vacruisincouple

Thank you it really worked out best for us. I'm sure your son will appreciate having his own space as well as a proper bed instead of a pull out couch. We technically could have had my parents on the pull out couch in living room and the total price would have been cheaper than having them in their own cabin. Then in addition we had to pay for the RPP. It wasn't a matter of cost for us. We wanted proper beds for everyone as well as two bathrooms. As nice as the bathroom is in the royal suite, it just isn't enough for 4 people IMO. Having the RPP made it all work out and made it feel like we had a 2 bedroom suite instead of separate cabins.

There was no additional charge or change in what they paid for gratuities. They did not have a bar set up but as their room connected to our living room they could take whatever they wanted from our mini fridge. To be honest, we hardly touched the bar setup. I think we drank a total of 3-4 sodas and a couple of juices. We're not heavy drinkers and we had ample opportunity to access alcohol elsewhere. They were not assigned a butler per se but our butler AJ made it clear on the first day if there was anything my parents needed they could contact him and he would take care of it. They never needed to but it was nice to know they could.

With the RPP, it should look just like a suite card.

No I don't think so. I believe it has to be booked for the entire cruise. Otherwise you can pay the cover charge for non suite guests to dine in luminae with the suite guests.

Hi Henry. Pretty sure it is only offered to the upper suites. I think it might be capacity controlled. It has to be arranged with the shoreside concierge before embarkation.

I disembarked from the Summit last Saturday. My husband and I were in a royal suite and my parents travelled with us in the adjoining C1 balcony cabin. I purchased the Retreat Privilege Package (RPP) for my parents prior to sailing. I know this program is somewhat controversial but don’t wish to discuss that here. Rather, I would like to give my thoughts on how well the program did and did not work for us as well as some of the logistics of the program. Pre Cruise: As expected about 3 ½ - 4 weeks prior to the cruise, I received an email from the shoreside concierge with the usual list of questions on our preferences for the stateroom, specialty dining reservations, etc. I responded with our needs as well as inquiring about having my parents join us in luminae as well as the retreat lounge and sundeck. It was only after inquiring was I told I could purchase the RPP for them or pay per meal to have them join us in luminae. Pricing was $99 per person per day for RPP or $30 per person for dinner or $20 per person for lunch. We opted to purchase the RPP. I called the shoreside concierge and the purchase was taken care of in about 10 minutes. Cruise check in: The morning of the cruise we took an uber to the port of Miami and were dropped off around 10:20 a.m. The signage for the special delivery area was not very clear so we had the porter walk us over to the check in area that was curbside further ahead from where we were dropped off at. Once there, they asked for our cabin numbers. I provided them and they immediately tried to tell me that my parents needed to go through the regular check in. I explained that they had the RPP which was met with blank stares. I further explained they were to check in with us as apart of the program. I’m not sure they believed me but I was rather insistent that they were coming with us. We were taken to the retreat embarkation lounge which was already almost full where we met Connor and Connie the retreat concierges. Beverages (coffee, juice, water, etc.) and light snacks were available. After about 15 minutes the room was introduced to Daniel the retreat manager. Connor then invited the 4 of us along with one other couple to follow him onto the ship. Daniel and Connie also had a group with them so I assume that made up all of the upper tier suite passengers. We were the first to step foot on the ship. Cruise: We were escorted to the retreat lounge where we were welcomed once again and offered beverages from the bar as well as more snacks. After finishing our beverages we went to our suite to drop off our carryon luggage and pick up our room keys. All of our room keys including my parents were the grey suite keys. We met our room steward Michael (who was absolutely fabulous the entire cruise) and dropped off our things. Luminae: We headed down to luminae for lunch where we met Lobo who asked for our room numbers. After providing them Lobo discretely tried to tell me there was a charge to have my parents dine with us. I replied that they had the RPP. He told me he would check on it. We had a lovely lunch with Andy as our server. Upon leaving, Lobo walked us out and I asked him if everything was set for my parents to enjoy luminae without us if they wanted to and he assured me everything was as it should be. Retreat Sun Deck: We went to the retreat sun deck for sail away. If you do so, be aware that you are very close to the ship’s horn. It is very loud and quite startling the first time it goes off. We were also invited to the helipad for sail away but opted for the sundeck because 1) I didn’t want to change into closed toe shoes and 2) I wanted a place to sit. I used my key card to get us into the retreat sun deck but my parents decided to leave before us and their key cards did not work in unlocking the gate. They flagged down a crew member and were able to exit. Later that evening we mentioned this to Connor in the retreat lounge and he took their keys and reprogrammed them so that they would work. The keys worked perfectly the rest of the cruise. Specialty dining and extras: We dined at Tuscan grill on my dad’s birthday and I was expecting to have to pay the cover charge for both of my parents. At the end of the meal however we were told everything was taken care of and did not have a bill to sign. We left an extra tip in cash. I don’t know if its supposed to be this way or not, but its as if my parents were given the same royal suite perks that we had. This was the only specialty dining that we did with them so I don’t know if it was a one off or if it would have been the same at the other specialty dining venues. Or perhaps it was because my parents literally only had a half portion of pasta each and they would’ve felt bad charging me $60 per person for them. I kind of doubt that though. Later in the cruise all 4 of us were delivered the monogrammed pajamas. I also noticed that my parents beverage package had been upgraded from the classic package that came with their room (they were on an all included cruise fare) to the premium beverage. Again, not sure if it is supposed to happen this way or not. Conclusion: All in all, I am very happy we booked the RPP for my parents. All the crew members we encountered were incredible and made my parents (and us) feel very pampered. It was a little annoying to have to assert that they had the package at check in and at luminae the first time along with the little hiccup with the key cards. This is something that could have been better but rather minor considering the entire cruise experience. Cheri

Thank you!

At this point no, all suites are sold out. I think that the SS is normally a bit more than just an extra $100/pp per day compared to a C1. The goal anyway was to treat the suite and connecting cabin as a 2 bedroom suite and have a comfortable shared living space to hang out together.

Thanks JFontaine! We're only planning one specialty dining with them at Tuscan Grill for my Dad's birthday dinner. My husband and I will dine at Sushi on 5 most days for lunch but my parents don't like sushi and it will be nice for them if they can dine in Luminae on the 2 sea days that we have without us. I think we'll utilize the Retreat sundeck quite a bit on this cruise. Everyone can handle the stairs easily. My parents also really enjoyed the Retreat Lounge/Michael's club the last time we cruised with them and they were in a SS. So for us, I think the RPP makes sense and I am happy that it is available.

I am sailing in a RS on Summit in 2.5 weeks and was offered the Retreat Privilege Package (RPP) for my parents who are sailing with us in the adjoining C1 cabin. I was only offered the package because I inquired about it. It was not offered in the initial email from the shoreside concierge. The price is $99 per person per day and must be booked with the shoreside concierge prior to sailing. There was no mention of limited availability but then again there are only 10 upper suites on M class so it probably isn't an issue. I will likely purchase it for my parents and conveniently "forget" to tell them there was a charge for it. It will be my dad's 85th birthday on the cruise so I want them to really enjoy themselves.

Thank you for posting the menus. We are on a 6 night next month. Does anyone know which menu will be omitted? Hopefully not the lobster 😁.