate, let us know what your decision is. We're interested and vested in your cruising enjoyment now! 

This is a great suggestion!  Just hope the ship you’re sailing on has a Vibe or Posh Beach Club with available access passes.  Pride of America does  not.  I also thought, like complawyer above, of booking a 2-bedroom for you and your parents, if the other couple could book a Haven penthouse suite.  Some of them, outside the Haven proper, are less expensive.  We have been booking Haven 2-bedrooms with my sister after she lost her husband.  She pays 1/3 the cost, and gets all the Haven perks for far less than if she booked a separate Haven cabin.  (She’s also kind enough to take the smaller “kids” bedroom without complaining 🥰)

[hgrant]

Thanks, all.  OP here.  We did the POA and the excursions beforehand with my parents in a 2BR, 2BA suite.  I think we could all use a little more separation from each other!  🤣  I think to make things easier, we will just get a regular balcony room and save the perks when we are just traveling as a couple.

 

I will say this about the Haven v. the suite we had on POA.  On POA and Haven, we have a butler and a steward (everyone has a steward).  We got to eat breakfast and lunch in designated places (Haven on Prima and Cagney's on POA).  We always turn down the drink package because we don't drink.  We aren't big pool people either.  Plus, this cruise we are looking at will be in mid-October so we probably aren't doing much swimming/hot tubbing then either.  The Haven restaurant was nice for dinner but you can truly only choose from the same items so many times!  Plus I wanted to try other restaurants as well.  We were walked off both ships with the suite and with the Haven room which was nice.  Not sure it was x amount nicer!  Plus if the rest of our group isn't being walked off then we are just waiting on the pier for them anyway.  We might as well walk with them.  My dad has anxiety when we travel so being with him when I can is much better than not - but not in the same suite!

[hgrant]

4 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

I would equate this to you having a suite at a ballgame, which typically comes with food and drinks as part of the deal. Could you invite your friends to join you who are sitting in the bleachers?

 

 

I have no idea!  I'm guessing by your tone - no! 😂  Hubs was wondering if the 2 of us got a 3 BR suite and the other couples got interior rooms but stayed with us, if we could save some $ and get the nice suite!  Again, I think we want more separation from each other!

[complawyer]

1st off, the 3 bedroom, while large and spacious is the most expensive cabin on board. while your plan might be brilliant in it's concept, it  may not work in it's execution. when you go for breakfast or lunch, in moderno, cagneys or the haven restaurant, the hostess always has a list of who's staying where, if your friends names are not listed as being in the 3 bedroom, it'll be a no go.

 

also, if your steward or butler is a tattletale, he will notify someone that there is an extra party in the cabin that doesnt belong.  by the way, paying for 2 couples for the 3 bedroom and an extra inside cabin, is a tremendous waste of money. (unless of course, you have that much discretionary income to spend). the 3 bedroom is about  4000 sq ft with an additional 2000 sq ft of sundeck.

 

why dont all of you chip in equally, and get the 3 bedroom?

[uneamie]

Why not get a "non Haven" Penhouse that does not have any special perks that other cannot join you in. We booked a very nice SC Penthouse on the Joy...it's not Haven. We don't have to choose what to do with my son and his girlfriend who will be in a balcony because they can do what we can do and go to the same places. You still have a nice cabin just no Haven perks. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

13 hours ago, hgrant said:

We are looking at traveling with 2 other couples - each couple will book their own room based on a price level they are comfortable with. 

 

13 hours ago, hgrant said:

Pretty sure one couple (my parents) will not go the suite route or maybe not even the balcony route.

Why are you asking folks on the internet instead of just communicating within your travel group?  You're cruising together but unable to talk about how to make it fun for all?  That really doesn't make much sense.

[complawyer]

uneami. it must be just  the ncl joy. any suite penthouse or other wise, haven or just a suite gets the perks. any ncl ship we've taken (an we've taken a bunch) always offered butler/concierge/ breakfast in moderno, lunch in cagney's etc.

[graphicguy]

Skimmed most of this.

 

So, the question is how can you have fun with your friends being in different cabins and cabin types?  BTW...sounds like the cabin type really has no bearing on this since everyone's in a different cabin category.

 

1st.....there are plenty of restaurants on the ship you can dine together.

2nd...there are plenty of public spaces to meet up

3rd.....there are lots of entertainment venues you can attend together

 

The rest?  Well, it really doesn't matter unless you can make the above plans as a group.

[debenson0723]

11 hours ago, uneamie said:

Why not get a "non Haven" Penhouse that does not have any special perks that other cannot join you in. We booked a very nice SC Penthouse on the Joy...it's not Haven. We don't have to choose what to do with my son and his girlfriend who will be in a balcony because they can do what we can do and go to the same places. You still have a nice cabin just no Haven perks. 

With a suite on the Joy, you will be able to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's...your son and his girlfriend will not be able to join you there. 

[hgrant]

10 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

 

Why are you asking folks on the internet instead of just communicating within your travel group?  You're cruising together but unable to talk about how to make it fun for all?  That really doesn't make much sense.

 

Because I already know some of our group will not be in Haven so I am asking a question about ship rules.  If you don't want to answer, please feel free to move on.  I was just curious if others faced this and what they did about it.  We have decided not to book Haven or a suite for this trip so we can hang out with our friends and relatives.

[JustAPilot]

49 minutes ago, hgrant said:

 

Because I already know some of our group will not be in Haven so I am asking a question about ship rules.  If you don't want to answer, please feel free to move on.  I was just curious if others faced this and what they did about it.  We have decided not to book Haven or a suite for this trip so we can hang out with our friends and relatives.

This question has been brought up before and the answer is you are allowed to have guests in your Haven room and the butler will even bring snacks for everyone to enjoy but your guests are not allowed to use any of the Haven facilities. 

[vacation44]

2 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

With a suite on the Joy, you will be able to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's...your son and his girlfriend will not be able to join you there. 

NCL took away the majority of the Joy suite (non Haven) amenities in late 2021.  These included breakfast and lunch in Cagney's.   

[graphicguy]

Subtracting the Haven from the equation, since not everyone will be booked in the Haven, I've seen groups hang out in the Library (it's really not used all that much). the Atrium (when there isn't an activity, the seats around the gaming area at O'Sheehans/The Local....very few people hang out there.

 

Dine as a group?  Make reservations at Taste/Savor.

 

Add in the Haven...and, as pointed out, the group can come to your cabin, but can not use any of the other Haven facilities.

Edited March 26 by graphicguy

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, hgrant said:

If you don't want to answer, please feel free to move on.

If you aren't open to feedback, why even post?

[Sailing12Away]

23 hours ago, hgrant said:

I have no idea!  I'm guessing by your tone - no! 😂  Hubs was wondering if the 2 of us got a 3 BR suite and the other couples got interior rooms but stayed with us, if we could save some $ and get the nice suite!  Again, I think we want more separation from each other!

NCL is 'better' than other lines in that regard - generally speaking the price you see for a cabin is the price regardless of how many folks you put in there. So if the 3br villa costs 35K for 4 people, putting 6 people in there won't change the price that much (mostly just port fees and taxes), so it's a minimal cost to put 6 guests in there rather than just 4. Even paying for an inside cabin for those last 2 guests the price isn't going to be a savings compared to just putting them in the 3br villa with you for real.

 

If you're still toying with the idea of having friends book an inside but come crash in your room - they won't get any of the perks. That's the whole reason for booking the room outright. They can certainly visit, and you can even talk to the concierge and get them a spare key to your room, so no need to sneak them in. But it doesn't make sense to do it the 'sneaky' way.

[ChiefMateJRK]

This:

On 3/25/2024 at 7:59 AM, hgrant said:

We are looking at traveling with 2 other couples - each couple will book their own room based on a price level they are comfortable with.

seems to contradict this:

On 3/25/2024 at 1:56 PM, hgrant said:

Hubs was wondering if the 2 of us got a 3 BR suite and the other couples got interior rooms but stayed with us, if we could save some $ and get the nice suite! 

It sounds like you're looking to "book your own room based on a price level you're comfortable with" but then save some money by passing the hat among your traveling companions so that they can subsidize your "better than theirs" cabin by squatting in your cabin.

 

Why don't you all just book whatever and enjoy the cruise?  This sounds like a recipe for failure (on several levels).