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.
