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MAKE ROOM FOR

Your place, your space.

On the new Icon of the Seas SM , where you stay is just as thrilling as how you play – in some of the most spacious rooms that we’ve ever designed. Discover new room types that give everyone their own space to hang, like Family Infinite Balconies. Or upgrade to upmarket with the most over-the-top VIP stay, the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

ROOM FOR ALL

The new  Icon of the Seas SM is a holiday that makes the most of family time – even hang time back in your room. Finding your crew’s just-right space is easy, with incredibly spacious rooms designed with families in mind. Not to mention, plenty of room options offering endless ocean views.

TOPPING OVER THE TOP

The first-ever Ultimate Family Townhouse maxes the memories – and the envy of the neighbourhood – with three levels of unbelievable amenities, like an in-suite slide, wrap-around terrace with hot tub, cinema room and direct access to all the splash of Surfside right from your private patio.

ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURES

Nestled in the first-of-its kind Surfside neighbourhood, Surfside Family Suites are smartly designed to dial up the convenience for everyone – with a spacious split bathroom plus a cosy kids’ room. Surrounded with adventure for all ages, your whole crew will never want to leave.

INFINITE FAMILY FUN

If you’re travelling with your whole crew,  Icon of the Seas SM has some of the most spacious rooms designed for families. Like the Family Infinite Balcony rooms – a kid’s dream, where a separate hideaway bunk room gives them their own beds, TVs and space to chill.

VIEWS FOR DAYS

There’s no shortage of unbelievable ocean views right from your room on the game-changing new Icon of the Seas SM . And luxury is anything but boring in Royal Suite Class with exclusive upgraded amenities.

SUNSET CORNER SUITES

The view doesn’t get any better than from Sunset Corner Suites, with wrap-around balconies and endless blue in all directions.

PANORAMIC SUITES

Discover the suite life when you upgrade your stay and your view. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows in Panoramic Suites deliver dazzling sights and dramatic ocean views.

INFINITY BALCONIES

Invite the sea breeze in with a push of a button. All-new Infinite Balcony rooms instantly transform your living space into an extended oceanside escape.

DESIGNED TO UNWIND

Whether you’re travelling with your better half or with your whole crew,  Icon of the Seas SM makes finding the right space easy. From ocean view accommodations to new infinite balconies, we’ve got the perfect stay for you.

INTERIOR STATEROOMS

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Designed to match your comfort needs.

24-hour room service for fuelling up between thrills. A daily stateroom attendant dedicated to making sure that your stay is spectacular. Daily cleaning service so you can rest easy before the next day’s adventures. Whether you’re travelling with kids, a group of fellow explorers or require any kind of specialised service, we’ve thought of all the creature comforts you’d expect during your holiday – plus a few more.

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Holidaying with a baby? Let us know and we’ll provide a cot and supplies to make your little one comfy.

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Keep the whole squad together on your next getaway. Select staterooms can connect to accommodate more guests.

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Our staterooms offer spa-like comfort so you can disconnect from reality and reconnect with your partner-in-adventure.

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Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Picking a cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship can be a daunting task.

For starters, there is an eye-popping number of cabins available on many Royal Caribbean ships. The line is known for operating the world's biggest cruise vessels — ships so big that some have nearly 3,000 cabins each.

But it's not just the sheer volume of cabins that makes picking a room on a Royal Caribbean ship challenging. It's also the number of cabin categories.

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On some Royal Caribbean ships, there are as many as 34 different types of cabins — each a little different than the last.

The backstory here is that Royal Caribbean ships are designed to appeal to a wide demographic, including travelers with varying budgets. That prompted Royal Caribbean to offer a wide mix of cabin types.

The line offers rooms that range from relatively low-cost, windowless "inside" cabins measuring just 149 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to massive, multi-room suites that can be more than 10 times that size.

A Royal Caribbean cabin primer

Like many other cruise ships, Royal Caribbean vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

On the newer Royal Caribbean ships, the vast majority of the cabins are balcony cabins. Over the years, cruise lines have discovered that cruisers will pay a significant premium to have a balcony with their cabin, prompting a rush to add more balcony cabins to ships.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

For instance, on Royal Caribbean's four-year-old Symphony of the Seas , 65% of the 2,759 cabins are balcony cabins; the next-largest category of cabins are inside cabins followed by ocean-view cabins and suites. Here's the exact breakdown:

• Inside cabins: 599 (22%).
• Ocean-view cabins: 176 (6%).
• Balcony cabins: 1,796 (65%).
• Suites: 188 (7%).

There are far fewer balcony cabins on older Royal Caribbean ships (and all older cruise ships in general). Only 12% of the cabins on Royal Caribbean's oldest vessel, the 1996-built Grandeur of the Seas, are balcony cabins.

Inside cabins and ocean-view cabins make up the majority (78% in total) of cabins on Grandeur of the Seas. Suites account for 9% of the cabins on the ship. Here's the exact breakdown:

• Inside cabins: 399 (40%).
• Ocean-view cabins: 381 (38%).
• Balcony cabins: 122 (12%).
• Suites: 94 (9%).

The takeaway here is that you'll have a tougher time locking down a balcony cabin on an older Royal Caribbean ship than on a newer vessel. If you're planning a cruise on one of the line's older vessels and a balcony cabin is a must, you'll want to book early to ensure you get one.

You'll also want to book early if you're aiming for a suite. An old saw in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most-expensive cabins, which are the suites, and the least-expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The "middle" sells last.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean

You'll find multiple subcategories within each of the four broad categories of cabins on Royal Caribbean ships. Symphony of the Seas, for instance, has 15 different types of suites alone; suites range from a junior suite with a balcony (Category J3) that measures 287 square feet to a Royal Loft Suite (Category RL) that measures five times that amount.

If you count two types of Symphony of the Seas suites that come in two versions — a standard version and a slightly altered, "accessible" version — there are actually 17 different categories of suites on the vessel.

Royal Caribbean cabins generally have a modern look with clean lines and contemporary furniture, plus lots of storage cleverly worked into the design.

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean ships

Inside cabins are designed for passengers on a tight budget. On Royal Caribbean ships, these rooms are almost always the least-expensive option when booking a cabin. You can often save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world (at least, not a traditional window — more on that in a moment).

You'll also be in a very small room. Inside cabins on Symphony of the Seas measure just 149 square feet, quite a bit less than the typical ocean-view cabin on the vessel (those range from 179 to 272 square feet). The typical balcony cabin on Symphony of the Seas is 182 square feet, not including a 50-square-foot balcony.

As I mentioned above, there is one way to get a glimpse of the outside world from an inside cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship. In one of the great cruising innovations, Royal Caribbean has created some inside cabins with a "virtual balcony" that offers a view of the outside.

Related: The upside of booking an inside cabin

The virtual balcony is a high-definition screen built into one end of the windowless room that projects a real-time view of the ocean outside. It's designed to make you think you're actually in a balcony cabin with a view, and it is quite realistic-looking.

Just don't try to walk through the faux balcony opening.

Ocean-view cabins on Royal Caribbean ships

With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Royal Caribbean's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as cabins that face outward are usually built with balconies now.

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

In general, ocean-view cabins on Royal Caribbean ships are bigger than inside cabins and around the same size as balcony cabins (when comparing their interior space). But you can sometimes find ocean-view cabins that are significantly bigger than a typical balcony cabin. This is sometimes the case for ocean-view cabins at the front or back of ships, where there can be relatively large but oddly shaped rooms with windows but no balconies.

Royal Caribbean has built ocean-view cabins at the front of some ships that incorporate the angled space in the front part of the superstructure. As a result, they have sloping windows, and a bit more floor space around these windows (see the image below).

Royal Caribbean's Radiance-class ships, notably, have a category called Ultra Spacious Ocean View; it includes cabins at the front and back of the ship that measure 319 square feet — nearly twice as much as the typical ocean-view cabin on the vessels (which measures 170 square feet). Each of these bigger ocean-view cabins has two twin beds that can convert into a royal king bed, one double sofa bed and either one Pullman bed and one twin bed or two Pullman beds.

These bigger cabins can hold up to six people, making them popular with families.

Balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Royal Caribbean is delivering, with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships. On the line's five Oasis-class ships, which began debuting in 2009, around 65% of rooms are balcony cabins. On the line's even-newer Quantum-class ships, which began debuting in 2014, the percentage is even higher — around 69%.

The typical Royal Caribbean balcony cabin has a contemporary look, with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. It will typically offer twin beds that can be converted into a royal king bed, a desk and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed. It typically measures around 180 square feet, not including the balcony area.

A few Royal Caribbean ships have balcony cabins that face toward the vessel's center, not toward the outside. If this seems like a paradox, it is. It results from an unusual design feature of one series of Royal Caribbean ships, the Oasis class.

Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin

The Oasis-class vessels are so wide that they have room for an interior, open-air "Boardwalk" amusement area at their backs lined with inward-facing cabins. On Oasis-class ships, you thus can get a balcony cabin facing the sea or a balcony cabin facing inward, toward the Boardwalk area.

Suites on Royal Caribbean ships

Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the cruise world's most spectacular suites, including (on some ships) suites that sprawl over two decks.

Royal Caribbean isn't a luxury cruise line. However, the top suites on its vessels offer an experience keeping with what you'll find on some of the world's top luxury ships. Depending on the ship, these suites can come with such perks as private butlers (called Royal Genies) who attend to your every need, access to a private restaurant, access to a private suite lounge and sun deck, reserved seating in entertainment venues and priority boarding and disembarkation.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge on a suite on your next cruise

They also have a much higher price tag than the typical Royal Caribbean cabin. These rooms are aimed at well-heeled travelers who, for whatever reason, prefer the sort of mass-market, megaship cruise experience that Royal Caribbean offers over the more intimate, white-glove experience you'll find on the small ships that luxury lines operate.

As noted above, there is a wide range of suite categories on some Royal Caribbean ships. Among the line's most spectacular suites are the Royal Loft Suites on some of the newer Royal Caribbean vessels. Two decks high, they offer a soaring living room space framed by a glass wall that offers stunning views.

Related: The 5 most spectacular suites at sea

The Royal Loft Suites on Oasis-class ships measure nearly 1,800 square feet and feature two bedrooms, a large living room with a soaring ceiling and a dining area. The Royal Loft Suites on Quantum-class vessels are nearly 1,640 square feet and also sprawl over two decks.

Royal Caribbean is also famous for its Ultimate Family Suite : a two-deck-high suite complex designed for families with young kids. It offers a slide from a second-floor kids room to the main level and extras like a foosball table. Currently, there are only Ultimate Family Suites on three Royal Caribbean ships: Wonder of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.

Note that these family suites often carry an astronomical price, falling in the $20,000-a-week range.

Smaller suites on Royal Caribbean ships include Grand Loft Suites, which can measure around 700 to 850 square feet. That's much smaller than the Royal Loft Suites but about four times the size of a standard balcony cabin.

Bottom line

Royal Caribbean has something for everyone when it comes to cabins on its ships. You can book a small, inside cabin that will get you on board one of the line's vessels at a very reasonable cost, or a huge suite that will set you back many times more but come with all sorts of perks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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Royal Caribbean Staterooms

• Family Junior Suite with Balcony Perfect for a family of four or five, this suite has a bed and comfortable spaces for everyone including a private balcony. The bedroom can transform two twin beds into a Royal King and there is a great sitting area where the sofa that can be transformed into a double bed. The suite also shows off its full bathroom and tub, another half bath.  
• Superior Grand Suite with Balcony This suite is spacious with a separate dressing area, a full bathroom with a tub and two sinks, and the ability to sleep four with two twin beds that can convert to a Royal King and a sofa that can work as a double bed in the living room space. The living room contains the sofa along with an entertainment center and a desk and a wraparound balcony outside.  
• Grand Loft Suite with Balcony & Sky Loft Suite with Balcony The Grand Loft Suite is not only big enough for the whole family of four, but it also offers great panoramic views and two levels of bedrooms and living spaces. The first floor of the suite is a living and dining room area where your sofa can turn to a double bed and the second floor holds the master bedroom with twin beds that can be made into a Royal King bed.  
• Owner’s Loft Suite with Balcony Able to sleep up to four people, this Owner’s Loft Suite contains large living spaces, two split bathrooms on the first floor and a private bath and shower on the second floor for those staying in the master bedroom. This suite comes with a large private balcony where the whole family can gather for a snack.  
• Accessible Spa Junior Suite with Balcony You will receive every amenity of a Junior Suite and more when using this suite as it has been made accessible for those in wheelchairs. The entry to the room has been made wider and automatic and the room also a lowered vanity and a wider entry to the bathroom. It includes more accessible amenities like a roll-in shower and a lowered vanity.  
• Spa Junior Suite with Balcony Great for a couple wanting to get away, this suite contains two twin beds to convert to a Royal King as well as a spa-inspired bathroom with a frosted glass shower and another half bath for extra sink space. The suite is great for those wanting a private balcony and a corner settee for additional relaxation.  
• Royal Loft Suite with Balcony Whether you’re on the second floor or outside in the whirlpool on the private balcony, this two story stateroom offers great panoramic views inside an out. The suite sleeps up to 6 people with two sofas in the living spaces that convert to a double and queen bed, and two twin beds in the master bedroom that can also convert to a Royal King bed.  
• Owner’s Suite with Balcony With two twin beds that can become a Royal King, a sofa that can become a double bed, large closets, a full bathroom and a separate half bath, the suite can sleep up to four people. This suite offers plenty of dining space outside on the wrap around balcony and inside with a large dining table for the group to enjoy meals together.  
• Royal Family Suite with Balcony Your family will feel like royalty in this two bedroom, two bath suite with a wraparound balcony, outdoor dining space, and an entertainment center. The suite sleeps up to eight with two twin beds that can become a Royal King in both the master and second bedroom, and an additional two Pullman beds in the second bedroom.  
• Grand Suite with Balcony With two twin beds that will convert to a Royal king in the bedroom and a sofa turned into a double bed in the living area, this suite sleeps up to four people. The suite accommodates with a full bathroom with two sinks and a separate changing area.  
• Junior Suite with Balcony The Junior Suite comes with a private balcony that can also be used to connect with a Studio Interior Stateroom or an Ocean View Balcony Stateroom. The suite also sleeps up to four people comfortably with the option of turning two twin beds into a Royal King bed and a sofa that can convert into a double bed.  

Balcony Staterooms:

• Ocean View Connected Stateroom with Balcony For unlimited convenience for groups or families, this stateroom offers a common living area and two separate sleeping and bath areas. Most guests book these rooms together so they can also enjoy the balcony space together.  
• Deluxe Obstructed Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony This stateroom offers two twin beds that will transform into a Royal King, a nice sofa for sitting and reading, a full bathroom and a private balcony.  
• Super Studio Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony Although the room can sleep up to two people, the room is a single occupancy stateroom with a single full size bed, full bathroom, and a private balcony for the guest to enjoy.  
• Accessible Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony With an automatic and wider entryway, extra turning spaces, a fold-down shower bench a raised toilet and more, this stateroom offers the amenities for those that need the extra accessibility. The two twin beds in the room can be converted to a Royal King.  
• Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony This luxurious stateroom offers great views from its private balcony. The room has two twin beds that can become a Royal King, a great sitting area and sofa, and a full bathroom.  
• Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony This stateroom has two twin beds that can become a Royal King, a great sitting area and sofa, and a full bathroom. You’ll also be impressed with the large private balcony.  

Outside Staterooms:

• Ocean View Connected Stateroom For convenience for groups or families, this stateroom offers a common living area and two separate sleeping and bath areas. Most guests book these rooms together.  
• Superior Ocean View Stateroom The room has two twin beds that can become a Royal King, a great sitting area and sofa, and a full bathroom. As your ship sails, you can enjoy the view from a lounge chair looking out the large panoramic window.  
• Large Ocean View Stateroom Just a little smaller square footage than the superior ocean view, this stateroom is still large enough to enjoy all the same perks.  
• Accessible Ocean View Stateroom With an automatic and wider entryway, roll-in shower, grab bars, a lowered vanity and more, this stateroom offers the amenities for those that need the extra accessibility. The two twin beds in the room can be converted to a Royal King and a large panoramic window for viewing.  
• Ocean View Stateroom The ocean view stateroom offers a great view from the panoramic window from the sofa or the two twin beds that will convert to a Royal King. The room also offers a full bathroom for the guests.  

Interior Staterooms:

• Interior Connected Stateroom with Virtual Balcony Book your room together and enjoy the virtual views of the scenery outside on your flat screen television with your friends or family in the common sitting area. You’ll also have two bedrooms and two bathrooms for your convenience.  
• Studio Interior Stateroom with Virtual View With a full bed and full bathroom, this stateroom can sleep up to two people. You can view real-time scenery from your flat screen television.  
• Accessible Interior Stateroom with Virtual Balcony This stateroom offers floor to ceiling virtual real-time views of the ocean or the destination. The room also offers open bed frames, an automatic and wide entryway, hand-held shower heads, a lowered sink, and other amenities to assist those in wheelchairs.  
• Interior Stateroom with Virtual Balcony This stateroom offers floor to ceiling virtual real-time views of the ocean or the destination that you can enjoy from the sitting area. The bedroom area contains two twin beds that can be converted to a Royal King, and a full bathroom.  

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Ultra Spacious Rooms- 6 people experience??

By aac1623 , January 3, 2022 in Royal Caribbean International

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Hello, we are a family of 6 (hubby, me, 4 kids) and wondering if we can book the ultra spacious rooms for 6 people instead of booking two rooms? I assume I will have to call in vs booking online but wondering anyone's experience with it and how the pricing works if you have done it before? Is it charged like the first two or second two? Hubby and I have cruised before but always left the kids home lol.

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Scoobydobe7

Hi...not in spacious room but I do have the 2 bedroom suite booked.. You do have to call as royal reservations can only do up to 4 people..so you will have 2 reservation #'s...

I would think and just my opinion, but 2 connecting rooms could be less expensive, plus you would get 2 bathrooms, 2 couches..

We've done the 2 bedroom grand suite (used to be Royal Family Suite if I remember right) a couple of times and it was really nice to have one unit of space, a very big balcony, double points & suite benefits.  I'm guessing it'd be about 50% more than 2 balcony rooms on average.

Not cheap, but for what it's worth it's been a really nice room for our family (me, wife, and 3 girls).  If I had a fourth they'd double with the third in the pullout bed that's in the living area.

Editing to add that it does require a phone call in for precise pricing though you can often times see the 2 bedroom suite w/ 4 people in search results and kind of extrapolate what it'd be for 2 more guests.

Miami Momma

Family of 4 here...2 adults and 2 kids. We recently started booking 2 connecting balcony rooms. It is cheaper than everyone being in 1 room AND you get 2 bathrooms! Plus, kids can sleep in 1 room and parents in the other. It worked out really well for us. Inside door opens up and so does balcony door so it feels SUPER spacious! I considered the Ultra Spacious room but the 2 bathrooms and showers with 2 little kids is super helpful! Just a thought if you are open to exploring other rooms 🙂  Hope it works out for you!

36 minutes ago, Miami Momma said: Family of 4 here...2 adults and 2 kids. We recently started booking 2 connecting balcony rooms. It is cheaper than everyone being in 1 room AND you get 2 bathrooms! Plus, kids can sleep in 1 room and parents in the other. It worked out really well for us. Inside door opens up and so does balcony door so it feels SUPER spacious! I considered the Ultra Spacious room but the 2 bathrooms and showers with 2 little kids is super helpful! Just a thought if you are open to exploring other rooms 🙂  Hope it works out for you!

We did that for a number of years, and it was fantastic.  I don't know how it would work for a total of 6, but it was great for 4.

We stayed in the ultra spacious balcony room over Thanksgiving on Allure with 3 adults and one large teenager.  There was plenty of room for 2 more people, especially if they are children. I’m not sure about the logistics for actually booking 6 people...I would call them or your TA. At that time it only cost us $2600 for the 4 of us, which I thought was more than reasonable. 

We have an Ultra Spacious OV room booked on Oasis later this year.  It's my husband, myself and 3 young kids.  Should be plenty big for us.  I ended up booking 4 if us in it online and called in to add our 3rd child to the room.  He has a different reservation number but listed in the same room.  The first 2 persons (adults) are normal fare and the remaining persons are a discounted rate.  We booked it during the current promo of 30% off each passenger so it was reasonable.  I'd have waited for a kids sail free promo but who knows when those will return again and I caught a good deal on the dates so I nabbed it.

Our family of 6 (2 adults and 4 children) have stayed in those family cabins on several ships (both ocean view, promenade view, and panoramic view (before they changed that last one to a "suite" class).  We always enjoyed our stays in those cabins.  Great if you have small children and want to keep an eye on them and want them in the same cabin.  It is also really nice having a huge cabin (non-suite) of double the size of a regular cabin (it feels more like a hotel room than a regular cabin.  If you want some privacy, put the 4 kids in an adjacent cabin and have access through the connecting door.  That way you get 2 bathrooms (which was a godsend with a wife and 4 daughters on formal night).

As for pricing, for one cruise I had an ocean view family cabin for 6 booked.  I kept checking prices and a few months later, managed to switch to three two-person cabins (3 washrooms!!) with a total of about 500 square feet opposed to only 350 square feet in the family cabin.  Even better was the fact that I SAVED $400 by taking 3 cabins opposed to a single family cabin.  Family cabins often have a premium price attached to them because they are very limited.

If being in the same cabin as your kids is important to you, the family cabin is great if the kids are not too old.  Otherwise, I would recommend 2 or 3 individual cabins if your children are old enough for that.

In the end, if you treasure family vacation time together, both choices are a win.

1 hour ago, Russ Lomas said: Our family of 6 (2 adults and 4 children) have stayed in those family cabins on several ships (both ocean view, promenade view, and panoramic view (before they changed that last one to a "suite" class).  We always enjoyed our stays in those cabins.  Great if you have small children and want to keep an eye on them and want them in the same cabin.  It is also really nice having a huge cabin (non-suite) of double the size of a regular cabin (it feels more like a hotel room than a regular cabin.  If you want some privacy, put the 4 kids in an adjacent cabin and have access through the connecting door.  That way you get 2 bathrooms (which was a godsend with a wife and 4 daughters on formal night).   As for pricing, for one cruise I had an ocean view family cabin for 6 booked.  I kept checking prices and a few months later, managed to switch to three two-person cabins (3 washrooms!!) with a total of about 500 square feet opposed to only 350 square feet in the family cabin.  Even better was the fact that I SAVED $400 by taking 3 cabins opposed to a single family cabin.  Family cabins often have a premium price attached to them because they are very limited.   If being in the same cabin as your kids is important to you, the family cabin is great if the kids are not too old.  Otherwise, I would recommend 2 or 3 individual cabins if your children are old enough for that.   In the end, if you treasure family vacation time together, both choices are a win.

Hi Russ, Remember me from Anthem? Thanks for speaking to us at GS!

I have a chance to bid on a "Ultra Spacious balcony cabin" on Harmony for my son, his wife and their son. My grandson will be 9 months when we sail. Do you think the lower bunk would work for his age? Thanks! 

52 minutes ago, Vera/Lee said: Hi Russ, Remember me from Anthem? Thanks for speaking to us at GS! I have a chance to bid on a "Ultra Spacious balcony cabin" on Harmony for my son, his wife and their son. My grandson will be 9 months when we sail. Do you think the lower bunk would work for his age? Thanks! 

As the grandmother of two little boys....A 9 month old should be in a pack -n-play.  They need to be in confined area to keep out of trouble.

DevonfromAcme

You couldn’t pay me any amount of money to share a tiny ship’s cabin bathroom with 5 other people.  All that needs to happen is for someone to eat something that doesn’t agree with them, or pick up noro, and your cruise becomes a living hell.   

Get two rooms and two bathrooms. 

Six people for one bathroom and shower? 

CruisingSince1982

14 hours ago, RoyalC said: Six people for one bathroom and shower? 

I wont book 3 in one room  😁

16 hours ago, hancock said: As the grandmother of two little boys....A 9 month old should be in a pack -n-play.  They need to be in confined area to keep out of trouble.

True! I've heard that Royal will provide a pack-n-play. Is that correct?

20 minutes ago, Vera/Lee said: True! I've heard that Royal will provide a pack-n-play. Is that correct?

I believe they will.

  Understand you are better off bringing your own fitted sheets for it.  They use regular sheets that are just tucked in.

12 minutes ago, hancock said: I believe they will.   Understand you are better off bringing your own fitted sheets for it.  They use regular sheets that are just tucked in.    

Is the cabin big enough for 2 adults & 4 kids? Yes. Would it be my first choice to book? No. 

Reasons are the same as has been mentioned:

1) One bathroom.

2) Cost -- often connecting OV or balcony rooms are equal or less than the cost of the US cabins.

Even with just 1 kid, I've found booking a balcony with connecting interior (2 classes of ship have them) is often cheaper and gives our son a nice dark place to sleep while we have a light or two on and enjoy a nightcap on the balcony.

If you go the connected rooms route, just be sure to book early -- only a handful of connecting rooms that sleep 3/4.

John&LaLa

1 hour ago, CruisingSince1982 said: I wont book 3 in one room  😁

My wife has the 6 passenger family OV booked as a solo for the world cruise. 

She likes her space 😁

21 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:   My wife has the 6 passenger family OV booked as a solo for the world cruise.    She likes her space 😁

You are going on the world cruise John?

3 minutes ago, cello56 said: You are going on the world cruise John?

Yes, at least that's the plan for now

Seperate cabins seemed to be the key

19 hours ago, Vera/Lee said: Hi Russ, Remember me from Anthem? Thanks for speaking to us at GS! I have a chance to bid on a "Ultra Spacious balcony cabin" on Harmony for my son, his wife and their son. My grandson will be 9 months when we sail. Do you think the lower bunk would work for his age? Thanks! 

No.  But ultra spacious room will give you the needed space for a pack n play and still be able to move around in your cabin.  Believe me, it would make a massive difference.  

23 hours ago, Vera/Lee said: Hi Russ, Remember me from Anthem? Thanks for speaking to us at GS! I have a chance to bid on a "Ultra Spacious balcony cabin" on Harmony for my son, his wife and their son. My grandson will be 9 months when we sail. Do you think the lower bunk would work for his age? Thanks! 

You must mean the Odyssey (since we have never sailed on the Anthem).  I do remember meeting a Vera on the Odyssey.  I think we ran into each other in Two70.  The Panoramic Spacious cabin we had on the Freedom was great for space.  The oceanview family cabins we had on another ship was also great for space.  How many people were you looking at putting in that cabin when you sail?  There is usually a pullout in the main area as well for and option to sleep in.  Our daughters loved the small nook with the curtain with the bunkbed in.  They were about 5 years old though at the time.  There is no railing on the side of the lower bunk, but the ladder to the top may stop someone from rolling out.  Is your grandson comfortable in his own "room"?  The privacy is quite nice and he could easily nap there if he is comfortable and that would permit someone else to use the main large portion of the cabin while he is sleeping.  I believe you can also ask for a playpen for sleeping for a child that young, but that would need to go in the main part of the room since it would not fit in where the bunks are located.

Hi Russ, yes it was Odyssey. Thanks for all of this good information! You hit on the points I need to know. I wondered if the bottom bunk has a railing and if it's close enough to the floor to be safe for him. I watched a video of this cabin and thought the small nook would be great for afternoon naps. We have two balcony cabins for 5 people, but I'm trying to upgrade the 3 of them for more space for the pack-n-play. Thanks again!

We have the "spacious outside stateroom" on Jewel, one of the  Radiance- class ships.   It's on the 1/29 sailing and it's basically an extra large cabin with a sleeper sofa and a separate tucked-away area with two additional berths.   For me, my wife, and our two young boys, it should be perfect.

John&lala....when is the world cruise starting and how long will you be on it....did I read right that you have separate cabins even though LaLa has the family ov.....

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PAVLOVSK  A small town with a Pristine royal Palace & Park TO DISCOVER

Pavlovsk is the youngest of the imperial estates around Sain Petersburg hosting a magnificent Palace and park.

Pavlovsk is a gracious residential district on the outskirts of St. Petersburg that blossomed and flourished around the Grand Palace, one of the primary residences of the Romanov dynasty.

Located 27 kilometers south of St. Petersburg , this Russian town rose as a cultural setting for classical concerts billing Strauss, Schumann, Liszt and other great composers of the Imperial era. Today, it's considered a prime location for those who own second residences or country homes as getaways from the city during the summer months.

A day trip to Pavlovsk should definitely include a visit to the fascinating Grand Palace , a fine neo-classical building with stunning interiors, and a stroll in the extensive landscaped gardens , a huge 1,500-acre park with tall trees, winding streams and endless paths flanked by benches.

From its perch on a hill, the palace overlooks a pastoral countryside of dense woodlands, rolling lawns, bridges over meandering streams and quiet ponds. Colonnades, monuments, and statues dot the landscape bordering the banks of the Slavyanka River, while the English gardens are said to rival the most exquisite gardens in the United Kingdom. 

Certainly not as grand as Peterhof, but much less touristy, Pavlovsk is well worth visiting both for the treasures in the elegant palace and for the charming park, which is one of the largest and finest English-style landscape gardens outside the UK. ☺

A LOOK INSIDE PAVLOVSK

Interested to visit Pavlosk? If so, click on the links below or scroll down the page to learn more.

Quick Links:

Pavlovsk Palace

Pavlovsk Park

How to Get There

Where to Buy Tickets

Interesting Facts

Practical Information

Tips & Recommendations

Accommodation Nearby

Must-Have Travel Resources

pavlovsk palace

Originally built by Charles Cameron, Pavlovsk Palace is smaller and less grandiose than the palaces of Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof. In fact, it's described as a stark contrast, with its modest Neoclassical design and tastefully ornate interior. While praised for being remarkably beautiful, visitors say it feels more like a family home that authentically speaks to Pavlov's (Paul's) life with his wife and ten children.

The northern wing of the palace contains the Imperial family's Private Chambers, while the southern wing hosts Paul's Picture Gallery with impressive paintings by notable artists of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as Salvatore Rosa, Tiepolo, and Rubens. Paul's passion for the military can be seen in the Hall of War and decorative motifs throughout the palace, while Maria's aesthetics shine in the room dedicated as her library.

When taking a tour of the Palace you may walk through the following rooms:

• The Italian Hall (Center structure of the palace resembling a Roman temple);
• Hall of War (Gilded displays of military memorabilia);
• Hall of Peace (Adorned with flowers and musical instruments);
• Library of the Empress (Maria Fedorovna's library with Parquet floors and furnishings by Voronikhin);
• Pavlov's Picture Gallery (Contains paintings by Salvatore Rosa, Tiepolo, and Rubens);
• The Throne Room (Also served as the Main Dining Room with a 600-piece Imperial porcelain dinner service);
• The Hall of Knights (Reception Room for the Maltese Chivalric Order of Knights who found sanctuary in Russia during Napoleon's invasion;

In addition to that you should also expect to see the The Imperial Chapel, The Grand Hall, Library of Paul I, Tapestry Room, Secretary's Room, The Billiard Room, The Old Drawing Room, The New Study, The Family Sitting Room, The Crimson Room, The Boudoir, and The State Bedroom.

pavlovsk park

Pavlovsk Park is a reflection of all the main tendencies prevailing in a European landscape design around the turn of the 19th century. The main park buildings are concentrated around the palace and to the north-east of it - in the valley of the Slavianka.

A common sentiment of those who visit Pavlovsk Park is the tranquility they experience there. Some say it's because it's not crowded or busy. Others say it's the pristine setting and natural landscape that creates a feeling of harmony. All say it's the perfect place to spend the day, unhurried and enjoying the serenity that's uniquely inherent to this destination.

When taking a stroll in the park you may walk through the following landmarks:

• The Private Garden (Restricted for use only by the Imperial Family);
• Rose Pavilion (Used for classical music concerts in the summer and favorite spot of the Empress);
• The Marienthal Fortress (A tribute to Tsar Pavel's great passion for the military;
• Temple of Friendship (Dedicated to Catherine the Great);
• Monument to My Parents (Pavilion in honor of the Tsaritsa's mother and father);

In addition to that, you should also expect to see the Colonnade of Apollo, Rossi Pavilion, Pavilion of the Graces, Volliere (Aviary) Pavilion, The Private Garden of Empress Maria, and Gonzago Gallery.

interesting facts

History says that in December 1777, this elegant estate was gifted to Tsar Pavel and his wife, Maria Feodorovna by his mother, Catherine the Great, in honor of the birth of their first son, Alexander I, the future Emperor of Russia. The surrounding land was a prized hunting ground for the royal family.

The palace and gardens were fully and beautifully restored from the damaging bombings of World War II.

how to get there

Pavlovsk is approximately 45 minutes to an hour from the city of Saint Petersburg by car, and only 15 minutes southeast of Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof .

To get there you have the option of driving yourself, taking a taxi from the city center or from Moskovskaya Metro Station, or, much better, you could even hire a car with a driver, so you travel faster, easier, and stress-free. 

If you prefer to go by public transportation , then from Kupchino metro station you must take Marshrutka N. 286 and N. 545 ; from Moskovskaya metro station take Marshrutka N. 299 ; from Vitebsky station or metro Kupchino ( last stop blue metro ) you can also take a local train to Pavlovsk station ( journey time 35minutes ) which is close to the entrance to the park.

Lastly, if you find yourself wanting to travel between Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) and Pavlovsk, then you can take the electric train or a minibus ( K-545 or K-299 ), both means travel between the Catherine Park and Pavlovsk Park.

where to buy tickets

You can buy the tickets on the spot at the ticket office upon your arrival. There is no need to buy tickets in advance to visit the park or palace because is much less touristy than Peterhof or Tsarskoye Selo.

practical information

INFO ABOUT THE PALACE

Open: May 1 to October 31: Open daily, except the first Monday of each month, 10 am to 6 pm. Last admission is at 5 pm. November 1 to April 30: Open daily, except Friday, and the first Monday of each month.

Please note that the museum reserves the right to open ONLY the State Rooms and close other exhibits on Public Holidays.

Admission: Adult: Rubles 500.00. Family (2 Adults + 1 Child): Rubles 900.00. Family (2 Adults + 2 Child): Rubles 1150.00. Photo: Rubles 200.00 Video: Rubles 300.00. Temporary exhibits: Rubles 150.00 each. Audio guide available on request an don the spot!

Photo and video: Photo: Rubles 200.00 Video: Rubles 300.00

Accessibility note: This museum is not wheelchair accessible.

INFO ABOUT THE PARK

Open: Daily, 6 am to 12 pm.

Admission: May 1 to October 31, Daily, 10.00-18.00: Adult: Rubles 150.00. November 1 to April 30: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10.00-18.00: Rubles 150.00. All other days and times: Free

Photo and video: Free

Accessibility note: Full wheelchair access to the park is available.

Website: http://www.pavlovskmuseum.ru/

TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Many tourists try to see both Tsarskoye Selo and Pavlovsk on the same day – usually spending the better part of the day at Tsarskoye Selo and going to Pavlovsk at the end of the day. However, it is highly recommended to set aside a separate day for each.

• If time doesn't permit, we recommend that you choose Pavlovsk over Tsarskoye Selo if you don't like crowds and long waits. It's incredibly beautiful and tranquil.
• Be warned that entry tickets are cheap but queues during the time of the White Nights can be a bit long.
• If you want to see over-the-top grandeur and opulence and don't mind long waits, especially during the busy summer months, go to Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo.
• Pavlovsk Palace and Catherine Palace are only a few minutes apart, so see them both on a day trip from St. Petersburg can be a great combination.
• We recommend hiring a tour guide before visiting the palace unless you speak Russian, while the park can be visited independently on a daily basis.
• Pavlovsk is a great place to get away from it all, and it can be a great alternative to the much larger and crowded Catherine Palace located a few miles away.
• If you visit the Palace and Park in the winter make sure you take an unforgettable ride on a Russian Troika , a three-horse carriage that used to provide the fastest way of moving in the past. The Troika will lead you through the park or the city of Pavlovsk, where you will get the chance to enjoy the ride and feel the freedom of the Russian soul. Get in touch with us if you'd like the troika ride to be organized before you go! ☺

accommodation nearby

Our picking list of Hotels near Pavlosk Palace and Park

Hotel Zamok BIP

 3 Star Hotel Natali

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Book a guided city tour with one of our professional tour guides, and get the most out of your visit to Saint Petersburg, and beyond.

From Pavlovsk return to St Petersburg Attractions or go back to the Homepage

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Pavlovsk Palace

That the palace achieved such a harmonious facade belies the fact that it was conceived as a much smaller building, with the design expanded and embellished during construction. The task of designing the palace was originally assigned by Catherine the Great to Charles Cameron, the Scottish-born architect who had won the Empress's lasting favour with the work he did at Tsarskoe Selo. Construction began in 1782, but Cameron's modest design and his penchant for the absolute simplicity of Palladianism and the historical purity of Adamesque were not to the liking of Pavel and his wife Maria Feodorovna, and they charged Cameron's assistant, Vincenzo Brenna, with the task of extending the palace and creating a more imposing and regal building. Brenna quickly became Pavel's favourite architect, and went on to design alterations on the palace at Gatchina, and the Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg. His great achievement, both there and at Pavlovsk, was to combine the future Tsar's eclectic tastes into an organic and harmonious architectural solution.

Brenna's main addition to the original design was to build sweeping curved wings that make the entire structure almost circular. Designed to be seen from the eastern approach, the wings form a courtyard with a statue of Pavel directly in front of the squat central block. On the ground floor, the wings are a classical colonnade, with niches holding busts between the Doric columns. The floor above, however, is an Italianate latticed arcade. The wings lead to simple square pavilions at either end, and the effect is almost Baroque. The central block, however, is austerely neoclassical. While the lower floor is rusticated, with a row of simple arched windows and two niches containing bronze statues, the upper two storeys are decorated with four pairs of large Corinthian columns stretching up to a Pompeian cornice. The whole is crowned by a large colonnaded drum supporting a copper dome.

Inside, the Palace is considerably more ornate, with state rooms designed by some of St. Petersburg's most famous architects, including Quarenghi, Rossi and Voronikhin, the first Russian-born architect to make a significant contribution to one of the Imperial palaces. The palace's interiors are dominated by themes from antiquity, and military motifs designed to please the bellicose Pavel. They include the Italian Hall, which rises up to the building's central dome, the ornate Grecian Hall, the Egyptian Vestibule, and the contrasting Hall of War, with gilded models of military items, and Hall of Peace, equally richly decorated, but with flowers and musical instruments. Also of interest is Maria Fedorovna's Library, with a beautiful parquet floor of twelve sorts of wood and elegant furniture designed by Voronikhin.

The southern wing of the Palace contains Pavlovsk's Picture Gallery, with several notable paintings from the 17 th and 18 th centuries, including works by Tiepolo, Salvatore Rosa, and Rubens, and the Throne Room, which was actually the Palace's main dining room, and contains a 606-piece Gold Dinner Service from the Imperial Porcelain Factory. The Hall of Knights and Imperial Chapel bear testament to Pavel's peculiar relationship with the church - although officially Orthodox, he always preferred the trappings of Catholicism, as can be seen from the lack of icons and the preponderance of statuary in the chapel. The Hall of Knights, meanwhile, was the reception room for the Maltese Chivalric Order of Knights, who fled Malta after Napoleon's invasion and found sanctuary in Russia. Pavel was particularly proud to become their Grand Master, despite the fact that his appointment could not be recognized by the Pope.

The northern wing of the Palace contains the Imperial family's private chambers, which are by turns elegant and cheerful, belying the bitter atmosphere of fear and resentment that reigned between Pavel, his wife, and their children.

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4 Best and Most Stunning St Petersburg Palaces

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: August 5, 2024

One of the main reasons I chose to visit St Petersburg was to experience the stunningly beautiful Russian Palaces. Russia’s tsars built these monumental structures in St Petersburg and its outlying areas to show their wealth and power to all nations.

There is nothing quite like seeing the Russian Palaces for the first time. Glimmering gold adorns every surface, marbled floors go on forever, and decadent crystal chandeliers hang from every ceiling. And unimaginable treasures of gold, silver and precious gems are displayed for all to admire.

Palace exteriors are just as stunning, with gold onion-domed roofs indicative of the Russian baroque styling and facades painted in shades of turquoise, yellows, pinks and russet reds, giving a “fairytale” feel to these Russian landmarks.

The elaborately landscaped gardens are just as pretty, with mesmerising fountains and lakes, colossal statues and acres of land to explore.

The four Russian Palaces I visited in St Petersburg are now heritage museums offering the humble visitor a glimpse into a world of wealth and decadence, the likes of which will never be seen again. These extraordinary palaces are works of architectural genius and should feature on your  bucket list  of things to do and see in Russia.

These images were of the Russia I had imagined. My four-day trip to St Petersburg gave me plenty of time to visit these Russian Palaces and experience many other incredible things to do and see in St Petersburg.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking on a link, I may receive a small commission. Read the full disclaimer here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should i book a tour of the russian palaces.

Yes, you should. Without my tour guide, I would not have learned as much as I did about the Russian palaces. I opted for private tours, which cost more than group tours but gave me the one-to-one experience I wanted.

Your guide will sort out buying tickets, get you to your destination (if you opt for a tour including travel options) and also help you find a place to have lunch or dinner during your day trip if you so wish.

Can I visit the Russian Palaces on my own?

Yes, you can. I visited Peterhof independently; however, I didn’t get to find out nearly as much as I had done on my guided tours of the other three Russian Palaces.

When is the best month to travel to St Petersburg?

I travelled in June, and it was perfect. I also got to experience “White Nights” with 24 hours of light each day. It is quite peculiar to be walking about after midnight in bright daylight! Temperatures reach between 15-25 degrees in June, July and August.

How busy will it be in St Petersburg?

St Petersburg will always be busy; however, I never felt overwhelmed while I was there. Book skip-the-line tickets to the Royal Palaces to ensure you don’t spend all your time in queues.

Is English spoken in St Petersburg?

Yes. St Petersburg is a very cosmopolitan city, so you should not encounter any problems.

If you plan to travel to Moscow, you will find it very different, and English is not freely spoken. I spent a lot of time during my 3-Day trip to Moscow using hand gestures and asking my hotel to write things down in Russian for me to show to shopkeepers and train staff.

Google Translate works quite well for English- Russian.

What is the currency of Russia?

Rubles is the currency of Russia; however, just about everywhere you go will accept credit cards.

Do I need a visa to visit Russia?

You will probably need a visa to travel to Russia. Check your Government website for details.

Do I need Travel Insurance for Russia?

Yes, you will need travel insurance to cover medical bills and other unfortunate circumstances if they occur while you are on your Russian trip.

Get a free quote from World Nomads to decide the best travel insurance plan for your trip.

What are the best Russian guidebooks to buy?

I would recommend you choose from these Lonely Planet books:

St Petersburg

Pocket Moscow and St Petersburg Guide

Russian Phrasebook and Dictionary

Where Should I Stay in St Petersburg?

Belmond Grand Hotel Europe 5-star

Hotel Indigo 5-star  This is the hotel I stayed at on my trip to St Petersburg.

Akyan St Petersburg 4-star

Park Inn by Radisson 4-star

Kravt Hotel 3-star

Margarita Hotel 3-star

St Petersburg Russian Palaces Map

Winter Palace – State Hermitage Museum

The Winter Palace, now the main building for the world-famous State Hermitage Museum and Hermitage Theatre, is probably the best-known of all the Russian palaces.

Located on the River Neva and built to a colossal scale as the primary residence for the Tsar of Russia between 1732 and 1917, this Baroque-style palace showcases the power and might of Imperial Russia.

The tsars are long gone, and now the incredible interior of the State Hermitage Museum, founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, houses over three million art pieces. The Hermitage is currently the second-largest art museum in the world .

You don’t have to be an art lover to tour the Hermitage; I only wanted to see the interior, which to me was even more impressive than the art. Apologies to all the art enthusiasts who are reading this!

However, I recommend booking a tour as it helps you understand more about the Hermitage’s history and priceless art collection.

My guide informed me that there were 1000 rooms, 100 staircases, 2000 windows and 1800 doors. I took my guide’s information as accurate as I, for one, would not have wanted to count them all myself; imagine having the contract to clean all those windows!

Opening times and information for the Hermitage .

Summer Palace – Catherine Palace

Whereas the Hermitage was the Winter Place for the Tsars of Russia, Catherine Palace was their Summer country residence. However, this palace didn’t start life quite as elaborate as the one we are now privileged to visit. Neither was it named after Catherine the Great (as I had thought before taking the tour).

Catherine Palace was named after Catherine l, Peter the Great’s wife, who had worked closely with the architect regarding how she wanted “her” palace to look. It was stunning but not quite the spectacle that her daughter, Empress Elizabeth, wanted it to be.

In 1752, many years after the death of Catherine l, Empress Elizabeth commissioned her architect to demolish her mother’s palace.

The build took four years and was upgraded to contain over 100 kilos of gold. The Russian Royalty certainly had a penchant for gold!

The palace now contained a Grand Hall, numerous reception halls and the Amber Room , wholly decorated with amber from floor to ceiling.

Nowadays, the Amber room is a reconstruction as the original went “missing” during WWll; it is no less astounding. Sadly, photography is prohibited in the Amber room, so the only way you will see it is to visit it yourself!

I would advise booking a tour from St Petersburg to Catherine Palace. Your transport will take you to Pushkin, previously known as Tsarskoye Selo, where the Summer Palace is situated. Our guide gave us lots of insider information that I wouldn’t have known about without her expertise.

Pavlovsk Park and Palace 

Pavlovsk Palace was built by Catherine the Great for her son Pavel and is a 20-minute drive from Catherine Place.

It is designed on a much smaller scale than her own Summer Palace, but it still features the luxury of other royal residences. It shows the affluence that the Imperial court held.

The ornate interiors and elaborate Pavlovsk palace halls are exquisite. They hold Russian treasures and heirlooms, including a fair amount of armoury. Interiors with names such as Hall of War and Hall of Peace are a nod to the wars that Russia had fought and won.

It was a royal residence until 1917; then it became a museum, and then during WWll, it was burned down. Intensive restoration work has brought it back to its former glory.

The 600-hectare Pavlovsk Park encircles the palace, and with woodland walks, flower gardens, and boating lakes is the perfect place to spend a few hours.

Opening times and information for Pavlovsk Palace .

Peterhof Palace

Unesco World Heritage site Peterhof was built to commemorate Peter the Great’s mighty victory against Sweden, and it is easy to see why it is called the “Russian Versailles”. It exudes pure decadence with 250 gold statues and 150 fountains that cascade down from the palace into the formal gardens.

If you have been to Versailles , you will notice certain similarities of grandeur; however, the gilded statues at Peterhof give it that edge, making it a must to visit.

Its location on the banks of the Baltic Sea also adds a romantic vibe to the acres of gardens and the beautiful daffodil-coloured exterior of Peterhof palace.

The largest of Peterhof’s palaces, the Grand Palace, only has 30 rooms. Despite that, it is filled with unimaginable Russian treasures with an interior rivalling the other royal residences.

If you want to travel to Peterhof independently, you can hop on a hydrofoil from outside the Hermitage State Museum, and the trip takes around 40 minutes.

Don’t be alarmed if you check your GPS locator and notice that your destination no longer shows as Russia. Peterhof is actually in the Gulf of Finland!

Opening times and information for Peterhof .

St Petersburg is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and a trip should be on your bucket list.

It is a city packed to the brim with history, and the Russian Palaces I visited are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the fantastic things you can see and do in St Petersburg.

If you have time, then add Alexander Palace to this list.

The Romanov palace was the country home of the last Russian Emperor, Tsar Nicholas ll Romanov, where he lived with his family until their exile to Siberia in 1917. Alexander Palace is now a state museum and heritage site.

Nicholas ll Romanov was married to Alexandra Fiodorovna, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England .

The Bolsheviks executed the family following the Russian Revolution, leading to the end of Imperial rule.

Pin for Future Travel to Russia

Angela Price is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel. With over 35 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations. Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”

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Bhushavali N

Monday 11th of January 2021

Its been a distant dream for me to visit Russia! St.Petersburg is high up in my wishlist just for visiting Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and see its unique architecture. Experiencing White Nights would be interesting! I've been considering visiting Norway to experiencing that. 2nd largest art museum in the world? I think I'd need 4 days just for that museum! Haha.

WhereAngieWanders

Tuesday 12th of January 2021

The Church of the Spilled Blood is incredible. Its interior is completely covered in mosaic telling the stories from the Bible.The white lights do play with your mind - how can you go to sleep when its light outside!

Sunday 10th of January 2021

Wow St Petersburg is definitely on my list of places to visit. I have heard so much about the exorbitant palaces in Russia and how beautiful they are. I will definitely try to visit them and like you, I will take a private tour to see the palaces and know about them.

I hope you get to see them one day. They are quite unique.

Wow! All those gold! Even the garden statues in the Peterhof Palace. These palaces are amazingly beautiful, especially the inside. The tsars of Russia really knew how to impress people of all nations, even long after they departed. I wonder who got to see these palaces before people can visit Russia freely.

St Petersburg really is the city of gold - it is everywhere!

Debra Schroeder

Saturday 9th of January 2021

St Petersburg is on my bucket list and I had hoped to visit last year. But that didn't happen... At least I can vicariously visit through your blog post. Great tip about learning more with a guide and to visit in June. You can see a woman's influence in the Summer Place. The design of the Peterhof reminds me of Schonbrunn in Vienna. 

Sorry to hear you had to cancel but I hope that you can get to visit St Petersburg in the not too distant future. It is a wonderful city and actually better than I could have ever imagined!

Friday 8th of January 2021

I've been dreaming about visiting St. Petersburg also, Angie, but you beat me to it, lol! These palaces are absolutely astounding, indeed. So much opulence, such architectural delights! Also, they enjoy such perfect settings. Surely the tsars of Russia knew how to live. Hope to visit these palaces someday. Thanks for the tip of adding Alexander Palace to the list, since it's the place where Tsar Nicolas II lived here thill his tragic end.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed the post. St Petersburg is certainly a unique destination to visit. I have travelled around most of Europe but there is nowhere that quite compares to its beauty.