If you and your family are looking for a family-friendly cruise
experience on a big ship, but want the amenities of a luxury ship, you can have
both.
Most luxury cruise ships are small – less than 2,000 passengers, and
sometimes no more than 200 – and while they have top-notch everything, they
don’t always suit the needs of cruising families. They don’t offer special facilities
or activities for children, nor do they have space for the number of dining
spots or entertainment venues found on ships that accommodate 4,000 passengers
or more.
The good news is that the “ship within a ship” option offered by some
cruise lines will give you a luxury experience on a ship that also has lots of features
to please family members of all ages and tastes.
Examples include:
The Haven, featured
on nine Norwegian Cruise Line ships, is a collection of suites and other spaces
for the exclusive use of Haven guests. Staterooms in The Haven are the most
luxurious and spacious on the ship, and they come with a dedicated concierge
and 24-hour butler service. There’s no crowding at the serene private sundeck, whirlpool,
or fitness area; or in the lounge and restaurant reserved just for Haven guests.
Of course, you can enjoy the rest of the ship’s amenities, too, including the
Splash Academy program for kids up to age 12 and the Entourage program for
teens. Haven guests also receive priority service when embarking and
disembarking, priority seating at shows and in specialty restaurants, and other
nice perks.
The Yacht Club is popping
up on more MSC Cruises ships as the cruise line goes through a growth spurt.
This ship-within-a-ship is currently available on six MSC ships. Like The
Haven, the Yacht Club offers concierge and butler service, plus exclusive
facilities that are generally more tranquil than those open to all passengers. It’s
Yacht Club guests only at the Top Sail lounge, where the views are panoramic.
There’s also a dedicated restaurant and a pool deck with a private swimming
pool, whirlpools, sun deck and bar. Plus, a dedicated elevator can whisk Yacht
Club guests directly to the ship’s spa for pampering treatments.
Other lines that don’t have actual luxury enclaves on their ships (at
least, not yet) are experimenting with offering special amenities to passengers
who book certain classes of suites. Watch for this trend to continue, giving
you more opportunities to satisfy your taste for luxury cruising without
sacrificing the innovative and family-friendly amenities of today’s large
cruise ships. Ask Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert, to steer
you toward the ship-within-a-ship concept.
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