New to princess. Suite question

[moki'smommy]

We went ahead and booked the other suite. So now we don’t have to worry about shuffling people around. The price is reduced since its thru the casino, so hopefully it’s worth it! Any tips on the best perks to enjoy for suite guests?

We did our first suite in April. The best perks, IMHO, were Club Class dining and Sabatini's breakfast. Seriously, our dining experience was comparable to cruises 15-20 years ago. Great food, great service. Order anything you want at breakfast--it doesn't have to be on the menu. If they don't have it the first time you ask, they'll have it the next day (if it's on the ship). It looks like you're only cruising for a week, so laundry isn't such a big deal. For long cruises, that would matter. There are also self service machines.

 

In each suite you will have a mini-bar. This can be swapped out for two coffee programs (so total 4, since you have 2 suites.) This gives you unlimited brewed coffee, premium tea, and hot chocolate for the person(s) who have the program applied to their cruise cards, plus each card is good for 15 Starbucks type coffee and tea beverages which CAN be shared...so you'll have a total of 60 for the 6 of you if you choose this option. You can also keep the mini-bar as is or trade it for some bad wine.

 

If your ship has a thermal suite (Princess version of the rainforest), you get a length of cruise use at no additional charge. Not all ships have them.

 

There is a suite/elite reception each night--location will be noted in your room. Drinks are slightly discounted and there are good munchies. you don't have to get alcohol or anything.

 

We didn't find a lot of value in things like priority boarding or tendering because there weren't any lines anyhow.

 

We did get a bottle of water for each person each night left in the room by the steward. This perk seems to be a little spotty.

 

We chose to bring our own sodas on board--I had 2 girls, and $160 for soda package vs. a stop at Publix was a no-brainer to me.

 

Not a suite perk, but the pizza on Princess has ranged from super amazing to totally awful on our cruises. I've heard rumors that they've discontinued the bad cheese. Good luck. On the other and, the burger place was good. I'm thinking of the kids.....and kid programming has great reviews, often much better than DCL!

 

Another thing you'll find on Princess, although it does vary with the dates and itinerary, are many people who have done tons of Princess cruises and sometimes have a bit of an attitude toward relative newcomers. For instance, we had an "elite" look at my then Ruby card and comment, "How the XYZ did you get an upgrade and I didn't?" Really??? Most people are very nice, but.....

 

If you are a reader, there is a decent library on most Princess ships. Feel free to read what you wish and also to leave anything you might bring from home as airplane reading or whatever. There is always a shelf or two of things people have donated to the mix.

Edited August 8, 2018 by moki'smommy

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

This is exactly why I use a TA. I tell her what I want and she makes it happen.

[cr8tiv1]

Now sit back and get pumped for your cruise. I am sure you will be delighted that all of these "what ifs" have now been addressed.

 

* All of you now can enjoy your first night's dinner at the Crown Grill (I expect that your boys are more meat eaters than fancy Italian).

* I rarely use my coffee cards when I am in a suite since you will be served (and order remembered) for every breakfast at Sabatini's.

* Just think...trade out your kid's mini bar for 20 non-alcoholic for them and 20 mini bottles/beer for you.

* Are there any birthdays/anniversaries to celebrate (even 30 days out)? Go to your personalizer and see special occasions.

* If your children don't want to eat in the MDR...they may order anything from the MDR and have it delivered to their suite (whenever the dining room is open) . Everything will come at once.

* Don't forget to send a thank you card to the casino in Las Vegas.

 

Have a great family experience.

[jagoffee]

We went ahead and booked the other suite. So now we don’t have to worry about shuffling people around. The price is reduced since its thru the casino, so hopefully it’s worth it! Any tips on the best perks to enjoy for suite guests?

 

IMO you made a great decision. Besides the other suite perks mentioned, room service breakfast on the last morning (suites only) is nice.

Have a great cruise.

[Kunjaqueen]

They said no. Need an 18 yo in each room :(

 

Try again with a different agent. On our next cruise (Christmas) I have my kids in one room and the spouse and I are in the other. The rooms are linked and noted as such. We had to book through princess but the rep knew how when we explained what we wanted.

[Mrs.Gosse]

We always cruise in Suites and we tried to step down this cruise and changed it. Lol. I think you will be happy you made the switch. Not having to worry about having issues with who is eating in Club class and who is eating in sabatini's and will they say something... All of that being gone will definitely enhance your relaxation experience. And the benefit of everybody getting to eat in the crown Grill now we'll also be awesome! Sabatini's is my absolute favorite Suite perk but the expanded room service menu that includes special breakfast items and you can order from the dining room menu as well is also really nice. We're going to start using that took a lot more often. Last Voyage my husband had gotten an infection and had to go to the medical center and we just weren't feeling up to formal night. So we ordered in our rooms. We didn't have to get dressed up and spend an hour in the main dining room but we still got to eat the formal night menu. We quite often have skipped shows or activities because they didn't line up with going to dinner. So I think we'll use that more often.

 

Also the elite lounge and the separate line for Suite guests at passenger Services and embarkation is pretty convenient.