Inside the world’s most expensive cruise ship suites
Sumptuous suites on the seas
Ridiculously luxurious and packed with every high-end amenity imaginable, the world's ultra-premium cruise ship suites give their most opulent counterparts on dry land a good run for their money. Click through the gallery for a glimpse inside the most stunning examples on the seas.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
First choice for the discerning traveler, the super-stylish Crystal Serenity is a luxury liner that attracts a particularly well-heeled clientele, who are fond of the finer things in life and don't mind paying through the nose for a superior cruising experience.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
The cruise ship boasts four swanky Crystal Penthouses. These elite suites, which sprawl over 1,345 square feet, have been revamped as part of the liner's recent $17 million (£13.7m) refurb and rock a stylish boutique hotel vibe.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
With decor is inspired by “the classic flats of London and sophisticated style of Manhattan”, the penthouses feature unique design touches, from specially-commissioned artwork to striking Swarovski crystal sconces and handcrafted Italian tiles.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
Standout design touches also include eye-catching cut-open screens and swish marble accents. In terms of tech, the suite offers several Bose VideoWave III TVs, an iPod dock and surround sound audio system, and superfast Wi-Fi.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
A masterclass in cool, understated design, the master bedroom comfortably fits in a roomy queen-sized bed and spacious seating area, while the suite's living room doubles up as a second bedroom.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
Crystal Penthouse guests have their every whim catered to – each suite comes with a personal butler who is on call 24 hours a day, and will do everything from unpack cases and pour champagne to polish guests' shoes.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
Guests are spoilt with private car transfers, a bottle of Cristal champagne upon arrival, complimentary drinks and canapés throughout their stay, not to mention fresh flowers, a luxury fruit basket and invites to the captain's cocktail parties.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
The decadent bathroom seriously wows with stunning Italian marble mosaics and a huge walk-in shower, which is fitted with an embedded TV in a vanity mirror. Guests can also bathe in the Duravit spa flotation tub and gaze at the ocean views through the porthole window.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
Further adding to its luxe appeal, the bathroom features glass vessel Kohler sinks, a heated marble floor and a heated marble bench to boot – the perfect place for a full-on pamper session or two.
Crystal Penthouse, Crystal Serenity – from $1,762 (£1,414) per person, per night
Guest can enjoy breathtaking ocean views and spectacular sunsets from the teak verandah balcony, which features comfy chaise lounges and table for two, as well as cashmere blankets for when the weather is chilly.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
Completed in 2004, Cunard's flagship transatlantic liner harks back to the golden age of ocean travel and remains the largest liner every built. The Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite is the ship's most luxurious accommodation.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
Fittingly named after the British royal family's Scottish retreat, the two-story, 2,249 square-foot suite has been recently refurbished to the highest specifications. Nodding to England's Eltham Palace, the overall feel is refined Art Deco elegance.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
Cunard has spared no expense decking out its flagship duplex suite. The capacious lounge area doesn't disappoint with posh sofas, a huge dining table, which sits eight comfortably and a sweeping staircase, which leads to the upper level.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
The Biedermeier-style furniture is top-notch and the finishes are all quality rosewood and shiny chrome. The lounge area also features a flat-screen interactive satellite TV, fully-stocked minibar and home office corner.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
Guests are pampered to perfection with a personal butler on call 24 hours a day, freebie champagne, fresh fruit and pre-dinner canapés, as well as a nightly turndown service with chocolates.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
The enormous master bedroom on the upper floor provides ample room for a lavish king-sized bed and then some – guests certainly won't feel like they're sleeping in a cramped cabin with all the space on offer.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
In addition to the massive master bedroom, the upper floor area also comprises a gym area, complete with treadmill, impressive walk-in closets/dressing rooms and the suite's well-appointed bathrooms.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
There are actually two 'his and hers' dressing rooms in the suite, which each have their own bathroom. These gorgeous marble bathrooms feature whirlpool baths, showers and heated flooring.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
Guests also receive complimentary Penhaligon toiletries, soft terry robes and matching slippers to chill out in, as well as the finest quality Egyptian cotton towels money can buy – they really want for nothing.
Balmoral Grand Duplex Suite, Queen Mary 2 – from $2,628 (£2,104) per person, per night
The icing on the cake, the suite's private balcony has exquisite teak decking, a teak handrail on top of the balustrade and posh balcony furniture – the ideal place to kick back and enjoy the ocean views.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
Redefining standards of cruise ship luxury, the wonderfully opulent Seven Seas Explorer, which launched last year, has been dubbed 'the most luxurious ship every built' – this liner is as high-end as it gets with acres of marble and genuine artworks by Picasso and Chagall.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
The ship's flagship two-bedroom Regent Suite is the world's most expensive cruise suite, starting at an eye-watering $10,000 (£8,000) per night for a couple. The last word in nautical elegance, it sprawls over 2,917 square feet or 3,875 square feet including the balcony.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
If the two Picassos hanging in the entrance hall aren't enough to impress you, the main lounge area is a sight to behold, with its plush seating area, fully-stocked marble bar and bespoke Steinway Arabesque piano worth a quarter of a million dollars.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
Views from the suite are amazing – the main lounge area leads out to a glass-enclosed outdoor viewing deck with 270-degree vistas, just the place to enjoy a champagne cocktail as the sun is setting.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
Guests are waited on hand on foot by a personal butler. The price also includes all gourmet meals, a welcome bottle of vintage champagne and a number of excursions with a private driver and guide. Tech wise, the suite features flat-screen TVs with plenty of movies on demand.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
The master bedroom is super-spacious and rocks an extra-special bed with a $90,000 (£72,000) horsehair mattress and bedding worth $60,000 (£48,000). We're sure guests won't have any trouble sleeping in this beauty.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
As well as the master bedroom, there's a roomy second bedroom with twin beds, which is decorated with the same panache and style as the master bedroom – all fancy wood finishes, leather paneling and high-end linens. Guests also have access to walk-in closets.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
The marble master bathroom, aka 'the relaxation chamber', doubles up as a spa. It features a sauna, steam room and heated loungers, as well as a large bathtub, dual sinks and a multi-jet rainfall shower.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
Relaxation shouldn't be a problem in the Regent Suite. Guests can indulge in unlimited spa treatments, which are included in the price. They include calming aromatherapy massages, nourishing facials and therapeutic body treatments.
Regent Suite, Seven Seas Explorer – from $5,000 (£4,000) per person, per night
To top it all, guests receive a slew of pricey beauty products by the likes of Hermès and L'Occitane en Provence, as well as ultra-plush bathrobes and slippers made from the softest cotton imaginable.