Royal Caribbean features some 2,000 suites across its 20-ship fleet. The line will be unveiling a host of new suite amenities beginning in March. The Royal Suite, pictured here, features a digital baby grand player piano, a bar and panoramic sea views through a glass panel wall that spans the length of the suite. Image courtesy Royal Caribbean
By Michael Coleman
Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean vessels are about to receive a whole lot of lovin’.
Beginning in March, those who book into a variety of suite categories — the line has some 2,000 suites across its 20-ship fleet – will enjoy a myriad of special privileges and upgraded amenities.
On arrival at the pier, for instance, passengers booked in the Presidential Family Suite, Royal Suite, Royal Family Suite, Owner’s Suite, and Grand Suite have access to dedicated security (where available) and check-in lines to help ease them swiftly through the embarkation process and directly to their suite accommodations. Additionally, guests booked in the Royal Suite and Presidential Family Suite are personally welcomed by a senior officer at the cruise terminal and escorted to their suite.
On arrival in their respective suites, passengers are welcomed with complimentary water and a fruit plate. Look also for complimentary slippers, luxury spa bathrobes and Vitality bathroom amenities. In the evenings, suite passengers can satisfy their sweet tooth with Ghirardelli chocolates at turndown. Look also for plush duvets, comfortable bedding and even a selection of pillows.
On the first formal evening of the cruise, suite passengers will be treated to a pre-dinner cheese presentation and on the second formal or final evening of the cruise, a ‘petits fours’ plate during turndown service. Guests also enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service and coffee and tea service throughout their cruise, and the exclusive privilege of ordering from the main dining room’s full breakfast, lunch or dinner menus to dine in the privacy of their suite.
Passengers in Grand Suite accommodations and higher will also enjoy a private cocktail reception hosted by their captain, reserved VIP seating in the main theater for entertainment shows, priority bookings for appointments in the salon and spa and for tendering and shore excursion tickets.
On Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, suite passengers have reserved VIP seating poolside and at ice shows in the Studio B venue. Guests dining in the Windjammer during breakfast and lunch also enjoy reserved private seating in the adjacent specialty restaurants.
Aboard Radiance-, Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, suite passengers will receive a personal key to the Concierge Club. Hosted by the ship’s concierge, the club offers guests a relaxed atmosphere, business services such as faxes and photocopies, an extensive library of DVDs and CDs, and complimentary continental breakfast and pre-dinner cocktail receptions daily. The concierge is on-hand to assist with special requests, such as securing reservations in specialty restaurants; pre-ordering wine for dinner; booking shore excursions; scheduling spa and salon appointments or even arranging a private event.
The line is presently upgrading furnishings in all suite category staterooms. The installation of new plush sofa-beds, casually elegant deckchairs and tables, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems with flat-panel televisions and CD/DVD will be completed by 2010.
All Royal Caribbean suites feature a balcony for a total living area up to 2,025 square feet.
