Royal Caribbean's most luxurious and expensive suites now come with a few extra costs.
Star Class is the upper most echelon of Royal Caribbean's suite program, where you get the biggest suites at sea, the services of a Royal Genie, and as much included in your cruise fare as you'll find on the cruise line.
However, the cruise line has changed what's included with the Star Class experience by adding surcharges to six restaurants.
While never a true all-inclusive experience, Star Class includes the most amenities. Guests receive complimentary specialty restaurant dining, a Deluxe beverage package (for all guests 21 and older) or Refreshment package (for anyone not legal to drink), minibar stocked with soda and water, laundry and pressing, and gratuities.
Regarding the complimentary specialty restaurant dining, there's now more added fees that come with it.
While sailing on Utopia of the Seas, our Royal Genie alerted us to extra costs at specialty restaurants to be aware of for cruises booked after November 1:
- Royal Railway: $49.99+18% adults/ $24.99+18% kids surcharge
- Izumi in the Park: $10 credit a day per person (instead of unlimited)
- Playmakers: $20 food credit per day per person (instead of unlimited)
- Chef's Table: $50.00+18% cover charge
- Izumi Omakase: $60.00+18% per person
- Izumi Hibachi: $15.00+18% surcharge
The language on what's included with Star Class on Royal Caribbean's website has also been revised.
Original information
Updated information
To be fair, Star Class has never been truly all-inclusive, and there have been certain experiences that cost extra. These new surcharges add costs on top of a very pricey cruise experience.
Because Star Class cabins are the largest you'll find and include the most options, they're the most expensive. You can expect the cheapest Star Class cabin on a 3-night cruise to begin at $10,000.
For a 7-night cruise, many Star Class suites cost between $25,000 and $50,000.
The three-story "Ultimate Family Townhouse" on Icon of the Seas has sold for as much as $80,000.
Should it be included?
Charging extra for some food while paying for the Star Class experience is a hot debated topic among cruise fans.
In the Star Class Cruisers Facebook group, there's a level of frustration when having to pay more for these restaurants.
"So disappointing!," is what Lance Shalit posted. "Just charge me a little extra for the room and make everything included, even downloadable photos."
"That’s absolutely ridiculous. My last Star class sailing, I spent almost $30,000 on 3-night cruise. To get nickel and dimed like that for specialty dining is a dealbreaker," wrote Amanda Mann.
Erin wrote, "one of the best benefits is not being my families vacation genie and not worrying about anything. The cost has increased and with the decrease in benefits, it is no longer justified."
Anna Janke posted, "I just simply don't understand the dining upcharged. When the room is costing tens of thousands of dollars if Royal truly believes they need the extra pennies to cover specialty dining just increase the room price by $500 or so and nobody would probably even notice."
What's appealing about Star Class?
If you've never experienced Star Class, it's essentially the "easy button" for a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Available only on the cruise line's newest biggest cruise ships, it's a suite program that blends all-inclusive, butler service, and giant suites.
First and foremost, you'll find the biggest suites in Star Class. These suites can span two or three decks, and have multiple bedrooms, private hot tub, and other impressive amenities not found in other cruise ship cabins.
The Ultimate Family Suite is a great example of the sort of experience found within Star Class, as it includes just about everything a family would want during their cruise.
Movie room, PlayStation 5, hot tub, cozy couch, in-room slide, and stocked mini-bar make this cabin extremely fun.
If opulence is more your style, perhaps the Royal Loft Suite will suit your needs.
You'll find hardwood floors, a baby grand piano, marble furnishings, wet bar on the balcony, and the biggest cruise ship shower I've ever seen.
Regardless of which Star Class cabin you pick, they all come with the services of the Royal Genie.
The Genie is best described as your wish maker. They're not quite a traditional cruise ship suite butler, but they do a lot of the things a butler can do and more.
Genies can arrange just about everything you need on the ship. In many cases, they'll allow you to bypass the line and enjoy everything with no wait.
They can get you in for a FlowRider, laser tag, or Ultimate Abyss session without having to wait in line. They can book specialty restaurants, have food from specialty restaurants delivered to your suite, and even set up a cocktail party on your balcony.
What makes Star Class so appealing is how easy the cruise becomes to manage and enjoy. Anyone can have a great cruise without staying in Star Class, but this is the way to make it as easy as possible.
Even cruisers who are low maintenance have told me how special being in Star Class can be, and having those extras included made their cruise feel extra special.
