The Hottest Digs at Sea
Have a client thinking of cruising with their family? Cruises make for an excellent family vacation, but the experts at CruiseCompete note it’s important to plan carefully to find the cruise that’s right for everyone.
One important thing to consider are the staterooms where the family will rest their heads, so it’s good to know what the cruise lines offer that are geared especially for families.
The following is a look at some of CruiseCompete’s favourite cabins for families on today’s premium cruise lines: Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.
- Princess Cruises – Family Suite with Balcony (Emerald Princess). Premium accommodations and luxurious appointments are the signature of Princess Cruises’ expansive 460- to 687-sq. ft. suites.
A Family Suite includes a spacious cabin, and large 95- to 241-sq. ft. balcony, along with special suite-only benefits. Suites feature a separate seating area with a sofabed, walk-in closet, full bathroom and deluxe amenities. Pricing for a suite on the Emerald Princess seven-night Alaskan Cruise starts at US$1,397.24 per person, double occupancy, not including port taxes and fees.
- Celebrity Cruises – The Reflection Suites. Celebrity Cruises offers an impressive family option with its Reflection Suite, a two-bedroom suite with 1,636 sq. ft., plus a 194-sq.-ft. veranda. It boasts a panoramic corner location, with a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass veranda door and window and an incredible sea view bathroom.
Additional suite amenities include 24/7 personal butler service, complimentary mini bar stocked daily, complimentary Internet access and complimentary laundry service. Reflection Suite guests also enjoy a dedicated private restaurant, exclusive access to the private Michael’s club, unlimited dining at all specialty restaurants and a complimentary premium beverage package.
The Reflections Suites pricing currently starts at US$2,165 per person, double occupancy, per night for a seven-night Caribbean Cruise, not including port taxes and fees.
- Holland America Line – The Pinnacle Suite and Family Ocean-View Staterooms. HAL’s Pinnacle Suite is 1,290 sq. ft., including verandah.
As another option, the Koningsdam family ocean-view staterooms are a first for Holland America. The 32 new specially designed family ocean-view staterooms range from 222 to 231 sq. ft. and feature special amenities such as two bathrooms and accommodations for five people.
The line also offers triple and quad staterooms for families of three and four that wish to share a room. Connecting cabins are also available.
The starting rate for the Pinnacle Suite on a Koningsdam, seven-day Northern Europe cruise is US$7,000 per person, double occupancy, not including port taxes and fees.
The starting rate for the family oceanview stateroom on a Koningsdam seven-day Europe cruise, departing May 22, is US$1,799 per person, double occupancy, not including port taxes and fees… and kids sail free.
- Disney Cruise Line – The Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah. Some might argue that every cabin and suite aboard Disney’s ships are a “family suite,” and they wouldn’t be wrong, as this line is known for catering especially to families. However, they have a truly impressive offering in the Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah aboard the Disney Dream. This suite is 1,781 sq. ft., including the verandah, featuring a separate bedroom and two bathrooms, with double sinks, a rain-style shower and a whirlpool tub in the master bath.
Additional amenities include concierge service, complimentary WiFi, a private verandah featuring a whirlpool tub, a pantry and wet bar stocked with water and sodas.
The starting rate for the Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah on the Disney Dream four-night Bahamas cruise, departing May 23, is US$3,280 per person, double occupancy, not including port taxes and fees.
