Perks for grand suite vs jr. Suite

[Pencruise]

Thanks.........I knew someone would help me!

 

I'm trying to get used to a tablet as I am in the U.K. getting ready to head off to London tomorrow after spending the last 2 weeks in the Channel Islands and the English countryside. Then on to the Jewel of the Seas Friday for the fall TA .;)

 

Rick

 

Hey Rick, where were you in the Channel Islands ? Jersey or Guernsey ? We were just in Jersey.

[sdear]

Can someone clarify, are you able to get a bridge tour in a GS or above?

[Barbiegator]

We were just in GS and got an invitation to bridge, theater, and galley. Upgraded from JS. Enjoyed some extra perks we don't get as Diamond plus and loved the extra storage and coffee pot.

[sdear]

We were just in GS and got an invitation to bridge, theater, and galley. Upgraded from JS. Enjoyed some extra perks we don't get as Diamond plus and loved the extra storage and coffee pot.

 

 

Thanks, so I am assuming on Oasis if one was in a GS they would receive the same invitation.

[dbk64]

We were just in GS and got an invitation to bridge, theater, and galley. Upgraded from JS. Enjoyed some extra perks we don't get as Diamond plus and loved the extra storage and coffee pot.

 

You are Diamond +, isn't the bridge tour a Diamond+ perk? We just booked GS on the IOS and I am curious to know if the tour is a perk.

[ducktoon1]

Is the bridge tour free for suite guests? We're debating getting the RFS on Freedom OTS next year and this intrigues me.

[timfan27]

I have seen the prices have dropped on the explorer suites for my sailing. I am currently booked in a junior suite. I am thinking of upgrading to the grand suite, but it is still 600 more. I need for someone to tell me if the junior suite will be crowded with the bed open and a cot in there. There are 4 of us going. My son's girlfriend is coming, so she will be sleeping on the cot. We have traditionally gotten a balcony for the 3 of us and the room is crowded when the sofa bed is open. Does anyone know how crowded it is in the junior suite with a sofa bed and a cot?

 

Thanks for the help.

[Hypo]

Breakfast and lunch seating in Portofino is available on Voyager class and down. It was not available on Oasis (assume the same for Allure?)

 

The reason it was not offered on Oasis is that Suite guests can go to the Concierge Lounge and order a cooked to order breakfast there. I ate in the CL most morning on the Oasis and had the best omelets that I have ever had on a cruise ship. All made to order and HOT.

 

It was an excellent place to eat breakfast on that class of ship'

 

Hypo

[Cruising89143]

Real estate pure and simple. RCI is one of the worst for suite perks. I know of only one cruise line that is worse. RCI could take something from NCL when it comes to this area.

[critterchick]

I have seen the prices have dropped on the explorer suites for my sailing. I am currently booked in a junior suite. I am thinking of upgrading to the grand suite, but it is still 600 more. I need for someone to tell me if the junior suite will be crowded with the bed open and a cot in there. There are 4 of us going. My son's girlfriend is coming, so she will be sleeping on the cot. We have traditionally gotten a balcony for the 3 of us and the room is crowded when the sofa bed is open. Does anyone know how crowded it is in the junior suite with a sofa bed and a cot?

 

Thanks for the help.

 

I think it will be very crowded. It's kind of crowded with just the sofa bed open, IMO. If you're talking $600 for all four of you, I think that would be money well spent.

[nanwel]

Putting a rollaway in a JS is tight - it is similar to 2 rooms but the dividing wall is missing - the bed on one wall out into the room the chesterfield on the other side opening into the room - there would be room in the middle for a rollaway, but will leave little walking room at night.

But, when they are closed up during the day will be ok.

Other problem - there is no private dressing area - will have to use washroom. The closets faced the room, with a additional cupboard like an island between the closet doors and the bed/chesterfield area, making it open, not good as a dressing area. No privacy curtains.

 

Are the perks in an Aqua Suite in Allure the same as a GS?

[cruisenfever]

Breakfast and lunch seating in Portofino is available on Voyager class and down. It was not available on Oasis (assume the same for Allure?)

 

The reason it was not offered on Oasis is that Suite guests can go to the Concierge Lounge and order a cooked to order breakfast there. I ate in the CL most morning on the Oasis and had the best omelets that I have ever had on a cruise ship. All made to order and HOT.

 

It was an excellent place to eat breakfast on that class of ship'

 

Hypo

This is only true on Voyager and Freedom class as the Specialty Restaurants are located on the same deck as the WJ.

 

On Jewel they had a wonderful cooked to order breakfast for Suite Guests and PC Members daily in Chops. Hours were the same as the MDR.

 

On Brilliance, they also had a cooked to order breakfast for Suite Guests and PC Members daily in Chops, but it just wasn't as what we experienced on Jewel. They also had a section roped off in the small room off the WJ for Gold Card users for breakfast and lunch. 3 Tables didn't go very far.:rolleyes:

 

Have no idea about Radiance or Serenade or what the Vision class ships offer their Suite Guests as an alternate dining venue for breakfast.

[midwife1021]

I haven't stayed in a JS or GS, but the perks of GS also come with the RFS, which I have stayed in. My sister loved the reserved seating above the sky bar. It was a bit windy for my tastes most of the time, but she really enjoyed the quieter crowd up there. We also all loved the concierge lounge for snacks and drinks before dinner and coffee later in the evening.

Most people in the CL were really cool, and several people commented on the good behaviour of the kids (my 16 year old also spent some time moving chairs around to help some larger groups of older people when the attendants were busy making drinks and tending to other things).

 

Probably the biggest thing that my family enjoyed was the special room service menu. The food on that menu was exquisite!! We enjoyed some snacks and a luncheon on our balcony.

 

It was also nice to sit in Chops during breakfast and not have to fight the crowds in the WJ for seating.

Edited November 13, 2012 by midwife1021

[springvalley]

Putting a rollaway in a JS is tight - it is similar to 2 rooms but the dividing wall is missing - the bed on one wall out into the room the chesterfield on the other side opening into the room - there would be room in the middle for a rollaway, but will leave little walking room at night.

But, when they are closed up during the day will be ok

There is an oblong glass table and two upholstered chairs in the JS also, at least on the Explorer there were. We opted to keep the pullout open all the time since my kids slept there and seemed silly to open and close it constantly, but then the two chairs sat at the foot of the open pullout and blocked half of the slider to the balcony. So we were still cramped in that side of the room. I don't know where we would've fit a cot unless it was at the foot of our bed, then there would be no way to get up and move around in the room at night if need be. Go with the GS if you need an additional sleeping area, definitely.

[critterchick]

This is only true on Voyager and Freedom class as the Specialty Restaurants are located on the same deck as the WJ.

 

On Jewel they had a wonderful cooked to order breakfast for Suite Guests and PC Members daily in Chops. Hours were the same as the MDR.

 

On Brilliance, they also had a cooked to order breakfast for Suite Guests and PC Members daily in Chops, but it just wasn't as what we experienced on Jewel. They also had a section roped off in the small room off the WJ for Gold Card users for breakfast and lunch. 3 Tables didn't go very far.:rolleyes:

 

Have no idea about Radiance or Serenade or what the Vision class ships offer their Suite Guests as an alternate dining venue for breakfast.

 

Vision offered us breakfast in the MTD section of the MDR. It was wonderful. It was the regular menu, along with a small buffet with cereal, fruit, etc.

 

I'm sorry to see that Brilliance hadn't worked out the kinks in th Chops breakfast by the time you sailed. Did somebody at least tell you about it? It was brand new when we sailed, and they hadn't figured out the PC part yet.:)

[njhorseman]

Although we've sailed on Royal Caribbean many times, our upcoming cruise on the Explorer will be our first in a GS. I'm having a bit of trouble deciphering this sentence from the web site, even after reading the explanations in this thread. Perhaps someone can clarify it:

 

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

 

Is it just the "seating" that is private, meaning you have to get your food in the Windjammer, but can bring it into Portofino's to eat, or can you actually order a meal in Portofino's as you would in the main dining room?

 

Perhaps does it mean you can order breakfast, but for lunch you just bring your food from the WJ into Portofino's? (That's what I suspect)

 

Sorry for the confusion...we're used to the arrangement on NCL where all suite passengers get a cooked to order breakfast and lunch in a private venue, with the menu including some more elaborate dishes that are not offered in the MDR or buffet...so I was hoping that was the case on Royal Caribbean...but it doesn't appear to be.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

PS: I know (assuming I've not misinterpreted anything) we can also order room service from the full dining room menu, as well as have a continental breakfast in the Concierge Lounge.

Edited November 26, 2012 by njhorseman

[Clarea]

Although we've sailed on Royal Caribbean many times, our upcoming cruise on the Explorer will be our first in a GS. I'm having a bit of trouble deciphering this sentence from the web site, even after reading the explanations in this thread. Perhaps someone can clarify it:

 

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

 

Is it just the "seating" that is private, meaning you have to get your food in the Windjammer, but can bring it into Portofino's to eat, or can you actually order a meal in Portofino's as you would in the main dining room?

 

Perhaps does it mean you can order breakfast, but for lunch you just bring your food from the WJ into Portofino's? (That's what I suspect)

 

Sorry for the confusion...we're used to the arrangement on NCL where all suite passengers get a cooked to order breakfast and lunch in a private venue, with the menu including some more elaborate dishes that are not offered in the MDR or buffet...so I was hoping that was the case on Royal Caribbean...but it doesn't appear to be.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

PS: I know (assuming I've not misinterpreted anything) we can also order room service from the full dining room menu, as well as have a continental breakfast in the Concierge Lounge.

 

It means just as you said (and I highlighted) above, seating only. Now, there may be exceptions as the ships have latitude in the services they offer guests. You may find a ship that offers suite guests a cooked to order breakfast in Portofino, but the minimum you will get is seating for Windjammer food.

 

EDIT: The Concierge Lounge on Oasis and Allure has cooked to order breakfast and lunch. All other CL's have continental breakfast as you mentioned.

Edited November 26, 2012 by clarea

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Not sure what you are already entitled to as D+ members, but the perks we enjoy with the gold card are priority seating at the shows,pool and ice rink. If you have to go to explorations desk or guest services, you get a priority line but the concierge should take care of all your needs. Free movie for the DVD . Priority tenders, access to barefoot cabanas,priority boarding, sushi and strawberrys in your room and in room dining from the main menu. I'm sure I've forgotten a few but this keeps us coming back to GS . Hope this was helpful !

[cruisenfever]

Not sure what you are already entitled to as D+ members, but the perks we enjoy with the gold card are priority seating at the shows,pool and ice rink. If you have to go to explorations desk or guest services, you get a priority line but the concierge should take care of all your needs. Free movie for the DVD . Priority tenders, access to barefoot cabanas,priority boarding, sushi and strawberrys in your room and in room dining from the main menu. I'm sure I've forgotten a few but this keeps us coming back to GS . Hope this was helpful !

Gold SeaPass cards are only issued to Suite Guests and Pinnacle Club Members.

[Tika]

I think it will be very crowded. It's kind of crowded with just the sofa bed open, IMO. If you're talking $600 for all four of you, I think that would be money well spent.

 

Go for the upgrade! You all will be so much more comfortable. Love the GS layout with plenty of storage and seating etc. Plus you have the perk with the Concierge Lounge for coffee, juice etc. in the AM etc. etc. throughout the day and evening.

[goldgirl2]

Can we get bottled water and soft drinks in the CL through out the day?

[Clarea]

Can we get bottled water and soft drinks in the CL through out the day?

No. Soft drinks will be available during the cocktail hour from 5pm to 8:30pm. On Oasis and Allure you can also get soft drinks during lunchtime.

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Gold SeaPass cards are only issued to Suite Guests and Pinnacle Club Members.

 

Go back to the original post ! Gold sea pass cards are for Grand Suite and above ! They were asking what the perks were for GS !

[pdlove2cruise]

I have tried JS, GS, and OS on Royal Caribbean. By far the most spacious and great for a family of four, the Owners' Suite won me over, but with a price tag that high I think that it was more of a splurge than a regular thing. I do think that if it is just two people, the Grand Suite is the way to go. The Grand Suite has almost all outside of stateroom perks that larger suites have (excluding for escorts from peer with RS and PS). The GS gets access to the Concierge Lounge, premiere seating at shows and Windjammer, and pool when available when having your gold card and special shampoos and bathrobes included in room. In edition, the GS has both a larger balcony and a larger stateroom portion. The bathroom is nice but I do not recall it having a walk-in closet like they do in the JS, but I may not be remembering correctly. Also included with a GS is either the Captains Welcome Aboard Party or Cocktail Hour. As mentioned before a Gold SeaPass Card, showing staff you are part of the suite program. JS only get Silver Cards (which are still a step up from blue that most passengers get). The last benefit is that the JS is basically an enlarged layout of the regular balcony stateroom while the GS is a different layout and utilizes the space much better.

 

BALCONY

 

JS

 

GS

[RoyalFan2011]

We have been in both. Once we tried the GS we never went back to the JS.