Royal Caribbean changed a Caribbean itinerary in an effort to avoid the strengthening tropical storm system in the Atlantic Ocean. 

Guests sailing aboard Star of the Seas' September 28, 2025, cruise were notified that they'd no longer be heading to the Eastern Caribbean. 

Instead, the 7-night Caribbean cruise will visit the Western Caribbean, calling at Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

"Our Captain, along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Zetzer, has been monitoring the expected development of a tropical storm near the northwest Bahamas and a hurricane in the Atlantic," reads the email.

"We have decided to change our itinerary to safely avoid the storm and large seas on our eastern route. As a result, we will now sail a Western Caribbean itinerary..." 

This sudden change means that guests won't visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island in The Bahamas. Moreover, Star's inaugural visit to St. Kitts has been postponed. 

Star of the Seas will now call at St. Kitts for the very first time on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2025 — assuming that there aren't any future storm systems that further derail the plans. 

Although disappointing, Royal Caribbean emphasized that the safety and comfort of its guests and crew remain the company’s top priority.

"We're terribly sorry for this last-minute change caused by the weather - your safety is our top priority," the email continues.

"Please remember, being onboard is one of the safest places because our ship can quickly move out of the way of any inclement weather." 

This is the first storm-related itinerary change for Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship. She entered service for the cruise line in Aug. 2025. 

Read more: Cruising in hurricane season: What you need to know

Not a tropical storm yet

Although the strengthening disturbance isn't a tropical storm yet, the National Hurricane Center predicts that it has an 80% to 90% chance of developing by late Friday, Sept. 26, or over the weekend. 

The path of possible Tropical Storm Imelda prompted Royal Caribbean, as well as Disney Cruise Line, to reroute ships to ensure that all guests and crew members remain safe. 

According to the National Hurricane Center's 8:00 a.m. EDT report on Friday, Sept. 26, an area of low pressure will likely form along the wave by tonight as it moves near the southeast Bahamas. 

The low is expected to develop into a tropical storm when it's in the vicinity of the central and northwest Bahamas over the weekend. 

Even if the storm doesn't strengthen, it will bring heavy rains and gusty winds to places like Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Dominican Republic, eastern Cuba, and The Bahamas. 

After sailing on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, it's clear some passengers had the wrong approach.

I spent over a week on Star of the Seas, which is the next Icon Class ship and newest cruise ship in the fleet.

While everyone has their own cruising style, I think there are definite mistakes to avoid.  These are things that could improve your cruise, make your life easier, or simply avoid being "that guy" on the ship.

I came up with 7 things I think everyone should do if they sail on Star of the Seas so they can have a great first time aboard.

Make reservations before the cruise

Arguably the best thing about Star of the Seas are the amazing shows, so missing out on them because you don't have a reservation would be a mistake.

Royal Caribbean opens reservations before the cruise begins on its Cruise Planner website and app.  

There isn't yet an exact cadence to how many days before the cruise opens reservations are bookable.  It seems when a new ship launches, everything takes a bit longer to get going on the backend.

The official policy seems to be 30 days ahead of your cruise, but it may be closer to your actual sail date.

Nonetheless, you should check often to see when it becomes available and then book reservations for all the primary shows: Back to the Future: The Musical; Torque; Sol.

If by some chance you miss out on pre-cruise reservations, there are two backup options.

First, as soon as you get on the ship, head to Spotlight Karaoke on the Royal Promenade where the box office will be located. There, you can get extra reservations the ship holds back from online bookings.

If all else fails and you have no reservations, there's still one more recourse: the standby line.

In my experience, if you get in the standby line at least 30 minutes before the show starts, there's a good chance you'll make it into the show.

Guests with a reservation are admitted first, but a lot of people don't show up because they're busy with the fun elsewhere onboard. 

If you can line up early, you ought to still be able to make it into the show.

Get to Dueling Pianos early

Another thing you don't want to miss is Dueling Pianos.

Only available on the Icon Class ships, this is the hot ticket nightly entertainment on Star of the Seas.  

Basically, there are two pianists who play crowd requests and there's a lot of audience interaction.  It's not a piano recital. Rather, it's a riff on each other to see who can out-do the other and how to make each song really fun.

The only problem is a lot of people onboard love Dueling Pianos, and the bar fills up quickly.

With other bars that have live entertainment, you can usually roll in and grab a spot.  But not Dueling Pianos.

If you want to see Dueling Pianos (and you should), I'd recommend getting a table at least 30-45 minutes before show time. 

While it's a fairly large venue, it fills up very quickly. As people discover it, it seems like every night all the tables are occupied well before the show starts.

Don't let the crowds deter you, because it's worth seeing!

Go to Surfside, even if they have no kids

I get it: Surfside neighborhood is meant for families with young children, so if you don't have kids, why would you go there?

The reason is the food.

While you're right the aquatic activities may not be worth a visit, there are three different restaurants here and I think adults would enjoy it too.

Pier 7 is a very affordable specialty restaurant serving some seriously underrated food.

I booked a pre-cruise reservation for brunch for $9, and it was the perfect upgraded meal. The brunch and dinner menu differ somewhat, but I like the food served at both.

Surfside Eatery is the buffet and while it's mostly kid-friendly food, I'm not above stopping in for nuggets, burger, or shrimp cocktail.

The selection of food is surprisingly not as juvenile as you might think, and it's way less crowded than the Windjammer most times.

Lastly, Surfside Bites is worth it when you're nearby for the pizza toastie!

Gotten off the ship early at CocoCay

One day not to sleep in is the day Star of the Seas visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.

There's a huge difference in crowds in the morning hours versus lunch and later. Getting off the ship before 10am is the smart play to ensure you get a good spot and take advantage of a quieter ambiance.

Whether you're going to Oasis Lagoon, Coco Beach Club, or Hideaway Beach, maximizing your day here is all about getting off the ship early.

Not only can you get a chairs and an umbrella in a convenient area, but it's also going to be less oppressively hot in the morning.

If you paid extra for the Beach Club or adults-only area, then getting there early is extra important to squeeze more value out of your day.

Personally, I like to get to the island around 9am, enjoy the morning, have lunch, and then head back in the early afternoon.

This strategy takes advantage of the cooler morning temps, avoids the hottest part of the day, and allows you to head straight to the pool deck and enjoy a less crowded pool and Thrill Waterpark slides.

Elevator etiquette

I try not to preach in these posts because not everyone needs to do things exact as I do, but I feel there are a lot of people who need to know about proper elevator etiquette.

It's simple: when you're waiting for an elevator and the doors open, stand aside to let anyone who's in the elevator out first.  Then, you can shove yourself inside.

With Star of the Seas, there's less shoving into elevators since they have destination elevators.

Nonetheless, let folks out first. Otherwise it just jams everything up and it takes longer because someone has to move back out to let the people depart the elevator.

Take advantage of all the fun new drinks onboard

Did you know a number of bars around Star have their own drink menu that you can't find on other ships?

Royal Caribbean is really proud of the fact they developed a lot of special menus for various bars, so if you have a beverage package, I'd recommend seeking these out to try them all!

These bars all have menus that differ from the standard fleetwide menu:

• Dueling Pianos
• Pub
• Schooner Bar
• Dueling Pianos
• Lou's Jazz N' Blues
• 1400
• Lime & Coconut
• Boleros
• Rye & Bean

My favorite drinks to try on Star of the Seas that are unique to the ship include:

• Jazzy Saz (Lou's Jazz)
• 1400 (1400 Bar)
• Frozen Irish Coffee (Rye & Bean)
• Snap, Crackle, Pop (Dueling Pianos)
• Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned (Schooner Bar)

There are plenty more, but consider these your starting points.

If you prefer mocktails, the new fleetwide menu has so many new mocktails to try!

Pre-book to save money

Maybe it's just me, but if I spot someone buying the Deluxe Beverage Package onboard the ship, it makes me cringe because of how much money they could have saved buying it before the cruise.

On embarkation day, I like to head up to a bar and hang out to enjoy a "I'm on a cruise" drink.  Inevitably, someone comes up to the bartender to ask about buying a drink package.

Royal Caribbean was charging $124 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package on Star of the Seas, but anyone could have saved around 40% off the drink package by simply booking it beforehand.

This is true also of dining packages, internet packages, and shore excursions.

These savings can be truly substantial, so if there's a small chance you might want one of these popular add-ons, I'd recommend buying before the cruise and not paying top dollar once onboard.

I just cruised on Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ship, but I booked the cheapest and tiniest cabin onboard.

Star of the Seas is the latest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, and I couldn’t wait to get onboard myself to experience the best that the cruise line has to offer. With sky-high prices, however, I chose to book the most basic cabin available.

I sailed in an interior cabin for my 4-night cruise to The Bahamas. This meant my cabin had no windows or natural light, and it was exceptionally compact.

Nonetheless, I was willing to sail in the cheapest room if it meant I could sail on a ship as exciting as Star of the Seas. And while my cabin wasn’t perfect, it offered everything I needed for my time onboard.

Let’s take a look inside my interior cabin on Star of the Seas.

My interior cabin cost $2,210 for two adults, or $552 per night on my 4-night cruise

Star of the Seas is shiny and new, and prices certainly reflect that.

For my 4-night cruise, I reserved an interior guarantee cabin for $2,210 total. The guarantee rate meant I could not choose my cabin location within the ship, and it would be assigned to me at a later date.

Related: 4 signs an inside cruise cabin is what you need

The price included my cruise fare, taxes, port fees, and gratuities for two adults.

At $552 per night (or $276 per person, per night), it was far from the cheapest cruise offered by Royal Caribbean. Yet despite the high price, I was excited to sail on the newest and biggest cruise ship in the world.

A 4-night cruise is not a typical length for sailings on Star of the Seas. Although the ship offered a few short sailings immediately following her launch, she currently sails 7-night cruises.

So, if you’re booking a 7-night cruise on the vessel, you should expect to spend around $4,000 or more for an interior cabin.

At 156 square feet, the cabin was small, but it still had modern features

I booked the smallest, most basic cabin on Star of the Seas, so I wasn’t expecting anything close to luxurious. At just over 150 square feet, my cabin was anything but spacious, but it still provided all the essentials.

The cabin featured a bed, a vanity, a small armchair, a wardrobe, and a private bathroom.

The majority of the room was taken up by the bed. In general, interior cabins are meant for sleeping, showering, and changing. With so much to do elsewhere onboard, most guests staying in these basic rooms will spend little time in their cabin.

There were nightstands on each side of the bed, but a USB charging port was only available on one side.

Related: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

The cabin’s TV was on the wall near the foot of the bed, along with four small shelves. These shelves are tiny, but they’re ideal for storing items like sunscreen, sunglasses, and other pocket-sized items.

A USB charging port is also located on one of the shelves.

In the “living room” of the cabin, you’ll find a desk/vanity, armchair, and the wardrobe. The desk had several outlets and USB options for charging electronics.

Overall, the cabin was nothing fancy, but it included everything I needed for my time onboard Star of the Seas. The modern color scheme and decor exuded a calm, relaxing atmosphere, which made the cabin an ideal place to rest on an otherwise busy cruise ship.

I didn’t love the storage options, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker

If my cabin had a fault, it was in its storage options.

I’ve stayed in over a dozen interior cabins, and storage options vary significantly from ship to ship. As a general rule of thumb, cabins on older ships have fewer storage options than those on newer ships.

This was not the case on Star of the Seas, though. I was disappointed in the amount of storage in my interior cabin, and I found it challenging to properly unpack my belongings.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide

Typically, cruise cabin wardrobes feature both shelves and space for hanging clothes. My cabin on Star only had hanging space, but I would have found shelving more useful.

In addition, the closet featured pull-out baskets instead of drawers.

I actually grew to like this feature, as it allowed me to completely pull out the basket when necessary. Even so, I think that traditional drawers are more practical.

My vanity, too, lacked storage. Most new ships provide significant storage space in the vanity. On Utopia of the Seas, for example, the vanities feature five drawers in addition to a mini fridge. My cabin on Star of the Seas had just two narrow drawers with an awkward, diagonal configuration.

Compared to a ship like Odyssey of the Seas, which has cabins with an overabundance of storage options, I felt like my Star of the Seas cabin fell flat in this regard.

Related: Odyssey of the Seas interior cabin tour

Ultimately, the storage wasn’t a dealbreaker, and it wouldn’t keep me from sailing on the ship again. Next time, though, I’d pack items like magnetic hooks and an over-the-door shoe organizer to keep my belongings better organized.

I appreciated the bathroom’s layout and spacious shower

One area where my Star of the Seas interior cabin shined was in the bathroom.

I was impressed with the layout of the bathroom, which featured a larger-than-average shower. The shower had a small seat, and it was rectangular in shape, providing extra room in comparison to showers on older ships.

Storage was impressive as well, with shelves behind the toilet, inside the vanity, and above the vanity near the mirror.

It’s clear Royal Caribbean put a lot of thought into the bathroom design for Icon Class ships, and they’re a major upgrade from those found on other vessels.

On a future cruise, I would choose a different cabin location

I booked a guarantee rate for this cruise, so I couldn’t choose my exact stateroom location. Although this saved me money, I ended up regretting my decision during the cruise.

I was assigned cabin 14345, and there were two issues with its location.

First, it was at the very aft of the ship. On a cruise ship as big as Star of the Seas, distances from place to place can be substantial. After a while, walking all the way down the hallway felt cumbersome. I much prefer staying in a midship cabin for quicker access to all of the amenities around the ship.

Related: Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid

Second, my cabin was located directly below the bar at The Hideaway, the adults-only pool neighborhood on Star of the Seas.

 Throughout the evening and into the night, live music blasted right above my cabin, and I had trouble sleeping with heavy bass vibrating through the ceiling.

Booking a guarantee cabin is always a risk, as you’re essentially given whichever cabins are left over from the booking process.

Until this point, I’ve had good luck with guarantee rooms, but in this case, I wish I had spent a little more money to pick a better location.

With so much to do onboard, I barely spent any time in my cabin

Despite a few faults with my interior cabin on Star of the Seas, I would book it again. It wasn’t the most spacious interior cabin I’ve stayed in on a Royal Caribbean ship, but it was cozy enough for my time onboard.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships have a hefty price tag, and realistically, I’ll always try to save money by cruising in the cheapest room possible. At the end of the day, I’d rather sail in an inside cabin on an Icon Class ship than in a balcony cabin on an older and smaller ship.

Related: Icon of the Seas vs. Star of the Seas: Which ship should you choose?

It’s hard to put into words just how much you can see, do, eat, and experience on Star of the Seas. Throughout my four days onboard, I spent little time in my cabin aside from sleeping.

Instead of lounging around my tiny stateroom, I spent my time attending shows, riding the waterslides, and hopping from pool to pool during sunset. One day during my cruise, in fact, I left my cabin for breakfast and didn’t return until it was time to get ready for dinner!

In the end, there’s nothing wrong with booking the smallest, cheapest room on a cruise ship as long as you have the right expectations.

When I tried my first infinite balcony cabin, I wasn't impressed. But I had the wrong perspective to appreciate what they offer.

As I approached my first Star of the Seas sailing, I lamented I'd be in an infinite balcony because they aren't really a balcony.  It's more of a window experience, and that hasn't changed.

But my outlook changed after I spoke with some fellow writers about these rooms, and I realized while it's not a regular balcony experience, it can offer something a balcony can't offer.

In recognizing my own cruising style, I gave the infinite balcony another try. This time, I went in with a different mindset and I ended up liking this cruise cabin type a lot more than ever.

Disclosure: I sailed on a free trip on Star of the Seas to review the ship. The opinions expressed below are entirely mine and weren't subject to review by the line.

Why I disliked it

I think it's important to start with why I never liked the infinite balcony room before, because I suspect a lot of people feel the same way.

The first types of these rooms debuted on Celebrity Edge, and Royal Caribbean borrowed the idea for its Icon Class ships.

The idea is you have a convertible balcony space, but in practice it's an enclosed room with a window that opens.

When you open the window, all the air conditioned cold air gets sucked out and the room's air conditioning is actually disabled until you close the window.

I thought they were a gimmick, not the real balcony experience because you're not immersed in being outside like a traditional balcony.

It's not a balcony, and that's ok

While talking about how I don't like an infinite balcony, a colleague mentioned she really likes these cabins because it's like a private solarium.

She didn't dispute the fact it's a window and not a balcony, but as she talked more about her experience in this room, I realized having a bigger room with more space that's air conditioned isn't a bad thing.

In reality, it's too hot to be out on the balcony most months in the Caribbean.

When I stay in a traditional balcony, I might go out on my balcony for sail away or a moment here or there.  But I usually don't go out there because it's uncomfortable given the heat and humidity.

My realization was I actually could enjoy the view without melting in the heat.

Why an infinite balcony cabin is worth it

Having more usable space is the first reason I'd want to stay in an infinite balcony again.

If you never open the window, then the "balcony" area is part of the stateroom, so you gain extra square footage you can enjoy all day.

While on Star of the Seas, I treated it like a lounge area. I used it to work from my laptop, watch a movie, or simple relax and enjoy the view

With it enclosed, it also means I have more furniture to sit on and no concern it gets too hot out there.

The air conditioning keeps the space cool when the window is closed.

When my kids were younger, I was always nervous with them on a regular balcony because young kids always want to climb. 

But with this kind of a room, we would have had more space for them to crawl, climb, and play without those fears. I think an infinite balcony is a really good choice for families.

Another benefit to the window is you get far less noise.

When I was on Independence of the Seas earlier this summer, I had a traditional balcony and the whistling sound from the point where the balcony door meets the frame was an on-and-off-again problem.

But with this "balcony", I didn't have any such issue.

It's a window, and that's perfect for my needs

I know there people reading this and saying "It’s not a real balcony", and they're totally right. 

My point isn't to convince anyone it's a real balcony. Rather, to change your perspective on how to think about the room.

When I sail in an infinite balcony, I'm simply never opening the window. Once I understood that, I could appreciate the room more.

If you're like me and don't enjoy being hot and humid, then this room is a great compromise of space, views, and comfort.

There are lots of cruisers who never go out on their balcony for many reasons. Or they're like me and go on it once or twice just to say they did.

I'd rather have more indoor space that I can better utilize, than a nice balcony I'll rarely (if ever) go onto.

Final thoughts

If you've avoided infinite balcony cabins because you thought they were disappointing, I was right there with you.  But now I see them as a smart alternative, especially when it's hot outside.

I wish Royal Caribbean would do make a few fixes to improve the balcony aspect of it in the future, such as adding plastic dividers and keeping the air conditioning on when the window is open.  But in it's current form, I'm content with enjoying the extra space.

Some readers shared they agreed with my perspective, but think the name is misleading.  I don't disagree, but then again a Junior Suite isn't a suite and an Ocean View Panoramic is hardly panoramic. There's always some marketing in cruise ship staterooms.

The bottom line is I realized I just didn't spend much time on my balcony when I was in a traditional room, especially in the Caribbean, because it was too hot.

Getting back that extra square footage as indoor space is a great trade off to keeping the window closed.

Royal Caribbean has brought back its bling cup that costs as much as a new house.

The cruise line introduced a goblet guests could buy on Icon of the Seas when that ship launched, and it was one-of-a-kind in cost and perks it provided.

This insanely expensive cup was sold in the Royal Bling store, and it's an ornately decorated chalice meant for the ultimate super fan. Only was one initially made for the first Icon Class ship.

To quote Jedi Master Yoda, "No... there is another."

Bling cup available on Star of the Seas

Royal Bling is located in the Aquadome Neighborhood of Star of the Seas, and it too is selling one of these cups.

The store only sells Royal Caribbean branded rings, necklaces, and other keepsakes adorned with the cruise line logo.

This particular cup costs $100,000 and comes with a lifetime benefit.

Buying it gets you an unlimited Royal Caribbean drink package for life.

That means you'll never have to pay for another Deluxe Beverage Package for yourself ever again.

The Deluxe Beverage Package includes cocktails, spirits, liquors, beers, wine by the glass, sodas, water, mocktails, premium coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed juice. Basically almost any drink on the ship up to $14 in value.

If you're doing the math in your head, the Deluxe Beverage Package on the inaugural sailing of Star of the Seas for one person across seven nights is $65.99 per person, per day when pre-purchased online with a 45% off sale.  That's 461.93 before gratuities. 

The onboard price is $120 per person, per day for the same drink package.

Doing some "back of the napkin" math, if you only ever took 7-night cruises, you would need to take more than 150 cruises "break even" on the goblet purchase.

The novelty goblet is one of several jewelry choices cruises can purchase on the ship. Most of the other jewelry comes in at a much lower price point.

Yes, someone bought one on Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024 with the golden cup for sale, and within a few months it sold.

Cruisers on Icon spotted the person with the cup, walking around the ship.

The unidentified male evidently purchased the cup, spending the six figure cost to get it.

"I’m currently on Icon and noticed the Royal Bling Cup at a cabana on Coco Cay and went to speak to the guy who was very friendly and mentioned what he intends to do with it after the cruise. It was a shock to see it being used as an actual cup," posted Mick on the Royal Caribbean forums.

According to the poster, he was told by the gentleman he intended to, "auction it off and you can buy tickets world wide to win it and the monies goes to charity."

We're unaware whatever happened to those plans, but in case you are wondering, there is a market for this sort of an item.

Royal Caribbean jewelry is sold exclusively at this store

Royal Bling is a new store that was launched on the Icon Class ships, and it's for the Royal Caribbean super fan.

The Royal Bling store has Crown and Anchor bracelets, rings, earrings and more. The jewelry is made by Effy Jewelry.

Cruise line loyalists are a passionate bunch, and representing their favorite cruise line in their everyday life is just as important to some as going on the ships.

Star of the Seas started sailing in August, and is one of the world's largest cruise ship.

In addition to a very expensive chalice, it has an entire water park onboard, seven pools, an entire neighborhood for families with young children, 40 different restaurants, bars and lounges.

At 250,800 tons, Star of the Seas is sailing from Port Canaveral and offer cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.

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.

I challenged myself to go on the biggest cruise ship in the world and spend less than $50 to eat at three restaurants.

I was inspired when I ran across a recent Royal Caribbean pre-cruise sale that brought the price down of one restaurant just $9.

Specialty dining is quite popular, but also tends to be expensive. However, if you know when to book, there are deals to be had.

For my recent 4-night showcase sailing on Star of the Seas, I was able to eat at three different restaurants and have a meal at each one for less than $50.  Here's how I did it.

Pier 7

I came up with this dining challenge when I spotted Pier 7 going for just $9 for brunch.

It's common that the price of a specialty restaurant for lunch would cost less than dinner. I think it's because there's less demand for a sit down meal on a busy sea day.

Pier 7 is the a casual sit-down restaurant right in the middle of the kids-only Surfside neighborhood. 

It costs extra to dine here for adults, but is complimentary for kids under the age of 12.

Royal Caribbean describe the food as, "California-inspired dishes," and I really like that there are different foods you won't usually find elsewhere on the ship.

For $8.99, I was able to order one item from "Board Bites", one item from "Wave-Riding Entrees" and one dessert.  

I tried the Pier 7 salad, although I regret not going with the Buddha Bowl instead.

I wasn't in the mood for breakfast, so I had the Surfer's Club sandwich.

Dessert was the Caramel Waffles, and it was so decadent.  I probably would have skipped dessert, but since I got it included, why not.

I paid $9 for a meal that's listed as $25 if bought a la carte, or two dishes for a flat $15 fee.  

Izumi

Not only do I love Izumi, but it's now the most popular Royal Caribbean specialty restaurant by volume. So I felt I was in good company to choose this.

The pre-cruise sale listed dinner for $23.99, and I jumped on it since it would leave me some breathing room on price for my third restaurant and because you don't have to twist my arm to dine here.

Just like Pier 7, you have the choice of ordering off the fixed price menu or going a la carte.

Basically you can order food up to $40 in value, either with one small plate, two large plates, and dessert; or just pick and choose what you want up to $40. 

So with the sale, that's an additional $16 in value. 

I picked:

• Miso soup (included with the fixed price menu)
• Tofu ginger salad
• Spicy crispy tuna roll
• Chef's sushi selection
• Chocolate lava cake

That's a lot of food for just twenty four dollars, and certainly very satisfying too.

It's worth mentioning I could have had an even less expensive meal if I went to the Izumi sushi window.

This is a to-go window, where you can order a few different sushi rolls.

The sushi options include a choice of two rolls, plus edamame or seaweed salad. You'll find both sashimi and nigiri rolls to pick from. And then you can either eat it in Central Park, or take it elsewhere on the ship, such as your balcony!

If you prefer dessert for your meal (I won't tell your mom), they also have amazingly decadent bubble cones too!

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

With about $17 left in my budget, I had a lot of good choices for my third dinner.

I was actually impressed by how many inexpensive meal choices I had that would fit with a $17 budget:

• Burger at Playmakers
• Giovanni's Wine Bar food menu
• Trellis Bar

I looked at each of the menus, but went with Giovanni's because I could squeeze in two things and also enjoy air conditioning (sorry Trellis Bar).

You may not be aware, but you can go to the wine bar at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen without a reservation and order off the bar menu.  There's a sub selection of food items from the restaurant menu available.

I was able to order the Giovanni's House Salad and the Margherita Pizza for just $15 total.

I usually order the salad when I dine at Giovanni's, because I like the mix of greens and light, yet tasty dressing.  It's one of the few non-carbs on the menu, so I'll embrace it.

I love the pizzas at Giovannis and I think they're vastly underrated.

The pizzas Royal Caribbean serves at Giovanni's were actually created by Renato Viola, who is one of Italy’s best Master Pizza Chefs in the world. 

If you find yourself in South Florida, check out Mister O1 Pizza, because it's the creation of Renato's works and you can order the same pizzas (plus many more) as you'd find on Royal Caribbean ships.

Pre-planning pays off

My $50 challenge is the result of a simple, yet effective strategy: pre-book your cruise and do your research.

It's amazing how many discounts and deals you can get by simply booking in advance and researching what's available for your cruise.

I was more impressed I could get prices this low for both Izumi and Pier 7, considering this is a brand new ship.

It also helps this challenge to be on a ship that has a lot of restaurant choices, which is an advantage of bigger and newer Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

In the end, I ate at three restaurants for about $48 and each was a legitimate meal. It was a great way to enjoy plussed up dining without breaking my budget.

The Lincoln Park Supper Club is a six-course meal on Star of the Seas that pairs cocktails and live music, but is it worth $200 per person?

Themed after the Chicago of the 1930s and 1940s, this is Royal Caribbean's second supper club experience that follows up on the Empire Supper Club that was first added on Icon of the Seas.

When I tried the first supper club, I was skeptical if I'd enjoy it because it sounded like an expensive and long meal. Not only did I enjoy it, I went back for a second time.

With Lincoln Park Supper Club, I wanted to see how similar the experience was and if it felt like more of the same.  As it turned out, I walked away liking this version so much more.

What to know before you book

Lincoln Park Supper Club is a totally different kind of experience from other specialty restaurants on Star of the Seas.

The meal takes about two and a half hours, and includes alcohol with the experience.

The listed price is $200 per person, however guests with the Unlimited Dining Package can dine here for $130.

There are no discounts for guests with the Deluxe Beverage Package or Crown and Anchor status. 

Royal Caribbean has a formal dress code and it's enforced.  Men must wear a jacket, and will be provided one if they don't have one.

It's a very small venue, with a maximum capacity of just 38 people per evening. Tables can accommodate two or four guests, and if you're dining alone there's a good chance you'll be seated with a stranger.

Groups containing more than four guests will need to be seated at separate tables.

Yes, kids can come, but Royal Caribbean says it's "designed for adult guests" and there's no difference in price for children.

It's also required that you show up on time. Doors open 10 minutes before your dining time and the experience starts up quickly.

Lincoln Park Supper Club review

Located on deck eight on Star of the Seas, you'll find the entrance to the Lincoln Park Supper Club near Central Park.

Guests wait in the elevator lobby near the entrance until a waiter comes to escort you inside.  Very quickly you'll notice the elegance and differences from traditional specialty restaurants.

This is an intimate restaurant, and it feels like you're in a club considering how small the venue is.

You'll be given a flute of champagne the start, and then a menu gives you an overview of your evening.

There are three acts to the meal. 

Each of the courses from the first act will be served to you, and then you can order one option from the second (entree) and third (dessert) acts.

Each course comes with a select cocktail, meant to pair perfectly with the food served.

Now let's talk substitutions.  While the menu is fixed, there are alternatives for both food and drink available.

I don't eat shellfish or pork, and the restaurant had no problem serving me courses that either didn't include those foods or a completely different (yet visually similar) alternative. 

They have some flexibility, but don't expect Sorrento's Pizza or something completely different from the menu offerings.

Similarly, if you prefer non-alcoholic cocktails, they can serve those instead.

The meal begins with a jazz trio, consisting of a piano player, bassist, and singer.  Later in the show, a trumpeter joins in (spoiler alert).

Each course is paired with a song, such as Home Sweet Chicago, Maple Leaf Rag, or Quiet Whiskey.

The musical element is wonderful, and it's difficult not to tap your toe as you enjoy it.

Here's a list of all the food we were served to both myself and my dining partner. Neither of us are professional food reviewers, but we're from Connecticut, so that instantly gives us a certain level of esteem (that's a joke, let's move on).

Drink #1: Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut

You'll start the meal off with a flute of champagne and a toast.  Classic and simple.

Starter #1: Amuse-bouche

There are two starters that technically aren't courses, but you'll enjoy them as a lovely start.

The first is inspired by a Chicago seafood restaurant that is served with caviar and edible gold flakes.

Starter #2: "Deep dish pizza" bread

My favorite of the two starters looks like bread, but it's essentially a deconstructed deep-dish pizza. 

The bread is paired with truffle butter and pepperoni and sun-dried tomato spread. Combined together, and it's sort like a pizza in your mouth.

Appetizer #1: Kampachi

I really liked this option, as it has fish, cucumber, soy, and goat cheese. Creatively arranged, it felt like a shame to eat.

Drink #3: Hyde Park Martini

This cocktail is inspired by the Lake House Hotel, which was Chicago's first fine dining hotel that opened in 1835. 

I'm not a huge martini fan, but it had a good mix of being a bit dry and invoking a good flavor.

Appetizer #2: Beetroot

If you're a fan of beets, this is the appetizer for you.

I found each of the beet options here to be less tart than I expected, and I actually ate it all.  We both enjoyed it was creatively made and still tasted good.

Drink #4: Botanist's Elixir

Another homage to Chicago's past, this cocktail is a tribute to Chicago's first supper club, the Winter Garden Cabaret. 

I enjoyed this drink, and it was my favorite up until this point.

Appetizer #3: Steak Tartare

Royal Caribbean came up with a very creative way to shake up a traditional steak tartare.

It's served vertically, and I had to politely take bites rather than gobble up the whole thing in one bite. Soft, tender, and great flavor.

Drink #5: LP Old Fashioned

I wanted to love this drink more, but I'm not a fan of bitters. 

Old fashioned's are back in style, so I recognize this is a "me thing" and I'm sure you'll enjoy this more than I did.

Appetizer #4: Crab Ravioli

Since I don't eat shellfish, I was served a substitute of cheese in my ravioli.

Nonetheless, we both really liked this ravioli. It looked and almost tasted more like a soup, but it had a very rich flavor.

Drink: Lakeshore Fizz

I really liked this drink a lot, as it had good flavor and kick to it.

This cocktail was inspired by another Chicago supper club, the Chez Paree, which was created in 1938. It was best known for being glamorous as well as being a notorious mob hangout.

Palate cleanser

Before the main course, we were served a sorbet that came with dry ice and I was like a little kid as soon as they brought it out.

Main course: Prime Rib

There are four options for your entree: walleye (fish), lamb, wagyu prime rib, or cauliflower. 

Each option is a tribute to The Pump Room, a popular hangout spot for celebrities in Chicago.

My dining partner picked the prime rib, and I sampled a bite of it because it looked so good.

It's accompanied by potatoes and onion, and I would have ordered it had I not wanted some variety in our review.

It's paired with the Southside cocktail.

Main course: Cauliflower steak

I've had plenty of cauliflower steaks on Royal Caribbean, so I was curious to see how this stacked up.

As the vegetarian option, it comes out looking like a menagerie of cauliflower. Like everything on the menu, the presentation is truly impressive.

I prefer to pair a cauliflower steak with a protein to help balance it all, but I was impressed by the taste and texture of it. 

The accompanied cocktail for this was the Chicago Cocktail (seriously, that's the name).

Dessert: Palmer House Brownie

There are two desserts on the menu, so we decided to share. 

Evidently the brownie was invented at the Palmer House in Chicago, and it tasted decadent and delightful. Plus, it has a scoop of vanilla gelato.

I was hesitant to share the bite I promised.

The cocktail is Gold Coast.

Dessert: Grasshopper Pie

A weird name, but this is a peppermint mousse.

Personally, I hate mint and mousse, but my dining partner enjoyed it a lot.

We both really liked the Brandy Alexander cocktail that came with it.  I even got one for myself, because I enjoyed it so much.

It tasted like a White Russian cocktail, and was quite smooth. My favorite of all the cocktails.

Surprise dessert

If we didn't have enough to eat by now, there was one more dessert served.

Chocolate bites were brought out on a piano filled with dry ice, and each chocolate bite had a different filling.

Better than Empire Supper Club

I walked away from the Lincoln Park Supper Club with one important takeaway: I liked this even more than the version on Icon of the Seas.

I thought the music was even better, as I think the addition of the trumpeter mixed things up.  Plus, I greatly preferred the food overall at Lincoln Park.

While the meal did take almost three hours, I never once glanced at my phone to see what time it was. The pacing is perfect, and you're never sitting there wondering when the next thing will happen.

The disappointment comes in that it seems nearly impossible to actually finish every cocktail they serve.  The pacing is quick, and these are full cocktails. Many drinks went back half consumed.

Is the Lincoln Park Supper Club worth the cost?

At $200 per person, this is a very expensive meal, but I think it's absolutely worth paying if you love cocktails, special foods, and want a lovely evening out.

You can make the argument that the amount of cocktails alone justify the cost, given that you can expect to pay between $10-14 for each one at a bar around the ship.

If you're smart and a little lucky, you can pre-book it online and get a lower price.  For my Star of the Seas cruise in November, the price is discounted to $179.99 per person.

Then there's the food, which is truly nothing like you'll find anywhere else on Star of the Seas.

Given that you're getting drinks, food, and live entertainment in one, the Lincoln Park Supper Club is the ultimate date night on Star of the Seas.

It's not meant to be like Chops Grille, where you dine there multiple times.  This is a special restaurant for a special occasion or evening out.

Moreover, the attention to detail makes it feel like something totally different from a specialty restaurant. It's on another level up from what you may have experienced in other venues onboard.

If you're a foodie, want to do something different or special, and enjoy cocktails, Lincoln Park Supper Club is a must-try.

Royal Caribbean sought to make Star of the Seas a nearly identical follow-up to Icon of the Seas because why mess with what works?

I went on Star of the Seas interested to see how the second Icon Class ship could possibly match up to the original game changer, Icon of the Seas.

Because of how much hype and praise Icon received, I wanted to see how Star stood out.  

In reality, Star is so similar to Icon that you have to look closely to find differences. That's not a bad thing, because Royal Caribbean got so much of it right the first time.

A new family vacation destination

Photo by AdamsAway

The core experience Royal Caribbean is curating on Star of the Seas is a cruise ship filled with just about every family friendly and memory making option you can think of.

It's clear to me Royal Caribbean wants to build cruise ships that foster experiences that you'll remember for a long time to come. Star of the Seas has shows, activities, dining, and venues that all are sure to capture your attention quickly, and likely compel you to grab a photo so you can remember it and show it off to everyone at home later.

They do this with a lineup of things to do that you just won't find on any other ship.

The Icon Class is built with new innovations that are big and small. You'll be wowed by the six slide water park on the back of the ship that is easily seen as you drive up to the ship, but also appreciate the shorter wait times for elevators thanks to a more efficient programming.

New cruisers don't need to know the differences, because they'll feel right at home shifting from a resort on land to a cruise ship. Star of the Seas is a smooth experience, from check-in to boarding, to dining, and beyond.

So much to experience, being bored isn't an option

Arguably one of the best reasons to pick a brand new giant ship like Star of the Seas is for the sheer amount of different things you can do onboard.

Royal Caribbean includes the most shows, restaurants, bars, and activities on its biggest ships, and you'll find Star of the Seas has something happening almost every minute of the day.

Star's top deck is filled with water slides, pools, bars, and places to hang out. There are two adults-only pools, plus an entire section of the ship dedicated to young families.

The Royal Caribbean app lists activities you can try, including trivia, karaoke, pickleball, guitarists, concerts, street parties, and much more.

Plus, there are three theaters onboard with shows unique to Star of the Seas.

Back to the Future: The Musical is the must-see production onboard, and it's exactly like the Broadway/West End version. A fun musical for the entire family, and included in your cruise fare.

In the AquaTheater is a high dive stunt show, known as Torque.

Think of this like a high energy performance that combines diving boards, acrobatics, music, and swim into one.  

At the ship's ice skating rink, you'll find Sol.  This show highlights incredible skating technique, set to music. 

The shows are equally compelling in different ways, and it's all included in your cruise fare.  But, be sure to make reservations early for them so you're not left out.

The only way to be bored on Star of the Seas is to sit in your cabin and force yourself into a temporary exile.

Star is huge, but easy to navigate

New cruisers might be daunted at how they'll ever find their way around Star of the Seas, but the truth is it's easier than it seems.

Royal Caribbean has become masters of building giant cruise ships that are relatively easy to get around. The secret is in deliberate theming and visual cues.

• AquaDome: An indoor space and theater capped by a large dome, offering immersive entertainment and dining experiences (Deck 15).
• Central Park: Open air park with real trees, shrubs, and flowers that has a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars (Deck 8).
• Thrill Island: All things fun and exciting, with a water park, mini-golf, sports court, and many more activities (Deck 16)
• Chill Island: Most of the pools, whirlpools, and bars for time spent enjoying being in or around the water (Decks 15, 16 & 17)
• Royal Promenade: Two deck high entertainment "street" that has restaurants, bars, and is home to The Pearl (Deck 5 & 6)
• The Hideaway: Adults only enclave for passengers at least 18 years old, with a suspended infinity pool, whirlpools, and a variety of seating options (Deck 16).
• Suite Neighborhood: Reserved area of the ship exclusively for guests booked in a suite.  There's two dedicated restaurants, bar, and sun deck (Deck 16, 17, & 18).
• Surfside: A family-friendly neighborhood with a kids' splash zone, arcade, carousel, and family-friendly restaurants (Deck 6).

Star of the Seas has lots of restaurants, but many cost extra

Royal Caribbean boasts there are over 40 ways to dine and drink on Star of the Seas, but not all of it is included in your cruise fare.

Don't worry, you can go onboard and find lots of choices of where to eat and drink without spending extra. But the temptation to do so will certainly be there.

The cruise industry as a whole as adopted this model of freemium dining. The basics are included, but there are opportunities to spend extra and splurge.

I think the included restaurants on Star of the Seas are some of the best in the fleet. I could eat at Aquadome Market, El Loco Fresh, Pearl Cafe, and Main Dining Room exclusively and be quite content.

In fact, I think the update to Aquadome Market makes it superior to the version on Icon of the Seas.

But if you are willing to spend extra, you'll find lots of fabulous choices.

The only completely new restaurant on Star (compared to Icon) is the Lincoln Park Supper Club. It costs $200 per person, and lasts almost three hours, but I loved this experience so much. It's the ultimate fancy night out.

My favorite restaurant onboard is Izumi, where you can get sushi or indulge in teppanyaki cooking. It's a real crowd pleaser, and somewhere I try to eat on any ship that has it.

Suite guests have their own subsection of the ship that includes two restaurants: Coastal Kitchen and The Grove.

Coastal Kitchen is akin to a suites-only Main Dining Room, whereas The Grove is a convenient buffet on the sun deck.

Star of the Seas is easily one of the best cruise ships because it has just about everything

The reason to choose Star of the Seas for a cruise vacation is it's likely going to offer everything and anything you'd want in a memorable family vacation.

Royal Caribbean seems to understand the family vacation market better than most, and it's really honed in on what families want in any vacation they take: fun things they can do together that will make memories they'll cherish.

There is no shortage of fun things for everyone of every age to enjoy, and so many activities lean into multigenerational appeal.

With a ship as large as Star of the Seas, you might be worried about it being too crowded.  The reality is Royal Caribbean tackled the crowd management issue to the point it's astounding how uncrowded Star of the Seas feels.

Venues, activities, and neighborhoods are so well spread out that it helps keep passengers moving and not all in the same place. 

The only time I ever found a crowd is if there was a dance party of the Royal Promenade, which is designed to create a crowd.

Even the pool deck, a traditionally crowded place on a cruise ship, has open chairs and areas to spread out.  The adults-only areas can feel fuller than others, but it's hardly problematic.

I think the fact there are multiple, smaller pools that are spread out helps keep the pool deck from feeling like most cruise ship pool decks do.  Plus, there are so many loungers and chairs around the pool I cannot fathom there would ever be enough people at once to take them all up, even on busy sea days.

By far the best thing about Star of the Seas crowd management are the destination elevators.

They're smarter elevators that assign an elevator to you, rather than you taking the first available one.

It allows them to move more efficiently and reduce waits. It's easy to learn and very fast. 

Plus, Star of the Seas has some amazing shows and dining.  It seems to tick every box of what you'd want in a cruise ship vacation.

Who should book Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean markets Star of the Seas as being the world's best family vacation, but it works for many people than just families.

There's no doubt Star is a great ship to bring the kids, your parents, cousins, and siblings on, because it's the perfect multi-generational ship.  There's enough onboard for everyone of every age to find appealing.

But I believe there's enough too for other types of cruisers, including couples, solo travelers, and retirees. Because Star of the Seas embodies the very best that Royal Caribbean has to offer, I think it's a good choice for just about anyone.

I also think it's one of the best ships for someone that has never cruised before.  New cruisers might think a giant ship would be daunting, but in truth, I think it's better to have more choices in what you can do, than not enough.

Plus, new cruisers are sure to find Star of the Seas extremely easy to figure out because it was designed with the best ideas and new concepts.

If there's someone who shouldn't book a Star of the Seas sailings, it's probably someone on a tight budget or a value seeker. Cruises on Star of the Seas aren't cheap, and deals are few and far between compared to older ships in the fleet.

Insider Star of the Seas tips and secrets

I've spent 10 nights so far on Star of the Seas, which has given me an opportunity most people don't have to experience it all.

Here are my best Star of the Seas tips and tricks you should take advantage of.

Book shows before the cruise: The shows will sell out, so book them before the cruise begins.

Reservations are free, and should open up about 30 days or less before the cruise begins. Don't miss out.

How to meet the dog: Everyone wants to meet Sailor, the official family dog of Star of the Seas.

There is no posted schedule, so it's a bit of luck to find her around the ship . The Overlook, jogging track, and mini golf course are all places I've seen Sailor the most frequently

The best deals for drink packages, wifi, and more: It's quite likely you'll want a drink package, internet access, a specialty restaurant reservation or some other extra cost item.

The best prices are before the cruise begins on the Cruise Planner or app. Take advantage of these sales, because they can save up to 40% off the onboard price.

Secret bar menus: A couple of bars have food you can order from too, and it's a great alternative to booking a full specialty restaurant.

Both Giovanni's Wine Bar and the Trellis Bar have food menus, and neither require a reservation to dine there.

Royal Caribbean invested more space on its newest cruise ships for families, including rooms that are design with kids in mind.

I sailed on Star of the Seas for its first voyage with paying passengers, and wanted to try the Surfside Family Suite to see what it's like.

This is a new type of cruise ship stateroom, which was introduced with the Icon of the Seas. Like many other new room types on the Icon Class, these staterooms are designed with kids in mind.

I think Royal Caribbean wanted to do more with their spaces, and offer more room and separation.  Parents love their kids, but they don't want to be spending every minute with them either.

While I was cruising solo, I was interested to see how well this type of cabin would work if I was cruising with my kids.

I paid about $4,400 total for this cruise

I booked my reservation on Star of the Seas the first day the cruise became available, because it's the best strategy to lock in a really good price.

Originally I paid $4744.35 for my Surfside Family Suite with just me in the room, but that price dropped by $271.75 to a new total of $4472.60.

I paid for my cabin and was not compensated or subsidized by Royal Caribbean in any way.

Keep in mind because I'm cruising solo, I have the pay a single supplement fee, and the price would be about the same for two people in the room.

There's a good chance if I had kids, they would be free because of the popular Kids Sail Free deals offered.

The Surfside Family Suite is divided into three areas

The general layout of the Surfside Family Suite is all about giving space but breaking it apart.

I was staying in cabin 9693 on deck 9.

You'll find the main bedroom, kids room, and a balcony.

I was impressed how well the separation works to make each area feel apart.

The kids room is separated by a curtain. On Icon of the Seas, there was a metal door as well, but that is not present on Star of the Seas.

The suite was bigger than expected

Maybe it's the different rooms, but I liked how roomy it all felt in here.

My cabin measured 269 square feet, along with a 53 square foot balcony.

Obviously that's plenty of room for just me, but if I was sharing this room with my kids and wife, I still think we'd find enough space. At least, when my kids were younger.

I think this room is not big enough for my teenagers, but back when they were in elementary school, I think this room would have been great.

The split bathroom reduces waiting, but it's missing a tub

I love that there's a split bathroom in this suite, because it's such a benefit to families.

One bathroom has a shower and sink, while the other one has a sink and toilet.  This means someone showering isn't monopolizing the bathroom (and vice versa).

Disney Cruise Line has gotten many accolades for its split bathroom cabin design on its ships, and I like that Royal Caribbean is leaning into this direction now.

The only observation I have about this configuration is there's no bathtub, which is curious for two reasons.

First, Royal Caribbean suites usually come with bathtubs.  And second, families would especially find bathtubs useful since kids often bathe in them.

I wish there was more storage space

I've generally felt the amount of storage space on Icon Class ships is lacking compared to Quantum or Oasis Class ships, and that trend continues with this suite.

For a room designed for up to four passengers, I think there's a real lack of storage space.

There's also a vanity area near the closet with a few more outlets and two mirrors to use.

There are 3 drawers, 3 shelves and a giant closet.

The drawers each have things in them, such as the hair dryer or room service menus.  And one of the shelves is taken up by the safe.

I had enough space for my belongings, but I doubt my wife and I could easily share the space on a 7-night cruise, let alone with my kids.

The closet is massive, and there are two bins in the kids room.

If I were to redesign this room, I'd add more shelving on the walls.

The kids bed is bigger than I expected

The kids nook has a pullout sofa, and I think this is the smartest area of the suite.

During the day, it's a comfortable sofa to sit on and there's a television facing it.  With two televisions in the room, there's no less fighting about what to watch.

At night, the sofa can be converted to a bed.

Yes, I had the room attendant make it into the bed to see if I could fit in it. 

Surprisingly, I fit in the bed without my feet hanging off the end of it, but I'd probably sleep diagonally on it to prevent that from happening.

Like any sofa bed, it was rigid, but I think I could manage.

The main bedroom has a giant bed

The primary bed in the suite has a king size bed that could be separated into twin beds, if necessary.

There are nightstands on both sides of the bed. Each night stand has a USB-A and USB-C outlet, with one side having an electrical outlet too.

A large TV is found on the wall near the bed, but it swivels out quite nicely. I barely watch TV on a cruise, but it's nice it can be moved.

The balcony isn't massive, but it's a nice outdoor space

For a suite, the balcony isn't that large.  

I don't think it matters as much because this balcony faces into the Surfside neighborhood. Plus, I think the idea was to maximize the indoor space rather than the outdoor space.

My specific cabin was too close to the entrance to Surfside, so it was a bit strange how close my balcony is to people passing by.

I'm not someone to spend a lot of time on my balcony anyway, but it's always nice to have private outdoor space you can use from time to time.

Noise issues were not a problem at all

In case you're wondering, no, the Surfside Family Suites are not noisy at all.

Even during the day time, I rarely heard anything in my room.  I'd take afternoon naps and never hear a thing to disturb me.  And at night, Surfside is very quiet since most of the amenities in this neighborhood are closed.

In fact, it was great for sleeping because with the windows drawn and the lack of direct sunlight into the neighborhood, I was never woken up by the sun.

Changes are coming

It's important to note the perks that come with Surfside Family Suite are changing soon.

For my sailing, I was granted Sky Class suite benefits. However, for sailings on or after May 2, 2026 (regardless of when it was booked), that will come to an end.

After May 2, Surfside Family Suites will be downgraded to Sea Class.

This means they will no longer have access to the Suite Lounge, Suite Concierge services, complimentary internet access, complimentary beverages in the Suite Lounge, and can only dine at Coastal Kitchen restaurant for dinner only (instead of breakfast and lunch).

When the change was announced, Royal Caribbean's only explanation was, "we continuously strive to enhance guest experience onboard and reach alignment of our product offerings across the fleet."

Essentially, this downgrades the perks of this room back to a Junior Suite.

I think the Surfside Family Suite is great for young families, even without the perks

If my kids were under the age of 7 or 8, I wouldn't have hesitated to book a Surfside Family Suite for us.

I love the concept of having a kids nook. They'd love having their own space and TV.  Plus, they can people watch really easily from it.

As a parent, the split bathroom design is a wonderful idea.  Anytime you're sharing a room with more than two people, I think keeping the toilet in a different area makes it more manageable.

I was concerned about noise bleed, but I rarely ever heard anything while inside my room.

The downgraded Sky Class perks are disappointing, but I'm not sure this room truly feels like a suite to begin with.  Plus, when my kids were that young, we rarely took advantage of anything in the Suite Lounge anyway.  

I'm certainly not in favor of less perks while paying the same price (I doubt the prices are going down on these rooms when it transitions to Sea Class), but I think the selling point of this room is the arrangement for families. Unlike a Grand Suite, the perks are secondary to this.

I don't think families with teenagers or adults should book this room with that nook in mind. It's truly meant for young children.

Plus, it still gets twice a day cabin service, and that's a lovely benefit for families to keep the room tidier.