One of the first decisions you’ll have to make when booking a cruise is what type of room you and your travel party want to stay in. While the standard balcony rooms on most cruise ships are nice, there’s always something special about staying in a suite. Oftentimes, suites come with extra perks, like butlers and a dedicated lounge, and typically have some of the best views on the entire ship.
Even better, these over-the-top cruise ship suites aren’t just available on luxury cruise lines. Today, major family-friendly lines like Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are getting in on the suite action. In fact, the family-friendly suites often have room for multi-generational groups and larger travel parties so everyone can stay together, but still have plenty of room to spread out.
So, whether you’re actively planning your next getaway or just daydreaming about sipping coffee (or champagne, we don’t judge) from your verandah, keep reading. These are seven of the most over-the-top cruise ship suites available to book on the high seas.
Luxury cruise lines
Luxury cruise lines are renowned for grand suites, and these are some of the best.
Portofino Suite on Four Seasons Yacht Collection
One of the most luxurious suites at sea is the Portofino Suite on the Four Seasons I Yacht. The aft-facing suite features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus an additional powder room. Clocking in at a whopping 4,219 square feet, including the balcony, all six adults who can occupy the space will have plenty of room to stretch out. And with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows in nearly every space, your family is never without a view of the ocean.
Inside the suite, there’s a full living room with plush white furniture, a dining room with a table for six, plus a pantry with a separate entry for staff. And outside, guests can enjoy a splash pool overlooking the ocean, an outdoor shower, a dining table, and lounge chairs for soaking up the sun.
What really puts this suite over the edge is the incredible jade-toned marble bathrooms. The green and white swirled countertops blend effortlessly into the floor, up the walls, and then over the side of the tub. From the tub in the primary suite, there’s a view of the ocean, so long after exploring various ports of call, you can watch them disappear into the distance as you enjoy a hot soak.
The Regent Suite on Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Dubbed “The Most Exclusive Address at Sea,” the Regent Suite on Regent Seven Seas’ Grandeur, Splendor, and Explorer is a truly remarkable accommodation. The suite is over 4,400 square feet and can accommodate up to six guests. While each suite on the various ships is uniquely decorated, they all boast the same upscale amenities, like marble bathrooms, two private balconies with a heated MiniPool spa, two original lithographs by Pablo Picasso, and more.
What makes these suites even more exceptional is the in-room spa, which features a full sauna, multi-jet shower, and ceramic heated loungers. Plus, guests in the suite also get two spa treatments per day at the onboard spa. And when it’s time to enjoy a meal together, suite guests can access The Study, a private dining room for up to 12 people. For guests who wish to go ashore, the suite booking also includes a personal car and guide for any excursions or independent exploration you wish to do.
Owner’s Residence on Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is known for its beautifully designed ships. One of the best-designed spaces is the Owner’s Residence by Patricia Urquiola on the line’s newest ships, Explora III and Explora IV. The suite is just under 3,400 square feet, inclusive of the terrace, and can sleep up to four people.
Even though the room is stunning on the inside, the terrace is really where the space shines. It takes up the entirety of the ship’s aft, with an oversized whirlpool, alfresco dining table, and a host of lounge chairs for enjoying sunny afternoons or starry nightcaps.
The interior of the space features oak parquet and marble, bringing a sense of serene opulence. There’s a full dining room, plus a private bar, in-suite fitness amenities, a living room with grand ocean views, and two oversized bedrooms, both offering a king-sized bd.
Guests who book this suite also have access to a residence manager, who acts as your personal assistant throughout the cruise. They can do everything from arranging laundry services, daily itinerary planning, helping with shoreside reservations, and in-suite dining.
Otium Suite on Silversea
Available exclusively on Silver Nova and Silver Ray, the Otium Suite is a prime accommodation for guests seeking rest and rejuvenation on a luxury cruise. The 1,324-square-foot suite features impressive 270-degree views of the passing scenery thanks to its corner aft position. There’s also a spacious balcony with loungers and a whirlpool. There’s also a living room, walk-in closet, and separate bedroom and bathroom. Speaking of the bedroom, Otium Suites include a custom-made luxury mattress so you’ll have a peaceful night’s sleep.
And when it’s time to leave the room, head straight for the spa, because guests in the Otium Suites also get a complimentary treatment in the spa. But if you prefer to be pampered in your suite, your butler can set up one of the in-suite wellness experiences, including scented shower steamers or a bath experience with bath salts, battery-operated candles, treats, and spa-like music.
Owner’s Suite on Oceania Cruises
Owner’s Suites are available across the fleet on Oceania Cruises, but the most beautiful ones are available to book on the cruise line’s newest ship, Oceania Allura. The vessel boasts three equal Owner’s Suites on decks 8, 9, and 10, each with over 2,400 square feet, and spanning the full beam of the ship, with aft balconies overlooking the sparkling ocean.
Along with the beautifully adorned suite, guests have a host of privileges. Some of the best ones include 24-hour butler service, priority luggage delivery on embarkation day (sounds silly, but I love getting my room set up quickly so I can be off to the fun faster), order-in from any of the onboard specialty restaurants, and more.
Family-friendly cruise lines
These over-the-top suites on family-friendly lines walk the line between fun, function, and luxury.
Ultimate Family Townhouse on Royal Caribbean
If your family is sailing on Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-ship, Legend of the Seas, anytime soon, then you may want to consider booking the Ultimate Family Townhouse. The exclusive accommodation can sleep up to eight people and is designed specifically for larger families. It’s three decks high, and features an outdoor play space and direct access to the ship’s family-friendly neighborhood, Surfside.
Additionally, the over-the-top cruise ship suite features multiple living spaces, a private whirlpool on its balcony, and a second private balcony off of the primary bedroom. The in-suite slide is a fun way for kids and adults to get between floors quickly, and the suite’s cinema is where everyone can crash at the end of the day for movie nights. Just don’t forget to start the suite’s popcorn machine so everyone has fresh snacks during the film.
Two-Story Royal Suite on Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is known for its innovative room design, and its Two-Story Royal Suites on the Wish Class ships (Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny, and the upcoming Disney Believe) are truly spectacular. On each of these ships, the Two-Story Royal Suites can sleep up to six people with about 1,760 square feet of space over two main bedrooms and one living room with a convertible sofa bed.
What makes these spaces so decadently luxurious is the spacious outdoor verandah with a whirlpool spa and dining table so you can enjoy room service (including Palo Steakhouse) al fresco. Additionally, the indoor wet bar is constantly full of water and soda, while the freezer has a stash of Mickey-shaped ice cream bars.
Additionally, all suite guests have access to the concierge lounge and pool deck, where dedicated hosts are waiting to serve your family. The lounge is also a great spot to hang out, not just for the snacks and drinks throughout the day, but because you never know who’s going to stop by. Oftentimes Mickey and his pals come in for photos.
