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 are two echelons of the suite program: the Royal Suite Class on Oasis Class, Quantum Class, and Icon 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 is that they are only available with non-refundable deposits. This means if you were to change your mind later and cancel a reservation before the final payment date, you'd lose your entire deposit.

Royal Suite Class

Royal Caribbean wanted to enhance the suite program on its newer ships, so they created a top-level experience, especially compared to land-based suite offerings.

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

At the top is the Star Class, which not only encompasses the largest cabins onboard, but also includes all the benefits of the other suites, plus 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.

Read more: A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class

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

Read more: What is the most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean?

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. Plus, it's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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

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

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

Suites on the rest of the fleet

If you book a suite that isn't on an Oasis Class, Quantum Class, or Icon 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 sort of suite perks you'll get during your stay.

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

Read more: How to maximize the value of a cruise ship suite

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 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 several functions including (but not limited to):

• Specialty restaurant reservations
• Solving billing problems
• Book shore excursions
• Priority disembarkation

Read more: What is the difference between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?

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.

Icon of the Seas' Suite Neighborhood

Onboard Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, you'll find a Suite Neighborhood that trumps all others in the fleet. 

From The Grove Suite Sun Deck to the cruise line's first-ever two-story Coastal Kitchen restaurant, you might find it difficult to venture into other neighborhoods onboard! 

The Grove overlooks the vibrant pool deck below, including Swim & Tonic, Royal Caribbean's first swim-up bar at sea. Plus, it's also home to a second suite-only dining option, The Grove, that features Mediterranean cuisine and al fresco seating. 

Coastal Kitchen is the elegant suite-only dining room that's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has views straight into the enclosed AquaTheater. 

Note that these amenities are only available to those who book Sky and Star Class rooms. Those staying in standard Junior or Sunset Junior Suites cannot access The Grove, and Coastal Kitchen is only available to them for dinner, subject to availability.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

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 suites 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. Most of the time, there's 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 treatment given to guests here are what draw 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 are a few suites on 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, Quantum, and Icon Class ships, you'll find loft suites, which are two-story cabins 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)
• Icon Class ships have Icon 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, Icon Loft, and Sky Loft suites receive upgraded Star Tier perks.

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

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

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

Onboard Icon Class ships, the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse has a "backyard" that opens right up to the family-focused Surfside Neighborhood. 

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 the Ultimate Family Suite begins at $30,000 for a 7-night cruise and prices usually go much higher from there. 

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is much more expensive, averaging around $80,000 for one week. 

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 who wants to spend a lot of time in their room and enjoy what the cabin offers. Many who book a Royal Suite prefer to have meals delivered to their cabin.

I'm on an Oasis Class ship and want an amazing balcony, what suite should I book?

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 is 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 are 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 an upgraded experience.

Three benefits 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.

Read more: Is a suite on Royal Caribbean worth it?

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 and 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

• What is the best room on a cruise ship?
• Picking a Cruise Line and Ship
• Avoid these mistakes when picking a cruise ship cabin
• 25 best Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets
• 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)
• 15 really cool things to do that you can only find on Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• Ultimate Cruise Packing List

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.

Read more: What is the difference between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?

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. 

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 Townhouse. 

Designed to be a hub of activity and fun for families, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is a redesigned version of the Ultimate Family Suite that first premiered on Symphony of the Seas in 2018. 

As of 2024, the Ultimate Family Townhouse can only be found onboard Icon of the Seas; however, it'll be available on Star of the Seas when the second Icon Class ship launches in August 2025. While little is known about the third Icon Class ship, it can be assumed it will be present when it debuts in 2026, too. 

The one-of-a-kind suite offers a kid-centric design, colorful decor, and unique features not found in any other stateroom or suite onboard. 

To see what makes the Ultimate Family Townhouse the most expensive in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, let’s take a closer look at what's offered. 

Icon of the Seas' Ultimate Family Townhouse

Icon of the Seas stole the title of the world's largest cruise ship from Wonder of the Seas. This is the first time that an Oasis Class ship hasn't held that title since Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009.

Onboard this mega-ship, you'll find many cruise line firsts, including the record-breaking Category 6 water park, walk-up Izumi window in Central Park, a swim-up bar, and more. 

One of the most impressive additions, however, is the Ultimate Family Townhouse. At 1,772 square feet, not only is it one of the largest suites in the fleet, but it's also the most expensive. 

This massive suite can accommodate up to eight guests and has everything that a kid could ever need or want! 

From an in-suite slide to colorful decor, movie-viewing room, and "backyard" with access to the family-centered Surfside Neighborhood, this suite is sure to be a hit for those willing to splurge.  

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is three stories that span Decks 7, 8, and 9. The entrance is located on Deck 8. 

In the dining area, there's an interactive game table, while the movie room features a large television, popcorn and karaoke machines, and even a monster-themed daybed. 

Parents will enjoy the master bedroom, which has a king-sized bed, private balcony, large flat-screen TV, and ensuite bathroom outfitted with a twin vanity and double shower. 

Of course, no family-centered suite is complete with a bedroom designed just for children! Featuring bunk beds and a whopping four televisions, parents will have trouble making sure that their kids are getting enough sleep. It can sleep up to four thanks to the pullman and convertible sofa beds.  

The second bathroom is just as fun as the rest of the suite, with an elevated sink, mirror with LED lights, and funky shower tiles. 

There's also a dual shower tub, so there won't be any worries about bathing even the youngest of cruisers. 

Since this is a suite, everyone — both kids and adults alike — will enjoy the premium amenities, including toiletry products and luxurious bedding. 

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

Complete with a hot tub and plush outdoor seating, the balcony is another spacious area of the Ultimate Family Townhouse that offers impressive ocean views. 

This is different from the sister Ultimate Family Suite onboard Symphony and Wonder of the Seas, as neither suite offers uninterrupted ocean views since they overlook the sports area and Boardwalk Neighborhood. 

What does the Ultimate Family Townhouse cost?

Regardless of when you cruise onboard Icon of the Seas, the Ultimate Family Townhouse will always come with a hefty price tag. Despite that, it's already sold out for the entirety of 2024!

Looking into 2025, here are some prices of the Ultimate Family Townhouse for a family of four. Note that these prices are subject to change at any time. 

• 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise departing on June 28, 2025: $118,669
• 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise departing on October 18, 2025: $82,305

Here's a look at how much the Ultimate Family Suite will cost onboard Star of the Seas during her inaugural season:

• 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise departing on November 9, 2025: $81,157
• 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise departing on March 8, 2026: $75,691

Is the Ultimate Family Townhouse worth it?

Ultimately, deciding whether a suite is worth it or not depends on what you value in a vacation, your family’s 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 Townhouse don’t just stop at the suite’s features and amenities, though.

Guests staying in the Ultimate Family Townhouse 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, beverage packages, gratuities, and VOOM internet, as well as 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 varies 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 Townhouse more expensive than other staterooms and suites onboard? Yes, but the features, design, and concept of the suite are unlike any other cabin offered on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Staying in the Ultimate Family Townhouse is sure to be an unforgettable experience for both kids and adults alike.

For those who 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, as well as the new Icon of the Seas.

• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas

Star Class suites are the largest of the suites. Some of the perks of staying in a Star Class cabin include:

• Priority boarding
• Complimentary VOOM wifi
• Complimentary specialty restaurants
• Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package
• 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)

The full list of benefits can be found here.

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 had 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 Royal 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 whether we were traveling 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 your room shortly after you board.

After checking in at the terminal, your Royal Genie will meet you to escort you onto 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 cabin steward, who 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 at 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 into 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 who 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.

If you are lucky enough to book a suite on Royal Caribbean, a variety of perks and amenities are waiting for you, but which will you get exactly?

Royal Caribbean's suite program has changed a bit over the years and if it is your first time staying in a suite, you might be wondering what extras you are entitled to.

At the heart of any suite experience is who will be there to assist, so here is a breakdown of the suite concierge and a Royal Genie.

What is concierge service on Royal Caribbean?

Except for Junior Suites, every suite on every ship is entitled to concierge service onboard.

Think of the concierge as an exclusive service available to suite guests that is an enhanced form of guest services without the lines.

The concierge onboard is located in the Concierge or Suite Lounge, and has regular office hours where you can stop by or call to get a variety of issues taken care of, including assistance with:

• Billing discrepancies
• Booking shore excursions
• Dining reservations
• Priority disembarkation

In addition, the Suite Lounge/Concierge Club offers hors d’oeuvres and cocktails each evening for suite guests.

Read more: 10 Surprising things you didn't know the Royal Caribbean concierge can do for you

What is a Royal Genie?

Guest that book the most expensive and expansive suites on Oasis or Quantum Class cruise ships are able to take advantage of a more personalized service from their Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie is available to guests booked in Star Class rooms only, and their services are shared between just a few staterooms.

Each Genie can do everything the suite concierge can do, while also visiting with the family in their room, and around the ship.

Read more: What is Star Class?

How is the Royal Genie different from suite concierge?

The biggest difference is the Royal Genie can do everything the suite concierge can do, and much more.

Your Genie can set up in-suite parties, arrange for specialty restaurant meals to be delivered to your room, and even be your personal shopper onboard.

Moreover, the Genie spends time every day with your family.  They can walk around with you, instead of being at a desk.  This means you can be escorted into events, and past lines.

Before the cruise, your Royal Genie will email you and introduce him or herself and get to know you a bit better so that they are ready for your needs once you get onboard.

Of course, getting access to a Royal Genie means booking Star Class and that is not cheap at all. It is not unusual for Star Class rooms to cost more than $10,000.

Suite Concierge is available to all categories of full suites, beginning with Grand Suite staterooms. So the cost to get access to the concierge is significantly less.

Booking a suite on a cruise ship means enjoying some of the most lavish and expansive cabins available onboard.

All of that luxury comes at an expensive price, but just because you are paying more does not mean you cannot get a lot of value back from the room.

While suites are definitely a splurge, there are some easy ways to maximize the value you get from staying in a suite on a cruise ship.

Look for an email before your cruise

About a week before your cruise sets sail, the suite concierge should send you an email to welcome you onboard and give you an overview of what to expect once you board the ship.

This email is not only a great way to know your suite concierge's name, hours and where to find him/her, but it also gives a good overview of the amenities available to suite guests onboard.

This email is also your first opportunity to book certain suite-only offerings, such as cabanas or reservations at special events.

In addition, you can email the concierge with any special requests.

Use the suites-only check-in

When you get to the cruise terminal on the first day of your cruise, look for a special check-in area just for suite guests.

Even if you have elevated status in Crown and Anchor Society, the suite entrance has shorter lines and a special waiting area that ensures you will be among the first guests to board the ship.

If you happen to overlook the suites check-in area, one of the cruise terminal employees should redirect you back to the suites line, but save yourself time and keep an eye out for it.

Spend time in the Suite Lounge

The focal point of the suite experience is the Suite Lounge (also known as the Concierge Lounge on some ships).

This special area allows suite guests not only a restricted access space just for suite guests, but it also provides complimentary snacks and hors d'oeuvres throughout the day.

In the evening, there is complimentary alcoholic beverages served, which adds a great deal of value to being in a suite. The exact hours will vary, but it is usually for 3-4 hours per evening, and it is unlimited drinks while in the lounge.

Many suite guests also enjoy the lounge as an opportunity to meet other guests and talk about cruising, their experiences that day, and otherwise chit-chatting. Frequent suite guests look forward to the social aspect of being in the suite lounge and enjoying meeting others.

Take advantage of the concierge

The suite concierge is more than just a glorified guest services option.  The concierge is there to save you time and make your cruise experience easier.

It is a good idea to meet the concierge at some point on the first day of the cruise. Some guests stop by the suite lounge in the afternoon of the first day, and a lot more will visit the lounge on the first evening when the complimentary beverages are available.

The concierge can handle everything the front desk of the ship can do, such as billing issues, re-issuing SeaPass cards and more.  

The true value of the concierge is they are your go-to problem solver. Need to make a dining reservation? Not sure what to do in a port? Having an issue with your stateroom? The concierge knows exactly how to rectify these issues quickly.

In short, get to know the concierge early and do not hesitate to reach out them with questions or concerns.

Enjoy reserved seating at shows

Suite guests are able to take advantage of reserved seating at the major shows during your cruise.

You can speak to the concierge about the exact location, but performances in the Royal Theater, Two70, Studio B and AquaTheater have a special area for suite guests to go and enjoy the show.

These seats are on a first-come, first-taken basis, so be sure to get to the show on time.  In addition, if no suite guests claim the seats by a certain time, they can be opened up to other guests.

You should be aware that while these reserved seats exist, they may not be exactly where you want to sit. It is a good idea to investigate where the seats are, and determine if you are better off finding your own seats elsewhere.

Go to the private beach in Labadee

At Royal Caribbean's private destination, Labadee, there is a special beach area just for suite guests known as Barefoot Beach Club.

This beach is reserved only for suite guests, and provides an exclusive area just for suite guests, complete with a lunch buffet area just for them.

In addition to the complimentary beach for suite guests, there are cabanas available to rent. These cabanas can be reserved via the suite concierge.

If you want a cabana, be sure to act fast as they sell out quickly. Your best bet is to reply to your suite concierge's email before the cruise to reserve one.

Complimentary tours

On most sailings, suite guests will be invited by the concierge to enjoy a complimentary backstage tour.

These tours will vary, but can be tours of the ship's bridge, galley or theater.

Invitations will be sent in a card, so keep an eye out for it.  If you do not see it, there is no harm in politely asking the concierge if there are any tours available for suite guests.

Escorted disembarkation

Perhaps my favorite perk of being in a suite is the escorted disembarkation process, which means no waiting in a line to get off the ship.

On the final morning of your cruise, the suite concierge will have select times where he/she will walk you off the ship and bypass nearly all the lines.

This has the potential to save a lot of time, as lines to disembark the ship can easily back up quite a bit.

Royal Suite Class

If you happen to be in a suite on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship, then the suite benefits get taken to a different level with the Royal Suite Class.

The Royal Suite Class represents the very best suite benefits across the fleet, and if you want to get the most out of your suite experience, you would be best served to try one on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship. Guests staying in the Royal Suite Class are entitled to certain benefits not available on other classes of ships.

Most notably, Sky Class guests get complimentary WiFi for every person in their room (even kids), and Star Class guests have access to a Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie is part concierge, part butler, and part wish maker. If you book a Star Class room, plan nothing in advance and let your Royal Genie take care of all the details. They can hook you up with pretty much everything you would need onboard the ship.

Staying in a suite while on a Royal Caribbean cruise is a real treat, and the Concierge staff is always looking to enhance your stay as much as possible.

Cruising in a suite is more than just being in an extra large and opulent room.  It is about being treated like royalty, with enhanced service.

Here is a list of ten things you might not have known that the suite concierge can do for you!

Skip the Guest Services line

The suite concierge is your express line to getting things sorted out, and a faster alternative than Guest Services.

Whether you need a copy of your bill, SeaPass cards reissued, billing discrepancies addressed, or pretty much everything Guest Services can do, the concierge can handle it for you.

Book specialty dining

If you are in the mood for steak, hibachi, or lasagna, you could try calling the restaurants directly, or simply let the concierge handle it for you.

The concierge can not only save you a step, but they can often take care of things quicker. Moreover, I have witnessed on multiple occasions the concierge "sweet talking" a restaurant manager into squeezing in one more reservation.

Of course, the concierge can also take care of your My Time Dining reservations.

Reserve a cabana

If your Royal Caribbean cruise visits Labadee, the concierge is your primary means of reserving a cabana.

About a week before your cruise, the concierge will email you a welcome letter with a list of services and expectations. Among them is the opportunity to book a cabana at Barefoot Beach, the exclusive beach area for suite guests in Labadee.

My advice is to email back a cabana request as soon as possible. Cabanas are limited, and they sell out quickly.

Escort you off the ship in any port

Lines? Yea right!

The concierge is there to escort you off the ship at any port you visit. This helps reduce the wait time during busy disembarkation, and is extremely helpful in ports where you tender.

Pre-book specialty restaurants if you have a dining package

I mentioned earlier that the suite concierge can reserve specialty dining, but one of my favorite "hacks" is to have the concierge reserve specialty dining if you have purchased a dining package.

Ordinarily, the dining package requires you to wait to make reservations once you get onboard the ship.  If you are in a suite, you can email the concierge after they contact you and start placing reservations early.

Not only is this a step-up, but it will save you time once you get onboard from having to deal with making reservations.

Make show reservations

The first class entertainment on Royal Caribbean is always a must-see for my family, and the concierge can hook you up with seating to ensure you can see it all.

Depending on the ship, there is usually reserved seating for suite guests in the theater, so speak to the concierge about getting in on specific show times.

Genie service

It is hard to talk about suite service without mentioning the ultimate suite concierge service: The Royal Genies.

Available to the top suites on Oasis and Quantum Class ships, Royal Genies are a blend of suite concierge, butler service, and fairy dust.

I could write an entire article just about what the Royal Genies can provide, but if you happen to book one of the suites that has access to them, you should know there is little they cannot deliver.

Genies can arrange to have specialty restaurant food delivered to your stateroom, set up a private party on your suite balcony, and even take you on shopping tours onboard.

Escort you off the ship on the last day

Perhaps my favorite service the concierge can provide is a quick exit off the ship once the cruise is over.

I am never in any hurry for my vacation to end, but waiting in lines to disembark is the pits.  Suite guests have the opportunity to be escorted off the ship and bypass much, if not all, of the line. 

For families, I love this option because kids are anything but patient when it comes to lines, and since we all wake up early on that last morning, this service is incredibly helpful.

Allow you to check-in for flights home & print documents

If you do not have a Royal Caribbean Voom internet package, the concierge can assist in checking in for flights home, as well as print important documents.

This is a helpful service, especially if you have a third-party shore excursion and need to print tickets, or if you want to have a paper boarding pass for your flight home.

Offer behind-the-scenes tours

On select sailings, the suite concierge will offer suite guests a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour.

Usually, guests have the choice of a tour of the bridge, galley, or theater.  

Not only are these tours informational and fun, they are complimentary!

Perhaps no stateroom category is as enticing to book as a suite, but is all that space and service worth the bigger price tag?

Suites are all about splurging, and I have a look at what you get in a suite, and what to consider if this sounds like a great option for your family.

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: Do you think a suite is worth the extra cost?

Debuting on Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is giving us a look at a brand new type of suite stateroom -- the Ultimate Panoramic Suite.

One of the changes coming to Oasis of the Seas as part of her Royal Amplification is the addition of the Ultimate Panoramic Suite, which offers 914 square feet of space and sweeping 200 degree views from wall to wall and floor to ceiling glass windows.

This new room type also offers a walk-in closet, and upgraded bathroom with panoramic views of its own.

The Ultimate Panoramic Suite can accommodate up to 4 guests.  They will be on either side of the ship on deck 14 forward. The room numbers are 14128 and 14528.

Since this room is a Star Class suite in the Royal Suite Class, guests can expect a number of benefits including:

• Royal Genie
• Exclusive Complimentary Dining
• Complimentary Ultimate Beverage Package
• All Day Access to Suites-Only Coastal Kitchen
• Still and Sparkling Water Replenished Daily
• Complimentary Coca-Cola Beverages and Water
• Nespresso Coffee Maker
• Access to Exclusive Activities such as the Bridge, Galley and Back Stage Tours
• Spa Bathrobes for Use Onboard
• Complimentary In-Suite Movies
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities by L’Occitane
• Duxiana Mattress and Frette Linens

Guests sailing on Symphony of the Seas this week noticed a new option to allow select guests faster boarding back onboard their Royal Caribbean ship.

Known as Fast Track, the program is available in the ports of call the ship visits and allows for expedited boarding for guests who are in any of these groups:

• Star and Sky Class Guests
• Pinnacle Members in Crown and Anchor Society
• The Key guests
• Assistance Needs
• Families with infant strollers

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Lovetocruise2002 spotted this on the current Symphony of the Seas sailing.

Fast Track was advertised in the Concierge Lounge on Symphony of the Seas, as well as on the front page of the Cruise Compass.