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

[nanuak]

Loved this comparison! I'm trying to figure out what we are going to do next year for our 10th Anniversary. Some of the suite perks sound fabulous and similar to our land vacations.

 

We got married at Sandals Negril, He wants to go back like we did on our 5th Anniversary, and stay in the swim up suite again ($15K - 14 days :eek::eek:). I am trying to look for something a little more reasonable.

 

At Sandals, we had 2 butlers and a cell phone to contact them at anytime...sweet! We did not use them to unpack our luggage, but they would have if requested. We didn't have to be chair hogs, they did it for us everyday and our names were printed out on a "reserved" card :D I better quit thinking about it, as I am slowly talking myself into going again.

[Chris41]

Tom,

 

That is a great list however could you give a the price of each of these suites for say a normal 7 day carib cruise so that we can all see how much the difference is?

 

If possible thanks

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom,

 

That is a great list however could you give a the price of each of these suites for say a normal 7 day carib cruise so that we can all see how much the difference is?

 

If possible thanks

 

Keep in mind that some of these ships have several different suite levels. Some, especially on lines other than Carnival, have suites which are quite large (up to 3 bedrooms - Garden Villa on NCL).

 

I picked our sail week on the Epic as an example. It is the week following Thanksgiving, and I am showing the lowest and highest suite level (per person before fees and taxes):

 

NCL Epic...........$2500....$4700

NCL Pearl..........$1560....$8830 (Garden Villa)

Celebrity Eclipse $1950....$7300

Ruby Princess.....$2150....$2550

Carnival Dream...$1350....$1950

 

Quite the range!!

 

Tom

[robin13]

We had a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite last October on NCL's The Pearl. It was the best cabin we have ever had on over 15 cruises. The bathroom was to die for and there were giant picture windows over the tub and in the shower. The perks were amazing and no the butler did not unpack my suitcase. I am sure if I would have asked him he would have but I did not want strangers going thru my clothes. Probably the best perk was eating breakfast and lunch at Cagneys! They had a whole different menu from the MDR and it was so relaxing in there. As for cost it really wasn't that much expensive than the suites on Carnival and to me it was worth every penny. Does anyone know the reason why they do not offer more perks?

[jimbo5544]

Keep in mind that some of these ships have several different suite levels. Some, especially on lines other than Carnival, have suites which are quite large (up to 3 bedrooms - Garden Villa on NCL).

 

I picked our sail week on the Epic as an example. It is the week following Thanksgiving, and I am showing the lowest and highest suite level (per person before fees and taxes):

 

NCL Epic...........$2500....$4700

NCL Pearl..........$1560....$8830 (Garden Villa)

Celebrity Eclipse $1950....$7300

Ruby Princess.....$2150....$2550

Carnival Dream...$1350....$1950

 

Quite the range!!

 

Tom

Sure is, nice thread, and the price variance adds another flavor to it.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... As for cost it really wasn't that much expensive than the suites on Carnival and to me it was worth every penny. Does anyone know the reason why they do not offer more perks?

 

I assume that there are a few reasons - possibly including, but not limited to:

 

> Carnival knows that there are many other lines which offer a wide range of suite perks, and they don't want to try and compete for that guest.

> Carnival may feel that a sufficient number of their (demographic) guests would not appreciate such perks (to the tune of what it might cost).

> Carnival might feel that a % of their guests could feel intimidated by having a subset of suite guests onboard who are being treated differently - and not be able to understand or factor that in. An example being the Platinum line at Guest Services. I can't tell you how many times I have used that line and then received direct comments (negative, I might add) or "the evil eye" from people in the regular line. I am sure those people are in the minority - though perhaps there are more of them on Carnival.

> Carnival does not want to put the time, effort, or expense into changing their current profitable system. Case in point: Look at their past guest loyalty program. Changes have been promised for years now (as being "right around the corner") and yet nothing has changed. A glacial pace indeed.

 

Who knows? !! :confused:

 

Tom

Edited June 30, 2011 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Take, for example, the Courtyard/Family Villa on the Epic. There was a second (small) bedroom with its own bathroom. Here are a few pictures to show what it has to offer (over a "standard" cabin - or even a suite on Carnival):

 

Automatic lighting controls:

 

 

Touchscreen phone:

 

 

Nice Bar area:

 

 

 

 

..continued...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 30, 2011 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[rxlowry]

On NCL, not all suites get Courtyard access. It is Owner's Suite and above (except on Epic I think which might give it to more suites)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Comfortable Bedroom - with second DVD player/TV:

 

 

 

SUPER bathroom/shower:

 

 

 

 

You can play Video Poker/Slots (for real $) right from the comfort of your couch!!

 

 

 

 

... thus, there are more perks than meet the eye...

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On NCL, not all suites get Courtyard access. It is Owner's Suite and above (except on Epic I think which might give it to more suites)

 

I do know that on the Epic, all suite levels have access (not mini-suites). Aside from that, I am still on a learning curve!

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

Love the pics, esp the bath.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Love the pics, esp the bath.

 

Fortunately, there is a reflective (outer) coating on the glass. Nonetheless, I pulled down the shade when in port - and showering. Otherwise, it's quite the view when you are in the shower at sea... rain shower overhead - exhilarating!

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

Fortunately, there is a reflective (outer) coating on the glass. Nonetheless, I pulled down the shade when in port - and showering. Otherwise, it's quite the view when you are in the shower at sea... rain shower overhead - exhilarating!

 

Tom

LOL, that would be interesting. Suddenly you show up on youtube :eek:

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

LOL, that would be interesting. Suddenly you show up on youtube :eek:

 

I haven't shown Cheryl how to operate the VIDEO mode on my camera yet. Methinks I won't! :o

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

What is the balcony like in that cabin?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

What is the balcony like in that cabin?

 

Rather small actually - not like the kind of space we had on Celebrity (with those nice breakfasts out there). Since some of that ocean facing real estate is utilized by the shower/tub area, thus it shrinks the balcony. Definitely not a deal breaker in this case, as everything else moves the balcony issue quite low on the list!

 

 

Here is a layout of the cabin:

 

 

 

 

Tom

Edited June 30, 2011 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[jimbo5544]

Rather small actually - not like the kind of space we had on Celebrity (with those nice breakfasts out there). Since some of that ocean facing real estate is utilized by the shower/tub area, thus it shrinks the balcony. Definitely not a deal breaker in this case, as everything else moves the balcony issue quite low on the list!

 

Tom

Interesting... and fairly different than other lines have done (although NCL has raised the concept bar). I tend to agree with your assesment of relative importance.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Interesting... and fairly different than other lines have done (although NCL has raised the concept bar). I tend to agree with your assesment of relative importance.

 

I added in an image to my last post to better illustrate the layout of that cabin.

 

Tom

[firefly333]

Tom why not include RCL. I have heard those loft suites on oasis are 2 stories and quite nice.

 

The best perk is getting into the concierge lounge and a couple of hours of FREE drinks at night.

 

Any full suite and above gets to enter the concierge lounge.

 

Im more interested in Celebrity and RCL than Princess (another carnival line) and NCL.

[mitchpam]

I assume that there are a few reasons - possibly including, but not limited to:

 

> Carnival knows that there are many other lines which offer a wide range of suite perks, and they don't want to try and compete for that guest.

> Carnival may feel that a sufficient number of their (demographic) guests would not appreciate such perks (to the tune of what it might cost).

> Carnival might feel that a % of their guests could feel intimidated by having a subset of suite guests onboard who are being treated differently - and not be able to understand or factor that in. An example being the Platinum line at Guest Services. I can't tell you how many times I have used that line and then received direct comments (negative, I might add) or "the evil eye" from people in the regular line. I am sure those people are in the minority - though perhaps there are more of them on Carnival.

> Carnival does not want to put the time, effort, or expense into changing their current profitable system. Case in point: Look at their past guest loyalty program. Changes have been promised for years now (as being "right around the corner") and yet nothing has changed. A glacial pace indeed.

 

Who knows? !! :confused:

 

Tom

 

I would think that they would at the very least they could give you 2 bottled waters per day, maybe a few drink coupons, and a night of dining in the steak house... not all the regular folks would have to see that kind of thing... simple, but nice touches that really mean something.

[jimbo5544]

I would think that they would at the very least they could give you 2 bottled waters per day, maybe a few drink coupons, and a night of dining in the steak house... not all the regular folks would have to see that kind of thing... simple, but nice touches that really mean something.

good points.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom why not include RCL. I have heard those loft suites on oasis are 2 stories and quite nice.

 

The best perk is getting into the concierge lounge and a couple of hours of FREE drinks at night.

 

Any full suite and above gets to enter the concierge lounge.

 

Im more interested in Celebrity and RCL than Princess (another carnival line) and NCL.

 

I priced out those loft suites once ... it seems it was close to $10,000 pp. Can you imagine the cost for two for a week... ESPECIALLY if you spend time in the casino (and you are already willing to drop $20K on the suite alone)!

 

We have one RCL sailing under our belt. It was a short cruise on the Sovereign of the Seas. It was an "OK" cruise. We would love to try the Oasis or Allure at some point. We'll get around to it eventually!

 

 

I just checked.. the Oasis for that week runs between $3,000 and $8,700 pp for a suite.

 

Tom

Edited June 30, 2011 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I would think that they would at the very least they could give you 2 bottled waters per day, maybe a few drink coupons, and a night of dining in the steak house... not all the regular folks would have to see that kind of thing... simple, but nice touches that really mean something.

 

good points.

 

I have made all sorts of "suggestions" to them (to people who supposedly have ears) regarding perks for Milestone and suite guests over the years.

 

Nobody is listening... :(

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

I just checked.. the Oasis for that week runs between $3,000 and $8,700 pp for a suite.

 

Tom

 

To be (more) complete, here is RCL's listing of suite perks (does not include "junior" suites):

 

RCL:

 

 

Priority check-in

Personalized attention throughout the cruise with complimentary Concierge Club service on select ships

Reserved prime seating in the main theater for entertainment shows, where available

Priority tender tickets on select cruises. (Tender service is provided when smaller vessels are necessary to reach shore in locations without docking ports large enough for cruise ships.)

VIP pool deck seating, where available

Full breakfast, lunch and dinner dining room menus available for in-room dining

Private breakfast and lunch seating in specialty restaurants on our Voyager and Freedom Class ships

Mattel® board games available to order for in-room entertainment for the kids

Complimentary luggage valet service

Luxury spa bathrobes for use onboard

Complimentary pressing service on formal night

Priority departure with exclusive suite* departure lounge featuring continental breakfast

 

Tom

[mitchpam]

I have made all sorts of "suggestions" to them (to people who supposedly have ears) regarding perks for Milestone and suite guests over the years.

 

Nobody is listening... :(

 

Tom

 

A for effort though! I know that we are seriously re-thinking our suite on the Dream and switching to a balcony just to save the $$ to be able to do more on our cruise...