The best perk of Royal Caribbean's suite program is now available for anyone to book on more of its ships.
Ever since the Royal Suite Class program was unveiled and began offering upgraded suite benefits, it's been the crown jewel of Royal Caribbean's suite program.
If you booked a Star Class cabin, you'd have access to a Royal Genie, who is responsible for making your cruise exceptional. This person is shared among 3-4 cabins and they are a combination concierge, problem solver, and front-of-the-line pass.
It's a personalized experience, and it easily stood out as the best reason to book one of Royal Caribbean's most expensive suites.
But now it looks like anyone might be able to book this as an a la carte service.
Royal Genie Package
A new option has appeared to book on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site within the VIP Passes section.
The Royal Genie Package is new, and it's advertised as having your Royal Genie on ships that don't have Star Class cabins.
"An ultra-exclusive offering that bestows even more VIP perks for your stay. From the moment you step onboard, your personal Royal Genie is there to grant your boldest wishes — from best seats in the house at your favorite shows to once-in-a-lifetime adventures catered to your preferences.
"Dine in decadence onboard, with complimentary specialty dining and top-notch room service. Pack in more adrenaline with designated access to pulse-pounding activities, enjoy VIP welcome service, and sip the day away with unlimited beverages from anywhere onboard with a complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package."
In this example, the option is available to book on an Independence of the Seas cruise in June. Independence is a Freedom Class ships, and my cabin is a standard balcony cabin.
Benefits of booking a genie include:
- Royal Genie Services: Arranges prime entertainment seating reservations, manages dining and activities reservations, coordinates luxury shopping onboard, plans special celebrations, handles special requests and much more!
- Deluxe Beverage Package (for all guests of legal drinking age)
- Refreshment Package (for all guests below legal drinking age)
- Complimentary Specialty Dining at select venues onboard
- Complimentary Room Service
- VOOM® — Powered by Starlink internet, 1 Device per guest in the reservation
- Complimentary Stateroom Mini Bar Beverages (Coca-Cola canned products)
- Still & Sparkling Water Bottle Delivery
- Complimentary Starbucks® Beverages
- VIP Luggage Service (Arrival & Departure)
- VIP Welcome Food & Beverage Amenity
- Suite Lounge Access
- Complimentary Ice Cream at Sugar Beach
- Reserved Seating in the Main Theater
- Designated time to FlowRider®, Rock Climbing Wall & Ice Skating
- Complimentary Stateroom Movies
- Malin+Goetz Bath Amenities
It not only gets you the services of the Genie, but you also get suite perks too.
In fact, the benefits are far above what suites guests on these ships receive, as it includes an internet package and drink package.
Before you hit the book button, the price isn't cheap.
For my 8-night cruise in Europe, it's listed at $300.00 per adult per day, and $200.00 per child per day (Guests under age 6 are complimentary). That comes out to $2,400.00 per person on this sailing.
Most important, the Royal Genie Package is non-refundable pre-cruise and onboard. Once booked, you cannot cancel it.
Cruisers react to new offering
As soon as the new option appeared, there was a lot of disbelief among cruisers that love the option.
Within the "Star Class Cruisers" Facebook group, many people saw this as a very intriguing idea.
"Wow! I would totally pay that for Star class benefits," wrote Tammi Anderson.
Another person thinks it has potential, "If this is only on ships that do not do the Royal Suite Class, that makes sense. If this is going to be on all ships, that’s crazy and totally devalues a Star Class room."
Allyson Haggerty added, "Could act as an incentive for higher spenders to book on older ships."
Another interesting take came from Gayle Musselman in how it changes how you think about booking a suite vs balcony, "I'm actually considering dropping down to a balcony because the perks of our currently booked Owners Suite really don't justify the price difference."
Does the Genie make a difference?
It's difficult to quantify the impact a Royal Genie can make on your cruise, but having been in Star Class suites a number of times, it's certainly special.
Having a Genie is like having an all-access pass at a concert, where you get perks and options simply not available to anyone else.
Your Genie can set up in-suite parties, arrange for specialty restaurant meals to be delivered to your room, and even be your personal shopper onboard.
Moreover, the Genie spends time every day with your family. They can walk around with you, instead of being at a desk. This means you can be escorted into events, and past lines.
But there's an x-factor with a Royal Genie that goes well beyond what's listed in the included benefits. Each Genie has their own style, and they can personalize the experience through requests you make as well as ideas they come up with.
Some examples of what I've seen a Genie do in the past include decorating the cabin for a surprise birthday party, bring up an entire ice cream buffet for an ice cream social in the suite, coordinate a party on the balcony that comes with bar servers, get private elevator rides, and more.
When you add up all the possibilities, it stands out as a great way to splurge and most importantly, have an "easy button" for your cruise.
I was skeptical that I needed a Genie because I was so adept at planning my cruises on my own. Frankly, it felt like a hindrance before I ever tried one because it felt like an extra step.
However, it turned out to be the fast pass for enjoying my cruise. It's like laying in your bed and imagining things happening and they do sort of cruise planning.
It remains to be seen how this non-Royal Suite Class Genie experience compares, but Royal Caribbean created an impressive Royal Genie product on its big new ships.
