Celebrity Edge – The Retreat Personal Host. Photo / Celebrity Cruises
Want to live the cruise ship champagne lifestyle without sinking your savings? A ‘ship-within-a-ship’ could be your secret to sailing in style, writes Tiana Templeman.
These exclusive areas with keycard access and suite accommodation turn a bustling cruise on a mainstream line into a luxurious tailored escape. Step behind the velvet rope and read on to discover the best ship-within-a-ship areas with suite accommodation, butlers, complimentary cocktails, restaurants and lounges, pool decks and more on five well-known lines.
The Sanctuary Collection whispers, “You’ve arrived,” then hands over a glass of bubbly and takes you out to dinner to prove it. And the drinks and fancy meals keep coming as Sanctuary room rates include a Princess Premier package with unlimited specialty dining, premium beverages, and Wi-Fi that’s strong enough for mid-ocean video calls. In between, there’s espresso delivered to your suite, time for a dip at the exclusive Sanctuary Club, and live music by the pool just for you and your luxe-loving fellow travellers. Only two Princess ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, currently have the Sanctuary Collection so you’ll need to head overseas for this ship-within-a-ship experience. Expect to pay around $3695 per person twin share for a six-night round-trip Eastern Caribbean cruise from Orlando.
Top tip: The Sanctuary Club pool deck is only available to guests aged 16 and over. This may not suit families but it’s a bonus for couples during the school holidays.
princess.com
With a butler to escort you on and off the ship, you never have to queue in the hot Mediterranean sun when you’re a guest at The Retreat. They’ll take care of packing and unpacking your bags, booking restaurants, and topping up your wine glass. Retreat guests can dine at Luminae, a suite-only restaurant, and sip cocktails while socialising with other suite guests at The Retreat Lounge. Some ships also have a private sundeck with loungers, a pool, hot tub, and a private bar (yes, the drinks are complimentary here too). Additional perks that usually cost extra, like Wi-Fi and in-suite dining, are also included. If you want to live the luxe life at The Retreat, a five-night round-trip Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale can be yours from $2220 per person twin share.
Top tip: Choose your Celebrity ship carefully as some, like Eclipse and Reflection, don’t have a dedicated Retreat lounge or sundeck.
celebritycruises.com
This option delivers a lot of bang for your budget luxury buck. Perks include priority check-in, butler service, a Top Sail Lounge with panoramic views and all-day snacks, plus an exclusive MSC Yacht Club Restaurant. There’s also a private sundeck with a pool, whirlpool and bar, complimentary access to the ship’s Thermal Suite and an exclusive seating area at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s private island. You’ll get unlimited internet, complimentary room service, and outdoor dining and cocktails at the Yacht Club Grill & Bar as well. If you’re flexible with dates and itineraries, you can grab a Yacht Club fare for as little as $785 per person twin share for a three-night round-trip Bahamas cruise from Miami in an inside cabin.
Top tip: The Yacht Club is a big hit with families, so, for a more peaceful or romantic escape, steer clear of school holidays.
msccruises.co.nz.
The Haven offers private elevator access to a wonderful world with butlers to cater to your every whim and priority everything, from dining reservations to disembarkation. NCL’s Epic, Prima, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class ships all have a lounge, suite restaurant and bar serving cocktails and other alcoholic drinks (although these aren’t complimentary, unless you have a drinks package). On Prima-class ships, an outdoor sauna and cold room add a touch of Scandi chic. While NCL’s ship-within-a-ship doesn’t come with as many inclusions as some other lines, the suites are especially appealing. Three nights in a penthouse on Norwegian Getaway in the Bahamas could be yours for $2125 per person twin share.
Top tip: The Haven on Jewel Class ships doesn’t have an exclusive restaurant for dinner, but fares are usually much cheaper than the ones you’ll find on other NCL ships.
ncl.com
Three different accommodation options are available when you book Royal Caribbean’s ship-within-a-ship. Choose wisely, as every suite comes with priority boarding and a coffee machine, but that’s where the similarities end. Sea Class doesn’t include much else except access to the exclusive suite restaurant, Coastal Kitchen. If you appreciate next-level accommodation but aren’t fussed about butlers and other fancy perks, this could be for you. Sky Class adds concierge service, VOOM internet, priority departure, and access to the Suite Lounge. Star Class has all these perks plus personal butlers called Royal Genies, complimentary specialty dining, a deluxe beverage package, and gratuities. Expect to pay around $2500 per person twin share for a four-night cruise to the Bahamas, including a day at Royal Caribbean’s private island.
Top tip: You’ll get a more luxurious Royal Suite Class experience abroad as Icon and Oasis Class ships offer enhanced amenities that go beyond what’s available locally.
royalcaribbean.com