The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean Staterooms

Royal Caribbean ships have up to 34 different types of staterooms depending on the ship class. So, it is important to know which stateroom is best suited to your group size, budget, occasion and length of cruise before you book. While most staterooms come with basic amenities, such as comfortable beds, a telephone, climate control, storage, HD-TV, a safe, a hair dryer and toiletries, you can opt for room types with enhanced views, more space and elevated experiences.

Here’s a guide to Royal Caribbean staterooms so that you can select the best room category for you and your crew as you sail the high seas.

 Interior Room with virtutal balcony on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

INTERIOR STATEROOM

The most budget-friendly category on Royal Caribbean, interior staterooms are great for families that require connecting rooms. Accommodating up to six guests, these cozy 340-square-foot rooms don’t offer any views, but some are fitted with virtual balconies with real-time views of the outside so that you don’t feel claustrophobic.

Ocean view stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

OUTSIDE OR OCEAN VIEW STATEROOMS

These slightly larger cabins, accommodating up to eight guests in up to 354 square feet of space, have a small window allowing you to look out and enjoy the views of the landscape. Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class ships have Ultra Spacious Ocean View cabins that are some of the largest accommodations in the fleet. These staterooms come with two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, a sofa bed that converts to a double, two Pullman beds, a private bath and a sitting area, so there’s ample room for a family with kids.

Balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

BALCONY STATEROOMS

If you want to be able to step out from your stateroom onto a private balcony and soak in the fresh sea breeze as you sail, book this category. Though the balcony staterooms, at up to 298 square feet for up to eight guests, are often smaller than ocean view ones, they can feel larger because of their contemporary design. Since the balcony staterooms are so much in demand, Royal Caribbean ships have been adding more of them. In fact, on Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships, you will find 65 percent or more staterooms with balconies.

Owner suite stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

SUITE STATEROOMS

Depending on the ship you decide to book for your next cruise, Royal Caribbean may offer 15 kinds of suites, each with its own unique features and perks that may range from private butlers (called Royal Genies) and access to private restaurants, lounges and decks, to reserved seating at entertainment venues and priority boarding and disembarkation. Of course, you have to shell out a few extra bucks for these all-inclusive services that come along with a much larger space on board. Expect soaring floor-to-ceiling windows, full-size tubs in Junior suites, 24-hour room service in Owner Suites, and dedicated check-in for Royal Suite class. Within the Royal Suite Class, you may benefit from Sea, Sky or Star levels, each tiered with packages that may include complimentary internet, minibars, premium beverages, gratuities, laundry, bathrobes and luxury amenities, just to name a few.

From 700 to 2,766 square feet, the Suites are the most expansive staterooms on Royal Caribbean that can comfortably accommodate up to nine guests. So, if you are traveling with a large family, each person can find a nook to play, read and work without having to step outside.

For the ultimate in staterooms, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is spread across three stories, the Villa Suites are equipped with four bedrooms, and the Ultimate Family Suite on Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas gets you your own in-suite two-story-tall slide, a cinema and a game room. The larger family suites are the most luxurious and expensive stateroom category and are priced up to $80,000 per week—and northward during peak times. Note that even with that massive price tag, they tend to sell out fast.

Accessible interior stateroom with virtual balcony on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

ACCESSIBLE STATEROOMS

Guests with mobility and other disabilities will find plenty of ADA-compliant accommodation options on Royal Caribbean ships. The accessible staterooms range from 159 to 298 square feet and feature a five-foot turning radius in the sleeping area, bathroom and sitting area. Depending on the vessel, there may be wider staterooms and bathroom doors, ramped bathroom thresholds and bathroom grab bars, lowered sinks, handheld showers, roll-in shower benches, raised toilet seats, lowered closet rods, in-room refrigerators and lowered safes for easy access. Select staterooms may also have accessible balconies.

With so many different stateroom categories and types, Royal Caribbean is sure to have a stateroom to match your desired space for your group size, location on the ship, in-room amenities and budget for your next cruise.