Star Class Review

[Midwest Cruiser]

So here it is.... After our first time in Star class with the Genie, I will have to say it is going to be different going back to anything else. Our experience on Oasis was great but there were a couple things to comment on Sailing out of Port Miami. 

We flew in 2 days in advance and I'm glad we did. We had a winter storm almost wreak havoc on our flight but we were lucky. We stayed at the Hilton Downtown and had a good experience for the price. Only downfall is their elevator system and how it works. All other amenities were good, pool was awesome and warm as bath water.

Embarkation was a little disjoined, there was supposed to be a dedicated location with Individuals in Purple shirts, this wasn't visible and a cause for confusion. The stand wasn't set up until almost 10:30, which is the earliest you can check in, I was just anticipating a roped line with better signage. After this the processes of Embarkation was seamless. You have your luggage taken by Star Class porters and is "Delivered to your room"(more on that later). You enter the terminal with your genie and up to Suite security check-in. Then its onto the lounge for a brief stop and then onto the ship.

Luggage delivery.... That was a disappointment, at about 3pm we went back to the room and were going to get ready for sail away and supper following. We had no luggage, called the Genie and she was on it, then 5 minutes later nothing still, I finally walked down the hall and low and behold they were sitting like everyone luggage, in the Hallway, with our attached Purple Star Class Tags. Crisis averted but disappointing.

Best Sail away we have had! Suite deck is absolutely the place. Also we were blessed to board on the Port side which means we were able to sail to downtown, do the turntable, and sale all the way back out. That is how every sail away should go if I was in charge at Royal! 

Room was great and lived up to the Ultimate Panoramic Suite. Amenities were great, bed was comfortable, over abundance of Closet space for the Wife and myself. Products requested were in the room and never in short supply, Climate control and comfort was easy to adjust(need for keeping shades closed during day or lowest setting for cooling due to all the glass). Bathrooms were great to have 2, never bothered my wife when she was getting ready and could quick use one or the other. One disappointment that I would have with the bathrooms is the toilet paper. That had to be the absolute cheapest they could find. I swear you could 5 fold that stuff and still be able to trace words on a book through it. I understand that the plumbing on the ship is not meant for heavy duty trash down the toilet, but an upgrade to that paper would be nice. Was nice to be able to have a shower or bath if you wanted and fit(6'7" doesn't fit well into most tubes), shower for me with the rainfall worked awesome and didn't have to bend over to rinse off my head. hahaha

I was on the fence about the Genie and if we would utilize their services to what we would think would justify the added cost. I would say ours did have the added benefit. We were able to have her book or adjust times for reservation in restaurants and add more shows to our schedule(saw Aqua 80's twice and in exchange for Cats). It was nice being escorted on and off the ship, and having that luxury experience. She was able to have different items delivered for us to snack on(Playmakers nachos and wings, Tiramisu for a late evening desert, Tapas from Vintages, and chocolate covered strawberries) along with a nice gift that she had delivered to our room. **Pro note if you have to much food and you have a great bartender up on the suite deck, we would bring some of the food up to them and they would put it in the back area. That was a huge hit and gesture that they were really grateful for and didn't waste food.

We ate at All of the Specialty Restaurant's. Still our #1 favorite is 150 Central Park. Chefs table was also a great experience to have all the parings and explanations. Playmakers Campfire cookie is still awesome even though it didn't come in the skillet like before. Most under rated place is Port Side BBQ, the food was awesome and the 3 meat option could easily be split 2 ways. We were advised to book both Chefs and Hibachi ahead of time, but we just go with the flow and let the genie rearrange our schedule to make the times work. Plus we find it fun to sit with new people and interact.

Shows were great with the Genie having the best seats reserved. 3rd row dead center for the Aqua shows, middle of the Room for the Comedy show, and right against the railing for the Ice show. We could have our drinks messaged to her ahead of time and have them for the shows.

My wife also took advantage of the Starbucks drinks available to Star Class and had them delivered every morning to our room. .

Galley an Bridge tour was also something to see and take in. Cool to see behind the scenes.  

Debarkation was also awesome, we met her by the elevator bank, were able to bypass all floors and were walked off the ship. You then get handed off to a Suite dedicated person at the terminal, Genies can not go any further than up to security. We were taken directly to security/customs on the street level through the suite elevators and out to our Uber pickup location. We walked with all of our luggage, this gave us more time to pack and organize the last night.

Overall it was top notch. Going back once you are spoiled with this experience to anything less now isn't going to feel the same. 

The way we justified this was 3 years without a vacation, and we were originally booked on Wonder for January of '23 in a GS and I'm always looking for a better price. I stumbled onto this sailing and cabin by chance. Full disclosure this cruise booked was $10,928, our Wonder was only $1,000 cheaper and we would have had another $1,800 into it with the DBP and VOOM, Dining Package..... That is the one thing I will always look at now moving forward with a cruise for any room are the added costs and if it can justify going to Star Class.

 

Welcome any question or comments!!

 

 

Central Park

150 Central Park Tenderloin for 2

Our room view just out of Port Miami

Suite Lounge

View from Hilton Downtown Fitness Center

Bridge

[JazzBassMan]

Did the Ultimate Panoramic Suite last year on a Canada cruise. It is definitely my favorite room I've stayed in so far. I'd take this room again over the 2BR Aquatheater Suite I stayed in on a Harmony sailing. Who needs a balcony when you have all those views from the comfort of a lounge chair hanging off the side of the ship. 

[Midwest Cruiser]

2 hours ago, JazzBassMan said:

Did the Ultimate Panoramic Suite last year on a Canada cruise. It is definitely my favorite room I've stayed in so far. I'd take this room again over the 2BR Aquatheater Suite I stayed in on a Harmony sailing. Who needs a balcony when you have all those views from the comfort of a lounge chair hanging off the side of the ship. 

Those lounge chairs on the end of the bed are very comfortable. We are in a Crown Loft Suite on Symphony next March(have to take a NCL cruise with the Family, wish it would have been RCL in January). Looking forward to experience that.

[Lovetocruise2002]

Hey! I know that lady in the pink from the suites waiting area picture lol.

She is awesome, funny, and very full of life. We sailed with her on our #majorstarclasstakeover last year on Oasis.

Glad you had a great time. Oasis has great genies. That might be my favourite ship at the moment for star class sailings.

[Midwest Cruiser]

22 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Hey! I know that lady in the pink from the suites waiting area picture lol.

She is awesome, funny, and very full of life. We sailed with her on our #majorstarclasstakeover last year on Oasis.

Glad you had a great time. Oasis has great genies. That might be my favourite ship at the moment for star class sailings.

She was great. She helped direct us when we were trying to find the Star checkin at Terminal A. Also talked to her at Coco Cay at the Large pool.

[RichC]

Hi there 

we have our first experience of star class next year. Still trying to work out what is exactly included. 
If you don’t mind me asking, was the access all areas bridge, galley etc tour charged for or was this arranged and included by the genie?

 

thanks. 

[mk-ultra]

On 3/20/2023 at 10:11 AM, JazzBassMan said:

Did the Ultimate Panoramic Suite last year on a Canada cruise. It is definitely my favorite room I've stayed in so far. I'd take this room again over the 2BR Aquatheater Suite I stayed in on a Harmony sailing. Who needs a balcony when you have all those views from the comfort of a lounge chair hanging off the side of the ship. 

UPS is the most unique cabin I've ever had.  Didn't miss not having a balcony one bit.  It's a teensy walk out to the pool deck... and holy smokes they load up anything you may want to drink.  First time I've ever said, "LESS FOOD, please."  You'll absolutely be buried in booze and plates of snacky bits.

[Midwest Cruiser]

On 5/3/2023 at 4:44 PM, RichC said:

Hi there 

we have our first experience of star class next year. Still trying to work out what is exactly included. 
If you don’t mind me asking, was the access all areas bridge, galley etc tour charged for or was this arranged and included by the genie?

 

thanks. 

Sorry for the delay, busy planting season for us up here. Just add that in the comments in the Genie questionnaire, and you will also be able to reiterate that to your Genie when they walk you to your room and go over the schedule they have for you. The tours are at no extra cost. 

 

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[Midwest Cruiser]

On 5/3/2023 at 8:17 PM, mk-ultra said:

UPS is the most unique cabin I've ever had.  Didn't miss not having a balcony one bit.  It's a teensy walk out to the pool deck... and holy smokes they load up anything you may want to drink.  First time I've ever said, "LESS FOOD, please."  You'll absolutely be buried in booze and plates of snacky bits.

It was really fun and unique experience that we would do again. Yes to everything you mentioned. The short walk up to the pools or the suite sun deck was awesome. We missed out on more of the Coastal Kitchen by not being closer to it.

[Jax]

On 3/20/2023 at 11:01 AM, Midwest Cruiser said:

Most under rated place is Port Side BBQ, the food was awesome and the 3 meat option could easily be split 2 ways.

Would have to agree with you on that. We really missed Portside BBQ and Playmakers when we sailed Harmony.  Oasis has a great genie team; it ranked as one of our best star class experiences. Glad you enjoyed your week.