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G'day, Just booked a grand suite on Voyager for 2018 from Sydney, Any Aussies that have had a grand suite, can you advise me on the benefits of a grand suite and the best ways to make the most of it.

Thank you 

Peter Heness

 

Hello follow ANZAC (Guessing for the G'day... though didn't include 'mate' or 'cobber' so I can't be totally sure :) )Which trip did you book? We literally just booked a 14 day trip out of Sydney from the 30/12/17 on the Voyager in a Grand suite :-). 

 

Looking forward to hearing the answer to this as well.

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I'm afraid Candie overestimates my expertise.  While I often sail in suites on Royal, the rules for other parts of the world often differ as we have seen with the latest confusion over Ovation's suites perks in Asia and Australia.

 

General information :  the GS on the Voyager class are very nice.  BIG, comfortable and convenient (not located at extreme ends of the ships as some suites on other classes can be).  You will have a very nice and comfortable balcony which will, most likely, have a small table and 2 chairs - usually loungers or straight chairs with footstools.  The bathroom is larger than a balcony bathroom with a full shower and tub combo.  There are 2 sinks in the bathroom which is nice.  The living area is separated from the bedroom area by a curtain (if you choose to close it.  We never do).  It is a very nice room.

 

As far as amenities or perks, ASSUMING they are the same as for us here in NA (and that's a big assumption), you will have access to the Concierge Lounge or Suites Lounge, whichever Voyager has.  I believe they still have the Concierge Lounge (it is my opinion that eventually all Concierge lounges will be changed to Suites lounges and the D+ pax will no longer be welcome but that is my OPINION, not fact.).  The CL on the Voyager class is located on Deck 9 near the aft elevators.  As a rule, I find these spaces to be rather unappealing.  They are interior (no outside windows) and they can become very crowded during the evening Happy Hour (generally 5 - 8 PM with specific hours dependent upon the ship's schedule).  At the Happy Hour you will be served a variety of complimentary beverages (beer, wine, soda, spirits, champagne) and some cold and warm appetizers.  Unless you are a Diamond level (or higher) Crown & Anchor member, you will not be able to use the Diamond Lounge, which, IMO is much nicer than the CL b/c the space is bigger and there are outside windows....but the CL is considered more "exclusive" for some reason.

 

The other perk that I find most enjoyable is the ability to order room service from the Main Dining Room menu.  Room service for non-suites is only from a very limited menu that is frankly, not very appealing...but as a suites guest you can order anything that is on the MDR menu and as much as you want.  The only limitation is that the service is only available during hours that the MDR is in service.  So, for instance, you cannot order your lobster dinner to be delivered at 4 AM (why would you want that anyway...).  Breakfasts on the balcony are especially enjoyable.

 

You will also have access to the Concierge who is there to help with reservations, transportation and to help answer questions that you may have.  If you want to organize a party in your suite, he (or she) can help with that.  The Concierge service seems to vary with the ship.  On some ships the Concierge will personally escort you off the ship (in a group) and to the priority line for customs.  On some ships this doesn't happen.  If you have any tender ports, the Concierge will help you with priority access to the tenders (which means that you cut in line in front of everyone else trying to get onto the tender !).

 

If I knew how to post the link, I would provide you with the link to the list of Suites perks but it would only be the list for NA anyway.  For some reason, I cannot figure out how to paste anything into these blog posts.  But as I said, I'm not sure it would be particularly helpful anyway as they may or may not apply to you, in Australia.

 

Just know that you will have a VERY nice room, 24 hour access to the Concierge Lounge (local rules may apply) and a wonderful ship.  Enjoy it !

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I like the reserved seating at the shows, although they are released to non suite customers about 5 minutes before the show starts. You don't have to get to the theatres early to bag a good seat. I don't think it's on all ships yet but you also get free internet, we are going on Harmony in June so will find out then if it works as good as the paid version. The private sun lounge area is also good as you are guaranteed to get a lounger and they often have waiter service as well. We just love having the gold card and all the perks it brings and of course eating in coastal kitchen. Enjoy your cruise!

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Thank you all for your responses, it looks like I have made the right choice, we usually book a deluxe balcony but this was a special for my wife for mother's day.

I like the idea of full menu in room service and reserved seating etc 

Peter

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The Coastal Kitchen is a suites (and Pinnacles) -only restaurant.  It is located up in what used to be the Crown Viking Lounge on the Oasis class ships.  It is open for B'fast, Lunch and dinner; reservations are recommended for dinner.  Jr Suites can access the restaurant only for dinner.

 

I find it most convenient for B'fast as it is quiet and relaxing.

 

Half of the old CVL is the Coastal  Kitchen and the other half is the Suites Lounge.  It's really just 1 big room with 2 entrances.  While the Jr. Suites are welcome for dinner in Coastal Kitchen, they are not supposed to have access to the Lounge, but with it being just one big room I think it would be hard to determine who really belongs there and who doesn't.  Maybe that's why they are swiping seapass cards on Allure in the lounge.  Who knows.

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Thank you all for your responses, it looks like I have made the right choice, we usually book a deluxe balcony but this was a special for my wife for mother's day.

I like the idea of full menu in room service and reserved seating etc 

Peter

If I remember correctly there are several other perks not mentioned on here.   You will have several free drinks loaded on your gold sea pass card to use at select bars during the time the concierge lounge is open for free drinks.  So if the lounge is too crowded just try a bar close by but be sure to ask the bartender if the bar is covered for a free drink.  Also you will be able to have breakfast at the chops grille.  It will be a lot less crowded and easier than the windjammer.  Good luck and we know you will have a great time.

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Actually, I don't think the suites have the 3 drinks thing.  I believe that is a Diamond C&A benefit, but I don't think the suites get that one.

You are probably right on that one.  My last cruise I was a first time diamond member and also first time grand suite.   I guess I thought it was a suite perk.  Oh well I'm in the ole fart category so the nice people on here need to help me keep it straight

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This is a perk that gets me confused b/c there are some tours that are C&A level tours and some are suites perks.

 

As I recall, there were 3 tours we could choose to take - all or none, if you wanted.  Bridge, Galley and entertainment.  Now, whether we were invited to those b/c we were in a suite or b/c we are D+, I'm not sure.

 

We ALWAYS take the bridge tour.  I LOVE doing that one on every ship - even if I've been on that ship before.  We have done a number of galley tours now so we don't normally do that one anymore.  The entertainment tour was a *yawn* for us so we never take that one.  It was fun once...but don't need to see the dressing rooms and lighting and audio pit more than once.

 

...and as I've said many times before, I always recommend the All Access Tour.  It's a bit pricey but worth it, IMO.

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