Top Cruise Suites

 

Owner’s Suite
Oceania Cruises’ Marina Owner’s Suite has been designed by Ralph Lauren Home.

 

These chic cruise accommodations will keep you in top form on the high seas.

A stay in a top suite only enhances the elegance and romanticism of an ocean voyage. Take Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Penthouses, which number two on each of the line’s ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Toward the end of 2009, the former underwent a $25 million redesign, which included a top-to-bottom renovation of its two 982-square-foot Crystal Penthouses with large verandahs. The Result: Envision expanded living spaces, floor-to-ceiling dining room windows and top-notch visual and sound systems. (Note: Crystal Serenity’s Penthouse Suite with Verandah won the 2010 Award of Excellence in the “Best Luxury Cruise Line Luxury Suite” category.)

But the real breakthrough is the new Crystal Penthouse master bathroom. In a word, stunning—think Philippe Starck Duravit Jacuzzi bathtubs positioned adjacent to ocean-view windows, glass mosaic tiles and recessed mirror TVs. It is safe to say there aren’t too many sea-going bathrooms like these.

Note: The other areas of the penthouses also had work done. The butler-serviced suites have been redesigned in two new color schemes, with new bedding, flat-screen TVs and bathroom accoutrements. Leather sofas have replaced armchairs in all staterooms.

Seabourn’s Wintergarden
Seabourn’s Wintergarden suites include glass-enclosed solariums.

At 2,500 square feet apiece, the three Owner’s Suites aboard Oceania CruisesMarina, which debuted last month, are some of the largest at sea. The Owner’s Suites have the feel of a sophisticated private residence, courtesy of its Ralph Lauren design. The Owner’s Suites are not only massive but have a heaping of amenities and homey touches. Upon entering, guests are smack in the middle of a foyer, which looks like the vestibule of an estate home. Walls of inset Georgian wood paneling are finished in an ivory gloss, while black carpeting trimmed with a polished nickel metal edge surrounds an ivory marble entryway with a David Hicks-inspired black-and-camel mosaic tile inset.

Top Touch: An ebony baby grand piano serves as the room’s focal point. We hear that it can be programmed to play guests’ favorite tunes.

The living and dining area has a rich, clubby look. Macassar ebony-veneered chests with silver hardware topped by faux Zebra-framed mirrors flank the entrance, for instance. A 42-inch, flat-screen TV mounted atop a nickel and mahogany entertainment center is another modern, but classic, touch.

The bedroom and bathroom are also striking. Walls are covered in cashmere, for one, while the centerpiece is a Bel Air mahogany bed. Nightstands are topped with faceted crystal prism lamps with white silk shades. A custom ceiling fixture in polished nickel with teardrop glass balls provides overhead boudoir lighting. Across the room is the Ralph Lauren Highbridge desk. The bathroom also has mahogany touches and a large Jacuzzi tub. Note: Each Owner’s Suite will also have its very own workout room. An English-trained butler tops off the experience.

Last but not least, each Owner’s Suite will have a wraparound deck with private Jacuzzi. Guests will also be able to watch a TV mounted on the wall outside. Not enough? Guests of Owner’s Suites, Vista Suites (there are eight) and the 12 Oceania Suites will be able to arrange for course-by-course in-room dining from any of Marina’s restaurants, which includes Jacques, a French bistro by chef Jacques Pepin (his first restaurant at sea).

Azamara Cruises’ Journey Club World Owner’s Suite
Azamara Cruises’ Journey Club World Owner’s Suite has floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

Azamara Club Cruises has its own version of an Owner’s Suite, which number six on both of Azamara’s ships, Quest and Journey. The suites, two each on the aft of decks 6, 7 and 8, offer picture-perfect panoramic ocean vistas. The suites’ interiors total 560 square feet with an additional 233 square feet of verandah space. Features include separate living rooms, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, marble master baths with whirlpool tubs and showers, and butler service. Cool Touch: Each Azamara sailing has what’s called a “Best of the Best” dinner, hosted by the ship’s Captain. The invitation-only dinner, which includes musical accompaniment by a harpist, piano player or guitarist and consists of multiple courses and wine, is extended to the top 20 suites onboard, including the Owner’s Suites.

At Seabourn Cruises, the Grand Wintergarden Suite is the largest of any Seabourn suite, with 1,189 square feet of indoor space, including a glass-enclosed solarium with tub and daybed, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, guest bath, one whirlpool, dining for six, two bars, butler pantry with wet bar, three closets and three flat-screen TVs. Note: Two verandahs come with an additional 214 square feet of private outdoor space.

Seabourn Odyssey’s two Wintergarden Suites, Nos. 743 and 744, can be converted to 1,397-square-foot Grand Wintergarden Suites by connecting to Room Nos. 745 and 746. The Wintergarden Suites were reprised on Seabourn Sojourn, which debuted this past summer, and they will also be on Seabourn Quest, due for delivery this summer. Note: On Seabourn’s Pride, Spirit and Legend, the best bets are the Deck 6 Owner’s Suites, which measure up to 575 square feet.

Aboard Silversea’s Silver Whisper, we love the two-bedroom Owner’s Suites (the ship has two on Deck 7, Nos. 731 and 732), which have 1,264 square feet of space and open out toward the sea with private teak verandahs spanning 220 square feet and an additional large picture window. The suites are perfect for up to six guests (think multigenerational travel). Note: Owner’s Suites on Silversea’s other ships have similar amenities and services, differing only in size.

Top Touches: There’s a living room (with full-size sofa, club chairs and coffee table), dining area, plasma TV/DVD, Bang & Olufsen CD sound system, writing desk, private bar (stocked with complimentary beverages, wines and spirits), Lavazza espresso maker, two bedrooms (each with TV), two walk-in closets, two marble baths with separate showers, a powder room and a full-size Jacuzzi. Note: The suites include complimentary butler service and Bulgari bath amenities.

We also are big proponents of the Grand Suites on Silver Spirit. All six of the Grand Suites are at the front of the ship, allowing for great views. Top Draw: No doubt the expansive balcony, which, in Grand Suite No. 810, is capable of accommodating about 15 guests for a dinner party or social gathering. Inside, there is a large living room/dining area, which even boasts an in-room caviar menu (think Petrossian Royal Beluga).

Cunard, known for its over-the-top elegance, is now three ships strong after the addition of Queen Elizabeth in October 2010. In its 170-year history, the line has had the distinction of having six of its commodores knighted. As such, Queen Elizabeth’s six top suites are named after these commodores: The Charles Suite, The Illingworth Suite, The Rostron Suite, The Bisset Suite, The Thompson Suite and The Britten Suite.

The first four suites, on decks 6 and 7, are known as Queens Grill Grand Suites and measure 1,375 square feet to 2,131 square feet. We love the marble bathrooms, which have whirlpool baths, and balconies with fully glazed exterior and teak handrail on top of the balustrade. Along with butler service (think unpacking, packing and daily requests), guests of these suites receive access to the Queens Grill Lounge and private deck area as well as single-seating Queens Grill dining.

Silversea’s Owner’s Suites
Silversea’s Owner’s Suites have such touches as private teak verandahs.

The Thompson Suite and Britten Suite, both on Deck 7, are in the Master Suites category and have many of the same features as the Grand Suites, just at a smaller size (1,110 square feet).

Like on Queen Elizabeth, the Master Suites are also the top accommodations aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ three ships. On Seven Seas Voyager, there are four Master Suites in all, two on Deck 7 (1,335 square feet each) and two on Deck 11 (1,403 square feet each). Top Tip: Those seeking extreme space and privacy can combine the two suites to make one massive Master Suite (No. 700 combined with No. 701 or No. 1100 with No. 1101).

Aboard Seven Seas Mariner there are two 2,002-square-foot Master Suites on Deck 9 (Nos. 901 and 902), while Seven Seas Navigator has four Master Suites (two on Deck 9 and two on Deck 10). Note: The Deck 9 Master Suites have side balconies only, while balconies on the Deck 10 Master Suites are wraparound. Butler service is included with all Master Suites.