A Grand Suite is one of Royal Caribbean's most popular suites because it's the entry point to having a full suite experience, complete with access to special areas of the ship and extra perks.
Junior Suites are technically the entry-level suite category, while Grand Suites are the first tier in the “full” suite program with elevated benefits.
However, despite the many extra benefits and larger room size, a Junior Suite is likely going to cost a lot less money and deliver enough added value to make it a more compelling option.
Both types of suites have much more living space than a standard balcony, and you'll earn the same amount of loyalty points too.
Read more: Royal Caribbean cabin guide
If you're debating between booking a Grand Suite or a Junior Suite, there are compelling reasons why you should stick with a Junior Suite. Let's dive into them.
Comparing Royal Caribbean's Junior Suite and Grand Suite
Here's an overview of the key differences between the two suites:
| Feature | Junior Suite | Grand Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Square Footage | ~250–325 sq ft + balcony | ~350-430 sq ft + larger balcony |
| Full Suite Benefits | No | Yes |
| Concierge Lounge Access | No | Yes |
| Priority Boarding & Disembarkation | Yes | Yes |
| Coastal Kitchen Access | Dinner only | Yes |
Suite layout and size differences
Think of the Junior Suite has being big, and a Grand Suite being bigger.
Both suites have much more living space than a balcony category. The Grand Suite feels much more spacious, as it often has separate seating areas
Using Icon of the Seas as an example, the balcony size between the two can be substantial. Both offer larger balconies than a standard balcony, but a Grand Suite is giant.
- Standard ocean balcony: 50 square feet
- Junior Suite balcony: 80 square feet
- Grand Suite balcony: 108 square feet
Another key difference in terms of the room is the layout.
Grand Suites have much more storage space, including closets and drawers. The room feels more like a suite, whereas a Junior Suite still resembles a balcony room.
Plus, there's extra furniture in a Grand Suite, such as a dining table and chairs.
A Junior Suite bathroom is going to be a single bathroom with tub, whereas a Grand Suite has a larger bathroom, with possibly double sinks.
Perks offered by both suites
These are the main benefits of each suite type. Keep in mind the benefits are greater on an Oasis, Quantum, or Icon Class ship because of the extra perks that come with the Royal Suite Class.
Junior Suite:
- Crown & Anchor Society points: 2 per night instead of 1
- Dinner access only for Coastal Kitchen
- No access to Suite Lounge
- No concierge service
- Priority boarding and disembarkation
Grand Suite:
- Full Suite Class benefits (Sky Class on Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class ships)
- Concierge service
- Coastal Kitchen access for all meals
- Priority boarding and tendering
- Reserved seating for shows
- Reserved seating on the pool deck
- Complimentary Wi-Fi (on Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class ships)
Price difference
Another key differentiator is the price for each suite.
Depending on the ship, itinerary, and time of year, the prices can vary considerably.
Here are some example prices of a Junior Suite vs a Grand Suite for Oasis of the Seas in May 2026 for two passengers:
May 8, 2026
- Junior Suite: $2,713.82
- Grand Suite: $3,515.32
- Suite Guarantee: $2,414.32
May 15, 2026
- Junior Suite: $2,893.82
- Grand Suite: $3,960.82
- Suite Guarantee: $2,494.32
May 22, 2026
- Junior Suite: $3,004.32
- Grand Suite: $3,903.82
- Suite Guarantee: $2,433.82
May 29, 2026
- Junior Suite: $3,014.32
- Grand Suite: $4,234.82
- Suite Guarantee: $2,433.82
Keep in mind pricing fluctuates based on how many cabins are sold for that specific sailing, ship class, and sail date.
Reasons to choose a Junior Suite over a Grand Suite
Now that their similarities are out of the way, let's focus on their differences and how those might sway you to choose the Junior Suite instead of a Grand Suite.
You just want the extra space, but not the price
I find many cruisers that love a Junior Suite prefer it because it's a bigger room, and that's really all they need.
Suites come with lots of lovely benefits, but it may be overkill if you won't take advantage of them.
By not splurging for a full suite, you still get a few important amenities: full size tub, priority embarkation, bigger room, an extra loyalty point per night, and a closet.
Essentially, if you're considering a Junior Suite or a Grand Suite and feel a Junior Suite is "good enough", that's the rationale for going with it.
If you mainly want space, a Junior Suite is the better value.
You'll spend more time exploring the ship than in your room
If you're going on one of Royal Caribbean's new and impressive ships, how much time will you really spend in your cabin?
By picking a Junior Suite, you get to enjoy a plush home base without paying for benefits you may simply never use.
This rationale could be applied to justify almost any lower room category, but some cruisers want to have enough room in their cabin for the time they're there. Or they prefer having a bathtub, extra point, or access to dinner in Coastal Kitchen.
Crown & Anchor members looking to move up the loyalty ladder quicker
If you're chasing Crown and Anchor Society points, booking a Junior Suite is a strategy I've seen others use effectively.
Because you get an extra point per night, booking a Junior Suite will catapult you up the tiers faster than regular cabins. Heck, book yourself solo in one and you'll get three points per night.
Anyone that's chasing the highest tiers, such as Diamond Plus or Pinnacle, will find a Junior Suite more cost effective over the long haul than a Grand Suite.
Cabin location
In many cases, you may find a Junior Suite in a desirable location.
Royal Caribbean has Junior Suites on the aft of its ships, offering peaceful views of the ship's wake. The cruise line reclassified these as "Sunset Junior Suites", but they're effectively the same room with a better view.
On the Icon Class suites, the Sunset Junior Suite has panoramic views and a corner balcony. At over seven feet tall, the ceiling is the tallest of all the Junior Suites. Plus, it's balcony is larger too, with 115-130 square feet of size compared to 80 in a regular JS.
You want to take advantage of a suite guarantee offer
When booking a cruise, there could be a suite guarantee option that would save a lot of money compared to picking a specific cabin.
The reality is with a suite guarantee, it's almost always going to be a Junior Suite. That's because there are more Junior Suites than any other suite type, and they're more likely to remain unsold than the full suites.
The cost savings are worthwhile, so if you're trying to save money, a suite guarantee will likely be a Junior Suite.
