Cruise Upgrades Worth Paying For

One of the best things about cruising is that you can tailor the experience to suit your budget and travel style. While mainstream cruise lines already offer excellent value, the right upgrade can transform your holiday into something that feels far more luxurious – without breaking the bank! From exclusive lounges and premium dining to suite accommodation and private services, these are the cruise upgrades that are genuinely worth considering.

Book Exclusive Shore Excursions

The most memorable part of a cruise happens ashore, which is why upgrading your shore experiences can be well worth the investment. Whether it's a private guided tour through a historic city, an intimate cultural experience with a local expert, or a luxury vineyard visit in Bordeaux, these exclusive experiences offer a deeper connection to each destination. While the cruise itself provides the journey, memorable excursions often create the stories you'll talk about long after you return home, turning your holiday into an unforgettable one. This isn't essential in every port if you're on a budget, but perhaps select one or two places on your itinerary which you'd like to learn more about and book onto an excursion there.

Indulge in Speciality Dining

Main dining rooms have improved dramatically in recent years, but speciality restaurants still offer a more intimate and elevated atmosphere. Whether it's a steakhouse, sushi venue, seafood restaurant or chef's table experience, speciality dining often becomes one of the highlights of a cruise. It's particularly worthwhile for milestone celebrations, anniversaries or simply treating yourself during a sea day.

Drinks packages

A drinks package is one of the easiest ways to make your cruise feel more luxurious while keeping your spending predictable. Instead of worrying about the cost of every cocktail, glass of wine or speciality coffee, you can simply relax and enjoy your holiday. Many cruise lines offer packages that cover everything from premium spirits and fine wines to soft drinks, bottled water and barista-made coffees, allowing you to make the most of the onboard experience. For many guests, the freedom to order what they want, whenever they want, without constantly checking the bill makes a drinks package a worthwhile upgrade. Even if you're not a big drinker, some cruise lines have soft drinks packages which might be worth considering too.

What about a suite upgrade?

When booking a cruise, it's easy to focus on the cost of adding extras such as drinks packages, WiFi and speciality dining. However, it's worth considering whether upgrading to a suite could offer better overall value.

Many cruise lines include a whole host of additional benefits within their suite categories, meaning guests aren't just paying for a bigger cabin; they're investing in a more exclusive and personalised holiday experience. For example:

Celebrity's The Retreat offers guests a luxury experience with a range of inclusions, including:

• Premium drinks package and WiFi
• Exclusive dining in Luminae, with menus created specifically for suite guests
• Dedicated butler service to help with unpacking, dining and special requests
• Access to the exclusive Retreat Lounge and Retreat Sundeck on applicable ships
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation
• Enhanced suite amenities and personalised service
• Selected higher suite categories offer even more benefits, including speciality dining, laundry and additional spa privileges

Cunard takes a more traditional approach to luxury with its Princess and Queens Grill accommodation. Guests benefit from:

• Exclusive Princess Grill or Queens Grill restaurants
• Access to the private Grills Lounge and Grills Terrace
• Priority embarkation and dedicated concierge service
• Exclusive Grills afternoon tea
• Luxury toiletries, bathrobes and personalised pillow options
• Queens Grill guests also enjoy a personal butler, a complimentary in-suite bar, daily canapés and the option to order from the Queens Grill restaurant menu in their suite

For something a little different, Virgin Voyages offers its RockStar Quarters, combining VIP treatment with its fun, modern atmosphere. Inclusions include:

• Dedicated RockStar Agents to arrange reservations and special requests
• Priority boarding and access to restaurant and entertainment bookings
• Exclusive access to Richard's Rooftop
• An in-suite bar with the first round included.
• Designer accommodation and luxury amenities
• Complimentary WiFi
• Guests choosing Mega RockStar Quarters receive additional perks, including a daily bar tab, complimentary thermal spa access and a dedicated Mega RockStar Agent
  

  

A drinks package gives you access to a selection of beverages, but a suite upgrade could offer you that alongside premium WiFi, exclusive restaurants, private lounges, priority services, personalised attention and additional luxury amenities, all in one simple, great value upgrade.

If you enjoy the finer details, appreciate personalised service and want to make the most of every moment onboard, a suite upgrade could be well worth considering. After all, why just upgrade your drinks package when you could upgrade your entire cruise experience?

Fly Premium or Business Class

Your holiday doesn't start when you step on board. It begins the moment you leave home. For fly-cruise holidays to destinations such as the Caribbean, Asia or Australia, upgrading your flights can make a difference to the overall travel experience. Benefits such as priority check-in, airport lounge access and increased baggage allowances help take the stress out of long-haul travel, while premium cabin upgrades with lie-flat beds allow you to arrive ready to enjoy your holiday from day one. For many travellers, starting and ending their cruise in comfort is an upgrade that's well worth considering.

Ready to Upgrade Your Next Cruise?

Whether you're considering The Retreat with Celebrity Cruises, a Queens Grill Suite with Cunard or an added extra, our cruise connoissuer can help you decide which upgrades will offer the greatest value for your next voyage.