With incredible suites, exclusive-access pools and sundecks, private restaurants for suite guests, and exceptional personal service, now is the time for luxury-style cruisers to learn more about this new trend. Perhaps it is time to reconsider your choice of the smaller ship cruise line and try out the luxury experience offered by a premium cruise line? We think so!
Here are 9 tips for luxury cruisers to elevate their luxury
cruise experience on a mega-sized cruise ship.
1 ) BREATHTAKING SUITES ARE AVAILABLE ON MEGA-SHIPS TOO!
Smaller ships on luxury cruise lines offer some spectacular suites, but the mega-ships on mainstream cruise lines have kicked them up a notch. Many of the owner's and penthouse suites are reminiscent of gorgeous apartment-style accommodations! For example, Celebrity Cruises boasts The Retreat on its ships, complete with butler service, private restaurants and lounges for suite guests, private and personalized service with the Future Cruise officer, private sundeck space, and more.
Norwegian Cruise Line boasts The Haven. This award-winning area includes the most well-appointed suites on the ship. In addition, guests gain access to all ship amenities, personal concierge service, 24-hour butler service, an exclusive sundeck, priority boarding for embarkation/disembarkation, reserved seating for onboard entertainment, and exclusive dining venues, priority boarding of shore tenders, and more.
Norwegian Cruise Line: The Haven Penthouse
2) UNPARALLELED SERVICE IS A GIVEN FOR SUITE GUESTS
In addition to stellar suites, you'll receive spectacular service when you book VIP accommodations. In the past, mainstream cruise lines did not have staff designated to assist guests in the larger and pricier staterooms.
Today, this has changed. Dedicated staff provide exclusive suite guest experiences and often include benefits such as expedited luggage handling, prime seating in entertainment venues, reservation management for shore excursions and dinner reservations, shopping assistance in onboard boutiques, and special celebration planning.
3) VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE
You may not want a raucous nightlife or Broadway-style entertainment every night of your cruise, but isn't it nice to know the option is available? On smaller ships, the activities generally slow down later in the evening. Larger, mainstream cruise ships offer activities all night long with your choice of lively bars, evening theme parties, late-night comedy shows, karaoke, musicals, aerial shows, casinos, and the list goes on.
4) EXPERIENCES FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL TRAVELERS
You're hoping to take the whole family - children, grandkids, aunts, uncles, cousins - with you on a memorable cruise. Still, you're concerned that not everyone will find something enjoyable to do on the ship. Worry not when you're on a premium mega-ship. Groups of all ages will find something (or lots of things) to love. Cabin styles and suite sizes include options for everyone. In addition, there are typically lots of tempting spa offers, fitness classes, multiple swimming pools, waterslides, a ropes course, ice skating, rock climbing, a go-cart track, a carousel, numerous dining options, kids' and teens' programs, cooking classes, and lots more to choose from. You name it, and one of the premium mega-ships will have it for your family.
5) TOP-NOTCH SERVICE
It's natural to think that on a huge premium cruise ship, you'll be standing in line a lot. Yet, when you book a top-tiered suite, you'll be treated to white-glove service, which equates to priority access and exclusive amenities.
For example, in the Haven area we mentioned before, you'll be invited to exclusive cocktail parties, enjoy the "skip the line" program for embarkation and disembarkation in ports of call, have a private restaurant and lounge, soak up the rays on the private sun deck and pool, enjoy free beverage packages, WiFi, and more.
6) ALL-INCLUSIVE CONVENIENCE
In decades past, all-inclusive cruises were the sole purview of the highest-end luxury cruise lines. (Even today, there are still some luxury cruise lines that do not include shore excursions within their fare). Today, the premium and mainstream cruise operators finally caught on, and now you can sail with them unhindered by "nickel-and-diming."
Lines such as Princess Cruises have the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, including premier drinks and a juice bar, WiFi, fitness classes, and gratuities. Once you look at everything included, the fares become more comparable to those of the luxury liners saving your pocketbook at the end of the cruise vacation.
7) WIDE ARRAY OF CHOICES
The more luxurious the cruise line, typically the fewer ships they have which is fantastic if you're seeking a one-of-a-kind, boutique feel to your vacation experience. But, if you prefer more choices in the size of the ship, destinations visited, and length of the cruise, a mega-ship cruise line will provide you with more options. These lines often have 20 or more vessels in service at one time. You will have ships with various ambiances serving a variety of wonderful destinations with different lengths of vacations (from five days to five months) - perfect if you need flexibility.
8) MORE DEPARTURE PORTS AVAILABLE
As much as you might want this year's cruise vacation to be a fantastic voyage to Antarctica or Asia, your work schedule may not allow time to fly to an overseas port. Instead, you'll need one closer to home. Luckily, mainstream cruise lines offer plenty of departure port choices from within the United States.
Here are some ports to consider:
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Miami, FL
Orlando, FL
Mobile, AL
Galveston, TX
Baltimore, MD
Honolulu, HI
Charleston, SC
New Orleans, LA
New York City, NY
Boston, MA
New Jersey, NJ
Los Angeles, CA
Long Beach, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Anchorage (Whittier or Seward), AK
San Juan, Puerto Rico
With all these U.S. based options, there is no need for a long-haul, red-eye flight.
9) ONBOARD BLISS
With all their bells and whistles, mainstream cruise lines focus more on the onboard experience. And why not? They certainly have the space to do it. While the ships allow one to experience a new destination and offer many shore excursions, you'll also realize they offer larger spas, more spa menu choices, and fantastic thalassotherapy pools.
If maximizing your time for relaxation is essential, visit the spa on the first day of the cruise, select the luxury treatments you desire, put them on the calendar, and let the relaxation begin! Suppose you're looking for places to relax on the ship to enjoy time with multiple generations of your family and friends. In that case, these larger ships have decks specifically designed for entertaining. You are guaranteed to find spaces where your group can relax and enjoy each other's time.
Intrigued? It's easy to see why. Schedule a chat with me at your convenience. Let's discuss why choosing a luxury suite on a premium cruise line (with all its extra amenities and VIP service) might be right for your next cruise vacation.
Photos courtesy of Holland America, Celebrity X Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Norwegian Cruises