Splurging on a spacious suite for your Royal Caribbean cruise is a great idea for an over-the-top and lavish vacation, but I'd hate for you to squander it.

I've booked suites over the years on different ships, but I've seen cruisers occasionally missing out on the best things about these rooms.

The value of a suite goes well beyond the actual cabin itself, and if you're in a suite, I'd recommend doing six things so you can fully enjoy what it offers.

Considering how pricey suites are, every advantage you can get from the cruise fare is going to make it all worth it.

Not taking advantage of early entry

When you book a suite, Royal Caribbean offers flexible arrival times on embarkation day.

As part of the check-in process, you pick a check-in time for the cruise terminal.  This is a 30 minute window of when you plan to arrive to start the check-in.

Suite guests have a special function that goes beyond that.

In the email the concierge will send you about a week before the cruise begins, there's a provision for flexible arrival time.  This gives you an additional hour before or after whatever time you selected in the check-in process.

In my opinion, the earlier you can get in and checked-in, the better. I'm so excited to start my vacation that I want to get on the ship as fast as possible.

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, be sure to look for the suites entrance.  Sometimes it's a dedicated door at the cruise terminal, and other times it's a different line.  

In either case, let the staff know you're in a suite and take advantage of the earlier time and dedicated entrance.

Not meeting Concierge on first day

The suite concierge is one of the best perks of staying in a suite.

Think of the concierge as your helper in any issues you run into, and there's far less people vying for them than at Guest Services.

You'll find the suite concierge in the suite lounge, and it's a good idea to head up there on the first day of the cruise to meet them.

On Oasis and Icon Class ships, there are two suite concierge members.

In addition to problem solving, the suite concierge is also a friendly face. They will regularly strike up conversations with suite guests in the lounge, and love getting to know their guests.

During the evening cocktail hours, the concierge acts as a kind of emcee, helping people find seats, directing waiters to get drink orders, and ensure the hors d'oeuvres are replenished regularly.

While they can sometimes be busy with their clerical duties, they make an effort to get to know their guests.

Skipping Coastal Kitchen

I admit I made this mistake for years before realizing I was making a mistake of not dining at Coastal Kitchen.

On Royal Caribbean's biggest ships, there's an included restaurant just for suite guests and it's really good.

Coastal Kitchen is like a Main Dining Room exclusively available for suite guests, and it's really darn good.

I think it's best for breakfast and dinner, although they serve lunch here too.

Early on I skipped Coastal Kitchen because I was enamored with specialty dining.  Even when I booked a suite, I'd still book specialty restaurants. 

Later, I realized the food quality and service is excellent in Coastal Kitchen, and I could save money on specialty dining by opting to eat in Coastal Kitchen instead.

If you happen to be in a smaller ship that doesn't have Coastal Kitchen, I'll extend this tip to remind you about the free breakfast in Chops.

Since those ships don't have Coastal Kitchen, a private breakfast is offered each morning at Chops Grille on smaller ships.

Each morning of our cruise, complimentary breakfast was offered in Chops Grille exclusively for suite guests. This menu featured an enhanced menu compared to breakfast in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer buffet, with both sweet and savory dishes.

Not taking advantage of room service

One of the lesser known perks of staying in a Royal Caribbean suite is you get room service included.

Ordinarily room service has a $7.95 service fee, but that's waived in a suite.

Moreover, you can order food from the Main Dining Room when it's open and have it delivered to your cabin.  I love that perk, and it's great for kids if they want to eat in while parents go to dinner.

Or you might simply want to have breakfast on your balcony, which is usually quite large.  Nearly all suites have massive balconies and there could even be a dining table out there.

At the very least, have breakfast brought to your balcony each morning so you can enjoy coffee, eggs, and fruit with a view each day.

And if you have a late port day or are just feeling like hanging out in your suite, order dinner to be delivered.

Forgetting to send clothes out for pressing

Did you know Royal Caribbean includes complimentary pressing for the first formal night?

Buried in the many suite perks is a provision that you can get "Complimentary Pressing on First Formal Night".

No matter how good of a packer you are, your clothes are probably going to be a little wrinkly, folded, or have creases in them. 

The key is to ask your stateroom attendant for this service on embarkation day so it can be ready for the first "Dress your best"/formal night, which is usually the next day.

It's so easy to overlook this perk, but it's a cost you'd otherwise incur.

Not asking their Genie for more

If you happen to be staying in a Star Class suite, I think those new to it often don't leverage their Genie enough.

I think the best benefit of Star Class is the Royal Genie, and they're there to make your cruise amazing.  But you've got to ask the right questions too.

What I mean is the Genie is very personalized, and they don't always volunteer ideas for what they can offer you.

I think those new to Star Class are both timid to "bother" the Genie while also unaware of what others have gotten.

As an example, the Genie can arrange to have Starbucks drinks delivered each morning, or they can have an ice cream social set up in your suite.  They can arrange for you to meet Rover the dog, or even the ship's Captain.

It can feel strange and almost awkward to make requests of the Genie, but they've seen it all and the worst they'll tell you is it's not possible.

I'd recommend asking your Genie for what sort of things other guests have asked, or ideas for fun things only Star Class guests can get.  They're very creative and it's the key to unlocking the best value of these expensive suites.

Royal Caribbean's suite lounge is a reserved area of the ship exclusively for passengers that booked a suite, and it's one of the best perks you get with your stateroom.

I love to spend time in the suite lounge to take advantage of the comfortable seating, snacks throughout the day, and complimentary drinks each day.

Access to the suite lounge is only for those that booked a Grand Suite or higher cabin, as well as Pinnacle Club members on sailings where there are not too many Pinnacle members.

With so much happening on your Royal Caribbean ship, it's easy to overlook the suite lounge, especially given it's usually located away from many of the activities and things happening around the ship.

If you happen to be in a suite that has access to the suite lounge, there are five good reasons to stop in each day.

There are three servings of snacks per day

You won't run out of food on a cruise ship, and there's even more waiting for you in the lounge.

Each day there's an assortment of quick bits offered during select hours.  Essentially, there's a breakfast, lunch, and dinner offering.

You won't get a meal, but it's usually something quick and easy for something to tide you over.  It's great for when you get back on the ship or are about to leave and need something quick.

I think the evening hor d'oeuvres are the best option, with various hot items along with fruits, salad, and desserts.

In the morning, there's a few pastries to choose from.  If your cabin is nearby, it might be easier to pop in for something here than going down to Cafe Promenade.

The coffee machine

Speaking of food, I love the complimentary coffee machine they have in the suite lounge.

Each suite lounge has a self-service coffee and espresso maker that you can use 24 hours per day.

Just like the snacks, it's so convenient to have this. Plus, it might save you money as you won't have to pay for an espresso at one of the coffee shops around the ship.

And because it's available 24 hours, you're never too early or too late to get a cup.

The suite concierge offers personalized assistance

Probably my favorite benefit of the suite lounge is the suite concierge, and so few people take advantage of what they offer.

Think of the concierge like your own version of Guest Services, but without the long lines.

Even before your cruise begins, the concierge will email you to welcome you onboard and you can send them any pre-cruise requests you might have.  Dining reservations, cabana location requests, or bedding changes are all things they can assist with.

If you're trying to get into something sold out, they can be a great resource in assisting as well.

I recommend going to the suite lounge on the first day and introducing yourself to them so you can put a face to the name and let them know of any requests you have.

Even if you have nothing special to ask for, they're a friendly face and I've had really interesting conversations about the ship, ports, and fun stories.

During your cruise if you run into any issue, including billing problems, the concierge can help fix all of it for you.

The suite lounge has a full-service bar

Perhaps the top value you can get from booking a suite are the free drinks in the lounge each night.

Depending on the ship you're sailing on, there are select hours when you can order complimentary sodas, beers, wine, and alcoholic cocktails.

The Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships have beer and wine from 11am to 11pm, and then a full bar happy hour in the evening. Other ships just have a happy hour between 5-8pm (or around those times).

Given that the drinks in the lounge are complimentary and there's no limit, for a lot of people it can work in lieu of a drink package purchase.

Some suite lounges have an actual bar, while all of them have waiter service too.

A beautiful view

Even when there's no food or drinks to enjoy, I love going up to the suite lounge for the views.

Because chairs with a view can get quite crowded (especially around the pool), it's nice to grab a book, iPhone, or magazine and head up to the suite lounge to take in the views around you.

Every lounge has large windows, and you can pull the comfortable chairs right up to them and enjoy a great view with plenty of air conditioning.

I love a good cruise deal, but sometimes splurging and staying in a suite is the way to go while on a cruise.

Royal Caribbean has many kinds of suites, but the ones that always capture people's attention are their signature Star Class suites on its biggest ships.

In 2024, I had the chance to review three giant cruise ship suites: Royal Loft Suite, Aquatheater Suite, and the Ultimate Family Suite.

I paid an average of around $4,000 - $5,000 per night for these suites, making them far from a cheap deal.

Each suite was indeed massive, but I think everyone expects that.  What truly stood out about these rooms were some of the surprises I didn't expect with these sort of suites. They may not be the top reasons to book them, but I think they make a difference.

Being escorted through check-in made me feel like a VIP

All suite guests have their own line for check-in at a cruise terminal, but when you book a Star Class room, you get escorted inside.

There's a special meet area for Star Class guests, where you drop off your luggage. You don't need to print out the regular luggage tags, because Star Class guests get their own luggage tags added on the spot.  In fact, your luggage is taken onboard the ship by a specific porter just for Star Class guests, so that means no waiting around for your bags to arrive.

The agent then escorts your group into the cruise terminal and through security and check-in.  They find the shortest lines and get you moving as quickly as possible.

Royal Caribbean's check-in process is already very fast, but as you whizz past everyone, it's a surreal feeling getting the most exclusive service even before the cruise begins

I loved being able to my suite as soon as I boarded the ship

No matter which cruise I go on, I always want to board the ship as quickly as possible.

A loyal Royal Caribbean Blog reader, (and long-time suffering Vols fan) Michael Poole, once reminded me you can either wait at the hotel room or the cruise terminal, so may as well get there early.  With Star Class, this even more important.

Your Royal Genie will take you right to your suite as soon as you board the ship.

This means you can not only drop off your things in the room, but get to start enjoying the suite you paid a lot of money for in the first place.

Having early access to your suite before other cabins are ready is a treat, and it's great for entertaining friends.  I invited friends up to the suite immediately to hang out and get the cruise fun started.

Even if you're not looking to invite anyone, being in the room early means you could nap, enjoy the amenities within the cabin, or just have a quieter start to your cruise.

The special SeaPass card got attention of crew members

When you go around the ship and flash your Star Class card, crew members take notice.

Like all things with being in Star Class, it's easier, and when you show your SeaPass card at the theater, order a drink at a bar, or borrow towels at the pool deck, you're almost always just waived through.

It's not only easier, but it speeds things up.

I didn't expect the exclusive suite entrance to be quieter

In the case of the Royal Loft Suite on Wonder of the Seas and Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas, there is a dedicated entrance.

At first, I thought having these special glass doors to get to my suite was more of a vanity thing.  I joked it was a way to keep my friends' kids out.

As it turned out, the real benefit of not having a suite on a shared hallway is you hear no noise at all from outside your suite.

I don't think hallway noise is a big deal to begin with (especially on the suite deck), but after a day or so I really started to notice I heard nothing from outside our room.  In other cabins, you'll occasionally hear someone talking loudly, running, or some sort of commotion.  

The exclusivity of being in one of these giant suites really stands out.

I didn't think I'd use the hot tub more than the kids did

Two of the suites I stayed in had their own hot tub, but I probably spent more time in there than my kids.

Like many children, my kids like to do something to say they've done and then move onto the next thing.  This was the case with the hot tub too.

The best times to enjoy the hot tub are when the ship is sailing in or out of a port, at night, or if there's a sunset in view.

I don't usually hit the pools and hot tubs on the cruise ship's main deck because of how crowded they can be, so it was nice having my own and it's definitely an added bonus.

One of the biggest surprises was how much time the kids preferred to be in the suite

Royal Caribbean is known for offering so much to do on its ships, but my kids tended to hang out in the suite more than when we are in other kinds of cabins.

I certainly don't blame them for wanting to enjoy what the suite offered, but many times they just wanted to have dinner delivered to the suite and watch TV, call their friends, or enjoy the entertainment in the suite.

The kids were glued to the game table in the Ultimate Family Suite, which has all sorts of multi-player games to try.

Plus, they liked being able to stay in the PJs and not bother getting dressed up for dinner and have their meal brought to the suite.  One of the best benefits of being in Star Class is you can have room service deliver food from the Main Dining Room or Specialty Restaurants to your suite.

As a parent, I liked knowing they weren't roaming the ship, and I didn't mind being able to go to dinner with just my wife.  Date nights are a rare commodity when you have kids, so it was a nice benefit I didn't count on.

Royal Caribbean announced changes to some of its suite cabins, slashing benefits in some cases.

The changes relate to the benefits and amenities that come with suites, and the cruise line intends to change what is included with select cabins in the future.

Travel agents were sent an update by Royal Caribbean to inform them of the change.

All of these changes are effective for sailings on or after May 2, 2026, regardless of the booking creation date.

The first change is to drop Surfside Family Suites from Sky Class to Sea Class.  

Surfside Family Suites are a new suite category that were first added on Icon of the Seas. The Surfside Family Suite overlooks the Surfside neighborhood. Like its namesake, this suite is meant to be a great choice for those with young kids.

This suite overlooks the Surfside Family Neighborhood and features a king size bed, and a cozy kids sleeping nook, and can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children.

As a result of the change, these cabins will no longer have access to the Suite Lounge, Suite Concierge services, complimentary internet access, complimentary beverages in the Suite Lounge, and can only dine at Coastal Kitchen restaurant for dinner only (instead of breakfast and lunch).

Meanwhile, Sunset Junior Suites will get a bump up to Sky Class.

Sunset Junior Suites are essentially what used to be Junior Suites on the back of cruise ships, and was a change in name and category made when Royal Caribbean reclassified many of its cabins.

Another big change is on three ships - Icon of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas - Sky Junior Suites will no longer have complimentary Wi-Fi as an amenity.

Royal Caribbean says they are making this change is to align these ships with the rest of the fleet where Sky Junior suites do not include Wi-Fi. 

The cruise line explained to travel agents why it was making all of these changes, "we continuously strive to enhance guest experience onboard and reach alignment of our product offerings across the fleet."

Sea Class vs Sky Class

To illustrate the changes better, it's important to understand what's included with each tier of Royal Caribbean's suite benefits.

On the cruise line's newest ships (Oasis, Icon, and Quantum Class ships), the suite program is divided up into three levels based on the suite category, Star, Sky, and Sea.

Sky Class Benefits

• Concierge service
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove (The Grove is on Icon Class ships only)
• Specialty bottled water upon arrival
• Complimentary internet 
• Priority boarding and departure
• Priority dining reservations
• Suite Lounge access
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sea Class Benefits

• Dinner at Coastal Kitchen
• Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury pillow top mattress
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Reaction to the changes

The most notable change is the change in benefits for the Surfside Family Suites on the Icon Class ships.

Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel, and thinks this change will hurt sales of these cabins, "The Surfside Family Suites sold not only to families, but also couples looking for Sky Class perks without the large price tag."

"This change may not be a good one for keeping that stateroom category full."

Ms. Greene is referring to the fact the room's location far away from the suite neighborhood and view of the kids area (rather than the ocean) were reasons a lot of people might have overlooked the cabin, if not for the suite benefits.

One of the top perks of booking a suite on a cruise ship is access to the concierge, but what can you expect from them?

The suite concierge serves as guest services, customer advocate, and problem solver rolled into one.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a subset of benefits reserved exclusively for passengers that are booked in a suite, including reserved pool seating, a private lounge, and added services.

Part of the justification for the higher price tag a suite comes with is the convenience factor that gets added in, and the suite concierge is a major component of that.

As long as you're in a full suite (Grand Suite or higher category cabins), then you get to take advantage of the concierge services. On the biggest Royal Caribbean ships, there are actually two concierges onboard to help split the work load.

If you're booked in a suite, here's what you can expect from the concierge onboard and even before the cruise.

What can the suite concierge do for you?

The suite concierge is always located in the suite lounge, where they work during the day and early evening to assist guests. They're there to make your cruise better in any way they possibly can.

A few days before your cruise begins (usually 4 to 7 days before embarkation), you can expect an email from the concierge introducing themselves to you, and outlining the benefits they can provide.

This email is a good primer for expectations, and how to easily take advantage of your suite benefits.

Before the cruise begins, the concierge can assist you with making specialty dining reservations, show reservations, or clarifying any questions you might have.

Tip: If you purchased a specialty dining package, you should email the concierge with a list of restaurants and times to book to save you the time of making the reservations once onboard.

Speaking of dining, you can ask to the concierge to make a Coastal Kitchen reservation too.

While the concierge can book show times for you, I'd advise you to book show reservations as soon as they become available to book 30 days before the cruise sails, because show tickets usually sell out quickly.

Some other common requests to make of the concierge include:

• Note dietary restrictions on the dining profile
• Request a Main Dining Room table for just our family, not a shared table
• Ask to have beds separated in the suite
• Request corkscrew in cabin for wine
• Request extra hangers
• Request extension cord and distilled water for CPAP machine

The concierge can also book shore excursions or family photo reservations.

You should get an email back confirming any requests you made, or advising you of other options if they cannot assist.

Onboard the ship

When you board your ship, you can go up to the suite lounge to meet the concierge. This is a good idea to not only put a face to the name, but confirm any of the requests you made pre-cruise or get clarification on any questions.

During your sailing, the concierge is there to make your cruise better.  

There are posted hours the concierge is available at their desk. You can either visit them in person or give them a call. You should go to them for any issues you have that you might otherwise go to Guest Services for.

In addition to problem solving, the suite concierge is also a friendly face. They will regularly strike up conversations with suite guests in the lounge, and love getting to know their guests.

During the evening cocktail hours, the concierge acts as a kind of emcee, helping people find seats, directing waiters to get drink orders, and ensure the hors d'oeuvres are replenished regularly.

While they can sometimes be busy with their clerical duties, they make an effort to get to know their guests.

Escort off the ship

Perhaps my favorite suite concierge benefit is their assistance getting off the cruise ship on the final morning.

There can be very long lines disembarking the ship on the final morning, but the suite concierge will be happy to get you through the lines.

Prior to the end of the cruise, you can arrange to meet the concierge at a designated location and they will walk your family off the ship.  This means they will cut the line and bypass most, if not all, of it.

This is a tremendous time saver, as well as sanity saver.  When I cruise with kids, it's such a relief to not have to stand in line.

Is it worth it to pay for concierge access?

The only way to get access to the a cruise concierge is to pay more for a suite (or become a Pinnacle Club member, but likely not practical for most readers), and that is all but certainly a higher cost than a lower category room.

Aside from the inherit benefits of booking a suite, the suite concierge access is a lovely touch, but I'd hesitate to go as far as to say it's worth it every time.

Having access to the cruise concierge is more akin to the "icing on top" of having suite access.  You should book a suite because you value the extra space the room provides, bonus Crown and Anchor points, and the extras cruise guests get included with their fare.

How helpful the concierge is depends on you and how much interaction you have with them.  If you're going to spend a lot of time in the suite lounge and make many requests of the concierge, they are absolutely worth it.  But every cruiser handles the access differently.

On shorter cruises, the value is likely less since there's less time to take advantage of their services. 

I've always enjoyed the assistance provided by the concierge, and I'm grateful for even the smallest of assistance.  The escort off the ship at the end of the cruise is probably the single best service they provided and it made a big difference when my kids were younger.

So should you book a suite just for the concierge? Probably not, but I think you'll enjoy the value they add to your cruise. Just remember to take advantage of what they offer.

There's nothing quite like an impressive super suite found on a giant cruise ship. These suites are enormous, opulent, and surprising just how massive these cabins can be.

Royal Caribbean is famous for building megaships that capture the imagination, especially the ones that continuously reclaim the title of biggest cruise ship in the world.

Having gone on almost 100 Royal Caribbean cruise ships, I've been able to stay in and tour many of these cruise ship suites.  It's an incredible experience, albeit expensive too.

As a cruise line with the best suites, Royal Caribbean seems to always be looking for ways to add new ways to wow its passengers with what they offer onboard. This includes suites just as much as water slides, zip lines, and other thrills.

Among all the suites I've toured, I handpicked the five that are so over the top you can't help but marvel at it. 

I also included a practical suite in my list, because it's the entry level suite many more people are likely to actually afford.

Ultimate Family Townhouse

Royal Caribbean first made news when it build the Ultimate Family Suite, which was an over the top family suite.  Then they upped the ante with an even crazier suite on Icon of the Seas, the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

This 1,772-square-foot suite is as big as many people's homes, and it lives up to the name of being a townhouse at sea.

It's available on the Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas and it costs at least $80,000 for a week!

What do you get for that price? Enough room for up to 8 people and an in-suite slide, movie room, karaoke machine and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence.

It's three decks high, and it has a special entrance to the Surfside neighborhood from your suite. There's even a mailbox that you can use to pick up notes.

If you have young kids, there is no other suite that can top this experience for a family.

AquaTheater Suite

I'm not sure you can beat the view that Royal Caribbean's Aquatheater suites offer.

Available in one and two bedroom configurations, these are massive suites located at the very back of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

I love these suites for two reasons. First, the amount of living space is incredible. You not only get a really big living area, but an even bigger balcony.

The balcony on the back wraps around the suite and offers the best views I've ever had on a cruise ship. Truly incredible, and the perfect place to catch a sunset.

Plus, your balcony doubles as a viewing box for the Aquatheater below, which is where you can watch one of the signature shows on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Second, the two bedroom suite has two full bathrooms, making it one of the best suites for a large family to share.

If there's a downside to this suite, it's that it's located at the very back of the ship, and that means a longer walk back to the elevators, as well as not being near the Suite Lounge.

I've stayed in Aquatheater suites numerous times while sailing on Wonder of the Seas, and it sold our family on the suite life because of the equally impressive Star Class amenities you get with the two bedroom suite. 

With Star Class, you get pretty much everything included in your cruise fare, along with the services of the Royal Genie.  It's an game-changing way to cruise.

Royal Loft Suite

While the Ultimate Family Townhouse might capture most of the attention for being a giant suite, I think the Royal Loft Suite is actually the best suite layout I've seen.

The Royal Loft Suite is available on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships, although the suite’s layout and features can differ from ship to ship. In fact, I've stayed in the Royal Loft Suite on Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Allure of the Seas, and the Oasis Class ships have the best setup.

It's located on Deck 17 or 18 (depending on which Oasis Class ship you're on), it has its own glass door that stops anyone from even reaching the actual door to the cabin. It's like its own mini-hallway.

You'll find a baby grand piano, wet bar, hot tub, two floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. It's the kind of suite you can't help but say "wow" when you walk in.

This suite can handle up to 8 people, and we loved the living room. It has a giant couch, lazy boy-style chair, and a pair of hanging rocking chairs.

The upper level is the master suite, with great views of the ocean.  Plus, the master bathroom is sprawling and probably nicer than any bathroom I've seen on land.

On the balcony, there's a private hot tub just for your use next to a bar and more seating.  The balcony may not be massive, but the amenities are second-to-none.

Solarium Suite

When Royal Caribbean launched Utopia of the Seas, they once again moved the bar forward with a massive suite that has no balcony.

The Solarium Suites located above the bridge wings and offer sweeping 280 degree views of the ocean from the large living space.

They feature panoramic views that open up to the ocean breeze at the push of a button.

There's a ton of living space here, and just like the Aquatheater suite, you cannot beat the views.  This time, it's at the very front of the ship and you basically see everything the ship's Captain can.

Junior Suite

While a Junior Suite isn't a true suite because it doesn't all the full suite amenities, I think it's an affordable splurge to get a preview of what the suite life is like on a cruise ship.

To be fair, I think a Junior Suite is more akin to a "really large balcony room", but it does come with extra benefits that are great to have.

In addition to a larger living area and balcony, junior suite guests receive a variety of benefits including double C&A Society points, luxury bathroom amenities, an in-suite Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine, and priority boarding. 

Those staying in a Junior Suite on Oasis or Quantum Class ships also have access to Coastal Kitchen, the suites-only restaurant, for dinner only.

The reason why we’ve included a Junior Suite in this list is because of its position as an entry-level way to experience what a Royal Caribbean suite experience can offer. A Junior Suite is far less expensive than booking, say, a Loft Suite, so it can be a nice way to “treat yourself” without breaking the bank.

Onboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, prospective guests will find 13 different suite categories to choose from, including the cruise line's first-ever Ultimate Family Townhome and Sky Junior Suite. 

While these rooms come with a premium price tag, you're guaranteed a more elevated cruising experience. 

Whether you choose to relax on the suite-only sun deck or enjoy meals in the exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant, you're sure to enjoy the perks that accompany Icon of the Seas' Royal Suite Class. 

Below is a look at five suites that you will find on Icon: the Sky Junior Suite, Grand Suite, Icon Loft, Accessible Icon Loft, Owner's Suite, and Royal Loft Suite. Note that only the latter two of the categories can be found on other Royal Caribbean ships. 

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Sky Junior Suite (JY)

For the first time ever, you can book a Junior Suite onboard a Royal Caribbean ship and receive Sky Tier benefits. Typically, Junior Suites are only in the Sea Tier, which doesn't come with many perks. 

In fact, you are not able to access suite-only sun decks or dine at Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch, which severely limits your "ship-within-a-ship" experience on vessels with dedicated Suite Neighborhoods. 

While these aren't the most opulent suites by any means, they are a more economical way to enjoy everything that accompanies booking a Sky Tier suite without completely breaking the bank. 

At just 322 square feet with an additional 80 square feet of living space on the balcony, you can comfortably fit up to four guests in a Sky Junior Suite, more so than a traditional cabin anyway. 

Grand Suite (GS)

Grand Suites are a staple suite found on Royal Caribbean ships. On Icon, they're part of the Sky Tier of the Royal Suite Class, meaning that you'll have access to The Grove Sun Deck, as well as Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

There are only 10 Grand Suites onboard, each with the ability to fit up to four passengers. 

These 1-bedroom suites measure 431 square feet, with an additional 108 square feet on the private balcony. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

In the living room, there's a soda bed that can be converted into a double bed. 

Icon Loft (IL)

Icon Lofts are a new category of suite onboard Icon Class ships that fall within the Star Tier of the Royal Suite Class.

Star guests have the most benefits available to them, including a Royal Caribbean drink package, VOOM Wi-Fi, Royal Genie, and more. 

The overall floor plan of the Icon Loft is reminiscent of Crown Loft Suites onboard Oasis Class ships. 

These spacious rooms measure 656 square feet, with a balcony that falls anywhere between 108 and 172 square feet.

In addition to panoramic ocean views from the two-story windows, guests staying in an Icon Loft will also enjoy a separate living and dining area, as the master bedroom is perched atop the second floor. 

Onboard Icon, there are only 7 Loft Suites, and like Grand Suites, they, too, can accommodate up to four guests. 

Upstairs, you will find a large master bathroom complete with a shower that's able to fit two people!

There's a second full bathroom downstairs, which is great if you're traveling with four people in the suite or plan on having frequent guests. 

Accessible Icon Loft (IL, ADA)

If you're someone with mobility issues, the idea of a two-story suite might not sound appealing. 

Thankfully, Icon of the Seas has a limited number of accessible Icon Lofts onboard, complete with an elevator to help you travel from floor to floor. 

At 807 square feet, the interior portion is larger than standard Icon Lofts. Balconies, however, don't have a set range; they are all 115 square feet. This brings the total amount of useable floor space, both indoor and outdoor, to 922 square feet. 

This two-level urban loft can accommodate up to four guests. 

Owner's Suite (OS)

While neither a new cabin category nor a multi-level suite, the Owner's Suite seems to get more luxurious with every new build from Royal Caribbean. 

This 658 square foot room comes with an expansive 190 square foot balcony. 

Compared to some other suites on Icon, the Owner's Suite has a larger capacity and can fit up to five passengers. 

You'll only find eight of these suites onboard. 

Royal Loft (RL)

The largest suite onboard Icon of the Seas is the Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

This massive, one-of-a-kind suite measures an astonishing 1,772 square feet and is outfitted with an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine, and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating, and a fence leading directly to the brand-new Surfside Neighborhood. 

With an $80,000 per week price tag, however, it's not the most affordable suite onboard the ship. While not as expensive, the Royal Loft Suite is the third suite in the Star Tier onboard Icon of the Seas. 

Situated on Deck 17, this 1,482-square-foot suite features a balcony that overlooks Chill and Thrill Island. You'll get some mesmerizing ocean views, too. 

Read more: My family stayed in a $7,000 Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas

Your family of up to six will not have any trouble spreading out in the suite's two bedrooms and expansive living and dining areas, complete with a wet bar and piano!

On the second level, the master bathroom has an impressive vanity area that has more than enough storage for all of your clothing. 

The views don't end in the bedroom, either, as there's yet another floor-to-ceiling window. 

The master bathroom is one for the books. There's a chance you'll spend longer than you intend in the soaking tub, especially after spending all day exploring everything exciting onboard. 

If you booked a suite on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, there's an entire section of the ship reserved just for you.

Among the eight neighborhoods on Icon, the exclusive Suite Neighborhood offers upscale amenities like a private two-story sun deck and restaurant. 

The Suite Neighborhood overlooks the vibrant pool deck below, including Swim & Tonic, the cruise line's first swim-up bar at sea. 

Throughout The Grove Suite Sun Deck, you'll find tons of plush seating with direct oceanfront views, as well as colorful tropical decor. 

Read more: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

During the day, Suite guests can grab a bite to eat at The Grove, a fast-casual Mediterranean venue located within the Suite Neighborhood that features al fresco seating. This surely will beat venturing to the Windjammer or El Loco Fresh!

This brand-new dining option is located steps away from the private pool. 

Read more: Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class

Of course, Suite guests may also take advantage of Coastal Kitchen, the elegant suite-only dining room that's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Non-suite passengers are unable to dine at Coastal Kitchen, even if they're willing to pay. 

They will have to choose from one of the numerous other specialty restaurants, such as Empire Supper Club, Izumi Sushi & Hibachi, Chops Grille, etc. These are open to suite guests, too. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean previews all the restaurant and dining choices coming to the world's largest cruise ship

Pinnacle Club members, or those who have reached the highest tier of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, have the opportunity to enjoy meals in Coastal Kitchen, subject to availability. 

Coastal Kitchen is located on Decks 16 and 17 with large windows overlooking the ship's indoor AquaTheater within the AquaDome Neighborhood. It's a great place to grab a pre-show cocktail! 

Being located so close to the AquaDome Neighborhood means that Suite guests are only steps away from the AquaDome Market, Overlook Pods, Hooked Seafood, and more. 

Read more: I walked through Royal Caribbean's new food hall concept and it could radically change casual dining onboard

Within the Suite Neighborhood, you will find numerous places to get a drink, which is great since some of the most exclusive (and expensive) suites onboard include a Royal Caribbean drink package! 

Those with children and/or teens will appreciate how close the suite-only spaces are to Thrill Island, which is home to the largest water park at sea: Category 6. 

Activities such as the Flowrider and the brand-new Crown's Edge can be found at the aft of the ship on Deck 16. 

Icon of the Seas has eight new suite categories that cannot be found on other ships within the fleet, including the Sunset Junior Suite, Sunset Corner Suite, Icon Loft, and Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

The benefits that you will receive vary based on which tier the suite is in. Sunset Junior Suites and standard Junior Suites, for instance, won't have as many perks as the Ultimate Family Townhome. 

If you want to access The Grove, you'll want to book a suite that's located within the Sky or Star Class. Sea Class suites (i.e., Junior Suites and Sunset Junior Suites) do not have access to the private sun deck and can only eat at Coastal Kitchen for dinner, subject to availability. 

A suite on a cruise is expensive, but it's also one of the most sought-after types of cruise cabins because of how enjoyable the experience is.

The price of a suite will vary considerably, with the Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas costing $80,000 per week. That's at least ten times what a balcony cabin would likely cost, but it's also a microcosm of the demand suites get by cruise ship passengers.

The attraction to a book a suite is all about the service and benefits you get by staying in one.  There many types of cruise ship suites, but you can expect a bigger room than standard cabins on cruise vessels, better location onboard, and plenty of extra perks included for the price.

Free wifi, extra restaurants, added service, and less waiting in lines are just a few of the perks available with some suites.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

While a suite is likely not a dollar-for-dollar value, it is compelling enough a proposition that some cruisers jump at the chance to move up to a suite.

If you're debating if a suite is worth it, here are the best reasons to book one instead of a standard cabin.

Less waiting

My favorite benefit to staying in a suite is less lines to deal with during the cruise.

Staying in a suite is the closest thing cruise lines offer to an express line to bypass lines, or at least reduce them. By paying extra, you get added service and shortcuts along the way.

On embarkation day, there will be a special line in almost every port for those staying in a suite. This provides a shorter line to wait in to check-in, and when it's time to board the ship, suite guests get to go first.

Onboard the ship, there can be opportunities for suite guests to bypass lines.  There can be reserved seating in shows, and if you have a Royal Genie, you can forget about waiting in just about any line on the ship.

The saying, "time is money" applies to suite guests, and it's nice to have bypasses along the way.

Exclusive areas on the ship

If you're in a suite, there will be special areas of the ship reserved just for you.

Royal Caribbean does not have a "ship within a ship" concept that other lines have, but there's still a few spots reserved just for suite guests and these alone can be worth the price of a suite.

Every ship has a suite lounge, where you can go anytime to socialize and enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks at certain times.

You'll also find reserved seating on the pool deck for suite guests, which is immensely beneficial on sea days when the pool is the busiest.

On Royal Caribbean's newest ships, there are entire neighborhoods for suite guests.  Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas both have a section of the ship for the exclusive use of suite passengers.

Bigger cabin

If you think having more space in your room doesn't matter, wait until you see how much more space there is in a suite.

Cruise ship cabins are typically smaller than hotel rooms, but suites will make you feel like you're back at home with the square footage found in them.

Some suites have extra bedrooms, bathrooms, or even a dining room.  The really large suites are incredible to see, because it's hard to fathom just how large these cabins are compared to other rooms.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse measures 1,772 square feet and is three decks high.  Compare that to a balcony cabin on Icon of the Seas that comes in at 204 square feet.

More conventional suites are still quite large. A Grand Suite on Icon measures 431 square feet, which is more than double that of a balcony.

Read more: Icon of the Seas cabins and suites guide

Having that extra space is a major reason why a lot of people book a suite. They want to feel like they can spread out, and if they're sharing the room with others, every extra foot makes a difference.

Concierge services

It's amazing how much better your cruise can be with the help of the suite concierge.

The concierge is there to be a dedicated resource for suite guests. Think of them like Guest Service just for suite guests, but with less lines and more service.

They can assist in making reservations, including pre-cruise.  They can escort you off the ship, get you a tender ride without a wait, and be your aid should a problem arise.

Their job is to make your experience on the ship better, and it's a really nice way to solve problems or simply enhance it all.

Freebies

Depending on the ship you pick, staying in a suite can get you a lot of extras included in your cruise fare that you would otherwise have to pay extra for.

All suites across all ships include free alcoholic beverages in the Suite Lounge each evening, which means there's less of a need to purchase an unlimited drink package.

If you cruise on a Quantum, Oasis, or Icon Class cruise ship, the included perks drastically increase. For Sky Class passengers, you'll get complimentary Wi-Fi access, access to a special restaurant, and room service too.

Star Class guests get pretty much everything included, including any specialty restaurant, extra-cost beverage, and gratuities.

Read more: What is Star Class?

Twice a day cabin service

Royal Caribbean cut back housekeeping to once a day on its cruise ships, but suites still get service twice per day.

Having your cabin attendant service your cabin in the morning and evening is a pleasant benefit, and it means towels get replaced quicker, beds are made if you took a nap, and your room just feels tidier. 

I've grown accustomed to this change in standard cabins by now, but having that twice-a-day service is a really nice benefit.

More loyalty points

If you're looking to move up the ladder of Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program faster, staying in a suite is the best strategy.

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra point per night for staying in a suite, so that means two points instead of one (or three, if you're staying solo in a suite).

This is important because the sooner you reach the higher tiers of Crown and Anchor Society, the sooner you'll get to enjoy the best benefits, such as free drinks every day.

Getting to Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club really adds significant value to how you cruise, so booking a suite to get there faster might be a really good idea.

Read more: My top 5 favorite Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club perks

Better cabin location

Want to reduce your walking distance when getting around the ship? Stay somewhere with less movement? A suite is the easy button for that.

You'll typically find suites in the most desirable places on the ship so that you can have the best views, stability, and convenience.

To avoid getting seasick on a cruise, you'll want a cabin mid-ship (definitely not at the front), and it's no coincidence that you'll find suites in these areas.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

Is a suite on a cruise worth it?

It won't be cheap, but a suite has a lot of nice perks that come with it, and it might make sense for you to spend extra to stay in one.

When you consider what you get for booking a suite instead of a regular cabin, the higher price might make sense if you can take advantage of the added value.

It will probably cost you more going forward to book a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean announced a new deposit program for its largest and opulent cruise ship cabins. It applies to sister company Celebrity Cruises as well.

Beginning June 1, 2023, Royal Caribbean is adjusting the deposit requirement for new suite bookings confirmed on or after this date.

The new suite deposit requirement will be calculated as 10% of the cruise fare per guest and is applicable fleetwide.

If the 10% value is less than the standard deposit amount, the required deposit amount will then revert to the standard deposit amount.

Bookings made prior to June 1st, 2023, will not be changed, even if you change the booking to another ship or sail date.  The only reason your deposit amount will change is if you cancel a booking made before June 1st and make a new booking on or after June 1st.

This policy change will apply to all suite categories, including suite guarantees.  This change will apply to all markets and all sailings.

In addition, Junior Suites will be treated like other suites in terms of bookings and deposits.  

Junior Suites will be nonrefundable for new bookings created on or after June 1, 2023.

At this time, deposit requirements for balcony, oceanview, AquaClass, Concierge Class, Veranda, and interior accommodations will remain unchanged.

How the 10% deposit is calculated

The 10% deposit is calculated based on cruise fare after all applicable discounts and promotions have been applied.

In doing some "back of the napkin" math, this appears to affect someone booking a suite over $2,500 per person because the deposit reverts to the $250 if the 10% is less than $250.

Kids Sail Free

If you're taking advantage of the popular Kids Sail Free promotion, the 10% deposit is calculated off the full booking’s cruise fare split amongst the number of guest in the booking.

If the deposit, on a per person basis, is lower than the per person standard deposit, standard deposit will be collected per person.

For any fifth or more guest that are eligible for Kids Sail Free will be charged the standard deposit amount.

Suite deposit cancellation policy

As of June 1st, 2023, all suite bookings, including Junior Suites, have non-refundable deposits.

As such, the full 10% deposit per person will be withheld upon cancellation. If your clients downgrade from a suite category to a lower category which has a lower cruise fare, the higher deposit will still be held.

What if you upgrade your cabin?

You might be wondering what happens if you book an interior/ocean view/balcony stateroom and later upgrade into a suite.

After June 1st, 2023, your deposit amount will be changed from the standard deposit to 10% of their new cruise fare and they will need to pay any difference at the time of upgrade.

NextCruise bookings

All NextCruise Suite bookings made on or after June 1st, 2023, will require 10% of cruise fare, per-person deposit.

Deposits for Junior Suites will now be nonrefundable deposits only, will no longer be reduced and will be calculated on the new percentage rules.

Why is Royal Caribbean making this change?

In the announcement to travel agents, Royal Caribbean did not explain why it is making this policy change but it almost certainly has to do with demand for suites.

Historically, suite cabins are the most sought-after type of staterooms on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Earlier this month, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, mentioned the fact suites always sell out first on most sailings, "We used to kind of put everything out there and all the suites would be sold basically right off the bat. And then you would kind of work your way down to the inside cabins."

Over the last few years, Royal Caribbean has updated the suite booking policy to ensure suites booked were going to people that actually wanted them, rather than people that booked them on speculation and subsequently cancelled them later.

Royal Caribbean made suites non-refundable only a few years ago because of the high demand for them, especially when new sailings were announced.

Prior to the non-refundable fares, suites would be booked up early by cruise fans and later decide if they would sail or not. To deter the practice of dumping suites closer to sailing, Royal Caribbean changed suite fares to non-refundable.

This new change is likely partially aimed at ensuring a likely higher deposit amount dissuades someone from booking up a suite unless they know they really want it.

The other very likely reason for this change is because demand for cruises is so high, they can get more money up front now.

Royal Caribbean is seeing record-breaking demand for cruises right now, and the forecast for the rest of the year appears equally positive.

It caught the company off guard, as Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty noted they had expected a slower first quarter, "The fact that demand for the coming nine months is so much stronger than our already robust expectations says a lot about the strength of the consumer and the strength of our brands."

How strong were these bookings? The company says bookings in the first quarter of 2023 outpaced 2019 levels "by a very wide margin" throughout the entire first quarter and into April.

By increasing the suite deposit amounts, Royal Caribbean can get more money up front and potentially more money if someone cancels later.  For a company swimming in billions of debt while enjoying unparalleled demand, you can see why they may have gone in this direction.

Refundable vs non-refundable cruise fares

Just like non-refundable fares found with airfare, rental cars, and hotels, these rates come at a reduced rate as an incentive to lock in plans.

With a non-refundable fare, guests get a lower price while the cruise line gets more protection against a last-minute cancellation.

Refundable cruise fares cost more than non-refundable, but allow more flexibility when cancelling a cruise.

The exact price difference between a refundable and non-refundable fare can vary depending on the sailing.

Read more: Royal Caribbean refundable versus non-refundable cruise fares