TonyL128

We’ve noticed that Star Class Holiday sailing prices have been going through the roof the last 2 years. For example, Christmas 2018 Star Loft on Symphony was quoted at $35,000 for 2! We held that suite from Day 1 hoping for a price drop. We cancelled that booking several months ago because we are expecting our second grandchild and the price immediately went up to $85,000!!

To each his/her own, live and let live. 😃

The secret to getting great Star Class prices is to book early. We book all our sailings 2 years ahead. We will be sailing in Star Class in Feb 2019 for under $9,000 in a Star Loft for the two of us. 

We have sailed in Star Class with Royal Caribbean and in Haven with NCL. NCL cannot compare in terms of service. NCL’s Butler is just a glorified Room Service attendant, he/she cannot book you shows or dining. But, we did enjoy their separate Haven area. And, the Haven suites can not compare to a Star Class Suite, eventhough their were comparably priced. 

In in terms of value of a Star Class Suite:

1. The Suites are usually bigger and in more desirable locations. 

2. The service onboard is much better because you are in Star Class, particularly in the Concierge Lounge and Coastal Kitchen. 

3. Your Genie will take care of all your needs from embarkation to dis-embarkation. You tell them when you want to arrive and leave. 

4. You get the best dining times and best seats at any shows. Your Genie will hold yours seats up to 5 mins before the show starts. And, you are escorted on and off the ship. We have left our Suite, gone through security, picked up luggage, gone through immigration and be out on the curb in 10 mins!

5. And, it is a truly “all inclusive “ fare, even Starbucks and Ben & Jerry ice cream. 

Star Class is just not Sky Class with the Ultimate Dining Package and Deluxe Drink Package. We cruise to enjoy and live life to the fullest. As long as we can afford it, we will cruise Star Class. 

Thanks, she is off to Barcelona in 9 days.

 

We also need to get her glasses fixed ASAP

 

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We will be in the Symphony TA too, hope to meet you guys.

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Hope she gets better soon and you will both be sailing again.

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Thanks for a great review and pictures.

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He’s wearing shoes on the sofa!

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It’s delivered by the Specialty Restaurant staff.

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Pinnacles will have Michael’s Hour and access to Chops for breakfast. All in efforts to avoid the above.

 

Unless Pineapples are not allowed into Suite Lounge during happy hour, they will still overwhelm the lounge to a point where actual Suite guests will not have room to sit.

Let’s see how this actually turn out. Does anyone have feedback from previous President’s Cruise?

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Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen will be overwhelmed by all those Pineapples!!

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On Oasis last month, Chef's table was $95. For Star Class, it was $25. I think there was another "service charge" above the 18% and the total was $69.62 per couple.

 

mac_tlc

We have been to Chef’s Table a few times as Star Class passengers. We were only charged for the wine pairing once ($25/person). But, we don’t go anymore because the menu hasn’t changed in 2 years.

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We used to cruise in a Jr. Suite until Royal introduced the Royal Suite Class. We book 2 years in advance and we have slowly moved up the Suite Class. Last two years we have sailed exclusively in Star Class on either Oasis/Quantum Class ships. Once you have a Genie bring a full Chops dinner onto your balcony with white linen service you can’t go back.

BTW, NCL Haven Butler & Concierge can’t compare to a Royal Genie!

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It’s been a while since we’ve been in a CLS on Oasis, but, if I remembered correctly, there is one USA type outlet by the headboard, behind one of the night stand.

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Looking forward to to your foodie review. Especially interested in Chefs Table menu.

One thing we have been weighing, especially on Oasis Class ships, is wether the cost of Chef’s Table is really worth it versus the Ultimate Dining Package. Chef’s Table is usually $85/person plus another $25/person for the wine pairing. But, that’s immaterial for Star Class Suites.

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There’s also Spectrum sailing from Dubai to Singapore in May 2019.

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You will have a great time, but, once you’ve been in Star Class, it’s hard to cruise any other way. Did you know that you can request Starbucks to be delivered to your Suite in the morning? BTW, if you get Carmen as your suite attendant, say hi to her from Jeanie & Tony, she is absolutely the best Attendant in any cruise that we’ve been on. We sailed in the Grand Panoramic Suite on the other side of the ship. It’s a great suite! I wish Harmony and Symphony had these suites.

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We got our 210 block during the Top Tier event onboard Rhapsody too this past July. We were called out, given our block and a certificate and had our picture taken with the Captain. We were actually a little embarrassed as we are just lowly D+. But there were no Pinnacles and only around 70 D/D+ on that cruise.

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Yes, they do offer a bone in ribeye steak. And, it’s delicious!

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If you are on the ship during Christmas week, they will have a parade with Santa, gifts from Santa for the kids and carol singing on the Promenade. Of course they will Christmas drinks and special Christmas dinner in the MDR.

They also have special Christmas dinner at the Specialty Restaurants, but, they charge 2X the usual cost and you just get cheap Champagne with dinner.

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Sorry, no more Vintages onboard anymore. We were just on Rhapsody in July.

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Do sky suites on Harmony include breakfast and lunch?

 

 

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Sky Suites in Harmony get you access to Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Can you make reservations online ahead of the cruise if you buy the ultimate dining package?

 

 

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We have never had problems making reservations on embarkation day in any of the Specialty restaurants, at DL or CL.

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We were on Rhapsody this summer on a 7 night Mediterranean cruise. We purchased the Ultimate Dining Package and we rotated between Chops, Giovanni’s and Izumi for dinner and we had lunch at Izumi on both sea days. We never paid anything extra in Izumi despite their a la Carter pricing.

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Absolutely [emoji844]

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