Jerseygirl2624

Good for you!!!

 

We loved all of the perks with Star Class, and feel the price difference you shared is absolutely worth it.

 

Have a wonderful vacation!!

Thanks! I had an OCD moment-spent the last two hours reading posts about anthem royal class. That was mistake because it put me in a panic about the Sky Suite renaming. I called RCL and they said it wouldn't make a difference, but I kept reading and felt so confused. To help me sleep tonight, I called back around 9 pm and switched to a grand loft since the name stays the same for 2017/2016 bookings. I think I need to log off-sometimes too much information can be a dangerous thing;p

I just called RCL because I booked a sky suite on Anthem and the FAQ page states that the sky suite is under star class for 2017 bookings but sky class in 2018. The agent told me the sky loft would still have all the royal class amenities next year. However, I will keep a close eye and will take screen shots and keep my print outs just in case.

How wonderful for you and your family, have a blast.

Thanks!

Thank goodness I booked my room. Just checked the site, and all the loft suites are magically gone. Guess good news travels fast, lol. Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Well if you do luggage valet, I wonder if that is the reason bags were left out.

 

 

When we cruise in crown loft suites and luggage valet is a free perk, leave the bags out the night before ---they are transferred to airport for you ----and pick them up at your final destination when using participating airlines and making the time limit.

 

Best perk around.

 

Just saying.

We're driving, so we want to be off the ship as quickly as possible on the day of debarkation . My husband hate lines and crowds.

The Star perks are worth it in my opinion......You get a lot more than just on and off the ship quick which is a total pleasure all on its own...but besides that you get :All Specialty restaurants

Full Drink package

Internet

Gratuities included

 

 

Now at first I thought the whole idea of the "Genie" was a bit much and didn't think I'd use it but turns out made things so much nicer. We never had to wait for a thing, we were escorted not only to the front of the lines but through special entrances to avoid crowds. We cruise a lot and don't need much so often would not call her, but the minute we called front desk for something simple we would get a call from our genie immediately. They want you to use them exclusively as if they are your own personal guest services desk. And we did not have to put any luggage out the night before, instead they picked up our luggage in morning and genie walked us off the ship all the way to front of the line right to the customs desk. Again, that may sound snobbish but in this case you are paying for special service and you certainly get what ya pay for. It made for an incredible stress free vacation.

Thank you for the feedback. We have little kids, so making a vacation as stress free as possible is very important!

No one has to put their bags out on the last night..anyone can do "self-carry walk off". If you have family that can't partake of the perks, then you will not get the most "bang for your buck" from them. I would save it for a time when it's just YOUR family onboard!

And, just for future reference...Carnival has the worst 'suite perks" going!

I would, but the deal is too good to pass. I'll just have to spend time with family in my suite;)

Well, just pick the 4-6 members of the greoup you like the best.;p

Love it!:')

Have you investigated the pricing yet? Even with arm and a leg pricing on Carnival it might not compare to RC Star Class pricing. I see you said it was $1,000 different but I am amazed that Carnival would charge around $10,000 and up for a two person suite.

Thank you for your reply. I meant that the difference between an Owner's Suite and a Sky Loft was only 1k.

Welcome to the posting world of Cruise Critic.

 

I agree that most of the perks will not be shareable with the non-suite people. However, you do get the perk of being able to have guests at Coastal Kitchen for dinner once or twice. Your family will also be able to share your large balcony. Maybe even order room service from the Main Dining room and have the family up to your suite for dinner.

I doubt the would let me guest my family into the Coastal Kitchen since I'm anticipating 20-30 members. However, the suggestion to have them in our suite sounds great. Thanks!

I am with Andrew, if you can get a Star Class suite for $1,000 more than the top Carnival suite, do it immediately :). If I could find one for that, I would book my next several cruises. Just checking on Carnival, their top suite on their newest ship is about $5,500 so a Star Class suite for $6,500 is a great deal. Please, please, please let me know if you found that pricing. It does look like you can get a Sky Loft in Oct. next year for under $9,000, not too bad at all.The rooms are great, albeit a bit different than on Harmony, the perks are fun and getting on and off quickly was way more valuable than I thought it would be. I think the Sky Class perks are better than the best Carnival perks, but that is only via online comparison, I have never sailed Carnival so have no first hand experience. Best of luck.

Carnival really has no real perks, but with that room we received platinum status for the trip and the room was quite large-at least 800 square feet. I only booked Carnival because it was a family trip (40+ people) and wanted to make sure it was affordable for everyone.

It's a short cruise. I'm sailing the December 6th, 4 days to Bermuda from NJ-family of four. I decided to book because the price is so great, I can't pass it up. I booked the Sky Loft, since the grand loft was $200 more and only offered 20 sq feet more. :):)So excited:D:D

Your Reservation Has Been Made

You set sail in 425 days. Look for an email confirmation soon

Grand Total

$5,869.80 USD-(that includes the $436 trip insurance).

Have you investigated the pricing yet? Even with arm and a leg pricing on Carnival it might not compare to RC Star Class pricing. I see you said it was $1,000 different but I am amazed that Carnival would charge around $10,000 and up for a two person suite.

I paid close to 6k on Carnival for a "premium room" that turned out to be a big disappointment, so I definitely feel that I'm getting a better deal with RCL

Good morning.

I am a long time lurker and first time poster. I am planning a family cruise next year on the Anthem. My husband is not so enthusiastic-he tried his first cruise last year on Carnival-we paid and arm and a leg for their "special suite" but it was a bust. This time, I want him to see how great cruising can be by trying RCL.

Yet this is my dilemma-I am very drawn to the star class bells and whistles but am wondering if it will be too much time away from my family. I think he would like the space in a Loft more plus all the extras seem worthwhile-escorted to on and off suite, "free" drink package and special meals, shorter wait in lines, not having to put bags out on the last day, etc. To make it harder to pass up is the difference in price is about 1 k-and drink package alone would be close to $500.

All this to ask you experts, can do star class and still have a good time with your family who will be in balconies? Or would you just do the sky class and save star for another time?