Thereâs so much to experience on todayâs cruise ships and now, as ships create tucked away spots for private dining, sunning and small gatherings, cruisers can add seclusion to the diverse attractions of a value vacation at sea.
âIncreasingly, cruise lines are creating intimate spaces for guests, even on the largest ships,â says Christine Duffy, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). She notes that while vacationers love the entertainment and activity experiences of cruising, many are also looking for quiet time and increased personalized serviceââand they can get this now from a concierge level cabin with its own lounge or by having a romantic dinner for two under the stars in a secret nook of the ship.â
Following is a sampling of some of the wonderful features that are being created on CLIA North American fleet cruise lines for passengers seeking a tranquil retreat or exclusive enclave.
Balconies are among the most popular privacy features, and ships, from luxury to mega, are upping the percentage of cabins with balconies. One line has even figured out a way to provide balconies for inside cabins. Disney Cruise Lineâs newest ships have private verandahs on 70 percent of staterooms and suites. Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess has balconies on all outside cabins. Royal Caribbean Internationalâs refurbished Navigator of the Seas will emerge next year with âvirtualâ balconies â LED projection screens showing live images taken by exterior cameras–for interior cabins.
Club sections take exclusivity and pampering to new levels. Similar to luxury hotel concierge floors, many ships have club or concierge level cabins with upgraded services and intimate lounges. Holland America Lineâs Neptune Lounge, open to guests in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, is a private lounge with a wide screen TV, continental breakfast and coffee, tea and snacks throughout the day as well as concierge service.
Cabanas, usually rentable by the day or for the whole cruise, put guests in the heart of the action while indulging them with special services. Celebrity Cruisesâ âThe Alcoves,â on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection come with fresh fruit, chilled towels, use of a pre-loaded iPad and more. An attendant is also on hand to arrange for spa treatments, food and other services. Holland America Lineâs âCabana Clubâ on the Nieuw Amsterdam offers airy, tented cabanas with plush upholstered seating where guests receive extras such as bathrobes, chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne and a pre-loaded iPod.
Adults-only areas are becoming increasingly popular, especially on kid-friendly sailings. While spas have long been serene retreats, adults-only spaces for everything from dining to swimming and sunning are now popping on a wide array of ships. Disney Cruise Lineâs Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar invites adults to sunbathe, swim, sip a cool drink or soak in a hot tub overlooking the ocean. Royal Caribbean Internationalâs glass-canopied Solarium pool area and cafĂ©, with cantilevered whirlpools that jut out over the sea, are popular adults-only spots. Carnival Cruises Linesâ Serenity adult-only area, offered on many of its ships, features plush lounge chairs, bar and food service, whirlpools and soothing music.
Hidden hot tubs, tree houses and more are also adding fun, new twists on serenity on many ships. Celebrity Cruisesâ âThe Hideaway,â available on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection, resembles an avant-garde tree house with cozy suspended ânestsâ and pods where guests can try out Apple products from the Celebrity iLounge or cuddle up with a good book. Seabournâs new ships, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest, offer tucked away nooks such as the top deck Sun Terrace, with double sun-beds nestled behind a clear windscreen. And all Seabourn ships feature a secluded whirlpool spa on the open foredeck, ideal for a celebratory glass of champagne as the ship leaves port.
The cocooning concept goes one step further with the creation of the new wave of elite sections on some ships. Here, guests find everything they need in their own private retreat. MSC Cruisesâ MSC Yacht Club, called a âship within a ship,â wraps guests in a private pool, solarium, restaurant and butler-serviced suites. Norwegian Cruise Lineâs âThe Havenâ has butler-serviced cabins that surround a private two-story courtyard with pools, whirlpools, a massage room, private restaurant, cocktail bar and concierge lounge.
Libraries arenât just about books any more, either. Large or small, ship libraries offer quiet yet sociable spots for reading, writing and board games. Azamara Club Cruisesâ Drawing Room by Assouline is a quiet spot to relax with its collection of lifestyle and travel books by Assouline. Cunard Lineâs Queen Mary 2 has a large library which displays more than 9,500 books, audio books and publications in a relaxing setting for readers. Carnival Cruise Linesâ newest ships, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine, feature The Library Bar, where self-serve wine dispensers and bartenders set the mood for quiet conversation, board games, and yes, reading.
Exotic dining spaces set the scene for personal evenings. These very private areas can be ideal for special anniversaries or other occasions. Paul Gauguin Cruisesâ M/s Paul Gauguin offers private dining on the water sports marina for up to four guests to enjoy gourmet cuisine at a table set with white linen, fine china and crystal glasses along with live Polynesian entertainment. Oceania Cruisesâ Riviera and Marina both offer PrivĂ©e, a dining room that can be reserved for up to 10 guests, where the plush dĂ©cor features a white Venini glass chandelier, white baby crocodile throne chairs and backlit onyx-clad walls.
Cozy dining rooms with special wine and food pairings are another way ships are creating distinctive, intimate dining experiences. Crystal Cruisesâ Vintage Room seats up to 14 for multi-course wine and food pairings at its private tasting table. Oceania Cruisesâ Riviera and Marina offer seven-course wine and food pairings for up to 24 guests in its La Reserve by Wine Spectator room.
After dinner lounges, piano bars and jazz clubs provide a tranquil oasis on a wide array of ships, but on some, cigar bars and original designs add to the sense of exclusivity. Cunard Lineâs Queen Mary 2 provides Churchillâs, a 12-seat salon for cigar and pipe smokers. Crystal Cruisesâ Connoisseur Club offers a clubby Old World ambience for cigar smokers, while Pulse on the Crystal Serenity and Luxe on the Crystal Symphony are designed for quiet dancing, karaoke and relaxed conversation. Disney Cruise Lineâs intimate lounges include Disney Fantasyâs Ooh La La, a French boudoir-style club, and Disney Dreamâs Pink, a small, upscale cocktail lounge.
For expert advice, travelers can turn to CLIA travel professionals, who stay current on the latest offerings and trends, and can help their clients select the ship with the features that will fulfill their dreams. To find a CLIA travel professional in your area, visitwww.cruising.org and click on Vacations.
