Just upgraded to two Grand Suites on the Explorer! (Have ?'s)

[jmrothermel]

I'm so excited! Last time we just had a JS, so no real "suite perks", so this time we do :) So - now comes general and "touchy" questions!

 

1) When it comes to the CL, what is the concensus on children? I do have a family of 8 (3 adults and 5 children). I booked two connecting Grand Suites (1578 and 1584), so I paid for the children to be in the suites as well. I'm not saying that makes them entitled little brats :p at all hours of the day, but what appears to be the concensus on children in the CL early - say before dinner or for a light breakfast? I don't want to offend or upset people, but if they are behaved is it offending to take them in there?

 

2) In regards to the concierge, what exactly does he do? I've always found that our stateroom attendant has attended to our ever whim, it's hard to imagine having someone else that could possibily cater to us anymore! :D

 

3) Priority seating at the ice show - Do you still need to stand in line to get tickets? I heard that is one draw back to the ice show - sometimes getting tickets is tough, and there is a long line. Is this still necessary with suite benefits?

 

4) Is there any other suite benefits that I'm forgetting? (Besides priority embarkation and debarkation / tendering)

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions - I'm so excited now! I am really going to have a hard time waiting for the next 10 months to pass! I booked the cruise in April on the last cruise......I guess 8 months have already passed - time is flying! ;)

[megr1125]

I'm so excited! Last time we just had a JS, so no real "suite perks", so this time we do :) So - now comes general and "touchy" questions!

 

1) When it comes to the CL, what is the concensus on children? I do have a family of 8 (3 adults and 5 children). I booked two connecting Grand Suites (1578 and 1584), so I paid for the children to be in the suites as well. I'm not saying that makes them entitled little brats :p at all hours of the day, but what appears to be the concensus on children in the CL early - say before dinner or for a light breakfast? I don't want to offend or upset people, but if they are behaved is it offending to take them in there?

 

Honestly, I do not have kids and I am not particularly fond of them. And whether or not i agree with permitting them in the lounge isn't your question. So...technically they are permitted. If they are too young to be able to use tongs to get their food, etc then you should do that for them. If they sit quietly then I suppose they are fine. Frankly the lounge is VERY small and I would guess that adults will be mad if kids (yours or whomevers) are taking up space. Yes you will offend people....(i am being honest....you've no doubt read what has been written here...:))

 

It isn't that exciting a place for kids, at least i don't think it is....and aside from it being small on EX (and windowless..there isn't much to do so the kids may not want to be in there.... You paid for the suite so, again, technically they can go in....I hope that answered your question without sounding mean....my intent is to be matter-of-fact;)

 

2) In regards to the concierge, what exactly does he do? I've always found that our stateroom attendant has attended to our ever whim, it's hard to imagine having someone else that could possibily cater to us anymore! :D

 

He can book specialty dinner reservations, excursions, spa appointments, etc.....it's nice to be able to do your excursion stuff there...really fast...and if you're headed to Labadee and want to book a cabana he is your contact person....the cabanas are great....you will be spoiled

3) Priority seating at the ice show - Do you still need to stand in line to get tickets? I heard that is one draw back to the ice show - sometimes getting tickets is tough, and there is a long line. Is this still necessary with suite benefits?

no tickets needed...have your seapass...there is a special seating area (that really isn't that good....IMO..and IIRC he will tell you to meet him about 30 minutes ahead for seating....at about 5 minutes before the show that seating area will be open to anyone...again, the seats are back a bit away from the ice (studio b isn't that big though) and they are at an angle...IMO you're better off getting your own seats

4) Is there any other suite benefits that I'm forgetting? (Besides priority embarkation and debarkation / tendering)

 

there's special seating at the pool and in the theatre as well....you'll get extra cruise credits ( i presume you paid for the GS-otherwise, if it was a free upgrade, you won't get extra cruise credits generally)... you will be spoiled.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions - I'm so excited now! I am really going to have a hard time waiting for I guess 8 months have already passed - time is flying! ;)

 

see above...HTH...again....i wasn't trying to sound mean with the kids in the lounge question....

 

Have fun..EX is my favorite ship.......

[Big_G]

The benefits are listed here:

 

Concierge Club Benefits

 

The only issue with kids in the Concierge Club is they are a small lounge which accommodates suite guests along with Diamond+ and Pinnacle members. It can get busy at cocktail hour so having kids in there can make it a little cramped.

[jmrothermel]

Thank you both for the quick reply. I've actually never been in the CL, or toured one for that matter, so I had no idea what to expect. I'm only Platinum (and inherited some of that from my parents :D) so I didn't know how appropriate it would be for children. I didn't realize that it was tiny and windowless. It sure does sound boring! :p

 

I'll probably leave the stops in the CL for just me and DH when the MIL has the kids at the pool then. Ahhhhhh, the beauty of paying for the mother in law to come with - built in room sitter hehehe.

 

I did pay to upgrade to the GS - so double cruise credits are one thing I'm looking forward to as well!

 

Thanks again!

[Hoppy2cruise]

We were in a GS on Voyager last week and did need Ice Show tickets, so we asked the concierge and he took them from his desk - no waiting in lines. I suggest stopping in upon boarding (while waiting until 1 PM to get into your suite) to get these and make any other appointments, etc (spa, excursions).

 

We ordered room service for breakfast each morning and ate on our balcony. That would be great with children, rather than having to get them up & dressed to go to CL, Windjammer, or MDR.

 

We only went to the CL two evenings and it was not crowded either night. Our dinner is the early one so we didn't stay long. There were children there and they were well behaved. It probably gets more crowded after 5:30.

 

Warning: you will be spoiled and may not be able to go back to a regular cabin! :)

 

Hoppy

[megr1125]

Thank you both for the quick reply. I've actually never been in the CL, or toured one for that matter, so I had no idea what to expect. I'm only Platinum (and inherited some of that from my parents :D) so I didn't know how appropriate it would be for children. I didn't realize that it was tiny and windowless. It sure does sound boring! :p

 

I'll probably leave the stops in the CL for just me and DH when the MIL has the kids at the pool then. Ahhhhhh, the beauty of paying for the mother in law to come with - built in room sitter hehehe.

 

I did pay to upgrade to the GS - so double cruise credits are one thing I'm looking forward to as well!

 

Thanks again!

 

Ooohh...you have a built in sitter???:D you're good..

 

hmm...let me see if i have some pix....or something... i have 10 million pix of EX and can't find any of the CL....sheesh...

 

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/111807794425429187458/ExplorerOfTheSeasB2BNovDec2009

 

there are some in that album..second row down or so...(hmm and lots of food porn too....heeheehe.....)

[Big_G]

We were in a GS on Voyager last week and did need Ice Show tickets, so we asked the concierge and he took them from his desk - no waiting in lines. I suggest stopping in upon boarding (while waiting until 1 PM to get into your suite) to get these and make any other appointments, etc (spa, excursions).

 

We ordered room service for breakfast each morning and ate on our balcony. That would be great with children, rather than having to get them up & dressed to go to CL, Windjammer, or MDR.

 

We only went to the CL two evenings and it was not crowded either night. Our dinner is the early one so we didn't stay long. There were children there and they were well behaved. It probably gets more crowded after 5:30.

Warning: you will be spoiled and may not be able to go back to a regular cabin! :)

 

Hoppy

 

While I sympathize with the adults that feel uncomfortable with kids in the concierge club, some would be better served not planting their arses in their for the whole cocktail hour (5:30 - 8:30).

[Shippy]

While I sympathize with the adults that feel uncomfortable with kids in the concierge club, some would be better served not planting their arses in their for the whole cocktail hour (5:30 - 8:30).

 

....so our time in the lounge is really quite limited.

It seems that it really caters to the late dining guests.

[megr1125]

We were in a GS on Voyager last week and did need Ice Show tickets, so we asked the concierge and he took them from his desk - no waiting in lines. I suggest stopping in upon boarding (while waiting until 1 PM to get into your suite) to get these and make any other appointments, etc (spa, excursions).

according to the concierge on EX, those with access to the CL do not need tickets anymore, as I went and asked him for the tickets - YMMV-..and the CL was not staffed at boarding..

 

We ordered room service for breakfast each morning and ate on our balcony. That would be great with children, rather than having to get them up & dressed to go to CL, Windjammer, or MDR.

 

We only went to the CL two evenings and it was not crowded either night. Our dinner is the early one so we didn't stay long. There were children there and they were well behaved. It probably gets more crowded after 5:30.

 

Warning: you will be spoiled and may not be able to go back to a regular cabin! :)

 

Hoppy

 

see above

[cruisin4kicks]

Don't know how old your kids are but we ended up with the Royal Family Suite for our family a couple years ago and the best perk our kids enjoyed was the reserved lounge chair area out by the pool. Never had to deal with "chair squatters" and never had to "save" chairs themselves. Chairs were always available when they went out by the pool. Don't know if that's the norm or not but that's how it was on our cruise.

 

Tim

[jmrothermel]

Thank you all! The reserved seating by the pool seems really heavenly :D

 

And thank you for the pictures of the CL (well, actually all the pictures - I enjoyed looking at all of them). Yeppers, built in babysitter - has its benefits bringing the mother in law! hehehe I can be evil :p

[megr1125]

Thank you all! The reserved seating by the pool seems really heavenly :D

 

And thank you for the pictures of the CL (well, actually all the pictures - I enjoyed looking at all of them). Yeppers, built in babysitter - has its benefits bringing the mother in law! hehehe I can be evil :p

 

you're welcome...enjoy......

[rubrrick]

To the OP........quick question. Why did you pick 2 GS's over a Royal Family Suite? Just wondering, as all of the perks are the same.;)

 

Rick

[jmrothermel]

To the OP........quick question. Why did you pick 2 GS's over a Royal Family Suite? Just wondering, as all of the perks are the same.;)

 

Rick

 

One being square feet, we get about 200sq ft more with the connecting GS than we would with the RFS. The second was the price - I got two connecting GS for about $3,000 less than I would have for the RFS for the same amount of people.

 

The third (and important!) was privacy - since we're taking the Mother in Law - in case I wanted to have some alone time with the hubby I wanted to make sure that.....well - I could close and lock doors :eek: :o :D

[SpekiTrout]

You're all going to have a grand time ! "When" is your cruise ? EOS is an all time fav of ours .. we board her in Feb ! Counting the days ! Enjoy !!

[rubrrick]

One being square feet, we get about 200sq ft more with the connecting GS than we would with the RFS. The second was the price - I got two connecting GS for about $3,000 less than I would have for the RFS for the same amount of people.

 

The third (and important!) was privacy - since we're taking the Mother in Law - in case I wanted to have some alone time with the hubby I wanted to make sure that.....well - I could close and lock doors :eek: :o :D

 

It looks to me that you have thought out everything very well, and made an excellent choice!;) One other thing that you can do, since you have a built in sitter (how nice) is to have a romantic dinner in your cabin. Here is how. Have the balcony table brought in, and place it where the coffee table normally sits. Have the coffee table moved to the end of the bed. Then have room service bring you a tablecloth, salt and pepper shakers, goblets and wine glasses, along with flatware.

 

Let your stateroom attendant know of the special occasion, and he/she may include a rose on your table, or rose pedels. Don't forget to let them know to dim the lights!

 

As a full suite guest, you are entitled to order off of the Main Dining Room menu. Take your hubby out for a drink, either in the CL or another nice bar, while all of this is being set up. Then complain of a headache, or some other excuse to get the two of you back to your suite for a very romantic evening!:D;)

 

Rick

[jmrothermel]

It looks to me that you have thought out everything very well, and made an excellent choice!;) One other thing that you can do, since you have a built in sitter (how nice) is to have a romantic dinner in your cabin. Here is how. Have the balcony table brought in, and place it where the coffee table normally sits. Have the coffee table moved to the end of the bed. Then have room service bring you a tablecloth, salt and pepper shakers, goblets and wine glasses, along with flatware.

 

Let your stateroom attendant know of the special occasion, and he/she may include a rose on your table, or rose pedels. Don't forget to let them know to dim the lights!

 

As a full suite guest, you are entitled to order off of the Main Dining Room menu. Take your hubby out for a drink, either in the CL or another nice bar, while all of this is being set up. Then complain of a headache, or some other excuse to get the two of you back to your suite for a very romantic evening!:D;)

 

Rick

 

Thank you Rick for the fabulous idea! I will definately make sure that we do this one night! :) Thank you again!

[LovesCruising]

I'm so excited! Last time we just had a JS, so no real "suite perks", so this time we do :) So - now comes general and "touchy" questions!

 

1) When it comes to the CL, what is the concensus on children? I do have a family of 8 (3 adults and 5 children). I booked two connecting Grand Suites (1578 and 1584), so I paid for the children to be in the suites as well. I'm not saying that makes them entitled little brats :p at all hours of the day, but what appears to be the concensus on children in the CL early - say before dinner or for a light breakfast? I don't want to offend or upset people, but if they are behaved is it offending to take them in there?

 

2) In regards to the concierge, what exactly does he do? I've always found that our stateroom attendant has attended to our ever whim, it's hard to imagine having someone else that could possibily cater to us anymore! :D

 

3) Priority seating at the ice show - Do you still need to stand in line to get tickets? I heard that is one draw back to the ice show - sometimes getting tickets is tough, and there is a long line. Is this still necessary with suite benefits?

 

4) Is there any other suite benefits that I'm forgetting? (Besides priority embarkation and debarkation / tendering)

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions - I'm so excited now! I am really going to have a hard time waiting for the next 10 months to pass! I booked the cruise in April on the last cruise......I guess 8 months have already passed - time is flying! ;)

 

I am just off the Explorer in a GS. You will be in heaven.

 

As far as the CL is concerned - if your children are well behaved there will be no problem. Please go to the table with the snacks and serve them yourself- this way no problem with them not using the tongs etc. Early morning or during the day - no problem - hardly anyone in there at that time Actually I cannot imagine young children not being bored in there. There is nothing for them to do - I would think you might be able to get thru one drink in the evening before they get "antsy"

 

Carlos is a wonderful conceirge - you will find things you use him for that you never expect. My room key suddenly stopped working - thought I would just go down and stand in line to get it fixed at guest services - no no no - Carlos took care of it while I was sipping my drink!

 

You can order full meals in the GS suite - they will bring tableclothe and it is wonderful!

 

No ice tickets needed - special suite event with drinks

 

Reserved seating at the pool - just make sure you have your gold sea pass card with you - they do check

[LovesCruising]

I am just off the Explorer in a GS. You will be in heaven.

 

As far as the CL is concerned - if your children are well behaved there will be no problem. Please go to the table with the snacks and serve them yourself- this way no problem with them not using the tongs etc. Early morning or during the day - no problem - hardly anyone in there at that time Actually I cannot imagine young children not being bored in there. There is nothing for them to do - I would think you might be able to get thru one drink in the evening before they get "antsy"

 

Carlos is a wonderful conceirge - you will find things you use him for that you never expect. My room key suddenly stopped working - thought I would just go down and stand in line to get it fixed at guest services - no no no - Carlos took care of it while I was sipping my drink!

 

You can order full meals in the GS suite - they will bring tableclothe and it is wonderful!

 

No ice tickets needed - special suite event with drinks

 

Reserved seating at the pool - just make sure you have your gold sea pass card with you - they do check

 

Oh and PS - should you use the CL as a family during cocktail hours and it gets very crowded, it would certainly be a very nice gesture for your children to allow older guests to have their seats. Just a thought! Enjoy your GS:)

[cruisegirl1]

There is a thread a few pages back titled “A Dummies Guide to the CONCIERGE CLUB / Review..” that has lots of terrific information. (Sorry – not sure if I can paste the link without any of my CC info showing). Anyway – please read this account from a first time concierge passenger. It speaks to lots of services not just the cocktail hour(s).

 

Enjoy the concierge services.

M

[PSU]

:)We just sailed on the Liberty over Years Eve and there were many large multi-generational families aboard. The children were in the lounge and very well-behaved. I have no problem with kids in the lounge. They have as much right as anyone else to be there as long as they are in a suite. They really only were in there to get a snack before dinner.

[jmrothermel]

Thank you both for the replies! The dummies guide was very informative as well - I appreciate all the help from my fellow CC posters :)