Suites

I cruised in a suite for the first time. Here are 5 things I learned from the experience–and 3 I'd do differently next time

In:

06 Feb 2023

I recently stayed in one of Royal Caribbean’s most opulent cabins–an $870 per night Owner’s Suite. Usually a budget traveler, I had no idea what to expect and whether the spacious cabin would be worth the hefty price tag.

As someone who typically books the cheapest cabin on a cruise ship, I suddenly felt like royalty when skipping lines, hosting in-suite parties, and ordering free room service to our cabin’s sparkly dining room.

Like anything new in life, though, my first time in a cruise ship suite was nothing short of a learning experience, and I certainly made a few mistakes along the way.

Here are 5 things I learned from my first suite experience and 3 I’d do differently next time.

1. The suite concierge is super beneficial

One perk of staying in a suite on Royal Caribbean is access to the suite concierge, a crew member who acts as a suite guest’s own personal Guest Services during the sailing.

The suite concierge can go above and beyond what a regular Guest Services crew member can do. They can book shore excursions, make dining reservations, handle billing discrepancies, and answer any questions you have.

Before my cruise, I heard from other cruisers that the suite concierge would be extremely helpful during my cruise. I have to say, however, that I was skeptical. I rarely need any questions answered onboard, and I'm comfortable handling dining reservations and travel logistics on my own.

Yet in spite of my skepticism, I found myself feeling grateful for our suite concierge every day of the cruise.

As this was my first-ever suite experience, I had more questions than normal:

How do I get my formal wear pressed for free on formal night?
Which specialty restaurants are open on embarkation day?
How do we arrange to be escorted off the ship on disembarkation day?

Because a suite experience is so different from staying in a standard cabin, at times I felt as if I were a first time cruiser, so having concierge service was extra convenient. Plus, our concierge sent an introduction email the week before our cruise, allowing me to take advantage of these services before I even got onboard.

2. The exclusive breakfast at Chops Grille was a huge perk

Prior to my Liberty of the Seas cruise, I was bummed I would not be able to experience Coastal Kitchen, Royal Caribbean’s suites-only restaurant.

This exclusive restaurant is only available to suite guests on Oasis and Quantum Class ships. It has a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu that changes daily, and offers a more upscale dining experience than busier venues onboard.

As a Freedom Class ship, Liberty of the Seas does not have a Coastal Kitchen location. Instead, a private breakfast is offered each morning at Chops Grille, and this ended up being one of my favorite parts of the suite experience.

Each morning of our cruise, complimentary breakfast was offered in Chops Grille exclusively for suite guests. This menu featured an enhanced menu compared to breakfast in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer buffet, with both sweet and savory dishes.

My favorite breakfast was a half grapefruit followed by French toast with caramelized bananas, although every dish I tried for breakfast was excellent.

The biggest perk of breakfast at Chops Grille wasn’t necessarily the food, though. The best benefit was, by far, having a quieter, calmer dining experience than everywhere else onboard.

Mornings on a cruise ship–especially on port days–can be hectic as thousands of guests rush to eat before disembarking the ship. Just walking into the buffet each morning was chaotic, and seeking refuge at the suites-only breakfast in Chops Grille was a lifesaver.

3. Embarkation is so much easier

Nothing puts a damper on embarkation day quite like long lines in the cruise terminal, so I was extra grateful to be a suite guest while boarding Liberty of the Seas.

As a suite guest, I received priority embarkation in the cruise terminal. When I arrived at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, I entered through a separate line and breezed through security and check-in in only five minutes.

I then waited in a separate, suites-only waiting area until we could board the ship. I was surprised to see complimentary beverages and pastries available in the waiting room, which was an additional nice touch on the embarkation experience.

As suite guests, we were the first to board Liberty of the Seas, too, and were onboard much quicker than those staying in standard cabins. Starting off my vacation in a more comfortable, relaxed way was a wonderful perk of staying in a suite!

4. Despite initial skepticism, a suite can totally be worth the cost

Ever since my first international trip in 2014, I’ve always been a budget traveler. I prefer stretching my vacation budget as far as possible, whether it means taking a bus instead of a train, booking a flight with a layover instead of a direct route, or reserving a hotel further from the city center.

My budget travel style transferred over to cruising, and I regularly book the cheapest cabins, avoid booking shore excursions, and dine primarily at complimentary restaurants.

So when I booked an Owner’s Suite, I was skeptical it would be worth the cost. In fact, my initial article pitches involved titles such as “Why I didn’t think my suite was worth the cost” and “10 reasons I’ll probably never book a suite again”.

Let’s just say my initial judgment was quickly deemed incorrect, and by the first few hours onboard, I finally understood why booking suites is so popular.

Having a suite enhances your cruise experience in a way you can’t achieve in a lower category cabin. Even if you buy a dining package, book the most sought after shore excursions, and reserve a spa treatment, it won’t come close to the level of luxury you’ll find in a suite.

With a suite, you have an ultra spacious, private getaway from the busy activity found elsewhere onboard. You receive top-notch service and benefits, whether it’s the free drinks in the Suite Lounge, concierge service, or free room service.

If you can stretch your vacation budget far enough to book a suite, it can be well worth the cost, particularly if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

5. But… I also learned that I am 100% okay with booking cheaper cabins

As much as I loved my suite experience on Royal Caribbean, the final thing I learned from my time onboard was that I am perfectly okay booking standard cruise ship cabins.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated every aspect of my Owner’s Suite experience, but I definitely would not book a suite every time I cruise. Spending $3000 on one 3-night cruise in a suite is not nearly as appealing as spending the same amount of money for three separate sailings.

Whether in a suite or interior room, much of the Royal Caribbean experience remains the same. You can see the same shows, dine at the same restaurants, and visit the same destinations.

Although I might consider a suite if I find a great deal, I’m unlikely to book any $10,000 suites any time soon.

What I’d do differently next time I’m in a suite

1. Take better advantage of the Suite Lounge

Suite guests on Liberty of the Seas have access to the Suite Lounge, a private space with comfy seating, an outdoor patio, private concierge, and complimentary food and drinks.

One of my biggest regrets from my suite experience is that I didn’t spend nearly enough time in the Suite Lounge, especially during the evenings.

Each evening from 5-8PM, hors d'oeuvres and alcoholic beverages are provided in the lounge free of charge. Having access to free drinks onboard is a huge benefit, especially considering individual cocktails cost $14 each!

Plus, the lounge offers a quieter atmosphere than other bars onboard and–given its top deck location–has excellent views of the ocean.

Although I initially planned to spend time in the Suite Lounge each day of my cruise, I found myself too busy to take full advantage of this perk. Returning from port at 4PM each day and getting ready for dinner reservations at 6PM meant I had little time to enjoy the lounge in the evenings.

If I book another suite in the future, I’ll reserve later dinner times so I’m not as rushed after port days and can enjoy the Suite Lounge to the fullest.

2. Order Main Dining Room meals to the cabin

Free room service is an awesome perk to staying in a suite, and what makes this benefit extra special is having access to not only Royal Caribbean’s standard room service menu, but the Main Dining Room menu.

Suite guests on Liberty of the Seas can order food from the Main Dining Room menu during the restaurant’s operating hours. You can order breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the Main Dining Room and have the meals delivered directly to your cabin.

Lunch and dinner menus from the Main Dining Room change daily. You can have French onion soup and pesto tagliatelle delivered one night and lobster delivered the next.

Because ordering from the Main Dining Room menu is only available for suite guests, it provides a more special dining experience compared to what you’ll experience in a regular cabin.

Our Owner’s Suite had a dining room table both inside and outside on the balcony, and I wish I had taken advantage of having Main Dining Room menu items delivered to our suite.

We were cruising with a large group, so we enjoyed dinner in the dining room each evening. If we were cruising by ourselves, though, I would have ordered dinner directly to the suite for a more intimate dining experience.

3. Book a cruise with a sea day

I booked this suite on a 3-night cruise that included port stops in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. Due to the cruise’s short length, there were no sea days on the itinerary.

Due to the port-intensive itinerary, I found myself with limited time onboard–let alone in my suite. Sure, I could have skipped a port day, but then I would be missing out on the beautiful beaches of the Bahamas.

By the time I got back onboard after a port day, I quickly showered, changed, and headed to dinner. This left very little time to relax in our suite and take full advantage of Royal Caribbean’s fantastic suite benefits.

Next time I book a suite, I’ll choose an itinerary with more sea days so I can fully enjoy the suite experience.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise in a suite? Here are our best tips:

I stayed in a luxurious cruise ship suite for $870 per night—see what my room looked like on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas

In:

Staterooms Suites

01 Feb 2023

After 10 cruises in interior cabins, I spent three nights in the opulent Owner’s Suite on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas.

This cabin is one of the most spacious on the entire ship and comes with its own name: the Adagio Suite. At 624 square feet, the room’s size is nearly four times as big as the interior staterooms I typically book.

For 2 guests, the total price of our suite came out to $2,612 for a 3-night cruise, or right around $870 per night. This price includes taxes, fees, and gratuities, and we also received $100 onboard credit.

We originally booked the suite for $2,934, but our travel agent repriced the sailing a few months after booking and found a cheaper deal, saving us $322.

Let’s take a tour of my spacious cabin at sea complete with a bedroom, living room, dining room, and extra large balcony.

My suite was located on deck 10, right outside of the ship’s aft elevator lobby. The suite’s convenient location was one of the best perks of the cabin, as we never had to walk far to get from our cabin to anywhere onboard.

When I opened the door to my suite for the first time, I was immediately blown away by the cabin’s size and amenities.

The suite has one bedroom, where you’ll find a king bed, television, side tables, and storage space.

The bedroom is not separated from the rest of the suite by a wall, but you can close a curtain for more privacy.

There is a vanity and desk area in the bedroom which includes several outlets to charge your devices.

Like all cabins, you’ll find a safe in the Owner’s Suite in the drawers above the vanity.

Now let’s move to the living room.

The living room has a sectional couch, plush chair, coffee table, and end table. This space is great for entertaining or winding down after a busy day in port.

To watch television in the living room, you can simply swivel around the TV from the bedroom to the living room.

The living room is connected to a dining room.

This area features floor-to-ceiling closets, which are perfect for hanging dresses and suits for formal night. You’ll also find Royal Caribbean bathrobes inside the closet.

Next to the closet are additional drawers where you can store clothes, shoes, and other personal items. Like all Royal Caribbean cabins, there is a mini fridge available here as well.

Above the mini fridge is a Lavazza Espresso coffee maker and ice bucket. You’ll also receive a few complimentary water bottles in the suite, which will be placed near the coffee maker.

There is also a dining table perfect for enjoying in-suite meals. As a suite guest, room service is complimentary, including meals from the Main Dining Room menu.

Across from the dining room is a bathroom, and the Owner’s Suite bathroom is unlike any bathroom I’ve experienced in a cruise ship cabin before.

The bathroom has dual sinks, which is optimal for two guests getting ready at the same time.

It also features a standalone bathtub with jacuzzi controls. Like all suites, the bathroom comes with upgraded Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

In addition to the bathtub is a separate shower with a detachable shower head.

There is both a toilet and bidet in the Owner’s Suite bathroom.

Next let's head outside to the suite's balcony.

One of the best benefits of the Owner’s Suite is the large balcony. At 160 square feet, the balcony is three times larger than those in standard balcony cabins.

There are two balcony doors, one in the bedroom and the other in the living room.

The balcony offers unobstructed views of the outdoors. It’s located on the ship’s hump, meaning that the balcony sticks out further than other balconies onboard.

On the balcony is a dining table with two chairs, a perfect spot to enjoy breakfast and coffee in the mornings.

There are also two padded, reclinable lounge chairs, a notable upgrade from the standard chairs found on regular balconies.

While not cheap, the Owner’s Suite is nothing short of a spectacular cabin on Liberty of the Seas. For those looking for extra living space, upgraded amenities, and a more luxurious experience onboard, it is certainly worth the splurge.

New Royal Caribbean Sky Junior Suite with benefits: average or epic?

In:

Suites

08 Dec 2022

Debuting on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the new Sky Junior Suite, the fleet’s first Junior Suite to offer exclusive benefits usually found only in higher category staterooms.

Sky Junior Suite benefits include Suite Neighborhood access, all-day dining at two suites-only restaurants, free wifi, and concierge service. While these benefits will surely enhance your cruise vacation, are they worth the extra cost?

Let’s take an in-depth look at the new Sky Junior Suite to help you decide if it’s the right fit or if you’re better off sticking to a regular Junior Suite.

Sky Junior Suite details and benefits

The Sky Junior Suite will only be available on Icon of the Seas, which is set to launch in January 2024. There are eight Sky Junior Suites available on the ship.

The suite has occupancy for four guests and comes at 322 square feet with an 80 square foot balcony. Although the suite does not have a separate bedroom, it does have a separate dressing area in the room and a full bathroom with a tub.

While guests in regular Junior Suites still receive double Crown & Anchor Society points each night of the sailing and enjoy more living space, additional benefits are slim. Because of this, many cruisers prefer to classify Junior Suites as a large balcony room compared to a suite.

The Sky Junior Suite, however, takes Junior Suite benefits to the next level by offering Sky Class benefits.

What are Royal Caribbean’s Sky Class benefits?

Sky Class is the second tier in Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite Class, a suite program available on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class cruise ships.

Sky Class benefits:

Dedicated Check In Line
Priority Boarding
Coastal Kitchen Dinner
Royal Caribbean Bathrobes for use onboard
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
In Room Lavazza Espresso Coffee Maker/Tea Service
VOOM Internet
Concierge Service
Exclusive Signature Activities
Suite Lounge/Concierge Club Access
Priority Departure

Onboard experience

Suite Sun Deck render on Icon of the Seas

While the list of Sky Class benefits available in a Sky Junior Suite provides a peek into what you’ll experience on Icon of the Seas, let’s dig deeper into these benefits to see just how much they can impact your onboard experience.

Suite Neighborhood access

One of the best benefits of staying in a Sky Junior Suite is access to the Suite Neighborhood, a private enclave reserved exclusively for suite guests on Icon of the Seas. Sky Junior Suites are the only Junior Suite category to have access to the Suite Neighborhood.

Located in the Suite Neighborhood is a suite sun deck, private pool, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and Mediterranean-style casual eatery. It’s an enclave away from the hustle and bustle found elsewhere onboard, and offers a more upscale experience than the ship’s other pool and dining areas.

Plus, the Sky Junior Suite is located within the Suite Neighborhood, providing easy access to the neighborhood’s amenities.

Coastal Kitchen

Coastal Kitchen, Royal Caribbean’s suites-only restaurant, is another benefit of staying in a suite. For guests in most Junior Suites, however, dining at Coastal Kitchen is only available for dinner (subject to availability).

Guests in Sky Junior Suites, on the other hand, can dine at Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Suite Lounge cocktails and hors d’oeuvres

Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are available each evening in the Suite Lounge on Royal Caribbean ships. This is another benefit of staying in a Sky Junior Suite as opposed to a regular Junior Suite.

In a Sky Junior Suite, you can enjoy alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages each evening without spending hundreds of dollars extra on a drink package.

Concierge Service

Sky Junior Suite guests have access to the Suite Concierge, who acts as a personal Guest Services member for suite guests. The Suite Concierge can help guests with billing discrepancies, dining reservations, priority disembarkation, etc.

VOOM Internet

Another great benefit of staying in a Sky Class suite as opposed to a regular Junior Suite is the VOOM internet included in your cruise fare.

If you stay in a regular Junior Suite and plan to purchase an internet package for 2 guests in the room, this can easily cost $140 per person on a 7-night cruise. By staying in the Sky Junior Suite instead, you’ll save $280 on internet packages.

Price difference: Junior Suite versus Sky Junior Suite

With the added benefits and enhanced onboard experience of a Sky Junior Suite comes higher cruise fares. Just how much can you expect the price difference to be between a Junior Suite and Sky Junior Suite?

You can expect a Junior Suite to run anywhere from $5800 to $6800 total for two guests on a 7-night cruise. Sky Junior Suites range from around $9200 to over $11,000.

Therefore, compared to a regular Junior Suite, a Sky Junior Suite can cost anywhere from $3000-$4000 more total for 2 guests on a 7-night cruise.

Sky Junior Suite vs larger Sky Class suites

If you’re interested in receiving Sky Class benefits on Icon of the Seas, should you reserve the Sky Junior Suite or spend more for a larger, more opulent suite?

Let’s take a look at the price difference between the Sky Junior Suite and other large suites on Icon of the Seas. These prices are for two guests on a 7-night sailing in February 2025:

Sky Junior Suite: $9,235
Grand Suite: $13,003
Sunset Suite: $14,963
Owner’s Suite: $24,523

Booking a Sky Junior Suite can save you $5000 or more while still receiving the same benefits as other Sky Class suites. Because of this, the Sky Junior Suite can be an attractive option for any Icon of the Seas cruise.

Average or Epic? Our thoughts on the new Sky Junior Suite

Icon of the Seas aerial render from the aft

The Sky Junior Suite may cost more than a traditional Junior Suite–and significantly more than a standard balcony stateroom–but you’ll receive Sky Class benefits at a fraction of the cost of other Sky Class cabins.

There’s no concrete answer when it comes to deciding if a Royal Caribbean suite is worth the cost. Depending on your budget and vacation style, a suite could be a necessity or an out-of-the-question upgrade.

All things considered, the Sky Junior Suite is much more lucrative than a regular Junior Suite. Regular Junior Suites are more similar to standard cabin categories than a suite; if you’re looking for a ship-within-a-ship concept on Royal Caribbean, a regular Junior Suite might be a disappointment.

Therefore, if you’re already spending, say, $6800 on a Junior Suite and see a Sky Junior Suite for $3000 more, it’s not too big of a price difference to receive the added Sky Class benefits.

Access to the Suite Neighborhood, all-day Coastal Kitchen access, and Suite Lounge benefits will certainly add to the enjoyment of your cruise vacation, making a Sky Class Junior Suite an enticing cabin option.

More Royal Caribbean suite tips & tricks:

5 Signs you're ready to move up to a suite on a cruise ship

In:

Suites

12 Sep 2022

Think you're ready to make the change to a suite cabin on your next Royal Caribbean cruise?

The idea of booking a suite comes with nearly as many opulent images to ones mind as it does fear of the larger price tag, but depending on how you like to vacation, trying a suite might not be a bad idea.

Royal Caribbean suites offer more living space, better amenities, and a more inclusive cruise experience. You'll definitely pay more for it, but the old saying, "you get what you pay for" certainly holds true.

For years, I never booked any suites out of concern the price was too high and the notion I didn't need to stay in a suite. As our family grew and our needs and tastes evolved, so did my attitudes towards staying in a suite.

And to be clear, staying in a suite doesn't always mean you have a giant price tag either. There are lots of cruise fans that will attest to the fact there are plenty of deals out there for a suite.

Depending on how flexible and resourceful you are, not only could you begin to live the suite life as a choice, but you might even get a great price on it too.

In my experience, I've found a lot of cruisers start off in smaller cabins and then graduate to suites over the years. Like me, they find themselves at a crossroad of "should I try a suite?"

The choice to book any cruise ship cabin always comes down to weighing the costs of the room versus how much time you'll actually spend in the cabin enjoying the benefits. Certainly a large suite would provide lovely accommodations, but if you're going to be at the pool deck all day, how much benefit will it provide you?

For anyone on the fence about booking a suite, I've come up with five signs it might be time to give a suite a try.

You might just find this the starting point of a wonderful new way to cruise.

You drink cocktails everyday but a drink package is expensive

Booking a suite won't save you money overall, but it might include something that does help out your bottom line.

It's no secret that Royal Caribbean's drink packages are more expensive today than they were just last year. With the rising cost of drink packages, you might be tempted to book a suite so that you can still indulge but with a fixed cost.

When you stay in a suite, you can enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages in the suite lounge during select hours.

Guests in a Sky Class suite or higher (Oasis or Quantum Class ships) can enjoy complimentary beer and wine between 11am and 11pm while in the suite lounge. From 5pm to 8pm, there's a greater assortment of cocktails and alcoholic beverages available.

On other ships, there is a happy hour in the evening where guests can enjoy the same assortment of cocktails and beers in the evening, usually between 5pm and 8pm.

While not as flexible as a drink package, free drinks in the suite lounge can be just enough for some guests to take advantage of and get their bar bill under control without the need for a pricier package.

In fact, the suite lounge experience is a very compelling argument for booking a suite. Guests that stay in suites a lot will tell you they spend a lot of time in the suite lounge for the many amenities you get, including the free drinks.

Paying to get faster service is worth it to you

If you're the type of person who is willing to pay more to get faster results, then a suite might be up your alley.

When it comes to lines, waiting, or simply your time, there are some people who don't mind throwing money at a problem to make it better.

Suite guests pay more, but they'll often have a dedicated and shorter line at the cruise terminal during the check-in process. When it's time to board the ship, they get onboard first.

The suite concierge also makes it easier on suite guests and can book shows and specialty restaurants before anyone boards the ship.

One of my favorite perks of staying in a suite is the suite concierge will walk you off the ship when the cruise is over, saving a great deal of time waiting in line. This perk alone has been a life saver with my kids.

The debate of time vs money is something everyone will have differing opinions on, but if you are the sort of person that values your time more than your money, then a suite might be the perfect choice.

You've tried a junior suite and want more

Often a cruiser will dip their toe into the waters of suite life by booking a junior suite.

Despite the name, junior suite cabins aren't actually suites and closer to balcony rooms than anything else. They offer more space and a few perks, but lack the true suite experience.

However, if the limited benefits a junior suite provides is a good first taste of the suite experience, then you might be ready to jump up a full suite.

The price of a junior suite is usually reasonable compared to a balcony, and many people will spot reasonable prices here and there between a balcony vs a junior suite.

So if you sailed in a junior suite and loved it, then you might be ready to level up again and try a suite.

You like feeling special

To be fair, everyone likes feeling special, but some people relish in this feeling more than others.

Between the suite concierge, priority experiences getting on and off the ship, and even just a different color SeaPass card, you're going to quickly feel different when staying in a suite.

Suites offer a lot of benefits that have a singular goal: make you feel extra important on the cruise. Some are for comfort, and some are to save you time, but they all work towards separating you a bit from other guests onboard.

You'll find reserved seating on the pool deck just for suite guests. The suite concierge will know your family's name fairly quickly once you get to the suite lounge. Other guests will ask why your SeaPass card is a different color from theirs when you're at a bar. These are all simple things that will make you feel noticed.

Being in a suite isn't an elitist thing, rather, it's a way to splurge and treat yourself to the finer things in life.

Vacation is an escape from the ordinary, and it's nice now and again to step up to a finer holiday.

You fly first class

Forget how you cruise, if you generally opt for first class seats on an airplane, then a suite might be right for you.

Whether you go for first class or just comfort plus, you're paying a premium to get a better experience on an airplane and that sounds like it could be a sign you're ready for a suite.

A first class airplane ticket won't get you to your destination any faster, but you'll enjoy the trip a heck of a lot more than in coach. Similarly, a suite on a cruise ship will get you luxurious accommodations that you will enjoy in between port stops, shows onboard, and various activities around the ship.

First class airfare usually includes priority boarding, complimentary beverages once on the aircraft, and a deluxe seating experience. It's easy to draw a lot of parallels to staying in a suite on your cruise.

What are the Royal Caribbean suite perks?

In:

Suites

12 Aug 2022

Royal Caribbean suites provide a range of benefits that can greatly enhance your cruise experience, from an exclusive suites-only lounge to private dining experiences and priority embarkation.

Royal Caribbean suites are impressive, with some even spanning two levels with a private jacuzzi, multiple bedrooms, and a personalized Royal Genie service.

Many guests opt to book a suite for a more comfortable living space, but they might not be aware of all the perks suite guests receive onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Knowing which benefits come with a suite can help you maximize the value of your vacation and get the most out of your time onboard.

Here’s everything you need to know about the perks you can receive with a Royal Caribbean suite.

Junior Suite Perks on Royal Caribbean

The “stepping stone” into the world of Royal Caribbean suites is with a Junior Suite.

Despite the name, however, Junior Suites are more similar to a balcony stateroom than a suite. They don’t come with many of the benefits you’ll find in Grand Suites and above. Nonetheless, there are a few perks of staying in a Junior Suite.

First and foremost, a Junior Suite will provide more room in both the cabin and balcony, leading to more comfort for guests. You’ll also have a full sized bathtub and walk-in closet in a Junior Suite.

In addition to extra square footage, Junior Suite guests receive the following benefits:

Priority boarding
Royal Caribbean bathrobe
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Pillow Top Mattress
Dinner at Coastal Kitchen on select ships
Double Crown & Anchor Society points

Note: The benefits listed below are for guests staying in Grand Suites and above. Junior Suite guests do not have access to most suite benefits on Royal Caribbean such as the Suite Lounge, Concierge Service, etc.

Onboard experience benefits for suite guests

Suite Lounge/Concierge Club

A major perk of staying in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise is having access to the Suite Lounge (also known as the Concierge Club on select ships). Suite Lounge access is available to guests staying in a Grand Suite and above.

The Suite Lounge is a relaxing, exclusive getaway on an otherwise busy cruise ship. At the Suite Lounge, guests can enjoy complimentary snacks and hors d’oeuvres throughout the day and complimentary alcoholic beverages in the evening.

The Suite Lounge is open 24/7 and can offer a nice way to mingle with other suite guests onboard or simply enjoy the peace and quiet with a beautiful ocean view.

Concierge Service

A convenient service available for suite guests on Royal Caribbean is the Suite Concierge, a crew member who acts as a suite guest's own (enhanced) Guest Services during the cruise.

The Suite Concierge can help with booking shore excursions, dining reservations, show reservations, answering any questions, and settling billing discrepancies.

The Suite Concierge can help you check-in to your flight and print documents if you do not have an internet package. They are also available to escort you off the ship on disembarkation day.

Suite Sun Deck

Voyager, Freedom, Quantum, and Oasis Class ships have a designated area of the pool deck reserved just for suite guests. Usually the Suite Sun Deck is located on the deck above the main pool area. Suite Sun Decks can be a really nice benefit for suite guests, as they have comfortable, reserved seating away from the crowds on the pool deck below.

Wonder of the Seas even has its own Suite Neighborhood with a large private Sun Deck with a plunge pool, private bar, and comfy loungers.

Reserved entertainment seating

Suite Guests won’t have to worry about finding a seat for shows onboard, as they will find a reserved seating area in the main theater, Studio B, AquaTheater, and Two70 for main entertainment lineups.

Complimentary pressing on First Formal Night

If you’re splurging on a suite, you’ll want to take advantage of as many benefits as you can to maximize your value. A relatively small benefit that can be a nice extra perk is complimentary pressing on your itinerary’s first formal night.

Sending evening gowns or a suit to be pressed can run between $7.50-$15 per item, so this is a nice extra perk for suite guests.

Tours and Suite Parties

Another perk of staying in a suite are the complimentary backstage tours and events offered to suite guests. Backstage tours can vary by ship and sailing, but you can expect to see tours of the ship’s bridge, galley, or theater.

You’ll receive an invitation to a tour in your suite. If you do not see one, ask the concierge if any tours will be available on your sailing.

Priority bookings

Another nice benefit for suite guests is that they can have priority bookings on spa appointments and specialty dining reservations. If you did not book dining reservations or a spa treatment ahead of time, speak to the Suite Concierge before your cruise (they will send you an email a few days before the sail date) about making reservations.

2 Crown & Anchor Society points per night

One of the best suite perks on Royal Caribbean is that you will receive double Crown & Anchor Society points on your cruise. The Crown & Anchor Society is Royal Caribbean’s Loyalty Program which can lead to fantastic benefits once you accrue enough points.

When you stay in a normal category room (interior, ocean view, balcony), you’ll receive 1 point per night of your cruise. In a suite, however, you receive 2 points per night.

Embarkation & Disembarkation benefits for suite guests

Priority boarding & departure

Suite guests have priority boarding on embarkation day, meaning they will be the first guests able to board the ship. They also have a dedicated check-in line at the cruise terminal on embarkation day.

On disembarkation day, suite guests have priority departure, so they won’t have to wait for their luggage tag number to be called and can disembark whenever they choose.

Guests in Royal Suites and Villa Suites will not only receive priority embarkation, but an officer will meet them at the terminal to escort them on the ship.

Welcome gift

Once you enter your suite, you’ll find a welcome gift, which can change depending on suite tier. Guests in Grand Suites, Panoramic Suites, and Owner’s Suites will receive complimentary Evian water and a fruit amenity whereas those in Royal Suites and Villa Suites receive Moët & Chandon champagne.

Sign-up fee waived for luggage valet service

On select itineraries, Royal Caribbean offers a luggage valet service. This service enables guests to bypass the airport check-in process, as guests will receive boarding passes, luggage tags, and baggage claim checks while onboard the ship. Luggage will be delivered directly from your suite to the airport and onto your flight.

This service is currently only available in Seattle, Washington.

Benefits while in port for suite guests

Priority tendering

While most common cruise ports have a dock, there are some ports which require tendering on a smaller boat to get to and from port from the ship.

For non-suite guests, it’s necessary to get up early and grab a tender ticket as soon as possible in order to maximize your time in port. Suite guests, however, have priority tendering access, so you can bypass the line and get to port without a wait.

Barefoot Beach at Labadee

If you’re staying in a suite on a cruise itinerary visiting Royal Caribbean’s private destination of Labadee, you’ll have access to Barefoot Beach, the port’s suites-only beach.

Barefoot Beach offers a relaxing getaway with calm, clear waters and plenty of lounge chairs perfect for sunbathing. The beach also has cabanas available to rent at an extra cost as well as a complimentary lunch which offers more upgraded options than buffets elsewhere on Labadee.

In-suite benefits

More space

One of the primary reasons many guests book a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise is for the extra space. Cruise ship cabins are known for being small, and suites can offer a more comfortable living space with extra perks.

Depending on the suite, you can find an extra large couch, dining table, walk-in closet, larger balcony, etc. Some suites may even have 2 or 3 bedrooms, allowing for more privacy for guests.

Nicer bathroom

Another in-suite perk is a larger bathroom. Suite bathrooms all have a bathtub and upgraded toiletries. Some suites even have a separate shower, double sinks, and bidet!

Additionally, certain suite categories may have two bathrooms in the suite which can be nice for larger families.

Pillow Top mattress

In addition to more living space and an upgraded bathroom, suite guests will also enjoy an upgraded mattress. Beds in Grand Suites and above have a Luxury Pillow Top Mattress instead of the normal mattress you’ll find in interior, ocean view, and balcony cabins.

Dining benefits for suite guests

In-suite dining

Suite guests on Royal Caribbean receive complimentary room service and the ability to enjoy in-suite dining from the Main Dining Room menu. This offers a nice way for suite guests to have a private meal in their suite at any time the Main Dining Room is open (or 24/7 for room service).

Coastal Kitchen

Suite guests on Quantum and Oasis Class cruise ships have access to Coastal Kitchen, Royal Caribbean’s suites-only restaurant. Coastal Kitchen is complimentary for suite guests and offers a more intimate dining experience than venues like the Main Dining Room or Windjammer.

Coastal Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a rotating menu with a focus on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Guests in Grand Suites and above can eat at Coastal Kitchen at any time during the week, but the restaurant is only available for dinner for Junior Suite guests.

Private dining & disembarkation breakfast

Select ships without Coastal Kitchen offer private breakfast and lunch seating for suite guests. These meals take place in a specialty restaurant onboard, although the menus are more similar to the MDR or Coastal Kitchen than the specialty restaurant menu offerings.

Royal Suite Class Benefits

If you thought Royal Caribbean’s suite benefits couldn’t get any better, there’s more: the Royal Suite Class, available only on Quantum and Oasis Class ships.

The Royal Suite Class has three tiers: Sea Class, Sky Class, and Star Class.

Sea Class

Sea Class is the Junior Suite Class in the Royal Suite Class and comes with the same benefits as staying in a Junior Suite on other Royal Caribbean ships, with the addition of dinner at Coastal Kitchen.

Sea Class benefits:

Dedicated Check In Line
Priority Boarding
Coastal Kitchen Dinner
Royal Caribbean bathrobes
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
In-room Lavazza Espresso Coffee Maker/Tea Service

Sky Class

Sky Class benefits are for guests staying in a One Bedroom AquaTheater suite, Crown Loft Suite, Owner’s Suite, Royal Family Suite, Superior Grand Suite, and Grand Suite.

In addition to the Sea Class benefits, Sky Class guests receive:

Complimentary VOOM internet: 1 device per guest
Concierge Serve
Exclusive Signature Activities
Suite Lounge Access
Priority Departure
Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Star Class

Star Class is the most luxurious experience you can have on Royal Caribbean and is available to passengers staying in Royal Caribbean’s biggest suites: the Royal Loft Suite, Owner’s Loft Suite, Four Bedroom Family Suite, Grand Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite, Ultimate Family Suite, and Two Bedroom AquaTheater Suite.

The biggest benefit of staying in a Star Class suite is having a Royal Genie, a crew member who is your own personalized concierge and “magic maker” throughout the week. Royal Genies can cater their services to your cruise preferences, whether that means delivering Starbucks to your room every morning, reserving you seats at a specialty restaurant, hosting an in-suite dinner in your room, etc.

In addition to the Royal Genie as well as the Sea Class and Sky Class benefits above, Star Class guests receive:

Complimentary gratuities
Complimentary specialty dining (including in-suite specialty dining)
Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package
Complimentary mini bar
Complimentary pressing and laundry services
Still and sparkling water replenished daily
Luxury pillows
Priority entrance to onboard activities

More Star Class tips & tricks:

More cruise advice

Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

In:

Suites

11 Jul 2022

Royal Caribbean's suites are the top echelon of cruise ship cabins, and it includes many perks and benefits for booking one of these spacious staterooms.

Suites come in a few different sizes and layouts, but the common thread among them all is a cabin that provides the most space with the best amenities for guests onboard.

Royal Caribbean's suite program is not quite a "ship within a ship" concept that other lines have, but they do give their guests lots of extra attention and access other cruise ship passengers do not receive.

If you elect to try one of the bigger suites, you'll find palatial rooms with lots of living space. Some of these rooms even encompass two levels.

Suites are one of the first type of cruise ship cabin to sell out on any sailing because of how limited they are and how many people value staying in a room that gets all those benefits.

If you think a suite might be in your future, here's what you should know about a suite cabin, what it includes, and what you get for spending all that money.

Suites on Royal Caribbean basics

While Royal Caribbean is not a luxury cruise line, it does offer very lavish suites on its ships, especially if you try one of the biggest suites on its newest ships.

The exact suite benefits depend on the type of ship you sail on. Essentially, there's two echelons of the suite program: Royal Suite Class on Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships, and then the suites on the rest of the fleet.

No matter which suite you book, you can expect access to a dedicated suite lounge, services of the suite concierge, reserved seating on the pool deck, double Crown and Anchor Society points per night of your cruise, and priority embarkation/disembarkation.

The exact benefits will be spelled out for you when you get onboard (as well as a week before the cruise in a welcome email from the suite concierge).

Something else you should know about suites are that they are only available with non-refundable deposits. This means if you were to change your mind later and cancel a reservation before final payment date, you'd lose your deposit.

Royal Suite Class

On Royal Caribbean's newer ships, they wanted to enhance the suite program so it matched up better with the top-level experience its guests wanted, especially compared to land-based suite offerings.

The result is the Royal Suite Class, which categorizes suites into three tiers, each with their own set of benefits.

At the top is the Star Class, which are not only the largest cabins onboard, but also include all the benefits of the other suites, but the added bonus of including a drink package for everyone in the cabin, internet access, and their personalized attendant for the sailing, the Royal Genie.

Each Royal Genie is shared by just 3 or 4 suites, and is a cross between the suite concierge, butler, and magic maker. They can attend to your every need onboard and reserve seats at any show or restaurant without the need to plan ahead.

As you probably guessed, Star Class is not cheap. Prices are almost always somewhere in the five figures, and some of the incredibly large suites can rival the price of a new car.

The people that tend to book these rooms are usually well-to-do guests that want personalized service aboard a ship that offers lots to do.

If the Star Class price tag isn't affordable, you'll find plenty of benefits in the next tier, Sky Class.

Sky Class is more in line with what you might find in any suite on any Royal Caribbean ship, but it also includes access to the suites-only restaurant Coastal Kitchen. Think of Coastal Kitchen as a main dining room for suite guests, with a rotating menu every day, and it's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The primary benefits of Sky Class is the complimentary internet access, suite lounge access, and Coastal Kitchen meals.

For those that book a junior suite, you'll be included in Sea Class, which does not include wifi or access to the suite lounge or concierge.

Junior suite guests can dine in Coastal Kitchen, but only for dinner.

Suites on the rest of the fleet

If you book a suite that isn't on an Oasis Class or Quantum Class ship, the experience is a bit more standardized.

Royal Caribbean opted not to expand the Royal Suite Class to older ships simply because those ships wouldn't be able to include the same amount of benefits found on the bigger ships. So they decided to keep the suite experience intact.

Don't take that to be a negative to staying in a suite on a non-Royal Suite Class ship. You'll still get the core suite experience, which includes:

Double loyalty points
Access to the Suite Lounge
Services of the suite concierge
Complimentary alcoholic beverages in the evening while in the suite lounge
Priority embarkation and disembarkation

Suite benefits

Naturally, you'll want to know exactly what the sort of suite perks are you'll get get during your stay.

Here's a breakdown based on Royal Suite Class and the rest of the fleet.

Royal Suite Class

Sea Class

Dinner at Coastal Kitchen
Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine

Sky Class

Concierge Service
All Day Access to Coastal Kitchen
Specialty Bottled Water (upon arrival)
Complimentary internet access
Flexible Arrival Boarding & Priority Departure
Priority Dining Reservations
Venues Early Access to Seating in Select Entertainment Venues
Suite Lounge Access
Access to Suite Sun Deck
Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine

Star Class

Royal Genie Service
Coastal Kitchen for all meals
Complimentary Specialty Restaurants (including Chef’s Table and à la carte dining)
Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package (for guests 21 years or older, or 18 and over where applicable by law)
Complimentary Refreshment Package (for guests under legal drinking age)
Still and Sparkling Water Replenished Daily
Complimentary Gratuities
Complimentary internet access
Expedited Boarding and Departure
Best Seats in the House in Select Entertainment Venues
Priority Entrance to Many Onboard Activities
Suite Lounge Access
Access to Suite Sun Deck
Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
Complimentary Minibar stocked with Coca-Cola Beverages and Water
Complimentary Laundry and Pressing Services
Luxury Mattress and Pillows
Frette Linens
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
Lavazza Espresso Coffee Maker

Suite program on other ships

Junior Suite

Royal Caribbean Bathrobe
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Priority Boarding

Grand Suite, Ocean View/Panoramic Suite & Owner's Suite

Royal Caribbean Bathrobe
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Priority Boarding
Pillowtop Mattress
Priority Departure
Concierge Service
Suite Lounge/Concierge Club Access
Priority Dining Reservations
Priority Spa Bookings
Priority Shore Excursion Ticketing
Suite Party Invitation (On Itineraries of 5+ Nights)
Bridge, Galley & Backstage Tours
VIP Pool Deck Seating (Voyager Class and Above)
Priority Tendering
Welcome Evian & Fruit Amenity
Main Dining Menu Available for In Suite Dining (During Operating Hours)
Complimentary 24-Hour Room Service
Private Lunch Seating Available on Ships without Coastal Kitchen
Private Breakfast Seating Available on Ships without Coastal Kitchen
Departure Breakfast
Reserved Section in Theater
Complimentary Pressing on First Formal Night
Sign-up Fee Waived for Luggage Valet Service

Royal Suite & Villa Suite

Royal Caribbean Bathrobe
Luxury Bathroom Amenities
Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Priority Boarding
Pillowtop Mattress
Priority Departure
Concierge Service
Suite Lounge/Concierge Club Access
Priority Dining Reservations
Priority Spa Bookings
Priority Shore Excursion Ticketing
Suite Party Invitation (On Itineraries of 5+ Nights)
Bridge, Galley & Backstage Tours
VIP Pool Deck Seating (Voyager Class and Above)
Priority Tendering
Welcome Evian & Fruit Amenity
Main Dining Menu Available for In Suite Dining (During Operating Hours)
Complimentary 24-Hour Room Service
Private Lunch Seating Available on Ships without Coastal Kitchen
Private Breakfast Seating Available on Ships without Coastal Kitchen
Departure Breakfast
Reserved Section in Theater
Complimentary Pressing on First Formal Night
Sign-up Fee Waived for Luggage Valet Service
Officer Escort Onboard from Terminal at Check-In
Welcome Moet & Chandon

Suite Concierge

Perhaps the most important person to get to know on your cruise if you are booked in a suite is the suite concierge.

Think of the concierge as Guest Services dedicated exclusively to suite guests.

Most ships have one suite concierge, although the Oasis Class ships have two.

Right around a week before your cruise, the Suite Concierge will email you to prepare you for your cruise and provide instructions on what to expect.

The concierge can provide a number of functions including (but not limited to):

Specialty restaurant reservations
Solving billing problems
Book shore excursions
Priority disembarkation

Junior Suites

It's important to quickly mention that despite the name, junior suites do not enjoy the full suite benefits. This means no suite lounge access or concierge services.

Think of a junior suite as a "really large balcony room". They do get double points and on Oasis or Quantum Class ships, access to Coastal Kitchen for dinner, but that's about it.

Given that the price of a junior suite can sometimes be nominally more than a balcony room, many people book junior suites simply for the extra space or double points.

Which Royal Caribbean suite should I book?

Depending on the Royal Caribbean ship you book, there can be quite a few suite categories to choose from, which can make the decision of which suite to book complicated.

No matter which suite you consider, be sure to look at the layout and size of the room and balcony, as these can vary wildly.

Best values

If you're looking to splurge without breaking the bank, a junior suite can be the ticket.

Junior suites may not have all the benefits, but all that extra living space sure is nice to have, especially a full bathtub.

For couples that want to spread out a bit more, you can often find a junior suite at a reasonable price to move up to from a balcony.

First time in a suite

If you're ready to try out a suite, then you'll want to consider either the Grand Suite or Owner's Suite.

Both Grand Suites and Owners Suites are the lowest tier of suite that include full suite benefits. They're usually a very large room that includes both a living space and bedroom. The bed is usually on one side, with the sitting area on the other side, with some kind of a divider between.

Grand and Owners suites qualify for Sky Class in the Royal Suite Class, and are otherwise full suites on the rest of the fleet. The concierge services, lounge access, and priority given to guests here are what draws many people to book these cabins.

If you plan ahead, you can sometimes book one of these suites at a reasonable price. Suites will always cost more, but many families find these types of suites affordable, especially when you factor in the extra service you get with them.

Families wanting to spread out

If you have kids and want separation from them, there's a few suites in the higher end that offer multiple bedrooms in one cabin.

Royal Caribbean has a few "family suites" that are designed to handle 5-6 guests, and often have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

On Oasis or Quantum Class ships, you'll find loft suites, which are a two-story cabin that have vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows.

There are different types of Loft Suites:

Oasis Class ships have Crown, Sky and Royal Loft Suites (in order from smallest to largest)
Quantum Class ships have Sky, Grand, Owner's and Royal Loft Suites (in order from smallest to largest)

Crown Loft Suites are eligible for Sky Tier perks, while Royal Loft, Owner's Loft, Grand Loft and Sky Loft suites receive upgraded Star Tier perks.

If money is no object, then you can book the Ultimate Family Suite.

Available on select Oasis or Quantum Class ships, these giant suites are designed for kids and their parents.

You'll find not only multiple bedrooms, but an in-suite slide, huge TV, suspended chair, LEGO wall, play area, and hot tub.

The photos don't do the room justice in terms of how much fun they packed into a single cabin, but the price tag may curb your enthusiasm. The price for one begins at $30,000 for a 7-night cruise and prices usually go much higher up from there.

Apartment style living

If you don't have kids in tow, but still want lots of space for you and maybe a friend or two, then there are some rather large suites to consider.

The Royal Suite is a standard offering on pretty much all ships. They feel more like an apartment than a cruise ship cabin, and are between 950 to almost 1,400 square feet in size.

Many even have a baby grand piano in the foyer, and usually have a hot tub on the balcony.

There are large bedrooms separated from the rest of the suite and enormous showers.

A Royal Suite is really great for someone that wants to spend a lot of time in their room and enjoy what the cabin offers. Many that book a Royal Suite prefer to have meals delivered to their cabin.

I'm on an Oasis Class ship and want an amazing balcony

If the idea of a giant balcony with amazing views is appealing to you, then you should consider an Aquatheater suite.

Aquatheater suites are their own type of experience because unlike other suites, the attraction here is the views you have of the Aquatheater below.

The cabin comes in either a one or two bedroom configuration (with the two bedroom qualifying for Star Class), but the real draw are the views.

The balcony wraps around the back half of the suite, which means you can have almost as much balcony space as you do living space inside. While at sea, you'll have views in almost every direction.

At night, you have the perfect seat for the Aquatheater performances below, without the hassle of getting a seat.

Is a Royal Caribbean suite worth it?

No matter how look at it, booking a suite is a splurge compared to lower categories of cruise ship cabins.

Similar to how first class on an airplane is a plusher experience than coach, staying in a suite provides lots of extras that very nice to have access to while onboard.

It's rare to find a suite priced so low that the investment will pay for itself, so if you're considering a suite, look at it as purely a way to get more from your vacation because you can afford it.

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, treating your family to something nice, or generally prefer the nicer things in life, a suite usually delivers on an upgraded experience.

There are three benefits that truly stand out for booking a suite:

Suite Lounge (and the complimentary beverages)
Services of the concierge
Priority embarkation/disembarkation

While there are many more benefits that you can take advantage of, these are the core perks that nearly everyone in a suite usually takes the most advantage of during their cruise.

Suites aren't cheap, but if you can afford one without putting a serious dent in your financial situation, it sure is a nice way to vacation.

Speaking of not cheap, so many people want to know if Star Class is worth the high price just so they can have a Royal Genie.

When you have a genie, you don't have to plan anything on your own. The genie can arrange for pretty much anything you want to do onboard and it's an incredibly liberating experience. From bypassing the line for the FlowRider or laser tag, to catered parties in your suite, to priority elevator access, you will rarely have to wait for anything.

Just as with other suites, the question comes down to what you can afford. You could easily take the money you'd pay for a Star Class cabin and use it to pay for two or three sailings in a balcony cabin. But like Rolex watches, sports cars, and first class on airplanes, sometimes you just want the best there is and are willing to pay for it.

There's a cabin for just about everyone on a Royal Caribbean ship, so it all comes down to what your vacation budget looks like and how much you value the many perks a suite comes with.

More cruise advice

5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean

In:

Suites

17 Jun 2022

While we love cruising in any type of cabin, there’s something magical about cruising in one of Royal Caribbean’s spacious and lavish cruise ship suites. The blend of extra living space, luxury, and service offers the best amenities and perks of any stateroom onboard.

From in-suite slides to wraparound balconies and private jacuzzis, here are the top 5 cruise ship suites we recommend when you’re looking to splurge on a cruise vacation.

Ultimate Family Suite

Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite is an oasis for kids of all ages. Designed to be the most kid-focused stateroom onboard, the Ultimate Family Suite is packed with bright colors and kid-friendly games and activities.

The Ultimate Family Suite is currently available on three ships: Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. While the suite on Symphony of the Seas is a bit smaller than on Spectrum and Wonder, each suite has a similar two-story layout and concept.

Inside the Ultimate Family Suite you can find an in-suite slide, private bedrooms for kids and adults, gaming area, family room, and dining table that converts into a tabletop game such as ping pong or air hockey. The spacious balcony features a private jacuzzi, in-suite kids step climbers, plenty of loungers, and a dining table.

The suite on Wonder of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas even has a set of “piano stairs” which guests can use to make music as they go up and down the stairs.

AquaTheater Suite

Available only on Oasis Class cruise ships is the AquaTheater suite, which overlooks not only the ocean, but the ship’s AquaTheater entertainment venue. Both 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom AquaTheater suites are available to book.

All AquaTheater suites have an extremely spacious balcony that wraps around the back of the ship. Due to the design of the ship’s aft, AquaTheater suites gradually get smaller the higher on the ship they are located.

One important distinction between the suites is that 1-bedroom AquaTheater suites are in Sky Class and 2-bedroom are in Star Class. This means that those in the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite have access to Star Class benefits such as a Royal Genie and complimentary specialty dining, while those in the 1-bedroom suite do not.

Royal Loft Suite

Any loft suite is impressive on a Royal Caribbean ship, but if you’re looking for the most spacious, open-air living space you can find, look no further than the Royal Loft Suite. The Royal Loft Suite is available on Quantum and Oasis Class ships, although the suite’s layout and features can differ from ship to ship.

These 2-story suites feature a spacious living area downstairs including a private bedroom, bathroom, and media space. Upstairs is the master bedroom, complete with a king-size bed and spacious private bathroom with a bathtub, shower, double vanity, and bidet.

Guests in a Royal Loft Suite will love the panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the suite’s two stories, offering expansive ocean views.

Royal Loft Suites have an extra spacious balcony, complete with a dining table, bar, lounge chairs, and private jacuzzi. Select Royal Loft Suites even have a grand piano with a self-play feature so you can enjoy piano tunes even if you don’t know how to play!

Panoramic Suite

While the idea of a suite may make you imagine an extra-large, wraparound balcony, there’s one impressive Royal Caribbean suite without a balcony at all: the Ultimate Panoramic Suite.

The Ultimate Panoramic Suite is a 914 square foot suite with 200 degree views of the ocean through panoramic, floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The suite has a separated living room and bedroom area as well as a large bathroom complete with a bathtub and luxury bathroom amenities.

The suite is included in Royal Caribbean’s Star Class, so even though there is no balcony, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of the best of Royal Caribbean’s suite experience.

Junior Suite

While not the biggest or most luxurious suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise, a junior suite can be one of the best staterooms to book if you’re hoping to get a (small) taste of the suite life onboard. This article, after all, is about the “best” cruise ship suites to book, not necessarily the most expensive.

Junior Suites, while technically classified as a suite, tend to have more in common with a balcony stateroom than a large, lavish suite. There may not be in-suite jacuzzis or self-playing grand pianos, but a junior suite does provide some extra perks compared to a regular balcony room.

In addition to a larger living area and balcony, junior suite guests receive a variety of benefits including double C&A Society points, luxury bathroom amenities, an in-suite Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine, and priority boarding. Those staying in a Junior Suite on Oasis or Quantum Class ships also have access to Coastal Kitchen, the suites-only restaurant, for dinner only.

The reason why we’ve included a Junior Suite in this list is because of its position as an entry-level way to experience what a Royal Caribbean suite experience can offer. A Junior Suite is far less expensive than booking, say, a Loft Suite, so it can be a nice way to “treat yourself” without breaking the bank.

My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

In:

Suites Royal Suite Class

31 Mar 2022

If you're staying in Royal Caribbean's top tier suites, you're going to want to know how to maximize the experience, including what your Royal Genie offers.

Royal Caribbean's top suite experience is known as Star Class, and it includes a crew member who is a blend of personal concierge and magic maker. Known as a Genie, this crew member works with just three cabins or so to manage every need onboard.

Having tried two different Royal Genies so far, my takeaway has been there is a learning curve to being able to fully utilize what Royal Caribbean packs into the experience. In fact, what's listed on paper as your benefits is really just a starting point. Depending on your genie and how vocal you are, the experience can vary significantly from person to person.

The cost of booking one of the cruise cabins that includes a Royal Genie is not cheap, with prices usually starting in the five figures. So with that kind of investment, getting your money's worth is something you probably want to investigate.

Here's my best advice for someone trying a Star Class suite for the first time, and get everything out of it you can.

It makes even basic activities easier

It's easy to start planning all the big ticket things your Star Class suite includes, but don't overlook the basics either.

Having a Royal Genie is all about making your life onboard easier, especially when it comes to lines.

Genies have the ability to cut the line for almost everything, including onboard activities.

Your genie can get you to the front of the line for laser tag, water slides, and pretty much any other onboard activity. This is especially helpful with kids, who often want to do all the fun things onboard.

Every Genie is different

If you read the description of the Royal Genie service from Royal Caribbean, it sounds like the Genie experience is going to be the same for anyone you get, but it's far from that.

Each Genie has their own style and approach to offering their services, and that means your experience can vary between different Genie's.

Star Class, by its very definition, is designed to be a personalized experience. While the overall "rules" are fairly consistent, the specific amenities do tend to vary by ship and even among Genies on the same ship.

I hesitate to ever say one Genie is better or worse than another. Instead, they are simply different, so if you've had a Genie in the past, your next Genie will likely do things slightly differently.

What this means is some Genie's are better about pre-cruise communication than others, while other Genies prefer to spend more time socializing with their guests than others.

Each Genie will help you with planning your days and nights with things like specialty dining reservations, entertainment seating, booking onshore excursions, and personal escorts onto and off of the ship, as needed. They're basically a walking and talking Guest Services that you can message anytime.

When you meet your Genie onboard, it's always a good idea to share what you're looking for during the sailing. Just keep in mind how each Genie goes about their duties will vary.

Ask for everything

One of the early mantras I learned from others that book Star Class often is to rely heavily on the Genie to provide everything.

As someone that is used to planning a lot before the cruise and not wanting to be a bother, this was a bit of an adjustment, but the real value of having a Genie is having them take care of your every need.

What this means is any food or drink you want should go through the Genie, rather than you getting it yourself. If you want to see a show, or reserve a seat somewhere, ask the Genie.

I even asked my Genie to reserve seats at the Mason Jar bar because it was busy. He investigated and got us reserved seats.

Of course I can do many of these things on my own, but paying for the Star Class experience gets you this service. So to best take advantage of what you're paying for is to not feel like a bother to the Genie by making requests.

Specialty dining galore

Another major benefit of booking Star Class is all the specialty dining is included with your cruise fare.

Just like the unlimited dining package, you can dine at any specialty restaurant and pay nothing extra for the experience.

Unlike the dining packages, your Genie can reserve tables for you before the cruise. He or she can also deliver any food from a specialty restaurant to your stateroom as long as the restaurant is open.

We usually feed our kids dinner before we drop them off at Adventure Ocean, so when we are in Star Class, my kids order steak from Chops Grille and pizza from Giovanni's Kitchen because it's included.

While Coastal Kitchen (the complimentary restaurant for suite guests) is included in your cruise fare as well, it seems to me the included specialty dining is far more lucrative to take advantage of for your dining plans.

Check-in is super easy

An underrated benefit of being Star Class is you'll never have such an easy check-in procedure at the cruise terminal.

Regardless of your check-in time with the Royal Caribbean app, your Genie will ask you what time you want to arrive.

When you get to the terminal, a designated porter just for Suite Guests will take your luggage and bring it directly onboard the ship immediately.

You then get to enter the cruise terminal and complete the check in process ahead of others. Your Genie meets you in the cruise terminal and takes you immediately up to your suite.

They say patience is a virtue, but it's not necessary with the Star Class.

Gratuities are crazy (depending who you ask)

How much to tip your Genie at the end of the cruise is a gray area, to say the least.

There's all sorts of ideas on what is appropriate and the amounts are all over the place.

In my experience, there is no right or wrong answer, as you have to consider all sorts of people book Star Class and there's no specific gratuity recommendation by Royal Caribbean.

The Genie will appreciate whatever gratuity you deem is appropriate at the conclusion of the sailing, but for anyone trying Star Class for the first time, you will quickly discover tipping is the wild west for Genies.

Depending on my experience onboard, I pick an amount and multiply it by the amount of people I'm travelling with and go from there.

Your cabin is your castle

Another mantra of the Star Class experience is to spend more time than ever in your cabin.

Because your Genie can deliver all the food and drinks you want to the cabin, plan on spending more time enjoying the lavish accommodations you have booked.

Star Class cabins are large, and offer a ton of living space coupled with beautiful views, so enjoy them as much as you can.

You can have not only food delivered, but cocktails too. Heck, some Genies have arrange in-suite parties with bar cart, ice cream socials, and more.

Going back to one of the lessons I talked about earlier, ask for everything and whenever possible, have it delivered to your cabin.

Free laundry

Another underrated perk is you can enjoy all the laundry you want for no cost.

Instead of coming home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry, send it out to be laundered.

My advice is send it out daily, rather than a huge bag at the end of the cruise. It's easier to manage because you have to fill out the laundry form each time.

Is Star Class worth the cost?

I bet even if you read every part of this article, the one question you still have is if Star Class is worth paying significantly more to get.

The Star Class experience is a splurge of epic proportions, so this is not a question of can you do enough to "break even". Just like first class on an airplane, or buying a Corvette, you're doing these things because you can and it's nice to reward yourself sometimes.

Each time I've stayed in Star Class I come to the same conclusion: it was a wonderful way to spend my cruise, and it spoiled us. I think that's exactly what Royal Caribbean wants guests to feel like after they try Star Class.

Obviously not everyone will be able to afford Star Class, and that's okay. You can have an amazing cruise experience without a Royal Genie and filet mignon delivered to your cabin.

If you do elect to try Star Class, do as much as you can to maximize your cost by utilizing all the services and perks of Star Class.

What is the most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean?

In:

Suites

09 Feb 2022

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship is home to many impressive suites, but which one is the most expensive?

While there are spacious multi-room suites and even Aquatheater suites offering stellar views of the ship’s aft, the most expensive suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the Ultimate Family Suite.

Designed to be a hub of activity and fun for families, the Ultimate Family Suite first premiered on Symphony of the Seas in 2018. As of 2022, the suite is currently on three Royal Caribbean ships: Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

Each Ultimate Family Suite offers a kid-centric design, colorful decor, and unique features not found on any other stateroom or suite onboard. While each suite has a similar concept, though, they differ in layout and offerings.

To see what makes the Ultimate Family Suite the most expensive in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, let’s take a closer look at these one-of-a-kind cabins.

Symphony of the Seas Ultimate Family Suite

The Symphony of the Seas Ultimate Family Suite is the one most known to cruise fans in North America and Europe. This suite can accommodate up to eight guests and is 1,134 square feet with a 212 square foot balcony.

The first thing you notice when you walk into the Ultimate Family Suite is color. Neon orange, red, blue, and yellow cover the walls, furniture, and decor.

The Ultimate Family Suite is two stories. The downstairs area features a dining room area fitted with an air-hockey table, a living room with a couch, chairs, and large television, and a bathroom.

Kids will not be bored hanging out downstairs, either, as the suite features a game room corner with a TV, video game consoles, and lounge chairs. There is also a mini bar in the game room so your favorite beverages and snacks are never too far away.

Extra kid-friendly features are incorporated throughout the downstairs, too. Underneath the stairs are small nooks where kids can relax, read a book, or play with electronics. The dining room wall is also a chalkboard and the game room features a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall.

There are comfy seating areas throughout the suite as well, with plenty of bean bags and a multicolor hanging chair.

In the upstairs area of the Ultimate Family Suite are two bedrooms, each with their own onsite bathroom. The master bedroom features a king-sized bed, television that drops down from the ceiling, a desk and vanity area, and full-sized closet. The master bathroom features an extra-large rainforest shower with two shower heads.

Since this is a suite, there are upgraded amenities available throughout the bedrooms and bathrooms including bedding and toiletry products.

Next door to the master bedroom is the kids bedroom, which can be accessed via a regular door or through a small porthole designed for kids to crawl through.

The kids bedroom can sleep four and has three murphy beds and a pull-out sofa bed. Like the rest of the suite, colorful decor dots the bedroom and bathroom.

One of the premiere features of the Ultimate Family Suite is the slide. Starting from the kids bedroom and ending in the living room downstairs, it’s sure to be popular with kids staying in the suite.

Complete with a hot tub, outdoor table that doubles as a ping pong table, and colorful step climbers, the balcony is another spacious area of the Ultimate Family Suite. The suite does not have a full ocean view, but instead overlooks the sports area and boardwalk neighborhood on Symphony of the Seas.

Spectrum of the Seas Ultimate Family Suite

There’s no doubt that the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas is impressive, but the suite on Spectrum of the Seas goes a step further.

At over double the size, the Ultimate Family Suite on Spectrum of the Seas is 2,766 square feet with a 212 square foot balcony. And while the suite on Spectrum has a similar concept to the suite on Symphony, there are quite a few differences.

The suite is still geared towards families, but there is noticeably less neon color throughout the suite. Instead, it has a more muted color palette.

There is also much more downstairs space on Spectrum’s Ultimate Family Suite. As the suite can accommodate up to eleven guests, there are two master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms downstairs. The master bedrooms are more spacious than those on Symphony of the Seas and come with balcony access.

The balcony on Spectrum of the Seas does not feature the step climbers found on Symphony, but has a large jacuzzi and comfortable seating.

Just like on Symphony of the Seas, The Ultimate Family Suite features a kid-friendly living room with an air hockey table, couch and television area, dining room, and separated game room.

A unique aspect of the Ultimate Family Suite on Spectrum of the Seas are the steps leading upstairs. Designed like a piano, each step is a “key” that plays a note as you go up or down.

Upstairs you will find two bunk beds, a crib area for babies, and a third master bedroom.

The bathroom attached to the upstairs master bedroom is perhaps the most impressive in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. More like a spa than a bathroom, it features a standalone tub, spacious vanity, and a rainforest shower room.

The windows are made from a switchable glass to allow for privacy when in port or views of the ocean when sailing. To top it off, the bathroom jets off the side of the ship.

Just like on Symphony of the Seas, there is a porthole connecting the kids room to the master bedroom and a colorful slide heading back downstairs.

The Ultimate Family Suite on Spectrum of the Seas is on the side of the ship and features ocean views.

Wonder of the Seas Ultimate Family Suite

Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship also has an Ultimate Family Suite. As of February 2022, though, little is known about the suite on Wonder of the Seas.

Captain Kate of Celebrity Cruises posted a Tik Tok compilation from the construction of Wonder of the Seas. Near the end of the video there are two short clips of the Ultimate Family Suite. From first glance, it appears to have a similar design to the suite on Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean’s website states that the Ultimate Family Suite on Wonder of the Seas has two king beds, four twin sized bunk beds, and a double pull out sofa bed. The suite can accommodate up to nine guests.

The deck plan for the Ultimate Family Suite shows it to be on Deck 18. It lists the square footage at 1,134 for the room and 212 for the balcony.

The location of the suite is different on Wonder of the Seas compared to Symphony of the Seas, too. Whereas on Symphony the suite overlooks the sport area, the Ultimate Family Suite on Wonder faces the forward and starboard sides of the ship.

Therefore, the view from the Ultimate Family Suite on Wonder of the Seas should be that of the ocean, pool deck, and the Central Park neighborhood below.

What does the Ultimate Family Suite cost?

While the price of the Ultimate Family Suite can vary significantly based on the time of year and ship you choose, it will always come with a hefty price tag.

As an example, I priced out a few separate sailings to see just how much the Ultimate Family Suite can cost:

7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise on Symphony of the Seas: $33,366
7-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Symphony of the Seas: $25,492
5-night Nagasaki and Fukuoka cruise on Spectrum of the Seas: $38,681
9-night Thailand & Vietnam cruise on Spectrum of the Seas: $82,949

The cost of the Ultimate Family Suite does not appear to increase significantly with the number of guests. The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise is listed as $25,492 for two guests and $28,570 for four guests.

Is the Ultimate Family Suite worth it?

Ultimately, deciding whether a suite is worth it or not depends on what you value in a vacation, your families’ specific needs, and, of course, your budget.

Some guests may opt to book a smaller suite or a balcony room and instead use the money they saved to book beverage and dining packages, spa treatments, and shore excursions.

Others may value the exclusivity of a suite and decide that the extra comfort, space, and amenities are worth the extra cost.

It’s important to note that the benefits of staying in the Ultimate Family Suite suite don’t just stop at the suite’s features and amenities, though.

Guests staying in the Ultimate Family Suite are part of Star Class, the highest tier of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite class, which comes with exclusive benefits.

Star Class guests will receive full access to Coastal Kitchen, complimentary specialty restaurants, complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package, complimentary gratuities, complimentary VOOM internet, expedited boarding and departure, reserved seating at entertainment venues, and Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck access, among others.

Perhaps the best benefit of staying in Star Class, though, is the Royal Genie. Each Star Class Suite has its own Royal Genie. A Royal Genie acts as a personalized concierge onboard who can take care of special requests, arrange and manage reservations, and plan special events and celebrations.

The exact list of services a Royal Genie can provide vary based on your specific needs. For example, the genie may bring an ice cream bar to your suite for kids, deliver Starbucks to your room at the same time each morning, bring specialty dining to your suite, etc.

Prior to your cruise, you will receive a questionnaire so your Royal Genie can get to know you and your party better before you board the ship.

Is the Ultimate Family Suite more expensive than other staterooms and suites onboard? Yes, but the features, design, and concept of the Ultimate Family Suite is unlike any other cabin offered on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Staying in the Ultimate Family Suite is sure to be an unforgettable experience for both kids and adults alike.

A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class

In:

Royal Suite Class Suites

16 Nov 2021

For those that want the ultimate in luxury, Royal Caribbean offers Star Class.

When booking a cruise, one of the first decisions to make is what kind of room to sail in. There are so many options within Star Class you may not know where to begin.

Hopefully these tips will help you make the planning go more smoothly.

What is Star Class?

Star Class is available on Oasis and Quantum class ships. They are the largest of the suites. Some of the perks for staying in a Star Class room include:

Priority boarding
Complimentary VOOM wifi
Complimentary specialty restaurants
Complimentary deluxe drink packages
Access to the suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen for all meals
Complimentary laundry services
Standard gratuities (additional gratuities, for the Genie for example, are at your discretion)

And the best part, you get the services of the Royal Genie!

Choosing your room

My husband and I are frequent cruisers but had never stayed in Star Class. We decided it would be perfect for us to try out for our 15th anniversary.

Choosing a room was probably the hardest part for us. Upon starting our research, we quickly realized most of the suites were designed for larger parties. For example, the two bedroom Aqua Theater Suite is a Star Class option, as well as the Ultimate Family Suites.

We ended up picking the Owner's Panoramic Suite that is only available on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. It has one bedroom which was perfect for two people.

As a bonus, it also has a hot tub on the balcony, which is something I’ve always wanted to try.

Pre-cruise communication

Approximately six weeks prior to sailing, you will receive your Star Class pre-cruise questionnaire. The questions are a way to help your Genie get to know you better.

It asks a lot about your cruising preferences and also has some fun questions.

One that stuck out to me was, “if you could have dinner with any person living, or in history, which three would you choose?” Our answers were Princess Diana, Walt Disney and Agatha Christie.

Again, it’s a way for them to gauge your personality and personal interests.

A month before sailing, we received our first e-mail from our Royal Genie. He introduced himself to us and asked more specific questions regarding our cruise such as, were we travelling with anyone in a different cabin, what our preferred restaurants and dining times were and what shows we were interested in.

As we sent messages back and forth, we were able to come up with a tentative schedule for our sailing.

Embarkation day

When you arrive at the terminal, you will see an area specifically for Star Class check in. Make sure you keep all of your luggage with you, and not drop it off with the porters as you normally would.

Once the agent checks you in, you will receive a ship porter that will whisk away your luggage and deliver it to you room shortly after you board.

After checking in at the terminal, your Royal Genie will meet you to escort you on to the ship. They will take you straight to your suite and give you a printout of the plan you made together. Remember, it’s not written in stone so you can change your mind at any time.

We had pre-arranged for lunch from Sabor to be set up in our suite. Beef empanadas, chicken and steak quesadillas, chips with guacamole and even our favorite specialty margaritas were waiting for us.

We also met up with our loft attendant, which is a fancy name for room steward, that showed us how to use all of the controls in the room and asked if we had any special requests.

One special request we had was to have the hot tub set up every evening after dinner. We also advised her of our normal routine so she would know when the best time was to service the room.

The Royal Genie

During our research, the biggest mystery for us was the Royal Genie. We did many searches online asking “what do they do?”

We never truly felt we received a good answer to that and now I know why. The Genie’s services are specific to you and your wishes.

Of course you can expect them to make all of your dining reservations and get you the best seats in the house to every show, but they also surprise you in ways that make you feel special.

I’m not sure how every Genie does it, but for us, we were kept in constant communication with ours via WhatsApp.

We downloaded it on our phone and could message him any time. We hardly needed it though, he always seemed to know where we were and would check in with us at breakfast, dinner and even hanging out in the suite lounge, just to see if we were ok and needed anything.

We loved coming in to our room on our anniversary and finding it decorated with cards, balloons, banners, fresh flowers, a cake with our names on it and a beautiful Willow Tree figurine.

A few days later, Halloween decorations were added to the room. I have no idea how he knew that was my favorite holiday, I guess it’s just part of the Genie magic.

On debarkation day, you will arrange a time to be escorted, with all of your luggage, off of the ship.

Is Star Class worth it?

As with everything, that is based on each individual.

We were lucky enough to get an amazing deal on our room since we booked it during the pandemic. In fact, looking at pricing for next year, our room is selling for three times what we paid.

For a lot of people that cruise in Star Class regularly, it’s more about the personal experience than the cost, especially if you’re sailing in a group. It’s nice to have someone there to make all of your arrangements.

We loved the experience and hope to do it again in the future.

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