If you’re considering whether to choose a balcony stateroom, a Junior Suite or a Grand Suite, you’ll want to know about Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suite benefits.
Many cruisers are shocked to learn that there aren’t really many Junior Suite perks, especially when compared to a Grand Suite. But, Junior Suites are larger than balcony staterooms and they do offer a few nice extra touches.
Read on to learn all about Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suites and decide if it’s worth booking one for your next cruise.
What actually is a Junior Suite?
Royal Caribbean cruise ships have four categories of accommodation:
- Inside Stateroom
- Ocean View Stateroom
- Balcony Stateroom
- Suite
A Junior Suite is the smallest and cheapest of all of Royal Caribbean’s suites. It’s best thought of as a type of accommodation that’s in-between a Deluxe Balcony Stateroom and a Grand Suite.
Balcony Vs. Junior Suite Vs. Grand Suite – what you get with each
The main reason to get a suite is the benefits that come with it. But you may be disappointed to see that Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suites don’t include many benefits at all.
| Benefit | Balcony | Junior Suite | Grand Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use of Royal Caribbean Bathrobes | – | YES | YES |
| Luxury Toiletries | – | YES | YES |
| Coffee Machine in Room | – | YES | YES |
| Dinner at Coastal Kitchen (Oasis- & Spectrum-class ships) | – | YES | YES |
| Priority Boarding | – | YES | YES |
| Priority Departure | – | – | YES |
| Priority Tendering | – | – | YES |
| Pillowtop Mattress | – | – | YES |
| Welcome Water & Fruit | – | – | YES |
| Access to Suite Lounge | – | – | YES |
| Concierge Service | – | – | YES |
| Priority Dining Reservations | – | – | YES |
| Priority Spa Bookings | – | – | YES |
| Priority Shore Excursion Ticketing | – | – | YES |
| Bridge, Galley & Backstage Tours | – | – | YES |
| VIP Pool Deck Seating | – | – | YES |
| Reserved Section in Theater | – | – | YES |
| Main Dining Menu Available for In-Suite dining | – | – | YES |
| Free 24-Hour Room Service | – | – | YES |
| Private Breakfast Seating | – | – | YES |
| Departure Breakfast | – | – | YES |
| Complimentary Pressing on First Formal Night | – | – | YES |
| Sign-up Fee Waived for Luggage Valet Service | – | – | YES |
Another benefit of a suite compared to a standard balcony room is the extra space…
Junior Suite sizes vary – they’re better on newer ships
Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suites vary in size depending on the ship, with the average Junior Suite being 290 square feet. The smallest Junior Suites are on Vision Class ships (245 square feet) and the largest are on Odyssey of the Seas (301 square feet).
In the image below, you can see how a typical Junior Suite compares in size to a balcony stateroom and a Grand Suite…
As a rule, the newer ships have larger Junior Suites. However, there is also some variation in the size of Junior Suites within each ship, so be sure to examine the deck plan carefully when choosing your suite number.
The size of the balconies on Junior Suites varies hugely. On the older ships, the balconies are just about enough for a table and two chairs. On the newer ships, many Junior Suite balconies are over 160 square feet in size and come with sun loungers.
Here’s what your Junior Suite includes…
A Junior Suite usually sleeps up to four guests with a king-size bed (that converts to twins) and a double sofa bed. On some ships, Junior Suites also have a Pullman bed and can sleep up to five guests.
Suggested read: The Best Cruises for a Family of 5
Junior Suites are spacious and usually (but not always) feature a bathtub and a walk-in closet. There is sometimes a curtain between the bed and the sofa bed.
Royal Suite Class Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
The layout and decor of Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suites vary. On the newer ships, you can expect more modern decor than on ships that are up to 20 years old.
The pictures below show Junior Suite 11638 on Anthem of the Seas…
The photo below shows a Junior Suite on Radiance of the Seas. This ship was built in 2001. As you can see, the woodwork is in a more traditional style than on the newer ships and the TV is smaller.
For a more detailed look at a Royal Caribbean Junior Suite, take a look at this video which showcases one of the Junior Suites on Symphony of the Seas…
Junior Suite perks
Royal Caribbean’s Suites can come with a huge selection of perks. However, you need to know that most of these do not apply to Junior Suites, only to Grand Suites and above. So if you were hoping to skip lines and access VIP areas, having a Junior Suite won’t help you with that.
With Royal Caribbean, Junior Suites include these perks:
- More space than a balcony cabin
- Use of a Royal Caribbean classic bathrobe
- Luxury bathroom toiletries
- Luxury pillow-top mattress
- Tea and coffee-making facilities
- Dinner at Coastal Kitchen (on Oasis- and Spectrum-class ships)
- Priority boarding (depending on the embarkation port)
- Double Crown & Anchor points
Most Junior Suites have a bath, which makes them very popular with families with young children. Sometimes there is a separate bath and walk-in shower, but often the shower will be over the bath.
On Quantum Class ships (Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas), look out for the Spa Junior Suites that have a spa-inspired bath and separate rainfall shower.
TIP: If you wish to dine in the Coastal Kitchen, then make your dining reservation as soon as you can, as it gets booked up
Want more space? Some Junior Suites are connected to each other with internal doors, or they are connected with balcony staterooms. This is a great way to accommodate larger groups.
You pay the same gratuities as regular staterooms
Royal Caribbean gratuities are $18.00 per person, per day for Junior Suite guests. This is the standard gratuity charge for most guests. Those staying in a Grand Suite or above will pay $20.50 per person, per day.
Read more about Royal Caribbean gratuities.
They’re a good upgrade from Balcony Staterooms, if the price is right
On Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Junior Suites are larger than balcony staterooms, both in terms of the cabin itself and the balcony space. You’ll often find bathtubs and walk-in closets.
Junior Suites come with a few extra perks that you won’t find in a balcony stateroom, including bathrobes, luxury toiletries and the chance to enjoy dinner at the Coastal Kitchen restaurant on ships that have one.
Royal Caribbean’s Coastal Kitchen is available on the following ships:
- Allure of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Odyssey of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
Grand Suites have a LOT more benefit (but also cost more too)
Royal Caribbean’s Grand Suites are not just larger than Junior Suites, they also come with a lot more perks. Grand Suite guests can enjoy concierge service, access to VIP areas, invitations to special events and priority reservations for dining, spa services and excursions.
You can see a full list of Royal Caribbean Suite perks here.
Is a Junior Suite worth it? (my opinion)
A Junior Suite usually costs a couple of hundred dollars more than a balcony stateroom, although the price will vary depending on the itinerary.
For some people, the extra space is worth that. Families with babies love Junior Suites as they have plenty of room to add a cot (Pack n Play) and a bathtub is much easier than a shower. Cruisers who are of larger than average size also report that they value the extra space in the bathroom.
If you’re a frequent cruiser aiming to work your way up the Crown & Anchor Society tiers to get extra benefits, then the double points that come with a Junior Suite can make it worthwhile.
TIP: Double Crown & Anchor points are on offer if you book a Junior Suite, but not if you upgrade after booking via the Royal Up bidding program.
However, you don’t really get any of the usual Suite perks with a Junior Suite. If that’s something that really appeals to you, then you’d do better to consider a Grand Suite if you have the budget for it.
I do like having extra space so my definitive answer would be yes – a Junior Suite is worth it if you can afford it. Just make sure you know what to expect.
Suggested read: How to Upgrade Your Cruise Cabin After Purchase
Royal Suite Class Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
Related posts:
- What’s Included in a Royal Caribbean Cruise?
- 3 Ways to Fet Free WiFi on Your Royal Caribbean Cruise
- Royal Caribbean Suite Perks
- 13 Royal Caribbean Rooms To Avoid
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I think a junior suite on Liberty of the sea should give you more perks since they do not have a restaurant for Junior suite people to eat at like the bigger ships have
why not have more perks if you purchase a spa junior suite,as it is a new catagory,like spa junior suite ,1bed room grand and above,so j2 and j3 suites stand,then you start from the spa junior suites and above,why im saying this is you only have 46 spa junior suites on the quantum and ovation,so it makes sense,what do other think.