"Sky Loft" Feedback?

[JEDIKNIGHT]

Curious if anyone has been on a "Sky Loft" on an RCCL suite. I think Oasis has them - but as an RCCl virgin i'm still learning about the fleet.

 

Questions....

 

*Being 2 stories - did you feel rough seas more than you would feel them in a regular 1 floor room?

 

*Is there a lot of rattling and other noises while the ship is moving due to having 2 floors?

 

Any other observations?

 

Thanks.

[Cruising89143]

The Sky Loft is only available on the two Oasis class ships. Out of the three type loft suites we enjoyed this one the most. Perfect size.

 

We love the Sky loft but the two are slight different in size. I would only book #1720 as it is slightly larger than #1718. We have cruised several times in 1720 but visited #1718 on turn around day. #1718 does have more privacy on the balcony as it faces the ocean. #1720 faces aft overlooking the sports court but this did not bother us at all. We still had great views of the sea.

 

We felt no movement at all in this area. No noise within the stateroom that you wouldn't hear in any other stateroom. The entry way into the loft suites area has a door on each side that stays locked. You need your room key to open it and it helps to cut down on traffic.

 

The balcony is huge.

 

I have photos in the link below. Click on the Allure OTS. There are photos of all three type loft suites so look for the one labeled as Sky Loft.

Edited October 26, 2014 by cruisingator2

[JEDIKNIGHT]

THANKS, and thank you for your excellent pictures - very easy to navigate site you have there.

 

When you were in Sky Loft, did you feel the embarkation, disembarkation, and leaving the ship for shore excursions was efficient? Was your wait shorter due to suite perk?

 

Also, was the Concierge effective in handling requests like dinner reservations, shore excursions?

[JEDIKNIGHT]

One more question.... in the Sky Loft, do you recall there being a fridge, or microwave?

[Cruising89143]

Terminal 18 in FLL us by far the easiest terminal for both embarkation and debarkation that I have experienced. They have a dedicated "suites" area after check-in to wait until they start the boarding process. Suites were first to board after wedding parties. Very quick and efficient.

 

The Concierge has been a mixed bag in our experience. Some better than others but we usually book our specialty dining reservations prior to the cruise. Don't recall having priority when leaving the ships in port or for excursions.

 

IMHO RCI has very nice suites but they fall far short of most of the other lines with their perks. They are rather limited. We have found that Celebrity is so much better in this area. While we enjoyed the RCI product and loved the Oasis and Allure (best entertainment that we have experienced) we just think X is so much better for what we enjoy in an overall cruise experience and now with the new suite class on X it is hard to go back to RCI and book a suite.:)

[Cruising89143]

Terminal 18 in FLL is by far the easiest terminal for both embarkation and debarkation that I have experienced. They have a dedicated "suites" area after check-in to wait until they start the boarding process. Suites were first to board after wedding parties. Very quick and efficient.

 

The Concierge has been a mixed bag in our experience. Some better than others but we usually book our specialty dining reservations prior to the cruise. Don't recall having priority when leaving the ships in port or for excursions.

 

There is a mini fridge that is loaded with water, snacks, etc. No microwaves in any suite.

 

IMHO RCI has very nice suites but they fall far short of most of the other lines with their perks. They are rather limited. We have found that Celebrity is so much better in this area. While we enjoyed the RCI product and loved the Oasis and Allure (best entertainment that we have experienced) we just think X is so much better for what we enjoy in an overall cruise experience and now with the new suite class on X it is hard to go back to RCI and book a suite.:)

Edited October 26, 2014 by cruisingator2

[Travalerie]

IMHO RCI has very nice suites but they fall far short of most of the other lines with their perks. They are rather limited. We have found that Celebrity is so much better in this area. While we enjoyed the RCI product and loved the Oasis and Allure (best entertainment that we have experienced) we just think X is so much better for what we enjoy in an overall cruise experience and now with the new suite class on X it is hard to go back to RCI and book a suite.:)

 

What do you like better about the Celebrity suite program?

Edited October 26, 2014 by Travalerie

[A&L_Ont]

The Sky Loft is only available on the two Oasis class ships. Out of the three type loft suites we enjoyed this one the most. Perfect size.

 

We love the Sky loft but the two are slight different in size. I would only book #1720 as it is slightly larger than #1718. We have cruised several times in 1720 but visited #1718 on turn around day. #1718 does have more privacy on the balcony as it faces the ocean. #1720 faces aft overlooking the sports court but this did not bother us at all. We still had great views of the sea.

 

We felt no movement at all in this area. No noise within the stateroom that you wouldn't hear in any other stateroom. The entry way into the loft suites area has a door on each side that stays locked. You need your room key to open it and it helps to cut down on traffic.

 

The balcony is huge.

 

I have photos in the link below. Click on the Allure OTS. There are photos of all three type loft suites so look for the one labeled as Sky Loft.

 

We have stayed in 1718 once and 1720 five times. Crusingator2 is very concise and accurate in their comparison. In IMHO 1720 is the better cabin over 1718, unless balcony privacy is a "must". For our next 5 sailings on Oasis Class ships we will be in Cabin 1720. It is our favorite.

 

We sailed in this cabin for Hurricane Sandy and we did feel motion, but the waves were 20-30 feet. Otherwise it has been a smooth ride. One strange thing that you might hear is rain on the roof, especially if it is heavy. Occasionally you will hear the wind if it gusty, but the cabin has the "normal" noises of any ship cabin.

 

Andrew

Edited October 26, 2014 by A&L_Ont

[Cruising89143]

What do you like better about the Celebrity suite program?

 

They offer a butler for starters. I never felt the need to deal with the Concierge on my last cruise with the exception of the escort down for priority tendering.

 

On seven night cruises they offer a complimentary dinner and two on longer cruises. There are other areas but effective April the following perks go into place that really raises the bar.

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/14037410_CEL_Suites_FAQs.pdf

[JEDIKNIGHT]

What do you like better about the Celebrity suite program?

 

 

Ok, I am NOT comparing this to RCL - I've never been on RCL but I've done very large suites on NCL, and Celebrity. What I like about Celebrity Suite Perks: "Seamless" is the word

 

1.)A TINY line to check in and the desk person radios the ship and minutes later I'm told "Josie will escort you onto the ship" and it's a casual stroll, right up to the ship where the Butler is waiting and waving. Butler takes hand bags, asks if we want to go to room or lunch. Butler knows 'secret' passages and elevators so we get to suite quick.

 

2.)Butler does custom room service. At dinner - it's served course-by-course and everything nice and hot. Butler knows what we like and magically ' extra butter, extra mayo, extra ketchup" just happens to arrive in the suite for a week.

 

 

3.)Concierge KNOWS us. Calls in to make sure we're ok and personally handles shore excursions, dinner bookings, etc. On the final morning I was told by Concierge "just call me when you are ready to leave" - which i did. 10 minutes later I'm at port and my bags are there.

 

4.)Waiters/Maitre'D in MDR seem to look after us more. Sadly they should do that for everyone - but with a large suite - it's obvious they pay closer attention.

 

BTW - NCL while not my favorite line - does MOST of this very well also.

 

I'm considering RCCL because I can drive to the NJ port which is handy with 2 young kids. If these "suite perks" were on RCL i'd be doing much more RCL for sure but of course, I respect their business model and they obviously know what they are doing.

 

Different strokes for different folks. For me, "seamless" is a big reason why I'd pay for a suite.

[Travalerie]

They offer a butler for starters. I never felt the need to deal with the Concierge on my last cruise with the exception of the escort down for priority tendering.

 

On seven night cruises they offer a complimentary dinner and two on longer cruises. There are other areas but effective April the following perks go into place that really raises the bar.

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/14037410_CEL_Suites_FAQs.pdf

 

Very nice. I like Celebrity...I am trying a suite on RCCL for my next cruise. I got a good deal. Hopefully I will be able to try Celebrity too!!

[Travalerie]

 

Different strokes for different folks. For me, "seamless" is a big reason why I'd pay for a suite.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

[A&L_Ont]

Ok, I am NOT comparing this to RCL - I've never been on RCL but I've done very large suites on NCL, and Celebrity. What I like about Celebrity Suite Perks: "Seamless" is the word

 

1.)A TINY line to check in and the desk person radios the ship and minutes later I'm told "Josie will escort you onto the ship" and it's a casual stroll, right up to the ship where the Butler is waiting and waving. Butler takes hand bags, asks if we want to go to room or lunch. Butler knows 'secret' passages and elevators so we get to suite quick.

 

2.)Butler does custom room service. At dinner - it's served course-by-course and everything nice and hot. Butler knows what we like and magically ' extra butter, extra mayo, extra ketchup" just happens to arrive in the suite for a week.

 

 

3.)Concierge KNOWS us. Calls in to make sure we're ok and personally handles shore excursions, dinner bookings, etc. On the final morning I was told by Concierge "just call me when you are ready to leave" - which i did. 10 minutes later I'm at port and my bags are there.

 

4.)Waiters/Maitre'D in MDR seem to look after us more. Sadly they should do that for everyone - but with a large suite - it's obvious they pay closer attention.

 

BTW - NCL while not my favorite line - does MOST of this very well also.

 

I'm considering RCCL because I can drive to the NJ port which is handy with 2 young kids. If these "suite perks" were on RCL i'd be doing much more RCL for sure but of course, I respect their business model and they obviously know what they are doing.

 

Different strokes for different folks. For me, "seamless" is a big reason why I'd pay for a suite.

 

Was this service on Celeberty or NCL or a combination of both? Would the butler reserve a spot by the pool as well, like they do at all inclusives?

[Cruising89143]

Very nice. I like Celebrity...I am trying a suite on RCCL for my next cruise. I got a good deal. Hopefully I will be able to try Celebrity too!!

 

Enjoy. I tell those who book a suite on RCI to book it for the extra real estate and not much else. Royal books their suites without any issues on a consistent basis so I guess they don't feel the need to up the perks at this time. :)

[Travalerie]

Enjoy. I tell those who book a suite on RCI to book it for the extra real estate and not much else. Royal books their suites without any issues on a consistent basis so I guess they don't feel the need to up the perks at this time. :)

 

I'm with you. I think I have managed my expectations. I did get one of the new aft GS on the Oasis, so really we are looking forward to the extra space. We have kids and don't drink a lot so the lounges and that type of things don't matter a lot. I don't expect to use the concierge, but I am looking forward to the reserve seating in the shows. I'm glad I get to skip the line!!

[JEDIKNIGHT]

I never sit by the pool (crowd-averse, lol) so to be honest with you I don't know if they reserve pool seats.

 

The perks I described where on multiple Celebrity Cruises. HOWEVER, on 2 NCL Suite-Cruises, those perks were almost identical with Celeb being slightly better.

 

From what i read - Suites on RCl are that - bigger rooms. I think the perks won't be close to Celeb and NCL which is fine, I'm not criticizing. Just making an observation based on what I've read.

 

Still leaning towards doing Quantum in Feb. NJ is convenient, the Orlando is a nice stop for kids. Sort of dreading being 1 of 6200 pax on the ship after all the seamless perks on other lines, but who knows maybe it'll work out.

[A&L_Ont]

I never sit by the pool (crowd-averse, lol) so to be honest with you I don't know if they reserve pool seats.

 

The perks I described where on multiple Celebrity Cruises. HOWEVER, on 2 NCL Suite-Cruises, those perks were almost identical with Celeb being slightly better.

 

From what i read - Suites on RCl are that - bigger rooms. I think the perks won't be close to Celeb and NCL which is fine, I'm not criticizing. Just making an observation based on what I've read.

 

Still leaning towards doing Quantum in Feb. NJ is convenient, the Orlando is a nice stop for kids. Sort of dreading being 1 of 6200 pax on the ship after all the seamless perks on other lines, but who knows maybe it'll work out.

 

Thanks for getting back to me in regards to the perks. RC perks are nice, but not comparable. Celeb sounds like they have it figured out. I do love the size of the RC suites though.

[skylight]

I have to like the Butler arriving with 2 specialty coffees each morning to our Suite on Celebrity Reflection was great. We are trying a Crown Loft Suite on Allure in May but no coffees this time:(.

[NeuroQueen]

We were booked in a GS for the May 2014 sailing. The day before the cruise we got the Upsell call for a CL. Yes, I almost fainted. There were many CL open and we chose the Sky Loft 1720, at a higher price of course. We also toured 1718 as it was next door and not occupied, in fact it was almost empty up on 17 that week.

 

I totally agree with the above poster who liked 1720 the best. The balcony was completely HUGE with excellent furniture. I think we counted 8 padded chaise loungers, a dining table for four and two club chairs. I really liked looking out over the aft from one side of the balcony and over the water on the other side.

 

It's going to be very difficult to cruise in a regular balcony from now on. Have a great cruise.

[JEDIKNIGHT]

Hi Jenna, I suspect we have some similar preferences vis a vis cruising so I wanted to ask you.

 

My potential Feb Quantum Cruise is strictly to get 6yo DD to Florida and Bahamas without flying. We have 2yo son too - I just don't want to fly. I know after reading your and other ppl's posts that the 'suite perks' will not be as seamless as we're used to on X or even NCL and that's cool, I know it upfront.

 

Question....

 

I'm in a Sky Loft for now - but a Royal Loft with Balcony just opened up - it's over twice the size. Part of me thinks the extra size will be good, especially for 2yo DS to run around but goodness, the per diem is MORE than booking a Penthouse on X.

 

Concierge-wise, do you think RCL gives a better degree of service because one is in the Royal Loft vs Sky Loft? Because if not, as tempted as I am to upgrade - I'm thinking that upgrade won't produce the 'seamless' of X suites - so maybe it's not worth it.

 

Appreciate any input from anyone. Thanks