Explorer Owner's Suite vs Grand Suite for two

[Carol28]

I was surprised at the configuration of the Owner's Suite in that the balcony is small. I realize there is more floor space which is why there is a large window in the bedroom area. It has a separate tub and shower.   The Grand Suite doesn't have that big couch or separate shower, but the balcony is bigger.  All locations for both types are under the pool deck.  I'm wondering if there is an advantage to the Owner's Suite? The only thing I worry about is  noise from above. People seemed to indicate that they did not hear anything though some admitted to deck chair movement in the early morning.  We booked a Grand Suite under the Whirlpools.  Just keep wondering if that was a smart cabin to book.

[TeachAloha]

I am looking at the same thing and weighing the price difference vs. value. It seems the Owners Suite comes with some additional perks since it is considered a Star Class and the Grand Suite is a Sky Class? 

 

[Cigar King]

I went back and forth on this.  The truth is when you are on the balcony you regret that it is so small.  (it's really tiny)  When you're in the room the extra space is awesome.  I'm not sure I would book it again.

[Carol28]

24 minutes ago, TeachAloha said:

I am looking at the same thing and weighing the price difference vs. value. It seems the Owners Suite comes with some additional perks since it is considered a Star Class and the Grand Suite is a Sky Class? 

 

I didn’t know that. I know Grand Suites are not Star, but I’m unaware of Star class. I’ve seen store class. People will be escorted to the front row of the ice show. I don’t know what else they get. I’m so glad someone else is trying to figure this out. If you know of the other parts of star class, please let me know

[TeachAloha]

I was using this, I am calling RC to make sure it's accurate 🙂 nhttps://thepointsguy.com/guide/royal-caribbean-royal-suite-class/

 

[TeachAloha]

and this one! https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2771

[SummerBeee]

31 minutes ago, TeachAloha said:

I am looking at the same thing and weighing the price difference vs. value. It seems the Owners Suite comes with some additional perks since it is considered a Star Class and the Grand Suite is a Sky Class? 

 

Sea, Sky, and Star class perks are only Oasis and Quantum class.

Suite perks on Freedom class and smaller are the same across all grand suites and above

[Carol28]

2 minutes ago, TeachAloha said:

and this one! https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2771

As the previous message said, it doesn’t exist on this ship. I thought it was interesting what the person said about the balcony being so tiny, and that he might not choose that cabin, the owner suite, again. I’d love to know what you decide.

[George C]

We normally book grand suites , big advantage on owners is separate shower , on grand suites it’s a fairly deep tub not that easy to shower in it, other is there is a dining table so if you order room service you have a comfortable place to eat .

[Carol28]

19 minutes ago, George C said:

We normally book grand suites , big advantage on owners is separate shower , on grand suites it’s a fairly deep tub not that easy to shower in it, other is there is a dining table so if you order room service you have a comfortable place to eat .

We also get the Grand Suite. You’re absolutely right about the tub on all of the royal Caribbean ships. But I don’t know if it’s worth $2000. The only thing I’m worried about is the noise from above. Thank you for responding.

[George C]

3 minutes ago, Carol28 said:

We also get the Grand Suite. You’re absolutely right about the tub on all of the royal Caribbean ships. But I don’t know if it’s worth $2000. The only thing I’m worried about is the noise from above. Thank you for responding.

My only owners suite was definitely a bargain , we now just book grand suites but would look at move up to upgrade.

[Carol28]

3 minutes ago, George C said:

My only owners suite was definitely a bargain , we now just book grand suites but would look at move up to upgrade.

I’m wondering what ship you are on. I’m looking at the Explorer. I believe the other ships have better configurations of owner suites, but I could be wrong. And I believe it’s only $1100 difference. It’s not the money. It’s the value.

[George C]

3 minutes ago, Carol28 said:

I’m wondering what ship you are on. I’m looking at the Explorer. I believe the other ships have better configurations of owner suites, but I could be wrong. And I believe it’s only $1100 difference. It’s not the money. It’s the value.

My only owners suite was in 2018 on oasis , I had booked the grand suite for about 2500 each but price kept dropping so I was able to get the owners suite for that same price , now I book only oasis class for the entertainment but also do all 3 classes for celebrity, mostly sky or royal , did to a move up a couple of years ago to penthouse on the Edge that was amazing.

[reallyitsmema]

1 hour ago, TeachAloha said:

I am looking at the same thing and weighing the price difference vs. value. It seems the Owners Suite comes with some additional perks since it is considered a Star Class and the Grand Suite is a Sky Class? 

 

 

An owner's suite is sky class.  An owner's loft suite is star class.  Royal Suite Class is only available on Oasis class and Quantum class ships.  Explorer is neither of those classes, it is a Voyager class ship.

[Carol28]

7 minutes ago, George C said:

My only owners suite was in 2018 on oasis , I had booked the grand suite for about 2500 each but price kept dropping so I was able to get the owners suite for that same price , now I book only oasis class for the entertainment but also do all 3 classes for celebrity, mostly sky or royal , did to a move up a couple of years ago to penthouse on the Edge that was amazing.

We were introduced to the Allure several years ago, and now we love the megaships, but we like this itinerary.  And we will be on the Oasis and the Symphony this year and next year. We were on the Apex this year and the Beyond last year. The sky suite on the Apex was too small. Next year we are on the silhouette in a celebrity suite. On the Beyond we were on a two day charity cruise in one of those balconies that have a balcony that can open and close. (Forget the name)  The Beyond is gorgeous. I like our RCCL better.  I totally prefer the coastal kitchen and the lounge to the Luminae. And there were very few people in the suite lounge on the Apex. And their martini glasses in the suite lounge are smaller than the ones at the martini bar!

Edited June 5, 2023 by Carol28
Grammar

[George C]

2 hours ago, Carol28 said:

We were introduced to the Allure several years ago, and now we love the megaships, but we like this itinerary.  And we will be on the Oasis and the Symphony this year and next year. We were on the Apex this year and the Beyond last year. The sky suite on the Apex was too small. Next year we are on the silhouette in a celebrity suite. On the Beyond we were on a two day charity cruise in one of those balconies that have a balcony that can open and close. (Forget the name)  The Beyond is gorgeous. I like our RCCL better.  I totally prefer the coastal kitchen and the lounge to the Luminae. And there were very few people in the suite lounge on the Apex. And their martini glasses in the suite lounge are smaller than the ones at the martini bar!

Interesting most of the people and comments I have heard seem to favor Luminae, we like costal kitchen for breakfast and lunch but book UDP so we can have dinners in specialty restaurants. I trained the bartender in celebrity beyond suite lounge to always pour me doubles . Agree size of sky isn’t great when we do our yearly music charter we book royal suites on summit , great balcony, free specialty restaurants, liquor setup for suite . My sister is taking her children and grandchildren to Europe on apex at end of this month from Rotterdam all 11 .

Edited June 5, 2023 by George C

[smokeybandit]

I would only get an owner's suite if you like to eat meals in the room. Other than that, just a bigger room, especially for two people.

[Ashland]

We've had recently and loved the OS's on Navigator, Explorer, Jewel and Serenade.

[Carol28]

1 hour ago, George C said:

Interesting most of the people and comments I have heard seem to favor Luminae, we like costal kitchen for breakfast and lunch but book UDP so we can have dinners in specialty restaurants. I trained the bartender in celebrity beyond suite lounge to always pour me doubles . Agree size of sky isn’t great when we do our yearly music charter we book royal suites on summit , great balcony, free specialty restaurants, liquor setup for suite . My sister is taking her children and grandchildren to Europe on apex at end of this month from Rotterdam all 11 .

Is your music cruise on Star Vista?  I’m trying to get on the Flower Power but there aren’t any Retreat cabins!

[George C]

1 minute ago, Carol28 said:

Is your music cruise on Star Vista?  I’m trying to get on the Flower Power but there aren’t any Retreat cabins!

Extremely difficult there is a wait list for flower power , we do rock and romance which is 70’s music , we book the following years suite while on the cruise, we had the royal suite for last 3 or 4 , ours has wait list also both Star Vista , sky suite doesn’t get drink package included, royal suite does , but both has suite lounge and Luminae, fun seeing some of the stars in suite lounge and Luminae.

[dianajo67]

We did an owners and a grand on a B2B on Explorer.  Much preferred the grand suite for the balcony.  The separate shower in the owners is small and I hated trying to shave my legs in there as there is no place to put my foot.  Having the tub in the grand with the extended back ledge was perfect.  The whirlpool tub in the owners was not enjoyable as the water was rust colored.  Actually it was pretty gross.  It was right after covid, so maybe that problem has resolved itself by now and the pipes were just rusty from not being used for so long.  Didn’t need the bidet in the owners bathroom either.  Grand just felt like a better value if there are only 2 people.  Living room in the owners a plus if you’re squeezing 3-4 in the room.  Just my opinion.

[Carol28]

10 minutes ago, George C said:

Extremely difficult there is a wait list for flower power , we do rock and romance which is 70’s music , we book the following years suite while on the cruise, we had the royal suite for last 3 or 4 , ours has wait list also both Star Vista , sky suite doesn’t get drink package included, royal suite does , but both has suite lounge and Luminae, fun seeing some of the stars in suite lounge and Luminae.

I’m not into 70’s music. So I don’t think we’ll get on the Flower Power so I booked a 9 day on the Explorer this week. We’ve 5 cruises booked between now and Dec. 2024. It’s a shame Star Vista doesn’t need new people. 

[George C]

14 minutes ago, Carol28 said:

I’m not into 70’s music. So I don’t think we’ll get on the Flower Power so I booked a 9 day on the Explorer this week. We’ve 5 cruises booked between now and Dec. 2024. It’s a shame Star Vista doesn’t need new people. 

Sometimes both concerts have same groups like Guess Who , Grass Roots , Peter Asher from Peter and Gordon, my wife prefers 70’s , I prefer 60’s but I think next year we have a better lineup foreigner , Dave Mason, Don McClean , Mellisa Manchester, War , in past we saw Michael McDonald, America, Jefferson starship , had nice conversations with Rita Coolidge, Maria Muldar , America. Both have great cover bands also. I would try to get on stand by .

[Carol28]

18 minutes ago, George C said:

Sometimes both concerts have same groups like Guess Who , Grass Roots , Peter Asher from Peter and Gordon, my wife prefers 70’s , I prefer 60’s but I think next year we have a better lineup foreigner , Dave Mason, Don McClean , Mellisa Manchester, War , in past we saw Michael McDonald, America, Jefferson starship , had nice conversations with Rita Coolidge, Maria Muldar , America. Both have great cover bands also. I would try to get on stand by .

I’m on the waitlist. But I’d have to cancel the Explorer for April. You’re lucky to have this opportunity!

[Scoobydobe7]

6 hours ago, TeachAloha said:

I am looking at the same thing and weighing the price difference vs. value. It seems the Owners Suite comes with some additional perks since it is considered a Star Class and the Grand Suite is a Sky Class? 

 

Did that change?? They were both Sly class...