Edge final payment due soon, trying to decide on cabin.

[amyhphoto]

So I am going on a 4 day cruise on the Edge in November. Final payment is due in a few days. I'm trying to figure out what cabin to choose. Currently I have a Sky Suite 3. I really like the size of the cabin, the early embarkation, and the idea of a less crowded private sunbathing/pool area. 

 

1) I'm reading a bit about how they pack the Retreat FULL of move up offers and wondering if it will be more crowded in the Retreat than on the regular pool deck. My cruise seems less than half sold at the moment and there are currently 57 Sky suites available. I assume they will be filled up by the time of the cruise with everyone bidding up from lower categories?  Does anyone have any insight into this? 

 

2) Contemplating getting a Concierge Class cabin at a 1350$ savings. At least I would get the early embarkation and a verandah. I'm seeing most people pay around 200$ per day to move up from CC to SS. Given I have a 4 day cruise, theoretically it should cost me around 800$ to move up. That leaves me 500$ ahead. 

 

3) OR contemplating an Aqua Class cabin at about 800$ less and just using the regular pool deck. I am cruising alone so I dont think Ill be eating at Luminae very much anyway. 

 

4) I'm wondering if the prices drop right after final payment, how low the price will go for a Sky Suite, and how aggravated I will be when that happens, after paying full price 6 months ago. 

 

I appreciate anyone's opinions or thoughts given I am having a hard time making a decision. 

 

 

 

[George C]

We cruised the edge in a penthouse last year , ship was about half full , but suites were booked solid, never had a negative issue with suite restaurant and loved the outdoor retreat with its bar , restaurant, pool and hot tubs. Definitely keep the suite.

[RichYak]

CC does not get early embarkation and has no balcony. It's an IV cabin that has a small sitting area near a window that opens. Some people love them but it's important to understand the difference before you book one. AQ is also an IV cabin (no balcony) but would give you Blu as your main dining room.

[DCPIV]

2 hours ago, amyhphoto said:

I'm wondering if the prices drop right after final payment, how low the price will go for a Sky Suite, and how aggravated I will be when that happens, after paying full price 6 months ago

 

If you booked while CWC was in effect or you happened to book with a refundable fare, you can see what happens to the price and call up for a refare.  It'll come to you as OBC, but I've never had a problem dealing with that.

[jelayne]

The only real verandas are in the suites or a Sunset veranda.  We were on the Edge in October Suites we’re full the ship overall was about 35% full.  The Retreat Sundeck was more crowded than the main pool.  As you are looking at prices  if you booked the suite with the Premium beverage package,wi-fi, prepaid gratuities and OBC be sure when comparing prices you compare using the fare with those (except OBC) included so you are comparing apples to apples.

[miched]

You will not get the premium bev pack, high speed internet, Luminae for lunch on sea days, or use of the lounge and retreat deck.   When were sailed on the Apex all the suites were sold.  Never had a problem in any of the retreat areas.   The ship was designed for sailing full.  We were in a S3.  If you want a nice balcony experience stay with the S3.  You will be very happy with it.    The butler will serve you a full breakfast on it every morning if you request it.    We spent a lot of time on our balcony.  It was private, had  the internet and the butler would sometimes surprise us with a drink that he knew we liked.  I fell asleep out there on many nights. 
 

You  will also lose the SBC that is $400 pp.  You can use that to play in the casino and hopefully get most of it back.   The winnings can be cashed in . 

 

Move ups aren’t guaranteed.  
 

Aqua does not have balconies just IV.   

 

Why wouldn’t you be dining in Luminae?   There were a few solo diners and some that weren’t should have been as both were constantly on their phones instead of conversing with each other.  
 

Photos of our the balcony on the end suite.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[amyhphoto]

47 minutes ago, miched said:

You will not get the premium bev pack, high speed internet, Luminae for lunch on sea days, or use of the lounge and retreat deck.   When were sailed on the Apex all the suites were sold.  Never had a problem in any of the retreat areas.   The ship was designed for sailing full.  We were in a S3.  If you want a nice balcony experience stay with the S3.  You will be very happy with it.    The butler will serve you a full breakfast on it every morning if you request it.    We spent a lot of time on our balcony.  It was private, had  the internet and the butler would sometimes surprise us with a drink that he knew we liked.  I fell asleep out there on many nights. 
 

You  will also lose the SBC that is $400 pp.  You can use that to play in the casino and hopefully get most of it back.   The winnings can be cashed in . 

 

Move ups aren’t guaranteed.  
 

Aqua does not have balconies just IV.   

 

Why wouldn’t you be dining in Luminae?   There were a few solo diners and some that weren’t should have been as both were constantly on their phones instead of conversing with each other.  
 

Photos of our the balcony on the end suite.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

All good points for sure. I think you’ve really convinced me to stay put. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. 

[amyhphoto]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

The only real verandas are in the suites or a Sunset veranda.  We were on the Edge in October Suites we’re full the ship overall was about 35% full.  The Retreat Sundeck was more crowded than the main pool.  As you are looking at prices  if you booked the suite with the Premium beverage package,wi-fi, prepaid gratuities and OBC be sure when comparing prices you compare using the fare with those (except OBC) included so you are comparing apples to apples.

That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. Paying for the retreat then leaving because it’s too crowded. I really have a hard time with crowds. Before the move up program the suite only areas used to be nearly empty. At least the room has a large enough balcony for a nap 

[amyhphoto]

2 hours ago, DCPIV said:

 

If you booked while CWC was in effect or you happened to book with a refundable fare, you can see what happens to the price and call up for a refare.  It'll come to you as OBC, but I've never had a problem dealing with that.

That’s good to know. I don’t think I booked with Cwc or a refundable fare. I’ll have to call and ask once the prices drop. Thanks!

[amyhphoto]

4 hours ago, RichYak said:

CC does not get early embarkation and has no balcony. It's an IV cabin that has a small sitting area near a window that opens. Some people love them but it's important to understand the difference before you book one. AQ is also an IV cabin (no balcony) but would give you Blu as your main dining room.

Thanks for pointing out that CC doesn’t include early embarkation, I don’t know why I thought that. Maybe Aqua Class does? My original room was Aqua. I don’t think I’ll care for the IV to be honest. I wish I’d snagged a SV. 

[amyhphoto]

4 hours ago, George C said:

We cruised the edge in a penthouse last year , ship was about half full , but suites were booked solid, never had a negative issue with suite restaurant and loved the outdoor retreat with its bar , restaurant, pool and hot tubs. Definitely keep the suite.

You didn’t find the Retreat overcrowded having all the suites booked solid? That’s my fear, that I get there and there’s nowhere to lay down!!

[RichYak]

5 minutes ago, amyhphoto said:

Thanks for pointing out that CC doesn’t include early embarkation, I don’t know why I thought that. Maybe Aqua Class does? My original room was Aqua. I don’t think I’ll care for the IV to be honest. I wish I’d snagged a SV. 

Aqua Class doesn't get early boarding either. Retreat class does.

4 minutes ago, amyhphoto said:

You didn’t find the Retreat overcrowded having all the suites booked solid? That’s my fear, that I get there and there’s nowhere to lay down!!

I also sailed with a fully booked Retreat class on Edge last Fall. There will be room on the Retreat Deck. Maybe not right next to the pool, but there are plenty of loungers aft of the elevators. The Retreat Lounge was never too busy and Luminae can handle fully booked Retreat class.

[George C]

31 minutes ago, amyhphoto said:

You didn’t find the Retreat overcrowded having all the suites booked solid? That’s my fear, that I get there and there’s nowhere to lay down!!

The pool was normally packed but didn’t have any issues getting chairs by the pool waiters kept coming around with drinks , bar area in retreat was shaded . We are looking forward to sky suite on beyond in November. Staff in retreat area and Luminae were excellent.

[amyhphoto]

13 minutes ago, George C said:

The pool was normally packed but didn’t have any issues getting chairs by the pool waiters kept coming around with drinks , bar area in retreat was shaded . We are looking forward to sky suite on beyond in November. Staff in retreat area and Luminae were excellent.

I would expect the pool to be crowded at times. I was in the Haven on NCL once and we had the pool almost to ourselves the whole cruise. It was fantastic. 

[Oville]

7 minutes ago, amyhphoto said:

I would expect the pool to be crowded at times. I was in the Haven on NCL once and we had the pool almost to ourselves the whole cruise. It was fantastic. 

I’ve cruised twice on Edge in an S1.  Never saw the Retreat very crowded or the pool deck too full.  Had lunch at the bar probably 5 or 6 times and never an issue.  Depending when you eat Lumanae can be busy but never a long wait.  A must do is dinner in Eden, one of the best if not the best dinner we’ve had on a cruise ship.

[George C]

18 minutes ago, amyhphoto said:

I would expect the pool to be crowded at times. I was in the Haven on NCL once and we had the pool almost to ourselves the whole cruise. It was fantastic. 

We had same thing on MSc yacht club pool never crowded at all . Haven’t tried Haven since I had some negative things on ncl but that was a long time ago . Totally love celebrity suite perks .

[amyhphoto]

8 hours ago, Oville said:

A must do is dinner in Eden, one of the best if not the best dinner we’ve had on a cruise ship.

So I’m traveling solo this trip, my hubs couldn’t make it. Do you think it would be odd  to do Eden alone? I wish you could eat at the bar at some of the specialty restaurants. I have no problem eating alone at a bar but I always feel super uncomfortable eating at a table all by myself.

[Oville]

35 minutes ago, amyhphoto said:

So I’m traveling solo this trip, my hubs couldn’t make it. Do you think it would be odd  to do Eden alone? I wish you could eat at the bar at some of the specialty restaurants. I have no problem eating alone at a bar but I always feel super uncomfortable eating at a table all by myself.

I think there is enough activity going on there that you would be okay.  Make a reservation towards the end of the cruise so you can check it out ahead and cancel if it’s not for you..  It’s an open kitchen so if you get a table nearby you should be entertained.  Also there could very well be some entertainment at the Eden Bar above.