Jane Archer, The Daily Telegraph, June 04, 2013
Master Suite, Seven Seas Voyager
Design: A spacious 1,216sq ft inside, and 187sq ft on the balcony. The living and dining room has a large flat-screen television, free bar and guest bathroom and there are two double bedrooms, each with ensuite marble bathroom, double basins, separate showers and bathtubs, and walk-in wardrobes.
USP: Book this suite and you will be upgraded to a business-class flight from wherever you fly to join the ship. There is complimentary use of an iPad, king-sized Suite Slumber beds with Egyptian cotton linens, as well as free use of the phone for 15 minutes and the internet for 30 minutes. The butler delivers a newspaper each morning and canapés each evening.
Why book? The master suite is an impressive, well laid-out place to stay with so much included that you really do feel privileged.
Price: From £14,359 per person for 10 nights in the Baltic in July, including flights, transfers, drinks, excursions, all meals, tips and one-night pre-cruise hotel stay ( rssc.com ).
Queens Grill Grand Duplex, Queen Mary 2
Design: The Balmoral and Sandringham Grand Duplex suites are 2,249sq ft inside, with a 300 sq ft balcony, and split over two levels. Upstairs there is a bedroom and marble bathroom with a whirlpool tub and downstairs are the living and dining area with a flat-screen television and a marble guest bathroom.
USP: The butler keeps you stocked up on complimentary wines, spirits and canapés throughout the cruise – so the exercise bike on the landing (with seaviews while you pedal) could be useful. There is access to a private lounge and restaurant with single-seating dining, an iPad with daily paper downloads, and priority embarkation, disembarkation and luggage-delivery privileges.
Why book? It’s a perfect pad for parties and there is private dining away from the crowds.
Price: From £12,679 per person for a seven-night transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York in August, including a one-way economy flight but excluding speciality dining ( cunard.co.uk )
Owner's Suite, Marina
Design: The suite, furnished by Ralph Lauren Home, spans the width of the ship, giving 1,400 sq ft inside. The foyer, with grand piano, leads to a living and dining room, and the 626sq ft balcony has a whirlpool and television.
USP: The butler, on call 24/7, will serve dinner from the speciality restaurants. There is free loan of a laptop and iPad, plus a fridge of goodies on arrival.
Why book? In terms of layout and decor, this is luxury with a capital L.
Price: From £10,548 for 14 days in the Baltic in August, with flights and meals. ( oceaniacruises.com ).
Wintergarden Suite, Seabourn Odyssey
Design: The 914sq ft suite incorporates a living room, a dining table for six, a bathroom for guests and a bedroom with bathroom and whirlpool bath.
USP: Half of the 183 sq ft balcony is enclosed by glass, with a tub and day bed for sky-lit lounging.
Why book? What the suite lacks in size, Seabourn makes up for with personal service that is second to none.
Price: From £12,799 per person for 12 nights in Asia in November, including flights, private transfers, one night precruise hotel stay, meals, drinks, Wi-fi and tips ( seabourn.co.uk ).
Owner's Suite, Silversea Silver Spirit
Design: A stylish one-bedroom suite with 1,102sq ft of living space, plus a 190sq ft balcony (a two-bedroom suite increases the size to 1,668 sq ft). Both bedrooms have ensuite marble bathrooms with separate showers and bath tubs, and Bulgari toiletries. The living room has separate sitting and dining areas, a flat-screen television, guest bathroom and complimentary bar.
USP: There is an array of extras at no charge, from laundry, dry-cleaning and pressing to four hours of internet use, two hours of phone use and a daily newspaper. The butler will also book one complimentary dinner for two at Le Champagne, Silversea’s Relais &Châteaux wine restaurant (usually £20 a head, without wine).
Why book? The little extras cost Silversea little but make you feel special.
Price: From £11,450 per person for a nine-night Mediterranean cruise in October, including drinks and tips, but excluding flights and speciality restaurants ( silversea.com ).
