Looking for tips for those "Suite" benefits!

[Jester580]

Hey CC'ers. I just got back from a 10-nighter on Explorer and noticed a ton of areas roped off for the "gold card" suite guests. I'd love to know what else besides the private beach on Labadee, the priority pool seating, and the priority theatre seating is included with your gold card. I'd love to book a suite if that's the case.

 

Anybody know if you get access to the Concierge Club or any special events, shows, or "open bars"?

 

Thanks!

[skandls]

Gold cards come with full suites (Junior Suites get a silver card). The gold card does include Concierge Lounge access for the ships that have one. The concierge will get show tickets and boarding passes if you need them. Free Happy Hour is from 5-8:30 where well drinks are served. (No blended or foofoo drinks). On the Oasis and Allure breakfast and lunch are served from a limited menu. The other ships have a continental breakfast. There are coffee machines that make lattes and espresso. Special seating areas are available in the Windjammer at lunch.

[K L B]

Hey CC'ers. I just got back from a 10-nighter on Explorer and noticed a ton of areas roped off for the "gold card" suite guests. I'd love to know what else besides the private beach on Labadee, the priority pool seating, and the priority theatre seating is included with your gold card. I'd love to book a suite if that's the case.

 

Anybody know if you get access to the Concierge Club or any special events, shows, or "open bars"?

 

Thanks!

 

We LOVED the gold card benefits! I wouldn't cruise now without the extras. This letter (below) was emailed to us prior to boarding from our concierge outlining some key perks. Additionally, the room service menu includes the dining room menu for all 3 meals. Espresso/cappuccino machine in the concierge lounge. Labadee also gives you 'limo service' on the island to take you wherever you want to go. The private dining area in the windjammer (inside Portofino on FOS) was heavenly during peak dining times.

 

As a Concierge Club guest, you will be offered amenities and services not available to other guests onboard. Upon boarding, you will receive a folder with more detailed information about the Concierge Club. Below is a brief summary of your amenities:

• Use of the Concierge Club lounge located on Deck # 10.
  
• Spa bathrobes for your use onboard & upgraded bathroom amenities
  
• Continental breakfast served in the lounge daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
  
• Hors d’oeuvres, petit fours and complimentary bar setup in the lounge every evening before and after dinner from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
  
• Daily menus displayed and pre-ordering for your dinner wine.
  
• Reservations for any of our Specialty Restaurants, Explorations!, Freedom Day Spa services.
  
• Personalized Port & Shopping guide advice.
  
• Reserved Lounge chairs set-up on Deck 13 above the Sky Bar ( limited sitting arrangement).
  
• VIP access for the Shows in the Arcadia Theater Deck 4 as well as for "FREEDOM-ICE.COM" Ice Show.(No reservations required) Just present your Gold SeaPass card, 25 minutes prior.
  
• Complimentary pressing service on the first formal night (one set per guest only)
  
• Priority departure for tendering ports from 8:30 am to 10:00 am, please meet in the Concierge Lounge deck #10.
  
• DVDs and CDs for your use while onboard (see the Concierge during desk hours)
  
• Reserved private seating during breakfast and lunch at the Windjammer Cafe in Portofino dining area.
  
• Complimentary luggage valet & onboard check-in service
  

Salon & Spa appointments (Not available on line) shore excursions and some of our other services often sell out. Therefore, it is recommended that these be booked in advance either through the Royal Caribbean website at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/home.do or if you prefer, by emailing me and I will make the reservations for you. Once the reservations are made, I will send you an email confirming the details. If you have any further requests please to not hesitate to contact me.

 

The Concierge Club is a private lounge reserved for guests staying in the Royal Suite, Owner Suites, Grand Suites and Presidential Suite only. Due to the availability of alcoholic beverages in the evening, guests 20 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. We respectfully request that guests observe a Smart Casual dress code when visiting the Lounge (no swim or pool attire is allowed, footwear is required at all times. The lounge has been designated a smoke-free area.

[Jester580]

Thank you for posting that letter! Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing the WJ seating as well as the "limo service" on Labadee. I'm definately booking the Suite next time! Thanks!

[Drill2dk]

Allure or oasis?

[K L B]

Thank you for posting that letter! Now that you mention it, I do remember seeing the WJ seating as well as the "limo service" on Labadee. I'm definately booking the Suite next time! Thanks!

 

The personal escort from the concierge to get you off the ship at port was an excellent benefit as well. You meet in the CL, and he uses his special card to block off an elevator- everyone from the CL that is ready to leave gets on, and he takes you right down to where you walk off the ship. No lines, no waiting. Show up at the lounge and we were off in 5 minutes.

[kc320]

On Serenade last year there was also a special cocktail party one evening for Suite guests...it was much nicer than the C&A party as it was a smaller group..many of the ship's officers were there as well & made it a point to chat with all the guests...

[TEXASMUNK]

Yeah, it is almost worth delaying a cruise until you save enough for a suite....we love the extras that the addtional money provides.

Disembarkation was great. Showed up, walked out of the lounge, and never slowed until we hit the customs line.

[melmar02]

I'm really looking forward to our first real suite in April, 2013... I think I'm under 450 days now!:eek:

[hawlcruiser]

Yes, the suite is a great way to cruise. We had one in December and will be in another one next month. Totally spoiled for anything else. Love the extra space and the nice bathroom. Plus, all the special goodies sent to the cabin. Just love to hear the doorbell ring!

[Artemis908]

Yeah, it is almost worth delaying a cruise until you save enough for a suite....we love the extras that the addtional money provides.

Disembarkation was great. Showed up, walked out of the lounge, and never slowed until we hit the customs line.

 

Wait, you got an escort to disembark? Did they block off the elevators too?

[K L B]

I'm really looking forward to our first real suite in April, 2013... I think I'm under 450 days now!:eek:

 

You will LOVE it. make sure you use all that is available to you!

[pltag]

Priority Boarding during embarkation was nice ..... but our favs were the Concierge Lounge ..... which is awesome, and the reserved seating by the pool. We caught a rainy day when in Labadee, but I REALLY look forward to returning there and enjoying the cabana on the 'private' beach.

 

We had an Owners Suite located just steps from the CL ..... so it was perfect for a couple drinks before dinner, or for one of us to wait while the other was finishing getting ready. Also loved the CL in the morning ..... you could grab a quick bite to eat or cup of coffee and enjoy a little peace & quiet away from the craziness that is the Windjammer!

 

Have a Great Cruise!!! :D

[gelo7]

Great information.

[K L B]

Oh! and there is a playstation in the room, which of course plays movies. There is a movie library available in the CL.

[ksuds]

On the Jewel they opened up Chops every morning for breakfast. You could sit and have your meal cooked fresh and even have steak.

[Mines]

Allure or oasis?

No special area in the windjammer on these ships, but you don't really need to go to the Windjammer for breakfast.

[K L B]

and beach towel service in your room. We always had a fresh stack of beach towels left for us in our room. if you wanted a few fresh ones to take to the pool or on an excursion, they were always ready and waiting in your room.

[wolfganghowell]

We loved having eggs benedict from room service on our balcony - you have to order it by phone but it was always quick.

 

The disembarkation was great - we were off the ship fast.

 

One thing I noticed was when we got towels at the Towel Desk they did not check our towels in or out. You show that gold card and they just give you the towels and don't keep track.

 

For those on Freedom - what did you think of the concierge? I've heard some not so great reports.

[K L B]

We loved having eggs benedict from room service on our balcony - you have to order it by phone but it was always quick.

 

The disembarkation was great - we were off the ship fast.

 

For those on Freedom - what did you think of the concierge? I've heard some not so great reports.

 

Amit (FOS) was absolutely fantastic! He was always going over the top for us to make sure we had everything we needed, and I mentioned once I'd enjoy a bridge tour...and an invitation appeared in our room for a tour with the captain. However, Amit is finishing up on Freedom and headed to Rhapsody. I'm not sure who is headed onto Freedom after he is done.

[wolfganghowell]

No worries then - thank you. I have 10 long months to obsess. :)

[CruisinMareme]

Another couple of "sweet" privileges are:

Sail Away from a selected port on the Helipad with complimentary champagne.

Bridge Tour

Galley Tour

Backstage Tour

[midwife1021]

Oh! and there is a playstation in the room, which of course plays movies.

In the suite itself? Oh crap...my boys are total gaming junkies. I thought a cruise was the one refuge from nonstop gaming! :eek:

[K L B]

In the suite itself? Oh crap...my boys are total gaming junkies. I thought a cruise was the one refuge from nonstop gaming! :eek:

 

haha...well we didn't know there was a playstation and didn't bring any games with us. there was no game library so if you keep it on the downlow...you'll remain game free! (except for the arcade of course...;))

[Sonic2012]

Yay! This makes me so excited, we have a Royal Family suite booked for December on FOS.