Cruise Tips

Royal Genies are pretty special – they look after suite guests in the Royal Caribbean Star Class and undertake a lot of tasks to make your whole cruise feel special.

This can include escorting you on-board and directly to your suite – no waiting around in queues – to booking your excursions and on-board experiences, bringing you snacks and drinks, and helping you to cut in line for certain facilities that may otherwise be difficult to book.

That just scratches the surface of how special a Royal Genie can make your cruise, so you’ll definitely want to thank them. But a Royal Genie isn’t included in the normal gratuities you pay – so if you want to tip them, you’ll have to do so separately.

How much should you tip though? I’ve taken a look through cruise forums and discussions and I can shed some light on the expected tip amounts.

How Much Do People Tip a Royal Genie?

How much people tip a Royal Genie on their Royal Caribbean cruise tends to vary, although many American guests tend to fall at around the $75-$100 per day. There are a number of factors that people use to decide how much to tip their Genie.

Firstly, it’s important to be clear that tipping a Royal Genie is completely at your discretion – you are not officially expected to, nor is there an official recommended tip amount.

Guests who book a Star Class suite on Royal Caribbean have their tips covered already as part of their cruise fare, but those tips only apply to the cabin attendants, the dining staff and the other crew members working behind the scenes – the Royal Genies don’t share in this tip pool.

So if you want your Royal Genie to be recognised for their service, then you’ll need to pay extra.

While it is at your own discretion, every post I’ve seen on the topic of Royal Genie tipping in cruise forums says that people leave some form of tip for their Royal Genie. That includes the people who barely use the service, if at all.

That’s because whether you choose to use the Royal Genie or not, they are made available for you. Their time is taken up entirely by ensuring they can offer you (and the other suites they look after) any services you need, so it’s not like if you don’t use them then they can go make themselves useful elsewhere to earn more tips.

So I’ve scoured Facebook groups and popular cruise forums to find out how much people tend to pay their Royal Genie as a tip. And the only thing that’s consistent is that there are a lot of arguments about what the right amount should be.

Here’s a graph of how much people have tipped their Royal Genie for a seven-night cruise…

As you can see, most people claim to have tipped between $500 and $700. However, as this is a public forum, it may be the case that some people who only tipped a small amount or did not tip at all, chose not to leave a comment. 

Now, let’s take a look at some of the factors that influence how much to tip a Genie:

Tipping Culture

One of the most commonly mentioned things on forums is tipping culture, and how the US varies greatly with other countries around the world.

American guests are used to the idea of tipping, and so are more comfortable leaving larger tips for Royal Genies than maybe some other guests would be.

As one poster in the UK Cruise Critic forum put it:

“Guys, this American attitude of tipping is just so ridiculous. Don’t get me wrong, if I pay USD 10K-20K plus or even much more for a week of vacation which includes the services of a Genie it’s the damn responsibility of the company, RCL in this case, to ensure that the employees are getting the deserved salary.”

It seems that most people agree that the Royal Genie should be tipped, but the question of how much can vary depending on where the guests are from.

A lot of the people suggesting tips of around $100 per day are based in the US, whereas I’ve seen European and Australian guests suggesting more conservative amounts, a couple of hundred dollars for the entire sailing.

How Much They Used the Genie

A lot of people specifically say that they base their tips on how much they’ve used the Royal Genie. If they’ve not asked them to do much, they will give a smaller amount.

As someone said on Royal Caribbean Blog:

“My husband and I had a Royal Genie on the Allure of the Seas last year and we tipped $500.00 for the week. We are pretty low key and didn’t use him all that much.”

The people that tend to use the Royal Genie to organise parties in their suite are the ones that tend to lean more into tipping higher amounts, which makes sense. Suite parties are pretty hard to coordinate – there’s a lot of food to bring in, decorations to potentially add and the drinks services too.

And if you take a look at some of the posts on Cruise Critic, people are saying that it depends on their ship too – where they want to use facilities like iFly or the bumper cars, they’ll tip more for the reservations, otherwise, on Oasis-class ships they may not use the Genie as much and so would tip less.

How Much Does a Royal Genie Make?

While the figure is not officially published, it’s believed that a Royal Genie on Royal Caribbean earns around $2,500 per month before tips. Their contracts tend to last for five months, with a month’s break, giving Genies an annual salary of $25,000 if they work two contracts.

Remember that this is a cruise line salary, which means there are certain expenses the Royal Genies don’t have to worry about – namely accommodation and food. They’re included for free and so the $25,000 will stretch a lot further than it would if it was a salary on land.

A Royal Genie will typically look after three suites during each cruise, so if we assume a weekly gratuity of $600 per suite based on the averages, then that’s an extra $1,800 per week that the Royal Genie is making.

If the Genie works for 42 weeks in a year, that’s an extra $75,600 they’ll make each year, for a total annual Royal Genie salary of $100,600. Split between the 10 months, that’s $10,060 per month that they’ll make.

Of course, that’s completely dependent on them hitting the average tips – some people may pay less. But what’s clear is that without the tips their income would be massively reduced.

In fact, these statistics show that almost 80% of a Royal Genie’s income comes from tips.

The Bottom Line

Tipping is absolutely at your own discretion, but remember that even if you don’t ask your Royal Caribbean Genie to do too much for you, they’ll be helping to make your stay more special through the priority embarkation and disembarkation, and making sure to provide small treats throughout your cruise.

Royal Genies won’t get a share of the gratuities that are included as part of your fare, so it’s definitely worth leaving them something as a thank you. If you can’t afford $75-100 per day then that’s OK, as you shouldn’t leave your cruise with financial worries.

But if you’re planning on booking a Star Class suite, it’s definitely a good idea to set aside a small budget for tipping your Royal Genie service.

Let me know how much you’ve tipped your Royal Genie in the comments.

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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.

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The main Brilliance of the Seas cabins to avoid are the Deck 7 balconies in the narrow midship section above the lifeboat covers, Deck 10 cabins sitting directly under busy parts of the pool deck, forward cabins above the theater, and low cabins at the very front or back of the ship. For most people, a midship balcony on Deck 8 or 9 is the safest choice: there are cabins above and below you, and you feel less motion.

Brilliance of the Seas at a glance (2026)

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship that entered service in 2002. She is about 90,090 gross tons, carries roughly 2,150 guests at double occupancy (around 2,500 when every bed is filled) and has about 1,075 staterooms. Radiance-class ships are known for their glass: the Centrum atrium, the glass elevators facing the sea and a high proportion of balcony cabins compared with older Royal Caribbean ships.

Her last drydock was in spring 2025 at Chantier Naval de Marseille in France. That was a technical and maintenance stop, with new carpets and soft furnishings in cabins and public areas. It was not a full “Royal Amplified” makeover, so cabin layouts and categories are the same as before. For winter 2026-27 the ship is based in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), taking over itineraries from Rhapsody and Vision of the Seas. She sails 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises and 7-night Caribbean cruises. Check the current schedule on Royal Caribbean’s website before you book.

Radiance of the Seas is her sister ship, so most of this advice also applies there. For a side-by-side look, see our guide to Radiance of the Seas cabins to avoid.

Brilliance of the Seas cabin types and sizes

Sizes are approximate. Published figures differ slightly between Royal Caribbean and deck plan sites, and individual cabins vary.

Brilliance of the Seas deck plan: where the cabins are

A quick look at the Brilliance of the Seas deck plan explains most of the cabin problems. Guests have 12 decks, and cabins sit on Decks 2, 3, 4 and 7 through 10. Public rooms are grouped on Decks 4, 5 and 6 (dining, Centrum, shops, casino, lounges and the Pacifica Theater) and on Decks 11 to 13 (pools, Solarium, Windjammer, spa and gym, sports deck, kids’ clubs and the Viking Crown Lounge).

• Deck 2: a small group of interior and porthole cabins (around 2000-2029) near the tender platform and medical center.
• Deck 3: interior cabins and oceanview cabins with portholes (3000-3645).
• Deck 4: cabins plus the lower lobby and R Bar.
• Decks 7, 8 and 9: the main cabin decks. Most balconies, plus aft-facing Royal Family Suites.
• Deck 10: balconies, Junior Suites, Grand, Owner’s and the Royal Suite (1000-1604). The bridge is forward.

So Decks 8 and 9 have cabins both above and below them. Deck 7 sits over public rooms, and Deck 10 sits under the Lido deck.

Brilliance of the Seas cabins to avoid (and why)

None of these cabins is truly bad, and plenty of guests are happy in them. But if you are paying for a particular view, a quiet night or a smooth ride, these are the locations to check carefully.

1. Deck 7 balconies in the narrow midship section. Along part of Deck 7 the ship’s side steps in, and a metal roof over the lifeboats on Deck 6 sticks out below these balconies, up to about 10 feet. You can still see the horizon, but the view straight down to the water is partly blocked. Guests on Cruise Critic, quoting Royal Caribbean’s own booking notes, list cabins such as 7064, 7066, 7142, 7170, 7564 and 7670 as partially obstructed. Some of these are sold at a discount and some are not, so check the category note before you pay full balcony price.
2. Deck 10 cabins under the pool deck and Windjammer. Every Deck 10 cabin is below public space on the Lido deck. Depending on your exact spot, you may hear deck chairs being dragged early in the morning, buffet carts, or late events by the pool. From around cabin 1024 (port) and 1524 (starboard) aft, a large overhang from the deck above also shades the balconies. That is nice in the Caribbean sun, but it means less sky.
3. Forward cabins on Deck 7 above the theater. The most forward Deck 7 cabins sit above the Pacifica Theater. Rehearsals and evening shows can sometimes be heard. Forward-facing oceanviews here also sit over a crew area that includes a gym.
4. Cabins near the Centrum. The Centrum is a tall open atrium with live music into the evening. Cabins closest to it on the lower cabin decks, Deck 7 especially, get more noise and foot traffic.
5. Low forward cabins (Decks 2 and 3). Cabins near the bow on the lowest decks are closest to the anchor and bow thrusters. On port days, docking can wake you early. Deck 2 cabins are also next to the tender platform, which gets busy on tender days.
6. High forward cabins if you get seasick. The front of the ship pitches the most in a swell. If you are prone to seasickness, avoid forward cabins on Decks 9 and 10 on longer or open-ocean sailings, such as transatlantic crossings and fall itineraries.
7. Cabins next to elevator lobbies and laundry rooms. Being near the elevators is handy, but you will hear doors and people talking late at night. Cabins next to the guest self-service laundry rooms or crew service doors can be noisy too.
8. Connecting cabins, if you are not traveling as a group. Connecting cabins share a door with the cabin next door. Sound carries through it more than through a solid wall. If you are not booking both cabins, choose one without a connecting door.

Many of these issues apply across the fleet. Our list of Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid on any ship covers the general rules in more detail.

Brilliance of the Seas best cabins by budget

Best value: midship interiors on Decks 8 and 9

Interior cabins on Decks 8 and 9 have cabins on both sides of the deck, above and below. They are usually among the quietest cabins onboard and close to the main elevators. If you are still deciding between a window and a lower fare, our guide to balcony vs inside cabins weighs up the trade-offs.

Best balcony: midship on Deck 8 or 9

For most guests these are the best Brilliance of the Seas cabins: quiet, stable, and with no lifeboat roof below. Deck 7 balconies outside the narrow section are fine too. Just check the cabin number against the deck plan before you book.

Best for sea views: aft-facing Royal Family Suites

The aft-facing suites on Decks 7, 8 and 9 have large balconies that look out over the ship’s wake. They suit families of up to eight. You may feel more vibration at the stern than midship.

Best upgrade: Junior Suites on Deck 10

Junior Suites are about 299 sq ft with a 66 sq ft balcony, a bathtub and a sitting area. Some Junior Suites near the bridge give views of the bridge wing, so you can watch the ship come into port. Since they are on Deck 10, look at what sits directly above on Deck 11 first.

Top of the range: Royal Suite and Owner’s Suites

Suites on Deck 10 come with Royal Caribbean suite perks, such as priority boarding and concierge service in the higher suite categories. The single Royal Suite is the largest cabin onboard.

Which deck is best on Brilliance of the Seas?

For most cruisers, Deck 8 is the best deck on Brilliance of the Seas, with Deck 9 a close second. Both are cabin decks between other cabin decks, so you are far from venue noise. They are also mid-height, so you feel less motion than higher up, and the Lido deck is only a short elevator ride away. Choose Deck 7 for a slightly lower fare or quick access to Decks 4-6, as long as you avoid the narrow section and the forward cabins over the theater. Choose Deck 10 if you want a suite or a Junior Suite and you are fine being under the pool deck.

Guarantee cabin or choose your own?

A guarantee fare (often shown as GTY or a “W/X/Y/Z” style category) means you choose the cabin type, and Royal Caribbean assigns the actual cabin later, sometimes only days before sailing. It is usually cheaper, and now and then you get a better category than you paid for.

• Pick a guarantee if you are flexible, you don’t get seasick and you are mainly paying for a low price.
• Choose your own cabin if you need a quiet spot, a clear balcony view, a cabin near the elevators, beds for a family or a midship location for motion. On this ship a guarantee balcony can end up being one of the Deck 7 cabins with a partial view.

Accessible cabins on Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas has around 14-15 wheelchair-accessible cabins. They include interiors, large oceanviews, balconies and Junior Suites. They have wider doors, roll-in showers with grab bars and more turning space, and they are usually larger than standard cabins in the same category. There are only a few, they are generally booked by cabin number rather than through guarantee fares, and they sell out early. Book through Royal Caribbean’s Access department or a travel agent who can hold a specific cabin number. Ask them to confirm the tender arrangements for your ports, because tendering on this ship happens from Deck 2.

FAQs

What are the best rooms on Brilliance of the Seas?

For most guests, midship balconies on Decks 8 and 9. They are quiet, stable and have no lifeboat roof below. If you can spend more, the Deck 10 Junior Suites and the aft-facing Royal Family Suites stand out.

Do Brilliance of the Seas balconies have obstructed views?

Some do. Certain Deck 7 balconies in the narrow midship section look down onto the lifeboat cover. The horizon is still visible, but the view of the water directly below is partly blocked. Check the category notes when you book.

Is Deck 10 noisy on Brilliance of the Seas?

It can be. All Deck 10 cabins sit under the Lido deck, which holds the pool, Solarium, Windjammer and fitness areas. Noise depends on exactly what is above your cabin, so check the deck plan before you book.

Has Brilliance of the Seas been refurbished?

Her last major upgrade with new venues was in 2013. Her spring 2025 drydock in Marseille covered technical work plus new carpets and upholstery, but it did not change cabin layouts.

Where does Brilliance of the Seas sail in 2026-27?

For the 2026-27 winter season she sails from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) on short Bahamas cruises and 7-night Caribbean itineraries. Always check the current schedule when booking.

The main Jewel of the Seas cabins to avoid are the deck 10 suites and balconies under the pool deck and Windjammer, the aft deck 7 balconies above the Safari Club and Congo Bar, the deck 3 cabins directly under the Coral Theatre, and the low deck 2 porthole cabins next to the tender and medical area. A few balcony cabins, such as 1098 and 1598 on deck 10, are also marked as obstructed. For a quiet night, book midship on deck 8 or 9, where you have cabins above and below you.

Jewel of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship of about 90,000 gross tons. It launched in 2004 and carries up to about 2,500 guests. Because it is a relatively small, glass-heavy ship, cabin location matters more than on Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships. A good pick on the deck plan can be the difference between sleeping through the night and hearing deck chairs scrape at 6am. Below you will find which areas to watch, the best cabins by budget, how the categories compare, and when a guarantee fare makes sense.

Jewel of the Seas in 2026: where it sails and what has changed

Jewel of the Seas is still part of Royal Caribbean’s fleet in November 2026. For the 2026-27 season, Royal Caribbean moved it to Florida, where it took over the sailings originally planned for Grandeur of the Seas. That means Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa, with short Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Fort Lauderdale scheduled from spring 2027. Deployments do change, so check the current schedule on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas page before you book.

The ship’s two most recent refits explain why older deck plans can mislead you:

• 2016 revitalization: Royal Caribbean added a two-bedroom suite plus about two dozen new oceanview and balcony cabins on decks 2, 4, 9, 10 and 11. It also turned some public spaces into staterooms and added Izumi, Giovanni’s Table and a poolside movie screen. Use a deck plan dated 2016 or later.
• 2024 dry dock (Brest, France): this was mainly technical work, including azipod, thruster and stabilizer overhauls, a full hull repaint and some new exterior windows. It did not change the cabin layout.

Jewel of the Seas deck plan at a glance

Cabins sit on decks 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and a small group forward on deck 11. Decks 5 and 6 hold the main public rooms, and decks 11 to 13 hold the pools, Windjammer, spa, sports areas and the Viking Crown Lounge. One quirk catches people out: deck 10 cabins have four-digit numbers starting with 10, 11, 15 or 16 (for example 1028, 1100 or 1556). They do not start with 100. If you see cabin 1062 on a booking, it is on deck 10, not deck 1.

Jewel of the Seas cabins to avoid, area by area

1. Deck 10 cabins under the pool deck and Windjammer

This is the most common complaint on Radiance-class ships. Almost all of deck 10 sits directly under deck 11. Forward cabins 1000-1026 and 1500-1526 are under the spa and fitness area. The Grand Suites and Junior Suites around 1030-1052 and 1530-1552 are under the Solarium and main pool. The long run of Junior Suites aft, roughly 1062-1098 and 1562-1598, is under the Windjammer Cafe, where staff set up and move chairs and carts early in the morning and late at night. The aft-facing cabins 1100-1104 and 1600-1604 sit below the Windjammer’s outdoor seating. If you are a light sleeper and want a suite, pack earplugs or look at the Owner’s Suites and Royal Suite (around 1556-1568), which are midship near the elevators rather than under a buffet.

2. Obstructed-view balconies

The 2016-era deck plans mark only a handful of cabins as obstructed. On deck 10, the Junior Suites 1098 and 1598 have a partly blocked view. On deck 7, balconies 7572, 7584, 7622 and 7670 carry the obstructed symbol. Royal Caribbean usually prices these slightly lower and labels them at booking, so they can be a fair trade if you mostly use the balcony for fresh air. Just don’t book one by accident.

3. Aft deck 7 above the Safari Club and Congo Bar

Deck 6 aft holds the Safari Club, the Congo Bar, Zanzibar Lounge, the Game Reserve and the Serengeti Card Club, which are some of the ship’s late-night spaces. The aft-most balconies on deck 7, roughly 7150-7176 and 7650-7676 including the aft-facing cabins, sit right above them. Further forward, cabins along the middle of deck 7 sit over the Schooner Bar and Casino Royale. Casino noise rarely travels up much, but piano music and crowds at the Schooner Bar sometimes do.

4. Deck 7 forward, above the Coral Theatre

The Coral Theatre fills the forward part of decks 4 to 6, so cabins 7000-7048 and 7500-7548 sit over its upper level. Shows usually finish well before midnight, so this is a mild risk, but rehearsals and sound checks can happen during the day. Forward cabins also feel more motion in rough seas.

5. Deck 3 under the theatre and dining room

Forward cabins around 3000-3034 and 3500-3534 are beneath the theatre’s lowest level. Aft cabins around 3114-3144 and 3614-3644 are below Tides dining room, where furniture moves and staff reset tables, and close to the azipods, which can cause vibration when the ship maneuvers in port.

6. Deck 2 porthole cabins

Deck 2 has a small cluster of oceanview and interior cabins (2000-2029 and 2500-2510) near the medical center and the area used for tender boarding. These are among the cheapest windowed cabins and very stable in a swell. However, the windows are small portholes, and on tender days there is extra foot traffic and mechanical noise nearby.

7. Cabins next to elevators and stairwells

Every cabin deck has forward and midship elevator banks. Cabins right next to them, such as 7040-7048 and 7540-7548 on deck 7, get more hallway chatter, especially after the shows. Being two or three doors away gives you the convenience without the noise.

Jewel of the Seas best cabins

1. Deck 8 or 9 midship balconies. These have cabins above and below, sit close to the elevators and have the least motion of any balcony on the ship. This is the safest all-round choice.
2. Midship deck 7 balconies (around 7108-7136 and 7608-7636). These are good value, but stay forward of the aft lounges.
3. Owner’s Suites and the Royal Suite on deck 10. If you are booking a suite, these midship suites avoid the Windjammer and still give you Concierge Club access and the other Royal Caribbean suite perks.
4. Midship deck 3 oceanview or interior cabins. These are the best budget pick for light sleepers and anyone prone to seasickness.
5. Family oceanview cabins forward on decks 7 and 8. They sleep up to six, but they feel more motion than midship cabins.

Jewel of the Seas cabin categories and sizes

Sizes come from published deck plans and can vary slightly by cabin. Radiance-class balconies are on the small side at around 45 sq ft. That is enough for two chairs and a small table, but not loungers. If balcony space matters to you, the Grand Suites and the aft-facing cabins are the ones to target.

Accessible cabins on Jewel of the Seas

The ship has around 19 accessible staterooms across Junior Suite, balcony, oceanview and interior categories. On the deck plan you will find accessible balconies at 7110, 7112, 7114, 7610, 7612 and 7614, which are midship-aft on deck 7 and close to the elevators. The accessible Junior Suites are 1028 and 1528 on deck 10, and there are a few more oceanview and interior options on decks 3 and 4. These cabins are in demand, so book early and tell Royal Caribbean’s Access Department about your needs when you reserve.

Guarantee cabin or choose your own?

A guarantee (GTY) fare promises you a cabin in the category you paid for or higher, but Royal Caribbean picks the location. You might be assigned a cabin late, and on this ship that could mean a Windjammer-adjacent deck 10 cabin or an aft deck 7 cabin. Guarantees make sense if you are flexible, sleep well anywhere and want the lowest price. If noise, motion or a specific view matters to you, pay the small premium to choose. The same logic applies on the sister ships. Our Radiance of the Seas cabins to avoid and Brilliance of the Seas cabins to avoid guides follow a near-identical layout, but the venue names differ.

Whichever cabin you choose, cross-check it against an up-to-date deck plan. Look one deck up and one deck down, and confirm the category and any obstructed-view note in writing before you pay your deposit.

FAQs

What class of ship is Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas?

Jewel of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship, alongside Radiance, Brilliance and Serenade of the Seas. It is about 90,000 gross tons, carries up to roughly 2,500 guests and is known for its large glass areas and sea views.

What is the best deck to stay on Jewel of the Seas?

Decks 8 and 9 midship are the best all-round choice, because they have cabins above and below and the least motion. Deck 3 midship is the best budget option for light sleepers.

Which Jewel of the Seas cabins are noisiest?

Deck 10 cabins under the pool deck and Windjammer, aft deck 7 cabins above the Safari Club and Congo Bar, and deck 3 cabins under the Coral Theatre and Tides dining room tend to get the most noise.

Are Jewel of the Seas balcony cabins worth it?

Yes, for most itineraries. Standard balconies are about 180 sq ft with a 45 sq ft balcony. Midship balconies on decks 8 and 9 are the safest picks, and they let you enjoy the Caribbean views without paying suite prices.

Where’s the best place to have a cabin on a cruise?

Midship on a low-to-middle deck, sandwiched between other cabin decks, gives the least motion and the least noise. It also keeps you close to the elevators.