Suites on RCL

[onlyslightlymad]

I know many of you are loyal RCL customers.  I have only cruised on NCL and Celebrity but have been looking at some RCL cruises.

On Celebrity, we tend to book the cheapest suite because we like dining in Luminae and having access to the suite lounge (Retreat).

Looking at RCL, I can't see much benefit in booking a junior suite, other than having a bigger room.  I know, on some ships, there is access to the Coastal Kitchen but is this really worth the extra money?  

[tangogulf]

Yep. Grand suite and above get full access to Coastal Kitchen as well as the Concierge lounge. Plus free Wi-Fi and all and more benefits of the Key. So if you can do it it's worth it. 

 

On Ovation we are always in a suite and use the Concierge lounge each morning for breakfast. Nice and quiet and we don't need hot food in the morning so coffee, toast and cereal is all good. 

[qbay46]

Yes I agree that grand suite and above is worth the extra money, you also get free drinks in the concierge lounge in the evening, we where on Quantum recently and enjoyed the extra benefits.

[arxcards]

Having access to Coastal Kitchen is worth it. We preferred dining there more than any of Ovation's specialty restaurants.

[lucymorgan]

We usually sail in grand suites but have also sailed in ocean view, balcony, 2 bed grand and owners suites.  Lately I have been thinking the junior suite is an ok option too.  But this is probably because we are diamond plus so we already have access to the diamond lounge (and its coffee machine) and other benefits.  Coastal kitchen is worthwhile - quieter, better menu items etc - but it can get a bit boring going to the same place all the time.  Our next cruise is a casino comp upgraded to balcony and I am happy with that.  I think junior suites also give priority boarding, a nice bathroom usually with bath, bigger room and balcony, in suite coffee machine and double loyalty points as well.  So it depends what you want.  The money saved over the cost of a grand suite will pay for a lot of specialty restaurants, shore excursions etc.   

If you sail celebrity you get reciprocal loyalty (elite -> diamond level so you would get 4 free drinks and diamond lounge access anyway) I think you have to join crown and anchor and ask for it though - not sure if it is automatic now). https://www.celebritycruises.com/mx/captains-club/exclusive-offers/loyalty-reciprocity-program

 

You can find the crown and anchor benefits here https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/crown-anchor-society.  Worth joining before booking because you might get a discount

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by lucymorgan

[onlyslightlymad]

Thank you for the feedback.  Much appreciated.

[cruise_critical]

Junior suite, is pretty much a bigger balcony room and that's it really. I know that some junior suites on Ovation have 1.5 bathrooms (full bathroom + separate powder room), which is great for families or a couple who prefer to have their own toilets.

 

Btw, in my previous Ovation cruise, Coastal Kitchen makes it difficult for Junior Suite guests to dine in. My friends who stayed in JS weren't even allowed to make dinner bookings at CK. I guess they only will let you in once they know there will be tables available. But as I was in a grand suite, I could make advanced bookings for myself and for them to have dinner with us every night. So yeah, if you have a full suite friend, use them.

[Chiliburn]

On 1/22/2023 at 10:08 AM, onlyslightlymad said:

I know many of you are loyal RCL customers.  I have only cruised on NCL and Celebrity but have been looking at some RCL cruises.

On Celebrity, we tend to book the cheapest suite because we like dining in Luminae and having access to the suite lounge (Retreat).

Looking at RCL, I can't see much benefit in booking a junior suite, other than having a bigger room.  I know, on some ships, there is access to the Coastal Kitchen but is this really worth the extra money?  

All depends on the price, if you get a junior suite for $200-$300 a day each yes.

Coastal kitchen is the best venue on the ship but the menu can be limited.

[resordanis]

We have stayed in many JS staterooms. Quite honestly I don’t think they are worth the inflated prices at the moment.CK is not guaranteed.  JS category used to be not a great deal more expensive, but not at the moment. On our next cruise we are in a JS but paid under $2000 for each of us less our 25% FCC, so we are quite happy, but we would also be happy with a balcony. I will miss the Concierge Lounge though, now that diamond + are not allowed in.

[Chiliburn]

2 hours ago, resordanis said:

We have stayed in many JS staterooms. Quite honestly I don’t think they are worth the inflated prices at the moment.CK is not guaranteed.  JS category used to be not a great deal more expensive, but not at the moment. On our next cruise we are in a JS but paid under $2000 for each of us less our 25% FCC, so we are quite happy, but we would also be happy with a balcony. I will miss the Concierge Lounge though, now that diamond + are not allowed in.

I like the J4 spar ,junior suite.

For 2 people they are nice, 2 bathrooms and are quite romantic.

[resordanis]

22 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I like the J4 spar ,junior suite.

For 2 people they are nice, 2 bathrooms and are quite romantic.

That’s what we have next time! I checked it out whilst last on Ovation.

[arxcards]

Give me cabin 8320 any day.

[resordanis]

20 minutes ago, arxcards said:

Give me cabin 8320 any day.

Not far away! Same deck. 

Edited January 23, 2023 by resordanis

[Gazball]

14 hours ago, arxcards said:

Give me cabin 8320 any day.

 

Have that on our next cruise in a few weeks on Quantum.

[arxcards]

3 hours ago, Gazball said:

 

Have that on our next cruise in a few weeks on Quantum.

Make the most of it. An amazing space.

[Gazball]

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Make the most of it. An amazing space.

Yes we are looking forward to it, we were in the grand loft next door to it in December and walked past it many times and the DW went and have a look through it with the guests in there, so we ended up booking it.