The 7 most luxurious suites at sea
The suites on big cruise ships are incredible. Not only do they give you some extra space for your family to relax, but they also come with a bunch of additional perks to enhance your cruise. But what are the most luxurious suites at sea? The creme de la creme of cruise cabins? If you want the best of the best, then these are the suites to consider when cruising the world in style…
The Ultimate Family Townhouse (Royal Caribbean)
Size - 2,523 square feet - Sleeps up to 8
The world’s most luxurious family suite is the Ultimate Family Townhouse, found on Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ship, Icon of the Seas. There are other suites that can accommodate families, but if you want a suite that is designed specifically for all ages, this is the one to go for. This is a suite that is bright, bold, colourful and absolutely packed with cool features. You can enjoy an interactive gaming table, a cinema room with popcorn and karaoke machines, a monster-themed daybed for the kids, and even a slide between the upstairs floor and the main floor. You also get three separate outdoor areas - a large main balcony, a separate balcony off the bedroom upstairs, and then a backyard with its own picket fence and mailbox, and a gate leading right onto the Surfside family-friendly neighbourhood onboard.
There’s a similar version of this found on two Oasis Class ships (Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas), and one Quantum Ultra Class ship (Spectrum of the Seas), but that’s the Ultimate Family Suite with only two storeys. Only the Ultimate Family Townhouse has three storeys including the backyard, and it really is something special. It comes with Royal Genie service, which is Royal Caribbean’s equivalent of a butler service, as well as a host of other benefits such as complimentary gratuities, drinks package, WiFi access and speciality dining along with priority departure and access to special suite-only areas of the ship.
The Haven 3-Bedroom Garden Villa (NCL)
Size - up to 6,694 square feet - Sleeps up to 8
The best suites on Norwegian Cruise Line ships belong to The Haven - an exclusive area of the ship away from the bustle and crowds, and home to some incredible accommodation options. The best of these are the Garden Villas, with three-bedroom options available on Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Jewel. The size varies depending on the ship, but they’re always huge. The biggest are found on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star, with almost 6,700 square feet in total - the vast majority of which is the large private balcony which includes an outdoor sheltered hot tub, a separate terrace, and a dining area for al fresco meals.
You get a ton of perks too, including luxurious amenities, the service of a butler and a separate concierge service to arrange your onboard activities, and 3.5 bathrooms. These are the largest suites at sea by some distance, great for families or groups of friends travelling together. And because it’s located in The Haven, you get all the benefits of this suite area, including access to the Haven Lounge, Haven Restaurant and Haven Courtyard with Sundeck - though with so much terrace space of your own, you might not need the latter. You’re also given a mobile phone to use around the ship and a custom selection of liquor to enjoy on your cruise.
Grand Duplex Suite (Cunard)
Size - 2,249 square feet - Sleeps up to 4
The biggest suites on a Cunard ship are the Grand Suites, with Queen Mary 2 having the biggest of them all. The Grand Duplex Suite is the only two-storey suite in the Cunard fleet, giving you the ultimate in luxury and comfort with a huge amount of space to unwind. This includes a master bedroom on the upper floor with breath taking views, along with a large master bathroom and secondary bathroom. You even get an exercise bike in your suite, so you don’t need to visit the gym. The downstairs has separate dining and living spaces and an expansive balcony with a dining table and loungers.
Cunard’s accommodations are split into different groupings, and the Grand Duplex Suite is part of the Queens Grill. These suites include a range of perks, including a dedicated butler who can help to arrange parties in your suite, and a reserved table in the Queens Grill restaurant on the ship. The Grand Suites on the rest of the Cunard fleet have the same benefits but without the split-level accommodation. They’re still very spacious and luxurious. While all these suites can sleep up to four guests, they are really designed for couples who want an opulent experience.
MSC Yacht Club Owner’s Suite (MSC Cruises)
Size - up to 1,819 square feet - Sleeps up to 4
The very best suites on the MSC Cruises fleet are the Owner’s Suites, part of the MSC Yacht Club. The Yacht Club is MSC Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship concept, offering guests a peaceful retreat with exclusive areas that only other suite guests can access. The Yacht Club Owner’s Suite is only available on three MSC ships - MSC World Europa, MSC Seascape and MSC Seashore. The biggest version is on the MSC World Europa, though be careful as it has a second which is around 20% smaller. You want suite 18001 if you want to experience the biggest one.
The facilities in the suites vary slightly by ship but you’ll get a spacious bedroom and living area and a private balcony with a dining table and whirlpool out on the deck, perfect for a relaxing soak as the world sails by. You will only get one bathroom, unlike the biggest suites on other ships, suggesting that while this can sleep up to 4 guests it’s really best suited to a couple.
As part of the Yacht Club, you’ll also get butler service along with a concierge, access to an exclusive fine-dining restaurant onboard, priority check-in and departure and complimentary access to the spa onboard. Your cruise is also all-inclusive by default, with drinks and WiFi covered.
The Iconic Suite (Celebrity Cruises)
Size - 2,581 square feet - Sleeps up to 6
The largest suites in the Celebrity Cruises fleet are also the most luxurious. Found on the Edge Class ships (Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent), these sprawling suites are situated towards the front of the ship and offer plenty of contemporary, opulent touches. You’ll get a private terrace with a hot tub and a double daybed. There are floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the rest of the suite, with amazing views from above the actual bridge of the ship. You get a private butler with a pantry to provide for you, and fine touches throughout including a king-sized cashmere mattress for the best night’s sleep.
Your suite comes with free bottled water, soda and beer (replenished every day) and two bottles of premium spirits. You’ll be offered complimentary laundry service twice on your cruise and be able to dine in all the speciality restaurants free of charge, while premium drinks and WiFi packages are included. As part of The Retreat, you’ll also be able to access Luminae, the exclusive restaurant, along with benefitting from reserved theatre seating and priority boarding and departure.
The Regent Suite (Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
Size - 4,443 square feet - Sleeps up to 6
Considered one of the most luxurious cruise lines in the world, it’s no surprise that Regent Seven Seas makes this list - and it’s the Regent Suite which is the biggest and most luxurious of the suites that this cruise line offers.
Found at the top of the ship on Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer, these magnificent suites are beautifully appointed and feature some of the finest amenities of any accommodation at sea, including marble and stone bathrooms, designer throws, hand-blown vases and more. Each suite even features original lithographs by Picasso.
You’ll also get an in-suite spa, with its own sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, while there’s a heated Mini Pool spa on one of the two private balconies included with the suite. The Regent Suites on Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor also come with a custom Steinway Grand Maroque Piano. As well as the regular perks of cruising with Regent - such as all-inclusive cruising, your own butler and more - suite guests also get dinner with a senior office onboard, a complimentary cocktail party, and a choice of luxury toiletries. Regent’s luxury suites surely are some of the finest at sea.
Owner’s Penthouse Suite (Scenic)
Size - 2,099 square feet - Sleeps up to 2
The Owner’s Penthouse Suite offers gorgeous modern accommodations towards the front of Deck 9 on the Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, with a host of great perks and features. The suite has a large balcony with whirlpool bath, outdoor dining table for six guests, day beds and a separate lounge area. Meanwhile, inside you’ll enjoy a massive living room (with a massive 70-inch TV), a bathroom equipped with a spa bath and dual-steam shower, a library area which also includes a Kindle library you can use, and a powder room for guests.
What’s interesting is that the suite is technically a connecting room, and you can book it alongside a Spa Suite to create one much larger suite with two bedrooms, perfect if you’re a group. Otherwise, the Owner’s Penthouse is designed for two people only. You’ll enjoy complimentary unlimited laundry, a dedicated butler service, a free spa treatment per passenger and lots of other luxury touches within the suite and around the rest of the ship too, including priority reservations for helicopter tours, zodiac use, speciality dining and more.
These are the most luxurious suites you can choose at sea, but there are some wonderful options that didn’t make the list, both from these cruise lines I’ve covered (such as the Royal Loft Suites on Royal Caribbean) and from other cruise lines that just didn’t quite make the cut, such as Seabourn’s Grand Wintergarden Suites.
The extra perks you enjoy in these suites tend to be similar across the cruise lines, but the in-suite layouts, design and amenities do vary. Whatever you’re looking for from your luxury cruise, I’m sure one of these suites will be perfect.
Call Panache Cruises on 0161 513 8200 if you want to learn more about luxury cruises
