The Star of the Seas cabins to avoid are mostly about location, not category. The usual trouble spots are Deck 14 rooms under the Chill Island pools, the Windjammer and The Hideaway. Next come cabins near the AquaDome, the casino and the Music Hall, and the Surfside-facing balconies if you aren’t travelling with young children. High forward cabins are worth skipping too if you get seasick. Choose a midship room on a deck with cabins above and below it, and Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class ship will give you a quiet night’s sleep.
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Star of the Seas is the second Icon-class ship. It has 2,805 staterooms in 28 categories, and roughly 70% of them have a balcony. It sails 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries round trip from Port Canaveral, and almost every one includes Perfect Day at CocoCay. With that many rooms and that many busy neighborhoods, the cabin you pick matters more than on a smaller ship. Below we go through the areas to avoid, area by area, and then look at the Star of the Seas best cabins for different kinds of traveler.
Star of the Seas cabins to avoid at a glance
The cabin numbers below come from the published deck plans. They’re approximate, so check the exact room on Royal Caribbean’s deck plan before you pay a deposit.
| Area | Where | Main issue | Who should avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Chill Island | Deck 14 midship (about 14172–14276 and 14572–14676) | Pool chairs moved early, music, deck games overhead | Light sleepers, late risers |
| Under the Windjammer and The Hideaway | Deck 14 aft-midship (about 14278–14362 and 14678–14752) | Breakfast rush, DJ and live music at the adults-only pool | Anyone who naps or sleeps in |
| Near the AquaDome | Deck 14 forward (about 14138–14170 and 14538–14570) | Rehearsals, events, foot traffic to Hooked and the AquaDome Market | Light sleepers |
| Surfside-facing balconies | Inward-facing aft rooms, decks 7–12 | Splash pad, carousel-area noise, little privacy | Couples and adults without kids |
| Obstructed Central Park balconies | Deck 10 above The Pearl (about 10219–10235) | The Pearl’s roof blocks part of the view | Anyone paying extra for the park view |
| Near the casino and Music Hall | Lower decks 3–4 | Late-night noise and crowds | Early sleepers |
| High forward cabins | Upper decks, bow | More pitching in rough seas | People prone to seasickness |
Noisy staterooms below the pool and buffet decks
Under Chill Island
Chill Island fills the middle of Decks 15 to 17 with seven pools and a cluster of hot tubs, so it’s the busiest outdoor space on the ship. The Deck 14 cabins directly underneath can hear crew setting out loungers early in the morning, music through the day and the odd pool competition. Plenty of passengers never notice. If you’re a light sleeper, though, a cabin with more cabins above it is the safer bet.
Under the Windjammer and The Hideaway
Further aft on Deck 15 you’ll find the Windjammer buffet and The Hideaway, the adults-only area with an infinity pool, DJ sets and live music. The Deck 14 rooms below get the breakfast crowd and the afternoon party in turn. The Hideaway is a big draw for couples, but it’s much more enjoyable to visit than to sleep under.
Near the AquaDome
The AquaDome sits forward on Deck 15 and hosts aqua shows, daytime rehearsals and evening events. Hooked seafood restaurant, Rye & Bean coffee and the AquaDome Market are all close by. Deck 14 forward cabins near this complex can pick up vibration and hallway traffic.
Surfside and Central Park: neighborhood-view cabins
Surfside-facing balconies
Surfside is the family neighborhood at the back of Deck 7. It has the Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay aqua zones, the Water’s Edge pool, a carousel, a family buffet and an arcade. The inward-facing Surfside Family View Balcony rooms look straight down onto it from Deck 7 upwards. For parents of small children these rooms are a real advantage, because you can keep an eye on the area and you’re close to everything kids want. For couples or adults travelling alone they bring daytime noise, a view of other balconies and very little privacy. If you want to look at the sea, book an ocean-facing room instead.
Central Park rooms above The Pearl
Central Park on Deck 8 is open to the sky and is one of the quietest, prettiest spots on board, so most Central Park balconies are a good choice. The exception is a short run of rooms on Deck 10 sitting just above the top of The Pearl, the sculptural structure that also contains a staircase. The roofline there blocks part of the downward view. Book one of these only if you’ve seen exactly what’s outside the window.
Interior rooms facing inward
Some interior-category rooms have windows onto Surfside, Central Park or the Royal Promenade. Remember that people outside can see in as easily as you can see out. Keep the curtains drawn in the evening, and don’t expect the darkness of a true inside cabin.
Lower decks near late-night venues
Casino Royale is on Deck 4, and the two-level Music Hall sits nearby on Decks 3 and 4. Both get busy late, especially on sea days. The cabins sharing a corridor or wall with them aren’t a guaranteed problem, but if you’re in bed by 10pm it’s better to move a few frames further along the deck plan. On the plus side, Decks 3 and 4 are low, which helps with motion.
Cabins to skip if you get seasick
At around 250,800 gross tons, Star of the Seas is a very stable ship. Even so, the higher and further forward you are, the more any pitching can be felt. If motion is a worry, choose a cabin low and midship, roughly Decks 6 to 9 near the central elevators. That includes the forward-facing Panoramic Ocean View rooms and suites up front. They have dramatic windows, but they’re the first rooms to feel any swell.
Layout quirks worth knowing before you book
- Sofa-bed rooms. Many balcony and family rooms sleep three or four by using a sofa bed in the living area. When it’s made up at night, the walkway between the beds and the balcony can become very tight. If four adults are sharing, a Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony or two connecting rooms will feel far less cramped.
- Infinite balconies are not step-out balconies. In Infinite rooms, the window wall drops down to bring the “balcony” into the cabin’s footprint. You get more indoor space, but you don’t get a separate outdoor terrace to sit on while someone sleeps. Some Infinite Grand Suites work the same way, so check before paying suite prices.
- Guarantee fares. A guarantee (GTY) booking is cheaper, but Royal Caribbean chooses the room nearer departure. That could be any of the spots above. If there’s a particular area you want to avoid, choose your own stateroom.
Star of the Seas best cabins to book
The same deck plan that shows you what to avoid also points to some excellent rooms. Here’s how the main Star of the Seas staterooms compare, using Royal Caribbean’s published sizes.
| Stateroom | Approx. size | Sleeps | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean View Balcony (Decks 7–14) | 204 sq ft + 50 sq ft balcony | Up to 4 | Couples who want fresh air and a sea view |
| Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony | 335 sq ft | 6 | Families with two or three kids |
| Surfside Family Suite | 269 sq ft | 2 adults, 2 kids | Young families wanting Sky-tier suite perks |
| Sky Junior Suite | 322 sq ft | 4 | Couples wanting a step up |
| Ultimate Family Townhouse | 1,772 sq ft over three levels | 8 | Multigenerational groups with a large budget |
Best balcony room for most people
For couples, a standard Star of the Seas balcony room facing the ocean and placed midship on Decks 8 to 12 is hard to beat. It has cabins above and below and is close to the elevators without being next to them. You’ll be away from the pool deck and Surfside and comfortable in rough weather. Central Park balconies away from The Pearl are a quieter alternative if a garden view appeals.
Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony
This room sleeps six. It has a separate bunk alcove for the kids and a split bathroom, so the shower and toilet can be used at the same time, and that makes busy mornings much easier. For families who don’t want a suite, it’s one of the most practical rooms on the ship.
Surfside Family Suite
This suite is around 269 sq ft and has a curtained kids’ nook with a sofa bed. It comes with Royal Suite Class Sky-tier perks, including suite dining and lounge access, and it’s right next to Surfside. That closeness is a drawback for couples but just what parents of under-sixes want.
Ultimate Family Townhouse
The Townhouse sits aft above Surfside. It spreads across three levels with three bathrooms, an in-suite slide and views over the wake. It’s the ship’s showpiece family room, and prices for a week often run into tens of thousands of dollars. For most people it’s something to admire rather than book.
A five-minute deck plan check before you pay
This is the step most guides skip. Once you’ve found a room you like, open the official deck plan and check three things:
- Above: Look at the deck directly above your cabin number. You want more cabins, not a pool, buffet, theater or crew service area.
- Below: Do the same for the deck below. Galleys, lounges and the casino can send noise upward.
- Beside: Avoid rooms next to elevator banks, laundry rooms and service doors, which are often marked with small grey blocks. A cabin three or four doors away is usually just as convenient and much quieter.
If you’re weighing up Icon-class ships, our guide to the best and worst cabins on Legend of the Seas covers the newest sister ship, where most of the same rules apply. Not sure whether to pay for a view at all? Read our breakdown of balcony vs inside cabins. Families can also check which Royal Caribbean ships suit kids of each age.
If you are comparing ships, our fleet-wide guide on which Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid covers the cabin locations that cause problems on any class.
Many of the same hotspots apply on her older sister, as our guide to Icon of the Seas cabins to avoid shows.
FAQs
What is the best deck to stay on Star of the Seas?
For most guests, Decks 8 to 12 midship are the best mix of quiet and convenience. They have cabins above and below, and the elevators are easy to reach. If you’re prone to seasickness, go lower and stay near the middle of the ship.
Are Surfside cabins on Star of the Seas noisy?
They can be during the day, because they overlook a splash pad, pool and family dining area. They’re excellent for families with young kids but not ideal for couples who want peace or privacy.
Should I avoid Deck 14 on Star of the Seas?
Not all of it, but the Deck 14 cabins directly under Chill Island, the Windjammer, The Hideaway and the AquaDome are the most likely to hear activity overhead. Look at what sits above your exact cabin number on the deck plan.
Is a guarantee cabin worth it on Star of the Seas?
Only if you’re relaxed about location. A guarantee fare saves money, but Royal Caribbean assigns the room, so you could end up under a pool deck or overlooking Surfside.
