Is a Suite on non-Royal class ship worth it for Elite?

[nattie]

We have sailed on Enchanted this summer in the aft Penthouse and loved most of the experience, except for being aft because constant vibrations were very annoying. LOVED the suite lounge and would not hesitate to book a suite on a Royal class ship. Our next Princess cruise is on Diamond Princess and I can get a Reserve mini-suite (for dining perks) for half a price of the suite. What suite benefits might I be missing that will make the extra $$$ worth it for us? We are all Elite, so already get laundry and mini bar set up.

[memoak]

The most obvious thing is that there would be no concierge lounge 

[donswife]

Your special breakfast option would be in Reserve dining rather than specialty, and no complimentary specialty dinner the first night.  Suite guests on most non-Royal class ships get a free pass to the thermal suite at the spa. I think the concierge lounge is a much better benefit for us. It really comes down to how much the extra space is worth to you.

[nattie]

17 minutes ago, donswife said:

Your special breakfast option would be in Reserve dining rather than specialty, and no complimentary specialty dinner the first night.  Suite guests on most non-Royal class ships get a free pass to the thermal suite at the spa. I think the concierge lounge is a much better benefit for us. It really comes down to how much the extra space is worth to you.

Thank you for reminding me of this! Totally forgot about special breakfast for Suites. 

[brucedodge]

FWIW, just came off Sapphire (sister to Diamond) a few weeks ago in a mid-ship full suite.  We like the extra space and spend a good deal of time in the room; however, quite frankly, a Reserve mini would have been fine, even without Sabatini's breakfast.  In our case the price difference was not as great as what you're looking at and was tolerable.  We've also been in a Royal Class mid ship suite and the Concierge Lounge is very nice.

There are tradeoffs and only you can decide the ones that are important.  Incidentally we find the Sapphire and Diamond comfortable and a reasonable size; however, the smaller Coral is our preference.  Not a fan of big ships.

[cr8tiv1]

Express/same day laundry 

Complementary mini-bar

2 bottles of water nightly

Suite/elite line at Customer Service desk

 

You should have access to a Concierge 

Biggest trade off is a smaller ship

[nattie]

Thank you everyone for responding! 

We already get complimentary laundry, not express though and mini-bar as well as separate line at Customer service.

Unfortunately Diamond is the only one doing Japan, otherwise we would have booked Royal class ship in a heartbeat. We have previously been on Emerald, Ruby and Caribbean from that class of ships  and are OK with them, but not favorite by any means. I would take Coral or any Royal class ship over any Grand ship.

[cr8tiv1]

Considering that you are an elite with most of the suite perks, then the only difference would be losing suite breakfast and a larger cabin.  Only you can decide if this is worth it.  The Diamond Japan itinerary is pretty port intensive.  You seem to be a better match for the Royal Class ships (with the concierge's lounge).  That is why Princess has different classes of ships.

[voyager1964]

On 10/2/2023 at 11:42 AM, nattie said:

except for being aft because constant vibrations were very annoying

May I ask you what was your cabin number? We were in D726 and the vibrations were really bad. But, I am enticed to book another cruise on Enchanted and wonder about the vibrations on higher decks. Thanks!

[nattie]

@voyager1964, we were in R730. Vibrations were very annoying, but not a total deal breaker.

[voyager1964]

17 minutes ago, nattie said:

@voyager1964, we were in R730. Vibrations were very annoying, but not a total deal breaker.

Oh, bad news - this was exactly the cabin I was considering 😞

[memoak]

On 10/2/2023 at 12:02 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

Considering that you are an elite with most of the suite perks, then the only difference would be losing suite breakfast and a larger cabin.  Only you can decide if this is worth it.  The Diamond Japan itinerary is pretty port intensive.  You seem to be a better match for the Royal Class ships (with the concierge's lounge).  That is why Princess has different classes of ships.

With the suite you also get a 2nd mini bar, free specialty dining on embarkation night and suite breakfast and reserve class dining. We sail 90% of the time on Grand class ships and always in suites

[memoak]

2 hours ago, voyager1964 said:

Oh, bad news - this was exactly the cabin I was considering 😞

On any aft cabin you are going to have some noise and motion while the ship is experiencing rough water or when coming into port. Not a big deal in our opinion

[Treasure Hunter]

Yes it’s worth it. You won’t have a concierge lounge but a dedicated lane at customer service ( sometimes ignored). Everything else is good and free laundry is wonderful ( you would get this if you are Elite anyway)

[memoak]

12 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Yes it’s worth it. You won’t have a concierge lounge but a dedicated lane at customer service ( sometimes ignored). Everything else is good and free laundry is wonderful ( you would get this if you are Elite anyway)

But suite laundry gets priority over elite. Just off the Ruby sent out laundry 3 times in the morning back by next day evening 

[Treasure Hunter]

Yes, it’s great as is the fruit bowl and reserve dining service

[Treasure Hunter]

And the nice big shower

[voyager1964]

1 hour ago, memoak said:

On any aft cabin you are going to have some noise and motion while the ship is experiencing rough water or when coming into port. Not a big deal in our opinion

Please see my review https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3000792-enchanted-princess-17-27-march-2024-review-limited-mobility-snorkeling-suite-life-perspective-including-detailed-know-how/

 

and the comment by @jeromep

[memoak]

8 minutes ago, voyager1964 said:

Please see my review https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3000792-enchanted-princess-17-27-march-2024-review-limited-mobility-snorkeling-suite-life-perspective-including-detailed-know-how/

 

and the comment by @jeromep

After 60 Princess cruises and almost all in aft cabins I am so used to noise and movement that it doesn’t even bother me