Your opinions on mini-suite designation

[CruisnGram]

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.

 

Very true. However, I don't want the poster above you to get confused. One main dining room is always open for breakfast for everyone...doesn't matter what type of cabin you are in. You can always dine there for breakfast instead of the buffet.

 

CG

[njhorseman]

Very true. However, I don't want the poster above you to get confused. One main dining room is always open for breakfast for everyone...doesn't matter what type of cabin you are in. You can always dine there for breakfast instead of the buffet.

 

CG

 

You're absolutely correct.

[keishashadow]

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.

quite an understatement, when i just called for the above info less than a week ago & still got the old info:confused:not exactly comforting to 1st time guest:rolleyes:

 

still trying to find 'dailies' online (yet realize that Star is currently sailing south) without much success:confused: (or whatever they r called on NCL) & recent menus for DRs on Star to try & decide which night(s) we want to dine alternatively; guess NCL passengers r more laid back...whole freestyle thing lol

 

Very true. However, I don't want the poster above you to get confused. One main dining room is always open for breakfast for everyone...doesn't matter what type of cabin you are in. You can always dine there for breakfast instead of the buffet.

 

CG

 

good to know, thank u

[alikaalex]

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?

 

Interestingly, when trying out this link, I was taken instead to the page offering info regarding Romance Suites. Did NCL replace the original page?

[retired rascal]

we actually think the mini is worth the extra $$. it's true there isn't that much extra room; but we went in a balcony and were really glad that we were in a mini. we would have felt claustrophobic in the balcony. we liked the extra separation and black out drape; we liked the bathroom; we liked the extra storage; we liked deck 11. next cruise....booked same mini. :)

[njhorseman]

we actually think the mini is worth the extra $$. it's true there isn't that much extra room; but we went in a balcony and were really glad that we were in a mini. we would have felt claustrophobic in the balcony. we liked the extra separation and black out drape; we liked the bathroom; we liked the extra storage; we liked deck 11. next cruise....booked same mini. :)

 

 

I agree. we book "minis" all the time. A little extra room for not a lot of additional $$$.

[thecatsmeow]

This will be our first cruise in a mini. Toured one on our last cruise and decided that the skoosh more room that they have would be worth a little more $$. Now MIL is joining us so I am glad we will not be in a regular balcony cabin.

Joyce

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Up until a couple of years ago, the AF & AG mini-suites did have "concierge service available". I don't recall for sure when NCL did away with that.

 

The mini-suite is larger than a balcony cabin (229' vs 166') and also has a larger balcony (54' vs 37'). It has a bath tub and a curtain that pulls around the bed.

 

No special check-in and just the regular room service menu. Only full suites have the special room service menu which is served by their butler.

 

Thank you for the utmost valuable information regarding NCLs mini-suites. I am sailing in October on the Dawn to Bermuda and looking forward to this cruise very much! We have a mini-suite booked in the AFT, deck 11.

 

Your post gave me 100% confidence that we now know what to expect out of our Deluxe Balcony (aka mini-suite).

 

Thanks again,

Tim

[meaclasact2]

We are on the Star for the May 23, 2009 cruise to Alaska in an AF mini-suite. We booked this before I started reading the threads regarding the “mini-suite” category. I’m confused about why we don’t get some of same perks that suites get? The word “mini-suite” suggests a “small” suite. Why are the mini-suites really considered just a balcony? I don’t think it is fair to have to pay for the name “mini-suite” when you are actually getting a balcony which sells for less with no perks. What is your opinion about this misrepresentation?

 

That's not how I would describe it...but it's a marketing thing. The room is a larger balcony room. We love the AF's. Gives us a little extra space that we're happy to pay for especially if the cruise is over a week. We also like the fact that it's one floor down from the buffet - easy/quick access for a light breakfast in our cabin.

 

If you want the perks that go with the penthouses and above, you are going to have to pay for them. Go into an AE and above and pay for it. You are not getting the perks because you are not paying those prices.

[Hikini]

We leave today on the Pearl in a mini suite. I'll let you know how it was!:D

[hat776]

We were in a mini suite (Gem) and enjoyed the extra room.

However, the wardrobe in the Balcony was in a more practical position as it was awkward to open in the mini as it was just next to the bed.

We were right aft and it was really convenient to pop up for a snack or to get something down to the cabin - just one flight of stairs and you're in the Garden Cafe.

[DMH15]

I loved mini # 11178 on the Dawn. It was just a few doors down from

The spa. Had a hot stones massage and floated back to my cabin.

[jame_g]

Having had balconies, mini-suites, and suites, I also agree that the mini-suites should be called a "deluxe balcony". Don't get me wrong, the mini-suites are nice, and they are usually priced very fairly based on the additional space that you get. Given the current pricing, it wouldn't make sense for NCL to include additional perks. (Mini-suites often have the about the lowest price per sq foot compared to most other cabins, except the lowest category insides. And even when they don't, they are still priced at least as good as the balconies.)

 

However, the mini-suites really don't get any true suite perks. And this is where I feel it is deceptive calling them a mini-suite. Putting them in the same category allows for NCL to show suites starting at a very low price point, and draws people in to look at that category. If they had a couple more suite perks, then this designation would make sense to me.

 

Calling it a deluxe balcony, or superior balcony, would give people a more reasonable expectation. However, I can also understand why NCL doesn't want to put it in the balcony category -- they wouldn't want people to be able to use upgrade certificates to move into these cabins from a regular balcony. So they would still want to have a separate category for these which could be problematic.

 

But maybe what they should do is offer them with two pricing options. The current for people who just want the space. And a "suite benefit" option that allows you to buy into the suite perks for an additional price. Then limit how many of these they offer so they can control the staffing and numbers in Cagney, etc. In other words, designate most as deluxe balconies and a limited number as true mini-suites. (Sounds good to me, but I doubt it would fly.)

[CruisinMatt]

Add me to the list of folks that feel they should not use the term "suite" for these cabins. All is does is confuse people, especially on cruise sales portals. It makes it look like they are offering a suite at an awesome price, when truth be told, it's really just a deluxe balcony stateroom.

[ruffs]

Who cares what a cabin is called you have to do the research to find out what it offers in size, amenities and perks.

 

They differ so much ship to ship within the same cruise line as well as between cruise lines you are mad if you asume anything about a cabin grade based on the name alone.

 

Even with the same name on the same ship there can be fast differences an AE,AC,AB are all penthouses on NCL jewel class and are very different is what you get.

 

RESEARCH.

 

I agree. I think when we are on the Star on Oct 17th we'll call our AF cabin the 'Ocean Villa' - the rare upgrade to the Garden Villa but on deck 11.

[ruffs]

I am also starting to hear the 'Owner's Suites' do not come with any ownership perks. Can anyone verify that? Thanks!

[MrLee]

I am also starting to hear the 'Owner's Suites' do not come with any ownership perks. Can anyone verify that? Thanks!

 

This is the first time I've heard anything about this.

 

Although I'm pretty sure they won't let you take it of the ship, owner or not. ;)

[CruisinMatt]

I am also starting to hear the 'Owner's Suites' do not come with any ownership perks. Can anyone verify that? Thanks!

 

Cute - I also think "Owner's suite" is a dumb name as well. If I were the owner, I'd want a Garden Villa. :D