Are suites worth it?

[OttawaJohn]

I'm curious what you all think.

 

Though not rich by any extent, a suite isn't beyond the capacity of my wife and I to afford. But it would take an extra year of saving for the cruise to handle.

 

It seems, on the standard cruises we do, we can get a balcony for about a thousand each. A family suite would be 2000 each, and a penthouse suite hitting 2800 each.

 

Obviously, prices vary, but in general, it's going to be twice as expensive or more to do a suite as to a balcony.

 

So, is it worth it?

 

Is it worth waiting another year to sail to do it in a suite, rather than a standard balcony?

 

Are the perks you get really worth that?

 

Sure, if you have the cash to do it, why not? But if it's something you need to save for, would you?

 

As far as I can see, room benefits aside, you get a butler, nicer service and onto the boat faster? Is that about it?

 

I know there are dozens of tangible and intangible benefits, but really, doesn't it come down to they make your trip better?

 

As someone who's not had bad service on our cruises so far, just not sure what really the benefit would be.

 

Thoughts?

[Cubechick]

For me, yes they do make the trip better. As we tend to spend time in our cabin, we love the extra space. Love being able to have breakfast/lunch at Cagney's if we want. VIP embarkation just starts off the trip on a nice note, as does the escort off of the ship at the end.

 

But we will book balconies when the price for the suites is too out-of-control (and still have a great time in those balcony cabins!).

 

We'd rather cruise more often than always be in a suite!

[dumpnchase]

When we cruise, we are normally in a suite. But if the option was cruise ever other year in a suite or ever year in a balcony, I would be in the balcony and love every minute of it. Go on vacation and enjoy it. Better than sitting home.

[Hikini]

If I had to save for an extra year I might be tempted to say no, it's not worth it. However, we love the suite life. The extra room and the perk of breakfast & lunch in Cagney's are the biggest things for us. But you also get priority boarding, priority tender tickets (if needed) among many other things.

 

That's a tough question. But as I always say, ANY cruise is better than no cruise at all!:)

[che5904]

I've wondered the exact same thing.

So far, for the cost difference, I haven't been able to convince myself.

I have a choice of at least 4 lines once inside the terminal so I’m pretty sure one of them will be moving fairly quickly, so I don’t have to stand in line long.

I don't need on the ship 20 minutes earlier boarding than I get on now, it’s 20 minutes not a big deal

I can go to the MDR for embarkation lunch, which so far has not been busy at all. (instead of Cagneys)

I can't even figure out exactly what the concierge does but apparently I will owe him a huge tip for whatever fabulous things he/she does.

Most of the things the butler does is already being done by my room steward or room service

Any thing that isn’t done by the above is done by us and we really don’t have issues with doing them (so we probably wouldn’t ask the butler anyway because we are quite independent.)

Whats the difference phoning a specialty restaurant yourself or phoning your butler

I don’t need to be walked anywhere, I’ve been walking by myself since I was little

Another huge tip for the butler.

*Extra space in our cabin

*A variety for room service would be nice one for me, as we love to eat looking out at the water in our cabin.

*The idea of a more intimate setting such as the courtyard is very appealing to us but that would be a larger cost again that what you have quoted above.

The starred points above I’d love. But is it worth 1000's of dollars and to have to wait to go again? So I keep coming up with I'd like to go more often.

[jaja]

If I had to save for an extra year I might be tempted to say no, it's not worth it. However, we love the suite life. The extra room and the perk of breakfast & lunch in Cagney's are the biggest things for us. But you also get priority boarding, priority tender tickets (if needed) among many other things.

 

That's a tough question. But as I always say, ANY cruise is better than no cruise at all!:)

 

I agree...we went from always doing insides to a suite..and now we are spoiled.(booked our 2nd suite for next year)..we love the perks and extra room and in our case...as long as we can get a suite at a good price (we book a year or more in advance)...we will do it...

whatever you choose...do enjoy!! life is too short....not to cruise..

[Springwater21]

I'd have to agree with all the good things said by others. The suite life is great. Last June 2010, I booked a suite on the Star(penthouse with balcony)it was a bit more than I really wanted to spend, but I Wanted it!. Before final payment came due, the suite dropped in price by 600.00 each- I was ever so grateful! We really ended up paying just 300.00 more than the BA balcony. Cruised in perfect weather , in Feb 2011 to Mexican Riviera. The suite was fabulous, and as others said, we love breakfast and lunch in Cagney's.!!! We had a relaxing and stress free 7 days,from the moment we got to the pier, until we got off back in LA.

Would love to book another suite, and just may do so, even tho we are totally ok with a regular balcony.

Its a tuff decision between the two, if prices are so out of sight, then the balcony would be great also.. enjoy your planning and research.. Dona

[TravelWise101]

I've wondered the exact same thing.

 

So far, for the cost difference, I haven't been able to convince myself.

I'm with you there.

 

I don’t need to be walked anywhere, I’ve been walking by myself since I was little

<chuckle - thanks>

Another huge tip for the butler.

*Extra space in our cabin

*A variety for room service would be nice one for me, as we love to eat looking out at the water in our cabin.

*The idea of a more intimate setting such as the courtyard is very appealing to us but that would be a larger cost again that what you have quoted above.

 

The starred points above I’d love. But is it worth 1000's of dollars and to have to wait to go again? So I keep coming up with I'd like to go more often.

 

You pretty much covered our sentiments regarding the perks. Put it this way - if they offered us a suite from the mini we booked - we would not turn it down (no extra cash).

[che5904]

You pretty much covered our sentiments regarding the perks. Put it this way - if they offered us a suite from the mini we booked - we would not turn it down (no extra cash).

 

Oh me either and would be more than willing to cough up the bucks to cover the huge tip of the butler and even the concierge (although, I still have no idea what to heck he does) :D

[cruiseat50]

I'm curious what you all think.

 

Though not rich by any extent, a suite isn't beyond the capacity of my wife and I to afford. But it would take an extra year of saving for the cruise to handle.

 

It seems, on the standard cruises we do, we can get a balcony for about a thousand each. A family suite would be 2000 each, and a penthouse suite hitting 2800 each. I don't where you are looking to cruise and what cabins you are looking at but an AE (or now SF) usually that we usually book aren't near that much for Caribbean. We looked at Alaska and they were about that much. AE's or SF's are the lowest category for suites but are worth it to us. But truthfully if DH (and sometimes myself) were in better health I wouldn't mind getting a balcony to cruise more often. The perks of Cagney's early emb/disembarkation and tender tickets are the main reason for us. Next would be the room size and being able to order from any restaurant on the ship.

 

Obviously, prices vary, but in general, it's going to be twice as expensive or more to do a suite as to a balcony.

 

So, is it worth it?

 

Is it worth waiting another year to sail to do it in a suite, rather than a standard balcony?

 

Are the perks you get really worth that?

 

Sure, if you have the cash to do it, why not? But if it's something you need to save for, would you?

 

As far as I can see, room benefits aside, you get a butler, nicer service and onto the boat faster? Is that about it?

 

I know there are dozens of tangible and intangible benefits, but really, doesn't it come down to they make your trip better?

 

As someone who's not had bad service on our cruises so far, just not sure what really the benefit would be.

 

Thoughts?

 

While the perks are great and you probably will never want to give them up once you do I say cruise more often in a balcony.:D

[jjw5nh]

My 2 cents:

 

We have been on 4 cruises. Land/Sea on Disney in the Walt Disney Suite, 7 night eastern in a RCCL owners suite, 7 night Alaska in an Owners Suite on RCCL, and 7 night Western on Disney in a balcony.

 

The perks are nice but not worth the price increase. I book suites for the extra room only. I am now looking at adjoining balancy cabins.

 

My children are now old enough to be in an adjoining room.

 

My first NCL trip happens next week so I can not comment. I booked a suite this time because it fit my "bucket list", not my needs. In 2003 I heard of this suite and promised myself I would do it before I died. Garden Villa here I come.

 

In the future, I will probably stay away from suites and go with adjoining balcony cabins. It's time to grow up.

[mikewrit]

We figure to have time and money left for either eight cruises in cheap accommodations or three in suites or better. We opt for more cruises and less luxury. Cagneys and butlers and reserved seats for the show are all tantalizing, but we have a wonderful experience even in an inside cabin or ocean view on Deck 4 without spending anything on alcohol or spa rubs or gold-plated NCL-arranged excursions.

[Hikini]

We figure to have time and money left for either eight cruises in cheap accommodations or three in suites or better. We opt for more cruises and less luxury. Cagneys and butlers and reserved seats for the show are all tantalizing, but we have a wonderful experience even in an inside cabin or ocean view on Deck 4 without spending anything on alcohol or spa rubs or gold-plated NCL-arranged excursions.

 

I have to agree about having a wonderful time in an inside or ocean view. But having experienced the suite life, it's hard to go back....and sometime I'm sure we will.

[terrymtex01]

OP.. this is a hard question for anyone to answer.

 

Doug (my DDP) and I are very different on this very question. I personally would wait the extra year to have a suite. I admit it, I'm spoiled to them. For us, we only get the chance to take one vacation a year (due to our conflicting schedules) and so we have been able to take cruises in suites. When and if the time comes where we are able to take more than one vacation a year, we will have to decide what to do at that point.

 

Doug, however, would rather cruise more often in a balcony cabin than less often in a suite.

 

For me, I would miss the perk of dining in Cagneys for breakfast a lunch the most, but the other perks are nice too. The way I look at it, the perks of having a suite have to be worth it, or NCL would not be able to keep getting the money they do for them, and from many repeat suite pax.

 

This is just one of those questions that come down to individual preferences.

 

Either way you choose, as others have said, I hope you have a great vacation.

[davesgirl51]

We have a wonderful time wherever we are. I adore being pampered in a suite especially to have my butler make my first cup of coffee for me and bring it to me in bed and/or to set up a Le Bistro dinner for me with white linen tablecloth and napkins and call me Mum Cinci. And I love my Concierge who saves us seats, gets us off the ship first for excursions and keeps us far from the madding crowd at debarkation and invariably keeps me laughing.

 

But, we want to cruise more often and with our limited resources, we don't often get to be in a suite except on a special occasion. We laugh and we smile and we love NCL.:D

[Ms belp]

I'm curious what you all think.

 

Though not rich by any extent, a suite isn't beyond the capacity of my wife and I to afford. But it would take an extra year of saving for the cruise to handle.

 

It seems, on the standard cruises we do, we can get a balcony for about a thousand each. A family suite would be 2000 each, and a penthouse suite hitting 2800 each.

 

Obviously, prices vary, but in general, it's going to be twice as expensive or more to do a suite as to a balcony.

 

So, is it worth it?

 

Is it worth waiting another year to sail to do it in a suite, rather than a standard balcony?

 

Are the perks you get really worth that?

 

Sure, if you have the cash to do it, why not? But if it's something you need to save for, would you?

 

As far as I can see, room benefits aside, you get a butler, nicer service and onto the boat faster? Is that about it?

 

I know there are dozens of tangible and intangible benefits, but really, doesn't it come down to they make your trip better?

 

As someone who's not had bad service on our cruises so far, just not sure what really the benefit would be.

 

Thoughts?

 

No. Nobody can tell what will happen in a year. We too have always been happy in a balcony. I've seen the suites. While nice, I'm not going to pretend I'm Ross Perot when I'm not...you get the drift. Don't wait. Life is too short.

[Ms belp]

You know...people lambaste us for our past but it seems like people still want someone to wait on them.

[che5904]

You know...people lambaste us for our past but it seems like people still want someone to wait on them.

 

You lost me :confused:.

[Veronica Beaverhausen]

There is nothing better than cruising on NCL in a suite! Once you go first class it's hard to go back. I would suggest even booking the lowest level suite so you can experience all the perks that go with it. When I went into a mini suite on the Gem I had "suite envy". I saw the butlers going passed our room with goodies for the full suite pax and knew about all the things we were missing out on. I have been in the owner's suite on the Jewel as well as the courtyard villa on the Jewel and we are heading into the Owner's Suite on POA next month (woo hoo). We are not rich but when we take a cruise on NCL it is first class! Once you go suite you don't want to look back...For us it IS worth it :)

[Darthdaddy]

I could not give you a single answer for myself, let alone evaluate your situation.

 

Check out post #78 in the Myth Busters thread for my effort at tackling this question.

[erdoran]

DH can only cruise once/year. We had cruised in a balcony on Carnival in 2009, then a suite on the Epic in 2010. DH grumped through our Carnival cruise - the service was pool, the bartender couldn't get his drink order right, chairhogs, the guys at the pool grill wouldn't do his hamburger well done, the buffet was crowded, etc, etc....he's a pain sometimes :>

 

2010 suite - first day he gripes about Epic Club that the eggs were too greasy--so day 2 he asks to have them prepared with no fat - and they were! He didn't see anything on the menu he liked so the maitre d' stopped by the table to ask why he wasn't eating and asked him what he liked - and every night after she got spaghetti for him. I know, it's a dumb little thing! DH kept wanting to do buffet so we stopped there for breakfast one morning--he walked through, then headed for the Epic Club (the guy that doesn't do fancy!), saying "why fight the crowds when I can have whatever I want there!"

 

Ditto the courtyard - there were certainly a fair share of chair hogs, but nowhere as bad as we had experienced in the past.

 

By the end of the cruise DH had decided that suites were the only way to go! For us, we'd rather cruise less often so we can have fewer crowds and the higher level of service.

 

Our butler wasn't as accommodating as many we've seen praised n the board, and we asked almost nothing of the concierge, so we didn't get the benefits of that portion of the suite experience, but just having the relatively uncrowded courtyard and the higher level of service (and did I say "no waiting in line!") makes the experience for us!

[DMH15]

It's obvious you are curious and intrigued by what NCL offers with suite cruising.

 

I think you should try it once and see if you love it or find it is not worth your cruising less often. After your "test" you can answer your own question.

 

I am of the school of cruise less often in a suite. But that's just what I prefer. As you have read, there are varying opinions on that subject.

 

But since you are wondering about what is the difference between a great cruise in a balcony and the unknown of cruising in a suite on NCL I think you should try it.

 

You not only have the cost difference, but the additional tips to the butler, concierge and perhaps Cagney's staff, as others tip, I know I do.

 

Let us know what you decide and please if you do cruise in a suite share your thoughts afterwards.

 

I just booked a 2013 cruise in an aft PH on the Sun. So, yes I don't mind waiting longer.

[Caroldoll]

is worth the money. Once you do that, you will never look back. Go for it.

[mamabeac]

We started cruising in inside cabins, then onto a balcony and a mini-suite. After our first suite, there is no going back for us. We definitely would and do wait an extra year to afford a suite when necessary. There is just something about being pampered that makes us "regular folks" seem so special. I told our last butler that he didn't need to put a linen table cloth on our table every time he brought us breakfast and he always said, "This is your vacation; sit back, relax, and let me take care of you." Every time we came back from a long, hot excursion he had an ice cold pitcher of tea and snacks waiting for us.

We were so spoiled and we loved every minute of it.

 

We often travel with our adult son and the extra space of the suites is a wonderful thing for us as well. Plus the wonderful bathroom is divine.

[cabincop]

I was upgraded to a suite 5 years ago on NCL from mini suite to CY, I was with my friend. I am hooked my butler knows I don't drink so always has Pellagrino for me, he also knows I love cheese and crackers and strawberries always bring me those instead of the usual midday snacks. They also have helped me with my IPOd when it was on the fritz(SP?). I am also a big gambler and stay out late and sleep in. Once my butler figured it out he was concerned because I rarely made it to breakfast so he asked me what I like for breakfast and had my room stocked with cereals for me. I also love carmel macchhiato so he would bring me one in the morning(for me that is around 10ish) My butler would also tell me where the good places to go at port for shopping sightseeing etc. The concierge would call me to see if I needed anything I have a mobilty problem and always made sure to help me avoid crowds to get off the ship. When they didn't see me fora few days he called and then came to my room with a spa pass to help me feel better. For me the list is endless, I will never go for anything less than a suite again. They help me so much. It has nothing to do with feeling special but just the help and consideration is amazing. So there ya have it. Try it once if its not for you go back to your normal rooms. Have fun, Maria