High life on the high seas! Private restaurants, exclusive sundecks, larger suites – this is how you become a VIP cruiser
We know there’s a cruise for everyone: from mega ships with entertainment from morning to night, to luxury yachts where butlers pour champagne and polish your sunglasses.
Now, however, the world’s largest ships are giving up more decks to private spaces. These ‘ships within ships’ come with a host of benefits, from luxurious suites, 24/7 butler and concierge services, ‘head start’ check-ins, private restaurants, bars and lounge areas plus priority theater bookings and direct access along private corridors to spas.
The suites in these retreats sell out quickly as passengers opt for a taste of luxury life on the high seas.
JOIN THE CLUB
This overview looks at what it means to be a VIP on some of the world’s largest cruise ships. Upstairs, MSC Cruises Yacht Club guests are welcomed by their private butler
A Swarovski crystal staircase connects the glamorous two-deck MSC Yacht Clubs on MSC’s newest ships.
Each room has its own lounge and bar, dining room, sundeck and swimming pool with cocktail bar. Guests arrive at the cruise terminal where they will be met by their private butler at the Yacht Club embarkation desk and then escorted to their retreat.
MSC Yacht Club areas boast 95 suites, including interior, deluxe, duplex and royal suites – and they have become bestsellers, often being the first to sell when cruises become available. Direct access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea spa is a major attraction.
Top advantage: The club-only restaurant with 270 degree panoramic views at the front of the ship.
Book It: A seven-day ‘Northern Europe’ cruise on MSC Euribia, staying in an interior cabin at the Yacht Club, departs from Southampton on January 26, from £1,519 pp (msccruises.co.uk0203 426 3010).
PORT COTTAGE
Passengers get access to an exclusive sundeck if they choose a suite in the Port section of the Norwegian cruise ships. Above is the sundeck of the Norwegian Prima
Passengers booking in the Port section of Norwegian cruise ships have access to an exclusive deck with a sun terrace and suites with free movies. Free cell phones are available for use on board the ship.
The premier suite is a 6,000-square-foot, three-bedroom villa for eight people with a living room, outdoor terraces, a hot tub and a dining area – available on Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Ster and Norwegian Jewel.
Top advantage: The private sundeck with a hot tub with butler service.
Book It: Seven-day ‘Caribbean: Barbados, Antigua & St. Lucia’ Haven cabin cruises on the new ship, Norwegian Viva, departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 14, from £2,501 per person (ncl.com0333 2412319).
LIFE IS SUITE
As seen in this rendering, the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas features a water slide, karaoke and private patio
Following huge demand for Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has doubled the size of its ‘Suite Neighbourhood’ on the new 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas, filling four decks with 52 suites and a multi-level sundeck.
The neighborhoods are popular with multi-generational families; children’s clubs and a large water park are a big hit with young people. There are also private pools, hot tubs and two restaurants for passengers staying in the Suite Neighborhood only.
Top advantage: The three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse has a slide (for adults and children), karaoke and a private patio.
Book It: Seven-day ‘Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day’ cruises on Icon of the Seas with junior suite accommodation from £3,906pp, departing Miami on September 7; seven nights in the Ultimate Family Townhouse from £65,000 per sailing (royalcaribbean.com0344 4934005).
PRIVATE RETREAT
Groundbreaking: Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Roof Garden for Cruise Passengers Who Love Exclusive ‘Extras’
Above is one of the ‘top of the line’ iconic suites at Celebrity Edge. Guests can count on a good night’s sleep on cashmere mattresses
Guests who book Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series ship suites have access to The Retreat’s sundeck, where attendants bring drinks and snacks to private cabanas.
They can also dine at Luminae, a restaurant serving dishes created by award-winning chef Daniel Boulud. All iconic suites measuring 1,80 m² with a 60 m² terrace are located above the ship’s bridge and guests can expect a good night’s sleep on cashmere mattresses.
Top advantage: Peloton exercise bikes for the cabin.
Book It: Nine-night return flights to Barcelona ‘Italian Riviera and France’ depart April 27 from £1,490pp (celebritycruises.co.uk0800 2404286).
SECRET SANCTUARY
Above is the exclusive restaurant on Sun Princess, a new ship from Princess Cruises, which will be available to guests in the Signature Collection suites
Sun Princess, the highly anticipated new ship from Princess Cruises, launches on February 8 with a Signature Collection of 50 suites with access to a private lounge, restaurant and an area in the Adults Only Sanctuary on the sundeck.
Top advantage: Priority shore excursion reservations.
Book It: Seven-day Mediterranean cruises with Greek Islands and Turkey from Rome on August 10 from £2,599 pp (princess.com0344 3388670).
LUXURY PARTIES
Holland America Line’s Pinnacle Class ships feature Neptune Suites with hot tubs, teak verandas and dual views. The Pinnacle Suite, the upper cabin, is a whopping 1,290 feet.
Guests can attend the Neptune Lounge’s cocktail party and eat at the private Club Orange dining venue.
Top advantage: Free laundry, ironing and dry cleaning service.
Book It: The seven-day ‘Alaska Inside Passage’ roundtrip on Koningsdam, from Vancouver, departs from May 18. Neptune Suite prices from £3,379pp (hollandamerica.com0344 3388605).
WHAT WE SAY…
The prices for these ‘private enclave’ areas are usually excellent value when they offer so many benefits.
Fares can be at least half that of traditional, smaller luxury cruise ships such as Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, Silversea and Seabourn.
Some modern ships are so large that some passengers fear getting lost – but now there are intimate hideaways that can increase their appeal.