A guide to the new ‘ships within ships’ trend

September 22, 2023, 07:45

Suite guests can access exclusive restaurants and bar areas, butler service and more, finds Lesley Bellew

The facts: The fastest-selling suites on the world’s largest cruise ships are now in exclusive retreats, where families can enjoy all the main entertainment and activities but also have access to private areas with quieter spaces. As demand grows, cruise lines are dedicating more space to suites in exclusive retreat areas, dubbed ‘ships within ships’.

The lines: Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises are leading the march, making their exclusive spaces bigger and better with each new ship.

The Suite Neighbourhood on Royal’s Wonder of the Seas covers two of its 18 decks. This will double in size to four decks on new Icon of the Seas – including a multilevel sun deck and a two‑storey Coastal Kitchen restaurant.
The Haven by Norwegian, on its Prima Class ships, has an infinity-style pool, while earlier ships have a calm courtyard pool area. Accommodation choices include connecting rooms to Owner’s Suites with vast balconies.
MSC Cruises’ private MSC Yacht Club on its ships features a Swarovski crystal staircase leading from the suites to the restaurant area. Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises’ managing director for the UK and Ireland, says: “As our fleet continues to grow, MSC will further enhance the Yacht Club experience. Since its launch in 2008, MSC Yacht Club has been one of our best-selling experiences. Inclusions such as butler service attracts our customers in terms of comfort, ease and service.”.

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The itineraries: Ships with private spaces sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, including cruise lines’ private islands, with departure ports such as Miami and New York. MSC also offers a choice of cruises in the UAE. And in Europe, destinations stretch from the Mediterranean to Norway, with some departures from the UK.

Top tips: Private areas cater to a growing number of multigenerational families travelling together, who make up a large proportion of bookings. Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite, within its Suite Neighbourhood, is a two-storey adventure pad for up to eight, featuring a slide, movie room, karaoke, air hockey and table tennis, so children never have to wait in a queue to take part in activities.

Couples wanting to spoil themselves will also enjoy retreat areas, which offer areas just for adults. The Haven by Norwegian, for example, has a sun deck spanning two levels – one of which is adult‑only – while MSC Yacht Club passengers enjoy complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa.

Selling points: As well as ‘jump the queue’ embarkation and disembarkation, other perks of staying in ‘ships within ships’ include 24-hour butler service and a concierge service to help with priority speciality restaurant bookings, as well as complimentary access to spas and being able to dine and drink in exclusive restaurant and bar areas.

PICTURES: Christian Santiago