Luxurious accommodations, upscale amenities, and a concierge to book all your reservations and shore excursions—does that sound like your idea of a perfect cruise vacation?
Believe it or not, you don’t have to sail on a small luxury ship to get those exclusive perks.
Top-tier suites on larger cruise ships include access to elite lounges—some with complimentary drinks and light bites—along with other luxe extras like priority check-in and disembarkation, priority seating for shows, and more.
Several lines also have next-level ship-within-a-ship concepts requiring key card access to dine at exclusive restaurants and lounges, laze on uncrowded pool decks, and even enjoy the services of a personal butler to indulge your every whim.
With all the major cruise lines offering this extra level of service, which are worth the splurge?
We’ve rounded up seven options with noteworthy concierge-level suites, followed by our top picks when it comes to privileged access, privacy, and top-notch amenities.
Note that specific offerings and layouts of these spaces may vary by ship.
(Holland America Line's Club Orange dining venue | Credit: Holland America Line)
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Suite Class in the line’s Sea, Sky, and Star suites features upscale living spaces and a selection of extra benefits, depending on the level of accommodation (and varying by ship).
All suite tiers offer a dedicated check-in line, priority boarding, and a dinner at Coastal Kitchen. For concierge service and access to the private lounge, which serves a continental breakfast and complimentary drinks in the evening, you’ll need to reserve at least a Sky class suite.
For a nearly all-inclusive cruise that ticks most boxes, with complimentary special dining, a beverage package, paid gratuities, and your own personal Royal Genie, book a Star class suite.
Royal Suite Class is available on Oasis, Quantum, and Icon class ships.
Holland America Line
If you’ve reserved one of Holland America’s Neptune or Pinnacle suites, you’ll be treated to exclusive amenities such as access to the Neptune Lounge, personal concierge service, a private cocktail party, priority dining and seating, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and other perks.
On select ships, you’ll also have the option to dine in the private Club Orange venue. In-suite extras include fresh flowers, a mini bar, a mimosa with breakfast, and complimentary laundry and dry cleaning.
The Neptune Lounge is available on all Holland America ships.
Princess Cruises
The Princess Suite experience features spacious accommodations and amenities such as access to the Elite Lounge and complimentary light bites throughout the day (on select ships).
Additionally, you’ll get priority embarkation and disembarkation, priority shore excursion and specialty dining reservations, a special line at guest services, reserved dining with a dedicated waitstaff in the main dining room for breakfast and lunch, and an upgraded room service menu for lunch and dinner.
A daily mimosa breakfast and a complimentary dinner at a specialty restaurant on embarkation day are part of the package, too.
Available on: Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, Discovery Princess, and the new Sun Princess (set to debut Feb. 28)
Disney Cruise Line
Disney’s concierge-level guests start receiving pre-arrival services about 130 days before the cruise—that’s when you can make reservations with concierge hosts for specialty restaurants like Remy or Palo, book spa appointments and shore excursions, and reserve one of the hard-to-come-by Castaway Cay cabanas on the line’s private island.
Other exclusive features: priority check-in, expedited departure for shore excursions, and private tables for rotational meals.
But one of the top perks is access to the concierge lounge, where you can take advantage of a private sun deck, a full bar, food presentations throughout the day, and a character meet-and-greet reception at least once during your cruise.
Concierge-level accommodations are available on these Disney ships: Wish, Dream, Wonder, Fantasy, and Magic.
(Pool area in the Haven on Norwegian Bliss | Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
The following three lines feature private sanctuaries within larger ships that require key card access. The exclusive escapes offer experiences similar to those of a small luxury ship, but with all the megaship entertainment and dining options just outside the door.
MSC Cruises
MSC Yacht Club’s all-inclusive enclave features luxurious suites, the private Top Sail Lounge, an exclusive restaurant, and a private outdoor deck and pool. Dedicated butlers and 24-hour concierge service can assist with making priority specialty dining reservations and booking curated excursions ashore. Butlers will escort you on and off the ship as well.
You’ll also have a premium beverage package, a personalized mini bar, unlimited Wi-Fi, and access to the thermal spa. At Ocean Cay, the line’s private island and marine reserve, Yacht Club guests have access to the exclusive Ocean House Beach and restaurant, cabanas with a view, and other complimentary amenities.
The Yacht Club is available on these MSC ships: Fantasia, Splendida, Divina, Preziosa (pictured at the top of this page), Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa, Euribia, Seaside, Seaview, Seashore, Seascape, World Europa, and World America (launching in 2025).
Norwegian Cruise Line
The Haven is Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship getaway hidden at the top of the vessel. The space offers the most luxurious accommodations on board as well as concierge service, the private Haven Lounge, Haven Restaurant, a courtyard and sundeck, and a 24-hour certified butler.
Other privileged amenities: a private escort on and off the ship, assistance with priority reservations for dining and entertainment, a cocktail party with the ship’s officers, specialty dining meals delivered to your suite, and a bottle of sparkling wine on embarkation day.
Some suite levels come with additional upgrades. You can also take advantage of Norwegian’s “Free at Sea” program when booking your cruise, which includes free unlimited open bar, free specialty dining, complimentary Wi-Fi, and more.
The Haven is available on these Norwegian ships: Bliss, Encore, Escape, Joy, Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Gem, Jade, Jewel, Pearl, Dawn, Prima, and Viva.
Celebrity Cruises
If you’re sailing with Celebrity and want top-tier accommodations, reserve a suite in The Retreat. The line likens the space to a high-end resort with upscale accommodations, a private lounge (Michael’s Club on nonrenovated ships), a private sundeck (not available on all ships), and an exclusive restaurant helmed by renowned chef Daniel Boulud.
You’ll also have a team of butlers, attendants, and concierges to assist in making dining reservations with preferred seating, arranging for priority port tenders and boarding, and other extras. The all-inclusive pricing includes a welcome bottle of champagne, a premium beverage package, and premium Wi-Fi.
The Retreat is available on all the line’s ships, except for the three Galapagos expedition vessels.
Which concierge levels are worth the splurge?
If you’re going to take the plunge and pay for concierge-level accommodations and services, choose one of the ship-within-a-ship options. Access to private, uncrowded bars, lounges, restaurants, and pools is worth the price of admission alone, especially when large ships are at full capacity.
These are the top picks in descending order of quality, based on personal experience and guest reviews:
The Retreat on Celebrity: The new Edge class ships have the best-designed spaces, stylish suites, and outstanding service. Guests also rave about the Boulud restaurant, Luminae.
MSC Yacht Club: The most affordable option with all the upscale amenities. Reserve a suite on one of the newest ships, MSC Euribia, MSC World Europa, or MSC Seascape.
The Haven on Norwegian: The exclusive area’s new location at the back of the ship is a hit on the Prima and Viva ships, along with the two-story outdoor deck (with one level reserved for guests 16 years of age or older only), the infinity pool, and dedicated elevators.
