TheInnocentAge

Thanks Biker, I had forgotten about this thread and topic. We sailed from there on Jewel in mid-May.

Maybe sometimes, but we've bid the max on two separate occasions before and the bids were not accepted, yet the one time our offer did get accepted we had bid barely above the minimum. So it's really hit or miss with a lot of other factors involved. On the two occasions where we had bid the max, our initial bookings were made on the first day of availability and that original category had more than doubled in price after just a few months. So even the total price of our 'max' bid may have been less than what many other bidders were totaling with a mid-range bid. As other threads here on CC have often mentioned, the algorithm was designed to give RC the highest profit.

We did! We recently returned from our 15-day cruise staying in the RS on Jewel, and your word captures the experience... it was definitely awesome. And despite what someone posted earlier in this thread, we did receive others perks in addition to those listed in the 'benefits of the suites' document: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-suites-program Our suites concierge was fantastic, and she made it known immediately that those in this suite would get special treatment whenever possible, whether it was from her or from other RC staff, on or off the ship. She made it a point to find us each morning, making sure everything we needed was taken care of, and she would check in once or twice throughout the day as well. On top of all of the benefits listed in the above form, here are a few of the additional perks... In the handful of shore excursions that we had booked, she met us just beforehand and escorted us off the ship just ahead of our tour group, and had seats reserved for the four of us in the front row of the bus each day. This carried over to extra attention from the tour guides, which was an unexpected add on as well. On top of the welcome amenities listed, every few days or so we would return to the cabin to find another bottle of wine or champagne had been delivered, plus trays of fruit or cheese a few times as well. We've had this happen on occasion in other types of suites too before, but much more frequently this time. We were able to take advantage of an extra complimentary laundry service, which we hadn't planned on needing or using but was a nice touch. Also extra pressing/ironing if we needed it.. On Day 1 she had some of the staff leaders meet her in our cabin so she could introduce us, and all were very gracious to us, answering questions and providing their contact info in case we needed anything over the next two weeks. About halfway through the cruise there were bath bombs left for us, which made the whirlpool tub even better. They even tuned the piano during dry dock right before the cruise, and since I play this was an added bonus. I can understand where some would think it's a waste of space to have a piano in a ship cabin, but it wasn't to me. I used it every day, and in a cabin that size it's not like it is blocking the way. All in all this suite was everything we expected and more. It certainly helped to have an excellent suites concierge taking care of us as well. We were sad to hear that she was moving on to another ship to become a Royal Genie, but I'm sure she will be fantastic in her new role, Happy sailing everyone.

From what I've seen, getting logged into the website isn't the problem, it's when you try to go into the 'Plan My Cruise' option in one of your booked cruises.

Our cruise planner showed the drink package 'Sold Out' this morning for my upcoming cruise, but just now I see that it is available again. Probably just a temporary glitch.

Yes, that's us!

Thanks for posting. We'll be on that May 15 sailing.

Not worth taking the chance. On more than one occasion our cruise has been delayed by thick fog along the Florida coast on the last overnight/morning, and the ships in the area had to wait for it to clear before coming into port. Yes, odds are against that sort of thing, but it does happen.

That made me laugh! We have the RS on Jewel for 15 nights beginning in mid-May, and it's great to hear about the experiences that have been shared in this thread so far. Speaking of the piano, did you play it at all, or just use the auto-play? I do play a bit here at home, nothing fancy, but just wondering what variety of songs there was in the auto-play feature, if you can recall. Thanks in advance.

Yep, something like that.

My bad, I didn't see the particular post you had responded to, so I missed the context of your reply.

If that's the case, I don't know why they'd cancel the port stops...

We've had a variety of different outcomes. We've been notified as early as four weeks before the cruise (accepted), to as late as three hours after sail away (denied). I've bid the maximum before and was declined, and I've bid the minimum and was approved. Best of luck, and either way, enjoy your cruise!

@captainannoyed! Thank you for the quick response, and especially for the positive vibes! We will be in that cabin for 15 nights, and I will definitely let you know how it goes.

I've seen that document, but since others have posted that they've received perks in addition to those listed, I figured I'd ask the OP.

Captain, just curious how your experience was in the RS. We have the RS on Jewel in May. We are D+, so I'm aware of those benefits, but just wondering what additional perks (champagne, wine, etc.) that may have come along with this cabin. Also, did you use the piano, and if so is it fairly in tune? Thank in advance...

I've not seen that happen before. Been on a few dozen cruises and they are always still pushing the drink packages on day 1 or 2.

If you're a fan of big balconies, my choice would be the AquaTheater Suite, but only if it's one of the lower decks (preferably deck 8). That's because those ATS cabins and balconies get a bit smaller as you go up higher, with deck 8 being the largest (800+ sq. ft. of cabin, plus almost another 800 of balcony). Great views of the shows, and with the horseshoe shaped balcony there is also a private side that faces the ocean. Plus the ones on Deck 8 are Star Class, so you get the unlimited specialty dining, deluxe drink package, Genie, and all the other Star perks. The rest of the ATS (decks 9 and above) are Sky Class I believe. One downside to the ATS would be that its a longer walk to the Coastal Kitchen, which was one of the great things about being in a Crown Loft and just steps away from CK. Having stayed in all three cabin types you mentioned, I would choose the ATS #1 if you can get deck 8. If not, then I would go with the Crown Loft. For me the Owners Suite would be #3.

Related question... I'm familiar with the D+ perk of a free bag of laundry on a 7-night cruise, and the discount for a 2nd bag. We have a 15-night cruise coming up, so just wondering if they typically offer a 2nd free bag on longer cruises such as this.

We have a 15-night cruise next month with three stops in Ireland, but not Dublin this time. It also has stops in Iceland, Scotland and England.

He was our bartender too. He was happy to see us!

That's for sure. One day I was carrying two pina coladas (one for each hand) back to my lounge chair and the wind blew the extra rum floaters right off the top 🙂.

Congrats in advance! Not sure if this will help or what cabin type you have, but I made similar plans a few years back when I was ready to ask my girlfriend to marry me. We were in an AquaTheater suite on Symphony, another Oasis class ship. Part of our cruise routine has always been to have one slow dance per night on our balcony. Anyway, with that huge balcony (almost 800 sq ft) and its close proximity to the music that is often played toward the back of the ship, I arranged for the song 'Perfect Symphony' to be played at a certain time when I knew we'd be back from dinner one night (it's a variation of Ed Sheeran's song 'Perfect', but with both Ed and Andrea Bocelli in a beautiful duet, which they renamed 'Perfect Symphony'). If you have a special song, even played from your phone and even if you don't have a big balcony, a nice slow dance ending with you on one knee just might do the trick. We've been married a little over four years now.

Haa... The hamster powering their website (Rodent of the Seas) fell off the wheel...