Four of the best cruise ship suites

POLES APART
Expedition ships have moved on from the world of woolly jumpers and comfort food. New Seabourn Pursuit voyages to the furthest corners of the world – from Papua New Guinea and the Chilean fjords to Antarctica – with its two-storey Grand Wintergarden Suites providing an opulent retreat.

The aesthetic is slightly more rugged and relaxed than the ornate style of many high-end ships, so expect plenty of leather and wood. The bedroom is up an extravagant staircase on the second floor, which has a whirlpool tub in the bathroom, a mini bar stocked with complimentary drinks, and double-height windows to let those spectacular views flood in.

The laidback atmosphere on board is a perfect contrast to adventure-filled days ashore, with two submarines, 24 Zodiac inflatable boats, a fleet of kayaks and a 24-strong expedition team ensuring plenty of adrenaline-fuelled fun.

Seabourn’s 18-night Chilean Fjords & Antarctica cruise aboard Seabourn Pursuit, from Santiago to Ushuaia via Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, departs on October 17 2024; Grand Wintergarden Suite from £35,799.

PAINTER’S PARADISE
You know you’re doing well when there’s not one but two Picassos hanging on your bedroom wall. The Regent Suite on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new Seven Seas Grandeur
is, they say, the biggest suite at sea, with two bedrooms, a spacious living room and three walk-in wardrobes – making it feel more like a townhouse in London’s Belgravia than a stateroom.

However, it’s the not-so-discreet extras that make this suite unlike any other. The four-poster bed frames a £160,000 Hästens Vividus mattress, while an iPad-controlled coffee machine and £200,000 Steinway piano complete the living room set-up.

Elsewhere, the suite’s wraparound veranda includes a private pool, while a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi can be found in the in-room spa. Add to all that butler service, caviar delivery on request and a private chauffeur in each port – not forgetting those original works by the renowned Spanish painter – and you have a room fit for Picasso himself.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 12-night Istanbul to Venice cruise aboard Seven Stairs - Norwegian Cruise Line; bathroom - Uniworld Seas Grandeur, via Kavala, Chios, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Argostoli, Kotor and Dubrovnik, departs on April 16, 2025; Regent Suite from £55,000 including business-class flights and a pre-cruise hotel night.

ROYAL TREATMENT
River ships aren’t adrift when it comes to ultra-luxurious experiences, and Uniworld is especially well known for its opulent interiors. New this spring, the line’s SS Victoria is currently making waves on the Rhine, with two Royal Suites offering the largest premium accommodation on any European waterway.

Naturally there’s plenty of room for a king-size bed and even a marble fireplace with a faux-log fire. Breakfast is enjoyed in-room, courtesy of the ship’s butlers, who also keep guests topped up with snacks such as fruit and cookies throughout the day.

There’s a complimentary mini bar, an espresso machine and windows that transform into a balcony at the flick of a switch. What’s more, both Royal Suites can be connected, turning them into a single two-bedroom suite, ideal for families or friends sailing in a group.

Uniworld’s eight-night Castles Along the Rhine cruise aboard SS Victoria, from Basel to Amsterdam via Breisach, Strasbourg, Mannheim, Rudesheim, Boppard and Cologne, departs on April 25, 2025; Royal Suite from £12,419 including flights.

HOME COMFORTS
If some suites resemble luxury apartments, the new offering aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua, arriving in spring 2025, is like a full-on residence. The two-floor Duplex Suite has three bedrooms – two with king-size beds, one with a single – as well as three bathrooms, separate living and dining rooms and a balcony.

The decor is the work of the Italian designer Piero Lissoni, who is known for creating hip residences in Miami, though the muted and sophisticated palate used here is a nautical mile from South Beach’s kitschy style. There’s a butler offering round-the-clock service to take the strain, and a concierge to handle those pesky restaurant and spa bookings.

NCL’s latest ship is designed to help guests celebrate the great outdoors, and the suite’s unobstructed views through floor-to-ceiling windows ensure there’s always plenty to admire. Like any desirable residence it’s in a good neighbourhood, too: The Haven is a cool, sophisticated ship-within-a- ship enclave with its own pool, bar and exclusive restaurant.

NCL’s seven-night Great Stirrup Cay & Dominican Republic cruise aboard Norwegian Aqua, return from Miami via Dominican Republic, St Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), departs from April to August 2025; Duplex Suite from £7,456.