Junior suite vs. Grand suite on Mariner

[mafig]

I believe the suite class is worth it on Oasis-class ships.  However, do you believe it is on Mariner?  

 

I know there is no Coastal Kitchen perk for Mariner and no priority seating for shows on Mariner.  

Does it just boil down to a larger room and the suite lounge (we are Diamond through Celebrity).

 

What other advantages / perks can we look forward to by booking a Grand Suite on Mariner (versus a Junior Suite).?

[Chiliburn]

If the price is right for the grand suite,it’s definitely worth it.

 Basically first class.

[sandebeach]

No Coastal Kitchen, but you do get breakfast in Chops. Also, when Mariner was in Miami, it did an embarkation lunch in the MDR for Suites and Pinnacles. 

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

Personally, I would choose a JS unless the price difference is negligible. I've done both on the Mariner, and as you pointed out, without the suite perks of Oasis/Quantum class, it's not quite as big a deal to go from JS to GS. And unless you have a larger party, the JS provides plenty of room.

Edited April 17, 2021 by la_croisiere_s'amuse
clarity

[Ashland]

SL vs DL...if that matters to you.

[RFerrington]

Mariner doesn't have reserved seating in the theaters for GS and above ?  I've never been on a Royal Caribbean ship that didn't have reserved seating for full suites.  

[reallyitsmema]

1 minute ago, RFerrington said:

Mariner doesn't have reserved seating in the theaters for GS and above ?  I've never been on a Royal Caribbean ship that didn't have reserved seating for full suites.  

 

We sailed Mariner in February 2020 and there was reserved seating in the theater and ice rink for D+ and suites.  

[mafig]

Generally we sit in the back so we can make a quick getaway if we don't like the show😁

 

So what I really meant was if you book a suite on Oasis class ships you need not make reservations in advance for shows, except the comedy club.  Never had a problem getting a seat at the ice show, and wouldn't book a suite just for that.

Edited April 17, 2021 by mafig

[Tall-Cruiser]

For me, unless the Voyager class ship I’m booking is going to Labadee and because I want the Suite Perks of being able to use Barefoot Beach coupled with a reasonable price then I would book a GS. Outside of that, and already being a Diamond member, I would always book a JS. Our last sailing was on Adventure and we had JS 1106 and loved it so much we booked it for our Mariner cruise. The JS Balconies on deck 11 are bigger if that matters to you. While JS 1100 has a bigger balcony, the cabin is not as big as 1106. If you look at the deck plans, you can see how the cabin size gets lager after 1100.

Whatever you decide, all the best and happy sailing hopefully soon.

[Ashland]

4 minutes ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

For me, unless the Voyager class ship I’m booking is going to Labadee and because I want the Suite Perks of being able to use Barefoot Beach coupled with a reasonable price then I would book a GS. Outside of that, and already being a Diamond member, I would always book a JS. Our last sailing was on Adventure and we had JS 1106 and loved it so much we booked it for our Mariner cruise. The JS Balconies on deck 11 are bigger if that matters to you. While JS 1100 has a bigger balcony, the cabin is not as big as 1106. If you look at the deck plans, you can see how the cabin size gets lager after 1100.

Whatever you decide, all the best and happy sailing hopefully soon.

We've had JS #9624 on Adventure and the #1100 on Radiance class a few times...Where is the #1100 on Voyager are they additions ? The only problem with deck 11 is their under the pool/public space... but that didn't stop me from recently booking a GS on Navigator....and a B2B OS on Explorer.

[Tall-Cruiser]

47 minutes ago, Ashland said:

We've had JS #9624 on Adventure and the #1100 on Radiance class a few times...Where is the #1100 on Voyager are they additions ? The only problem with deck 11 is their under the pool/public space... but that didn't stop me from recently booking a GS on Navigator....and a B2B OS on Explorer.

On Adventure and Mariner there are four JS on the Starboard side of deck 11. They are very private, especially the back three. With JS 1100, one can look into your balcony if they are in the open deck starboard forward near the peakaboo bridge. 
On Voyager Class ships, the pool deck in on 11. So deck 10 is below the pool and sport deck.

[mafig]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I love the idea of the 4 Junior Suites on Deck 11  My concern is that the cruise I'm looking at is Mariner going to Bermuda from Florida.  Wondering if that area would be rocky in the Atlantic vs. Caribbean.  

We went to Bermuda once from Florida, but were in an aft cabin and that was fine.

 

 

[George C]

17 hours ago, RFerrington said:

Mariner doesn't have reserved seating in the theaters for GS and above ?  I've never been on a Royal Caribbean ship that didn't have reserved seating for full suites.  

Mariner as already said has great reserved seats for ice show and pool seating, breakfast in specialty, concierge, I really like being escorted off at end of the cruise.

There are ships without reserved seats like Brilliance of the seas. 

[island lady]

SL versus DL on Mariner.  IMHO...the DL is much more welcoming with the seating arrangement.  I don't like the "bowling alley" look to the SL.  They are on same deck across from each other.  

 

Mariner does a nice job with overflow from the DL into the VCL anyway.  

[mafig]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

SL versus DL on Mariner.  IMHO...the DL is much more welcoming with the seating arrangement.  I don't like the "bowling alley" look to the SL.  They are on same deck across from each other.  

 

Mariner does a nice job with overflow from the DL into the VCL anyway.  

Thanks.  That saves me a lot of $$$$.😁❤️

[Pumbaamd]

We've been in 9628 on Mariner and Voyager. It seems to be larger than most other JS's. Very short walk to elevators with little noise.

Rick

[island lady]

16 hours ago, mafig said:

Thanks.  That saves me a lot of $$$$.😁❤️

 

You are most welcome.  IMHO...really not worth going GS on a 3/4 night cruise with no CK.   JS fits the need just fine.  In fact even if we were in a GS, would still use the DL anyway on Mariner.  

[mafig]

thanks, Island Lady.

The cruise I am looking at is the 8 dayer to Bermuda.....and not until 2022.

[island lady]

19 minutes ago, mafig said:

thanks, Island Lady.

The cruise I am looking at is the 8 dayer to Bermuda.....and not until 2022.

 

Ahh...that is when I might consider GS and higher, if you have a lot of sea days.  We are on Allure TA next year with 12 days at sea!  😮  Definitely wanted to feel comfortable with more room on so many sea days.  

[MichaelCMTX]

On 4/19/2021 at 8:47 AM, mafig said:

thanks, Island Lady.

The cruise I am looking at is the 8 dayer to Bermuda.....and not until 2022.

I say the room gets smaller every day you're on the ship.  If it's not a King's Ransom, just go with the GS.  It might even be this one.  

The "long game" may apply here. How's your C&A status?  Are they still doing double-points?  We booked a 13-night in a GS for Apr 2022 and we get 4x points - that alone takes us to the doorstep of D+.    

[George C]

44 minutes ago, MichaelCMTX said:

I say the room gets smaller every day you're on the ship.  If it's not a King's Ransom, just go with the GS.  It might even be this one.  

The "long game" may apply here. How's your C&A status?  Are they still doing double-points?  We booked a 13-night in a GS for Apr 2022 and we get 4x points - that alone takes us to the doorstep of D+.    

Like the curtain also if one of us wants to nap and other wants to watch tv or read,  we wouldn’t be diamond plus if not for our grand suites ( did one owner suite )

[MichaelCMTX]

13 hours ago, George C said:

Like the curtain also if one of us wants to nap and other wants to watch tv or read,  we wouldn’t be diamond plus if not for our grand suites ( did one owner suite )

 

We did one out of NoLA on the Serenade where the OS was like ridiculously cheap, only about $300 more than the GS.  Then the next cruise on Independence, our TA called the week before saying RC had offered to upgrade us to an OS for $150.  I actually asked "Each or total?" before snapping that one up.

But otherwise, the OS for two is just "a bridge too far" without an irresistible deal.  There's enough room to bring my Miata if we could fit it in the elevator.

[George C]

45 minutes ago, MichaelCMTX said:

 

We did one out of NoLA on the Serenade where the OS was like ridiculously cheap, only about $300 more than the GS.  Then the next cruise on Independence, our TA called the week before saying RC had offered to upgrade us to an OS for $150.  I actually asked "Each or total?" before snapping that one up.

But otherwise, the OS for two is just "a bridge too far" without an irresistible deal.  There's enough room to bring my Miata if we could fit it in the elevator.

Agree in general owners suite is not needed for two people, on our owners suite we had booked a grand suite on oasis and price kept going down until owners suite was same price as we originally paid for grand suite. Do like separate shower in owners suite.

[Cigar King]

1 hour ago, MichaelCMTX said:

But otherwise, the OS for two is just "a bridge too far" without an irresistible deal.  There's enough room to bring my Miata if we could fit it in the elevator.

We regularly do a OS, for two.  The thing I like about it over the GS is that when you have people over there is plenty of room when compared to a GS.  The bathroom is also nicer.

 

That being said, to each their own.

[RFerrington]

OS are our preferred option unless the price is excessive.  We like having a dining table inside (and out) and we like the bidet and separate shower.  The extra room is great but pretty much just a secondary benefit. The GS has plenty of room for the 2 of us but lacks the other upgrades that we want.

 

We loaded up on OS over the next year or so.  I did a LOT of Empress OS L&S (even got 1 holiday Star Class shift from an Empress RS) at some terrific prices.  Not sure ANY of them will sail but they’re booked !  Fingers crossed.