Suite perks

[Big_G]

7 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

We decided to go without the drink package on our last cruise given access to the SL.  Figured we would just order outside of the SL as desired, and probably end up spending less than the drink package cost...which turned out to be true.  What I didn't anticipate was that I could not buy a drink in the SL.  People with the package could order drinks that were not on the happy hour menu but they said that they were not equipped to swipe my card to pay for a drink.  This was Symphony last spring.  Not sure if that's true everywhere.

 

Haven't been on Symphony but I'm pretty sure my card has been swiped on Oasis and Allure. Probably because the SL's weren't always SL's.

[papaflamingo]

On 2/15/2020 at 5:47 AM, maxy35 said:

so what is the best in your opinion perk for a GS class that I should be aware of and most definitely take advantage of??

 

Much has been mentioned.  And Coastal Kitchen/ Suite Lounge has been beaten to death.  So, some other perks (may repeat some, sorry).

 

Exclusive Sun Deck with upgraded lounges and a private bar.

 

Reserved seating at all shows (except, I think, Comedy Show).  Arrive at least 15 minutes early.  At 10 minutes prior they open up what's left of the Suite Seats for anyone.  So go 15-30 minutes early, no reservation necessary. Just show them your card and they let you in.  Since they don't scan your card, walk up to the front of the line and just hold it up and they'll wave you in. Doesn't interrupt the line at all so no one seems to mind.  By the way, can sit anywhere if you don't like the Reserved  section.

 

FULL ROOM SERVICE.  Yes, you can have Eggs Benedict on your balcony!  AND, if you're traveling with friends they can join you in your room.  We did a "brunch" one time in our GS for 6 of us.  Wonderful!! But be sure to tip accordingly. 

 

The Suite Lounge has a coffee machine.  They also have continental breakfast set up in the morning,  a lunch like set up in the afternoon. So nice place to sit in the early morning and have a coffee and pastry or bagel, etc. if up early.  I would go there everyday and read my book and relax and my wife would join me later and we'd do breakfast in CK.  Also  a nice place to relax after a day in shore and you just want an airconditioned place to chill out with a beer and a snack.

 

If your cruise goes to Labadee, there is a private beach with an upgraded lunch plus a golf cart ride to it.  Sadly Coco Cay does not offer this.  

 

Priority Debarkation.  The Concierge will escort you off the ship at scheduled times.  You meet in the Suite Lounge (a bit of a hassle for GS, but worth it in my opinion), the Concierge will escort you down.  We all went down and met in a bar, so you might ask if you can just go down and meet there.  We were given stickers so we could be identified, and then escorted around the lines all the way to the luggage area.  Saved a lot of hassle and time, did get a few dirty looks though. 😎

 

That's about what comes to mind.  The Concierge will handle any issues or problems or requests  you have.  So go to them first if you have any problems, want specialty dining or excursion reservations, shore excursion issues, etc.  Let them deal with it and don't worry about Guest Services, etc. If they can't handle it they'll direct you to the correct person.  Tip the Concierge, especially if you use them much.  

Have fun!  You'll love the Grand Suite!  

 

Edited February 19, 2020 by papaflamingo

[RFerrington]

I am not a huge fan of the Coastal Kitchen but I do enjoy the filet on night #1 (on most ships).  However, with this being your first time to enjoy the CK, I think I would just go with the complimentary CK and see how you like it.  Many people rave about the CK and find it as good as the specialty restaurants.  If you plan on drinking outside of the SL/CK then the DBP may be a good expenditure.

[Tulsacoker]

1 hour ago, RFerrington said:

I am not a huge fan of the Coastal Kitchen but I do enjoy the filet on night #1 (on most ships).  However, with this being your first time to enjoy the CK, I think I would just go with the complimentary CK and see how you like it.  Many people rave about the CK and find it as good as the specialty restaurants.  If you plan on drinking outside of the SL/CK then the DBP may be a good expenditure.

great advice, first time we had access to CK we had all meal (B,L & D) there. Agree the filet on night one is the star. After that cruise we typically get dinning package and eat only breakfast, a couple of lunches and one dinner in CK. 

[Lionesss]

Even though we travel in suites, we still opt to purchase the drink package.

 

This way when pool side or just out and about, we can get what we want, when we want it.

We do not have to go to the SL for select wine/beverages 11a- or during happy hour there with their select offereings.

 

Just wish the SL would get a blender for frozen drinks.....aka.....frozen strawberry daiquiris...

 

Allure did not have one, I hope Harmony does this summer.

 

Safe travels

[John&LaLa]

Allure does fillet on night 3

 

I've been told no blender, ever..

[suzyluvs2cruise]

4 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Allure does fillet on night 3

 

I've been told no blender, ever..

 

We're looking forward enjoying the filet on night 3. Do you know if you can get any Indian dishes in CK? 

[John&LaLa]

2 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

We're looking forward enjoying the filet on night 3. Do you know if you can get any Indian dishes in CK? 

 

@Andy C has several times on Harmony 

 

Are you staying for TA?

Edited February 19, 2020 by John&LaLa

[suzyluvs2cruise]

1 minute ago, John&LaLa said:

 

@Andy C has several times on Harmony 

 

Are you staying for TA?

 

No...won't be on for the TA. I know Andy was able to enjoy some Indian cuisine on Harmony. Hoping for the same on Allure. 

[John&LaLa]

2 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

No...won't be on for the TA. I know Andy was able to enjoy some Indian cuisine on Harmony. Hoping for the same on Allure. 

 

They aim to please.

 

But for all the Jamaican chefs onboard, they can't make a decent Meat Pattie.  🤣🤣

Edited February 19, 2020 by John&LaLa

[molly361]

Only had CK privileges twice once on Allure and once Harmony.  Liked menus and bar setup a lot better on the Allure

[maxy35]

1 hour ago, Lionesss said:

We to think the best idea is to get a drinks package. 
Noticed on a post somewhere else that D+ get 30% off a deluxe drink package. Do plain old diamond get any discount if purchased on board? I can’t remember if we do or not!

 

[RFerrington]

1 hour ago, molly361 said:

Liked menus and bar setup a lot better on the Allure

I agree with you on this.  Some people say they like the SL bar on Harmony better but I love the bar on Oasis and Allure that look out over the kids'  pool area so much more.

[Tulsacoker]

1 minute ago, RFerrington said:

I agree with you on this.  Some people say they like the SL bar on Harmony better but I love the bar on Oasis and Allure that look out over the kids'  pool area so much more.

Hmmmm.. okie dokie 

 

just kidding 😉 

[RFerrington]

#creeper

🙄

[Fergus29]

On 2/14/2020 at 6:13 PM, molly361 said:

You can have breakfast lunch and dinner at CK not in any other specialty restaurants.  Beer and wine (limited selections) is available up there from 11 to 11 and there is a happy hour in the afternoon either 5 til 8:30 or 4:30 to 8 that serves limited alcoholic beverages.  

 

Hi Molly361. I see you mention that the beer and wine is available 11 to 11 at CK. Does anyone know if this also applies to Ovation, as there is a dedicated SL on board there, or does it just apply at CK on Oasis? 

 

On 2/14/2020 at 10:51 PM, papaflamingo said:

Just to add... we have done suites on Oasis, Allure, and Harmony.  We eat all our meals in Coastal Kitchen.  It's quite, good service and very nice.  But the menu is somewhat limited. You can probably find the menus on line somewhere, and can certainly get them in the App when the cruise is posted there.  Then you can decide if you want to do the dining package or not. 

As for a Drink Package, we don't do it as we would never drink enough to cover the cost.  We do most our drinking before dinner and we LOVE the Suite Lounge.  Also, as mentioned, you can get beer and wine from 11-11.  So often we'll wander up there and enjoy the view with a beer or glass of wine.  Now, we took our adult kids and had suites for all of us.  I bought them the drink packages and my guess Royal Caribbean lost money.  😜. So it all depends on your drinking habits. If you are going to spend all day around the pool and enjoy drinks, probably worth it.  If you're going to drink primarily in the Suite Lounge during Happy Hour, probably not. Keep in mind how much time you might spend off the ship in port.  That may factor in also. 

 By the way, if you eat at Coastal Kitchen, and since it's free wine until 11 pm, you get free wine with dinner.  

 

papaflamingo, I see your point about the free wine with dinner. Again, does this apply on Ovation, or was it just on Oasis?

 

We're heading off in four weeks from Sydney in a GS. 

 

Cheers.

[Biker19]

5 hours ago, Fergus29 said:

Again, does this apply on Ovation, or was it just on Oasis?

Just O class.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

6 hours ago, Fergus29 said:

 

Hi Molly361. I see you mention that the beer and wine is available 11 to 11 at CK. Does anyone know if this also applies to Ovation, as there is a dedicated SL on board there, or does it just apply at CK on Oasis? 

 

 

papaflamingo, I see your point about the free wine with dinner. Again, does this apply on Ovation, or was it just on Oasis?

 

We're heading off in four weeks from Sydney in a GS. 

 

Cheers.

On Ovation you can use a voucher in CK if you're dining within HH times

Edited February 22, 2020 by suzyluvs2cruise

[John&LaLa]

7 hours ago, Fergus29 said:

 

Hi Molly361. I see you mention that the beer and wine is available 11 to 11 at CK. Does anyone know if this also applies to Ovation, as there is a dedicated SL on board there, or does it just apply at CK on 

We're heading off in four weeks from Sydney in a GS. 

 

Cheers.

 

Have they changed Ovation to an SL yet?

[papaflamingo]

8 hours ago, Fergus29 said:

 

Hi Molly361. I see you mention that the beer and wine is available 11 to 11 at CK. Does anyone know if this also applies to Ovation, as there is a dedicated SL on board there, or does it just apply at CK on Oasis? 

 

 

papaflamingo, I see your point about the free wine with dinner. Again, does this apply on Ovation, or was it just on Oasis?

 

We're heading off in four weeks from Sydney in a GS. 

 

Cheers.

I've never done Ovation, but I see others have.  Guess it's only Oasis Class right now.  But have an awesome time on your cruise.  A GS is a wonderful suite!!! 

[Fergus29]

4 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

I've never done Ovation, but I see others have.  Guess it's only Oasis Class right now.  But have an awesome time on your cruise.  A GS is a wonderful suite!!! 

We will have to wait and see I guess. We are very excited and looking forward to this cruise. Have always done NCL, so really excited that our first with RC is in this gorgeous suite. Thanks for the information. It is much appreciated for a couple of Royal Caribbean newbies 😁

[Fergus29]

7 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

On Ovation you can use a voucher in CK if you're dining within HH times

Thanks for that. We will be sure to have our vouchers on hand at all times 😁🍺🍷

 

[bobmacliberty]

1 hour ago, Fergus29 said:

Thanks for that. We will be sure to have our vouchers on hand at all times 😁🍺🍷

 

 

In case you are being literal...there are no physical vouchers.  All Diamond and up C&A members have 3 free drinks per day loaded on their seapass card for use during happy hour times.  Drinks are typically limited to the same drinks that are available in the lounge.  Some people report being able to get other drinks and apparently virgin frozen drinks are also now available on many ships.

[Fergus29]

5 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

In case you are being literal...there are no physical vouchers.  All Diamond and up C&A members have 3 free drinks per day loaded on their seapass card for use during happy hour times.  Drinks are typically limited to the same drinks that are available in the lounge.  Some people report being able to get other drinks and apparently virgin frozen drinks are also now available on many ships.

Oh no! Now I'm getting confused 🤔😊 (and that's not hard to do). We are in a GS suite, not high up C&A members. I just assumed that our card, or WOW band, would show that when we engaged with the host on arrival and therefore staff would be aware when we went in to dine. 

[John&LaLa]

15 minutes ago, Fergus29 said:

Oh no! Now I'm getting confused 🤔😊 (and that's not hard to do). We are in a GS suite, not high up C&A members. I just assumed that our card, or WOW band, would show that when we engaged with the host on arrival and therefore staff would be aware when we went in to dine. 

 

Sorry, you won't get vouchers for drinks outside of CL.