Question about Royal Family Suite

Has anyone ever stayed in one of these? The prices aren't listed on the RC website...does anyone know how much these typically cost? I'm interested in booking a cruise for next summer on the Navigator of the Seas. Any info on these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Has anyone ever stayed in one of these? The prices aren't listed on the RC website...does anyone know how much these typically cost? I'm interested in booking a cruise for next summer on the Navigator of the Seas. Any info on these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

You have to call Royal for the price. Any stateroom that requires more than 4 people to book is not listed on the website.

You have to call them to get information on these special rooms. They need to make sure you have the minimum required passengers.

Cherry - prices for the RFS are in line with the other "true suites" - usually between the price for a Grand suite and an Owners Suite, in my experience. We stayed in one on Freedom OTS and the extra room was really great. Not cheap, but great.

Do note that the RFS is usually not outfitted with high-end finishings like an Owners or Grand Suite. They are outfitted similarly to regular cabins in terms of decor, but have more room, two bathrooms, two bedrooms, separate sitting area and an extra large balcony with a full dining table (ours had 6 chairs I believe) and a couple of chaise lounges.

We were "upgraded" to RFS from an Owners Suite. Should have kept OS.

RFS on Navigator in 2010. The living/dining area is very large, suitable for a gathering. One bedroom is a master, the other small with 2 twin beds & 2 Pullman (drop down) beds. Both bathrooms are small, would be better to have one big one,(there were just 2 of us).

Another consideration is that RFS is on aft of ship, even though the balcony is very big, there is no overhang. Two issues with this: Suites above have total visual access to your balcony, and Soot. Soot was pervasive, had to clean balcony furniture continuously, or sit on towels.

If you need a 2nd bedroom and bathroom, it's a good deal.

Cherry - prices for the RFS are in line with the other "true suites" - usually between the price for a Grand suite and an Owners Suite, in my experience. We stayed in one on Freedom OTS and the extra room was really great. Not cheap, but great.

 

Do note that the RFS is usually not outfitted with high-end finishings like an Owners or Grand Suite. They are outfitted similarly to regular cabins in terms of decor, but have more room, two bathrooms, two bedrooms, separate sitting area and an extra large balcony with a full dining table (ours had 6 chairs I believe) and a couple of chaise lounges.

Thanks! I'll be traveling with my husband and our four children so I wasn't sure if it would be cheaper to get a RFS or connecting balcony rooms. Seems like it's going to be cheaper to get the connecting rooms. The summer 2016 dates haven't been released yet, but I'm planning to call and check prices for the RFS when they are.

We were "upgraded" to RFS from an Owners Suite. Should have kept OS.

RFS on Navigator in 2010. The living/dining area is very large, suitable for a gathering. One bedroom is a master, the other small with 2 twin beds & 2 Pullman (drop down) beds. Both bathrooms are small, would be better to have one big one,(there were just 2 of us).

Another consideration is that RFS is on aft of ship, even though the balcony is very big, there is no overhang. Two issues with this: Suites above have total visual access to your balcony, and Soot. Soot was pervasive, had to clean balcony furniture continuously, or sit on towels.

If you need a 2nd bedroom and bathroom, it's a good deal.

We definitely need a second bedroom. I hadn't considered the soot issue (I've actually never been on a cruise before!), so that's definitely something to think about. Thanks for your reply!

Has anyone ever stayed in one of these? The prices aren't listed on the RC website...does anyone know how much these typically cost? I'm interested in booking a cruise for next summer on the Navigator of the Seas. Any info on these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I was in a Royal Family Suite on the Freedom of the Seas in June 2007. The cost of $4,000 each for the first two people and $1,000 each for the next four people. The total was $12,000 for six people.

The four Royal Family Suites on the cruise I was on were sold out during the first hour that they became available to purchase.

Thanks! I'll be traveling with my husband and our four children so I wasn't sure if it would be cheaper to get a RFS or connecting balcony rooms. Seems like it's going to be cheaper to get the connecting rooms. The summer 2016 dates haven't been released yet, but I'm planning to call and check prices for the RFS when they are.

Yes, in general two connecting rooms is less expensive than a RFS. However, I wanted everyone to be in the same cabin.

We definitely need a second bedroom. I hadn't considered the soot issue (I've actually never been on a cruise before!), so that's definitely something to think about. Thanks for your reply!

Soot was an issue for us also.

Here are photographs of my Royal Family Suite on the Freedom of the Seas ...

More RFS photos ...

More RFS photos ...

Note: We cruised in an aft Royal Family Suite on Freedom OTS in 2012, and soot was not an issue. Strange, maybe it has to do with winds at sailing? There may have been *some* but not enough to disrupt anything.

Definitely check pricing when released - this early out, you may find rates aren't $4000 per passenger for the 1st and 2nd. With suites, you get dinged on the 3rd, 4th, etc passengers. You pay more for the first two and then something between $749 and $1000 for the others. With a balcony cabin, you pay much less for 3rd and 4th.

Note, I did enjoy the large dining table on the balcony. We ate room service breakfast almost every morning on our balcony and it was a lovely, low stress time. No hustling out of the cabin. The menu is expanded from the regular room service menu.

Provided money is not an issue, if you are within a couple grand for two balconies vs. the RFS, I'd choose the RFS for a family of six. One of the sofas in the living room does pull out, and there is a TON of storage.

Also Note: we had upgraded balcony furniture from the photos above. It was very nice. Check your ship for exact details, but they now have a really nice dining table.

These photographs will better show the soot issue ...

Also, the prior passengers left one of their feet in the cabin (you can see it on the right side of the photo below) ...

And they left one of their kids ...

More RFS photos ...

 

Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks really nice!

Note: We cruised in an aft Royal Family Suite on Freedom OTS in 2012, and soot was not an issue. Strange, maybe it has to do with winds at sailing? There may have been *some* but not enough to disrupt anything.

 

Definitely check pricing when released - this early out, you may find rates aren't $4000 per passenger for the 1st and 2nd. With suites, you get dinged on the 3rd, 4th, etc passengers. You pay more for the first two and then something between $749 and $1000 for the others. With a balcony cabin, you pay much less for 3rd and 4th.

 

Note, I did enjoy the large dining table on the balcony. We ate room service breakfast almost every morning on our balcony and it was a lovely, low stress time. No hustling out of the cabin. The menu is expanded from the regular room service menu.

 

Provided money is not an issue, if you are within a couple grand for two balconies vs. the RFS, I'd choose the RFS for a family of six. One of the sofas in the living room does pull out, and there is a TON of storage.

 

Also Note: we had upgraded balcony furniture from the photos above. It was very nice. Check your ship for exact details, but they now have a really nice dining table.

Room service on the balcony is definitely a huge plus for the RFS. Money is an issue to an extent, but I'm willing to spend more if it seems worth it. I agree with you that if a RFS is only $1-2K more we'd probably go that route.

The cabin next to us had a bigger balcony ...

And a bigger bathtub ...

We have been in the RFS on both Freedom and The Mariner (which is now in China). The Navigator is the sister ship to the Mariner. I've forgotten how to post pictures, but If I remember, I'll post some.

I did like the layout a bit better on the Freedom. The layout was fine on the Mariner, though.

We are a family of 7, so the RFS works great for us. We love having 2 baths, 2 bedrooms plus a pull out couch.

Pros:

Suite Perks--Gold Ticket

Concierge Lounge for the Adults for drinks and appetizers prior to dinner

The space

The huge aft balcony (we love being on the Aft of the ship. Bigger balconies, watch the sunset, watch people come back from port--late...

Room service menus

Big shower

Cons:

Price

Aft due to soot--we did not have a big problem with this. Used a towel to wipe off the chairs and we were good to go.

Long hike to the stairs--again, no big deal for us--you need a little exercise when out at sea

the doorbell--my kids and their new friends liked it a lot though

I found my trip report-- the pictures are in it.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1778024

Don't forget the suite benefits.

How to post a picture ...

1) Click on the yellows square just under the undo arrow ...

2) You will get a pop up window ...

3) Next you need to copy the code for the picture. I use Photobucket ...

4) Paste the code in the space in the pop up window. Click okay and your photograph should display.

We loved the RFS on the Navigator. Concierge Club access, full room service, large balcony were some of our favorite perks from it. We had 5 for that cruise and the 2 separate bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus the sitting area were great.

We got a great deal on connecting outside rooms for our upcoming cruise, so I couldn't convince my husband that the difference was worth it. It will be a rude awakening to go outside rooms from that wonderful aft balcony. Having said that, we didn't use it as much as I would have liked because of the soot.

We loved the RFS on the Navigator. Concierge Club access, full room service, large balcony were some of our favorite perks from it. We had 5 for that cruise and the 2 separate bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus the sitting area were great.

 

We got a great deal on connecting outside rooms for our upcoming cruise, so I couldn't convince my husband that the difference was worth it. It will be a rude awakening to go outside rooms from that wonderful aft balcony. Having said that, we didn't use it as much as I would have liked because of the soot.

Mind a couple of specific questions regarding the NOS RFS?

1) When checking in at the Terminal, did they have you move to a special agent?

2) Did the Concierge or other RCI Ship staff escort you to your RFS?

Hope to hear from you.

We've had the RFS on Voyager-sister to navigator.

Did have minor soot issues

Did not like all the structure outside the balcony that obstructed the view a bit. Cuizer2 posted a good pic showing that.

second bedroom is small with no TV ,nor window.

Other then that-room was good and suited our needs.

once in the terminal there is a special suite check in line

No escort from concierge to your suite with a RFS. That is only sometimes with the Royal Suite or Presidential suite.

Best perk is being able to take food from the WJ into either chops or Portofinos. No looking for seats!!

CL can be very crowded at opening until folks leave for first seating dinner. If you have first seating dinner and no seat avaialble, rules seem to be more lienient now as to taking drinks outside of the lounge so I'd ask the concierge if you can.

We've had the RFS on Voyager-sister to navigator.

Did have minor soot issues

Did not like all the structure outside the balcony that obstructed the view a bit. Cuizer2 posted a good pic showing that.

second bedroom is small with no TV ,nor window.

Other then that-room was good and suited our needs.

 

once in the terminal there is a special suite check in line

No escort from concierge to your suite with a RFS. That is only sometimes with the Royal Suite or Presidential suite.

 

Best perk is being able to take food from the WJ into either chops or Portofinos. No looking for seats!!

 

CL can be very crowded at opening until folks leave for first seating dinner. If you have first seating dinner and no seat avaialble, rules seem to be more lienient now as to taking drinks outside of the lounge so I'd ask the concierge if you can.

Thanks for the insight...

Almost sounds like the name "Royal Family Suite" needs to be changed to "Big Ol' Average Suite". :confused:

We were on the NOS last year in the Royal Suite which is why I asked my question.

I agree that the CL was stupid crowded! We walked in, looked around and left. The Concierge was very concerned we did not come back. We determined that the Diamond lounge was actually better for us in the Crown with windows and an outside option. The Diamond lounge was crowed too, but managable.

Yes, loved breakfast in chops too.

 

Almost sounds like the name "Royal Family Suite" needs to be changed to "Big Ol' Average Suite". :confused:

Yes!!! :( Having had a few of the family suites now-they are in no way suite like. Prior to Voyager we had an OS and really saw the difference!!

But, like I said, the RFS suits our needs so it has worked for our last few cruises. Would just like to see it a bit fancier too being they do put it in the 'suite' category.

My sister and I sailed in the RFS on the NOS last fall, just the two of us. A special rate popped up for it about two weeks before departure. We paid less than we had paid for a JS the time before. It was worth every penny (at that reduced price). As mentioned, the interior is the finished the same as a regular cabin but it was so nice to have the extra room and extra bathroom. What a treat. So spoiled now.

Best perks were the suite perks, though. Spoiled there now too. Makes me want to sail in suites all the time, or at least until I get D+ status and get to continue the use of that Concierge Lounge. (Which will probably be the year after never). Also really enjoyed breakfast (to order) in the side restaurant of the Windjammer (was it Chops?).

Had some soot, but our steward brought some extra towels for us. Also loved the ability to order MDR food for room service.

Sailing in two weeks on the Serenade with one of my sons. We will be in the RFS. Again, excited about the two bedrooms and two bathrooms. However, if it were my hubs and I, we would of course rather spend that money on a Grand Suite. That is on the wish list for someday.