Advantages to getting a Suite?

[TimeToGetNauti]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think this is why I was getting confused was only certain ships offer certain Suite perks.  Going out of Cape Liberty, the ships that will be there in 2019 and 2020 are Adventure, Oasis and Anthem.  I am going off the assumption that it will be the same 3 in 2021.  That seems to be why this is so hard to nail down. But I have some clarification now on that. Happy sailing everyone. 

[John&LaLa]

1 minute ago, TimeToGetNauti said:

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think this is why I was getting confused was only certain ships offer certain Suite perks.  Going out of Cape Liberty, the ships that will be there in 2019 and 2020 are Adventure, Oasis and Anthem.  I am going off the assumption that it will be the same 3 in 2021.  That seems to be why this is so hard to nail down. But I have some clarification now on that. Happy sailing everyone. 

 

Really no guarantee on Oasis. The 2020 summer sailings are new to the port. 

[drb116]

15 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Really no guarantee on Oasis. The 2020 summer sailings are new to the port. 

I agree. I think the Oasis is sailing 2020 because the Anthem is in Europe. Assuming the Anthem comes back in 2021, Oasis probably will not be there.

Edited May 17, 2019 by drb116

[John&LaLa]

5 minutes ago, drb116 said:

I agree. I think the Oasis is sailing 2020 because the Anthem in in Europe. Assuming the Anthem comes back in 2021, Oasis probably will not be there.

 

Probably depends on how profitable 2020 is. 

 

[tinkr2]

10 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

And if you are traveling with a 3 year old and a 4 year old, maybe drinking isn't your highest priority.

Or maybe it is bc you're traveling with a 3 and 4 year old🤣

[Retired LEO]

10 hours ago, Andy C said:

Keep in mind that Royal markets their suite areas as "exclusive" when in fact, they are not.  You are lead to believe that suite areas are only for those who paid for a suite; they are not.  Royal's top tier of cruisers are called Pinnacles.  They are granted access to "exclusive" suite areas whether they paid for a suite or not.  They can be easily identified since they all wear RCI provided gold lapel pins with their names on them.  If there happen to be many of them on your selected cruise you will find limited to no seating in the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen.  Make sure to make your reservations for Coastal Kitchen in advance when the concierge emails you a week or so prior to your cruise.  Godspeed.  

What part don't you understand? Exclusive to suites and pinnacles as stated on their website.

[Merion_Mom]

9 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

Or maybe it is bc you're traveling with a 3 and 4 year old🤣

 

I knew that someone would say that!  😄  You are welcome for the set-up.  😄

[Merion_Mom]

10 hours ago, drb116 said:

I agree. I think the Oasis is sailing 2020 because the Anthem is in Europe. Assuming the Anthem comes back in 2021, Oasis probably will not be there.

 

With the Independence remaining in the US and all of its UK cruises cancelled, I think that the probability that Anthem stays over there increases.

[George C]

Like luggage direct also which is free with grand suite , if ship goes to ladabee suite beach is really cool. 

[Mythbuster]

14 hours ago, TimeToGetNauti said:

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think this is why I was getting confused was only certain ships offer certain Suite perks.  Going out of Cape Liberty, the ships that will be there in 2019 and 2020 are Adventure, Oasis and Anthem.  I am going off the assumption that it will be the same 3 in 2021.  That seems to be why this is so hard to nail down. But I have some clarification now on that. Happy sailing everyone. 

Most of the suite perks you get on the Oasis or Anthem are available on the Adventure for the Grand Suite.  Some of the perks mentioned on the Oasis and Anthem are not available to Grand suites anyway such as Royal Genie, free Zoom and free drink package.  The most significant difference is there is no Coastal Kitchen on the Adventurer.  There is a Suite Lounge with dedicated concierge, reserved areas at the pool and theater for suite guests, special boarding area at embarkation, priority tenders, ability to order from the main dining room for room service (all free) and priority disembarkation with special luggage area and special line for customs.  I have sailed in a Grand Suite (although not the 2 bedroom) on all 3 ships and hate the Grand Suite on the Anthem.  The Grand suite on the Adventure and Oasis are nearly identical.  Personally, I would only sail on the Adventure in a Grand Suite and the perks are well worth it to me.

Edited May 18, 2019 by Mythbuster

[Casino Comp Chick]

21 hours ago, Andy C said:

Keep in mind that Royal markets their suite areas as "exclusive" when in fact, they are not.  You are lead to believe that suite areas are only for those who paid for a suite; they are not.  Royal's top tier of cruisers are called Pinnacles.  They are granted access to "exclusive" suite areas whether they paid for a suite or not.  They can be easily identified since they all wear RCI provided gold lapel pins with their names on them.  If there happen to be many of them on your selected cruise you will find limited to no seating in the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen.  Make sure to make your reservations for Coastal Kitchen in advance when the concierge emails you a week or so prior to your cruise.  Godspeed.  

 

Would a pinnacle person have precedence over a suite person in terms of getting into the lounge or the restaurant? These items are marketed as designated to the suite category and I would be highly upset if I was told I could not get what I paid for.

[Clarea]

3 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

Would a pinnacle person have precedence over a suite person in terms of getting into the lounge or the restaurant? These items are marketed as designated to the suite category and I would be highly upset if I was told I could not get what I paid for.

 

As far as I know, there is no precedence for lounge admission.

[George C]

3 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

Would a pinnacle person have precedence over a suite person in terms of getting into the lounge or the restaurant? These items are marketed as designated to the suite category and I would be highly upset if I was told I could not get what I paid for.

I really perfer ships that have suite lounges , since if it is a concierge lounge you are fighting for seats with other suites , pinnacles and diamond plus 

[Andy C]

6 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

Would a pinnacle person have precedence over a suite person in terms of getting into the lounge or the restaurant? These items are marketed as designated to the suite category and I would be highly upset if I was told I could not get what I paid for.

 

They all wear their gold lapel pins with their names everywhere and all the time and staff are trained to pay attention to that and cater to them.  Most know each other quite well so they swarm in large groups.  If you are on one of those inexpensive, off-season sailings good luck getting seats in the suite lounge or desirable dining times in Coastal Kitchen.  @Milwaukee Eight could not even manage to get a table for dinner some nights of his Harmony cruise last September.  Good luck!

 

Edited May 18, 2019 by Andy C

[Casino Comp Chick]

9 minutes ago, Andy C said:

 

They all wear their gold lapel pins with their names everywhere and all the time and staff are trained to pay attention to that and cater to them.  Most know each other quite well so they swarm in large groups.  If you are on one of those inexpensive, off-season sailings good luck getting seats in the suite lounge or desirable dining times in Coastal Kitchen.  @Milwaukee Eight could not even manage to get a table for dinner some nights of his Harmony cruise last September.  Good luck!

 

 

I have seen them walking around with the pins, always thought to myself I would not do that....kinda feel like who cares? 

I would have something to say about it if I could not get into a restaurant that I was paying for....going to be interesting for sure when I sail again.

 

[BearsAhoy]

When we have cruised as a party of six (me and my husband, our kids, and my parents), we have had a Suite. The category names have changed, but the Royal Family Suites are what I think are now called two bedroom grand suites.

 

Anyway, we’ve had them on Indy, Jewel, and Voyager. Aside from all the Suite perks, the price was comparable or better than two balconies. (When booking our Panama Canal cruise on Jewel, or travel agent check her figures twice because she couldn’t believe the amazing price we got for six people!) The suites give more space (the RFS on Indy was incredible!), as well as two bathrooms, one of which has a tub.

 

This  summer we will be cruising without my parents and going in a JS. It’ll be our first as Diamonds, but also our first not in a full suite. 

[Retired LEO]

6 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

Would a pinnacle person have precedence over a suite person in terms of getting into the lounge or the restaurant? These items are marketed as designated to the suite category and I would be highly upset if I was told I could not get what I paid for.

The lounge is like any other CL or DL. First come first served for the seats. It's a little crowded right before dinner time as the other lounges are. As far as Coastal Kitchen is concerned suites take priority over anyone else. Just have your concierge reserve your dining times prior to your cruise.

[Lady Hudson]

I have sailed with many Pinnacles over the past 5 years ( sailing 9 to 10 times per year).   My opinion - most do not wear their badges all the time.  Most will wear the badges for the Top Tier party and maybe the Pinnacle meal with an Officer.  I have seen 1 — repeat 1 - Pinnacle club member being rude at Chops when there was a problem with seating. I have not seen Pinnacles being any more aggravating than people at other Crown and Anchor levels can be.  I have never had a problem getting a seat in the DL or CL during happy hour.  Some may have some overcrowding on particular sailings but feel Royal does a good job trying keep everyone happy.  This includes suite guests and those who sail many, many times during the course of a year.

 

Please stop painting one class of people with a broad, negative brush.  It is discriminatory.  It does not reflect well on those who do.  Katherine

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, Andy C said:

 

They all wear their gold lapel pins with their names everywhere and all the time and staff are trained to pay attention to that and cater to them.  Most know each other quite well so they swarm in large groups.  If you are on one of those inexpensive, off-season sailings good luck getting seats in the suite lounge or desirable dining times in Coastal Kitchen.  @Milwaukee Eight could not even manage to get a table for dinner some nights of his Harmony cruise last September.  Good luck!

 

 

Not sure that's accurate about Rory. They were late getting seated some nights. He did mention another couple in a GS that did not secure reservations in advance.

 

Bottom line is GS passengers and above get to reserve CK in advance, but there is no guarantee on securing a desirable time since the venues hold between 90 and 100 diners and there are at least 350 eligible suite passengers 

[Big_G]

3 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

I have seen them walking around with the pins, always thought to myself I would not do that....kinda feel like who cares? 

I would have something to say about it if I could not get into a restaurant that I was paying for....going to be interesting for sure when I sail again.

 

No worries. We've been sailing suites on Oasis Class for quite a while and never had a problem. I believe Andy's whine is based on one extraordinary experience on a President's cruise where he couldn't get a window seat.

[George C]

We were not that impressed with CK did oasis for first time 6 months ago and after two dinners wife wanted specialty restaurant, did ce for breakfast and lunch. Suite restaurant on celebrity is way better at least in our opinion. 

[STANMELB]

We are SPP and only wear our name tags to the Pinnacle Luncheon. Time to start noticing those that sneak into, or are brought into the Suite Lounge by Pinnacles or Suite Guests. They do not belong there.

 

Also we are never included in any Pinnacle group. We enjoy sitting at the bar and making conversation with other Suite Guests.

 

All of us are not as bad as some portray us on this format.

[Milwaukee Eight]

4 hours ago, Andy C said:

 

They all wear their gold lapel pins with their names everywhere and all the time and staff are trained to pay attention to that and cater to them.  Most know each other quite well so they swarm in large groups.  If you are on one of those inexpensive, off-season sailings good luck getting seats in the suite lounge or desirable dining times in Coastal Kitchen.  @Milwaukee Eight could not even manage to get a table for dinner some nights of his Harmony cruise last September.  Good luck!

 

Andy. We actually had a standing reservation for 1830 each night in CK. Issue was we were never seated on time, as late as 45 minutes, and Two P’s took are cleaned table on their own, one night.  We met GS guests who failed to reserve a time for dinner in the CK and couldn’t be seated all week. They had to eat elsewhere. The Concierge letter does say reservations required but doesn’t say ahead of time. They assumed they could make them once onboard. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

41 minutes ago, STANMELB said:

We are SPP and only wear our name tags to the Pinnacle Luncheon. Time to start noticing those that sneak into, or are brought into the Suite Lounge by Pinnacles or Suite Guests. They do not belong there.

 

Also we are never included in any Pinnacle group. We enjoy sitting at the bar and making conversation with other Suite Guests.

 

All of us are not as bad as some portray us on this format.

It’s not really a P issue. I have many who are friends. Enjoy conversation with most as well. The issue to me, it is the Suite Lounge/CK and Suite Guests should have priority. I have no issue if Royal should decide to make an area designated P’s only.  The SL/CK crowds are not always difficult to manage. On the times sailings have a large number if P’s onboard, they should do something. I don’t have the answer.  Many P’s despise children. It’s easy to see their despise for them. Royal caters to families. 

[grandgeezer]

1 hour ago, George C said:

We were not that impressed with CK did oasis for first time 6 months ago and after two dinners wife wanted specialty restaurant, did ce for breakfast and lunch. Suite restaurant on celebrity is way better at least in our opinion. 

We recently did a B2B on the Allure, in a Grand Suite. Because of the B2B we got a free meal in Chops each leg. We went the first week and weren’t impressed with the food quality or service in Chops so we didn’t bother going back the second week. We’ve never even considered doing a suite, on Celebrity, because of the over the top pricing. If food quality, in the Country Kitchen is a problem, you can get the seven day specialty dining package for $24 p.p. per day. We didn’t see the need for it, but if we would have, the total price would still have been $800 p.p. less for the Grand Suite on RCL versus the Sky Suite on Celebrity. We had priced several lines before we chose the one we did.