VIP Status?

[LadyBerard]

I booked an inside room on a Gem cruise a couple weeks ago for a sailing the end of May.  I noticed that the confirmation has listed VIP listed on it.  We are currently Platinum, but after this cruise, we should be Sapphire.  Although we may visit the casino for a bit, we are not heavy gamblers.  May spend about $500 total in the casino during a week cruise.

 

I don't ever recall seeing VIP listed on any of our previous confirmations.  Does anyone know what this status means?

[quillwercruisers]

Did you book through a TA? If so, it might be something that they are giving you.

[LadyBerard]

I did not book direct with NCL.

[quillwercruisers]

50 minutes ago, LadyBerard said:

I did not book direct with NCL.

Sorry, but this response confused me. You booked direct with NCL and not a TA? or you did not book direct with NCL and booked with a TA?

[WillCruiseForMoney]

@LadyBerard TA's sometimes have additional offres that are shown as "VIP".  These can give you additional benefits on board.  Perhaps this is the case for you.  Could be anyting from wine to strawberries to an extra specialty dining.

 

Are there any codes on your confirmation?  Might show as something like VIPMIA1. 

[complawyer]

my granny always said "dont look a gift horse in the mouth"  if the VIP gives you something extra while  on your cruise, that's great, if it doesnt, you're no worse off for the wear and tear

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 hour ago, LadyBerard said:

I did not book direct with NCL.

Ok...who *did* you book with? (Not asking for the name of the firm...just what type of entity.)

[LadyBerard]

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Ok...who *did* you book with? (Not asking for the name of the firm...just what type of entity.)

Local family owned travel agency which has been in business 50+ years.

1 hour ago, WillCruiseForMoney said:

@LadyBerard TA's sometimes have additional offres that are shown as "VIP".  These can give you additional benefits on board.  Perhaps this is the case for you.  Could be anyting from wine to strawberries to an extra specialty dining.

 

Are there any codes on your confirmation?  Might show as something like VIPMIA1. 

[schmoopie17]

Congrats on your VIP status. I assume that means you'll have exclusive access to hash browns and cookies.

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said:

Congrats on your VIP status. I assume that means you'll have exclusive access to hash browns and cookies.

Of course...that goes without saying...

[Capitan Obvious]

Is there a reason that the Travel Agent hasn't answered this question?

[bonvoyagie]

I have seen in the past where people who organize the meet and greets are given VIP status by the cruiseline. This allowed them to have similar privileges as suite guests such as lunch in Cagney's and breakfast in Modernaro.

[GORDONCHICK]

On 4/5/2024 at 5:51 PM, bonvoyagie said:

I have seen in the past where people who organize the meet and greets are given VIP status by the cruiseline. This allowed them to have similar privileges as suite guests such as lunch in Cagney's and breakfast in Modernaro.

But that doesn't/didn't show on your booking.

[BirdTravels]

In the past, VIP codes were used for special Latitudes promotions and "gift packages" from travel agents. 

 

There are a 3 or 4 people on each cruise who are designated NCL cruise line VIPs which is totally different. 

[The Traveling Man]

On 4/5/2024 at 5:51 PM, bonvoyagie said:

I have seen in the past where people who organize the meet and greets are given VIP status by the cruiseline. This allowed them to have similar privileges as suite guests such as lunch in Cagney's and breakfast in Modernaro.

That's true.  The General Manager also sometimes will give out VIP status just because he takes a shine to you.

[Beaver1975]

On 4/5/2024 at 6:51 PM, bonvoyagie said:

I have seen in the past where people who organize the meet and greets are given VIP status by the cruiseline. This allowed them to have similar privileges as suite guests such as lunch in Cagney's and breakfast in Modernaro.

This type of VIP status went away a few years ago.  It also never existed on ships with a proper Haven restaurant.

Edited April 13 by Beaver1975

[The Traveling Man]

32 minutes ago, Beaver1975 said:

This type of VIP status went away a few years ago.  It also never existed on ships with a proper Haven restaurant.

No, I experienced it this past October when I hosted the CC M&G on the Dawn.  I'm not sure about how it works on ships with a Haven restaurant, but you probably are correct about that.

[BostonGal35]

our cards are always marked VIP, since reaching sapphire.  not sure why.... 

[Beaver1975]

On 4/13/2024 at 12:23 PM, The Traveling Man said:

No, I experienced it this past October when I hosted the CC M&G on the Dawn.  I'm not sure about how it works on ships with a Haven restaurant, but you probably are correct about that.

...and what exactly did you receive with your "VIP" status?

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, Beaver1975 said:

...and what exactly did you receive with your "VIP" status?

A big bag of cash😂

 

In all reality, I think I got a plate of chocolate covered strawberries!

 

Not something I particularly like, but the thought was nice!  

[The Traveling Man]

2 hours ago, Beaver1975 said:

...and what exactly did you receive with your "VIP" status?

We we able to have breakfast and lunch in Moderno / Cagney's along with those guests who were traveling in a Suite (we had booked a standard balcony stateroom).  We received an additional night in a specialty restaurant at no additional cost.  This was over and above the number of specialty dinners which we received with Free at Sea and Latitudes benefits.  We had coffee with the General Manager one morning and spent an hour or so just chatting with him about a wide variety of subjects, getting to know him, learning about his life growing up in a part of the world we had not previously visited, catching up on what some of our mutual friends, i.e. other ship's officers, were up to, etc.  Essentially, we just were made to feel like we were part of the NCL family.

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, Beaver1975 said:

...and what exactly did you receive with your "VIP" status?

 

We have been designated as cruise line VIPs a few times. For us, it was just a bit more handholding. Last year there were 3 people on the ship that had a VIP designation (me, the cruise director's boyfriend, and one of the officer's wives). 

 

On embarkation, we are directed to Haven check-in verses steerage check-in.

 

When we got to our balcony stateroom, the General Manger had sent a chocolate box (a box made of chocolate filled with chocolates), a bottle of wine, and fresh fruits. And special treats daily. We got invited to several private parties. 

 

 

Each evening, when we were seated for dinner, the hostess would see the VIP designation on our reservation and would call the General Manager and either he or his Secretary (most times both) would show up and ask about how they could be of more assistance. 

 

Each evening, the restaurant Executive Sous Chef (head chef) would come out multiple times asking about our dinner order, it's preparation,,, always asserting that he would personally oversee it's preparation. 

 

On one of our beach shore excursions, the GM's office had arranged to have the tour provider to offer us anything we wanted. And the tour provider went out of their way to give us every upsell item they had (menu food versus beach buffet, endless stream of drink filled coconuts and pineapples).

 

On disembarkation, the GM's secretary escorted us around the lines directly to security, then around the lines to the gangway. We were not allowed to disembark until the GM came to the gangway to thank us.