Help with suite etiquette

[twangster]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

And on Oasis, that layout is flip flopped in reverse, (which I actually prefer due to sitting at the bar, you are looking at a wall of windows to the outside... instead of a wall).  

 

As do I.  We joked with the Harmony lounge bartenders - they have the best views!

[island lady]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

As do I.  We joked with the Harmony lounge bartenders - they have the best views!

 

Agree...not sure why they stuffed it in that back area.  Much nicer indeed on Oasis...sigh..will miss that ship here in PC.  

[El Abuelo]

Very nice photos! Thanks!

[shirazcruiser]

If it hasn’t been mentioned, GS and above are not charged the $7.95 for room service. Also, usually chocolate covered strawberries are delivered on formal nights. 

[John&LaLa]

On 10/23/2018 at 1:17 PM, island lady said:

 

Agree...not sure why they stuffed it in that back area.  Much nicer indeed on Oasis...sigh..will miss that ship here in PC.  

 

I thought you missed the Freedom?  Decided Oasis is nice after all?

[SRF]

13 hours ago, shirazcruiser said:

If it hasn’t been mentioned, GS and above are not charged the $7.95 for room service. Also, usually chocolate covered strawberries are delivered on formal nights. 

 

On Grandeur in a GS, we got a treat every night.  Sometimes savoy, but most times sweet.  Cookies, choco strawberries, fruit, etc.

[marci22]

The only thing that annoys me in the lounges is when people monopolize the concierge. I realize some are 'friends' but he has to do his job. Sometimes they camp out by the desk and any time you ask a question they are there, listening in. Annoying. 

 

Other than that, as someone said, it's a room with people in it. You can tip the servers nightly or at the end. People do both.

 

I always rearrange the furniture when traveling with 5, need the extra chair.

[island lady]

12 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I thought you missed the Freedom?  Decided Oasis is nice after all?

 

Most definitely miss the Freedom still.  Got used to Oasis, love CK and the SL which makes all the difference on that ship for us.  Have not been on replacement Harmony yet, so will hold judgement until she gets here.  Though I do like the layout of CK and the SL much better on Oasis, love sitting at the bar in SL and looking out the window, versus what I saw in the pictures of the bar in SL on Harmony.  DL is much larger on Oasis also.  

 

And of course still wish we could keep EN here.  

[John&LaLa]

5 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Most definitely miss the Freedom still.  Got used to Oasis, love CK and the SL which makes all the difference on that ship for us.  Have not been on replacement Harmony yet, so will hold judgement until she gets here.  Though I do like the layout of CK and the SL much better on Oasis, love sitting at the bar in SL and looking out the window, versus what I saw in the pictures of the bar in SL on Harmony.  DL is much larger on Oasis also.  

 

And of course still wish we could keep EN here.  

 

The nice thing about Harmony bar is it's more intimate.  With only 6 stools, the whole crowd interacts.  

[MichaelCMTX]

2 hours ago, marci22 said:

The only thing that annoys me in the lounges is when people monopolize the concierge. I realize some are 'friends' but he has to do his job. Sometimes they camp out by the desk and any time you ask a question they are there, listening in. Annoying. 

 

Other than that, as someone said, it's a room with people in it. You can tip the servers nightly or at the end. People do both.

 

Agreed there.  We've not been on enough trips-- and no repeats with the same Concierge--  to warrant a relationship but, exactly like you say.  

 

I can't speak specifically on the Oasis-class SL/CK experience.  DW fell on day 5 of the trip 3 weeks back and broke her arm badly enough to necessitate a shoulder replacement. Needless to say any post-cruise reviews and such are all out the window.  The Solarium tile is real, REAL slick in front of the showers... be careful!!!

 

We're tip-at-the-end people.  I just thinks it makes a better personal statement to the servers getting a $20 all at once than a shower of $1's over the course of the week.  And we'll generally give the Concierge in the $50 range, particularly if all goes according to plan with no hiccups, and if there's a cabin issue he negotiates a good settlement with guest services.  We had water-in-the-bathroom-floor issues on two straight cruises (two different ships) and they took care of us well both times.

 

And, of course, if the casino was generous the tips do tend to increase a little.

 

As before, not familiar with the CK process, but we'd typically check out the MDR menu in the CL/SL during cocktail hour and get with the Concierge if we feel like Specialty Dining instead.  In every, EVERY conceivable case that's happened it's been pretty much...

"Can you get us in at Chops/Giovanni's/Portofino/etc.?  

Absolutely, when would you want to go?  

What's the soonest available?"

(brief pause)

"You can go down right this moment if you like."

Every time, without fail. It was a little weird on Celebrity when they couldn't do that.

 

And the Priority Boarding is pretty slick too. Don't let your jaw drop seeing just how many people you breeze past.  Some say Paterno originated it, some Lombardi, for players when they scored a TD: "Act like you've been there before."  

 

Be careful you don't have too good a time, as others have said it's hard to go back once you've been. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

23 minutes ago, MichaelCMTX said:

Agreed there.  We've not been on enough trips-- and no repeats with the same Concierge--  to warrant a relationship but, exactly like you say.  

 

I can't speak specifically on the Oasis-class SL/CK experience.  DW fell on day 5 of the trip 3 weeks back and broke her arm badly enough to necessitate a shoulder replacement. Needless to say any post-cruise reviews and such are all out the window.  The Solarium tile is real, REAL slick in front of the showers... be careful!!!

 

We're tip-at-the-end people.  I just thinks it makes a better personal statement to the servers getting a $20 all at once than a shower of $1's over the course of the week.  And we'll generally give the Concierge in the $50 range, particularly if all goes according to plan with no hiccups, and if there's a cabin issue he negotiates a good settlement with guest services.  We had water-in-the-bathroom-floor issues on two straight cruises (two different ships) and they took care of us well both times.

 

And, of course, if the casino was generous the tips do tend to increase a little.

 

As before, not familiar with the CK process, but we'd typically check out the MDR menu in the CL/SL during cocktail hour and get with the Concierge if we feel like Specialty Dining instead.  In every, EVERY conceivable case that's happened it's been pretty much...

"Can you get us in at Chops/Giovanni's/Portofino/etc.?  

Absolutely, when would you want to go?  

What's the soonest available?"

(brief pause)

"You can go down right this moment if you like."

Every time, without fail. It was a little weird on Celebrity when they couldn't do that.

 

And the Priority Boarding is pretty slick too. Don't let your jaw drop seeing just how many people you breeze past.  Some say Paterno originated it, some Lombardi, for players when they scored a TD: "Act like you've been there before."  

 

Be careful you don't have too good a time, as others have said it's hard to go back once you've been. 

What ships still have the MDR menu in SL/CK. I know HOTS removed theirs early this year. 

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

What ships still have the MDR menu in SL/CK. I know HOTS removed theirs early this year. 

 

Oasis did in June. 

[wolfganghowell]

Snowbird, watch out.  It's hard to go back after a GS.  In fact, for us it was impossible. A few thoughts -

You will get priority embarkation - nice to get onboard before the crowds.  You will also get priority debarkation - the concierge will send you a letter with instructions.  Basically, suites get walked off the ship ahead of the crowds which is HUGE.

The concierge can book spa appts for you.  Once you're onboard, if you want to change a dining or show reservation, they can do that.  We decided we wanted to change our comedy show rezzies, and voila - it was done!  We changed a few dining times - easy peasy.  If you have an issue that normally requires you to go to guest services, check with the concierge first.  They can often do it for you.  I had a card get de-magnetized and instead of waiting in line at GS, the concierge did it for me while I enjoyed sipping a beverage in the lounge.

Tipping - totally how you want to do it.  Some do it as they go, some do it the last night.  We generally ask the waitstaff the first night if they are there all week (usually they are).  We usually pay at the end so I don't have to remember to schlep $1's with me all week.  It's common to tip the concierge as well - whatever your comfort level and depending on what they have done for you.  I've seen everything from $20-$100 - and I'm sure there's been less than and more than!

Have a great time - and overall most people in the SL are perfectly fine, even most Pinnacles. 😉 Sure, there's always going to be "that couple" or "that guy" but it's so easy to escape them.  And don't forget the suite sundeck - great views and you can find some shade.

[George C]

Totally agree on suites being addictive , last 7 were suites 6 rccl grand suites next  4 also including owners suite on oasis in 30 days. 

[MichaelCMTX]

5 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

What ships still have the MDR menu in SL/CK. I know HOTS removed theirs early this year. 

 

6 hours ago, MichaelCMTX said:

As before, not familiar with the CK process, but we'd typically check out the MDR menu in the CL/SL during cocktail hour and get with the Concierge if we feel like Specialty Dining instead.  

 

I'm a little curious on the procedure as well for obvious reasons.  At Luminae on Celebrity you had your pick of their daily menu, OR the day's MDR menu.  It seemed like a logical enough system, though also Luminae was right off the MDR so physically getting the food to the venue was clearly less of an ordeal.

[molly361]

3 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Oasis did in June. 

Does that mean you could order off either menu in CK?

Edited October 26, 2018 by molly361

[ggo85]

"That couple" is entitled.  They loudly proclaim their suite status at every opportunity.  They complain when they aren't treated like the Queen of England. They take over the concierge lounge and talk very loudly.

 

The best way to be NOT "that couple"  . . .

 

Remember what your parents taught you -- say "please" and "thank you" -- and meant it!

 

Recognize that, as a suite guest, they will try to make your cruise great, but everything won't be perfect.

 

Don't "flash" your gold card unless you're asked to.

 

Tip well if you get great service.  That includes the concierge and CL bartenders.  

 

Use, but don't abuse, the suite concierge.  He/she can work some magic but can't do everything.  Ask for what you want (dinner/spa reservations, shore excursions, etc.) and be thankful if it happens but not upset it it doesn't.

 

That said, if you have an issue (i.e., complaint), raise it in a factual manner.  RCCL does care about what suite guests think and will try to address any issues but, as noted above, you're not royalty.

 

You will love it.  Have a great cruise!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, molly361 said:

Does that mean you could order off either menu in CK?

 

No, they were/are just there for deciding where to go.  The one thing that is missing now is a book with the entire week of CK menus.  Not sure why that went away.  Makes no sense not to have MDR and Specialty restaurant menus up there.  DL has them. Well, not CK.

[molly361]

7 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

No, they were/are just there for deciding where to go.  The one thing that is missing now is a book with the entire week of CK menus.  Not sure why that went away.  Makes no sense not to have MDR and Specialty restaurant menus up there.  DL has them. Well, not CK.

Yeah and the strange thing is that the CK dinner menu has been the one that is hard to find 

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, molly361 said:

Yeah and the strange thing is that the CK dinner menu has been the one that is hard to find 

 

Was filet on day 1?

[molly361]

24 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Was filet on day 1?

Day 4. I think I had read that on here

[John&LaLa]

23 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Day 4. I think I had read that on here

 

That is consistent with what is reported.  Harmony and Oasis it's Day 1.  I think that's done to steer folks to the specialty venues for BOGO or FNDR

[molly361]

On our next cruise on the Oasis I will gaze fondly up at the suite deck and lounge with fond memories of our first and probably only suite experience

[Ourusualbeach]

3 minutes ago, molly361 said:

On our next cruise on the Oasis I will gaze fondly up at the suite deck and lounge with fond memories of our first and probably only suite experience

 

Don’t you have a couple of the panoramic suites booked?

[lovescats5]

I love this thread.  I am not sure why you think you need to act differently to be in the SL, it is just another place to sit, talk and for some people drink in the afternoon or morning or evening.  We have only had trouble with Pinnacle members because we like to enjoy ourselves and since there are 4 of us, Grandma, Grandpa, Son, Granddaughter (who is now 11) we can get some dirty looks like we do not belong in the Coastal Kitchen or SL.  Guess those Pinnacles think my granddaughter is too young to be a lady.  You will have a great time enjoy the extra perk and just be yourself.  If anyone disapproves of you or what you do that is their problem, not yours.