Sky class questions

[sammy79]

Morning!  We’ve done 2 Star class cruises in the past and while we enjoyed having a genie, we’re thinking about a sky class cabin on Oasis next fall. I had several questions and would appreciate your inputs.  Thank you!

 

1) I know you can board early as a sky class but will the room be ready earlier than a general cabin?

2) when do they usually have free drinks (non-alcoholic) and snacks in the suite lounge?  

3) is CK open for embarkation lunch?

4) we will be diamond on our next cruise, can we use our kids’ drink vouchers for alcohol or we can only get non-alcoholic drinks since they’re underage?

5) is there an express debarkation with the concierge?

[WAAAYTOOO]

22 minutes ago, sammy79 said:

Morning!  We’ve done 2 Star class cruises in the past and while we enjoyed having a genie, we’re thinking about a sky class cabin on Oasis next fall. I had several questions and would appreciate your inputs.  Thank you!

 

1) No.  The Sky Class Suites are ready whenever everyone else's rooms are ready.

2) On the O class ships, the SL will have refreshments 11AM-11PM

3) Yes.

4) No.  Children's vouchers cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

5) Yes !  One of the great perks of Sky Class.

We have also pared back the SC bookings.  I do enjoy having a Genie but I guess I've grown a bit tired of the hectic pace that is invariably tied to SC. We do love the suites and enjoy the Sky Class amenities.  I think we have finally decided that this is the sweet spot for us.  I do not have another SC booking until 12-7-24 and it's only b/c I want to see what Icon has to offer.  Also, b/c we will be Pinnacle in October (fingers crossed), we will then be able to enjoy many of the full suite amenities.

[OCSC Mike]

36 minutes ago, sammy79 said:

Morning!  We’ve done 2 Star class cruises in the past and while we enjoyed having a genie, we’re thinking about a sky class cabin on Oasis next fall. I had several questions and would appreciate your inputs.  Thank you!

1) I know you can board early as a sky class but will the room be ready earlier than a general cabin?

No.

2) when do they usually have free drinks (non-alcoholic) and snacks in the suite lounge?  

Since it's Oasis class, you get free beer, wine, hard seltzer, soda, bottled water from 11am-11pm daily. Then there is a 3-hour open bar (liquor) nightly from either 4:30-7:30 or 5-8. They serve breakfast items every morning and  snacks/apps during the nightly happy hour.

3) is CK open for embarkation lunch?

Yes.

4) we will be diamond on our next cruise, can we use our kids’ drink vouchers for alcohol or we can only get non-alcoholic drinks since they’re underage?

No, only non-alcoholic. My young nieces love using theirs for virgin daiquiris.

5) is there an express debarkation with the concierge?

Yes. You will receive instructions in your cabin telling you where to meet the concierge on debarkation day. It was in the Bionic Bar for us on Harmony last June, for example. They will then escort you past the line off the ship.

 

[Neesa]

@WAAAYTOOO put it best! Sky is also our "suite" spot as well. In the past we boarded right after Star and Pinnacles but sometimes alongside Pinnacles. It seems to depend on the mood at the port! 

The wifi included, the #CK embarkation  lunch, the concierges who really work hard to make sure you want for nothing and the express disembarkation opportunities. The all day availability of #CK, just perfect!

Don't forget there are always roped off sections as well for the entertainment offerings, sometimes good locations, sometimes not but it's there for you if you would like. 

A very nice elevated experience without the Genie but honestly I enjoy being my own Genie so I'm actually more relaxed as well. 

In my perfect world you could opt in to Genie services for an extra cost and allow those gorgeous suites to be booked sans Genie, yes that would be nice!

 

[OCSC Mike]

34 minutes ago, Neesa said:

The wifi included, the #CK embarkation  lunch, the concierges who really work hard to make sure you want for nothing and the express disembarkation opportunities. The all day availability of #CK, just perfect!

Don't forget there are always roped off sections as well for the entertainment offerings, sometimes good locations, sometimes not but it's there for you if you would like.

As I've mentioned before (having stayed in Sky Class all of one time until next month makes it twice), nothing against our GS on Harmony, it was very nice, but we appreciated the perks far more than the room itself.

[twangster]

Sky class is also a suite spot for when I book a suite.

I frequently don't drink my six Pinnacle drinks.  I often use them for waters or sports drinks.  UDP is too much every cruise.  I enjoy the UDP once in a while but it's too much food.  

Loft suites remain my favorite although I am purposely trying a different, unique Sky class suite on Spectrum just so I can try something different.  

I do have a Star booking next year so once in while when traveling with other guests who aren't very high in the CAS does make sense sometimes.

[sammy79]

Thank you all. I agree with everyone. Loved star experience but UDP was too much. We were often too full from snacks to enjoy our dinners. We’re a family of 5 so thinking about a 2 bedroom GS. 

[ScooterScott22]

As for the rooms being ready early, you may experience some variety.   Reviewing our three suite cruises in the past year.  

Star class on Allure we were taken right to the room after boarding and I can say we were there before noon.  I’ll share that our Sky class room on Harmony Deck 17, crown loft suite, was ready by 12:15.  Flip side of that our Sky class Owners loft suite on Quantum was not ready until 2pm.  

My guess is that deck 17 may be ready earlier than other staterooms so if you are doing Sky class in a CLS, there is a chance rooms are ready earlier but that could be ship or Cruise specific. Other Sky class rooms are likely more typical times.  

 

[anneglubis]

6 hours ago, Neesa said:

@WAAAYTOOO ...perfect world you could opt in to Genie services for an extra cost and allow those gorgeous suites to be booked sans Genie, yes that would be nice!

 

The thought of someone serving me TOO much is what kept me from choosing the gooder suites. I booked my first suite, but a JS, for this week's trip, thinking we'd get the coastal kitchen at least. And then I realized I missed out on a bunch of other perqs and the concierge wouldn't be too attentive to just me. Too late to upgrade. Y'all enjoy!  I'll remember all this for the next booking.

[sammy79]

Can you use your diamond drink voucher for a Starbucks drink at cafe promenade?

[twangster]

22 minutes ago, sammy79 said:

Can you use your diamond drink voucher for a Starbucks drink at cafe promenade?

Yes.  Cafe Promenade specialty coffee are covered by CAS vouchers.  However there is a coffee machine in the DL that can make similar coffee drinks for free.

Note - vouchers can't be used at the Starbucks branded store on board that also sits on the Promenade.  Cafe promenade next to guests services is not a Starbucks branded store, even if it may serve Starbucks coffee.

[Neesa]

@anneglubis go to #CK the first day, you can express your desire for Coastal Kitchen dinner. If you're flexible CK dinner is a perk you can enjoy. You can get it for dinner! 

 

@sammy79 I am pretty sure you CAN use the voucher for Starbucks at the Cafe Promenade, just NOT the stand alone Starbucks. I think on the main page there is an article @Matt just put together confirming this. Different licensing I believe was the reason given, enjoy it!

Woops, so slow, @twangster beat me to it, lol!!!

[SpicyCherry]

9 hours ago, Neesa said:

@WAAAYTOOO put it best! Sky is also our "suite" spot as well. In the past we boarded right after Star and Pinnacles but sometimes alongside Pinnacles. It seems to depend on the mood at the port! 

The wifi included, the #CK embarkation  lunch, the concierges who really work hard to make sure you want for nothing and the express disembarkation opportunities. The all day availability of #CK, just perfect!

Don't forget there are always roped off sections as well for the entertainment offerings, sometimes good locations, sometimes not but it's there for you if you would like. 

A very nice elevated experience without the Genie but honestly I enjoy being my own Genie so I'm actually more relaxed as well. 

In my perfect world you could opt in to Genie services for an extra cost and allow those gorgeous suites to be booked sans Genie, yes that would be nice!

 

I too agree with @WAAAYTOOO & @Neesa….Sky Class is just enough. We’ve never done a SC for 2 reasons really….1. Too rich for our blood and 2. Don’t think I can keep the Genie busy enough for it to be worth the $$. We’ve stayed at resorts with butlers before but to be honest, didn’t really need much from them. Didn’t want them touching my things so unpacking/packing was out. Our needs aren’t that great. So the Sky Class perks are perfect for us!!

[sammy79]

We’re really going to miss the laundry service!  With 3 kids, we would send out a full bag every morning. 

[ScooterScott22]

13 hours ago, sammy79 said:

Can you use your diamond drink voucher for a Starbucks drink at cafe promenade?

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.

 

[OCSC Mike]

37 minutes ago, ScooterScott22 said:

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.

I like extra free stuff, lol. I make good use of the coffee machine but I'd use that for an iced coffee if allowed.

[anneglubis]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

I like extra free stuff, lol. I make good use of the coffee machine but I'd use that for an iced coffee if allowed.

I brought a bunch of coffee pods and my personal favorite creamers. Because it didn't occur to me they'd provide coffee for the machine.

I could really use a clue lol

[OCSC Mike]

16 minutes ago, anneglubis said:

I brought a bunch of coffee pods and my personal favorite creamers. Because it didn't occur to me they'd provide coffee for the machine.

I could really use a clue lol

The only thing you need to bring is good luck that it remains functional for the week.

[SpicyCherry]

9 hours ago, ScooterScott22 said:

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.

 

That’s cool….hope they have that on our upcoming Wonder in November….I’m not a coffee drinker but DH is. But sometimes if I feel left out, I will try a Latte.

7 hours ago, anneglubis said:

I brought a bunch of coffee pods and my personal favorite creamers. Because it didn't occur to me they'd provide coffee for the machine.

I could really use a clue lol

Bring your creamers if that makes you happy!! As I said above, I’m not a coffee drinker but I do like hot chocolate which they don’t provide in the room. We have a Lavazza at home so I’m bringing my hot chocolate pods!!

[luv2sail]

On 5/13/2023 at 3:11 PM, ScooterScott22 said:

 

My guess is that deck 17 may be ready earlier than other staterooms so if you are doing Sky class in a CLS, there is a chance rooms are ready earlier but that could be ship or Cruise specific. Other Sky class rooms are likely more typical times.  

 

We have a CLS in July.  How would you know if your room was ready early? Not expecting it at all, just wondering.

[SweetPea]

I'm reading this with interest, because depending on the ship we may consider it. 

One thing that I've noticed though is that sometimes when i look at the Sky Class suites that'd we'd book (at least on Quantum/+), by the time i factor in the UBP, UDP, and grats for the 2 of us, the price difference is negligible. (I know many wouldn't book UDP,UBP but we absolutely would each cruise with no C&A status, as we'd rather an all inclusive experience. YMMV).

[sammy79]

8 hours ago, SweetPea said:

I'm reading this with interest, because depending on the ship we may consider it. 

One thing that I've noticed though is that sometimes when i look at the Sky Class suites that'd we'd book (at least on Quantum/+), by the time i factor in the UBP, UDP, and grats for the 2 of us, the price difference is negligible. (I know many wouldn't book UDP,UBP but we absolutely would each cruise with no C&A status, as we'd rather an all inclusive experience. YMMV).

SC is an awesome experience. We enjoyed them very much, esp the free laundry service.  I thought we would always cruise SC but want to try different ships/ rooms and there are only so many SC rooms for a family of 5.  I think sky class might also be our “suite” spot