Cruise Suites

[TEK224]

Has anyone here splurged and booked a suite on a cruise? If so, was it worth the extra cost? We did an Alaskan cruise in 2022. Had a balcony cabin and loved it. My SO enjoyed sitting on the balcony, looking out at the ocean and scenery when near land. I think that was one of his favorite parts. He said it was so relaxing.
We're going to do Alaska again in a couple years to celebrate his birthday and I was thinking of upgrading to a suite. Not the highest level suite, but something with a little more space and bigger balcony. He says it's not necessary, but I'd like to try it, at least once. We worked hard all our lives and are now retired, so why not splurge a little bit? Any opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Glenn2]

We often book a junior suite when taking a cruise. If you spend some time in your cabin or like to spend time on your private balcony, it can be worth the extra cost. On Royal Caribbean Radiance class ships, a junior suite upgrade from balcony can give you 120 square feet more space, 179 to 299, larger bathroom, walk in closet and larger balcony. I believe other cruise line's smaller sized suites are a similar upgrade from a balcony cabin. Be careful though, the upgrade cost on some cruises is exorbitant and not worth it, but other cruises the difference is reasonable and worth it. Watch the cabin prices, they fluctuate over time. Hope your next cruise is fantastic!

 

[TEK224]

We often book a junior suite when taking a cruise. If you spend some time in your cabin or like to spend time on your private balcony, it can be worth the extra cost. On Royal Caribbean Radiance class ships, a junior suite upgrade from balcony can give you 120 square feet more space, 179 to 299, larger bathroom, walk in closet and larger balcony. I believe other cruise line's smaller sized suites are a similar upgrade from a balcony cabin. Be careful though, the upgrade cost on some cruises is exorbitant and not worth it, but other cruises the difference is reasonable and worth it. Watch the cabin prices, they fluctuate over time. Hope your next cruise is fantastic!

Thanks. We were on RCCL's Radiance of the Seas for Alaska and had the balcony. It was nice. We may have a friend join us when we go in 2 years so there would be 3 in the room. Another reason we thought the extra space would work out well.

 

[Passepartout]

We did a Celebrity Suite class on an Asia cruise. The private (Suite class) Luminae dining room with a choice of any other menu on the ship (not specialty restaurants) and a butler to bring breakfast in the cabin was wonderful. There was unlimited use of the suite lounge with top shelf booze, hot hors d'ouvres and usually a few ship's officers on hand. They held front seats in the theater balcony for special shows for us and we had priority on- and off the ship at ports and on disembarkation day.

'Worth it'? I dunno. I can't say we'll do it again, but if they feel like upgrading us at no extra cost, I wouldn't turn it down.

Schmoozin' with the Cap'n. . .

Jim

 

[TEK224]

We did a Celebrity Suite class on an Asia cruise. The private (Suite class) Luminae dining room with a choice of any other menu on the ship (not specialty restaurants) and a butler to bring breakfast in the cabin was wonderful. There was unlimited use of the suite lounge with top shelf booze, hot hors d'ouvres and usually a few ship's officers on hand. They held front seats in the theater balcony for special shows for us and we had priority on- and off the ship at ports and on disembarkation day.

'Worth it'? I dunno. I can't say we'll do it again, but if they feel like upgrading us at no extra cost, I wouldn't turn it down.

Schmoozin' with the Cap'n. . .
View attachment 86676
Jim

Sounds like it was nice!

 

[SmithOp]

I'll let you know at the end of May.

We previously did Alaska balcony cabin on NCL and it was certainly worth it.

This May we are doing the Princess Cruise / Tour in a Suite. We have a 7 night cruise from Vancouver, then 6 nights in Denali Princess Lodges, 2 nights each in 3 lodges.

 

[beejaybee]

We got lucky once when the price of a Celebrity Sky Suite guarantee cabin (pre-Retreat and Luminae days) went to only $100 more than the Aqua Class cabin we were booked into. This was after final payment for a 13-night Adriatic cruise. We were assigned a Sky Suite on Deck 6 on the S-class Silhouette. Loved the cabin but didn't make much use of the butler.
I'd reserved a Sky Suite on the inaugural Edge voyage, but thought twice about the cost so downgraded that cruise to an Infinite Veranda (not a fan).
While we prefer veranda cabins, for our next cruise we are in a forward OV on the Eclipse.

 

[TEK224]

I'll let you know at the end of May.

We previously did Alaska balcony cabin on NCL and it was certainly worth it.

This May we are doing the Princess Cruise / Tour in a Suite. We have a 7 night cruise from Vancouver, then 6 nights in Denali Princess Lodges, 2 nights each in 3 lodges.

I used Princess Cruise Line when I went to Alaska about 25 years ago. The ship was nice, but not as many amenities as todays ships have. I liked that Princess went to Glacier Bay.

 

[HedonisticEpicurean]

In the dynamic realm of travel, cruise ship suites have become a lavish choice for those in pursuit of an unforgettable experience on the open waters. I equate it to choosing how to journey from point A to point B – some opt for Basic Economy, others insist on the luxury of First Class, and a select few demand the exclusivity of a private jet. While all these options ultimately get you to the same destination at the same time, human preferences often involve a trade-off between comfort and cost savings.

Personally, I lean towards selecting a suite when it's financially viable, appreciating the added space and enhanced services that contribute to a more refined experience. Nevertheless, I've also found immense pleasure in the simplicity of sailing in a basic outside cabin. The idea of an inside stateroom holds little appeal to me. In my view, prioritizing a higher-quality cruise line with a more modest cabin is preferable to splurging on a high-end cabin aboard a lower-tier ship. However, travel preferences are highly subjective, and every adventurer is unique.

Here's to celebrating our diverse choices that make the world of travel endlessly fascinating.

 

[HedonisticEpicurean]

We did a Celebrity Suite class on an Asia cruise. The private (Suite class) Luminae dining room with a choice of any other menu on the ship (not specialty restaurants) and a butler to bring breakfast in the cabin was wonderful. There was unlimited use of the suite lounge with top shelf booze, hot hors d'ouvres and usually a few ship's officers on hand. They held front seats in the theater balcony for special shows for us and we had priority on- and off the ship at ports and on disembarkation day.

'Worth it'? I dunno. I can't say we'll do it again, but if they feel like upgrading us at no extra cost, I wouldn't turn it down.

Schmoozin' with the Cap'n. . .

Jim

It looks like the SUITE LIFE suits you well. Great picture! With all that top shelf free booze it is good that you even remember the cruise.

 

[Passepartout]

It looks like the SUITE LIFE suits you well. Great picture! With all that top shelf free booze it is good that you even remember the cruise.

It was a good one. From Yokohama, Kyoto, Kobe, a stop in Korea, Taiwan, Shanghai & Hong Kong. In the Retreat they stocked 22 oz bombers of barrel aged IPAs just for me and set one up when I walked in the door. This was our last cruise before Covid struck and all but wiped out the cruise industry.

 

[Ken555]

This is a pic of my junior suite on Royal’s Navigator. There are only a few with this large patio (it’s not a balcony, it’s a patio!). This is what sometimes happens when they repurpose former public spaces into cabins.

I suggest you compare the price of a suite on a large ship to cabins on smaller cruise lines, such as Windstar.

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[TEK224]

This is a pic of my junior suite on Royal’s Navigator. There are only a few with this large patio (it’s not a balcony, it’s a patio!). This is what sometimes happens when they repurpose former public spaces into cabins.

I suggest you compare the price of a suite on a large ship to cabins on smaller cruise lines, such as Windstar.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

WOW!

 

[alwysonvac]

This is a pic of my junior suite on Royal’s Navigator. There are only a few with this large patio (it’s not a balcony, it’s a patio!). This is what sometimes happens when they repurpose former public spaces into cabins.

I suggest you compare the price of a suite on a large ship to cabins on smaller cruise lines, such as Windstar.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Wow, thanks for sharing. This is good to know.
I might book something for my parents. Did they do this on all Voyager Class ships?

 

[alwysonvac]

Update: I found my answer about Royal Caribbean’s junior suites on Cruise Critic. Posting it here in case anyone else was wondering

Navigator of the Seas Junior Suite

I was thinking about booking the new junior suites on deck 11. I noticed that the balcony is 567 sq. Ft is this a typo? Also it says the room is 235 sq ft. Which seems incredibly small for a js?

boards.cruisecritic.com

 

[Ken555]

Update: I found my answer about Royal Caribbean’s junior suites on Cruise Critic. Posting it here in case anyone else was wondering

Navigator of the Seas Junior Suite

I was thinking about booking the new junior suites on deck 11. I noticed that the balcony is 567 sq. Ft is this a typo? Also it says the room is 235 sq ft. Which seems incredibly small for a js?

boards.cruisecritic.com

Keep in mind that those particular jr suites have a regular cabin bathroom, not the larger bathroom in all other junior suites.

Also, some of the regular balcony cabins on deck 11 near these jr suites also have huge patios, just not as wide. It’s also in the front of the ship with the glass separation so might not be as good for certain itineraries.

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[pedro47]

The suite life cabins on Celebrity Cruise Lines have almost double in cost in the past few years. Celebrity Cruise Lines have also now eliminated the butler for the Sky Suite category. We will be sailing on the new Celebrity Ascent E Class ship this year in a Prime Aqua Class cabin.

Celebrity Cruise Lines was known for excellent service and food.

 

[pedro47]

We did a Celebrity Suite class on an Asia cruise. The private (Suite class) Luminae dining room with a choice of any other menu on the ship (not specialty restaurants) and a butler to bring breakfast in the cabin was wonderful. There was unlimited use of the suite lounge with top shelf booze, hot hors d'ouvres and usually a few ship's officers on hand. They held front seats in the theater balcony for special shows for us and we had priority on- and off the ship at ports and on disembarkation day.

'Worth it'? I dunno. I can't say we'll do it again, but if they feel like upgrading us at no extra cost, I wouldn't turn it down.

Schmoozin' with the Cap'n. . .
View attachment 86676
Jim

Looks liked you were sailing on a Celebrity Solicits Class or M Class Ship.
Excellence customer service to all their cruiser was their standard. The big X on their ship is for Excellence Customer Service and Food.

 

[Passepartout]

Looks liked you were sailing on a Celebrity Solicits Class or M Class Ship.

Yes. It was aboard Millenium just after she was 'Solsticized'.

 

[x3 skier]

We had a suite for a Caribbean cruise on RCCL. The family, 2 daughters and four grandkids used it as a meeting place and for get togethers after dinner. The private lounge was nice with "horse duvers" and top shelf drinks. Well worth it but we wouldn't do it again for just the two of us unless we could snag one for a small increase in price.

Cruis Critic is a great resource to use.

 

[TEK224]

Great info to keep in mind as I continue my research. The other thing I need to consider if using RCCL, is that they charge more if I want to pick my cabin than if I let them pick it. I've only cruised once on RCCL so I don't know a lot about them. My travel agent worked with them to select a cabin for me and it was great. But I do worry about having them select the cabin if I book a suite. On their site it says the suite will be assigned before departure. That sounds like I could get whatever is left over after those who paid to pick their own. But everything I read says suites and inside cabins are the first to get booked (due to only a small number of suites and the inexpensiveness of indoor rooms). If I book when they first open reservations, shouldn't i get a decent room? Since we'll be going to Alaska, I don't want an obstructed view. I was told they will start taking reservations for 2026 in November of this year.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Just keep in mind that forward facing balconies are great if the weather is great, but even in great weather, they are extremely windy when the ship is moving. Aft balconies are better sheltered from wind and weather. Some are concerned about engine smells aft, but I have never had that issue on aft cabins. Side facing balconies always have at least a wind break in one side.

As an agent, I've stayed un many categories and have toured many cruise ships where every cabin category was available for agents to look at. These are usually during Fam cruises where agents are invited prior to the official inaugural sail.

 

[Ken555]

Just keep in mind that forward facing balconies are great if the weather is great, but even in great weather, they are extremely windy when the ship is moving.

Yes, and that’s why the glass is there. See the pic I posted earlier.


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[Ken555]

Great info to keep in mind as I continue my research. The other thing I need to consider if using RCCL, is that they charge more if I want to pick my cabin than if I let them pick it.

This isn’t always the case. Royal sometimes offers a lower price on a guarantee cabin, but in many instances it’s the same price as when you choose your own cabin.

In general the rule is… if Royal can charge for something, they will.


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