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

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

LOL...I had to go back to the top of this page to make sure I was in the 'Carnival Cruise Lines' forum.... :p

 

So....hubby and I are booked in a Vista Suite on the Miracle...this is our first 'suite', outside of an ncl mini suite (which is just a glorified balcony cabin with a bigger bathroom)....I didnt think much about amenities....I dont really need/care to have a Butler....just give me that great cabin!!

 

Anyway...........I just booked our annual 'girls cruise' to Bermuda, and NCL was the only line that fit our schedule/destination, etc....long story, short....we booked a family suite for us 4 ladies for a tiny bit more than 2 ocean view cabins.............and OMG.....My PCC emailed me the complete list of amenities (posted over at the NCL forum).....so that got me thinking....

 

What comes with my CCL suite????....LOL....umm.....not much :p

 

But it's all good.....We've got a 2 room vista suite heading to Bermuda in September.....and I'm happy!!!

 

Miracle aft corners are sweet - you'll enjoy that!

 

 

Tom

[happy cruzin]

Miracle aft corners are sweet - you'll enjoy that!

 

 

Tom

 

I'll second that!! ;) :D

[AnitaVacation]

I'll second that!! :D

 

:D:D:D I'm very excited about this cruise....we have the Vista Suite on the starboard side....fingers crossed that the ship docks a$$ in, so that we have a nice view of the bay......if not, we get a nice view of Kings Wharf.....anyway....coupla bottles of wine....coupla bottles of some choice liquors....bringing my own party tunes...(80's rock...Stones, Aerosmith, Zep and more)....It's gonna be a good time!!!! :D:D

 

Did you know that there is a limit of 6 smilies per post???? lol...I had to edit out my line of smilies....................

[firefly333]

 

Did you know that there is a limit of 6 smilies per post???? lol...I had to edit out my line of smilies....................

 

I thought it was 5 images, but it must be 6. any kind of images, smilies included.

 

Tom you could do a survey on cruise credits. Is princess the only cruiseline who gives 2 cruise credits to solo pax?

[GreenValleyDogWalker]

Thank you for the great post ! Just a quick note - one of the nicest (I think) "suite perks" on a Princess ship is the "suite breakfast" in the speciality restaurant (Sabatinis) ---Must be similar to the perk that

you receive on NCL in Cagneys.....very nice - personal service...order whatever you want - etc. etc.

Also - free laundry service - and free internet service..

[AnitaVacation]

Thank you for the great post ! Just a quick note - one of the nicest (I think) "suite perks" on a Princess ship is the "suite breakfast" in the speciality restaurant (Sabatinis) ---Must be similar to the perk that

you receive on NCL in Cagneys.....very nice - personal service...order whatever you want - etc. etc.

 

Also - free laundry service - and free internet service..

 

Thumbs up on the FREE INTERNET SERVICE......DO YOU HEAR ME NCL AND CARNIVAL?????

[picklebongo]

The suite comparison has been very enlightening and I'm hearing lots of good things about NCL. I'd particularly like to know what the vibe is like on Epic, for instance, is there much of a night life, older crowd, very sedate, that type of information.

[jame_g]

Carnival is nice if you want the lowest cost suite with no perks at all. If Carnival had better suite perks and better spas, we might actually sail Carnival more than we do.

 

NCL is great if you want the best value suite with great suite perks. Their suite prices and perks beat out most other lines. The suites are a big reason that we continue to sail NCL. Combine it with the spa pass on most of their ships and it's an experience we can't get on other lines for a comparable price. People have been saying to enjoy NCL while it lasts for many years, but they're still around. They have new capital and just ordered new ships, so I think they'll be around for at least a few more years. The only problem is that the suites are now getting so popular that they fill up quickly and the prices are increasing, but they're still a good value compared to other lines. They've actually added more suites to some of their ships, so I think they've found their niche.

 

Not going to slam any other line here. Other people have things that they prefer, and those lines meet their needs. I go based on itinerary and value, and have enjoyed both Carnival and NCL.

Edited August 14, 2011 by jame_g

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Tom you could do a survey on cruise credits. Is princess the only cruiseline who gives 2 cruise credits to solo pax?

 

The only place I have touched on cruise credits was in the Past Guest Programs thread --- LINK --- though I only discussed Carnival, Celebrity, NCL, and RC.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

The suite comparison has been very enlightening and I'm hearing lots of good things about NCL. I'd particularly like to know what the vibe is like on Epic, for instance, is there much of a night life, older crowd, very sedate, that type of information.

 

We found that, if it's a VIBE you want, you can find it on the Epic. The Bliss Ultra Lounge was a happening place at night - you would find plenty of people there dancing to (real) DJ spun tunes. For those who enjoy blues/jazz there is Fat Cats lounge -- a VERY happening place as well! The age of the crowd is similar to most Carnival sailings we have been on (though fewer older folks as you might find on some holiday sailings such as Thanksgiving).

 

All this, and more, is why we re-booked the Epic right after we got off in March of this year. Counting the days until our November return!

 

Tom

[manmtnmike]

We found that, if it's a VIBE you want, you can find it on the Epic. The Bliss Ultra Lounge was a happening place at night - you would find plenty of people there dancing to (real) DJ spun tunes. For those who enjoy blues/jazz there is Fat Cats lounge -- a VERY happening place as well! The age of the crowd is similar to most Carnival sailings we have been on (though fewer older folks as you might find on some holiday sailings such as Thanksgiving).

 

All this, and more, is why we re-booked the Epic right after we got off in March of this year. Counting the days until our November return!

 

Tom

 

Tom,

 

Sounds like what we're into, and seeing less and less on CCL...you've got me seriously thinkn' bout jumpn' ships.:p

 

Mike

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom,

 

Sounds like what we're into, and seeing less and less on CCL...you've got me seriously thinkn' bout jumpn' ships.:p

 

Mike

 

Well, if it's the Epic you jump on, it's hard to see where you would not be BLOWN AWAY by it.

 

Have a look at DGP1111's (Don's) review, if you haven't already... it will probably push you over the edge. LINK !!!

 

Tom

[SwedishCruiser]

No coffeemaker in our VS!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

No coffeemaker in our VS!

 

Nor on any Carnival ship (any category)... but there was a TV in the cabin (perhaps 2)! :D

 

Tom

[NLVCruiser702]

OK, ENOUGH about the butler unpacking your undies. Let’s focus on the perks people DO enjoy.

 

DW and I were on the NCL Pride of America in September 2010, Honolulu round-trip, visiting the Islands. We had Suite 10000 looking out over the bow of the ship two decks below the bridge. Even the Concierge said it is the best cabin on the ship.

 

On NCL, the Butler handled all arrangements for us ON the ship. This included making dinner reservations in the specialty restaurants, afternoon canapés in-suite when we returned from our excursions, ordering and serving dinner for us and our friends in our suite, delivery of disembarkation luggage tags for us and our friends, answering our questions about where to find whatever on the ship, etc. We made sure his end-of-cruise tip reflected the added services he provided.

 

The NCL Concierge handled information and arrangements for things OFF the ship. He handled our welcome at the dock, champagne during our check-in, escorted us on-board, reviewed our on-board arrangements, explained the perks available to us, and escorted us to our suite. Each morning he provided us info and a map for the day's port, answering questions and making suggestions, like where to park the rental car in Lahaina FOR FREE. He would have made reservations for our shore excursions too, but those were completed in advance.

 

The Concierge oversees the staff of Butlers. Each Butler has a group of suites for which s/he is responsible. The Butlers are paired so one covers when the other is on a break. We were given the phone extension for the portable phone our Butler and the Concierge each carried. We didn't abuse the privilege, but did use it once or twice.

 

Make no mistake, we also had a cabin steward who tidied up the cabin 2-3 times a day, leaving towel animals and bedtime treats.

 

The breakfast and lunch for suite passengers served in Lazy J's Steakhouse was exceptional. I enjoyed steak and eggs 2 or 3 mornings and never felt a desire to pay for dinner in the Steakhouse. We loved the quieter environment and got to know the wait staff as the week progressed to the point they were offering our favorite starters as we were seated for each meal. Both the Concierge and Butler told us to bring our friends (staying in a Cat BA cabin) to lunch and breakfast with us at Lazy J's. Now THAT'S a PERK.

 

I’m glad to see most of NCL’s sister cruise lines are also providing these perks. We look forward to enjoying the suite/sweet service on Princess for a Panama Canal sailing in the next few years.

[AnitaVacation]

For May 2012, I've booked one of the new 'family suites' on the Dawn for myself and 3 girlfriends......this will be the first 'real' suite for all of us (I've been in a mini-suite before, but honestly, they aren't really suites)....

 

For one of the ladies, this is a first ever cruise.....lol....I'm afraid that she will be completely spoiled by this trip and if she ever has to book a regular cabin, she will be like '*****'???? Or maybe we will just keep booking the suites ;)

 

I'm very excited about this trip....4 of us in a 400+sf suite with 4 beds (no sharing!)....with a glorious bathroom (no teeny weenie shower!) and a glorious view...and the more I read about the 'perks' the better it gets!!

 

This is a long ways from my very first cruise cabin....on the ncl Majesty, Boston to Bermuda in a 104sf obstructed view cabin....with a shower smaller than a closet....:eek:

[mermaid72]

A little reverse snobbism here?

Or maybe envy has opened her green eyes!

 

How wonderful that Tom & Cheryl can GRACIOUSLY share the suite life with us.

[TITISSA]

I love the "suite life" :D.

[Quincella]

Not a chance. By the way, their fares for 3rd, 4th, 5th etc.. in that cabin are only like $300pp or so... a VERY good value, given that those additional people are all able to enjoy the added benefits which the 1st and 2nd essentially paid for.

 

Tom

I sailed in a Courtyard Villa on the Epic last September via an upsell. I could not believe the deal I got! We'd booked a deluxe balcony that we were planning to shove four of us (two adults and to kids) into and were perfectly fine with the approx. $3000 price tag. Then about three weeks before sailing the Upsell Fairy called. Ended up in that magnificent suite for only an additional $1,500. Worth every penny, and then some.

 

The bad news? My next cruise (Oct. 8 on the Carnival Freedom) is an inside cabin! :eek: How I'm going to avoid the comparisons between my last stateroom on the Epic and the inside on the Freedom is beyond me. Sigh. At least I'll be at sea, which is what really matters most to me.

[iluvdoxies]

Enjoy your cruise !

 

We have a 2 bedroom courtyard villa on the EPIC, cant wait :)

[IwannaGo Now]

On RCCL, all suites are not created equal. I booked a Grand Suite for a 14 day Trans Atlantic on the Grandeur of the Seas. There is no concierge lounge on the Grandeur, thus those perks (and they are many) are not replaced. I was not allowed to attend the Diamond Happy hour, as a substitute, either. The room service breakfast was also lacking as they would only allow the "daily egg specialty".....found that out when I tried to get eggs benedict, and was refused....every morning, and told what the "special" was. I was really disappointed in the Grandeur Suite program, and perks. Just do your homework....not all ships have all perks.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On RCCL, all suites are not created equal. I booked a Grand Suite for a 14 day Trans Atlantic on the Grandeur of the Seas. There is no concierge lounge on the Grandeur, thus those perks (and they are many) are not replaced. I was not allowed to attend the Diamond Happy hour, as a substitute, either. The room service breakfast was also lacking as they would only allow the "daily egg specialty".....found that out when I tried to get eggs benedict, and was refused....every morning, and told what the "special" was. I was really disappointed in the Grandeur Suite program, and perks. Just do your homework....not all ships have all perks.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Amazing that they would not even let you order the Eggs Benedict! wow !

 

Tom

[Balconymaven]

Tom,

 

Great thread! But why don't you copy it onto the NCL boards, too?

 

I just happened across it by accident, and feel it would be helpful over there, too. I am a regular NCL cruiser, but was thinking about a quickie Carnival when near Galveston, so came over to these boards. I've learned more about the NCL suite perks here than over there. I think you would be doing NCL cruisers a favor by providing this comparison to them, too!

 

Have read every line of every post; very interesting! ;)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom,

 

Great thread! But why don't you copy it onto the NCL boards, too?

 

I just happened across it by accident, and feel it would be helpful over there, too. I am a regular NCL cruiser, but was thinking about a quickie Carnival when near Galveston, so came over to these boards. I've learned more about the NCL suite perks here than over there. I think you would be doing NCL cruisers a favor by providing this comparison to them, too!

 

Have read every line of every post; very interesting! ;)

 

I initially thought about that - and ended up only doing that with one of my comparison threads. If you would like to start a thread there which links to this one, that would be great. :)

 

Tom

[Balconymaven]

Tom,

 

I'd love to do it, but don't know how. Can you educate me?