How’s the Suite Life?

Every time I book a cruise, I always look at suite price vs balcony, my finger is so close to that suite button but so far, noooo. I don’t get it, we can afford it , kids are grown and on their own but but but but why can’t I convince myself? What is truly the difference between balcony and suite life?

Highly dependent on the ship. What ship?

@Ukigirl

I think it is mostly determined by what matters to you. My parents cruised from the very early 1970’s until my father died in 1995. They were never in the cabin and never cared much what kind of cabin they booked. But I’m what I call “a nester” (meaning I like a place that I can return to in order to rejuvenate and so it does matter to me that it’s a bit nicer). Plus, my husband loves a nice balcony (and a big one he likes even better). There are prices that I would never pay on some ships, I would feel like an idiot for spending some of those sums - but if you are careful you can get some fantastic bargains on even the nicest suites (including Owner’s suites, Aqua Theater suites, and Loft suites in RC and the Haven suites on the NCL line).

I hope you will maybe find one of those and try it once to see :)

Happy sailing - Lynn

Radiance, Freedom, Oasis...

I would answer but if more people start booking suites, the price will only go up.

Basic supply and demand.

I do enjoy the extra space though.

How do you find deals Lynn? I think of myself as a savvy shopper but still get overwhelmed and mostly second guess myself. I research quite a bit and book myself versus a TA, I’ve gotten many discounts as I check on a weekly basis for price drops, mostly thanks to this board.

I would answer but if more people start booking suites, the price will only go up.

Basic supply and demand.

 

I do enjoy the extra space though.

Please answer , I won’t tell anyone

Radiance, Freedom, Oasis...

Radiance & Freedom: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-suites-program

Oasis: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/RoyalSuiteClass

Every time I book a cruise, I always look at suite price vs balcony, my finger is so close to that suite button but so far, noooo. I don’t get it, we can afford it , kids are grown and on their own but but but but why can’t I convince myself? What is truly the difference between balcony and suite life?

The only way I could ever get my husband to go on a cruise was to convince him the rooms were the size of a normal hotel room. Our first cruise, I had to quietly get the Owners Suite on the Sovereign of the Seas. Since then, we've only booked suites because we like having the space and the additional perks, based on the ship.

Going to the suite life is based purely on your preferences. If you tend to book the fancier hotel rooms and chains, you may appreciate the suites more. If you're more interested in saving money and getting a good deal, the balcony room is going to suit you just fine. At the end of the day, it's about what your expectations are.

-germ

I agree w Germ 100%. I've never sailed a suite on RC but have on DCL and NCL. And I've stayed in inside rooms after staying in suites...I've loved them all (just need to know what to expect). For me, no one beats The Haven on NCL. But check to see what you get. The room of course needs to be nice (& it will be) but some lines offer more than others. For example, NCL you have a butler & concierge and on DCL you only have concierge attendant. But definitely do it! You'll love it even if it's just once...you deserve it!

Sorry I didn't exactly answer your question but it can really vary depending on the line so check the services you get besides the bigger room.

Our last six cruises on rccl were all in grand suites , first the suite is great approx 400 sq ft , nice balcony and large bathroom with double sink. Perks change from ship to ship , one was on brilliance all others navigator or liberty. All had concierge or suite lounge. All has breakfast in a specialty restaurant, navigator and liberty has reserved pool seating and also reserved ice show seating which we enjoyed. Priority tenders and disembarkation on all ships. Also free luggage valet. Next cruise is oasis which has suite restaurant.

The suite life is fantastic! It’s not just about the room, but all the other perks that come along with it. A word of caution though, once you cruise with a suite you may never want to go book another other type room! Happy cruising!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I got spoiled on my first cruise. We had booked a Jr Suite for us and a Balcony for my parents (no more JR Suites available).

About a month before, I was looking and a Royal Family Suite (now 2 br GS) opened up, and the price was lower than our two. So we switched.

Now, I just book a GS. :D

So basically, it is very nice. You have enough room that you might find you spend more time there. Plenty of closet space and space in the bathroom. A tub. Balcony with table and chairs and loungers. The Concierge Lounge is very nice perk. Along with the priority disembarkation at ports and when returning.

A word of caution though, once you cruise with a suite you may never want to go book another other type room! Happy cruising!

So true! I think I've told this story before but we once got a check in upgrade from a grand suite to a crown loft suite. RCI knew what the heck they were doing!!!

-germ

If I were recommending an entry level suite, it would be Celebrity. Their suite package is all inclusive. The cabin itself is more the size of Royal's junior suite but you get a WIFI, beverage package, gratuities, butler, concierge, suite lounge, and private dining room. The suite lounge serves most cocktails most of the day and Luminae blows away CK. Celebrity's sidewalks don't roll up at 10pm any more but it's not exactly up to Royal's speed yet either. I think it's a better value overall.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

It is true, once you go suite it's hard to go back. I had a grand suite in harmony. That's entry level for the suites, and perks.

It definately depends on the ship. On smaller ships a junior suite is fine. Thats because of less perks.

From what i read on these boards, if you go oasis class, allure seems cheaper. Go for the oldest class of ship to get the best suite price with perks.

How would you like a private cocktail party every evening. A quite breakfast place without the masses. A seperate deck with hot tubs and bar. No lines.

For the most perks oasis class is it. Next quantum class. Some of the smaller ships do not have a coastal kitchen. You need to do a little homework.

And for those who say you are never in your room( i used to say that), when you have a suite, you do utilize the space cause it is so inviting, relaxing

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

For me I think if you are going to do a suite you have to go all the way and do star class. Then for the crazy prices at least you are getting all inclusive experience, with the royal genie taking care of every detail for you.

We've sailed in Haven on NCL and star class once. They were both amazing experiences. We had star class booked for an upcoming cruise but after considering the vast difference in price between booking 2 balcony cabins vs. what we were paying for suite it was just too much to justify it. We actually did a long weekend with our kids in Europe with the savings.

If I were recommending an entry level suite, it would be Celebrity. Their suite package is all inclusive. The cabin itself is more the size of Royal's junior suite but you get a WIFI, beverage package, gratuities, butler, concierge, suite lounge, and private dining room. The suite lounge serves most cocktails most of the day and Luminae blows away CK. Celebrity's sidewalks don't roll up at 10pm any more but it's not exactly up to Royal's speed yet either. I think it's a better value overall.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Agree we were totally impressed by celebrity suite perks micheals and luminae were both great, suite was small though . We also have msc yacht club booked for next year which appears even better, worst suite perks was hal.

here is letter showing perks from navigator last November

As a Suite guest, you are offered exclusive amenities and services not available to other

guests onboard Navigator of the Seas. For your convenience, here is a brief summary of those

services:

· Use of the Concierge Lounge, Deck 9 aft

· Spa Bathrobes for use onboard.

· Upgraded amenities for the bathroom.

Reservations for any of our specialty restaurants, sports activities, Shore excursions!

Salon and Spa services, etc.

· Our new additions i.e. Sabor, Giovanni’s Table, Izumi Restaurant ,Chops Grille ,get

booked early, to avoid disappointment we suggest you make your reservations early.

· Arrangements for private parties.

· Business services such as copies, etc.

· Cocktail party hosted by the Captain (invitations will be sent).

· Reserved VIP seats for production shows the suite area will be open 5 minutes prior

to show time (please show Cruise Director’s staffs your Gold Sea

Pass card at the entrance).

· Reserved private seating during breakfast and lunch in Chop’s Grill restaurant (please see your service personnel for directions).

How do you find deals Lynn? I think of myself as a savvy shopper but still get overwhelmed and mostly second guess myself. I research quite a bit and book myself versus a TA, I’ve gotten many discounts as I check on a weekly basis for price drops, mostly thanks to this board.

After I read the post by

klfrodo, I thought that maybe I should go with the old line “ I’d tell you but then I’d have to ... “ :') Seriously, I just love a deal so I search various sites looking at suites - you pretty quickly realize when you are seeing lower prices. It takes a lot of searching and comparing, but deals are out there. I usually look at cruises 4-9 mo out. Some great deals are offered in the fall on some cruises, also the first two weeks in Dec. some of the highest prices are holidays and also when children are out of school, but for the latter I’m trying to avoid that anyway ! Good luck! And do try it, But as other people have suggested, it’s hard going back once you have gone “suite” :D

Lynn

Every time I book a cruise, I always look at suite price vs balcony, my finger is so close to that suite button but so far, noooo. I don’t get it, we can afford it , kids are grown and on their own but but but but why can’t I convince myself? What is truly the difference between balcony and suite life?

You sound just like us! My DH keeps saying he wants to book a suite (other than JS, which we have had some really good deals), but when I tell him that he has to hit the button, he can’t either! We just can’t justify the cost when we don’t spend that much time in our cabin because there is so much to do on the ships and in the ports. I guess we’d rather go on 2 cruises for the price of a suite:) We feel so fortunate to be in the situation we are in at this time in our lives, but we are just tooooo practical...which is probably why we are in the financial position we are in now:)

We did our first grand suite on Allure and I don’t think we can ever go back to a standard balcony cabin. We have 2 young kids and when we walked past a thousand people in line waiting to get luggage and get through customs, my wife and I basically looked at each other and said there’s no going back. We skipped the entire line and were off the ship and in our car service in 5 minutes.

Standing in line with 2 young kids for an hour (and not getting to go on a ride) is not fun for anyone. It’s suite, no kids or nothing for us now.

Suite beach and buffet at ladabee is really nice also, will be back there in two moths on oasis

Like the grand suit room but love the suite lounge and all the perks. That alone is worth the money

I am doing my very first suite in November. We are staying Star Class and I can't wait.

MadamG2U