PAMPERING THE FEW
Cruising’s class system
A trend that has been growing will continue if some major cruise lines get their way — class distinction. If you’re a regular on those mass-market lines, you must have realized there are at least two classes of service on many ships.
One way to describe it, and maybe the best way, is “a ship within a ship.” Is it elitist? Sure. Think of it as having first class (or business class) on an airline, or suites on an executive floor in a hotel.
Compared to passengers from interior to balcony rooms, the laundry list of what’s “free” is extensive. No nickel-and-diming here. But you won’t have to worry about luxury taking over the ship. In most cases, this elitist community is confined to less than 200 passengers.
The main lines have been watching the growth of luxury brands like Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas for some time now and, while they won’t be able to match ships that have luxury imbued in every aspect of the ship, they are making an impact in the upper-class facilities and services. As regular passengers are standing in line to book a tour, a show or a special adventure, the ship’s suite passengers are sitting with a concierge who will take care of every detail.
Lines currently offering luxury within a ship include: Cunard with its Grill Class Norwegian with The Haven, which will be expanding when its newest and largest ship, the Escape, takes to the waters next month
MSC Cruises with The Yacht Club
Celebrity Cruise Lines, which will be adding more to this category when its new ships (working title: Edge) join the fleet
And now the latest to join the club — Royal Caribbean. It’s called Royal Suite Class and, according to management: “Guests will enjoy an experience like no other, featuring a wide range of benefits and amenities that they expect from a world-class luxury vacation.”
This brand of luxury comes in three levels: Star Class, Sky Class and Sea Class. When Royal Suite Class takes to the seas in May 2016, it will be on existing Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, as well as Harmony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas when they debut next spring.
The Star Class is the most luxurious of the three, with the most expansive accommodations being the Quantum Class two-deck high Royal Loft Suite, the Owner’s Loft Suite, four-bedroom Family Suite, Grand Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite and two-bedroom Aqua Theater Suite. The amenities include British-approved butlers.
The Sky Class amenities are available in accommodations such as the Aqua Theater Suite, Crown Loft Suite, Owner’s Suite, Royal Family Suite, Superior Grand Suite and Grand Suite.
The Sea Class is the home of the junior suites on the ship.
All passengers in the Royal Suite Class categories will receive upgraded amenities such as Hermès, Ferragamo and L’Occitane bath products and luxury pillow-top mattresses, plus exclusive access to the Coastal Kitchen restaurant.
At Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private island in Haiti, suite passengers can also use the exclusive Barefoot Beach and reserve private cabanas.
To decide how much luxury you want — or can afford — go to royalcaribbean.com/RoyalSuiteClass.