NEW Suite Upgrades....

[sauvichick]

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

 

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.

 

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. We met some wonderful people, and loved hearing the stories of those we met. 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!

 

 

 

 

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.

 

You both have great points. I just made Platinum after my last cruise and there are some decent perks there as well. Now that we have experienced a GS I can't see having any other type of category. I enjoy all that comes with the GS and don't see a need to upgrade to a higher category. I'd rather vacation once a year and do weekend trips locally.

[Pencruise]

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?

 

Yes, C & A Pinnacle get complimentary Internet.

[SULROSS]

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.

 

This is just my opinion as I know no more than anyone else. I am thinking the current Pinnacle members with less than 1400 days will have the Sky benefits and the ones with 1400 or more would have the Star benefits. That would seem fair. The Sky benefits are ones that they are currently getting basically. If you have 1400 days or more than free drinks and gratuities and some other nicer perks seem fair.

[sauvichick]

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.......

 

Ok. I think the OP mixed up the categories. Or I misunderstood the comment. Let me try this. Ok it doesn't work and I can't delete the image.

.

Edited August 11, 2015 by sauvichick

[CallagDeb]

Where is everyone reading about the new suite perks? Is it posted somewhere?

[golfpccc]

We were on the Oasis in Jan and the JS's had night dining privileges in the Coastal Kitchen. I don't see where anything new has been added to the Sea Suites than what they have at present.

[sauvichick]

Lets try this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7jqddvj6vg74iq2/Royal%20Suite%20Class.pdf?dl=0

 

In this link on this thread.

[Cindy]

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

 

They must have added it after the New Orleans season ended. In March, they had an area of the Dining Room set aside, but there was no Chops breakfast, and nothing at lunch time.

[irishgal432]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass

 

The link is now active.

[nu_cruzer1]

Sorry if this question was already addressed/asked somewhere along this thread but does anyone know whether the benefits will apply to everyone in the stateroom and not just the 1st and 2nd guests?

[John&LaLa]

Sorry if this question was already addressed/asked somewhere along this thread but does anyone know whether the benefits will apply to everyone in the stateroom and not just the 1st and 2nd guests?

 

Pretty sure that us in the fine print and I think the answer is yes

[A&L_Ont]

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

 

I like sailing in a suite. The funny thing is I don't care about brand of the towels so long as they are there and not dirty. The same could be said about the mattress topper too.

[WonderousBlue]

Sorry if this question was already addressed/asked somewhere along this thread but does anyone know whether the benefits will apply to everyone in the stateroom and not just the 1st and 2nd guests?

 

 

Yes, applies to everyone in cabin..... sweet huh?!

[cruisenfever]

Star Class ( Royal Loft, Owners Loft, Presidential Family, Grand Loft, Sky Loft, 2 bedroom Aqua Suite).

Indulge in our most expansive, richly appointed environments and the ultimate complement of inclusive amenities. You’ll feel like nothing less than royalty in these palatial suites.

Suite benefits include

 

• Daily gratuities covered
  
• Ultimate beverage package
  
• Specialty restaurants
  
• Mini-bar
  
• Unlimited Voom high speed-internet
  
• Spa Thermal Room Access
  
• Complimentary in-suite movies
  
• Fitness classes
  
• Specialty bottled water
  
• Upgraded Bathroom Amenities by Hermes, Ferragamo and L'OCCITANE
  
• Linens, towels and bath robes by Frette
  
• Duxlana mattress
  
• Luxury pillowtop mattress
  
• Nespresso coffee machine
  
• In-suite handcrafted cocktail service
  
• Personalized welcome gift
  
• Specialty in-suite dining
  
• Welcome amenity
  
• Suite Restaurant
  
• Suite Lounge
  

The Star Class also has Royal Genie Services, which include

 

• 24/7 personal assistant
  
• Individualized guest preferences
  
• Dining & beverage requests
  
• In-suite dining requests
  
• Shoe shine service
  
• Laundry service
  

Concierge services

 

• Personal guest introduction
  
• Priority restaurant reservations
  
• VIP Theater seating and reservations
  
• Access to signature activities
  
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
  
• Handle special requests
  
• Pre-cruise communication
  
• Escort guests on and off ship
  

Sky Class (Aqua theater suite 1 bedroom, crown loft suite, Owners suite, Royal Family Suite, superior Grand Suite, Grand suite)

 

Elevate your perspective with beautifully furnished spaces, a generous selection of inclusive amenities and one-touch personal service that all together feel like a breath of fresh air.

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
  

Concierge services

 

• Priority restaurant reservations
  
• VIP Theater seating and reservations
  
• Access to signature activities
  
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
  
• Handle special requests
  
• Pre-cruise communication
  

Sea Class (Family connected junior suite, family suite, Jr. Suite, Spa Junior Suite)

 

Find in these spacious suites premium touches like upgraded linens and specialty in-room amenities, and enjoy exclusive dining privileges at Coastal Kitchen

Suite benefits include

 

• Specialty Bottled Water
  
• Upgraded Bathroom Amenities by Hermes, Ferragamo and L'OCCITANE
  
• Luxury pillowtop mattress
  
• Suite restaurant (dinner only)
  

Edited August 11, 2015 by cruisenfever

[CallagDeb]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass

 

The link is now active.

 

Thanks worked like a charm. Now come the questions😏. I usually purchase an ultimate package but that is given to the highest class complimentary, if I am in a crown loft can I buy it at a discounted price once on board? Guess it will be a TBD lol

[John&LaLa]

We were on the Oasis in Jan and the JS's had night dining privileges in the Coastal Kitchen. I don't see where anything new has been added to the Sea Suites than what they have at present.

 

That benefit has been hit or miss this summer. Hopefully it standardizes it

[lawyerboy5555]

For a Grand Suite, Crown Loft Suite, Owners Suite, or 1 bedroom Aquatheater suite, there seems to be no difference than what you receive now, except for complimentary bottled water and internet access. Now, Star Class seems to be truly exceptional, but that's such a limited number of cabin categories...we sail in GS in March 2016, so none of this will apply to us.

 

But, I wonder what benefits GS folks (also D+ with C&A) will receive during this interim period...

[A&L_Ont]

For a Grand Suite, Crown Loft Suite, Owners Suite, or 1 bedroom Aquatheater suite, there seems to be no difference than what you receive now, except for complimentary bottled water and internet access. Now, Star Class seems to be truly exceptional, but that's such a limited number of cabin categories...we sail in GS in March 2016, so none of this will apply to us.

 

But, I wonder what benefits GS folks (also D+ with C&A) will receive during this interim period.

 

It is my understanding that no one will reciece any new perks until the program rolled out. I will be in a SLS in March 2016, have C&A D+, and am not expecting any of these new benefits. Until the program rolls out we are all paying for the current level of perks. If they want to give me more I will accept it, but I doubt that will happen.

[MADflyer]

Thanks worked like a charm. Now come the questions. I usually purchase an ultimate package but that is given to the highest class complimentary, if I am in a crown loft can I buy it at a discounted price once on board? Guess it will be a TBD lol

 

I think the perk of the Ultimate Beverage Package could be used to make upsells to the higher level attractive and could see these perks being used as 'incentives' to book during promotional periods.

 

They could easily bundle the perks of the Ultimate Beverage Package, comp. gratuities and Specialty dining in the future to entice passengers to book.

[nu_cruzer1]

Thanks everyone who responded. Many of the benefits in the star class are accessible to all cruisers - ie, they can be purchased. Internet, beverage package, specialty restaurants, spa thermal suite access. These are not exclusive to the star class rooms. These amenities are simply bundled into the price. They are very nice benefits to have but available to anyone who wants to pay for them separately. If the cost is little to upgrade from a sky class room to a star class room then I'll do it. If it's cost prohibitive then I won't. Not sure that there is anything in the list of star class benefits that I would go out of my way to pay big bucks for .. except for the escort on/off the ship, perhaps.

[John&LaLa]

Thanks everyone who responded. Many of the benefits in the star class are accessible to all cruisers - ie, they can be purchased. Internet, beverage package, specialty restaurants, spa thermal suite access. These are not exclusive to the star class rooms. These amenities are simply bundled into the price. They are very nice benefits to have but available to anyone who wants to pay for them separately. If the cost is little to upgrade from a sky class room to a star class room then I'll do it. If it's cost prohibitive then I won't. Not sure that there is anything in the list of star class benefits that I would go out of my way to pay big bucks for .. except for the escort on/off the ship, perhaps.

 

Some of these programs need to be capacity controlled or you are just going to alienate the high end passengers again.

[ARCruisinNana]

This is just my opinion as I know no more than anyone else. I am thinking the current Pinnacle members with less than 1400 days will have the Sky benefits and the ones with 1400 or more would have the Star benefits. That would seem fair. The Sky benefits are ones that they are currently getting basically. If you have 1400 days or more than free drinks and gratuities and some other nicer perks seem fair.

 

 

Sounds exactly like what I posted yesterday on the Diamond thread[emoji1]

[mark22mac]

What if i have 4 people in my suite that dont drink or use the internet while cruising and the guests next door have 4 people in their suite that are drinking and using the internet.I would be losing approx $2000 for not using those perks plus paying the jacked up prices to cover Royals new "luxury" program.Just a thought i had because a lot of people i see on here dont drink.

[Debde]

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 agree with you Cindy. Actually, All your posts on this suite discussion.;)

 

Ports are important to me and pending my NCL cruise and how I feel about it, I was looking into both lines for the future. Not one was one of those ships included on this new announcement. People that sail in GS or OS on Royal are now definitely getting more bang for the buck on NCL.

 

Time will tell Cindy. Lets hope they are working on something for all ships that may be rolled out at the same time. Surely no reason at all this can not be done.

[Dlanco]

Anyone notice the fact that the luggage valet service is not listed? Will that be dropped so that its no longer a Suite Perk for your bags to be taken directly to the airport at certian disembark ports?