Having a suite but going with others who don't

[panzafit]

So, trying to narrow down our next cruise on either Harmony, Allure, or Symphony. Currently it is my husband and I and my brother in law and wife. My husband and I are contemplating getting either ov balcony, junior suite, or grand suite. The other 2 do not want to pay that much for a suite. (on Symphony it's $1177pp for the balcony, $2035pp for the jr. suite, and $3085pp for the grand suite.

We know that non suite can't "piggyback" on suite perks. All 4 of us are sticking together for meals and activities and such. So, I wouldn't be able to use the Coastal Kitchen since they can't come in. Same with the suite lounge and the suite deck. Plus reserved suite seating at shows wouldn't benefit us since they can't sit with us. Also they wouldn't get the priority boarding/disembark and we are all traveling together.

So basically I'm coming to the conclusion that it would just be better for us to stick with a non suite option when traveling with others in a non suite, or am I missing something?

[Clarea]

You may have some limited ability to have non-suite guests at Coastal Kitchen for dinner only, but that can vary. You would only know by checking once you are onboard.

[Andy C]

They may accommodate you on a space available basis at Coastal Kitchen. On our last Harmony cruise we had our parents travelling in balcony cabins and they did allow them into Barefoot beach on Labadee with us. They came into the suite lounge once or twice and I was politely asked to escort them out (they were not consuming anything and were just keeping us company). They did allow them to disembark with us.

[SeeingTheWorldBySea]

My husband and I and 2 kids had a grand suite on Allure in March. My parents had a balcony connected to our suite. They did not have suite perks. We had no problem inviting them as our guests to Coastal Kitchen. I asked the suite concierge a few days prior to sailing and she made us a standing reservation. Also on embarkation, we all walked right up to the counter in the suite/priority boarding line with no problems. On disembarkation our room steward gave us all "suite tags" so our luggage was all together in the suite pen at the terminal. I can't speak for the shows or the sun deck (traveling with kids- didn't pay attention). This may not be true for your sailing, perhaps we got lucky as I don't think our sailing was full, but we didn't have any problems having our non-suiters with us.

[mafig]

I've read over and over how on Oasis-class ships those in Junior Suites are denied dinner reservations in Coastal Kitchen.

 

However, it appears that if you are in a suite and have family or friends you may have them join you regardless of their cabin. However, those in the Jr. Balconies are sometimes not allowed, even though this is a published amenity.

 

Doesn't seem fair to me.:rolleyes:

[pingpong1]

So basically I'm coming to the conclusion that it would just be better for us to stick with a non suite option when traveling with others in a non suite, or am I missing something?

 

Of course, there is another option, also.....If you were "really nice and generous" you could slide some extra money over to the in-laws in order to upgrade them to a suite, as well. All the problems you list would then be solved! :cool:

[cruziJenn]

Or get a suite big enough for all 4 of you? I don't know how much 2-bedroom suites start at but our loft suite on Oasis was plenty big enough for 4 adults, just not great for privacy. Maybe it isn't a workable suggestion for you but just wanted to throw it out there.

[topnole]

Inviting guests to coastal kitchen is all dependent on how full it is. If a lot of pinnacles are traveling in the coastal kitchen is busy you may not be able to bring a guest. But some weeks you might be able to bring a guest every night.

[gatour]

This is the key point...

 

"All 4 of us are sticking together for meals and activities and such."

If you are willing to pay the extra money for a larger cabin, but forgo the extra ammenities then book it. However if you can't justify paying the extra money and forgo the extra ammenities, book a cabin with comparible ammenites to your in-laws.

[cb at sea]

It really depends how "joined at the hip" you and your sailing companions will be. If I was traveling with friends/family and wanted to spend time with them, the suite perks will be somewhat wasted. You might want to save that for a couple's cruise.

 

Of course, you could always "host" your friends in a GS or above... (a Js won't get you any "suite" perks to speak of)...and order special stuff for the room and your guests....it will cost you, but hey....that's really "suite" of you!

[lbjen]

I guess it depends on whether you book a suite for the space or the amenities.

[Merion_Mom]

So, trying to narrow down our next cruise on either Harmony, Allure, or Symphony. Currently it is my husband and I and my brother in law and wife. My husband and I are contemplating getting either ov balcony, junior suite, or grand suite. The other 2 do not want to pay that much for a suite. (on Symphony it's $1177pp for the balcony, $2035pp for the jr. suite, and $3085pp for the grand suite.

We know that non suite can't "piggyback" on suite perks. All 4 of us are sticking together for meals and activities and such. So, I wouldn't be able to use the Coastal Kitchen since they can't come in. Same with the suite lounge and the suite deck. Plus reserved suite seating at shows wouldn't benefit us since they can't sit with us. Also they wouldn't get the priority boarding/disembark and we are all traveling together.

So basically I'm coming to the conclusion that it would just be better for us to stick with a non suite option when traveling with others in a non suite, or am I missing something?

 

In your case, I would not book the Grand Suite.

 

They may accommodate you on a space available basis at Coastal Kitchen. On our last Harmony cruise we had our parents travelling in balcony cabins and they did allow them into Barefoot beach on Labadee with us. They came into the suite lounge once or twice and I was politely asked to escort them out (they were not consuming anything and were just keeping us company). They did allow them to disembark with us.

 

Interesting. I know someone who lost his job because he allowed non-eligible people onto Barefoot Beach. (I assume that you were not renting a cabana, which would change everything) I hope that the concierge who permitted this was not punished on your account.

[Cruisegirl6]

Downgrade to a nice balcony and do things all together and take that money you saved and book another cruise!

[ONECRUISER]

In your case, I would not book the Grand Suite.

 

 

 

Interesting. I know someone who lost his job because he allowed non-eligible people onto Barefoot Beach. (I assume that you were not renting a cabana, which would change everything) I hope that the concierge who permitted this was not punished on your account.

And that is another point. Cruise passengers putting Royal Employees in a position with requests that shouldn't even be asked...

[gerif]

And that is another point. Cruise passengers putting Royal Employees in a position with requests that shouldn't even be asked...

Incredibly crass IMO to even ask. And if you were asked to escort your smuggled “guests” out of the lounge once, why would you ever do it again (the poster said they were smuggled in once or twice)?

[panzafit]

I think we have decided just to go with a balcony room this time around since we do plan on spending all of the time all of us together. The extra amenities with the suite would just go to waste. I think we'll save the money and spend it on a few nicer excursions or maybe dinner in one of the nicer restaurants. Thank you everyone!!