FOS Owners Suite vs Royal Family Suite w/ Small Children

[chandon]

Hello,

 

We are wondering if anyone has feedback on these two cabin options. After Christmas at grandma and grandpa's with a 1 and a 3 year old sleeping (or not) in our room, we are second guessing our current cabin which is one big room...the Owners Suite. We know the Royal Family has separate bedrooms as well as a separate living area. We would welcome feedback from anyone who has stayed in either of these with little ones. We have paid in full and are aware that we will likely lose the extra we paid for the upgraded Owners Suite.

 

Thank you!

 

ps - We have posted in the family section as well but haven't received any responses.

__________________

6-23-05 Tahitian Princess-Tahiti

9-26-08 MV Cezanne-Seine River

12-8-10 Cunard QM2-Caribbean

[ARCruisinNana]

If there is a RFS available I would definately take it. Last spring break I was traveling with my 4 and 5 year old granddaughters. We had a RFS. Having the extra bedroom was fantastic. When it was time for bed they had their own room and we could stay up in the living room and not bother them. It was also great to have a dark room for naptime. There is so much room plus privacy for the adults. Over Thanksgiving we had a JS. (Older grandchild asked where her bedroom was when we walked in;)) Although we had an enjoyable cruise, I said never again with 4 in a room.

[AustinCruise]

Typically RFS requires 5+ people to book.

 

However, if available and affordable I would strongly consider it.

 

OS feels a bit more 'upgraded'. RFS has more room and nice to be able to put the kids in their own room at night.

[jarz85]

We are sailing on the Allure, not the Freedom, and had the exact same situation as you. We are 3 adults who don't want to share a bed together. We booked an Owners Suite with a queen (2 singles) and a sofa bed. However, during my daily price drop checks I noticed a Royal Family Suite was listed on the available cabins (normally need 5 to book, but we only have 3) so I switched our room instantly. It was $600 cheaper than the owners suite too. You miss out on the bar, inside dining table and some closets but gain an extra bedroom and bathroom... Which is perfect for 3-4 people!

[ARCruisinNana]

We are sailing on the Allure, not the Freedom, and had the exact same situation as you. We are 3 adults who don't want to share a bed together. We booked an Owners Suite with a queen (2 singles) and a sofa bed. However, during my daily price drop checks I noticed a Royal Family Suite was listed on the available cabins (normally need 5 to book, but we only have 3) so I switched our room instantly. It was $600 cheaper than the owners suite too. You miss out on the bar, inside dining table and some closets but gain an extra bedroom and bathroom... Which is perfect for 3-4 people!

 

On Freedom there is an inside table with 4 chairs plus the table and chairs on the balcony. There are also plenty of closets. The RFS isn't as "upgraded" as the OS but with more than 2 people it is great. There are currently 2 RFS available for the OP's sailing and they are available for 4 people.

[chandon]

Thanks Carolyn!

 

By chance, do you recall whether there was a table in the cabin? We think that may be the only drawback, losing the in-cabin table.

 

Thank you!

 

Jane

[Bettytrouble]

There is not a big dining table inside... but there is adequate counter and coffee table space for eating, etc. The separate kid's bathroom itself is worth the less than fancy surroundings. Plenty of closet space...MANY cabinets...

 

 

We had two large, round tables on the balcony , 6 chairs, 2 loungers and a few ping pong balls. I may be able to dig up some pictures...

[Bettytrouble]

One thing- check the location of the RFS if you choose to take it. On Freedom, we had the aft, which was AMAZING..but the walk from the elevators is L OO OOOO NG...I just noticed you had a 1 and 3 year old. Something to keep in mind if you are not one to take an umbrella stroller everywhere..

[Olive1950]

Typically RFS requires 5+ people to book.

 

However, if available and affordable I would strongly consider it.

 

OS feels a bit more 'upgraded'. RFS has more room and nice to be able to put the kids in their own room at night.

 

Prior to final payment date this is a true statement. After final payment, if a RFS is available, ANYONE can book it. I was in a RFS on Freedom last Dec, and there were only 2 of us.

 

Got a sweet deal also.

 

Remember that the RFS has two (2) bathrooms as well....

[ARCruisinNana]

Thanks Carolyn!

 

By chance, do you recall whether there was a table in the cabin? We think that may be the only drawback, losing the in-cabin table.

 

Thank you!

 

Jane

 

Royal Family Suite

On Freedom Of The Seas Two bedrooms with twin beds that convert to queen-size beds (one room with third and fourth Pullman beds), a private balcony, two bathrooms and living area with double sofa bed. (587.7 sq. ft., balcony 270.5 sq. ft.). Stateroom can accommodate up to 8 guests.

 

Please note: A minimum number of guests may apply. To reserve this stateroom, please contact your travel agent or one of our Certified Vacation Specialists.

 

Jane, I haven't been in a RFS on Freedom. I was on Mariner, but they are almost the same. Above is a diagram from the RCCL website. You can see that there is a table with 4 chairs in the LR area. There is also a table and chairs on the balcony. We ordered room service several nights. They will bring you a tablecloth if you ask for it. It's perfect for a family. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

 

Carolyn

[vickiw0318]

Our RFS on the Liberty did not have a table.

[coordinator23]

Can you put a roll away in the second bedroom? My daughter would like to put one in because she is afraid of the 3 1/2 year old falling from the top bunk, and my daughter and sil would like to "sleep together" on the bottom. Still trying to figure out sleeping configurations for the 5 of us. Sofa beds are not all that comfortable.

[ARCruisinNana]

Can you put a roll away in the second bedroom? My daughter would like to put one in because she is afraid of the 3 1/2 year old falling from the top bunk, and my daughter and sil would like to "sleep together" on the bottom. Still trying to figure out sleeping configurations for the 5 of us. Sofa beds are not all that comfortable.

 

There isn't room for a rollaway bed in the second bedroom. There is room for a pack'n'play. They wouldn't let a 3 1/2 year old sleep in the pullman. We had to do a bit of talking to convince the cabin steward that our 5 (almost 6) year old would be okay in the pullman. I'd let the child fall asleep in the inside bedroom bed and then move her into the sofa bed when you get ready to go to bed. Our kids don't have any problem sleeping on the sofa bed. There would be room in the living room for a rollaway.

[Villagemdu]

We were in the Owners suite on the Freedom this past September. Our 5yr old girl loved the big sofa bed. We had plenty of room, the bathroom was very large, jacuzzi tub and dual sinks. We shared several late night snacks and a couple of breakfasts at the table and chairs inside. Cabin was conveniently located near the elevators.

I felt more comfortable knowing my little girl was sleeping in the same room, albeit behind the privacy curtain in a large room. Our suite attendant was very good about preparing the sofa bed every evening while we were at dinner.

Could not have asked for a better time or cabin!

[rubrrick]

There is a third option, if the other two are not workable. The greatest challange is having a 1 year old travelling with you.

 

That option is to have connecting cabins. Look at a GS with a balcony connecting cabin, which would become the second bedroom.

 

If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, get one of their specialists on the phone, and go over every option available to you.

 

This cruise is to be a special time for you. You have asked a wonderful question, and I think that the beauty of Cruise Critic is that you can get different answers, so that you can narrow down exactly how you want to handle your accomodations.

 

Please come back and let us know what you finally decided on.

 

Rick

[chandon]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I agree with Rick. Cruisecritic is such a wonderful forum for questions and opinions.

 

We did opt to forgo the extra money we paid for the Owners Suite in hopes of a more enjoyable vacation (to include more sleep) for our entire family by booking the Royal Family Suite.

 

Hopefully in the future we can help others with our own feedback!

 

Jane

[Bettytrouble]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I agree with Rick. Cruisecritic is such a wonderful forum for questions and opinions.

 

We did opt to forgo the extra money we paid for the Owners Suite in hopes of a more enjoyable vacation (to include more sleep) for our entire family by booking the Royal Family Suite.

 

Hopefully in the future we can help others with our own feedback!

 

Jane

 

Have a great trip! You will love it!!! We started in the RFS when ours were 2,4 and 4...and it still worked when they were 13 13 and 11!!

[ARCruisinNana]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I agree with Rick. Cruisecritic is such a wonderful forum for questions and opinions.

 

We did opt to forgo the extra money we paid for the Owners Suite in hopes of a more enjoyable vacation (to include more sleep) for our entire family by booking the Royal Family Suite.

 

Hopefully in the future we can help others with our own feedback!

 

Jane

 

Have a great cruise!

[rubrrick]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I agree with Rick. Cruisecritic is such a wonderful forum for questions and opinions.

 

We did opt to forgo the extra money we paid for the Owners Suite in hopes of a more enjoyable vacation (to include more sleep) for our entire family by booking the Royal Family Suite.

 

Hopefully in the future we can help others with our own feedback!

 

Jane

 

 

I think that you made an excellent choice!

 

Here is to a wonderful cruise, and Happy New Year!!:)

 

Rick

[i_love_to_travel]

We are sailing on the Allure, not the Freedom, and had the exact same situation as you. We are 3 adults who don't want to share a bed together. We booked an Owners Suite with a queen (2 singles) and a sofa bed. However, during my daily price drop checks I noticed a Royal Family Suite was listed on the available cabins (normally need 5 to book, but we only have 3) so I switched our room instantly. It was $600 cheaper than the owners suite too. You miss out on the bar, inside dining table and some closets but gain an extra bedroom and bathroom... Which is perfect for 3-4 people!

 

What website are you doing the daily price checks?? On RCCL or another website?? I didn't think RCCL listed the RFS on theirs

[chandon]

We found the information on the RCCL web site. It was approximately 30 days out from our cruise when the Royal Family Suite came available and we were able to secure it for our family of four. Please let me know if you have other specific questions.