The names certainly sound luxurious — The Haven, The Retreat, The Yacht Club, The Signature Collection, and Royal Suite Class — but what exactly do these “ship within a ship” luxury enclaves on mainstream cruise ships offer? Guests who book a pricier stateroom or suite in one of these exclusive areas on board a Norwegian, Celebrity, MSC, Princess, or Royal Caribbean megaship will enjoy added perks, such as access to a private lounge, restaurant, pool, and sundeck, but will they also get enhanced service or included freebies and discounts?
For those unfamiliar with the concept, MSC and Norwegian are generally co-credited with pioneering this high-end ship-within-a-ship area. MSC introduced The Yacht Club in 2008, and while NCL didn’t formally debut The Haven until 2011, the cruise line did offer a suite area with a private pool as early as 2005 on Norwegian Jewel. As the concept evolved, so have the inclusions, which vary by cruise line. That’s why it’s worth comparing the suite areas of the five well-known mainstream and premium cruise brands that offer them.
If you love a big-ship experience, but you’re willing to pay extra to escape the crowds, here’s a look at these higher-end enclaves, both in terms of their onboard real estate and what you’ll actually get when you splurge on them.
The Haven
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Available on: Eight ships: Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, and Norwegian Epic. NCL’s four Jewel-class ships — Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, and Norwegian Pearl — feature The Haven category suites and The Haven Courtyard without the exclusive lounge and restaurant.
The Space: The Haven is spread out over multiple decks. It is located forward on Jewel, Epic, Breakaway, and Breakaway Plus ships and aft on Prima-class ships and accessible via a special Haven keycard. Prima-class ships, which are the only vessels with accommodations, a lounge, a restaurant, and a pool deck that are entirely self-contained, also feature a private Haven elevator. The décor in Prima and Viva’s Haven spaces is also distinctive, with a sophisticated contemporary European design by Italy-based Lissoni & Partners that differentiates it from the rest of the ship.
Exclusive Areas: Guests of the eight ships that offer the full Haven experience have exclusive access to The Haven Lounge, a space designed for socializing over cocktails, as well as The Haven Restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On Epic, Breakaway, and Breakaway Plus ships, they can also enjoy The Haven Courtyard, an enclosed pool and hot tub area with comfy loungers, while on Prima-class ships there is a two-level The Haven Sundeck featuring an aft infinity pool. (Caveat: Parents cruising with children should know that The Haven Sundeck on Prima-class ships can only be enjoyed by guests who are age 16 and older.) On Jewel-class ships, which only feature the Haven Courtyard pool area, private breakfast and lunch (but not dinner) are available to Haven guests in one of the ship’s specialty restaurants.
Stateroom/Suite Options: The Haven features from 18 to 105 staterooms and suites, depending on the ship (Jewel-class ships have the fewest and Prima-class ships the most). There are eight classes of accommodation, ranging from 368 square feet to 6,694 square feet (the latter is the Three-Bedroom Garden Villa on Jewel-class ships that sleeps eight). Among the nine ships that offer the full Haven area, all feature The Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony (approximately 1,460 to 1,750 square feet with two bedrooms), The Haven Two-Bedroom Family Villa (approximately 600-to-660 square feet with two bedrooms), and The Haven Penthouse Suite (approximately 340-to-420 square feet).
Included Amenities: All guests booked in The Haven enjoy 24-hour butler service; concierge service for booking dining, entertainment, shore excursions, etc.; a personal escort on and off the ship at embarkation, disembarkation, and during port calls; complimentary in-suite movies; priority reservations for restaurants and entertainment; a cocktail party with the ship’s officers; 24-hour room service menu, plus specialty dining delivery (cover charges apply); and a bottle of sparkling wine upon embarkation. Guests who book an Owner’s Suite or Garden Villa get a bottle of Moet Champagne upon embarkation, plus a custom liquor selection (one bottle for a cruise of up to six days, three bottles for a cruise of seven days or longer), two bottles each of spring and sparkling water daily, and six canned sodas daily.
Not included: Beverage package, Wi-Fi package, and crew gratuities.
The Retreat
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Available on: 13 ships: Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Infinity, and Celebrity Constellation. However, only Celebrity’s four Edge-class ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent) and its four “Revolutionized” older ships (Equinox, Silhouette, Summit, and Millennium) feature the full gamut of spaces/amenities. Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, and Constellation do not have The Retreat Sundeck or The Retreat Lounge. Retreat guests can, however, exclusively access Michael’s Club on non-Revolutionized ships. Infinity’s Michael’s Club was just transformed into The Retreat Lounge, although the ship still lacks The Retreat Sundeck.
The Space: Celebrity describes The Retreat as an amenity rather than a place — and that’s apropos since Retreat accommodations are located throughout its ships and not all ships have the same exclusive spaces. The enclave concept is most refined on the new Edge-class ships, where the three main areas exclusive to Retreat guests are all located forward on decks 15, 16, and 17, as are many of the largest Retreat Suites. These spaces were all designed by Kelly Hoppen and have an eye-catching, contemporary ambience.
Exclusive Areas: All Celebrity ships now feature Luminae, the private restaurant just for Retreat guests. As noted above, all ships with the exception of Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Infinity, and Constellation, also feature The Retreat Sundeck, a private area with a pool, hot tubs, and a bar, and all but Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, and Constellation feature The Retreat Lounge.
Stateroom/Suite Options: The number of Retreat suites varies by ship, ranging from 62 on older Millennium-class ships to 204 on the newest Edge-class ships. There are 10 suite categories, ranging from 254-to-362-square-foot Sky Suites to 1,892-square-foot Iconic Suites (available on Edge-class ships). Popular categories are Penthouse Suites (1,291 to 1,432 square feet), Celebrity Suites (460 square feet), and Royal Suites (562 to 687 square feet). Guests who don’t need lots of space can opt for an Aqua Sky Suite (254 to 319 square feet), which in addition to Retreat amenities also includes access to AquaClass wellness-oriented spaces such as the thermal suite (SEA on Edge-class vessels and Persian Garden on Millennium- and Solstice-class ships) as well as clean-cuisine dining at Blu restaurant.
Included Amenities: Retreat guests all receive a complimentary Premium Drinks package and complimentary Premium Wi-Fi. In addition, The Retreat has a dedicated pre-cruise and onboard concierge as well as a special team of attendants and butlers. Guests also enjoy priority check-in, boarding, and tendering (when available in port), as well as reserved theater seating on Evening Chic nights, preferred seating in specialty restaurants for select guests, and 24-hour complimentary in-suite dining. Other extras include a welcome bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine and fresh fruit, the latter upon request.
Not included: Crew gratuities
The Yacht Cub
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Available on: 14 ships: MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Euribia, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Presziosa, MSC Seascape, MCS Seashore, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa, and MSC World Europa (and, coming in 2025, MSC World America).
The Space: MSC Yacht Club truly is a self-contained “ship-within-a-ship” luxury suite enclave that is definitely a step up in terms of service and amenities from the line’s traditional, value-focused accommodations. On ships as large as MSC’s (its newest ships, MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa, accommodate as many as 6,300 and 6,700 guests, respectively) the only way to enjoy a bit of privacy and escape the crowds and the lines for dining is to book a stateroom or suite in the elevated MSC Yacht Club sanctuary.
Exclusive Areas: All MSC Yacht Clubs are located forward on the ships’ upper decks and feature the following: The Yacht Club Restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with no reservation required; the Top Sail Lounge offering panoramic views, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music; and the Private Solarium, featuring dipping pools, hot tubs, and a sun deck. Guests who book itineraries that call on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas also have exclusive access to Ocean House Beach, which has cabanas and complimentary amenities.
Stateroom/Suite Options: The number of staterooms and suites in the Yacht Club varies by ship class. There are 71 on Fantasia-class ships (MSC Fantasia, MSC Divina, MSC Preziosa, and MSC Splendida); 86 on Seaside-class ships (MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview); 94 on Meraviglia-class ships (MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Splendida, and MSC Euribia); 131 on Seaside EVO-class ships (MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape); and 152 on World-class ships (World Europa). Accommodations are referred to as “suites” but also include some standard stateroom configurations — even snug and windowless 161-square-foot Interior Suites for value-focused travelers. Larger options include 269-to-463-square-foot Deluxe Grand Suites, 667-square-foot Royal Suites, and 1,600-square-foot Owner’s Suites with a private whirlpool on its balcony (available on World-class vessels).
Included Amenities: Guests who book MSC Yacht Club receive a Premium Beverage Package; Premium Wi-Fi Package; complimentary access to the Aurea Spa’s Thermal Suite; a 24-hour butler, concierge, and room service; and priority embarkation and disembarkation.
Not included: Crew gratuities
The Signature Collection
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Available on: One ship: Sun Princess, which debuted in late February 2024 (and soon on 2025’s Star Princess).
The Space: Princess has lagged behind its mainstream competitors when it comes to suite accommodations. It only added top-tier suites in 2019 with the debut of the Sky Suite on Sky Princess and the two Royal-class ships (Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess) introduced since then. On Sun Princess, the first vessel in the cruise line’s Sphere class, there is finally a substantial number of suites — 50 in all — along with dedicated spaces exclusive to suite guests. However, unlike on several other cruise lines, these spaces are not entirely located within a specified complex, although they do require a Signature Collection keycard to access.
Exclusive Areas: These three areas are each a first for Princess: The Signature Restaurant, located on deck 7 off of the bustling central Piazza and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner; The Signature Lounge, located aft on decks 15 and 16, which is actually near the Signature suites on decks 15, 16, and 17 but isn’t as spacious as you’d expect for a gathering spot servicing 50 suites; the Signature Sun Deck, also located aft just above the Signature suites within the extra-cost, adults-only Sanctuary space with which it shares a pool and hot tub.
Stateroom/Suite Options: Signature Collection accommodations range from a 304-square-foot Signature Penthouse Suite to a 1,262-square-foot Signature Sky Suite (balcony included in both totals). Note: Signature suites, while all located aft on decks 15 to 17, are not separated from the rest of the accommodations on those decks by a door requiring key card access as many ship-within-a-ship suite enclaves are.
Included Amenities: Signature Collection Suites include the following: one complimentary mini-bar setup and free daily bottled water, complimentary dining at a specialty restaurant on the first night, priority reservations for restaurants and shore excursions, and complimentary laundry and professional cleaning. The Signature Sky Suite’s amenities include a pre-cruise concierge, curb-to-suite embarkation, a Suite Experience Manager, premium Champagne upon arrival and two full-bottle bar setups, complimentary Princess Fine Wine Tasting, complimentary Ultimate Balcony Breakfast and Dinner, and a reserved Princess Cays Bungalow (if your ship stops there).
Not included: Beverage package, Wi-Fi package, and crew gratuities.
Royal Class Suite
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Available on: 12 ships: Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas.
The Space: Like its sister cruise line Celebrity, Royal Caribbean’s suite experience hasn’t always been a self-contained area, but rather focuses on offering more spacious accommodations (with top suites such as multi-level lofts and townhouses) and exclusive amenities and experiences. However, the cruise line’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas — which also has the distinction of being the largest cruise ship in the world, able to accommodate as many as 7,600 guests at capacity — does come pretty close to offering an actual enclave with its The Suite Neighborhood. Located forward on decks 16 to 19, where many but not all of the ship’s 179 suites are located (some are at the very back of the ship), it features a two-level Grove sundeck with a private pool and hot tub as well as the casual Grove restaurant and the Coastal Kitchen restaurant. The area also features the Suite Lounge, which overlooks the AquaDome performance space.
Exclusive Areas: All Royal Suite Class guests on the 12 ships that feature it have exclusive access to a private restaurant for dinner called Coastal Kitchen (reservations required). Additionally, most have access to the Suite Lounge (which serves complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails each evening) and the Suite Sun Deck.
Stateroom/Suite Options: Royal Suite Class encompasses a whopping 37 accommodation options across 12 ships — from 287-to-330-square-foot Junior Suites in the most basic Sea class (see below for details) to 1,524-to-1,640-square-foot Royal Loft Suites and the 2,523-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse (on Icon the Seas) in the amenity-laden Star class. Only those who book in the two top tiers have access to the Suite Lounge and the Suite Sun Deck.
Included Amenities: The Royal Suite Class is offered in three tiers, with suite size and amenities varying by tier. In the lowest tier, Sea, guests enjoy priority boarding and dinner at Coastal Kitchen (based on availability). In the Sky tier, guests are entitled to all-day access to Coastal Kitchen, VOOM Wi-Fi, flexible arrival boarding and arrival departure, Suite Lounge access with daily evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Suite Sun Deck access, concierge service, priority dining reservations, and reserved seating in select entertainment venues. Guests booking one of the top suites in the Star tier receive everything in the Sky tier plus Royal Genie butler service, dining at specialty restaurants, a Deluxe Beverage Package, included gratuities, expedited boarding and departure, and laundry and pressing service.
Not included: Beverage package, Wi-Fi package, and crew gratuities in Sea tier; beverage package and crew gratuities in Sky tier.
