Cruisingthesuitelife

Did I miss the announcement where RCI came out and said that the new suite benefits have started? Last I knew that it was supposed to start in May.

Yes, it appears you did miss it. As already confirmed (thank you, Jetdriver787) Ovation has the new Suite Class from 14th April.

I have also received an email for my upcoming Ovation cruise from the Concierge confirming some of the perks, including in suite dining and the complimentary wi-fi.

There is absolutely no info at all about what I am / am not entitled to!! They have also charged me for the wifi and I'm sure I should get that for free....

Thanks for getting back to me. Not good. The wifi is definitely included for Sky and Star class. The welcome email I received from the concierge said there would be an access code in the cabin for the wifi. I saw you said you were in a Grand Suite so make sure that charge gets taken off!

I am on Independence of the seas right now and there are a few things that are very confusing to me. I am wondering if any of you can help me out. I know each ship has its own quarks but this one seems to be all to one side.

 

1. Drinks like lemonade do not exist. I am used to having a easy to get drink from the promenade in sorentos or something but here you have to wait and ask someone to get you a glass of iced tea or water. and only at sorentos. The cafe has none. no other non pay options. on all of my previous trips even on its sister ship liberty there were other options and they were out so you can just walk up and get a glass.

 

2. Pens in the rooms... ok I have seen this on my last 3 trips and I'm beginning to think its become a thing. Do they not put pens in the room anymore?

 

3. Pool towels and charging. Now I always return my towels but I did notice the nice large sign that states $25 per towel not returned. I am almost certain that I recall RCI removed that charge thing a while ago. Am I mistaken or is it just a per ship thing?

 

and then there is this big thing being done to the exhaust and blocking sections of the ship. Have not had the chance to ask the crew what happened but figured for the night I would give a shout out here. Any insight on these things would be helpful . TIA

 

 

 

I can't help with the drinks, I don't usually go for those, sorry!

Nope, pens are gone. I haven't seen one in the room in many cruises. I assume cost cutting exercise!

Obviously they realised they were losing a lot of money or something... Not the first ship I have heard this has been reinstated on.

To me, that looks like the installation of the scrubbers. They are something to do with the emissions from the ship and as I can see reference to 'We all want a cleaner...' I would think it was this.

No doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong but this is just my personal experience/understanding!

Room service menu. Yes that is all of it.....

 

 

 

 

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As you are in a grand suite, I understand you can order from any of the complimentary DD restaurants, is that right? Is that just for dinner or all 3 meals?

Hope you are having a great time and thanks for sharing what you have so far :)

Had my welcome email for Ovation, confirming that Hajeong Shim (JJ) will be the Suite Concierge.

Email address OV_Concierge01@rccl.com

She's now visible from Hamble! She looks great!

Eastern has also had it at Nassau. Western is most often Labadee but I have seen it changed due to high winds. We have seen it done at Cozumel as well.

 

The key is on Oasis Class ships in the Caribbean they do it weekly. We didn't see it offered on Allure last year in the Mediterranean. As others have said the suite should get you in but asking the concereige might solidify it if there is any question.

Fair enough, I was just basing it on my experience. I had heard that the Oasis invite was to do with C&A level but not sailed on Oasis so can't say.

It is disappointing not to offer it from the Med, but there would be some spectacular views.

Hello everyone. I got off the liberty a few weeks ago and we were free to come and go from the bow of the ship. We had fun doing the "titanic" pose and all that.

 

I've heard that it is by invitation only on the allure. I really like to go up there at least once every trip because I think it is a lot of fun. So how do you get invited to go up there?

 

We are both Gold, will be platinum after our cruise on the Allure. We are also staying in a crown loft suite.

You may well be invited as you are in a suite. I have sailed in a suite twice on Allure and got an invite for a sailaway party each time from one of the ports. On the Eastern it was from St Maarten and on the Western it was from Labadee. However, there is no guarantee.

I see the animal is joining in Southampton!

On the RCL website, what is a "regular" grand suite now called?

I believe it is a Grand Balcony Suite.

The restaurants will also have slots for walk ups most evenings.

I have been packed for a month for my cruise that is now in about 4 weeks. I tend to, for most of the main clothes items, keep them packed - after washing and drying them from the last cruise. I also just re-stock my toiletry bag when I get home and that stays in my case. The items don't get musty as they are kept in air tight compression bags.

After the next one I only have 4 weeks until the one after, so to me that is leaving it quite late!

I like knowing it is done as much as possible and not having to worry about it.

Here is the thread you started yesterday:

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2332147

Enjoy your upcoming cruise and the one after that when you can enjoy platinum benefits.

So you can't eat specialty restaurant meals in your suite with the Royal Genie? That's kind of a bummer... we really enjoyed that service on NCL.

I don't know about that. I was merely answering about Sky Class and what I had heard regarding the MDR equivalent restaurants for Quantum Class. I am sure you probably could with the Genie but I personally don't know.

Has anyone seen any updates (or denials) that Suite class will be offered on all ex-UK sailings ?

According to the US website when going through to book (checked UK and doesn't seem to show on there), when you get to the point of selecting a Royal Suite class cabin, under the description it has 'The Royal Suite Class Program will be applicable on sailing’s beginning Apr 14th.'

In the same place but on a Harmony cruise it states 'The Royal Suite Class Program will be applicable on sailing’s beginning May 22nd'

What if you are on a ship without a MDR? We are on Anthem

As I understand it, you can order from any of the complimentary main restaurants (Silk, American Icon, Chic etc) but everyone must order from the same place - so you can't order one main from one place and on from another.

Thanks! Oddly enough, the photo on the RCI website looks like that and the floor plan on the same page has the floating wall. I had assumed there was a recent refurb, but now I wonder.

That sounds a lot like the new Harmony/Quantum-style layout.

As far as I know the designs of original existing GS's on Oasis and Allure remain as above.

Obviously the ones over looking the aquatheater are different.

We are looking to book Oasis of the Seas out of PC next March and are leaning toward the Sky Class - Grand Balcony Suite. I have searched, but haven't found the answer to a few questions.

 

1. Is there a consensus on which deck is better for this kind of room? It looks like our choices are 6-8, 10-11 & 14.

 

2. How large/comfy are the sofa beds? We are traveling with our daughters who will be 11 and 13.

 

3. How is the bedroom area divided from the living/sofa area? I can see a "floating" wall with a tv and then openings on either side. Are there simply curtains for those openings?

 

4. What perks are available in the suite lounge? Alcoholic drinks? Bottled water? etc. And are children allowed in?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

It is really down to personal choice. I have been on 9, 8 and 7. 7 was nice because it was one deck up to Central Park and one deck down to Boardwalk. However, all of them were nice.

It is divided by a curtain that is pulled across. There was no TV across the middle in the suites I have had.

I can't answer the other questions but I am sure someone else can :)

Can you make it with just a carry-on for a 8 day cruise?

Yes, I have done several times, it is all about finding the best way of packing for you!

I have had several different locations but liked 7254 quite a bit - 1 deck down to Boardwalk and 1 deck up to Central Park. However, on an upcoming cruise, as I spend more time in Central Park, I have gone for deck 8.

I honestly don't think you can go far wrong with any of them but as mentioned, avoid connecting staterooms if you can.

Announcement: 2017 Caribbean itineraries are here. Keep the adventure flowing with CAS member bookings starting today: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/

... everyone can book... yet again, no C&A priority! Not that it matters with how high the prices are!!

But thanks anyway!

I do it through a Web proxy or a mobile device. You might have to hold the cabin then call them with the ref number as at payment it usually reverts back to Co UK site

I have used TunnelBear but find putting this web address works absolutely fine to get to hold stage. Do you mean call the US number to pay on reservation even though we are in UK?!

Just change the address in the bar from .co.uk to .com and put US at the end instead of UK, as it will try and change back each time ;). Once you've used it once, it will give you the option again ;).

Thanks! Better explanation than I could have given!!

Sorry 😀 I meant to add from Florida! No we can't access the US site, it just throws us back to the UK one. Very frustrating!

Try this:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/?wuc=US

No just looked again , unless its because Im using a tablet, i did ask on the phone and they said final payment cant be made online. I booked direct online and paid the deposit online, maybe its a UK thing ?

Got 2 cruises currently booked online through UK website and am able to make payments, including final payment.

It sounds like no 'owner' was assigned for the booking and therefore, you wouldn't be able to make payment online. I had to select an 'owner' for the reservation out of the travelling passengers when adding the reservation to my C&A account after booking

Thanks! Thought I had heard about early March . Hoping for pictures or a video

Last I saw was definitely 10th at around 17.00 local time :)