NEW Suite Upgrades....

[Big_G]

I'm thinking removing D+ from the CL won't bother me much. We tend to do a fly by at either the DL or CL to see how busy they are. If they're crowded we head to our usual watering spot with the vouchers. I actually have a better chance of getting my drink of choice at a public bar than at the lounges.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

This entire thread has been nothing but rumors and speculation, and wishful thinking...all 22 pages of it.

 

If and when something becomes official, we'll hear it.

 

True, but the statement of all Gold Card holders getting free wifi actually seemed legit! :D

[Linda41]

At the risk of appearing to be a Carnival homer, they do have no cost venues available (Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana Cantina, etc.) which, even on this board, get positive reviews. On our upcoming Radiance cruise, we have no plans to go to either Izumi or Rita's simply because of the additional cost.

 

We don't normally do the extra pay restaurants but while onboard the Radiance about 3 years ago, we did pay to go to Rita's because we enjoy Mexican food. It was cheap (less than $10) for the two of us and fairly decent food. However, the next time we were on the Radiance, Rita's had been changed into a bar with appetizers instead of a restaurant. Never saw many people in it after that. Guess they figured they would make more money from drinks but it appears it isn't going over very well.

 

Linda (and C. D.)

[George C]

in many cases the 'nice' lounge on the ship is the DL.. CL never seems to have the view or is much smaller.

 

DL was nicer on Navigator great ocean view, seemed to have same snacks and drinks

[maryjaden]

It would be nice to have a suite line to get back on the ship in ports.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

We don't normally do the extra pay restaurants but while onboard the Radiance about 3 years ago, we did pay to go to Rita's because we enjoy Mexican food. It was cheap (less than $10) for the two of us and fairly decent food. However, the next time we were on the Radiance, Rita's had been changed into a bar with appetizers instead of a restaurant. Never saw many people in it after that. Guess they figured they would make more money from drinks but it appears it isn't going over very well.

 

Linda (and C. D.)

 

Now it's Rita's Crab Shack......and wasn't very busy on our recent Australia cruises.

[reney313]

I'm not even Diamond yet and I don't typically sail in suites, so not sure why I'm commenting. But FWIW, I do think the Suite guests should have the Suite lounge (aka CL). Diamond and Diamond Plus in the DL with vouchers to use if it is too crowded.

 

There has also been a long thread about changes to C&A so I wonder if they will increase the D+ benefits to help lessen the "blow" of only having the DL and not the CL in their benefits. Maybe more drink vouchers (5) or something for D+ that can be used at any time? I don't know, just a thought.

 

I can see them updating the suite benefits which seemed to be needed and may lure some from JS to the suite level and at the same time updating benefits for the D+ and potential new D+Super level.

[cricketts]

Now it's Rita's Crab Shack......and wasn't very busy on our recent Australia cruises.

 

 

It was still Rita's Cantina on Serenade in March... Not a popular venue or very good - the real estate could certainly find a better use... Maybe an area for some suite perks!

[Cruisingthesuitelife]

True, but the statement of all Gold Card holders getting free wifi actually seemed legit! :D

Not to mention people currently on ships saying suites had it!! I mean in the last day, 2 people on Serenade - 1 says suites do and one says suites don't... [emoji13]

 

I saw a TA type chat with Vicki Freed who said the announcement of the new programme that she was 'really excited' about would happen 'soon'... I said to my cruise buddy what they get excited about and what guests get excited about are usually 2 VERY different things!

 

Let's watch this space (as we have been for the last 2 months!)

[Clarea]

It was still Rita's Cantina on Serenade in March... Not a popular venue or very good - the real estate could certainly find a better use... Maybe an area for some suite perks!

So far, I believe only Radiance has gotten Rita's Crab Shack.

[Paulette3028]

I'm not even Diamond yet and I don't typically sail in suites, so not sure why I'm commenting. But FWIW, I do think the Suite guests should have the Suite lounge (aka CL). Diamond and Diamond Plus in the DL with vouchers to use if it is too crowded.

 

There has also been a long thread about changes to C&A so I wonder if they will increase the D+ benefits to help lessen the "blow" of only having the DL and not the CL in their benefits. Maybe more drink vouchers (5) or something for D+ that can be used at any time? I don't know, just a thought.

 

I can see them updating the suite benefits which seemed to be needed and may lure some from JS to the suite level and at the same time updating benefits for the D+ and potential new D+Super level.

 

For the money that Suite guests pay, they could have more benefits. It would sound very nice to add a benefit to the D+ level. It could be as simple as 1 specialty lunch or dinner, or for me it could be as simple as free milkshakes from Johnny Rockets, on ships that have it, up to 3 per cruise would be fine. That is the only thing that is edible at JR (personal opinion) other than breakfast.

[Dizziedi]

It would be nice to have a suite line to get back on the ship in ports.

 

You get my vote on that one:)

 

Cheers

Di

[jobowl]

Does anyone know if suite guests can eat breakfast in a specialty restraint. I know on the EOS we ate in Portofino. Never been on the liberty.

[Clarea]

Does anyone know if suite guests can eat breakfast in a specialty restraint. I know on the EOS we ate in Portofino. Never been on the liberty.

Liberty offers made to order breakfast for suite guests and PC members in Chops. They also offer a $10 steak and eggs breakfast to all guests, also in Chops.

[Mjoellnir]

Liberty offers made to order breakfast for suite guests and PC members in Chops. They also offer a $10 steak and eggs breakfast to all guests, also in Chops.

 

Is steak and eggs included for suite guests?

[DragonOfTheSeas]

 

For an extra 95 nights on a ship (and all the money that comes with that), I think the benefits are pretty useless. .

 

One perk we are looking forward to [stil 40 points from D+] is the free bag of laundry. [1 for DH and 1 for me] We like longer cruises and not paying for laundry will save us money. :D

 

For the money that Suite guests pay, they could have more benefits.

 

We had our first ever full suite this month. [GS] It was a great experience. The cabin was huge and we enjoyed the CL.

 

Since we did a B2B and did not have a suite on the first leg [booked last minute] we were able to compare the experience on the same ship. [serenade]

 

The CL is nicer than the DL. [at least on the serenade] While only one section has an ocean view, there is a large outdoor seating area. It was never crowded. Also, the bartender was very attentive and engaging. The Concierge was very attentive. We tend to stay mostly to ourselves on a cruise. But, the Concierge seemed to always be talking to us and even coming to our suite to deal with something. [i.e. bringing us our tickets for an excursion, checking to make sure DH tux was pressed on formal night, etc] When we saw we had a door bell on our cabin we laughed. We thought who will ever ring that? But, it seemed to ring all the time. [cabin steward, concierge, room service bringing suite treats almost each day, laundry etc]

[cruisegirl1]

I'm thinking removing D+ from the CL won't bother me much. We tend to do a fly by at either the DL or CL to see how busy they are. If they're crowded we head to our usual watering spot with the vouchers. I actually have a better chance of getting my drink of choice at a public bar than at the lounges.

 

Same here. We rarely use either lounge in the evening. We do visit a lounge ( usually the one closest to our stateroom) in the morning for specialty coffee. I am selfish and want the vouchers for the evening as well as the lounge access for coffee.

 

M

[Paulette3028]

 

One perk we are looking forward to [stil 40 points from D+] is the free bag of laundry. [1 for DH and 1 for me] We like longer cruises and not paying for laundry will save us money. :D

 

 

 

We had our first ever full suite this month. [GS] It was a great experience. The cabin was huge and we enjoyed the CL.

 

Since we did a B2B and did not have a suite on the first leg [booked last minute] we were able to compare the experience on the same ship. [serenade]

 

The CL is nicer than the DL. [at least on the serenade] While only one section has an ocean view, there is a large outdoor seating area. It was never crowded. Also, the bartender was very attentive and engaging. The Concierge was very attentive. We tend to stay mostly to ourselves on a cruise. But, the Concierge seemed to always be talking to us and even coming to our suite to deal with something. [i.e. bringing us our tickets for an excursion, checking to make sure DH tux was pressed on formal night, etc] When we saw we had a door bell on our cabin we laughed. We thought who will ever ring that? But, it seemed to ring all the time. [cabin steward, concierge, room service bringing suite treats almost each day, laundry etc]

 

Sounds like -- you had a good time in your suite!

[JasonV1]

Heck I'm a new Diamond (haven't even sailed with those privileges yet) and think this is fine. I'm in it just for the 3x free drinks per night (plus other perks). The D-lounge isn't a big deal to me as I prefer to wander the ship or at least try different bars every day.

 

Yeah I'd lose access to the "all you can drink" room, but I think I'd survive.

 

 

 

I have been saying that for months. access to a concierge for the usual assistance can be accomplished by giving them a desk over by Loyalty and Next Cruises.

[lattelady]

Does anyone know if suite guests can eat breakfast in a specialty restraint. I know on the EOS we ate in Portofino. Never been on the liberty.

 

As a suite guest, we had breakfast in Chops on the Nav last fall.

[Clarea]

Is steak and eggs included for suite guests?

No, suite guests would also have to pay the $10.

[Mjoellnir]

No, suite guests would also have to pay the $10.

 

Oh well... as long as i get egg and bacon somewhere im happy

[spookwife]

DL was nicer on Navigator great ocean view, seemed to have same snacks and drinks

 

 

wholeheartedly agree. I though the location of the CL was weird to say the least and it was SRO every night all night..if you weren't staking out a seat by 4 you weren't sitting down at all. Hoping Liberty will be better in December with or without any new suite rollouts.

[cruiselife4me]

I do think that Royal has been lagging when it comes to suite perks. Celebrity and NCL have real amenities for booking a suite.

CELEBRITY:

Features and Highlights

European-trained butler service to help you pack/unpack, make spa appointments, dinner reservations, shore excursions and more

Reserved theatre seating on formal nights

Full in-suite breakfast, lunch & dinner service

Afternoon canapés and tea service

Complimentary daily in-suite espresso and cappuccino

One complimentary dinner for all guests in suite (cruise of 6 or 7 nights) and two complimentary dinners for all guests in suite (cruise of 8 nights or more) in a specialty restaurant*

Priority check-in & debarkation

Priority tender service

Main & specialty restaurant seating preferences

Luxury bath amenities

Plush bathrobe

Oversized 100% cotton bath towels

Pillow menu

Fresh Flowers

Spacious veranda

Hansgrohe® showerhead

Coming April 2015:

Dedicated private restaurant reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests morning, noon and night

 

NCL:

 

Exclusive Amenities

Special Services

 

Distinctive keycard

Butler & concierge service

Butler to unpack your luggage

 

Eats, Treats and Libations

 

Champagne, custom selection of liquor**, fruit, bottled water and sodas

Sparkling wine, bottled water and fruit on Embarkation Day

Mini-bar and espresso/cappuccino machine

24-hour Room Service

Specialty dining delivered to your suite from any restaurant (cover charges apply)

Treats delivered right to your door each night

 

Thoughtful Touches

 

Bliss Collection by Norwegian™ pillow-top mattress

Fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu

Plush bathrobes, slippers and towels

 

Arrival and Departure

 

Priority embarkation and disembarkation

Escort to suite

Priority boarding of tenders to shore

Complimentary limousine service from pier to airport***

 

I'd like to see RCI really look at other Suite amenities and revamp theirs for the better. Before our cruise preferably. ;)

[Toddcan]

I'm going to make a few assumptions in this post, but they are based on my many years of following these boards.

 

For the past 2-3 cruises, I have considered getting a GS. We normally sail in a standard balcony because I get lucky in my balcony locations (center hump, or aft - which we love). However, it all comes down to price - I could not justify the significant cost delta of the GS. We've sailed in a JS which provided all we were looking for - at a decent cost.

 

I've watched those 2-3 cruises closely on the availability of the GS. It seems that the vast majority 60-75% of the GS are open for booking until the last few months/weeks. Then they disappear. Sure, one or two get taken, but on the limited informal data I have gathered, at least 50-60% of the GS are unbooked until the last few weeks/months. This leads me to believe that they were offered as upgrades to loyality members, or as upsells to JS, etc. Likely meaning that Royal did not get the price they could have, had it been sold early on in the process.

 

So, how to attract GS buyers? Give them tangible perks! Make it worth their while over the JS crowd. I've sailed in a JS, and it was huge - I have a hard time believing anyone except MAYBE a family of 4 would complain about being cramped in a JS. So, it's not the sq footage that drives people to a GS or OS. Yet they are slow to sell.

 

When I was considering the GS, I would have been more serious had it come with tangible perks. So, I think giving GS and above some real serious benefits is OK with me!