Pippa_OceanTime

Quantum of the seas is coming to Brisbane, Australia in Oct 2021!!! That is all...

Quantum of the seas is coming to Brisbane, Australia in Oct 2021!!! That is all...

So, I have been fortunate enough to do a few of the Singapore cruises over the past couple months and was able to experience the OLS and the deck 8 GLS.  A few differences, but my overall vote goes to the GLS. I just disembarked this morning and thought I would share a few thoughts while still fresh:
Main level interior of both rooms basically feel the same size The main level primary balcony is much bigger in the GLS (of the differences, this is the primary reason I preferred the GLS vs OLS) Main level split bathroom of OLS is probably nice if traveling with a larger group, but there were just 2 of us so that wasn't an issue for us Upstairs bathroom is much bigger in OLS (with double sink), but both have showers of similar size with dual shower heads Side balconies of OLS definitely add more natural light but they are small and really only adequate for 1 person to enjoy; again, perhaps nice for larger group allowing for spaces if anyone wants to get away for a while   ? The noise from 270 in both rooms didn't bother us as we were often out during show times; definitely heard it a few times, but it wasn't an issue I am actually going on another sailing in 3 weeks and will be in a deck 10 middle GLS.  Once we return, I will share any differences between deck 8 and deck 10 middle GLS.

Hello @WAAAYTOOO, coming back to this, judging from the latest blog post on the Singapore Cruise Society, I think Yen is indeed on Quantum! ?
 

Thank you both for the additional information!  We are US expats living in Singapore and while we have done several cruises, we are doing our first Star Class voyage in a few weeks!!
We had already booked a 4 night OLS aboard Quantum for Dec 31, but given your feedback we have also now booked a second 4 night voyage aboard Quantum in March in a GLS - #8724 as recommended!
Thanks again!

There are a few good blogs by members here on each of those suites.  Have a look through them.  It might help with your decision.  I personally agree with @WAAAYTOOO.  For the jump in price of the OLS, it is not worth it to me.
OLS blogs: 
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/12964-anthem-of-the-seas-june-6-9-night-bermuda-ol-8720-sc/&tab=comments#comment-125791
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/17031-anthem-11-night-southern-caribbean-jan-27-feb-7-2020-a-star-class-super-bowl/
GLS blogs:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/19194-anthem-of-the-seas-3820-–-31520-star-class-cruise/&tab=comments#comment-198092
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/16651-first-time-star-class-8-night-holiday-bahamas-cruise-anthem-122019/&tab=comments#comment-169963
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/12259-keepin-it-star-classy-anthem-edition/&tab=comments#comment-117844
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/11273-back-2-back-star-class-cruises-the-short-version/
 

That's kind of a loaded question, or one that takes a lot of keystrokes to answer.  That's a good thing because Star Class comes with a lot.  A lot more than anyone can type in one post.
I suggest starting with some user experiences such as this trip report from @Lovetocruise2002:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/10695-“i-dream-of-genie”-–-star-class-harmony-of-the-seas-–-031019-031719/&tab=comments#comment-100860
Oh... and welcome to the message boards!

Does any one have a full list of what you get with star class, just want to make sure i can ask all the correct questions when on board.

We did it on Anthem.  The sofa turns into a double bed but we also had a rollaway as well.  The only caveat other than the lack of privacy already mentioned is that I don't believe the upstairs bed can be split into two beds and remains a single king bed.  

Yes but keep in mind that it is a loft, so you will be lacking some privacy. It has two bathrooms but two adults will have to sleep in a sofa bed on the lower level. There is also nothing to separate the two levels other than a curtain. 
If you are fine with that, Star class is amazing. 

Is it possible to fit 4 adults in a Grand Loft Suite? 
Not sure why but a grand loft suite is cheaper than a 2 br GS, and we get star class benefits. 

You will love 8724.  We were in that suite on the first half of our B2B in Feb 2019.  GREAT suite.  The only negatives were the noise (which I mentioned already) and the long walk, but you have a long walk no matter which suite you choose !  We had Yen Lee as our Genie.  I don't know if she will still be there when you sail, but she is a great Genie.

Welcome to the boards, @Karl.  IMO, the “middle” 2 GLS on deck 8 are the best.  The are significantly larger than the “corner” GLS.  The corner ones have 3 balconies but they are small and pretty much useless to us.  The bigger aft balcony on the middle suites is much nicer. Both types are Star Class (although in our opinion, the corner ones should not be) so the amenities are the same but we were extremely disappointed in the corner GLS when we moved there from our beautiful middle room on the second half of our Anthem B2B.  If given the choice, I would choose the deck 8 middle GLS every time.  The only problem with deck 8 is that there is a lot of bleed-through noise from the shows (particularly during The Cabaret), You can hear it on deck 10, but it’s not as bad.  

ok so I got my answer!  I'll leave this here for anyone else.  Also thanks @JohnK6404 those photos help!
 
 

Looking to book a Cabana while at Labadee as per @Matt's advice from the blog.  Not having been there before the options are not crystal clear to me nor are the differences and pros/cons of each.  At Nellies beach I see three types.  I see Waterfront Cabana, Cabana at Nellie's beach, and Overwater Cabana at Nellie's.  The waterfront option seems self explanatory but the difference between the other two is not clear and there is a massive price difference (560 vs 360 Can).  The videos posted by Royal look identical.  It looks like there are family bungalows at Columbus beach and some maps have cabanas at Adrenaline beach but I don't see those on the cruise planner.  Any insight from experience would be greatly appreciated!   Thanks! 

Matt, you are so cute !  Royal Caribbean - GIVE us something !  Are you kidding ??
No.

Maybe someone who's done an Australian itinerary can help.  @Pippa_OceanTime?   I had to look up the port, I've never heard of it.  

I don't recommend going to these. Nothing is free. It's a cheap charm or whatever to entice you to buy something.
I have not, but I do know others that have won.  A tour is usually required and then you get the raffle ticket at the end. You might be able to sweet talk your way out of the tour if you mention you have been on a tour before. 
I was just talking about this with @Pippa_OceanTime last night. The most you win is a tee shirt or key chain. It's free, but I consider it a waste of time.

I always think it's great when companies continually assess their guests' experiences and feelings on future ventures. Great to know RCCL is doing that. A company that large should always be doing it. Thanks for the info!

@Biggiojr @WAAAYTOOO
For any survey related emails you get from or for Royal, make sure to at least look at them-don't delete until you check it first. I got one about Cococay. They requested that I take some pictures and describe our visit there. In return they gave a $75 Amazon gift card. My information to them was due no later than the day after we returned and I had the gift card less than 7 days after that. It was well worth the few minutes spent....and Cococay was magnificent.

My wife did eat twice in 1 night, we went to Wonderland and she really didn't like the food, she tried it, but it wasn't her favorite, so later we meet fellow GC people in the pub and she wanted some nacho's so we ordered them, there was some confusion on the Unlimited with the server but ultimately they figured it out and brought my wife her nacho's as part of the unlimited.

@Pippa_OceanTime the only caution I would give you would be to check out the ship you are sailing on and find out how many specialty restaurants are available on board, we just came off a 9 night on the Anthem, which basically has 4 specialty restaurants, Chops, Jamie's, Izumi, Wonderland, you also have Solarium Bistro but don't need the package to eat there, we also had Coastal Kitchen available to us because we were in a Suite, you start running in to food fatigue because the specialty restaurants don't swap there menu like the MDR and Coastal does. We did eat Izumi 3 lunches on sea days, but ended up skipping a second time in some of the specialty dinning to go back to Coastal Kitchen because the food and service was better IMO. 
So we also went on Freedom last October, 2 specialty restaurants, Chops and Giovani's. Did not really get our moneys worth on this.
If you are on a "O" class ship with 7-8 specialty dinning venues then this changes things because of a larger amount of choices.
One other thing, if you do buy the package and once you get on the ship, make sure and tell your waiter that you have the Unlimited, it doesn't always show to them when they ring up the dinner and there is confusion because of the charge and then they have to go back and take it off.

That's great info! I'll make sure we stop by and check out which places are open on the sly. If we could use the package for lunch on the day in Nassau (don't plan on leaving the ship) then I would be THRILLED.
I figured if I eat a complete meal one place then I'll be done for the night too! Haha I'm at least planning on maybe skipping a course at one place to sub in that course or a second one at another ? Or having an early-dinner and a late-dinner. Our inner-Bacchus comes out on a cruise; UDP and a DBP! 

You’re welcome !