First Suite experience recap

[Bradison]

1 minute ago, tvo7 said:

Do we need to tip the guy who delivers room service meals if we are in a suite?  I know it is free for Suite guests.

 

I have found that the answer to "do I need to tip so and so" is always yes if you want good service.  I realize this is not true for all cultures so I assume you asking from an American's perspective.

[Milwaukee Eight]

6 hours ago, Snowbird_in_training said:

We had some nice conversations too.   Most pinnacles are what I would call “normal people”, mostly living within driving distance to the cruise ports who started cruising when one cruise of  length equaled one point.  When Royal changed the point system it seems those one point cruises, which could have been three days, transferred into seven points.  No criticism, it’s just the system.   

On our Presidents Cruise on Freedom out of Barcelona, the P’s onboard that we sailed with referred to them as Florida P’s. Most were from European countries or close by. Some only have access to locally ships 3 to 4 months a year unlike 12 months in Florida for many ships. 

[cindivan]

I will not enter into a debate of who deserves to be where.     But it does affect my cruise planning. If we do a suite on RC in low season it will be with some trepidation. We will most likely never make pinnacle, and we feel suite privileges are diluted when there are a lot of pinnacles sailing.  Not saying it’s right or wrong, just our observation. We always get the drink package so it’s not about free drinks or even the suite lounge.  It’s more about CK and suite/pinnacle deck areas. 

 

Soon on to be empty nesters we will be doing more cruises with Celebrity and other lines  where suite guests rarely compete with non-suite guests for “suite privileges.”  

[Milwaukee Eight]

5 hours ago, Snowbird_in_training said:

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not complaining.  In previous threads there were conversations about Pinnacles taking over SL when they typically don’t stay in suites.   In our conversations with those who are Pinnacle, we were surprised to learn that inside cabins seem to be the choice.  I guess it makes sense, since they have seen it all, but let’s face it, suite guests DO pay a premium to access a lounge that may be full of people cruising in inside cabins.  Once again, they have earned that pin it’s just an observation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Were you able to find a seat by the window in the SL. Asking for a friend. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

5 hours ago, ladysail2 said:

 

I’m not being critical, but if Pinnacles are allowed in CK, one can’t complain because they are in there.  If Pinnacles filled up the Diamond Lounge, then there’s reason to complain because P’s have their own lounge.  Perhaps the P’s don’t want to pay the high prices of the specialty restaurants.  I guess you have to get there first.  It’s first come, first served. 

Maybe that should change?  It is called the Suite Lounge. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

4 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Sorry, want to give benefit of the doubt, but when you keep typing 

Most live within driving

Most eat every meal in CK

Most stay inside cabins

Most got there via extra points from old system

Most dont spend money onboard

I cant help but feel offended 

 

Seems very passive aggressive 😉

 

Which ones exactly? Which ones above  are not true. Anything over 50% is “most”. 

 

Your not a typical P. You generally stay in Suites, you spend $ in the Casino, only eat in CK a few nights. But you do live within almost walking distance. Lol

 

I believe she is correct. I also believe the number is higher the 50% “most”. 

[Mythbuster]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Luckily for some,you don't run C&A.

 

DL is to crowded to include non Diamond Suite Guests. I wonder if anyone at Miami has discussed giving suite guests 3 drinks on their Seapass?

 

FWIW, I have been asked by a few why I am in the DL or overflow lounges. 😉

Obviously my sarcasm escapes you.  I was merely repeating ladysail2's statement reversing her premise that P's should be in the SL and not hogging up the DL since the SL is "their lounge".  Personally I have never been to an SL that was overcrowded with P's.  Nowhere did I suggest that Suite guests should have access to the DL.  I usually have the ability to access both the DL and SL and usually choose the SL because it is not nearly as crowded.

Edited May 21, 2019 by Mythbuster

[Milwaukee Eight]

4 hours ago, Snowbird_in_training said:

I certainly didn’t mean to offend anyone.   I truly apologize if I did.   

You didn’t 

[Milwaukee Eight]

47 minutes ago, tvo7 said:

Do we need to tip the guy who delivers room service meals if we are in a suite?  I know it is free for Suite guests.

I believe the answer is YES. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

33 minutes ago, cindivan said:

I will not enter into a debate of who deserves to be where.     But it does affect my cruise planning. If we do a suite on RC in low season it will be with some trepidation. We will most likely never make pinnacle, and we feel suite privileges are diluted when there are a lot of pinnacles sailing.  Not saying it’s right or wrong, just our observation. We always get the drink package so it’s not about free drinks or even the suite lounge.  It’s more about CK and suite/pinnacle deck areas. 

 

Soon on to be empty nesters we will be doing more cruises with Celebrity and other lines  where suite guests rarely compete with non-suite guests for “suite privileges.”  

You can use your drink package in the SL/CK 

[cindivan]

9 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

You can use your drink package in the SL/CK 

  I just meant that we only feel we are “competing” for suite privileges in the CK and deck areas. 

[George C]

13 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

You can use your drink package in the SL/CK 

We like decent wine and what is given in suite lounge without drink package is pretty bad , we normally order wine a couple of dollars above drink package.

[John&LaLa]

43 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Maybe that should change?  It is called the Suite Lounge. 

 

See post #47😉

[John&LaLa]

29 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

You didn’t 

 

You forgot, in my opinion. 😉

Always best to not speak for others. Leads to generalizations. 

[John&LaLa]

43 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Which ones exactly? Which ones above  are not true. Anything over 50% is “most”. 

 

Your not a typical P. You generally stay in Suites, you spend $ in the Casino, only eat in CK a few nights. But you do live within almost walking distance. Lol

 

I believe she is correct. I also believe the number is higher the 50% “most”. 

 

Semantics. 

 

We also spend money on jewelry 💎, specialty dining, excursions, airfare ✈️ , and even alcohol.  I just prefer to buy it ala carte. 🍺

 

Those type of comments are mainly there as jabs, painting a very broad, unflattering picture of a a group.

 

In my opinion.

Edited May 21, 2019 by John&LaLa

[Snowbird_in_training]

8 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Were you able to find a seat by the window in the SL. Asking for a friend. 

  

In SL during happy hour?   No. In fact when we were in SL early there were usually no seats at all.   We were in SL fairly late after dinner one evening, there were a few seats then.   In CK we had a window seat about half the time.   Still great views from any seat in either.   

[Cru1s1ng2009]

What the heck do they serve in CK that is so amazing that people are arguing over it? I need to know

[oddly excitered]

12 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I guess it depends on your definition of affordability and would a JS fit your needs

An inside fits my needs! I need to be on a ship enjoying the good life, A balcony is an extra that I am willing to pay for, I actually stepped up to a spacious balcony on my next trip so that we could get the cool hump balcony on radiance next year for Hawaii. That was only a couple bucks more and seems worth it for the views and comfort of the extra balcony space. The thousands more for a suite is what gets me. perks don't seem worth the money and we don't need any more space in the room.

[Teeara]

28 minutes ago, Snowbird_in_training said:

  

In SL during happy hour?   No. In fact when we were in SL early there were usually no seats at all.   We were in SL fairly late after dinner one evening, there were a few seats then.   In CK we had a window seat about half the time.   Still great views from any seat in either.   

How early was early for you?  I have a GS for next year's Allure WB TA and we plan on eating most meals in CK.  We aren't big drinkers, but a splurge on our cruise with a pre-dinner cocktail would be lovely.  I'm an early bird so how early should we show up to get a seat in the SL for our pre-dinner cocktail?

[John&LaLa]

3 minutes ago, Cru1s1ng2009 said:

What the heck do they serve in CK that is so amazing that people are arguing over it? I need to know

 

Poached eggs with farro

 

 

Grilled chicken w/gouda and hot fries

 

 

Scallops appetizer 

 

 

Extra lobster tails. Tiny, but well prepared

 

 

Lobster martini salad

 

 

Pasta Carbonara 

 

 

Chocolate mouse in florentine basket

 

 

Grilled prawns

 

 

Scallops and risotto 

 

 

Egg white omelets 

 

 

Serrano ham wrapped dates

 

 

Margherita flatbread

 

 

Shrimp and spinach salad

 

 

Adult refreshments at lunch

 

 

Banana split

 

 

Anniversary cake

 

 

Grilled cauliflower steak

 

 

Lamb chops, they were good, trust me. 😉

 

 

Now I'm hungry

[oddly excitered]

30 minutes ago, Cru1s1ng2009 said:

What the heck do they serve in CK that is so amazing that people are arguing over it? I need to know

I also would like to know! Just don't want to pay a fortune to find out its not all that .

[oddly excitered]

3 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Poached eggs with farro

 

 

Grilled chicken w/gouda and hot fries

 

 

Scallops appetizer 

 

 

Extra lobster tails. Tiny, but well prepared

 

 

Lobster martini salad

 

 

Pasta Carbonara 

 

 

Chocolate mouse in florentine basket

 

 

Grilled prawns

 

 

Scallops and risotto 

 

 

Egg white omelets 

 

 

Serrano ham wrapped dates

 

 

Margherita flatbread

 

 

Shrimp and spinach salad

 

 

Adult refreshments at lunch

 

 

Banana split

 

 

Anniversary cake

 

 

Grilled cauliflower steak

 

 

Lamb chops, they were good, trust me. 😉

 

 

Now I'm hungry

  OH!!! that does look marvelous!

           Thanks

[John&LaLa]

5 minutes ago, Teeara said:

How early was early for you?  I have a GS for next year's Allure WB TA and we plan on eating most meals in CK.  We aren't big drinkers, but a splurge on our cruise with a pre-dinner cocktail would be lovely.  I'm an early bird so how early should we show up to get a seat in the SL for our pre-dinner cocktail?

 

Hate to tell you this, but that TA is going to be a zoo. Hopefully they will do several overflow lounges and offer the Pinnacles breakfast and lunch in Chops. 

 

You can expect in excess of 200 Pinnacles and 2,000 Diamond and higher. The spring Oasis TA would have been a good judge of what to expect, but Allure will likely be more extreme since shes coming out fresh from drydock

 

We are doing the spring TA and I chose STAR class for that

[Milwaukee Eight]

8 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

See post #47😉

The door says Suite Lounge. The deck plans indicate Suite Lounge. It’s the the Suite Deck. That’s a piece of paper probably printed to appease some P guests. 

 

You’re a great cheerleader. 

 

 

[Milwaukee Eight]

54 minutes ago, Snowbird_in_training said:

  

In SL during happy hour?   No. In fact when we were in SL early there were usually no seats at all.   We were in SL fairly late after dinner one evening, there were a few seats then.   In CK we had a window seat about half the time.   Still great views from any seat in either.   

My buddy @Andy C would be disappointed to hear this. I’ve had the same experience as well.