CruisingHusker

If you originally booked with a casino discount, they will apply the same casino discount when you upgrade BUT they will reprice the suite at the current rate.

 

The very best prices I have found since the new program started is when you book a fully comped room from their "list" (regardless of the category...we generally start at interior) and then upgrade it. On our last cruise (Liberty over Labor Day) we started with an inside comp and upgraded all the way to Owner's Suite for just $498. Our "free" annual cruises on Anthem began as inside rooms and I upgraded both of them (B2B) all the way up to Star Class for less than half of what it would have cost to be Star Class on just 1 of those cruises so this seems to be the best deal going at the moment. The actual "casino discount" if you book any random cruise and ask for the casino discount is very poor (as I said, 5% is the best we've gotten since the new program started) but choosing one of the "free" cruises from the list, if you are comped, is easily and affordably upgraded.

Are these a series of upgrades? I am assuming these aren’t upgrades at the time of original booking. I’m curious as to how far out from your sailing you did these upgrades for such good deals. My problem is there are usually 4 of us and we can’t all share a room. It is not pleasant. We prefer 2 bedroom suites.

The Star Class Suite Guests moved to another location to avoid any further conflicts. I have seen the two P’s still onboard and enjoying P status.

 

 

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WOW. This is just so wrong. I don’t understand why this was tolerated.

I’m not going to discuss on Johns post anymore. It was one on my pictures cropped and posted on FB. I did not post it. At the guest request, I sent them the photos I had. It was not that guest who posted on FB.

 

At the Michael Bolton concert. The P’s had the entire upper deck reserved. We were denied entry but worked out better for us. We went down the steps and the entire front row was vacant and unreserved.

 

We have sat with P’s in SL most every evening and have enjoyed our time together. We have been seeing many others we have cruised with before on other cruises and last year on Freedom.

 

 

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I’m sorry to bring this up again but I am just appalled by this behavior. I was curious as to whether the wine throwing pinnacles were removed from those seats or if the star class guest had to find a different place to sit? Personally, I am surprised they didn’t consider that assault and remove them at the next port. Unbelievable. I have Araceli as my genie next Saturday. I really hope it wasn’t her that had the wine thrown at her.

My B/F and I are in a 2 bedroom Grand Suite on Liberty, leaving this coming Sunday, and I paid approximately 50% of the going rate.

I’m curious as to when you booked it. Before the new program took effect?

I received an email today from RCCL saying I had qualified for Casino Rates. And got a discount code to use when booking. We spend a few dollars in the casino every cruise but nothing major. Is this a gimmick? How much is the discount?

The only casino rate discounts I have been offered lately is 5%. I am spending more than ever. Before this new program I was getting around 30% off so I started sailing in suites. Now with only 5% off there is no way I’m going to continue that. I’m going to start looking into other programs.

The food itself will be delivered by room service. Sometimes the Genie will show up and "set" the table ahead of time...sometimes not. Just depends on the situation and the Genie. We always tip when food is delivered, regardless of who brings it. Your room attendant will be the one to clear everything away. In other words, room service does not come back and pick it all up unless there is a large party and the Genie has made arrangements for that to happen.

 

Be prepared for a lot of interruptions throughout the cruise. The one thing my husband truly objects to about being in Star Class is that there is CONSTANTLY someone knocking on the door to bring something, pick something up or arrange something. This happens to everyone, to some extent, when you are in a full suite but when you are in SC it can get ridiculous. Sometimes you just wanna leave the door open and tell everyone "just come on in...".

 

Even with that warning, I definitely recommend that you have some meals in your suite. We found, after a few tries, that breakfast is our favorite as it is generally still cool enough to eat outside and if breakfast is delivered, we don't have to get up early, get dressed and make it to the CK (or whatever restaurant we are going to go to) before the stop serving (we are night owls so we sleep in). Dinner is nice but it can get very warm outside in the evenings. Also, be aware that they will bring all of your food at once so even with a large table, you will still often be shuffling plates around to find all of the various courses. Also, you must tell them EVERYTHING that you want including bread, butter, salt, pepper, sugar. If you don't tell them you want it, they will not bring it. Breakfast just seems to be simpler.

Thank you!! This is very helpful. Can you give me an idea of what you would tip when having a full meal delivered from a specialty restaurant? There are 4 of us.

We will be sailing in Star Class for the first time on October 13th. Our genie is Araceli (I’ve read nothing but great things about her). There will be at least one night where we order from one of the specialty restaurants to be eaten in our suite. Who delivers this? The specialty restaurant, room service or our genie? If it’s the restaurant or room service I am assuming I should tip more than a regular room service delivery. If it’s the genie I am assuming I tie that in with her tip at the end. I am just trying to be prepared with my tip cash so I would appreciate anyone’s experience with this. Thanks!

B1 or B2. B1 is the best.

I agree. B1 would be easy access to the beach and water. I would not do over the water with children that age.

It is helpful to read the entire thread before posting.

I did read the entire thread but I never saw where the OP actually admitted it was a guarantee booking versus an actual suite booking. It’s possible I just missed it.

I am confused. Was this a guarantee booking or not? In my experience, if I want the full suite with its benefits I book that particular suite and pay the premium for it.

I read only one has the hot tub

 

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On the Allure they both have hot tubs. Our neighbors used theirs a lot more than we did. It took up a good amount of space on the balcony. Not sure about the setup on Oasis.

It’s not gone, it’s just called a four bedroom villa suite now.

 

 

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On the Allure they split the presidential suite into 2 two bedroom grand suites. I think they did the same thing on the Oasis. These particular cabins are on deck 12 and still have hot tubs on the deck. I have stayed in one.

Thanks for another entertaining review! Your pictures are fantastic. Owen will have some amazing memories from all of your adventures. Lucy is much cooler than my cats!

Star class gets first dibs on cabanas at Barefoot Beach so there’s no guarantee you would get an over the water there. Something to consider.

Thank You!!

Did you prefer a cabana on Nellie's beach as suppose to on Columbus beach? Did you feel it was worth it? Did Nellies beach get really crowded. How were you assigned your cabana? Were you able to choose before you arrived at Labadee?

There are only Beach bungalows at Columbus cove, not cabanas. The water is not deep enough from the over the water cabanas to dive in. We arrived at the beach first to request the cabana we wanted.

Here is the link to my FLIKR album :

 

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmouSa36

 

Enjoy!

 

 

mac_tlc

Thank you so much for the photos and review! I am going to be in star class for the first time in October in the 2 BR Aqua theater suite (8730) on Harmony and this has been very informative!

If you ordered room service from a specialty restaurant did you tip more than you would have for regular room service?

Honeymooned on Majesty 1995. Still married and still cruising when we can!

We have done Hilton Rose Hall and love it. You can book it through resortforaday.com and everything is included, even transportation. They have a beach area, pool, lazy river and swim up bars. Their drinks are fantastic and the jerk chicken is outstanding! I highly recommend it.

You should post this on your cruises Roll Call https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2580667

Someone posted last night on the roll call that it was open.

Thanks so much CruisngHusker! Wow, sounds really great!

 

Not a big deal, but I think I may opt for another deck. I watched some Youtube videos and think the round table with chairs better suits 3 people rather than the tight fitting rectangular table on deck 12. Love that we don't have to worry about prebooking shows. I want to make sure we see the comedy acts, but it sound like having the Sky amenities does not help with that. Should we book this as soon as we get on the ship, and can we book all the comedy shows at once? Also, I was wondering about the suites sun deck. I see that's one of our amenities, but I couldn't find anything about it. Also, will we be happy eating all the meals in the Coastal Kitchen, or do you suggest one or two specialty dinners?

 

Thanks again...so happy you saw my post. :)

We enjoyed being starboard side when we were on deck 9. We seemed to dock on that side most of the time. As for the comedy show, it typically is the same one but repeated during the week and there is usually one family friendly show with the same comedians. You can book it online in your cruise planner. The suite sun deck is ok. I found it to be hot and there is no pool up there. There is a bar though. We only did CK for breakfast as our kids enjoy the main dining room with the same waiters all week for dinner. There are snacks and a specialty coffee machine in the suite lounge. Everyone in your suite will get the free WiFi. I also highly recommend taking advantage of the free luggage valet included with suites if you’re flying. You set your bags out on the last night and they will be waiting for you when you get off your last flight. It’s great not having to drag them through customs or check them in at the airport. They will print your boarding passes and check you in so all you have to do is go to your gate at the airport. Let me know if you have any other questions!

I have stayed in 12648 on the Allure and also on deck 9 in a 2 bedroom grand suite. I would stay in either one again. We didn’t use the hot tub like we thought we would in 12648. It takes a while to fill it and drain it but our neighbors next door used theirs all the time. Both locations are good. The sky suite amenities are great. You don’t have to prebook any shows except for the comedy show because there is reserved seating for suites. Being walked off the ship by the concierge on disembarkation day is priceless. Enjoy!

Thanks for reporting back. I’ve been curious to hear opinions since the refurb. We saw Resurrection on Anthem last year. They are the best tribute band we’ve ever seen. I would love to see them again!

We saw Ronn Lucas on Harmony a few weeks ago. Sounds like the guy really gets around the ships. Once was enough for me.

I called today and received word that I was Choice. Somewhat disappointed since over the 18 month reporting period, i took 6 cruises and my play earned free balconies on 5 of those 6. If free cruise cert kicks in at 4800 points, and i earned 5 of them, not sure how i got only 13,000 points toward determining my new status

The email I received said my tier was based off of 12 months. I don’t think they did 18 months like they originally stated.