First time in a Royal Suite - need tips from the regulars! :-)

[WoodburyMN]

We are regular cruisers on Celebrity, and the last dozen or so times, we've been in S1 Sky Suites. We decided to upgrade to a Royal Suite for our cruise this year - Leaving on Feb 11 on the Equinox...

 

Would appreciate any insider tips on how to make the most of this upgrade!

 

Thanks!!

[russg140]

Know the perks that come along with the Suite (bev package, internet, etc.) is the most important. If you're talking about the cabin itself that's up to you.

[Cruise To Relax]

Have been in PH, RS, and CS on M class ships. First, we are spoiled. We actually enjoy the RS on M class better than the PH. Hard to believe - right? Found RS plenty big enough for us. Comment about perks is right on. However, a good butler will take care of you. I prefer the middle of the ship and think a RS on Equinox would be super. We had a second bathroom on Celebrity PH, Holland PH, and Carnival CS. Sounds dumb right? We found it very nice addition to our room. In my opinion, it may be hard to go back to a SS. RS also gets you just about everything you could possibly want - premium drink package, unlimited internet, state room refrigerator sodas/etc included, 2 bottles of spirits, unlimited speciality dining, etc. Hope you really enjoy the trip.

[chemmo]

We are regular cruisers on Celebrity, and the last dozen or so times, we've been in S1 Sky Suites. We decided to upgrade to a Royal Suite for our cruise this year - Leaving on Feb 11 on the Equinox...

 

Would appreciate any insider tips on how to make the most of this upgrade!

 

Thanks!!

 

We really like the S class RS...love the unlimited speciality dining. Look at the Luminae menu after breakfast, if you like, fine, if not book Murano's, Tuscan, Silk Harvest...what is not to like!

 

Enjoy!

[WoodburyMN]

Thanks all for the quick responses! Looking forward to enjoying all the perks!!

:-)

 

Keep the pointers coming!!!

[sparky91702]

Just got off the Equinox Jan 2 and loved the suite restaurant Luminae. 5 star service and food. Never want to go back to the MDR. Miss the Capt table but Capt and officers visited Michael's Club alot. Can't. wait to board the Equinox next Dec. Enjoy your suite!

[emelle]

We received an email from the shoreside concierge, about 3-5 days before our first X cruise, which happened to be in a RS on Silhouette. Per advice gathered from CC posts, I was ready with my special requests for the shoreside concierge which included:

 

Special pillow requests (body pillow for sleeping).

The choice of two bottles of liquor we wanted from the lists she provided.

Dining reservations on first night (and if specialty restaurants on subsequent nights for special occasion). This really was handled at final stage by Michael's club concierge on board the first day. So no worries.

What we wanted in the mini fridge/wine cooler (i.e. no beer needed, wanted water, coke and diet coke, soda water and etc.).

 

On the first day, we told butler (who was excellent) about what we might want from room service for breakfast (i.e. I like a pot of coffee available first thing in the morning), what we would be doing and needed, when we might send laundry, etc. We tried not to overload him first day, since he had many people to get to know. He was most helpful during the cruise, particularly after my husband had an accident on shore and needed ice bags every few hours.

 

We also utilized the services of the Michael's club concierge (who called our suite the first evening to see if all our requests had been met), and enjoyed Michael's club during the cruise for the service, meeting other cruisers and quiet club atmosphere when we wanted a retreat from the busy happenings of the ship.

 

We learned as we went (you will be at an advantage since you have cruised X before), were always patient (there may be a "line" of people wanting help from the Michael's club concierge, especially the first day or two).

 

Another tip that I learned from CC. I made it a point to learn the names of the people providing me the excellent service we received and about 2 days into the trip, obtained "comment" cards from the concierge or from the service desk. I wrote specific positive comments for each person, what they had done above basic service levels that we appreciated and returned these cards to the service desk that day. I did this several times during the cruise. These comments were obviously received by the team members and they told us how much they appreciated being recognized. We also delivered envelopes with cash the day before the trip ended to the team members we found most helpful, to show our appreciation. (I know this is a controversial topic, just saying what we did and noting the comment cards cost you only the time to do them.)

 

Hope this helps, we are spoiled by the amenities of the RS suite and have several more cruises booked at this level. My husband and I are past child rearing, still both working and when we take the time to travel, we want extra the services provided so that we can maximally enjoy our time away from home and work. We are frugal at home so that we can do this.

 

Enjoy the amenities and your cruise. Hope some of my tips help.

emelle:)

[emelle]

Almost forgot,

 

The extra half bath was great! You know who (husband) got the half bath as his territory, which meant that I got the counter space in the main bath for my domain. Excellent! We were both happy with that arrangement, which I don't believe is available on M class RS.

 

We also enjoyed the extra counter space and sink in the kitchen/bar area on the S class, which I can't see in plans/you tube on the M class RS.

 

We have a RS on M class planned for next year and will be able to see how that works.

[Balloon Man]

We've only ever been in RS on Celebrity previously but I understand the two free bottles of spirits on embarkation have now gone?

 

However on our next two cruises we have opted for a Celebrity suite because we prefer Luminae to eating every night in a speciality restaurant and can have the alcohol we need in Michael's Club.

[chemmo]

We've only ever been in RS on Celebrity previously but I understand the two free bottles of spirits on embarkation have now gone?

 

However on our next two cruises we have opted for a Celebrity suite because we prefer Luminae to eating every night in a speciality restaurant and can have the alcohol we need in Michael's Club.

 

Nothing lost in the RS, lots gained....still get the two bottles of spirits plus now bar set up, premium package and unlimited speciality dining dining.

 

If you like the CS set up and are happy with Luminae and Michael's that is great.

 

It all depends on what is important for you....

 

There is no such thing as a bad suite on X, just good, very good or great or even excellent!

[WoodburyMN]

Thanks for the awesome detailed replies!! Super helpful! Just got off the phone with the concierge- Yes, do get the 2 1 liter bottles in the room... One other question - I got a different answer from 2 different Celeb folks - the in room dining- just room service, or can have dining room menu items delivered?!

 

Thanks again!!

[S&G1968]

Good Points!

 

Royal Suite is the way to go on Celebrity and knowing the benefits before hand will certainly enhance your vacation!

 

Steve

[chemmo]

Thanks for the awesome detailed replies!! Super helpful! Just got off the phone with the concierge- Yes, do get the 2 1 liter bottles in the room... One other question - I got a different answer from 2 different Celeb folks - the in room dining- just room service, or can have dining room menu items delivered?!

 

Thanks again!!

 

Your butler will bring you a copy of the MDR menu and deliver your courses one at a time, unlike general room service when it all arrives together. We have, I think only ever done this once....Not because it wasn't good, just because there are so many ship choices.

 

When not too hungry and quite tired we find Silk Harvest a great choice, hot tasty soup, a few small plates....If you let the waiters know you would welcome speedy service they will hurry things a little for you. If you were paying for this meal you probably would think it was a waste but as you are not it becomes another option.

 

On a couple of evenings we haven't wanted a full meal (dined off ship....) and simple asked the butler for a soup or starter and then a cheese plate.

 

We often like a late night snack as we tend to dine fairly early. You can ask your butler to leave a prawn platter, cheese selection or fruit plate in your chiller to enjoy with a late night brandy on the balcony.

 

We try to let our butler know early in the day if we are going to want anything extra so he can get organised.

 

Have a great cruise!

[S&G1968]

Thanks Chemmo! That was excellent and gave me some ideas for a late snack!

 

Steve

[louieebee]

We have booked our first cruise in RS on Eclipse in August, Hope you have a fantastic trip WoodburyMN, can wait to see how you got on and thanks for all these great replies. I really don't know what to expect as we have never cruised before so making a note off all this information, especially the cheese platter for late night nibbles :D

[benbess]

....We learned as we went (you will be at an advantage since you have cruised X before), were always patient (there may be a "line" of people wanting help from the Michael's club concierge, especially the first day or two).

 

Another tip that I learned from CC. I made it a point to learn the names of the people providing me the excellent service we received and about 2 days into the trip, obtained "comment" cards from the concierge or from the service desk. I wrote specific positive comments for each person, what they had done above basic service levels that we appreciated and returned these cards to the service desk that day. I did this several times during the cruise. These comments were obviously received by the team members and they told us how much they appreciated being recognized....

emelle:)

 

Excellent points. A little personal recognition to the hard-working staff goes a long way. (And extra tips are classy and always appreciated. +++)

[louieebee]

Can any give me a rough idea of how much we should be tipping our Butler. Should we be doing it on a daily basis or at the end of the cruise ?

[Project_gal]

Can any give me a rough idea of how much we should be tipping our Butler. Should we be doing it on a daily basis or at the end of the cruise ?

 

You should tip your butler at the end of the cruise if you wish to give him additional tips about the basic gratuity.

 

It is impossible for others to know what your cruise experience will be.

 

What we usually do is to look at the basic gratuity we have already paid [uS$3.50 per person per day] and what your butler has done for you and ask ourselves what multiple of the basic gratuity seems reasonable.

 

For us, it is the only way to understand the US style tipping. If the basic gratuity for 2 weeks is in the region of US$100, a few tens of dollars does not seem appropriate.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Project_gal

[Dunmore2]

Almost forgot,

 

The extra half bath was great! You know who (husband) got the half bath as his territory, which meant that I got the counter space in the main bath for my domain. Excellent! We were both happy with that arrangement, which I don't believe is available on M class RS.

 

We also enjoyed the extra counter space and sink in the kitchen/bar area on the S class, which I can't see in plans/you tube on the M class RS.

 

We have a RS on M class planned for next year and will be able to see how that works.

 

The m class Royal suites have only one bathroom. It is quite large, with double sinks, a large jacuzzi tub, separate shower, and a 4or 5 shelf storage area.

This was on the Constellation.

The best part of the RS was being able to dine anywhere. We dined in Tuscan Grille as many times as we were in Luminae. And as Chemmo said, didn't feel like we needed all the courses.

[debates2]

I must first admit that I have not read all the responses, so if I share comments already received my apologies. If you are sailing on one of the larger Royal Caribbean seats you're entitled to being escorted on board by an officer; most likely the Guest Services Manager. Each time we've been in the Royal Suite there was a bottle of Moet champagne and a beautiful arrangement of roses.