I've sailed four times on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Caribbean and compared what it was like to try a Balcony Cabin after a week in an Unlimited Luxury Suite.
The two voyages were only a few months apart, but the room itself wasn't the biggest difference.
Whether it's a tiny interior room or a spacious suite, I find I adapt to my cabin and take advantage of everything it has to offer. There are pros and cons to any room, so I can usually rationalize the benefits of choosing one cabin or another.
I've sailed twice in different cabins on Star of the Seas in just four months, but what really changes the experience is what comes with the suites.
Why I ended up trying both cabin types
My family and I went on a cruise for the first time during Thanksgiving and I wanted to do something special since it was their first time on a new cruise ship.
I booked an Infinite Deluxe Suite because it had a lot of space and came with additional suite level benefits.
Many of our readers know that I am a Pinnacle Club member, which gives me access to certain suite areas on the ship, but if there are too many other Pinnacles with a higher point total than mine, I may be denied access. I want to make sure I have access.
On my second cruise during spring break, I decided to save some money and book Balcony with sea view instead.
I would risk the suite benefits, but I would save a lot of money. The cost varied greatly and I wanted to choose a budget friendly option.
I think my decision to book one cabin over another is something a lot of cruisers do. Prioritize budget or special occasions and Select cabin Based on this.
What is my balcony cabin experience really like?
Balcony cabins are one of my default choices on almost any cruise ship because they are so versatile and space efficient.
There's more living room than room inside, and the private balcony still feels like a big upgrade.
Typically, combine the value with what you get and it won't “break the bank” either.
The funny thing about me is that I usually look for a balcony cabin first, but I rarely spend a lot of money there. I don’t actually get out that often because of everything going on on the boat and the weather outside.
I find others enjoy spending time on the balcony. I certainly don't think they are wrong.
I probably get more value from the balcony because it has lots of natural light and I can easily walk outside to take the temperature or check out the neighborhood.
Infinite Deluxe Suites are better, but that's not all
Upgrade to the Infinity Deluxe Suite, which is far from one of the largest or most impressive suites on Star of the Seas. But I think Royal Caribbean does offer one of its best uses of living space.
When you walk into the infinity suite, you feel very magnificent and the living space is much larger, especially when there are only two people.
You have three main sections: bedroom, living room and convertible balcony area.
Every section is huge, and because the room is so wide and long, it really feels like there's a lot of room to stretch out.
The game changer here is the Infinity Balcony. I used to hate them, but I changed my mind and I think it's a very smart idea. Throughout the cruise, we kept the windows closed and reclaimed the balcony space, making it a secondary living room. It's perfect for getting work done, reading a book, or hanging out while others are hanging out elsewhere.
It's a very nice room, but the real upgrades start outside the cabin.
The special access actually makes the suites worth the money
I think Royal Caribbean has outdone itself with the suite-only amenities they offer on its Icon-class ships. While the suite areas on other ships are beautiful, the suite areas on the Star are taken to a different level.
I found that having access to a dedicated area of the suite changed my daily routine.
In the morning I head to the suite sun deck because there's always space and no chair pressure. Plus, having The Grove means I not only have a convenient food option, but a really good one too!
I loved having pre-dinner cocktails in the suite lounge. While I don't think the suite lounge layout is the best in the fleet, I like having a real bar to sit and talk with the bartenders or other guests.
Suite guests can enjoy free beer, wine or soft drinks from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and happy hour in the evening. This was another reason to book a suite instead of relying on my Pinnacle status.
Of course, entering the Coastal Kitchen restaurant is a feast for the eyes.
I think this is probably the biggest difference as it provides a great alternative to the main restaurant. It's great to choose between two free venues.
Another benefit of staying in a suite is the reduced stress of crowds and lines.
On the day of embarkation, suite guests have a dedicated entrance. There are dedicated security and check-in lanes, which means less waiting and faster boarding.
Seats will be reserved for suite guests at each show. You still need to make a reservation, but it's nice to have a special area available for you if you're running late.
Who would think that a suite is definitely worth it?
Suites are not cheap and are significantly different from balcony rooms. So to justify the cost, I'd say some guests may find more reasons to try it.
Of course, repeat guests who understand Royal Caribbean’s “pain points” will appreciate the suite deals more. Newbies will love it, but veteran players will find more value.
Of course, anyone who hates crowds or waiting might have reason to try a suite. Suites have always been the “easy button” for cruisers who like to spend money on premium experiences.
If you look for these special suite-only areas, I think this will maximize the value of the suite.
Royal Caribbean offers the most suite perks on its Icon-class ships. Of course, these rooms also cost the most, but you do get to show more.
I expected a bigger room. What I got was a better cruise
The cruise is your journey and I think the added perk of staying in a suite greatly enhanced my experience.
A balcony will add to your wonderful cruise experience, but a suite will change the way you experience it.
I will continue to book a variety of cabins in the future, but I think I will want to give the suites a second look every time I cruise on an Icon Class cruise.
