High life on the high seas! Private restaurants, exclusive sun decks, bigger suites – here’s how to be a VIP cruiser<\/h1>\n

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• Cruise lines have created ‘ships within ships’ that come with exclusive perks<\/strong><\/li>\n
• Here, we look at the offerings from Celebrity Cruises, MSC and more<\/strong><\/li>\n
• READ MORE:\u00a0\u00a0The UK’s best and worst hotel chains revealed by Which?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  We know there\u2019s a cruise for everyone – from megaships with morning-till-night entertainment to boutique luxury yachts where butlers pour champagne and polish your sunglasses.<\/p>\n

  Now, however, the world\u2019s biggest ships are giving over more decks to private spaces. These \u2018ships within ships\u2019 come with a multitude of perks from sumptuous suites, 24\/7 butler and concierge services, \u2018jump the queue\u2019 check-ins, private restaurants, bars and lounge areas plus priority theatre bookings and direct access along private corridors to spas.<\/p>\n

  Suites in these retreats are selling out fast as passengers opt for a taste of the high life on the high seas.<\/p>\n

  JOIN THE CLUB<\/span><\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  This round-up looks at what it means to be a VIP on some of the world’s biggest cruise ships. Above, MSC Cruises Yacht Club guests are welcomed by their private butler\u00a0<\/p>\n

  A Swarovski crystal staircase links the glamorous two-deck MSC Yacht Clubs on MSC\u2019s newest ships.<\/p>\n

  Each comes with its own lounge and bar, dining room, sun deck and pool with a cocktail bar. Guests arrive at the cruise terminal to be met by their private butler at the Yacht Club embarkation desk and then accompanied to their sanctuary.<\/p>\n

  MSC Yacht Club areas have 95 suites including interior, deluxe, duplex and royal suites – and they have become best-sellers, often snapped up first when cruises become available. Direct access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea spa is a big attraction.<\/p>\n

  Top perk: <\/span>The club-only restaurant with 270-degree panoramic views at the front of the ship.<\/p>\n

  Book it: <\/span>Seven-night \u2018Northern Europe\u2019 cruise on MSC Euribia, staying in a Yacht Club interior cabin, departs from Southampton on January 26, from \u00a31,519 pp (msccruises.co.uk, 0203 426 3010).<\/p>\n

  HAVEN HIDEAWAY<\/span><\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Passengers enjoy access to an exclusive sun deck when they opt for a suite in\u00a0The Haven section of Norwegian cruise line ships. Above is the sun deck on Norwegian Prima\u00a0<\/p>\n

  Passengers who book into The Haven section of Norwegian cruise line ships have access to an exclusive deck with a sun terrace and suites with complimentary movies. Free mobile phones are provided for use onboard ship.<\/p>\n

  The top-of-the range suite is a 6,694 sq ft three-bedroom villa for eight with living room, outdoor terraces, hot tub and dining area – available on Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Jewel.<\/p>\n

  Top perk: <\/span>The private sun deck with a hot tub with butler service.<\/p>\n

  Book it: <\/span>Seven-day \u2018Caribbean: Barbados, Antigua & St. Lucia\u2019 cruises in a Haven stateroom on the new ship, Norwegian Viva, departing from San Juan in Puerto Rico on January 14, from \u00a32,501 pp (ncl.com, 0333 2412319).<\/p>\n

  LIFE IS SUITE<\/span><\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  As shown in this rendering, the three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas has a slide, karaoke and a private patio\u00a0<\/p>\n

  After huge demand on Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has doubled the size of its \u2018Suite Neighbourhood\u2019 on the new 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas, filling four decks with 52 suites and a multi-level sun deck.<\/p>\n

  The Neighbourhoods are popular with multi-generational families – kids\u2019 clubs and a huge waterpark proving a big hit with youngsters. There are also private pools, hot tubs, and two restaurants for Suite Neighbourhood-only passengers.<\/p>\n

  Top perk: <\/span>The three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse has a slide (for adults and kids), karaoke and a private patio.<\/p>\n

  Book it: <\/span>Seven-night \u2018Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day\u2019 cruises on Icon of the Seas staying in a junior suite from \u00a33,906 pp, departing from Miami on September 7; seven nights in the Ultimate Family Townhouse from \u00a365,000 per sailing (royalcaribbean.com, 0344 4934005).<\/p>\n

  PRIVATE RETREAT<\/span><\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Cutting edge: Celebrity Cruises\u2019 Edge rooftop garden for cruise passengers who like exclusive \u2018extras\u2019<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Above is one of the ‘top-grade’ Iconic Suites on Celebrity Edge. Guests can expect a good night\u2019s sleep on cashmere mattresses<\/p>\n

  Guests who book Celebrity Cruises\u2019 Edge Series ships\u2019 suites have access to The Retreat sundeck where attendants bring drinks and snacks to private cabanas.<\/p>\n

  They can also dine in Luminae, a restaurant serving dishes created by award-winning chef Daniel Boulud. All 1,892 sq ft top-grade Iconic suites with a 689 sq ft terrace are above the ship\u2019s bridge and guests can expect a good night\u2019s sleep on cashmere mattresses.<\/p>\n

  Top perk: <\/span>In-cabin Peloton exercise bikes.<\/p>\n

  Book it: <\/span>Nine-night \u2018Italian Riviera & France\u2019 Barcelona round-trips depart on April 27 from \u00a31,490 pp (celebritycruises.co.uk, 0800 2404286).<\/p>\n

  SECRET SANCTUARY<\/span><\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Above is the exclusive restaurant on Sun Princess, a new ship from Princess Cruises, that will be available to guests in the Signature Collection suites\u00a0<\/p>\n

  Sun Princess, the much-awaited new ship from Princess Cruises, launches on February 8 with a Signature Collection of 50 suites with access to a private lounge, restaurant and area in the adults-only Sanctuary on the sun deck.<\/p>\n

  Top perk: <\/span>Priority shore excursion reservations.<\/p>\n

  Book it:<\/span> Seven-day \u2018Mediterranean with Greek Isles & Turkey\u2019 cruises from Rome on August 10 from \u00a32,599 pp (princess.com, 0344 3388670).<\/p>\n

  LUXE PARTIES<\/span><\/p>\n

  Holland America Line\u2019s Pinnacle Class ships feature Neptune Suites with hot tubs, teak verandas and double-aspect views. The Pinnacle Suite, the top cabin, is a whopping 1,290 ft.<\/p>\n

  Guests can join the Neptune Lounge cocktail party and eat in the Club Orange private dining venue.<\/p>\n

  Top perk: <\/span>Complimentary laundry, ironing and dry cleaning.<\/p>\n

  Book it: <\/span>Seven-day \u2018Alaska Inside Passage\u2019 roundtrip on Koningsdam, from Vancouver, departs from May 18. Neptune Suite prices from \u00a33,379 pp (hollandamerica.com, 0344 3388605).<\/p>\n

  WHAT WE SAY…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

  Prices for these \u2018private enclave\u2019 areas are usually excellent value when they offer so many perks.<\/p>\n

  Fares can be at least half those of traditional, smaller luxury cruise ships such as Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, Silversea and Seabourn.<\/p>\n

  Some modern ships are so enormous that some passengers might fear getting lost – but now there are intimate hideaways which could boost their appeal.<\/p>\n

  Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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