NEW Suite Upgrades....

[Cruisingthesuitelife]

I don't begrudge the extra perks going to those top suites at all. I just think it's too bad that only the passengers sailing the six newest ships get the improved suite experience, while the suite passengers on the 19 other ships in the fleet are left feeling like red headed step children. Perhaps I need to improve my listening skills...earlier this year I understood Mr. Bayley to say they were improving suite benefits for the cruise line, not just a segment of the cruise line.:(

 

Sorry, I guess I'm a little deflated tonight. I always sail in at least a GS, and honestly with the exception of the Oasis, the experience recently has been lacking. We were really disappointed that Serenade didn't even offer suite breakfast in a specialty restaurant, something that now seems pretty standard across the industry with the exception of Carnival. I was counting on an improved amenities package for suites on all the ships, not just the "chosen" ones.

 

The thing I was most hoping for was some kind of dining for suites -- if not CK, then a specialty restaurant credit. We love Celebrity without a suite because we're big fans of BLU, and we thought CK on the Oasis improved our cruise experience immensely.

 

Maybe I'm overreacting, but I've waited a long time to find out about the new suite program, and I'm not at all pleased to find out it's only for a few ships.:(

I'm completely with you on this. I am hoping there will be a full announcement that will include the rest of the fleet because otherwise this is a huge disappointment.

 

I'll wait to see what's said officially by RCI...

[A&L_Ont]

I don't begrudge the extra perks going to those top suites at all. I just think it's too bad that only the passengers sailing the six newest ships get the improved suite experience, while the suite passengers on the 19 other ships in the fleet are left feeling like red headed step children. Perhaps I need to improve my listening skills...earlier this year I understood Mr. Bayley to say they were improving suite benefits for the cruise line, not just a segment of the cruise line.:(

 

Sorry, I guess I'm a little deflated tonight. I always sail in at least a GS, and honestly with the exception of the Oasis, the experience recently has been lacking. We were really disappointed that Serenade didn't even offer suite breakfast in a specialty restaurant, something that now seems pretty standard across the industry with the exception of Carnival. I was counting on an improved amenities package for suites on all the ships, not just the "chosen" ones.

 

The thing I was most hoping for was some kind of dining for suites -- if not CK, then a specialty restaurant credit. We love Celebrity without a suite because we're big fans of BLU, and we thought CK on the Oasis improved our cruise experience immensely.

 

Maybe I'm overreacting, but I've waited a long time to find out about the new suite program, and I'm not at all pleased to find out it's only for a few ships.:(

 

You are right Cindy. Should they have launched a comparable suite perk program for the non Oasis and Allure class ships? Why not give the perks that are available at this current time. They can give free internet (even though it is not zoom) and some others too.

 

As madflyer stated the older ships will not have the capabilities as the newer ones, but for the cost some perks would be greatly appreciated.

[Cuizer2]

What I glean from this is that the suite rate on Oasis is factored in the value of Coastal Kitchen. However, I don't understand why JS is being charged that way.

 

'cause its Royal Caribbean.

[ChipLondon]

They are not real candles, they are the switched on and off kind, all is calm :D

 

What's up with the candles :what:

I thought that was a no no. :eek:

[A&L_Ont]

I just thought of something. These are suite perks that have been announced, and typically Pinnacle members get the highest level of suite perks. I know there are some posters that feel left out by today's launch. Many of us are suite cruisers and no where near Pinnacle status and there will be some Pinnacle cruisers here that sail in suites as well.

 

I wonder how these new benefits might (if at all) transfer to Pinnacles that don't sail in a suite. For some reason I think these new suite benefits will not transfer over and above current crown and anchor benefits of one's status levels.

[Ourusualbeach]

I just thought of something. These are suite perks that have been announced, and typically Pinnacle members get the highest level of suite perks. I know there are some posters that feel left out by today's launch. Many of us are suite cruisers and no where near Pinnacle status and there will be some Pinnacle cruisers here that sail in suites as well.

 

I wonder how these new benefits might (if at all) transfer to Pinnacles that don't sail in a suite. For some reason I think these new suite benefits will not transfer over and above current crown and anchor benefits of one's status levels.

 

 

I honk that you are correct about the pinnacles not getting the Star benefits but I could see them getting the Sky benefits as they already get most of these, (mattresses obviously excluded)

 

Sky Suite benefits include

 

Unlimited Voom high speed-internet

Spa Thermal Room Access

Specialty bottled water

Upgraded Bathroom Amenities by Hermes, Ferragamo and L'OCCITANE

Luxury pillowtop mattress

Specialty in-suite dining

Welcome amenity

Suite Restaurant

Suite Lounge

Edited August 11, 2015 by Ourusualbeach

[MADflyer]

 

I wonder how these new benefits might (if at all) transfer to Pinnacles that don't sail in a suite. .

 

I think Pinnacles will get all the 'Concierge Services' and access to the Suite Lounge and Suite Restaurant and the welcome gift or amenity.

 

As upsells are facilitated with this new programming, it would seem that few non-paid upgrades would open at the higher levels.

 

As many JS might move up with upsells this might be the level where status complementary upgrades may fall in the future for top-tier C&A members.

[A&L_Ont]

I honk that you are correct about the pinnacles not getting the Star benefits but I could see them getting the Sky benefits as they already get most of these, (mattresses obviously excluded)

 

Sky Suite benefits include

 

Unlimited Voom high speed-internet

Spa Thermal Room Access

Specialty bottled water

Upgraded Bathroom Amenities by Hermes, Ferragamo and L'OCCITANE

Luxury pillowtop mattress

Specialty in-suite dining

Welcome amenity

Suite Restaurant

Suite Lounge

 

It was just something that crossed my mind. They too have spent much money getting to their status level, so RC has an interesting situation here. There are more cruisers becoming Pinnacle on a regular basis. I could only guess how hard it would be to extend the full level of perks, for example to a Harmony repo cruise, that will/could have the normal abundance of Pinnacle cruisers.

 

I could see them doing something like you suggested. Oh ya, I honk right back at ya. :D.

[Ourusualbeach]

It was just something that crossed my mind. They too have spent much money getting to their status level, so RC has an interesting situation here. There are more cruisers becoming Pinnacle on a regular basis. I could only guess how hard it would be to extend the full level of perks, for example to a Harmony repo cruise, that will/could have the normal abundance of Pinnacle cruisers.

 

I could see them doing something like you suggested. Oh ya, I honk right back at ya. :D.

 

Damn fat fingers and autocorrect just don't go well together.:D

[WonderousBlue]

September 8 reps will be qualified to explain all the benefits of the new ammenities for tiers.... they are all walking around with their heads cut off, but if youre already booked in that tier you will get all ammenities... i personally am ecstatic as there was a buge drop in our 2 bedroom aquatheatre suite of $2700 breaking it dow to 1334 per person , 8 people occupancy and including free wifi, ultimate beverage package, unliited specialty dining, freee gratuities for all of us..... our family for sure lucked out, but suites are not a nkrm for us as we are usually in an inside with an occasional balcony, but when several prople are chipping in on the cabin, it definitely makes it reasonable and now benefi ial...

[MADflyer]

i personally am ecstatic as there was a buge drop in our 2 bedroom aquatheatre suite of $2700 breaking it dow to 1334 per person , 8 people occupancy and including free wifi, ultimate beverage package, unliited specialty dining, freee gratuities for all of us..... our family for sure lucked out,...

 

I just looked at my Harmony sailing for June. Thanks for confirming that those of us booked in Sky or Star level will get the benefits.

 

I paid $400 less total for my GS for 2 than what a JS is going for now. Even then, on my sailing a GS works out to just $480 total more than a JS.

 

That means that getting free internet for all computers, access to the Thermal Suite, Suite lounge access and breakfast and lunch at the Suite Restaurant Coastal Kitchen along with the VIP seating in the theater and entrance to the Suite sun deck are all included for less than $45 per person per day.

 

I am also intrigued by the benefit 'Specialty In-Suite Dining'. I wonder if that means that Sky and Star levels can order Specialty dining menus in the suite? Only Star get the actual Specialty Restaurants.

[sauvichick]

I got a much better deal than that on a Harmony GS in June 2016 and I am very happy with the perks.

 

To Europe? I have no plans on sailing to Europe or the Mediterranean unless it's a Greek Isles cruise. Since I am a teacher I must follow the school calendar. We don't end until the last week or so in June. I will never get legitimate sale prices until I retire-something I look forward to. The prices of GS jump in July and August and they are a bargain for the rest of the year excluding holidays. I am fortunate that I can afford to sail in a GS once a year. July 2017 may be my Harmony summer.

 

The suite perks offered on Oasis Class are sufficient for me. I was able to enjoy them on the Allure and the LOS. I know suite perks are better on the newer class of ships with the addition of CK/Suite Lounge area. I hope Royal looks to expand these perks for all ship classes.

Edited August 11, 2015 by sauvichick

[MADflyer]

 

I know suite perks are better on the newer class of ships with the addition of CK/Suite Lounge area. I hope Royal looks to expand these perks for all ship classes.

 

I was surprised when someone stated that Serenade did not have a suite breakfast.

 

While Voyager and Freedom class did have suite breakfast spots in the specialty venues near WJ, this was nothing compared as to when I was on Vision they had a wonderful suite breakfast in a separate area of the dining room daily in addition to the small upgraded buffet in the Concierge lounge.

 

This was not listed on the clearly stated suite perks, so I was surprised by this suite dining option on Vision.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/enhanced-program-for-suites-guests-v7.pdf

 

It seems the only thing missing on the other ships in a GS is the Suite Restaurant, Free Wifi and Thermal suite.

Edited August 11, 2015 by MADflyer

[sblair]

I normally only book GS on the newer ships, but am severely disappointed in this new package. The only thing we are really getting is Internet and with the cost increases it would have probably been cheaper purchasing that.

 

We've done 2 GS cruises on Allure and the last one was very disappointing compared to the first as they had cut many of the benefits we experienced the first time.

 

Upgraded Suite program was really my last hold out that RCI might improve things but in a GS it is just too little change.

[TrishRip]

Just posting so I can better track this conversation. Hope late spring comes by early Aug. When we'll be sailing in gs. Of course im still waiting for last March to arrive too so I can get the new and improved casino royale vip benefits too. Guess rccl calendar operates on a different calculation than mine.

 

Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app

 

Last March has been moved to March 2016. I too am waiting for the "new & improved" Casino Royale VIP benefits. We book our cruises through them for that extra sweet pricing. Hopefully that will remain the same!

 

Hopefully, the new suite perks will include free internet packages (which it does seem to lean that way). I also would like free drink packages(even if just the soda packages). Our normal travel plan is a GS with our teen daughter, so that at least is a kid friendly perk, and quite a few suite travelers are under 18. While I don't need a Butler, having a Suite attendant who can focus a little more on the suites would be nice. Our attendant always has way to many rooms, and while our service has not been lacking, it could be better if they weren't spread so thin!

 

Anybody know what balcony furniture is on the Oasis Royal Family Suites? We have one booked on our November cruise, and there will be 4 adults (treating my in-laws) and our teen daughter. Hopefully enough to comfortably sit us all!

[TrishRip]

I know, I'm just stirring the pot.

 

I was fortunate to get a large bonus. So we are considering upgrading to a GS from an E3 on a future cruise. The upgrade cost was anywhere between $1,600 and $5,000.

 

Where is the value? For $1,600 I could buy a premium drink package and 7 nights at a specialty restaurant (X two). The more I consider the possibilities, the less I think it's worthwhile to spend that much money.

 

Anyone out there would like to convince me?

 

Not posting to convince you, but more to explain why we choose to cruise GS.

 

My husband and I are in our forties with one teenager. We are at a point in our life where we can afford to take vacations as we see fit. When we are doing land vacations (In-laws live in CT, my siblings live in Midwest and FL) we stay in suites at any hotel. When we go to Orlando for the theme Parks, it's usually a 2 bedroom condo. (Most times cheaper than hotel rooms). We are on vacation and like to be comfortable, especially with three of us.

 

We LOVE to cruise. When I was younger and cruised, it was always an inside cabin, or once, had an outside cabin wit ha window. I always wanted to have a balcony, because I like cruising to be on the ocean and enjoying the sea air, waves, sounds(silence) etc, especially at night. Our honeymoon cruise, my husband treated me to a GS and I will never go back to anything less. The room, the balcony.... heaven for me! Luckily, he feels the same way. A GS is enough room for all three of us to be comfortable and enjoy our cabin without tripping over one another. Do we spend a lot of time in our cabin?? Not usually, but when we do... it is nice. We can step out onto our balcony at any hour and enjoy the view, even barefoot and in pajamas.

 

Suite perks. Do we enjoy them? Heck ya! We love that we can order the MDR menu from our room if we don't feel like heading down to the MDR. Last cruise our daughter injured herself while on Labadee and we spent time after sail away in the Medical facilities getting her arm x-rayed. Did she feel up to any of the dining rooms? No, she hung in the room with room service and a suite attendant who kept checking on her and making sure she had ice for her arm(luckily not broken, just sprained with torn ligaments). She had the MDR menu, including tons of spinach dip. If we hadn't had the GS, she may not have been so comfy (and spoiled). We had utilized the concierge to get a cabana on Barefoot Beach, so despite being injured near the end of the day, it had been an awesome day!

 

My husband and I don't drink alcohol much, but it was nice to be able to slip into the lounge for happy hour appetizers and drinks. I was able to have a few amaretto sours and a little snack to tide over until our late MDR sitting. We met some wonderful people, and loved hearing the stories of those we met. On our cruise on the Vision last year, my husband was invited to take a bridge tour, and really enjoyed it, Captain Liz is fantastic! We enjoy the priority seating to the shows, priority disembarking, the breakfast in the specialty restaurants, & the little extras in our room each night(fruit, cheese, chocolate, petit fours). We loved the champagne for our anniversary the concierge sends to the room with chocolate covered strawberries. Just some sweet, personal touches. We can't wait to try the CK in Nov. (I Am sure I am not mentioning some of the perks, but you get the idea).

 

We are not Diamond as we have not cruised alot, but we know one day we will be. We do how ever, like to enjoy our vacations in a relaxing, roomy atmosphere and the Suite Life is perfect for that. We are after all on vacation, and like to be a little spoiled. Who doesn't? My husband works hard so we can truly "live it up" on vacation, and cruising Royal in a suite is what suites us!

Edited August 11, 2015 by TrishRip
forgot a line

[hollykimalan]

Great post Trish. I agree with the sentiment of your writing. I would rather only go on holiday every two years than go every every year and have to scrimp and rough it too much! I think maybe it's because we are the same age as you and work too hard to do anything but relax when we are on holiday.

[TrishRip]

I didn't see an actual posting of an article announcing the new suite perks, so read the RCL blog about it, but could not get the link to post.

Edited August 11, 2015 by TrishRip
link incorrect

[Tony O]

Delete

Edited August 11, 2015 by Tony O

[Dlanco]

Okay what gives? The only thing that the "Sky Class" Suite guests don't get at the upper tier level is a Luxury Pillowtop Mattress?

 

Isn't that a bit odd?

[A&L_Ont]

We've done 2 GS cruises on Allure and the last one was very disappointing compared to the first as they had cut many of the benefits we experienced the first time.

 

Upgraded Suite program was really my last hold out that RCI might improve things but in a GS it is just too little change.

 

I am curious to what suite benefits you had cut in the grand suite class on Allure? Were your sailings pre or post dry dock? I was never aware of any suite perks being cut over the last four years and Allure is just five years old.:confused:

 

Is it possible the benefits you experienced the first time were extras, over and above the program given to you by the concereige, making your first cruise better?

[sauvichick]

Okay what gives? The only thing that the "Sky Class" Suite guests don't get at the upper tier level is a Luxury Pillowtop Mattress?

 

Isn't that a bit odd?

 

No because that mattress listed is probably high end like the Frette towels.

[jules815]

I see the Star tier will have a Nespresso coffee maker. Do you think the lower tiers will continue to have the current coffee maker and tea kettle?

 

Also, haven't Pinnacle C&A members been reporting they're already receiving complimentary internet?

[Dlanco]

No because that mattress listed is probably high end like the Frette towels.

 

Sorry it just doesn't make sense that the only upgrade the Sky Class tier suite guests won;t be getting is the luxury mattress.......

[PSU]

We were on Serenade in June and we did have a suite made to order breakfast in Chops.

 

I was surprised when someone stated that Serenade did not have a suite breakfast.

 

While Voyager and Freedom class did have suite breakfast spots in the specialty venues near WJ, this was nothing compared as to when I was on Vision they had a wonderful suite breakfast in a separate area of the dining room daily in addition to the small upgraded buffet in the Concierge lounge.

 

This was not listed on the clearly stated suite perks, so I was surprised by this suite dining option on Vision.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/enhanced-program-for-suites-guests-v7.pdf

 

It seems the only thing missing on the other ships in a GS is the Suite Restaurant, Free Wifi and Thermal suite.