Sky Class Questions

[jx2mom]

Sailing in Sky Class Summer 2024 on Symphony of the Seas from Cape Liberty, NJ. Specifically, in a 2br Grand Suite. I know this is the first time Symphony will be cruising from this port. It is my understanding that I will have all-day access to Coastal Kitchen, with reservations for dinner recommended. 

 

(1) How does priority embarkation work from this port? I believe priority disembarkation happens from Coastal Kitchen where the Concierge escorts passengers down in a dedicated elevator. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

(2) Does the Concierge contact you in advance of the sailing? What is planned in advance other than excursions and dinner reservations? 

(3) Is the Concierge stationed in the suite lounge next to Coastal Kitchen? What are the general hours of the Suite Lounge and what does it offer?

(4) Can we come and go from the Suite sun deck as we please? 

(5) Please share any other information and/or tips that you think are helpful.

 

Thank you!! 

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

with reservations for dinner recommended.

 

Pretty much required, not recommended. No reservations for breakfast or lunch.

 

8 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

1) How does priority embarkation work from this port? I believe priority disembarkation happens from Coastal Kitchen where the Concierge escorts passengers down in a dedicated elevator. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

 

It varies from ship to ship, the concierge will give you instructions once onboard, but basically yes, the concierge will escort you off the ship. On Wonder in June it worked as you described and there were a few time choices.

 

9 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

(2) Does the Concierge contact you in advance of the sailing? What is planned in advance other than excursions and dinner reservations?

 

You should receive an e-mail from them 5-8 days before your cruise. I wouldn't rely on them for excursions; hopefully you have those booked much farther in advance. We only really used them pre-cruise for CK reservations, to make sure the CK staff was made aware of my niece's severe food allergies, and to have our balcony separators unlocked since we were traveling as an extended family with 3 side by side GS's. Feel free to ask them anything you can think of.

 

13 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

(3) Is the Concierge stationed in the suite lounge next to Coastal Kitchen? What are the general hours of the Suite Lounge and what does it offer?

 

Yes, the concierges are usually there for a few hours in the morning and then late afternoon/evening. The SL is open 24/7. There is a self-serve espresso machine for making coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, etc. Continental breakfast is served every morning. There are usually snacks in the afternoon. There is a 3-hour nightly happy hour with an open bar as well as snacks (5-8pm or so). You also get free beer, wine, Truly, hard cider, soda, bottled water from SL bar from 11-11 daily.

 

17 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

(4) Can we come and go from the Suite sun deck as we please? 

 

Of course!

 

17 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

(5) Please share any other information and/or tips that you think are helpful.

 

That covers a lot of it. If a show or experience is sold out, the suite concierges may or may not be able to get you spots.

 

Enjoy Sky Class! We're not normally suite people but we had an amazing time taking advantage of the perks when we were in Sky Class.

[RoperDK]

7 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

Sailing in Sky Class Summer 2024 on Symphony of the Seas from Cape Liberty, NJ. Specifically, in a 2br Grand Suite. I know this is the first time Symphony will be cruising from this port. It is my understanding that I will have all-day access to Coastal Kitchen, with reservations for dinner recommended. 

While I've never sailed from Cape Liberty, you are correct that with Sky Class you have all day access to Coastal Kitchen.  You can go directly there when you board.  They do serve lunch on embarkation day. Reservations are only required for dinner.

7 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

 

(1) How does priority embarkation work from this port? I believe priority disembarkation happens from Coastal Kitchen where the Concierge escorts passengers down in a dedicated elevator. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

Again, don't know about this port for embarkation.  On my Sky class sailings lately, the concierge had us meet at a location on the disembarkation deck and once luggage was available in the terminal, they would escort us to the front of the line of those doing self assist and had us ping out and then we were on our own.

7 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

(2) Does the Concierge contact you in advance of the sailing? What is planned in advance other than excursions and dinner reservations? 

You should get an email 5 or so days before you cruise from the concierge explaining your benefits. They ask you to reply if you have any questions. I usually request my Coastal Kitchen dinner reservations at that time. 

7 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

(3) Is the Concierge stationed in the suite lounge next to Coastal Kitchen? What are the general hours of the Suite Lounge and what does it offer?

Yes, the concierge has a desk area in the suite lounge.  The concierge hours are posted.  They are always there during happy hours.  The suite lounge is open 24/7.  They have a coffee machine and offer continental breakfast and evening snacks along with free drinks from 5 to 7 or 8 PM.

7 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

(4) Can we come and go from the Suite sun deck as we please? 

Yes, I'm not aware of any restrictions.  The bar isn't open all of the time though.

 

Enjoy!

[reallyitsmema]

1 hour ago, jx2mom said:

Sailing in Sky Class Summer 2024 on Symphony of the Seas from Cape Liberty, NJ. Specifically, in a 2br Grand Suite. I know this is the first time Symphony will be cruising from this port. It is my understanding that I will have all-day access to Coastal Kitchen, with reservations for dinner recommended. 

 

(1) How does priority embarkation work from this port? I believe priority disembarkation happens from Coastal Kitchen where the Concierge escorts passengers down in a dedicated elevator. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

(2) Does the Concierge contact you in advance of the sailing? What is planned in advance other than excursions and dinner reservations? 

(3) Is the Concierge stationed in the suite lounge next to Coastal Kitchen? What are the general hours of the Suite Lounge and what does it offer?

(4) Can we come and go from the Suite sun deck as we please? 

(5) Please share any other information and/or tips that you think are helpful.

 

Thank you!! 

 

Have sailed from Cape Liberty, sailing Sky Class multiple times.  It is a great port to sail from.  Last we sailed Sky Class from there in May, the suite area in the terminal is all the way to the left after going through security.  There is a separate door there for suite boarding, pinnacle and Key boarding.  We typically board between 10:30 and 11.  On Oasis in May, disembarkation was from deck 17.  The concierge was at an elevator outside of CK, not on the SL side, and the other concierge was on deck 5 to put everyone at the front of the line.  

 

Concierge will contact you about a week before the sailing.  Depends on the concierge, some are earlier others are close to 5 days prior.  We have the concierge book CK dinner reservations for us and any show reservations we weren't able to book when they became available.  Concierge is available for some hours in the morning and then again during happy hour.

[ngetway]

Is the concierge typically able to book specialty dining for you as well?  We have the 3 night specialty dining package and would like to secure those reservations prior to boarding if at all possible.

[RFerrington]

2 hours ago, ngetway said:

Is the concierge typically able to book specialty dining for you as well?  We have the 3 night specialty dining package and would like to secure those reservations prior to boarding if at all possible.

Yes

[KEG21552]

Is it possible to book dining reservations for our total party.  We are a group of. 10, but we are the only ones in Sky Class.  Don’t want any special favors, if not, we will just get together and book all of them on the first day.

Thanks

[Bot230]

For coastal kitchen can you reserve any times for dinner or do you have to pick certain start times?

[OCSC Mike]

51 minutes ago, Bot230 said:

For coastal kitchen can you reserve any times for dinner or do you have to pick certain start times?

Any time you want during dinner hours (something like 5-9pm).

[Bot230]

54 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Any time you want during dinner hours (something like 5-9pm).

Thanks! I got an email fro the concierge and they made it sound like I had to choose 5:30 or 7pm. 

[OCSC Mike]

22 minutes ago, Bot230 said:

Thanks! I got an email fro the concierge and they made it sound like I had to choose 5:30 or 7pm. 

That’s odd. It’s not the MDR. It’s treated like a specialty restaurant as far as reservations for dinner go.

 

On my most recent cruise I asked for every night at 6pm & one night at 7pm & that’s what we were given.

[ATLgirl15]

I won’t repeat anything that’s said already because that pretty much covers everything.  The only thing we do with the concierge before boarding is if the ship is going to Labadee we have them book us a cabana in the suite area.  Everything else we wait until we’re on board.  Rarely had issues with being squeezed in somewhere.  
 

I feel like we get the same story about dinging times where they try to push us into the traditional times to turn over tables.  You just need to say no, I want xyz.  Sometimes we’ve taken a later booking and showed up early and it was no problem.  

[silentbob007]

On 8/17/2023 at 7:05 PM, KEG21552 said:

Is it possible to book dining reservations for our total party.  We are a group of. 10, but we are the only ones in Sky Class.  Don’t want any special favors, if not, we will just get together and book all of them on the first day.

Thanks

You can ask. Worst they can say is no. If they do help, then you can remember them on tip night. 

[jx2mom]

On 8/16/2023 at 2:37 PM, OCSC Mike said:

 

Pretty much required, not recommended. No reservations for breakfast or lunch.

 

 

It varies from ship to ship, the concierge will give you instructions once onboard, but basically yes, the concierge will escort you off the ship. On Wonder in June it worked as you described and there were a few time choices.

 

 

You should receive an e-mail from them 5-8 days before your cruise. I wouldn't rely on them for excursions; hopefully you have those booked much farther in advance. We only really used them pre-cruise for CK reservations, to make sure the CK staff was made aware of my niece's severe food allergies, and to have our balcony separators unlocked since we were traveling as an extended family with 3 side by side GS's. Feel free to ask them anything you can think of.

 

 

Yes, the concierges are usually there for a few hours in the morning and then late afternoon/evening. The SL is open 24/7. There is a self-serve espresso machine for making coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, etc. Continental breakfast is served every morning. There are usually snacks in the afternoon. There is a 3-hour nightly happy hour with an open bar as well as snacks (5-8pm or so). You also get free beer, wine, Truly, hard cider, soda, bottled water from SL bar from 11-11 daily.

 

 

Of course!

 

 

That covers a lot of it. If a show or experience is sold out, the suite concierges may or may not be able to get you spots.

 

Enjoy Sky Class! We're not normally suite people but we had an amazing time taking advantage of the perks when we were in Sky Class.

 

[jx2mom]

Are they flexible with embarkation arrival times for Sky Class guests? 

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

Are they flexible with embarkation arrival times for Sky Class guests? 

 

You are allowed to arrive an hour before your assigned time.

[reallyitsmema]

17 minutes ago, jx2mom said:

Are they flexible with embarkation arrival times for Sky Class guests? 

Yes, the stated policy is that you can arrive one hour prior to your arrival time, but we have never had them check our arrival time when sailing sky class.