ChattTN

FYI -

 

The new Internet package is in place - gold card - Pinnacle/Suites do get free unlimited Wifi on the Serenade. Free pressing on first formal night. Breakfast in Chops....

 

Hopefully this is going to spread. Any other posters on active cruises that can report free WiFi for Suites?

Did they say when they would go into effect?

Back in 2009 when RCI launched the current "Enhanced Program for Suite Guests", the official press release was 2/17/2009 and release stated that it would be implemented fleet wide in March 2009. Hopefully they will roll out quickly once they announce as there is no reason to wait. Plus as a suite cruiser on a 5/24 sailing, I'm selfishly wanting to participate....

Still not showing for his April cruise,nor is it showing for my cruise in May......

 

Has anyone done it on the Freedom in the past few weeks?? Does it have to be booked on board?? and how much now?

It is showing online for my 5/24 sailing in Cruise Planner. For whatever reason it is over under "Onboard Activities" and not under either Dining or Entertainment. Price is $55pp which is noted as including gratuities (and wine)...

Some of the facts presented in the article were extremely interesting.

 

"Prices for a seven-night cruise in March vary from $1,109 a person for an interior room (without windows) to $2,999 a person for a suite."

 

"And profit per passenger has risen as well, to $148 last year from $136 10 years ago"

 

"The Oasis and the Allure have proved so popular that Royal Caribbean has ordered two more of them, at a cost of about $1.5 billion each."

 

Seems like a lot money spent for such a fragile and small return.

It likely depends on their definition of profit. If Profit = Net Income then $148 per pax true profit after all expenses (including paying for the ship and all maintenance) and all corporate taxes is that bad at all. $148/passenger for a week on Oasis with 6,000 passengers is almost $900,000 of true profit a week or $46 million per year... Of course, I'm betting the larger, newer, more efficient ships are actually generating much higher profit per passenger than the older small ships... I guess I could dig into RCIs annual report for some clarity...

Does anyone have any ideas as to why RCI

doesn't sail out of New Orleans during the summer, and why they won't have a ship there once Serenade leaves? We sailed NCL out of there once and it was a great port as far as I could tell.

From what I can tell all the big cruise lines leave New Orleans in the summer. Most likely due to the fact that summer tropical storms and hurricanes in the gulf would cause havoc with their scheduling. Cost to cancel a full cruise is very high.....

We just booked the Pres Suite on Freedom. But after booking have read some negative reviews due to lack of view. Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed in this room 6414 and what you thought. Thanks!

I haven't sailed in that Suite (or actually sailed at all) but have a Royal Family suite booked for our first cruise. It is a couple decks up on Deck 8 and I looked at many videos of the AFT staterooms/suites before final payment date. What I decided is that I think all of the aft staterooms have great views, just partially obstructed by the ships superstructure... Personally I wouldn't worry about what you cant see, but be thinking about what you can see which a great view of the ships wake while you are enjoying very large and comfortable outdoor space....

Google "Freedom of the Seas Presidential Family Suite" and a couple videos will come up for you to watch...

Enjoy

My family of 5 plan to sail on the 4 day, April 16 liberty of the seas. The availability is great. Tons of cabins in all categories. I'm wondering should we wait it out for cheaper last minute rates or take advantage of the bogoho prices? Not sure if rates will go up or down after 3/10.

 

 

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Assuming you are going to book direct with RCI, why not go online on the 10th before BOGO ends and pick your stateroom and do a 24 courtesy hold? If pricing gets better you could cancel the hold and book the new deal and if BOGO is better just complete the reservation. I assume they don't modify the hold.

So in the cruise critic live chat last month (Feb 2015) with Michael Bayley (CEO of Royal Caribbean Intl.) he made the follow comment with regard to a question around cruisers in Suites...

Michael Bayley:

Great question, we will be introducing a whole series of suite upgrades to be announced late spring.

I guess technically, it isn't even early spring yet, BUT since we have a suite booked for a late May sailing, I am more than curious about the "whole series of upgrades" and if any of them may be available late May

Does anyone have any additional information? Google isn't much help....

 

Depending on any changes when the new schedules come out we are looking at sailing out of Port Canaveral or Ft Lauderdale for 7 days on a Freedom class ship, or if we can get a good deal an Oasis class. I have looked over deck plans and can't decide if we want to book 2 balcony cabins side by side, a balcony for DH & I with an Inside Promenade for the boys, or the Royal Family Suite? I'm leaning towards the side by side balconys but know nothing about the Suite. Does anyone have a ball park cost on a Royal Family Suite or know which would be the better deal cost and room-wise? Are there any other cabins or Suites that have 2 bedrooms? What would you recommend?

We have Royal family suite booked for May 2015 7 night sailing on Freedom for family of 4 and cost is about $7,000 with taxes and port fees. I should note, since there are only 4 Royal Family Suites on Freedom class it seems that they generally don't like to book these suites to groups/families under 5 people, but if you are persistent and watch they will eventually release to smaller groups as sailings get closer if they have not booked them all. If you have a good TA maybe they know a way to get released more easily.

We picked RFS versus two separate cabins as our teens will be 14 and 16 at sailing and we will feel better knowing when they are back in the room and that there is no "company" that comes along or tries to come along.... If they were both 18, I would be less concerned....

Have been watching along all week. As a soon to be first time cruiser on FOS 5/24 I have enjoyed reading along. Thanks for the time and all the pics.

I can say from personal experience that they are very uncomfortable! This is one cut-back that is really noticeable!

Maybe they have new ones on order, but just didn't get completed in time to make it on the boat yet.

Hi everyone, just joined forum today as potential first time cruiser with Freedom of Seas Royal Family Suite on 24 hold for late May sailing. I'm looking to finalize since I assume propulsion will get resolved by then.

Has anyone confirmed that all of the full suites got a refresh? I have scanned this entire thread and cant find confirmation if the RFS (or any other "suites") got a face lift during the January dry dock.

Thanks in advance....