Elite Lounge Again

[Miss Pat]

So what is the big perk? Regardless if you are Platinum or Elite. they are not offering you much. LOL

It's not really that much of a perk but if they extended the hours of operation more people would be able to enjoy it. We dine early & then go to a show so their hours are somewhat limited for us.

I suspect if it were open till 10 or 11 PM the place might be packed especially after a show.

[Woobstr112G]

I've been on several cruises where it was so crowded that people either had to stand or wait until someone leaves before being able to sit. Literally no empty seats, even at the bar.

 

Whenever I've cruised with friends who aren't Platinum/Elite/full suite, I've gone to a different bar. The appetizers aren't that good plus it ends way too early for late Traditional.

 

IMHO, the only reason to bring a non-qualified guest to the Platinum/Elite/full suite lounge is to offer a perk to someone who hasn't earned it. If it was really about having a drink together, you'd go to another lounge.

 

 

I totally agree. I have gone into the P&E lounge on a number of cruises and immediately walked out. The reason is the crowding and or having to stand in line for finger food....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited April 26, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[waltd]

It's not really that much of a perk but if they extended the hours of operation more people would be able to enjoy it. We dine early & then go to a show so their hours are somewhat limited for us.

I suspect if it were open till 10 or 11 PM the place might be packed especially after a show.

 

Seriously doubt that will ever happen. I'm sure the hours and location are picked because the location is under utilized at that time. Any later would interfere with other entertainment they have scheduled. I'm sure the food costs and waste would be a lot higher.

[kendon]

Maybe not, but it's the cumulative benefits that I enjoy. This is just another part of the package. I always make time to go to the lounge... nice view, nice appetizers, good drinks, relaxing time with friends... it's all good.

 

I agree. We go almost every evening.

[Colo Cruiser]

I agree. We go almost every evening.

 

 

So do we! :)

[Miss Pat]

Seriously doubt that will ever happen. I'm sure the hours and location are picked because the location is under utilized at that time. Any later would interfere with other entertainment they have scheduled. I'm sure the food costs and waste would be a lot higher.

Probably so but Skywalkers doesn't seem to be busy at night around 9 PM and to section off one side of it wouldn't take away from others who wanted to go there. I wonder actually how many Platinum & Elites do utilize the perk? My guess would be very few considering the total number of Platinum/Elite's on board.

[Colo Cruiser]

Probably so but Skywalkers doesn't seem to be busy at night around 9 PM and to section off one side of it wouldn't take away from others who wanted to go there. I wonder actually how many Platinum & Elites do utilize the perk? My guess would be very few considering the total number of Platinum/Elite's on board.

 

 

 

I don't know when you sail but lately its been full and quite unpleasant at times. :(

[Pam in CA]

This is not a lounge, it is a section in an area set aside for PES. I suggested a lounge and ....

You are correct in that it's not a lounge set aside exclusively for the Platinum/Elite/full suite. However, on my cruises, it uses the entire lounge, whether it's Skywalker's, Club Fusion, Club 6 or One5. Not just a roped off section. It probably depends on the cruise, though.

[shredie]

I don't know when you sail but lately its been full and quite unpleasant at times. :(

 

We tend to show up right about 5 and find a good seat. DH is a fan of those special drinks, so he wants to get whatever it is that day (even the port.) We have late dinner, so we usually stay until the place closes up. The crowds increase as the evening goes on, and I've seen the place full at last call. The worst are the really big events they have to move to Club Fusion or such. That place will be packed when there are too many PES passengers on board to use Skywalkers. On the Coral, using a "roped off" section of Explorer's, it was sometimes impossible to find a seat. I have also noticed that certain food nights draw bigger crowds. Guacamole night is usually packed. Don't stand between me and the shrimp fountain! One aspect we really like about the lounge is getting to know the bar staff. It's fun to then meet them again on another cruise. Meeting new people is also fun. On the Golden in January, we met a man who told such funny stories, we were shrieking with laughter the whole time. I realize that some of this could be experienced elsewhere on the ship, but it's the total experience that makes it a perk for me.

[Colo Cruiser]

We tend to show up right about 5 and find a good seat. DH is a fan of those special drinks, so he wants to get whatever it is that day (even the port.) We have late dinner, so we usually stay until the place closes up. The crowds increase as the evening goes on, and I've seen the place full at last call. The worst are the really big events they have to move to Club Fusion or such. That place will be packed when there are too many PES passengers on board to use Skywalkers. On the Coral, using a "roped off" section of Explorer's, it was sometimes impossible to find a seat. I have also noticed that certain food nights draw bigger crowds. Guacamole night is usually packed. Don't stand between me and the shrimp fountain! One aspect we really like about the lounge is getting to know the bar staff. It's fun to then meet them again on another cruise. Meeting new people is also fun. On the Golden in January, we met a man who told such funny stories, we were shrieking with laughter the whole time. I realize that some of this could be experienced elsewhere on the ship, but it's the total experience that makes it a perk for me.

 

Yeah we stay from 5-7 too. Meet some fun people and end up talking every night. We just head to dinner around 7:30. If we need to hit the early show once in awhile we just go there from the lounge. :D

[Miss Pat]

I don't know when you sail but lately its been full and quite unpleasant at times. :(

It could be later in the evening but we show up as early as possible when we do go & just stay for a short while since we always eat early.

[san diego sue]

Only on the Island and the Coral is it a roped off section of Explorers lounge. On those ship, very few people use it.

Ships with Skywalkers, that is where it is used.

On the Royal it was in Club6 first time we were on it. Next time, moved to Vista lounge.

On the Grand, it was Club one 5.Last time on that ship, so crowded never could find a seat.

So except for Coral and Island, total use of the venue was for the Plat. Elite, Suite people.

[Colo Cruiser]

Only on the Island and the Coral is it a roped off section of Explorers lounge. On those ship, very few people use it.

Ships with Skywalkers, that is where it is used.

On the Royal it was in Club6 first time we were on it. Next time, moved to Vista lounge.

On the Grand, it was Club one 5.Last time on that ship, so crowded never could find a seat.

So except for Coral and Island, total use of the venue was for the Plat. Elite, Suite people.

 

Club 6 on the Regal was terrible. It was crowded. Do not like that lounge anyway. Plat/Elite/Suite was held there, Most travelled was held there, CC M&G was held there as well.

It seems to be designed as an after thought and it was the only space left on the ship. :(

[waltd]

Only on the Island and the Coral is it a roped off section of Explorers lounge. On those ship, very few people use it.

Ships with Skywalkers, that is where it is used.

On the Royal it was in Club6 first time we were on it. Next time, moved to Vista lounge.

On the Grand, it was Club one 5.Last time on that ship, so crowded never could find a seat.

So except for Coral and Island, total use of the venue was for the Plat. Elite, Suite people.

 

Agree about the Island and Coral. That area was not as nice as the Grand Class ships and Skywalkers.

[kendon]

Club 6 on the Regal was terrible. It was crowded. Do not like that lounge anyway. Plat/Elite/Suite was held there, Most travelled was held there, CC M&G was held there as well.

It seems to be designed as an after thought and it was the only space left on the ship. :(

 

Just off the Regal and agree that it seems like an after thought. It needs something...and I'm not sure what. It's disconnected from the rest of the ship.

[Oxo]

Just off the Regal and agree that it seems like an after thought. It needs something...and I'm not sure what. It's disconnected from the rest of the ship.

 

Don't understand Club 6 seems disconnected from rest of ship? We were on Regal and attended Most Traveled Passenger Cocktail Party in there. It was a small lounge, but centralized. Thanks.

[Colo Cruiser]

Don't understand Club 6 seems disconnected from rest of ship? We were on Regal and attended Most Traveled Passenger Cocktail Party in there. It was a small lounge, but centralized. Thanks.

 

Club 6 on the Regal was terrible. It was crowded. Do not like that lounge anyway. Plat/Elite/Suite was held there, Most travelled was held there, CC M&G was held there as well.

It seems to be designed as an after thought and it was the only space left on the ship. :(

 

To us it just does not seem to fit....

[Oxo]

To us it just does not seem to fit....

 

Fit? It is narrow and long. Really, what would fit?

[Colo Cruiser]

Fit? It is narrow and long. Really, what would fit?

 

Like I said looks as if it was an after thought on where it was placed.

Long awkward space. Just don't care for it.

[Oxo]

Like I said looks as if it was an after thought on where it was placed.

Long awkward space. Just don't care for it.

 

There are two entrances, Casino and by Photo Gallery/centrum (sp.) We really don't like the Crown Grill and Wheelhouse Bar. Too much sound/noise when eating in CG.

Maybe we can rearrange some of them around? LOL

JOKING!!!!!

[capriccio]

Like I said looks as if it was an after thought on where it was placed.

Long awkward space. Just don't care for it.

 

We had the same reaction plus we really, really missed the wonderful views from Skywalkers. We'll be back on the Royal again in October and will probably stop in (at least on margarita and guacamole day and shrimp day :D) but I don't see us going every day. We just didn't find it very inviting. We also didn't particularly like it on the Ruby Quebec to FLL cruise last fall that had so many elites and platinums it was held in Club Fusion. Again, we really missed the views.

Edited April 27, 2015 by capriccio

[Colo Cruiser]

We had the same reaction plus we really, really missed the wonderful views from Skywalkers. We'll be back on the Royal again in October and will probably stop in (at least on margarita and guacamole day and shrimp day :D) but I don't see us going every day. We just didn't find it very inviting. We also didn't particularly like it on the Ruby Quebec to FLL cruise last fall that had so many elites and platinums it was held in Club Fusion. Again, we really missed the views.

 

 

Club Confusion, that's too bad. :(

[Cruising Young Senior]

We enjoy a drink and a snack in the Elite lounge about 5/6pm but next time we will be with a couple who are first time cruisers,will they be able to join us ?

 

Yes we have never had a problem on 3 separate cruisers at Skywalkers.

[mmckm]

As a perk it is a joke. Food is free on the ship. The apps. most night are not worth the time. $1.00 off a drink. wow. We go but never eat anything I dont do self serve food. Too many people touching and putting back. We sit at the bar and watch the sea and sun usually close to setting.

[jasbo49]

As a perk it is a joke. Food is free on the ship. The apps. most night are not worth the time. $1.00 off a drink. wow. We go but never eat anything I dont do self serve food. Too many people touching and putting back. We sit at the bar and watch the sea and sun usually close to setting.

 

I'm unclear why you go to this function. You seem to hate everything about it, but you say you go. Is it the only place to watch the sunset?

 

Jim