Royal Caribbean really went all-in on the "multi-generational" thing with their latest ship. Honestly, it’s a lot to process. When you first look at the deck plans for Icon of the Seas, your eyes probably gravitate toward that massive, colorful neighborhood at the back of the ship called Surfside. It’s pink. It’s yellow. It’s loud. And right in the middle of that controlled chaos is the Surfside Family Suite.
You’ve probably seen the marketing photos. They look incredible, right? But here’s the thing about booking a high-end cabin on the world’s largest cruise ship: the price tag is usually eye-watering. You’re not just paying for a bed; you’re paying for a specific type of sanity. If you have kids under the age of six, the Surfside Family Suite might be the smartest move you ever make. Or, if you value a quiet afternoon nap, it might be your worst nightmare.
Let's break down what’s actually happening inside these 269-square-foot rooms.
The Weird and Wonderful Layout of the Surfside Family Suite
Most cruise cabins are just long, narrow rectangles. You know the drill. You walk in, trip over a suitcase, and see a bed. The Surfside Family Suite is fundamentally different because it’s designed to solve the "I don't want to see my kids while they sleep" problem.
Royal Caribbean created a dedicated "nook" for the children. It’s not a separate room with a door—don't get your hopes up that high—but it’s a recessed area with a sofa that converts into a bunk bed. It has its own TV. It has its own storage. Basically, it’s a fort. This means that when the kids are winding down with a movie, you can actually sit on the main bed or the balcony without feeling like you're trapped in a 1950s sitcom where everyone shares one giant mattress.
The square footage sits around 269 square feet for the interior and another 53 square feet for the balcony. For context, a standard balcony room on Icon is about 200 square feet. That extra 70 square feet is purely about elbow room. You can actually walk past the bed without doing a weird sideways shimmy.
Wait. The bathroom situation is actually the MVP here.
In a standard room, you get a "split" bathroom if you're lucky, but usually, it’s just one tiny pod. In the Surfside Family Suite, the bathroom is split into two distinct spaces. One room has the toilet and a sink. The other has the shower and another sink. If you’ve ever tried to get a family of four ready for a 6:00 PM dinner seating at the Main Dining Room, you know this is a game-changer. One kid is brushing teeth while a parent is in the shower. No one is fighting over the mirror. It’s civilized.
Why the View is a Polarizing Topic
Here is where people get confused. Most people hear "suite" and they think "ocean view."
Not necessarily.
The Surfside Family Suites are "neighborhood view" cabins. Your balcony doesn’t look out at the endless blue horizon or the sunset over Cozumel. Instead, you are looking directly down into the Surfside neighborhood. You’ll see the Splashaway Bay water park, the bright teal Carousel, and families eating brunch at Surfside Eatery.
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It is vibrant. It is lively. It is also... a bit much.
If you like people-watching, it’s the best seat in the house. You can sit out there with a coffee and watch the morning madness unfold. But if you’re looking for a romantic, secluded evening under the stars? This isn’t it. You’re looking at a giant flamingo sculpture and hearing the distant (and sometimes not-so-distant) screams of kids on a slide.
The "Star Class" Confusion and Suite Benefits
Let’s get the "Suite Life" perks straight because Royal Caribbean’s tier system is confusing as heck.
Icon of the Seas uses the Royal Suite Class system: Sea, Sky, and Star. The Surfside Family Suite falls under the Sky Class.
This is the middle tier. It’s a very comfortable middle tier, though. You aren’t getting a Royal Genie (that’s only for Star Class like the Ultimate Family Townhouse). You don’t have a personal butler to go get you Starbucks or book your shore excursions. Honestly, most people don't need that.
What you do get is access to the Suite Neighborhood. This is a private "ship-within-a-ship" area located on the upper decks. It includes:
- The Grove: A private sun deck with its own pool and whirlpool. It’s way quieter than the main pool deck.
- Coastal Kitchen: This is the private restaurant for suite guests. The food here is objectively better than the Windjammer buffet. It feels more like a high-end bistro. You can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner here for "free" (well, included in your fare).
- The Suite Lounge: Free drinks (cocktails and wine) during happy hour. If you like a pre-dinner gin and tonic, this perk pays for itself pretty quickly.
You also get VOOM Surf & Stream internet for every person in the room. On a seven-night cruise, that’s a massive saving. You get priority boarding, which means you aren't standing in a warehouse in Miami for two hours. You’re on the ship, drink in hand, while everyone else is still checking their passports.
Is the Location a Pro or a Con?
The Surfside Family Suites are located on Decks 7 and 8.
Location matters. A lot.
Being on Deck 7 means you are on the same level as the Surfside neighborhood itself. You can walk out of your room, go around the corner, and you’re at the Sugar Beach candy shop or the Lemon Post bar. If your kids are young, this is incredible. You don't have to wait for the elevators—which, on a ship with 7,600 passengers, can be a legitimate ordeal.
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However, being that close to the action has a downside: noise.
Royal Caribbean did a decent job with soundproofing the heavy balcony doors. When they’re shut, it’s surprisingly quiet. But during the day, there are high-energy deck parties and music pumping through the neighborhood. If you have a toddler who needs a dead-silent environment for a 2:00 PM nap, you might struggle. It’s a trade-off. Convenience vs. Quiet.
Comparing the Surfside Suite to the Family Infinite Balcony
A lot of people cross-shop the Surfside Family Suite with the Family Infinite Balcony. They look similar on paper, but they feel very different.
The Infinite Balcony isn't a real balcony in the traditional sense. It’s a room where the window slides down halfway to create a "balcony" feel. The problem? When that window is down, the AC in your room shuts off. Also, the "kids' area" in the Infinite Balcony is often just a set of bunks right by the front door/bathroom. It feels cramped.
The Surfside Family Suite gives you a real, walk-out balcony. It gives you the split bathroom. It gives you the Suite Class perks.
If the price difference is less than $1,500 for the week, the upgrade to the Surfside Family Suite is almost always worth it for the Coastal Kitchen access alone. If the gap is $4,000? Maybe stick to the standard room and spend that money on specialty dining and excursions in St. Maarten.
The Realistic Cost of Living
You have to be prepared for the price. Icon of the Seas is currently the most expensive ship in the fleet because it’s the "new toy."
A Surfside Family Suite for a family of four on a standard 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary can easily run between $8,000 and $12,000 depending on the season. During Christmas or Spring Break? Good luck. You’re looking at $15,000+.
Is it "worth it"?
If you have kids under 8, yes. The Surfside neighborhood is basically a gated community for parents. You can sit at a bar and actually see your kids playing in the water park. That level of relaxation is hard to find on other ships where the kids' areas are separate from the "adult" lounging areas.
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If your kids are teenagers? Skip it. They won't want to be in Surfside. They’ll be at the Thrill Island slides or the secondary pool decks. At that point, you’re paying a premium for a neighborhood your kids have outgrown.
Practical Realities: What Nobody Tells You
There are a few "quirks" you should know before you put down a deposit.
First, the storage is "okay" but not "great." While they’ve added cubbies in the kids' nook, the main closet space is still a bit tight for four people with formal wear and swimsuits. Bring magnetic hooks for the walls. The walls are metal, and those hooks are lifesavers for hanging up wet swimsuits and hats.
Second, the balcony privacy is... non-existent. Because you are facing an open neighborhood, people across the way on the other side of the ship can see you. If you walk out in your bathrobe to grab your morning coffee, just know that about 200 other people can see you too.
Third, the "kids eat free" thing in Surfside. There’s a spot called Surfside Eatery which is a dedicated buffet for families. It’s great. It has "kid-friendly" options that aren't just chicken nuggets. They have small grilled cheeses, fruit skewers, and pasta. It makes the "I'm hungry now" moments much easier to manage than trekking up to the Windjammer on Deck 15.
Strategic Booking Advice
If you want the best experience in a Surfside Family Suite, try to snag a room that is slightly further back from the main stage area of the neighborhood. The rooms closer to the "back" of the ship (near the wake) tend to be a bit quieter while still giving you that great view of the carousel.
Also, keep an eye on the Royal Up program. If you book a standard balcony, you might get an email asking you to bid on a suite. Sometimes you can score a Surfside Family Suite for a fraction of the retail price if the sailing isn't full. Though, let’s be real, Icon is almost always full right now.
What to Do Next
If you're serious about booking this specific cabin category, don't wait. There are only a limited number of Surfside Family Suites on Icon of the Seas—about 42 in total. Compare that to the hundreds of standard balcony rooms, and you’ll see why they sell out months (or even a year) in advance.
- Check the Deck Plan: Look for rooms on Deck 7 if you want instant access to the kids' areas, or Deck 8 if you want a slightly higher perspective and a bit more distance from the foot traffic.
- Compare the Perks: Calculate the cost of the VOOM internet and the specialty dining you’d otherwise pay for. Subtract that from the suite price to see the "true" cost of the upgrade.
- Review the Itinerary: If your cruise has three "Sea Days," the suite is worth more. If you’re in port every single day and only using the room to sleep, the extra cost of the suite perks might be wasted.
Ultimately, the Surfside Family Suite is about reducing friction. It reduces the friction of getting ready in the morning, the friction of finding a quiet place to eat, and the friction of keeping kids entertained. It’s a luxury of convenience. For many parents, that is the only kind of luxury that actually matters.