When the cruise industry first began, ship layouts deviated from the shipping industry’s previous standards. Until the 1960s, passenger ships were strictly divided into classes, with each ticket class having its own designated area on the ship where it was expected to stay for the entire voyage, with designated restaurants, public spaces, and staterooms all in designated locations on the same ship.
The cruise industry turned that on its head: There were a variety of room categories available, from simple inner cabins to spacious suites, but otherwise passengers had free access to the ship’s amenities from bow to stern, and most cruise lines continue to operate that way today.
However, some cruise lines are closing off parts of their ships in an effort to bring back the luxurious atmosphere of the old first class cabins. Often these “ship-within-a-ship” categories have their own lounges, sundecks, pools, restaurants and staterooms, but passengers in these classes also have free access to amenities found elsewhere on the ship.
Below are some “ship within a ship” options from some of the top cruise lines: While many cruise lines offer luxury perks for suite guests, we’ve included on our list only cruise lines that offer a true “ship within a ship” product, essentially offering a few exclusive restaurants and public areas exclusively for suite guests.
Celebrities
Retreat is Celebrity’s on-board ship for suite guests and features a private restaurant, Luminae, helmed by Daniel Boulud, the Retreat Lounge on Edge series ships (may have a different name on some ships) and the private Retreat Sundeck on Edge series ships. Suites come with a butler (available via text on the Celebrity app), extra perks like packing and unpacking, premium coffee setup, fully stocked minibars and a full room service menu.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises Yacht Clubs have a feel similar to old-school first class, with a dedicated key-card access section for staterooms designated for that category, but they’re not just available to cruise passengers who book suites: many ships also offer standard balcony staterooms (albeit a bit larger than normal) and interior staterooms, which add value for passengers booking more modestly sized cabins.
A private pool and sundeck, three fine dining restaurants, a lounge and 24-hour butler service round out the VIP experience. Yacht Club guests receive a wristband signifying their status and staff will escort them to their theater seats and shortcut lines for disembarking and embarking. When it is time for their shore tour, guests will wait in the Yacht Club Lounge where a butler will escort them directly to shore.
Princess Cruises
Princess is a new entrant in the ship-within-a-ship concept — in fact, the concept won’t launch until next month when the new ship, Sun Princess, begins sailing in the Caribbean. Called the Sanctuary Collection, the concept will be available exclusively on Sun Princess and its sister ship, Star Princess, due to launch in 2025. Like MSC, the category will include all suites and some mini-suites, as well as select balcony staterooms.
These categories include the all-inclusive Princess Premier fare bundle, which includes alcoholic beverages, WiFi, specialty meals, and room service delivery. Guests also get access to a private restaurant with elevated dining options and the Sanctuary Club on the top deck. (All ages can travel in this category, but the Sanctuary Club is reserved for guests 16 and older.) Suite guests also get access to the Suite Lounge, where you might even see a champagne sabre.
Cunard
Cunard pretty much invented the concept of a ship-within-a-ship in 1969 with the original Queen Elizabeth 2. Designed as a liner that could also function as a cruise ship, Cunard knew that traditional class divisions no longer worked, so they changed the restaurants guests ate in based on the category of cabin they were in. On today’s Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne, this has evolved into Cunard’s Grill Suite.
Suite guests can dine at the Queen’s Grill restaurant and Mini-Suite guests can dine at the Princess Grill restaurant, both single-seat restaurants with dazzling furnishings and sophisticated menus. While amenities at the Queen’s Grill and Princess Grill differ slightly, all Grillz Suite guests have access to the Grillz Lounge and Grillz Terrace on all ships. Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth also have a Grillz Courtyard. Grillz guests also have access to onboard concierge benefits to book onboard and shore-based experiences, as well as the option to enjoy the same menu as the Grillz restaurant in their suite.
Norwegian
Norwegian offers The Haven on some ships, an on-board ship with its own Haven Lounge, Haven Restaurant, and Courtyard & Sundeck. Suites also offer upgraded amenities such as evening turndown service and L’Occitane bath amenities. This category is available in a variety of room categories, from Deluxe Suites with Balcony to luxurious 3-Bedroom Garden Villas. Haven Suites don’t exactly come with as many extra perks, such as drink packages, that some of the competitors on other cruise lines have, but in reality, the lowest available fares usually add all of this (open bar, special dining, excursions, and WiFi with the currently running Free at Sea promotion).
Royal Caribbean
This varies by ship rather than being a class of in-ship. Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite class is divided into three tiers, with amenities depending on the suite category. Only available on select ships, this category has been elevated to the level of in-ship ships. The new Icon of the Seas has a suite “area” with its own sun deck and Coastal Kitchen, a fine dining restaurant exclusively for suite guests.
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