Choosing a suite onboard any cruise ship, from a mega-liner to a luxury vessel, has never been more challenging. That's because -- in an evolution from days of yore, when ships only offered a handful of the most splendid accommodations -- you can now find suites, mini-suites and junior suites aboard almost every ship built in the last decade. And get this: Sometimes they're offered at price points that are not substantially higher than those charged for standard cabins!
A big reason for the growing population of suites onboard is that as ships get larger (and a tad more frenetic), passengers want to retreat in luxury. The size of the ship doesn't seem to matter; some of the nicest suites we've found are in 3,000-passenger mega-ships. Another reason for the increasing popularity of the larger-than-standard concept? The bigger cabins are becoming very popular with families, who can occupy a suite often for less than the price of two cabins.
Here are some trends to keep in mind:
Even the most mass market of ships will have suites with elaborate features.
The most popular of all suites is the mini-suite. But don't let the cruise line's marketing moniker fool you -- these are little more than slightly extended versions of standard balcony cabins and typically do not come with extra services or even significantly more elaborate amenites. They're still generally a good value for the price if space matters.
One very popular aspect of suite living is, beyond lush furnishings, the extra services most ships offer. You should expect concierge service and priority at embarkation (and disembarkation), not to mention when making reservations at alternative restaurants, spas and on sold-out shore excursions. The most luxe offer butler service (butlers handle everything from dry cleaning and unpacking to daily delivery of hors d'oeuvres and making reservations).
There may be more variety of suites than ever before, but there are still those that absolutely stand out from the competition. Here we offer our favorites among the industry's most drop-dead gorgeous, pampering and elegant accommodations at sea. All, as with most suites, come with butler or concierge service and other perquisites such as laundry; catered cocktail parties; course-by-course dining room meals served en suite; priority for embarkation, alternative restaurants and shore excursions; and fresh fruit and flowers.
Other than that? Our choices really do vary. We've focused mostly on mainstream ships -- you won't find the same kind of elaborate features aboard adventure cruisers, river ships or barges. One of our selections is gigantic, the size of three average homes in the U.S. Some are quite petite, but feature such lovely furnishings and service extras that size didn't necessary matter. Every one of our selections is a stellar representation of the best the cruise lines have to offer (and please note: prices are approximate and subject to change at whim).
MSC Cruises' Fantasia
Best Suite: Yacht Club Royal Suite
Because? The suites -- featuring a separate living room, with balcony, and a bedroom that curves around the front of the ship, with floor-to-ceiling windows instead of a balcony -- are spacious and cozy at the same time. The Royal Suite ranges from 417 – 439 square ft., including the balcony. Fun bells and whistles range from Wii on the living room television to fantastic butler service. Although this is the nicest of the 99 cabins that qualify for Yacht Club status, just being in the Yacht Club area is a big plus. You have a private club with full bar (no charge) and light, but definitely adventurous, food throughout the day. Yacht Club guests also have access to a private pool area, a grill and another bar.
Plan to Pay: Prices vary but we've been quoted $3,600 per person for a 7-night Mediterranean cruise.
Because? These are the mac-daddy of all the suites at sea, coming in at a whopping 5,750 square ft. Features include three bedrooms, a private sunning deck, two private steam rooms and a six-person hot tub. Add a concierge team and stunning views from the window walls that surround it from its perch atop the ship and you have a "wow" factor that's beyond compare. Guests can opt for total privacy or take advantage of the fact that they are located on big ships with all of the fun and excitement that goes along with a cruise vacation.
Plan to Pay: Approximately $1,785 per person per night
Holland America's Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam
Best Suite: Penthouse Suites
Because? The placement of these suites is unusual in that they are located amidships rather than forward or at the aft. At over 1,300 square ft., they are certainly expansive, but what's more, they are styled in a contemporary manner with bright colors, elegant furnishings, original artwork and a sense of whimsy. The zig-zag teak-lined balcony has its own hot tub and an inset banquette for alfresco lounging or dining. The suite also has a butler's pantry with fridge and microwave, and a dining table for eight. The enormous marble-clad bathroom features a full-sized whirlpool tub and separate shower stall.
Plan to Pay: Prices range from $756 to $1,859 per person per night, depending on cruise ship
P&O's Aurora
Best Suite: Penthouse Suites
Because? This British line's mid-sized ship launched in 2000 but managed to keep an air of luxury and old-world charm in her 939 staterooms. These two front-facing duplex suites, at 865 square ft. each, offer guests an elegant atmosphere in traditional decor. Each can be accessed from two separate decks and both have an open, curved staircase and a sleeping "loft" with full bath. Both suites have balconies off of their bedrooms and off of the downstairs living room, and each has dining facilities for six and downstairs guest powder rooms. What sets the two apart is that one has a grand piano and the other has a library; you have to request upon booking if you'd prefer one over the other.
Plan to Pay: Approximately £453 per person per night (based on a summer cruise)
Sea Cloud
Best Suites: Lady Marjorie's and Sir Edward's
Because? On this vintage sailing vessel, these aren't big by modern standards, at 410 square ft. and 366 square ft. respectively, but -- oh my! More like suites on, say, a royal yacht than a cruise ship, these accommodations were originally designed in 1931 by owner Marjorie Meriwether Post (who owned it with husband E.F. Hutton). While the now-German-owned ship has undergone many refurbishments, these fabulous suites were merely restored and remain almost identical to the way they were decorated in the olden days, with the addition of some modern conveniences. Marjorie's suite is more feminine and plush, with white walls and gold gilt wainscoting, a canopy bed and a large, elegant bath with two portholes. Sir Edward's suite is clubby, with knotty pine paneled walls, dark furniture and an equally large bath. Both rooms have decorative fireplaces and just ooze romance.
Plan to Pay: Cost averages $1,290 per person per night in either of these suites.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Voyager
Best Suite: The Grand Suite
Because? Regent Seven Seas' newest vessel boasts four of these spectacular suites with luxurious contemporary decor. Dark teak cabinetry, cream-colored walls and furnishings, walk-in closets and a guest bath add to the ambience of this
exclusive hideaway. What makes them special, though, is the solarium off
the bedroom area, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a soaking tub looking
out over the sea. It's lush and romantic and very, very elegant. The
suite itself is 753 square ft. and the large balcony comes in at 123 square
ft.
Plan to Pay: Average price is $1,120 to $2,100 per person per night.
Silversea Cruises' Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow
Best Suite: The Owner's Suite
Because? The two owners' suites on each ship are larger than the average New Yorker's apartment (well, we exaggerate but only slightly). We love the fact that they are amidships and elegant without being overwhelming. Sumptuous furnishings include warm wood furniture, plasma screen televisions, marble and granite baths with full-length whirlpool tubs and separate areas for toilet and bidet. There's a full living room and dining area and an extra half bath off the foyer. The 1,208 square ft., two-bedroom suite (it can also be booked as a one-bedroom deal) includes a 200 square ft. teak balcony. Since Silversea is an all-inclusive cruise line, everything you could want is included with your accommodation at no extra charge (we loved having room service dinners there, elegantly served course by course). Laundry service comes with this suite, as well as catered cocktail or dinner parties. The only downside? The suites are so fabulous we found we didn't want to leave them -- even in ports like Venice and Dubrovnik!
Plan to Pay: Average cost per person per night is $1,700.
Queen Mary 2
Best Suites: The Balmoral and Sandringham suites.
Because? They're rather grandiose -- in price (they're the most expensive in mainstream cruising) as well as design. Each is two stories, with Tara-like curved, sweeping staircases to the bedrooms on the second floor, two marble baths with whirlpool tub and separate shower, a full guest bath, private exercise equipment and 2,249 square ft. of living space. The terrace of these suites is unique in that it is visible from the public decks below (such as a pool area), so plan to "be seen" -- and that can be a plus for some and a big minus for others. All of the amenities of the Queens Grill are yours to enjoy, including the dining room, a special lounge and a dedicated sunning deck.
Plan to Pay: Average cost per person per night is $4,170.
NCL's Norwegian Spirit
The Suites: Deck 10 category AC Suites
Because? Also called "Junior Suites," these gems, eight of them, line the forward section of Deck 10 on Norwegian Spirit. They aren't huge but they're special nevertheless (and the most affordable of our picks). Essentially two side-by-side balcony staterooms, one side comprises the living area with a bar and a nicely
furnished balcony, and the other side is the bedroom and bathroom. A
floor-to-ceiling one-way window takes the place of the balcony on that side,
against which is placed an oval whirlpool tub with views out over the sea.
Bright mosaic tiles and a separate shower are open to the luxurious bedroom.
Don't let the reasonable price fool you; these suites are gorgeous and come
with two butlers and a concierge.
Plan to Pay: Average cost per person per night ranges from $250 to $350, depending on itinerary.
Celebrity's Millennium-class ships (Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation)
Best Suite: Penthouse Suites
Because? Well, our first favorite thing about these toy-laden suites is their location; tucked into the stern, they have huge private balconies with hot tubs that look out over the wake and your own exercise equipment. Inside, there's about 1,100 square feet where deep wood walls and hardwood flooring set an elegant tone. The bedroom comes with a luscious king bed and a walk-in closet. We also love the tech accoutrements, such as private fax, motorized drapes, Internet station, and both VCR's and DVD's for the 32-inch televisions. The enormous bathroom is fabulous too, with a great whirlpool tub set into a bay window.
Plan to Pay: Average price per person per cruise ranges from $9,999 to more than $19,999 per person, based on itinerary, length of cruise and season.
Princess Cruises' Sapphire, Diamond and Caribbean Princess
Best Suite: Grand Suites
Because? These three ships each have an exclusive hideout -- just one -- at the aft,with a gigantic veranda and elegant, exclusive furnishings. This 1,329-square-ft., one-bedroom suite (1,279 square ft. on Caribbean Princess) combines modern technology with old-world luxury: lush brocades, sumptuous bedding, a corner whirlpool tub and separate multi-jet shower, dining table
inside for six and outside for four, a wet bar, two televisions and a personal computer for those who just can't leave business behind for a week. Oddly, Princess did not build Grand Suites its newer ships.
Plan to Pay: Average cost per person per night is $572.
Choosing a suite onboard any cruise ship, from a mega-liner to a luxury vessel, has never been more challenging. That's because -- in an evolution from days of yore, when ships only offered a handful of the most splendid accommodations -- you can now find suites, mini-suites and junior suites aboard almost every ship built in the last decade. And get this: Sometimes they're offered at price points that are not substantially higher than those charged for standard cabins!
Even the most mass market of ships will have suites with elaborate features.
Best Suite: Garden Villas
Because? This British line's mid-sized ship launched in 2000 but managed to keep an air of luxury and old-world charm in her 939 staterooms. These two front-facing duplex suites, at 865 square ft. each, offer guests an elegant atmosphere in traditional decor. Each can be accessed from two separate decks and both have an open, curved staircase and a sleeping "loft" with full bath. Both suites have balconies off of their bedrooms and off of the downstairs living room, and each has dining facilities for six and downstairs guest powder rooms. What sets the two apart is that one has a grand piano and the other has a library; you have to request upon booking if you'd prefer one over the other.
Best Suites: The Balmoral and Sandringham suites.
