tonyfsu21

Vacation is what you make of it. Everyone has their own idea about what type of experience they would like to have on a cruise vacation. In my household, we don’t hold back and there is no “cutting the cord” while on vacation. Cabanas, speciality dining, casino and free spending are all fair game. 

Vacation is what you make of it. Everyone has their own idea about what type of experience they would like to have on a cruise vacation. In my household, we don’t hold back and there is no “cutting the cord” while on vacation. Cabanas, speciality dining, casino and free spending are all fair game. 

As follow up, most chair hogs don’t even recall which chairs they dropped their load of towels off. There is some entertainment value when the perpetrator returns to the scene of the crime. 

When I go to the pool with my family of 4 and see this (bank of chairs with just towels), I take them off the chair and replace them with my towels and my family. I have never had an issue. The only way to combat this behavior is to take matters into your own hands. 

When I think “volatile slots” all I hear is the jingle from Heidi’s Bier Haus slot machine for some reason….

When I think “volatile slots” all I hear is the jingle from Heidi’s Bier Haus slot machine for some reason….

As follow up, most chair hogs don’t even recall which chairs they dropped their load of towels off. There is some entertainment value when the perpetrator returns to the scene of the crime. 

When I go to the pool with my family of 4 and see this (bank of chairs with just towels), I take them off the chair and replace them with my towels and my family. I have never had an issue. The only way to combat this behavior is to take matters into your own hands. 

I agree with this. I could seriously deal without all that nonsense while I am trying to have a conversation with my family. 

When I go to the pool with my family of 4 and see this (bank of chairs with just towels), I take them off the chair and replace them with my towels and my family. I have never had an issue. The only way to combat this behavior is to take matters into your own hands. 

I agree with this. I could seriously deal without all that nonsense while I am trying to have a conversation with my family. 

@CensoredI am on the same page as you, I play all hours of the night (and sometimes days depending on if my wife & kids are not ready to murder me). I am simply conveying the fact that if you are not a serious gambler or at a minimum enjoy gambling then there is no point in achieving prime status for the crappy discounts. I have saved many 10’s of thousands on suites via casino discounts and have also enjoyed the free play so I get it. The point is, the casual player popping .25 into the slots and gambling $10/hr is not going to get you anywhere and if that’s “old school news” then I guess I simply agree to disagree. 

@CensoredI am on the same page as you, I play all hours of the night (and sometimes days depending on if my wife & kids are not ready to murder me). I am simply conveying the fact that if you are not a serious gambler or at a minimum enjoy gambling then there is no point in achieving prime status for the crappy discounts. I have saved many 10’s of thousands on suites via casino discounts and have also enjoyed the free play so I get it. The point is, the casual player popping .25 into the slots and gambling $10/hr is not going to get you anywhere and if that’s “old school news” then I guess I simply agree to disagree. 

I recently had an opportunity to sail in the Grand Panoramic Suite on Oasis of the Seas.  It is one of the finest suites I have ever sailed in.

Cabin 1758 category GP is a fairly unique suite.  There are exactly two in the fleet with one on Oasis of the Seas and one on Allure of the Seas.  Later Oasis class ships consumed this space and the similar Owner's Panoramic Suite (OP) on the other side of deck 17 for a larger Coastal Kitchen / Suite Lounge space.   The Owner's Panoramic Suite is slightly larger.

The Grand Panoramic Suite (1758) and Owner's Panoramic Suites (1701) were not originally found on Oasis of the Seas but were added during a dry dock in 2014.  The Grand Panoramic Suite was originally the Pinnacle Chapel while the Owner's Panoramic Suite was originally the Pinnacle Lounge.  These unique suites were added right around the same time that Royal Caribbean introduced the Royal Suites Program found exclusively on Oasis and Quantum class ships.  As part of the Royal Suites program the Grand Panoramic Suite and the Owner's Panoramic Suite are Star Class suites.  

The Grand Panoramic Suite can accommodate four guests and it features two bathrooms.  
The primary bedroom consists of a king sized bed that cannot be separated into two twins. 

The nightstands on either side of the bed are fixed in place.  The mattress is a one piece Duxiana mattress making this one of a handful of beds on board that cannot be separated.  


One of the best features of the Grand Panoramic Suite is the primary bathroom.  It is without question one of the largest and nicest guest bathrooms in the fleet!

The bathroom features a full sized bathtub.


There are two sets of identical sinks.

There is also a full size shower with a rainfall showerhead.  The shower includes a handheld wand that can be operated independently or at the same time with the overhead rainfall.

The toilet area has a frosted glass door to separate it from the rest of the bathroom and includes a bidet.

A makeup area with a stool is found on one end of the bathroom.  

The bathroom contains the closets with ample storage space and a safe for valuables within.

Additional closet space is found on the back wall.

The secondary bathroom is found near the front entrance to the suite.

This bathroom contains a large shower minus the overhead rainfall shower head and no bidet.  
Additional guests sharing the suite have their own makeup area.

This area also contains closet space for additional guests.

A large glass table near the entrance is perfect for enjoying all the dining options that come with Star Class such as specialty restaurant room service.  

The living room features a large sofa with a pull out sofa bed for the third and fourth guests in the suite.

One of the great features of this suite is so much space! 
The wet bar can be stocked as part of the Star Class experience.   This is replenished during the cruise.

The suite has high ceilings making it feel very spacious.

The living room TV includes a soundbar with subwoofer that is bluetooth enabled so you can connect a smartphone to play music from your device independent of the TV.

The primary bedroom has a glass door that can be closed for privacy but the space above the door towards the ceiling is open so you will need to mindful of any sounds that might be heard in the living room if you have additional guests with you.

The balcony is long but somewhat narrow.  The loungers are placed in the only space they can fit.

The balcony includes a private hot tub.

It takes around 45 minutes to fill the hot tub which you can do yourself or you can request the cabin attendants fill it for you.  
The hot tub is small and perfect for a couple who don't mind close proximity but I'd be hesitant to try to squeeze four adult guests into the hot tub unless they are well acquainted.


The balcony does not offer a lot of privacy and you will see and be seen by guests on deck 15 below.
The view from the bedroom with the shades down and curtains open.

The view from the balcony.

To assist with privacy the bedroom has remotely controlled opaque shades that be raised.

The shades will prevent anyone from seeing you in the suite while allowing a lot of natural light into the suite.  The shades are seen here partially raised.  They can go a little higher but they do not go all the way to the ceiling.

There are also both sheer and separate full blackout curtains that be operated independently to control daylight.

During the day with all curtains open there are wonderful views from both the living room and the primary bedroom.  


With the shades down and curtains open you will see the deck 15 pool deck.

From the pool deck looking up towards the Grand Panoramic Suite.

With the shades down and curtains open guests on the pool deck can see into the bedroom.

Knowing the shades provide privacy does allow one to manage privacy quite well.
There is no privacy on the balcony so dress accordingly.


From off the ship here is where the Grand Panoramic Suite is found:

The shades can be seen partially raised providing privacy in the bedroom.  

The balcony provides partial forward views.

While at sea:

Combined with the morning Star Class delivery of Starbucks and a mimosa...

...this became a morning ritual.

Beyond a lack of privacy on the balcony the only other drawback is that pool deck sounds can be heard in the cabin during daylight hours.  
You will hear all entertainment sounds coming from the pool deck.  During the day you will clearly hear bands performing and during events like the belly flop contest you will hear all the announcements that are made even within the suite with the balcony door closed.   From the balcony you will hear guests playing ping pong on deck 14 below.
Despite these two drawbacks I'd gladly book this suite again.  Mr. Stumpy agrees...

...as do the two that were fighting over the departure instructions on the last sea day begging me not to leave.

@CensoredI am on the same page as you, I play all hours of the night (and sometimes days depending on if my wife & kids are not ready to murder me). I am simply conveying the fact that if you are not a serious gambler or at a minimum enjoy gambling then there is no point in achieving prime status for the crappy discounts. I have saved many 10’s of thousands on suites via casino discounts and have also enjoyed the free play so I get it. The point is, the casual player popping .25 into the slots and gambling $10/hr is not going to get you anywhere and if that’s “old school news” then I guess I simply agree to disagree. 

@CensoredI am on the same page as you, I play all hours of the night (and sometimes days depending on if my wife & kids are not ready to murder me). I am simply conveying the fact that if you are not a serious gambler or at a minimum enjoy gambling then there is no point in achieving prime status for the crappy discounts. I have saved many 10’s of thousands on suites via casino discounts and have also enjoyed the free play so I get it. The point is, the casual player popping .25 into the slots and gambling $10/hr is not going to get you anywhere and if that’s “old school news” then I guess I simply agree to disagree. 

Tony, I totally agree with you regarding the "casual player".  Over and over again, I have warned casual players away from trying to become Prime just for the "free" drinks and casino discounts.  Bottom line....if you aren't a gambler and don't plan on playing in the casino ANYway, stay away....or at least, keep your expectations sane.  I'm going to spend my time and money in the casino.  It's what I do and I enjoy it.  I might as well get some status and benefits for doing that, but those who wander in and think they're going to get a lot of freebies for playing the penny slots couldn't be more wrong.

Nothing is ever really free. But I will tell you that I have saved tens of thousands of dollars over the years through casino comps.  Overall, it's a winner for us.

This advice is great if you are a gambler and will be in the casino enjoying everything there is to enjoy in the casino regardless of the points. I wouldn’t advise someone who is not a seasoned casino player to pump money into a machine or a table to try and get to prime for the free drinks and crappy casino certificates. I just doesn’t make good sense.

This approach is not advised. Based simply on the casino point formula alone @ $5 per point you will spend a significant amount of money unless you are really lucky. Besides everything I mentioned, the casino royale program is no longer what it once was and the heavy discounts are nearly non existent. 

Area 51?

Did you miss the large 20’ walls isolating the Labadee peninsula? Also, there are armed guards stationed at the entry points armed with side arms and assault rifles. I have been recently with absolutely zero issues regarding safety. Labadee is a great & safe destination unlike the remainder of Haiti proper which is a war zone. 

It doesn’t exist. I wouldn’t go to Labadee if I were you. Royal Caribbean has a habit of putting their customers directly in the line of fire. 

Try looking for a hotel in the Dania beach (Dania point) area. If you are looking for newer and low cost options then this is your best bet. I am a boots on the ground Fort Lauderdale native & local if you have further questions. 

If the setsail says "Suite" or "Sea" then they can use the suites door entrance to the terminal.
Technically suites are allowed a one hour deviation, plus or minus one hour from appointment time.  However I have seen the suites entrance frequently ignore check in times as long as the setsail indicates they can use the suite entrance.   
Sometimes the setsail in the app doesn't include the sea/sky/star words so it makes it look like you are not in a suite.  The terminal contractors haven't learned every cabin that might be a suite on every ship so they look for those words.