Oasis / Allure Suite - Is it worth it?

[fwman]

Hi,

 

I've been on five cruises so far and have always gotten a standard room with an ocean balcony.

 

Last year I was on the Oasis with an ocean balcony. I'm planning on going again in January on either the Oasis or Allure. I'm think of upgrading to the Junior Suite or maybe the next level up. It's a lot of extra money to pay, is it worth it because as most people would say - not a lot of time is spent in the room.

 

Thanks!

[Clarea]

For me, it would depend on the actual numbers. For example, if they wanted $100 total to move up from a balcony to a JS, I would jump on it. However, if they wanted $2000 for the same upgrade, I would pass.

[Cindy]

To me, the most important consideration in booking at least a GS or above on the Oasis/Allure is the perks, not the cabin itself. We LOVED the suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen. In addition, depending on when you plan to cruise, there may be additional benefits if the "Suite Class" program is in effect. Take a look at the perks and whether or not you would use them, and then base your decision on the total value, not just the cabin square footage and finishings.

[Big_G]

If I'm doing a suite on an Oasis Class ship, it would be a full suite as opposed to a Junior Suite. Here are the benefits:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=enhanced_program_for_suite_guests

 

I like the Junior Suites but there are more benefits to a full suite on Oasis Class ships than others.

[fwman]

Thanks for the information - very helpful.

 

Last year we purchased the drink package which we used often. It was money well spent. Because you get free wine/beer all day in the suite lounge and free drinks early evening, do you get a discount when you buy the drink package?

 

Thanks again

[Clarea]

Thanks for the information - very helpful.

 

Last year we purchased the drink package which we used often. It was money well spent. Because you get free wine/beer all day in the suite lounge and free drinks early evening, do you get a discount when you buy the drink package?

 

Thanks again

Nope.

[Big_G]

Thanks for the information - very helpful.

 

Last year we purchased the drink package which we used often. It was money well spent. Because you get free wine/beer all day in the suite lounge and free drinks early evening, do you get a discount when you buy the drink package?

 

Thanks again

 

Nope.

 

Would love to see a C&A discount. Up to this point, we've only had the drink package on Celebrity because of the 123Go. The numbers haven't worked out to buy it on Royal.

[setsail]

For us yes, for you there is no way to answer that other than to tell you to book it and make up your own mind

[cruzkitty]

For Us, Yes, it is so worth it! We have had an Owner's Suite and a Crown Loft on Oasis. We have another CL Booked for September. I love the Suite perks, and mostly, the extra room a Suite offers. I also love having a full breakfast on the Balcony. Enjoy your cruise!

[cb at sea]

A JS will cost less than the "true" suites, but it gives you a roomier feel...more like a real hotel room, than a ship's cabin. Of course, you don't get the "free" drinks during cocktail hour (which is the only real monetary value of the "suite perks") but you're not paying those "suite" prices, either!

[fwman]

I'm going to buy the drink package away, so the free drinks for full suite is not a benefit. I guess I will go with a Junior Suite just for the extra room. If there was a discount for the drink package then I would go for a Grand Suite.

[Dlanco]

A JS will cost less than the "true" suites, but it gives you a roomier feel...more like a real hotel room, than a ship's cabin. Of course, you don't get the "free" drinks during cocktail hour (which is the only real monetary value of the "suite perks") but you're not paying those "suite" prices, either!

 

Sorry the "free" drinks are not the ONLY real monetary value of the Suite Perks. Coastal Kitchen and the wonderful food offerings for the suite customers is like eating every breakfast, lunch and dinner in a specialty restaurant.

[fwman]

Does Allure have the Coastal Kitchen on Deck 17? I was looking at the deck plans and it seems the Oasis has it on 17 since its redesign last year but Allure has the Viking Crown Lounge on 17.

[critterchick]

If you aren't spending much time in your cabin, then I don't think upgrading makes a lot of sense unless the price difference is small ("small" being relative to your particular financial condition). I spend a lot of time in the cabin, especially on the larger ships, so a JS is a good choice for me.

[Clarea]

Does Allure have the Coastal Kitchen on Deck 17? I was looking at the deck plans and it seems the Oasis has it on 17 since its redesign last year but Allure has the Viking Crown Lounge on 17.

You can see it here:

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/decks/AL/2015-apr/al_deck17_v2015_apr.pdf

[fwman]

Thanks Bob, great information.

 

OK, I think I've decided to go with a Grand Suite on the Allure this January. I like the private sun deck, CK & Lounge and of course the extra room you get in the suite.

 

I say - you only live once so go for it. My wife will be pleasantly surprised with my choice since I'm paying for it

 

Thanks everyone for helping me make a decision.

[beachnative]

Thanks Bob, great information.

 

OK, I think I've decided to go with a Grand Suite on the Allure this January. I like the private sun deck, CK & Lounge and of course the extra room you get in the suite.

 

I say - you only live once so go for it. My wife will be pleasantly surprised with my choice since I'm paying for it

 

Thanks everyone for helping me make a decision.

 

The combination of Suites Sun Deck, CK & Lounge as well as not having to make show reservations (except for Comedy Club), easy disembarkation with special luggage tags & area to pick up luggage in terminal, and concierge escort off the ship to the terminal makes for a very nice list of perks.

 

The service in CK is fantastic. Eating most of our meals there (two weeks ago on Oasis) really enhanced our cruise experience:) turning a good cruise into an excellent cruise.

Edited August 7, 2015 by beachnative

[johnstoc13]

Here is a link to Royal's suite benefits.

 

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

 

Since we booked our first suite, we haven't been able to book a regular room. We love eating meals on our balcony, the luggage valet, priority boarding, and most of all the concierge lounge. Haven't seen the updated lounge on Oasis/Allure yet, but we're very excited to next month! Having access to Coastal Kitchen will make it all that more worth while. We also cruise with our little one, who's 2 next month, and we really enjoy the extra space in our room.

 

All said and done, it's a personal decision and only you can decide if it's truly worth it or not. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

[Big_G]

Thanks Bob, great information.

 

OK, I think I've decided to go with a Grand Suite on the Allure this January. I like the private sun deck, CK & Lounge and of course the extra room you get in the suite.

 

I say - you only live once so go for it. My wife will be pleasantly surprised with my choice since I'm paying for it

 

Thanks everyone for helping me make a decision.

 

Good choice. Have a great cruise.

[m*u*g*]

JS? Yes, but you won't likely see an upgrade for a mere $100. Check prices and if comfortable with it, get it.

 

We always get the JS when we cruise RCCL.

 

If you go the next suites level there are additional benefits, but the JS is a sweet spot for us.

[kalliekae]

We had two Oasis cruises in a standard balcony cabin. It was very small and the bath was ridiculous. Since we were used to the large Neptune Suites on HAL, we upgraded this time to a Junior Suite on the Allure. We got a good price during the RC sale in June. The Jr Suite is still not as large as the HAL suites, but I'm paying for the amenities that a RC ship offers that a HAL ship does not so that offsets the cabin prices to me. There is so much to do on an RC ship that we don't spend that much time in the cabin like we do on a HAL ship. I can't justify the extra expense of a GS or OS on Royal since the free drinks are not important to us. I think the CK would be a plus, but there are plenty of other specialty restaurants for us to choose on Royal.

[mark22mac]

At this time I think paying for a GS is well worth it for the extra perks on the allure or oasis due to the suite only lounge and CK. we have a GS on the freedom next month but we usually get a JS on this class or lower classes but wanted to try it just to see if it's worth it.

[maggie11]

We were in an Owner's Suite in June on the Allure - there were four of us. My husband and I - and we were lucky to have our 2 adult sons able to join us. I booked the Suite not sure if there would be 2 or 4 of us and it was amazing!!! Big balcony - plenty of room for all of our luggage. We made great use of the Suite Lounge - complimentary wine, beer and champagne all day - not to mention bottles of water. Always a snack out - we loved it!!! A great perk - we really loved the "sail away" on the Heliport. I RSVPd for us and the guys thought I was crazy but it was a very fun experience. I rebooked for the Anthem of the Seas next year and the same Owner's Suite was $6,000.00 more that 2 Superior Balcony Rooms. I just couldn't pull the trigger. 2 bathrooms instead of 1 - I figured buying the top drink packages for each day would still be a big savings. I am sure we will miss the Suite Lounge!!!!