Don’t feel special in a Grand Suite

[John&LaLa]

I hate the wasted dry bar area and limited narrow access it creates to the closet....The JS provides (on most ships) the walkin closet. Money isn't the issue as I would and have turned down the opportunity to move up to a GS. I book when the bookings open and prefer the locations of some of my favorite JS's and won't give them up ;)

You need to think of the dry bar as part of a massive walk in closet. With drawers. [emoji16]

 

We've had plenty of both, and the GS is the way to go. Hands down. Especially on an Oasis or Quantum ship. Which I believe the OP was asking about

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Ashland]

You need to think of the dry bar as part of a massive walk in closet. With drawers. [emoji16]

 

We've had plenty of both, and the GS is the way to go. Hands down. Especially on an Oasis or Quantum ship. Which I believe the OP was asking about

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Nope...not the same at least for me...I use the walkin closet to get dressed in....a bit more privacy than standing behind the dry bar :eek:;)

[ndabunka]

JS doesn't get CL access on Oasis class. You get CK for dinner if space allows. Need GS or above for SL/CK on Oasis and Quantum class.

 

My wife is allergic to alcohol so perhaps I skipped over the absence of the drinking lounges' value to others

 

As they said in the '80's TV show..."Wha'cha talk'N about, Willis?" in regard to CK?

The OP never said anything about CK nor any interest in it. My guidance was to the OP as to an option for getting things they valued. CK wasn't listed on their list so no idea why you raised it in my response to them unless you had meant to point out to them that CK is an additional benefit of a GS on their next cruise?

Edited June 22, 2018 by ndabunka

[ndabunka]

NCL has butlers. RCCI has Genies. They are not the same. A butler serves things like dinner. A Genie arranges things like having dinner served.

 

Apologies for not being more clear in my original post. Even if we won a 300 million $ lottery, we would not want EITHER as they make us uncomfortable rather than pampered.

Edited June 22, 2018 by ndabunka

[rkkunk]

We don’t book a suite to “feel special”. We book a suite because to us all of the extra perks are worth it.

 

We are not Diamond members (yet) so the “Happy Hour”, the coffee machine, and the Voom are worth it to us. We do enjoy dining in CK for breakfast and dinner without the crowds.

 

We love the room, and right now with a teenage boy who is over 6 foot tall, that extra room is priceless! Haha!

 

We love that we can just make our plans for that day and not have to plan months in advance for reservations to shows.

 

Just tried the luggage valet for the first time and it was awesome!

 

Finally, being escorted off of the ship and past all of the lines is one of the best perks of all!

 

( We have only been in suites on Oasis class ships.)

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Tin can]

Why not simply book a Junior Suite GTY. That way the OP gets the concierge lounge access they apparently value as well as the show reservations and slightly larger room all for a cost that is only fractionally larger than a standard balcony

 

Is that true that you get upgraded perks similar to a Grand Suite such as Concierge access and show reservations in a JS GTY?

 

If it is then it is something we will definitely look at in future.

[John&LaLa]

Nope...not the same at least for me...I use the walkin closet to get dressed in....a bit more privacy than standing behind the dry bar :eek:;)

How awkward.

 

After 33+ years I think Laura and I are past the privacy stage.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Edited June 22, 2018 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

My wife is allergic to alcohol so perhaps I skipped over the absence of the drinking lounges' value to others

 

As they said in the '80's TV show..."Wha'cha talk'N about, Willis?" in regard to CK?

The OP never said anything about CK nor any interest in it. My guidance was to the OP as to an option for getting things they valued. CK wasn't listed on their list so no idea why you raised it in my response to them unless you had meant to point out to them that CK is an additional benefit of a GS on their next cruise?

They were looking for a better dining experience without paying for speciality, so it is on point.

 

What is not on point is choosing a gty and hoping for an upgrade

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[John&LaLa]

Is that true that you get upgraded perks similar to a Grand Suite such as Concierge access and show reservations in a JS GTY?

 

If it is then it is something we will definitely look at in future.

Umm, no. You are guaranteed a JS, that is all.

 

There is some seriously bad information being shared on this thread.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Tin can]

Umm, no. You are guaranteed a JS, that is all.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

Thank you for clarifying, I was confused by the post by ndabunka that stated you did.

 

I thought I had been missing out on something.

[rkeate0804]

I had sailed before in a balcony cabin, enjoy myself throughly on the mariner. Decided to spurge on a grand suite on the voyager after reading about the wonder of suite experience.

 

Came back from the cruise. Was a wonderful cruise like before. However, apart from having access to the concerige lounge all day, the happy hours with red wine and fingers food was great, coffee machine was great and from having a spacious room to sleep in, I don’t really feel special or anything different from booking a balcony cabin at a far much lower pricing compared to a grand suite.

 

And one thing, I was feeling more suffocated at the MDR, the hard selling was bad as the waiters kept emphasising that as suite guests, we should take up this and that packages to make our experience better. We avoided going to the MDR altogether as we couldn’t really eat in peace. When we were booked as normal guests, we were left in peace to enjoy the meal, the staffs only checked in occasionally to see if everything was alright.

 

Reserved seating was available for the ice show only but we still need to be there super early like everyone else because it filled up fast. Seem that no one was stopping the normal guests from taking up the seats. Other shows had no reserved seating. The port we went don’t need tender boats and since we were sailing in Asia, no one liked sun bathing, there were plenty of seats around the pool which was empty. So having reserved sun deck seat was of no use.

 

For our next cruise for the quantum of the sea which will docked in Singapore next year end, we are considering whether to just go with the balcony or pay more than double for the grand suite again. We like the happy hour service provide in the suite lounge but is it worth paying double? Any advise?

 

Thanks

that is why we now book the haven suites on NCL. much better service. or Celebrity and you get the best dining room

 

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

[George C]

that is why we now book the haven suites on NCL. much better service. or Celebrity and you get the best dining room

 

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

 

Loved suite perks on celebrity , perks are superior to rccl, suite dinning room on all ships, free drinks all day not just at happy hour

[Cruise a holic]

Loved suite perks on celebrity , perks are superior to rccl, suite dinning room on all ships, free drinks all day not just at happy hour

 

Agree- love michaels club and luminae- Not to mention the all included perks all around the ship.

 

The price of the Haven compared to a sky suite with all the perks is obscene. Went on NCL in the Haven once- was ok- but the minute you walk around in the public spaces- it is horrible- never again. Also in the Haven we experienced very wild kids under 12, that weren't supervised by their parents- No staff member spoke to the kids either. So beware- you aren't in a private adult only environment.

[grandgeezer]

Loved suite perks on celebrity , perks are superior to rccl, suite dinning room on all ships, free drinks all day not just at happy hour

 

We have a Grand Suite, on the Allure of the Seas in October. The Junior Suite, on Celebrity was $140 p.p., per day for a suite that is 25% smaller. Although we aren't big drinks, even if we would pay for the drink package, the seven day cruise would still be over $1,000 cheaper for the two of us.

[Cruise a holic]

We have a Grand Suite, on the Allure of the Seas in October. The Junior Suite, on Celebrity was $140 p.p., per day for a suite that is 25% smaller. Although we aren't big drinks, even if we would pay for the drink package, the seven day cruise would still be over $1,000 cheaper for the two of us.

 

I would suggest that you book at least 5 nights-or more in the specialty restaurants- when you add the other perks, tips, internet access, delux drink package the savings aren't as much as you think. For Celebrity- Not as many perks on the Allure-

[island lady]

I have the opposite problem. I don't feel special as a D+ any longer unless I book a full suite ...GS and above on Oasis. :(

[st5310]

I'll throw in my 2 cents, but pretty much echo a lot of what has been said already. To each his/her own, definitely agree. How special one 'feels' is certainly subjective and I can only speak for myself and my wife. The special dining venue for breakfast, drinks at happy hour et al, do make us feel special even on a smaller ship. Throw in the special lines for suite guests at the port, being the first ones to board, all are worth the suite upgrade for us. I have booked Grand Suites for 12 years--Liberty, Explorer, Radiance, Anthem, Grandeur, Enchantment, Rhapsody, Voyager--and I never remember any annoying up-sell at my dinner table in the MDR.

[sergeant655]

I was on the Navigator and got the annoying hard sales . I was in a Junior suite and also noticed every one was getting it. It even happened in the regular seating area for the windjammer. I did not see the person selling go in to the suite seating area in chops

[ray8905]

I had sailed before in a balcony cabin, enjoy myself throughly on the mariner. Decided to spurge on a grand suite on the voyager after reading about the wonder of suite experience.

 

Came back from the cruise. Was a wonderful cruise like before. However, apart from having access to the concerige lounge all day, the happy hours with red wine and fingers food was great, coffee machine was great and from having a spacious room to sleep in, I don’t really feel special or anything different from booking a balcony cabin at a far much lower pricing compared to a grand suite.

 

And one thing, I was feeling more suffocated at the MDR, the hard selling was bad as the waiters kept emphasising that as suite guests, we should take up this and that packages to make our experience better. We avoided going to the MDR altogether as we couldn’t really eat in peace. When we were booked as normal guests, we were left in peace to enjoy the meal, the staffs only checked in occasionally to see if everything was alright.

 

Reserved seating was available for the ice show only but we still need to be there super early like everyone else because it filled up fast. Seem that no one was stopping the normal guests from taking up the seats. Other shows had no reserved seating. The port we went don’t need tender boats and since we were sailing in Asia, no one liked sun bathing, there were plenty of seats around the pool which was empty. So having reserved sun deck seat was of no use.

 

For our next cruise for the quantum of the sea which will docked in Singapore next year end, we are considering whether to just go with the balcony or pay more than double for the grand suite again. We like the happy hour service provide in the suite lounge but is it worth paying double? Any advise?

 

Thanks

Must be differences between the cruise lines. And the cruise line we sailed we had Butler service an absolutely no sales pressure. As for dining we had a private restaurant and never ate in the MDR

Maybe you should try a different cruise line next time or just go back to your balcony. I'm sure this with inside rooms it balconies are feeling terrible for the experience you had with a suite. Better luck next time

 

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Forums mobile app

[John&LaLa]

Departure tags came today. One of the best perks for a suite. Should be off the ship in 20 minutes. [emoji16]

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[grandgeezer]

I would suggest that you book at least 5 nights-or more in the specialty restaurants- when you add the other perks, tips, internet access, delux drink package the savings aren't as much as you think. For Celebrity- Not as many perks on the Allure-

 

Prepaid gratuities, and $200 obc part of the deal. Internet access is a perk with the grand suite. 7 night package of specialty dining is $168 p.p. I don't want or need the deluxe drink package. For us, the savings is substantial.

[Hop77]

Thanks so much. I enjoy reading all the comments, all positives and negatives one.

 

We are not well to do but enough to be able to afford a 3/4/5 nites cruise once or twice a year. And is willing to spurge to get the experience.

 

Yes, I agree the experience is very subjective. We were aboard the voyager and there was no CK on the ship, apart from the getting a free glass of wine every evening, the food in the lounge was the same as in the WJ. Reserved seating was only available for the ice show but no one was stopping guests from helping themselves to the seat by removing the chains. No free VOOM, we have to pay for it. We did order the free room service. So I would say the priority check in, evening red wine, and the free room service were what we experience and was great but that was all. Maybe my expectation was high after what I read here.

 

We are planning to sail in Quantum and the price difference to sail in a junior suite and a grand suite is much much more than what we paid for when sailing in Voyager. So, if the experience will be somewhat the same like previous, I guess I will save the $$ and book a cheaper cabin. But I will be willing to pay the price if the experience will be difference. I like to feel a bit pampered during vacation, after all, we work hard for the rest of the year. Of course we like privacy and don’t really welcome a butler etc, we just want a little bit of extra, like better food, wine, priority booking. Perhaps maybe sailing off in Asian provide a different experience

[bobmacliberty]

A suite perk that I have not seen mentioned is breakfast in a specialty dining room (if no CK is available). I would have thought that OP had this option on Voyager. We really enjoyed sitting in a relaxed environment with table cloths and a server who brings freshly cooked food from a menu. Much better way to start the day than WJ.

[pingpong1]

Prepaid gratuities, and $200 obc part of the deal. Internet access is a perk with the grand suite. 7 night package of specialty dining is $168 p.p. I don't want or need the deluxe drink package. For us, the savings is substantial.

 

I recall Host Bob (or perhaps someone else) saying that this perk is not offered/available on "Voyager class" ships, like AOS. Right?

[frank808]

Departure tags came today. One of the best perks for a suite. Should be off the ship in 20 minutes. [emoji16]

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Sorry to OP to go off topic. Hi John. I was wondering if you could tell me where would be a good place to see the launch of the falcon x rocket on Friday morning?

 

Tried to buy tickets to KSC viewing area but they are sold out. We are going to drive up there about 2 am to try and catch the launch. I figure you would know the best place to watch it. Thanks

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk