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

[jimbo5544]

This thread is fine and the context in which it started years ago. The problem with whoever wrote John - whoever Bob is - is him throwing in that people who book suites are "higher caliber" guests than those who don't. I don't know where he got that sentiment but naturally it rubs people the wrong way. If you can afford a suite and want one, get it. But don't think for a second that you're better than anyone else. People really should stop running to JHs page speaking for other people. I've seen nothing demonstrating that Tom or Cheryl are like this though I don't know them.

 

In fact the suite perks are lacking in Carnival. We got upgraded to one once. And unless or until that changes, I wouldn't seriously entertain getting one whether it was in my budget or not. Bob should have stuck to the substance of this thread instead of injecting a supposed status for booking a suite.

 

I will agree and disagree with your post. I would agree with your assessment of Bob and this continued pot stirring that occurs between here and John. It is probably one or two persons who only have ill in mind, I call them bashers.

 

The part I disagree with, well disgree is to strong a word, is suite perks. Are they lacking compared to others as Tom mentions? Sure they are. Are they priced at the same points? For the vast majority, not even close.

 

We float back and forth between a balcony, aft wraps and suites and have stayed in the nicest that Carnival has to offer in these areas. I sure don't think of us as any better than anyone else while on the ship (or off ;)), and that my friends is a good thing. Could they throw some perks at suite guests and would they be appreciated? Sure.

[I Luv Crusin]

Oh My...apparently someone decided to quote this thread on John Heald's Facebook page and it has started an uproar with all the comments. :(

 

And I feel they mislead the purpose of Tom's hard work!

[jabberjaw070596]

And I feel they mislead the purpose of Tom's hard work!

 

Agreed!!

[moniquet]

Not really any perks except priority boarding. However, you get what you pay for and Carnival suites are quite nice and at a cheap price.

[BigB0882]

This is just embarrassing for Carnival. I have always heard their Suite perks were lacking but seeing a list with direct comparison to multiple other cruise lines really makes it stand out. Literally the ONLY thing on on the Carnival list that is even a true perk is the whirlpool tub as the other rooms don't have that. Everything else you find in all rooms on board with the exception, perhaps, of the vanity that I don't think is in interior rooms. Why doesn't Carnival do more for their Suite guests? Are their suites cheaper than other lines? Maybe they don't think their guests are looking for that type of service on Carnival? Carnival is a cheaper cruise line, after all.

 

Does anyone follow John Heald on Facebook? He got a message from someone about this thread and they basically copied and pasted my post (quoted above) and sent it to him. Who does that? Kind of odd. People just surf CC looking for things to send to Heald? Does Heald himself look on here for talking points?

[Pesh]

Does anyone follow John Heald on Facebook? He got a message from someone about this thread and they basically copied and pasted my post (quoted above) and sent it to him. Who does that? Kind of odd. People just surf CC looking for things to send to Heald? Does Heald himself look on here for talking points?

 

 

Who does that? Probably John Heald poking around these forums to get content for his page and then pretending someone sent them in.

 

I've noticed that a lot of the messages he receives have a similar cadence and similar typos. I could be wrong, and I don't really care that much, but sometimes I do wonder...

Edited March 5, 2016 by Pesh

[kgb46]

I'm guessing you were comparing the Magic (2011) to either the Escape (2015) or Getaway (2014)?

 

Being in the Haven is like a ship within a ship. There's a suite only restaurant, bar, gym area, pool, sun deck, etc. Those areas are less crowded than the rest of the ship (and of the Magic), with a more upscale feel. You're paying more for that, not just the butler. Both the Escape and Getaway have public spaces, shows, and restaurants which really stand out, IMHO. This too is what you're paying extra for.

 

Having said that - I fully think that Carnival has a nice product, it's doing well, and there's no reason that shouldn't continue. I personally LOVE their steakhouse, having dined in there well over 100 times. It's one of the best values as far as specialty restaurants at sea. :)

 

Celebrity, NCL, and Royal Caribbean all have a wide selection of suites - many of which are not inexpensive. Often, all those lines have promotions whereby one can get (especially when booking suites) beverage packages, internet, gratuities and such "free" with your cabin. We all know it's rolled into the price though. Many people like that more all-inclusive type approach. Others are not concerned with that - and are looking for the most streamlined approach. It's all a matter of personal choice.

 

Tom

 

Thank you for the information Tom. I know there is more then butler service and I also know that there are much nicer perks on NCL and other cruise lines for suites. I am doing the handicapped suite on the Magic next year because of having a young lady (friends daughter) with us who is disabled and we will require the use of the shower area and area for her wheelchair. I have a son who is disabled and unable to take him on a cruise. Sigh, maybe one of these days I can have the opportunity to take another cruise with my husband and maybe even give NCL a try. Until then I will cruise with my friend and her daughter.

 

Thanks again,

Karen

[cruizinisthebest]

1. 
   

I will agree and disagree with your post. I would agree with your assessment of Bob and this continued pot stirring that occurs between here and John. It is probably one or two persons who only have ill in mind, I call them bashers.

 

The part I disagree with, well disgree is to strong a word, is suite perks. Are they lacking compared to others as Tom mentions? Sure they are. Are they priced at the same points? For the vast majority, not even close.

 

We float back and forth between a balcony, aft wraps and suites and have stayed in the nicest that Carnival has to offer in these areas. I sure don't think of us as any better than anyone else while on the ship (or off ;)), and that my friends is a good thing. Could they throw some perks at suite guests and would they be appreciated? Sure.

 

Yup. Understood and agree. John said there are some nice things coming for suite guests, so that's a good thing.

[klepton]

Who does that? Probably John Heald poking around these forums to get content for his page and then pretending someone sent them in.

 

I've noticed that a lot of the messages he receives have a similar cadence and similar typos. I could be wrong, and I don't really care that much, but sometimes I do wonder...

 

I would agree with this. I definitely think John makes up half of the "comments" he posts.

 

It's worth clarifying Tom's update about Royal Caribbean. He did disclose that he was only sharing the top tier (star class), there are two other tiers in the royal suite class that pretty much offer what Royal has always offered for suites. Except JS is getting a slight bump with access to the Suite's-only restaurant for dinner.

 

Star class suites are very limited, only a few dozen on each ship, and from what I've seen are *very* pricey. I have a sky loft booked on the Harmony of the Seas for next April, and it's approaching $14k for a family of 4, on a 7 night cruise. A regular balcony cabin for the same cruise (4 people) was $4400 when I booked. So you're paying quite a premium.

 

Lastly, the Royal Suite Class is only going to be on Oasis and Quantum class ships (6 total when the Harmony and Ovation are completed). All other ships will still follow the old perks system.

 

All that said, I do agree that Carnival could make some small tweaks that would make suites much more appealing. Double VIFP points is a great idea, and other lines do this. Free steakhouse dinner, free "enhanced menu" room service, free Cheers, etc. When I priced out the Captain's Suite for our Christmas Vista cruise it came to just shy of $9k. That's a lot to shell out for just a bigger room.

[Jana60]

I would agree with this. I definitely think John makes up half of the "comments" he posts.

 

It's worth clarifying Tom's update about Royal Caribbean. He did disclose that he was only sharing the top tier (star class), there are two other tiers in the royal suite class that pretty much offer what Royal has always offered for suites. Except JS is getting a slight bump with access to the Suite's-only restaurant for dinner.

 

Star class suites are very limited, only a few dozen on each ship, and from what I've seen are *very* pricey. I have a sky loft booked on the Harmony of the Seas for next April, and it's approaching $14k for a family of 4, on a 7 night cruise. A regular balcony cabin for the same cruise (4 people) was $4400 when I booked. So you're paying quite a premium.

 

Lastly, the Royal Suite Class is only going to be on Oasis and Quantum class ships (6 total when the Harmony and Ovation are completed). All other ships will still follow the old perks system.

 

All that said, I do agree that Carnival could make some small tweaks that would make suites much more appealing. Double VIFP points is a great idea, and other lines do this. Free steakhouse dinner, free "enhanced menu" room service, free Cheers, etc. When I priced out the Captain's Suite for our Christmas Vista cruise it came to just shy of $9k. That's a lot to shell out for just a bigger room.

 

I can't help but wonder if a room cost 14 K for 4 people but since occupancy is usually based on two people would you not come out ahead to book the same room for two people and then book an additional inner cabin for the other two and then everybody hang out in the big suite? I'm sure you could purchase any extra perks included in that suite for much less then what you would pay per person for that room. I guess if someone can afford 14k for a one week vacation "cost" is probably not a consideration for them!

Edited March 5, 2016 by Jana60

[Micahs Grandad]

Who does that? Probably John Heald poking around these forums to get content for his page and then pretending someone sent them in.

 

I've noticed that a lot of the messages he receives have a similar cadence and similar typos. I could be wrong, and I don't really care that much, but sometimes I do wonder...

 

People forward outrageous comments to him from here all the time.

 

Could be when JH is bored he comes here looking for material he can use to make CC people look like idiots. Or perhaps he just makes stuff up.

[Linda the Book Lover]

I can't help but wonder if a room cost 14 K for 4 people but since occupancy is usually based on two people would you not come out ahead to book the same room for two people and then book an additional inner cabin for the other two and then everybody hang out in the big suite? I'm sure you could purchase any extra perks included in that suite for much less then what you would pay per person for that room. I guess if someone can afford 14k for a one week vacation "cost" is probably not a consideration for them!

 

I think the family wanted to stay together as one unit.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On a cruise as we speak (Celebrity Equinox), enjoying all sorts of perks... yes, they're more than paid for, in one way or another!

 

I think I'd be quite hesitant to book some of these high end suites without the generous fare reductions from the casino - often between 20 and 50% off !

 

Regarding John's blog. I can't tell you how many times people have quoted me: "Tom and Cheryl said this/that"... The finer points are usually lost in translation, and it often comes across making us look, shall we say, less than nice!

 

I've no idea where John gets all of his comments from, but I'd like to think that they're genuine. I've seen enough posts here on CC to know that people will say ANYTHING! :eek:

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

On a cruise as we speak (Celebrity Equinox), enjoying all sorts of perks... yes, they're more than paid for, in one way or another!

 

I think I'd be quite hesitant to book some of these high end suites without the generous fare reductions from the casino - often between 20 and 50% off !

 

Regarding John's blog. I can't tell you how many times people have quoted me: "Tom and Cheryl said this/that"... The finer points are usually lost in translation, and it often comes across making us look, shall we say, less than nice!

 

I've no idea where John gets all of his comments from, but I'd like to think that they're genuine. I've seen enough posts here on CC to know that people will say ANYTHING! :eek:

 

Tom

Well said and totally agree on all counts. Enjoy your cruse, we are strongly considering to a Celebrity cruise next summer.

 

Edited March 5, 2016 by jimbo5544

[Micahs Grandad]

On a cruise as we speak (Celebrity Equinox), enjoying all sorts of perks... yes, they're more than paid for, in one way or another!

 

I think I'd be quite hesitant to book some of these high end suites without the generous fare reductions from the casino - often between 20 and 50% off !

 

Regarding John's blog. I can't tell you how many times people have quoted me: "Tom and Cheryl said this/that"... The finer points are usually lost in translation, and it often comes across making us look, shall we say, less than nice!

 

I've no idea where John gets all of his comments from, but I'd like to think that they're genuine. I've seen enough posts here on CC to know that people will say ANYTHING! :eek:

 

Tom

 

Think how famous John makes you:):)

[klepton]

I can't help but wonder if a room cost 14 K for 4 people but since occupancy is usually based on two people would you not come out ahead to book the same room for two people and then book an additional inner cabin for the other two and then everybody hang out in the big suite? I'm sure you could purchase any extra perks included in that suite for much less then what you would pay per person for that room. I guess if someone can afford 14k for a one week vacation "cost" is probably not a consideration for them!

 

That's a great thought, and I used to do that with Royal and Carnival all the time. In the one case where I booked a suite on the Carnival Fantasy, it was actually cheaper to also book the connecting OV cabin than it was to have all four of us in the same suite. So we had a GS and a connecting OV, worked out fabulously!

 

In this case, believe it or not, that's not the case. Royal especially has gotten pretty wise to that (and I think they're feeling the competition from NCL's many KSF promotions). In my case, the 3rd and 4th guests are much cheaper than an inside:

 

 

Insides start at about $1k pp for my sailing, not including port tax and fees. I do like the way you think though! :D

 

Other issue is that 3rd and 4th might not get suite perks. Since our son is so young, and there are no connecting or even insides across the hall from the Sky Loft, we'd have to book one of us in the inside and lose the suite perks. Issues getting the kids into Coastal Kitchen, priority seating, etc. On Carnival that isn't a concern because there are no perks, so it definitely makes sense there. On NCL if you're traveling with people in a connecting cabin they will get your suite perks as well. We got suite perks for my parents on our recent Pride of America sailing.

 

I will disagree that cost isn't a concern to us though. It's certainly less of a concern than it probably is to most people, but we aren't overly rich and I actually pinch all sorts of cost-cutting out of all our trips. We live cheaply day-to-day, and spend about 40% of our take-home pay on travelling each year. So with a given amount of $$ for our annual travels, I book whatever I think will give us the best value so we all have a great experience. In this particular case I had a spreadsheet where I listed everything extra that we got and put a dollar value to it. So things like beverage packages, specialty dining, etc were pretty easy to value. Things like "extra space", "extra bathroom", and "double C&A points" were far more subjective. But I had 20 or so items that I valued, and it all added up to more than the difference in price. So it's just all a value proposition. I'd rather drive a 2003 Corolla for the forseeable future and travel in style! :D

[glassman352]

After reading this post I thought I'd look at another line to see the comparable for a suite. We are very specific as to when and where we cruise out of. We always cruise for the July 4th holiday out of a florida port. We always get an Ocean Suite on Carnival for the extra room. We always get the Cheers package as well. I did a mock booking on NCL for their lowest suite for comparison. it was about 400 more per person but thought it might work out as I could pick two FREE add ons. I chose the unlimited drink package and upgrade dinners. When I saw the price break down, there was a $230 promotion charge for picking the two FREE add ons, and the mini suite was smaller. It looks like it is the same width as a regular balcony but longer in length. I'm staying with Carnival

[Lil2Angelic]

I was checking pricing doing mock bookings with NCL and noticed that as well. FREE was not really FREE. Seemed very deceptive to me.

[halos]

I was checking pricing doing mock bookings with NCL and noticed that as well. FREE was not really FREE. Seemed very deceptive to me.

 

That extra cost is the gratuities added on to beverage or dining. It's not deception.

Having used the promotion previously, It was well worth it. If you're giving up an NCL possibility just because you're going to pay a 15% gratuity charge on the otherwise free beverage package, that's silly since no matter which cruise line you sail, you're paying gratuity on beverages.

For example, for an upcoming 11 night cruise on NCL Jade, we got the two add-ons (beverage and 5 night surcharge dining). The beverage service charges are $273 and dining is $32, that is total for two of us. So for about $300 we have open bar for 11 days and special dining for 5. Basically we will get off the ship with no sail and sign bill.

Obviously NCL costing more may be an issue for some but in my opinion, you are getting what you pay for.

 

As for the previous poster, if you were looking at mini suites, they aren't really suites...just extra large balcony cabins. They do not give you all the benefits a suite will....NCL suites are very pricey however. IF you do book an NCL suite and pay that money, it is mostly all inclusive (other than gratuities on beverages and surcharge dining).

Edited March 10, 2016 by halos

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

It comes down to this... (at least at this point in time)... Carnival is incapable of delivering the suite experience that other lines offer. More often that not, there's a sizable premium to pay for those features. For some, it's worth the extra charge. For others, it's not.

 

Count us in the "it's worth it" category.

 

Still looking forward to whatever John releases in regards to changes to their suite perks - assuming that was something which was actually forthcoming (I recall they were talking about "coming" changes to their past guest program for easily 2-3 years before changes were announced)!

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

That extra cost is the gratuities added on to beverage or dining. It's not deception.

Having used the promotion previously, It was well worth it. If you're giving up an NCL possibility just because you're going to pay a 15% gratuity charge on the otherwise free beverage package, that's silly since no matter which cruise line you sail, you're paying gratuity on beverages.

For example, for an upcoming 11 night cruise on NCL Jade, we got the two add-ons (beverage and 5 night surcharge dining). The beverage service charges are $273 and dining is $32, that is total for two of us. So for about $300 we have open bar for 11 days and special dining for 5. Basically we will get off the ship with no sail and sign bill.

Obviously NCL costing more may be an issue for some but in my opinion, you are getting what you pay for.

 

As for the previous poster, if you were looking at mini suites, they aren't really suites...just extra large balcony cabins. They do not give you all the benefits a suite will....NCL suites are very pricey however. IF you do book an NCL suite and pay that money, it is mostly all inclusive (other than gratuities on beverages and surcharge dining).

 

 

Have not seen you in like forever......

[halos]

Have not seen you in like forever......

 

I pop in once in a while. :)

[LaCal]

It comes down to this... (at least at this point in time)... Carnival is incapable of delivering the suite experience that other lines offer. More often that not, there's a sizable premium to pay for those features. For some, it's worth the extra charge. For others, it's not.

 

Count us in the "it's worth it" category.

 

Still looking forward to whatever John releases in regards to changes to their suite perks - assuming that was something which was actually forthcoming (I recall they were talking about "coming" changes to their past guest program for easily 2-3 years before changes were announced)!

 

Tom

 

Hi Tom.....I asked JH today when the announcement would be made about the new suite perks and he did answer me and stated Soon and he thought we'd be very happy with the changes

 

I hope so cause we only get suites and Love the perks of NCLS Suite Life and hope Carnival offers something close

 

We've been cruising with Carnival more recently due to Incredible Casino offers of Free Ocean View and lotta cash......then it's super reasonable to upgrade to a suite

 

Next cruise is March 19th and upcoming on the Vista Oct 1

[klepton]

As for the previous poster, if you were looking at mini suites, they aren't really suites...just extra large balcony cabins. They do not give you all the benefits a suite will....NCL suites are very pricey however. IF you do book an NCL suite and pay that money, it is mostly all inclusive (other than gratuities on beverages and surcharge dining).

 

Not sure if this is still the case, but for the two Haven suites I booked last year I didn't have to pay the SDP/UDP/UBP gratuities. Haven guests for whatever reason got all 4 promo options and didn't have to pay the gratuities on the packages.

[brookie848]

After reading this post I thought I'd look at another line to see the comparable for a suite. We are very specific as to when and where we cruise out of. We always cruise for the July 4th holiday out of a florida port. We always get an Ocean Suite on Carnival for the extra room. We always get the Cheers package as well. I did a mock booking on NCL for their lowest suite for comparison. it was about 400 more per person but thought it might work out as I could pick two FREE add ons. I chose the unlimited drink package and upgrade dinners. When I saw the price break down, there was a $230 promotion charge for picking the two FREE add ons, and the mini suite was smaller. It looks like it is the same width as a regular balcony but longer in length. I'm staying with Carnival

 

You were not looking at an actual suite on NCL -- you were looking at a mini-suite, which is just a cabin with a bigger bathroom. When you book those cabins, you do get to choose two perks on most sailings and pay any gratuities that go with them.

 

There are no suite perks that come with booking a mini-suite on NCL. It is NOT their lowest suite category.

 

If you book an actual suite on NCL (S or H categories), you get all the perks they are currently offering without paying the gratuities.

 

Unfortunately, I've been spoiled by the NCL suite experience and have not yet been convinced to try another line. I'd love to sail on different ships, but until other major lines bring themselves up to speed with what NCL offers, we'll stick with what we are happy with. RCL made a half-hearted attempt, but for us the perks are still better on NCL. I'm curious to see what CCL has in store with their upgrades.