Star Of The Seas Cabins To Avoid

Star of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship (tied with sister ship Icon of the Seas), with an incredible 2,805 cabins and suites on board.

Among those, there are 28 different room types to choose from. Those are some pretty significant numbers – so how do you know which one is right for you?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through all 28 cabin categories. I’ll highlight the top choices, as well as the specific rooms you might want to steer clear of.

Star of the Seas is brand new so I’ll be drawing on real guest feedback of sister ship Icon of the Seas, as well as analysing deck plans and more. I’ll also use some imagery/video of Icon of the Seas too until there is more available of the newer Star of the Seas, just to help illustrate some of the points.

By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which stateroom or suite is the best fit for your holiday on Star of the Seas. Let’s dive in!

Star of the Seas Cabin Overview

There are four broad categories of stateroom/suite on Star of the Seas. All of those 28 categories of cabin I mentioned fit into one of those four categories.

Room	Sleeps	Size (inc balcony)
Interior	2 to 4	157 to 187 sq ft
Ocean View	2 to 4	160 to 258 sq ft
Balcony	2 to 6	196 to 285 sq ft
Suite	2 to 8	322 to 1,772 sq ft

Interior Staterooms

Here’s a quick list of all the interior stateroom options:

• Interior
• Interior Plus
• Spacious Interior
• Surfside Family View Interior
• Central Park View Interior

On most cruise ships, an interior stateroom is one where there are no windows and so you’ve no access to natural light. Some people actually prefer this (it’s great for a deep sleep), but to most guests this makes the rooms the least desirable, but also, the cheapest.

Suggested read: Why I (Almost) Always Choose an Inside Cabin for a Family Cruise

It is broadly true on Star of the Seas too, but there are exceptions – those last two in the list. Surfside Family View Interior and Central Park View Interior rooms actually have windows that face the interior of the ship – the Surfside and Central Park areas respectively.

I understand why they’re in this category because “Ocean View” doesn’t mean “room with a window”, it means a view of the ocean. So you couldn’t really put these in that category.

Anyway, some people like the idea of these rooms because they’re cheap rooms with natural lighting. I wouldn’t always recommend them though, which I’ll get to in a bit.

Also, an important note on Interior Plus. Sounds spacious, right? Actually it just has more storage space. Don’t expect a room that feels bigger. If you want more floorspace, go with Spacious Interior.

Ocean View Staterooms

On Star of the Seas, there are just two types of ocean view cabin to choose from:

• Ocean View
• Panoramic Ocean View

As you might expect, the Panoramic Ocean View cabins are more spacious and offer a far superior view. Located exclusively on Deck 14, they give you a stunning outlook thanks to their large forward-facing windows.

The regular Ocean View cabins, meanwhile, are a solid step up from Interior rooms. They’re ideal if you’d like to catch a glimpse of the sea without splashing out on a Balcony cabin.

Balcony Staterooms

If you’re after a Balcony stateroom on Star of the Seas, you’ve got plenty of choice:

• Ocean View Balcony
• Ocean View Large Balcony
• Infinite Ocean View Balcony
• Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony
• Connecting Ocean View Balcony
• Central Park View Balcony
• Infinite Central Park View Balcony
• Surfside Family View Balcony

As you can see, there’s a combination of traditional balcony cabins and what are known as Infinite Balconies. The standard versions feature a door – either sliding or hinged – that leads out to a private outdoor space, just as you’d expect on most cruise ships.

Infinite Balconies work a little differently. Instead of stepping out onto a separate balcony, a section of your cabin becomes the balcony space itself, thanks to a large floor-to-ceiling window where the top half can be lowered at the touch of a button.

Infinite Balcony Staterooms are becoming more popular on modern cruise ships – Royal Caribbean’s sister cruise line Celebrity Cruises has really led the way with them on the Edge-class ships.

But some guests clearly aren’t getting all of the information they need, as some have complained about only getting an Infinite Balcony for their Icon of the Seas cruise.

Not all Balcony staterooms on Star of the Seas face the ocean. Some overlook the ship’s internal neighbourhoods – either Central Park or Surfside.

This means you’ll have a balcony directly across from someone else’s, rather than an open sea view. However, these inward-facing rooms are usually priced lower than ocean-facing Balcony cabins, making them a more budget-friendly option.

A quick but important note about Guarantee cabins – each type of stateroom (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite) is available as a Guarantee option. These come at a lower price, but the catch is that the cruise line picks your room for you, so you won’t get to choose the exact location.

It’s a bit of a gamble, but some travellers go for it to save money.

If you’re booking a Balcony cabin and want to be sure of the view, there’s a useful distinction: you can choose either a general Balcony Guarantee or a Neighbourhood Balcony Guarantee.

That way, you’ve at least got some control over the setting, whether it’s ocean-facing or overlooking one of the ship’s themed areas.

Suites

And finally, we have the suites on Star of the Seas. There are plenty to choose from, ranging from the more affordable Junior Suites to the most luxurious multi-level options like the Ultimate Family Townhouse and the Royal Loft Suite.

Suites are the priciest type of accommodation on board, but they also come with a range of added benefits, depending on which one you go for. They’re much more spacious too, so if you enjoy unwinding in your own private area, they’re definitely worth a look.

With so many to pick from, they deserve their own guide. I’ve written a guide to the Icon of the Seas suites which is the same information as Star of the Seas, for your convenience.

Cabins to Avoid on Star of the Seas

First up, none of the cabins I’m about to tell you about are bad cabins. Can you imagine Royal Caribbean spending so much money on a ship knowing that it had cabins that nobody would like?

However these are the cabins that will be less desirable to some of you, for various reasons.

1. Surfside-Facing Staterooms (If You’re Travelling Without Kids)

Surfside made its debut on Icon of the Seas, and it returns on Star of the Seas with a few updates. This dedicated family neighbourhood is now designed with a wider age range in mind, catering to children from almost-newborn up to around 10 years old.

It’s packed with family-friendly attractions, spaces where parents can relax, and accommodation made with young families in mind.

Of course, with kids around, things can get noisy. Not always, but it’s worth remembering that this part of the ship is built for fun, not for quiet. Cabins overlooking the pool areas, in particular, are likely to be affected by sound throughout the day.

If you’re not travelling with little ones, it’s a good idea to steer clear of the Surfside Family View Interior cabins, and especially the Surfside Family View Balcony cabins and Surfside Family Suites.

2. Rooms Directly Below Chill Island

14164 to 14286, 14565 to 14686

One common tip when choosing any cruise cabin is to avoid staterooms located directly beneath the pool areas. On Star of the Seas, the main pool zone is Chill Island, which features several pools, whirlpools and lots of loungers.

It can be quite a noisy spot, especially first thing in the morning and late into the evening. Crew members often move loungers around early on, and you’ll sometimes hear the scraping as they’re dragged into place.

Later in the evening, the chairs are usually stacked, which can also cause a fair bit of noise. And that’s not even accounting for the usual daytime sounds of people enjoying themselves in the sun.

It’s really the early mornings and late nights that tend to disturb guests, so if you’re someone who enjoys a lie-in or wants peace in the evenings, it’s best to avoid cabins directly underneath Chill Island.

3. Rooms Below The Hideaway

14288 to 14350, 14352 to 14362, 14688 to 14750, 14752 to 14762

We’ve already covered how the kids’ zones and pool decks can be noisy, but what might surprise you (or maybe it won’t) is that the adults-only area can be just as lively.

Unlike some of the older Royal Caribbean ships that offer a quiet Solarium, Star of the Seas features The Hideaway instead. This area includes an infinity pool, a bar and plenty of stylish day beds – but it’s designed with more of a party vibe in mind than a peaceful retreat.

If your cabin is located directly underneath The Hideaway, you might find yourself hearing music and other sounds from above, especially during the afternoon and into the evening. So it’s worth avoiding those rooms if you’re after a more relaxing stay.

4. Rooms Close To The AquaDome

12134 to 12162, 12530 to 12562, 14538 to 14562, 14138 to 14162

This is another relatively new addition to Royal Caribbean’s line-up of neighbourhoods. Located near the AquaDome, it’s a sleek, modern area that hosts entertainment throughout the day and into the evening – including some truly impressive shows.

These performances often feature loud music with heavy bass, which can be quite noticeable from nearby cabins. There are also rehearsals to consider, though these usually take place during the day when most guests are off exploring the ship or enjoying a port of call.

Even so, if you tend to head to bed early, it’s a good idea to avoid booking a cabin close to this area, as the noise might disturb your evening rest.

5. Surfside and Central Park Interior Staterooms

Although they’re officially classed as ‘Interior’ rooms, these two categories benefit from a decent-sized window that lets in some natural light. They’re also more spacious than standard Interior or Spacious Interior cabins, which is a definite plus.

That said, you might find yourself keeping the curtains drawn more often than not. These rooms are positioned right beside walkways in Surfside or Central Park, so there’s a constant stream of people passing by – making privacy nearly impossible.

Interior-facing balcony cabins have a similar issue, as your balcony is directly across from someone else’s. Still, that feels slightly less intrusive than having people stroll past your window all day.

For me, those interior rooms with windows at eye level in busy neighbourhoods just don’t appeal. But it depends on how much that matters to you.

These two unusual stateroom types could work well for some travellers. But I also think some people would hate them.

6. Some Suites In Forward Positions (If You Get Seasick)

If you’re worried about seasickness then there are few ships better for you than Star of the Seas. She’s huge, and she’s packed with cutting-edge tech, including state-of-the-art stabilisers that help to smooth things out at sea.

But even the most advanced systems have their limits – regardless of the ship’s size. So when the seas get rough, you could still feel some movement. There’s no way around it.

If you’re prone to seasickness, the usual recommendation is to book a cabin on a lower deck and as close to the middle of the ship as possible. Having an ocean-facing balcony can also help, as being able to get fresh air and focus on the horizon makes a difference.

A lot of the most luxurious suites on Star of the Seas are up on Decks 16, 17 and 18, right at the front of the ship. That’s just about the worst place to be if motion sickness is a problem for you – so if you’re sensitive to it, you might want to look at other options.

7. Sofa Bed Rooms When Sharing With Adults or Older Kids

This one surprised me when I was researching Icon of the Seas staterooms, and it doesn’t look like things are changing for Star of the Seas.

Rather than using pull-down Pullman beds like many older ships, Star of the Seas now tends to favour sofa beds for kids wherever possible. In theory, that’s a positive change – there’s no danger of anyone falling out of an upper bunk, and adults are less likely to crack their heads on the way past.

However, the sofa beds in quite a few cabins aren’t especially large. If you’ve got an older child, or two younger ones sharing, it might end up being a bit of a squeeze. Comfort could be an issue, so it’s worth checking the cabin layout carefully before you book.

The Best Rooms On Star Of The Seas

Most of the staterooms on Star of the Seas are solid choices. Even if you end up with one that’s not quite perfect, chances are you won’t mind too much – after all, you’ll likely spend most of your time out and about enjoying everything the ship has to offer.

That said, I’ve highlighted a few of the stateroom and suite types that really stand out. As you might expect on a ship so focused on families, the best of the bunch are designed with families in mind.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony

Of all the balcony stateroom options available for families, this is probably the top pick – and that’s largely thanks to its clever layout.

As mentioned earlier, many family cabins rely on smaller sofa beds. But the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony offers something better: a separate sleeping area with fun bunk beds, each with its own TV. So as long as the volume stays under control, everyone can watch their own shows in peace.

Another major plus is the split bathroom setup, which is a real rarity on Royal Caribbean ships. Being able to take a shower while your kids use a separate toilet may sound like a small thing, but it makes a big difference to how smoothly your mornings go.

These are the most spacious and well-designed balcony staterooms for families. They do cost more than standard balcony cabins, but they’re still a step down from suite prices. If you’re cruising with kids – especially older ones – it’s well worth the upgrade.

Surfside Family Suite (With Young Children)

Including the Surfside Family Suite as one of the “best” staterooms might seem like an odd call. After all, it overlooks the lively Surfside neighbourhood and only offers a sofa bed for the kids.

But for families with younger children, it’s actually a brilliant option. The sofa bed sits in a semi-private sleeping area that can be sectioned off and comes with its own oversized TV – perfect for keeping the little ones entertained.

While they enjoy their own shows, parents can relax in the roomy main living space. You’ve also got the convenience of a split bathroom, which is always a win for families.

This suite falls under Royal Caribbean’s Sky Class category, placing it in the mid-tier range. That means you’ll get a bundle of added benefits, like access to The Grove sun deck while the kids are at Adventure Ocean, entry to Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge, and priority dining reservations.

You’ll also have VOOM internet included, which is ideal if your kids prefer to watch their favourite content on a phone or tablet.

For families with older children, the Family Infinite Balcony is probably a better fit. But for parents travelling with younger kids, the Surfside Family Suite strikes a fantastic balance – offering family-friendly features, a brilliant location, and suite perks, without quite reaching the price tag of the most luxurious options.

Of course, if money’s no object then there is one more suite that the kids would love even more…

Ultimate Family Townhouse

When it comes to family suites, the Ultimate Family Townhouse really does live up to its name. It’s the top-tier option by a long way – but with a price tag to match. You’re looking at around £20,000 per person for a week, so this is very much one for those with serious money to spend.

Its location is fantastic, tucked into the aft corner of the ship with a private, picket-fenced backyard that leads straight into the Surfside neighbourhood. It’s a lovely touch, especially for families with younger children.

The suite itself is spread over three levels and is absolutely enormous – roughly 11 times the size of a standard Interior room. Inside, you’ll find separate bedrooms for kids and adults, a slide between floors, a karaoke setup, gaming tables, a piano staircase that plays notes as you walk, and plenty more surprises.

As a Star Class suite, it also comes with a huge list of perks, including included gratuities, deluxe drinks packages, and your very own Royal Genie – a personal concierge who can take care of just about anything.

Now, realistically, most people reading this guide won’t be booking the Ultimate Family Townhouse. But with a name like that, it deserves a mention – and if you do happen to have the budget, it’s hard to beat.

You can read more about the Ultimate Family Townhouse here. Star of the Seas’ version does have some different décor but otherwise is broadly the same.

Final Word

Star of the Seas is still a brand-new ship, so while this guide gives you a solid overview, many of the recommendations are based on real reviews from Icon of the Seas, as well as my own research into the deck plans.

There may be the odd cabin or suite with a hidden quirk or minor issue that hasn’t come to light yet – these things tend to surface as more guests share their experiences.

If you’ve stayed in a room and spotted something worth mentioning, please do drop it in the comments so I can update the guide to help others.

Overall, the staterooms and suites on Star of the Seas are modern, well-designed and comfortable. For most people, your cabin will just be a place to sleep, get ready, and recharge in between all the fun.

If you’re trying to find more detailed feedback about a specific cabin but struggling to locate anything for Star just yet, don’t forget that Icon of the Seas has the same layouts and room types. Searching for reviews from Icon guests can be really helpful in the meantime.

Here are some of the resources I used to help put this guide together:

• Star of the Seas Deck Plans
• Royal Caribbean Blog forum
• Cruise Critic reviews
• Icon of the Seas Facebook group

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