Is a suite worth the extra money?

[dacsmom]

Wow, I must be the only one to differ!

Now I'm assuming that one has a cruising budget, of either time or money - if not I'll be in a GS on every cruise with Super Mario. But, a typical choice I might have to make could be between a week in the Eastern Caribbean in a suite with CL privledges, or, that same week in a nicely positioned D1, and then stay on as a B2B for another week, this time Western Caribbean. Still have some funds left, so I'll buy the drink package to make up for loss of the CL, and still have a few dollars left for the casino. My choice - I'd take the second week every time.

 

I agree with you, I would rather cruise more often. For a special occasion or a TA I would think about it. I like my balcony or even my inside cabin. I often cruise solo and the added room is not a big deal to me.

[Fat Paul]

I have no idea how your wife shaved her legs in that shower! At 5'8", I didn't even attempt it.

 

She gave up trying and just used the Whirlpool

I had a hard time using the shower due to obesity, I have since lost 90lbs and think that I could somewhat manage it. I LOVE everything else about an OS. As far as cruise frequency we have been cruising once or twice a year. With recent financial changes we might be able to increase that to two to three times a year in a Grand suite.

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Definitely worth it but once you start sailing in a full suite, you can never go back to another type room !

[ttnc4me]

Probably been asked before?

Are Royal Suites worth it?

No. Many more cruises can be booked instead and for some, I can almost buy a used car.

[ducklite]

The only reason it was worth it for us was to give us and our son who cruised with us privacy. The concierge did nothing special for us (actually gave us bad information in writing which caused a problem with the captain), and the free wine in the lounge was the $5.99/bottle at CVS quality. We would have been better off booking a balcony for us and an inside for our son.

Edited August 17, 2014 by ducklite

[14Terry]

Definitely worth it but once you start sailing in a full suite, you can never go back to another type room !

 

 

So true! [emoji1][emoji106][emoji572]️[emoji86][emoji85][emoji87]

 

 

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[kymbakitty]

She gave up trying and just used the Whirlpool

I had a hard time using the shower due to obesity, I have since lost 90lbs and think that I could somewhat manage it. I LOVE everything else about an OS. As far as cruise frequency we have been cruising once or twice a year. With recent financial changes we might be able to increase that to two to three times a year in a Grand suite.

 

I don't know what they were thinking, I really don't. We were in an OS on the Grandeur and I don't recall it being an issue. And even though it was many years ago (we cruised on Celebrity and Princess for a decade before returning to RCI). We're both the same size so if it was the same size, I'm pretty sure I would remember.

 

It's a design flaw, IMHO. Not to mention, the handicap bar inside. Both of our arms were heavily bruised at the end of week one. You'd think you'd see it, but when your scalp is filled with soap and your eyes are closed, and you lower your arm and BAM.

 

When we saw GS with tub/shower combo and not that big of a difference in the layout (dining room table did not get used much), we knew that was the way we'd go....just to avoid the shower.

 

Tough problem to have....I realize that.

 

:)

[Piteco]

Doing a JS for the first time on the Oasis on Sept 2015. The most we have done is regular balconies so looking forward to that.

[drmomsc]

Sue, yes 1732. Could you see the ocean??? Just seems like all that activity would generate noise and not offer the same amount of privacy as a GS. The GS is more than the L2 so not sure what to do.

 

We were in 1734 on the Oasis. We could see the ocean past the Aquatheater. We loved people watching and all of the rehearsals on the Aquatheater. We never had a problem with noise. It was a great cabin and we have 1730 booked for 2 more cruised!

 

The crown loft experience is just amazing. I would take it over the Grand Suite (we had on on Allure 3 years ago) in a heartbeat. There is no comparison.

 

And the shower! I still dream of that shower!

[sarajean]

Probably been asked before?

Are Royal Suites worth it?

Booked one on the Liberty....for next year

Has any one been in one on the Liberty?

 

 

Computer was down all week end, just got a chance to read all of your post.

Thank you all for your opinions. sounds like most people do like them. So since I booked that (a GS) for our next cruise guess I will have to see if it was worth it...

 

Thanks again!!!!

[DebJ14]

No. Many more cruises can be booked instead and for some, I can almost buy a used car.

 

Everyone is in a different financial situation so you can't generalize. Some people sail multiple times per year, and in a suite every time, and that has very little financial impact on them.

It depends what your priorities are.

 

I always laugh at the people who say they prefer an inside because they never spend any time in the cabin. I have always found that the better the cabin, the more time one spends in it. Assuming I had an inside I wouldn't be in it at all either, but then again unless I get a balcony I won't be sailing.

 

Once you go suite it is hard to go back! We love the extra room. I don't live in a closet at home, so why would I vacation in one?

[nbsjcruiser]

Probably been asked before?

Are Royal Suites worth it?

Booked one on the Liberty....for next year

Has any one been in one on the Liberty?

 

We had one on the Majesty. For me, no. No way. For DW, she quite enjoyed it. Depends on who you ask. For my money the best room is the cheapest. I'm only in my room to shower, change, use the terlet or sleep. The rest of the time I'm in a port somewhere or out and about on the ship. Just doesn't make sense to me.

[cruisetrail]

I don't think anyone can answer that for you. The extra suite perks are definitely nice, but are they worth the price difference? Probably not.

 

If you really enjoy spending quiet time in your room, the space and amenities are great. If you would rather spend your time out and about on the ship, or in ports, maybe you won't get alot of use out of the extras.

 

But only you can decide what you can afford, and where your money is best spent.

 

I echo that.

[sauvichick]

We were in a GS on Liberty earlier this summer (and on several other RCI vessels) -- our answer will always be "yes" because we really like the extra space and the flexibility provided by the perks. It's great not having to worry about making show reservations or making MTD changes. Also, having the concierge assist with disembarking or with tendering can result in more time enjoying the ship!

 

 

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I agree with booking a suite. Looking at my 2nd GS on Liberty of the seas. If I go higher (in category) I will never go back. I am just concerned with noise from the pool deck.

 

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[Folk Singer]

They must be, a lot of folks book them.

 

 

yes. we met a lot of great cruisers who have booked them. We book suites most of the time and do enjoy the extra perks.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Folk Singer

[TheInnocentAge]

My own two cents...

 

The extra space in the suites versus the D1's thru D8's is certainly a plus. I'll know more after my next few cruises, which will be in a JS, an aft-corner D2, then an OS on the Oasis (can't wait for that one).

 

So far for me, the answer to whether a suite has been worth the extra cost is yes. Going forward, it will depend on the difference in price. When I booked the OS for a cruise next year (Oasis, eastern Caribbean route), the price at the time was just too good to pass up (a little over $4k). Since then I've seen the price more than double to over $9k, then drop down slightly. It's now around $7k.

 

I guess it all comes down to what everyone's personal budget is. My budget can handle the $4-5k for the OS, but I probably wouldn't pay the $9k that it had jumped to a month or so ago. Hopefully I'll be "wowed" enough that week to consider it again at some point, at least if the price is right.

[LMaxwell]

I think this website also tends to be very skewed to long term, repeat, and suite cabin cruisers. It really depends on your finances and what you want.

[sauvichick]

I think this website also tends to be very skewed to long term, repeat, and suite cabin cruisers. It really depends on your finances and what you want.

 

I don't think so because this will only be my 2nd time ever in a suite and I haven't even booked it. Most people who reply to certain threads have been on enough cruises and/or in different categories to be able to respond. I want members to provide info.

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[CruiseGuy76]

To echo what Sauvichick said earlier, make sure you look VERY carefully at the deck plans ABOVE where your suite will be. Many of the suites are on the top floor of balcony cabins which seems nice in theory but are directly below either the pool deck, the solarium, the spa, the sports deck/gym or the Windjammer!

 

There a numerous posts on CC from people saying they booked a suite and were kept awake the entire cruise by the heel clicks of the spa/salon attendants above, the moving of deck chairs across the stone floor of the solarium, the dropping of freeweights, the vacuuming of the Windjammer floor....

 

Many times the larger suites are directly off of the elevator banks. This is great for not having to walk as far but they are high-traffic areas prone to noise. These areas were always packed with the hundred or so Quinceanera girls (look it up) on our Freedom cruise last summer. They get to day 5 or so and have exhausted all their money and sense so the lobbies and elevator floors (yes, folks, the elevator floors) were their new hangout.

 

I was UNDER the Royal Suite on the Rhapsody about four years ago on an Alaskan cruise and the entire cruise all we heard was the 4 year old above being allowed to BANG on the baby grand piano. Money never has necessarily equaled manners...

 

Be warned! :)

 

That being said, if you can afford it and want an upgraded experience, go for it! Just being able to walk on past all the rest of us schmucks waiting in the check-in line for our lowly D8 cabin with your nose held high is all the reason you need!

 

Before people get all turned inside out, I am just being funny. I have enjoyed our Verandah cabins each time and that's all the money I wish to spend. We don't stay in the room enough to warrant any more space than that but do like having the ability to step outdoors from time to time.

 

Happy Cruising!

[JimAOk1945]

The benefits and pleasure we derive from being in a suite on each cruise far outweighs the little inconveniences that we have experienced. On one cruise we were constantly bothered by kids ringing our doorbell. At first we ignored it. After day 4, I decided it was time to do something.

 

As soon as I heard the doorbell, I was out the door and down the hall after the kids. There were three of them about 10-12 years old. After I caught up with them, I confronted them nicely but firmly. No more doorbell ringing the rest of the cruise. My wife said since I'm a weightlifter, they probably took me seriously! :D

[nolesrule]

I was UNDER the Royal Suite on the Rhapsody about four years ago on an Alaskan cruise and the entire cruise all we heard was the 4 year old above being allowed to BANG on the baby grand piano. Money never has necessarily equaled manners...

 

Be warned! :)

 

 

it was a sign that you should have booked the Royal Suite. :D

 

 

Our first cruise together on RCI, we were in an Oceanview, the next a balcony. The first time we took the kids we were in a JS. Then the wife and I did a GS on our own last year, and this past March we took the kids and my MIL in a corner aft two bedroom suite. This past cruise, the 4 of us were back in a JS. The TS by far had the best balcony, but the GS was my favorite cabin. I have to admit that I missed the Concierge Lounge after 2 cruises with Suite Perks, but more for the social aspect than the free drinks for 3 hours a night. Money-wise, you're probably better off with a drink package and a cheaper cabin.

 

I like having the extra space, so for us a JS is good enough. The other suites we've been in kicked up the whole experience a notch, but I think the total price has to be in a sweet spot to be worth it. Someone else's sweet spot price point might be different from mine though, and that's ok. If someone thinks a suite is never worth it, that's ok too. It's your vacation, enjoy it. Don't let someone else tell you how to enjoy it. :)

[dorisis]

Definitely worth it but once you start sailing in a full suite, you can never go back to another type room !

 

I have no problem taking non suite cabins if it means another cruise. Suites are truly great but just cruising is wonderful.

[Fat Paul]

I agree with booking a suite. Looking at my 2nd GS on Liberty of the seas. If I go higher (in category) I will never go back. I am just concerned with noise from the pool deck.

 

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We have had an Owners suite but prefer a Grand suite because of the layout of the bathroom.

[mustangjoe]

Our first cruise was 9 yrs. ago, and we booked a balcony upon recommendation from a friend. It was fantastic. Our next cruise was a 3 nighter, so we booked an inside cabin. It was alright, but now much space, but it was only 3 nites. Our next cruise we again booked a balcony, and met some wonderful people (now friends) who gave the information to book a JS in the future. Double points and a bigger cabin/balcony. We never looked back, always a JS. Then 2 years ago I booked the GOS out of Baltimore for Nov. 2013. Originally I booked a JS, but I then discovered airfare was very high. I decided to change the booking to a GS and drive the 6 hours to the port a day ahead. It was by far the best thing we have ever done, and have another cruise next November on the GOS in a GS. We love the space and the bigger balcony.

 

That being said, everyone has their reasons to or not book a suite.

 

Have a great cruise everyone.

[critterchick]

Definitely worth it but once you start sailing in a full suite, you can never go back to another type room !

 

Thankfully that isn't true for everybody.:) We have booked a few full suites but have always managed to go back down in category. For us, a full suite may be worth it when we're sailing for the ship instead of the ports.

 

I found the shower in the OS on Radiance to be fine and I am, well, not thin.:)