Worth $1,000 to bump up from Jr to Grand Suite and get concierge?

[pickytraveler4]

We had a GS on the Explorer in October 2009. Just to provide additional facts in your decision process.

 

1. Someone mentioned reserved seating. We had the reserved seating for the Ice Show. The seats had a lot more leg room. We didn't see the reserved deck chairs and would have liked that.

2. We also liked being able to eat in one night and order from the MDR menu (a benefit).

3. We also used the ironing service for formal night.

4. We also very much enjoyed eating our breakfast in Portafino's. You still help yourself in the Windjammer but Portafino's is reserved for suite guests for a quieter, more upscale, relaxing breakfast - this may be a benefit for JS as well.

 

Have fun.

[BND]

We had a GS on the Explorer in October 2009. Just to provide additional facts in your decision process.

 

1. Someone mentioned reserved seating. We had the reserved seating for the Ice Show. The seats had a lot more leg room. We didn't see the reserved deck chairs and would have liked that.

2. We also liked being able to eat in one night and order from the MDR menu (a benefit).

3. We also used the ironing service for formal night.

4. We also very much enjoyed eating our breakfast in Portafino's. You still help yourself in the Windjammer but Portafino's is reserved for suite guests for a quieter, more upscale, relaxing breakfast - this may be a benefit for JS as well.

 

Have fun.

 

No, only GS and above get the benefit of taking breakfast and lunch from Windjammer into Portofino's so you don't have to walk around looking for a seat. This wouldn't be an issue if people would just eat and leave, but many set up shop for the day and/or don't "let" anyone else sit with them at "their" table.

[Eliger]

Maybe the OP has already made a decision... Here is what we did. We booked a JS for our b2b on AOS - same hump cabin both legs. There was a price reduction for the first leg, making the GS within $300 of the cost of the JS. We went for it, and also for the other leg. But then we realized we were paying $1000 for the second leg of the b2b. After thinking about it, we changed our minds and we will go back to the JS hump for the second leg. This way we will be able to see and experience a GS and a JS hump within the same cruise. :) So in my mind, before we experience it, I don't think it is worth $1000, but surely $300. :D

 

Gerry

[luckyprincess]

For the folks talking about not finding a seat in the WJ, or liking eating at the restaurant with a bunch of other people, have you ever tried eating on your balcony? We love it and it's so romantic! I wouldn't want to wake up and eat anywhere but there. You should try it!:D

[CruiseCrazyCouple]

I just want to thank everyone for all this information. You guys have been so helpful! For now we decided we are gonna stay with the JS and keep our eyes open for price reduction on the GS. Thanks again!!

[olefin32]

We have a JS, couple weeks ago were offered $1000 credit or free upgrade to GS. We took the $1000.

 

Although on HCL ships we always book the Deluxe Verandah Suite... they are similar to RC GS in size and other benefits, only includes one bottle of champagne but that is plenty for us since we don't get into booze. Includes free laundry and dry cleaning, we like that on longer cruises.

[JBert]

Bearded-

 

Were those pics of a JS or GS?

[beardedladies]

Bearded-

 

Were those pics of a JS or GS?

 

 

Hi There

 

Pics were of a grand suite :D

[BND]

For the folks talking about not finding a seat in the WJ, or liking eating at the restaurant with a bunch of other people, have you ever tried eating on your balcony? We love it and it's so romantic! I wouldn't want to wake up and eat anywhere but there. You should try it!:D

 

 

Actually, we normally eat every meal we can in the MDR. I have just noticed while walking through the Windjammer how the same people are sitting there ALL day long. And, that applies to all cruise line buffets. I don't like the mentality of so many at the trough (I mean buffet). I can't wait to try out GS in March. As I said earlier, we're doing it for multiple reasons and I doubt most who book a GS or above do it JUST for CL.

[sea-cruise]

My vote is that you stay with the JS.

[ggo85]

Obviously, the answer is . . . it depends. We've done both a JS and a GS. On our most recent cruise (LOS to Italy), the benefits were: LOTS of extra room including a huge balcony and really big bathroom where 2 people can easily fit at the same time; concierge lounge -- drinks, canapes and help with reservations; priority disembarkation (off as soon as we wanted to leave); and priority seating at shows -- front row seats reserved. Also the bottle of champagne and a few other things I've probably forgotten.

 

We weren't offered bridge tours, etc. -- of course, we didn't ask. (And we're not Diamond or D+).

 

The JS we took several years ago offered plenty of room for two. We were not "squished" and felt we had a very nice cabin. No other "perks," but the extra room vs. a balcony cabin was, in our opinion, worth the extra $$.

 

As a purely financial matter (i.e., are the drinks worth $1000), the answer re whether to pay $1000 more for the GS is definitely no. However, how does one measure extra space, not needing to show up early for shows, having a place to relax with a drink before dinner, etc.? Only you know . . . and know your finances.

 

What is important to you? How much are the above things worth to YOU? How much extra are you willing to spend on your trip and is this where you want to spend it (vs. shore excursions, spa treatments, casino, art, etc.)? No one can really answer that other than you.

[markf]

we had the suite 2 yrs ago on AOS, bseides a larger room they did offer free cocktails for an hour or so each night. The concierge on our ship was not very helpful, and they also told us that the first night of the cruise the free cocktail hour isnt avaialble. As I paid for 7 nights of this service , i felt that was unfair, and i called the HD, who gave us free bottles of wine instead--which was a fair compromise.We have crusied on NCL various times-the suites on RCCL do not compare to the level of suite service on NCL--on NCL you feel like you are really pampered even wothiut free cocktails

[Hypo]

You really need to watch the prices. we booked Voyager from Galveston for a Feb 2010 cruise. When we booked, the price for a GS was $1300/pp. (6 months ago, a "Hot Deal").

 

Now, the GS are sold out, and the JS is selling for $1399/pp.

 

We usually do JS, but for this cruise, the GS will sure be nice.

 

Hypo

[busybeecrafts]

I cruised the Navigator last week (11/21 - 11/26) And was in a Grand Suite. Usually i am in an ouside room. I will admit that right now i cannot curise in anything less than a grand. THe expierence was awesome! let me start with the stateroom itself. There were three Grown folks in my room and we are not small people (LOL) not once did i feel crowded. I acutlaly enjoyed going back to the stateroom to listen to the water, sit on the balcony, soak in the tub..

 

Secondly i visited the CL every night. THe drinks were not cheap and i could order whatever i wanted. I loved the snacks (Cavier, salad, egg rolls, chicken wings, fruit, cheese and so much more) There are great people in the CL and that just adds to the cruise experierence. Third - for breakfast i did not visit the CL but did go to the windjammer, there is special seating in Portofinos for suite guests. LOVED IT!! no screaming kids, no looking for a seat. Didn't have to look for silveware...or get drinks (they gave us orange juice water or soda in portofinos....) Did the same thing for lunch went to windjammer but ate in protofinos..a great and very useful perk for suite guests.

 

I used the concierge often to make arrangements for portofinos & chops. I ordered my mother some flowers to be delivered to her table at portofino and my concerige rep took care of EVERYTHING. At the end of the curise suite guests are offered a special lunch with the captian. OMG LOVED IT!!!!!! such great food, champange, wine, martinis whatever i wanted.

 

I used the special seating for suite gutests at everyshow, i also used the perk on Labadee to get a cabana. Used the perk for getting off the ship (speical lounge for suite guests) this made the disembarking process so smooth! There were other perks that i didn't have time to use but will attempt to on my next cruise.

 

So the choice is a matter of opinion and what you wish to accomplish on your cruise. Personally, i don't think i can cruise anything less than a GS. I am a 35 yr old novice cruiseer (Only 4) and so far my best experince has been in a GS. I say choose what is best for your enjoyment.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I usually book 2 JS's on Royal for our party of 5. Last cruise, on Carnival, we booked 2 Catagory 12's, which is basically the same as a GS on Royal. We only did so because there were no Cat. 11's (JS's) available.

 

Yeah, it was bigger, and very nice, but even after having the biggger suite, I'm fine with a JS, it has everything we need, and plenty of room for 3 in the triple, so I wouldn't pay so much for the upgrade.

[CAT GIRL]

I cruised the Navigator last week (11/21 - 11/26) And was in a Grand Suite. Usually i am in an ouside room. I will admit that right now i cannot curise in anything less than a grand. THe expierence was awesome! let me start with the stateroom itself. There were three Grown folks in my room and we are not small people (LOL) not once did i feel crowded. I acutlaly enjoyed going back to the stateroom to listen to the water, sit on the balcony, soak in the tub..

 

Secondly i visited the CL every night. THe drinks were not cheap and i could order whatever i wanted. I loved the snacks (Cavier, salad, egg rolls, chicken wings, fruit, cheese and so much more) There are great people in the CL and that just adds to the cruise experierence. Third - for breakfast i did not visit the CL but did go to the windjammer, there is special seating in Portofinos for suite guests. LOVED IT!! no screaming kids, no looking for a seat. Didn't have to look for silveware...or get drinks (they gave us orange juice water or soda in portofinos....) Did the same thing for lunch went to windjammer but ate in protofinos..a great and very useful perk for suite guests.

 

I used the concierge often to make arrangements for portofinos & chops. I ordered my mother some flowers to be delivered to her table at portofino and my concerige rep took care of EVERYTHING. At the end of the curise suite guests are offered a special lunch with the captian. OMG LOVED IT!!!!!! such great food, champange, wine, martinis whatever i wanted.

 

I used the special seating for suite gutests at everyshow, i also used the perk on Labadee to get a cabana. Used the perk for getting off the ship (speical lounge for suite guests) this made the disembarking process so smooth! There were other perks that i didn't have time to use but will attempt to on my next cruise.

 

So the choice is a matter of opinion and what you wish to accomplish on your cruise. Personally, i don't think i can cruise anything less than a GS. I am a 35 yr old novice cruiseer (Only 4) and so far my best experince has been in a GS. I say choose what is best for your enjoyment.

 

 

Was the concierge Carlos? We love him and look forward to

sailing with him in January.

[goneclear]

To the OP, If you can afford it go for it. You only live once.

[CanuckMO4]

having a full suite means more than just the CL. You'll get an invite for a bridge tour, a free bottle of champagne in your room, canapes, choc dipped strawberries, ghiradelli choc squares on your pillow, a different room service menu to order breakfast from, a seperate suite seating area for breakfast, not to mention reserved seating at the pool and in the theatre. That's all the comes to mind at the moment.

So just how free is all of that when your paying an extra 1,000 bucks for.To each his own I say.