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Is the suite worth the upgrade cost?

ccartman2

By ccartman2,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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ccartman2

ccartman2

Posted
Posted

Just curious about people's opinion. I have yet to talk to the wife, and I am not sure if the offer will still be there in the morning. My intention is to leave the agent a voicemail if I choose to do it and if I get it, I Get. I am originally booked the cruise as an OV guarantee, at a pretty reasonable rate. I then took the upgrade to a lido deck balcony for a really cheap upgrade fee, so my overall cost for this cruise is less then most cruises I priced for 4. Also, my Father and mother in law are the Lido deck and my parents are on the deck above us.

 

Anyway, I got a call from the upgrade Fairy tonight which offered an ocean suite for 525 or a grand suite for 805 total. With 4 people, the extra space would be great and realistically, for a 7 day criuse that isn't a ton of money for 4 people. Anyway, I'm leaning towards the ocean suite, even though it drops us to the empress deck. Is that worth it? Also is the Grand Suite worth the extra $280 over the ocean suite?

 

I'm just torn about what to do? I was super excited to be on the Lido, but with 2 kids in the room with us, could make do with the extra space, but could also use saving the $500 to $800.

 

Be glad to be on the boat where my biggest decision will be 1 Lobster tail or two. :)

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spleenstomper

spleenstomper

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Posted (edited)

I think so, but i just booked my 3rd grand suite on carnival. The other two we had 3 kids in there with us and it wasn't bad at all because you get a 75 sqft balcony.

 

This time because we have 3 teens, dh and i are getting the grand suite and they are getting the interior across the hall. :D

 

We like to hang out in our room and on our own balcony, so its a good choice for us.

Edited by spleenstomper
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Khloella

Khloella

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That seems like an awesome price for a suite! We love cruising in a suite. We had one on our honeymoon and it's been hard to go back to a regular room. The bathroom is what is really awesome. Double sinks and a bathtub are fabulous.

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TxChick

TxChick

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I didn't think so but we don't spend a ton of time in our room. I regretting leaving the lido deck for our grand suite. I'm glad I did it because it was only a few hundred bucks and I can say I did it but I won't leave lido again or ever pay regular price.

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JimAOk1945

JimAOk1945

Posted
Posted

Take the Grand Suite. It is worth it for the extra space on a seven day cruise, especially with 4 people in the same room even though two of them are kids.

 

We have cruised in Grand Suites on Carnival and were very happy with our choice.

 

Happy cruising!

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amyh13

amyh13

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We are a family of 4 and traveled in an Ocean Suite on the Dream when our kids were 3 and 7. I loved the extra space AND the bathtub (for me as well as the kids). The balcony was wider but not that deep.

 

As far as the grand suite goes, I do not need a bidet. Maybe more room but I'd probably stick with the ocean suite if you really want to upgrade.

 

But you will probably just fine in your lido balcony. Especially with all the grandparents that will be on board!

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mjonis

mjonis

Posted
Posted
Carnival has the worst "suite perks" at sea....unless you need/want the extra room, I'd forgo the "upsell" and stick with a regular cabin.

 

You forgot RCI. If you get a Junior Suite you only get priority boarding and that's it. Not even robes or slippers in the room. (you have to take the next level of suite up).

 

I'd say $500 for a suite upgrade for 4 people is very "suite".

 

Right now, my 3/22/15 Valor cruise is about $550 PER PERSON to upgrade to an Ocean View Suite from the Balcony I have (vs. what I paid for the balcony). Ouch!

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wdnoble9999

wdnoble9999

Posted
Posted

Late to the party, I know, but for what it's worth, with 4 people in the room, I think that the Grand Suite is worth the uplift in cost for the additional room. Otherwise, I'd go with the Ocean Suite. Your offer was really excellent for a 7 day cruise. As for being on the Empress versus the Lido, I wouldn't think that it would be all that much of a factor. You'll be two decks lower, but the Empress deck is quieter and more centrally located between the 'play' decks above and the shopping/casino/dining decks below.

 

So, with that, I'm at same place everyone else is at. Which one did you pick?

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ccartman2

ccartman2

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Posted (edited)

I agreed with everyone that these were great prices for the upgrades, no matter which suite I picked. Unfortunately, my wife talked me out of either. I was sold on just going the grand Suite just so I could say I didn't. At any rate, we were discussing just a her and I cruise later in the yera, and the upgrade would have killed it. Also, her parents booked the Lido deck based on where we were, and weren't going to be happy if we moved. I realize it was only two decks, but I guess that was going to be a big deal. I was quite disappointed turning this deal down, because we probably won't get it again, but I'll just be happy to be there. :)

 

 

Thanks for all the responses, and happy cruising!

Edited by ccartman2
added the thank you
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wdnoble9999

wdnoble9999

Posted
Posted
I agreed with everyone that these were great prices for the upgrades, no matter which suite I picked. Unfortunately, my wife talked me out of either. I was sold on just going the grand Suite just so I could say I didn't. At any rate, we were discussing just a her and I cruise later in the yera, and the upgrade would have killed it. Also, her parents booked the Lido deck based on where we were, and weren't going to be happy if we moved. I realize it was only two decks, but I guess that was going to be a big deal. I was quite disappointed turning this deal down, because we probably won't get it again, but I'll just be happy to be there. :)

 

 

Thanks for all the responses, and happy cruising!

 

Completely understandable, with the best reason mentioned being the choice of a suite this time, eliminating the ability to take another cruise later in the year for just the two of you. At the end of the day, it's all about how much the cost puts a dent in your wallet. :)

 

...and you never know when the opportunity may arise again down the road.

 

Happy Sailing!

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Tapi Great Review Rare

Tapi

Posted
Posted
I was sold on just going the grand Suite just so I could say I didn't. At any rate, we were discussing just her and I cruise later in the year, and the upgrade would have killed it!

 

 

Since booking a suite on Carnival is mostly about the extra space since there are basically zero perks, if you're still looking at extra space without breaking the bank, you may want to consider 2 staterooms with a connecting door. Sometimes the difference in price isn't much more than doing just 1 stateroom for 4 passengers. We booked 2 staterooms for our last family cruise and the price difference was minimal (something like $40pp if I recall correctly). We had just as much square footage as on an ocean suite, plus a second bathroom. And when someone wanted to sleep, they could go to the other room while the rest of the family played or watched TV in the other. It was one of the best cruise related decisions I've made in a long time! :)

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Frank12

Frank12

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Posted
Since booking a suite on Carnival is mostly about the extra space since there are basically zero perks, if you're still looking at extra space without breaking the bank, you may want to consider 2 staterooms with a connecting door. Sometimes the difference in price isn't much more than doing just 1 stateroom for 4 passengers. We booked 2 staterooms for our last family cruise and the price difference was minimal (something like $40pp if I recall correctly). We had just as much square footage as on an ocean suite, plus a second bathroom. And when someone wanted to sleep, they could go to the other room while the rest of the family played or watched TV in the other. It was one of the best cruise related decisions I've made in a long time! :)

 

That's a great point!

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