Are You A “Suite” Family?

One of the most popular questions people ask me "Is it REALLY worth the extra money for a suite on a cruise?" After taking numerous and a variety of cruises and resort vacations, I'm ready to admit, yes, we are a "suite" family!  ​

But truly, not everyone is. You can still travel in luxury without paying extra money for a suite. What does a suite offer? Typically on a cruise, it will mean a centralized location, larger and more luxuriously appointed stateroom; a large veranda; fresh fruit, flowers, and champagne; and usually personalized stateroom service such as a dedicated butler. If you are cruising on high-end luxury cruise lines such as Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises (just to name a few) you'll be excited to hear that the majority of the standard staterooms have balconies and they come with many of the amenities just mentioned.

Suite on Crystal Symphony above

If you want to cruise on a ship that has a few more activities available for kids, such as Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, or many others, you will see a decided difference in staterooms. Suites will be more spacious and offer more and/or upgraded amenities. Some cruise lines even have exclusive venues designated only for suite guests. You may even find a separate swimming pool, restaurant, and lounges on MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

So, are you a suite family? Answer the 5 questions below and see what you think.

When on a vacation...

1. You rarely ask for assistance, enjoy researching and booking your own dining reservations, ​and prefer to not be bothered. 
2. You appreciate having a professional's advice and absolutely rely on handholding along the way.

When it comes to planning a family cruise...

1. You prefer to go with groups and always travel with family and friends.
2. The less people the better! You prefer to do your own thing as a family. 

Let's eat! 

1. You look forward to trying out local restaurants when visiting a destination, enjoy exploring what's new on the buffet, and don't like to be pinned down to a specific dinner time. 
2. You enjoy formal meal service and experiencing all of the dining venues on the ship. Room service on the veranda is as fun as an excursion. 

What is your ideal lifestyle on vacation?

1. You are always on the move! Rise and shine for yoga and finish the day at the casino or in a bar after midnight. Then you are so worn out by the end of the day, you can sleep anywhere. 
2. You may be slow to start your day but have it packed full of activities up until time to head back to the stateroom to get dressed for dinner. You like space when you sleep; sharing beds or sleeping on a top bunk doesn't work for your family without complaints. 

When packing clothes for the trip...

1. You don't mind re-wearing clothes and even send dirty clothes to the laundry. 
2. You plan on having a different outfit for the majority of the days. And everyone brings a different pair of shoes to match each occasion. 

If you've chosen Answer 1 for at least 4 of the questions, you may not need to book a suite to have a great time on your cruise vacation. Often a suite comes with a butler and you may find it annoying to be checked in on frequently. If you are traveling with other companions, you'll definitely want to be able to eat together and have the same dining options. Plus, dining in a separate restaurant for suite guests may be relaxing but may feel stuffy and not offer the variety you desire. You'd prefer to eat a casual meal by the pool or leisurely sample a buffet. There is something to be said for not being tied down to a reservation so that you can try that delicious local dish when visiting a new destination. With your active lifestyle, you leave the stateroom early to start exploring and stay out until the casino or lounges close for the night. When it's bedtime, you may enjoy having your little one share a bed with you. Also, if you pack light because you wear your outfits more than once (why not? They are cute!) or send them out to be cleaned, you probably don't need quite as much storage space. Of course you would love the idea of having a suite,  but it may not be worth spending the extra money.  

Standard Stateroom on Celebrity Reflection (Above Left, set with Twin/Twin; Above Right, set with Queen)

If you've chosen Answer 2 for at least 4 of the questions, you may want to consider a suite for your family. You enjoy having butler service and will take advantage of their availability for you. Also, you know that when cruising with family and friends, not everyone will be in a suite. That means that you may not be assigned the same dining room and have different amenities. This could make it difficult when planning your meals, excursions, activities and more. You frequently enjoy gourmet selections and formal service in the dining room. It's probably more enjoyable  to have a few choices rather than a large variety of selections on a buffet. You like to leisurely admire the sunrise over the ocean in the morning before starting your day and finish with dessert and a nightcap on your veranda. Standard staterooms are limited and may not have all of the sleeping room you need for your family. A suite will also have extra closet space that you'll need for all you want to pack and wear on your cruise. 

Celebrity Suite on Celebrity Summit above

Our family enjoys staying in a suite although realistically that means that we may not be able to travel quite as often. ​But keep in mind, just because you are not in a suite doesn't mean you won't have a luxury experience. Whatever stateroom you choose, many cruise ships offer champagne upon embarkation, or a cold drink and chilled towel when returning to the ship after visiting a port. You'll have your staterooms made up in the morning and turned down at night (often with a chocolate or cookie on the pillow.) On all ships, the entire staff has been well-trained to provide guests above and beyond service. We've had standard staterooms in which the attendant tidied up the kid's clothes and lined up the shoes at turn down every night. Now that was luxury! 

​For resort vacations, you may not have a designated butler, but you may have a concierge at your service. You may also have access to a Club/VIP lounge for specialty food presentations throughout your stay. Larger suites are often on higher floors and will have upgraded bath amenities, furnishings, and more. Keep these tips in mind if you are looking to extend your cruise with a pre or post cruise stay on land.

Whether you are a suite family or not, you'll always have a suite time on your next vacation!  ​