sauvichick

I went to Clearwater Beach in 2015 and they had Gombey's beach bar with bathrooms. Although that was years ago, I am hoping this will open by the time we arrive in July. Although this is a manmade beach it was still beautiful.

https://www.royalgazette.com/tourism/news/article/20220302/new-clearwater-beach-restaurant-to-open-next-month/

I guess it does depend on the ship. On Sunday (4/10) we booked  Cagney's, La Cucina & Le Bistro for our July 3 Joy sailing, but I have to wait until 21 days before sailing to complete On-line Check-in!  That seems unusual to me.

The fact that very specific cabins have AC issues is a concern. I have found that the Allure is a very warm ship and I thought it had to do with the size. I'm the one that has to bring a sweater everywhere because I don't do well in A.C. No need for one on Allure and surprisingly the LOS. Despite keeping the curtains closed in the stateroom during the day it wasn't cold enough for us. The water for washing was also too darn warm throughout the ship.

If I read it correctly being in the second lever suite class we will get free internet, water which we do not know if it is daily or just on day one, welcome amenity, upgraded beds, nicer toiletries. Everything else was already part of booking that level suite.

 

While I appreciate these items I think throwing in a lower level drink plan would have been nice. The free internet, for me, is a nice perk not enough to book a suite just because of it but I need to check in with the office and therefore very helpful

The water is provided on Day 1 and only once. It's a 1 liter glass bottle of Evian. I have read from other CC posters that wine and beer are served throughout the day in the CK lounge. The Sky category will additional amenities that I would welcome-internet, thermal room access, CK, and others I have been accustomed to-priority reservations for specialty restaurants, suite sun deck, cocktail hours, exclusive lounge. I will still book the GS category because I enjoy the additional square footage and the benefits that came with it. The additional perks under the new program are a bonus.

Thanks all for your info! It seems to be Royal random pricing. I recently started booking 10+ months in advance just to get the perfect location. For my last 2 GS cruises the price has held firmly the entire time and eventually they sold out. Surprisingly the Allure GS for July 2016 is approximately $400 less expensive than July2014 (not 2016) . I'm not ready to book though because life is up in the air.

Correcting my mistake...wrong year

Thanks all for your info! It seems to be Royal random pricing. I recently started booking 10+ months in advance just to get the perfect location. For my last 2 GS cruises the price has held firmly the entire time and eventually they sold out. Surprisingly the Allure GS for July 2016 is approximately $400 less expensive than July 2016. I'm not ready to book though because life is up in the air.

I'm a bit confused:what: even though I have been following this thread since it began. Are many of you stating that the prices in the Star (and possibly Sky) categories have already increased for May 2016 and later since the info was released? And is it your booked cruises or mock bookings too? The July 2016 GS Allure sailings I am looking at are still holding in price, but I can possibly attribute it to high season. I find that the GS category doesn't seem to budge in price much. I'd also like to see the prices without BOGOHO to see if it is a deal:rolleyes:

Does anyone know if Chops serves breakfast on the Independence of the Seas? They served breakfast on the Liberty of the Seas and it was awesome!

Agreed! I never missed a morning either!

Lets try this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7jqddvj6vg74iq2/Royal%20Suite%20Class.pdf?dl=0

In this link on this thread.

Sorry it just doesn't make sense that the only upgrade the Sky Class tier suite guests won;t be getting is the luxury mattress.......

Ok. I think the OP mixed up the categories. Or I misunderstood the comment. Let me try this. Ok it doesn't work and I can't delete the image.

.

Not posting to convince you, but more to explain why we choose to cruise GS.

 

Suite perks. Do we enjoy them? Heck ya! We love that we can order the MDR menu from our room if we don't feel like heading down to the MDR.

 

My husband and I don't drink alcohol much, but it was nice to be able to slip into the lounge for happy hour appetizers and drinks. We met some wonderful people, and loved hearing the stories of those we met. We enjoy the priority seating to the shows, priority disembarking, the breakfast in the specialty restaurants, & the little extras in our room each night(fruit, cheese, chocolate, petit fours). We loved the champagne for our anniversary the concierge sends to the room with chocolate covered strawberries. Just some sweet, personal touches. We can't wait to try the CK in Nov. (I Am sure I am not mentioning some of the perks, but you get the idea).

 

We are not Diamond as we have not cruised alot, but we know one day we will be. We do how ever, like to enjoy our vacations in a relaxing, roomy atmosphere and the Suite Life is perfect for that. We are after all on vacation, and like to be a little spoiled. Who doesn't? My husband works hard so we can truly "live it up" on vacation, and cruising Royal in a suite is what suites us!

Great post Trish. I agree with the sentiment of your writing. I would rather only go on holiday every two years than go every every year and have to scrimp and rough it too much! I think maybe it's because we are the same age as you and work too hard to do anything but relax when we are on holiday.

You both have great points. I just made Platinum after my last cruise and there are some decent perks there as well. Now that we have experienced a GS I can't see having any other type of category. I enjoy all that comes with the GS and don't see a need to upgrade to a higher category. I'd rather vacation once a year and do weekend trips locally.

Okay what gives? The only thing that the "Sky Class" Suite guests don't get at the upper tier level is a Luxury Pillowtop Mattress?

 

Isn't that a bit odd?

No because that mattress listed is probably high end like the Frette towels.

I got a much better deal than that on a Harmony GS in June 2016 and I am very happy with the perks.

To Europe? I have no plans on sailing to Europe or the Mediterranean unless it's a Greek Isles cruise. Since I am a teacher I must follow the school calendar. We don't end until the last week or so in June. I will never get legitimate sale prices until I retire-something I look forward to. The prices of GS jump in July and August and they are a bargain for the rest of the year excluding holidays. I am fortunate that I can afford to sail in a GS once a year. July 2017 may be my Harmony summer.

The suite perks offered on Oasis Class are sufficient for me. I was able to enjoy them on the Allure and the LOS. I know suite perks are better on the newer class of ships with the addition of CK/Suite Lounge area. I hope Royal looks to expand these perks for all ship classes.

What they have created here is perfect for upsell offers.

 

They will be able to say to a GS or OS booked passenger, pay $700 per person and receive the upgraded suite, dine in Specialty restaurants at a $150 value, gratuities included at $98+ value, get the ultimate beverage package at a $385 value and laundry valued at $75+ and the other added perks.

 

They will be able to say to a JS passenger, upgrade to a GS for $500 per person and get the upgraded suite, entrance nightly to the suite lounge and breakfast and lunch at CK maybe a perceived $350 value, internet at $140, entrance to the Thermal Suite at $149 along with VIP seating at the shows and access to the suite sun deck.

 

This will make for easier upsell decisions to sell any remaining suites.

I'm already looking at a cost of $3500-$3700pp for an Allure GS in July. I will not "fall" for an upsell when the cost is already high enough. The OBC is $615+ depending on sailing. If Royal continues to throw in the $200 OBC then that will cover the all "perks" I choose! A lot of those included are nice, but many aren't "must haves." I will bet that elusive upgrade fairy probably won't come into play anymore too.

So the star suites gained a lot more perks but when you look at the cost of those suites for what you get probably costing you more $ out of pocket for the cruise the sky perks (GS) and similar remained about the same and there again the prices have gone way up so your not really gaining anything with just the free internet added and JS's got a little tease. I'm Not impressed at all.

AGREED!

Lets try this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7jqddvj6vg74iq2/Royal%20Suite%20Class.pdf?dl=0

I SOOOO appreciate this link! IMO the cost of the STAR suites outweighs the perks. I will be very happy with my free WIFI in a GS and what I would already receive.

We were on a 5 nighter and if this is the largest class ship you have been on you will love it. My friends went to the Vintages Wine Pairing Dinner and they said it was fantastic. They went on the night that the 70s party was held so they had great seats. We ate at both Portofino and Chops Grille. Although I enjoyed both venues I thought Portofino had a slight edge over Chops. The seafood skewers were delicious and the tiramisu that was served with a B52 shot was amazing. Our waiter was awesome (Yigit pronounced Yeet). We went to the Saturday Night Fever. Music was good, but the show was a little long for my taste. The food in the Jade section was good although I did not venture anywhere else in the Windjammer for lunch. If you want a quick lunch try the MDR during sea days where they offer the salad bar where the staff makes your salad and you add the proteins. You can also order from the menu too and it is served quickly. We had wine in Vintages and enjoyed our experience there. The wine expert really knew his wines and offered samples to determine what I liked. The California wine experience offered in Chops Grill was NOT what Royal Caribbean website stated. 5 course meal paired with wine. Had I known that I would have skipped and booked the event at Vintages.

The sun deck for suite holders is very nice and well organized. You must slide in your gold card and the gate will open. It has richly padded loungers and a full bar. You are up high off the deck where the pools are so I guess the only draw back would be if you like to hop in the pool a lot. You would have to walk down the stairs to the main deck, dip in and walk back up. We also liked the Solarium but wished they would have enforced the 16 and over rule more closely.

Thanks for your review. I cannot wait to get back on an Oasis Class Ship again! With all the enhanced suite perks why would I go elsewhere? I like the fact that you have to slide your card to access the sun suite deck. And we didn't mind going down the stairs to take a dip either. I just wish the Solarium was 18 and over.

OMG... I can hardly contain myself... i just got off the phone with RC .... was trying to get some information on our Jan 7, 2017 sailing and I got information that she had just gotten on the NEW "Royal Suite Class" rollout...this is what i found out... it is ONLY for Quantam & Oasis Class Sailings. SNEAK PEAK is today and being announced at the Virtuoso Event in Las Vegas today!

 

There are 3 classes;

 

Star class: Royal Loft, Owners Loft, Presidential Family, Grand Loft, Sky Loft, 2 bedroom Aqua Suite.

 

Skyclass: Aqua theatre suite 1 bedroom, crown loft suite, Owners suite, Royal Family Suite, superior Grand Suite, Grand suite

 

Sea class: Family connected junior suite, family suite, Jr. Suite, Spa Juniir Suite

 

The new suite class starts from May 2016 sailings, but again only on Quantum and Oasis class ships.

 

Anyone already booked in these categories will be in "Royal Suite Class"

 

SOME of the things that will be included, mores specifics will soon come, are, and depending on which class will be different... gratuities, internet, beverage options, upgraded stateroom features; in stateroom bedroom service, complimentary Royal Genie Service (butler)

 

So, Im very excited because we are booked in our first suite ever; Aquatheater suite, which is in star class... How lucky can we be :) :) :)! Im so excited!!!!!

THANKS so much for reporting to us! I'm fine with it being on Oasis or Quantum Class Ships. I like my ships in that size.

Thanks for the info!

 

I like how they did the tiers too. I was sort of afraid that GS would get downgraded a bit because it is kid of the "lowest" full suite category, but it doesn't seem that way. Majority of the time I can handle the cost of a GS, but really wouldn't want to pay anymore. I'm going to guess that the SkyClass will have perks similar to the current perks, with some new additions such as the internet and maybe drinks. The StarClass will have everything. SeaClass probably won't have much, but maybe they'll add some things.

I was also concerned that the GS category would miss out as well. The cost of GS category is as high as I am willing to go because I can only travel during peak (expensive) times. Free Internet and specialty dining would be some of the perks I would vote for. This program sounds exactly like Celebrity's.

We put have our bottles of wine in our luggage and have never been called to the naughty room. If it's an expensive bottle it goes in my carry on.

I still want Symphony of The Seas

Symphony is good.

My favorite so far!

Correction to my post.......the new benefits are for those in a Royal Loft Suite.

Maybe not because it states Royal Suite Class. And just features the "most expansive" suite.

We received our email from Dexter the Allure's concierge the Monday of the week we were sailing. Same exact day with Carlos on the LOS.

Not exactly sure, but at one time the difference between JS and GS is considerably less than the difference between GS and RS

And the other major difference between JS and GS is almost no perks whereas the suite perks are the same on GS and above. I didn't like Celebrity's tiered perks because I can only cruise during the most expensive times so a GS on Royal is just right for me. My desired perk would be unlimited specialty dining. I'll wait and see like the rest of us.

We have a GS booked for the Harmony transatlantic. About as low as you can be on the suite totem pole.*

 

I hope we'll at least have suite lounge and CK access.

 

*excludes junior suites. :)

I hope it applies to GS too! Is the program called Royal Suite Class as a reference to the cruise line and not Royal Suite class and above? I hope so!

Sorry but have to disagree with all this.

 

Royal no longer charge for towels and haven't done for some time.

On the Liberty of the Seas The $25 fee for pool towels that were not returned still applied.