Worth the price? Royal Suite or 2 Bedroom Suite

[Griffith6]

We have a family of 6 and need 2 cabins when we cruise. I was thinking of splurging one time and booking one of the suites but wondering if it is really much better (other than a larger/fancier room). I would not book during peak travel but thinking of off month and pull kids from school. Feedback?

 

[justhat]

We have done the 1 bedrooms, 2 bedroom, will be in the 2 bedroom in Alaska again, and in a Cat 1 in October. Compared to 2 connecting cabins, honestly, I am not sure it's worth it. We like the 2 bedrooms right now because we have very young kids and it's nice to have the living room as play space, plus we can put my youngest in a pack n play inside one of the walk in closets. So the kids can go to bed, we can go watch tv, and the baby can sleep in her own space. But once the little one is older and can go t the club, is sleeping in a bed, etc., then we'll be switching to 2 rooms.

 

[Griffith6]

Thanks for feedback - our youngest is 4 1/2 and 2 cabins worked out fine. Just wondering if the "extras" made it very fun - concierge service, etc. But we really did not spend that much time in cabins anyways, so what's the point? We did like the verandah for happy hour while younger ones were napping (couple years ago) so maybe 2 verandah rooms is just perfect! I wish they had connecting rooms with one interior and one with verandah - obviously does not work with the hall though!

 

[drparoo]

"Worth it" is SUCH a personal decision. We like the Roy or Walt when we can get it because we like the living space that is away from the bedrooms. Our family has a WIDE variation in wake up times and it's nice to have a place for my early risers to sit and read or watch t.v. or drink coffee while the others sleep in. For US, that makes for a nice vacation. With the two connecting stateroom set up, there's still no place to watch t.v. or have a light on without disturbing someone. Most people will tell you it's not worth it because they're not in the room much. It's the bedtime and wake up that make it worth it FOR US.

 

[FJS961]

"Worth it" is SUCH a personal decision. We like the Roy or Walt when we can get it because we like the living space that is away from the bedrooms. Our family has a WIDE variation in wake up times and it's nice to have a place for my early risers to sit and read or watch t.v. or drink coffee while the others sleep in. For US, that makes for a nice vacation. With the two connecting stateroom set up, there's still no place to watch t.v. or have a light on without disturbing someone. Most people will tell you it's not worth it because they're not in the room much. It's the bedtime and wake up that make it worth it FOR US.

I agree with you totally. Of course with 6 you must be referring to Magic or Wonder as the new ships limit occ to 5. I personally like the 2 bedroom layout. The only way one knows if it's worth it for them is to try it. Any 'advice' you hear on here you have to take with a grain of salt because its such a personal decision as stated Are people posting that they stayed in one of these suites and it was horrendous, a colossal waste of $ and never
again?!?

 

[all5ofus]

We have a family of 6 and need 2 cabins when we cruise. I was thinking of splurging one time and booking one of the suites but wondering if it is really much better (other than a larger/fancier room). I would not book during peak travel but thinking of off month and pull kids from school. Feedback?

We have a family of 5 and have done all three size suites on the Magic & Wonder. If they are worth it is a tough question because everyones financial/value perspective is different. They are very expensive, but worth it to me.

The concierge perks and service are nice but to me they are not the best part. The biggest benefit to me is the separate living area. The kids have their own space, we have our own space, and everyone doesn't have to be on the same morning and evening schedules. Some people say you don't need the space because you don't spend that much time in the room, but I find that when you have such a large comfortable space you utilize it more than you would a small room.

We tried connecting 5A's on the Dream in January and I wouldn't do that again. It seemed like everyone was on top of each other.

To me the Royal and the 2 BR on the Magic/Wonder are well worth it. I don't think I like the layout of the R's on the new ships, but I am withholding judgement until I try it on the Fantasy in 2012.

 

[Griffith6]

Yes talking the Magic/Wonder as I noticed new ships DON'T have 2 bedroom suites for larger families - BIG mistake I think as families seem to be larger these days! I appreciate all the feedback and think we may try it on next cruise. We are booked on Eastern 4/23- 4/30 with 2 cabins but plotting out my next cruise (to book while on board!). I agree the extra living space sounds great - but unless I missed something regarding layout, we will have to have 2 kids sleeping on pull out in living area as DH and I would be in master - 2 kids in twin beds in other bedroom which means other 2 kids on sofa pullout?

We live in CA so thinking of trying this for Mexican Riviera - I am not that excited about the ports (not a huge Mexico fan) and bummed there is no Castaway Cay so maybe the suites would make is just as great as Carribbean - and no airfare for us which is a huge savings with family of 6!!

 

[justmestace]

The two bedroom suites also have a single pull down ceiling bed in the 2nd bedroom. The bed in there can either be a double or two twins, with the third bed as a bunk.

In the Walt and Roy, there are twin beds in the 2nd bedroom and also a ceiling pull-down above each twin. The sofa in the Walt and Roy does NOT make into a bed.
But, the "library" which is connected to the master bedroom in the Walt and Roy has a double-size wall pull down (murphy) bed, and there's a door that closes that room off from the master.

I like the fact that all of the two bedroom suites on the Magic and Wonder have 2 and a half bathrooms.

I think with the Dream and Fantasy, Disney REALLY messed up, not having any two bedroom suites.

 

[justmestace]

As far as the cost difference....think about the fact that if you book two connecting rooms, you will be paying full fare for four people...and then child rate for the other two.

With a suite, you're paying full adult fare for only two people, and the child rate for the others.

 

[Griffith6]

I think with the Dream and Fantasy, Disney REALLY messed up, not having any two bedroom suites.

I totally agree - the ships are SOOOOO huge, why not add a few 2 bedroom suites.

 

[FJS961]

I totally agree - the ships are SOOOOO huge, why not add a few 2 bedroom suites.

Its really a shame they chose to take that direction. They expect people to book a royal suite AND a family concierge room (4a for a lot more $) connecting ...OR .... a T and V connecting. Problem is the price is considerable more than it was ...

You used to be able to book a royal in the low teens. I have a royal for a 7 night on magic coming up thats in the higher teens. Pricing out a royal for a comparable sailing on the fantasy for next summer can run in the high 20's plus you would have to book a V for maybe 8K, its insane .... 1 BR suites are running 12-17K depending on sailing ...

at these prices, one could charter a really nice luxury yacht

 

[HallsofVA]

The biggest benefit to me is the separate living area. The kids have their own space, we have our own space, and everyone doesn't have to be on the same morning and evening schedules. Some people say you don't need the space because you don't spend that much time in the room, but I find that when you have such a large comfortable space you utilize it more than you would a small room.

To me the Royal and the 2 BR on the Magic/Wonder are well worth it. I don't think I like the layout of the R's on the new ships, but I am withholding judgement until I try it on the Fantasy in 2012.

I loved the LR on the Roy suite on the Magic. And since we're just a family of 4, we also had the Library to use when someone wanted quiet or private time. It was great to be able to sit on a couch and relax, and not have to always sit on the bed.

I like the fact that all of the two bedroom suites on the Magic and Wonder have 2 and a half bathrooms.

I think with the Dream and Fantasy, Disney REALLY messed up, not having any two bedroom suites.

Loved the bathroom set up as well, since it meant there was still a clean bathroom for guests to use even if our whole family had been running around just a few minutes before trying to all shower and dress at the same time!

I'm not sure from the pictures that I love the DRoy and DWalt suites as much as the MRoy, but I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to sail in either one if it arose!

 

[justmestace]

I'm not sure from the pictures that I love the DRoy and DWalt suites as much as the MRoy, but I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to sail in either one if it arose!

Honestly, if they told me I could have a Royal suite or one of the aft corner rooms on the Dream, and it was the same price (the lower price) I think I'd still choose the aft. I am really not at all impressed with the Royal suites. Except for maybe the hottub on the verandah. But we had a room once with the hot tub in the front of the ship, and even with the wind guard, it still was too breezy to use it while the ship was in motion. And there were too many other things around the ship to be doing!

 

[mouseears1]

We have a family of 5 and have done all three size suites on the Magic & Wonder. If they are worth it is a tough question because everyones financial/value perspective is different. They are very expensive, but worth it to me.

We are a family of three and have stayed in the Roy/Walt Suite and the 1 bedroom suites as well. My husband prefers the Roy/Walt suites simply because it is his "home away from home". My husband and I have our own seperate area and my son can have the privacy if he wants it. We also love the Concierge perks that are offered. I agree, the suites are vey expensive and everybody has their own opinion of what "value" they will receive for their money. My family does spend time together in the room or on the verandah playing games, watching DVD's from the Library or ordering A dessert buffet from Palo when staying in the Roy/Walt suites. We also have had parties there as well.

My husband and I are booked on the Fantasy in September 2012 in one of the "R" Suites and are looking forward to seeing what this ship has to offer.
This will be the first vacation that we have taken without our grown up 20 year old son so we are hoping to spend some quality time together at last