If you’ve made new friends on your cruise, why not invite them over to your cabin for a cocktail party? After all, you already have a complimentary en-suite bar (one of the niceties of luxury cruises). Tell your butler or stateroom attendant that you’re entertaining, and they’ll put out a spread of munchies — which on a recent Crystal Cruises sailing included wonderful cheeses and cold seafood. 

Seriously, when was the last time you gave your suitcase a good scrubbing? Even if the scuffs and smudges don’t bother you, they might bug your butler, who may take it upon himself to vacuum and clean your bags inside out. (Same goes for your scuffed shoes.) And if he doesn’t offer, just ask. You can also request assistance unpacking your bags and repacking them at the end of the cruise. There’s no charge for these services.

This may be a small touch, but we love it: stationery printed with your name. Send notes to friends back home (what better way to brag about being on a luxury cruise) or use your stationery to pen notes to fellow passengers. Seabourn and Silversea provide stationery in all suites, while Crystal gives it to passengers in the fancier suites (or to people who ask nicely).

Many lines will draw your bath, but some make that experience even more special. On Seabourn cruises, your suite stewardess presents you with a menu of Pure Pampering bath oils, each with a different focus (relaxing, moisturizing). Make your choice and she’ll draw your bath. On Silversea, you might return to your suite after a long day of exploring to find a warm, scented bubble bath awaiting your arrival, without even asking.

A good cruise line knows that cleanliness is next to godliness. On Seabourn, the suite stewardess will present several soap options on a silver tray, including L’Occitane, Molton Brown, and unscented options. On Silversea, choices include Bvlgari and Ferragamo. Stay in a penthouse — or above — suite on Regent Seven Seas Cruises and you can luxuriate in Hermès products.

Luxury ships may have wonderful, fancy cuisine, but we all get homesick now and then. Give the chefs 24 hours notice (or more, if you’re requesting something complicated) and they’ll prepare your choice of comfort food. On Regent Seven Seas Cruises, you can bring a favorite recipe from home and the crew will make the exact dish.

If you love goose down, are allergic to feathers, or prefer memory foam, no worries. If you’re sailing on Silversea, there’s a pillow menu that lets you customize your sleeping style. (Silversea will also allow you to choose the firmness of your mattress.) On Crystal Cruises, allergy sufferers get allergen-free pillows — and more — in the hypoallergenic Deluxe PURE Staterooms, which are the only accommodations of their kind at sea. You’re sure to have a better night’s sleep.