Crystal Penthouse Suite, Crystal Serenity, Crystal Cruises
In an era when laundering a single pair of pants on a cruise can set us back $10, we’re incredibly excited about the unlimited dry cleaning perk enjoyed by guests of this 117sq m suite, although passengers who love the finer things in life will probably be much more excited about the bar, private office, custom wool carpets, walnut floors, Swarovski chandeliers and Calcutta marble floors.
Dedicated butlers don’t just plump your pillows and position your turndown truffles on your bed – one of their key roles is arranging in-room drinks parties for guests. A word of warning (in addition to the fact that you’re looking at around $70,000 for a 10-night sailing): steer clear of red wine unless you want an unexpected extra on your bill, because we suspect the unlimited dry cleaning doesn’t extend to those pure wool carpets.
Royal Duplex Suite, MSC World Asia, MSC Cruises
Due to be unveiled in December 2026, MSC’s 53sq m Royal Duplex Suite will be part of the cruise line’s Yacht Club – in other words, a swanky ship-within-a-ship area for passengers who’d prefer not to mix with the riff-raff. Even the standard cabins in this area come with 24-hour butler service, but the Royal Duplex Suite takes luxury to the next level, accommodating six people over two storeys. The suite’s sculptural spiral staircase is clearly designed with Instagram in mind, as is the enormous whirlpool bath on the balcony. The prices are yet to be revealed, which doesn’t bode well for bargain-hunters.
Otium Suite, Silver Nova, Silversea
Nothing beats a blast of sea air or, in the case of Silversea’s Silver Nova, sun-ripened orange, tangy lemon and ambergris (try and forget that the latter is a substance vomited up by whales). These are the notes of this ship’s signature scent, spritzed throughout guests’ cabins to help them drift off – although you’ll need a gallon of the stuff to fragrance the Otium Suite, which covers 123sq m and has a library, two bathrooms and a 40sq m balcony with 270-degree views.
Perks include butler service, complimentary laundry and, somewhat bizarrely, two hours of worldwide phone use. Just don’t expect your loved ones to take kindly to your complaints that the butler took longer than usual to deliver that morning’s matcha.
Skyview Regent Suite, Seven Seas Prestige, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
It’s a good thing this suite comes with a butler, because given that it has two storeys, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sauna, multiple living areas and a supersized balcony with its own whirlpool, the chances of you getting lost at sea, or at least in your suite, are rather high. Other highlights include the gym, private elevator and double beds designed by Italy-based Flou, a bed brand famous largely for the fact that their cheapest models start at around $3000. Which, incidentally, is roughly the same price as an 11-night Royal Caribbean cruise around Australia and New Zealand.
Malaga Suite, Four Seasons II, Four Seasons Yachts
Yes, Malaga is a Spanish coastal city famous for drunken revellers, but it’s also the birthplace of Picasso and home to the 10th-century Gibralfaro Castle, and we’re assuming it’s these latter aspects which inspired this suite’s name. The three bedrooms and three bathrooms are, if you’ll excuse the pun, a drop in the ocean, because there’s also a dining room, living room, terrace, private pool and outdoor shower.
Prices for sailings on the Four Seasons II, which sets sail in early 2028, start from around $49,000, and the ship will mainly sail European routes, taking in the Dalmatian Coast, the Aegean and the Adriatic. But not, as yet, Malaga, which is possibly a good thing.
Owner’s Residence, Explora I, Explora
This is another suite featuring a rather large amount of Calcutta marble, and it spans the ship’s entire aft, comprising a dining area, double bedroom, steam room and living area.
The interior decor is the work of Belgian design company Manutti, known for colourways inspired by things such as corten steel (not something we’d imagine would work with our Ikea Kallax shelves, but there you go), while the complimentary minibar is, according to the blurb, “replenished according to guests’ preferences”. Bring on the Dom Perignon …
Concierge Wish Tower Suite, Disney Wish, Disney Cruises
Forget about Calcutta marble, crystal chandeliers and pure wool carpets, because Disney Cruise Lines, one of the most family-friendly cruise operators, has injected a serious dose of fun into its most expensive suite – the 184sq m, two-storey Concierge Wish Tower Suite on Disney Wish can accommodate eight people and has a pantry, a fridge stocked with soft drinks (don’t blame us when the sugar rush kicks in), a rainbow-hued kids’ playroom, a library, a double-height living area and a foyer with a spiral staircase perfect for bannister sliding.
The downside for cruise fans with Moana-loving little ones in tow? Expect to pay around $34,000 for a seven-day cruise. At which point we’ll flag that you can rent Moana on Amazon Prime for just $8.
