Suite Benefits

[Lyn1Lyn]

Can anyone apprise me on the current benefits of getting a Suite? I am planning to possibly take a cruise in June to celebrate our 20th anniversary and was considering a suite. I usually get a balcony room, because I love sitting outside in peace and quiet. Are there any benefits to getting a suite. Probably won't go any higher than a Grand suite on most ships. But would consider a Havana Cabana Suite on Mardi Gras. I know depending on the level suite, you used to get escorted onto the ship. But I am not sure of any other benefits. 

Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[firefly333]

Bubbles on mardi gras. There is a soft drink dispenser on this ship. Says suites come with the bubbles pkg. 

 

There might be a suite waiting area at the port separate. Seems like I have read there is. Idk about being escorted onto the ship, maybe as a group for all suites. Havent read about being escorted onto the ship. 

 

Carnival isnt known for suite perks. Adding bubbles is something new to this class.

[Pellaz]

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Bubbles on mardi gras. There is a soft drink dispenser on this ship. Says suites come with the bubbles pkg. 

 

There might be a suite waiting area at the port separate. Seems like I have read there is. Idk about being escorted onto the ship, maybe as a group for all suites. Havent read about being escorted onto the ship. 

There is a suite waiting area at the terminal (at least, at PC and Miami where I saw them). 

Suite guests are currently the only guests who get dedicated early boarding aside from wedding parties.  Diamond and Platinum cruisers can opt for early boarding by being the first allowed to book the earliest arrival slots.

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

 

Carnival isnt known for suite perks. Adding bubbles is something new to this class.

 

Yes, the words "concierge" and "butler" are never uttered in the same sentence as "Carnival job titles."  🙂  

 

Having said that, when I cruised in a Grand Suite on Royal, we didn't get any suite perks either.  It was a charter cruise.  

 

[Iluvmykindle]

Just off the Captain's suite on the Liberty.  There was a separate waiting area for suites at PC.  Then we were escorted as a group to board the ship.  Only other perk was two bottles of water in the suite.

[csoud68]

13 minutes ago, Iluvmykindle said:

Just off the Captain's suite on the Liberty.  There was a separate waiting area for suites at PC.  Then we were escorted as a group to board the ship.  Only other perk was two bottles of water in the suite.

You get priority debarkation at port's of call. You either didn't go off the ship or you missed out.

[sparks1093]

We had a Vista suite on Legend. We got a bag of free wash and fold laundry, a couple bottles of water, priority tender, priority check in in the terminal (they moved us to the head of the line for the security check and they also had a separate check in line for suite guests), priority line at guest services and priority disembarkation at home port (which we misunderstood so we didn't take advantage of it).

[Iluvmykindle]

38 minutes ago, csoud68 said:

You get priority debarkation at port's of call. You either didn't go off the ship or you missed out.

It went to Nassau only.  Did not get off the ship.  No notice in cabin of getting priority debarkation.  I even had to ask the cabin steward about the two bottles of water.  He said to just use the two bottles that were there on the table marked for sale.

[fabby50]

Not many.  When we get suites on Carnival, it's for the size of the cabin and/or balcony and not much else.  We've never used the priority tendering, priority boarding, etc.  The best suite benefits we've had have been on NCL, at a higher cost.

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, Pellaz said:

Having said that, when I cruised in a Grand Suite on Royal, we didn't get any suite perks either.  It was a charter cruise.  

 

No suite lounge on your charter? Coffee machine in the morning and the happy hour starting at 5 pm should have been included. Odd charter. Free drinks are usually a favorite thing. Never knew the suite lounge woukdnt be open. Early boarding. 

 

Carnival just mostly has bigger cabins .. no free suite lounge included with drinks.

 

At least mardi gras gives you bubbles pkg. I'd have a few sodas. 

[ngrund]

I did an up sell for my upcoming cruise mostly for the size of the room/balcony and access to Loft 19 (I'm on Mardi Gras), price was right I would not pay full price:

 

Here is the full list I was e-mailed:

 

Suite Amenities and Perks for: Carnival Excel Presidential Suite (SV) | Carnival Excel Aft Suite (LS) | Carnival Excel Corner Suite (KS) | Carnival Excel Suite (DS)

·         Complimentary access to Loft 19, plus priority cabana reservations

·         Dedicated concierge phone line

·         Guaranteed Main Dining Room time assignment (Early, Late or Your Time Dining)

·         Guaranteed reservations at most specialty dining spots, when reserved 24 hours prior

·         Sparkling wine and fruit bowl upon arrival

·         Bottomless Bubbles soft drink package

·         Complimentary room service

·         Upgraded bathroom amenities

·         Complimentary on-demand movies

·         Complimentary laundry service

·         Priority check-in and express boarding

·         Priority debarkation at all ports including the home port

·         Two complimentary in-suite large bottles of water

·         Pillow-top mattresses

·         Bathrobes

·         Soft, cozy linens (Carnival Comfort Collection®)

[kelkel2]

19 minutes ago, ngrund said:

I did an up sell for my upcoming cruise mostly for the size of the room/balcony and access to Loft 19 (I'm on Mardi Gras), price was right I would not pay full price:

 

Here is the full list I was e-mailed:

 

Suite Amenities and Perks for: Carnival Excel Presidential Suite (SV) | Carnival Excel Aft Suite (LS) | Carnival Excel Corner Suite (KS) | Carnival Excel Suite (DS)

·         Complimentary access to Loft 19, plus priority cabana reservations

·         Dedicated concierge phone line

·         Guaranteed Main Dining Room time assignment (Early, Late or Your Time Dining)

·         Guaranteed reservations at most specialty dining spots, when reserved 24 hours prior

·         Sparkling wine and fruit bowl upon arrival

·         Bottomless Bubbles soft drink package

·         Complimentary room service

·         Upgraded bathroom amenities

·         Complimentary on-demand movies

·         Complimentary laundry service

·         Priority check-in and express boarding

·         Priority debarkation at all ports including the home port

·         Two complimentary in-suite large bottles of water

·         Pillow-top mattresses

·         Bathrobes

·         Soft, cozy linens (Carnival Comfort Collection®)

But to be noted I believe this is just the excel suites that has this extensive of a list. I’m booked in an OT suite and I know our suite does not come with all that. 

[ngrund]

Yes, the list is for the excel suites

[adventuredancer]

for a non excel suite (got a grande suite on Paradise)- it says we get a free bag of laundry. how big is the free bag of laundry? (trying to plan on what we need to bring)

[sparks1093]

56 minutes ago, adventuredancer said:

for a non excel suite (got a grande suite on Paradise)- it says we get a free bag of laundry. how big is the free bag of laundry? (trying to plan on what we need to bring)

It's the standard size that is in all cabins. I can't remember the measurements.

[TexasJohn82]

Here is the email I got (booked in a suite for 4/23):

 

 

Dear Valued Suite Guest,

This communication is being sent to our booked suite guests. It is independent from any request our guests might have pending for an exemption to vaccine requirements, and the receipt of this communication is not any indication of the status of your request.

As you get ready for you cruise, we want to make you aware of an important update regarding some of your suite priority benefits. 

• ONLINE CHECK-IN – All guests will be required to complete Online Check-In, which will open 14 days prior to sailing. Suite guests will be given 48 hours advance access to select their preferred Arrival Appointment. Please visit My Cruise Manager on Carnival.com starting at 16 days prior to sailing to complete your Online Check-In and select the Arrival Appointment that works best for your plans.

• PRIORITY CHECK-IN – You will be given priority check-in at the cruise terminal.

• STATEROOM ACCESS – Staterooms will be ready when you board.

• WATER SHUTTLE PRIORITY – Priority water shuttle debark will be provided subject to local guidance at the destinations we visit, which may change without prior notice. Our team on board will keep you informed of the debarkation plans for each port.

• DEBARK – You will have the benefit of priority debark.

We thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through our restart plans.  Your continued support means a lot to us and our great staff and crew can’t wait to welcome you back on board!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On 4/8/2022 at 5:24 AM, Pellaz said:

...

 

Yes, the words "concierge" and "butler" are never uttered in the same sentence as "Carnival job titles."  🙂  

 

...

 

 

Truer words were never spoken !

 

 🙂

 

Tom

[80sGal]

If you sail on a Vista class ship (Horizon, Vista, Panorama), then Grand Suite guests get full use of the Havana Pool area.   This is a perk that doesn't extend to the other classes of ships, so it makes the value of the Grand Suite on those ships something worth considering!  

[ninjacat123]

We upgraded to a Spa suite on Sunshine in January and we got:

2 complimentary fitness classes each

access to the spa/ tile lounge chairs/ steam rooms

a special welcome (huh?) never got that

a spa scrub and loofah mitt

waters

white spa slippers to wear at spa with white spa robe

 

Next cruise on Sunshine in March in a spa interior got all of that as well.  Still wondering what the special welcome was 😄

 

[TomCruise48]

8 hours ago, adventuredancer said:

for a non excel suite (got a grande suite on Paradise)- it says we get a free bag of laundry. how big is the free bag of laundry? (trying to plan on what we need to bring)

Carnival is having "supply chain issues" sourcing the bags that they have supplied in the past.  The bags that they are now using on some ships are smaller than previous. The ones that they gave us on Mardi Gras held just a little more than half of what the previous bags held.  I estimate that they would hold no more than 10 to 12 small items such as underwear.  We were able to place up to 20 items in the bags they previously supplied.  I would think that you should be able to negotiate for 2 free bags if they give you the smaller ones.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

...

 

Next cruise on Sunshine in March in a spa interior got all of that as well.  Still wondering what the special welcome was 😄

 

 

One can only wonder/dream... lol

 

Tom

[destiny217]

Just received this email for our Carnival Legend cruise.  It is for Platinum & Suite.

 

VIFP PLATINUM AND DIAMOND SUITE GUESTS UPDATE AND ONLINE CHECK-IN INVITATION

Dear Valued Platinum and Diamond Suite Guests, This communication is being sent to our booked Platinum and Diamond Suite guests.  It is independent from any request our guests might have pending for an exemption to vaccine requirements, and the receipt of this communication is not any indication of the status of your request. We want to thank you for the loyalty and support you have shown Carnival, and also make you aware of the new way to redeem your VIFP amenities. These changes were designed in accordance with our new Have Fun. Be Safe. protocols to minimize the number of stateroom deliveries, while making it easier for you to collect some of your benefits.  Moving forward, certain VIFP amenities will be linked to your Sail & Sign folio for electronic redemption, like how we currently handle complimentary laundry.  Simply claim your benefit, using your Sail & Sign card, and a one-time credit for that item will be posted on your folio and be visible on your statement. Complimentary Beverages Brunch Beverage – redeemable in the dining room. 1.5L Bottled Water – redeemable from any bar, restaurant or your stateroom. Chocolate Delight (5 + Day Cruises) A tasty treat will be ready for you to enjoy; just call room service to schedule delivery. Carnival Logo Gift & Ship Pin Please visit our Photo Gallery to claim your Carnival logo gift and your Carnival ship pin.  We encourage you to claim your gifts no later than two days prior to the end of your cruise. We also want you to know that given our focus on meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) requirements and implementation of new health and safety protocols, we will need to adjust how we deliver some of the VIFP priority benefits, as follows: ONLINE CHECK-IN – All guests will be required to complete Online Check-In, which will open 14 days prior to sailing.  Platinum and Diamond Suite guests will be given 48 hours advance access to select their preferred Arrival Appointment. Please visit My Cruise Manager on Carnival.com starting at 16 days prior to sailing to complete your Online Check-In and select the Arrival Appointment that works best for your plans.  Due to additional embarkation day processes, all guests will have to arrive promptly at their Arrival Appointment.  STATEROOM ACCESS – Staterooms will be ready when you board.  WATER SHUTTLE PRIORITY – Priority water shuttle debark will be provided subject to local guidance at the destinations we visit, which may change without prior notice.  Our team on board will keep you informed of the debarkation plans for each port. CASINO – Although we are currently unable to host casino tournaments on board, you will be given US$25 in Casino FunPlay®, in addition to any other FunPlay® you might be entitled to as part of your booking. DEBARK – You will have the benefit of priority debark.

 

[mondello]

@destiny217 Letter reads for Platinum and Diamond Suite guests and list their perks. If I'm not mistaken, non P/D suiteholders don't receive the same perks such as Brunch drink and strawberries.

[Pellaz]

On 4/8/2022 at 8:59 AM, firefly333 said:

No suite lounge on your charter? Coffee machine in the morning and the happy hour starting at 5 pm should have been included. Odd charter. Free drinks are usually a favorite thing. Never knew the suite lounge woukdnt be open. Early boarding. 

 

Nope, none of that.  It's a music cruise charter and Royal even declined to waive the room-service "delivery fee," which is normally waived for suite guests.

 

We still enjoyed the larger room (it was a Grand Suite on the Independence), especially as we had four people sharing it.