Royal suite class Ovation of the Seas

[Jetdriver787]

Just returned from the first sailing of Ovation of the Seas on her 3 day pre-inaugural to Rotterdam. This was a birthday surprise for our son, and as it transpired, a chance to experience the new Royal Suite (star) class in a (side) Grand Loft Suite.

 

Upon arrival at Southampton there was a Royal suite Star class sign just outside of the terminal. Here we were escorted into a star class reception area in the main building where we checked in via the usual ipad passport scan. The whole process took about 3 minutes for 3 of us. We were then escorted through the security scans where we were met by a duo of "Genies" resplendent in their new uniforms, holding up a banner for our son.

 

We were then introduced and presented with our Wow wristbands in all of our favourite colours, as well as our newly minted purple seapass cards.

 

We were then escort on board and directly to our suite (10320) a beautiful (side) Grand loft suite. Upon arrival there was an enormous birthday cake and gift waiting for our son.

 

Waiting for us was a bottle of Moet and a bottle of Red wine, together with a large tray of canapes. The suite itself was magnificent, with panoramic two storey views aft, a large aft balcony and smaller side balconies on the lower and upper levels. The lower side was equipped with two sunbeds. The upper had a suspended swing chair. The main deck had a table and chairs as well as two more sunbeds. Downstairs the bathroom is divided into a toilet and sink room and a shower and sink room opposite. Upstairs there is a dressing area and a bathroom with double (2 headed) shower and single sink and toilet. The bed was the second most comfortable bed I have ever slept on (The highest honour goes to the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai,) topped off with six huge soft fluffy pillows. Having previously sailed across the Atlantic both ways in the Royal suite on Independence, we all agreed that this suite was much nicer.

 

 

Our assigned "Genie" Wendy made us feel like VIP's. She recommended venues for Breakfast, lunch and dinner and no appointment time ever seemed to be a problem. She arranged shows and even escorted us from our room to our restaurant. She then collected us from the restaurant and took us to the shows where "reserved" placements had been put on whatever seats we had preselected, or not as the case may be. The "Genie" replaces the traditional concierge (who we never met) and in effect becomes your own personal concierge on call 24 hours a day.

 

Before anybody asks, we never did experience the "in suite cocktails" although I am sure if we had mentioned it something would have turned up!

 

(to be continued.....)

Edited April 18, 2016 by Jetdriver787

[PompeySailor]

Keep it coming:)

Look forward to seeing and hearing more about the Star Class

 

Thank you:)

 

Happy Days!

[Clarea]

Nice photos!

[Jetdriver787]

Part of the new programme includes either an Ultimate beverage package for each adult in the suite, or a Royal refreshment package for each minor. The minibar is also included and is stocked with a selection of water and sodas. That was what we wanted although I suspect if you have other requirements they would be catered for. Wendy would regularly stay in contact with us during the course of the day to see if our plans might have changed or there was anything she could do for us.

 

Voom internet is provided for one device for each occupant of the suite.

 

 

The ship itself was beautiful. One (not really unexpected) drawback was that the Star suite locations are obviously a long walk to the central elevators. A trip to the concierge lounge (although I suppose there is no compelling reason to go) means walking half the length of the ship, travelling up from either deck 8 or 10, and then walking all the way aft again. We did visit it once, and the location provides a lovely full width aft view, but it isn't particularly convenient for the majority of suites which are located midships.

 

On the last day at sea I wandered back to the suite and was just pondering how on Earth we could ever travel this way regularly in future without having to file for chapter 11. As if on cue the following image suddenly appeared.

I waited for the proverbial "pot of gold" to drift alongside, but sadly it never came!

 

I am not sure how we are going to cope without a "Genie" and I am considering placing an advert in the local paper this week for a Butler, Footman , and (someone is going to have to walk the dogs) a Master of the Hounds!

 

For those of you considering or booked in a Star class suite when the programme rolls out on the US/Caribbean ships next month, I think you are going to love it. Obviously I am now consigned to a future of indebtedness and poverty attempting to chase this particular dragon, but at least there is one young man who will never forget his 13th birthday.

 

With special thanks to all the Ovation Genies (but particularly Wendy), Captain Henrick Loy, and all of the crew of Ovation of the Seas.

[jv_nyc]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Can't wait to meet the Genies on Friday! :D

 

So glad you had an awesome cruise!

[avalon007]

Sounds lovely - except the Genie checking in on you several times a day - that would annoy the **** out of me.

 

I would like to have the Genie arrange things if I contacted them, but not for them to contact me after the first day unless for something important.

 

Thanks for the review - like you though I doubt we would ever be able to afford such a suite for more than a few days!

[mlbrodsk]

Hi JetDriver 787,

 

Thanks for the write up! If possible can you talk a bit on specifics with the complimentary dining and complimentary gratuities. Just curious how the dining works. Is it once per day per person or maybe one a day per meal? Are there any exclusions in terms of restaurants? Like can I have unlimited cupcakes, LOL? Also just curious about how to handle gratuities. Do you mind disclosing what you gave (if anything), etc?. Just trying to figure out what will be fair. We will be in a 2 bedroom Aquatheater (Star Class) on the May 7th Oasis sailing. Thanks in advance and glad to here your son had such a memorable birthday!

[WaterGirlCruiser]

We are in star class come January and soooo appreciate all you shared...How I'll be able to leave after a week I don't know....its all to good to be true but I guess we will be living the suite sweet life for 7 nights come January....

[MattInFLL]

Thank you! Will get to experience it shortly.

[jv_nyc]

Received the email from my Genie today! :)

 

Dear XXXXXX,

 

Welcome to the Ovation of the Seas.

 

I am honored that you have selected Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite Class for your cruise vacation. My name is Mia and I am your Royal Genie.

 

I’m expecting you on 22nd April, and look forward to meeting you. To that end, would you kindly share your expected arrival time? This will allow me to meet you outside the cruise terminal in Southampton and make certain your boarding process is as seamless as possible.

 

After escorting you to your suite, I will be delighted to provide you with any assistance you may require. As a Star Class Guest, I want to ensure that you experience the best of what Royal Caribbean has to offer. Rest assured, I’m able to arrange dinner reservations, spa appointments, shore excursions, reserved show seating and priority access activities throughout your cruise vacation.

 

I’m also pleased to offer you many complimentary amenities, such as our VOOM high-speed internet, dining in any of our specialty restaurants, the Ultimate Beverage Package, access to the Concierge Lounge and much more.

I look forward to making your cruise vacation onboard Ovation of the Seas an unforgettable experience.

 

Sincerely,

Your Royal Genie

 

Then, soon after, I received an email notifying me of a messaging app/mobile site called Loop to message with my Genie. The email included a link to a page that was dedicated as mine with a chat screen. Haven't tried it yet as I had already emailed her back earlier, but seems like a neat idea when onboard.

 

Dear XXXXX,

 

Welcome to your Royal Genie Experience.

 

On behalf of Royal Caribbean International, we look forward to welcoming you onboard the Ovation of the Seas in Suite XXXXX. Your sail date is 2016-04-22.

 

As a STAR Class Guest, our goal is to attend to all of your needs to ensure an amazing cruise experience.

 

Our new mobile texting app, Loop®, is an exclusive benefit for our STAR Class guests and will allow you to reach your Royal Genie whenever you need assistance.

 

To get started, simply visit Loop® using your smartphone, tablet or PC and register. Loop® will be active beginning 7 days prior to your arrival until 4 days after the conclusion of your cruise.

 

If you have any questions, concerns, comments or requests, we'd love to hear from you. No issue or detail is too small. We invite you to use Loop® as many times as you need.

 

All the best,

Royal Caribbean International

 

All the XXXXs were added by me. I also haven't received an email from the Concierge (non-Star class suite guests on my roll call have), so I'm assuming the Genie email replaces it.

 

Can't wait to see what this service is like on Friday!

[WaterGirlCruiser]

Received the email from my Genie today! :)

 

Dear XXXXXX,

 

Welcome to the Ovation of the Seas.

 

I am honored that you have selected Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite Class for your cruise vacation. My name is Mia and I am your Royal Genie.

 

I’m expecting you on 22nd April, and look forward to meeting you. To that end, would you kindly share your expected arrival time? This will allow me to meet you outside the cruise terminal in Southampton and make certain your boarding process is as seamless as possible.

 

After escorting you to your suite, I will be delighted to provide you with any assistance you may require. As a Star Class Guest, I want to ensure that you experience the best of what Royal Caribbean has to offer. Rest assured, I’m able to arrange dinner reservations, spa appointments, shore excursions, reserved show seating and priority access activities throughout your cruise vacation.

 

I’m also pleased to offer you many complimentary amenities, such as our VOOM high-speed internet, dining in any of our specialty restaurants, the Ultimate Beverage Package, access to the Concierge Lounge and much more.

I look forward to making your cruise vacation onboard Ovation of the Seas an unforgettable experience.

 

Sincerely,

Your Royal Genie

 

Then, soon after, I received an email notifying me of a messaging app/mobile site called Loop to message with my Genie. The email included a link to a page that was dedicated as mine with a chat screen. Haven't tried it yet as I had already emailed her back earlier, but seems like a neat idea when onboard.

 

Dear XXXXX,

 

Welcome to your Royal Genie Experience.

 

On behalf of Royal Caribbean International, we look forward to welcoming you onboard the Ovation of the Seas in Suite XXXXX. Your sail date is 2016-04-22.

 

As a STAR Class Guest, our goal is to attend to all of your needs to ensure an amazing cruise experience.

 

Our new mobile texting app, Loop®, is an exclusive benefit for our STAR Class guests and will allow you to reach your Royal Genie whenever you need assistance.

 

To get started, simply visit Loop® using your smartphone, tablet or PC and register. Loop® will be active beginning 7 days prior to your arrival until 4 days after the conclusion of your cruise.

 

If you have any questions, concerns, comments or requests, we'd love to hear from you. No issue or detail is too small. We invite you to use Loop® as many times as you need.

 

All the best,

Royal Caribbean International

 

All the XXXXs were added by me. I also haven't received an email from the Concierge (non-Star class suite guests on my roll call have), so I'm assuming the Genie email replaces it.

 

Can't wait to see what this service is like on Friday!

 

Thanks so much for shating this with us. Can you tell me when you received the survey with the questions to share with your genie about your family and or special requests? Or did that come with this email? Im curious why the app starts 7 dsys befire your cruise.... Is it so you and your genie can communicate prior to being onboard you think? Thanks again :)

[jv_nyc]

Thanks so much for shating this with us. Can you tell me when you received the survey with the questions to share with your genie about your family and or special requests? Or did that come with this email? Im curious why the app starts 7 dsys befire your cruise.... Is it so you and your genie can communicate prior to being onboard you think? Thanks again :)

 

You're very welcome! Yes, I received a survey about a week ago, and it was the same as the initial images that were posted on the other Royal Suite Class Rollout Date thread.

 

I'm assuming I could communicate with the Genie using the app now (7 days before the cruise), but email was just easier for me to send her a few special requests. I'm guessing it's so that we could communicate prior to being onboard, but it's tough for me to think of something that I couldn't just send an email to her at this point - there's really no need for real-time back and forth days before the cruise.

[pkexton]

Nice pictures - we have that same cabin # on the Anthem next year. Do you have pics of the inside dining & outside dining areas - would love to be sitting outside eating.

 

Pat

[beardedladies]

Hi JetDriver 787,

 

Thanks for the write up! If possible can you talk a bit on specifics with the complimentary dining and complimentary gratuities. Just curious how the dining works. Is it once per day per person or maybe one a day per meal? Are there any exclusions in terms of restaurants? Like can I have unlimited cupcakes, LOL? Also just curious about how to handle gratuities. Do you mind disclosing what you gave (if anything), etc?. Just trying to figure out what will be fair. We will be in a 2 bedroom Aquatheater (Star Class) on the May 7th Oasis sailing. Thanks in advance and glad to here your son had such a memorable birthday!

 

I was also on this sailing and our friends were in the sky loft suite next door.

 

For the complimentary dining it is ANY restaurant at ANY time. No restrictions. For example we joined our friends in Chops and even the extra surcharge upsell items were included for free for them.

[NicoleAndChris]

I was also on this sailing and our friends were in the sky loft suite next door.

 

For the complimentary dining it is ANY restaurant at ANY time. No restrictions. For example we joined our friends in Chops and even the extra surcharge upsell items were included for free for them.

 

That is good to know, I was wondering if it would just cover the base entrance fee. So what about things like the ice cream shop? I wonder if those are also lumped into the included category. (Obviously I have my priorities in order!)

[WaterGirlCruiser]

This is a great thread! So, for those that have already sailed in star class ( i know hasnt been many) know someone thats sailed in star class or about to sail what were some of your requests you had for your genie?

[ebk2795]

That is good to know, I was wondering if it would just cover the base entrance fee. So what about things like the ice cream shop? I wonder if those are also lumped into the included category. (Obviously I have my priorities in order!)

 

 

I was wondering about the pastries and cupcakes in La Patisserie. My priorities are in order, too. [emoji3]

[Robenno]

Since there are 4 adults in our suite I am wondering if we will all 4 have access to the loop system? Or if we need something we all have to use one device or go find each other for a request to message genie

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Bdchili]

Sailing on Allure 6-12 in Star Class. Thank you so much for posting this. I got my survey yesterday.

[mkbruce]

Since there are 4 adults in our suite I am wondering if we will all 4 have access to the loop system? Or if we need something we all have to use one device or go find each other for a request to message genie

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

The primary name on the room will have access starting 7 days before the cruise, but once on board, all will have access.

[Robenno]

Yes I got a message that when they send the email next week to have one person to contact pre cruise so they don't get confused. Then we will all have access. Also said to fill out the survey just like we did with each person and the answer next to their names

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[gavyray]

Wonder whether it includes chefs table?

 

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

[MaiseyM]

Thanks for the review and photos. Looks wonderful!