Thinking about a grand suite on oasis class?

[zteamtwo]

We are sailing on Allure this Nov in a Grand Suite. I emailed Royal customer service with a question about dry dock changes and suite benefits. I received a very professional and comprehensive reply that perhaps would help other people decide if a GS or above would benefit them (shown below). Also, can anyone comment on any of the entertainers listed?

___________________________________________________

 

Thank you for your email.

 

We are very excited to welcome you back onboard with Royal Caribbean International to experience your cruise vacation to the Western Caribbean onboard the Allure of the Seas. We hope the fabulous entertainment, delicious dining, and beautiful views onboard our ship make it a vacation to remember.

 

Kindly note that the scheduled entertainment is subject to change and it has not been completely finalized as your sailing date is in November.

 

-- Schooner Bar Entertainer, Derek Conlon

-- Ice Show, Emmanuelle Balmori, Star Act

-- Pub Guitarist, Rob Ondras

-- Joe Yannetty, Comedian

-- Rick Corso, Comedian

-- Headliner, Savannah Jack, Group

 

The theater shows will be Blue Planet and Mamma Mia! and the aqua shows are ocean Aria and Let You Entertain Me – Madagascar Dive Show.

 

In reference to the last dry dock in May for the Allure of the Seas, we focused primarily on the public spaces and general maintenance.

 

A Grand Suite is a marvelous way to enjoy your cruise vacation. On arrival at the pier, guests booked in the Presidential Family Suite, Royal Suite, Royal Family Suite, Owner's Suite, Grand Suite, Royal Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite, AquaTheater Suite and Crown Loft Suite have access to dedicated security (where available), and check-in lines to help ease them swiftly through the boarding process and directly to their suite accommodations. Additionally, guests booked in the Royal Suite and Presidential Family Suite are personally welcomed by a senior officer at the cruise terminal and escorted to their suite.

 

Upon check-in, all guests booked in Grand Suite and higher category staterooms receive distinctive gold SeaPass cards, which enable ship crew and staff to provide them with the personalized service and offerings available to suite guests throughout their cruise vacation. On arrival in their suites, guests are welcomed with complimentary water and a fruit plate. Complimentary slippers, luxury spa bathrobes and Royal Caribbean International's exclusive range of Vitality bathroom amenities set the tone for a relaxing and rejuvenating cruise vacation. In the evenings, guests can satisfy their sweet tooth with Ghirardelli chocolates at turndown and ensure a perfect night's rest with Royal Caribbean International's plush duvet and bedding, including a special menu to select their pillow of individual preference.

 

On the first formal evening of the cruise vacation, these guests are treated to a pre-dinner cheese presentation, and on the second formal or final evening of the sailing, a petit fours plate during turndown service. Guests also enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service and coffee and tea service throughout their cruise vacation, as well as the exclusive privilege of ordering from the main dining room's full breakfast, lunch, or dinner menus to dine in the privacy of their suite. For guests wanting to stay in, a popular board game from toy brand Mattel's game menu can be ordered for delivery to the suite for hours of fun. A dedicated suite attendant will deliver our Gold Anchor Service throughout the cruise vacation and help to fulfill any special requests, such as pressing service, which is complimentary on formal evenings.

 

Guests booked in Grand Suite and higher category staterooms have special privileges and access on their cruise vacation, including an invitation to an exclusive private cocktail reception hosted by the captain of the ship. Reserved VIP seating in the main theater for entertainment shows, priority bookings for appointments in the salon and spa, and priority tendering and shore excursion tickets are some benefits provided to suite guests. On Voyager-, Freedom-, and Oasis-class ships, suite guests have reserved VIP seating poolside and at the spectacular ice shows in the Studio B venue. Guests dining in the Windjammer Café during breakfast and lunch also enjoy reserved private seating in the adjacent specialty restaurants.

 

Additionally, suite guests receive entry to the Concierge Club onboard, where available. Hosted by the ship's concierge, the Concierge Club offers suite guests a relaxed atmosphere, business services such as faxes and photocopies, an extensive library of DVDs and CDs, and complimentary continental breakfast and pre-dinner cocktail receptions daily. The concierge is on-hand to see to the needs of our suite guests and assist with any special requests, such as securing reservations in specialty restaurants, pre-ordering wine for dinner, booking Explorations! shore excursions, scheduling spa and salon appointments, and arranging a private event.

 

At the conclusion of their cruise vacation, suite guests enjoy priority departure from the ship and complimentary valet luggage service, where their bags are automatically transferred to the airport, freeing them to enjoy an excursion or other pursuits at the port city.

 

We would like to take the opportunity to welcome you back on Royal Caribbean International as Gold members of our Crown & Anchor Society. Your membership level gives you access to exclusive onboard savings through our Ultimate Value Booklet, an invitation to our Welcome Back Party, Crown & Anchor savings on cruises, and much more. Visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do for a full list of your benefits.

Edited June 20, 2015 by zteamtwo
Spelling

[Clarea]

...Also, can anyone comment on any of the entertainers listed?...

We have seen Rick Corso a couple of times and thought he was one of the better comedians we've seen on cruise ships.

Edited June 20, 2015 by clarea

[Lionesss]

Nice post thanks

 

But:

 

Unless they are returning as a small benefit we have not gotten the "slippers" on our last 2 sailings on the Allure, and both times we were in a CL.

 

The previous pairs are still in the original wrap in the bottom of my closet.

 

Just wondering.

 

Later

Edited June 20, 2015 by Lionesss

[CruiseKeeper]

Nice post thanks

 

But:

 

Unless they are returning as a small benefit we have not gotten the "slippers" on our last 2 sailings on the Allure, and both times we were in a CL.

 

The previous pairs are still in the original wrap in the bottom of my closet.

 

Just wondering.

 

Later

 

In December on the Allure we were in a GS, OS and a CL. We only received the slippers in the CL. I wonder if it has to do with the steward. More inconsistency consistently. :rolleyes::) Try saying that one 10 times fast. :D

[howard18]

I have travelled GS grade several times and never realised I didn't have to hunt for a seat in Windjammer. If I can sit down in one of the speciality restaurants, I will use the Windjammer in future.:D

[Clarea]

I have travelled GS grade several times and never realised I didn't have to hunt for a seat in Windjammer. If I can sit down in one of the speciality restaurants, I will use the Windjammer in future.:D

Some ships don''t have specialty restaurants near Windjammer, such as Oasis class. However, with Oasis class you get Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge.

[setsail]

I think that's partly a response from before dry dock because on your cruise the CL will have been renamed to the DC and suite guest will have the suite lounge and coastal kitchen which your response does not talk about.

 

The CK will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, inclusive with the cost of your cruise. No need to visit the WJ and worry about seating. The CK/SL are on deck 17

Edited June 20, 2015 by setsail

[critterchick]

OP, thanks for posting the list.

 

Perhaps that list is specific to Allure, but on Radiance, there is no special seating or special breakfast area for suites - JW, BR and SR all offered breakfast in Chops or the upper level of the MDR and BR reserved the small forward room off the WJ for gold cards; I don't believe that JW or SR did, but we never had a problem finding a seat so didn't check it out.

 

We haven't seen slippers or chocolates at turndown in a couple of years now (I did hear that OA/AL still do it, but even that was a couple of years ago).

 

The complimentary coffee and tea service they reference is probably the coffee pot and hot water kettle supplied in your stateroom - you get to make it yourself.;) You could also get specialty coffees in the CL, but you'll have to fetch it yourself.

[39august]

We have stayed in GS and OS's on different ships and have not gotten slippers for at least two years, and probably more.

[jules815]

No slippers or chocolates at turndown this year on Brilliance and Liberty.