Royal Caribbean Suite Perks That Make Upgrading Worth It

Even with as many cruises as I’ve been on, when it’s time to book my stateroom on any ship, I get excited about all my options. Do I choose the balcony with the stellar views? Or save my cash for spending at the new dining options or attractions? Or, in some cases, is it worth upgrading to a suite?

These are questions that a lot of cruisers are faced with and, on Royal Caribbean, the decision becomes even more difficult, as this cruise line offers so many stateroom and suite options. Both the Oasis-class and Icon-class ships have nearly 200 different suites onboard! 

On my most recent Quantum of the Seas cruise, I upgraded and definitely did find the cost worth it, but your mileage may vary. Let’s talk about when it’s worth upgrading to a suite on Royal Caribbean and what you can expect from the experience.

Are the Perks Worth the Price?

The first thing you have to consider is whether or not the better perks you get with a suite are going to be worth the price that you’re paying. I don’t have an unlimited budget every time I book a cruise and I’m sure that you don’t either. As such, when I splurge, I want it to be worth every penny. 

So, when deciding if you want to upgrade to a Royal Caribbean suite, the first thing you have to consider is how much you have to spend on a cruise. 

What Is Your Budget?

The cost of a Royal Caribbean suite is going to differ wildly depending on factors such as the itinerary that you’re on, the ship and its age, and the suite itself.

Here are a few prices that show the broad range in fares.

Grandeur of the Seas is the line’s oldest ship in operation. A suite stay on a seven-night, round-trip Caribbean cruise from Puerto Rico on this ship starts at $1,309 per person.

In contrast, let’s say you were to sail on one of the newest ships in the fleet, Legend of the Seas. Suite fares on a seven-night, round-trip Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale start at $4,390 per person. 

Then, some ships sit more in the middle of the pack, as was the case when I sailed on Quantum.

As you can see, though, there are some huge, huge differences. For some, paying around a thousand dollars for a cruise and suite upgrade will be well worth it, but any more than that per person is completely out of the question. 

Will You Be Paying for Cruise Perks Anyway?

Keep in mind as you view those fares that suites do come with perks that you might otherwise pay for out of pocket, and some cruisers choose suites specifically for this reason. 

On Reddit, someone reported that they recently paid $7,500 for a cruise with a suite on Symphony of the Seas and asked if that’s what people were really paying, and if that was normal. 

Many other users chimed in and said that, yes, most travelers do pay the full fare for their suites, no comps, but that they find the price to be worth it due to the perks. 

One commenter explained: “As a family of four (two teenaged girls) we’ve moved from booking two connecting rooms to a grand suite. Yes, it’s pricey, but here’s how we justify it: We all get free internet (1 account each), there’s no need to get the dining package (Coastal Kitchen) or the drink package (free drinks whenever we want in the suite lounge) and the escort off the ship/priority tender line/dedicated entertainment seating (like having The Key). When we do all that math, the price difference is almost always negligible.”

You should similarly consider doing the math. 

First, add up your stateroom fare and what you’ll pay for in extras, like drinks, WiFi, etc. Then, look at the suite fare and what you’ll get for free. 

That way, you can then see what an upgrade will really cost you.

Other Factors to Consider Beyond the Fare

Maybe, though, you’ve checked out your particular sailing and the ship’s suite rates and you’ve found that you can handle the cost. Money will not be an issue and you’re not worried about overspending. 

Even then, there are still factors to consider before you decide if the upgrade is worth it.

The Purpose of Your Cruise

When making these decisions, I personally consider who I’m traveling with, whether or not I’m celebrating anything, and what I ultimately want out of my cruise vacation. 

If I’m traveling with several people and we want more space, and also happen to be celebrating a big milestone, like a significant birthday, anniversary or life event? Yeah, an upgrade to a suite might be worth it.

In contrast, if I’m on an older ship, sailing with just one other person, and the whole point of the cruise is to get out and see the itinerary stops, spending less time onboard overall? It’s probably not worth the upgrade.

Royal Caribbean Suite Options

Suites can range from just larger, more luxurious staterooms to two-story, mammoth structures with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, outdoor spaces and more.

Royal Caribbean offers a vast number of suite types across its fleet, but most can be bundled into a few different categories. Here’s what to know about each as you consider which might be best for you.

Junior Suites

The jr suite is typically your most basic and also cheapest. It’s smaller than most suites, but bigger than most staterooms. 

I wouldn’t consider it a suite in the traditional sense, as there’s no separate bedroom. However, for those looking for suite perks and a nicer stay on a smaller budget, the junior suite delivers.

Grand Suites

Grand suites have more of that traditional suite layout and come with one or two bedrooms. Depending on the size, you could also get an outdoor space with a hot tub.

Owner’s Suites

Owner’s suites aren’t terribly different from grand suites. As many cruisers on Reddit have pointed out, the biggest difference you’re going to see between the two categories on most ships is the size. Owner’s suites can be larger and offer extras like a separate bath and shower, dining table, better balcony, etc.

Royal Suites

Royal suites are a step above, and more of what you’d think of when you think “luxury cruise suite.”

You’ve got opulence. You’ve got separate living and dining areas, multiple bathrooms, a walk-in closet. Some are decked out with special features like baby grand pianos. They range in size, but some are literally bigger than a small home.

Family Suites

Family suites are relatively new on Royal Caribbean. It all started with the Ultimate Family Suite, which was introduced on Symphony of the Seas in 2018. At the time, this two-story suite with an in-suite slide was the talk of the town. 

With Icon of the Seas and the subsequent Icon-class ships, Royal Caribbean has continued to expand its family-specific suite offerings, with options like the Surfside family suite in the family-focused Surfside ship neighborhood. 

Quantum-class ships also have family junior suites, which are on the small side, like the normal junior suites, but can sleep up to five people.

Loft Suites

Loft suites are likewise relatively new for Royal Caribbean, and you can find them on the line’s newer classes, including Icon, Quantum and Oasis class ships. There are various different types of loft suites, but all generally come with big windows with big views and a second-story space. 

Depending on the exact loft you book, you could get multiple bathrooms and bedrooms, extra outdoor space, etc. 

Other Suite Types

And then, there are a handful of other suite types that you’ll find offered on various ships, that don’t really fall into the above categories, such as panoramic suites and an AquaTheater suite. 

Royal Caribbean Suite Class Benefits

When you book a Royal Caribbean suite, not all suite guests will receive the same amenities. Suites are split into three different suite classes: Sea, Sky or Star. Which class you’re in will determine the amenities you get.

Sea Class

Sea-class guests enjoy the following amenities and perks:

• A dedicated check-in line
• Priority boarding
• Access to the suite-guest-only Coastal Kitchen restaurant for dinner (based on availability)
• Bathrobes for use onboard
• Luxury bath amenities
• Luxury bedding
• An in-room espresso machine

Some perks may differ according to the ship. For example, for guests on Spectrum of the Seas, you additionally get all-day access to Star Sky Sea Dining.

Sky Class

Sky-class suite guests enjoy all of the above, plus these additional amenities and perks:

• High-speed internet
• Concierge service
• Access to exclusive activities
• Suite lounge or concierge club access
• Priority departure
• All-day access to Coastal Kitchen
• Bottled water
• Priority dining and reserved seating at entertainment venues

On Spectrum of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, these passengers also enjoy access to outdoor sundeck spaces like The Balcony and The Grove.

Star Class

And lastly, Star-class suite guests get all of that plus the below extra amenities and perks:

• Royal Genie services
• Complimentary gratuities
• Complimentary deluxe beverage package 
• Complimentary dining at some specialty restaurants and discounts at others
• Priority entrance for onboard activities

Not familiar with the Royal Genie? Think of this as literally your own personal magic genie. Your wish is their command. This is the ultimate concierge.

Guests can ask the genie to make just about anything happen. It starts with the basic stuff, like helping you get a window seat at dinner or having your favorite dining room dessert ready and waiting every night of your cruise, to more unique requests like helping you throw in-suite parties or seeing a behind-the-scenes part of the ship.

How Much Do Royal Caribbean Suite Perks Matter?

As you’ve probably realized, some of the Royal Caribbean suite perks are more valuable than others.

A lot of cruisers aren’t going to really care about having a robe in their room, or at least they’re not going to care to the point of paying hundreds or thousands in order to get it.

However, as already alluded, some perks can save you money that you might be spending otherwise. Complimentary gratuities, beverages, dining and internet all add up.

If, though, you’re a budget-savvy cruiser and don’t plan on buying a beverage package or internet package, or dining at specialty restaurants, these perks may not matter to you one bit.

Whether or not the perks are worth the upgrade will ultimately depend on how you cruise, the money you plan spending anyway and the experience you want to have.

My Final Thoughts

I’m of the opinion that upgrading to a suite can absolutely make your Royal Caribbean cruise better. I definitely enjoyed the experience on Quantum of the Seas and would do it again.

I also understand that not everyone wants to spend their money on an upgrade and that’s perfectly fine! You can have an amazing cruise staying in even the most affordable stateroom, if you do it right.

Bottom line: Plan the cruise that makes the most sense for you and your budget. Don’t feel pressured to spend more than you should, but make sure you do the math and understand what you’re getting from your fare.