A Royal Caribbean cruise passenger has taken to social media to vent frustrations over sleepless nights onboard Allure of the Seas, caused by a neighbouring family with young children and what they describe as “paper thin walls”.
The affected guest, who sailed on a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise aboard the vessel, posted a short video to Reddit revealing that the constant crying and screaming from the adjoining stateroom was disturbing their ability to sleep.
The video, which features the sound of a child crying loudly through what appears to be a connecting door between cabins, was posted on 22nd April 2025 and has since sparked wide discussion among fellow cruisers.
“I asked them to move me and they just keep telling me there’s no other rooms.. I have a balcony room with a connected room to some family of 3 kids and its just constant crying and screaming at all hours of the night.. I can’t sleep this is beyond annoying“
CokeCanCowBoi on Reddit
According to the guest, the cruise line’s guest services team contacted the family once to address the noise, but the issue persisted into the second night.
The cruiser indicated they planned to return to guest services on day three and request a refund of gratuities if a room change could not be arranged.
In the comments, they then confirmed that they’d been given $400 onboard credit as a goodwill gesture from the cruise line, but they still felt it wasn’t enough and they still intended to remove gratuities.
It’s worth bearing in mind that gratuities are important for the crew on the ship, with them being split between many different teams including several behind-the-scenes workers.
So the assurance that the guest would still “leave a tip for the cleaner myself” still would mean several crew members to not receive tips, despite not being involved in the incident at all.
The guest threatened to contact news agencies and to include the names of the Guest Services team members who “refused to do anything” about the situation.
Given that the voyage falls during the busy spring break season, it is plausible that the ship is operating at or near capacity – potentially leaving no alternative cabins available for relocation.
The video that the user posted does appear to show the guest striking the door during the noise.
While Royal Caribbean is known for its family-friendly offerings, many cruisers have weighed in on the Reddit thread to say they try to avoid connecting rooms for precisely this reason.
“Never book a room with a connecting door unless you’re also booking the other room too,” warned one commenter. It’s a tip I often share when I write a guide on cabins you should avoid!
Others shared practical tips, such as using magnetic hooks and a spare comforter to create a makeshift sound barrier, or playing white noise via a mobile device to drown out disruptive sounds.
More experienced guests advised avoiding staterooms located directly above or below high-traffic areas such as nightclubs, theatres, or pool decks to reduce the risk of noise disturbances.
While some sympathised with the guest’s plight, others pointed out that crying children are a fact of life on family-friendly cruise ships.
Royal Caribbean’s larger vessels, including Allure of the Seas, are equipped with childcare options including nurseries and youth clubs that can assist families travelling with small children.
It’s always worth checking the deck plans of your cruise ship and avoiding connecting cabins if you don’t need them. The doors are not the best for soundproofing and when you have a family next door with young children (highly likely on a family-friendly cruise ship), you can often hear noise.
A lot of people like to pack ear plugs for this very reason, while others ask for a large fan to help drown out some of the noise. White noise machines are also popular.
And if you choose a guarantee room which means you don’t get to pick the cabin yourself, be aware that you are at risk of getting a connecting cabin. The guest who complained on Reddit did confirm that they picked their cabin themselves.
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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.
A major fire broke out on the evening of Thursday, 25th April, just steps from the Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas, devastating several buildings and displacing residents in the…
Passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships have been issued a stark warning after scammers began impersonating one of the company’s most popular cruise directors in a bid to steal money…
MSC Cruises has made a major change to its policy on cruising with infants, and has done so at short notice. The change has meant that many guests are being…
Chaos erupted at Galveston Cruise Port on Saturday, 26th April 2025, when a violent altercation broke out among passengers returning from a Carnival cruise. Guests had just disembarked Carnival Jubilee…
A major fire broke out on the evening of Thursday, 25th April, just steps from the Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas, devastating several buildings and displacing residents in the heart of the capital’s tourist and residential district.
The blaze began shortly after 7 pm local time at the Victoria Court building, a multi-storey structure along Bay Street, and rapidly spread to neighbouring buildings throughout the densely packed area.
Eyewitness reports described hearing a series of loud explosions as the fire advanced, destroying at least a dozen apartment-style homes.
East Bay Street, the main thoroughfare where cruise passengers disembark, lies less than 900 feet (approximately 275 metres) from the site of the fire.
Photos and video footage shared by local news outlet Our News Bahamas and the Facebook page of Manila Grill, a popular eatery frequented by cruise ship crew, showed bright orange flames consuming buildings while thick smoke clouded the surrounding area.
The fire reportedly continued into the early hours of Friday morning as local firefighters struggled to contain the flames.
More video footage of the fire Downtown. As yet, no information from police on the blaze. 📹 Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff pic.twitter.com/MCkESB4DXn
Nassau was said to be operating with reduced resources at the time, having redirected some of its fire-fighting equipment to Freeport on Grand Bahama to assist with bushfires earlier in April.
As of now, Bahamian authorities have not released any official cause for the blaze, and there have been no confirmed reports of injuries.
Impact on Cruise Operations Unclear
With over 22,000 cruise passengers expected in Nassau today from five visiting ships – Disney Dream, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Celebration, MSC Seascape, and Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas – questions remain as to whether the fire and emergency response efforts will affect port operations.
At the time of writing, four of those ships had docked at Nassau and Carnival Freedom was still scheduled to visit.
The fire’s proximity to Prince George Wharf, Nassau’s cruise terminal, is a cause for concern.
However, neither cruise lines nor Bahamian officials have issued public updates regarding any changes to schedules or shore excursion activities at the time of publication.
Nassau is one of the busiest cruise destinations in the Caribbean and a staple port of call for many major cruise lines.
Any long-term disruption could have wide-reaching effects on itineraries and the local economy, which heavily relies on tourism. But it seems, for now, that cruise ships are continuing to call at the island.
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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.
A Royal Caribbean cruise passenger has taken to social media to vent frustrations over sleepless nights onboard Allure of the Seas, caused by a neighbouring family with young children and…
Passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships have been issued a stark warning after scammers began impersonating one of the company’s most popular cruise directors in a bid to steal money…
MSC Cruises has made a major change to its policy on cruising with infants, and has done so at short notice. The change has meant that many guests are being…
Chaos erupted at Galveston Cruise Port on Saturday, 26th April 2025, when a violent altercation broke out among passengers returning from a Carnival cruise. Guests had just disembarked Carnival Jubilee…
I used to think that I had only two options when it came to shore days on a cruise – book an excursion with the cruise line or explore independently.
But this year, I discovered a third option, and it’s a gamechanger!
Shore Excursions Group offers organised excursions that are better than the cruise line ones while also being cheaper! Read on for my full review.
Note: Shore Excursions Group provided us with one complimentary excursion. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and I have since gone on to book more excursions with them.
Who Are Shore Excursions Group?
Shore Excursions Group is the world’s largest shore excursion company. Since 2008, they’ve organised almost 5 million shore excursions.
You can book Shore Excursions Group excursions through your travel agent, or make your own booking on their website, ShoreExcursionsGroup.com.
What Is A Shore Excursions Group Excursion Like?
The excursions provided by Shore Excursions Group are just like the ones that your cruise line offers – but better!
On most sailings you’ll have a huge choice of options including:
Scenic tours taking in natural wonders like glaciers, reefs and volcanoes
Cultural tours where you can experience local food and customs
Active tours with options for hiking, cycling or kayaking
City tours led by expert guides who will offer unique insights
On a typical cruise line excursion, you’ll board a coach of around 50 people. This limits the places you can go to and what you can do when you get there.
Shore Excursions Group have much smaller group sizes, usually just 2 to 12 people. Our excursion had just six people, which meant that we could drive into the heart of the places we visited and enjoy a much more personalised experience.
Can You Miss The Ship?
The fear of missing the ship is the main reason why I always used to avoid third-party excursions. If a cruise line excursion is late back for any reason, the ship will always wait for them.
However, if you’re exploring on your own or with another excursion company and you miss the all aboard time, the ship will leave without you. I’ve seen the ship leave without people many times on cruises and I always feel so sorry for anyone who has to make their own way to the next port or back home without their belongings.
Shore Excursions Group offers a return to ship guarantee. The excursions are so well planned that they ALWAYS get every guest back to the ship on time. And if ever they couldn’t, they get you to the next port, pay for any accommodation or meals you need, and also give you $1,000 per person for the inconvenience.
What If The Cruise Itinerary Changes?
Cruise itineraries change all the time! In fact, on most cruises I’ve been on there’s been at least one day when the ship has arrived late, a port has been missed due to the weather or the order or ports has been rearranged. It’s super common.
If you book a cruise line excursion, you don’t need to worry about this as they’ll just move your excursion to a different time or date or refund you. But usually, if you book independently, you would lose your money.
A Shore Excursions Group Excursion is just like a cruise line excursion in that that if your port of call is cancelled, you’ll receive a full refund.
On the day of our excursion, the ship was an hour late coming in to port. As we stepped off the ship, the vehicle was there waiting for us – no problems! Our all-aboard time was also changed. The guide was aware of that and adjusted the itinerary to match.
Shore Excursions Group offers 24/7 support, so you can just call or email them if you need help at any point.
Shore Excursions Groups Offers Incredible Value For Money
The price of cruise line excursions varies hugely. I find that with the British cruise lines like P&O Cruises and Marella, they’re often quite reasonable. But with the American cruise lines like Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean, the prices are astronomical. Booking excursions in every port could double the cost of your cruise!
When looking at the options with Shore Excursions Group, I found the prices to be very reasonable indeed, with savings of around 40% compared to the cruise line options.
There’s also a price-match guarantee, so you can be confident you’re getting the best price without having to shop around.
Save up to 40% on Cruise Excursions!
Choose from over 4,000 excursions with a return-to-ship guarantee
The Booking Experience
Booking my excursion was SO easy! You just head over to the Shore Excursions Group website and tell it which ship you’re going on and which dates.
I found that the prices came up in USD$ at first, but you can change it to GBP£ or your currency with a dropdown in the top menu.
You can see all of the excursions that are available in each of the ports that you’ll visit.
I found the website to be really easy to navigate. You can sort by price, customer rating or popularity and it’s easy to see all the details like how long each excurison is, whether you’ll get food and how much walking is required.
The website has lots of reviews for each excursion and plenty of photos too so you know exactly what you’re getting.
The Excursion Experience
I’ve only taken one excursion with Shore Excursions Group so far, but it was one of the best we’ve ever done!
Our excursion was in Madeira. This is a port we’ve been to several times and we’ve already done all the usual tourist stuff like taking the cable car up the mountain and coming back down in a basket and visiting the botanical gardens. We were ready to try something completely different and our excurison delivered on that!
We were picked up from the ship in a Jeep and headed up in to the mountains! On the way, the lovely driver stopped at a shop so that we could grab snacks and use the bathroom.
Once we got offroad, he opened the roof and let us stand up as we headed up the bumpy track and saw the most incredible scenery. He told us about life in Madeira and pointed out interesting things that we saw, like banana trees!
We then visited a few more local spots like a lake with cows and a viewpoint with a swing for the kids. With just six of us on the tour, there was no hanging around waiting for people to get on and off the coach.
We stopped in a lovely town with free time for lunch and to explore the volcanic pools, then we headed to a stunning beach where we spent an hour.
Finally, we were returned to the ship, 30 minutes before all-aboard time as promised. It was a magical and stress-free day and the best day we’ve ever had in Madeira.
The Verdict
I am thrilled to have discovered Shore Excursions Group. It’s now the first place I’ll go when planning days ashore on my subsequent cruises.
I honestly couldn’t fault any aspect of what they offer. Don’t just take my word for it though. The company has almost 50,000 reviews online, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars!
If you want excursions that are CHEAPER than the cruise line, BETTER QUALITY and with SMALLER GROUPS, then you should definitely head over to ShoreExcursionsGroup.com and get yours booked.
Save up to 40% on Cruise Excursions!
Choose from over 4,000 excursions with a return-to-ship guarantee
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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.
Think you know how fast a ship goes? Think again. We’ve all heard the word knots thrown around when it comes to boats, but what does it actually mean? If you’re used to thinking in miles per hour, the numbers can be seriously confusing.
Why do sailors use knots instead of MPH anyway? And how fast is a knot, really?
There’s a weird reason behind it — and once you hear it, it’ll stick in your head forever. Ready to finally make sense of it all? from? Let’s take a look.
Understanding Knots
A knot is a measurement of speed used on water or on a plane. A single knot means travelling at a speed of one nautical mile per hour, which is different from travelling one mile per hour on land.
To understand knots, you also need to understand nautical miles. Nautical miles exist for a number of reasons. It’s harder to measure distance at sea than it is on land, because you don’t get any marker points on the ocean.
Plus, you tend to be travelling longer distances, which means the curvature of the Earth’s surface plays more of a part in the distance that you were travelling.
So, a unit needed to be created to measure distance accurately, and the best way to do that was to use the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of the Earth.
If you were to split the Earth into 360 equal parts, then each part represents 60 nautical miles. You can then divide each section into 60 minutes of latitude, which just serves to make things even more confusing, because it’s not a measurement of time.
Still, if you imagine dividing the Earth into 360 sections and then splitting each section into 60, that gives you a nautical mile.
And if you travel one nautical mile within an hour, you’re travelling at a speed of 1 knot.
Etymology Of The Knot
‘Knot’ is a historical term, based on when sailors of the 17th century would estimate their sailing speed. They would have a piece of wood called a common log, tied to which would be a rope with knots tied into it at regular intervals.
They would toss the common log into the sea, and then, after a set period of time (perhaps defined by an hourglass), they would count how many knots there were in the sea. And that would be what they called their speed.
The term has now just been adopted to relate to nautical miles travelled.
Knots And MPH
A knot is a measurement of 1 nautical mile per hour. This is the same as travelling 1.15 statute (land) miles per hour. So, how fast is a knot? It’s the same as 1.15 MPH as we would understand it when travelling by land.
And by the same calculation, we can understand that 1 MPH on land is the same as travelling 0.87 knots.
Why Ships Use Knots
A ship’s speed is measured in knots because it is a measurement of speed related to nautical miles – the distance travelled by ships. On a ship, you don’t measure the number of land miles travelled but the number of nautical miles, so using knots – 1 nautical mile per hour – makes much more sense.
Ships have measured their speed in knots since the measurement was first used in the 17th century, although it’s only in the 20th century that the speed was standardised as both the US and the UK adopted the nautical mile as a standard unit of measurement – the US in 1954 and the UK in 1970.
Why Aeroplanes Use Knots
Pilots measure airspeed in knots because it gives a more accurate estimate of the distance travelled, since it accounts for the curvature of the Earth. Having a standard unit also ensures that there is consistency of measurement and that no confusion could lead to accidents.
Remember that miles per hour is not a standard global measurement – many countries instead measure speed in kilometres per hour instead. If you were a pilot in charge of an aircraft, you wouldn’t want to have to worry about which measurement you were being asked to reduce your speed to by air traffic control.
So while the speed may be converted to miles per hour when the pilot gives you updates on your flight, that’s only because it’s easier for us to understand that scale. When talking to the people on the ground, they will be talking in knots.
Obviously aircraft travel at a rate of knots that isn’t comparable to ships on the ocean – they are significantly faster. A 747 jet travels at a cruising speed of just below 500 knots, while cruise ships will typically travel at an average of 20 knots.
1 Knot Vs 1 MPH
1 knot is 15% faster than 1 MPH. If you were travelling at 1 knot, you would be travelling at 1.15 miles per hour, which would mean you would travel 1.15 miles within that hour. If you travelled at 1 MPH, you would only travel 1 mile in that same time.
The math can get confusing, since 1.15 MPH is a bigger number, but remember that’s the distance travelled. The further you travel in the same amount of time, the faster you’re going.
In case you work in KM/H and want to know the kilometres to miles per hour math, 1.15 MPH is the same as 1.85 KM/H.
So if you’re travelling at a speed of 20 knots (as most cruise ships do), you’re travelling faster than 20 miles per hour, because you’re actually travelling around 23 miles per hour.
Interesting Knot Facts
10 Knots
Travelling at 10 knots is the same as travelling at 11.5 miles per hour. This is roughly the same speed as was run by Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia, the world record holder for the women’s marathon, which was set in 2012.
20 knots
20 knots is approximately the same as 23 miles per hour. This is the cruising speed of most cruise ships when they travel, and is also the same speed that Usain Bolt ran when he set a world record of 9.58 seconds for running the 100 meters.
21 knots
21 knots is roughly the same as travelling at 24 miles per hour. This is a typical speed achieved by professional cyclists over longer routes, and is roughly the same speed that many cruise ships travel.
30 knots
30 knots is around the same as 34.5 miles per hour, which is normally the top speed of most modern cruise ships. At this speed, it takes approximately four full days (96 hours) to cross the Atlantic Ocean, although most cruise ships don’t run at maximum speed for the duration.
40 knots
Travelling at 40 knots is the same as travelling at just over 46 miles per hour. Not many boats tend to cruise at 40 knots, but one notable one does – at Disney World, the Splash Mountain drop travels at almost this exact speed, if only for a couple of seconds.
50 knots
Travelling at 50 knots is about the same as travelling at 57.5 miles per hour. Professional sailboats have been trying to break the 50-knot barrier in recent years and managed it in 2019 using wind power alone.
60 knots
60 knots is the same as around 69 miles per hour, which puts it on a par with the speed limit of many freeways in the US. Some high-performance speedboats can get close to these speeds.
120 knots
A speed of 120 knots is the same as travelling at just over 138 miles per hour. This is the top speed of many cars that are commercially available, with most speedometers stopping at either 140mph or 160mph.
Final Word
So, a “knot” isn’t just sailor slang, it’s a clever, centuries-old system rooted in the Earth’s geometry and maritime tradition. Whether you’re on a cruise ship gliding along at 20 knots or hearing your pilot mention 500 knots mid-flight, you’re now in on the secret. One knot equals 1.15 MPH, and it all started with sailors tossing wood and counting rope knots in the sea. Next time someone throws around the term, you won’t just nod, you’ll know exactly what it means (and probably have a fun fact to throw back at them).
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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.
If you’ve ever dreamed of island-hopping through Greece, there’s no better way to do it than by cruise.
Picture this: iconic islands, real Greek food, traditional music, and sunsets you’ll never forget.
And if you want the real Greek experience at sea? There’s one cruise line that stands out.
Greek-owned cruise line Celestyal Cruises is a fabulous choice as the company offers a genuine and immersive Greek cruising experience.
I sailed the Greek Islands with Celestyal Cruises, and let’s just say… there were a few surprises I didn’t expect (in a good way!). Be sure to check out my cruise review here if you haven’t already.
So, thinking about cruising Greece? Here’s what you really need to know before you book.
The Best Cruise Line For The Greek Islands
Most of the big cruise lines visit the Greek Islands, including Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. So, why am I recommending that you choose the lesser-known Celestyal Cruises above the global cruise lines that we already know and love?
The key difference is that Celestyal Cruises is a Mediterranean specialist offering a genuine Greek experience. Their cruise itineraries are very much destination-focused, so you’ll enjoy more time in each port of call, visiting not just the famous landmarks but discovering some hidden gems too.
Sometimes, you’ll even visit two different Greek islands in one day. And with overnight stays in ports of call, you can enjoy awesome evenings ashore too.
With Celestyal Cruises, the Greek experience doesn’t end when you step back on board. Throughout your cruise, you’ll enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and entertainment.
Reasons Why Celestyal Is A Great Choice
Fascinating Shore Excursions
So that you won’t miss out on any of the best bits of Greece during your cruise, each Celestyal cruise includes a selection of shore excursions at no extra cost. Classic attractions like the Minoan Palace of Knossos are included in the ticket price for your cruise.
These carefully planned excursions are led by local experts who will share their specialist knowledge with you, showing you the most iconic sights as well as some little-known places of interest. The best Greek cruises are those led by the experts, after all!
You can add more excursions to your trip, or choose to explore ashore independently if you prefer.
Smaller Ships That Can Access Every Port
Celestyal Cruises’ two ships – Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery – are both medium-sized ships, each accommodating fewer than 1,300 guests. The relatively small size of these ships means that you can enjoy a homely atmosphere, with no queues or crowds.
Due to their smaller size, Celestyal Cruises’ ships can access Greek Island ports that are unavailable to larger vessels. So, rather than visiting only the largest and busiest cruise ports, you can head off the beaten path and discover incredible and unspoilt places like Nafplio, Monemvasia and Patmos.
It’s important to note that these ships only joined the fleet in 2023, replacing the two former ships, but they have been given a full refurbishment for the cruise line.
These mid-sized vessels have advantages over Greek Island cruises on small ships, though, since there’s plenty to do onboard as well.
My cruise was on Celestyal Olympia, a ship that has now left the fleet.
Traditional Greek Cuisine
Celestyal Cruises believes that guests should have the opportunity to enjoy Greek food onboard as well as ashore, so the cruise line offers a mix of Greek and international cuisine.
The expert chefs lovingly prepare an incredible choice of meals using fresh local ingredients that are gathered from the various ports of call. Throughout your cruise, you’ll enjoy local olives, taramasalata and dolmades, as well as new and tempting dishes made with the freshest grilled meat, seafood and vegetables.
Cruisers can enjoy meals of three, four, five and even six courses in the main dining room as well as having the option of a self-service buffet. Special dietary requirements are catered for so long as you give two weeks’ notice, and younger guests can order from a comprehensive children’s menu.
Immersive Greek Entertainment
The Greek culture continues into the evenings on board Celestyal Cruises’ lively ships. Rather than sitting and watching passively, guests are encouraged to get involved in Greek dancing, learning the steps to traditional dances like the Ballos, Kalamatianos and Sirtaki.
You’ll have so much fun taking part in the daily games, quizzes and karaoke. There are also live cooking demonstrations so that you can learn how to cook mouth-watering Greek dishes at home.
All-Inclusive Value
The Greeks are known for being hospitable and generous. Yet you’ll be amazed by just how much is included in your cruise fare with Celestyal Cruises. Your cruise fare includes many of the things that other cruise lines charge extra for.
Unlimited Classic Drinks
Very few cruise lines include unlimited drinks as standard. But, with Celestyal Cruises, you can enjoy an endless supply of house wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks, exotic teas and coffees and speciality Greek beverages like Ouzo and Tsipouro.
Immersive Entertainment
Celestyal Cruises offers one of the most extensive programs of entertainment of all cruise lines. For no extra cost, you can enjoy a range of classes, learning things like the Greek language, traditional Greek dancing, Greek cookery and a selection of arts and crafts.
Shore Excursions
Guided shore excursions can be expensive, so it’s fantastic that Celestyal Cruises includes a handpicked selection of excursions that will introduce you to the culture and history of Greece. Led by expert guides, you’ll really make the most of your time ashore, at no extra cost.
Gratuities & Port Charges
You won’t find any hidden costs like service charges or port fees when you book a Celestyal Cruise, as these are already included in the ticket price. While many other cruise lines charge up to $15 per person, per day for crew gratuities, these are included in your cruise fare too, so you’ll have no extra bill to pay at the end.
Discounts for Solo Travellers
Awarded as the ‘Best Cruise Line for Solo Travellers’ at Solo Travel Awards, Celestyal Cruises has a fantastic offering for those who prefer to cruise solo. With lots of group excursions, you’ll have lots of opportunities to make new friends if you want to.
While most cruise lines charge 100% supplements for solo travellers (meaning that you effectively have to pay for a second person even if you don’t have one!), the single supplements on Celestyal Cruises are just 30%.
Greek Island Destinations
Celestyal Cruises offers a range of itineraries from 3 to 14 nights, so whether you want a mini-break or a once-in-a-lifetime voyage, there’s something for everyone.
Here are some of the highlights:
Santorini
The spectacular landscapes of Santorini are instantly recognisable, with hills dotted with whitewashed houses and the iconic blue-domed church at Oia. Here you can enjoy the most incredible sunset from a cliff-side restaurant or from the top deck of your ship.
Mykonos
With its winding alleys, pretty little churches and delightful cafes overlooking the sea, Mykonos is a wonderful place to relax and wander. From here, you can visit neighbouring Delos with its incredible temples and archaeology.
Milos
Shaped like a horseshoe, the Greek island of Milos is known as the ‘Island of Colours’, thanks to its colourful volcanic rocks, white sandy beaches and turquoise sea. A marvel of nature, if you look closely at the incredible coastline, you can sometimes see steam rising from fumaroles both on land and in the sea.
Rhodes
With its medieval Old Town, lush green forests, pretty orchards and vineyards, stunning beaches and plenty of ancient archaeology to explore, Rhodes is an island that has it all. Luckily, the most spectacular sights are easy to access from the cruise port at Mandraki Harbour.
Crete
Crete is the largest of all the Greek Islands, with cruise ships docking in the capital of Heraklion. From here, you can visit bustling resort towns nearby, or if you’re feeling energetic, you could take a guided hike into the mountains or explore on a Jeep safari.
Patmos
The charming and spiritual island of Patmos is featured in the Bible as the place where John the Apostle wrote the final book of the New Testament. Only accessible by sea, this tranquil island is also featured prominently in Greek mythology.
Thessaloniki
The cosmopolitan seaside city of Thessaloniki is the second-largest in Greece, after Athens. As you stroll down its winding cobbled streets, you’ll see traditional Greek markets, historic Greek architecture and Roman ruins aplenty.
Greek Island Hopping
When it comes to Greek Island hopping, there are three ways to get from island to island – by plane, by ferry and by cruise ship.
Getting around the Greek Islands is pretty complicated, logistically. Both flights and ferries have long and complicated boarding procedures and require you to arrive a couple of hours before departure and spend time in lines.
While flying has the advantage of being fast, this is negated by the amount of time you need to spend in the airport. It can also be very expensive. Ferries are fairly cheap, but you’re likely to spend much of the day sitting on an uncomfortable plastic seat for many hours between each island.
The easiest and most enjoyable way to see the Greek islands is by cruise ship. As you visit a different island every day, you’ll fit far more into your trip than you would if you had to spend time in airports and ferry ports.
Cruise Length
You can explore the Greek Islands in as little as four days with a cruise from Athens to Mykonos, Patmos, Crete and Santorini. However, to fully experience Greek history and culture a seven-night cruise is recommended.
Spending seven nights in Greece on a cruise will allow you to explore destinations like Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Crete, Milos, Mykonos and Santorini as well as the nearby Turkish beach resort of Kusadasi.
The Weather
Greek Islands cruises are available all year round, but most people choose to cruise between April and September. While July and August are the most popular months, the weather can be very hot in the height of summer. So for a more comfortable trip, you’d be wise to choose June or September.
Final Word
If you’re dreaming of the perfect Greek Islands adventure, Celestyal Cruises offers an experience that’s hard to beat.
With authentic Greek food, incredible entertainment, smaller ships that reach hidden gems, and so much included in your fare, you’ll get a truly immersive and hassle-free taste of Greece.
Whether you’re dancing under the stars in Santorini, wandering the ancient streets of Rhodes, or discovering colourful Milos, Celestyal brings the magic of Greece to life in a way no big cruise line can match.
Ready to swap airport queues and ferry chaos for smooth sailing and endless adventure? Your unforgettable Greek getaway could be just one cruise away.
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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.
Think all cruise ships are the same? Think again. Allure of the Seas isn’t just big — it’s mind-blowingly massive. But here’s the real kicker: every inch is bursting with something fun, luxurious, or just downright jaw-dropping.
Planning to sail on this floating paradise? If you’re dreaming of the ultimate cruise experience, you’ll want to snag one of the suites — and trust us, not all of them are created equal.
There are a few in particular that might just ruin every other vacation for you. Curious? Let’s dive in.
Suite Facts
There are 176 suites on Allure of the Seas, including 12 different types of suites. Of those, 86 are Junior Suites, and 36 are Grand Suites. There are also some specialist suites, including the various Loft suites, while two new suites were added in a 2020 refit. Earlier this year Allure of the Seas underwent another refit where two brand new “Ultimate Panoramic Suites” were added above the bridge.
Here’s a breakdown of all the different suites available to book on Allure of the Seas:
Suite type
How many?
Deck location
Sleeps up to
Suite size (sq ft)
Balcony size (sq ft)
Total size (sq ft)
Royal Loft Suite
1
17/18 (two floors)
6
1530
850
2380
Owner’s Panoramic Suite
1
17
14
1076
161
1237
Grand Panoramic Suite
1
17
8
914
161
1075
Star Loft Suite
2
17/18 (two floors)
4
722
410
1132
Ultimate Panoramic Suite
2
14
4
914
0
914
Crown Loft Suite
25
17/18 (two floors)
4
550
120
670
AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bed
6
11, 12, 14
4
420 – 660
370 – 650
790 – 1310
AquaTheater Suite – 2 Bed
6
8, 9, 10
8
660 – 820
650 – 800
1310 – 1620
Owner’s Suite
10
10, 11, 14
3
560
215
775
Grand Suite – 1 Bed
30
6 to 14
4
370 – 435
115 – 360
485 – 795
Grand Suite – 2 Bed
6
9, 10
8
580
238
818
Junior Suite
86
6 to 14
4
290
80
370
Want some help with choosing the best suite for you on Allure of the Seas? Grab a copy of my free checklist:
Suite Cost
Suite prices on Allure of the Seas vary depending on the suite, the time of year, the length of your cruise, and how many guests you travel with. Expect to pay around $4,000 total for a Junior Suite, and $20,000 for the Royal Loft Suite, for 7 nights.
You’ll pay more per person if you don’t fill a room, so a Junior Suite with two occupants might cost $2,000, while it drops to $1,500 for four occupants. It’s still overall more expensive for all four of you, but if you’re travelling with friends, then booking a suite can be a good way to split the cost since it’s less for each person to have to spend.
Royal Suite Class Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
As well as spacious and luxurious accommodation, guests staying in full suites on Allure of the Seas can access a range of benefits, including access to exclusive areas of the ship like the Suite Lounge.
The 11 Types Of Suites On Allure Of The Seas
Now, let’s take a look at each different type of suite on Allure of the Seas…
Royal Loft Suite
Allure of the Seas has a number of two-storey suites, the largest of which is the Royal Loft Suite. And it is huge. The lower floor has a large living area that includes a grand piano, as well as a separate dining area, along with a bedroom and bathroom. It’s also where you’ll find the wraparound balcony, including multiple seating areas and a hot tub.
Upstairs is the master bedroom, with a walk-in wardrobe, and the master bathroom, which includes a large bathtub, a two-sink vanity and a bidet.
The Royal Loft Suite is a Star Class suite, which means it benefits from the service of a Royal Genie, as well as other typical Royal Caribbean suite benefits. While the genie service is included in your cruise fare, his or her tips aren’t. Here’s how much to tip a Royal Genie.
The Royal Loft Suite price is pretty high – you’ll be paying thousands per week, per person, depending on the time of year and itinerary. It’s not something anyone can afford.
Owner’s Panoramic Suite
The Owner’s Panoramic Suite is a very modern suite with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly complement the contemporary décor – the whole room just feels huge and beautiful. It has a single bedroom with a convertible living area for a second bedroom.
The balcony isn’t huge, but you don’t need it to be – the huge windows make the entire room feel like it’s open-air, with the balcony just for when you need that breeze on your face. It really is a stunning choice.
Grand Panoramic Suite
The Grand Panoramic Suite is another of the beautiful loft suites offering split-level accommodation. The main bedroom has exceptional views out through panoramic windows, while the beautiful bathroom has a separate bath and shower cubicle.
On the balcony, enjoy your own hot tub along with dual loungers. This is a Star Class suite, so you’ll get the Royal Genie service too.
Star Loft Suite
The Star Loft suite isn’t quite as spacious as some of the other loft suites, but it still has plenty of room for its four passengers. The lower floor has a large seating area, which can be converted into a bedroom, and a spacious balcony with seats and loungers.
Upstairs, the loft holds the master bedroom with an oceanview window and a second bathroom. The Star Loft suite is another in the Star Class with Royal Genie service.
Ultimate Panoramic Suite
Brand new in 2025, the Ultimate Panoramic Suite is located above the bridge and offers 200-degree panoramic views with floor-to-ceiling windows. The suite sleeps up to four with one bedroom and a sofa bed in the lounge. Other highlights include a walk-in closet and exclusive amenities as part of the top Royal Suite Class tier – Star Class – meaning you have a dedicated Royal Genie.
Crown Loft Suite
The smallest of the two-storey suites, the Allure of the Seas Crown Loft Suite rooms look almost like a regular (but spacious) balcony stateroom on the lower floor, with a bathroom and a living area that opens onto a balcony that has room for loungers.
Up the stairs is the master bedroom with a separate desk and wardrobe area, and a master bathroom with a bathtub.
There are accessible Crown Loft suites available for guests in a wheelchair to book – these are slightly larger and have a wet room.
AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bedroom
The AquaTheater suites are so-named because they sit on the aft corners of the ship, with wraparound balconies that overlook the – you guessed it – AquaTheater. These amazing suites offer spacious accommodation and plenty of storage space, but the main benefit is those balcony views – ideal for shows.
AquaTheater Suite – 2 Bedroom
These suites are almost identical to the one-bedroom version, except that they’re slightly larger and have a second bedroom. These are located on lower decks than the one-bedroom version – on Decks 8, 9 and 10.
Owner’s Suite
The Owner’s Suite is normally a name reserved for the top one or two suites on a ship, but Allure of the Seas isn’t an ordinary ship, nor are her suites ordinary. The Owner’s Suites are still amazing, offering a lot of inside and balcony space.
They’ve one bedroom, though the living area easily converts into a separate bedroom thanks to curtain dividers, while the master bathroom has a bathtub, a separate shower cubicle, twin vanity and a bidet.
Grand Suite – 1 Bedroom
The Grand Suites on board Allure of the Seas are available on multiple decks, and offer spacious accommodation similar to the Owner’s Suites, although missing a couple of features – primarily in the bathroom, which has a shower over bath instead of both separate, and no bidet. But it still has the twin vanity.
The bedroom can be curtained off again to create two bedrooms, and the balcony is spacious enough to have two seats along with two loungers.
A larger version of the Grand Suites, there are just four of these available. There are two separate bedrooms as well as the living area, which can be converted into a third bedroom, and there are two bathrooms. Neither has the twin vanity, but one has a shower cubicle, and the other has a bathtub with a shower over.
The balcony is slightly larger again, meaning it can accommodate four chairs and two loungers.
Junior Suite
There are a lot of Junior Suites available on Allure of the Seas across multiple decks, each of which is essentially a more spacious balcony cabin with extra Junior Suite perks. There is no separate bedroom or living area here, but you do still have a walk-in wardrobe and a bathtub with a shower over in the bathroom.
There are a couple of accessible Junior Suites available, which are wider and have a wet room instead of a standard bathroom.
The Best Suite For You
With so many amazing suites to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?
For a lot of people, it comes down to two things – occupancy and budget. If you’re a family of four, there’s no point booking the suites that sleep 8 guests, unless you really want proper bedrooms for you and the kids.
Allure of the Seas has a number of two-bedroom suites, including some Grand Suites and AquaTheater Suites. The Royal Loft Suite also has two bedrooms, while the other Loft suites are designed to convert the lower floor into a second bedroom.
If you’re looking for the suites that have the biggest capacity, that’s the 2-bedroom Grand Suites and AquaTheater suites. They have a maximum occupancy of 8 guests in each.
If you’re looking to book for a group, then of all the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas rooms, a suite is going to be a better option since they’re more spacious.
Allure of the Seas Junior Suites
Allure of the Seas has 86 Junior Suites, which are similar in design to a Balcony Stateroom but with extra space and a number of extra suite perks, too. They’re the smallest of the suites on Allure of the Seas, but definitely worth considering.
Junior Suites are a good option if you don’t need a huge room, but like the idea of the overall suite experience and the benefits that come with it. Be aware, though, that Junior Suite guests on Allure of the Seas don’t get all of the perks that those staying in full suites get.
The largest suite on Allure of the Seas is the Royal Loft Suite. The interior floor space is 1,530 square feet, while the balcony is 850 square feet, for a total of 2,380 square feet. The Royal Loft’s balcony alone is bigger than two Junior Suites combined.
Despite its epic size, the Royal Loft Suite is designed for only six people. This isn’t a suite for huge groups, but instead, it is designed for anyone who wants more space to relax and potentially host parties, but with a spacious room to relax in once everyone has moved on.
The Owner’s Suite
The Owner’s Suites on Allure of the Seas are Sky Class. This means they get the Concierge Service, complimentary internet access, priority dining reservations and other perks.
The Owner’s Panoramic Suite, on the other hand, is Star Class – the top level of suites on Royal Caribbean. This means it has the Royal Genie service included.
The Star Class suites do have the benefit of the Royal Genie, but consider whether you’ll use them or if you would be better served saving the money. One cruise in a Star Class suite often costs the same as two (or more) cruises in a lower-class suite.
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
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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.
Most of us can agree: the beach is more than just a place—it’s a vibe. Whether it brings back memories of family holidays, inspires dreams of freedom, or reminds you of cruise adventures, there’s just something magical about it.
Writers, celebs, and poets have tried to put that beach feeling into words—and some of them nailed it.
I’ve rounded up 25 of the best beach life quotes that capture the mood perfectly. Whether you’re planning your next getaway or just need something Insta-worthy, you’ll love these.
Beach Life Quotes
“A walk on the beach is worth a thousand words.”
Unknown
“After a visit to the beach, it’s hard to believe that we live in a material world.”
Pam Shaw
“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun. ”
Sandy Gingras
“Beach Rules: Soak up the sun. Ride the waves. Breathe the salty air. Feel the breeze. Build sandcastles. Rest, relax, reflect. Collect seashells. Bare-feet required.”
Unknown
“Bury your worries in the sand, let the tides wash them away, and feel the sun on your nose.”
The Diary of a Nomad
“Don’t grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.”
Michelle Held
“Every day should be a beach day.”
Unknown
“Every time I stand before a beautiful beach, its waves seem to whisper to me: If you choose the simple things and find joy in nature’s simple treasures, life and living need not be so hard.”
Psyche Roxas-Mendoza
“Feeling stressed? There’s a beach for that.”
Unknown
“Give me coffee to change the things I can, and the beach to accept the things I can’t.”
Unknown
“I followed my heart, and it led me to the beach.”
Unknown
“I look my best when I’m totally free, on holiday, walking on the beach.”
Rosamund Pike
“I’m running on beach time. All my worries washed away with the waves.”
Inspire with Quotes
“If you catch me smiling today, it’s because I’m thinking of the beach.”
Unknown
“If you’re hurting, then go to the beach. Let the saltwater cure your wounds and the waves wash the pain away.”
Inspire with Quotes
“Isn’t it strange, the way time moves? I could stand here and watch the sea crash beneath me for hours and it would feel like only minutes had passed.”
Sjana Elise Earp
“Life takes you down many paths but my favorite ones lead to the beach.”
Unknown
“Life’s a beach, and I’m just playing in the sand”
Unknown
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“My life is like a stroll upon the beach, as near to the ocean’s edge as I can go.”
Henry David Thoreau
“On the beach, you can live in bliss.”
Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys
“Paradise is just one beach away.”
Inspire with Quotes
“Take all your worries to the beach and wave them goodbye.”
The Diary of a Nomad
“The beach is a place of solitude where I can set my spirit free and relax.”
M.L. Borges
“When you walk on the beach at night, you can say things you can’t say in real life.”
Jenny Han
Final Word
Life’s a lot like the beach — ever-changing and full of beauty if you take a moment to look.
It really is a place that we often take for granted, and I love how the beach is almost like a gateway to the ocean. Cruise holidays take you even closer, and I still find that standing on a cruise ship deck or your own balcony is unrivalled.
But there’s a magic that the beach has that can’t really be replicated anywhere. It’s like the border between the wonders of the ocean and the day-to-day of life on land.
Maybe today’s quotes sparked some memories, or even inspired you to create your own.
If one of these quotes spoke to you, save it as your wallpaper, pin it to your desk, or bookmark this page for those days when you need a little lift.
And remember: your next day in the sun is always closer than you think.
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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.
If you think all cruise suites are the same, think again.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships — especially Symphony of the Seas — take luxury to a whole new level. We’re talking jaw-dropping suites with perks that most cruisers don’t even know exist.
Ever dreamed of your own private slide, a butler at your beck and call, or a suite bigger than some houses? You’re about to see just how next-level life at sea can get.
Ready to find out what the real suite life looks like on the world’s biggest cruise ship? Let’s dive in.
Suite Facts
There are 188 suites on Symphony of the Seas, including 11 different types of suites. Of those, 86 are Junior Suites, and 46 are Grand Suites. There are also some specialist suites, including the Family Villa and Ultimate Family Suite, with only one of each.
There are a couple of other websites that I’ve seen that say there are 189 or 190 suites, but I’ve checked the deck plans and counted them – twice – to make sure.
Here’s a breakdown of all the different suites available to book on Symphony of the Seas:
Suite type
How many?
Deck location
Sleeps up to
Suite size (sq ft)
Balcony size (sq ft)
Total size (sq ft)
Royal Loft Suite
1
17/18 (two floors)
6
1524
843
2367
Villa Suite
1
12
14
1142
476
1618
Ultimate Family Suite
1
17/18 (two floors)
8
1134
212
1346
Star Loft Suite
2
17/18 (two floors)
4
722
410
1132
Crown Loft Suite
27
17/18 (two floors)
4
545
114
659
AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bed
6
11, 12, 14
4
555 – 605
245 – 630
800 – 1235
AquaTheater Suite – 2 Bed
6
8, 9, 10
8
675 – 820
610 – 770
1285 – 1590
Owner’s Suite
12
10, 11, 12, 14
3
556
243
799
Grand Suite – 1 Bed
42
6 to 14
4
370 – 435
115 – 360
485 – 795
Grand Suite – 2 Bed
4
9, 10
8
580
238
818
Junior Suite
86
6 to 14
4
287
80
367
Want some help with choosing the best suite for you on Symphony of the Seas? Grab a copy of my free checklist:
Suite Prices
Suite prices on Symphony of the Seas vary depending on the suite, the time of year, the length of your cruise, and how many guests you travel with. Expect to pay around $4,000 total for a Junior Suite, and $20,000 for the Ultimate Family Suite, for 7 nights.
Ultimate Family Suite
You’ll pay more per person if you don’t fill a room, so a Junior Suite with two occupants might cost $2,000, while it drops to $1,500 for four occupants. It’s still overall more expensive for all four of you, but if you’re travelling with friends, then booking a suite can be a good way to split the cost since it’s less for each person to have to spend.
Royal Suite Class Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
Symphony of the Seas has a number of two-bedroom suites, including Grand Suites and AquaTheater Suites. The Royal Loft Suite also has two bedrooms, while the other loft suites are designed to convert the lower floor into a second bedroom.
They aren’t the suites with the most bedrooms, though – that’s the Villa Suite. This massive suite has four full bedrooms, and when you also add in the convertible sofa beds in the living area, it has a total capacity of 14 guests, which is huge.
If you’re looking to book for a group, then of all the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas rooms, a suite is going to be a better option since they’re more spacious.
The Largest Suite on Symphony of the Seas
The largest suite on Symphony of the Seas is the Royal Loft Suite. The interior floor space is 1,530 square feet, while the balcony is 850 square feet, for a total of 2,380 square feet. The Royal Loft’s balcony alone is bigger than two Junior Suites combined.
Despite its epic size, the Royal Loft Suite is designed for only six people. This isn’t a suite for huge groups, but instead, it is designed for anyone who wants more space to relax and potentially host parties, but with a spacious room to relax in once everyone has moved on.
The 11 Types Of Suites On Symphony Of The Seas
Let’s take a look at what each different suite offers.
1. Royal Loft Suite
Royal Loft Suite
Symphony of the Seas has a number of two-storey suites, the largest of which is the Royal Loft Suite. And it is huge. The lower floor has a large living area that includes a grand piano, as well as a separate dining area, along with a bedroom and bathroom. It’s also where you’ll find the wraparound balcony, including multiple seating areas and a hot tub.
Upstairs is the master bedroom, with a walk-in wardrobe, and the master bathroom, which includes a large bathtub, a two-sink vanity and a bidet.
Take a look at this video for a closer look at what is arguably the best suite on Symphony of the Seas…
The Royal Loft Suite is a Star Class suite, which means it benefits from the service of a Royal Genie, as well as other typical Royal Caribbean suite perks.
2. Villa Suite
While not the largest suite at sea, the 4-Bedroom Villa Suite is the one with the highest occupancy. Up to 14 guests can share this outstanding suite, with four separate bedrooms. If you’re a couple of families travelling together, this could be absolutely ideal.
As well as the four bedrooms (and four bathrooms), there’s a spacious living area and a long balcony with an extended outdoor dining table and a hot tub.
The Villa Suite is another Star Class suite, so guests will enjoy the service of a Royal Genie.
Designed to be, well, the ultimate suite for families, this amazing two-storey room is ideal for those travelling with children. There’s a separate loft bedroom on the upper floor, with a slide down to the lower floor – amazing. It also has a floor-to-ceiling Lego wall, an air-hockey table and a separate TV room, which has a 3D cinema, popcorn machine and games consoles.
The fun continues outside, too – the wraparound balcony has a bumper pool table, a whirlpool, and even its own small climbing wall. And this is another Star Class suite, so the Royal Genie can make sure your family’s wishes are met.
Take a look at this incredible walkthrough video that shows you what you can expect from the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas. It really is incredible.
4. Star Loft Suite
The Star Loft suite isn’t quite as spacious as some of the other loft suites, but it still has plenty of room for its four passengers. The lower floor has a large seating area, which can be converted into a bedroom, and a spacious balcony with seats and loungers.
Upstairs, the loft holds the master bedroom with an oceanview window and a second bathroom. The Star Loft suite is another in the Star Class with Royal Genie service.
5. Crown Loft Suite
The smallest of the two-storey suites, the Crown Loft rooms look almost like a regular (but spacious) balcony stateroom on the lower floor, with a bathroom and a living area that opens onto a balcony that has room for loungers.
Up the stairs is the master bedroom with a separate desk, wardrobe area and a master bathroom with a bathtub.
There are accessible Crown Loft suites available for guests with wheelchairs or scooters to book – these are slightly larger and have a wet room.
6. AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bedroom
The AquaTheater suites are so-named because they sit on the aft corners of the ship, with wraparound balconies that overlook the – you guessed it – AquaTheater. These amazing suites offer spacious accommodation and plenty of storage space, but the main benefit is those balcony views – ideal for shows.
You can take a look at the view from an AquaTheater Suite in this video…
7. AquaTheater Suite – 2 Bedroom
These suites are almost identical to the one-bedroom version, except that they’re slightly larger and have a second bedroom. These are located on lower decks than the one-bedroom version – on Decks 8, 9 and 10.
As you’ll see in this video, the balcony is absolutely huge!
8. Owner’s Suite
The Owner’s Suite is normally a name reserved for the top one or two suites on a ship, but Symphony of the Seas isn’t an ordinary ship, nor are her suites ordinary. The Owner’s Suites are still amazing, offering a lot of inside and balcony space.
They have only one bedroom, though the living area easily converts into a separate bedroom thanks to curtain dividers, while the master bathroom has a bathtub, a separate shower cubicle, twin vanity and a bidet.
Take a closer look…
9. Grand Suite – 1 Bedroom
The most popular of all of the full suites, the Symphony of the Seas Grand Suite rooms are available on multiple decks and offer spacious accommodation similar to the Owner’s Suites.
There’s a shower over the bath instead of having both separate, and no bidet. But it does have the twin vanity still.
The bedroom can be curtained off again to create two bedrooms, and the balcony is spacious enough to have two seats along with two loungers.
Is this the suite for you? Take a look at this video to help you decide…
A larger version of the Grand Suites, there are just four of these available. There are two separate bedrooms as well as the living area, which can be converted into a third bedroom, and there are two bathrooms. Neither has the twin vanity, but one has a shower cubicle and another a bathtub with a shower over.
The balcony is slightly larger again, meaning it can accommodate four chairs and two loungers.
Here’s the video tour…
11. Junior Suite
There are a lot of Junior Suites available on Symphony of the Seas across multiple decks, each of which is essentially a more spacious balcony cabin with extra Junior Suite perks.
There is no separate bedroom or living area here, but you do still have a walk-in wardrobe and a bathtub with a shower over in the bathroom.
There are a couple of accessible Junior Suites available, which are wider and have a wet room instead of a standard bathroom.
The Right Suite For You
With so many amazing suites to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?
For a lot of people, it comes down to two things – occupancy and budget. If you’re a family of four, there’s no point booking the Villa Suite, because even having a double bed each isn’t worth the extra money you’ll pay.
The Star Class suites do have the benefit of the Royal Genie, but consider whether you’ll use them or if you would be better served saving the money. One cruise in a Star Class suite often costs the same as two (or more) cruises in a lower-class suite.
Not all cruise ships make history, but Oasis of the Seas did.
This game-changing ship wasn’t just the first to carry over 6,000 guests. It also set a new standard for mind-blowing entertainment, next-level features, and some of the most incredible suites you’ll find at sea.
And guess what? Over the years, they’ve only made the suites even better.
From jaw-dropping luxury to hidden perks you probably didn’t know existed, there’s a lot to uncover.
I took this photo of Oasis of the Seas from my balcony on the Disney Wish
Wondering which Oasis of the Seas suite could take your cruise from amazing to unforgettable? Let’s find out.
Suite Facts
There are 176 suites on Oasis of the Seas, with 12 different types to choose from. There are 86 Junior Suites, 36 Grand Suites and some specialist suites, including the various Loft Suites. Two new suite types were added in a 2019 refit.
Here’s a breakdown of all the different suites available to book on Oasis of the Seas:
Suite type
How many?
Deck location
Sleeps up to
Suite size (sq ft)
Balcony size (sq ft)
Total size (sq ft)
Royal Loft Suite
1
17/18 (two floors)
6
1530
850
2380
Owner’s Panoramic Suite
1
17
14
1076
161
1237
Grand Panoramic Suite
1
17
8
914
161
1075
Star Loft Suite
2
17/18 (two floors)
4
722
410
1132
Ultimate Panoramic Suite
2
14
4
915
N/A
915
Crown Loft Suite
25
17/18 (two floors)
4
550
120
670
AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bed
6
11, 12, 14
4
420 – 660
370 – 650
790 – 1310
AquaTheater Suite – 2 Bed
6
8, 9, 10
8
660 – 820
650 – 800
1310 – 1620
Owner’s Suite
10
10, 11, 14
3
560
215
775
Grand Suite – 1 Bed
30
6 to 14
4
370 – 435
115 – 360
485 – 795
Grand Suite – 2 Bed
6
9, 10
8
580
238
818
Junior Suite
86
6 to 14
4
290
80
370
Want some help with choosing the best suite for you on Oasis of the Seas? Grab a copy of my free checklist:
Suite Prices
Suite prices on Oasis of the Seas vary depending on the suite, the time of year, the length of your cruise, and how many guests you travel with. Expect to pay around $4,000 total for a Junior Suite, and $20,000 for the Royal Loft Suite, for 7 nights.
You’ll pay more per person if you don’t fill a room, so a Junior Suite with two occupants might cost $2,000 while it drops to $1,500 for four occupants. It’s still overall more expensive for all four of you, but if you’re travelling with friends, then booking a suite can be a good way to split the cost since it’s less for each person to have to spend.
Royal Suite Class Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
The 12 Types Of Suites On Oasis Of The Seas
Let’s take a look at what each different suite offers.
Royal Loft Suite
Oasis of the Seas has a number of two-storey suites, the largest of which is the Royal Loft Suite. And it is huge. The lower floor has a large living area that includes a grand piano, as well as a separate dining area, along with a bedroom and bathroom. It’s also where you’ll find the wraparound balcony, including multiple seating areas and a hot tub.
Upstairs is the master bedroom, with a walk-in wardrobe, and the master bathroom, which includes a large bathtub, a two-sink vanity and a bidet.
The Owner’s Panoramic Suite is a very modern suite with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly complement the contemporary décor – the whole room just feels huge and beautiful. It has a single bedroom with a convertible living area for a second bedroom.
The balcony isn’t huge, but you don’t need it to be – the huge windows make the entire room feel like it’s open-air, with the balcony just for when you need that breeze on your face. It really is a stunning choice.
Grand Panoramic Suite
The Grand Panoramic Suite is another of the beautiful loft suites offering split-level accommodation. The main bedroom has exceptional views out through panoramic windows, while the beautiful bathroom has a separate bath and shower cubicle.
On the balcony, enjoy your own hot tub along with dual loungers. This is a Star Class suite, so you’ll get the Royal Genie service too.
Star Loft Suite
The Star Loft suite isn’t quite as spacious as some of the other loft suites but it still has plenty of room for its four passengers. The lower floor has a large seating area which can be converted into a bedroom, and a spacious balcony with seats and loungers.
Upstairs, the loft holds the master bedroom with an oceanview window and a second bathroom. The Star Loft suite is another in the Star Class with Royal Genie service.
Ultimate Panoramic Suite
Only added to the ship during a drydock refurbishment in 2019, the Ultimate Panoramic Suites on board are unique as they’re the only suites to not have a balcony – instead having floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, including in the bathroom (which isn’t overlooked, don’t worry!)
They’re one bedroom, although the living area is very spacious when converted into a second bedroom, and there’s a walk-in dressing room with a vanity table and wardrobe.
Here’s the floor plan for the Ultimate Panoramic Suite, which I think you’ll agree looks pretty cool!
The Ultimate Panoramic is a Star Class Suite as well, so you’ll still get the Royal Genie service.
Crown Loft Suite
The smallest of the two-storey suites, the Crown Loft rooms look almost like a regular (but spacious) balcony stateroom on the lower floor, with a bathroom and a living area that opens onto a balcony that has room for loungers.
Up the stairs is the master bedroom with a separate desk and wardrobe area, and a master bathroom with a bathtub.
There are accessible Crown Loft suites available for guests in a wheelchair to book – these are slightly larger and have a wet room.
AquaTheater Suite – 1 Bedroom
The AquaTheater suites are so-named because they sit on the aft corners of the ship, with wraparound balconies that overlook the – you guessed it – AquaTheater. These amazing suites offer spacious accommodation and plenty of storage space, but the main benefit is those balcony views – ideal for shows.
AquaTheater Suite – 2 Bedroom
These suites are almost identical to the one-bedroom version, except that they’re slightly larger and have a second bedroom. These are located on lower decks than the one-bedroom version – on Decks 8, 9 and 10.
Owner’s Suite
The Owner’s Suite is normally a name reserved for the top one or two suites on a ship, but Oasis of the Seas isn’t an ordinary ship, nor are her suites ordinary. The Oasis of the Seas Owners Suite rooms still amazing, offering a lot of inside and balcony space.
They’ve one bedroom, though the living area easily converts into a separate bedroom thanks to curtain dividers, while the master bathroom has a bathtub, a separate shower cubicle, twin vanity and a bidet.
Grand Suite – 1 Bedroom
The Oasis of the Seas Grand Suite rooms are available on multiple decks, and offer spacious accommodation similar to the Owner’s Suites, although missing a couple of features – primarily in the bathroom, which has a shower over bath instead of both separate, and no bidet. But it does have the twin vanity still.
The bedroom can be curtained off again to create two bedrooms, and the balcony is spacious enough to have two seats along with two loungers.
A larger version of the Grand Suites, there are just four of these available. There are two separate bedrooms as well as the living area, which can convert into a third bedroom, and there are two bathrooms. Neither has the twin vanity, but one has a shower cubicle and another a bathtub with a shower over.
The balcony is slightly larger again, meaning it can accommodate four chairs and two loungers.
Junior Suite
There are a lot of Junior Suites available on Oasis of the Seas across multiple decks, each of which is essentially a more spacious balcony cabin with extra Junior Suite perks. There is no separate bedroom or living area here, but you do still have a walk-in wardrobe and a bathtub with a shower over in the bathroom.
There are a couple of accessible Junior Suites available, which are wider and have a wet room instead of a standard bathroom.
Oasis Of The Seas 2-Bedroom Suites
Oasis of the Seas does have two-bedroom suites, including some Grand Suites and AquaTheater Suites. The Royal Loft Suite also has two bedrooms, while the other Loft suites are designed to convert the lower floor into a second bedroom.
If you’re looking for the suites that have the biggest capacity, that’s the 2-bedroom Grand Suites and AquaTheater suites. They have a maximum occupancy of 8 guests in each.
If you’re looking to book for a group, then of all the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas rooms, a suite is going to be a better option since they’re more spacious.
The Largest Suite On Oasis of the Seas
The largest suite on Oasis of the Seas is the Royal Loft Suite. The interior floor space is 1,530 square feet, while the balcony is 850 square feet, for a total of 2,380 square feet. The Royal Loft’s balcony alone is bigger than two Junior Suites combined.
Despite its epic size, the Royal Loft Suite is designed for only six people. This isn’t a suite for huge groups, but instead is designed for anyone who wants more space to relax and potentially host parties, but with a spacious room to relax in once everyone has moved on.
The Class Of A Crown Loft Suite
The Crown Loft Suites on Oasis of the Seas are Sky Class. They’re the only Loft suites on Royal Caribbean ships that are not part of the top-tier Star Class, so they don’t include the Royal Genie service.
You do still get a large number of perks for booking a Crown Loft Suite, including concierge service, priority dining reservations, flexible arrival times, complimentary internet access for each guest and access to the Suite Sun Deck.
The Best Suite For You
With so many amazing suites to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?
For a lot of people, it comes down to two things – occupancy and budget. If you’re a family of four, there’s no point booking the suites that sleep 8 guests, unless you really want proper bedrooms for you and the kids.
Royal Caribbean’s Star Class suites do have the benefit of the Royal Genie, but consider whether you’ll use them or if you would be better served saving the money. One cruise in a Star Class suite often costs the same as two (or more) cruises in a lower-class suite.
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
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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.
This post was kindly contributed by Sira Mas, a travel blogger who lives in Barcelona.
Heading to Barcelona for a cruise? You’re not alone — thousands of travellers are making their way between the airport and the cruise port every day. But finding the best way to get there? Honestly, it’s way more confusing than it should be.
When I landed at El Prat Airport, I struggled trying to figure out the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way to reach the cruise terminal (Moll Adossat).
Good news: I took notes so you don’t have to! Here’s everything you need to know to get from the airport to your cruise ship without the stress.
Barcelona Cruise Port Is 11 Miles From The Airport
The distance between the Barcelona airport and the cruise port is 11.7 miles (17.3 km). That’s approximately a 15 to 20-minute ride without traffic.
Of course, that “without traffic” bit is key, because Barcelona can get pretty busy! So, make sure you factor in more time for your journey.
It Takes 20-40 Minutes To Get From Barcelona Airport To the Cruise Port
If you hail a taxi or book an Uber, it takes approximately 20 minutes, sometimes less, to get from the Barcelona airport to the cruise port. If you decide to take the Aerobús shuttle and then a taxi, it will take between 30 and 40 minutes.
You can also take the R2 train from T2, get off at Sants, and then take a taxi; in that case, it would take approximately 35 minutes.
If you’re on a budget and prefer to go by bus, it can take between 1 hour and 30 minutes and 2 hours. Keep in mind that there’s no direct bus from Barcelona airport to the cruise port.
The Closest Airport To Barcelona Cruise Port
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is the closest airport to the Barcelona cruise port. El Prat airport is 11.7 miles (17.3 km) away from the cruise ship terminal, the Moll Adossat.
Other airports in Catalunya, that are not too far from Barcelona, are:
Reus, which is 67.2 miles (108 km) away from the cruise port – a 1h 16min trip by car or taxi.
Girona, which is 60 miles (96.8 km) away from the port – also a 1h 16min trip by car or taxi.
The Different Ways To Get From Barcelona Airport To The Cruise Port
Transfer Options
Price
Time (Average)
Difficulty
Aerobús + Taxi
€27.45
30 minutes
Easy
Taxi
€45
20 minutes
Very easy, stress-free
Uber (up to 4 people)
€24-€45
20 minutes
Very easy, stress-free
Uber (5-6 people)
€43
20 minutes
Very easy, stress-free
Train + Taxi
€25.30
35 minutes
Easy
Aerobús + Regular Bus + Cruise Bus
From €13.10
1h 30 minutes
Medium
2 Regular Buses + Cruise Bus
€8.30
1h 50 minutes
Medium, it may be a bit stressful
1. Aerobús + Taxi (Smartest Choice)
Anytime I arrive in Barcelona, I go directly to the Aerobús shuttle stop. It’s cheap, and it takes you to Barcelona in less than 30 minutes. To find the shuttle stop, you just have to follow the signs inside the terminal.
So, if you want to go to the cruise port from the Barcelona airport in just 35 minutes without spending too much, a great option is to take the Aerobús shuttle, get off at Plaça de Espanya – which is the first stop – and take a taxi.
During the day, the Aerobús shuttles leave the airport every 5 minutes from both terminals. In the evening, from 10 pm until midnight, there’s a bus every 10 minutes, and from midnight until 5 am, there’s a bus every 20 minutes.
The cost of the shuttle is €7.45 per person, per trip. The cost of the taxi from Plaça Espanya to the cruise port is approximately €20.
Tip: If you’re in a hurry, you can book and schedule a taxi with FreeNow while you’re on the Aerobús – to avoid spending too much time waiting in Plaça de Espanya.
On the app, you can set as the pickup point the Torres Venecianas (Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina, Barcelona) and as the destination Moll Adossat – Terminales de Cruceros.
From the Aerobús stop in Plaça Espanya, you’ll only have to walk 50 metres to the Venetian Towers.
2. Taxi (Quickest, Most Comfortable Choice)
Getting from the Barcelona airport to the cruise port by taxi is the easiest and quickest way. All you have to do is follow the taxi signs inside the terminal, reach the taxi point and get in your cab.
Then, after 15-20 minutes, you’ll be at the cruise port. It took me 15 minutes by taxi to get to the port from El Prat, but there was no traffic. If there’s traffic, it will take you around 20-25 minutes.
The fixed price of a taxi from the airport to the cruise terminals is around €45, which is great if you’re travelling with other people and you can split the expense.
The only downside is that there’s almost always a line at the taxi ranks, especially outside T1 and on weekends, so you’ll have to wait between 5 and 20 minutes before getting on your taxi.
Tip: If you want to skip this line, you can always book a taxi using the app FreeNow or call the Radio Taxi service – their number is +34933033033.
3. Uber
Another quick option is Uber. The fee is between €24-€45 for up to 4 people, bear in mind though that the smaller, cheaper options may struggle to fit your luggage in. If you’re a larger party, you can book a van for 5 to 6 people from around €43.
If you choose this option, make sure to give the driver a clear pick-up point. There’s a parking spot for Uber pick-ups in both terminals.
It’s not a bad choice. However, the only disadvantage is that Uber drivers in Barcelona are often busy, and you may end up waiting a while.
I used Uber twice in Barcelona and each time I had to wait at least 10 minutes before I got my reservation accepted.
4. Train + Taxi
If you’re looking for an option that is fast and not too expensive, taking the train to Sants and then a taxi is your best bet.
If your flight arrives at T2, you can take the train that takes you to Sants, the main train station in Barcelona, in 23 minutes. If you arrive at T1, you can take a free shuttle that will take you to T2 in less than 10 minutes.
Once you’re at the Airport train station, you can buy the ticket at the vending machines, tickets cost around €5.30. You can easily check the train schedule on Google Maps.
From Sants, a taxi to the cruise port will cost you around €20.
The only disadvantages of this option are the following:
There’s a train every 30 minutes, so you might have to wait a bit at the station
Most airlines arrive at terminal 1, so you’ll have to take the free shuttle to reach T2 and walk to the airport train station, which makes the overall transfer to the cruise port longer
You may find a line at the Sants taxi rank
But apart from that, this is a good option, especially if you’re on a budget. And if you’re not travelling alone, you can split the taxi expense.
5. Aerobús + Cruise Bus
Another option is to combine the Aerobús with a regular bus. This is great if you’re on a budget, just keep in mind that it will take a bit longer to get to the cruise port – around 1h 30.
You can take the Aerobús and get off at Plaça Espanya and then take the D20 and get off at Parallel – Drassanes. Once you’re there, you can either walk to the cruise terminal – it takes around 30 minutes – or take the cruise bus for €3. Here’s the cruise bus stop.
Important: the cruise bus doesn’t have a schedule. It departs from the World Trade Center depending on the cruise ships’ arrivals and departures.
Puchasing Bus Tickets
You can pay for a local bus ticket directly on the bus with a debit or credit card. There’s a red contactless device on your right as soon as you step on the bus. Note that the device won’t give you a receipt.
Or you can buy the ticket directly on the TMB app – but you’ll have to sign up first.
6. Local Buses + Cruise Bus (Cheapest Option)
A cheap option to get to the port is taking two buses and then taking the cruise bus or walking. It takes longer – it can take up to 2 hours – but it’s the cheapest way to get there.
You can take bus 46 from both terminals. The bus stop is next to the Aerobús in both terminals; also, to find the bus stop, you can easily follow the directions both inside and outside the terminal.
You will have to get off at Plaça de Espanya and take the bus D20. Then, from the bus D20, you’ll have to get off at the stop Parallel – Drassanes.
Important: Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay €2.65 on each bus.
Once you get to the port area (on the street that takes you to the World Trade Centre), you can either walk to the cruise terminals, which, as we mentioned, can take 30-35 minutes, or take the cruise bus for just €3. Here’s the cruise bus stop.
Taxi From Barcelona Airport To The Cruise Port
A taxi from Barcelona Airport to the cruise port costs €45, which is a fixed price. You’ll pay the same whether you hail a taxi outside the terminal or you book it on FreeNow.
My Recommendation
My personal recommendation is to get to the cruise port by taxi if you’re with your partner, your family or a group of friends. It’s quick and easy and the cost per person is not excessive.
If you’re travelling alone, the Aerobús + taxi combination is your best bet. You’ll still get to the cruise port pretty quickly, without spending a fortune!
As I mentioned before, the cheapest way to get to the cruise port, in case you’re on a budget, is by bus, but you’ll have to take two buses and then walk or wait for and take the cruise bus.
In case you have a few hours between your arrival at the airport and the cruise embarkation time, here are some unique, non-touristy things to do in Barcelona.
