Gone To Sea
There’s no such thing as cabin fever when you’re staying in these at-sea accommodations.
There are some cruisers who spend every waking hour out and about the ship, from early-morning breakfasts watching the sun rise to late-night deck parties and every belly- flop contest, towel-folding class, and ice-carving demonstration in between. To them, their cabin is a for-sleep-only necessity. But if you’re the kind of cruiser who does desire some in-room downtime, then these at-sea accommodations should be on your book-it bucket list.
Ultimate Family Fun
If you’re lucky enough to book the pinnacle of family accommodations, good luck ever getting your kids out of Royal Caribbean International’s fun and whimsical Ultimate Family Suite aboard
Symphony of the Seas. This two-deck, 1,346-squarefoot suite (which includes a 212-square-foot balcony overlooking the ship’s Boardwalk neighborhood) boasts a dedicated “Royal Genie” to coordinate exclusive experiences; a game room, cinema, LEGO wall, air hockey table, table tennis, and other family-friendly games; and — get this — an in-suite spiral slide so the kids can glide directly from their bed area to the living room below.
Passing Pictures
If you’ve ever sailed on a river cruise, you know that one of the best perks is the ability to spot the shoreline along the way, which means a constantly changing view out your window at all times. From scenic countrysides to quaint towns to picturesque landmarks, consider it an everevolving canvas that should be leisurely enjoyed from your cabin. Whether it’s the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest on the Danube River or the Gateway Arch in St. Louis on the Mississippi, these famous portraits are all the entertainment you need as your ship slowly sails the world’s waterways.
Musical Retreat
Virgin Voyages’ brand-new Scarlet Lady pays homage to the company’s musical roots throughout the entire ship, but some accommodations will truly make you want to sing. While the ship’s top RockStar Suites all come with 24/7 services, a bottomless
in-room bar, terrace hammocks, and plenty of musical nods to keep sailors entertained all day and all of the night, it’s the two Massive Suites that really play to the heart of rock ’n’ roll lovers. Each of the two 2,147-square-foot suites features a record player in the lounge area so you can spin those new LPs you purchased from the onboard record store, Voyage Vinyl. But the space you’ll truly never want to leave is the suite’s music room, complete with a selection of electric guitars and amp. Grab a guitar off the wall and you and your cruise mates can jam to your heart’s content. Don’t worry about disturbing your neighbors — the room is soundproof!
Dine al Fresco
Step up your room service and turn it into a true dining experience with Princess Cruises’ Ultimate Balcony Dinner. Available on all ships (for an extra fee), this unique experience turns an everyday balcony into an intimate, romantic dining venue complete with a special meal served by a dedicated waitstaff, a hosted cocktail party, fresh flowers, champagne, and a deluxe fourcourse meal. ( Alternatively, you can opt for a leisurely breakfast experience.) With this kind of intimate dining option, you may never want to leave the comfort of your cabin.
Spa Time
If in-room relaxation is the only type of recreation you crave, you can bring the spa into your space by booking one of cruising’s spa suites, which are offered by several lines. For example, Costa Cruises’ Samsara Spa cabins and suites not only come with unlimited, exclusive, and direct spa access, but in-room amenities include a purifying shower filter, aromatherapy diffuser, and aromatic teas. Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass staterooms come with indulgent spa amenities such as a Spa Concierge, pillow menu, premium bedding, and yoga mats. Carnival Cruise Line’s Cloud 9 Spa staterooms feature Elemis toiletries and spa-branded bathrobes and slippers plus priority spa reservations, free fitness classes, unlimited access to the thermal suites, and more. Holland America Line’s Neptune Spa suites come with spa amenities such as yoga mats, access to spa treatments from the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, a full-size whirlpool bath and shower, and a private concierge.
Sleep Under the Stars
The night sky will be all the evening entertainment you need if you opt to sleep under the stars aboard SeaDream Yacht Club. The line’s signature ondeck Balinese Dream Beds are specially designed cushioned platform beds perfect for relaxing seaside by day. At night, they’re transformed with a turndown of plush luxury duvets and Belgian bed linens for a cozy sleep under the stars. Search for the Big Dipper or the Milky Way from the comfort of your outdoor stateroom as you listen to the soothing sounds of the waves below.
Luxury Digs
For the ultimate in stay-at-home luxury, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers the Regent Suite aboard
Seven Seas Explorer. This 4,443-square-foot suite (which includes its 1,417-square-foot balcony) comes with every amenity you can imagine to turn your at-sea accommodations into a once-in-a-lifetime, culturally luxe experience. Imagine you’re classical pianist Lang Lang as you tickle the ivories of the custom Steinway Grand Baroque piano by Dakota Jackson; enjoy the suite’s impressive artwork, which includes two original Picasso lithographs that flank the suite’s entryway, Yellow Window by Jamali, original Murano glass pieces, and other artifacts; or indulge in free unlimited in-suite spa services and luxury bath products before retiring to the $150,000 King Size Savoir bed.
Virtual Views
Take a break from learning about larimar and tanzanite on the in-cabin TV and tune in to a different type of screen instead. Virtual views are featured in inside staterooms (aboard select ships) and use real-time digital displays captured by cameras outside the ship in high definition to bring the outside in. Royal Caribbean International’s floor-to-ceiling Virtual Balconies are 80-inch 4K-resolution screens that stream current views of the ocean or the day’s port and even feature a virtual railing. Outdoor sounds are piped in, too. Disney Cruise Line’s Magical Portholes also offer realtime views from outside the ship from four highdefinition video cameras that correspond to each stateroom’s location. Of course, in Disney’s Virtual Portholes, you may even spot animated characters such as Mickey Mouse or Dumbo swimming by. These high-tech highlights provide endless hours of ocean-gazing entertainment when you just can’t
bear to make it on deck.