Your opinions on mini-suite designation

[brunolvr]

The fact that what you have posted is 100% correct will likely not deter 5 or 10 more people from posting something contradictory based on what they "think" or what they "heard" or what their precious opinion is. :D

 

Yes, njhorseman, that is very true.;) Just think how many questions & problems would be solved if NCL would just change the name of the mini-suite to Deluxe Balcony or something without "suite" in the name. And, also, move it from the "Suite" category when you book your cruise. It is very confusing (and maybe even deceiving).:eek:

[CruisnGram]

Does NCL provide priority tenders and embarking for this category as they do with other suites? Do they have a seperate breakfast area for the guests in AF?

 

Sorry no priority boarding or tenders. There is one dining room that is reserved at breakfast only for balcony cabins and above, but it's not a specialty restaurant...just a main dining room. So, you will not get any more perks then a balcony cabin does. The only plus is more space, the tub, and the privacy curtain.

 

I will be on the Dawn next week in one of these because most penthouse and bigger suites were limited to two people and we will be bringing a child along.

 

This is absolutely my BIGGEST pet peeve with NCL. If you are a family of 3, it's almost unaffordable to book a suite so that you get the perks. If you are in an AF or AG mini, and want suite perks, you have to jump all the way up to an AB penthouse which has 2 bedrooms, etc. The AD's, AE's and AC's only accomodate 2 people. And, the price difference between an AF/AG and an AB are huge.

 

I just don't understand why in a room the size of any suite, they can't let up to 3 or 4 book in there and have a sofabed. They will let you jam 4 people into an inside, but 2 adults and a child can't stay in a small suite? I'm sure that larger families love the AB penthouse, but it's just way too high priced for just 3 unless money isn't a concern.

 

CG

[njhorseman]

I am taking a mini-suite this time on the Dawn in May. I am in a AG on deck 11. Does anyone know how the mini-suites in class AG on the Dawn are like. Thanks.

 

 

AGs are identical to AFs. On the Dawn they are the two cabins furthest aft on each side of the ship ( for a total of 4). On the Dawn, you're going to be very close to the entrance to the spa, which will mean some traffic and noise in the hall, but since the spa isn't open very late it shouldn't disrupt your sleep unless you're the type of person who sleeps late and is a very light sleeper.

[lhall85917]

I just received word today that we had been upgraded from our BA cabin on the Jade to an AG by redeeming 3 of our compass reward certificates. To us it isn't really an upgrade because we are losing our deck 10 aft cabin we had deliberately chosen last fall - perhaps more of a lateral move. The extra room will be nice for 14 days, but we don't have our aft cabin anymore.

I've emailed our TA to see if they will change it to a mini suite aft cabin or even a guarantee. We would take the chance at possibly ending up in a regular suite if it would work out.

Like others, I would like to NCL reword how these cabins are sold. I like the deluxe balcony designation that some have mentioned.

[keishashadow]

sooooo, no priority tendering either as asked above;)

 

we AFs & AGs can dream

 

maybe only those that booked the minisuites have a chance of getting some upgrade fairy dust:pto a real suite?

 

if ur going to dream, dream big lol

[njhorseman]

sooooo, no priority tendering either as asked above;)

 

we AFs & AGs can dream

 

maybe only those that booked the minisuites have a chance of getting some upgrade fairy dust:pto a real suite?

 

if ur going to dream, dream big lol

 

 

I've never gotten that lucky. :(

[keishashadow]

I've never gotten that lucky. :(

 

never know, keep the faith;)

[keishashadow]

The fact that what you have posted is 100% correct will likely not deter 5 or 10 more people from posting something contradictory based on what they "think" or what they "heard" or what their precious opinion is. :D

 

evidently, u r right:), im back to post! lol

 

i was digging around on the NCL site for the Star & clicked on the Suites link

 

 

http://www.nclsuitesandvillas.com/tabid/77/Default.aspx

 

not to split hairs, yet take a look on the right side where it lists

 

VIP Arrival

 

Priority embarkation

Concierge service

Bottled water

 

note that unlike all the other categories with exclusions for mini-suites, i don't see the accompanying *, indicating that it is excluded from the individual perc category...

 

be still my heart:)would there be a chance of actually getting a couple of 'sweet' suite percs afterall?

[njhorseman]

evidently, u r right:), im back to post! lol

 

i was digging around on the NCL site for the Star & clicked on the Suites link

 

 

http://www.nclsuitesandvillas.com/tabid/77/Default.aspx

 

not to split hairs, yet take a look on the right side where it lists

 

VIP Arrival

 

Priority embarkation

Concierge service

Bottled water

 

note that unlike all the other categories with exclusions for mini-suites, i don't see the accompanying *, indicating that it is excluded from the individual perc category...

 

be still my heart:)would there be a chance of actually getting a couple of 'sweet' suite percs afterall?

 

Let me assure you, it is a case of a missing asterisk. I sail in mini-suites all the time, and you don't get those benefits.

[marelind]

AGs are identical to AFs. On the Dawn they are the two cabins furthest aft on each side of the ship ( for a total of 4). On the Dawn, you're going to be very close to the entrance to the spa, which will mean some traffic and noise in the hall, but since the spa isn't open very late it shouldn't disrupt your sleep unless you're the type of person who sleeps late and is a very light sleeper.

 

We had AG cabin 11686 on the Star, the Dawn's sister ship. We never had a problem with noise, in fact, it always seemed very quiet and off the beaten path. You can get into the spa from the port and starboard sides and from the stairs from deck 12 so there aren't that many people tromping past your door.

[Carnac767]

We just had an AF on the Jade, one of the aft cabins. We didn't expect concierge service but in the welcome letter awaiting in our cabin was a note that said our concierge was Monica and it listed her phone number. I phoned her to see if this was really true and she said it was. Oh happy day. Of course, then I had to ask her what exactly that meant. We used her services a few times for dinner reservations. I still don't know how we ended up with concierge service and don't know if any other AF's had it. Maybe they mistook me for my smarter, older, much richer brother.

[insidecabin]

We just had an AF on the Jade, one of the aft cabins. We didn't expect concierge service but in the welcome letter awaiting in our cabin was a note that said our concierge was Monica and it listed her phone number. I phoned her to see if this was really true and she said it was. Oh happy day. Of course, then I had to ask her what exactly that meant. We used her services a few times for dinner reservations. I still don't know how we ended up with concierge service and don't know if any other AF's had it. Maybe they mistook me for my smarter, older, much richer brother.

 

Probably organising the CC meet and greet helped

[mailbroad]

DH and I have stayed in balcony cabins and a mini-suite. I agree with other posters that the mini-suite should be renamed, 'deluxe balcony'. It IS larger than a balcony and has a tub and a nicer bathroom but is just a deluxe balcony in my opionion... and many others!

[Carnac767]

We watched a presentation about EPIC while on the Jade and according to that, mini-suites will be called Deluxe Balconies on that ship.

[njhorseman]

Probably organising the CC meet and greet helped

 

 

Bingo.

[SueSea]

Some say call them deluxe balconies. I am not sure that is accurate either as HAL has what the call deluxe veranda and I can honestly say our mini suite on NCL was larger. I now know on HAL we would need to go up another category to get the same sized stateroom. a deluxe veranda was cramped with 3 people, whereas we had plenty of room for 3 in our NCL min suite.

 

People need to realize a mini suite is roomier than a balcony stateroom-but still not nearly as nice as a suite, (and minus the perks) I guess.

 

Seems to me they should be called what they are. Mini suite implies the cabin is similar to a suite, but smaller, and with some, but not all, of the suite amenities. Deluxe balcony implies a superior balcony cabin. The only thing remotely 'suite-like' about the mini suites is the tub. Besides the tub the mini suites are almost identical to regular balcony cabins. They do have a few extra square feet and a curtain, but these do not a suite make. And they don't include fewer suite amenities, they include none of them. These cabins are worthy of a higher fare, but not worthy of having 'suite' in their name.

 

From a marketing perspective, the name 'mini suite' sounds way better than 'deluxe balcony'. From a customer satisfaction perspective, an uninformed passenger who expects a mini suite rather than a deluxe balcony cabin is going to feel misled or let down.

[snorklinbarb]

i knew that balconies and minis get breakfast and lunch? in the alternate main dining room but I was unaware of a different room service menu. Is this true, and if so, does anyone have that menu? Thanks

 

No separate room service menu for balconies and minis. That's available only to suites and above.

 

Yes to breakfast in the smaller main DR to balconies or minis, but not sure if it's fleetwide. No ship, however, offers a special lunch for those categories.

 

You may be thinking of Cagney's privileges for suites and above & VIP's which does offer both B & L.

[keishashadow]

Let me assure you, it is a case of a missing asterisk. I sail in mini-suites all the time, and you don't get those benefits.

 

then i think i'll call them today & suggest they fix it, misleading imo:rolleyes:

[keishashadow]

okay, so i call NCL & after getting transferred several times, im told that the info was correct as in the link i posted:confused:

 

since i haven't sailed with NCL before (yet we have our latitudes #s that were given when we originally booked before transferring to TA so that may account for some of the percs) Im not sure which of the following is 'special':o.

 

i was told that mini suites on the Star are eligible for the following:

 

*priority embarkation (as all latitudes members are entitled?)

*personal escort to cabin

*purple room key (?)

*fruit & water in cabin

*bath robes

*upgraded toilteries

*priority restaurant reservations online

*cookie turndown last night

 

not to step on any toes of those that are regular cruisers, even more confused now:(

[CruisnGram]

sooooo, no priority tendering either as asked above;)

 

 

VIP Arrival

Priority embarkation

Concierge service

Bottled water

 

 

i was told that mini suites on the Star are eligible for the following:

 

*priority embarkation (as all latitudes members are entitled?)

*personal escort to cabin

*purple room key (?)

*fruit & water in cabin

*bath robes

*upgraded toilteries

*priority restaurant reservations online

*cookie turndown last night

 

not to step on any toes of those that are regular cruisers, even more confused now:(

 

Now you have me confused. :)

 

What you listed in your last post you do get in a mini-suite. And, it is the exact same perks as Balcony cabins, as was said before.

 

But the other things you were talking about: Bottled water, concierge service, priority tender tickets, etc. you don't get. And yes, I believe that most Latitudes member are some sort of "priority" boarding.

 

CG

[keishashadow]

Now you have me confused. :)

 

What you listed in your last post you do get in a mini-suite. And, it is the exact same perks as Balcony cabins, as was said before.

 

But the other things you were talking about: Bottled water, concierge service, priority tender tickets, etc. you don't get. And yes, I believe that most Latitudes member are some sort of "priority" boarding.

 

CG

 

okay, i had a feeling that many of the percs listed below, were available to all sailing/balcony;)

 

didn't mean to state that priority tendering to port was included in list of percs, just when arriving 1st day to board the ship

 

however, i asked the customer service person twice @ NCL, she reiterated that bottled water (note i didn't ask how many bottles or how often) was provided:confused:guess i'll find out once aboard

 

when i complained to NCL that it was confusing as stated on website, they said in their opinion, it was not

 

so, to be crystal clear on this, you're saying that all of the below (as indicated by NCL to me on the phone this am) in red is provided other than the items ive highlighted in blue?

 

*priority embarkation (as all latitudes members are entitled?)

*personal escort to cabin

*purple room key (?)

*fruit & water in cabin

*bath robes

*upgraded toilteries

*priority restaurant reservations online

*cookie turndown last night

 

BTW< what is the significance of purple room key?

 

[CruisnGram]

okay, i had a feeling that many of the percs listed below, were available to all sailing/balcony;)

 

didn't mean to state that priority tendering to port was included in list of percs, just when arriving 1st day to board the ship

 

however, i asked the customer service person twice @ NCL, she reiterated that bottled water (note i didn't ask how many bottles or how often) was provided:confused:guess i'll find out once aboard

 

when i complained to NCL that it was confusing as stated on website, they said in their opinion, it was not

 

so, to be crystal clear on this, you're saying that all of the below (as indicated by NCL to me on the phone this am) in red is provided other than the items ive highlighted in blue?

 

*priority embarkation (as all latitudes members are entitled?)

*personal escort to cabin

*purple room key (?)

*fruit & water in cabin

*bath robes

*upgraded toilteries

*priority restaurant reservations online

*cookie turndown last night

 

BTW< what is the significance of purple room key?

 

 

Here's what was in NCL's press release regarding 2.0 when it was implemented:

 

All cabins:

 

Freestyle Dining:

• A "bubbly welcome" - a welcome aboard glass of bubbly for everyone;
  
• New menus with expanded choices in every restaurant;
  
• Lobster Galore - Lobster in the main restaurant twice per cruise and in every specialty restaurant every night of the cruise;
  
• Lavazza coffee in all Java Cafes and top suites;
  
• A signature specialty dish in every restaurant, including the following:
  
  • Le Bistro: Côte de Boeuf, a 32-ounce premium gold angus rib eye steak; Plateau de Fruits de Mar, a cold seafood platter including mussels, lobster tail, shrimp and raw oysters on the half shell; and Cardinal of the Seas, a braised Maine lobster;
    
  • Italian: Osso buco, lobster ravioli;
    
  • Cagney's: Broiled lobster tail, 32oz Porterhouse, Surf & Turf, Alaskan king crab legs;
    
  • Tex-Mex: Warm lobster tacos;
    
  • Asian: Szechuan stir-fried lobster tail;
    
  • Action Station: Chocolate fountains;
    

  [*]The action station restaurants will also receive a world-class salad bar, soft serve ice cream machines, and improved service and nighttime ambiance with tablecloths and candlelight;

  [*]A new and expanded room service menu.

Stateroom Experience:

• Elemis bathroom amenities;
  
• Bliss Collection by NCL memory foam mattress toppers;
  
• Pillow upgrade and addition of Euro pillows to all beds;
  
• Upgraded linens;
  
  • All beds will receive a top sheet.
    

  [*]Expanded mini-bar options and item customization option;

  [*]Upgraded room service menus.

Balcony and Mini Suites, all of the above plus:

• Special color keycard;
  
• Escort to stateroom on embarkation day;
  
• Bathrobes;
  
• Customized Fruit Menu;
  
• Fresh-baked cookie at turn down on last night of cruise;
  
• Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception hotlines.
  

Regarding the purple key card, it's resorting back to the old class system. Any OV or Inside rooms have no consistent color. They are every color except purple, silver and I THINK gold. Those colors are reserved for the higher category cabins.

 

Balconies & Mini's are purple and the higher suites are silver and as I said before, I THINK gold. Never stayed up that high to know for sure. :)

 

The color designates you as an important guest....for whatever that is worth. I can see it being helpful if you want to have breakfast in the dining room reserved for balcony and above, or if you are in a suite, getting into Cagneys for breakfast or lunch, as whoever is working the door knows instantly rather you belong there or not when they see your card. But other then that, to me it's useless and just something they do to make you feel more important. :D

 

CG

[garycarla]

okay, so i call NCL &...

 

i was told that mini suites on the Star are eligible for the following:

 

*priority embarkation (as all latitudes members are entitled?)

*personal escort to cabin

*purple room key (?)

*fruit & water in cabin

*bath robes

*upgraded toilteries

*priority restaurant reservations online

*cookie turndown last night

...

 

Not much here to speak of.

 

Priority embarkation is of questionable value, as other you along with a good share of the ship get the same thing. Do NOT expect much, unless you have a full suite/penthouse.

 

Escort to cabin? I actually prefer finding my own way. Adventure. And, if you are on early before cabins are ready, you can not go there anyway.

 

Purple key - whoppee to do!

 

Bath Robes - that can be nice vs bringing one from home

 

Fruit - this might be nice. You might get one bottle of water, but you can bring an empty one from home and fill it as needed. They do sell bottled water since they know people will always pay a few bucks for water that is pretty much the same as ships water.

 

Upgraded toiletries - Nice for take home. We actually bring our own shampoo and often a bar of real soap

 

Not sure what the reservations give you, but if you eat in buffet, blue lagoon or two main dining rooms, you don't need them anyways.

 

Cookie - that would be nice - though you can always help yourself to cookies in the buffet.

[keishashadow]

anything NCL wants to toss my way will make me happy, it's the little attention to detail that sets one line apart from another imo:)

 

i just wanted to be clear on what exactly may be forthcoming & what percs/privledges were available when booking the mini-suites.

 

CG - thanks for posting! i wasn't aware either the balconies or mini-suites guests were eligible to eat breakfast in the restaurants:cool: I really don't like battling the frantic crowds in the buffet on early excursion days; really hope we can enjoy a quiet start to the day this would afford!

[njhorseman]

anything NCL wants to toss my way will make me happy, it's the little attention to detail that sets one line apart from another imo:)

 

i just wanted to be clear on what exactly may be forthcoming & what percs/privledges were available when booking the mini-suites.

 

CG - thanks for posting! i wasn't aware either the balconies or mini-suites guests were eligible to eat breakfast in the restaurants:cool: I really don't like battling the frantic crowds in the buffet on early excursion days; really hope we can enjoy a quiet start to the day this would afford!

 

Just be aware that not all ships will have a special dining room set aside for balcony and minisuite passengers for breakfast. I suspect this decision is based on the capacity of the buffet on a particular ship.

 

Balcony and minisuite passengers are never (unless designated as VIPS for some other reason) permitted in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch. That is reserved for those in full suites.

 

Things like cookies and other treats at turn down were recently eliminated in an apparent cost cutting move.

 

Minisuite passdengers do not get a personal escort on board nor to their cabins. That is also reserved for full suite passengers.

 

Unfortunately, NCL customer service isn't the greatest, and frequently gives out bad information. They also don't seem to do a very good job of keeping their Web site up to date.