Star Vs. Sky Class

[PerferWarmWeather]

I was looking at booking Wonder of the Seas and I'm trying to figure out from those that know is there really that big of difference in service and amenities from the Star Class and Sky Class.  I was looking at a Grand Suite (Sky class) and then I saw the lowest Star Class is a  AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony – 2 Bedrooms.  This is more than double the Grand Suite price.   Are there areas you wouldn't have access to being in Sky vs Star?

 

Any help is appreciated.  Thank you in advance.

[mom2miracles]

The biggest benefit of Star class versus Sky class is the unlimited deluxe drink package, unlimited dining package and the Royal Genie service. In terms of where you are allowed to go on the ship, it is the same. Both classes have access to the Suites Lounge and to Coastal Kitchen.

 

SKY

• Concierge Service
• All Day Access to Coastal Kitchen*
• Specialty Bottled Water (upon arrival)
• Complimentary VOOM, The Fastest Internet at Sea †
• Flexible Arrival Boarding & Priority Departure
• Priority Dining Reservations
• Venues Early Access to Seating in Select Entertainment Venues
• Suite Lounge Access (complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails each evening)
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
• Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities
• Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine

STAR

• Exclusive Access to Royal Genie Service
• All Day Access to Coastal Kitchen*
• Complimentary Specialty Restaurants* (including Chef’s Table and à la carte dining)
• 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 GratuitiesΔ
• Complimentary VOOM**, The Fastest Internet at Sea
• Expedited Boarding and Departure
• Best Seats in the House in Select Entertainment Venues
• Priority Entrance to Many Onboard Activities††
• Suite Lounge Access (complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails each evening)
• Access to 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 Pillows
• Frette® Linens
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities
• Lavazza Espresso Coffee Maker

[orville99]

We sail in sky class as often as we can (since the restart e have done CLS three times and twice in GS), and every time we look at star class prices compared to sky it always comes down to what the a la carte costs would be of the extra amenities relative to the difference in price between a star suite and a sky suite. in every case since the restart, we could have purchased everything a la carte and still spent thousands less. YMMV

[mom2miracles]

2 minutes ago, orville99 said:

We sail in sky class as often as we can (since the restart e have done CLS three times and twice in GS), and every time we look at star class prices compared to sky it always comes down to what the a la carte costs would be of the extra amenities relative to the difference in price between a star suite and a sky suite. in every case since the restart, we could have purchased everything a la carte and still spent thousands less. YMMV

 

With the except of the Royal Genie, lol.

 

As an aside, aren't CLS the best?! We were in one on Oasis in March 2020 (haven't been able to sail since) and we're now spoiled. lol! We're staying in one again on Harmony later this Spring and Oasis in the New Year!

[orville99]

2 minutes ago, mom2miracles said:

 

With the except of the Royal Genie, lol.

 

As an aside, aren't CLS the best?! We were in one on Oasis in March 2020 (haven't been able to sail since) and we're now spoiled. lol! We're staying in one again on Harmony later this Spring and Oasis in the New Year!

To us the genie is like a dog in heat, always following behind and sniffing for signs of tipping opportunities. We can do without that, and we get everything we enjoy about suites from the CLS. They are the best suites (IMO) on the ship for comfort vs price.

[mom2miracles]

Just now, orville99 said:

To us the genie is like a dog in heat, always following behind and sniffing for signs of tipping opportunities. We can do without that, and we get everything we enjoy about suites from the CLS. They are the best suites (IMO) on the ship for comfort vs price.

 

Bwahahah! Love the analogy!!

 

I have to agree about them being the best suites!

[gingersvp]

It's the Royal Genie. The Genie is like a private concierge because they only handle 3 or 4 cabins. You are personally escorted on the ship, directly to your cabin. The Genie handles all your dining and show reservations, reservea front row seating at the shows and will provide you with personal attention in every aspect of the cruise. Pre covid I had a bridge tour (not sure if they're doing them now). The Genie made nursery reservations for my then 2 year old, arranged for a cocktail party on my balcony, arranged for my daughter to be in the ice show, checked in on us at dinners, and basically was there for every small thing I could ask.

 

Can you buy all the food and drinks separately and spend less? Absolutely. What you cannot buy is the Genie. 

 

I sail on the Oasis next week, and I only booked it earlier this week. I don't have to think about anything, the Genie is handling everything. I'm super oversubscribed at work and having someone else do all the planning for me is absolutely priceless. Your mileage/value may vary. 

[gingersvp]

2 minutes ago, orville99 said:

To us the genie is like a dog in heat, always following behind and sniffing for signs of tipping opportunities. We can do without that, and we get everything we enjoy about suites from the CLS. They are the best suites (IMO) on the ship for comfort vs price.

 

I did not feel this way at all. Our Genie took care of us and never once spoke to tip. At the end I tipped all at once based on the value of her services.

[PerferWarmWeather]

This is great information.  Thank you to each one of you.

[orville99]

3 hours ago, gingersvp said:

It's the Royal Genie. The Genie is like a private concierge because they only handle 3 or 4 cabins. You are personally escorted on the ship, directly to your cabin. The Genie handles all your dining and show reservations, reservea front row seating at the shows and will provide you with personal attention in every aspect of the cruise. Pre covid I had a bridge tour (not sure if they're doing them now). The Genie made nursery reservations for my then 2 year old, arranged for a cocktail party on my balcony, arranged for my daughter to be in the ice show, checked in on us at dinners, and basically was there for every small thing I could ask.

 

Can you buy all the food and drinks separately and spend less? Absolutely. What you cannot buy is the Genie. 

 

I sail on the Oasis next week, and I only booked it earlier this week. I don't have to think about anything, the Genie is handling everything. I'm super oversubscribed at work and having someone else do all the planning for me is absolutely priceless. Your mileage/value may vary. 

The suite concierge will do virtually all of this for you as well. And has for us on numerous cruises.

Edited March 5, 2022 by orville99

[orville99]

3 hours ago, gingersvp said:

 

I did not feel this way at all. Our Genie took care of us and never once spoke to tip. At the end I tipped all at once based on the value of her services.

Different strokes for different folks, i guess.

[lovescats5]

Just sent an answering email to our genie for our upcoming cruise on Symphony March 26.  He has all our meals arranged, unless we decide to change at the last minute.  He knows when we will be arriving and what shows we want to see.  He will escort us on the ship and at the end get us down and out way faster than sitting and waiting for our number to be called.   We will have a porter take our suitcases with us and not have to look for them where ever they are located if you had to leave them out the night before.  Could I do all the planning, yes but my time is important also.  We have never had a genie follow us around sniffing for a tip.  If you think that way then you might try SC to see if they do that to you.  If you have never been in Star Class then you have little to say to help people who have honest questions about how it works.  If you have been in SC and don't think it is worth the extra money then that is different, now you can express your opinion.  So orville99 are you speaking from experience or just spouting off because you are not willing to pay for a genie.

As an aside...their job is customer service their job is to make sure we have what we want or need.  This will be our 6th cruise with a genie and we have never had one follow us around.  Have they met us at dinner to make sure everything was as we wanted....yes it is their job.  Do they save us seats where we would like them...yes that is their job and no we never sit in the front part of the theater.  We fly cross country and can only take two cruises because of air fare so we feel the genie is the best experience for us, at least when we sail Oasis or Quantum class.

[cured]

21 minutes ago, orville99 said:

The suite concierge will do virtually all of this for you as well. And has for us on numerous cruises.

We love Crown Loft suites. But we haven't utilized the concierge much.  Star Class has always been on my bucket list. But if we can do the same thing with a concierge, I will stick with the CLS.

 

Just to clarify, as these are the things we would like to utilize:

 

The concierge will keep the cabin stocked with water, beer, pop, and juice?

The concierge will escort you to shows and sit you in the front row reserved seats (not the reserved suite seats) and bring you drinks to your seats?

They will have snacks and food in your cabin every afternoon at no charge?

They can book you a private (Sky Class only) bridge tour at no cost (once it is allowed again?)

 

Those are the main things I can think of now. If they can do this and I can save some money, that would be great!

 

 

[RFerrington]

We absolutely love Star Class.  I have never felt that the Genie is sniffing around or looking for a tip.  My husband is not quite as fond of the Genie service as I am but he tolerates it for me !

 

Another thing that Star Class has over Sky Class is the fact that you can have specialty dining, room service.  Sky Class pax can certainly purchase the UDP but they cannot have that food delivered to their suite.  Only Star Class can do that.  This service includes virtually unlimited amounts of food and beverages (water, soda, juices, beer) delivered to the room so it is very easy and completely complimentary to host large gatherings in your suite.  We have hosted many such events in the past.

 

It's very hard to quantify the services included in Star Class.  I have read many times, "I will just buy the UDP and the DBP and I'm good-to-go".  The services of the Genie on top of everything is very difficult to appreciate unless you have experienced it yourself.  It's true that some people really don't care for all of the attention (hubby being one of them) but those people are fairly rare.  Most everyone that I know of who have experienced Star Class really enjoy it all. Count me in that group !

 

My favorite story to illustrate the value of the Genie was when we were on Anthem and called at Port Canaveral.  There had been an onboard incident (too complicated to describe here) and all pax and crew were required to disembark.  It was a sea of humanity and most were NOT happy.  Once we arrived back at the terminal (we had business in town that had taken us away from the ship), there was nowhere to sit and people were getting very testy.  We called our Genie, who came down immediately, collected us, and took us back onboard. We were back in our suite in no time and everyone else was still waiting for reboarding to begin.  These kinds of incidents are rare, but when something like this happens, there is nothing like a Genie to bypass much of the turmoil.

[jndsilver31]

1 hour ago, cured said:

We love Crown Loft suites. But we haven't utilized the concierge much.  Star Class has always been on my bucket list. But if we can do the same thing with a concierge, I will stick with the CLS.

 

Just to clarify, as these are the things we would like to utilize:

 

The concierge will keep the cabin stocked with water, beer, pop, and juice?

The concierge will escort you to shows and sit you in the front row reserved seats (not the reserved suite seats) and bring you drinks to your seats?

They will have snacks and food in your cabin every afternoon at no charge?

They can book you a private (Sky Class only) bridge tour at no cost (once it is allowed again?)

 

Those are the main things I can think of now. If they can do this and I can save some money, that would be great!

 

 

in a CLS you dont get unlimited drinks. you dont get snacks, unless you pay extra. the concierge doesnt reserve you the best seats in the theather. but the best part about hsving s genie, is they escort you directly from your suite yo customs, ahead of everyone else

[mac_tlc]

We have done Star class twice and have another one this August. We have 8 of us and in our case it’s cheaper than having everyone in Sky class. Have done the 1 bdr AQ suite twice and have the 4 bdr villa on Harmony.

 

We have never felt the genie is “sniffing “ for a tip. With two young kids in our group, the genie provides exactly what they will eat and it’s delivered to the room. Very convenient.  
 

Not sure we would ever do it for just two of us, then it gets expensive per person.

 

mac_tlc

[HicksRA]

About the only thing I wouldn’t want relative to Star Class would be a genie. I’d feel like I was being led around by a babysitter. I recently spent two weeks in a CLS close to the Star Suite and saw the genie constantly leading everyone around, escorting them to dinner, seating them at shows and ordering their drinks in front of everyone kind of making a spectacle of the guests.  

I know this would be desirable for some, but I prefer my own privacy and enjoying my cruise on my own. 
Not knocking others who like that sort of thing, just not for me. 

[brillohead]

4 hours ago, cured said:

Just to clarify, as these are the things we would like to utilize:

 

The concierge will keep the cabin stocked with water, beer, pop, and juice?

The concierge will escort you to shows and sit you in the front row reserved seats (not the reserved suite seats) and bring you drinks to your seats?

They will have snacks and food in your cabin every afternoon at no charge?

They can book you a private (Sky Class only) bridge tour at no cost (once it is allowed again?)

These are all Star Class Only items done by a Genie.  The "regular" suite concierge cannot do any of these things.

[smplybcause]

3 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

We have done Star class twice and have another one this August. We have 8 of us and in our case it’s cheaper than having everyone in Sky class. Have done the 1 bdr AQ suite twice and have the 4 bdr villa on Harmony.

 

We have never felt the genie is “sniffing “ for a tip. With two young kids in our group, the genie provides exactly what they will eat and it’s delivered to the room. Very convenient.  
 

Not sure we would ever do it for just two of us, then it gets expensive per person.

 

mac_tlc

 

Sigh I wish I knew enough people I could convince this isn't that much. 

[George C]

We have done sky class last 8 cruises on rccl totally disappointed in them on last cruise, they changed there rules , in past we had reserved seats for all the shows, now it’s early access, my future cruises will be celebrity or MSc yacht club.

[brillohead]

13 minutes ago, George C said:

they changed there rules , in past we had reserved seats for all the shows, now it’s early access

You do realize that this was due to COVID and distancing, right?  Not just that they "changed the rules"?  

I'm guessing that it's gone back to the "special area" now that all the vax only areas and mask rules have changed, which is a shame, because not everyone wants to sit in the "special area".  

 

 

[gingersvp]

11 hours ago, HicksRA said:

About the only thing I wouldn’t want relative to Star Class would be a genie. I’d feel like I was being led around by a babysitter. I recently spent two weeks in a CLS close to the Star Suite and saw the genie constantly leading everyone around, escorting them to dinner, seating them at shows and ordering their drinks in front of everyone kind of making a spectacle of the guests.  

I know this would be desirable for some, but I prefer my own privacy and enjoying my cruise on my own. 
Not knocking others who like that sort of thing, just not for me. 

 

It doesn't have to be quite that over the top. Our Genie checked in on us at dinner but didn't actually escort us to dinner nor order us drinks, etc. We were traveling with a larger group not in Star class and I didn't really want to advertise a lot of the extras we received, so she did a lot behind the scenes but wasn't super extravagant with displays. 

 

For priority embarkation and disembarkation, we were quietly led to our room/off the ship. 

[topnole]

14 hours ago, cured said:

We love Crown Loft suites. But we haven't utilized the concierge much.  Star Class has always been on my bucket list. But if we can do the same thing with a concierge, I will stick with the CLS.

 

Just to clarify, as these are the things we would like to utilize:

 

The concierge will keep the cabin stocked with water, beer, pop, and juice?

The concierge will escort you to shows and sit you in the front row reserved seats (not the reserved suite seats) and bring you drinks to your seats?

They will have snacks and food in your cabin every afternoon at no charge?

They can book you a private (Sky Class only) bridge tour at no cost (once it is allowed again?)

 

Those are the main things I can think of now. If they can do this and I can save some money, that would be great!

 

 

You will only get his this with Star class cabins. 

[topnole]

14 hours ago, orville99 said:

The suite concierge will do virtually all of this for you as well. And has for us on numerous cruises.

That isn’t true.  The SL concierge serves hundreds of passengers.  A Genie serve 3-4 cabins.  Speaking from experience in both sky and star class, the level of service is night and day between sky and star.  With that said, sky class is great.  But those looking for that special level of treatment like being escorted to reserved seats for all shows or being walked on board on day 1 with all of your luggage, for example, will want star class.  Star class is expensive, but it is definitely next level service relative to sky class (and it isn’t even close). 

[topnole]

18 hours ago, orville99 said:

To us the genie is like a dog in heat, always following behind and sniffing for signs of tipping opportunities. We can do without that, and we get everything we enjoy about suites from the CLS. They are the best suites (IMO) on the ship for comfort vs price.

This hasn’t been my experience at all in multiple star class trips.  In fact, when we  saw a prior genie on a later cruise (about a year later when we were in steerage that trip) she was so excited to see us and ran across the promenade to hug all of us.  We saw here again later and she initiated a chat with us even as

busy as she was.  No sniffing.  No hand extended for tip. Just genuine caring.  I can’t speak for all of them, but I suspect many of them bust their butts for their customers and do it with the utmost professionalism.  They do not make you feel like they are just chasing a tip.  They are highly trained pros.  
 

And by the way, a genie is happy to be out of sight if you want them to be.  I’m sure any such person would make their week. They are so busy they would love an easy group of passengers.