Increasing numbers of people choose to spend their holidays aboard a cruise ship with every passing year, with more than 30 million passengers worldwide taking this option last year — 40% more than ten years ago — with many seeking greater luxury and comfort in their travels.
Cabins are the personal space of cruise ship passengers, where they can rest, unwind and enjoy some time to themselves. To provide their guests with maximum comfort, several ships have incorporated the largest, most luxurious and unique suites found anywhere on the high seas. From the largest and most exclusive suites that currently exist, we has produced a list of the 10 best cabins, taking into account their quality, spaciousness, luxuriousness and elegance.
1. Norwegian Cruise Line – The Haven Garden Villa
Norwegian Cruise Line offers one of the most luxurious and spacious cabins found anywhere on the high seas. The Haven Garden Villa cabins, for example—include three bedrooms and span 438–534m2— and are found on the Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Pearl ships. These cabins are distributed across a spectacular living area, three bedrooms, a garden with a beautiful terrace and jacuzzi and a piano. Guests are also provided with a butler and concierge service. Guests in this cabin also have access to each of the benefits offered by The Haven, including access to its private swimming pool, restaurant, terrace and gym.
2. Seven Seas Explorer – The Regent Suite
The exclusive RSS Explorer ship, which belongs to the luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas, is regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious ships. This ship boasts the largest and most luxurious suite ever built on a high-end cruise ship. This unique space is known as The Regent Suite, spanning a total area of 380m2 including 90m2 of two spectacular terraces. Pieces by renowned artists such as Picasso adorn the main hallway. Its black and white interior is elegantly decorated in a New York-style, with large floor-to-ceiling windows occupying the entire wall. It’s divided between two living rooms, a dining room, two bedrooms and even a private spa and grand piano. Guests in this cabin are also provided with a butler service.
3. Celebrity Cruises – Iconic Suite
Sublime. Celebrity Cruises also figures in this top ten with one of the most spectacular cabins found anywhere on the planet: the Iconic Suite. Spanning 243m2, this cabin offers magnificent views from its enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, found on the prow of deck 12. Designed in a minimalist style, the suite has access to a terrace with a private jacuzzi, Bali hammock, four outdoor armchairs, a living space split into distinct living room and dining room areas, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Guests staying in this suite also have access to a butler service, a high-end private restaurant with an original menu serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, access to the Michael’s Club private VIP room and Bvlgari amenities, amongst other benefits.
4.Royal Caribbean – Royal Loft Suite & Ultimate Family Suite
Royal Caribbean, a world leader in the cruise industry, has continuously been amazing us since 2009 with its Oasis category ships, including the Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas (with a fifth boat on the way!). These hold the title of being the world’s largest cruise ships. The largest cabin is the Royal Loft Suite, spanning 229m2 across two different floors. The top floor holds the en suite Master bedroom, with the bottom floor home to a living room, dining room, a further bedroom, a grand piano, a library and two separate terraces. It also includes a jacuzzi, Balinese armchairs, hammocks, outdoor armchairs and an open-air dining room with its own bar.
The most recent incorporation is the Ultimate Family Suite, covering 153m2 and filled with activities for people of all ages. Also spread across two floors, this suite includes a top floor children’s bedroom with a built-in slide to the bottom floor, a Lego climbing wall, 3D cinema room, library and a popcorn machine. The bottom floor includes a fantastic 20m2 terrace fitted out with a luxurious jacuzzi and pool table. Guests are sure to feel right at home in this family suite, with personal butlers on hand round-the-clock to meet each and every one of their requests.
5. Cunard – Grand Duplex Suite
Self-proclaimed as the world’s most famous cruise line, English company Cunard Line has built one of the world’s most in-demand suites with characteristic white-glove luxury: the Grand Duplex Q1 Suite, spanning 209m2. It’s decorated in a classic style, with notes of noble woods and a series of light and bright spaces which contrast greatly with a set of red furniture, adhering to the company’s corporate image. This suite bears similarities to luxury mansions, featuring a marvellous entrance hall with access to two apartment-style floors. A staircase takes guests to the upper floor, which is home to the Master bedroom: complete with king-size bed and jacuzzi bathtub.
This huge suite also features a living room with a separate study area, a dining room and a terrace overlooking the stern of the ship, complete with sunbeds. Guests are also provided with a selection of VIP services, such as a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival and strawberries, freshly picked fruit and canapés before dinner, concierge and butler services and access to the Concierge, Queens Grill and Terrace facilities.
6. Princess Cruises – Sky Suite
Insofar as Aquotic has discovered, this is the first major renovation of Princess Cruises’ suites. Its new jewels, the Sky Princess and the Enchanted Princess, will be the first ships to be fitted with the 174 m2Sky Suite. These luxury cabins, found on deck 18 in the prow area, comprise two bedrooms, a lounge area, dining room, four televisions, concierge and butler services, luxury amenities and a huge private balcony with 270º views and sunbeds, a minibar, tables and chairs. This terrace can be booked out for private parties. We recommend going on a cruise around the Caribbean with this cruise line, as they own their own upscale bungalows on the private island of Princess Cays.
7. Oceania Cruises – Owner’s Suite
The exclusive upper-premium cruise line Oceania Cruises offers some of the world’s finest suites aboard its Marina and Riviera ships. These ships include the luxurious 190m2Owner’s Suite. This suite compares favourably with luxury hotel suites, thanks to the quality of its design and facilities. The suite consists of a spacious walk-in wardrobe, a bathroom fitted with a jacuzzi bathtub and luxurious Bvlgari amenities, as well as furniture designed by prestigious designer Ralph Lauren. This suite is magnificently located overlooking the stern of the ship, with guests able to enjoy private entry, butler and concierge services. Guests can also enjoy a glass of fine champagne or other drinks upon arrival, fresh fruit, Kashmir blankets and evening canapés, amongst other exclusive benefits.
8. Silversea – Grand Suite
Luxurious, classical and elegant: these adjectives perfectly describe the suites aboard the Silversea ships. This is particularly true on boats such as the Silver Spirit, which houses the 132m2 Grand Suite. Its beautiful spaces have two teak terraces and outdoor furniture, marble bathrooms with a fantastic jacuzzi bathtub, private butler service, Bvlgari amenities, a private walk-in wardrobe and an interactive bookcase. Guests can sample artisan chocolates at the reception desk before enjoying wonderful evenings on the terrace with some delicious canapés. One of the ship’s biggest attractions is the chance to have dinner at the officer’s table.
9.Crystal Cruises – Penthouse With Verandah
The world’s most decorated luxury cruise line is also represented in this top 10 with its Penthouse With Verandah, one of its most iconic cabins. The Crystal Serenity is home to 4 sublime suites spanning 125m2, offering a six-star service from the middle of deck 11. The cabin contains a bathroom complete with jacuzzi bathtub, private walk-in wardrobe, library with a carefully curated selection of books and a living area with separate dining room. As would be expected of cabins in this category, it comes complete with special amenities, a fruit basket, afternoon tea, pre-dinner cocktails and canapés, champagne, wine, liquors, a welcome meal and a private invitation to a cocktail party attended by the ship’s captain. Guests can also enjoy the 24-hour room service, butler service and cabin massage service.
10.Holland America – Pinnacle Suite
The majestic Pinnacle Suite aboard the Premium Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam ship is the cruise liner’s most spacious and sophisticated cabin. This 121m2 cabin entails a perfect blend of beautiful modern design and more classic styles. Boasting spectacular views, the suite also has a hydro massage shower, private terrace, walk-in wardrobe and an elegant living area. It also comes with amenities from luxury brand Elemies, a jacuzzi, pre-dinner appetisers, private parties with ship officials and exclusive use of the Neptune Lounge.
Cruise lines such as Azamara Club Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Crociere also offer a variety of high-end suites. Disney Cruise Line has opened its Concierge Suite on its Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships, spanning 95m2 and decorated in an art deco style with warm wooden finishes, original illustrations and personalised rugs.
MSC boasts the unmistakeable Yacht Club Suites on its MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview ships. These span a surface area of 90m2 and were designed by the architects at De Jorio Design International. These are found in a private and exclusive complex called The Yacht Club, where guests can make use of a private reception area, butler and concierge service, exclusive restaurant, all-included drinks, access to the MSC Aurea Spa and other amenities. Costa Crociere, on the other hand, while not offering the same size luxury cabins, are also represented in this category with their Samara Suite, with access to the spa area, VIP rooms at the ports in Barcelona and Savona, 24-hour room service, butler service and all-included drinks.
