Club Class Mini Suites

I'm wondering if the newly advertised "club class mini suites" are worth the upgraded price.

My wife and I have sailed on the Grand Princess 3x all in mini suites which we were happy with. It's an old ship but we still enjoyed it.

I don't really see any additional perks to upgrade to club class. Can anyone tell me the advantages?

We always dine at the early time of 5:30, or 5pm whatever it is.

Anyhoo, if anyone out there in cruise land can tell us if it's really worth it that would be great. I did a booking and it was 2,000 US $ difference between a similar cabin and the club class. Princess touts a superior bed, but the same size room.

I don't mind paying extras as long as it's worth it.

Is it?

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I'm wondering if the newly advertised "club class mini suites" are worth the upgraded price.

 

My wife and I have sailed on the Grand Princess 3x all in mini suites which we were happy with. It's an old ship but we still enjoyed it.

 

I don't really see any additional perks to upgrade to club class. Can anyone tell me the advantages?

 

We always dine at the early time of 5:30, or 5pm whatever it is.

 

Anyhoo, if anyone out there in cruise land can tell us if it's really worth it that would be great. I did a booking and it was 2,000 US $ difference between a similar cabin and the club class. Princess touts a superior bed, but the same size room.

 

I don't mind paying extras as long as it's worth it.

 

Is it?

 

 

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i say yes, it's worth it. And it seems you can afford it, past booking mini suites. So, why not just do it? And enjoy the extra amenities. Anyway "worth" is subjective, isn't it?

Hope you enjoy your cruise. :)

Since there haven't been many reports from people who booked Club Class, there isn't much to go on. There are a couple of threads here now talking about the dining, but that's all. In any case, you will know what is worth what to you, but I don't know if anyone else can tell you that.

Not worth it to me. But I already hit Elite and get most of the upgrades anyway.

The only one that might appeal is the MDR benefit, but not enough for an extra $2000.

I'm wondering if the newly advertised "club class mini suites" are worth the upgraded price.

 

My wife and I have sailed on the Grand Princess 3x all in mini suites which we were happy with. It's an old ship but we still enjoyed it.

 

I don't really see any additional perks to upgrade to club class. Can anyone tell me the advantages?

 

We always dine at the early time of 5:30, or 5pm whatever it is.

 

Anyhoo, if anyone out there in cruise land can tell us if it's really worth it that would be great. I did a booking and it was 2,000 US $ difference between a similar cabin and the club class. Princess touts a superior bed, but the same size room.

 

I don't mind paying extras as long as it's worth it.

 

Is it?

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2352131

The cabins redesigned as M1 were always the most expensive mini-suites (MA) -- presumably because they are in the best location. If you like that location, and can afford the price [don't get fixated on the fact that the price difference is now greater than it used to be] -- it's worth it to you, and the dining upgrades are gravy [oops -- I didn't actually intend that pun, but I will own it ;)]

Aren't the M6 minis also Club Class? In the sailings I'm looking at, they're only $100 p/p more than the mini category before.

Aren't the M6 minis also Club Class? In the sailings I'm looking at, they're only $100 p/p more than the mini category before.

Cam't speak for other ships but the Regal/Royal M6 are Club Class. Our last cruise, Royal, 30 Nov, M108 cruise card already had Club Class on it as a preemptive to the start of Club Class starting on the Royal 29 Jan. We will be on that cruise (29 Jan) in M108 so we will be amongst the first to experience Club Class on the Royal.

Cam't speak for other ships but the Regal/Royal M6 are Club Class. Our last cruise, Royal, 30 Nov, M108 cruise card already had Club Class on it as a preemptive to the start of Club Class starting on the Royal 29 Jan. We will be on that cruise (29 Jan) in M108 so we will be amongst the first to experience Club Class on the Royal.

We are booked on the 1/29 sailing of the Regal in a Club Class Cabin and it is a "M1", R428 to be exact. It is located mid-ship on the leading edge of the center elevator "hump". There seems to be some variance, to say the least, exactly which cabins are to be designated "Club Class." It seems like location, location, and location. In our case, it was only about $100 p/p more for a Club Class than an MS QTY (pricing via Princess' website, however the booking was made after the "final payment cutoff" which may explain the low price difference). With the available cabin being located in our preferred location, mid-ship near a set of elevators (best is aft looking out over the stern), it was an easy call to go for the CC.

Cam't speak for other ships but the Regal/Royal M6 are Club Class. Our last cruise, Royal, 30 Nov, M108 cruise card already had Club Class on it as a preemptive to the start of Club Class starting on the Royal 29 Jan. We will be on that cruise (29 Jan) in M108 so we will be amongst the first to experience Club Class on the Royal.

Please come back and tell us what you think.:)

Looking forward to hearing from those who have actually had a Club Class Mini Suite.

We have one booked so are quite interested.

Looking forward to hearing from those who have actually had a Club Class Mini Suite.

We have one booked so are quite interested.

We,on the other hand, have booked a mini suite (guarantee) because Princess sent an offer with a very good price; but we have no idea just what the difference is from a normal balcony room. I assume that the room is a bit larger, but is there anything else that is different?

P.S. I don't what to hijack this thread into some other topic, but we just don't know the difference.

Bill

Not worth it to me. But I already hit Elite and get most of the upgrades anyway.

The only one that might appeal is the MDR benefit, but not enough for an extra $2000.

I'm with you, not worth it for us, we are already elite, my dh is a fussy eater, so their upgraded menu may not be good for him, so would rather take the money and go to the Crown Grill...where I know he will be happy. We book a mini suite forward which is not part of the Club class.

My sister has booked a cruise on the Coral, she said the TA booked her in a Club mini and the price was reasonable, with an obc.... so some TAs may have some bargins out there, as Princess tries to get Club class filled, this cruise is for this coming March.

Cam't speak for other ships but the Regal/Royal M6 are Club Class. Our last cruise, Royal, 30 Nov, M108 cruise card already had Club Class on it as a preemptive to the start of Club Class starting on the Royal 29 Jan. We will be on that cruise (29 Jan) in M108 so we will be amongst the first to experience Club Class on the Royal.

There have been posts from the Ruby (which already has Club Class) that with the introduction of Club Class the embarkation day dining room lunch is now limited to Club Class passengers (and BVE). All other passengers who want to enjoy that embarkation day lunch can no longer do so.

Please let us know if the same is true on the Royal.

All other passengers who want to enjoy that embarkation day lunch can no longer do so.

 

Please let us know if the same is true on the Royal.

The Regal goes to Club Class first on Jan 8th so you should get reports before the Royal.

However, I will report back from the Royal on Club Class MDR on embarkation day, etc.

We,on the other hand, have booked a mini suite (guarantee) because Princess sent an offer with a very good price; but we have no idea just what the difference is from a normal balcony room. I assume that the room is a bit larger, but is there anything else that is different?

 

P.S. I don't what to hijack this thread into some other topic, but we just don't know the difference.

 

Bill

A mini suite is a bigger and nicer cabin. You get a sitting area with a sofa and 2nd TV, where a balcony cabin only has a semi-comfortable chair and one TV. There is also a full bath with vanity and shower/tub combination instead of just a shower. We think it is a big step up from a regular balcony cabin, but the question here is whether the new Club Class amenities will be worth the price increase for those mini suites designated in that category vs the regular mini suites.

We,on the other hand, have booked a mini suite (guarantee) because Princess sent an offer with a very good price; but we have no idea just what the difference is from a normal balcony room. I assume that the room is a bit larger, but is there anything else that is different?

 

P.S. I don't what to hijack this thread into some other topic, but we just don't know the difference.

 

Bill

You get a bathtub, couch, 2 TVs. Wine 1/2 red, 1/2 white.

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I'm wondering if the newly advertised "club class mini suites" are worth the upgraded price.

 

My wife and I have sailed on the Grand Princess 3x all in mini suites which we were happy with. It's an old ship but we still enjoyed it.

 

I don't really see any additional perks to upgrade to club class. Can anyone tell me the advantages?

 

We always dine at the early time of 5:30, or 5pm whatever it is.

 

Anyhoo, if anyone out there in cruise land can tell us if it's really worth it that would be great. I did a booking and it was 2,000 US $ difference between a similar cabin and the club class. Princess touts a superior bed, but the same size room.

 

I don't mind paying extras as long as it's worth it.

 

Is it?

 

 

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It's kind of subjective. You'll get a larger cabin than a standard Veranda/with a bath tub/sitting area & larger(not by a lot)balcony. For meals you'll be escorted(probably just the first night) to your seating area in the main rest. You'll have the same menu, but with some A La Carte options done tableside. Service will not be a "hurried" as standard dining. I've not done this type on Princess, but it seems very similar to 'Britannia club" on Cunard. If you feel the price difference isn't too high, I'd give it a try.

Thanks for all the great info everyone! I think we will try it out on our next cruise.

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It's kind of subjective. You'll get a larger cabin than a standard Veranda/with a bath tub/sitting area & larger(not by a lot)balcony. For meals you'll be escorted(probably just the first night) to your seating area in the main rest. You'll have the same menu, but with some A La Carte options done tableside. Service will not be a "hurried" as standard dining. I've not done this type on Princess, but it seems very similar to 'Britannia club" on Cunard. If you feel the price difference isn't too high, I'd give it a try.

Just a clarification that may not be needed, but since your original question asked about "Club Class".....

As "keithm" wrote, a mini-suite is mainly a larger cabin and it has a bathtub instead of a shower only. The "Club Class" version is the same cabin that has the new bedding now vs. later in most cases (Princess website has the bedding rollout dates by ship). The CC cabin is supposed to have a 1/2 bottle each of red and white wine and upgraded robes. That is all that is specific to CC cabins.

The other CC benefits include access to the new suite/CC section of the MDR and priority embarkation and disembarkation. How these all workout will be interesting.

To expand on this "mini-suite" subject, both Princess and Royal Caribbean (maybe others?) have cabins that they both call mini-suites, but have none of the full-suite benefits, just a bigger cabin (both lines close to 300 square feet). This often causes confusion and disappointment for many that booking a mini-suite will provide the same perks as booking a full suite, just getting a smaller cabin. Not true in either case. IMO, this is where the Club Class comes in. Princess seems to be trying to narrow the gap in perks between the new CC cabin and full suites. Time will tell how this works.

Now for Celebrity. Their version of a mini-suite is called a "Sky Suite". They are identical in size to both Princess and Royal's mini-suites, but do include the perks of a full suite (butler, access to the suite only dining room, etc.). Naturally, a Sky Suite is usually much more expensive than the mini-suites of their competition, and their own next step down class call Aqua Class.

We have been lucky to have sailed all three lines in the types of cabins mentioned above. As I said, room size, they are all nearly identical with very similar amenities. Just a few days ago we returned from a cruise on Celebrity's Silhouette and we were very lucky to have grabbed a Sky Suite for only $600 more than the AQ class that we had booked weeks earlier. The best $600 ever. The suite only dining room was worth the price alone. But, the other suite benefits/perks were wonderful.

At the end of January we are booked in a CC cabin on the Regal. IMO, this new class is Princess' attempt to bridge the gap in their mini-suite offering and Celebrity's Sky Suite. We were lucky to have grabbed this upgrade (mini-suite to CC) for only about $100@. However, with all the booking perks included in our Celebrity booking, the price difference between the two nearly identical cruises (7 days@, going to mainly the same places) are very close. It will be very interesting to compare the two lines cruising about 6 weeks apart in competing cabins.

It should be noted that on Royal Caribbean's Oasis & Quantum Class ships, Junior Suites do get dinner in Coastal Kitchen. So JR suites are having more value, with Crown & Anchor members getting double points: why don't Mini-Suite Club passengers get the same, with Princess?

I fully agree JF. As an elite we get all the upgrades with the exception of what they are offering in the MDR And since we don't enjoy sitting at the dinner table for 2 or more hours, skipping that upgrade is no problem.

Thanks for the updates "Knickearth" & "gkbiiii." I have not sailed any of RCCL's big boys so I am behind the times some with RCCL. Also, I was not comparing Elite levels and any perks that they may get; that is a whole different bag of worms trying to compare them.

Just a clarification that may not be needed, but since your original question asked about "Club Class".....

 

As "keithm" wrote, a mini-suite is mainly a larger cabin and it has a bathtub instead of a shower only. The "Club Class" version is the same cabin that has the new bedding now vs. later in most cases (Princess website has the bedding rollout dates by ship). The CC cabin is supposed to have a 1/2 bottle each of red and white wine and upgraded robes. That is all that is specific to CC cabins.

 

The other CC benefits include access to the new suite/CC section of the MDR and priority embarkation and disembarkation. How these all workout will be interesting.

 

To expand on this "mini-suite" subject, both Princess and Royal Caribbean (maybe others?) have cabins that they both call mini-suites, but have none of the full-suite benefits, just a bigger cabin (both lines close to 300 square feet). This often causes confusion and disappointment for many that booking a mini-suite will provide the same perks as booking a full suite, just getting a smaller cabin. Not true in either case. IMO, this is where the Club Class comes in. Princess seems to be trying to narrow the gap in perks between the new CC cabin and full suites. Time will tell how this works.

 

Now for Celebrity. Their version of a mini-suite is called a "Sky Suite". They are identical in size to both Princess and Royal's mini-suites, but do include the perks of a full suite (butler, access to the suite only dining room, etc.). Naturally, a Sky Suite is usually much more expensive than the mini-suites of their competition, and their own next step down class call Aqua Class.

 

We have been lucky to have sailed all three lines in the types of cabins mentioned above. As I said, room size, they are all nearly identical with very similar amenities. Just a few days ago we returned from a cruise on Celebrity's Silhouette and we were very lucky to have grabbed a Sky Suite for only $600 more than the AQ class that we had booked weeks earlier. The best $600 ever. The suite only dining room was worth the price alone. But, the other suite benefits/perks were wonderful.

 

At the end of January we are booked in a CC cabin on the Regal. IMO, this new class is Princess' attempt to bridge the gap in their mini-suite offering and Celebrity's Sky Suite. We were lucky to have grabbed this upgrade (mini-suite to CC) for only about $100@. However, with all the booking perks included in our Celebrity booking, the price difference between the two nearly identical cruises (7 days@, going to mainly the same places) are very close. It will be very interesting to compare the two lines cruising about 6 weeks apart in competing cabins.

Sorry, your thoughts on Celebrity Sky Suites are not accurate...they do come in different sizes depending on ship class and cabin location to be sure but to say they are on par with a Princess mini suite is not even close to accurate as Princess mini's suites are much smaller than a Sky Suite....and NOT NEARLY as nice....Princess mini suites are only a tad larger than a regular balcony cabin on X, you must book a Mini suite on Princess to get a sofa to sit on whereas sofas are standard in ALL Celebrity basic balcony cabins...

I disagree Sheriff, at least based on my very limited suite experience (sadly - LOL). As I recall, the brochure square footage on most are about 300 sq ft (I know that some are different, but it was difficult not to generalize in my brief comparison). I do agree that the Sky Suite is the nicest, but my experience is with the Silhouette (week of 12/11) and the Galaxy several years ago (oh what veranda's the C-class ships had!). My experience with Princess mini-suites was with older ships (Emerald & Caribbean), so it is not fair for me to say that the older Princess ships are not as nice as the much newer Silhouette. Since we will be on the Regal late January I can make a more fair comparison between ships of roughly equal age and final booking costs. (The brochure square footage between the SS2 Sky Suite and the CC-M1 are nearly identical.)

We have been in two Celebrity Sky Suites, two Princess mini-suites (and a CC upcoming), and two RCCL Jr. Suites. With my foggy memory, it is hard for me to remember the differences that are not ship-age dependant, other than the huge veranda on the Galaxy.

I guess my main point originally was to mention to folks that may be looking at cabins in these three line that cabin descriptions sometimes sound the same, but may or may not be very different. The pricing sure can be, but even that can be deceiving depending on a person's luck when booking.