Momof4crazytocruise Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 Hi all - I'm treating myself to a grand suite on my next cruise and in the list from Royal it says the benefits to Suite Class include 'Bridge, Galley, and Backstage Tours' - does this mean I can do that without having to pay for the 'All Access Tour' available in the cruise planner? Should I just ask the concierge to schedule it for me or is there a way to schedule ahead of time? Is it a private tour or are you lumped in with the paying customers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Of The Seas Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 Tour size is limited to a relative handful of people for security and safety reasons. If your suite level qualifies for the complimentary tour, your concierge can answer that. They are also limited to sea days. Like any other 'excursion' , they can be canceled. Complimentary or not, definitely worthwhile experience; was a highlight of our 8 day trip on Jewel in '22. Lots of walking but thoroughly enjoyable, especially the bridge, engine control room, galley & laundry. Crew was extremely gracious and informative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof4crazytocruise Posted January 11 Author Report Share Posted January 11 As an engineer - I am chomping at the bit to have a look at that engine room! I will ask the concierge when they email us ahead of time. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Of The Seas Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 The engine control room looks like a giant video game, monitors and consoles. But the crew on watch had one monitor displaying World Cup Matches of to the side. Fascinating stuff and the chief engineer on watch suffered gladly through all my questions and I had a bunch. Tours run about 3 hrs by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 11 minutes ago, Momof4crazytocruise said: As an engineer - I am chomping at the bit to have a look at that engine room! I will ask the concierge when they email us ahead of time. Thanks! You do not get to see the engines of the ship, you only get to see the engine control room for monitoring the engines. You can see the engines on one of the video screens. Momof4crazytocruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 Ask your concierge if there's a bridge tour. They don't publicize them anymore, but they still do them. My last cruise my group got a private bridge tour, despite our insistence to the concierge that if there weren't enough people that we didn't need to be an inconvenience to security/bridge crew. Baked Alaska and Momof4crazytocruise 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof4crazytocruise Posted January 11 Author Report Share Posted January 11 11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: Ask your concierge if there's a bridge tour. They don't publicize them anymore, but they still do them. My last cruise my group got a private bridge tour, despite our insistence to the concierge that if there weren't enough people that we didn't need to be an inconvenience to security/bridge crew I would LOVE a private tour. Maybe I can sweet talk the crew into letting me see those engines! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 5 minutes ago, Momof4crazytocruise said: I would LOVE a private tour. Maybe I can sweet talk the crew into letting me see those engines! LOL I was told the issue with seeing the engine room is excessive noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 The bridge tours are normally conducted with other suite quests, and you will get about 15 minutes before the next one. You are limited to one side of the bridge and the main area is roped off. You get up close with the bridge wing controls. Even in star class you only get the standard tour. Any suite complementary tours are not like the All Access tour which we have also done previously. All access included the engine control room, the laundry, the food storage and recycling centre as well. I recommend this tour if you really want to see the ship operations in detail. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Squirrel Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 Does anyone know if the 1hr early boarding time via concierge is still a thing on Harmony? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 While we were offered the suites guest tour we opted for the all access. It was worth it! Here are a few pics! Long pants and closed toe shoes were required for all access though, just be aware. This was on the Wonder. JohnK6404 and bobroo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 I can’t agree more. If you’re really interested in seeing the ship, the AAT is the way to go. The Suites bridge/kitchen tours are ok but they don’t go anywhere near the engine room (or should I say, a look INTO the engine room. As @F1guynz said, you can’t actually go into the engine room), or the laundry or the storage/freezer areas or the recycling area. All of that you will see with the AAT. We were very fortunate to have taken the AAT many years ago when it included areas that are no longer included like the crew mess and their lounge/bar. We even got to see the stateroom of the lady who gave us the tour. It is money well spent if you are interested in such things. JohnK6404 and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK6404 Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 2 hours ago, Neesa said: While we were offered the suites guest tour we opted for the all access. It was worth it! Here are a few pics! Long pants and closed toe shoes were required for all access though, just be aware. This was on the Wonder. We did the same on Wonder on our Halloween cruise. Amazing tour worth splurging for at least once! Hi @Momof4crazytocruise, as @WAAAYTOOO mentioned, you can't access the engine room, but you do get a tour of the engine control room. Just a few pics from that tour! Capt. Rob (far right) returned to the bridge during our tour! KristiZ, CrimsonCruiser, OCSC Mike and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonCruiser Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 Are bridge tours only available on certain classes of ships? We've sailed in grand suites on all but one of our cruises and I've never known it to be a perk... I do see where OP got the information (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-suites-program) but I wonder if this is another instance of Royal not updating their site...Or maybe it's new and a good perk to booking a smaller ship since this isn't offered on the Royal Suite Class perks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 18 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said: Are bridge tours only available on certain classes of ships? We've sailed in grand suites on all but one of our cruises and I've never known it to be a perk... I do see where OP got the information (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-suites-program) but I wonder if this is another instance of Royal not updating their site...Or maybe it's new and a good perk to booking a smaller ship since this isn't offered on the Royal Suite Class perks Bridge and galley tours were advertised perks on all classes prior to the shutdown. You'd get a card in your stateroom saying "join us on X day for a tour." Now it's just bridge tours and it's by request only. Neesa, WAAAYTOOO and CrimsonCruiser 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonCruiser Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: Bridge and galley tours were advertised perks on all classes prior to the shutdown. You'd get a card in your stateroom saying "join us on X day for a tour." Now it's just bridge tours and it's by request only. We literally never got one before and I've never known to ask after.... well...now I do know....gonna make a note to ask the concierge...worst they can say is no Momof4crazytocruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepy425 Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 Is All Access the only one that tours the theater (or does that one not even go there)? We are staying in a grand suite on Brilliance in July and I'd love a tour that goes to the theater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 They used to do an entertainment tour. The All Access Tour does cover the theater (or at least, it used to). I would ask the Suites Concierge, during your email exchange, prior to boarding, if an entertainment tour will be possible. sleepy425 and Momof4crazytocruise 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 If I recall, last cruise we got an invite to a "meet the entertainment staff" function, but I don't remember if it was a tour or just a meet and greet. WAAAYTOOO and sleepy425 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: If I recall, last cruise we got an invite to a "meet the entertainment staff" function, but I don't remember if it was a tour or just a meet and greet. I think you’re right. I doubt they do the whole “behind the curtain” thing that they used to do. FWIW, we sat in (briefly) on one of those “meet the entertainers” events and quickly realized it was not something we would enjoy so we left after a few minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said: meet the entertainment staff Yes, I remember the entertainment tour morphed into the meet the entertainment staff which is a shame. The backstage tours were enjoyable. I can't remember clearly as it was a few years ago but I don't recall the AAA tour including a tour of the theatre, but I am sure somebody will correct me if I am misremembering. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, sleepy425 said: We are staying in a grand suite on Brilliance in July We did the bridge tour on Brilliance in November, so it is definitely an option. We have also done it on Quantum, Ovation and Independence so I don't think the class of ship matters. When the concierge contacts you prior to your cruise be sure to mention you would like to do it and I am sure your name will be added to the list. Momof4crazytocruise and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 14 minutes ago, F1guynz said: I can't remember clearly as it was a few years ago but I don't recall the AAA tour including a tour of the theatre, but I am sure somebody will correct me if I am misremembering. Back on Allure in May of 2016, an element was a backstage tour. I have pictures of a Mama Mia set piece and a tree from the other show. The next set of photos was a dark looking crew lounge that was near the stage. WAAAYTOOO and sleepy425 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.