Please help me decide....

[RoperDK]

We cruise on several lines, either in mini or full suites mostly.  I've only cruised in minis on Princess.  I have a club class mini on the Enchanted in a larger angled balcony next March.  We are pondering an upgrade to the side penthouse suites located near the concierge lounge.  Things I don't like are the tiny balcony and the $2000 upgrade price.  Things I do like are the larger bathroom with shower and of course the extra room.  My mini has the club class dining experience already, along with priority embarkation and debarkation.  I bought the plus package with included drinks, gratuities, and wi fi.  Do you think the extra amenities in the suite would be worth the upgrade?

Thanks! 

[Mears Family]

3 hours ago, RoperDK said:

We cruise on several lines, either in mini or full suites mostly.  I've only cruised in minis on Princess.  I have a club class mini on the Enchanted in a larger angled balcony next March.  We are pondering an upgrade to the side penthouse suites located near the concierge lounge.  Things I don't like are the tiny balcony and the $2000 upgrade price.  Things I do like are the larger bathroom with shower and of course the extra room.  My mini has the club class dining experience already, along with priority embarkation and debarkation.  I bought the plus package with included drinks, gratuities, and wi fi.  Do you think the extra amenities in the suite would be worth the upgrade?

Thanks! 

 

If you already have the beverage package the concierge lounge drinks is less of a perk.  If you are Elite or Platinum, the PES event is more social than the concierge lounge.  However that was then and then this is now, perhaps the exclusivity and LESS social interaction is a big plus.  On the Royal, the concierge lounge has no natural light-not very inviting.  In short, my opinion is leave the concierge lounge out of the decision making.  If you are Elite status, the big missing perk is breakfast at Sabatinis.  Club Class breakfast is still an excellent perk.   If your not elite, it might come down to free laundry and room size.

[RoperDK]

16 minutes ago, Mears Family said:

 

If you already have the beverage package the concierge lounge drinks is less of a perk.  If you are Elite or Platinum, the PES event is more social than the concierge lounge.  However that was then and then this is now, perhaps the exclusivity and LESS social interaction is a big plus.  On the Royal, the concierge lounge has no natural light-not very inviting.  In short, my opinion is leave the concierge lounge out of the decision making.  If you are Elite status, the big missing perk is breakfast at Sabatinis.  Club Class breakfast is still an excellent perk.   If your not elite, it might come down to free laundry and room size.

 

Thank you Mears Family. We have only cruised on Princess twice, so we are not Elite or Platinum.  We have cruised several times on RCCL in suites on Oasis Class and having an ocean view suite lounge area and private restaurant are hard to match.  We are on a 7 day cruise, so laundry isn't a big deal.  The room size is nice, but oh, those tiny balconies.     

[Treasure Hunter]

4 hours ago, RoperDK said:

We cruise on several lines, either in mini or full suites mostly.  I've only cruised in minis on Princess.  I have a club class mini on the Enchanted in a larger angled balcony next March.  We are pondering an upgrade to the side penthouse suites located near the concierge lounge.  Things I don't like are the tiny balcony and the $2000 upgrade price.  Things I do like are the larger bathroom with shower and of course the extra room.  My mini has the club class dining experience already, along with priority embarkation and debarkation.  I bought the plus package with included drinks, gratuities, and wi fi.  Do you think the extra amenities in the suite would be worth the upgrade?

Thanks! 

We sailed in mini suites for years but now book suites. For us one  reason ( we are Elite so get the wonderful free laundry anyway ) is that often I want to go to sleep before my husband. He likes to stay up late and watch sports on tv . The suite works better for us. Also the big stand up shower is safer than the slippery bathtub in the mini. Another reason is that the suite concierge bends over backwards to help with everything, reservations, getting in a tender first, leaving at the end of a cruise, etc. The next two cruises we booked are aft suites with a bigger balcony. My only complaint with Princess my favorite line after 50 cruises, is that the Sanctuary  is not included for suites. I fear They will be losing out to Celebrity retreat. 

[RoperDK]

15 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

We sailed in mini suites for years but now book suites. For us one  reason ( we are Elite so get the wonderful free laundry anyway ) is that often I want to go to sleep before my husband. He likes to stay up late and watch sports on tv . The suite works better for us. Also the big stand up shower is safer than the slippery bathtub in the mini. Another reason is that the suite concierge bends over backwards to help with everything, reservations, getting in a tender first, leaving at the end of a cruise, etc. The next two cruises we booked are aft suites with a bigger balcony. My only complaint with Princess my favorite line after 50 cruises, is that the Sanctuary  is not included for suites. I fear They will be losing out to Celebrity retreat. 

Thank you Treasure Hunter.  I agree that having a regular shower is wonderful.  I am so afraid of slipping with my creaky knees.  That is a big plus for me.  I also get up earlier than my husband.  Having a quiet place to have room service delivery that won't disturb him would be nice. It is nice to hear that the concierge is helpful.  On Oasis class having the escorted exit on disembarkation is almost worth the price of a suite.  We have our first (now lifted and shifted) Apex suite cruise and am so looking forward to the Retreat.  I think Princess should look at added benefits to their Suite Class.  The suite pricing on Princess is not a value compared to the benefits on other lines.  Of course, I am not experienced on Princess, so I don't have the number of cruises with them to compare properly.   

[Cruise Raider]

6 hours ago, RoperDK said:

We cruise on several lines, either in mini or full suites mostly.  I've only cruised in minis on Princess.  I have a club class mini on the Enchanted in a larger angled balcony next March.  We are pondering an upgrade to the side penthouse suites located near the concierge lounge.  Things I don't like are the tiny balcony and the $2000 upgrade price.  Things I do like are the larger bathroom with shower and of course the extra room.  My mini has the club class dining experience already, along with priority embarkation and debarkation.  I bought the plus package with included drinks, gratuities, and wi fi.  Do you think the extra amenities in the suite would be worth the upgrade?

Thanks! 

 

$2000 more?  Is that for a 7 or 14 night sailing?  

I do love the suite amenities on Princess and the balcony is not all that tiny in these cabins .... they are just long and narrow.  

If it's for a 7 night cruise, that's too much more in my book ... I would definitely try to make it work if it were for the 14 night sailing, though.  

 

 

[Papa Yoda]

 

Agree with Treasure Hunter,  aft "Penthouse" suites:  D726/D727 huge balcony, room is strangely shaped but nice.

I think TH meant that the Thermal Suite isn't complimentary to suites on any Royal Class.  It is on the Grand Class ships that have them, plus Coral and Island.  The Sanctuary isn't comp'ed on any ship.

 

We also liked Club Class Mini L107/L108

 

 

Edited May 19, 2020 by Ferd Berfle

[Lucky TGO]

9 hours ago, RoperDK said:

We cruise on several lines, either in mini or full suites mostly.  I've only cruised in minis on Princess.  I have a club class mini on the Enchanted in a larger angled balcony next March.  We are pondering an upgrade to the side penthouse suites located near the concierge lounge.  Things I don't like are the tiny balcony and the $2000 upgrade price.  Things I do like are the larger bathroom with shower and of course the extra room.  My mini has the club class dining experience already, along with priority embarkation and debarkation.  I bought the plus package with included drinks, gratuities, and wi fi.  Do you think the extra amenities in the suite would be worth the upgrade?

Thanks! 

Wow!! A larger bathroom with shower and some extra room for only $2,000 extra that’s a great deal. It only money and Princess needs it right now. 
Tony
 

[Treasure Hunter]

13 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Thank you Treasure Hunter.  I agree that having a regular shower is wonderful.  I am so afraid of slipping with my creaky knees.  That is a big plus for me.  I also get up earlier than my husband.  Having a quiet place to have room service delivery that won't disturb him would be nice. It is nice to hear that the concierge is helpful.  On Oasis class having the escorted exit on disembarkation is almost worth the price of a suite.  We have our first (now lifted and shifted) Apex suite cruise and am so looking forward to the Retreat.  I think Princess should look at added benefits to their Suite Class.  The suite pricing on Princess is not a value compared to the benefits on other lines.  Of course, I am not experienced on Princess, so I don't have the number of cruises with them to compare properly.   

 

13 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Thank you Treasure Hunter.  I agree that having a regular shower is wonderful.  I am so afraid of slipping with my creaky knees.  That is a big plus for me.  I also get up earlier than my husband.  Having a quiet place to have room service delivery that won't disturb him would be nice. It is nice to hear that the concierge is helpful.  On Oasis class having the escorted exit on disembarkation is almost worth the price of a suite.  We have our first (now lifted and shifted) Apex suite cruise and am so looking forward to the Retreat.  I think Princess should look at added benefits to their Suite Class.  The suite pricing on Princess is not a value compared to the benefits on other lines.  Of course, I am not experienced on Princess, so I don't have the number of cruises with them to compare properly.   

We have booked Celebrity Equinox forJanuary 2022! We book through the casino and get 20% off which makes a suite ( Celebrity) much more affordable. We canceled our March 2 ,2020 cruise on the Reflection on  February 28 , 2020 from the hospital. My husband had an incident and they completely refunded all monies to my credit card within five days . They said “ we take care of our own”. Of course this was before everything came to a crash. Princess only gives us 5% off a suite ( they have a sliding scale.on rooms) no matter the amount I bet. Princess is for us more fun, I love the customers and they do a much better job on excursions ,trivia  and games.  Now that Princess  has  club class dining the lure of Luminaie or Costal Kitchen with their strange limited menus doesn’t appeal. I like the floor plan of the Princess suites. They are just perfect for us. We always race to the Sanctuary and sometimes we are lucky. On our Hawaii February  cruise  last year we took the Sanctuary and it was freezing every day for two weeks. We were the only ones up there wrapped in blankets waited on hand and foot by Carlos. After paying in advanced we were going up there even if it snowed! I  hope with the Aft suite balcony I can skip that ordeal.

[RoperDK]

13 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

$2000 more?  Is that for a 7 or 14 night sailing?  

I do love the suite amenities on Princess and the balcony is not all that tiny in these cabins .... they are just long and narrow.  

If it's for a 7 night cruise, that's too much more in my book ... I would definitely try to make it work if it were for the 14 night sailing, though.  

 

 

Cruise Raider, it is for a 7 day cruise. The $2000 upcharge does seem high, but I just don't know enough about Princess.

[RoperDK]

10 hours ago, Ferd Berfle said:

 

Agree with Treasure Hunter,  aft "Penthouse" suites:  D726/D727 huge balcony, room is strangely shaped but nice.

I think TH meant that the Thermal Suite isn't complimentary to suites on any Royal Class.  It is on the Grand Class ships that have them, plus Coral and Island.  The Sanctuary isn't comp'ed on any ship.

 

We also liked Club Class Mini L107/L108

 

 

Ferd Berfle, The Retreat on Celebrity is new on Edge class vessels.  It is like the suites having their own private Sanctuary.  

[RoperDK]

40 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

 

We have booked Celebrity Equinox forJanuary 2022! We book through the casino and get 20% off which makes a suite ( Celebrity) much more affordable.

 

Princess only gives us 5% off a suite ( they have a sliding scale.on rooms) no matter the amount I bet.

 

Princess is for us more fun, I love the customers and they do a much better job on excursions ,trivia  and games.

 

 Now that Princess  has  club class dining the lure of Luminaie or Costal Kitchen with their strange limited menus doesn’t appeal. I like the floor plan of the Princess suites. They are just perfect for us. 

Thanks Treasure Hunter.  The cruise on the Apex will be our first Celebrity cruise. We enjoy having fun on our cruises. Don't want to have a stuffy, too formal experience. Heck, we enjoy Carnival on their newer ships. Always loads of fun! We decided to give Celebrity a try because we have found some people's opinions of a cruise line to not match our personal experiences once onboard. 

 

I agree on the Princess casino rate. Don't quite understand the downward sliding scale for better cabins. All of the other lines seem to offer the same percentage off no matter the cabin category.

 

I am looking forward to trying Club Class dining. Last fall on the Harmony we enjoyed the expanded dinner menus in Coastal Kitchen.  More like a traditional menu with more options and nightly chef specials.  

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, RoperDK said:

Cruise Raider, it is for a 7 day cruise. The $2000 upcharge does seem high, but I just don't know enough about Princess.

 

Oh ... that's too much $$ IMO!!  Princess is nice but, I would stick with the Club Class with one of the nice large balconies if I were you.  You know, the Enchanted will have 4 mini-suites that are club class at the bow that have larger rooms and huge balconies.  The only thing is, the balcony may not be usable while at sea.  But, they are so very popular.  I would think they are a lot less than a full suite.  

Full suite benefits are a step above club class but not worth another $143 a day pp.  You will get a breakfast in a special area (on the Grand, it was in the Crown Grill) complete with mimosas, coffees, etc ... but you already have the beverage package.  And, you will get a mini bar set up but again, you already have the beverage package.  You also will receive some amenities such as a sleep kit, shoe shine, nice robes, slippers, room service in your cabin off the menu, even on the last morning ... but club class is pretty great for that anyway.  You will get a nice plant in your room, usually an orchid, but ours died before we boarded last time and they didn't have any replacements onboard.  Not a deal breaker but something I like having in the room.   You will get a nice tray of hor d'ouves on formal nights, I believe you can order tea in your cabin (we never did).  Your jetted tub will come with bath salts.  They will escort you onto the ship if you choose.  You will also get a complimentary specialty dinner in the restaurant of your choice.  You will receive two points towards your captain's club status as well.  But, the real advantage to a suite for us is the specialty breakfast  and the club class dining.  The other amenities are just a little frosting on the cake.  I believe you are still able to use the priority disembarkation lounge with club class (maybe?).   I've never sailed in a suite on the Royal Class so don't know what the concierge does for you but, we didn't get any special reservations or anything like that for the shows for being in a suite on the Grand Class ships.  

Whatever you decide ... I hope you enjoy.  And, I would try to snag one of those forward balconies on the Lido or Marina deck ... that's just me.  

[Treasure Hunter]

1 hour ago, RoperDK said:

Thanks Treasure Hunter.  The cruise on the Apex will be our first Celebrity cruise. We enjoy having fun on our cruises. Don't want to have a stuffy, too formal experience. Heck, we enjoy Carnival on their newer ships. Always loads of fun! We decided to give Celebrity a try because we have found some people's opinions of a cruise line to not match our personal experiences once onboard. 

 

I agree on the Princess casino rate. Don't quite understand the downward sliding scale for better cabins. All of the other lines seem to offer the same percentage off no matter the cabin category.

 

I am looking forward to trying Club Class dining. Last fall on the Harmony we enjoyed the expanded dinner menus in Coastal Kitchen.  More like a traditional menu with more options and nightly chef specials.  

Good to know about RCCL expanded menu. We have taken the Harmony in Europe ( great) and the Symphony ( beautiful) in Caribbean with kids and grand kids. Even the Anthem ( not my favorite) in Grand suites. Great entertainment. Just too many people and kids on a regular basis.

[cruzsnooze]

Absolutely take the more expensive suite for $2000. Princess needs the cash to facilitate more refunds.

[RoperDK]

6 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

Oh ... that's too much $$ IMO!!  Princess is nice but, I would stick with the Club Class with one of the nice large balconies if I were you.  You know, the Enchanted will have 4 mini-suites that are club class at the bow that have larger rooms and huge balconies.  The only thing is, the balcony may not be usable while at sea.  But, they are so very popular.  I would think they are a lot less than a full suite.  

Full suite benefits are a step above club class but not worth another $143 a day pp.  You will get a breakfast in a special area (on the Grand, it was in the Crown Grill) complete with mimosas, coffees, etc ... but you already have the beverage package.  And, you will get a mini bar set up but again, you already have the beverage package.  You also will receive some amenities such as a sleep kit, shoe shine, nice robes, slippers, room service in your cabin off the menu, even on the last morning ... but club class is pretty great for that anyway.  You will get a nice plant in your room, usually an orchid, but ours died before we boarded last time and they didn't have any replacements onboard.  Not a deal breaker but something I like having in the room.   You will get a nice tray of hor d'ouves on formal nights, I believe you can order tea in your cabin (we never did).  Your jetted tub will come with bath salts.  They will escort you onto the ship if you choose.  You will also get a complimentary specialty dinner in the restaurant of your choice.  You will receive two points towards your captain's club status as well.  But, the real advantage to a suite for us is the specialty breakfast  and the club class dining.  The other amenities are just a little frosting on the cake.  I believe you are still able to use the priority disembarkation lounge with club class (maybe?).   I've never sailed in a suite on the Royal Class so don't know what the concierge does for you but, we didn't get any special reservations or anything like that for the shows for being in a suite on the Grand Class ships.  

Whatever you decide ... I hope you enjoy.  And, I would try to snag one of those forward balconies on the Lido or Marina deck ... that's just me.  

Thanks Cruise Raider.  We are leaning towards keeping our mini suite with large balcony.  With already having the drink package and the upgraded dining I think the upgrade price is pretty steep.  We are supposed to have priority embarkation and debarkation with the CC mini, too.  That leaves me with more $$ for the casino! 😁 I will look into the forward mini-suites. They sound great.  

[Cruise Raider]

17 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Thanks Cruise Raider.  We are leaning towards keeping our mini suite with large balcony.  With already having the drink package and the upgraded dining I think the upgrade price is pretty steep.  We are supposed to have priority embarkation and debarkation with the CC mini, too.  That leaves me with more $$ for the casino! 😁 I will look into the forward mini-suites. They sound great.  

 

I think you will be happy with that choice.  We sometimes weigh the Club Class against the cost of a regular cabin just for the dining.  When it comes down to it, price is the main factor in our choice.  If we can book a specialty restaurant every single night for a lot less than a club class cabin, it doesn't make a lot of sense to pay the extra.  

Now, if they offer you an upsell to a nice suite later on down the road for a decent price, then, I might consider going that route.