has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Day 2: Beef steak tartare with melba toast. Winner: Celebrity Cruises for more personalized service. By The Edge series ships do not have epic slides or waterparks, arcades or sports courts. Royal Caribbean continues to push the envelope with the amenities onboard, which appeal to cruisers of all ages, and families. The Royal Loft Suites on Oasis-class ships measure nearly 1,800 square feet and feature two bedrooms, a large living room with a soaring ceiling and a dining area. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world (at least, not a traditional window more on that in a moment). Depending on the ship, these suites can come with such perks as private butlers (called Royal Genies) who attend to your every need, access to a private restaurant, access to a private suite lounge and sun deck, reserved seating in entertainment venues and priority boarding and disembarkation. Our Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Ocean View/ Panoramic (No Balcony) Suites, and Owners Suites all receive priority boarding, and our Royal Suite and Villa Suite guests are escorted onboard by an officer. They do have the ability to make mixed drinks (within reason I think). The typical Royal Caribbean balcony cabin has a contemporary look, with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. I just "won" my royal up bid to a junior suite on Quantum leaving on 9/12. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. The suite lounge bar is limited as to what they have. Yes, passengers booked in a Star class suite receive a complimentary Deluxe Drink Package. Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean ships, explained. Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin. The result can be one person the PL for an hour here and there. Is it a highland or a Islay ? Your previous content has been restored. Each level comes with different perks and benefits for passengers. Symphony of the Seas, for instance, has 15 different types of suites alone; suites range from a junior suite with a balcony (Category J3) that measures 287 square feet to a Royal Loft Suite (Category RL) that measures five times that amount. We who appreciate a good single malt are an elite few. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By The two-story loft cabins have 1,524 square feet of interior space and a massive 843 square-foot balcony. Copyright 2023. In Fort Lauderdale, the Celebrity suite lounge looks brand spanking new, with modern dcor and furnishings. Additionally, when you stay in a suite, youll receive two Crown & Anchor Society points for each cruise night. If this seems like a paradox, it is. The servers in the suite lounge on allure take your room number and then put it into the system. In general, I am pretty impressed with the organization and speed at which cruise lines board their guests, but for suite guests, there are separate lines at the port, as well as a private lounge area, and more flexible boarding times. Coastal Kitchen, Royal Caribbeans dining venue, was similar in quality and service. I know the Diamond Lounge now only takes the drink vouchers. If you have both Suite Lounge and Diamond or above vouchers, plan your voucher usage for the rest of the day. Grand suite with large balcony (one bedroom). 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. The perks include free WiFi, exclusive lounges, priority Which is better? CC Help Jenn Suite Lounge on Serenade right now is unlimited drinks at happy hour, no vouchers needed/used. Upload or insert images from URL. Yes, this bars is included with your cruise purchase. Is it the same as a Concierge Lounge? Youll also want to book early if youre aiming for a suite. Started June 21, 2021, By Ive been cruising since I was 11 years old. Never had it but was gifted a bottle of Glenfiddich and that's what I get to look forward to? You are correct suite guests do not get coupons, but other tiers in a suite do. Cruise code 2043119. Winner: it depends on whats important to you. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Or bottles of water to cash out your last vouchers, if you didnt use them all! In general, Celebrity seems to run a little higher in price. I ran into the problem once on Allure (polite and theres not a lot I want to drink, so limiting me makes it a problem). Started June 21, 2021, By https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-ship-concierge-lounges Among the lines most spectacular suites are the Royal Loft Suites on some of the newer Royal Caribbean vessels. I liked the layout and size of the space; its full of sunshine. However, the extra space and full-sized bathtub might make it worth the upgrade. Or, cruisers can opt to use three vouchers during Happy Hour to get eligible drinks at other bars on the ship. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The suite experience varies by cruise line, and we tried both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to see how they compare. Weve partnered with industry leaders to bring you the best deals and the most convenience. Put a bit of water in it. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. Our next cruise is also on Grandeur, and I will see what happens. The Edge has an entirely different layout. LauraS I recently sailed on the Celebrity Edge, the first ship of the series. I did have a case on my last cruise (not in a suite), and I got a last minute cabin change (OV to OV, but better location). If youre in the mood for a glass of wine, youll be pleased to find the menu at the Suite Lounge covers most of the bases sparkling, white zin, pinot grigio, merlot, cabernet suavignon you name it. A drink another time you have to pay for it, or use a coupon if you have one. You can often save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin. Most scotch from the region where Glenfiddich comes from are tame compared to Islay scotch. Thats much smaller than the Royal Loft Suites but about four times the size of a standard balcony cabin. The differences between the two suite experiences are not massive, and both cruise lines do a great job pampering their guests and providing exclusive perks. For our Celebrity cruise, they took the pre-cruise arrival even further, having us fill out a brief survey about our preferences, including cabin temperature, type of wine we wanted in our stateroom, number of hangers, and a few other minor details. Thanks to everyone for the info. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. A few Royal Caribbean ships have balcony cabins that face toward the vessel's center, not toward the outside. Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the cruise worlds most spectacular suites, including (on some ships) suites that sprawl over two decks. Related: The 5 most spectacular suites at sea. But only you know if you can afford the high price tag. Ardbeg is/was often the only peaty scotch on the ship. Thats because they have two sets of perks that vary depending on your sailing ship. I think the only ship that wasn't doing this was Symphony, but I also heard their concierge's left a lot to be desired. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. From croissants to your favorite drink, weve got your cravings covered. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. I can use those coupons anytime I want in the suite lounge, but if a person who has a suite has no coupons, then they have to pay for any type of drink unless it is between happy hour. With all the hoops and changes, RC is making it difficult for us to wantto go on our cruise in October. (I did not follow the thread), Diamond and diamond plus drinks are anything up to 13 dollars if it is over 13 you just pay the difference, same as if you had drink package, almost all liquor is covered , we sometimes go over by a couple of dollars on wine so if 15 for wine you Pay 2.36. You can find the Suite Lounge on the following Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Ships. So is Dan. This is probably one of the most significant differences between a suite on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, the drink package. One of the reasons we booked a suite was for the suite lounge experience we had on previous sailings. I recall them back-tracking the 11-11 because of all the complaints. If it's from the concierge letter I don't think the 11-11 drinks is mentioned there. To confirm what @islandwannabeeposted, there is a fleet-wide change occurring where the SL will no longer (could be temporary) serve complimentary drinks for suite guests all day. I was on allure a month after you and that was not the policy , there was no list on my cruise in suite lounge. Sitting Area. Oasis class ships offer a massive arrange of dining and entertainment options, with plenty to do all day long even if you don't get off the ship. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Anybody has more information about Symphony SL recently? OK, interesting. There were snacks during the day, including the very popular pre-dinner appetizers. Some benefits may not be available on all sailings. On the positive side, I now have a list of drinks that should qualify for free in the suite lounge (and happy to share it with anyone who might be interested). Was it worth it, and which was better ? As a result, they have sloping windows, and a bit more floor space around these windows (see the image below). I explained to him that (a) at the price as we were paying for the OS made it ridiculous to have that limited list, especially given the limited hours we were given for using it, (b) we have not seen the silly list in other suite lounges except on Allure, and (b) Diamonds and up were no longer held to the limited drink hours, location, and lis , but could order at any time, most every drink on the ship from any bar - so why were suites guests still getting the limited options? Celebrity Cruises is a smaller cruise line that tends to have fewer families and a slightly older demographic than many of the Royal Caribbean ships. Royal Caribbean provides exclusive perks and benefits for passengers booked in suite accommodations. Royal Caribbean Suite Perks (Whats Included 2023). With priority embarkation, both cruise lines make boarding a little faster. But it does show that one person speaking up (and to the right person) can actually make a difference. I think its fairly certain on the Allure, but when it gets all the way around the CL I cant guess. Royal Caribbean has built ocean-view cabins at the front of some ships that incorporate the angled space in the front part of the superstructure. Not everyone goes to the PL every single night or they might go to the DL if they have friends on board that aren't Pinnacle. Suite guests do not get coupons as a suite perk. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Day 4: Shrimp fountain with American cocktail sauce. There may be a limited menu of liquors, The suite lounge (the Retreat Lounge) is located on deck 15, separate from the suite dining venue Luminae, which is on deck 12. CC Help Jenn lol. * Benefits & amenities may varybyship. As @George Csaid, that should not be current policy - and I hope that I helped to end that ridiculous policy and allowable list during our 11/14 sailing. Do I have that right?Does anyone who has sailed on her recently know if that has changed? Relative to the other whiskeys on the limited menu, it's fantastic (Jameson's has its place, but not drinking straight). It looks like those on Allure on this weeks cruise will be the last ones to enjoy the 11-11 beverage serviceat least, for now. Inside cabins on Symphony of the Seas measure just 149 square feet, quite a bit less than the typical ocean-view cabin on the vessel (those range from 179 to 272 square feet). I will ask her to ask her Genie if the SL is going to stop the 11-11 service beginning next week. Priority embarking with your own designated counters, Priority departure to get off of the ship early. Adventure Of The SeasAllure Of The SeasAnthem Of The SeasBrilliance Of The SeasExplorer Of The SeasFreedom Of The SeasGrandeur Of The SeasHarmony Of The SeasIndependence Of The SeasJewel Of The SeasLiberty Of The SeasMariner Of The SeasNavigator Of The SeasOasis Of The SeasOdyssey Of The SeasOvation Of The SeasQuantum Of The SeasRadiance Of The SeasRhapsody Of The SeasSerenade Of The SeasSymphony Of The SeasUtopia Of The SeasVision Of The SeasVoyager Of The SeasWonder Of The Seas. The Ultimate Family suite is available on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. Like many other cruise ships, Royal Caribbean vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites. On Quantum class ships the PL is in the Music Hall which is fine until an activity or event cranks up in the Music Hall. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. It's the peatiest (most peaty?) There is a list for free suite drinks. Your winning bid will get you access to the Suite Lounge and The Suite Lounge should have a Happy Hour where the drinks are complimentary and won't require the vouchers. Suite lounge on Oasis has the free drink happy hour (5 to 8pm) and uses the beautiful sunken bar between the lounge and the CK. Planning a cruise? Vacation should not be this stressful. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Whether youre looking to book a suite or curious about the Royal Caribbean suite perks, well look at everything you get when you book a Royal Caribbean suite. Suite lounge is still open bar. This is a highly prized benefit, especially with skyrocketing increases in the price of these popular packages. The suite perks vary between the two cruise lines, offering slightly different benefits and experiences, from pre-cruise to disembarkation. Thanks for that aloha that was really helpful. As noted above, there is a wide range of suite categories on some Royal Caribbean ships. Only 12% of the cabins on Royal Caribbeans oldest vessel, the 1996-built Grandeur of the Seas, are balcony cabins. Also, is CK open on embarkation day for lunch? Receive personalized attention during the cruise with complimentary Concierge Club service on select ships. Sorry, Suite lounge is for Grand suites and above. Royal Caribbean has become known for its Oasis class ships, which are the largest cruise liners in the world. Thanks for those that might know. I was on Allure twice the latest being Oct31 as well but those were not free. Learn more. It has one large sink with two faucets and a large shower with a tub. Reserved exclusively for guests of Grand Suite-level accommodations and above, the Suite Lounge serves complimentary continental breakfast and evening drinks. Confirming there is 11am-11pm complimentary soda, wine and beer in the Suite Lounge bar. The suite lounge (the Retreat Lounge) is located on deck 15, separate from the suite dining venue Luminae, which is on deck 12. Just off Anthem in a suite. It's the peaty scotch that has the most aroma. We are in aCLS on Oasis on 9/19 and we werelooking forward to hopping over to the SL for an occasional beer/wine/water. This will be for the Suite Lounge on the Allure. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Receive personalized attention during the cruise with complimentary Concierge Club service on select ships. Departs 08 Jul 2024. On Royal Caribbean ships, the lounges (called the Suite Lounge) are attached to the private dining area, with expansive open views and a large wall of windows. The food was very good, and the service was excellent. My question is Does the Suite Lounge give out a few more drinks besides the vouchers? Welcome to the most elevated spot for indulging in your favorite eats and libations. I just got my Concierge letter for the week of 3-12 (Oasis) and it says beer, wine and spirits available from 5-8 but only water, coffee and soft drinks available during the day. By Started August 27, 2021, By TPG values it at $1,600. We stayed in a Grand Suite with Royal Caribbean and a Sky Suite on Celebrity, which are somewhat similar. At that point most leave yet the crew and food spread have to remain for the hours posted just in case a Pinnacle drops by. An old saw in the cruise industry is that ships sell from the top and the bottom. That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most-expensive cabins, which are the suites, and the least-expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Royal Caribbean is delivering, with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships. I love the layout of this space, and met lots of guests before and after meals as people lingered and had cocktails. It's not as common to see the others. Got a JS on Liberty of the Seas, leaving Sunday, and saw there was a suite lounge. A grand suite on Liberty won't come with free internet; that's only on Oasis and Quantum class ships. The two lines appeal to different types of cruisers, which could be a reason to pick one over the other. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Get on board faster with exclusive priority check-in. Your previous content has been restored. So its a possibility that for 2hrs there will not be suite drinks. Suite Lounge on Serenade right now is unlimited drinks at happy hour, no vouchers needed/used. Options are a bit limited, but not overly. They are At that price, the perks dont justify the cost of booking a suite. There is also a recommended dress code each evening. As I mentioned above, there is one way to get a glimpse of the outside world from an inside cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. It was like Christmas morning. Not sure where the poster got that info. Both provided a great cruise experience, but there were some differences between the two. Just off Mariner- no honorbar/soft drinks/wine/beer or water bottlesin suite lounge during the day. I'm pretty sure reservations for restaurants are made on board and Coastal Kitchen is part of that. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. On Royal Caribbean ships, these rooms are almost always the least-expensive option when booking a cabin. What is the Largest Suite on Royal Caribbean? He came back 2 days later and said the list was gone and would stay gone. On the lines even-newer Quantum-class ships, which began debuting in 2014, the percentage is even higher around 69%. I got a bottle of Octomore for an "ends in zero" birthday a few years ago. That was a rare find and a $6 up charge over the DX. Thanks. On the other hand, the Celebrity Edge has 146 Sky suites, in addition 30+ higher level suites out of 1,467 total staterooms. Most Royal Caribbean suites have balconies. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. You can post now and register later. This includes jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. She also teaches business studies at a university, with a focus on strategy. Additionally, there was always someone to help you in the lounge, whereas on the Wonder, there were times when there was no concierge staff. Living on the east coast of Canada, she shares cruising tips and information with fellow Canucks seeking a reprieve from the great white north. I did a little digging and found out that the ship has roughly the same number of suites as the Wonder of the Seas, the largest cruise ship sailing in the world. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. I did spend some time looking at future bookings for similar suites and itineraries on both cruise lines, but many dates were sold out. Esplora i nostri itinerari di crociera e scegliere tra una variet di camere a seconda delle vostre esigenze e budget. Clear editor. While I didnt want the issue, at least speaking up brought something positive overall. Smaller suites on Royal Caribbean ships include Grand Loft Suites, which can measure around 700 to 850 square feet. For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. Islay scotches that's commercially available. The Oasis-class vessels are so wide that they have room for an interior, open-air Boardwalk amusement area at their backs lined with inward-facing cabins. I know about the D etc free vouchers on your card but as were sailing in a suite on Anthem just wondered whether they had changed from the limited list of alcoholic drinks to ones from the top shelf, like Pernod. Passengers booked in a Sea Class Suite receive the following perks; Sky Class suite guests receive all of the benefits of Sea class with some notable additions. Powered by Invision Community. If it hasnt changed then fine but thought Id read somewhere that it had been altered in the SL. Is there a Suite Lounge? There was a server to assist with the coffee machine ( including cappuccinos) during the day ( at least in the morning- we didnt go in in the early afternoon). We know about the 3 drink event there. Don't recall giving them my card. Here's why I don't regret blowing the budget, 10 tips for getting the best cruise shore excursion values, What happens if you miss your cruise ship. He may be able to answer. Do Royal Caribbean Suites Have Balconies? They have a strange way of giving out perks. Nice to 'meet' ya Bill. He advised me that he is responsible for 12 cabins, a fairly good ratio, in addition to our cabin attendant. We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. Those drinks only occurred on four ships out of the entire fleet anyway. My only complaint is that I wished it opened earlier than 8 am as I am an early riser. Winner: Celebrity Cruises for extra service. Its also the number of cabin categories. The middle sells last. Is the Suite Lounge free with my cruise purchase? You do not get complimentary drinks in this area, which is annoying. It's one of, if not the most popular scotch in the world which makes it safe for Royal as it doesn't limit the target audience like a peaty scotch would. Check here before booking an award fare. Youll also be in a very small room. But we had DDPs, so not a big deal. I was genuinely shocked that the couple of things that I actually will drink were not allowed. On our sailings on many Royal ships I have not seen that list again. Yes. The Suite Lounge was packed every night. Yes, there is unfortunately a limited menu. That is not current policy in allure. Which deck has the Suite Lounge on the Voyager of the Seas? WebThe price of the November 24, 2024 cruise on the Oasis of the Seas ranges from $659 for an inside cabin to $1,799 for a suite. VisitRoyal Suite Classto learn more. Another nice perk for suite class is a concierge, who makes life a little easier, and means you spend less time in line. scottraveller, December 14, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International, Does anyone know if the suite lounge on Anthem offers drinks from the old limited list or has it changed to any alcoholic drink up to $13 please. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We can wish for sooner vs. later! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); High Seas Cruising was founded by couple Marcello and Victoria to share travel tips and insights from over two decades of cruise vacations. And don't forget to get bottles of water from the Suite Lounge, even if you're not otherwise particularly interested in the happy hour. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Sip your preference neat, on the rocks, or with your go-to juice or soda mixer. Sails from Galveston, Texas. No more free beer, wine and soft drinks from 11-11. We never had an issue getting in, and they don't take reservations. The last cruise they were limiting you to the list. I dont think on past sailing on Oasis class ships that they mentioned the beer and wine option in the lounge outside of happy hour. Be the first to rate this post. Reserved exclusively for They also have a much higher price tag than the typical Royal Caribbean cabin. They stated they wouldn't do the 11-11 thing in the SL yet recent reports from cruisers say some ships are. Included with our cabin were bathrobes, upgraded bedding, and luxury bathroom products. It results from an unusual design feature of one series of Royal Caribbean ships, the Oasis class. At first glance, Royal Caribbeans suite program is a little confusing. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. CC Help Jenn My wife enjoys a Pernod occasionally and I wondered if this would be offered in the suite lounge. But its not just the sheer volume of cabins that makes picking a room on a Royal Caribbean ship challenging. dleahy4444, September 7, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International, It has been a while since Ive been on the Oasis, but what I recall is that the Suites Lounge offers wine and beer throughout the day (mimosas for breakfast, wine with lunch) at Coastal Kitchen and mixed drinks and small bites during happy hour. Members will now enjoy additional beverage amenities, which can come in quite handy for those who dont already profit from a beverage package. Display as a link instead, You just go there and ask if they have room starting day 2 for dinner. Get on board faster with exclusive priority check-in. The Suite Lounge should have a Happy Hour where the drinks are complimentary and won't require the vouchers. Mike in KY this is Bill from KY and we just came back from Adventure of the Seas on Saturday. This is from current 9/5/21 Allure sailing, https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/uploads/monthly_2021_09/20210907_132325.thumb.jpg.fb4d365b2283eda81f4e0ef27554010b.jpg. Subscribe to receive travel tips delivered straight to your inbox. Kids are welcome at the Suite Lounge during breakfast hours. Enjoy the Iniziare a pianificare la vostra prossima vacanza in crociera selezionando una And perhaps the most luxurious benefit is access to a Royal Genie. Here's what impressed me, and why I'm already planning a trip back. Duration 5 nights. Royal Caribbean Suites Program is available on the following ships: The Junior suite is Royal Caribbeans entry-level suite. Of course In almost 69 years Ive never had a beer or glass of wine at 11:00 in the morning and wouldnt even if it was available. What's the reception been so far for the Pin Bins, I mean Pinnacle lounges that they created? We were offered some sandwiches, pastries, and drinks while we waited. I was a little puzzled by how busy the suite deck area was on the Celebrity Edge, and on sea days, even more so. It will typically offer twin beds that can be converted into a royal king bed, a desk and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed. I am not sure you are understanding what I am saying. The Grand Suite varies in size but runs around 370 square feet, with more deck space. If you sail on an older ship in Vison class, Voyager class, Radiance class, or Independence class, youll receive perks from the Royal Suite Program. Hmmm I think the answers posted don't really answer the OPs question. Either way, suite class is a fantastic option for those wanting to splurge. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has improved benefits for their Crown & Anchor Society members, especially those of higher rank. I once saw Lagavulin in the suite lounge on Harmony (I think.) Discover All Rights Reserved. There have been live blogs that post that list. In the wake of the increase, a family of four in a typical cabin now pays nearly $450 in service fees on a seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise. Price is an important factor, even when booking a suite. Or are you saying you were charged for drinks you did not order at all?
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