Today’s cruise ships provide once in a lifetime perks to ensure passengers truly have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From an indoor spa where fresh snow falls daily, to personal submarines for private underwater excursions, these sumptuous cruises are where the most discerning global travelers find truly unique experiences. Here are the world’s top 10 most luxurious cruise ship amenities.
They say money can’t buy happiness, but we think it would be hard to wake up angry on a $200,000 bed. But if a round-the-world cruise isn’t in your budget this year, one cruise perk that won’t cost an arm and a leg is flying bag-free to your departure port by shipping your luggage ahead of time with Luggage Forward.
Regent Suite Mattress on Seven Seas Splendor
The hand-made mattress in the Regent Suite on Seven Seas Splendor cost more than $200,000 to make. Handcrafted by four artisans at the renowned Hästens workshop in Köping, Sweden, the mattress is made with horsetail hair, flax, cotton and wool batting.
Ponant Le Laperouse – Blue Eye Underwater Lounge
Observe the deep through two large, oval portholes in the ship’s underwater lounge. Blue Eye is also equipped with state-of-the-art technology allowing guests an acoustic immersion in the sea. With sounds captured across a five-kilometre radius, the clicks, whistles and calls of a whale will be transmitted live into the lounge in the form of acoustic waves. Body Listening sofas, which discreetly vibrate, enhance the experience. A bartender in the lounge fixes specialty cocktails inspired by the sights and sounds. And in the event that there isn’t much marine life action, the captain has been known to have french diving champions perform aquatic ballet for guests’ viewing pleasure.
The Queens Grill Suite Personal Butler – Cunard Queen Mary 2
If marble bathrooms stocked with the same Penhaligon’s toiletries that adorn the powder rooms of the British royal family’s palaces, complimentary champagne and chocolate service, or private dining rooms and lounges aboard the Queen Mary 2 weren’t enough to win you over, might the personal butler that comes with each Grill Suite reservation do the job?
Regent Seven Seas Explorer Regent Suite
Available to those who book the 123-day 11 country option at a whopping $1.2 Million per couple, the Regent Suite is decked out with Picassos, Versace tableware, an in-suite spa with unlimited treatments, and complimentary helicopter transportation to and from the mainland.
Crystal Cruises Submarine
Take a dive in a $3 million C-Explorer 3 submersible, able to explore depths of close to 1,000 feet.
Viking Sky Spa Thermal Suite and Snow Grotto
Upgrade your spa experience to a traditional Scandinavian thermal manipulation therapy by alternating hot and cold stints between the ship’s jetted pool and whirlpool, heated ceramic loungers, a Vichy shower with multiple sprays, a cold-water splash, steam room, dry sauna, cold plunge pool, and the Snow Grotto, a freezing temperature room filled with fluffy drifts of snow. Called “the most extreme cruise ship spa treatment in the world,” the Snow Grotto is certainly a memorable experience.
Reflection Suite Shower on Celebrity Reflection
This truly one of a kind bathing experience can only be found in a single suite aboard a single cruise ship, the Celebrity Reflection. The world’s most scenic shower features a Hansgrohe cantilever all-glass shower that extends out over the ship from the bathroom, giving the bather unobstructed views of the ocean and horizon.
The Epicurean Burgundy Michelin 12 Star Cruise – Belmond Napoleon
Named after the total number of Michelin stars across the restaurant portfolio that you’ll be dining at, Belmond offers a cruise limited to just 12 people that stops at a different French Michelin-starred restaurant each day for a week. Booking the entire 12 spots for six days will set you back $96,000, but at least the restaurant bills are included.
Caviar in the Surf – Seabourn Encore
Caviar isn’t mentioned at all on the Seabourn menus or marketing materials, yet it is available to all passengers at all times. Best yet, Regiis Ova caviar, and sister Champagne service, are both complementary. Caviar and Champagne so prevalent that they can be taken for granted? Sign us up.
The Viking Boardroom – Viking Ocean Cruises
Need to host a board meeting while out to sea? Look no further than the Owner’s Suite aboard all of the ships in the Viking Ocean Cruises fleet. In addition to featuring works by cruise line Chairman Torstein Hagan’s favorite artists and musicians, this living quarters of this suite open up to a private 12-person boardroom.