SUITE PERKS (Compared): Carnival, NCL, Princess, Celebrity

[Funtasticmom]

Disclaimer (for those who see everyone as having an agenda!): The following lists are only to serve for comparative purposes for anyone who is interested. It is NOT intended to be critical of Carnival, but rather to show what perks other lines treat their suite guests to. Note that some of the listed "perks" are standard in ALL cabins, thus are simply filler. Some of these are really impressive, others are just fluff. For example, I don't want the butler to unpack my luggage!! Please note that the extra perks are not without cost! In some cases a substantial premium (several hundred to thousands more) is required. Generally though, you get what you pay for. Whether that is of "value" to you, is your call.

 

 

CLICK on the cruise line name to link to their website:

 

CARNIVAL:

 

 

A spacious room, that includes VIP check-in during embarkation

 

Stateroom amenities:

 

• Whirlpool bath
  
• Vanity dressing table
  
• Television
  
• Soft, comfortable, and cozy linens
  
• Hairdryer/Bathrobes
  
• 24-hour stateroom service
  
• Ample closet and drawer space
  

 

================================================

 

NCL:

Special Services

> Distinctive Keycard

> Butler and concierge service

> Butler to unpack your luggage

> Access to Concierge Lounge

Eats, Treats & Libations

> Champagne, custom selection of liquor, fruit, bottled water and sodas (Owner’s suite and above)

> Sparkling wine, bottled water and fruit

> Mini-Bar and espresso/cappuccino machine

> 24-hour room service with special suite menu

> Full in-room breakfast menu

> Treats delivered right to your door each night

> Invitations to exclusive breakfast, lunch, and cocktail party

Thoughtful Touches

> Fresh flower arrangement

> Bliss collection by NCL pillow-top mattress

> Fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu

> Plush bath robes, slippers and towels

> Access to exclusive Courtyard area with private pool, sundeck, hot tub and fitness area (on ships with Courtyard)

Arrival and Departure

> Priority embarkation and disembarkation

> Escort to suite

> Priority boarding of tenders to shore

> Priority Complimentary limousine service from pier to airport (Garden Villa only)

 

=====================================

 

PRINCESS:

 

Suite Amenities:

In-Room Amenities:

· Luxury mattresses

· Luxury ivory satin pinstripe bed linens

· Fluffy duvets in place of blankets

· Luggage protector on bed at embarkation

· Luxury bathrobes

· Luxury towels

· Pillow menu - option of feather or therapeutic pillows

· Massage shower heads

· Luxury bathroom amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, bath gel, plus new lip balm, gel eye mask, bath salts and loofah mitts)

· Facial mist (choice of scents)

· Complimentary slippers

· Fresh flower arrangement

· Complimentary corsage and boutonniere on first formal night

· Complimentary mini-bar - one-time set up

· Combined DVD/CD Players

· DVD Library - each vessel has a 100-title DVD library available to suite passengers

· Halo light magnifying vanity mirrors on vanity Upgraded room amenities, including ice bucket and tray, leather wallet for cruise card, high quality pen, combined clothes brush, lint remover and shoe horn, shoe cleaning mitt, sewing kit, white cloth laundry bag, black cloth shoe shining bag

· Complimentary Princess tote bag

· Umbrella for use during the cruise

Services:

· Expedited embarkation process

· Preferred Anytime DiningSM reservations

· Personal shore excursion reservations

· Complimentary laundry and dry cleaning service

· Complimentary shoe polishing service

Dining Services:

· Welcome glass of champagne at embarkation

· Extended room service menu (extended breakfast, lunch, dinner offering)

· In-suite afternoon tea service

· Passenger's choice of deluxe canapés, delivered daily

Onboard Activities:

· Complimentary internet access in onboard Internet Cafes (wireless internet connection not included).

· Private portrait sitting

· Complimentary use of the thermal suite in the Lotus Spa (Emerald Princess, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Sapphire Princess, Diamond Princess, Star Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess).

==============================================

 

CELEBRITY:

All Suites Include:

One complimentary (Specialty) dining reservation per suite for cruises of up to seven nights

Two complimentary dining reservations per suite for cruises of eight nights or longer

Butler at your service

Complimentary 24-hour room service

Priority check-in

Luggage delivery

Priority tender service

Welcome bottle of sparkling wine, fresh fruit & flowers

Assistance with packing and unpacking

Full in-suite breakfast, lunch & dinner service

In-suite afternoon tea service

Complimentary espresso & cappuccino (in suite)

Evening hors d'oeuvres, daily

Main & specialty restaurant seating preferences

100% Egyptian cotton oversized bath towels

Plush Frette® bathrobes

Complimentary shoeshine service

Celebrity tote bag

Delivery of requested board games

Dual voltage 110/220 AC

Bathroom accessories & hair dryer

Fresh cut flowers

Complimentary beach towel service

Plentiful storage space in your bathroom

Thermostat-controlled air-conditioning

Interactive television system to view & select shore excursions, order room service & watch movies*

Individual safe

Direct-dial telephone

Laundry service*

Mini-bar*

*Additional charges apply.

==============================================

 

I hope that some people will find this informative/helpful.

 

Tom

Are there any special "perks" when booking a suite with Royal Caribbean?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Are there any special "perks" when booking a suite with Royal Caribbean?

 

Yes - it was not on my radar when I started this thread (how long ago was that? lol).

 

My favorite perk with them is use of the Concierge Lounge... free drinks and snacks! (actually quite good)!

 

No time now to go into details... if someone else can step in and help??

 

Tom

[Funtasticmom]

Thank you for your reply. I have read from recent posts that you do not actually receive the perks that are promised. I was a little nervous.

[kshees]

Are there any special "perks" when booking a suite with Royal Caribbean?

 

Yes there are. We just got off the Oasis and we had an Owners Suite. You get priority check in.

A special seating area in the boarding area and are the first or second group to board.

Concierge Lounge for Grand Suites and above. They serve breakfast and appetizers. Wine, champagne, Martinis.

We got a fruit plate every other day, and little canapés

Our room was huge and the deck was amazing.

As a suite guest there is also a special seating area for all the shows.

Have to say the perks from RCL blow away Carnivals.

Hope this helps.

[pe4all]

Yes there are. We just got off the Oasis and we had an Owners Suite. You get priority check in.

A special seating area in the boarding area and are the first or second group to board.

Concierge Lounge for Grand Suites and above. They serve breakfast and appetizers. Wine, champagne, Martinis.

We got a fruit plate every other day, and little canapés

Our room was huge and the deck was amazing.

As a suite guest there is also a special seating area for all the shows.

Have to say the perks from RCL blow away Carnivals.

Hope this helps.

Just to add to this: (We had a Grand Suite on FOS) - free tour of ship for suite guests, luggage express at debark (a pleasure - didn't see our luggage till NY!), special separate resataurant seating at breakfast and lunch in buffet area. The level of service for the suite guests was amazing - however, so was the price we paid!! (double what CCL was)

Edited May 30, 2014 by pe4all

[3rdGenCunarder]

I found this thread in a search. A friend is thinking about a Carnival cruise because the itinerary fits what she wants (short Canada cruise). She asked me to find out about Carnival's suite perks. I've cruised a lot, but have little experience with suites, and no experience with Carnival.

 

So I'd like to clarify--the only perk you get for a suite (other than the nice big room) is priority embarkation and debarkation?

 

So do people who buy the FTTF package get more perks? The website says the FTTF package includes priority dining reservations. Do suite pax not even get that?

 

My friend has been in a suite on NCL, so she may have expectations that Carnival won't meet. For only 4 days, should she skip the suite and buy the FTTF package instead?

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

[sherilyn70]

This was written before fttf but I don't believe anything had really changed much. The suites aren't as high priced add other lines as I recall and the extra space and jetted tubs were nice to have.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I found this thread in a search. A friend is thinking about a Carnival cruise because the itinerary fits what she wants (short Canada cruise). She asked me to find out about Carnival's suite perks. I've cruised a lot, but have little experience with suites, and no experience with Carnival.

 

So I'd like to clarify--the only perk you get for a suite (other than the nice big room) is priority embarkation and debarkation?

 

So do people who buy the FTTF package get more perks? The website says the FTTF package includes priority dining reservations. Do suite pax not even get that?

 

My friend has been in a suite on NCL, so she may have expectations that Carnival won't meet. For only 4 days, should she skip the suite and buy the FTTF package instead?

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

 

Unless the extra space, or slightly larger balcony, is important, I'd say save the $ and go with the FTTF. Of course, she could always do both !!

 

Yep - with a suite on Carnival, it's pretty much the larger cabin, tub, priority embark/debark.

 

Carnival is definitely not trying to compete with the perks which other lines offer - and as been mentioned, they usually don't charge as much either.

 

Tom

[DebJ14]

This was written before fttf but I don't believe anything had really changed much. The suites aren't as high priced add other lines as I recall and the extra space and jetted tubs were nice to have.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

Out of Galveston and Houston we have found suites on Princess, RCCL and NCL priced the same or lower than suites on Carnival. Makes no sense to take a suite on Carnival when you don't get the perks you get on the other lines. Once you go suite on another line it is hard to go back.

[travler27]

I found this thread in a search. A friend is thinking about a Carnival cruise because the itinerary fits what she wants (short Canada cruise). She asked me to find out about Carnival's suite perks. I've cruised a lot, but have little experience with suites, and no experience with Carnival.

 

So I'd like to clarify--the only perk you get for a suite (other than the nice big room) is priority embarkation and debarkation?

 

So do people who buy the FTTF package get more perks? The website says the FTTF package includes priority dining reservations. Do suite pax not even get that?

 

My friend has been in a suite on NCL, so she may have expectations that Carnival won't meet. For only 4 days, should she skip the suite and buy the FTTF package instead?

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

 

Carnival does NOT provide priority debark for suite cruisers. That stopped with the advent of FTTF I think.

[AtSeaWithChris]

Carnival does NOT provide priority debark for suite cruisers. That stopped with the advent of FTTF I think.

 

 

Not so, we stayed in a suite on the Conquest last Sept. and got the VIP lounge for embarkation and zone 1 debarkation. Our room was ready when we boarded but luggage wasn't expedited to the room. You needed FTTF for that.

 

 

Fist-pumping gleeful rum runner!!!

[peg013]

From Carnival's website:

 

Suite

 

Go big… and you’re home. A deluxe Suite on a Carnival ship means most of the comforts of home, with absolutely none of the hassles. In your spacious suite you’ll enjoy the pinnacle of private, luxurious relaxation at sea… it’s truly the ultimate way to cruise. Get comfy — stretch out, put your feet up, or just spend time on your balcony thinking about just how sweet it is. You’ll also embark and debark the ship without a wait, because your suite affords you VIP status. Good choice!

[LTS1960]

From Carnival's website:

 

 

 

Suite

 

 

 

Go big… and you’re home. A deluxe Suite on a Carnival ship means most of the comforts of home, with absolutely none of the hassles. In your spacious suite you’ll enjoy the pinnacle of private, luxurious relaxation at sea… it’s truly the ultimate way to cruise. Get comfy — stretch out, put your feet up, or just spend time on your balcony thinking about just how sweet it is. You’ll also embark and debark the ship without a wait, because your suite affords you VIP status. Good choice!

 

 

Yes this is correct, you do get priority embark and debark with a suite but that's about it, other than a bigger cabin.

What you don't get that FTTF gets is a cabin that is ready when you board and priority tenders in ports that require you to tender.

VIP including suites board before FTTF.

We got a suite for our upcoming cruise in 4 weeks because we have two teenage girls and I like them to be in the same cabin so I know when they come in at curfew time and a bigger cabin gives three women more room to get ready, do makeup, etc. There is a lot more closet and counter space also.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[pe4all]

We put 4 people into a GS for our first (and only, so far) Royal cruise. Paid a hefty price for the suite, but enjoyed the experience. Truthfully, I would never get a GS for 4 on Carnival- especially being Platinum cruisers. (We have had a GS on CCL.) I would take 2 balcony cabins instead, which costs less than a GS on CCL. We get the same "perks," plus have 2 bathrooms. We open the balcony doors and have a larger balcony, not to mention more privacy.

Edited June 20, 2014 by pe4all

[Mikesa1721]

MSC Yacht Club Amenities & Inclusions

 

· 24-hour Butler service

 

· Concierge services round-the-clock

 

· Suite amenities which include

o Fine wood finishes

o European king bed convertible to two single beds

o Memory foam mattress

o Egyptian cotton sheets

o Extensive pillow menu

o Walk-in closet with safe

o Marble bathrooms featuring tub with shower and hair dryer

o Courtesy use of luxury MSC Yacht Club bathrobes and slippers

o Complimentary en suite mini-bar

o 24-hour room service

o Television

o Nintendo Wii console

o Choice of daily newspaper in its original format

o Internet connection (fees apply)

o Direct-dial telephone (fees apply)

 

· Complimentary wines and spirits, beers, and soft drinks in all MSC Yacht Club venues

 

· Open-seating dining in private MSC Yacht Club restaurant (La Palmeraie aboard MSC Preziosa, Le Muse aboard MSC Divina, L’Olivo aboard MSC Splendida, L’Etoile aboard MSC Fantasia)

 

· The One Pool, Bar & Grill featuring a shaded swimming pool, spa baths, solarium and a superbly-stocked bar

 

· Top Sail Lounge, offering a varied selection of delicious complimentary drinks, gourmet delicacies and desserts throughout the day and night

 

· Direct private entrance to MSC Aurea Spa with massage and treatment rooms dedicated to MSC Yacht Club guests

 

· Select en suite spa services (fees apply)

 

· One complimentary thermal suite session (sauna & steam room)

· Private en suite & after-hours shopping

 

· Private shore excursions and chauffeur-driven guided tours with private photographer option (fees apply)

[LTS1960]

We put 4 people into a GS for our first (and only, so far) Royal cruise. Paid a hefty price for the suite, but enjoyed the experience. Truthfully, I would never get a GS for 4 on Carnival- especially being Platinum cruisers. (We have had a GS on CCL.) I would take 2 balcony cabins instead, which costs less than a GS on CCL. We get the same "perks," plus have 2 bathrooms. We open the balcony doors and have a larger balcony, not to mention more privacy.

 

 

Actually, when we booked the two connecting balcony cabins were more expensive than the G suite. That's why we booked the suite.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[DebJ14]

MSC Yacht Club Amenities & Inclusions

 

· 24-hour Butler service

 

· Concierge services round-the-clock

 

· Suite amenities which include

o Fine wood finishes

o European king bed convertible to two single beds

o Memory foam mattress

o Egyptian cotton sheets

o Extensive pillow menu

o Walk-in closet with safe

o Marble bathrooms featuring tub with shower and hair dryer

o Courtesy use of luxury MSC Yacht Club bathrobes and slippers

o Complimentary en suite mini-bar

o 24-hour room service

o Television

o Nintendo Wii console

o Choice of daily newspaper in its original format

o Internet connection (fees apply)

o Direct-dial telephone (fees apply)

 

· Complimentary wines and spirits, beers, and soft drinks in all MSC Yacht Club venues

 

· Open-seating dining in private MSC Yacht Club restaurant (La Palmeraie aboard MSC Preziosa, Le Muse aboard MSC Divina, L’Olivo aboard MSC Splendida, L’Etoile aboard MSC Fantasia)

 

· The One Pool, Bar & Grill featuring a shaded swimming pool, spa baths, solarium and a superbly-stocked bar

 

· Top Sail Lounge, offering a varied selection of delicious complimentary drinks, gourmet delicacies and desserts throughout the day and night

 

· Direct private entrance to MSC Aurea Spa with massage and treatment rooms dedicated to MSC Yacht Club guests

 

· Select en suite spa services (fees apply)

 

· One complimentary thermal suite session (sauna & steam room)

· Private en suite & after-hours shopping

 

· Private shore excursions and chauffeur-driven guided tours with private photographer option (fees apply)

 

Thanks for posting these MSC perks. We have a Yacht Club suite booked for April 2015.

[DebJ14]

On RCCL we really enjoy eating the cooked to order breakfast and lunch in the specialty restaurant. We also love the reserved seating at the pool, ice shows and in the theater (Voyager class ships). No wandering around looking for a seat. The Concierge lounge is nice, especially the complimentary cocktails and appetizers each evening.

 

We are looking forward to sailing in a Haven Suite on the NCL Jewel in January. Since the weather out of Houston in January can be a crapshoot it will be nice to have the Haven area where they can close the roof if needed.

[GeauxK]

I just returned from a 7-day Alaskan cruise on NCL. The Haven on NCL Jewel is absolutely the BEST! It was actually cheaper for 5 adults to share the 2-bed/2-bath Family Suite in The Haven than to use 2 balconies with an inside for the solo cruiser (3rd, 4th, 5th passengers only paid port charges).

 

Be careful to check the price of a Family Suite vs. The Haven Family Suite. It is exactly the same room but the amenities are totally different. The FS gets a butler but The Haven FS gets SOOOO much more.

 

If you want to be treated like really special cruisers, invest in The Haven on NCL. It makes it hard to go back downstairs. Private pool, private exercise equipment, private sauna, private courtyard, private dining area in courtyard for breakfast and lunch if you want to eat in your bathrobe rather than get dressed to go to Cagney's, snacks all day long in The Haven courtyard, private snacks in your room daily, fresh fruit daily, espresso coffee machine in the room, chocolates on pillow at bedtime, extra lotions/potions in the bathrooms are just some of the amenities.

 

Now I just have to convince 4-5 people into heading anywhere on an NCL ship with The Haven.....it's a wonderful way to vacation!!! And I am ready to go again.....soon!

 

The CCL coming up soon is an inside cabin so I can say I've sailed in all classes. A lot of the decision depends on the celebration/or not of the particular cruise.

[pe4all]

Actually, when we booked the two connecting balcony cabins were more expensive than the G suite. That's why we booked the suite.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Wow! You are very lucky. We get stuck paying premium prices (Christmas week) and the GS's are always more than 2 balconies.:)

[cruisetraveler2]

I found this thread in a search. A friend is thinking about a Carnival cruise because the itinerary fits what she wants (short Canada cruise). She asked me to find out about Carnival's suite perks. I've cruised a lot, but have little experience with suites, and no experience with Carnival.

 

So I'd like to clarify--the only perk you get for a suite (other than the nice big room) is priority embarkation and debarkation?

 

So do people who buy the FTTF package get more perks? The website says the FTTF package includes priority dining reservations. Do suite pax not even get that?

 

My friend has been in a suite on NCL, so she may have expectations that Carnival won't meet. For only 4 days, should she skip the suite and buy the FTTF package instead?

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

 

Since your friend had experienced a suite on NCL, she may be disappointed with Carnival unless she lowers her expectations.

[travler27]

Carnival no longer provides priority debark with a suite. Do a mock booking and look under suite for description of the perks provided. Priority embark is listed priority debark is not and I've been on 2 cruises since March and didn't get priority debark on either. Got priority embark on both. I'm sure they haven't updated all their web site pages yet but in fact do not provide priority debark without Platinum status or FTTF.

[cruiser_family]

Carnival no longer provides priority debark with a suite. Do a mock booking and look under suite for description of the perks provided. Priority embark is listed priority debark is not and I've been on 2 cruises since March and didn't get priority debark on either. Got priority embark on both. I'm sure they haven't updated all their web site pages yet but in fact do not provide priority debark without Platinum status or FTTF.

 

I found this one Carnival's site today: (http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Footer_88)

 

Priority Debarkation

 

In addition, Platinum and Diamond guests and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship. They will be given the option of Self Assist (where offered) or Priority Debarkation; for Priority Debarkation, the guest will receive special luggage tags which will entitle them to debark.

Edited September 9, 2014 by cruiser_family

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I found this one Carnival's site today: (http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Footer_88)

 

Priority Debarkation

 

In addition, Platinum and Diamond guests and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship. They will be given the option of Self Assist (where offered) or Priority Debarkation; for Priority Debarkation, the guest will receive special luggage tags which will entitle them to debark.

 

My favorite debarkation is to (first) sleep in till 8-ish, stay on the ship until most of the crowd is gone, then saunter off! :D

 

We used to take advantage of priority debarkation, but too many times they'd have you meeting somewhere at o-dark-thirty, where'd you sit for sometimes an hour or more waiting for "the word"... no thanks !! ;)

 

Tom

Edited September 9, 2014 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[peg013]

I found this one Carnival's site today: (http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Footer_88)

 

Priority Debarkation

 

In addition, Platinum and Diamond guests and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship. They will be given the option of Self Assist (where offered) or Priority Debarkation; for Priority Debarkation, the guest will receive special luggage tags which will entitle them to debark.

 

It might be on the website but it's not on the ship. No priority Debarkation on the Splendor in July. Only priority embarkation is provided otherwise you need to purchase FTTF even when in a suite.