Sunday, March 31, 2024

16 Best Cruise Ship Suites For Ultimate Luxury In 2024

best cruise ship suites

One perk of staying in a suite on Royal Caribbean is access to the suite concierge, a crew member who acts as a suite guest’s own personal Guest Services during the sailing. Perhaps more so than the accommodation grade, the cabin location can significantly impact your cruise experience. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Port Cities Royal Caribbean Cruises

8 best balcony cabins on cruise ships that you will want to book for your next vacation - Cruise Blog

8 best balcony cabins on cruise ships that you will want to book for your next vacation.

Posted: Tue, 17 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If the price changes after you have made the final payment, do the math and see if the credit you can get (after any cancellation penalties) makes a change to the lower fare worth it or not. Cruise lines don't want you to cancel and might be willing to play ball to keep your booking — perhaps even offering the price difference in the form of an onboard credit. It pays to keep track of fares for your suite accommodations even after you book because cruise prices are constantly in a state of flux. If you have not made your final payment and the price of suite accommodations drops, you can ask to have your fare updated.

Take better advantage of the Suite Lounge

best cruise ship suites

Suite guests on Liberty of the Seas have access to the Suite Lounge, a private space with comfy seating, an outdoor patio, private concierge, and complimentary food and drinks. My budget travel style transferred over to cruising, and I regularly book the cheapest cabins, avoid booking shore excursions, and dine primarily at complimentary restaurants. Like anything new in life, though, my first time in a cruise ship suite was nothing short of a learning experience, and I certainly made a few mistakes along the way. Some ships offer cabins with direct access to the promenade deck, while the largest ships, including MSC World Europa, offer balconies overlooking an internal courtyard or promenade.

Book early

As you’d imagine from such a lofty reputation, they have some top-tier cabins to match. Like the gleaming Owner’s Suite aboard Silver Dawn, which is designed as much for socialising as it is solitude. Moving upstairs, the queen-size bedroom enjoys an enviable outlook to the ever-changing vista outside (a big win in the Polar regions the ship’s designed for), together with separate shower and circular tub plus walk-in wardrobe. Escape to absolute luxury when you book the 989 square foot Wintergarden Suite on Seabourn. This tremendous suite is where refined elegance meets an atmosphere of modern glamour, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy stunning views.

The Top Things to Do Onboard Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises

Travel agents have a lot of knowledge and a certain amount of pull, especially those who do a lot of business with a particular cruise line. They can steer you to a cruise line with lower fares for suites on certain routes and dates and help you compare products. A connected travel agent might even be able to convince a cruise line to upgrade you to a suite. Minisuites or junior suites are a step down from fancier suites and therefore sell for cheaper fares. In Alaska and the Mediterranean, check suite fares for early spring and September to October so you avoid the height of the season in summer.

The best suites on Disney Cruise Line ships are the Concierge Royal Suites. The individual suite sizes and layouts vary by ship, but all will wow you with their space and upscale style. You can brag to your friends that you stayed inside a cruise ship funnel! Disney ships always sport two funnels, but only one is functional while the other is purely decorative.

In fact, my initial article pitches involved titles such as “Why I didn’t think my suite was worth the cost” and “10 reasons I’ll probably never book a suite again”. These fares typically don't allow you to select your cabin in advance. This will likely result in you being allocated a cabin at the front or back of the ship, but it will save you money.

And if it’s extra pampering you seek, be sure to save time for a relaxing service at Vitality Spa℠. Inside cruise ship cabins' best feature is their price - you book them with the line's cheapest rates available. Still, on some of the newest cruise ships of Royal Caribbean and Disney, there are categories Interior staterooms with a "virtual window", which is a large LED screen displaying outside cam views.

Guests have access to a ship-within-a-ship private enclave with an exclusive restaurant, lounge, sun deck, and pool. Throughout the ship, enjoy complimentary drinks, Wi-Fi, and room service. It’s not surprising that three of the top suites on our list are dubbed “royal” because you’ll certainly feel like the king or queen of the ship when you sail in these decadent digs. MSC Cruises’ version, the Yacht Club Royal Suite, will pamper up to five guests with approximately 667 square feet of space plus a 355-square-foot balcony. No matter which suite you choose, original artwork and an art deco design will ensure you don’t feel like you’re living in a theme park.

Royal Caribbean also offer the Ultimate Family Suite on board Spectrum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. This 2 story cruise suite features an air-hockey table and in-suite slide, perfect for families looking for exceptional comfort. Unveiled in 2012, the Reflection Suite was the brand's first two-bedroom suite, and it measures a none-too-shabby 1,636 square feet, not including a 194-square-foot balcony. In all, the suite — and similar suites that were built onto more recently unveiled Viking ocean ships — sprawls over an impressive 1,448 square feet. Another allure of the Grand Duplex suites is that they come with access to Queen Mary 2's exclusive Queens Grill restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Only open to passengers staying in the very top accommodations on the ship, this is a much more intimate, elegant and private eatery than the main Britannia restaurant where most passengers dine.

Some cruise lines will offer passengers in any suite access to a restaurant, lounge, sun deck or pool reserved only for suite guests. The expansive private outdoor space comes with a roofed hot tub, dining table, and lounge seating. Combining indoor and outdoor spaces, the Three-Bedroom Garden Villa offers a whopping 6,700 square feet of living space. Although Cunard's modern-day ocean liner Queen Mary 2 was launched in 2004 (last refurbished in 2021), her 2,249-square-foot grand duplex apartments are still unique, opulent, and deserve a mention.

These cabins are of course close to the SPA and you can move between in your bathrobe only. The interior is the same - twin beds convertible to King-size, picture window, sofa, TV, phone, seating, safe, mini-bar, bath with shower, washroom with sink and junior tub, bathrobes, hairdryer. 9 Things You Can Do on a Cruise Ship Balcony and 1 You Probably Shouldn'tCruise ship balconies have more to offer than picturesque views and fresh air. Here are a few ways to enjoy your personal alfresco space on different cruise lines.

Plus, our concierge sent an introduction email the week before our cruise, allowing me to take advantage of these services before I even got onboard. Cabins on higher decks will provide better views from balconies and suites, and good access to many of the ship’s amenities, but passengers may feel the ship's movement more. You may also hear more noise from outdoor activities on the pool deck. These days suites vary greatly in size, meaning you can choose a stateroom that's only slightly larger than a standard cabin or book something the size of a small house that includes multiple rooms and even multiple levels.

For the ultimate in opulence, book any of these featured cruise ship suites and get all the included suite amenities along with additional AAA Travel benefits. If this is your first time considering a cruise ship suite, it's helpful to understand the different types of cabins. Inside cabins run the cruise ship's interior, while outside cabins are on the exterior and usually have slightly larger rooms and an ocean view.

Cruise Ship Rooms and Suites Best Cabin Staterooms

best cruise ship suites

Some of the biggest of these cruise ship suites measure 2,000 square feet or more — approaching the size of the typical American home. If you’re truly seeking the world’s most expensive cruise ship cabin, and want the most luxurious, most enormous suite afloat, you’ll need to skip the big ships for a smaller one and book Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Regent Suite. It’s found exclusively on the 750-passenger Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer. The signature feature of Seabourn’s 1,186-square-foot Wintergarden Suites found onboard Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation is the glass-enclosed solarium with a daybed and tub. The light-filled space is adjacent to the outdoor veranda, furnished with lounge chairs and seating for outdoor dining.

Connecting cabins (for large families)

If you plan to spend a lot of time in your cabin, you might value a balcony or a spacious room more. Families might look for cabins with connecting doors or extra bed options. However, depending on the size of the ship, they could be farther from entertainment and dining areas. On big ships, there may be 10 or even more flights of stairs between your cabin and the pool, sun deck, buffet, and other amenities found at the top of the ship.

5 Best Cruise Ships for a Family Reunion Cruise - Cruise Critic

5 Best Cruise Ships for a Family Reunion Cruise.

Posted: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Savor the seaside and snapshots of landscapes from shore to shore.

Here’s how to select the best cruise ship cabin for your needs, whether you're seeking breathtaking views, peace and quiet, convenience, or the best value. You may have a small porthole or balcony if you opt for an outside cabin, but space is still limited to around 220 square feet maximum for the largest single cabin. For cruises in the Caribbean and the Bahamas, a good rule of thumb for bargain seekers is to avoid any dates families tend to travel, such as holiday and school vacation periods, including over the summer. You'll get a better deal on a suite in the fall and on sailings right before or after holidays, such as in early November or mid-January.

Seven Seas Explorer

The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship - The Points Guy

The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship.

Posted: Mon, 15 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

You’ll also find a children’s bedroom with two bunk beds and a bath with a shower. The only thing missing from the suite is a veranda, but the unique location, features, and amenities more than make up for it. With a capacity to sleep up to eight, the Wish Tower Suite is certainly the happiest place at sea.

Can You Take Days Off Without PTO? Here's What You Need to Know Royal Caribbean Cruises

As someone who typically books the cheapest cabin on a cruise ship, I suddenly felt like royalty when skipping lines, hosting in-suite parties, and ordering free room service to our cabin’s sparkly dining room. Choosing your cruise ship cabin or stateroom is an essential part of planning a dream cruise vacation. The right accommodation can enhance your cruise experience, providing you with a comfortable retreat after a day of adventure, but some choices may turn out to be an expensive mistake. The suites on Oceania Cruises are the crème de la crème of accommodations. Cruise ship suites sell out fast — some up to years in advance — so if you wait, you may miss the boat.

best cruise ship suites

Yes, I'm putting a second Royal Caribbean suite on my short list of the seven best cruise suites. Indeed, if I had to pick just one cruise line for best suites, it'd be Royal Caribbean. Due to the port-intensive itinerary, I found myself with limited time onboard–let alone in my suite.

Don’t miss out on world class upscale dining that delights the palate and expertly mixed cocktails sure to keep you in high spirits. A Specialty Dining or Deluxe Beverage package can help you enjoy all the sophisticated sips and delicious dishes on deck. We were cruising with a large group, so we enjoyed dinner in the dining room each evening.

Visiting Historic Abbeys in England Royal Caribbean Cruises

best cruise ship suites

She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. The suite is included in Royal Caribbean’s Star Class, so even though there is no balcony, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of the best of Royal Caribbean’s suite experience. One important distinction between the suites is that 1-bedroom AquaTheater suites are in Sky Class and 2-bedroom are in Star Class. This means that those in the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite have access to Star Class benefits such as a Royal Genie and complimentary specialty dining, while those in the 1-bedroom suite do not. A cozy Interior Room is our most budget-friendly option, and we offer Spacious Interiors, along with connecting rooms to accommodate larger families. The range of ultra-spacious cruise rooms across categories spans all the way up to our new Ultimate Family Townhouse — three stories that elevate the way you stay and play.

The suite experience at Princess Cruises, for instance, includes a free dinner on embarkation day at one of the ship's extra-charge restaurants. Passengers staying in Royal Caribbean's top Star Class suites get complimentary dining in extra-charge eateries through the cruise, as well as included gratuities and a complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package. Your butler, should your suite come with one, can do everything from unpack your suitcase to serve you private meals on your balcony. This same butler (or your concierge, if you have one) also can book you into the ship's top restaurants, where you'll likely have priority access, another common suite perk. She or he also can escort you to a private seating area for suite guests in the ship's theater, which is another perk of being in a suite at many lines.

Make sure you get the space you need for your family with these quick tips. After a delectable night, look forward to a peaceful night’s sleep, ensured with beds that include a handmade Savoir mattress with a horsehair topper and pillow menu. The suite also includes exclusive card-only access to the Executive Lounge, featuring a private library.

There will be elevators, of course, but you should expect queues at busy times. Like first class passengers on an airplane, passengers with suites are allowed to embark and disembark first. This priority embarkation may also include a welcoming reception, reserved seating by the pool, and access to a private concierge.

And, like all high-end suites on Royal Caribbean ships, it comes with a Royal Genie — a personal butler assigned to cater to your every need. Located in a panoramic corner spot on the ship, it features a glass-walled living and dining area with a dining table that can seat 10 people (just in case you want to hold a dinner party during your cruise). But over more than 25 years of writing about cruise ships, I've toured pretty much all of them. I can't think of any major cruise ship suite that I've missed other than Disney Cruise Line's new Tower Suite on Disney Wish, which I hope to get to soon.

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