The Swankiest Staterooms at Sea: Where to Stay on the World's Largest Cruise Ship
Quick summary
Royal Caribbean recently released its newest ship, Harmony of the Seas, which at 1,188 feet long and 226,963 gross tons, is now the largest cruise ship in the world. While it boasts incredible features like 18 decks, 20 dining experiences and enough shows and water slides to keep kids of all ages entertained, this ship also home to some of the swankiest, splurge-worthiest rooms at sea. Here's a look at Harmony of the Seas' most interesting staterooms.
Note that the prices listed here were provided by Royal Caribbean staff members during my room tour and may vary depending on your travel dates and how many people you're bringing.
1. Presidential Family Suite With Balcony
- Stats: Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, 1,142 square feet, sleeps up to 14 people
- Special features: 476 square-foot balcony with a whirlpool
- Price: From $8,000 to $14,000 per person depending on the season
This incredibly large suite includes two master bedrooms, each with two twin beds that can be converted to a king-sized one. Here's a look at master bedroom #1, complete with its own bathroom.
And master bedroom #2, with its own full bathroom in the background.
Both master bathrooms include a combination shower/bathtub...
...while the other two bedrooms each have full bathrooms with showers (but no tubs).
Bedrooms #3 and #4 feature convertible twin beds. Simply pull down the two upper Pullman beds to fit four in this room, a fun idea if you're traveling with a bunch of youngsters, for instance. Here's a look at bedroom #3, below, with the upper beds stowed away...
... and bedroom #4, with them pulled out so you can get a better idea — there's a second one located above the bed on the right side as well.
The living room offers plenty of space for everyone to spread out in this suite...
...as does the giant private balcony. Just imaging having a big family dinner out here.
The best part: there's even a whirlpool to relax in while you let the world pass you by.
2. Royal Loft Suite With Balcony
- Stats: One bedroom, two bathrooms, 1,524 square feet, sleeps up to six people
- Special Features: Two levels, open living/dining room area, convertible sofa, 843-square-foot balcony with whirlpool
- Price: From $11,000 to $19,000 per person depending on the season
Bedroom #1, located on the lower level, offers two twin beds that convert to a Royal King.
And yes, that's a whirlpool on your private balcony.
The enormous 843-square-foot balcony wraps around the corner, giving you and your guests plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the scenery.
There's even a dining room table.
The living room isn't too shabby either.
The downstairs bathroom features a large standing shower (no tub).
This suite actually has two floors, easily accessible by this lovely staircase.
Bedroom #2 is located on the second floor.
There's actually a lot of room up here to play with, even a small seating area just before you reach the bedroom.
And don't get me started on the giant walk-in closet, which is practically a room in itself.
The upstairs bathroom was one of the coolest I've seen anywhere, offering two standing showers and a giant whirlpool bathtub.
It was so big I had to step back and try to get another angle so you could see the whole thing. Doesn't that giant tub look really nice right about now?
3. Sky Loft Suite With Balcony
- Stats: One bedroom, two bathrooms, 722 square feet, sleeps up to four people
- Special Features: Two levels, convertible sofa, 410-square-foot balcony
- Price: From $7,000 to $10,000 per person depending on the season
Here's what you see when you first enter the Sky Loft Suite, the living room below and the bedroom and bathroom above. That couch converts into a bed so two people can fit comfortably downstairs...
...while two more fit upstairs in the master bedroom, making this a great set-up for families or couples traveling together.
The upstairs bathroom includes a bathtub and shower option.
Here's what you'll see looking down from the second level.
Did I mention there's a balcony? And plenty of room to sit out and enjoy the view.
You won't even have to leave your suite if you'd prefer to do some sunbathing in private.
From your private terrace, you've also got a bird's eye view of the ship's mini-golf course.
4. Crown Loft Suite With Balcony
- Stats: One bedroom, two bathrooms, 545 square feet, sleeps up to four people
- Special features: Two levels, 114 square-foot balcony
- Price: From $5,000 to $7,000 per person depending on the season
This suite also takes up two floors, with a living room and private balcony downstairs...
...and a loft-style master bedroom and bathroom upstairs.
Two can stay in this Royal King-sized bed on the upper level, while the living room couch on the lower level opens up into a bed that fits two more.
The upstairs bathroom is admittedly a little fancier...
...with its shower/bathtub combo.
The downstairs bathroom is simple but has everything you need, including a shower.
I was impressed by this closet and vanity area as well — the more space to get ready in, the better!
5. Boardwalk View Stateroom With Balcony
- Stats: Sitting/bedroom areas, full bathroom, 182 square feet, sleeps up to four people
- Special features: 52 square-foot balcony overlooking The Boardwalk
- Price: From $1,300 to $1,600 per person depending on the season
This room and the next are two of my favorites, since they both offer balconies even though they're on the interior of the ship. How cool is that?
This could be your view if you booked one of the 141 cabins like this one.
If you're worried about noise coming from The Boardwalk, don't be. When I stopped by, the room attendant demonstrated how the sliding patio door is essentially soundproof.
Remember to close the curtains though, as you can technically see right across into your neighbor's rooms.
Nonetheless, it's nice to have the balcony option in an interior cabin.
6. Central Park View Stateroom With Balcony
- Stats: Sitting/bedroom areas, full bathroom, 182 square feet, sleeps up to four people
- Special features: 52 square-foot balcony overlooking Central Park
- Price: From $1,200 to $1,300 per person depending on the season
Just like the previous room, you'll have all the usual perks, like two twin beds that convert into a Royal King...
...and a little seating area with closets to store your things.
And, of course, this room comes with a lovely balcony overlooking the ship's Central Park neighborhood.
Again, don't worry about noise coming up from this level of the ship — once those sliding doors shut, you won't hear a thing.
This could be your view if you book one of these interior balcony staterooms.
7. Superior Ocean View Stateroom With Balcony
- Stats: Sitting/bedroom areas, full bathroom, 182 square feet, sleeps up to four people
- Special features: 50 square-foot ocean view balcony
- Price: From $800 to $2,000 per person depending on the season
This was the room I stayed in during my two-day preview cruise, and while it was just me this time around, there was easily enough room for a couple to stay here. Here's a shot of the two twin beds converted into a Royal King...
...and a little seating area on the way out to the private balcony.
It's pretty much your standard ocean view stateroom — here's what you see when you look back in from the balcony.
The balcony, by the way, made a great place to relax and a quiet spot to get some work done, especially during our days at sea. Gotta love that ocean view!
The bathroom was rather small, but manageable, with a toilet, sink and standing shower.
There were also several shelves and closet spaces surrounding the bed where I could store my things.
8. Studio Ocean View Stateroom — For Solo Travelers
- Stats: Full bedroom and bathroom, 96-104 square feet, sleeps 1-2 people
- Special features: Single occupancy stateroom, no solo supplement required
- Price: From $1,600 per person depending on the season
Solo travelers, rejoice! Instead of having to pay for two passengers to get a room all to yourself — as you would have had to do traditionally — Royal Caribbean's Studio Ocean View Staterooms give you a little space to call your own — for less. All the studio staterooms are kept in a certain part of the ship, too, so you can mingle with your fellow solo shipmates. While the spaces are relatively small at 96-104 square feet, they come with everything you need.
9. Interior Stateroom With Virtual Balcony
- Stats: Bedroom and seating area, full bathroom, 172 square feet, sleeps 1-2 people
- Special features: Room with a view, of sorts
- Price: From $1,149 per person depending on the season
Even if you do want to save money by opting for an interior cabin — which start from $1,149 per person based on double occupancy in January, for instance — you'll still score a nice view thanks to a nifty floor-to-ceiling sliver of HD screen that delivers a real-time look at what's going on outside the ship.
Bottom Line
Harmony of the Seas is currently sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night cruises that alternate between the Eastern Caribbean — with stops in Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amelie, St. Thomas; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten — and the Western Caribbean — with stops in Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico. Prices vary by stateroom, the number of people in them and whether you're traveling during peak season, so keep in mind that the rates listed here may differ from what's being offered at another time. If you decided to take the plunge, I know you and your loved ones have a great time on this fabulous ship!
Are you excited to set sail on Harmony of the Seas? Tell us about it, below.