Picking the right stateroom for you and your family can be a tough job. Do you save some money and go with an indoor cabin with no view, or do you spend a little more to get a cozy balcony so you can wake up and say hi to a beautiful ocean right in front of your eyes? Cruises are just getting bigger and bigger, and this also means that there are more and more accommodation options inside these sea juggernauts.
Don’t believe us? Well, Icon of the Seas alone has about 30 different room categories for you to choose from. Thirty. That's way more than a lot of hotels out there and beach resorts. Some ships have more than 3.000 cabins! Yeah, that’s a lot. The good news is that this staggering number of options means that cruises – specifically Royal Caribbean – are a great choice for a wide range of budgets.
Aboard Royal Caribbean, you will find the same four main categories of stateroom on every cruise ship. Every stateroom comes with a mini-fridge, television, bathroom, and at least some basic amenities. Most categories also offer connecting rooms for big parties and groups of friends to stay close to each other.
The main stateroom categories are:
- Inside
- Ocean-view
- Balcony
- Suite
Within each main category, you will often find a variety of choices, depending on the ship you’re cruising on. Some ships offer spacious interior rooms that are much larger than an outside stateroom with a balcony, for example, and can be a good choice for large parties traveling together.
Let’s take a closer look at the main room categories.
Inside Cabins aboard Royal Caribbean
Good for: those that want to save some money, if you don’t care about a view of the ocean, if you won’t be staying in your stateroom a lot, you want to save money and use it for cruise add-ons.
Room for: 1-6 passengers (depends on the ship)
Price: $-$$
Starting price for a 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise on March 2025 aboard Icon of the Seas: $1877
Inside staterooms are usually the budget option when traveling. These rooms are typically smaller than the others, but some ships offer sub-categories with larger interior cabins. These cabins are often found near balcony and ocean-view staterooms, but some are also located at the front and back of the ship, which might require more navigation on your part.
Not all inside cabins lack good views, by the way. Some interior cabins on certain ships offer fun views of the Royal Promenade, which resembles a shopping district inside Royal Caribbean cruise ships. It’s fun to wake up and see people walking through stores and restaurants. It makes you feel like you are inside a bustling city like Las Vegas! Some interior rooms found on Icon of the Seas and newest ships also give you views to the beautiful gardens. Again, it varies a lot depending on the sub-category you choose.
Quantum of the Seas debuted something that some guests love and others think it’s kinda weird. We are talking about the Virtual Balconies - LED high-definition feeds of what’s happening around the ship, being shown directly inside your stateroom. Yeah, it’s Big Brother inside your very own cabin!
With that said, these cabins are great for those who don’t prioritize a beautiful, spacious room. It’s akin to staying in a simple hotel while traveling abroad to save money for other activities. You can use that extra budget for land tours or perhaps purchase a drink package. The choice is yours.
Ocean-view Cabins aboard Royal Caribbean
Good for: if you want a room a little bit bigger than usual, if you care a lot about natural light, if you don’t plan to stay in your room a lot.
Room for: 1-8 passengers (depends on the ship)
Price: $$
Starting price for a 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise on March 2025 aboard Icon of the Seas: $2106
Ocean-view cabins are a bit bigger than interior staterooms, and usually a bit pricey. The main difference is that they give you a view of the ocean! See, the title doesn’t lie. While these cabins lack an outdoor balcony, they typically feature a small circular window through which you can gaze at the sea. It's worth noting that the window cannot be opened, but it does allow natural light to brighten the room.
Ocean-view cabins are usually limited inside Royal Caribbean Cruise ships. Most outdoor cabins are balconies, and then you have the interior rooms taking most of the space. A lot of ocean-view cabins are located on the lowest deck and at the edges of the ship, which can make moving around a bit difficult.
Much like the inside cabins, a lot of Royal Caribbean ships also offer ultra-spacious ocean-view cabins that are a great choice for families. They are similar to the interior rooms, just slightly bigger and offer a view of the ocean, so don’t expect something luxurious. They are still cozy, though!
The Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom could also be an excellent choice for you. Remember how I mentioned that ocean-view cabins often have small circular windows? Well, that rule doesn’t apply to the Panoramic Staterooms. These staterooms feature large windows that essentially cover the entire wall, offering a full view of the ocean. Like other ocean-view cabins, these windows cannot be opened, but they're ideal for brightening your room and providing stunning vistas.
Balcony cabins aboard Royal Caribbean
Good for: you want to enjoy the fresh ocean breeze, you want to pay a little more to have more space and luxury.
Room for: 1-6 passengers (depends on the ship)
Price: $$-$$$
Starting price for a 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise on March 2025 aboard Icon of the Seas: $2187
Balcony staterooms are among the most popular options aboard cruise ships. People enjoy having their own private space to relax and savor the ocean breeze, especially during a leisurely breakfast while crossing the Atlantic! Balcony rooms typically offer the widest variety of choices, and this remains true for newer ships like Icon of the Seas.
Balcony cabins tend to be even bigger than the ocean-view and interior rooms. We are talking about a room that measures around 198 square feet, while the other two categories are at 160 feet. Of course that sub-categories might change these numbers.
Did you know that not all recent cruise ships feature outdoor balcony cabins? Some offer interior balcony rooms instead! These rooms provide views of the Promenade or Central Park, allowing you to enjoy breakfast overlooking an indoor garden or shopping district rather than the ocean. They are typically more affordable than ocean-view balcony rooms, making them a great option for passengers who prefer having a balcony experience at a lower cost.
Suites aboard Royal Caribbean
Good for: you want nothing but luxury, you plan to stay inside and enjoy your cabin a lot.
Room for: 1-9 passengers (depends on the ship)
Price: $$$$$
Starting price for a 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise on March 2025 aboard Icon of the Seas: $3716
Much like hotels, cruise ships also have ultra-expensive rooms that offer almost every conceivable luxury. These rooms continue to evolve over time, with recent Royal Caribbean ships introducing multi-level suites. Imagine having a two or three-level room on a cruise ship! It does sound crazy. You know what’s even crazier!? Some Royal Caribbean suite options include a butler, a private sundeck, access to exclusive restaurants, and more.
You do get specific perks when staying in a suite, like:
- Dedicated Suite lounge
- Reserved seating on the pool deck
- Concierge Service (assists with special requests such as restaurant reservations and land tours).
- Double Crown and Anchor Society points
- Priority on Embarkation and Disembarkation
Just remember, when booking a suite, you'll need to pay a non-refundable deposit. If you cancel your room, you won’t receive a refund of your deposit. Now, the Suites at Royal Caribbean are divided into the Star Class, Sky Class and Sea Class.
Star Class
You are now reaching for the stars. The Royal Caribbean Star Class suites are the most expensive rooms you can find, so prepare your wallet if you want utmost luxury. These rooms are huge, and are often compared to townhouses. They are two to three levels tall and even have indoor slides for your kids to play around. Yeah, an indoor slide. Inside your cabin. Now that’s cool.
You get access to your very own private butler, unlimited internet, access to the exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant and more perks. Let’s see what you get:
- Exclusive Access to Royal Genie Service (your very own butler!)
- All-Day Access to Coastal Kitchen (Receive complimentary specialty dining. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Complimentary Specialty Restaurants
- Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package for guests 21 years or older (or 18 and over where applicable by law)
- Complimentary Refreshment Package (for guests under legal drinking age)
- Still and Sparkling Water Replenished Daily
- Complimentary Gratuities
- Complimentary VOOM Internet Package
- Expedited Boarding and Departure
- Best Seats in the House in Select Entertainment Venues
- Priority Entrance to Many Onboard Activities
- Access to the Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck
- Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
- Complimentary Minibar stocked with Coca-Cola Beverages and Water
- Complimentary Laundry and Pressing Services
- Luxury Mattress and PillowsFrette Linens
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Maker
Sky Class
The Sky Class suites are also amazing, but a step below the Star Class. You don’t get access to your own private butler, but you still get free internet packages and a plethora of perks. Let’s check them out.
- Concierge Service
- All-Day Access to Coastal Kitchen (access to Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch and dinner).
- Specialty Bottled Water upon arrival
- Complimentary VOOM Internet Package
- Flexible Arrival Boarding & Priority Departure
- Priority Dining Reservations
- Reserved seating section in select entertainment venues (reservations required)
- Access to the Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck
- Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
- Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Sea Class
Also known as Junior Suites, these are the entry-level suites on Royal Caribbean. Many people choose these rooms for their spaciousness rather than the perks they offer. While entry-level suites may not have many perks, let's take a look at what they include.
- Dinner at Coastal Kitchen (based upon availability, dinner only)
- Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
- Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
- Luxury Bathroom Amenities
- Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
There are a lot of options for suites when it comes to the newest ships. Let’s take Icon of the Seas, for example. We have the traditional, entry level Junior Suite with prices starting at $2472 for a 7-day trip in March 2025. There is also the Sky Junior Suite, which is the Junior Suite with extra perks, like Exclusive Access to the Suite Sun Deck, and costs $3459. The most expensive option is the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three level room with an indoor slide and several perks that costs $20.500!
Choosing your ideal Stateroom aboard Royal Caribbean
Choosing the right stateroom isn’t easy, but after reading about them, we can offer a few tips. Balcony staterooms are the most popular choices for cruisers, and it's easy to see why: they offer reasonable prices, a wide range of options, and most cruisers love having a balcony in their room. I can definitely understand that appeal. A balcony makes the room feel less cramped, and it’s refreshing to let in some fresh air.
That being said, balcony rooms are ideal for couples, families, and traditional cruisers. If you're traveling with young children, be mindful of the balcony and keep a close eye on them. Alternatively, if you anticipate spending a lot of time in the pools and waterparks with your family, you might consider opting for an interior room to save money.
I would personally opt for a balcony room over an ocean-view room. As shown in our price simulation above, the cheapest balcony rooms aren't significantly more expensive than ocean-view rooms! I believe choosing a balcony over a room with just a window is worth it. However, opting for a room with only a window can still be a good choice if the price difference turns out to be substantial and you prefer a larger space compared to interior staterooms.
Location
Just as important as choosing your cabin category, choosing the right location can also impact the quality of your cruise. Let’s see some of them
Midship cabins
This is a safe and often considered the best option for many cruisers. Being in the middle of the ship means you're conveniently close to everything, especially the elevators. On newer Royal Caribbean ships, being on the edges can be inconvenient because the elevators are often far away. Another good perk? Cabins in the middle of the ship experience less motion, making them ideal for those prone to seasickness during a cruise.
Aft balcony
These are the rooms located at the aft (back) of the ship. Specifically, these rooms overlook the stern (back) of the ship rather than the sides. Aft rooms often have larger balconies and offer a serene view of the waves generated by your vessel. They are also generally quieter than rooms in the middle of the ship, making them a good choice for those seeking less noise. The main drawback is that they can be a bit farther from the elevators.
The Bow
The bow is also known as the front of the ship. Some cabins are actually cheaper in this location, and the reason is simple: this is the area that shakes the most. If you often feel seasick, avoid cabins located on the front of the ship at all costs. Cruise passengers prone to motion sickness should search for a room in the middle of the ship, and usually on higher levels.
Hump Balconies
These are the rooms located on the outward curves of the ship's outline. They feature larger balconies compared to standard balconies, often at the same price. Another advantage is that these rooms are typically situated in the middle of the ship, offering two good perks for a great deal.
Connecting cabins
There are many rooms that offer connecting cabins, which are especially common for interior cabins. Connecting cabins provide extra space, effectively doubling the size of a room and accommodating up to eight people in total. Know what’s even better? You get an extra bathroom! Sometimes, booking connecting rooms can be more beneficial and cost-effective than booking a single large cabin.
