The Suite Life...how does one afford it?

[goodycruising]

I love it when people say get an inside cabin because "You are never in the cabin" and spend the savings on other things on the ship.

 

I wouldn't be in my cabin much either if I had to look at four walls....LOL

 

SA

 

We even found an E category balcony on Radiance with a one and a half seater "love seat" was making us get out more than we used to. The balcony was nice and big and we did enjoy that but it isn't always warm enough to be out there for long...or too warm! So we got a taste of you are never in the cabin, and personally I like to choose when I want to relax in the cabin or go out elsewhere. That is just me though, and I do see the other side of spending the money on other things, as it is all down to personal choice.

 

It's not? You mean all those grand suites later I was wrong? What was I thinking? :eek:

 

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

 

I laughed at this...so true! What is worth it to some people is very different to others. I thought the Concierge Lounge was worth quite a lot. Enjoyed being served nice drinks ;) Made us take an extra 5 day JS so we would get to Diamond before our next longer cruise. While it is not the same DL as CL it was worth aspiring to for us :)

[Folk Singer]

A suite is nice, but I don't need one to cruise. I will book one if the price is within reason (to me). I think a JS is the best value if you want extra room. A GS is very nice, plus you get suite benefits. It's a better value than an OS.

 

I am too thrifty to pay more than 3k pp for any type of suite (my personal limit. Maybe when I get older and I want to burn through some of my money.)

 

I wouldn't have been able to afford it right after college. The prices are cheaper when the kids are in school, so try to avoid summers and holidays.

 

 

The whole idea is to cruise and you only sleep in the cabin too much to do and see on board.

[marci22]

I like reading other peoples' trip reports about their fabulous suites but I literally feel faint when I hear how much they paid. I just couldn't do it lol.

[kleo30]

I like reading other peoples' trip reports about their fabulous suites but I literally feel faint when I hear how much they paid. I just couldn't do it lol.

Our first GS was $1649 pp for 10 nights on Explorer. The balcony we switched from was a 9 night on Explorer for $1449. I was shocked and grabbed that up right quick.

[Mary521]

We don't spend much time in our room, so a standard balcony is all I need. We've done interior rooms as well. A suite would have to be $100pp or less more for me to take the bite. We could easily afford more but I don't see the point? We have the same fabulous cruise as everyone else, for less $$.

[Toddcan]

Asking how some people afford suites is like asking why your neighbour drives a BMW X6, and you drive a Toyota Tercel. It's all about income & expenses & where people want to spend their money.

 

We could not afford to cruise until our 20th wedding anniversary. Before that, we vacationed every year with our 3 kids - but most of those were camping, or driving to Myrtle Beach or Orlando - much much cheaper with 5 people than cruising.

 

It's hard (for me) to read how much some people cruise because I want to cruise a lot more often, but we're all different, and at different stages in life. As hard as it is to think - there will likely come a time in your life where your disposable income will allow you to cruise more - just enjoy the journey getting there.

[squadron]

Any financial advisor would tell you to pay off your debt first which is getting bigger daily with interest. A suite is not a necessity in order to enjoy a cruise.

[csk]

At this point in my life, I can easily afford whatever cabin I want . . . but I don't see any point in splurging on a bigger, fancier room that'll be yours only for a week.

 

I agree 100% with you, we can afford any cabin we want, but we cruise for the activities and the ship and not the cabin, so we go for the best deal, but it certainly a personal choice and whatever works for you, enjoy whatever you decide!

[davy jones]

Don't feel pressured by the "suite snobs" or even "balcony snobs". If that is what they like, then it is good for them. Others are just as happy in inside cabins.

 

Consider the intent of the vacation. Is it to relax, partake in activities, ports, party, spend time with your SO, etc.? That will be a good guide.

 

Sometimes I use a (quality or enjoyment) / cost ratio as a tool to help decision making. The ratio kicks in once an acceptable level of quality or enjoyment is met.

 

The suite perks are nice, but ask yourself if you a sailing in a suite will make your cruise 2 to 3 times better than sailing in a balcony cabin. (or 5x happier than an inside) Also consider the source of the satisfaction. Is it a couple of free drinks and reserved deck chair, or is it ego driven?

 

When all is said and done, the answers to those questions will guide your ultimate decision. If it still says suite, then go for it and enjoy!

[davy jones]

I hope that this isn't off topic, but it may help answer the OPs question.

 

I suspect that many suite occupants are getting suite (pun intended) unadvertised deals on their suites because of C&A status, casino play, or some other preferred status. I may or may not be correct though.

 

How many suite occupants do you think are actually paying the prices listed on the RC website?

[PuterMonkey]

It's an interesting question because at 30, I "could" have afforded the swing a suite for our upcoming cruise. However "could" and "should" tend to be two very different financial scenarios. We have a mountain of student loans too, and a mortgage, and a young child in daycare. I could blow that money I have on a suite, or travel in an OV or PR for literally half the cost and save that money for more useful purposes. Someday that kid will be grown, that house will be paid off, and those student loans will be gone, and we'll be able to afford the fancy cabins without regret. *That* is why there are so many older folks in the higher categories.

Edited April 28, 2014 by PuterMonkey

[Big_G]

Asking how some people afford suites is like asking why your neighbour drives a BMW X6, and you drive a Toyota Tercel. It's all about income & expenses & where people want to spend their money.

 

 

Perfectly said.

[ryano]

I love it when people say get an inside cabin because "You are never in the cabin" and spend the savings on other things on the ship.

 

I wouldn't be in my cabin much either if I had to look at four walls....LOL

 

SA

 

And I always laugh at the "I wouldnt cruise without a balcony if it were free!" crowd. Uh, really?

 

Some of us dont pay good $$$ to go on cruises just to sit on a balcony all day and gaze at the ocean. Thats about as boring as watching grass grow if you ask me.

 

We just dont feel the need to spend the money for a balcony when we only spend about 6-7 hours a day at most in the cabin. It has nothing to do with staring at 4 walls but everything to do with being out and about and mingling instead of being holed up in a small cabin with a small balcony.

 

Give me the absolutely least expensive cabin on the ship and Im fine! Luckily, because of residency rates and price drops, so far thats mostly been oceanview cabins and nothing less than a Promenade cabin on Freedom. It was great.

Edited April 28, 2014 by ryano

[Big_G]

Don't feel pressured by the "suite snobs" or even "balcony snobs". If that is what they like, then it is good for them. Others are just as happy in inside cabins.

 

Consider the intent of the vacation. Is it to relax, partake in activities, ports, party, spend time with your SO, etc.? That will be a good guide.

 

Sometimes I use a (quality or enjoyment) / cost ratio as a tool to help decision making. The ratio kicks in once an acceptable level of quality or enjoyment is met.

 

The suite perks are nice, but ask yourself if you a sailing in a suite will make your cruise 2 to 3 times better than sailing in a balcony cabin. (or 5x happier than an inside) Also consider the source of the satisfaction. Is it a couple of free drinks and reserved deck chair, or is it ego driven?

 

When all is said and done, the answers to those questions will guide your ultimate decision. If it still says suite, then go for it and enjoy!

 

This is way too funny. Snobs? Pressure? Ego? Happier? Are you suggesting the OP visit their therapist before booking a balcony or suite? :D They asked how not why. Who cares why people book them? The only way one will know if it suits them is to book one. No pressure. ;)

[BamaGuy44]

And I always laugh at the "I wouldnt cruise without a balcony if it were free!" crowd. Uh, really?

 

Some of us dont pay good $$$ to go on cruises just to sit on a balcony all day and gaze at the ocean. Thats about as boring as watching grass grow if you ask me.

 

We just dont feel the need to spend the money for a balcony when we only spend about 6-7 hours a day at most in the cabin. It has nothing to do with staring at 4 walls but everything to do with being out and about and mingling instead of being holed up in a small cabin with a small balcony.

 

Give me the absolutely least expensive cabin on the ship and Im fine! Luckily, because of residency rates and price drops, so far thats mostly been oceanview cabins and nothing less than a Promenade cabin on Freedom. It was great.

 

Agree 100%. We have booked balconies, inside and outside. We'll get a balcony if it's not that much more than a normal OV, but it's certainly not "required". Even if somehow I ended up in an Owner's suite I wouldn't sit around in it admiring it during the cruise. Not what cruising is about for us. And there are plenty of places on the ship to sit and look at the ocean if that's your thing.

[purplethorn]

Also it depends on the ship .. the price for a GS on the Oasis class is not the same as what GS is on the smaller ships

Maybe one day we will be able to afford a GS on the smaller class ships , but on the Oasis and up ... no way never would i spend that much money ... I am struggling with ocean view right now (and we always cruise ocean view , never cruised anything lower)

Edited April 28, 2014 by purplethorn

[DrD]

And I always laugh at the "I wouldnt cruise without a balcony if it were free!" crowd. Uh, really?

 

Some of us dont pay good $$$ to go on cruises just to sit on a balcony all day and gaze at the ocean. Thats about as boring as watching grass grow if you ask me.

 

We just dont feel the need to spend the money for a balcony when we only spend about 6-7 hours a day at most in the cabin. It has nothing to do with staring at 4 walls but everything to do with being out and about and mingling instead of being holed up in a small cabin with a small balcony.

 

Give me the absolutely least expensive cabin on the ship and Im fine! Luckily, because of residency rates and price drops, so far thats mostly been oceanview cabins and nothing less than a Promenade cabin on Freedom. It was great.

 

Well yuck it up because we always get a balcony.

 

We do spend a good bit of time out there, although we do more than just stare at the ocean, we also talk, read, eat, drink, etc. Often we're in a port and can look at other things.

 

Even when not on balcony, it's often very nice to keep door open and get the sea breeze.

 

I'd probably take a free inside but I'd have to really think about it, as I'm more limited by vacation time then by money. If it was just free fare and I had to pay for air and all the other things I'd turn it down, as I'd rather pay more and have balcony.

 

I have done the fancy suite twice (on Princess) but I don't think it's worth the extra money, especially then as there weren't an perks.

 

But I'd not cruise without balcony, if you find that amusing feel free to laugh all you want.

[AZAficionado]

Asking how some people afford suites is like asking why your neighbour drives a BMW X6, and you drive a Toyota Tercel. It's all about income & expenses & where people want to spend their money.

This.

 

Something else to think about, you are asking about a very small percentage of the cabins. Take Freedom of the Seas for example: There are 1,855 cabins on Freedom. 1,735 are not suites of any kind. Another 84 are Junior Suites - RCI does not count those as suites (no Gold Card) and having stayed in several, I have to agree. Those are just slightly bigger cabins.

 

So, in "suiteland" on Freedom, you have 36 cabins. 1 is the Royal Suite which has a hot tub on the balcony, a full dining table, and a baby grand piano. How much will you use those amenities - you know they are included in the price? 1 is the Presidential Suite which sleeps 6 to 14 - great if you have a Secret Service detail. 8 are Owners Suites. Another 4 are Royal Family Suites which sleep 4 to 8 and have multiple bedrooms and bunk beds - great for large families. And the last 22 are Grand Suites. Doing some quick math, you're asking about 1.94% of the cabins on a ship and ~15% of those are "special purpose" that really don't fit with the average couple on vacation.

[Dolby1000]

This may be a generalization, but I think we will find many, if not most, suite customers are in the higher age category.

 

When we first started cruising, I needed a window because I'm claustrophobic (and balconies didn't exist then either). This was the Grandeur back in 1996 and we were in our 30s. Vacations then were very much scrutinized within our vacation budget. We did set up budgets for ourselves and included saving for vacations.

 

As traveling brings by DW and myself a lot of joy, we do budget for them. We set aside a specific amount for each year for our travel. Back in our 30s, this was a much smaller amount then it is today.

 

I've been lucky in that I work as a PM in IS, a rather high paying job and that my DW and I have no kids, so no college to prepare for. I graduated from school back in 1985 with no collage loan. This is when you could afford a decent state school and not go into deep debt just to get a degree. Even I had had a loan, it wouldn't be the anywhere close to the loans required today to get an education, but I digress.

 

This has allowed us to pay off our mortgage sooner and we don't carry a credit card balance. This has left us free to put money on our 401ks (pay yourself first) while leaving money aside to pay for trips. And, I won't lie, while we don't have the largest house on the block, we don't drive BMWs, but we do like to pamper ourselves for the 2 or 3 weeks a year we get to put the grind behind us. Our trip budget comes after the 401k Deposits, insurance, property taxes and all other necessary expenses. And, we pay for our trips in full, I will not pay high credit card interest for traveling. So, if we can afford a balcony or suite, great, if not, then we continue to save for the next one.

 

This is why we enjoy the suite life on a cruise. We take one week and allow ourselves to be pampered and enjoy the large balcony and larger room and some of the suite perks.

 

This just works for us, your life experience and enjoyment needs may vary.

 

Dolby1000

[Dave4120]

I find it funny and amazing for the people on this thread that are wasting so much time trying to convince this couple that their own PERSONAL preferences, tastes and feelings of a suite cabin compared to other cabin categories is what's best for them.

 

With so many different answers, or, opinions, and, NONE OF THEM RIGHT OR WRONG for someone trying to figure out what to do, it just goes to show and prove, that every person, couple or family needs to experience the various cabin categories if so desired, then decide what direction to take in the future.

 

I would think an explanation of the differences of each cabin would be in order, and, how different cabin categories could be utilized compared to others. I realize all of our intentions are good, but I'm just wondering if it's better to word things in an informative manner, versus wording things, like a person is telling them they should do this, or, they will like this, when we have no idea what they will or will not like.

Edited April 28, 2014 by Dave4120

[LMaxwell]

"The Suite Life...how does one afford it"

 

A. Sufficient income; to some people's salary an owners suits might appear like an inside to someone else in terms of affordability, or in terms of as a percentage of wage.

B. Windfall of money; inheritance, jackpot, bet, etc.

C. Saving / Frugality; someone has determine the suite life is something they place a value on and therefore they budget and / or make other sacrifices for this pleasure

D. Live in debt; you can finance your lifestyle but never pay it off.

 

Seems to me it could be any one of those answers, legitimately.

[davy jones]

This is way too funny. Snobs? Pressure? Ego? Happier? Are you suggesting the OP visit their therapist before booking a balcony or suite? :D They asked how not why. Who cares why people book them? The only way one will know if it suits them is to book one. No pressure. ;)

 

No therapist required :) Their fees reduce the money available for cruising.

 

Notice that "snobs" is in quotes, meaning that if that is what they prefer, then that is fine. However, notice that some of the threads and quotes on CC about balconies and suites do have a tone that indicates that ego may be a factor in the decision, because 90% or more of the RCI cruise experience is the same for all passengers.

 

We do agree that is totally about people's preferences about where to spend their money. My intended point was that it helps to understand your preferences and desires before spending because money (for most of us) is not unlimited and understanding one's priorities helps us maximize its utility.

Edited April 28, 2014 by davy jones

[Beachammo]

Well yuck it up because we always get a balcony.

 

We do spend a good bit of time out there, although we do more than just stare at the ocean, we also talk, read, eat, drink, etc. Often we're in a port and can look at other things.

 

Even when not on balcony, it's often very nice to keep door open and get the sea breeze.

 

I'd probably take a free inside but I'd have to really think about it, as I'm more limited by vacation time then by money. If it was just free fare and I had to pay for air and all the other things I'd turn it down, as I'd rather pay more and have balcony.

 

I have done the fancy suite twice (on Princess) but I don't think it's worth the extra money, especially then as there weren't an perks.

 

But I'd not cruise without balcony, if you find that amusing feel free to laugh all you want.

 

 

Agree........

 

No balcony --- No cruise.

 

I would rather stay in a Beautiful hotel on the beach in the islands or Cancun with no timetable.

 

S

[critterchick]

I hope that this isn't off topic, but it may help answer the OPs question.

 

I suspect that many suite occupants are getting suite (pun intended) unadvertised deals on their suites because of C&A status, casino play, or some other preferred status. I may or may not be correct though.

 

How many suite occupants do you think are actually paying the prices listed on the RC website?

 

I think that most are paying the full asking price, although that price can go down if the suites aren't selling. We sail in off-peak times (when the kids are in school) and even then most of the suites on our sailings are sold out or close to it by final payment. I know that C&A upgrades to full suites are a lot less plentiful than they used to be a few years ago, and I suspect that even the revenue upgrades don't occur until a month or less out.

 

I try never to discuss the price I paid for a cabin (except with my real life friends) - I don't want to make somebody feel badly that they paid more, and I don't want to feel badly that I did. I have a range that I'm willing to pay for a cruise, and if a suite fits into that range, I will book it. If not, I won't.

[MrsPete]

I agree with those who think you should only book what you can afford now. Getting your education and paying off your debts come first.

 

Happy Cruising.

I'll add one more thing: Get a good start on your retirement account before you start splurging on this and that, including vacations. Right now while you're young, compound interest is on your side. A dollar saved today while you're in your 20s is much, much more valuable than a dollar saved at my age. In addition to paying off those student loans, max out your 401K and save elsewhere too.

 

When in doubt about whether to spend or save, give it the 5-10 year test: 5-10 years from now, will it matter whether you stayed in a suite for your cruise? Nope. On the other hand, will it matter that you put an extra $500 towards your debt? Yes, because it means your debt will disappear sooner. Will it matter that you began to save for your retirement? Yes, because that compound interest will kick in sooner.