Stateroom Upgrades

[Warrenf186]

We are booked in a mini-suite on Discovery in October and considering bidding for an upgrade.  Our choices would be either a Reserve mini or a full suite.

it seems that Princess is rather vague about the amenities.  Has anyone sailed in a Reserve mini to share your experience and the value in the difference between the 2 minis.

 

any help would be appreciated.

[cr8tiv1]

There is a HUGE difference between a Club Class (reserve) mini-xx suite xx and a full suite.

 

(Reserve) Mini-suite.  Glorified balcony with a sofa (which you already have) and dining in the Club Class MRD.  I do like this perk.  I think you also get some wine splits.  And maybe some priority boarding (ship/tender).  Mini-suite is mis-named.

 

Full Suite.  Mimosa breakfast at a specialty restaurant every day.  Order anything within reason (no lobster).  Concierge lounge on Royal Class ships.  Larger cabin,  Complimentary mini-bar.  Same day laundry if in by 9 AM,  Club Class dining,  plus Reserve class perks (champagne instead of wine).  Elite line at customer service desk.

[WAvoyager]

On 4/11/2023 at 3:55 PM, Warrenf186 said:

We are booked in a mini-suite on Discovery in October and considering bidding for an upgrade.  Our choices would be either a Reserve mini or a full suite.

it seems that Princess is rather vague about the amenities.  Has anyone sailed in a Reserve mini to share your experience and the value in the difference between the 2 minis.

 

any help would be appreciated.

I’m not sure that Princess is necessarily vague about the differences.  The don’t (and should) prove a link to the info in the bidding process, but it’s definitely detailed elsewhere on their site: https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/staterooms/reserve-collection/

 

I was tempted to bid for our upcoming cruise.  At the minimum bid the difference would’ve been $400 (3 pax in cabin), so I had a hard time justifying it.  
 

The reserve section of the MDR would be nice, but we’re booked for two specialty dining, the 360 Experience, and dinner in port one night, so that reduces the benefit for us.  

 

We’ve had the canapé service on a previous suite stay and we weren’t really impressed.  If they looked anything like they do in the pics it might be different.

 

And we always have Plus or Premier, so the free wine wasn’t of any value.

 

The full suite has a couple of other perks and the suites are very nice, so that’s a different matter entirely.

Edited April 13, 2023 by WAvoyager

[cruzsnooze]

The big difference is the reserve class dining between a regular mini and a reserve class. If it's more then a specialty restaurant per day I deem it a poor value. Under that $39 PP PD it's a fair price. Lunch is limited to sea days although breakfast is daily in reserve class. 

[pmallen]

"Mini-Suite" and "Suite" have pretty much the same physical definitions as they do in shore based hotels. A mini has a bit more seating area, and a full suite is 2 rooms. Of course, the amenities are significantly different. Personally, I don't think the Reserve amenities are worth a whole lot, but your mileage may vary.

[donswife]

22 hours ago, WAvoyager said:

I’m not sure that Princess is necessarily vague about the differences.  The don’t (and should) prove a link to the info in the bidding process, but it’s definitely detailed elsewhere on their site: https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/staterooms/reserve-collection/

 

I was tempted to bid for our upcoming cruise.  At the minimum bid the difference would’ve been $400 (3 pax in cabin), so I had a hard time justifying it.  
 

The reserve section of the MDR would be nice, but we’re booked for two specialty dining, the 360 Experience, and dinner in port one night, so that reduces the benefit for us.  

 

We’ve had the canapé service on a previous suite stay and we weren’t really impressed.  If they looked anything like they do in the pics it might be different.

 

And we always have Plus or Premier, so the free wine wasn’t of any value.

 

The full suite has a couple of other perks and the suites are very nice, so that’s a different matter entirely.

You were able to pre-book 360? Is that new?

[WAvoyager]

2 hours ago, donswife said:

You were able to pre-book 360? Is that new?

We were invited the week before our cruise.  So, sort of pre-booked.  It’s by invitation only, at this time so you can’t book it on your own (yet).

[memoak]

11 hours ago, donswife said:

You were able to pre-book 360? Is that new?

We were called inApril for our June cruise. If you are in a full suite you will get an invite. Other than that if you are a casino guest you may get an invite or are a known blogger. There is a limit of 20 people per sitting and 2 sittings a day

[donswife]

4 hours ago, memoak said:

We were called inApril for our June cruise. If you are in a full suite you will get an invite. Other than that if you are a casino guest you may get an invite or are a known blogger. There is a limit of 20 people per sitting and 2 sittings a day

We were invited by phone just a few days before our November cruise on Discovery. Sorry for the bunny trail.