Giving the Suite Life a Try

[IntrepidFromDC]

Happy Anniversary, not many couples make it 30 years so if you're both still happy together after that long you have found the magic in making marriages work.  😁  As for suite, we did it once, only because we got a great casino offer.  It was a really nice experience but I'd never pay full price for it.  We're happiest switching back and forth among balcony, cove balcony and extended balcony staterooms.  Nothing to say about the details suites offer that hasn't already been said.

[MsTabbyKats]

On 4/10/2021 at 10:58 AM, Joebucks said:

The biggest perk of having a suite: let everyone know you have a suite

LOL!

 

DH and I always felt "same ports, same food, same entertainment" so we always book "the best for our buck".  Some itineraries just aren't worth the extra cost of balconies.

 

Then, for the Miracle, my husband's friends (always in cheapest cabin) decided to join us.  We had "the French windows" (really obstructed ov) booked, but a day or two before sailing I got that "upgrade call" and for $300 more we got what I think was called a junior suite at the time.  It had one of those long bowling alley balconies and the cabin itself was gigantic (like, it would have been comfortable for a world cruise).  DH felt like a king when he was showing off "our digs".

 

Enjoy!  A larger cabin and balcony are always nice....and make you feel special.

[sparks1093]

On 4/10/2021 at 1:41 PM, Tapi said:

Add price as one of the suite perks on Carnival! Hard (or nearly impossible) to find accommodations with the word "suite" on any other cruise line at Carnival prices! 

And we know that any perks one gets one is really paying for in the price so we aren't swayed too much by perks. Bigger cabin and bigger balcony are enough for us.

[sparks1093]

On 4/10/2021 at 1:31 PM, xDisconnections said:

Not sure I’d book a suite again on Carnival. The perks really aren’t there and I didn’t find the room to be anything special. Other cruise lines seem to handle these accommodations better. Between that and land based upgrades, I’d say I was very underwhelmed. 

 

12 hours ago, xDisconnections said:

If that’s what you want to call it 🤷‍♂️

Since all we are really interested in is the extra room it is exactly what I call it. I am very rarely swayed by any perks that are included since I know that I am paying for them anyway.

[sparks1093]

On 4/10/2021 at 2:10 PM, teknoge3k said:

 

Just to clarify, suites DO NOT include FTTF. If you want FTTF you have to purchase that separately. We always purchase FTTF with our suites so that way we can go straight to our cabin when we embark. Otherwise you have to wait until 1:30 like everyone else. We also like the priority line at guest services and priority luggage delivery, something you do not get with a suite unless you purchase FTTF.

Good info to have. We'll only have one carryon with us since everything will be checked through, so if we need to wait for the cabin it won't be a big deal. We'll snag a seat somewhere and have a drink of the day or two while we wait.

[sparks1093]

5 hours ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

IMO, the suite itself is really nice.  You have a lot more space and extra space on the balcony.  But we did not like being right over the lifeboats.  Minor trade off I guess.  Enjoy!  Happy 30th Anniversary!

Thank you! Yes, I consider it a minor trade off and we're on deck 7 so seeing anything in the water will be difficult. (I still want to sail in a Cove Balcony though.) 

[sparks1093]

4 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Happy Anniversary, not many couples make it 30 years so if you're both still happy together after that long you have found the magic in making marriages work.  😁  As for suite, we did it once, only because we got a great casino offer.  It was a really nice experience but I'd never pay full price for it.  We're happiest switching back and forth among balcony, cove balcony and extended balcony staterooms.  Nothing to say about the details suites offer that hasn't already been said.

Thank you! Yes, spending the extra isn't something we'd normally do but as you say, how many make it to 30? We like the fact that we celebrated 25 on Glory and now we'll be celebrating 30 on her. 

[Lil2Angelic]

Happy 30th Anniversary to you and your wife @sparks1093! I know you both will love your Anniversary Suite!

 

We've been fortunate enough to book a suite on two cruises, and we absolutely loved it! Love the extra space in the living area and the bigger bathroom with a tub, plus the larger balcony is so nice. If I were a betting girl, which I may just be, I would bet you both will be spending a wee bit more time in your suite cabin celebrating your 30th.

[sparks1093]

2 minutes ago, Lil2Angelic said:

Happy 30th Anniversary to you and your wife @sparks1093! I know you both will love your Anniversary Suite!

 

We've been fortunate enough to book a suite on two cruises, and we absolutely loved it! Love the extra space in the living area and the bigger bathroom with a tub, plus the larger balcony is so nice. If I were a betting girl, which I may just be, I would bet you both will be spending a wee bit more time in your suite cabin celebrating your 30th.

Thank you! Yes, I suspect that we will spend a bit more time in the cabin also.

[Tapi]

22 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

...but a day or two before sailing I got that "upgrade call" and for $300 more we got what I think was called a junior suite at the time.

 

...DH felt like a king when he was showing off "our digs".

When we sailed on the Fantasy in 2019, we were traveling as part of a group of about 25 friends. On embarkation day, we learned that several people in the group had upgraded to grand suites. Turns out that all of them had received the upgrade call but we didn’t! We “survived” in our standard ocean view stateroom with bunk beds for our family of 4, but we spent quite a bit of time at our friend’s suite who were gracious enough to entertain others in their stateroom. Envious doesn’t even begin to describe how we felt! LOL

[Jenjer]

Carnival suites are really just about the extra space and priority embarkation, except Mardi Gras that ship is going to do something new for Carnival, maybe if its does well some of the perks will make a appearance on the other ships .   We cruise in suites and not in suites depends on sailing and what is available.   I feel like everybody is different some people can do 2 cruises for the price of one but other people like us have limited travel time so we splurge when we cruise. 

[sparks1093]

19 minutes ago, Jenjer said:

Carnival suites are really just about the extra space and priority embarkation, except Mardi Gras that ship is going to do something new for Carnival, maybe if its does well some of the perks will make a appearance on the other ships .   We cruise in suites and not in suites depends on sailing and what is available.   I feel like everybody is different some people can do 2 cruises for the price of one but other people like us have limited travel time so we splurge when we cruise. 

Thanks! The only perk that I've seen other lines offer that Carnival doesn't is double VIFP points for booking a suite, other than that what Carnival offers is sufficient for us. 

[Jenjer]

Other lines have lots of extra benefits that Carnival is just now touching with Mardi Gras. Private restaurants, pools, bars and sun decks. Also stuff that wont cost them much money like a concierge to make arrangements for activities, dinners, reserved seating in shows. Private escorts  off the ship in port, and back on you have to have a arranged time or call ( you have a ship phone ) but they meet you in a golf cart and you go in thru crew areas. All of this is pre covid of course who knows what it will be like now. 

 

But you pay for all of this other lines suites cost a lot more than Carnivals. 

[sparks1093]

12 hours ago, Jenjer said:

Other lines have lots of extra benefits that Carnival is just now touching with Mardi Gras. Private restaurants, pools, bars and sun decks. Also stuff that wont cost them much money like a concierge to make arrangements for activities, dinners, reserved seating in shows. Private escorts  off the ship in port, and back on you have to have a arranged time or call ( you have a ship phone ) but they meet you in a golf cart and you go in thru crew areas. All of this is pre covid of course who knows what it will be like now. 

 

But you pay for all of this other lines suites cost a lot more than Carnivals. 

Exactly and none of that stuff is a deal sealer for us. (Although being met by a golf cart to save those long walks on the pier is a nice touch.)

[bingomamma19]

On 4/13/2021 at 11:57 AM, Jenjer said:

Carnival suites are really just about the extra space and priority embarkation, except Mardi Gras that ship is going to do something new for Carnival, maybe if its does well some of the perks will make a appearance on the other ships .   We cruise in suites and not in suites depends on sailing and what is available.   I feel like everybody is different some people can do 2 cruises for the price of one but other people like us have limited travel time so we splurge when we cruise. 

What kinds of perks will the Mardi Gras have for suites?   We booked a suite next march and was not aware of anything out of the normal

[Jenjer]

On 4/14/2021 at 1:17 PM, bingomamma19 said:

What kinds of perks will the Mardi Gras have for suites?   We booked a suite next march and was not aware of anything out of the normal

 

If your in a excel suite they have Loft 19 a private pool area, Concierge, guaranteed dinner reservations (choice) priority embarkation and port debarkation. Complementary room server, movies and laundry. 

 

Its all listed when you select your cabin type just click "show more" under the room description. 

 

[firefly333]

On 4/14/2021 at 12:17 PM, bingomamma19 said:

What kinds of perks will the Mardi Gras have for suites?   We booked a suite next march and was not aware of anything out of the normal

All I've seen on mardi gras is the bubbles pkg for soda and whatever included with a suite.

[Linda the Book Lover]

On 4/10/2021 at 10:06 AM, sparks1093 said:

Yes, I know that NCL has the best suite perks around (or at least they did, back when we still sailed with them) but I doubt I could snag a suite on any NCL ship for 7 days for $2800 for two. 🙂

You are so right about the pricing! I am sure you and your wife will enjoy the suite. Having sailed in suites on Carnival I was happy with the extra space, but did not mind sailing in a balcony cabin on the next one. I have missed the extra perks (ok maybe the Butler). We no longer book the Haven on NCL, because the price became more than we wanted to spend. MSC has the best suite perks and is perfect for the DH and I to enjoy for just the two of us as it is more than Carnival but less than NCL. I hope you spend a day in New Orleans. My DD and I loved our extra day there and the food and sights was spectacular!