Once in a suite, always in a suite......NOT! What was your experience?

[sverigecruiser]

 

Self Carry was the first on the POA before priority for disembarkment...

 

Yes self carry first, first priority self carry and after that the rest.

[uneamie]

I guess that means that it's done differently in different ports.

 

May I asked why you waited for an escort, maybe you should have walked to the gangway?

I'd like to know the answer to that too. Perhaps they thought they "had" to wait for the escort? I know I'd be walking to the gangway while my husband ( Mr. Follow the Rules) would have waited for the escort. LOL

[LegalEase]

I found it to be true' date=' once we tried a suite, every booking after that was in a suite; until the most recent booking. Because of the increase in suite prices, we have booked a balcony for our next cruise, and though we are Platinum, know we will miss those suite perks! :( Though we have never been on a ship large enough to have a separate Haven restaurant, we always enjoy breakfast and lunch in the suite venue, as well as the larger bathrooms and cabins.[/size']

 

If you have done this, what was your experience? Did you really miss all those suite perks? Did you manage fairly well in an "other than suite" room? Just want to know others' experiences.

 

The prices are getting a little ridiculous. What we paid for a 7-night cruise in the Haven on the Epic is now what we are paying for a 5-night cruise in the same cabin (2-bedroom). I priced out the 2-bedroom suite on the Bliss, and they want almost $16,000 for 3 people. That is just ridiculous for a non-holiday Caribbean cruise.

[LegalEase]

Last time I sailed I was in an aft penthouse on Jewel. This time next week we'll be in a balcony. To be honest, except for free breakfast and lunch at Cagney's, it wasn't worth it.

Terrible Butler who gave us a hard time about dining in suite during rough seas to a concierge who you could never get ahold of when needed, it was a waste of money.

Would only do a suite again if the price was right.

 

It is a totally different experience in the Haven (real Haven - not like the Jade). I would never pay for a suite in a non-Haven ship!

[LegalEase]

:(

What a shame.

 

Why? If I am paying 3 times the amount, why wouldn't I be treated different?

[Farts]

Why? If I am paying 3 times the amount, why wouldn't I be treated different?

read my reply to this. I meant being tx differently in the common area.

[AliceIn]

The newer ships are designed to nudge you into suites thanks to the exclusive areas like the Haven. I still don't find it worth the money and I honestly think most people who feel pampered by the perks have deluded themselves into thinking they're spending their money wisely.

 

I guess it is all relative. We like being able to skip the lines and avoid the crowds. My husband and I both work, with long, stressful days and dreadful commutes. A cruise is the ultimate escape from the rat race. Spending extra to make it as comfortable as possible for our family (a Haven 2 bedroom), and being able to have a butler or concierge take care of everything we need with no effort on our part is heavenly. Not having to wait in line for a seat at a show, walking on and off the ship with no lines is of value to us, as is having a secluded lounge and sun deck away from the noise and crowds.

 

I can see when it might not be. A retired couple has much more leisure time in general, so waits may not be an issue for them.

[biker@sea]

read my reply to this. I meant being tx differently in the common area.

 

:) Hummm Maybe your on to something.

 

@ Platnium Plus Maybe I should wear all of my past 25 ship key card on a lanyard to show the commoner's I'm special. :rolleyes: :* :evilsmile:

[uneamie]

The prices are getting a little ridiculous. What we paid for a 7-night cruise in the Haven on the Epic is now what we are paying for a 5-night cruise in the same cabin (2-bedroom). I priced out the 2-bedroom suite on the Bliss, and they want almost $16,000 for 3 people. That is just ridiculous for a non-holiday Caribbean cruise.

Way too expensive for us. But I can see why those who can afford it do it. $16K would buy a lot of nice vacations for us.

[uneamie]

:) Hummm Maybe your on to something.

 

@ Platnium Plus Maybe I should wear all of my past 25 ship key card on a lanyard to show the commoner's I'm special. :rolleyes: :* :evilsmile:

LOL...don't give them any ideas. I can see it all now. Platinum Plus neon glow in the dark necklaces so they can be easily identified.

[biker@sea]

LOL...don't give them any ideas. I can see it all now. Platinum Plus neon glow in the dark necklaces so they can be easily identified.

 

Ohh Yaa Gotta go find the BeDazzler Machine.:hearteyes:

[Farts]

:) Hummm Maybe your on to something.

 

@ Platnium Plus Maybe I should wear all of my past 25 ship key card on a lanyard to show the commoner's I'm special. :rolleyes: :* :evilsmile:

@ Pt+, that is just gaudy and embarrassing...but that sway is necessary at ambassador lvl

[Linda the Book Lover]

I guess it is all relative. We like being able to skip the lines and avoid the crowds. My husband and I both work, with long, stressful days and dreadful commutes. A cruise is the ultimate escape from the rat race. Spending extra to make it as comfortable as possible for our family (a Haven 2 bedroom), and being able to have a butler or concierge take care of everything we need with no effort on our part is heavenly. Not having to wait in line for a seat at a show, walking on and off the ship with no lines is of value to us, as is having a secluded lounge and sun deck away from the noise and crowds.

 

I can see when it might not be. A retired couple has much more leisure time in general, so waits may not be an issue for them.

 

Nope wait is an issue for us...the clock is ticking and we want to get as much enjoyment as we can! :D

[Two Wheels Only]

@ Pt+, that is just gaudy and embarrassing...but that sway is necessary at ambassador lvl

 

If I ever reach Ambassador level, I expect to be carried around the ship "Xerxes" style.

[Planmaam]

To the OP. Since I haven't gone back from suites I can't say how that experience was.

 

I do think that it's easier to go back on a smaller ship with less "special things".

 

If someone gave me a cruise in a balconycabin on for example the Jewel I should be happy to go even if I for some reason could not upgrade to a suite.

 

If someone wanted to give me a cruise on the Epic I might refrain to go because I should probably think about the Haven I wish I was there.

 

Thank you for your response, sveirgecruiser.

 

Looks like this thread has gotten a little out of hand; let's reign it in a little, OK?

 

My next cruise, a 9-day in a balcony cabin, is the same cost I paid for my last cruise, a 7-day in a penthouse suite. We thoroughly enjoyed the suite. No, we didn't need the snacks delivered, nor asked for anything special. Did love the chocolate-covered strawberries, though. And as I said previously, loved eating in the specialty restaurant for breakfast and lunch. My husband especially loves the larger room and roomier bathroom. We don't use the butler, but enjoy talking to the concierge in the morning as he (she) makes rounds in the specialty restaurant. We do like the priority embarkation and disembarkation, but don't think everyone else is lesser in any way.

 

Anyway, the price of suites is about double what our balcony would cost, so it's a no-go for us anymore unless they come down in price. Just was interested in others' experiences, not snarky remarks about how one should or should not spend their money.

 

Reminds me of the time I talked a friend to trying a balcony instead of inside; she said she was never in the room except to shower/dress or sleep. After trying a balcony, she found she spent a LOT of time out on that balcony!!! I wouldn't spend a lot of time in an inside, either!

 

Thanks to all who have civilly shared their experiences.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Thanks Wendy for your attempt to redirect the answers to your original question.

[medicalma'am]

I love the suite life but not the price of them now! We have cruised in an inside, ocean view, balcony, penthouse, family suite and an owner's suite. Love them all. I am on vacation after all!

We are in a balcony for our next cruise (next to Planma'am and Screenma'am). I AM NOT tempted by the price of the suites. I am afraid the days of sailing in a suite are over for us if prices continue as they are. I am a few short years away from retirement and at that point we will definitely not be sailing in any suites because I would rather cruise more often.

Our next vacation is at an all inclusive in Mexico with our adult kids. My DIL got a fabulous offer for $99 per night per person at a resort they have paid $230 a night for and they love. :o We all jumped at it and can't wait!

If money were not a concern, I think I would choose a suite every time though. I enjoyed the perks every time even though we have never had a meal in our room, ordered room service, or used the butler or concierge much. I have never stayed in The Haven but had the use of it when in the Owner's Suite and it was very enjoyable. I like quiet and not crowds, reading and not gambling, I would rather enjoy a visiting over a meal for several hours to a show or entertainment. I can do all of that in any cabin I choose. Give me a balcony cabin and a Spa pass and I am happy!

[AliceIn]

Nope wait is an issue for us...the clock is ticking and we want to get as much enjoyment as we can! :D

 

A woman after my own heart! :cool:

[NutsAboutGolf]

I guess that means that it's done differently in different ports.

 

May I asked why you waited for an escort, maybe you should have walked to the gangway?

 

I'd like to know the answer to that too. Perhaps they thought they "had" to wait for the escort? I know I'd be walking to the gangway while my husband ( Mr. Follow the Rules) would have waited for the escort. LOL

 

Honolulu port (Aug 2016) had a row of check in booths, 4 left most were priority, all the rest 16 or 21 (I'd guess) were non-priority...The folks manning the checkin booth say "right this way" and escort you; we thought to the gangway or even all the way onto the ship...Yet it was to a waiting room, or as we later found out a priority lounge (there were refreshments) where you await a crewmen...If I end up on a NCL suite again I'd strongly consider going straight to the gangway....lol

[EmeraldCoastCruisers]

We decided we'd rather cruise more often than pay the ever-rising suite prices again.

I just don't get the value any more when it's THOUSANDS more than a balcony room.

 

Bigger Bathrooms? Meh.

 

Give me 2 cruises in a balcony a year instead of 1 in a suite ....and I'll bathe in the sink! HAHA! :')

 

 

 

Lol! My thoughts exactly!

 

 

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[Tapi]

We've done a suite once (13 years ago) and have never been back. While it was nice, we didn't enjoy all the perks enough to justify paying extra for them. Ever since, we've done everything from inside to balcony and the only one that we will definitely never do again is an inside.

 

 

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[lgdesign]

Just was interested in others' experiences' date=' not snarky remarks about how one should or should not spend their money.

 

Thanks to all who have civilly shared their experiences.[/quote']

 

Exactly... Thanks for starting such an interesting thread. Sadly, insecure people sometimes consider other people's different choices to be criticisms of their own when there's simply no right or wrong... just preference and options.

 

Here's to healthy (and civil) dialogue!

[BABAZ]

We have only done a suite once - an aft facing penthouse suite on the Jewel. The other 6 cruises have been in a balcony. We booked an inside on the breakaway to Bermuda to just try it, but we were upgraded to a balcony 2 before sailing.

 

We only paid $1,300.00 per person on the Jewel, and received $400 OBC, so it was very affordable. This was prior to Del Rio. The suites now are just too expensive, and honestly there is nothing we really miss from having a suite. We, too, would rather travel cheaper and more often. Our last cabin on the Breakaway to Bermuda was great, and it was just assigned to us. Possibly the best cabin we have had.

 

We will be on the Spirit this November in an inside. It is a large inside, over 250 feet, so that should be nice.

[LegalEase]

read my reply to this. I meant being tx differently in the common area.

 

It's all part of the Haven experience, IMO. Any time we had to show a room key for anything, people practically tripped over themselves. I think they (the employees) are told to give VIP treatment to Haven guests. We ate in the MDR one night only because we wanted to see the Burn the Floor dinner show. They assigned a waiter and an assistant to our table, and only our table. It was a little comical, actually.

[bromleypod]

It's all part of the Haven experience, IMO. Any time we had to show a room key for anything, people practically tripped over themselves. I think they (the employees) are told to give VIP treatment to Haven guests. We ate in the MDR one night only because we wanted to see the Burn the Floor dinner show. They assigned a waiter and an assistant to our table, and only our table. It was a little comical, actually.

Is your experience in the Haven quite recently ? We are going on our first cruise in July and are staying in the Haven on the Epic and really want it to be special as it's to celebrate my mum's 80th birthday!🎂