no perks for suite guests on carnival

[smc0320]

I think the only suites worth paying for are the Vista Suited on Spirit Class ships. You get a 2-room suite with a wrap-around balcony...changing room & walk-in closet!

[Georgiagolfer]

I agree with most comments about suites on CCL, and lack of any definite perks. Have stayed in OS and really enjoyed the extra room in the cabin and larger balcony, but received the same service and perks in an inside room.

 

RCI offers double points for booking a JS and above. In JS no additional perks above priority embark/debark, but double cruise points are nice.

 

CCL could/should offer at least double cruise points for suites. JMO:D

[swedish weave]

A full suite on NCL, one that comes with suite perks, not a mini-suite, DO NOT start at $100 pp per day. About the rock bottom pricing for a full suite on NCL is $150 pp/day. You might occasionally find a last minute deal for slightly less than that, but $100/day is not even close.

 

A suite on the Epic for Jan 11 for 7 days is priced at $849.00. Several other dates are available at near this price. Any comments ???

 

I post this in order to try to maintain the integrity of information on CC.

Edited January 1, 2014 by swedish weave

[Georgiagolfer]

A suite on the Epic for Jan 11 for 7 days is priced at $849.00. Several other dates are available at near this price. Any comments ???

 

I post this in order to try to maintain the integrity of information on CC.

 

Are you taking about a regular suite or mini suite. The mini suite is listed as a suite on NCL site, but is basically a balcony cabin, just slightly larger but has no additional suite amenities.

[golfadj]

A suite on the Epic for Jan 11 for 7 days is priced at $849.00. Several other dates are available at near this price. Any comments ???

 

I post this in order to try to maintain the integrity of information on CC.

 

Seems like an excellent price for those who desire suites. Dont spend that much time in the cabin so balcony or less is fine with us.

[SamGoodyTwoShoes]

RCCL knows how to take care of suite passengers. With Carnival, nothing but bigger roomsvand priority embarkation and debarkation. Love RCCL for the suite perks. Love CCL for the value in family cruising. Pretty diverse!

 

Someone who gets it. :)

[sharecruises]

NCL has the Haven. MSC has the Yacht Club - true suite class, butlers, conciege all drinks etc. Price can be really reasonable (not my style but people rave about them)

 

I have to say I would never splurge on Carnival - in fact I don't even want a balcony on Carnival - too many smokers, and they are "allowed" to smoke on balcony. In January when Royal stops balcony smoking I shudder to think that even more smokers will be on Carnival

 

Just as Carnival has made cut backs, I think that one's satisfaction with their cruises is also based on our abiility to cut back. See a great rate on a Carnival cruise, go for it in a cheaper cabin, inside or outside. I don't drink enough to do the Cheers program.

 

BUT if I had suite dreams I would really look elsewhere - NCL, MSC

[SamGoodyTwoShoes]

I think eventually Carnival will follow the trend and ban smoking on balconies.

[I Luv Crusin]

Those are great perks, but how much more is the suite vs. the ocean suite on Carnival (which I've stayed in). I really do think Carnival could add something extra other than priority embarking/disembarking (which is no big deal in my opinion). They don't have to go overboard with perks but it would be nice to give people a little extra something worth while if they are spending a bit more chunk of change to stay in their suites. They could still stay within the "value" category and offer something a bit more to customers in suites.

 

Lynne, I TOTALLY agree! There are some things Carnival could do for suite passengers that would make passengers feel a bit more special and not cost Carnival much in staff or effort.

[I Luv Crusin]

Carnival Suite perks are below par compared to rest of industry. Lowest priced suites going by current rates are around $140 pp per day on Carnival. Many NCL Suites start around $100 pp per day. NCL gives you the sun and the moon for that price. Not sure how they do it honestly. RCI Suites (Junior Suites) are comparable in price to Carnival and get you double cruise credits (if that matters) while Grand Suites and above get you free alcohol daily every evening, though typically you will not touch a GS for under 170 pp per day.

Someone pointed out that not many cruise in suites, that is very true. It is a small percentage of those on the cruise.

 

So the cost to Carnival wouldn't be too bad. I'm Platinum so already have some perks but some of the suite perks offered on other lines would be nice. At this time I would NOT book a suite but if offered a reasonable upgrade I would and have taken it.

[halos]

A full suite on NCL, one that comes with suite perks, not a mini-suite, DO NOT start at $100 pp per day. About the rock bottom pricing for a full suite on NCL is $150 pp/day. You might occasionally find a last minute deal for slightly less than that, but $100/day is not even close.

This is true. I love NCL but NCL suites are not cheap and IF I could get one for $150 pp/pd, I'd jump on it. Never seen it priced that low.

 

Paying for a suite on Carnival somewhat defeats the purpose of sailing on Carnival, which is to cruise as cheaply as possible.

 

 

If I'm looking at suites, most likely I'm budgeting enough money to be looking at other cruise lines. For example, you could get a Concierge Class or Aqua Class standard balcony stateroom on Celebrity with a litany of perks for the same price as a suite on Carnival with zero perks. But to each his own. Some may prefer to pay extra for a bigger room on a budget cruise line than for a standard room on a premium cruise line.

 

 

This makes total sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A suite on the Epic for Jan 11 for 7 days is priced at $849.00. Several other dates are available at near this price. Any comments ???

 

 

 

I post this in order to try to maintain the integrity of information on CC.

 

 

 

That's pretty awesome but that is for a mini. I just looked for this and there are no suites available on this sailing except minis and family minis. (not to mention how 'last minute' this is)

Edited January 1, 2014 by halos

[legion3]

Would never consider a suite on CCL. Enjoyed my low cost comfortable cabins on CCL. Enjoyed my family suite on NCL and the perks.

 

We enjoyed those perks so much we are going to pinch our pennies and give the MSC Yacht Club and its great looking perks a go for our next cruise. Thought about a Haven equiped NCL ship but MSC's inclusive drinks, afternoon tea :o and overall cost seems to be the better choice for us this time.

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

On RCI, suite guests go right to the top in perks. A first-time junior suite guest gets access to the Concierge Lounge and pretty much all the perks of Diamond +, usually reserved for interior or balcony guests who have to amass like 170 plus cruise credits for Diamond + (top perk for us will be free wash & fold [200 credits for Carnival Diamond]).

 

Some folks (not us) could really resent the notion that first-time cruisers with extra bucks can barge into 'our' exclusive lounges that we had to log 80 to 170 nights for.

 

Each RCI cruise has a nice welcome back party for past guests (with champagne and heavy finger foods) hosted by the CD & captain. RCI pays LOTS of attention to repeat customers and suite guests.

 

Just saying......

[LMaxwell]

On RCI, suite guests go right to the top in perks. A first-time junior suite guest gets access to the Concierge Lounge

 

GS and above. JS (Junior Suite) by it's own does not get you access to the Concierge Lounge. The way I view it is loyal customers who make Diamond on RCI (80 points) are afforded access to the Diamond Lounge. Diamond Plus (175 points) also have the option of the Concierge Lounge. The Concierge Lounge is a listed benefit for Grand Suite or higher guests; they ARE paying for access to that lounge and as such I have absolutely no issues with a first time cruiser booking an expensive room and then being afforded those exclusive benefits. There is actually little functional difference between the Diamond Lounge and Concierge Lounge. Free booze, hot snacks in the evening, open 24 hours for free premium coffees, access to a concierge in either lounge. No level of loyalty or level of room on RCI gets you a butler.

 

For others looking to compare costs per day per person in an easy and concise way (ugh, I hate that I can't just outright share the link per CC guidelined) go on Google and "fish" for the best "cruise" "price comparison" site and at the end is a tab labeled Stats where you can sort by cost per day for suite level (or balcony, OV, or insides), for all lines or one in particular. It will quickly blow the myth that Carnival is significantly cheaper right out of the water on similar sized rooms.

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

GS and above - copy that. Thanks for the correction.

[gr81]

I have stayed away from suites on Carnival just because the lack of perks. That being said, my wife and I got a smoking deal to repeat our honeymoon for our 15 year anniversary at $25pd/pp for an ocean view. Then 1 week before the cruise (leaves this monday) , we got the "wanna upgrade" call and took it. After upgrade we are now paying $75pd/pp and will see if we don't again (barring that kind of deal).

[texast518]

no real perks and it's a shame. Carnival should take a look at ncl's suite perks.

 

amen!!!!

[cruiseonthebrain]

We almost always choose a suite. Priority embarkation- I had no idea we had priority debarkation. The room and balcony are bigger. There's usually a jetted tub. Out stewards have been incredible. But, alas not real special perks.

[cruzhape]

Have been on at least 10 cruises with Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean. While Carnival doesn't have perks for suites other than embark/debark, there is this to think about. When traveling with a large group booking ocean suites allows us to open the balconies between each room, creating our own little oasis for 10 or 12 people for breakfast and cocktails. Makes it really easy for the kids to come and go from room to room. There is a very big difference in space. The priority check in lounge is GREAT. If you couple the suite with faster to the fun you're in your room before noon with your luggage and first for excursions! It is a very stress free way to get on board early, avoiding lines and back ups. You're also first to the Lido deck and the drink of the day. Escorted debarkation at 8:15 am gets us to our luggage and to the airport 2 hours earlier than usual.

[Sweettea6064]

Was wondering if there are any additional perks for grand suite guests, other than the grand suite :)..............any help would be great, Happy New Year!!

 

Brian

 

We lucked into the owners suite....Carnival is the Bernie Sanders of cruise lines. Pay 150 or 5000 you get the same treatment....Learn from NCL, Princess, Holland and Royal. We had to get faster to the fun to get priority tender at one port. Believe it or not. :confused:

[Roz]

I've been fortunate to have experienced the suite life on HAL a couple of times. The perks I enjoy the most are the Neptune Lounge where there's an expresso/cappuccino/coffee machine, and treats and hors d'oeuvres throughout the day, including continental breakfast in the morning. There's also a concierge on duty who can help with any number of things - book or change excursions, problems with onboard acct., booking specialty restaurants, etc. My very favorite perk is breakfast in the Pinnacle Grille - what a nice quiet way to start the day! And there's using a private suite passenger luncheon in the Pinnacle also.

 

I realize Carnival's suites are priced lower than other line, but I still can't justify the added cost for just some extra square footage in the cabin.

 

Roz

[kgb46]

What I don't really understand about Carnival is having JH make a teaser announcement about the "brilliant suite perks" that was going to be announced around May 1st. A coffee maker and queen size pillows and mattress topper? Then a bottle of water and a bag of laundry? And no clarification as to if these perks apply to all suites or the Grand Suite. He said in a previous video that the coffee maker was in the Grand Suites on the Vista. Really? I think Carnival has left him looking like a yak with his dangly bits hanging out in the open. Not something any of us care to see.

[makeda]

We lucked into the owners suite....Carnival is the Bernie Sanders of cruise lines. Pay 150 or 5000 you get the same treatment....Learn from NCL, Princess, Holland and Royal. We had to get faster to the fun to get priority tender at one port. Believe it or not. :confused:

 

imho: yawn...do your homework so you aren't "surprised"...I don't cruise the other lines because I know what to and what not to expect...the only thing a suite would give is more space, no big deal to us...when we want to be "pampered" and more "perks", we go where those things are offered; I am soo sick of you people who want "priority" tendering...get in line, you are NOT special

[First and Ten]

Great post Makeda, couldn't agree more....I don't understand why someone feels because they paid a few thousand $$$$ more for a room, besides getting more space and possibly a bigger balcony, they actually feel ENTITLED, that they should be able to disembark when they want and proceed to walk in front of everyone else? I guess they really believe they are "special"

 

 

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[riffatsea]

I suppose we are a different sort of Carnival cruiser.

We just started booking suites instead of balconies and we won't go back now with/without special perks.

We like the extra space. We like the normal sized bathroom. We like the large jetted tub.

That's it! We don't cruise on Carnival because it is "cheap". We cruise because it is convenient and informal in dress . We have plenty of money we could spend on other cruise lines but Carnival just fits our personality and cruise style. I think that if folks want all these other perks that go along with suites they should book them on the lines that offer them and stop complaining about what Carnival doesn't offer.