Royal Suite Class - Star Class Review from Ovation April 22 Sailing

[terkov]

Thank you! We are just trying to decide between star and sky class. A few requests my 8 year has (yes, I know, high standards at a young age!) :) I am wondering if the concierge can do them or if the genie can.

 

Do you know if candy from beach candy is included?

Or starbucks?

[NicoleAndChris]

Thank you! We are just trying to decide between star and sky class. A few requests my 8 year has (yes, I know, high standards at a young age!) :) I am wondering if the concierge can do them or if the genie can.

 

Do you know if candy from beach candy is included?

Or starbucks?

 

Starbucks, yes. Candy Beach, no idea but I'll ask. Cups & Scoops is as well as the smoothies from the vitality cafe (but not the protein or 'speciality' smoothies/shakes).

[swiss2619]

Hi Everyone - guess it's time to come back to reality! Just off the Ovation of the Seas, and Mia, our Genie, was wonderful. It's hard to describe the experience because it was so much more than expected and such a delight.

 

I'll start with my take on the Star Class perks, which can be found online. Usual caveat that Royal can change things without notice. ;)

 

I'm trying to remember all the questions people asked that aren't covered by the link above, so hopefully I'm covering them here:

• La Patisserie is complimentary. We had a large box of macaroons one day.
  
• Thermal Suite was able to be accessed by just showing the Star Class Seapass; there didn't seem to be a limit on the number of days (I know some folks were wondering if it was just one day).
  
• Specialty dining was either refunded before the cruise or during the cruise.
  
• Never had a time where the drink we ordered wasn't part of the package.
  
• We were given two wi-fi codes for complimentary access (there were two of us in the suite, not sure what happens if there are more guests).
  
• The higher end toiletries were really nice and a great upgrade from the previous ones.
  

 

Now, for our Royal Genie, Mia. All I can say is wow. I'm not sure I can be left to my own devices after being taken care of so well. She served as our main point of contact before and during the cruise.

 

She is so amazing, I don’t even know where to start. Before the cruise over email, she helped me plan activities better than some personal/executive assistants with whom I’ve worked. She went above and beyond helping me plan the perfect trip – for example, I asked for some recommendations for what to do in Cherbourg, and she not only provided some great sights to see, but also places to have lunch, a map with the places indicated and even a page with basic sentences translated into French!

 

Onboard, from the moment we checked in, it was clear that we were in very capable hands. She escorted us to our suite, where she had champagne and canapés ready for us. She also had our daily schedule printed out for us. She also had a fantastic knack for knowing when to be “there" – she would suddenly appear at whatever bar we were at and escort us to dinner to make sure there weren't any issues. She confirmed all our reservations and also reminded the restaurant staff of my partner's gluten allergy, so it was just taken care of without us having to go into a lengthy explanation and worrying that there may be a mix-up.

 

We booked three private excursions, and Mia contacted all of the operators/guides the day before and day of to make sure that she knew where they were picking us up and the time. When we walked off the gangway, there she was and could escort us right to our driver. Talk about white glove treatment! Final disembarkation in Southampton took only the time it took to walk from our suite to the car we hired – that’s never happened to me before! No stresses trying to locate anyone in a foreign country!

 

She also was able to snag us a private North Star ride, which was amazing (I wasn’t able to do it on the Quantum Transatlantic two years ago), and anything else we needed, we would just use the Loop app to contact her, and within minutes, she had taken care of whatever our request was – show reservations, spa treatments, changing our dining reservations, etc. The Loop app made everything so easy, especially for me who prefers to text vs. call.

 

On previous sailings, I would usually need to take care of all of these things myself by contacting the spa, restaurants, Concierge, Guest Services, excursion contacts, etc, but having Mia took all that pressure and stress off of me so that all I had to do was sit back and enjoy the cruise. No more running around or making calls.

 

In addition to her excellent service, her sweet and friendly personality was a treat. Nothing ruffled her feathers, and she was always calm, cool and collected. She had a knack for remembering details, like the reason why we booked this trip and connecting them throughout the cruise; the gifts and notes that she gave us were spot on – as if she was an old friend.

 

I'm not someone that likes to be waited on, and I loved that Mia was present when it made sense, but she gave us plenty of space so that we could enjoy the cruise too.

 

On a Regent cruise and some resorts, I had more traditional Butlers, and they kept looking to me to ask them to do something - it was stressful! Mia just knew what to do and when to leave us alone; she is way more than a Butler.

 

And, no, we didn't try the handmade cocktails, but if we had asked, I'm sure she would have been right there and that they would have been delicious.

 

Feel free to ask any questions!

 

Thank you for your wonderful overview of the Genie on Royal. We are booked in Star Class and we are looking forward to the experience with a Royal Genie! We set sail the beginning of June so we are a few short weeks away. My question is - how far in advance did your Genie contact you? We are celebrating our wedding anniversary while onboard, along with another couple who are in Sky Class, and would like to make some arrangements ahead of time. I'm wondering how long before we board will we be contacted and can start making requests and inquiring about some things. Would appreciate very much your suggestions and advice. Thanks so much!

Swiss

[Alohaaloha]

We had the pleasure of meeting you in your wonderful suite thanks to the CC cabin crawl, and we also had the added pleasure of meeting your genie Mia, who was just a delight!

Interesting and informative, but always polite and professional.

A lovely experience all round, thank you so much!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[jv_nyc]

Thank you for your wonderful overview of the Genie on Royal. We are booked in Star Class and we are looking forward to the experience with a Royal Genie! We set sail the beginning of June so we are a few short weeks away. My question is - how far in advance did your Genie contact you? We are celebrating our wedding anniversary while onboard, along with another couple who are in Sky Class, and would like to make some arrangements ahead of time. I'm wondering how long before we board will we be contacted and can start making requests and inquiring about some things. Would appreciate very much your suggestions and advice. Thanks so much!

Swiss

 

Thanks! She reached out about a week in advance, but it was for the first sailing with Genies, so I don't know if that is the "norm." Enjoy - you're going to love it!

[jv_nyc]

We had the pleasure of meeting you in your wonderful suite thanks to the CC cabin crawl, and we also had the added pleasure of meeting your genie Mia, who was just a delight!

Interesting and informative, but always polite and professional.

A lovely experience all round, thank you so much!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Thank you! I'm so glad that you could join us - it was such a fun time! I'm going through withdrawals like crazy..

[larry the lobster]

What about tipping to these speciality restaurants? I know it was included for the Star Class but did you tip at these restaurants? Thank you !!

[debates2]

May I ask? How much did you tip Mia! My boys and I will be sailing on the Ovation next September (Alaskan cruise)= for 7 nights) and have reserved the Royal Loft Suite. I've heard $100 per person is customary, in addition to the $17.50 they receive daily per person.

 

Hi Everyone - guess it's time to come back to reality! Just off the Ovation of the Seas, and Mia, our Genie, was wonderful. It's hard to describe the experience because it was so much more than expected and such a delight.

 

I'll start with my take on the Star Class perks, which can be found online. Usual caveat that Royal can change things without notice. ;)

 

I'm trying to remember all the questions people asked that aren't covered by the link above, so hopefully I'm covering them here:

• La Patisserie is complimentary. We had a large box of macaroons one day.
  
• Thermal Suite was able to be accessed by just showing the Star Class Seapass; there didn't seem to be a limit on the number of days (I know some folks were wondering if it was just one day).
  
• Specialty dining was either refunded before the cruise or during the cruise.
  
• Never had a time where the drink we ordered wasn't part of the package.
  
• We were given two wi-fi codes for complimentary access (there were two of us in the suite, not sure what happens if there are more guests).
  
• The higher end toiletries were really nice and a great upgrade from the previous ones.
  

Now, for our Royal Genie, Mia. All I can say is wow. I'm not sure I can be left to my own devices after being taken care of so well. She served as our main point of contact before and during the cruise.

 

She is so amazing, I don’t even know where to start. Before the cruise over email, she helped me plan activities better than some personal/executive assistants with whom I’ve worked. She went above and beyond helping me plan the perfect trip – for example, I asked for some recommendations for what to do in Cherbourg, and she not only provided some great sights to see, but also places to have lunch, a map with the places indicated and even a page with basic sentences translated into French!

 

Onboard, from the moment we checked in, it was clear that we were in very capable hands. She escorted us to our suite, where she had champagne and canapés ready for us. She also had our daily schedule printed out for us. She also had a fantastic knack for knowing when to be “there" – she would suddenly appear at whatever bar we were at and escort us to dinner to make sure there weren't any issues. She confirmed all our reservations and also reminded the restaurant staff of my partner's gluten allergy, so it was just taken care of without us having to go into a lengthy explanation and worrying that there may be a mix-up.

 

We booked three private excursions, and Mia contacted all of the operators/guides the day before and day of to make sure that she knew where they were picking us up and the time. When we walked off the gangway, there she was and could escort us right to our driver. Talk about white glove treatment! Final disembarkation in Southampton took only the time it took to walk from our suite to the car we hired – that’s never happened to me before! No stresses trying to locate anyone in a foreign country!

 

She also was able to snag us a private North Star ride, which was amazing (I wasn’t able to do it on the Quantum Transatlantic two years ago), and anything else we needed, we would just use the Loop app to contact her, and within minutes, she had taken care of whatever our request was – show reservations, spa treatments, changing our dining reservations, etc. The Loop app made everything so easy, especially for me who prefers to text vs. call.

 

On previous sailings, I would usually need to take care of all of these things myself by contacting the spa, restaurants, Concierge, Guest Services, excursion contacts, etc, but having Mia took all that pressure and stress off of me so that all I had to do was sit back and enjoy the cruise. No more running around or making calls.

 

In addition to her excellent service, her sweet and friendly personality was a treat. Nothing ruffled her feathers, and she was always calm, cool and collected. She had a knack for remembering details, like the reason why we booked this trip and connecting them throughout the cruise; the gifts and notes that she gave us were spot on – as if she was an old friend.

 

I'm not someone that likes to be waited on, and I loved that Mia was present when it made sense, but she gave us plenty of space so that we could enjoy the cruise too.

 

On a Regent cruise and some resorts, I had more traditional Butlers, and they kept looking to me to ask them to do something - it was stressful! Mia just knew what to do and when to leave us alone; she is way more than a Butler.

 

And, no, we didn't try the handmade cocktails, but if we had asked, I'm sure she would have been right there and that they would have been delicious.

 

Feel free to ask any questions!