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

[aubreyc1988]

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!

 

 

exactly. some people make a big deal about the freebies but think of what they could get with the money they save! Instead of booking suites, we get insides and use the extra money to get 2 unlimited drink packages to drink at ANY time and ANY where we want, and specialty restaurants, and on excursions and other things and it comes out still being less than a suite.

 

dont get me wrong, the suite life is fabulous...having the extra room and status is awesome, i just dont feel like the extra price is worth it. i can use that 600pp extra to make myself feel like a VIP

 

 

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[MrsPete]

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

Yeah, I agree. Since our second cruise, we have always had a balcony. Since we usually share a room with our two children, the balcony is the cheapest way to get a little extra space . . . and a place for Dad to disappear to while the girls are dressing. The balcony is a big "step up" from an interior or a window room: It provides fresh air, a whole different type of private space. In contrast, a suite doesn't provide a "step up"; rather, it's just more floor space.

 

BUT if I were to find a super-good price (and it's just me and my husband, so we don't need that much space), I would never say I wouldn't go with a less expensive room!

[twoontheisle]

Be careful! Once you do the GS or above, it makes it so much harder to EVER step foot in a balcony or inside room. The perks and extra space really have away of spoiling you. For us....we can do a cruise less frequent but with the additional amenities of a suite. Priorities will dictate your adventure for you. Life is short......CRUISE BEFORE YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO PAY OFF!

[PhilNDebbieAtSea]

We only cruise in a suite but we are not snobs and do not get special deals. We just like the perks and extra large room and balcony and think it is well worth it. We only cruise once a year so try to make it as special as possible. I didn't go on vacation for 17 years and worked 2 to 4 jobs, but kids are grown now and we are having some fun!!

 

 

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[minnie00]

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?

 

We do... You have to be diligent and check pricing almost daily to find deals...I start at booking a balcony and work my way up...there are deals out there :)

[minnie00]

I think after reading everyone's answers I really realized one thing...we only get to vacation 1-2 weeks out of the whole year and for us it's all about quality not quantity as cruising/vacationing more often is not an option for us so we splurge on the time we get....

 

Very interesting read so far :)

[Big_G]

I think after reading everyone's answers I really realized one thing...we only get to vacation 1-2 weeks out of the whole year and for us it's all about quality not quantity as cruising/vacationing more often is not an option for us so we splurge on the time we get....

 

Very interesting read so far :)

 

We're pretty much in the same boat (no pun intended) and we also splurge a little at the right price. I can't say I would change my cabin choice if we could cruise more but with work and family we can't anymore than we do now.

[kruzerci]

I think after reading everyone's answers I really realized one thing...we only get to vacation 1-2 weeks out of the whole year and for us it's all about quality not quantity as cruising/vacationing more often is not an option for us so we splurge on the time we get....

 

Very interesting read so far :)

 

Exactly!

 

Just like I can justify saying I wouldn't take certain cruises if it were free. I get 3 vacation weeks a year, I want to enjoy every second of it.

[kymbakitty]

....still alive and kicking.

 

Reading these posts make it so clear that as a whole we are still so judgmental. It's like George Carlin used to say, "If you are on the freeway and you are going faster than ME, you are driving much too fast and should be pulled over--if you are driving slower than ME, you are nuisance and should be required to speed up." Also known as The World According to Garp Syndrome. We all suffer from it to one degree or another, and it came out in true form on this thread.

 

Where did ego come from? Very interesting. And if you spend 20 hours a day signed up for every activity offered from sun up to sun down, no one is bashing you saying you don't know how to relax. Why is it if you spend time in your cabin you are either watching paint dry or comotose....or worse, just inside admiring your own crib....really? Wow.

 

My DH doesn't drink alcohol, but for him, relaxing is lounging out on his personal balcony just watching nothing go by. I do a few things on ship, but my work is so hectic, I just really relax and read and don't plan much at all. We were in suites long before the cruise lines even had a CL.

 

We actually won a free cruise once. Inside cabin. We gave it to someone because we are not going in a small room just because it was free because our vacations are way too important to us. And we only take two a year so we make them as good as we can afford. And we've never been upgraded and always select our cabin. DH is very specific as to what side he wants to be on for sun exposure.

 

There is room for everyone and why anyone feels the need to stereotype someone that has a different position about accommodations or how many hours one spends doing activities around the ship is just telling how we are still so intolerant of others if they aren't just like us.

 

The ego comment is probably the true standout. No one even knows we travel in a suite....We really don't do much where anyone would even know (we're in suite watching paint dry).

 

Never go to the designated pool desk (DH is on balcony), attend a show or two, but have no problems getting better seats ourselves. Rarely go to MDR, mostly specialty restaurants and I suppose they know after we tell them our cabin, but they couldn't care less.

 

Maybe people in nonsuites think we tell everyone we meet we're in suite....or think we think we deserve better treatment? If that's the case (why else would someone really think it is ego related), I can assure you--that's just not us.

 

And now that there is a CL, we don't bother. In my limited experience, they serve bottom of the barrel cabernet and domestic beer. I would rather spend a few dollars and get a Bass. I'm not going to drink booze just because it is free.

 

:/

[marci22]

....still alive and kicking.

 

Reading these posts make it so clear that as a whole we are still so judgmental. It's like George Carlin used to say, "If you are on the freeway and you are going faster than ME, you are driving much too fast and should be pulled over--if you are driving slower than ME, you are nuisance and should be required to speed up." Also known as The World According to Garp Syndrome. We all suffer from it to one degree or another, and it came out in true form on this thread.

 

Where did ego come from? Very interesting. And if you spend 20 hours a day signed up for every activity offered from sun up to sun down, no one is bashing you saying you don't know how to relax. Why is it if you spend time in your cabin you are either watching paint dry or comotose....or worse, just inside admiring your own crib....really? Wow.

 

My DH doesn't drink alcohol, but for him, relaxing is lounging out on his personal balcony just watching nothing go by. I do a few things on ship, but my work is so hectic, I just really relax and read and don't plan much at all. We were in suites long before the cruise lines even had a CL.

 

We actually won a free cruise once. Inside cabin. We gave it to someone because we are not going in a small room just because it was free because our vacations are way too important to us. And we only take two a year so we make them as good as we can afford. And we've never been upgraded and always select our cabin. DH is very specific as to what side he wants to be on for sun exposure.

 

There is room for everyone and why anyone feels the need to stereotype someone that has a different position about accommodations or how many hours one spends doing activities around the ship is just telling how we are still so intolerant of others if they aren't just like us.

 

The ego comment is probably the true standout. No one even knows we travel in a suite....We really don't do much where anyone would even know (we're in suite watching paint dry).

 

Never go to the designated pool desk (DH is on balcony), attend a show or two, but have no problems getting better seats ourselves. Rarely go to MDR, mostly specialty restaurants and I suppose they know after we tell them our cabin, but they couldn't care less.

 

Maybe people in nonsuites think we tell everyone we meet we're in suite....or think we think we deserve better treatment? If that's the case (why else would someone really think it is ego related), I can assure you--that's just not us.

 

And now that there is a CL, we don't bother. In my limited experience, they serve bottom of the barrel cabernet and domestic beer. I would rather spend a few dollars and get a Bass. I'm not going to drink booze just because it is free.

 

:/

 

I think you're getting a little worked up about random internet posters.

 

What's wrong with domestic beer?

[coordinator23]

....still alive and kicking.

 

Reading these posts make it so clear that as a whole we are still so judgmental. It's like George Carlin used to say, "If you are on the freeway and you are going faster than ME, you are driving much too fast and should be pulled over--if you are driving slower than ME, you are nuisance and should be required to speed up." Also known as The World According to Garp Syndrome. We all suffer from it to one degree or another, and it came out in true form on this thread.

 

Where did ego come from? Very interesting. And if you spend 20 hours a day signed up for every activity offered from sun up to sun down, no one is bashing you saying you don't know how to relax. Why is it if you spend time in your cabin you are either watching paint dry or comotose....or worse, just inside admiring your own crib....really? Wow.

 

My DH doesn't drink alcohol, but for him, relaxing is lounging out on his personal balcony just watching nothing go by. I do a few things on ship, but my work is so hectic, I just really relax and read and don't plan much at all. We were in suites long before the cruise lines even had a CL.

 

We actually won a free cruise once. Inside cabin. We gave it to someone because we are not going in a small room just because it was free because our vacations are way too important to us. And we only take two a year so we make them as good as we can afford. And we've never been upgraded and always select our cabin. DH is very specific as to what side he wants to be on for sun exposure.

 

There is room for everyone and why anyone feels the need to stereotype someone that has a different position about accommodations or how many hours one spends doing activities around the ship is just telling how we are still so intolerant of others if they aren't just like us.

 

The ego comment is probably the true standout. No one even knows we travel in a suite....We really don't do much where anyone would even know (we're in suite watching paint dry).

 

Never go to the designated pool desk (DH is on balcony), attend a show or two, but have no problems getting better seats ourselves. Rarely go to MDR, mostly specialty restaurants and I suppose they know after we tell them our cabin, but they couldn't care less.

 

Maybe people in nonsuites think we tell everyone we meet we're in suite....or think we think we deserve better treatment? If that's the case (why else would someone really think it is ego related), I can assure you--that's just not us.

 

And now that there is a CL, we don't bother. In my limited experience, they serve bottom of the barrel cabernet and domestic beer. I would rather spend a few dollars and get a Bass. I'm not going to drink booze just because it is free.

 

:/

 

And because you're doing exactly what you want to do, you enjoy your vacation. I like the relaxation aspect (on the balcony) of the ship also.

[davy jones]

Since I brought up the word ego, I will elaborate.

 

I fully understand why people prefer balconies. I perfer balconies and will choose them if there is a reasonable cost difference. I personally don't need the extra space from a suite or the perks. Some do and that is fine. I respect that choice I can afford a suite and choose not to. That is my choice because I wouldn't use most of the perks anyway.

 

The term ego applies to the minority of folks make unecessary condescending comments about lower category cabins. They just can't say "I prefer **** cabins only sail them". Comments like "I wouldn't sail in an inside cabin if the cruise was free" have a "snob" tone, which is ego driven. Most understand that these comments about cabins, C&A status, or many other things cruise and not cruise related come from the minority of people.

 

By the way, I lovingly call DW a "tea snob" because of her preferences, but she doesn't make disparaging comments about people with different tastes in tea (like me).

[Toddcan]

Since I brought up the word ego, I will elaborate.

 

I fully understand why people prefer balconies. I perfer balconies and will choose them if there is a reasonable cost difference. I personally don't need the extra space from a suite or the perks. Some do and that is fine. I respect that choice I can afford a suite and choose not to. That is my choice because I wouldn't use most of the perks anyway.

 

The term ego applies to the minority of folks make unecessary condescending comments about lower category cabins. They just can't say "I prefer **** cabins only sail them". Comments like "I wouldn't sail in an inside cabin if the cruise was free" have a "snob" tone, which is ego driven. Most understand that these comments about cabins, C&A status, or many other things cruise and not cruise related come from the minority of people.

 

By the way, I lovingly call DW a "tea snob" because of her preferences, but she doesn't make disparaging comments about people with different tastes in tea (like me).

 

 

Snob and Ego are different. "Snob" around here is an almost playful term, but questioning ego is not.

 

To YOU, people appear to have ego involved if they say they would turn down a free inside cabin. But, as others have posted, they get 2-3 vacation weeks per year, so they choose to make better use of their time.

 

We sailed in a JS last cruise - normally sail in a balcony. We loved it! The walk in closet and the shower, and the loungers on the balcony are worth it. BTW, we paid $749 pp for a JS (5 day cruise). If you think I chose a JS because of ego- that's your issue, not mine.

[ryano]

Then don't say anything :rolleyes:. If I recall, you brought it up.

 

When did you become the person that tells people what they can and cannot say here? :rolleyes: If I recall, I was NOT talking to YOU!

 

The last several replies you have made to me have been very smart alec at the least. I really dont know what YOUR problem is but If you dont like what I have to say then I strongly suggest you use the ignore feature.

 

Good day

Edited April 29, 2014 by ryano

[davy jones]

Snob and Ego are different. "Snob" around here is an almost playful term, but questioning ego is not.

 

To YOU, people appear to have ego involved if they say they would turn down a free inside cabin. But, as others have posted, they get 2-3 vacation weeks per year, so they choose to make better use of their time.

 

We sailed in a JS last cruise - normally sail in a balcony. We loved it! The walk in closet and the shower, and the loungers on the balcony are worth it. BTW, we paid $749 pp for a JS (5 day cruise). If you think I chose a JS because of ego- that's your issue, not mine.

 

You got a good deal. I'm happy for you. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[BamaGuy44]

....still alive and kicking.

 

Reading these posts make it so clear that as a whole we are still so judgmental. It's like George Carlin used to say, "If you are on the freeway and you are going faster than ME, you are driving much too fast and should be pulled over--if you are driving slower than ME, you are nuisance and should be required to speed up." Also known as The World According to Garp Syndrome. We all suffer from it to one degree or another, and it came out in true form on this thread.

 

Where did ego come from? Very interesting. And if you spend 20 hours a day signed up for every activity offered from sun up to sun down, no one is bashing you saying you don't know how to relax. Why is it if you spend time in your cabin you are either watching paint dry or comotose....or worse, just inside admiring your own crib....really? Wow.

 

My DH doesn't drink alcohol, but for him, relaxing is lounging out on his personal balcony just watching nothing go by. I do a few things on ship, but my work is so hectic, I just really relax and read and don't plan much at all. We were in suites long before the cruise lines even had a CL.

 

We actually won a free cruise once. Inside cabin. We gave it to someone because we are not going in a small room just because it was free because our vacations are way too important to us. And we only take two a year so we make them as good as we can afford. And we've never been upgraded and always select our cabin. DH is very specific as to what side he wants to be on for sun exposure.

 

There is room for everyone and why anyone feels the need to stereotype someone that has a different position about accommodations or how many hours one spends doing activities around the ship is just telling how we are still so intolerant of others if they aren't just like us.

 

The ego comment is probably the true standout. No one even knows we travel in a suite....We really don't do much where anyone would even know (we're in suite watching paint dry).

 

Never go to the designated pool desk (DH is on balcony), attend a show or two, but have no problems getting better seats ourselves. Rarely go to MDR, mostly specialty restaurants and I suppose they know after we tell them our cabin, but they couldn't care less.

 

Maybe people in nonsuites think we tell everyone we meet we're in suite....or think we think we deserve better treatment? If that's the case (why else would someone really think it is ego related), I can assure you--that's just not us.

 

And now that there is a CL, we don't bother. In my limited experience, they serve bottom of the barrel cabernet and domestic beer. I would rather spend a few dollars and get a Bass. I'm not going to drink booze just because it is free.

 

:/

 

Yep no ego on display here. Thanks for straightening us all out :rolleyes:

[ryano]

Since I brought up the word ego, I will elaborate.

 

I fully understand why people prefer balconies. I perfer balconies and will choose them if there is a reasonable cost difference. I personally don't need the extra space from a suite or the perks. Some do and that is fine. I respect that choice I can afford a suite and choose not to. That is my choice because I wouldn't use most of the perks anyway.

 

The term ego applies to the minority of folks make unecessary condescending comments about lower category cabins. They just can't say "I prefer **** cabins only sail them". Comments like "I wouldn't sail in an inside cabin if the cruise was free" have a "snob" tone, which is ego driven. Most understand that these comments about cabins, C&A status, or many other things cruise and not cruise related come from the minority of people.

 

By the way, I lovingly call DW a "tea snob" because of her preferences, but she doesn't make disparaging comments about people with different tastes in tea (like me).

 

Bingo! You nailed it! A PERFECT case of this is a thread just started a couple days ago titled "inside vs. ov" and had at least 10 replies stating "we wont cruise without a balcony!" or "no balcony, no cruise"

 

Ok, we get it already :rolleyes: Thats ALL fine and dandy but it was NOT relevant to the topic at hand.

 

Its a double standard at the very least. Its perfectly FINE for the balcony only crowd to chime in with how they wont cruise without a balcony but they get all in an uproar and on the offensive when its put back in their face as to why people choose NOT to book a balcony.

 

Geez. I could not care less what cabin someone books or why the book it. I was only giving my reasons why I DONT book one.

 

Ignore me if they dont like it :rolleyes: Matters not to me at all.

[Big_G]

The term ego applies to the minority of folks make unecessary condescending comments about lower category cabins. They just can't say "I prefer **** cabins only sail them". Comments like "I wouldn't sail in an inside cabin if the cruise was free" have a "snob" tone, which is ego driven. Most understand that these comments about cabins, C&A status, or many other things cruise and not cruise related come from the minority of people.

 

 

I think it best to avoid the word snob altogether. My DW refuses to sail in anything less than a balcony and not because she's a snob.

 

[Anzura]

Hey guys,

 

I have tons of student debt and my job requires me to live in NYC which is growing more expensive every day :(. I work very hard so when I go on vacation, which is rare, I want to have a good time.

 

I'm neck deep in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University, and hearing stuff like "I have a ton of dept" and then booking a cruise just sounds crazy to me! I sure hope you have saved up for this cruise and you aren't putting it on a credit card!:eek:

 

Live now like no one else, so you can live like no one else! Which means, live on beans and rice and get out of dept so you can have money to retire and go on vacations and get a suite!

 

We are booked in a RFS in July. Mother in law is paying the tab. She's NEVER taken a vacation. This is her first cruise so she wants it to be memorable. All paid in cash!

 

Hope you make smart decision.

[aubreyc1988]

I'm neck deep in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University, and hearing stuff like "I have a ton of dept" and then booking a cruise just sounds crazy to me! I sure hope you have saved up for this cruise and you aren't putting it on a credit card!:eek:

 

Live now like no one else, so you can live like no one else! Which means, live on beans and rice and get out of dept so you can have money to retire and go on vacations and get a suite!

 

We are booked in a RFS in July. Mother in law is paying the tab. She's NEVER taken a vacation. This is her first cruise so she wants it to be memorable. All paid in cash!

 

Hope you make smart decision.

 

We follow Dave Ramsey as well but we budget x amount a month for vacations as well as paying extra on student loans...it's important to have a vacation because you can't go back in time to your youth and have a good time, but it's equally as important to make sure you can financially afford it.

 

 

To the op I would just budget what u can without sacrificing what you are paying on the loans and whatever money you are able to save will determine d what kind of cabin you are in

 

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[Anzura]

We follow Dave Ramsey as well but we budget x amount a month for vacations as well as paying extra on student loans...it's important to have a vacation because you can't go back in time to your youth and have a good time, but it's equally as important to make sure you can financially afford it.

 

;) Yep, that's what I meant. "Make the smart choice". Don't book a suite if you have a ton of dept. An inside cabin would be just fine and pay cash! We have a vacation budget too. Usually sucked up with skiing every weekend in the winter. All my extra money right now is going towards college funding for my two teens. So grateful to mother in law or I would not be on this cruise!

[alfaeric]

Hey guys,

 

My boyfriend and I are planning on taking our 3rd RC cruise sometime in 2016 (my boyfriend thinks RC is the best and won't do anything else). We wanted to do Anthem of the Seas because we're in the NY/NJ area but those prices are way out of our price range so we're most likely going to do an older ship.

 

We've done a balcony room on the last 2 cruises but we've always wanted to do a suite. I saw youtube videos of the owner's suite on the Freedom & Liberty and I think I'm in love.(Personally, I don't think the JS is that much bigger to justify paying the extra cost over a balcony) Just went to the RC website and the price of the owner's suite on Freedom in April 2016 is about $4200. Not a lot of money for what you get but my boyfriend and I are regular everyday people. I have tons of student debt and my job requires me to live in NYC which is growing more expensive every day :(. I work very hard so when I go on vacation, which is rare, I want to have a good time.

 

For those CCers who have done a suite on RC, (1) do you think it was worth it, (2) how were you able to afford it and (3) are the prices cheaper during certain seasons/months?

 

Ignoring the egos that seem to be squashed...

 

Shop, shop, and shop some more.

 

If you book a balcony at a price you can afford, awesome. It never, ever hurts to see if a JS is selling for that same price.

 

Just by chance, DW check on the Allure, and for her 4th of July sailing, the JS's were $100 LESS than the balcony we had reserved on the Oasis. You can upgrade for no cost after final payment. Keep a close eye on those payments.

 

In terms of certain times of the year- based on what is happening now, I have totally not figured out what time of the year you will find these deals. A year ago, there were no places to upgrade at all. This year, there are much lower prices on ALL cabins for the exact same sailing.

 

Just keep looking- maybe once or twice a week.

 

(not sure why people get so bent out of shape how OTHER people want to spend money)

[petesweet]

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.

I could well have written this.

 

I have two bathtubs at home and don't use either one. And why would I need a walk-in closet for my little suitcase full of clothes I bring on the ship. I don't even take advantage of my Diamond balcony discount.

 

Interesting responses from people on both sides (and in the middle).

 

My $374 seven-night cruise looks pretty good to me!!

 

Happy sails.

 

Kathy

Edited April 29, 2014 by petesweet

[petesweet]

We only cruise in a suite but we are not snobs and do not get special deals. We just like the perks and extra large room and balcony and think it is well worth it. We only cruise once a year so try to make it as special as possible. I didn't go on vacation for 17 years and worked 2 to 4 jobs, but kids are grown now and we are having some fun!!

Ah, but your situation is quite different from OP's.:)

Kathy

[alfaeric]

Ah, but your situation is quite different from OP's.:)

 

Kathy

 

To be fair, the OP didn't ask IF they should get a suite, or IF you would get a suite. The question was how to get one, at a reasonable price, because she wants one.

 

It's interesting to see so many posts answering a question that was not asked. And that most of them seemed offended that people offered ideas on how to get a suite based on experience.