First Time in Deluxe Suite - All I Can Say Is Wow!

[Roz]

I'm working on a full review of my recent 4-day Pacific Northwest cruise on the Amsterdam, but until then, I just wanted to give my initial thoughts and impresssions of life in a Deluxe Suite. Booking the suite was probably a fatal mistake, because it's going to be hard to go back to my usual interior cabin.

The first words out of my sister's mouth when we opened the door were "I can't believe how big it is!". Our SB suite was probably twice the size of our hotel room in Seattle. The bathroom was as big as one of my bathrooms at home, and 2 people could fit in the shower comfortably (although we didn't do that :D). We made full use of the veranda, as well as the desk, sofa, and coffee table in the cabin. The concierges in the Neptune Lounge helped us with a shorex change as well as ordering pre-dinner appetizers one night. It was nice walking down there for an early coffee and croissant in the morning, or a quick mid-afternoon snack.

It was a good thing I brought my sister with me and we had the veranda, because there was a real lack of onboard activities and entertainment on this cruise. We spent 3 afternoons sitting on the veranda drinking wine or just watching the sea (and a pod of whales) go by.

More details on service issues and the lack of activities in my full review.

Roz

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome home.

Looking forward to your review.

You are now spoiled for life!!

[cruisun]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Suite Life. It is difficult to go back to another cabin category once you have tried it!

[Silverwing]

Good to hear of another deluxe suite fan! We have two cruises booked for next year in SA cabins and can't wait! They are both in the Eurodam with six weeks between them. I'm looking forward to the coffee machine and nibbles in the Neptune Lounge already - such a treat!

In 8 weeks time we are spending 5 nights on the new Cunard ship Queen Elizabeth - we need a break and it's convenient for us as we live so close to Southampton. Have only cruised on HAL before and love it so much, it will be interesting to compare.

[jhannah]

Those suites are sweet, aren't they? Spacious, luxurious and comfortable. The Neptune Lounge is haven-sent when you want a cuppa Joe or a light snack and don't want to make the journey to the lido. Glad you enjoyed it, Roz.

[Typhoon1]

Remember, once you've enjoyed the Suite Life, there is no going back to a regular cabin. There services offered by the Neptune Lounge make it extra special.

[luvs2travl]

So glad that it was everything (and more!) that you wanted. As a two people who were spoiled a couple of years ago by one of HAL's upsells to a Deluxe Suite, we can only say, "Welcome to the club!" :) In addition to the large suite and huge balcony, the fabulous Neptune Lounge and the free laundry really grabbed us, too!

[Roz]

Thanks for all your kind replies. Since we were only on a 4-day, we didn't take advantage of the free laundry service, but on a 7-day or longer, I can see where it would be a huge plus.

Roz

[fsdj1097]

You are so right. We were fortunate to be offered an upsell in 2008 for our Amsterdam Alaska cruise. There's no turning back now!!!! LOL!!!

[COLLEYBERRY]

I am so glad you enjoyed your suite. We have also just experienced "suite life" for the first.

It sure is a fun "club" to visit...it's the membership fees that are the kicker,:D

[aliaschief]

The deluxe verandha suites do grow on you. The SY suites are also really nice but you don't get the Neptune and the great coffee machine and service. We did find the 24 telephone concierge service offered in the SY's useful.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[Cruising-along]

I'm looking forward to reading your review, and want to say again what a pleasure it was to meet you on our short little cruise!

[kazu]

Love to see another suite fan. Seriously our next one is a 20 day...and guess what...laundry will go every single day and we cut back on packing.

My latte from the neptune lounge awaits me as i bring it back to my verandah. I know...we got an upsell a few cruises ago and now....we're doomed. We love the suites. suites rule :D:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Welcome Home Roz, I am really happy you loved you Deluxe Verandah Suite, they are sweet :)

But trust me I have stepped down and it really is not that bad, if it means I can cruise more often I can live with a smaller cabin ;)

[localady]

Welcome Home Roz, I am really happy you loved you Deluxe Verandah Suite, they are sweet :)

But trust me I have stepped down and it really is not that bad, if it means I can cruise more often I can live with a smaller cabin ;)

I gotta agree with Lisa, some of us have enjoyed the suites previously, but as new austerity measures kick in :eek:,
we have adjusted! ;)
As long as I am on a Dam Ship, I am a happy camper! :D

P.S. Welcome Back Roz! So glad you enjoyed your suite experience :)

[Roz]

It's good to know there's life after the Deluxe Suite. The fact that our cruise was only 4 days made it more affordable. I'll definitely be looking for some more quickie cruises so as to indulge in my new fetish. :D

Roz

[Bill HaHa]

All i can say is "AMEN TO THAT" It is great. Our last 3 cruises have been SA cabins. Will never sail without one again

[earl_m]

I was spoil also on my last cruise. I don`t want to go back to a simple stateroom any more!

[sail7seas]

Welcome Back, Roz. So happy you enjoyed your Suite so much. They really are wonderful. Eager to read your review.

[Nasmas]

I remember the first time we had a SA. It was on the Zaandam and she was new. My first impression was mouth wide open. I could not believe it. That was a long time ago before Neptune lounges and breakfast in the Pinnacle. It was absolutely the best time I've ever had on a cruise. We have since booked SAs on occassion but the wow factor the first time you see it is worth the money.

[Roz]

Since Nasmas mentioned breakfast in the Pinnacle, I need to tell you about something strange they did on our cruise. KK told me that on the Amsterdam, breakfast for suite passengers is in the King's Room. I called the concierge to confirm this, and she said it was in the main dining room. I was confused.

So, the first morning, we went to the main dining room (Deck 5) where we could see passengers being seated. The waiter told us to go down to the lower level (Deck 4). The waiter on the lower level asked us our cabin #. He said since we were in a deluxe suite, we needed to go to the upper level! So back up the stairs we went. I think the original waiter was a bit chagrined at having banished us to the lower level.

Anyway, it was very odd that our private dining area turned out to be the upper level of the main dining room. Quite frankly, I would have been just as happy eating with the rest of the plebians :D. The Pinnacle (or even the King's Room) would have been a bit special, but that particular suite perk turned out to be very ordinary.

Roz

[KirkNC]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Suite Life. It is difficult to go back to another cabin category once you have tried it!

I disagree, we have been there, done that and it holds nothing special for us. All I need is a bathroom and a bed, I am only in the room for those two purposes. I would rather take 2 cruises in an inside cabin versus 1 in a suite. Of course I am glad others feel differently as otherwise I could not get such deals on an inside cabin ;).

Kirk

[KirkNC]

So glad that it was everything (and more!) that you wanted. As a two people who were spoiled a couple of years ago by one of HAL's upsells to a Deluxe Suite, we can only say, "Welcome to the club!" :) In addition to the large suite and huge balcony, the fabulous Neptune Lounge and the free laundry really grabbed us, too!

I can't help but point at that you pay dearly for the "free" laundry. :rolleyes:

Kirk

[CharlotteNCCouple]

Hey Roz! I saw your post, welcome to the "suite" life! Glad to see you had a good cruise, Cindy and I are taking the kids on the Westerdam for NYE to the Southern Carib, we were shocked at the reduction in fares we received this week. Our TA is earning her keep! Bruce

[Sailkeywest]

I enjoyed reading your post, but I am drooling to hear more! Glad that you had a great time :)

[luvs2travl]

I can't help but point at that you pay dearly for the "free" laundry. :rolleyes:

Kirk

Yeah, but that's only one of the many perks. But -as you say, if our staying in a deluxe suite helps you get a great deal on your inside cabin, we are only too happy to oblige. Maybe that's why we can only do 2 or 3 cruises per year.....

[ore-ee-gun]

Welcome home Roz. If I could, I'd sail in a full suite every time. We've only been once lucky enough to have an SA, and it was everything we hoped for and more. Our next cruise afterwards was a standard VA balcony, and we've since also had an SY. It wasn't really hard to "downgrade"; we were fine in the VA, and the SY cabin is almost as nice as the full suite - we loved the large balcony. I was a bit sad to not have the free laundry, but at least I could still get it on a paid basis. The one perk I did miss was the Pinnacle breakfast. However, I later discovered waffles in the Lido and that more than made up for it. :D

[Rabarro]

I think SA means Simply Awesome. We recently returned from Nieuw Amsterdam on SA and just booked Eurodam for June SA. I kid my wife saying I have spoiled her and now she expects it....but the truth is, as she knows, I like it as much as she does. Working as I do with people at the end of their lives, the message is loud and clear: do it now, don't wait, love every minute.
May you all sail smoothe seas and love every minute!

[KirkNC]

Yeah, but that's only one of the many perks. But -as you say, if our staying in a deluxe suite helps you get a great deal on your inside cabin, we are only too happy to oblige. Maybe that's why we can only do 2 or 3 cruises per year.....

Probably but to my point, I could do 4-6 with the same money. :D

Kirk

[Roz]

Hi Bruce and Cindy. I remember you from the Noordam. Thanks for dropping in and saying hello.

Cruising-along, I feel the same way. Too bad our cruise wasn't longer. It would have been nice for our little group to have had lunch together one day. Maybe our paths will cross on another cruise.

Kirk, you raise some interesting points. For me it wasn't just one suite perk that would make me book one again. It was the total effect of several.

Roz

[crusinbanjo]

Yeah, but that's only one of the many perks. But -as you say, if our staying in a deluxe suite helps you get a great deal on your inside cabin, we are only too happy to oblige. Maybe that's why we can only do 2 or 3 cruises per year.....

Same here, Mrs Banjo & I really enjoy the suites, I know they are more expensive, and so we only cruise about twice a year..... .....But I think we enjoy it all the more!

Personally I couldn't survive in an interior room, but that's just me. Differences like that are what make the world go around! Kirk, thanks for taking those interior rooms and saving the Suites for me! :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Since Nasmas mentioned breakfast in the Pinnacle, I need to tell you about something strange they did on our cruise. KK told me that on the Amsterdam, breakfast for suite passengers is in the King's Room. I called the concierge to confirm this, and she said it was in the main dining room. I was confused.

So, the first morning, we went to the main dining room (Deck 5) where we could see passengers being seated. The waiter told us to go down to the lower level (Deck 4). The waiter on the lower level asked us our cabin #. He said since we were in a deluxe suite, we needed to go to the upper level! So back up the stairs we went. I think the original waiter was a bit chagrined at having banished us to the lower level.

Anyway, it was very odd that our private dining area turned out to be the upper level of the main dining room. Quite frankly, I would have been just as happy eating with the rest of the plebians :D. The Pinnacle (or even the King's Room) would have been a bit special, but that particular suite perk turned out to be very ordinary.

Roz

I have a feeling that since all ships go into a Code Orange the first 48 - 72 hours the King's Room for breakfast was closed and they used those workers in either the Lido or the main dining room. At least they gave you a special place to sit in the dining room.

[debsjc]

We have our first suite coming up in a couple of weeks. I don't think it would stop me wanting to cruise in a verandah cabin again, I hope not.

Personally I don't think i would ever take an inside, as I would find it too claustrophobic, but for those who don't mind why not save some money - good for you I say!

At the moment I only have time for one cruise a year anyway, and if I can afford a suite by picking up a couple of overtime shifts, then it's worth it :)

[MACPC]

Welcome Home Roz, I am really happy you loved you Deluxe Verandah Suite, they are sweet :)

But trust me I have stepped down and it really is not that bad, if it means I can cruise more often I can live with a smaller cabin ;)


Glad to hear from someone with experience that "stepping down" won't be a mistake. We've only "stepped up" to Veranda cabins so far. Our next cruise we're in Veranda Aft and looking forward to the larger balcony and expanded view. I've been wrestling with the decision to spend the extra $2K on an VA in Western Med in 2011, vs spending the same $2K on another cruise!

We move up to to 2 star Mariner after our next cruise, and I'm eager to get to 3 stars ASAP! We only discovered cruising in our 50s/60s and we've got lots of nautical miles to cover to make up for our misspent traveling years ;).

[luvs2travl]

Same here, Mrs Banjo & I really enjoy the suites, I know they are more expensive, and so we only cruise about twice a year..... .....But I think we enjoy it all the more!

Personally I couldn't survive in an interior room, but that's just me. Differences like that are what make the world go around! Kirk, thanks for taking those interior rooms and saving the Suites for me! :D

Us, too, crusinbanjo! If I had to cruise in an inside cabin, I couldn't cruise. W-a-y to claustrophobic and besides, DH and I enjoy entertaining in our suite. The Concierges from the Neptune do such a phenominal job of catering (also compimentary) and we have plenty of space for everyone to move around and be comfortable.

It's entirely a matter of personal preference and no need for this to turn into a "suite vs interior" on-line spat. We will continue to enjoy the room & comfort in our suite as that is our preference. For those that use their cabins merely for sleeping and to change clothes, an inside is perfect for them. We spend between 45 and 60 days at sea per year, and that is fine for us. We do not need to cruise more often than that.

I wish everyone the best of times and Smooth Sailing always. :)

[kelleherdl]

My wife and I first visited a Deluxe Suite when Lisa (Laffnvegas) hosted a Sailaway on the Noordam in Sept 2007. We were in an SY so it wasn't like we were comparing it to an Inside. We promised ourselves that the next cruise would be Deluxe. We did have an SA for our Med cruise this past May.

....Only stepping down in the future for a longer cruises.

Dennis

[Nasmas]

We don't always book the SA but I'd like to. We do always have a balcony, though. I wouldn't cruise without one. The first two or three cruises we were on didn't have balconies (that tells you how old I am) but after the first one, we love them and its one of the best parts of cruising. We do sailaway on our balcony, sometimes breakfast, and even dinner once during the cruise. We just basically live out there. But, the SA is wonderful. Sometimes not worth the price, but you can get a real deal on them sometimes

[Roz]

One of the things my sister and I discussed is how the type of cabin you're in influences your onboard behavior and habits. For instance, in the past, we both would have said that we only use the cabin to shower, change clothes, and sleep. Even when we wanted to just relax or read a book or magazine, we would head to the Exploration Cafe or an outside deck chair. Having the extra space in the suite, with the comfortable sofa inside and the large veranda outside, changed that. We just stayed in our cabin.

Before dinner we would usually go to one of the bars and have a drink and appetizers. Again, with the suite, we had our own private happy hour. So the type of cabin did make a huge difference for us.

If it's any comfort to anyone, I'm booked in the lowest level of inside cabin on the Carnival Magic for my 12-day Med cruise next October. I'll adapt accordingly.

Roz

[Roz]

Here's a link to my full review on this board:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=26301776#post26301776

Roz

[m steve]

on Eurodam in Dec. The price was less than we usually pay for a balcony due to year end sale. Now we expect to wat to book it in the future if everything we read is correct.

[Randyk47]

I won't say we've been all over the map in terms of our cabin choices but we've booked B's, SS's, and S category cabins over the years. After an S on the Volendam, probably our best cruise overall, we got a case of the "cheaps" and book a B category on the Veendam. I won't say it was a mistake, I was about to retire and while I knew I'd have a good retirement income it was less than I was making, so the decision made sense at the time. We're back to an S for the Maasdam and have decided that is our cabin of choice when and where available for future cruises. I should add that we can only cruise once a year right now as Mrs. K still works and it just becomes a matter of her vacation time and job demands. The notion of getting two or three cruises out of what we pay for one cruise in an S category is really not an issue we have to consider right now.

[crusinbanjo]

..... I should add that we can only cruise once a year right now as Mrs. K still works and it just becomes a matter of her vacation time and job demands. The notion of getting two or three cruises out of what we pay for one cruise in an S category is really not an issue we have to consider right now.

I know how you feel, Mrs Banjo works 3 days a week and we are a bit limited in the amount of time we can cruise for the next few years.... ....so when we do cruise, it's a suite for us!