Cat 1-2-3: Are the suites worth it?

[dukenukkem]

Hi all,
I'm just curious if anyone out there books the Cat 1, 2 or 3 suites? They seem very hard to come by and I'm wondering if they are worth the extra cost and trouble to get. Any feedback on this is appreciated.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

YUP! For our family of 4, it is great to have the extra sitting room. We do spend time in the stateroom and close quarters makes the kids very cranky. I like being able to order off of different menus and most of all, I LOVE the access to concierge service. Cat's 1-3 get to board first, have a special lounge to book every ressie you can think of - and lot's of other stuff.

Obviously, if it is a matter of a Cat 4-12 or not going, take the 4-12! We are just lucky enough right now to be able to do the 3's (booking a year ahead helps, too).

 

[justmestace]

We book suites, but we do it for the space, not for the concierge. Having the concierge service is nice, but it isn't always consistent. Once it will be great, the next time...only so-so. I definitely would not book a suite for the concierge. In order to have enough space, we have booked two connecting rooms. We just got lucky and were upgraded with that one.

 

[flexsmom]

Depends on the size of your party and such, I think. I'm totally sold for the time being with our situation with two kids, although there are plenty of people who are willing to share one stateroom with two children. For us, it's worth having the "extra" room and despite what some people say, the concierge is nice, too. (Although it's the extra square footage that is the big seller.) But, for the most part, I would say YES! It's a terrible thing to do, because once you've done it once, you'll be hooked!

 

[HeelMD]

I was in a Cat. 3 last year and thought it was worth it mainly for the space. Have a Cat. 1 booked for next year and will let you know.

 

[rotary2808]

I definately think so! We have a cat 3 booked for this year and one for next year. It's me and DH and my parents. Last year we were in a Cat 5 and it was very tight, so I think that this year it will be nice to have the extra space and especially next year since we'll be in it for 11 nights on the Wonder. Get the suite, even if it is just for the extra space.

 

[budwmn]

Our first 3 cruises were in Cat. 5's and we thought the cabin was great. Then, for our 4th, we spurged and stayed in a mid-ship Cat. 3. WOW!!! On our 5th cruise (we booked a last minute 4-day) and went back to a Cat. 5. Boy, we really missed the suite!

Now we only book Cat. 3 or higher. It's a lot more money than we'd like to spend, but the quality of the vacation was that much greater. We enjoyed having daily full breakfasts on our dining room table, sleeping in a bedroom away from our son, and just relaxing on our big balcony. We don't normally stay in suites at hotels, but will always try to on a cruise.