It sure feels nice to treat yourself, doesn’t it? But if you’re going to dig deep into your wallet and take the plunge on booking a suite for your next cruise, you want to make sure it’s going to be worth it.
With that in mind, here is what you can expect when you shell out to cruise in style in a suite.
Priority Embarkation and Disembarkation
Cruisers who book into a suite category cabin will typically get priority embarkation on the day their cruise starts. You also could be treated to a special lounge area at the port with a separate check-in desk and amenities like coffee, pastries, fruit and other snacks. This perk puts you among the first people on the ship and allows you to get your vacation started ASAP.
Suite passengers also get priority disembarkation privileges when the cruise ends.
More Space and Better Rooms
For many, a suite makes the most sense for one simple reason: You get more space. This allows you to sail in comfort, with extra square footage that is used for larger living areas, second bedrooms, large bathrooms with stuff like hot tubs and bathtubs and bigger balconies. The suites generally will feature higher-end toiletries and better-quality bedding with high thread-count sheets and duvets.
Added Perks
Suite status might come with a whole host of added benefits you can take advantage of while onboard your cruise ship. Suite passengers can get reserved poolside lounger areas and main theater seats. This way, you always know you can get a prime spot at the pool on sea day or for a production show.
You might get a butler and concierge who can help you make dining reservations or book shore excursions. Many suites come with stocked in-room mini-bars. You can also be rewarded with free fitness classes, thermal suite access, unlimited bottled water and in-room movies.
Specialty Dining
Some ships have ship-within-a-ship areas, and these suite-class accommodations often offer free specialty dining or even their own separate restaurant for passengers staying in these staterooms. For example, MSC Cruises offers the MSC Yacht Club class with its own dedicated gourmet restaurants (on MSC Divina it’s Le Muse), and Norwegian Cruise Line passengers staying in The Haven suites can dine at The Haven Restaurant.
Lounges and Other Exclusive Spaces
Celebrity Cruises suite passengers get exclusive access to Michael’s Club, a lounge area that has a concierge desk, cocktail parties, included bar service, comfy seats and a TV to enjoy in a serene setting. Many cruise lines feature also special swimming pool and hot tub areas or spa amenities for suite class passengers.
Enhanced Promotions
When you book a suite class or higher category, cruise lines will often throw in several extras as an enticement to get you to make the splurge. You might find deals that include gratuities, drinks packages, shore excursions or a nice onboard credit amount.
Wait, There’s More
If you book a suite, you are likely to get such added perks like unlimited Wi-Fi, laundry services, bottle of Champagne on embarkation day, daily afternoon canapes and a cocktail party with ship’s officers.
John Roberts is a freelance writer and operator of InTheLoopTravel.com. He writes about cruising and active travel, highlighting how people can connect with the world and other cultures through rewarding travel experiences.
