Booked GS on LoS, but JS just dropped price huge!

[Toddcan]

We normally sail in D or E balconies on Freedom Class ships, and find them awesome!

 

Few months ago, I saw a drop in prices for a Grand Suite. It's only a 5 night crusie, but the price was $1269 pp for the Grand Suite. I grabbed it. Wife still thinks we have a normal balcony. BTW, the price now is $1729pp.

 

Just a few days ago, the price for a JS dropped to $849pp. Better yet, there are 2 deck 7 aft JS available (we had 1704 corner aft on our March 2013 Indy cruise and LOVED the balcony!). There is also a deck 9 mid-hump JS available.

 

Now I am huming and hawing about saving the $420 pp ($840 total) and downgrading to a JS.

 

The suite perks are nice, but maybe not $840 nice. The suite perks I would miss would be: Priority Check In. Full MDR menu on room service. Concierge Service. I would not miss the concierge lounge (don't drink), or priority seating at pool or theatre.

 

Of course, the cabin is much bigger on a GS than a JS, but the JS bathroom is still nice - full tub, but has only a single sink (GS has double). If I get an aft JS, the balcony will be larger than the GS balcony.

 

But, if I am every going to try out a GS, this will be the only cruise where I could justify the price (believe it or not, $1269 pp for 5 nights during spring break is as good as I have seen for a GS).

 

So.. thoughts?

Also, do the hump JS cabins have loungers?

[Clarea]

I would save the money and go with the JS. You will still get priority check-in with the JS. While this is no guarantee, we had one lounger on our Liberty hump balcony.

[Toddcan]

Clarification please(as you can tell, this suite/JS thing is totally new to me)

 

With a JS:

We still get priority check - is that once we get inside the terminal, or is there a separate entrance for JS as well?

Do we get double points?

Are there robes in the cabin?

 

Was looking at pics, and the full size couch with the extra armchair is nice. Cabin is plenty roomy too. Nice bathroom as well.

 

I'm leaning towards the mid hump balcony - had that location on the Liberty (in a D/E cabin), and enjoyed the convience of the location

[Clarea]

Clarification please(as you can tell, this suite/JS thing is totally new to me)

 

With a JS:

We still get priority check - is that once we get inside the terminal, or is there a separate entrance for JS as well?

Do we get double points?

Are there robes in the cabin?

 

Was looking at pics, and the full size couch with the extra armchair is nice. Cabin is plenty roomy too. Nice bathroom as well.

 

I'm leaning towards the mid hump balcony - had that location on the Liberty (in a D/E cabin), and enjoyed the convience of the location

This can vary by terminal, but once you get inside the terminal, there is usually a check-in line for suites. Nothing specific for JS, just all suites. Your SetSail pass will say "Suite" on it, which is all the check-in people care about.

 

You get double points and you should get robes.

Edited December 9, 2013 by clarea

[setsail]

Only you can make this decision. If you liked the price and its the best at that price then it seems like you have your answer. If the money is a problem, then you also have your answer

[reedl]

You get priority embarkation whether you are in a GS or a JS. As to the other benefits, you need to decide if they are worth the money you are going to spend.

 

For me personally, I would get the JS since I do not drink, do not need the MDR meals in my room, and would not take advantage of the other benefits.

 

For the $840 for 5 days, that makes it $168 per day difference in price. There is a lot you can do with $168 a day.

[39august]

I would avoid those deck 7 aft JS's. There is a long metal area at the aft of deck 6 that obstructs the view from 6 and 7. You can still see the ocean but thru' superstructure and out past the end of deck 6. No way to see straight down.

[Toddcan]

I would avoid those deck 7 aft JS's. There is a long metal area at the aft of deck 6 that obstructs the view from 6 and 7. You can still see the ocean but thru' superstructure and out past the end of deck 6. No way to see straight down.

 

We had 7704 on the Indy in March. It's hardly an obstruction at all, but you are correct, you cannot look straight down into the water. But, the awesome thing is that balcony! Mind you, I'm talking about the corner afts on deck 7, which are the ship's largest balcony, except for the RS, or RFS.

 

Here was our view from March:

 

[MADflyer]

I did the TA on Liberty last April and really loved the ship.

 

The only suite benefit of value I can think of would be if you were planning to get a cabana on Labadee and the upgraded buffet there that is now only available to suite guests. When I was on Oasis in September they invited all cabana guests to join the suite guests for lunch, but I have understood that has now changed.

 

The Concierge can help secure a cabana more easily, as well.

 

I am sticking with an aft JS on Vision in April and not going with my original intended GS.

 

I did find a suite benefit that I will miss on Vision class ships though and that is the fact they add a separate suite dining area for breakfast and lunch on the upper level of the dining room along with an upgraded buffet. The same two waiters from My-time dining served this section all meals.

 

This was in addition to the Concierge lounge continental breakfast option.

 

This is not done on the larger ships to my knowledge (only seating and service in Chops with food from Windjammer at lunch and breakfast) , so does not apply to your case, but might be interesting for some.....

[Ctrinh225]

I just got back on LOS. We were in aJS 9326. Plenty of room for my sis and I. It had a huge balcony with 2 loungers and 2 chairs with a table. Yes bathroom had one sink but had a tub. We had priority checkin with the suites. We just pass everyone up the escalator and 10 minutes we were the 2nd persons on the boat. For robes I just ask my room attendant and he brought it. For shows...we just went 20 minutes early and our seats were up front and center. For lunch we try to avoid the buffet....they do lunch in the MDR (Rembrandt ) with table service and the best salad/taco bar and a great lunch options. To me 840$ savings wins over! That's either for excursions...casino play....or specialty dining....or even a nice gift for a special person! We have stayed on both GS and JS. Almost the same to me but room a little bigger....and it's only 5 days.....your not gonna spend that much time there anyways! Have fun cruising!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[molly361]

I would go with the JS and saving the money. Priority check in really is not that big of a thing, or at least to us.

 

In some cases the lines for priority check in are longer than the normal check in lines depending on where and what time you get there.

[Toddcan]

On the phone with Royal right now making the switch to JS 9338 on the hump.

 

Total savings of $1,175.80

[Clarea]

On the phone with Royal right now making the switch to JS 9338 on the hump.

 

Total savings of $1,175.80

I'd say that is money well saved! A good portion of another cruise.

[Ctrinh225]

On the phone with Royal right now making the switch to JS 9338 on the hump.

 

Total savings of $1,175.80

 

 

That's a great savings! U will NOT be disappointed on ur JS.....that's savings pretty much cover all ur extra spendings on the boat! Try the banana bread in the cafe promenade.....so moist and yummy..that was my kryptonite late night snacking...lol

 

 

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[cruisegirl1]

If your wife is expecting a balcony, then the jump to a JS will be a nice treat. The priority check-in / boarding or the expanded room service menu, would not be a reason for me to book a GS. These things might be important to you and your wife. For two, we find the JS to be more then spacious.

 

We had 9638, just across the ship, and loved it. Great location.

 

enjoy

 

M

Edited December 9, 2013 by cruisegirl1

[Toddcan]

If your wife is expecting a balcony, then the jump to a JS will be a nice treat. The priority check-in / boarding or the expanded room service menu, would not be a reason for me to book a GS. These things might be important to you and your wife. For two, we find the JS to be more then spacious.

 

Let us know what you decide.

 

M

 

I Agree! I am on the phone right now making the switch!

[Toddcan]

That's a great savings! U will NOT be disappointed on ur JS.....that's savings pretty much cover all ur extra spendings on the boat! Try the banana bread in the cafe promenade.....so moist and yummy..that was my kryptonite late night snacking...lol

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Lol.. I was just thinking.. "I need another vice to splurge on while on my cruise" btw, I LOVE banana bread... thanks for the tip

[emerald444]

On the phone with Royal right now making the switch to JS 9338 on the hump.

 

Total savings of $1,175.80

 

good job sorry to say we now sail in JUNOIR suites because we just can't justify the extra costs anymore.

We used to love the concierge lounge but now it's too crowded

The reserved seating sun deck is too high up and too windy

I will miss the private seating in chops for breakfast but I'll will feel better every time I count how much money I was wasting

[critterchick]

Only you can make this decision. If you liked the price and its the best at that price then it seems like you have your answer. If the money is a problem, then you also have your answer

 

That.

 

On the phone with Royal right now making the switch to JS 9338 on the hump.

 

Total savings of $1,175.80

 

We loved 9338 - we had two loungers and the cabin itself is larger than a standard JS. Enjoy!

[readytolose]

Haven't stayed in a JS or GS but for the amount you just saved I think you made a great choice!!

 

I'm curious though, did I read that correctly that you get double points for a JS too? I thought it was just a GS and up! I'm hoping prices will drop for our Allure cruise in Jan 2015 and we can upgrade to a JS, although I'm torn because I really love the location of our current D1 balcony!

[molly361]

Haven't stayed in a JS or GS but for the amount you just saved I think you made a great choice!!

 

I'm curious though, did I read that correctly that you get double points for a JS too? I thought it was just a GS and up! I'm hoping prices will drop for our Allure cruise in Jan 2015 and we can upgrade to a JS, although I'm torn because I really love the location of our current D1 balcony!

 

Yes you get double points for a JS

[DonnaK]

You get priority embarkation whether you are in a GS or a JS. As to the other benefits, you need to decide if they are worth the money you are going to spend.

 

For me personally, I would get the JS since I do not drink, do not need the MDR meals in my room, and would not take advantage of the other benefits.

 

For the $840 for 5 days, that makes it $168 per day difference in price. There is a lot you can do with $168 a day.

 

This is how I feel. I'd put the $840 towards another cruise, or excursions. I wouldn't get enough out of the perks to make them worth that much money

[Clarea]

Haven't stayed in a JS or GS but for the amount you just saved I think you made a great choice!!

 

I'm curious though, did I read that correctly that you get double points for a JS too? I thought it was just a GS and up! I'm hoping prices will drop for our Allure cruise in Jan 2015 and we can upgrade to a JS, although I'm torn because I really love the location of our current D1 balcony!

You read correctly, JS staterooms (and up) get an extra point per night.

Edited December 9, 2013 by clarea

[readytolose]

Yes you get double points for a JS

 

You read correctly, JS staterooms get an extra point per night.

 

 

Awesome! Thanks for the replies!

[board57796]

I think you made the right choice. My first RC cruise was on Liberty in a GS, and I was worried I'd be "spoiled" and never be able to cruise RC without a suite. To be honest, I was underwhelmed with the whole suite experience. The only part I thought was "worth it" was the beach on Labadee and the tour of the bridge. For $1k+ savings, I would have made the downgrade in a heartbeat. We just happened to get a great deal on the GS and took it. It was also a 5-night and I think we paid $900pp.

 

Congrats on the savings.