Allure 10/30/16 - Sky Class Observations

[Espn]

On Allure last week with DW and adult daughter. We were in RFS 9644 and I wanted to share a few observations about Sky Class as I had many questions before and could not find many answers.

 

Embarking was fast and easy in the suite line and we were among the first on board. The suite waiting area was not much different from the other areas.

 

The suite was great. Having 2 bedrooms and 2 baths was perfect. It sleeps up to 8 but I could never see putting that many people in the suite. FYI, the large binoculars mounted on the deck are just for looks apparently. They were corroded with salt and did not turn or adjust at all. They seem to be decoration only.

 

The suite lounge was a great place to relax. We went in for drinks during the day several times and drinks every night. It was never completely full and we always found a table. The dress during the day was mostly pants or shorts. I went in several times in a swim suit and baseball cap and no one batted an eye. In the evening for cocktails we saw everything from shorts to suits. Really anything goes and is acceptable. There were several Pinnacle guests in the suite lounge most nights and they seemed nice. We did get a kick out of what we referred to as their "do you know who I am" name tags and there appeared to be some positioning and politics involved between them for rank. The servers were wonderful and after the first night always greeted us at the table and knew our regular cocktails. We never had a problem with service and tipped them accordingly.

 

Coastal Kitchen was great. We had dinner every night and several breakfasts there. Breakfast was very good and relaxing, unlike the Windjammer. As has been stated in other threads, they started new menus last week that change every night. We talked to the chef, Alex, several times and he was very excited about the menus. He spent time in the CK talking to guests when he had time away from the Chef's Table. Oh, they had lobster on the second formal night although it was not on the menu, very good. The CK manager, Memis from Turkey (pronounced Memish) was wonderful. We talked with him a good deal as he made his rounds every night. He is a great representative for RC in this position. After the first night we requested the same server, Jose, for every meal as he was very good. We made reservations every night for the next night while dining for usually 8:00 and never had a problem. Memis or Aliana, the hostess, always took care of our requests. It never was a full house. We had a free dinner for 2 at a specialty restaurant that we never used, I figured why pay for a third person when we knew the quality we would get at the CK. Dress in the morning was mostly shorts and a few ball caps. Dress at dinner was mostly nice jeans or dockers. Jose or Memis would always get us more wine or cocktails from the lounge during dinner, we even got cocktails a couple of times past the cocktail hours.

 

Chair hogs, there were many at the beach pool, this was our favorite pool. We saw a couple of altercations over chairs and had one ugly incident with some Russians, enough said. The suite sun deck was nice but too isolated.

 

Shows, we only saw Mama Mia, part of Blue Planet, and the comedy show. Mama Mia, and I am sorry, was like a high school production. We have been to NYC many times and seen many Broadway shows, and this was not anywhere near on par with a Broadway production. Blue Planet started late and had a delay in the show due to technical problems, we left 20 minutes into the show and were not impressed. The comedy show was good but way too short. Seemed like it barely started and it was over. The reserved suite area in the theater was great. We did hear several people making comments to the crew member holding the section that it was not fair. Sorry, pay what we did for the cruise and you too can sit there.

 

Elevators, they were crowded and many people have no manners and do not teach their kids manners. It became routine to start loudly saying excuse me to people trying to shove their way on an elevator when trying to get off. One lady told my daughter to kiss her "behind", I promptly made a gesture and said something to her. I was born and grew up in the south so I have manners, but I express my opinion if you start it.

 

I personally would never get a drink package if I were in a Sky Class suite. I think our bar tab for 3 was about $150, and we drank plenty but mostly in the lounge.

 

Overall a great week and I don't know how I can cruise again without being in a suite. You can make Sky Class pretentious if you want or just a great experience like we had.

[vrock]

Thank you for posting this we are in a grand suite on allure and I was trying to find out what to expect. :)

Edited November 8, 2016 by vrock

[vrock]

I have one question did you receive an email before boarding.

[easyboy]

Thanks for the feedback. Staying in a suite really becomes a habit!

[Espn]

I have one question did you receive an email before boarding.

 

Yes we got an email from Dexter, the concierge, about a week before sailing. It listed all the suite perks. Anna is the other concierge and they were both in the suite lounge most times. There was also a Next Cruise representative several days, I believe it was sea days.

[Big_G]

The comedy show was good but way too short. Seemed like it barely started and it was over.

 

Was there one or two comedians? I ask because we were on Allure for the 10/16 sailing and there was only one. Our prior sailings there has always been two on the Oasis Class. It made for a better and longer show.

[setsail]

Thanks for posting.

 

The crew members that guard the reserved seating always take a beating from passengers, too bad they can't say anything

Edited November 8, 2016 by setsail

[cruiser82]

Thank you for your review. Is the breakfast in Coastal Kitchen a sit down breakfast like the main dining room or is it a small buffet?

[Espn]

Was there one or two comedians? I ask because we were on Allure for the 10/16 sailing and there was only one. Our prior sailings there has always been two on the Oasis Class. It made for a better and longer show.

 

There was only one. His show was good but just short. There was a large line of people without reservations for our show. I think only a few got in.

[Espn]

Thank you for your review. Is the breakfast in Coastal Kitchen a sit down breakfast like the main dining room or is it a small buffet?

 

CK had the sit down breakfast with a menu. It was nice to sit and relax and plan the day. They have a small buffet line in the Suite Lounge with eggs, sausage and bacon, pastries, and fruit.

 

They had the full sit down breakfast in CK on disembarking morning. That reminds me of the priority disembarking. There were 3 times you could leave; 7:45, 8:45, or 9:45. You meet in the Suite Lounge about 15 minutes before you want to leave the ship and are escorted off. Very quick and efficient. We had breakfast that morning in the CK and then relaxed in the lounge until time.

[Espn]

Thanks for posting.

 

The crew members that guard the reserved seating always take a beating from passengers, too bad they can't say anything

 

I chatted with one of them and he said all he could do was stand there.

[vrock]

Was there bottled water available in the suite lounge during the day.

[Espn]

Was there bottled water available in the suite lounge during the day.

 

Yes, bottled water, wine, soda, beer, and champagne available from 11 am to 11 pm. One morning after breakfast I asked the CK manager if he could get me a few bottles of water and he said sure, even though it wasn't 11 am yet. There are also several juices and water in a machine by the coffee machine that you can use 24 hours a day. If you want a mimosa, the bar staff can give you OJ from the gun with the champagne.

[vrock]

Thank you. We are so excited. I might have a few more silly questions. :)

[Smyles]

I chatted with one of them and he said all he could do was stand there.

 

I still laugh at the memory of the one standing guard at the ice show. Constant people badgering her. She kept telling them suite class only. Well she turned a man away from those seats with her usual speech and then not more than a microsecond after the man turned to walk away she opened it up to the public. hahaha. She was seriously following protocol that you don't allow regular guests in the seats until X:XX:XX time. Since he had turned to walk back up he didn't see that she was done guarding the seats and since we were sitting close by we managed to get front row seats (there were only like 8 suite guests in the 3 reserved rows).

[Big_G]

Thanks for posting.

 

The crew members that guard the reserved seating always take a beating from passengers, too bad they can't say anything

My warped sense of humor can see a SNL skit where the crew member snaps and starts beating a rude passenger with the sign. 😮😁😉

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[setsail]

My warped sense of humor can see a SNL skit where the crew member snaps and starts beating a rude passenger with the sign. 😮😁😉

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

Perfect:D

[Tam Tam]

Yes, bottled water, wine, soda, beer, and champagne available from 11 am to 11 pm. One morning after breakfast I asked the CK manager if he could get me a few bottles of water and he said sure, even though it wasn't 11 am yet. There are also several juices and water in a machine by the coffee machine that you can use 24 hours a day. If you want a mimosa, the bar staff can give you OJ from the gun with the champagne.

In order to get wine, champagne or beer beginning at 11:00 am, can you just walk in and order a drink or is this available from Coastal Kitchen only with your lunch?

 

I totally agree about suites. When we booked our first suite, I told my husband "Don't worry, this will be a one and done. I just want to experience a suite once ." That was three suites ago with three more booked. I can't say I wasn't warned in advance. Glad you had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the perks.

[jamesr3939]

We were on the same sailing and two decks above you in OS 11644. Your review is dead on for our experience also.

 

Only difference is we did specialty restaurants three nights and CK the other nights. We loved Chops so much we did it twice and Giovanni's once. Both were good, but Chops had better food, IMO.

 

Yes it was entertaining to watch the Pinnacle people sporting those name tags. We were a little ticked the first night in CK when our waiter seemed to fawn over one Pinnacle group just a little to much, but I get it and we never wanted for anything so no harm no foul.

 

I booked with Next Cruise for October 2017 on Oasis and plan to take the kids and grandkids. I booked us another OS and them two connecting balconies, but was considering the RFS. How would it work out for four adults and two kids (5 & 3)?

 

I am concerned with the SQF of our OS and RFS being the same and adding another bedroom and bath to the RFS making it seem to tight. We like the large living room and huge balcony in the OS.

 

Another option might be the RFS and the connecting balcony.

[Espn]

In order to get wine, champagne or beer beginning at 11:00 am, can you just walk in and order a drink or is this available from Coastal Kitchen only with your lunch?

 

I totally agree about suites. When we booked our first suite, I told my husband "Don't worry, this will be a one and done. I just want to experience a suite once ." That was three suites ago with three more booked. I can't say I wasn't warned in advance. Glad you had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the perks.

 

You can get a drink starting at 11 in the suite lounge, the servers are there at that time.

 

My wife kept saying not to get used to all the perks and I told her we would be in a suite from now on, LOL.

[Espn]

We were on the same sailing and two decks above you in OS 11644. Your review is dead on for our experience also.

 

Only difference is we did specialty restaurants three nights and CK the other nights. We loved Chops so much we did it twice and Giovanni's once. Both were good, but Chops had better food, IMO.

 

Yes it was entertaining to watch the Pinnacle people sporting those name tags. We were a little ticked the first night in CK when our waiter seemed to fawn over one Pinnacle group just a little to much, but I get it and we never wanted for anything so no harm no foul.

 

I booked with Next Cruise for October 2017 on Oasis and plan to take the kids and grandkids. I booked us another OS and them two connecting balconies, but was considering the RFS. How would it work out for four adults and two kids (5 & 3)?

 

I am concerned with the SQF of our OS and RFS being the same and adding another bedroom and bath to the RFS making it seem to tight. We like the large living room and huge balcony in the OS.

 

Another option might be the RFS and the connecting balcony.

 

I understand the Pinnacle guests receive special treatment so we didn't have any issues but it did make for good people watching. It was interesting to see who had the highest ranking officer at their table.

 

You could make the RFS work for 4 adults and 2 kids if you all get along. The master bedroom was large so it is no problem. The extra bedroom is a little tight but 2 adults could easily do it. There are 2 of the overhead beds in the extra bedrooms but i don't think you would want to put the 2 kids in there. I would put the kids on the sofa bed, but then you have some clutter in the living area. There are 4 closets so that is not a problem. The balcony was plenty big. One thing to consider is that the bathrooms are normal cabin size, not nice and big like GS or OS size. The master bath did have a tub but was normal size overall. If you go to youtube there are several videos of the cabin we had. You might prefer the connecting rooms, just will not have the suite privileges for the non-suite guests. I don't know how they work guests in CK, and the SL bar servers did swipe sea pass cards until they got to know people, so guests in the SL may not work.

[Eng23]

Thanks for the feed back. I sail Oasis in Sky Class and I am looking forward to the experience. :)

[Espn]

Thanks for the feed back. I sail Oasis in Sky Class and I am looking forward to the experience. :)

 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. I think RC has put together a very good product.

[stickyshocker]

 

I personally would never get a drink package if I were in a Sky Class suite. I think our bar tab for 3 was about $150, and we drank plenty but mostly in the lounge.

 

Overall a great week and I don't know how I can cruise again without being in a suite. You can make Sky Class pretentious if you want or just a great experience like we had.

 

Totally Agree. Likewise we cruised Sky last week, prior to, I was goin' back and forth whether I should get the drink pkgs for us or not. I chanced it and did not, I even brought a pack of water onboard which I ended up leaving behind, Times that I went up to grab a bottle of water, I end up leaving with 6 with a soda as the cherry on top, not that I asked for but they know I had 6 in my party so they made sure everybody gets one. Why not? they're ice cold:) .. Too bad Anthem doesn't have this unique perk, but for Oasis class, I will always take the Sky.

[jamesr3939]

I have to disagree on the drink package. I bought ours at the 20% off sale for $44 per day +18%. We spent from about 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM on the suite sun deck using the bar, which didn't open all that early (1:00 PM on port days). But to walk all the way to the SL for a beer wouldn't be on my agenda.

 

So a couple of bloody marys, mojitos, and beers during the day more than broke even for us. Then maybe a free pre-dinner cocktail at SL and off to some place for dinner with a couple of glasses of wine at about $14 each and we are ahead.

 

I mean, if your doing a hot dog on the Boardwalk you need a cold beer and who wants to walk all the way to the SL with a hot dog or two?

Edited November 8, 2016 by jamesr3939