Suite Life at Sea: Star Class on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas

Unparalleled balcony views

Star Class is Royal Caribbean’s top-tier suite experience, and it shows from the moment you arrive at the port. Instead of joining the crowds, we were met outside, our luggage was whisked away, and our Royal Genie escorted us straight through check-in and onto the ship. Within minutes, we were stepping into our Royal Loft Suite, where a personalized welcome sign, canapés, fresh berries for our toddler, and a printed, customized “14-day suggested plan” were waiting. It felt less like boarding a mega-ship and more like being welcomed into a private residence at sea with a concierge who already knew our preferences.

Suite sun deck

The suite itself is a huge part of why Star Class works so well for families. Our two-level loft offered distinct zones: a downstairs living area with a large sofa, TV, and full bathroom (perfect for early naps or bedtime), and an upstairs bedroom with a king bed, walk-in closet, and a massive primary bathroom with a rain shower and private balcony hot tub. The double-height windows brought in tons of light during the day, while blackout curtains made naps and early bedtimes manageable. For traveling with a toddler, having multiple bathrooms, real storage, and a separate sleeping space was priceless—we could put our daughter down and still feel like adults on vacation.

Daily snacks

Where Star Class really shines, though, is in the service. Your Royal Genie is part butler, part concierge, part miracle-worker. Ours, Andy, handled everything from daily Starbucks runs and show reservations to rescheduling activities when ports changed and securing spa discounts we didn’t even know we were entitled to. He checked in via WhatsApp every morning with a digestible “today at a glance”—breakfast options, our reservations, recommended shows, and weather notes—and he adjusted quickly when toddler life demanded a change of plans. When we forgot to book AO Babies or misplaced a mug somewhere onboard, he just quietly fixed it.

Unlimited specialty dining

Dining is another area where Star Class noticeably upgrades the experience. We had all-access dining around the ship included: specialty restaurants like Wonderland, Teppanyaki and Izumi, plus Coastal Kitchen, which functions as a semi-private restaurant for suite guests. We quickly learned which venues worked best for us: Coastal Kitchen became our go-to for breakfast and many dinners (their egg white scramble with guacamole and salsa was a staple), while specialty restaurants like Wonderland were perfect for adults-only evenings when our toddler was happily playing at AO Babies. Star Class also meant priority seating and the ability to pivot—if we realized we’d rather eat early or switch restaurants, our Genie could usually make it happen.

Unlimited iFly

Entertainment and activities feel easier under Star Class, not fancier. You’re not getting “different” shows than other guests, but you are getting the best logistics: priority seating, reminders about start times, and reservations handled for things that book up quickly (like North Star, iFly, galley and bridge tours). I was able to try iFly multiple times with different instructors and squeeze in pickleball lessons and a bridge tour, all slotted around naps and AO Babies sessions. On a long sailing where time can blur together, having someone else manage the puzzle pieces means you actually get to do the things you were excited about instead of just reading about them in the app.

Thermal suite access

One of the less glamorous but incredibly valuable benefits is unlimited laundry and pressing. With a two-week sailing and a toddler, this was huge. We sent out laundry multiple times (including same-day service when we needed it), and everything came back folded or on hangers, ready to go. We disembarked with nearly all clean clothes and even a few dry-cleaned items—a small thing that made coming home so much easier. Combine that with included high-speed internet (one device per person), upgraded bathroom amenities, a stocked mini-bar, and suite-only spaces like the Suite Lounge and sundeck, and Star Class quietly strips away a lot of the friction that can make long cruises feel tiring.

Bridge tour with Captain Marek

Overall, Star Class on Odyssey of the Seas felt like a sweet spot between a classic family cruise and a true luxury experience. You still get all the energy and amenities of a big Royal Caribbean ship—bumper cars, FlowRider, kids’ clubs, production shows—but with the breathing room, personalization, and ease of a high-end resort. It’s particularly well-suited for families with young children, multigenerational groups, and travelers who want to enjoy the ship without constantly thinking about logistics, lines, or add-on costs.

Unlimited access to Northstar

What Star Class includes (in a nutshell):

• Royal Genie service (pre-cruise contact and onboard WhatsApp communication).

• Priority boarding and departure.

• Complimentary specialty dining across most venues, plus Coastal Kitchen access.

• A deluxe beverage package for adults and a refreshment package for under-21s.

• Daily in-suite snacks, a stocked mini-bar with sodas and water, and premium coffee in-suite.

• Complimentary laundry, pressing, and dry cleaning throughout the voyage.

• Voom internet (1 device per guest—you’ll want to plan around this if you’re juggling phones, tablets, and laptops).

• Priority seating at shows and priority access for many onboard activities.

What’s not included (but easy to assume it might be):

• Signature upcharge items (e.g., certain premium cuts at Chops, special tasting menus, select experiences like Chef’s Table, or certain rail/supper club concepts).

• Bottles of liquor in the room by default—these are normally restricted, though your Genie may be able to work with the hotel director for exceptions in specific situations.

• Bottled/packaged Starbucks, souvenir cups, and certain specialty items—Star Class covers barista-made drinks, but not all retail items.

Booking & planning tips:

• Star Class is capacity-controlled and tied to specific suite categories, so it’s best to plan as far in advance as you can (especially for transatlantic or holiday sailings).

• Share as much as possible with the Shoreside Star Class team before sailing: allergies, kids’ ages, nap schedules, dining preferences, special celebrations, and “must-do” activities. The more they know, the more your Genie can anticipate your needs.

• If you’re traveling with little ones, clarify early whether you plan to use AO Babies/AO Kids and what times tend to work—your Genie can help build a rhythm that works with naps and mealtimes.

Star Class with a toddler—honest pros & considerations:

• Huge pro: Separate sleeping spaces and black-out curtains make naps and early bedtimes feasible on long sailing trips.

• Huge pro: Laundry, snacks, fruit, milk, and simple comfort foods are quickly available, which is gold with picky or tired little travelers.

• Consideration: Elevators can still be busy, and the ship is large—Star Class can’t change the layout, but it can help you time things to avoid peak congestion.

• Consideration: AO Babies (under 3) is a paid service with limited capacity—Star Class doesn’t automatically guarantee spots, but your Genie can help you stay on top of bookings.

Who Star Class is best for:

• Families with young children who want space, flexibility, and support with logistics.

• Multigenerational groups where some travelers want full sea-day activity and others prioritize relaxation.

• Suite-curious cruisers who love Royal Caribbean’s energy but want a more curated, elevated experience.

• Guests who value time and ease as much as they value “stuff”—the true luxury here is how little you have to think about planning once you’re onboard.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.