You’ve heard them. Scores of travelers argue that it isn’t necessary to snag the best suite on a cruise ship. They’ll expound proudly that they don’t need a peerless room because all they do is sleep in it. I beg to disagree. First of all, sleep matters, as does the hedonism that comes from lounging in lavish digs.
But more to the point, mishaps occur on vacation — like the time I tumbled down the Lalique staircase at the launch party for Oceania’s glamorous Marina, even before the mighty vessel left port. That meant that I ended up spending an inordinate amount of time in my cruise ship suite, nursing a hugely swollen sprained ankle. Adding insult to injury, for the rest of the cruise I didn’t get to wear the four-inch heels that contributed to the fall. Instead, I exchanged them for slippers in the confines of my airy suite — but at least it was an airy suite.
Without further ado, we bring you the kind of stateroom you wouldn’t mind being stuck in if you, too, plunged down the staircase.
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Uniworld River Cruise SS Victoria, Royal Suite
Combining the opulence of a grande dame hotel with the intimacy of a boutique inn, Uniworld cruise ships manage a kind of clubby, country house estate aura. Known for its penchant for weaving local culture and regional products (including premium beer and wine) into every itinerary and calling its ships ‘floating hotels,’ Uniworld boasts sumptuous interiors with artful accents — like Murano glass and plush upholstery.
Its newest Super Ship, the SS Victoria, has made quite a splash (no pun intended) with farm-to-table dining, attentive butlers, three dining venues, original artwork, spacious common areas and roomy suites. With space for 110 passengers, SS Victoria will please intrepid travelers with her theme-specific itineraries that embrace a deeper slice of wanderlust life.
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Look into the eight-day Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time cruise, or the 10-day Magnificent Moselle and Rhine itinerary which journeys through two countries and across two rivers (and untold vineyards). Ideal for castle spotting, SS Victoria’s two noble Royal Suites envelop guests in the utmost splendor.
The brand’s largest accommodation yet, these coveted 506-sq-ft staterooms can be combined with an adjoining suite to add a bedroom and extend their size to 759 sq ft. Enjoy a refined living room complete with fireplace, marble bathroom with dual sinks and a walk-in closet adjacent to the master bedroom — plus inviting floor-to-ceiling windows to watch the world go by as you cruise. Dedicated butlers stand ready to coddle with tasks like in-suite breakfast delivery.
From $14,000 per night. Contact +1 800 257 2407, uniworld.com
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Oceania Cruises Vista, Owner’s Suite
Already known for its design-centric, midsize ships and bedazzling art collections, Oceania Cruises upped the elegance ante when it launched Vista last year, the prototype for its new Allura Class. Imbued with a bit of South Beach flash, the ship’s contemporary common rooms by Miami-based Studio DADO impart a festive spirit, while architectural elements such as an eye-popping, two-deck-tall chandelier pay homage to the glamour of bygone transatlantic sails.
The combination lends a devil-may-care spirit of delectable travel fantasy, ably supported by epicurean indulgences in 11 distinctive eateries. Think: a foie gras bar in the Grand Dining Room, barrel-aged negronis on tap at Founders and a tableside oil-and-vinegar cart for your homemade bread at Toscana. To bring indulgence down a peg, if desired, guests can embrace wellness at sea in the state-of-the-art gym, sipping zero-proof cocktails, enjoying the spa or an array of fitness classes.
On Vista, all staterooms boast balconies, but none like the three Owner’s Suites, which have two immense teak terraces each and stretch for some 2,400 sq ft, spanning the full beam of the ship on decks eight, nine and ten. With cozy residential features such as a grand piano, a cocktail bar sheathed with hammered nickel, a Chatham pendant chandelier, a Brook Street Salon dining table and a Côte D’Azur bed, the suite nevertheless allows nature to dominate via eye-catching glass walls, veritable portals to the watery horizon and tantalizing shoreline.
From $10,700 per night. Contact +1 345 505 1920, oceaniacruises.com
Explora Journeys EXPLORA I, Owner’s Residence
As cosmopolitan as a walk down Rodeo Drive, Explora Journeys’ first ship EXPLORA I flaunts the only Rolex boutique at sea, a Piaget store and a beguiling concept shop chock-full of designer goods. Equally swish all around, the newly launched journeying company (don’t call it a cruise line — it is adamant about that) pours perpetual flutes to the top with Mercier Brut. The intimate-sized ship claims a high staff-to-guest ratio, ensuring mollycoddling service at every turn.
[See also: Luxury Cruise Ship Explora II to Attend 2025 Monaco Grand Prix]
EXPLORA I’s exquisite decor glimmers and glows across 461 suites, 12 bars and lounges, and 7,500 sq ft of first-in-class wellness space. Sunken daybeds, infinity whirlpools, cabanas and four swimming pools equally pamper. And yet, on a cruise — oops, journey — aboard this new, made-in-Italy ship (a sister line to beloved MSC Cruises), you’ll be most wowed by the off-the-beaten-path, VIP shore excursions and opportunities to experience destinations on a deeper level.
The quintessence of Explora Journeys’ profound glitz and glam, EXPLORA I’s Owner’s Residence shimmers with 3,014 sq ft of unremitting luxury. Profuse with nooks, it features a signature lounge and dining area with fireplace, a private steam room, master bedroom, outdoor whirlpool and panoramic oceanfront terrace that extends over the ship’s full width. A Dyson hair dryer, a bespoke king-size bed sleep system, pillow menu, espresso machine, butler service, priority reservations, a private driver for shore excursions, spa treatments, and a pre- or post-journey hotel night are only some of the suite’s generous inclusions.
From $4,400 per night. Contact contact@explorajourneys.com, +1 800 0825 0863, explorajourneys.com
AmaWaterways, AmaMagna, Owner’s Suite
Voyaging past apricot orchards, imposing castles, vineyards and charming villages along Europe’s Danube River, AmaMagna looks a bit like a sleek skyscraper turned sideways. Hugely popular for her larger common spaces and more expansive suites, the boat measures nearly twice the width of the average river cruise ship. Despite her broader footprint, AmaMagna retains AmaWaterways’s renowned intimate and convivial ambience, offering space for only 196 passengers.
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Gastronomy lovers will appreciate the ship’s four diverse restaurants, including The Chef’s Table with its open kitchen and Al Fresco, which is fitted with glass walls to maximize the voyage’s riveting views. Work it all off at the state-of-the-art Zen Wellness Studio, in the roomy yoga tent on the sundeck or pedaling the boat’s own fleet of bikes for port use. All suites on AmaMagna feel voluminous, with popular Grand Suites measuring 474 sq ft.
But the dazzling 710-sq-ft Owner’s Suite, the ship’s crème de la crème residence, gets top billing. Imagined with feng shui flair and pops of color, it features a king-size bed facing the river. Capture glimpses of the countryside and landmarks (Melk Abbey, for example) as you enjoy breakfast in bed. Mid-century modern-style furnishings, a dining table for six, an ample living area, a walk-in closet for storage, a plush bathroom complete with soaking tub and a capacious terrace comprise the suite’s range of virtues.
From $13,000 per person for a seven-night cruise. Contact info@amawaterways.com, +1 800 626 0126, amawaterways.com
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Ilma, Owner’s Suite
People often describe something lavish as ‘Ritz-Carlton level,’ a measurement that provides a clear idea of what to expect. Think: perfection. But, how does this consummate hotel group fare when running a veritable hotel at sea? By rising to the occasion, of course. With its maiden voyage sailing from Monte Carlo to Rome in September, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s sublime, 790 ft-long vessel, Ilma, manifests the brand’s journey from homogenous über-luxury to bold sense of place, even tasteful bravado.
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Its long-awaited second ship, Ilma, (more of a palatial haven atop the waves) was envisaged by London-based AD Associates to be a casually suave superyacht for the metaphorical barefoot elegance crowd. Exteriors conceptualized by Helsinki design studio Aivan stay on theme with a look that whispers seductively chic aesthetics and modern shapes. Boasting one of the highest space ratios per guest at sea, Ilma can quarter 448 lucky guests in 224 sweeping rooms across various categories. Irresistible amenities on board include: a Ritz-Carlton Spa, five restaurants, seven bars, a wine vault, a pool and a hydraulic platform to connect guests with the sea.
Yield to the ministrations of the sun-dappled, 1,033-sq-ft Owner’s Suite. Clad with floor-to-ceiling windows, the contemporary hideaway has a living area with an en-suite bar (perfect for hosting cocktail parties with new friends), an immense terrace anchored by a whirlpool spa and outdoor shower, a marble bath with soaking tub and a master sleeping sanctuary with a custom king-size bed. Classic Ritz-Carlton-style hotel amenities, plus champagne on arrival, seal the deal.
From $36,400 per night. Contact +1 833 999 7292, ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com
Ponant Le Commandant Charcot, Suite de l’Armateur
Proudly summoning the uniquely French concept of art d’vivre — the art of living — no matter where in the world it sails, Ponant satisfies all the senses on its yacht-like journeys. As the first luxury French cruise line, Ponant continues to assiduously showcase an appetite for life even as it immerses guests at each port in new cultures and novel adventures.
Though informal, the atmosphere on a Ponant cruise tends toward sophistication and tastefulness — as if it were the little black dress of luxury sailing. Gastronomy takes on a French accent: On board, guests swill champagne, nibble Pierre Hermé macarons and tear into fresh-baked baguettes. They’ll bathe with Diptyque bath products and sniff Fragonard fragrance throughout the ship.
Head to colder climes on Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant’s flagship expedition ship. A hybrid-electric, this is the world’s first luxury icebreaker. It looms large for Arctic and Antarctic journeys. Presenting imposing views across Antarctic and Arctic waters, wide sliding glass doors line Suite de l’Armateur, which spans some 1,237 sq ft.
A private terrace nearly twice as large as the stateroom itself suspends along the width of the ship on deck eight. Large enough for six guests, the suite features a king-size bed, 1.5 baths and a living room with a fireplace at its heart. Butler service, two Swarovski CL Companion 10×30 binoculars and a Swarovski Optik ST Vista telescope, and priority boarding comprise only some of the suite’s many amenities.
From $36,280 per night. Contact contact@ponant.com, +1 888 400 1082, ponant.com
Silversea Silver Nova, The Otium Suite
A larger cruise ship that oozes panache, Silver Nova plays by her own architectural rules. Voluptuous, with some asymmetrical elements, awash in a sexy luster, she features glass galore, ever framing the views and passing landscapes and seascapes. Gastronomy matters on Silver Nova as evinced by nine dining venues, including S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table, an interactive, intimate (up to 18 diners) epicurean foray based on the cuisine of local cultures.
With Otium, the ship’s world-class spa inspired by the Roman baths, guests can fortify mind, body and spirit — and even take care of some medi-spa needs while on board. Perhaps most important, Silversea continues to deeply commit to sustainability. Innovative in energy efficiency and waste management, Silver Nova is the first ship part-powered by LNG, a transitional marine fuel, which helps it beat the international standard for energy usage.
Just two Otium Suites compete for guests’ residential delight. Ensconced in the premium aft-corner position, they captivate with floor-to-ceiling windows in all living areas. Well-appointed at 1,324 sq ft, the suites vaunt 431-sq-ft balconies, each enlivened by a private whirlpool.
Custom-made luxury mattresses, two flat-screen televisions, sound systems with Bluetooth connectivity and espresso machines join Roman-inspired artworks and complimentary spa treatments as just some of the world-class perks. For spa buffs: the new in-suite Otium shower experience brings a range of bespoke bath salts, gourmet snacks and a curated playlist to offer guests en-suite, goal-oriented mental boosts and deep sleep.
From $7,600 per night. Contact guestrelations@silversea.com, +1 800 722 9955, silversea.com
Crystal Crystal Serenity, Crystal Penthouse Suite
Sporting a combined $150m in refurbishment and bling re-haul, Crystal’s two former goddesses of the waves returned as dowager empresses in 2023, beautiful icons with retouched fine bones and a world of wisdom. Stem-to-stern overhauls reduced accommodations on both vessels to allow for more space for repose and entertainment, not to mention larger suites. Still composed of sophisticated lines, Crystal Symphony holds 606 guests and Crystal Serenity has space for 740 guests.
Hop on board Crystal Serenity to enjoy delights such as UMI UMA, the only Nobu restaurant at sea; pickleball courts; cutting-edge fitness programs; a superior spa; and myriad restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.
Cruise itineraries span the world from Alaska to Greece. Like the mother lode, this suite richly embodies splendor across its 1,265 sq ft (plus a 107-sq-ft balcony), making it the ultimate cruiser’s dream home. A Swarovski chandelier glimmers above a spacious living room and custom-built bar. There’s also a separate study, large master bedroom and hedonistic bathroom with crystal sconces and a Calacatta marble floor.
From $24,800 per person for 10-night sail. Contact, +1 800 446 6620, crystalcruises.com
Regent Seven Seas Splendor, Regent Suite
Mark your calendars now for 2027, when Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrates the grandeur of Seven Seas Splendor on its first world cruise. The extravagant 140-night journey around the globe stops at 71 ports of call, explores 40 countries on six continents, discovers 73 Unesco World Heritage Sites, travels 35,668 nautical miles and offers 480 shore excursions.
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Travelers looking to set sail with Regent can choose from six splendid ships — each with a capacity for 746 guests. Exclusive perks include private balconies, business-class air transportation, unlimited shore excursions, fine wines and white glove service. On all ships, including Splendor, a gamut of stateroom categories await. Inimitable, graceful and discerning Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ generously define all inclusive to embrace unlimited laundry service, prepaid gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi, premium beverages and more.
As a top hat might be the pièce de résistance of a delectable Tom Ford tuxedo, the Regent Suite is poised atop the elegant ship’s highest deck, a distillation of its total opulent essence. Sprawling over 4,400 sq ft, the colossal yet stylish room boasts a master bath with gilded accents, a private spa with steam and sauna (the better to indulge in unlimited complimentary spa treatments en suite), two balconies and a posh master bedroom. Enjoy a slew of amenities with this suite choice, including a personal car and guide at each port.
From $11,000 per night. Contact +1 844 611 3465, rssc.com
