cruise ship concepts

The Top Ship-Within-A-Ship Concepts

• May 8, 2021

With these cruise lines, you can experience an intimate, luxurious experience without giving up on the attractions of big contemporary cruise ships.

Created about 10 years ago, the ship-within-a-ship concept is now available on a number of megaships. Here are some of them:

MSC Yacht Club

One of the first cruise lines to offer the concept, MSC Cruises created its Yacht Club in 2008, with the MSC Fantasia.

MSC Yacht Club Amenities include the largest cabins onboard and a private section of the ship, featuring a lounge, a pool deck, and a restaurant.

Guests staying in these suites are also eligible for butler service, priority boarding, an all-inclusive drink package, and private shore excursions.

The Haven by Norwegian

After launching its first private areas in 2005, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the ship-within-a-ship concept on its fleet in 2011.

The Norwegian Breakaway was the first vessel to include the exclusive suite enclave, currently known as The Haven by Norwegian.

The concept has since been expanded to other vessels, such as the new Norwegian Encore. Other than lavish cabins, the Haven includes different private facilities, which vary from ship to ship. On newer vessels, the area includes a pool deck, a lounge, a restaurant, an observation lounge, and even a library.  

The Retreat by Celebrity Cruises

Introduced in 2018, The Retreat is being added to the entire Celebrity Cruises fleet. With a private area that includes a restaurant, lounge, and sundeck, the experience here comes with additional perks, such as free Wi-Fi, onboard credit, all-inclusive drink packages, and more.

Royal Suite Class

Royal Suite Class is available on Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis- and Quantum-class ships. With three different tiers, the category gives the guests additional benefits, including the use of private areas, exclusive dining, and priority boarding.

While all tiers include large suites and private dining at a dedicated restaurant, some even include Wi-Fi, drink packages and the services of a Royal Genie, Royal Caribbean’s version of the butler service.

Dream Cruises’ The Palace

According to Dream Cruises, The Palace features an unprecedented level of all-inclusive service and comfort – all in a luxurious, private area. With 140 suites, the VIP enclave includes its own swimming pool, spa, gym, and dining venues.

Palace guests are also entitled to the biggest cabins onboard, as well as a team of European-style butlers.

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Ship-Within-A-Ship Cruise Concepts, 6 Fantastic Choices

Many long-time cruisers will tell you that once you’ve experienced a suite, there’s no going back. The ship-within-a-ship concept has grown in popularity with dedicated dining facilities, priority boarding, personal butlers, and suite amenities.

But what exactly is a ship-within-a-ship, and is it worth the extra money? Select cruise lines offer luxury accommodations with areas of the cruise ship reserved for passengers booked in these staterooms.

So, if you’re looking to escape the crowded pool deck or prefer “upgraded” dining, maybe it’s time to learn about these optional suites.

While cruise itineraries cater to the mass market, the exclusive resort concept allows passengers to enjoy expedition-type sailing. You’ll have access to a separate pool, lounge, bar, and restaurants.

Some cruise lines will even customize your stateroom on request. No problem if you want a treadmill or Peloton bike in your room. Want more loungers on your balcony? Just ask.

If sailing in a suite intrigues you, consider choosing one from these cruise lines. However, if the suite cost gives you sticker shock,  consider a mini cruise , as the higher category staterooms are more budget-friendly.

Cunard’s Grill Suites

Cunard takes cruising to the next level with their Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill Suites. Guests are welcomed on board with complimentary champagne, chocolate, and fresh fruit. Suite passengers indulge in luxury accommodations, up to 2,249 sq. feet, positioned in prime locations. 

Their Grill Suites are available on all three vessels; Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, and Queen Victoria. They enjoy spacious balconies, deluxe linens, and a pillow menu with seven choices. All suites on Cunard ships have one bedroom.

Those in the Queen’s Grill Suites enjoy pre-dinner canapes and a complimentary stocked bar with two bottles of wine, spirits, and soft drinks of your choosing.

But the best part of Cunard’s Grill Suites is the exclusive dining choices. Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill Restaurants offer intimate dining, great for adding romance to your cruise vacation.

However, nothing beats the culinary experience you’ll savor in the Queen’s Grill Restaurant. With choices like Lobster Thermidor and Wild Mushroom Agnolotti, you’ll enjoy sensory overload that’s second to none. Plus, the tables are dressed with beautiful linens, Wedgewood china, and fine cutlery.

Having recently cruised on Queen Elizabeth, I can say that Cunard restaurant’s food choices are the best. Each serving is beautifully presented, tastes great, and the service is second to none.

While you’ll pay a hefty price to stay in a Grill Suite, guests have a less inclusive experience than other lines. 

Celebrity Suite Class

Staying in an upgraded Celebrity Suite gives you access to The Retreat. Celebrity markets The Retreat as more than an amenity, place, and service. It’s like staying in a luxury resort with the best of everything.

Retreat guests enjoy dining at Luminae, which serves extraordinary food created by culinary restaurateur Daniel Boulud. Other benefits of Suit Class include The Retreat deck, with a private pool with premium loungers, available on the Edge class, and revolutionized ships.

Celebrity Cruises recently changed their pricing to have “always included.” So, guests in The Retreat have complimentary Wi-Fi, a premium drinks package, prepaid gratuities, and free onboard credit.

Celebrity’s largest suite, the Iconic Suite, can accommodate a family nicely, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. At 1,892 sq. feet with a massive 689 sq. foot terrace space, you can entertain your cruising friends or family members.

A step down from The Retreat, guests staying in Aqua Class cabins get to eat in Blu, another exclusive restaurant. Also, they enjoy staterooms equipped with spa-like amenities. During their cruise, they have complimentary access to the Thermal Suite or Parisian Garden.

If you’re loyal to Celebrity Cruises, staying in a suite can earn you loyalty points fast. Cruise passengers can find The Retreat on the Celebrity Beyond, Edge, Apex, Silhouette, Summit, Millennium, and Summit.

Norwegian’s The Haven

Norwegian Cruise Line offers the largest suites, which can sleep up to eight guests. Their massive 3-bedroom villa has over 2,000 sq. feet of indoor space and over 4,000 sq. feet of deck area. With your own hot tub, outdoor dining area, and plenty of loungers, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy some serenity at sea.

Your key card also accesses The Haven, Norwegian’s version of a ship-within-a-ship. With a concierge area, private pool, hot tubs, bar, and sun deck, suite guests can escape to a more secluded oasis. However, suites on select ships, usually the older vessels, don’t have access to a private restaurant.

Norwegian has built The Haven on the top decks, usually forward position on the ship. It’s the ideal location to enjoy the sun and watch the vessel’s arrival on port days. The Haven’s footprint takes up a large amount of real estate, and on some ships, spans three decks.

Norwegian offers the most all-inclusive perks with their ongoing “Free at sea” promotion. Anyone booked in The Haven will enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, a beverage package, free meals in specialty restaurants, shore excursion credit, and 3rd and 4th guests sailing free (in the same cabin).

For those traveling with children or a larger group, the savings on the 3rd and 4th person can be significant.

If Norwegian’s suite concept entices you, you can find it on the Norwegian Breakaway, Escape, Epic, Joy, Bliss, Getaway, Encore, and upcoming vessel, the Prima. Some of their Jewel ships have suites but not the same amenities as The Haven.

MSC Yacht Club

MSC’s Yacht Club might offer some of the most affordable cruise line suites. As the name suggests, Yacht Club guests feel like part of an exclusive yacht or country club. Unlike other cruise lines where you’re paying for the grandest suites, MSC Yacht Club has an interior Yacht Club cabin.

Available on the MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaview, MSC Bellissima, and MSC Seaside, you’ll still enjoy the perks of the larger suites.

While MSC’s ships tend to be mega-sized, Yacht Club guests enjoy a quieter experience in their secluded oasis. However, you will still have access to the entertainment and amenities through the vessel.

The Yacht Club’s biggest suites measure over 1,000 sq. feet. The Royal Suite and Owner Suite guests enjoy private hot tubs on their balconies on select vessels. Like other cruise lines, suite guests enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary soda and drinks, a personal butler, and an exclusive suite restaurant.

Cabins included Egyptian cotton linens, upgraded toiletries, a pillow menu, and one free session in the thermal suite. Should you port in Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Yacht Club passengers have access to private areas on MSC’s private island.

MSC’s newest vessel, the MSC World Europa will include a Yacht Club. Guest can also enjoy the amenities on the MSC Seaview, Seaside, Splendida, Virtuosa, Grandiosa, Bellissima, Meraviglia, Seashore, Fantasia, Divina, and Preziosa.

Carnival’s Havana Staterooms

While Carnival Cruises has been slow to jump on the ship-within-a-ship bandwagon, it has introduced Havana Cabanas and Havana Interior cabins. They are unique to their Vista-class ships (Panorama, Vista, and Horizon) and Madi Gras. However, their staterooms are not the largest or on higher decks.

Carnival has turned some outside cabins into rooms that can access outdoor space. With sliding glass doors, you’ll enjoy a large outdoor patio, complete with loungers and a chair swing.

Located on deck five on the Vista vessels and deck eight on the Mardi Gras, Havana guests enjoy a private sundeck area, Havana pool, and bar. During the day and evening, the sanctuary provides a quiet hideaway from the rest of the ship.

However, unlike regular balcony cabins, Havana Cabanas lack privacy as other guests can walk by your room. While Carnival’s Havana staterooms don’t offer a complete exclusive concept, they are probably testing the waters to monitor the popularity of these rooms.

Carnival markets its vessels as the “fun ships.” They tend to veer to the party crowd and families on a budget. If you’re looking to escape the boisterous activity, the Havana cabins provide that bit of serenity.

Since Havana cabins are not available for those with children under 12, you’ll enjoy the Havana pool area with adults or teenagers.

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suites

If staying in a two-level loft suite is on your bucket list, Royal Caribbean has you covered. RCL’s Royal Suite class offers three levels in their suite class; Sea, Sky, and Star Suites. Each level offers different perks, with their Star Class commanding the most perks.

So, some of the benefits of a suite category (depending on the category) can include:

• Priority boarding and debarkation
• A Royal Genie (or personal butler) who can do your unpacking, customize your activities, and arrange dinner in your suite
• Exclusive dining
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Drinks package (deluxe with Star Class)
• Priority tenders
• Gratuities included
• Specialty restaurants 
• Complimentary stocked mini-bar

Royal Suites are available on the Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

Their Grand Loft Suites with an aft location , offer gorgeous wake views and extended balconies.

Earning Loyalty Points

Staying in a cruise line’s suite can earn loyalty points faster. These vary significantly by cruise line and type of cabin booked. MSC awards points based on the number of days sailed and not per night.

Ship-Within-A-Ship Vs. Luxury Cruise Lines

Some might argue why pay for a suite when you can cruise with a luxury line instead. While luxury lines tend to be all-inclusive and on smaller ships, they don’t offer the attractions of the other vessels.

If you prefer a quiet afternoon by the pool but like to gamble or enjoy the comedy club at night, you will not get that experience with Oceania, Silversea, or Viking. The cruise lines that cater to the masses also provide kids clubs and activities catering to families. In contrast, some luxury lines don’t allow children.

Pricing between lines varies too greatly to compare, depending on the suite. Overall, choosing an upgraded cabin on a regular cruise line saves money over a luxury line.

In most cases, it doesn’t come down to money but lifestyle. If you’re undecided about what suite to book, you can often tour one or two on a cruise cabin crawl.   After your crawl, you’ll know which suite suits you for the next booking.

Just because you choose to stay in a suite doesn’t mean you have to stay in exclusive areas. You have the option to select where you roam. As the demand for suite class grows, cruise lines will add more ship-within-a-ship cabins to their vessels. 

Happy travels ~ Karen

Michael Fowler

Wednesday 8th of November 2023

We cruised for the first time in 30 years Sept 23. We booked Havana suites on Carnival Horizon While people were shoulder to shoulder and cramped in the mail pool, the Havana pool had 5 people in it at 2 pm. People in main area bar waiting in line to get drinks, no lane at Havana bar. So what I’m saying is, when we cruise again it will be in this type of area. It’s the only way to cruise in my opinion

Karen Hosier

Thank you for sharing that, and definitely an incentive to book Carnival's Havana suites.

Friday 12th of August 2022

Carnival has now made the Havana area private. I have experienced this on 2 sailings.

Forever Karen

Awesome, that's good to know. Thank you.

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MEYER Group Unveils Futuristic Cruise Ship Concepts

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Cruise ship builder MEYER Group revealed its vision for the future of cruise ships, presenting innovative concept designs and groundbreaking technology for sustainability.

This year, MEYER WERFT will deliver the Silver Nova to Silversea Cruises , featuring a low-emission fuel system and energy-efficient design, surpassing the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements by 25%. The vessel will also utilize a fuel cell system developed through a multi-year research project.

Two more innovative ships are under construction at MEYER TURKU: Icon of the Seas , set to be the largest cruise ship in the world, and Mein Schiff 7 , designed to run on methanol and green methanol for near climate-neutral operation. The ships boast unique design features, such as a horizontal layout, asymmetrical design, and expansive glass for unprecedented openness.

Looking further ahead, MEYER Group showcased its “Reverse” concept, a vision for cruise ships in 2100. Featuring aerodynamic design, urban gardening areas, drone landing pads, and modular manufacturing methods, the concept relies on renewable energy sources such as wave, solar, and wind power. The futuristic vessel is also designed for more sustainable materials and efficient energy use.

The designs were unveiled last week at the global Seatrade cruise trade fair held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Smooth Sailing: The Cruise Ship’s Evolution From the 1800s to Today

In 2018, 26 million people set sail on cruise ships, earning the leisure cruise industry an estimated $45.6 billion. The market has grown at a steady clip, with the design of modern cruise ships continuously evolving since the heyday of luxury ocean liners and the industry’s Love Boat days. Below, we trace the cruise ship’s development from its humble origins to its promising future.

The RMS Britannia , one of the first ocean liners from Cunard, was launched in 1840 and could carry 115 passengers.

1800s: The First Cruises 

Passengers began boarding packet ships as early as 1818, when the Black Ball Line ran a mail route between Liverpool and New York City that also advertised space for people. Shipping companies like P&O and Cunard got in on the mail delivery game, and by 1844, P&O was offering sea tours to such destinations as Gibraltar, Malta, and Athens, making them the oldest cruise line still in operation. 

The idea for the first pleasure cruise is often credited to Albert Ballin in the early 1890s. Ballin, a German shipping magnate and general director for the Hamburg-America Line, introduced the concept of the luxury ocean liner as a "floating hotel" in order to compete with on-land counterparts. To do so, he hired hotelier Cesar Ritz to head up customer service and the British architectural firm Mewes and Davis for interiors. Under Ballin’s direction, one liner’s decor included such elegant features as a Rococo stairwell with gilded cherubs bearing light bulbs.   

Cunard's Queen Mary launched in 1934 and featured an Art Deco interior that included the application of over 50 different types of wood in intricate marquetry, carvings, and wall panelling. The ship has been preserved and is today a museum and hotel moored in Long Beach, California.

Early 1900s: Heightened Luxury 

In the early 20th century, shipping companies competed for passengers by increasing ship speed and the onboard amenities, which grew more opulent over time. In 1911, the RMS Olympic , part of a trio of ships from the White Star Line that included the Titanic , boasted a grand staircase, swimming pool, Turkish baths, and private bathrooms for first-class travelers. By 1921, the French-owned SS Paris debuted the first onboard movie theater and a chic Art Deco interior. 

1930s: Crossover Into Architecture 

By 1930, the cruise liner’s aesthetic crossed over as a popular architectural style on land, called the P&O style, after the ships of the Pacific & Orient line. Think curved walls, steel-framed windows, glass bricks, and flat roofs, with such seaworthy features as porthole-shaped windows or a brick chimney that tapers like a ship’s steam funnel.  

P&O style was a form of German modernism in the 1930s, and its influence can still be seen today, such as with this recent design of the Plaster Fun House by Sans-Arc Studio in South Australia.

1970s: The Love Boat Era  

After World War II, once commercial airplanes made crossing the ocean much quicker than traveling by ship and the glamorous ocean liners of the past were too costly to operate, the industry had to reinvent itself. Companies either converted liners into cruise ships or sold them. The interior designs were sharply modernized. For instance, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 , designed by James Gardner and Dennis Lennon, debuted in 1969 with exterior detailing resembling a yacht, and sunken green leather sofas and plenty of Formica and chrome inside. 

The cruise ship itself and its onboard amenities and entertainment became the point of the journey, a shift crystallized by the popularity of the 1977 show,  The Love Boat . "With the arrival of the Aaron Spelling production, Americans started thinking about cruises not as something from a 1930s, high-society drama set aboard a grand ocean liner, but as a vacation for the average person," writes Mark Orwoll in Conde Nast Traveler .  

1980s: The Megaship 

The 1980s saw the development of the first megaships when the MS Sovereign of the Seas from Royal Caribbean took its maiden voyage in 1988. Still in service today, that ship is 880 feet long and has a capacity of 2,850 passengers. More recent vessels are double the size and can hold over 5,000 passengers, climb 18 decks, and feature amenities like IMAX theaters, boutiques, and water-slide parks. To maintain an air of exclusivity, luxury lines skew smaller, sailing with 400-1,200 passengers and more curated amenities.  

Designing for Cruise Ships Today

Scarlet Lady is currently being built in Genoa, Italy, as is Virgin’s second ship. The construction of each ship takes approximately two years. 

More recently, cruise lines are tapping celebrity designers to reach a more design-savvy market. Just as on-board roller coasters and ziplines once added to a ship’s appeal, now it’s interior designers with broad name recognition and experience in hospitality design.

In 2020, Virgin Voyages, billionaire Richard Branson’s soon-to-be-launched cruise line, will launch their first "Lady Ship" (a nod to their British roots and the expression "your ladyship.") The exterior of the first ship, Scarlet Lady (named, in part, for one of the earliest Virgin Atlantic planes) was designed by London’s Magpie Studio, and its sleek, silvery-gray hull with accents of the company’s signature red is meant to mimic a superyacht.

For Virgin Voyages' design-forward interiors, the company tapped Roman and Williams, Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio, Concrete Amsterdam, and Softroom of London—all of whom have experience designing in hospitality but are first-time designers in the cruise industry. Roman and Williams took a different approach in their designs for the ship, using lighting to "create a cinematic, dreamy type of experience," says Robin Standefer, who co-founded the firm with her husband, Stephen Alesch, after the two met while working in Hollywood. 

Roman and Williams took a dreamy, cinematic approach and used lighting to create a sense of drama in their interior designs for Virgin Voyages.

Not to be left out, Celebrity Cruises introduced their own luxury line: Celebrity X cruises. For their latest line of ships, called Edge Class, the company partnered with Nate Berkus as the design ambassador and engaged both Kelly Hoppen and Patricia Urquiola for the interiors. Hoppen took the lead on the design of the fleet’s staterooms, suites, spa, and lounge areas, while Urquiola collaborated with architect Scott Butler of Wilson Butler on public spaces such as an installation-like common area known as "Eden."  

Patricia Urquiola designed the interior space for "Eden," a greenery-filled common area in Celebrity Cruise’s Edge Class ship.

The light-filled public space includes pops of color via bohemian macrame-like hanging chairs and plant installations, in addition to the bar in Eden Cafe. 

Luxury lines are also revisiting Ballin’s concept of the cruise ship as a hotel. When Viking Cruises’ founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, first asked Richard Riveire of Rottet Studios to design Viking’s fleet of cruise ships, Riveire—who has designed a wide range of luxury hotels and has a deep understanding of hospitality environments—responded that he had never been on a cruise or even inside a cruise ship before. Hagen reportedly replied, "That’s OK, I want a hotel guy." 

"It was so smart because I could look at it from a new perspective—a hotel perspective," explains Riveire. "I didn’t think about what we couldn’t do, because I didn’t even know what we couldn’t do!" Riveire had to consider some of the basic differences in cruise ship design, such as adhering to strict regulations concerning issues like weight and having to think about the placement of materials. However, a partnership with SMC Design, a design firm with extensive maritime experience who served as the associate architect on the project, helped successfully translate Riveire’s ideas to the shipyard.  

Richard Riveire of Rottet Studios cites Viking’s Wintergarden as his favorite spot on the ship, and it’s easy to see why. Riveire has done projects for Disney and is a natural storyteller, so he envisioned this open space near the pool as an interpretation of a story from Norse mythology about Odin’s two ravens: Hugin and Munin. Structural steel poles were masked with wood, like stylized trees in a forest. If you look carefully you can find a pair of ravens in the trees.  

The inspirations for his design stem from actual Viking longships, Norse mythology, and a minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic. However, according to Riveire, the most challenging part of the experience was learning how to design to the right scale. "We’re using spaces that are much smaller than we want them to be, but we want them to feel just as luxurious as a land-based hotel," says Riveire. To accomplish this, he employed subtle tricks—like the use of mirrors—throughout to make the spaces look bigger than they actually are. "Just as you would use in a small apartment," he explains.

Viking’s fleet of ocean cruise ships all have a distinctly understated and minimalist Scandinavian feel that emphasizes luxury materials and light.  

The Aquavit terrace bar is a lovely, light-filled space with a connection to outdoor space. 

But ultimately, the key difference comes down to the fact that instead of designing for a place—you are designing the place. "On a ship, every day you open the window and you are looking at new sights," explains Riveire. "Hotels feel like a part of a place. On a ship, this is your home; after a day of exploring, this is where you are coming back to." 

Related Reading: This Winning Renovation Takes Cues From 1930s Cruise Ship Design

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• March 31, 2023
• Cruise Ships , News , Shipping

Meyer Group unveils a concept cruise ship of the future

Meyer Group’s “Reverse” concept cruise ship of the future has an aerodynamic hull form inspired by the rockhopper penguin.

The Meyer Group used this week’s Seatrade Cruise Global event in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to showcase not only some of its recent achievements but to give a glimpse of a concept cruise ship of the future that includes some radical innovations.

Called the “Reverse” concept it has an aerodynamic exterior with a closed glass facade and features urban gardening areas and drone landing pads, with central public areas forming the focal point inside the ship. The cabin structure is detached from the outer hull, enabling the use of efficient modular manufacturing methods.

Some aspects of this particular cruise ship of the future, which shows what cruising could look like in the year 2100, might not be to the liking of today’s cruisers.

“The ship is based on global megatrends and is one — but not the only — logical response to them,” says Tim Krug, head of concept development group at Meyer Group. “For example, we have only provided for small restaurant areas that serve more as social meeting places because we imagine that a large part of the nutrients will be consumed in concentrated form like pills.”

“From today’s point of view, “ he adds, “we sometimes come up with extreme approaches, but it is equally important to think them through and develop answers from them.”

The energy concept on board also relies on innovation: using wave energy generated by horizontal wings on the hull, solar and fuel cells, along with wind energy, to operate without fossil fuels.

Meantime, the Meyer Group is already demonstrating how sustainable materials can be used. The model of the Reverse, shown for the first time at the Fort Lauderdale event, was made largely from sustainable materials, with 90% of them either recycled or able be recycled without leaving any residue. The model’s light ing is powered by a functioning fuel cell powered by methanol that the Meyer Group trade fair team also uses to charge smartphones and tablets.

Meantime, the cruise ship of the future — along with those concentrated food pills — remains in the future and right now Meyer is busy with a number of cutting-edge cruise ships of the present. Its German shipyard, Meyer Werft will this year deliver Silversea Cruises much-anticipated Silver Nova , while its Finnish yard, Meyer Turku, will deliver the largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas , to Royal Caribbean International later this year. And, as we reported recently , block assembly of Mein Schiff 7 has started at Meyer Turku. This latest vessel for TUI Cruises will be among the first to be ready for methanol and green methanol in the future, making its operation almost climate neutral.

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Hot Topic: Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas

Ship-within-a-Ship Cruise Options: Luxury Service on Big Cruises

How do you get the luxury and guest-to-crew ratio of a small ship experience but on a larger cruise? The answer is simple: a ship-within-a-ship cruise class.

Major cruise lines have jumped onboard this special class, especially within the last decade. It's easy to see why it's attractive. It offers cruisers upgraded service and exclusive access while also enjoying the ship's entertainment, dining,g and amenities with the rest of the ship's passengers.

If you want to feel like a bigger fish in the pond of people onboard, or if you want to experience more privacy and service than the average cruisers onboard, ship-within-a-ship options are for you.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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What is a Ship-within-a-Ship cruise?

There's no denying that large cruise ships (including some “mega-ships,” as some people call them) can offer cruisers things that smaller ships, like river cruise ships or yachts , cannot. However, if you want multiple restaurants to choose from that are each themed to a specific cuisine, or large-scale stage shows, a casino, ice-skating rink, or a rock climbing wall, for instance, you'll have to cruise big.

Large cruise companies created a fantastic offering that means you can have the best of both worlds in cruising in some ways. Big ships have taken the luxurious and intimate ambiance of small-scale cruises and coupled them with their abundance of onboard offerings, deeming it a “ship-within-a-ship” cruise class.

Though mega-ships can never go into smaller ports that small-ship adventures offer, they have created a nice niche on board for a specific clientele.

Each cruise line has named it something unique to their company to help identify the niche brand within their recognizable cruise name — for example, “ Celebrity Cruises The Retreat .”

Which cruise lines offer this special cruise class?

The major brands that offer this ship-within-a-ship cruise class include:

• MSC Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Disney Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line

While Princess Cruises doesn't have something like The Retreat or The Haven, like Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean have, they have their MedallionClass. The device that works with the Princess Medallion class does make it feel like a special experience in its own way.

General perks of Ship-within-a-Ship cruise class

Precise details of each cruise line's ship-within-a-ship offerings differ. However, here are some perks you can generally expect if you choose to book this category:

• Early boarding
• Beverages included
• Included Wifi
• Separate and more private dining areas
• Butler service
• Priority seatings and bookings

Price point for this elevated cruise class

It's nearly impossible to quote exact prices for ship-within-a-ship cruise concepts. This is because each cruise sailing varies, no matter the cruise category you choose. This is affected by the length and location of the sailing, the cruise line, where your stateroom is on the ship, etc.

However, overall, guests can expect to pay a premium for premium service. Below, we've done our best to give you a general idea of what each experience will cost.

MSC Cruises: Yacht Club

MSC's offering is their “Yacht Club.” Guests need to be staying in one of the Yacht Club suites to be part of the ship-within-a-ship cruise with MSC. (In other words, the Yacht Club services are not something that guests can add as an upgrade to a different type of stateroom.)

Suites on the MSC Seashore, for example, which sails to the Bahamas and the Caribbean from Miami, range from 226 square feet to 1,059 square feet in the Owner's Suite. Overall, about 4% of the people onboard MSC Seashore can be a part of the Yacht Club; there are only 122 Yacht Club suites onboard out of 2,270 staterooms.

Of those 122, 107 Yacht Club suites have balconies. About 15 of the suites are interior cabins – the rest have outside views. This variety of interior and exterior cabins makes it possible for MSC to offer various price points to guests desiring a Yacht Club experience.

The suites are all located on the ship's upper decks: 16, 18, and 19. The Yacht Club restaurants and exclusive amenities are nearby on the same decks, also towards the front of the ship.

MSC Yacht Club's included services

• Priority boarding.
• 24-hour butler service.
• Exclusive restaurant and lounge.
• Exclusive pool and hot tubs.
• Complimentary drinks.
• Complementary wifi.
• Complementary access to the Thermal Suite at the Aurea Spa for the duration of the cruise.
• Private shopping experiences onboard, with your butler as your shopping escort .
• Private shore excursions.

MSC Yacht Club Dining

The Yacht Club on MSC ships is both a cruise category and physical area. Within the Yacht Club, there is an indoor Yacht Club Restaurant, an outdoor Yacht Club Grill & Bar, and the Top Sail Lounge, both indoor and outdoor. Those exclusive dining areas are only available to Yacht Club guests and feature sophisticated and unique meals and snack offerings.

Ships to Experience MSC Yacht Club

Book a cruise on the following ships to experience MSC Yacht Club:

• MSC Seashore
• MSC Virtuosa
• MSC Grandiosa
• MSC Bellissima
• MSC Seaview
• MSC Seaside
• MSC Meraviglia
• MSC Preziosa
• MSC Splendida
• MSC Fantasia
• MSC Seascape
• MSC Euribia
• MSC World Europa
• MSC World America

Pricepoint of MSC Yacht Club

The Yacht Club is a good upgrade if you're looking for a ship-within-a-ship experience that won't break the bank. It can average to be as little as $1,400 for a 7-day sailing (approximately $200 a day). When you couple that with the drinks and wifi, alone, that are included for that investment, never mind the upgraded dining, it seems like a no-brainer!

If you keep an eye on their website and search the cruise options frequently, you may even spot some bargains for MSC Yacht Club. If one presents itself, lock it in!

Holland America Line: Neptune Suites

Enjoy the perks of being in Neptune Suites on one of the longest-running cruise lines, Holland America Line . You'll feel that extra special care as you luxuriate in the suite class's own lounge and cabanas.

Holland America Line: Neptune Suites included services

• Access to the Neptune Lounge
• Dedicated Shore Excursions Desk in the lounge
• Fresh flowers
• In-suite espresso machine
• Premium bathrobes
• Exclusive tote
• Priority check-in and disembarkation
• Priority tendering where applicable

Norwegian Cruise Line: The Haven

The ship-within-a-ship cruise experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line is called The Haven.

Norwegian's Haven staterooms range in size from 309 square feet for a Deluxe Spa Suite with a Balcony, all the way up to over 6,694 square feet for the 3-Bedroom Garden Villa. (Yes, that's much larger than most people's homes!) The Garden Villa can accommodate up to six guests, and there's even a private hot tub and private dining area.

This is a great way to get that small-ship feeling on a mega-ship with entertainment and amenities far beyond what a small cruise ship can offer.

The Haven suites and its exclusive areas are generally located at the top of the ship.

Norwegian: The Haven included services

Here are just some of the included services you get when you book The Haven category on an NCL ship:

• Priority boarding for embarkation and disembarkation and at ports of call.
• Concierge service for anything from booking exursions to dining.
• Exclusive The Haven restaurant and lounge.
• Exclusive courtyard and sundeck, reserved for guests of The Haven, which includes an area with a private pool, hot tub and fitness area.
• In-room dining with white tablecloth service.
• Evening turndown service and treats delivered to your suite each night.
• Luxury bath products and fine linens.
• Invitation to exclusive cocktail parties.
• Priority restaurant reservations and entertainment seating .
• In-room bathrobes, slippers and oversized towels.

The Haven Dining

Guests of The Haven have the option to dine at an additional restaurant that other guests on the ship cannot go to unless they're part of NCL's ship-within-a-ship category. This special dining option is The Haven Restaurant. On Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class Norwegian ships, there is a special lounge and bar area for The Haven as well.

The Haven Ships

The Haven is offered on Norwegian Cruise Line's newer ships. This includes the following nine vessels:

• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Pearl

Pricepoint of The Haven

In general, The Haven costs about double or triple what a balcony stateroom or club balcony suite costs for the same sailing. However, exact prices depend on the cruise, which often varies with availability depending on your search.

For example, a 7-day Caribbean cruise that costs $700 for an inside cabin or $935 for a balcony, costs $3,000 for The Haven.

Celebrity Cruises: The Retreat

Celebrity Cruises offer modern ships that appeal to all ages, but particularly adults with a penchant for modernity on a luxury cruise line. The Retreat is a resort-within-a-resort, of sorts, taking the ship-within-a-ship cruise concept to a new level.

After you take a plunge in your private Retreat-only pool you can relax in your Celebrity Suite and call upon your dedicated Personal Retreat Host to deliver champagne. You can also dine in Luminae , The Retreat-only restaurant.

Suites range from 319 square feet with an additional verandah for a Sky Suite, to Iconic Suites with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, which are 1,892 square feet. They also include a verandah that's bigger than most staterooms onboard, at 689 square feet and has a private hot tub.

💻 Read our Extensive Review of The Retreat on Celebrity Apex

Some included benefits of Celebrity Cruises The Retreat

• Priority check-in, departure, and port tendering/boarding
• Upgraded bedding
• Upgraded bath products
• Premium drinks
• Included wifi
• A credit for shore excursions
• Onboard credit to use how you choose (which equates to anywhere from $200 to $400 per person, depending on the length of your cruise)
• Prepaid gratuities
• Pre-cruise concierge, available in days leading up to the cruise before you board
• Reserved theater seating
• Access to The Retreat Sundeck (available on Edge Series and Revolutionized ships – unavailable on Celebrity Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Constellation, and Infinity), cabanas, and hot tubs
• Entry to The Retreat Lounge (or Michael’s Club, on non-revolutionized ships)
• Access to The Retreat private restaurant,  Luminae
• Complimentary beverages at The Retreat Lounge

The Retreat Ships

The Retreat is available on all Celebrity Cruises ships listed below:

• Celebrity Apex℠
• Celebrity Beyond℠
• Celebrity Constellation®
• Celebrity Edge®
• Celebrity Eclipse®
• Celebrity Equinox®
• Celebrity Infinity ®
• Celebrity Millenium®
• Celebrity Reflection®
• Celebrity Silhouette®
• Celebrity Solstice®
• Celebrity Summit®

It's also available on the following Celebrity Galapagos Expedition Series ships:

• Celebrity Flora®
• Celebrity Xpedition®
• Celebrity Xploration®

Pricepoint of Celebrity Cruises: The Retreat

The entry price for The Retreat with Celebrity Cruises depends on what itinerary and location you're booking. For instance, pricing for a 7-day Caribbean cruise with The Retreat starts at just over $2,200 but for an Alaskan cruise, it's over $6,000. Expect to pay in the thousands, as is typical with any ship-within-a-ship cruise experience.

Check out our extensive review of The Retreat and find out all the reasons why we loved it!

Royal Caribbean: Royal Suite Class

Royal Caribbean has an option for the Royal Caribbean International's Suites Program on their ships. However, the Royal Suite Class is an upgraded option beyond their International Suites Program that is available on 10 of their vessels (they have over 25 ships in their fleet, total).

As the cruise line exclaims on its website, Royal Suite Class “embodies the best in luxury travel.” Guests can choose from three tiers of this ship-within-a-ship cruise option. Their Sea, Sky, and Star Suites will give you elite access to luxurious amenities, services, and areas of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

Sea Class gives you the least perks, yet more than a “normal” Royal Caribbean stateroom. Such upgrades include priority boarding at your port of embarkation as well as a dedicated check-in line, luxury bath products, and a robe in your suite. But the ultimate in luxury lies in the Star Class.

AShips to Book Royal Suite Class

Currently, Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class is offered on 10 ships:

• Oasis of the Seas®
• Allure of the Seas®
• Harmony of the Seas®
• Symphony of the Seas®
• Wonder of the Seas®
• Quantum of the Seas®
• Anthem of the Seas®
• Ovation of the Seas®
• Spectrum of the Seas®
• Odyssey of the Seas ®

A taste of what Royal Suite Class's Star Class Category includes

To reiterate, there are three Royal Suite Classes aboard Royal Caribbean ships: Sea, Sky, and Star Suites. Sea Suites offer the least perks and Star Suites the most. The associated cost to book increases with each class. It's important to note that while the Sea Class has some added benefits above the usual stateroom booking, only the Sky and Star Classes have access to Royal Caribbean's Suite Sun Deck area.

Here is some of what the Star Class includes, above and beyond the usual ship-within-a-ship cruise upgrades like luxury linens and priority boarding:

• Royal Genie service (a dedicated team member who truly makes the guests of the Star Class feel like celebrities – only available for Star Class, not Sea or Sky).
• Complimentary deluxe beverage package.
• Included gratuities.
• Complimentary mini bar stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Pricepoint of Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class

There are so many cruise options with Royal Caribbean that it's nearly impossible to put a number on these cruises without looking up a specific sailing. But if you are looking for a Royal Suite Class experience, be sure you're looking for a cruise on one of their ships that offers it. (The 10 ships that offer it are listed above.)

We did a few searches and saw prices anywhere from $2,000 to $12,000 for a 7-night Caribbean cruise, with a starting price that was approximately $1,500 more than an inside stateroom and about $1,300 more than a balcony stateroom.

Cunard Queens and Princess Grill Suites

Cunard rolls out the red carpet for its Grill Suites guests. This company (which mostly sails in the United Kingdom) sends a clear message of luxury and elevated service. For instance, Grills Suites guests are served champagne and chocolates upon arrival and have exclusive access to special areas throughout the cruise.

The Princess Grill Suites are a step below the Queens Grill Suites but still a step above the usual staterooms onboard Cunard ships.

Included services with Cunard Queens Grill Suites

• Priority disembarkation in ports.
• Butler service.
• Pre-dinner canapés.
• Complimentary in-room bar.
• In-room dining from the Queens Grill menu or Princess Grill menu, corresponding to the class you book
• Access to Grills Lounge and Terrace (on applicable Cunard ships).
• Included drinks package (for cruises 7-nights or longer, and drinks $12 or below).
• Included hotel and dining service charges.
• Personalized stationery.
• Velour robes and slippers.

Cunard Ships offering Queens and Princess Grill Suites

The Grills Suites are offered on all three of their current ships and their fourth planned ship:

• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria
• Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Anne (first sailings will be in early 2024)

Pricepoint of Cunard's Ship-within-a-Ship class

You can pay as low as $650 for a Grill Suite for a sailing that's just a few days, to upwards of $14,700 for a Grill Suite on a 32-day cruise.

For example, a 4-night cruise from Southampton (UK) to Hamburg (Germany) is $749 for an inside cabin and $1,599 for a Queens Grill Suite.

Grill Suites on a 7-night cruise off the Atlantic Coast and Iberia start at $2,369 per person, while an inside cabin on the same cruise is $755 per person. A balcony room is $971 per person on the same cruise. All that is to say that a Grill Suite, whether Princess or Queen category, will run at least $1,000 more per person.

Disney Cruise Line: Concierge

Disney Cruise Line's Concierge level gives guests special services and early access to the ship, bookings, and more aboard their beautiful cruise ships. Whether you're traveling on DCL as adults-only or as a whole family, you'll enjoy the best Disney has to offer and then some.

Their “ship-within-a-ship” concept doesn't necessarily equate to many private areas beyond the concierge lounge and a sun deck. Still, it does provide a white-glove service in other areas that are valuable to those desiring special treatment attached to the Disney name.

If you book a suite at their concierge level, the DCL world opens up to you for even more luxury and priority services beyond the minimum of what Disney is well known for.

Concierge suites are on Decks 11 or 12 on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream and Decks 8 and 10 on the Disney Magic and Wonder. On the Disney Wish , Concierge suites are found on Decks 10, 11, 12, and 13, with limited 2-level suites, including the incredible Concierge Wish Tower Suite.

Overall, Disney Cruise Line's concierge-level suites provide more square footage than their regular staterooms. They have custom finishings like teak wood details, crown molding, custom fabrics, and more aboard Disney Magic.

Disney Cruise Line's Concierge suites are offered on all of their Disney Cruise Line ships (but not aboard Adventures by Disney river cruises .)

What's Included with DCL's Concierge Level

• Requests for onboard activities and services start 125 days out (whereas other guests are usually only able to book 90 days out, depending on the length of their cruise).
• Dedicated Concierge Services Specialist, available Monday through Saturday for pre-trip planning before you board.
• Priority boarding when you check-in to embark .
• Upgraded pillow options (choose from hypoallergenic, feather, or therapeutic memory foam).
• Feather duvet covers in the main bedroom.
• Custom robe and slippers for onboard use.
• Complimentary wifi up to 100MB.
• The Concierge Lounge has complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day.
• Sun deck, which is accessible for Concierge guests via a private entrance where there are cooling water misters, cushioned lounge chairs, and a bar stocked with water and refreshments.

Pricepoint of Disney Cruise Line's Concierge Level

Generally speaking, Concierge suites start at double what a verandah stateroom costs on a Disney Cruise Line sailing. For example, an Oceanview cabin on a 5-Night West Caribbean cruise from the Port of Miami, Florida is $2,525, and a verandah stateroom is $3,125, for two guests.

But concierge suites for the same cruise start around $6,600. Often concierge-level costs more than that, depending on the cruise dates and itinerary. (We've seen upwards of 3xs the cost of a verandah room.)

Going on a cruise? Also check out:

• Awesome Cruise Gift Ideas for Cruise Fans & People Going on a Cruise
• River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: What’s the Difference?
• Helpful Info about Luminae in The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises

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Eoseas Concept Cruise Ship

Eoseas is a concept cruise ship being developed by STX Europe in collaboration with Stirling Design International (SDI).

Passenger Capacity

Gross tonnage, propulsive power.

The 105,000t ship will have an overall length of 305m, breadth of 60m and draft of 8m. Eoseas is being developed as a part of the Ecorizon programme launched by STX France in 2007.

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Ecorizon is a technical programme aimed at developing innovative marine clean technologies and alternatives to oil fuels. The project attained maturity in 2009 after two years of research and development work.

Jointly funded by STX Europe and the Regional Council, Ecorizon consists of five major work programmes including energy management, air emission management, water management, waste management and sustainable design.

Ecorizon addresses the entire environmental footprint of the ship throughout the design, construction and operation stages. The long-term goal of the concept is to reduce the use of non-sustainable energy to 50% by 2015.

Eoseas design and features

Eoseas incorporates a pentamaran hull design. The double hull design will feature long promenade decks on both sides of the ship.

The ship will be a trimaran on five hulls, of which two hulls on either side will have the same fore-and-aft plane. An air cushion under the main hull optimises the hydrodynamic characteristics of the vessel.

The double skin on the ship will function as a natural air conditioning system. The frictional resistance of the ship is reduced with the air film injection and the froude number is reduced by incorporating vertical bow.

Fresh water is generated onboard using highly efficient multistage evaporators and reverse osmosis. The ship will feature an advanced wastewater purification system to treat grey and black waters. An absorption chiller absorbs rain water from the upper decks. It uses heat generated from engines.

The design objectives of the Eoseas are to reduce power consumption by 50%, emissions of CO2 by 50%, SO2 by 100%, NOX by 90% and ash by 100%.

Accommodation onboard the concept cruise ship

Eoseas can accommodate 3,311 passengers in 1,403 cabins. There are 555 cabins for 1,089 crew members. The ship allows the passengers to fully explore the maritime environment. The passenger space ratio of the ship will be 31.7 when full and 37.4 based on lower berths occupancy.

The cabins are designed to use natural lighting and are fitted with presence sensors and light sensors. The energy management systems in the cabins reduce energy consumption by 30%.

Propulsion and power

Eoseas will be powered by four dual-fuel LNG diesel electric generator sets. Each genset provides 8MW power for propulsion and hotel load. There are four screws, two pump propellers with shaft lines on the outriggers and two pump propeller pods on the central hull.

LNG is stored in a storage system similar to that of LNG carriers and is transferred in a pressurised service tank. The ship will have an advanced heat recovery plant to recover thermal energy.

8,300m² photovoltaic panels fixed on side and upper deck provide maximum power of 108MW and an average of 270kWe. The organic waste gasification plant onboard generates 300kWe syn gas which is used in the generator sets.

The ship is equipped with an innovative sail concept patented by STX France. The sails mounted on five masts over 12,440m² significantly use wind energy for propulsion.

STX France conducted 13 tank tests with different hulls and propulsion configurations during 2008 and 2009, achieving 17% improvements over conventional propulsion / hull systems.

The innovative propulsion system aboard the ship enhances fuel efficiency, redundancy and manoeuvring.

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MEYER Group presents futuristic cruise ship concepts

This year, MEYER WERFT is delivering the Silver Nova To Silversea cruises , featuring a low-emission fuel system and energy-efficient design, exceeding the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements by 25%. The ship will also use a fuel cell system developed in a multi-year research project.

Two more innovative ships are under construction at MEYER TURKU: Icon of the seas said to be the largest cruise ship in the world, and my ship 7 , designed to run on methanol and green methanol for near carbon neutral operation. The ships feature unique design features such as horizontal layout, asymmetrical design and expansive glass for unprecedented openness.

Looking to the future, the MEYER Group presented its “Reverse” concept, a vision for cruise ships in the year 2100. With an aerodynamic design, urban gardening areas, drone landing pads and modular manufacturing methods, the concept relies on renewable energy sources such as wave and solar energy, and wind power. The futuristic ship is also designed to use more sustainable materials and efficient use of energy.

The designs were unveiled last week at the Seatrade global cruise show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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AI Designed 10 Futuristic Cruise Ships: See The Results

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

Every year dozens of new cruise ships are launched with new, innovative features.

With the fast-paced innovation in the cruise industry, it’s exciting to look to the future to see what’s coming next.

Are you curious to know what the future of cruise ships could look like?

We challenged artificial intelligence to design innovative cruise ships that could transform the cruise industry. The results are 10 futuristic cruise ship concepts. And the results are surprisingly good.

In this post, we’ll share with you the results of this exciting experiment and explore some designs that could shape the next generation of cruise ships.

Table of Contents

10 Futuristic Cruise Ships Designed By AI

1. bringing greenery to the high seas.

A large cruise ship full of trees, flowers, and other plant life. Following the recent trend of bringing live plants to sea, this ship doesn’t seem all that far-fetched. The horn-shaped bridge is impractical but gives the ship a sleek and striking design, complementing the multiple viewing platforms, large panoramic windows, and curved exterior.

2. A Ship With Striking Similarities to Virgin Voyages

This ship would fit right in with the Virgin Voyages fleet, thanks to the red neon lights and overhanging aft. The vessel has a sleek, metallic exterior and blue accents. The unique and dynamic design with multiple levels and viewing platforms gives the futuristic cruise ship an open-air feel. While we can’t see the vessel’s interior, we imagine a contemporary and luxurious design with spacious cabins, elegant public areas, and cutting-edge amenities.

3. An Impractical But Beautiful Vessel

The open-air deck on the first floor might not be practical, but it provides guests with the best opportunity to get up close to the environment. The sleek design doesn’t seem that far fetch. The ship showcases plenty of balcony cabins and large panoramic windows, and there’s plenty of open-air space on the top deck.

4. The Future’s Not So Far Away

This is by far the most practical design on our list. In fact, we wouldn’t be shocked if we saw a cruiseline showcase a similar design in the near future.

5. The Future Of Luxury Sailing

Small ship luxury has always been a place for innovation. The sleek design, gorgeous paint job, and neon lighting provide one of my favorite concepts on this list.

6. The Future Of Luxury Sailing

Don’t expect to see this cruise ship on the high seas anytime soon. The ultra-futuristic design is awe-inspiring for sure, but it’s largely impractical. I can’t see this ship making it across a small lake, never mind sailing in the open ocean. Nevertheless, the rendering does provide us with one of the most inspirational designs we’ve ever seen. And who wouldn’t want to vacation on this mega-ship?

7. A Royal Cruise Ship

Here’s a ship reminiscent of what we’ve come to expect from Royal Caribbean. The ship’s exterior isn’t crazy, but you just know that this cruise ship offers plenty of groundbreaking activities and entertainment. And the neon lighting at the waterline is a beautiful touch.

8. One With Nature

This cruise ship embraces nature like no other. Each deck is lined with flora, and the low viewing platforms bring guests as close to the water as they can get.

9. The Best Cruise Ship to Visit Alaska

This cruise ship looks as if it was purpose-built for Alaskan sailings . The large panoramic windows make for perfect viewing of the mountain landscapes as you sail through the inside passage. Unfortunately, the ship doesn’t provide much open air space, but that shouldn’t cause too much concern when sailing in colder climates.

10. A Luxury Exploration Ship

This luxury exploration ship brings guests further inland than larger vessels, providing guests with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The ultra-luxury cruise ship looks purpose-built for sailing remote destinations like Alaska, the Norwegian Fjords, or the Galapagos.

Marcello De Lio

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10 Top Cruises for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts

Dining at sea is more adventurous than ever with highly curated cruise ship concepts and menus, onboard culinary classes, and shore excursions.

Dining while cruising has never tasted better. Onboard restaurants can match land-based eateries in sophistication and style, with chefs as driven by seasonal ingredients as their peers ashore. The 2024 Global Tastemakers, selected by food and travel journalists this year, favor luxury ocean lines, which invest heavily in food and wine, yet also embrace expedition ships and riverboats. All operate small vessels by today’s standards; kitchen crews can more readily cook with artistry and ingenuity for fewer passengers. 

These Tastemakers share passion and vision; they’re reshaping shipboard norms by introducing dining venues and cuisines rarely spotlighted at sea, such as Virgin Voyages, with a Korean barbecue restaurant among 20 complimentary eateries. Global Tastemakers are also offering more adventurous culinary classes and shore excursions. Silversea, the winner, scores for its multifaceted S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, devoted to the sailing region’s food and beverages. Crystal (formerly Crystal Cruises) reclaims its stellar reputation from its prior incarnation, including a renewed partnership with iconic chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Regent Seven Seas Cruises debuted a glam new ship and elevated menus fleetwide, with novel dishes inspired by the culinary team’s extensive research trips. As this year unfolds, expect even more allures: On HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), local chefs on some itineraries may hop onboard to cook regional specialties. Oceania Cruises debuts both a Culinary Masters Cruise hosted by two Master Chefs of France, and the highly anticipated Editor’s Cruise, with Hunter Lewis, Food + Wine ’s editor-in-chief. These are the best cruises for food and drinks.

Winner: Silversea

Silversea’s impactful S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program secures the luxury line’s winning spot. S.A.L.T. Kitchen devotes an entire ever-changing menu to reflect sailing itineraries. S.A.L.T. Lab’s cooking instructors share regional cultural and culinary history with passengers during hands-on classes. In S.A.L.T. Bar, passengers sip locally inspired mixologists’ cocktails. S.A.L.T. shore excursions range from foraging in Puglia to lunching at a hyper-local Lisbon tinned-fish eatery and exploring a Patagonian organic farm. S.A.L.T. outings have proven so successful, Silversea is adding selections.

Crystal Cruises

The brand relaunch of luxurious Crystal Cruises (acquired by A&K Travel Group) now sails as Crystal , with two beautifully remodeled ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Eight distinctive restaurants include Umi Uma, showcasing the inimitable Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine of Crystal partner, legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa . Osteria d’Ovidio, named for Crystal’s Italian owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, presents poetic plates anchored in simplicity and  primo ingredients, such as lobster in tomato essence with basil olive oil.

Oceania Cruises

This line pursues compelling culinary exploits onboard and ashore, like cooking demonstrations at a Venetian master chef’s private villa or a Latvian “farm to table” experience in which guests shop at a market with the Culinary Center chef before cooking and consuming a Latvian lunch on board. Shipboard chefs are so ingredient-obsessed, they even order custom-milled French flour. Among updates, Oceania has reimagined numerous dishes, highlighting local sourcing. On Marina, Riviera, and Vista, a must-try six-course menu with a Dom Pérignon pairing perpetually marvels.

This luxe line debuted modern Mediterranean restaurant Solis on Seabourn Quest as an inspired replacement to Thomas Keller’s Grill, before Seabourn Encore, Ovation, and Sojourn rollouts. Seabourn restaurants may differ stylistically fleetwide, yet never vary in quality. Exemplary venues include Sushi for primo fish; the Restaurant with intricate entrees like carved lamb loin with crisp lamb spring roll; and Earth & Ocean for fine dining al fresco. Consider complimentary caviar and 24-hour in-suite service as bonuses.

Hurtigruten/HX

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal) and HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) ships explore the world, including polar regions, the Galápagos, the Caribbean, and of course, Norway. Both HX and Hurtigruten aim to serve cuisine as compelling as adventures ashore and feature menus reflecting their Norwegian heritage. Supporting local communities, Hurtigruten relies on some 50 suppliers along the Coastal Express route for about 80% of ingredients, while more than 75% of HX’s ingredients used on Antarctica and Alaska routes are local.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

This luxury line’s six ships deliver exemplary dining, with its three newest ships (Seven Seas Grandeur, Splendor, and Explorer) exhibiting boundless flair. Among venues, Prime 7’s juicy steaks, Chartreuse’s French plates, and Pacific Rim’s pan-Asian dishes particularly dazzle. Beyond dining, the hands-on cooking school and Regent’s chef-led Epicurean Explorer Tours are part of the draw. Passengers may market-shop for a paella cooking class and feast on the famed rice-based dish at a seaside eatery in Valencia, Spain.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar’s six small ships possess yacht-like vibes, with a culinary direction to match. Chefs eagerly source fresh sustainable ingredients in ports to prepare imaginative dishes. On Star Plus class all-suite ships, Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso packs a modern Spanish punch while Star Grill by Steven Raichlen dishes up aromatic barbecue deckside. Windstar’s James Beard Foundation partnership ensures guest chefs board for demonstrations and dinners; the line also features their recipes on fleet eateries.

Viking Cruises

Viking commands attention on all waters, with riverboats, ocean liners, and expedition ships plying every continent. So many touches sum up Viking’s willingness for menus to reflect itineraries, and regional dishes and wines are a given. Flourishing herb gardens allow riverboat chefs to pluck the freshest herbs to grace dishes daily. On ocean-going vessels, specialty restaurant Manfredi’s excels in Italian cuisine (bistecca alla Fiorentina is legendary), and Mamsen’s triumphs the line’s Nordic heritage — all bow to the signature waffles.

Virgin Voyages

With 20 complimentary eateries, Virgin Voyages allows a younger, perhaps less-traveled, cruiser to sample so many cuisines. This line eschews food halls and buffets, preferring to showcase intimate boîtes, instead. Each possesses an oversized personality and emboldened plates, such as Razzle Dazzle for dishes like black garlic bowtie pasta with fennel braised pork and chanterelles, and Gunbae, knocking it out of the foodpark with complimentary soju shots and Korean barbecue.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways has taken food and wine seriously since its 2002 inception. The line, inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, finds its culinary cues in its riverboats’ itineraries, selecting local ingredients and intriguing wines like Rieslings from Austria’s Wachau Valley. AmaWaterways ’ wine-themed voyages, like Flavors of Burgundy with excursions to Beaune and Mâcon, win consistent praise. Onboard gastronomic pinnacles include the Chef’s Table, a small-group dining adventure where a chef prepares wine-paired multi-course meals before passengers.

Plus one: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Exuding an exclusive boutique hotel aura, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection consists of superyacht Evrima, and in September, Ilma debuts, with Luminara arriving in 2025. This line lavishes passengers with attention, elegant design, and superb dining with an international spin. Each yacht offers five restaurants, 24-hour in-suite dining, and six lounges. The wine vault features more than 200 wine labels, with many exclusive red wines and vintages on a private reserve list.

Global Tastemakers is a celebration of the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. We asked more than 180 food and travel journalists to vote on their favorites, including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. We then entrusted those results to an expert panel of judges to determine each category’s winners. In many categories, we’ve included a Plus One, hand-selected by our expert panel, to shout out more culinary destinations we don’t want our readers to miss. See all the winners at foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers .

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• Cruise Advice , Cruise History

9 Cruise Concepts That Didn’t Quite Catch On

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• March 11, 2022

These days, innovation and never-before-seen novelties are the name of the game in mainstream cruising. It’s what sets them apart from other lines, and what they can proudly showcase in marketing materials.

Among all the hits out there, such as top-deck water parks, projection-mapped dining, FlowRider surfing simulators, zip lines, and unique entertainment options, there are bound to be some duds as cruise lines experiment to find the next great onboard concept, feature, or layout.

Here, we explore nine cruise industry concepts that didn’t quite pan out the way the lines had hoped, as well as one bonus that could be considered a hit or  miss depending on who you ask.

1: A Non-Smoking Cruise Ship

Who tried it: carnival cruise line.

The Idea: An entire cruise ship on which no smoking would be allowed… period.

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea: Ask anyone who doesn’t smoke, and they’ll tell you that they wish someone would launch a tobacco-free cruise ship. Having heard the complaint for years, Carnival Cruise Line decided to give in when it launched Paradise in 1998.

So serious were they about this effort that construction workers at the shipyard in Finland were not allowed to smoke on board while the ship was being built, and huge “No Smoking” symbols were prominently displayed on the hull.

Why It Didn’t Work: As it turns out, people who smoke spend a lot of money on things like drinking and gambling. Over time, Carnival came to realize that while the idea of an entire ship where smoking was forbidden might be a good one, it wasn’t worth losing a whole lot of money.

So by the end of 2003, Paradise ‘s non-smoking policy was reversed. (A few years later, the word “Carnival” would be added to the ship’s name, along with the others in the fleet. That’s remained the case to this day with the only exception being the recently-launched  Mardi Gras .)

Might Someone Try Again?   Never say never, but it seems highly unlikely. Instead, cruise lines are more likely to try and have their cake and eat it, too, by expanding non-smoking areas within casinos, creating fully-enclosed smoking areas, and otherwise limiting the spaces in which those inclined to light up can do so. 

2. Split Bathrooms

Who tried it: norwegian cruise line.

The Idea:  Split cabin bathrooms with the sink essentially in the living space.

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea:  When Norwegian Epic launched in 2009, it introduced a new concept for the line: split bathrooms. They allow multiple people to get ready at the same time (one in the shower, one using the toilet, one using the sink) without having the type of privacy issues you would have in a traditional cruise cabin bathroom with a glass shower door or flimsy curtain, toilet, and sink all in one room.

Why It Didn’t Work: Here’s how the bathrooms are laid out on Norwegian Epic. When you walk into your cabin from the hallway, the shower with a glass door is on one side, and the toilet is on the opposite side in a tiny room with a door of its own. The sink is, essentially, out on a little countertop in the cabin’s living space next to the shower area.

There is a curtain that separates this little bathroom/entryway area from the rest of the cabin, but it’s still an odd design. Many passengers are not fond of the layout — especially those who may not be traveling with close family members. You also run the risk of a cabinmate opening the cabin door while you’re trying to use the bathroom space, and even if the curtain is up, it’s not on the door side!

Might Someone Try Again? Norwegian has not done split bathrooms in standard staterooms on any ship since Epic. The exception is the line’s solo cruiser studio cabins. They, too, feature somewhat of a split bathroom concept, with the sink area in the cabin, the shower to one side of the cabin door with a frosted glass door, and the toilet with its own regular door on the other side. This is presumably not as much of a problem for those who are traveling by themselves.

However, there is another cruise line that has been successful with a slightly different version of a split bathroom in many of its standard cabins: Disney. We believe Disney’s split bathrooms have been well-received because instead of putting the sink in the cabin, they have a shower and sink on one side with a door, and a toilet and another sink on the other side with another door.

3. Voluntourism Cruises

Who tried it: carnival corporation.

The Idea:  Carnival Corporation founded what it called a “social impact” cruise line named Fathom back in 2015, which would sail to various Caribbean destinations (starting with the Dominican Republic).

Passengers would split their vacation time between relaxing and having fun with helping serve communities in some of the ports of call. The ship, by the way, was the Adonia, which was sailing for sister line P&O Cruises before it was transferred to become Fathom’s first vessel.

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea:  Everyone knows that tourism dollars, including the massive amounts of money spent by cruisers in ports of call, help the economy a lot in port destinations.

But Carnival Corporation wanted to take it a step further and actually allow guests to do some work to benefit the community on the ground in some of those places. It’s a noble cause, and would give passengers a taste of what it’s like to go on a missions trip without multiple days’ worth of commitment to do it.

Why It Didn’t Work: Fathom set out on its first cruise in early 2016 to do volunteer work in the Dominican Republic, and very quickly Cuba was approved as another destination for the line. Adonia visited Cuba in May 2016 — the first time a U.S. cruise line had sailed from the United States to Cuba in over 50 years. 

However, the work + play cruise concept did not prove popular among travelers, especially considering the fact that there weren’t very many interesting features on board the older ship to attract cruisers looking for fun in the sun between work on the ground. In late 2016 — the same year it took its first voyage — Carnival Corporation announced that Fathom cruises would be discontinued in 2017.

For a short time, some of Fathom’s social impact excursions in the Dominican Republic became available to guests on other Carnival Corporation cruise lines, but those were eventually phased out as well.

Might Someone Try Again?  We can see the possibility of cruise lines introducing volunteering shore excursions into their lineup, like some other Carnival Corp. brands did after Fathom shut down. But another attempt at an entire cruise line just based on missions-type work? Probably not.

MORE: Do You Need A Passport to Go on a Cruise?

4. A Virtual Cruise Assistant

Who tried it: msc cruises.

The Idea: With MSC Cruises’ launch of MSC Bellissima in early 2019, the line also launched its first stateroom “virtual personal cruise assistant” called ZOE. The voice-enabled, artificial intelligence device was tested on Bellissima , and then added to MSC Grandiosa when it launched in late 2019.

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea:  The premise of the Alexa-esque device was to allow passengers to ask questions about the cruise that they may otherwise have to ask crew members or guest services representatives. The hope was that it would clear up space in the customer service line, and travelers could get answers to their questions without having to leave their stateroom or even pick up the phone.

Why It Didn’t Work:  It seems that the smart device isn’t so “smart,” which has caused more frustration than convenience for many cruisers.

We’ve seen multiple instances where guests have asked seemingly basic and simple questions about things such as the open hours for various onboard venues, what the next port is, or what the current weather is like outside. In most cases, ZOE either said to contact that specific venue or guest services for the answer, or offered to turn on the stateroom TV to get the answer there (such as the ship’s weather channel)… overall pretty unhelpful.

Might Someone Try Again?  When ZOE was announced, MSC said that it would also be added to MSC Virtuosa, which entered service in 2021. However, it doesn’t appear that the device made it onto that ship, and it isn’t difficult to see why. We have a pretty good hunch that MSC Cruises won’t be implementing any more AI cruise assistants anytime soon. Currently, MSC’s website lists only MSC Grandiosa as having the ZOE devices onboard.

We can’t say whether other cruise lines will implement their own virtual cruise assistants in the future. We can say that it if they do, they would need to do a much better job than MSC for it to be successful.

5. Sleek, Very Minimal Cabins

Who tried it: virgin voyages.

The Idea:  Virgin Voyages is a very new cruise line, having first launched revenue cruises in 2021. The style onboard is very modern and trendy, which for some spaces translates to quite minimal. The cabins are one of the areas where the cruise line went minimal both with function and décor.

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea:  The line was just keeping with its aesthetic when it designed the passenger cabins, and some have more to them than others (such as the largest suites which include their own music rooms). The majority of the cabins, though, are quite minimal, which did allow for guests to move around easier in their cabins.

Why It Didn’t Work: In early 2022, Virgin Voyages announced that it was in the process of refreshing the cabins on both of its ships, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. You might be thinking, How is this a concept that didn’t catch on? Cabins are refreshed on cruise ships all the time but it doesn’t mean they weren’t fine before.

But timing has a lot to do with it — these ships are not old… at all. Scarlet Lady debuted last year, and at the time of writing Valiant Lady hasn’t even set sail on her first voyage with guests yet. Initial passengers on Sir Richard Branson’s brand-new cruise line complained about a lack of storage in the cabins, and it’s safe to say that the modern, almost stark accommodations weren’t exactly what you’d call “cozy,” either.

With passenger feedback in mind, the line set out to make some slight changes to its cabins with new wooden accents, artwork, and additional storage solutions.

Might Someone Try Again?  This isn’t really a “try” or “don’t try” type of deal. Each cruise line does their cabins differently, and some will always be cozier than others. We do believe, though, that other lines are watching and will be learning through Virgin’s mistake that passengers very highly value inviting staterooms with plenty of storage options.

6. Edenists in Eden

Who tried it: celebrity cruises.

The Idea: When Celebrity Cruises first detailed its Edge-class ships, one of the big reveals was a stunning lounge and restaurant in the back of the vessel called Eden. This space was a relaxing venue by day, but really came alive at night with lighting effects, a bar, an amazing restaurant downstairs, and roaming mythical characters called “Edenists.”

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea:  The Edenists took guests through a winding multilevel journey of the space. During the walk, the actors would ask you all about yourself and tell you about the land you’re walking through. It was a neat way to involve passengers in the “show” and immerse them in the story and the venue.

Why It Didn’t Work: While the space is very cool with living plants and panoramic views of the ocean, the Edenists and their involving guests in the show was a little too in-your-face for some travelers. The feedback forced Celebrity to go back to the drawing board and revamp the evening programming. 

The space itself hasn’t changed, but the acts inside of it has, with more live music and acrobatic performances (without audience participation) being held in the space.

Might Someone Try Again?  Eden is such a unique space to begin with, we can’t see any other cruise line replicating the space and experience as a whole the same way Celebrity has.

As for Celebrity themselves, we can’t speak on what entertainment concepts they may come up with in the future that they might try to involve guests in again, but we don’t believe that will ever be repeated in Eden.

RELATED: 15 Photos of Eden on Celebrity Edge

7. Dynamic Dining

Who tried it: royal caribbean.

The Idea:  Back in 2014, Royal Caribbean introduced a new program for main dining dinner on Quantum of the Seas called Dynamic Dining. The basic concept was this: the ship had four main dining rooms (each with a different theme), and passengers could choose when and where they wanted to eat each night without any type of schedule.

Quantum ’s sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, had a variation of Dynamic Dining called Dynamic Dining Classic, which was similar to Disney Cruise Line’s rotational dining system. Passengers could choose a set time to eat dinner each evening, with the same tablemates and waiters. They ate at a different restaurant each night, rotating among the four main restaurants on the ship. 

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea: Dynamic Dining was basically My Time Dining, but instead of having the choice between My Time Dining and traditional set time dining which you’ll see on most major lines today, there was no traditional choice at all.

On the surface, this appears to be a good idea because it allows every passenger complete flexibility when it comes to dinner — absolutely no one was on a set schedule and everyone could eat when they wanted each night.

Why It Didn’t Work:  Royal Caribbean intended to roll out its Dynamic Dining program across the fleet. But due to a number of issues — including lots of angry passengers who liked having the option of traditional set time dining — Dynamic Dining and Dynamic Dining Classic were completely scrapped in late 2016. It turns out that the sweet spot for many cruise lines when it comes to dinner is to offer both traditional set-time seatings as well as flexible My Time Dining.

Might Someone Try Again?  There are already many cruise lines that only offer flexible dining at dinner, such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Viking. Lines that have much smaller ships and a better passenger to space ratio like Viking are able to do this easily because there are simply not as many people, and you’re less likely to have to wait to be seated.

On Norwegian, there are lots of people, but an important element that we believe helps passengers stay happy is the ability to make reservations in the main dining room. Even though there is no set time every evening, those who want to all but guarantee that they won’t have a wait can make reservations for every night — it’s somewhat of a replacement to just being assigned a seating with traditional dining.

8. NCL America

The Idea: Around the turn of the 21st century, Norwegian Cruise Line wanted to expand into the Hawaii cruise market in a big way. So the company formed NCL America.

In 2002, Norwegian Cruise Line purchased the half-completed hull from American Classic Voyages’ first Project America ship, which was under construction at a shipyard in Mississippi. It was then towed to a shipyard in Germany, and completed — becoming Pride of America.

In 2004, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Norwegian Sky would be reflagged and renamed Pride of Aloha and moved it to Hawaii. Then the line had a second new build, called Pride of Hawaii. She was the largest and most expensive U.S.-flagged passenger ship ever built. 

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea:  With U.S.-built cruise ships, NCL America would be able to sail in the Hawaiian islands without having to worry about calling on a foreign port, per the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886.

Considering how far away Hawaii is from any other cruise destination, it appears to make wonderful economic sense to put ships in Hawaii that can stay in Hawaii — simply sailing around the state’s islands without worrying about having to stop in another country. This also means that cruises can be much shorter and accessible to more people.

Why It Didn’t Work: The intention was to operate all three vessels in the Hawaiian Islands, and their U.S. flag designations would mean that they didn’t have to call on a foreign port — even though they were almost completely — or completely — built in a foreign country. This turned out to be an expensive move with paying U.S. wages and tax laws.

Because of high operating expenses, Pride of Aloha was transferred back to Norwegian Cruise Line and reclaimed its original name Norwegian Sky. Pride of Hawaii was reflagged to Nassau and renamed Norwegian Jade. To this day, Pride of America is still sailing Hawaii. 

Might Someone Try Again?  These days, nearly all large cruise ships are built in Europe or Asia, and the U.S. is not a top choice when it comes to cruise vessel construction. We could see a smaller luxury line ordering a small ship from a U.S. shipyard and charging enough in cruise fare to offset the cost of U.S. wages and taxes, like American river cruise lines do.

But otherwise, we can’t see another large, mainstream cruise brand attempting to compete for business with Pride of America.

9. An Onboard Tattoo Shop

The Idea:  It could be said that when Virgin Voyages first announced some of the features and entertainment that would be found on its ships, it was going for the shock factor (as far as cruise ships were concerned). One such feature that surprised probably everybody was a tattoo parlor, aptly called Squid Ink.

Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea:  Before it launched its first ship, Virgin was very vocal about how it wanted to do cruising differently and shake up the industry. This was one of the ways they came up with to do that — no other cruise line has a tattoo shop onboard.

It really is a unique and novel idea, and a tattoo would, in theory, make for a cute (and permanent) reminder of your vacation.

Why It Didn’t Work: When thinking logically, tattoo shops are not on cruise ships for a good reason. During the healing process after getting a tattoo, the spot needs special care; it doesn’t just instantaneously heal itself. So mix a brand-new tattoo with days of exploring islands, swimming in the pool and sea, and lots of sun exposure, and it doesn’t really make sense to get one on this type of vacation.

Might Someone Try Again? Are people still getting tattoos on Virgin Voyages? Of course. We’ve heard that quite a few people get small tattoos to remember the trip by — and to say they got a tattoo out at sea. But can we see this concept being repeated by any other cruise lines in the future? Not really.

BONUS: Digital Portholes & Balconies

We’re including these digital “windows” as a bonus because even though they seem gimmicky, many guests actually really like them. 

If you’re unfamiliar, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have brought the outdoors to interior cabins via porthole or balcony window-shaped screens that display in real-time the view off the side of the ship that it is facing.

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream both feature what it calls “Magical Portholes,” which — in addition to the real-time outdoor view — display fun Disney surprises from time to time. For example, you might see Peach the sea star from “Finding Nemo” stuck to your porthole “window,” or Russell from “Up” floating up, up, and away under a canopy of balloons. 

Royal Caribbean took it a step further on a number of its ships, offering interior cabins that come with virtual balconies. The screen displays the view and a virtual balcony railing, and the cabin even includes real curtains like you would find in an actual balcony stateroom.

Royal Caribbean appears to still be doing the virtual balcony concept, as its newest ship Wonder of the Seas does include them. Disney, however, may have abandoned its Magical Portholes for future projects, as its upcoming ship Disney Wish does not feature them.

Note: If you’re intrigued by the idea of staying in one of these cabins, but are worried about a bright screen being on and in your face during the whole cruise, worry no more. The virtual portholes and balconies can be turned off.

READ NEXT: 25 Tips For First-Time Cruise Passengers

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MSC Cruises Launches 'World's Greatest Bars' Program, Elevating Mixology at Sea

MSC Cruises , the world’s third-largest cruise line, has just unveiled its latest venture in the realm of Food & Beverage , debuting the bar-raising 'World's Greatest Bars' program.

This fresh and innovative concept aims to bring some of the world's most celebrated bars directly onto MSC Cruises' ships, offering passengers an unprecedented drinking experience unlike any other at sea.

As part of this initiative, globally renowned bars such as Spain, will make waves as pop-ups on board select MSC Cruises vessels, each gracing the decks for a six-month stint. Names will include award-winners like Paradiso and Sips from Barcelona, enabling guests to indulge in some of the world’s most elite mixology as they sail the seas.  

To ensure an authentic experience, master mixologists from each partner bar have personally and painstakingly trained onboard teams, imparting the secrets of their signature cocktails to preserve the distinctive flavors and techniques that have earned them international acclaim.

“We’re delighted to bring the ‘World’s Greatest Bars’ concept on board our ships to create world-class and innovative experiences for our guests,” said Jacques Van Staden, Food & Beverage Vice President at MSC Cruises. “The new program brings our food and beverage offerings to new heights, providing unforgettable experiences not seen before at sea. We’re thrilled to have on board such exciting bars, SIPS and Paradiso, two ranked as some of the best in the world. These two bars are incredibly hard to get into right now, so we’re so excited that our guests can get a taste of the action.”

The program, which launched on April 1, will first feature Paradiso's pop-up on board MSC World Europa and Sips on board MSC Euribia, each of which will enjoy a six-month activation period aboard their respective host vessels. 

MSC Cruises remains committed to enhancing its Food & Beverage offerings with such avant-garde concepts as the Helios Wine Bar aboard MSC Euribia, an immersive digital experience designed to delight the next generation of wine aficionados.

Additionally, gin lovers can rejoice at The Gin Project on MSC World Europa, a retail outlet boasting a curated selection of over 70 craft gins. Not to be overlooked is the unique Masters of the Sea microbrewery, also located aboard MSC World Europa, where specialty beers brewed with desalinated seawater tantalize the taste buds of discerning beer enthusiasts.

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