I simply tried considered one of Royal Caribbean’s most unique and costly suites. Regardless of the wonderful perks, I’d ebook an inside cabin subsequent time.
On my most up-to-date cruise—a 3-night getaway on the brand-new Utopia of the Seas—I booked a Star Class suite for the primary time. Star Class is the best tier of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite Class, which encompasses the biggest, most lavish suites within the cruise line’s fleet.
These cabins can value upwards of $30,000 for a 7-night cruise, with the largest suites usually priced over $50,000.
As somebody who usually books cheaper cabins on cruise ships, like inside rooms, I by no means thought of reserving a Star Class suite. Positive, there’s nothing fancy about cruising in a darkish, windowless cabin, however with a lot to do on Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships, I hardly ever spend a lot time in my cabin anyway.
Associated: We stayed in each sort of cabin on Royal Caribbean—this is how they in contrast
Because of the worth, I had a tough time justifying cruising in a Star Class suite. But when a good friend’s change of plans left them with an empty bed room in considered one of these suites, I jumped on the last-minute invitation to hitch the cruise.
After a weekend making an attempt Star Class, although, I believe I might have had simply as a lot enjoyable in my ordinary inside cabin.
I cruised in a 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite, which value over $11,000 for the weekend cruise
For the weekend, I stayed in a 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite on Utopia of the Seas. The whole value was $11,388, or almost $3,800 per passenger together with gratuities. Whereas often among the many most cost-effective Star Class cabins to ebook, the suite nonetheless got here with a hefty price ticket.
Associated: Have a look inside my $11,000 suite on Utopia of the Seas
It was, nonetheless, in contrast to any cabin I’ve booked earlier than. Inside have been two bedrooms, two bogs, a spacious front room, and a wraparound balcony with panoramic ocean views.
The cabin got here stocked with complimentary drinks, from seltzers to sodas, and a number of finger meals have been delivered to the room every day.
If the suite’s facilities have been any indication of what my total Star Class expertise can be like, I now had excessive expectations.
My suite got here with a private concierge, my very own “magic maker” onboard the ship
All Star Class suites on Royal Caribbean include a Royal Genie, the cruise line’s “magic maker” for suite friends. Whereas there aren’t any strict tips as to what the Royal Genie can and can’t do for Star Class friends, their objective, in a nutshell, is to make the cruise expertise as seamless as attainable.
I first met my Royal Genie, Carlos, on the cruise terminal, after which he promptly escorted me onboard Utopia of the Seas and to my opulent suite. As soon as there, we confirmed my weekend schedule. He had already organized leisure and eating reservations.
Associated: My recommendation for somebody utilizing a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise
After simply minutes with my Royal Genie, I used to be impressed by his friendliness and a spotlight to element.
All through the weekend cruise, Carlos was really a magic maker. He took my Starbucks and breakfast order for the next day every night, and he additionally escorted me across the ship, whether or not to my front-row, reserved seats on the ice-skating present or to enter a specialty restaurant for dinner.
At any time when I had a query or made a particular request, Carlos was obtainable and able to help virtually instantly.
I wasn’t used to this kind of luxurious, so I felt out of my aspect
As somebody who cruises in price range cabins, I used to be not accustomed to the posh of a Royal Genie. Honestly, I don’t discover it that tough to do issues myself, whether or not making a reservation at a specialty restaurant or reserving a theater present forward of time on Royal Caribbean’s app.
Nonetheless, I used to be nonetheless curious to check the advantages of my Royal Genie additional. A number of hours after boarding, I messaged Carlos to request a quesadilla and glass of wine to be delivered to the suite. I felt considerably ridiculous requesting this; I may have simply obtained the gadgets myself with only a quick stroll. Regardless, my request was promptly fulfilled.
I made just a few comparable requests all through the weekend, however regardless of the comfort, I all the time felt barely uncomfortable asking an excessive amount of of my Royal Genie. Understanding h ow diligently Royal Caribbean’s crew members work, I felt responsible asking for foolish requests that I may do myself, even if that is a part of the genie’s job description.
I beloved gaining access to the ship’s unique, suites-only areas
Outdoors of my cabin, considered one of my favourite points of cruising in a set was gaining access to Utopia of the Seas’ Suite Neighborhood.
Royal Caribbean’s latest ships characteristic a whole neighborhood devoted to suite friends. On Utopia of the Seas, the Suite Neighborhood encompasses the Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and an unique out of doors solar deck.
Throughout my three days onboard, I took full benefit of those areas. On a ship with over 6,000 passengers, the suites-only areas felt like a haven away from the hustle and bustle discovered elsewhere.
I notably loved the ambiance of Coastal Kitchen.
This suites-only restaurant presents a extra enhanced eating expertise than the bigger, extra chaotic Most important Eating Room for non-suite passengers. The menu provided upscale choices like lobster risotto, and tables have been far other than one another, which offered extra privateness to friends.
My Star Class suite included perks like a drink package deal and eating package deal
Except for entry to the Suite Neighborhood and a Royal Genie, one other advantage of Star Class are all the included perks.
Star Class friends obtain a Deluxe Beverage Package deal, Limitless Eating Package deal, included WiFi on one system, and complimentary laundry providers, amongst different advantages.
Associated: The Final Information to Royal Caribbean’s Limitless Eating Package deal
Though I all the time buy a WiFi package deal after I cruise, I hardly ever spend cash on extras like a eating package deal, drink package deal, or laundry. I used to be skeptical of whether or not or not I might make use of those advantages. In fact, they have been already included in my cruise fare, so I attempted to search out worth within the perks.
I began off my cruise with an embarkation day brunch at The Mason Jar, the primary of 5 specialty eating meals throughout the crusing. I appreciated the big variety of delicacies at specialty eating places, from sushi to steak, and located the meals high quality greater than that within the ship’s complimentary eating venues. Of all of the perks, this was in all probability my most utilized.
The laundry perk proved helpful, too. I despatched my journey outfit to dry cleansing after boarding the ship, and I later had a full bag of laundry washed so I may return residence with clear garments.
I didn’t get worth from the Deluxe Beverage Package deal, and wished there was an choice to take away it
Regardless of making use of the Limitless Eating Package deal and laundry providers, I want I may have opted out of the Deluxe Beverage Package deal to save cash on my cruise fare.
I by no means ebook drink packages after I cruise. As a Diamond Plus member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, I already obtain 5 free drinks every day. Spending over $70 per day on a drink package deal simply doesn’t make sense. I would want to drink over 10 drinks per day to possibly break even!
Associated: Royal Caribbean Drink Package deal Data, Suggestions, Professionals & Cons
Due to this, the drink package deal was considered one of my least favourite advantages of Star Class. It’s included within the cruise fare, however I might fairly get monetary savings on the general value of the suite and take away the package deal.
I perceive Royal Caribbean desires the Star Class suites to be as all-inclusive as attainable, however I might fairly ebook a less expensive cabin and buy the add-ons I really need individually.
My Star Class advantages have been unbelievable, however cheaper cabins can provide simply as a lot enjoyable
Regardless of the mind-blowing advantages that got here with my Star Class cabin, I in all probability gained’t ebook this kind of cabin once more.
Don’t get me fallacious—I beloved feeling like royalty onboard. Nonetheless, at over $11,000 for the weekend, Star Class is solely out of my price range for normal holidays. Personally, I’d fairly use that cash to go to a new-to-me vacation spot, or maybe strive a luxurious, all-inclusive cruise on Silversea, Royal Caribbean’s sister model.
As somebody who travels on a price range, I acknowledge that I’m not a part of the cruise line’s goal demographic for Star Class. Many passengers reserving these high-end suites might not discover the value tag to be a priority, and they’re unlikely to fret about the advantages justifying the costly cruise fare.
Except for simply the value, although, I nonetheless would not say my expertise in a Star Class cabin was any extra pleasing than cruises the place I’ve booked inside, oceanview, and balcony rooms.
I’ve had simply as a lot enjoyable watching films with my sister in an inside room, viewing Alaska’s glaciers from the pool deck as an alternative of a balcony cabin, and studying below the daylight from an oceanview cabin’s cozy porthole.
On the finish of the day, the principle motive I cruise is to make recollections all over the world with these I care about. Whether or not I’m staying in the very best or worst cabin onboard is an afterthought.
