I simply tried one in every 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 very 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 most important suites usually priced over $50,000.
As somebody who usually books cheaper cabins on cruise ships, like inside rooms, I by no means thought-about 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 not often spend a lot time in my cabin anyway.
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As a result of value, I had a tough time justifying cruising in a Star Class suite. But when a pal’s change of plans left them with an empty bed room in one in every of these suites, I jumped on the last-minute invitation to affix the cruise.
After a weekend attempting Star Class, although, I believe I’d have had simply as a lot enjoyable in my normal 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 overall value was $11,388, or practically $3,800 per passenger together with gratuities. Whereas often among the many least expensive 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, nevertheless, not like any cabin I’ve booked earlier than. Inside had been two bedrooms, two loos, 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 collection of finger meals had been delivered to the room every day.
If the suite’s facilities had been any indication of what my general Star Class expertise could 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 visitors. Whereas there are not any strict pointers as to what the Royal Genie can and can’t do for Star Class visitors, 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 focus to element.
All through the weekend cruise, Carlos was actually 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 out there and able to help nearly instantly.
I wasn’t used to one of these luxurious, so I felt out of my ingredient
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 objects myself with only a brief 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
Exterior of my cabin, one in every of my favourite elements of cruising in a set was gaining access to Utopia of the Seas’ Suite Neighborhood.
Royal Caribbean’s latest ships function a complete neighborhood devoted to suite visitors. On Utopia of the Seas, the Suite Neighborhood encompasses the Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and an unique outside 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 significantly loved the ambiance of Coastal Kitchen.
This suites-only restaurant affords a extra enhanced eating expertise than the bigger, extra chaotic Essential Eating Room for non-suite passengers. The menu supplied upscale choices like lobster risotto, and tables had been far other than one another, which offered extra privateness to visitors.
My Star Class suite included perks like a drink package deal and eating package deal
Other than entry to the Suite Neighborhood and a Royal Genie, one other advantage of Star Class are the entire included perks.
Star Class visitors obtain a Deluxe Beverage Package deal, Limitless Eating Package deal, included WiFi on one machine, and complimentary laundry companies, 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 not often 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’d make use of those advantages. After all, they had 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 through the crusing. I appreciated the wide range of delicacies at specialty eating places, from sushi to steak, and located the meals high quality larger 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 dwelling 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 companies, I want I may have opted out of the Deluxe Beverage Package deal to economize 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 Information, Suggestions, Execs & Cons
Due to this, the drink package deal was one in every of my least favourite advantages of Star Class. It’s included within the cruise fare, however I’d 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’d fairly ebook a less expensive cabin and buy the add-ons I really need individually.
My Star Class advantages had 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 one of these cabin once more.
Don’t get me improper—I beloved feeling like royalty onboard. Nevertheless, 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 worth tag to be a priority, and they’re unlikely to fret about the advantages justifying the costly cruise fare.
Other than simply the worth, although, I nonetheless would not say my expertise in a Star Class cabin was any extra fulfilling than cruises the place I’ve booked inside, oceanview, and balcony rooms.
I’ve had simply as a lot enjoyable watching motion pictures with my sister in an inside room, viewing Alaska’s glaciers from the pool deck as a substitute of a balcony cabin, and studying beneath the daylight from an oceanview cabin’s cozy porthole.
On the finish of the day, the principle motive I cruise is to make recollections around the globe with these I care about. Whether or not I’m staying in one of the best or worst cabin onboard is an afterthought.