Is a suite worth the money?

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Everyone spends money different...Some go to dollar stores and some go to high price stores .. and some do both ...

[compozer]

There also is a big difference in pricing on full suites. WS are the cheapest and many are upgrades because people want balconies they are not sold or they have a huge price drop close to sailing and you can get them for the price of a mini or less. Part of cruising for us is hearing the surf so they are for us but if you never use the balcony, then you might like one.

 

Then you go to the grand suite and you really are paying big money and lots more room. I have never seen a full suite go on sale on any of my cruises (people say they do on slow sailing cruises). I also have noticed that the prices of suites are going up. The new grand top suite is over $4000 for a 7 day cruise.

 

If this is a one time shot - GO for it and I hope you have a great time.

[IllinoisAuthor]

I've been away from the boards for a long time, but, happily I am planning another cruise. I want to go big, and have a memorable time. I'm planning on the Carribean, and have decided on Princess. I've heard marvelous things about it. I've tried Celebrity, that was great too. Now, my question is.....are the suites worth the BIG extra money? I really want to be treated like royalty, and was wondering if a suite will really fit the bill. Thanks in advance everyone. I love these boards! I am excited to plan a cruise again. Yippee!!! :)

 

Because of the intense stress of both our jobs and the fact we are only able to vacation once a year, we always book suites. We've been in suites on HAL--worse experience ever, Celebrity, NCL, and Princess. While we love Princess and are cruising the Emerald this coming Janauary, NCL really does give you more of the royal treatment. There is a private courtyard with a pool, hot tub, sauna, etc that is only open to passengers staying in suites. There is a butler and a concierge that takes care of your every whim. Both breakfast and lunch is served to suite passengers in a private restaurant (the truffle french fries are amazing). This food is also available in the private courtyard, which has snacks, non alcohol drinks, and desserts available most of the day. There is a Tazzo coffee maker in your suite. You are escorted past all the lines, and private tours of the bridge are available. The only downside for us was that they do not provide free internet (now Princess doesn't do it either) and no free laundry.

 

Best,

Denise

[1 HappyCruiser]

 

 

The extra space alone is worth it for many people.

 

Some people require the extra space because of their size. They can fit into the bathroom, no less the standard shower. Sort of like paying for 2 seats on a plane. ;)

[dickinson]

I don't have much experience on Princess. My last cruise never had the price of a window suite change. Even though I have booked a cruise for 2013 I have checked the same cruise for 2012. the window suites are $800 more per person and none have sold!!! This tells me they don't discount them even if they are not selling. Of course, I'll still continue to check just in case there is a price drop for me:D. Last night I checked and saw that someone else on my sailing has booked a window suite. Alas, I don't expect any drops.

 

For us it is a splurge however the pricing for a window suite is not really more than some balcony categories. My dh gets up very early and the couch gives him a place to sit and go on the computer and read. This will be our last (and 2nd) cruise with the free internet. Any cruises after that we will have to see if a mini suite will work for us (especially if the ship we want to sail has no WS).

 

I think many people must pay the high prices for suites because they can either afford it or they are splurging.

[lovevacadays]

Reading through the thread and lots of good comments. In general, for me a suite wouldn't be worth the money; however, I would like to try it just once. I'm thinking 2014 might be my year as in 2013 I have a balcony and a mini booked.

 

I think this type of question really depends on what is important to you, your budget, etc.

 

Best of luck and happy cruising whatever you decide.:)

[Husky61]

I've been away from the boards for a long time, but, happily I am planning another cruise. I want to go big, and have a memorable time. I'm planning on the Carribean, and have decided on Princess. I've heard marvelous things about it. I've tried Celebrity, that was great too. Now, my question is.....are the suites worth the BIG extra money? I really want to be treated like royalty, and was wondering if a suite will really fit the bill. Thanks in advance everyone. I love these boards! I am excited to plan a cruise again. Yippee!!! :)

 

It may be worth it to some, and not to others. For us, it is well worth it and we don't cruise unless we have a suite.

 

But it is a personal choice you should make, not others on a travel forum.:):)

[MicCanberra]

A little quick math. Using Princess' posted prices, (and not TA prices), one could book a Balcony on an Eastern Caribbean cruise in February for $949 per person. One could then add the following pampering:

2 x Chef's Table Dinner=$190

2 x Sabitini's Dinner=$40

2 x Crown Grill Dinner=$50

190 Internet Minutes=$83

2 x Full Week In Sanctuary=$210

$500 worth of pre-paid OBC gifted to your cabin to be used for spa treatments, mini bar purchases and laundry.

 

Total cost=$2,971.

 

The price for a suite on the same cruise is $2,249 per person. If a couple adds absolutely nothing else to their cruise, the cost would be $4,498.

 

Personally, I'd take the Balcony with all the pampering for less than $3K. What you cannot buy your way into is:

- more cabin space

- breakfast in Sabitini's

- early, preferred boarding

 

The extra space alone is worth it for many people. And with all the angst on this board regarding early boarding, it is obviously a huge intangible for many people and well worth the cost of a suite. But that is really what it boils down to. Space and early boarding. Worth it to many. Not worth it to many others.

Thanks Jimmy, As someone who likes numbers and keeping as much of their hard earned spent wisely, your example of costs makes it very clear that you can have luxury and comfort as well as all the trimmings for a relatively low cost. cheers:D

[bonbon663]

Thanks Jimmy, As someone who likes numbers and keeping as much of their hard earned spent wisely, your example of costs makes it very clear that you can have luxury and comfort as well as all the trimmings for a relatively low cost. cheers:D

 

 

All you people are simply amazing! This is definitely the place to come for advice. I'm still confused though. I thought I had decided on Princess, but, that's up in the air now too. ARRGGHHH!!!!:confused:

[TracieABD]

Well, we fly Space Available on military planes seated in webbed seats for hours. But the flights and the ear plugs are free!

 

 

I did that once from Frankfurt to Madrid... What an adventure that was!:)

[TracieABD]

All you people are simply amazing! This is definitely the place to come for advice. I'm still confused though. I thought I had decided on Princess, but, that's up in the air now too. ARRGGHHH!!!!:confused:

Keep looking... You will find the cruise-home for you!:)

 

And bear in mind, much of what you read on the boards is opinion... Take measure of that before you make any hard and fast decisions.:)

[CRUZER2012]

Keep looking... You will find the cruise-home for you!:)

 

And bear in mind, much of what you read on the boards is opinion... Take measure of that before you make any hard and fast decisions.:)

 

 

Very true. So much of the posts are opinion and not fact. I am amazed that people would ask extremely important questions on the threads which require correct answers and not opinion. But we do ask for and want opinions on various subjects as well.

 

Answers to questions like passport requirements are best answered by contacting the source, like going to the U.S. State Deparment website for passport information http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm, questions on health issues should be addressed by contacting the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited or the U.S. Center for Disease Control http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm ,

[TracieABD]

Very true. So much of the posts are opinion and not fact. I am amazed that people would ask extremely important questions on the threads which require correct answers and not opinion. But we do ask for and want opinions on various subjects as well.

 

Answers to questions like passport requirements are best answered by contacting the source, like going to the U.S. State Deparment website for passport information http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm, questions on health issues should be addressed by contacting the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited or the U.S. Center for Disease Control http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm ,

 

I concur! :)

[1 HappyCruiser]

It's a good thing that Princess can sell those suites to someone to keep their ships afloat because they're not making much money on people like me. :D

[TracieABD]

It's a good thing that Princess can sell those suites to someone to keep their ships afloat because they're not making much money on people like me. :D

I know, right? I am always on the hunt for a bargain!:)

[CRUZER2012]

Very true. So much of the posts are opinion and not fact. I am amazed that people would ask extremely important questions on the threads which require correct answers and not opinion. But we do ask for and want opinions on various subjects as well.

 

Answers to questions like passport requirements are best answered by contacting the source, like going to the U.S. State Deparment website for passport information http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm, questions on health issues should be addressed by contacting the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited or the U.S. Center for Disease Control http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm ,

 

 

Note change in U.S. State Department website for psssport information.

 

Very true. So much of the posts are opinion and not fact. I am amazed that people would ask extremely important questions on the threads which require correct answers and not opinion. But we do ask for and want opinions on various subjects as well.

 

Answers to questions like passport requirements are best answered by contacting the source, like going to the U.S. State Deparment website for passport information

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, questions on health issues should be addressed by contacting the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited or the U.S. Center for Disease Control http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm,

[MicCanberra]

Very true. So much of the posts are opinion and not fact. I am amazed that people would ask extremely important questions on the threads which require correct answers and not opinion. But we do ask for and want opinions on various subjects as well.

 

Answers to questions like passport requirements are best answered by contacting the source, like going to the U.S. State Deparment website for passport information

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, questions on health issues should be addressed by contacting the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited or the U.S. Center for Disease Control http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm,

IMO, you are right. however sometimes people would rather hear an opinion that suits and not the truth.:D

[CRUZER2012]

IMO, you are right. however sometimes people would rather hear an opinion that suits and not the truth.:D

 

 

I imagine that you right. Then again, they need to be prepared for the possible consequences for inccorrect information. :eek:

Then they can come back on the threads and complain about bad information given on the threads. :D

I was in Australia once for a nice 3-week vacation, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Ayre's Rock, Cairns. My favorite was Cairns for the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Knowing this, would you tell me what I guess I want to hear, that Cairns is great, or would you tell me all those areas of your country that I missed?

[MicCanberra]

I imagine that you right. Then again, they need to be prepared for the possible consequences for inccorrect information. :eek:

 

Then they can come back on the threads and complain about bad information given on the threads. :D

 

I was in Australia once for a nice 3-week vacation, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Ayre's Rock, Cairns. My favorite was Cairns for the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Knowing this, would you tell me what I guess I want to hear, that Cairns is great, or would you tell me all those areas of your country that I missed?

I can't even give an opinion for cairns as I have not beebn there since I was a child. However, by next April I will be able to. so then I would say what I thought and what was fact, sometimes the two are the same and sometimes not.:D

[gliles]

It's all just a matter of zeros right?

[zahav1]

Regarding booking a suite, it's all what you can afford. I know a couple that sails Oceania and books the suite with a butler, they must spend a lot of time in suite. This butler even unpacks and packs for them. So, it's all about you want and willing to spend on.

[MicCanberra]

Regarding booking a suite, it's all what you can afford. I know a couple that sails Oceania and books the suite with a butler, they must spend a lot of time in suite. This butler even unpacks and packs for them. So, it's all about you want and willing to spend on.

Crikey, I don't think I would like 'Jeeves' to touching my underwear and he probably would like it less.:D

[TracieABD]

Regarding booking a suite, it's all what you can afford. I know a couple that sails Oceania and books the suite with a butler, they must spend a lot of time in suite. This butler even unpacks and packs for them. So, it's all about you want and willing to spend on.

 

I have to ask... Do your friends have a butler at their home? To be perfectly honest, I am not quite sure what I would do with a butler. Heck, I preclean the stateroom so the steward doesn't have to work so hard!:o

[MicCanberra]

I have to ask... Do your friends have a butler at their home? To be perfectly honest, I am not quite sure what I would do with a butler. Heck, I preclean the stateroom so the steward doesn't have to work so hard!:o

Really, I suppose the bathroom gets a once over and you make the bed as well.:D

[gliles]

Crikey, I don't think I would like 'Jeeves' to touching my underwear and he probably would like it less.:D

 

:) no kidding!