New suite perks

[cruiserNC]

I didn't book my suite for perks. I became interested in these new perks when the Ambassador of Carnival stated they were forthcoming.

 

I would imagine some of the delay is related to roll out when and how to rollout this out fleet wide. I'm sure the perks were decided a long time ago.

 

 

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[bobsfamily]

I know, but Carnival has our loyalty because they port in New Orleans.

We cruise with Carnival because the Ecstasy (and sometimes the Sunshine) are ported 15 minutes from home - no brainer! As I said though, if we get a suite it's for the room, not "perks", at least not on Carnival.

We do drive to Fla to cruise on other lines and then contemplate a suite for more than the room as the perks are real.

[KoalaWala]

If i buy FTTF and then priority tender comes with a suite (ocean suite), do you think Carnival will refund FTTF? We have a tender in Belize.... Last time it was pretty much a nightmare.

 

Yes, they will refund your FTTF if you want. Just remove it in your cruise manager the same way you would cancel a shore excursion.

[boopsahoy]

I think as of now its just priority boarding and disembark for suites, not priority tenders like fttf

[smarks]

There's a big difference in Carnival prices and Celebrity prices. You can't expect to get the same perks. You get what you pay for. Carnival can't afford to give the perks some of the higher priced lines give without raising their prices.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

There's a big difference in Carnival prices and Celebrity prices. You can't expect to get the same perks. You get what you pay for. Carnival can't afford to give the perks some of the higher priced lines give without raising their prices.

 

... an often cited, but by no means gospel "truth". I've found many many sailings in the past (even went with Celebrity a couple times after comparing) where Carnival was not the best deal. We were Platinum (nearly Milestone) with Carnival before we saw the light, and realized that other lines had plenty to offer too!

 

I just searched for sailings next Caribbean season on Celebrity's newest ship (Reflection), and below is what I found for February 25, 2017. Now, granted, this is for a Sky Suite - but with Butler service AND a reserved suite restaurant, etc... it is a DEAL ! Not to mention that the casino on Celebrity is 100% smoke free (that's icing on the cake for me)!

 

 

 

Tom

Edited May 3, 2016 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[smarks]

Sounds like a great deal. I don't think Carnival is in competition with Celebrity. I have priced checked them for several cruises since I really would love to try Celebrity, but the prices are much to high for me. I have never booked a suite. I do get a balcony on most cruises. I will check them again for a balcony. Thanks for the info.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Sounds like a great deal. I don't think Carnival is in competition with Celebrity. I have priced checked them for several cruises since I really would love to try Celebrity, but the prices are much to high for me. I have never booked a suite. I do get a balcony on most cruises. I will check them again for a balcony. Thanks for the info.

 

You're welcome.

 

When our youngest son was in high school, we took him and 3 friends on a cruise each year (usually short sailings). One year we found a 7-night sailing on the Solstice where we were able to get them a balcony for LESS than we could get them in an inside cabin on Carnival for the same dates (and ports, as I recall). Needless to say, we took them on the Solstice!

 

Those may be the exceptions - but they are out there if you do enough research. Keep an eye out for them!

 

Tom

[tiggerman101]

I am a huge Celebrity convert now. It is my line of choice for many, many reasons. The service is great and they treat you like an adult. Their itineraries are second to none, especially with all their overnights. I first did a 14 day SE Asia cruise on them and was hooked. Their suite program is incredible (so is NCL).

 

I booked suites on Carnival in the past many times. I do like the VS suite on the Spirit class ships, but that is the only one I would book right now. I am certainly not expecting a butler on Carnival, but a little more then this.

[KoalaWala]

This was updated today:

 

Please Note:

 

Starting with cruise departures, 9/01/2016 and onward, guests traveling in deluxe suite accommdations will also be entitled to:

•Priority tender boarding (ship to shore)

•Enhanced turndown service nightly

•One complimentary bottled water (1 liter) in suite upon arrival

•One complimentary bag of laundry

 

The following perks are not for those guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations unless they are VIFP Diamond or Platinum guests or have purchased Faster to the Fun.

•First Access to Stateroom

•Express Luggage

•Priority line at Guest Services desk

•Dedicated onboard Guest Services phone number

 

 

That's all folks!

Edited May 3, 2016 by KoalaWala

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

This was updated today:

 

 

 

That's all folks!

 

Well... if that's the sum total of what John was alluding to, no wonder he quickly moved on to so many other "important" things like "did you order THIS in the dining room on your last Carnival cruise"... ;)

 

Tom

[KoalaWala]

Well... if that's the sum total of what John was alluding to, no wonder he quickly moved on to so many other "important" things like "did you order THIS in the dining room on your last Carnival cruise"... ;)

 

Tom

 

Yea, I knew it was going to be nothing big but I am shocked that the water question was clarified to just 'one bottle.' I mean, water costs Carnival nothing, and one bottle of water is a 'benefit' that Red VIFP's get.

[workerbee01]

What about coffee maker in Grand Suites?

Mattress toppers?

Queen pillows?

[KoalaWala]

What about coffee maker in Grand Suites?

Mattress toppers?

Queen pillows?

 

I don't think those are really considered "perks." Otherwise they would be listing everything in the Suites like bathtub, extra chair on patio, 110 sq ft space to move, ect.

[klepton]

Well doesn't that beat all... :D Glad I didn't book a suite in anticipation of this bombshell release.

 

My expectations were pretty low, but somehow Carnival still under-delivered. Why oh why was there a 2 month build up to this?

[RjayB]

My expectations were pretty low, but somehow Carnival still under-delivered. Why oh why was there a 2 month build up to this?

 

Well said :)

I am still going to book suites, but it's for the extra square feet...as plats we already get the perks. :cool:

[ryanpatricksmom]

Well, I booked a suite for the extra space for our Panama Canal cruise, and heard the "news" that new perks were coming. I thought, what the heck, it can only be a plus. Absolutely nothing for me, since I'm turning Diamond that cruise.

 

As far as prices, we just sailed 10 days on the NCL Gem and upgraded to a 2br Suite for essentially the same price as our suite for a Panama Canal sailing 13 days, and the Gem sailing included the UBP. We also were given a number to call following our cruise which produced a free 14 day cruise on the Epic including UBP, a 50 8x10 photo package, $70 food credit, spa credit, Spa Balcony stateroom including a Thermal Spa pass, and $100 video arcade credit. On our sailing we had 2 BRs, 2 Baths, a living room, deluxe coffee maker (think lattes and such), butler, en suite dining if we chose, free ppv movies, and access to a very nice dining room for breakfast and lunch. I don't think it's necessarily a price thing any longer. It may just be that Carnival has gotten just a bit too confident that their pax will continue to stay in their comfort zone.

 

I love Carnival but they seriously need to up their game if they want passengers willing to drop dollars on their ships to continue sailing.

[NJsharon]

We were planning to book a Carnival cruise in a Grand Suite for April 2017, so was looking forward to seeing what the new suite perks were. Yeah, rather disappointed to say the least!

 

Will still book the GS next April, but sheesh, Carnival could really have added a few more perks. :(

[disneylover89]

We cruise in a Grand Suite with extended balcony on August 20th and I was afraid I was going to miss out on some good stuff but I see I missed nothing.

[undercat]

 

That's all folks!

 

"Meh" at best (not you personally, the "perks") :|

Edited May 4, 2016 by undercat

[erica1000]

My husband and I don't cruise often and when we do we have very simple taste and don't need nor want some of the amenities on some the newer ships.

 

We love the Fantasy class ships and always book a Grand Suite. The extra space and balcony are perfect for us because we spend a lot of time in the cabin just resting and enjoying the quiet.

 

When I read about the soon to come "suite perks" it got my attention. Over the past couple months there has been much speculation as to what the perks would be and each speculation helped my anticipation to grow. If what I have just read is what Carnival is calling perks, I wish they would have just made the change and avoided the weeks of hype.

 

I don't know if I can say I am disappointed because I was never truly promised anything but a little more would be nice. It won't change how we cruise since we don't book for perks and if we want "perks" we will cruise a line like NCL to get just that.

[kgb46]

Call me a bit foolish but I still think there is an announcement to come about them. No official word from JH who said he would be announcing the perks around the end of this week. So I will hang on a bit longer. He said we would be "very pleased" and I am not seeing anything that is very pleasing to any of us. At least not yet.

[klepton]

Call me a bit foolish but I still think there is an announcement to come about them. No official word from JH who said he would be announcing the perks around the end of this week. So I will hang on a bit longer. He said we would be "very pleased" and I am not seeing anything that is very pleasing to any of us. At least not yet.

 

I haven't been on FB today, but I assumed from conversation here that this came from JH. But if he hasn't announced anything, maybe you're right.

 

I doubt it though, I don't know why marketing would roll out a simplified version of new perks days before an official announcement of a bigger plan. Here's hoping though!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

I doubt it though, I don't know why marketing would roll out a simplified version of new perks days before an official announcement of a bigger plan. Here's hoping though!

 

Well, the only thing which bodes well (for possible additional amenities) would be the fact that we're talking about Carnival here... having said that - I've seen the same miscommunication between various divisions of most every other cruise line we've dealt with! It's like they're all using the JV playbook. :rolleyes:

 

Tom

[cruiserNC]

Any word?

 

 

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