SuperNinja

I’m so excited to hear about your experience.  We are *patiently*  or maybe not so patiently waiting for our first Star Class Cruise in April.  Have ever best time!

Color me a little jealous......that waiting area is a bit nicer than port bayonne ?
I've never gotten cookies in port ?
hehe

I told you so! Sunil is awesome! I love the room. RLS goals for us one day!

How did I miss the fact that you guys are in the RLS ??  VERY nice. This is the first blog that I have read from the RLS.  So glad you’re enjoying it.  I have never had Sunil as a Genie but delighted to hear that he is so responsive.  Did Sunil walk you in to Hooked ?  I think, perhaps, with so many high level C&A on your cruise, it might be helpful to have him meet you at the restaurant so that you aren’t disappointed again.  GOOD for you that you contacted him right away.  Trust me, when the restaurant knows you are SC, it makes a difference in how you are treated. Glad to see that he took care of it right away. PS...we loved Hooked.

So, after a brief sit with Sunil for discussion of perks, etc, we went off to lunch at Coastal Kitchen.  Wasn’t really crowded (I think because of the time, as the night progressed, I have seen and interacted with many pinnacle guests (one of which last night is from Canada @Lovetocruise2002 (they have 4 cruises including this one before the end of the year #Jealous)
Fast forward...... for Dinner tonight, Sunil booked us in Hooked. I was really excited actually as I’m a big seafood person!  When we arrive, to say the greeting and service was subpar would be an understatement.  We arrived and were asked to sit, then a group that came after us came in and were seated immediately.  I brushed it off, then we were seated.  We were at our table for about 10minutes before anyone even came over and said anything..... not a good start, so, as Sunil asked (if I have any issues send him a message) I sent him a message about the issue, and within seconds, the manager comes over and apologizes and both him and the waiter take care of us for the remainder of the service. #SunilSuperGenie
Sunil comes by a little bit later in the meal to check on us and see how things are going and tell us about the reservations for Hairspray for tonight.  Let me just say, while initial contact was a little scarce, Sunil is absolutely amazing!!! 

After dinner we have a little time to kill so we walk the promenade, and then finally go to meet Sunil in the Royal Theater for Hairspray.  He has reserved seats front row....(I’m almost a little embarrassed to walk by all of these people who waited and us just strolling in and coming to the front) however, I get there, the show is awesome, but.... this is where the Cruisers from Canada have us some insight, Scott, (The husband), told me he had seen the show about 25 times, and in order to enjoy shows like this, you should see if from both perspectives, up close as we were to see the facial expressions and then a little further back to see the actual totality of the show.  Made sense, we all planned together to go see it again in 2 days.
 Food Pictures are :  
1- Crab cake (absolutely amazing)
2- Oyster Trio (I enjoyed all except the Champagne and Brie)
3- Ceviche - Very Good
4- Whole Stuffed Lobster - Wonderful 
**No Room for Dessert**

Once we arrived at the waiting area, they told us that Sunil had just took another family up and would be back shortly, (We weren’t in a rush and truthfully we made it through security faster than I even thought possibly anyway so, I had nothing but time).
Sunil arrives, and after a brief conversation, we are off and on headed on the ship (our bags right next to us with the porter), get to the elevator (he uses his “magic key”) no waiting or stopping to get to deck 17!  (Too bad i cant get one of these the entire cruise ?)
Made it upstairs to the suite.... and OMG!  I’m blown away! 
 

Well...... It’s Finally Here..... It’s cruise day!  The plan is to be at the port by 11-11:15am.  Hopefully that works out. Couple things to do before then,  but it’s almost time for the adventure to start

So, after a brief sit with Sunil for discussion of perks, etc, we went off to lunch at Coastal Kitchen.  Wasn’t really crowded (I think because of the time, as the night progressed, I have seen and interacted with many pinnacle guests (one of which last night is from Canada @Lovetocruise2002 (they have 4 cruises including this one before the end of the year #Jealous)
Fast forward...... for Dinner tonight, Sunil booked us in Hooked. I was really excited actually as I’m a big seafood person!  When we arrive, to say the greeting and service was subpar would be an understatement.  We arrived and were asked to sit, then a group that came after us came in and were seated immediately.  I brushed it off, then we were seated.  We were at our table for about 10minutes before anyone even came over and said anything..... not a good start, so, as Sunil asked (if I have any issues send him a message) I sent him a message about the issue, and within seconds, the manager comes over and apologizes and both him and the waiter take care of us for the remainder of the service. #SunilSuperGenie
Sunil comes by a little bit later in the meal to check on us and see how things are going and tell us about the reservations for Hairspray for tonight.  Let me just say, while initial contact was a little scarce, Sunil is absolutely amazing!!! 

After dinner we have a little time to kill so we walk the promenade, and then finally go to meet Sunil in the Royal Theater for Hairspray.  He has reserved seats front row....(I’m almost a little embarrassed to walk by all of these people who waited and us just strolling in and coming to the front) however, I get there, the show is awesome, but.... this is where the Cruisers from Canada have us some insight, Scott, (The husband), told me he had seen the show about 25 times, and in order to enjoy shows like this, you should see if from both perspectives, up close as we were to see the facial expressions and then a little further back to see the actual totality of the show.  Made sense, we all planned together to go see it again in 2 days.
 Food Pictures are :  
1- Crab cake (absolutely amazing)
2- Oyster Trio (I enjoyed all except the Champagne and Brie)
3- Ceviche - Very Good
4- Whole Stuffed Lobster - Wonderful 
**No Room for Dessert**

PS, for anyone wondering as I was if there is a second minibar upstairs, the answer is yes 

Once we arrived at the waiting area, they told us that Sunil had just took another family up and would be back shortly, (We weren’t in a rush and truthfully we made it through security faster than I even thought possibly anyway so, I had nothing but time).
Sunil arrives, and after a brief conversation, we are off and on headed on the ship (our bags right next to us with the porter), get to the elevator (he uses his “magic key”) no waiting or stopping to get to deck 17!  (Too bad i cant get one of these the entire cruise ?)
Made it upstairs to the suite.... and OMG!  I’m blown away! 
 

How did embarkation go ?

There probable to busy being pampered like royalty! 

Well...... It’s Finally Here..... It’s cruise day!  The plan is to be at the port by 11-11:15am.  Hopefully that works out. Couple things to do before then,  but it’s almost time for the adventure to start

Well...... It’s Finally Here..... It’s cruise day!  The plan is to be at the port by 11-11:15am.  Hopefully that works out. Couple things to do before then,  but it’s almost time for the adventure to start

Well...... It’s Finally Here..... It’s cruise day!  The plan is to be at the port by 11-11:15am.  Hopefully that works out. Couple things to do before then,  but it’s almost time for the adventure to start

So, here we are 3 days from the cruise, and I now have the wonderful task of trying to pack ??.  Probably one of my least favorite things to do, a strong second to unpacking.  But I have suitcase number 1 completed, and then I checked my email....and who is it.... Sunil.  He has magically appeared lol.  
 
He addressed all the prior emails, and provided me with the schedule for dining etc.  Couple notes, 1- found out they will not confirm the various events and parties for the 50th Birthday until the day before embarkation (bummer), and then 2- Wish not granted (I asked for either Smart Water or Essentia instead of Evian). However Voss was offered, but I’m personally not a fan other than Sparkling Voss.  But, Not really a disappointment for me, just asked to see if it could be done.  But I live in Miami, so I can just bring it with me, so that’s an easy fix.
Im still a little anxious to see how this “at the port experience” goes, as I’m used to handing the bags off from the car, now I have to make to conscious effort to keep everything. But for now, starting to feel a little excitement, (like a little kid) “it’s almost here”.  
 
My intent is to try and add details of what happens and photos along the way, of the experience, the room, etc.      For sure, as a first time (Definitely not the last time) star class cruiser, this will be quite interesting 

Well...... It’s Finally Here..... It’s cruise day!  The plan is to be at the port by 11-11:15am.  Hopefully that works out. Couple things to do before then,  but it’s almost time for the adventure to start

Well...... It’s Finally Here..... It’s cruise day!  The plan is to be at the port by 11-11:15am.  Hopefully that works out. Couple things to do before then,  but it’s almost time for the adventure to start

Well...... It’s Finally Here..... It’s cruise day!  The plan is to be at the port by 11-11:15am.  Hopefully that works out. Couple things to do before then,  but it’s almost time for the adventure to start

+1 on this sentiment.  Not going to re-hash the drama from the President's cruise last year, but you may not the the typical SC experience.  Keep an open mind.

So excited for you !  Glad to hear that Sunil finally responded....even at this late date.  I guess it doesn’t surprise me that they are still finalizing the Anniversary events but you could have a very different experience from the normal SC. I don’t know if going on the 50th anniversary cruise is going to be a good thing or a bad thing.  My guess is that your experience, as SC, will be far superior to both the other suites guests AND the D+ on board.  I have a feeling upper tier C&A are going to find it hard to do some of the things (lounge access, etc) that they normally do b/c of the high number of pinnies and dignitaries onboard.  I doubt you’ll have that problem.

I've found I can mitigate that feeling and make the flow even easier by taking a car service to the port....that way they will drop you right at the special star class location and you don't have to worry about parking and walking back ?

We had very bad luck with this both times on Harmony.  It seems that both times our drivers got into the wrong lane that would not permit them to go all the way up to the Star Class banner....so twice we schlepped our bags all the way from the corner up to the SC area....all the while, baggage handlers trying to get us to drop off our bags.
I agree with dodgestang though...if you CAN get the driver to go all the way up, it's much better.  Just remember to keep your bags with you EVEN if someone at a Star Class area tells you that they are Star Class baggage handlers.  DON'T DO IT !  There will be a Star Class greeter who will pre-check you in....and he/she will tell you what to do with your bags.  If you have pre-arranged with the Genie to take your bags through security and onto the ship with you (which we insist on doing) then don't give your bags to ANYone until after you have talked directly with your Genie. After that, it's all auto-pilot.  You will not have to think about anything else after that !
Our most interesting SC embarkation was our very first one, with Reyno.  Once we got on board he took us back behind Guest Services, through back hallways, through hidden doors...and it was almost impossible to keep up with him b/c he walks at a forced march pace.  He's a trip !  The ones since that one have been fairly boring...but easy.

So, here we are 3 days from the cruise, and I now have the wonderful task of trying to pack ??.  Probably one of my least favorite things to do, a strong second to unpacking.  But I have suitcase number 1 completed, and then I checked my email....and who is it.... Sunil.  He has magically appeared lol.  
 
He addressed all the prior emails, and provided me with the schedule for dining etc.  Couple notes, 1- found out they will not confirm the various events and parties for the 50th Birthday until the day before embarkation (bummer), and then 2- Wish not granted (I asked for either Smart Water or Essentia instead of Evian). However Voss was offered, but I’m personally not a fan other than Sparkling Voss.  But, Not really a disappointment for me, just asked to see if it could be done.  But I live in Miami, so I can just bring it with me, so that’s an easy fix.
Im still a little anxious to see how this “at the port experience” goes, as I’m used to handing the bags off from the car, now I have to make to conscious effort to keep everything. But for now, starting to feel a little excitement, (like a little kid) “it’s almost here”.  
 
My intent is to try and add details of what happens and photos along the way, of the experience, the room, etc.      For sure, as a first time (Definitely not the last time) star class cruiser, this will be quite interesting