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Posted

Just like us, there are many potential travelers wondering if the Star Class service will compare to other high end vacations. 

 

We just got off the Icon of the Seas sailing from Miami on Oct 5th. Here are my 5 cents. 

Would I recommend it? Yes, depending on your lifestyle 

 

As a couple on our 50s we still love to have entertainment and late night fun. We are regular guests at Four Seasons, Rosewood, Ritz Carlton, St Regis etc. so we understand what a high end service should be. We even run a small luxury hospitality business in Los Cabos. 

 

We knew a 7500 passenger cruise is not exactly a private retreat, but other smaller luxury vessels would not offer the entertainment we were hoping for. 

 

The Star class cabins are a good match of service-entertainment 

 

The cabins themselves are nice but don’t expect a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons yacht cabin. Ours was a loft and having 2 full baths make our life easier, but the decoration look more like a regular Hyatt than a high end hotel.

 

The veranda has a decent size but we never considered having any meal inside or outside. I personally don’t think it’s worth it, as our objective was to try as many places in the ship as possible.

 

The speciality restaurants are included except one. We tried almost all, including the multi course and pairing dinner. 

 

The food was above our expectations ( for a massive cruise), without being spectacular. 

 

The wine list is short compared to high end cruises but they still have 3 good ones ( at a price) : Opus One, Caymus and Duckhorn. No real good europeas, though. 

 

Also they are short on high end digestive like cognac. I found an XO ( for a charge) on one of the bars and was able to get it sent to other venues where there are none. 

 

The Genie concept is what it really makes it work. She or he will take care of your reservations and will escort you to every show where reserved seats will be waiting for you. This is a real treat as opposed to be there 30 minutes before the show, to avoid the rush hour. 

 

There is a dedicated dinning room and pools for Suites. The food is good in both the general dinning and suite dinning restaurants but service is a premium on the suite’s venue. 

 

While on the swimming pool, forget about someone helping you to install yourself in a lounge or a waiter coming every few minutes, or asking for additional towels. Here is all about self service. I found this to be a shortcoming that could really be improved. 

 

The best: the shows on the Icon are world class. The wizard of Oz, the skating spectacle, the Effectors and the water show are all really professional productions. Broadway or Las Vegas quality. 

 

They even have a 16 musicians orchestra and a music Director. Include top of the line L-Acoustics electronics setup, stunning lights and laser and you’re immersed into a really great show. 

 

The Music Hall also had great live music. Phoenix rock band covers are amongst the best I’ve heard. The sound equipment of the venue is there to match. 

 

So again, should the discerning traveler get on board of this ship? If you can manage a week in Universal Studios and Disney World with a behind the scenes personal assistant to guide you, the answer is yes. 

 

As for the island visiting we rented nice cabanas at Four Seasons Neves and Ritz Carlton St John and that way we had both of best worlds in the same trip.

 

Anna our Genie and Christian in charge of housekeeping, were always there to help with a sincere and warm heart. Thank you so much to both. 

 

Congratulations to the Entertainment group. You’re advertising doesn’t do justice to the type of production you have in place. 

 

I hope with some feedback,  RCL will be able to cater to other discerning travelers, but as for us, I’m really happy we decided to book this one. 

Posted

It sounds like your trade off (entertainment for truly first class accommodation) ended up making sense for you, which is great. I would tend to agree that a major shortcoming of the star class experience is still having to scope out and secure a deck chair on the pool deck. Should you go back, consider trying to find a room with a jacuzzi on the balcony. 

Posted
1 hour ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

Mass market, floating city, 'high end'?  🤔

I gotta discern on this awhile...................

Exactly. This is why  RCL offers Star Class. Have you booked it? I suppose you can share your experience too

Posted
1 hour ago, MidwestIA said:

My family member paid $125K for the ultimate family suite (three guests) and Star class did not impress. No need to overspend to feel "high end".

I agree. Ours was only 25K. 

Posted
4 minutes ago, 27th Lady said:

It sounds like your trade off (entertainment for truly first class accommodation) ended up making sense for you, which is great. I would tend to agree that a major shortcoming of the star class experience is still having to scope out and secure a deck chair on the pool deck. Should you go back, consider trying to find a room with a jacuzzi on the balcony. 

You’re right. Lounge chairs were always available. The issue is the lack of service, specially when they have great attention to the guest in other venues. 

Posted
1 hour ago, Wheeler825 said:

"High end"? You'll have to find another line to call yourself 'high end'.  No offense, but this just screams condescension.

I’m sorry if my comments affected you. No intention on it. The term high end is just a marketing word. However, there are price points, and the intention is to compare above average cost hospitality services with a star class service, which is also above average.

I’m sure you have also paid for something above average and gave your opinion. That doesn’t mean your condescending for me. Just trying to help other people to take decisions. I’ve got nothing to prove to you or anybody else. 

Posted

Nice review. I won’t be able to afford that class unless I hit lotto, or someone awards me a free cabin or adds me to their reservation gratis.(anyone?🤣)  I’ve enjoyed sailing Royal, especially the entertainment, that’s one thing we can all enjoy. Hopefully you included any improvements Royal can make on your survey.

Posted
3 hours ago, Chief Vega said:

Exactly. This is why  RCL offers Star Class. Have you booked it? I suppose you can share your experience too

Sure, in balconies and the occasional junior suite. I no more consider Royal to be "premium", high end , whatever than any other mass market line. Silversea, Regent Seven Seas,  Ritz Carlton Yachts. Premium.  I'll never see a cruise on one of them.

Service? We enjoy and appreciate the service from every crew member......even in steerage. 🤣

 

Posted
18 hours ago, Chief Vega said:

Hope it helps! 

Did you have to deal with Shore Genies? If so, what was your experience?

 We did on our last sailing on UoS and looking back I think we lost the opportunity to have an existing relationship with the ship Genie when we came aboard. Before meeting the Genie was like meeting a pen pal for the first time but this time it was like meeting the concierge in a hotel lobby. Not to mention notes were lost between the two and they missed a birthday celebration entirely. No, I didn’t say anything to the Genie as she was good about doing things that she was aware of. This was clearly a lapse of communication from the shore genies. I’m hopeful that process will be fixed by the time our next Star Class sailing next year. 

Posted

Hello Smokey 79

we had to ask our travel agent to contact RCL since it took a while to get the shoreside genie to send us an e mail.

the on board genie are very busy with their current guests and I think the communication between them is not the best 

Trying to get  reservations at the time we wanted through the shoreside was almost impossible.

Anna out on board genie worked everything once we arrived. 

I’d say the pre departure communication doesn’t really help. But Anna on board made every needed change. 

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