Penthouse suite? worth it?

[NYTammy]

Hi everyone,
Has anyone had the penthouse suite, and if so, are they really nice? We just booked one and Im hoping it wasnt a waste of the extra $$ lol
what were your likes/dislikes about it?
thanks for the help!!

[Dave]

Welcome to cruise-chat.

Do you mean a category 12 suite? We've stayed in a cat. 12 on the Holiday 3 times...soon to be 4 times. They really aren't suites in the classical sense since they are just one big room. But we like them because they have lots of floor space, huge sofas, large balcony, walk-in closets, and good sized bathrooms with tub. We think they are worth it, but then again we could probably take two cruises in standard cabins for the price on one cruise in a cat. 12. It really depends on how much value you place on space. Most people don't spend much time in the cabin so size isn't important to them. We spend time in the suite and find them very relaxing.

[whickey]

If you are cruiseing on a newer ship then I would say that they are not worth the double price you pay. I stayed in a cat 11 on my last cruise and I did not see the value. We booked it because we were told that we get priorty embartation and debartation however that did not happen. The extra space is nice so i would say that if you see value in extra space then i would do it however i did not see the value and i will do not do it again. I have not traveled on the older ships just because i want a balcony so if you are on an older ship then i would book it.

[Billy in FLL]

In Oct '06. I sailed in a Cat. 11 suite and while it is nice, in all reality, it is only a little bigger than a regulation sized balcony cabin. A couple of things that offer more "bling" are the balconies with suites are bigger and you have a jacuzzi in the tub. In addition, you get to take advantage of the VIP check-in. But if you are at the pier early enough, does the VIP save you that much time...??? Things that make you say HHHMMM.

But Dave makes a great point...'how much time do you actually spend in your cabin'?? For me, give me a balcony cabin every time I cruise. That is nice enough for the money. Just my opinion.

Billy