For those that want a higher level of service and amenities, Royal Caribbean's new ship offers more for those that are willing to pay for it.
The brand new Star of the Seas has reserved areas just for those that booked a suite, which are the most expensive and lavish staterooms on the ship. It's also available to the top tier loyalty members, but it requires 700 cruise points to get there.
Guests that book a Sky Class or Star Class suite get access to these areas, and I wanted to show what the extra cost of a suite gets you in terms of suite perks.
Here's a look at the exclusive areas on Star of the Seas available for most passengers can't access so you can determine if it's worth it for you to spend extra.
The suite area is spread across three decks
Suite guests will have access to the Suite Neighborhood, which is on deck 16, 17, and 18.
This is one more deck of space than on Wonder or Utopia of the Seas, which are Oasis Class ships.
Access to all of it requires guests to use their SeaPass card to enter.
Since I was staying in a Surfside Family Suite, I had access to this area of the ship. However, for sailings on or after May 2, 2026, that perk will end.
I paid $4,472.60 for my suite on a 4-night sailing.
The Suite Lounge is combined with an exclusive restaurant
On deck 16 is the area where I think most suite guests will spend the most time and it's a combination of lounge and restaurant.
The left side is the Suite Lounge, which has comfortable seating, a full service bar, and even a buffet area.
Before you reach any of it is the suite concierge, and there are two of them on Star of the Seas.
The concierge is there to assist with any problems or concerns suite guests may have, such as billing issues, making restaurant reservations, or general questions.
Behind them is the Suite Lounge bar, where there is beer, wine, and soft drinks served from 11am to 11pm. A cocktail hour takes place in the evening. All of these drinks are included with the cruise fare as a suite guest when ordered in the Suite Lounge (or anywhere in the Suite Neighborhood).
This means you can enjoy unlimited drinks in the suite lounge during these select hours, making it a compelling alternative to a drink package.
If you proceed even further into the lounge, there's more seating and a food station.
Throughout the day there are light snacks and au d'oeuvres served. There's also a 24 hour coffee and espresso machine suite guests may use.
The suite lounge seating is essentially the "left side" of the space, with the rest reserved for Coastal Kitchen.
I enjoyed walking up to the bar and taking a seat for a drink and getting to know the very talkative bartenders.
They'd often engage in conversation with other guests, and it's a fun way to meet people. As a solo cruiser, I love to engage in conversation with the crew members as a way to break up the quietness.
Coastal Kitchen is a restaurant that replaces the Main Dining Room
One of the best benefits of being a suite guest is access to Coastal Kitchen.
This is restaurant that is exclusively available to suite guests, and it's included in your cruise fare.
Guests staying in Sky and Star Class rooms can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner here every day. Guests in Sea Class can go for just dinner.
Coastal Kitchen is like a Main Dining Room that's just for suite guests, offering a menu that changes each evening. But I like there's a "classics menu" that has the same items each evening.
This means I can choose from a changing array of options, but still indulge in French Onion Soup when I want it.
I think dinner is it's strongest option, and breakfast is nice too for a relaxing start to your day.
Some suite guests will eat exclusively at Coastal Kitchen, but I prefer to mix it into my plans. Be sure to go there for the embarkation day dinner, because I think that's the best menu of any sailing.
Suite guests have a private pool, buffet, and loungers just for them
Moving up to deck 18, you'll find the Suite Sun Deck.
This is an entire pool area just for suite guests, and it's much larger than I expected.
Before you reach the pool, there's The Grove.
The Grove is a buffet, but the food quality is so much better than the Windjammer. You'll find tapas, fruit, spreads, and even Magnum Ice Cream Bars.
I was impressed by the quality and selection available, and made a few trips up to The Grove for pseudo meals during my sailing.
Across from The Grove is a bar, where you can grab a drink or sit and enjoy another conversation opportunity.
Walking around the sun deck, there is a wading pool in the middle, plus a hot tub nearby.
You'll find seating all around the Suite Sun Deck, and this is more than just loungers.
There are chairs, day beds, suspended chairs, and more. Some of it in the shade, and the rest in the sun.
This exclusivity is a big selling point for a cruise line that doesn't usually target luxury travelers
Suites on Star of the Seas aren't cheap, so the perks you get with them are a major reason to book one.
Having access to an entire neighborhood just for suite guests means you have essentially an enclave, especially if your suite is located on deck 16 or 17.
Not only is there a sense of exclusivity, but there are less people to compete with for the amenities. This is especially important on the Suite Sun Deck, because loungers and pool access is always in high demand on any cruise ship.
Royal Caribbean doesn't have a true "ship within a ship" concept like other cruise lines, but this is as close as they've come to having something similar to it.
More suite perks beyond the neighborhood
The benefits of staying in a suite go beyond the Suite Neighborhood.
Royal Caribbean includes a special check-in in the cruise terminal, as well as an escort off the ship by the concierge team when the cruise is complete.
There's also reserved seating at shows for suite guests. And suite guests get an extra point per night in the loyalty program, which catapults guests faster to the higher tiers.
Junior Suite guests don't get access to most of this area
It's important to remind you that despite its name, Junior Suite guests don't get access to the full suite perks.
Sea Class Junior Suite cabins only have access to Coastal Kitchen for dinner, but not to the Suite Lounge, Suite Sun Deck, or the services of the concierge.
There are some Sky Class Junior Suite staterooms that would have those perks.
