Suite Perks + non-suite underage children

[slidekb]

I have seen a lot of similar posts but they are all a bit different than my situation and/or are pretty old, so I apologize if this feels like a FAQ.

We often travel with my single father-in-law, and when going on a cruise the single supplement poses a problem for him -- he is not willing to pay double the normal price in order to go on a cruise. So, on a number of occasions, we have booked a cruise and put one of our two children (now aged 9 and 11 yo) in his cabin. Then we pay him what it would have cost to add the child to our own stateroom. In the end, it costs him about 1.5x a normal cruise cost, instead of 2x. Once on the ship, both children stay in our cabin (we make sure to book a 4-person room). I am aware that we can get Seapass cards adjusted but we have never bothered to actually do that.

Well, we are about to go on a cruise on Harmony of the Seas (our first time on that class of ship) and we booked our first ever suite (the mid-tier). It's a big celebration for my wife's milestone birthday. We would love to take advantage of a few of the suite perks, but I'm wondering if we'll run into issues with our minor child who is not officially in our room. I wanted to ask to see the best way to approach this, or if it will even be an issue at all. In an ideal world, we would love to include both our daughter and my father-in-law in our activities, but at the very least I'm hoping our daughter will be able to join us.

Specifically:

• Priority boarding
• Coastal Kitchen
• Bridge, Galley & Backstage Tours
• Reserved Theater Seating

I'm not too worried about Priority Boarding and Theater Seating as we can live without it. And I assume worst case we can buy an extra ticket for the tours. So I think my questions are really around Coastal Kitchen. Since we have been on a lot of RCCL cruises (we are Diamond Plus) and have never been to the Coastal Kitchen before, I'd like to try at least one Breakfast, one Lunch, and one Dinner. But I don't want to ditch my father-in-law and especially not one of my daughters for each of those meals.

So, I'm looking for advice on how to proceed. Should I just be upfront with the concierge about this when I get on the ship and figure out my options? Or should I just hope my one daughter can tag along with the rest of us?

[CruiseRoyalDad]

Prepare for many comments regarding pay for the service you want type of thing.

However, the best way to go about this is to be upfront and honest with your concierge. No doubt your FIL will be doing a good bit of childcare. Make sure the concierge knows this. That he is partly your childcare specialist. They will often include him and your non-suite daughter in your CK reservations without issue. I'm not saying this is a rule and they may not allow it but they have in the past (speaking from experience). As for the priority boarding and shows. They will not turn you away with your child as long as they are ticketed passenger. Likely it'll be that your father can come with you especially since he's a crucial part of assisting with your kids. As for the shows, when you walk in show your suite passes and hold your 4th child's hand. You'll likely be fine. 

Please read the above in that Royal does not have to make any exceptions for your case but probably will. Just don't be disappointed if they don't. 

[smokeybandit]

You can certainly ask, but expect a no. Then be pleasantly surprised if it's a yes.

[Xaa]

Help me understand.  Doesn't your father's room come out to be the same aggregate cost with the single supplement or with the child as a second?  If the child stays in your room anyway and you want to subsidize his cost by the amount it costs to add your daughter as an extra in your room, just make the same subsidy and your daughter is in for all of the activities.

Your Father-In-Law is likely out for CK.  You can ask, but like @smokeybandit said don't be surprised with a no.

You're unlikely to have any issue with your FIL arriving at the same time as you (they may shift him to the other line), and the shows will be no problem at all.  it's the CK and the tours where your FIL might be SOL.

In the end, you want something you know you aren't entitled to, so anything you get is a win even if you don't get complete victory.  Let us know how it works out.

[Pooch]

Perhaps a Junior Suite for FIL and daughter?  That would give them access to some of the perks.  

[slidekb]

57 minutes ago, Xaa said:

Help me understand.  Doesn't your father's room come out to be the same aggregate cost with the single supplement or with the child as a second?  If the child stays in your room anyway and you want to subsidize his cost by the amount it costs to add your daughter as an extra in your room, just make the same subsidy and your daughter is in for all of the activities.

I'm not an expert, but if the standard cost is "X", then putting 2 people in one room costs 2X, but putting one person in one room also costs 2X (1X plus single supplement of 1X). Adding a 3rd or 4th to a room costs 0.5X. So, putting my FIL in his own room and me/my wife/2 kids in another room, costs a total of 5X (2X for his room, 3X for our room).

But by booking it this way, his room is still 2X, but ours is only 2.5X, so the total is only 4.5X.

57 minutes ago, Xaa said:

Your Father-In-Law is likely out for CK.  You can ask, but like @smokeybandit said don't be surprised with a no.

You're unlikely to have any issue with your FIL arriving at the same time as you (they may shift him to the other line), and the shows will be no problem at all.  it's the CK and the tours where your FIL might be SOL.

In the end, you want something you know you aren't entitled to, so anything you get is a win even if you don't get complete victory.  Let us know how it works out.

Yes, I completely understand. This is why I'm asking. I know that only the three in our room are technically entitled to the benefits. In all honesty, when I booked the trip I didn't really think about this, since it is our first time booking a suite. But I also know that minor children get various "undeserved" perks, like for example, my children are both Diamond Plus members, but they don't have nearly enough cruise credits for that.

[Xaa]

12 minutes ago, slidekb said:

I'm not an expert, but if the standard cost is "X", then putting 2 people in one room costs 2X, but putting one person in one room also costs 2X (1X plus single supplement of 1X). Adding a 3rd or 4th to a room costs 0.5X. So, putting my FIL in his own room and me/my wife/2 kids in another room, costs a total of 5X (2X for his room, 3X for our room).

But by booking it this way, his room is still 2X, but ours is only 2.5X, so the total is only 4.5X.

You're right.  I knew I was missing something.  If you both keep your daughter in your room and subsidize your FIL for what it costs to have her in your room, you've paid her portion twice instead of once.  Makes sense.

Good luck with it all.  Hope that more of it works out than what doesn't.

[Ampurp85]

Your children share your status, but suite perks are different and with ships sailing at and over capacity, be prepared to not get the benefits of someone not staying in the room. I know some posted that CK and others will make exceptions because it occurred for them but there are plenty of factors. When you sail, what type of room, i.e star class has a bit more leeway than a sky class suite, and a host of other things.  A group of 5 adding 1 person is different from a group of 4 adding one person. They have tables in even numbers, so an odd will have no problem becoming an even but an even often can't become an odd.

[AshleyDillo]

7 hours ago, slidekb said:

I'm not an expert, but if the standard cost is "X", then putting 2 people in one room costs 2X, but putting one person in one room also costs 2X (1X plus single supplement of 1X). Adding a 3rd or 4th to a room costs 0.5X. So, putting my FIL in his own room and me/my wife/2 kids in another room, costs a total of 5X (2X for his room, 3X for our room).

But by booking it this way, his room is still 2X, but ours is only 2.5X, so the total is only 4.5X.

I would check what passengers 3+ cost in your room in your fare breakdown. I have sailed in a room where guests 1 and 2 cost 8000 each while guests 3 and beyond cost only 800 additional to be added, especially in suites.

See this random example:

Guest 3 is only 25% the cost of guest 1.

[Babsy47]

I’ve had this combination several times on different ships.  I’ve taken non-Suite kids to CK, but never the entire group of Suite and non-Suite as that would be too many I think.  In Star class, my non-suite family were treated the same as the Suite family, but I did buy the UDP and DBP for non-suite designees.  The genie also helped with reservations for non-suite granddaughter.  Sometimes, the Suite concierge will invite non-suite family into the Suite lounge; sometimes not.  Sometimes non-suite family have been able to check-in with us; other times not.  I just ask politely and see what happens.

[Linda R]

I just traveled with our 3 grandchildren and since they are minors and in same cabin we could bring them into Coastal Kitchen.  And I really was glad as I really enjoy Coastal Kitchen.  But when you go to CK they will ask your cabin number and see who is staying in that cabin.  Thus they will know that your father-i-law is not in the suite and be denied.  With a nice tip you may be able to get his in occasionally though.  Which is what I have done for my sister and her husband in another cabin.  Just be flexible with the dates and times.  Some nights are way busier in CK than others.  Have a great time.

[Pooch]

Your 3 grandchildren were allowed in, not because they were minors, but because they were booked in a suite.