Scoular Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 Hi All, My partner and I are due to cruise on Ovation OTS on 5th May around Alaska for 8 nights. We currently have a balcony booked however I recently cruised with my mum in a suite and I’ve been spoiled. My partner is also asking why I’ve booked us to “slum it” in a balcony room when I treated my mum the price difference is around $7K if it was a hot destination I could see using the balcony a lot and so could convince myself of the benefit. Saying that, I’ve never been to Alaska, so I don’t know how often people typically would be outside, bearing in mind we do have a balcony booked already. My question I guess is would you upgrade or would you upgrade on a hot holiday instead? iluvwineandtravel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 We did the Northern inside passage on the Radiance with a balcony. Ours was very port intensive so the balcony was fine especially for that very reason. I would rather spend the extra $$ on excursions at every port (plus we did a post 3 night cruise tour with RCI). You could try to Royal Up if it is offered. Scoular, Swar, iluvwineandtravel and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 I've been to Alaska twice. Once interior and once in a balcony. A balcony is better, but looking at the prices, I could do more than 2 cruises interior for the price of a balcony. It wasn't that much better! The same reasoning can apply to your cruise. If you can afford the suite, and don't have the time for multiple cruises, then go for it. If not, then I'd be hesitant to spend the extra dough. Scoular, iluvwineandtravel and Swar 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvwineandtravel Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 59 minutes ago, Scoular said: Hi All, My partner and I are due to cruise on Ovation OTS on 5th May around Alaska for 8 nights. We currently have a balcony booked however I recently cruised with my mum in a suite and I’ve been spoiled. My partner is also asking why I’ve booked us to “slum it” in a balcony room when I treated my mum the price difference is around $7K if it was a hot destination I could see using the balcony a lot and so could convince myself of the benefit. Saying that, I’ve never been to Alaska, so I don’t know how often people typically would be outside, bearing in mind we do have a balcony booked already. My question I guess is would you upgrade or would you upgrade on a hot holiday instead? I will be on that cruise also. I have one of the extra large balconies on the hump. The extra large balconies are usually double the price i paid fo this cruise to Alaska so I am thrilled! Scoular 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvwineandtravel Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 4 minutes ago, iluvwineandtravel said: I will be on that cruise also. I have one of the extra large balconies on the hump. The extra large balconies are usually double the price i paid fo this cruise to Alaska so I am thrilled! We have been to alaska a LOT and it is one of my favorite destinations. I have had really good luck and weather on May cruises. That said, I do expect May 5th to be pretty cold still. The best views in alaska are the 360 degree views up on deck. I have actually often sailed in an inside cabin and still had a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCG Teacher Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 IMHO, $7,000 can pay for quite a few once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions. Easy decision for me to give up some walking around room to go do some things I may never have the opportunity to do again, but everyone's priorities are different! Swar, VirtKitty, Scoular and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 Coming from the ultimate suite snob, I probably would NOT pay $7K more for a suite over a balcony. Swar, Scoular, ChrisK2793 and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12thman Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 I'd have to agree with @WAAAYTOOOthat's a lot to up grade especially when you can use that money for an amazing excursion which in Alaska are not cheap. You could do a float plane ride and walk on the glacier or plane ride and ride one of the dog sleds. Even have a customized personal excursion created just for you by Private Journeys. whitsmom, Scoular and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoular Posted January 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 Thanks All! I really appreciate the advice. Does anyone know if JS are now getting all the benefits? I heard they stopped access to the suite lounge for dinner during Covid. Is this still in place? It’s $3400 extra for a JS. Are your thoughts the same on that upgrade? In my head I agree with you all from your comments above and I don’t think he would be able to enjoy many of the standard suite benefits with it being a cold destination, but I know you don’t get many of those with JS anyway, but I’ve never stayed in a JS, so I don’t know a good rate from a bad one! Sharla 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 I think you were warned about the allure of the suite life!! AshleyDillo, WAAAYTOOO and Scoular 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 That is much more difficult of a decision. I would probably go ahead and spring for the JS for $3400. True, you get almost none of the perks but the room, bathroom and balcony are bigger and many are having good luck getting into CK on the Q class ships for dinner, even during COVID. You will get priority boarding and don't forget double points ! I went back and re-read your original post. I guess I missed that you were looking at an Owner's Suite. I still think $7K is a lot of money....but the OS are really nice ! Full dining setup inside the suite....and a very VERY nice size suite. Probably still a no, but not as bad a deal as I first thought. Scoular, Pooch and Baked Alaska 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoular Posted January 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 12 minutes ago, Pooch said: I think you were warned about the allure of the suite life!! I was! What I wasn’t expecting was my partner to get jealous of the lack of suite life. I also feel I was prepared to go back to life in a balcony cabin, but as the next cruise gets closer, here we are! Pooch and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoular Posted January 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 @WAAAYTOOOthanks for your input. I really appreciate it! teddy and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoular Posted January 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 19 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: I would probably go ahead and spring for the JS for $3400. To follow up on this, it’s $3400 extra, so just shy of $5300. Is that a lot for a JS? I feel I got my balcony for such a good deal at $1850 for 8 nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12thman Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 23 minutes ago, Scoular said: To follow up on this, it’s $3400 extra, so just shy of $5300. Is that a lot for a JS? I feel I got my balcony for such a good deal at $1850 for 8 nights. Alaska is a premium destination so everything costs more. It's also a intensive port itinerary consider how much time will you actually be spending in the suite/cabin. Ovation has many activities and things to do. We get a suite because we don't take many cruises due to time off constraints. If you only cruise a couple times a year then sure splurge and get the junior suite. We had a junior suite on Ovation last summer and it was okay but I wouldn't pay that price difference. teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 That’s a pretty big jump. I am notoriously cheap (and yet a suite snob) and that’s a lot extra to pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 5 minutes ago, 12thman said: Alaska is a premium destination so everything costs more. It's also a intensive port itinerary consider how much time will you actually be spending in the suite/cabin. Ovation has many activities and things to do. We get a suite because we don't take many cruises due to time off constraints. If you only cruise a couple times a year then sure splurge and get the junior suite. We had a junior suite on Ovation last summer and it was okay but I wouldn't pay that price difference. Ok only on this board would a couple of cruises a year be “only”! teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12thman Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 4 minutes ago, Pooch said: Ok only on this board would a couple of cruises a year be “only”! Yes you see how many cruises other's have\are taking!? Like @Matt, @twangster wish I could get that much vacation time. Pooch 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoular Posted January 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 Thanks for your input, @12thmanand @Pooch. I think I might hold off and cross fingers for Royal Up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 I'm in the save the upgrade money for excursions camp! Scoular, teddy, Pooch and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XtremeGK Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 2 hours ago, Scoular said: To follow up on this, it’s $3400 extra, so just shy of $5300. Is that a lot for a JS? I feel I got my balcony for such a good deal at $1850 for 8 nights. You got a pretty good deal there at $1850. Personally, I wouldn't spend the $3400 on a JS -- just not enough upside, especially when I could put that money towards excursions. Alaska is so much about the sights and the destination, I'd put the $$ towards those experiences. In the Caribbean? I'd put the money into the suite and the experience on the ship. Scoular 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDaley Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 2 hours ago, Scoular said: To follow up on this, it’s $3400 extra, so just shy of $5300. Wow, I can't believe you got a balcony to Alaska at $1900, I am looking now for 2023 and the cheapest balcony rooms are on OV/QT at ~$2500 for a 7 night from Seattle. I love the extra room in a JS but only book them when the per night rate is around $400. $757/night seems crazy crazy high to me; according to my extensive cruise pricing spreadsheet, the highest I have seen a JS is around $600/night on an OA class. Scoular 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbeyg Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 We also have a balcony booked for AK for $1860 this year. We sailed our last time there in a JS. I can’t justify the $5300 for the JS this time, but we personally have other factors to consider. We are taking my aunt and sister, and are def spending the difference in prices on private tours instead. If you aren’t returning, you may want the JS. If you plan to return, slumming in the balcony should be fine. At least my husband considers it slumming. That said, the pricing is normal for AK. When Covid first hit in 2020, we were booked in a JS for $5100, and they were in an inside virtual balcony for $2800. Today, after cancellations 2 years in a row, and grabbing every discounted price for both cabins, we are in balconies for $1860 (Diamond discount) and $2050. If the JS drops below $4000, we MIGHT reconsider. Scoular 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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