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MS EUROPA 2

Freedom that takes you places, ms europa 2 - discover luxury cruises like never before.

All the promises of a yacht and the serenity of a small resort: on board the EUROPA 2, you can enjoy the highest level of casual luxury with a maximum of 500 guests . Discover the best cruise ship in the world*.

  our Philosophy

ENTERTAINMENT

It's showtime.

A TOTAL EXPERIENCE

A perfect swing

Suite Dreams

Restaurant & bars

Haute cuisine. the height of casual..

DESTINATIONS

We understand your dreams.

RELAXATION & FITNESS

En route together

Departure anthem: We Are the Sun

The departure anthem "We Are the Sun" is exclusively for private use and must not be duplicated in any way!

SHIP INFORMATION

Get all information about EUROPA 2. 

DISCOVER THE WORLD

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Request our free catalogue MS EUROPA 2.

* According to Insight Guides 2024.

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Discover EXPLORA II, the new uniquely elegant ship of our fleet, now sailing.

EXPLORA II Exteriors

The Conservatory

Open Air Fitness

Astern Pool

Med Yacht Club

Hydrotherapy Pool

The Journey

EXPLORA II Ship Highlights

Ocean-front Suites

Heated Pools

Restaurants

Bars & Lounges

Guest to Host Ratio

EXPLORA II Deck Plans

Private Whirlpool

Single Sofa Bed

Double Sofa Bed

Guest Laundry

Accessible Suites

Connecting Suites

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite (GT)

Ocean Terrace Suite (OT4)

Ocean Terrace Suite (OT3)

Ocean Terrace Suite (OT2)

Ocean Terrace Suite (OT1)

Penthouses (PH)

Deluxe Penthouses (DP)

Premier Penthouses (PP)

Grand Penthouses (GP)

Cove Residence (CO)

Retreat Residence (RR)

Serenity Residence (SR)

Cocoon Residence (CR)

Owner's Residence (OR)

Life on board EXPLORA II

Immersive dining with nine inclusive culinary experiences

The perfect blend of vibrancy and privacy across more than 12 bars and lounges

Ocean-inspired Spa, Technogym Fitness Centre, Open Air Fitness

Unforgettable family moments: Nautilus Club, tailored experiences, connecting suites

The ultimate shopping experience at sea

Four heated pools, private cabanas and expansive outdoor decks

Captain & Godmother

Captain serena melani.

As Master of EXPLORA II, Captain Serena Melani, who holds the highest grade of seafarer qualification onboard, has the ultimate responsibility for everything that happens, being the accountable person in the eyes of the law for all the activities on board the ship. 

Serena Melani

Captain Serena Melani is the Master of EXPLORA II, the second ship of Explora Journeys. First appointed in June 2022 as the Master of EXPLORA I, she launched the ship in 2023, followed by her inaugural season journeys.

With her 32-year career at sea, Captain Serena is a role model for inclusivity, being one of very few female senior leaders in the maritime industry. Prior to joining Explora Journeys, after graduating from the Nautical Technical School in her hometown of Livorno, an Italian port city on Tuscany’s coastline, Serena gained her early experience onboard various oil tankers, gas carriers, RoRo ships and livestock carriers. She spent seven years with Carnival Cruises, working her way up from 3rd Officer to 1st Officer. Most recently, Serena spent twelve years with Regent Seven Seas, where she became their first female Master and first Italian female Master of a passenger ship. In 2020 she became the first ever female Master in cruise history to launch a ship. 

When not at sea, Serena splits her time between Italy and her home in Korcula, a Dalmatian Island of Croatia with her husband. Travelling is a key dimension of her life, and she has a special connection with Africa and the Dolomites, part of the Northern Italian mountains.  

Godmother of EXPLORA II

Rosalba Giugni, pioneering environmentalist and founder of Marevivo, Italy’s leading non-profit organisation focused on marine conservation, has been named Godmother of EXPLORA II.

In the rich maritime tradition, the role of a ship’s Godmother is one of deep significance, symbolizing good luck and protection for the vessel and all who sail aboard her. It is a role reserved for individuals who embody the values and aspirations of the ship they officially name, making the selection of the Godmother a decision of utmost importance. For EXPLORA II, the latest ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, the choice was clear: Rosalba Giugni, a pioneering environmentalist and founder of Marevivo, has been named the Godmother of this remarkable vessel.

Rosalba Giugni’s selection as Godmother reflects Explora Journeys’ commitment to ocean conservation and sustainability. Giugni’s life work has been dedicated to the protection of the Mediterranean Sea and its delicate ecosystems. As the founder and president of Marevivo, Italy’s leading non-profit organisation focused on marine conservation, she has spent 40 years tirelessly advocating for the health of the oceans. Founded in 1985, Marevivo has grown under Giugni’s leadership to include over 30,000 members, becoming a key player in environmental advocacy in Italy and beyond. Her efforts have led to significant legislative changes, including the control of driftnets and the protection of vital marine habitats like Posidonia seagrass. Giugni’s work is not just about preserving the sea; it is about fostering a deeper connection between people and the ocean, inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards.  

The partnership between Explora Journeys and Rosalba Giugni is a natural one, born from a shared vision of marine conservation and education. For nearly a decade, Marevivo has partnered with the MSC Group, the parent company of Explora Journeys, to promote marine conservation in the Mediterranean. This collaboration, which has been supported by the MSC Foundation since 2019, reflects a mutual dedication to protecting the oceans and educating the public about the importance of environmental stewardship. A cooperation that has been developed through Explora Journeys’ dedicated efforts toward ecological transition, making the cruise industry more sustainable and setting new market standards by embracing energy transition principles. Implementing the ecological transition is a crucial mission to which Rosalba Giugni is deeply committed. 

As Godmother of EXPLORA II, Rosalba Giugni will perform the ceremonial blessing of the ship, a tradition that includes cutting the ribbon to release  a bottle of champagne against the bow, symbolizing good fortune for the ship and her journeys. This ceremony, set to take place in the Journeys Lounge, will be a momentous occasion, witnessed by distinguished guests and dignitaries.

EXPLORA II, with her innovative design, is a ship that embodies the values Rosalba Giugni has championed throughout her career.

Rosalba Giugni’s story is one of passion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the environment. As a woman who has broken barriers in her field, she is not only a symbol of strength and determination but also an inspiration to countless women and young people worldwide. Her role as

Godmother of EXPLORA II is a fitting tribute to her extraordinary contributions to marine  conservation, and her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire for generations to come. 

Live from EXPLORA II

Follow the ship in real time. Share views of her current location.

The making of EXPLORA II    

6 October 2021

Steel Cutting Ceremony

Explora Journeys initiated building its second luxury ship in Italy, affirming its commitment to tourism partners.

8 February 2023

Coin Ceremony

This time-honoured maritime ceremony saw commemorative coins placed in the ship. A symbol of blessing during construction and a wish for good fortune.

6 September 2023

A significant moment as EXPLORA II touched the water for the first time before entering the final stages of construction. 

12 June 2024

EXPLORA II has successfully completed her sea trials.

12 September 2024

Delivery Ceremony

EXPLORA II was delivered to become the second ship to join Explora Journeys.

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International Luxury Lifestyle Magazine

Cunard Line Queen Mary 2 Cruise Ship Review

The Queen of the seas has returned. The Queen Mary 2 cruise ship is one of the most iconic ocean liners in the world.

This review will give you an exclusive look at what it’s like to be on board Cunard Queen Mary 2, from staying in a Queens Grill Suite to restaurant reports and entertainment reviews. You’ll get a more comprehensive view of what life is like for passengers on this ship while they enjoy some of the best views in the world!

History of Queen Mary 2 Cruise Liner

RMS Queen Mary 2 is a transatlantic ocean liner that first set sail in January 2004 for Cunard Line. She was named after her predecessor Queen Mary, and she sails on a regular basis between Southampton, U.K. and New York City, U.S.A., making her the only ocean liner to regularly cross the Atlantic in both directions.

Now part of the Carnival cruise line group, Cunard was established by Samuel Cunard in 1840. Cunard ships were among the fastest making transatlantic voyages.

The QM2 is one of four Cunard Line vessels currently in operation. These are Queen Anne , Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, also known as the Four Queens . She was named by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth during an official ceremony held on 8 January 2004.

The maiden voyage of QM2 departed Southampton on 12 January 2004 for New York City. QM2 has since made thousands of transatlantic cruises. She has been extensively refurbished in 2016 and 2020.

Cunard Line’s flagship vessel offers a range of cabins to suit all budgets – from basic inside cabins with no views to luxurious suites on board with access to large balconies. Read on for our exclusive review of this majestic floating palace.

Queen Mary 2 Overview

The legendary cruise ship that is the Queen Mary 2 has returned to the ocean waves once again. On 13 December 2021, Cunard’s flagship cruise liner made her first transatlantic crossing since the pandemic.

The Queen Mary 2 is a ship that can do it all. This ocean liner has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation.

The QM2 is one of the most luxurious cruise liners in operation today, and offers a wide variety of on-board amenities that cater to all types of guests. These include a casino, the Royal Court Theatre, the Queens Room Ballroom, G32 nightclub, several pools and the Illuminations Planetarium. There are also kennels on Deck 12, available for cats and dogs on transatlantic crossings.

Guests can admire many works of art in the public rooms including an enormous tapestry by Barbara Broekman in the Britannia Restaurant and an Art Deco inspired bronze relief panel by John McKenna in the Grand Lobby. Fun fact: there’s an image of Homer Simpson hidden in the North America panel!

Queens Grill Suites

Whether you’re taking a relaxing cruise around the Mediterranean or crossing the Atlantic in style, the Queen Mary II Queens Grill Suites are sure to make your voyage unforgettable.

The Queen Mary 2 Queens Grill Suites offer guests the utmost in luxury and comfort. With their own restaurant, special privileges and luxurious furnishings, it is no wonder that these suites are among the most popular on board the ship. The Balmoral and Sandringham suites are Cunard’s most luxurious cruise suites .

Guests who stay in a Queen Mary 2 Queens Grill Suite can enjoy exclusive access to The Queens Grill restaurant and The Grills Lounge , as well as special privileges such as priority boarding and luggage handling. The suites are also outfitted with luxurious bedding and a flat-screen TV.

Boasting a large private balcony with reclining chairs and a walk-in closet, this suite is larger than some apartments! There’s a whirlpool bath, dressing table, well-stocked glassware cabinet and a large flat screen TV. A writing desk and comfy armchairs give plenty of seating options.

These suites come with their own personal butler, priority tender services and priority disembarkation. We love the Champagne and chocolates on arrival and the pre-dinner canapés.

The complimentary bar is stocked with two bottles of spirits or wine of your choice and soft drinks. In-suite dining is available from the Queens Grill menu – we didn’t get time to try it but this would also be a fun thing to do.

Queen Mary 2 Restaurants and Bars

The Queen Mary 2 is known for her amazing dining rooms, and there are plenty of them to choose from on board. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something to your taste on the Queen Mary 2.

Our personal favourites are the Queens Grill and The Verandah , but there’s something for everyone! Guests can opt for a range of drinks packages that can be ordered before you sail or on board.

Queens Grill is reserved for those staying in the Queens Grill Suites. This elegant restaurant offers an upscale experience with dishes like lobster bisque and rack of lamb. Your dinner table is available at whatever time you wish between 6.30 to 9 pm.

There’s also a good breakfast selection, with dishes such as eggs benedict, kedgeree and omelettes cooked to order.

Princess Grill restaurant is reserved for those staying in a Princess Grill Suite. It offers fine dining with an extensive menu.

Britannia Club Restaurant – available exclusively for those staying in Britannia Club Balcony Staterooms, this intimate restaurant has daily changing menus.

Britannia Restaurant – the main dining room on board the Queen Mary 2 has an elegant decor and wide choice of dishes. A children’s menu is also available.

Kings Court – this self-service restaurant has a great selection of food, from pizza to sushi and stir fries.

Steakhouse at The Verandah is a luxurious fine dining restaurant specialising in French cuisine and steak in particular. There’s a supplement to eat at The Verandah, which in our opinion is well worth it for the attentive service and delicious dishes. Don’t miss the Caribbean lobster cocktail and the Australian grass-fed wagyu beef.

The Golden Lion pub has a traditional British menu with items like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.

The Carinthia Lounge is a relaxing spot for a light breakfast or lunch.

The Boardwalk Cafe is al fresco and open on trips to sunny climes.

24 hour complimentary room service is also included for all passengers. Grills guests can also order from the full Queens Grill or Princess Grill menu.

Afternoon tea is served at a variety of locations around the ship, for a supplement. In the Queens Room, white gloved waiters are on hand from 3.30 to 4.30 pm each day.

Grills guests can enjoy tea in the Grills Lounge , while a more casual version is available in Kings Court. The Godiva Lounge has a decadent chocolate themed tea, while we highly recommend the Champagne Laurent-Perrier afternoon tea served in The Champagne Lounge .

Chart Room is a stylish cocktail bar with 20 zodiac themed drinks.

Commodore Club is an elegant viewing lounge overlooking the bow of the ship.

Gin & Fizz has a fine range of premium gins and a central location on board.

Queens Room is the largest ballroom at sea, but it also hosts many other activities such as afternoon tea and fencing classes.

Queen Mary 2 Entertainment

Queen Mary II daytime activities include several pools, a cinema, a fitness center, libraries and shops. The entertainment on board the ship is top-notch.

There are daytime presentations by expert guest speakers and nightly performances around the ship from some of the world’s best musicians and dancers. We particularly enjoyed a folk music concert and a harpist recital.

Queen Mary 2’s Gala Evenings are legendary. Taking place throughout the ship, they have a specific dress code and are based on a particular theme such as Black and White or Roaring 20s.

Casino – If you’re looking for some excitement, then the casino on board the Queen Mary is the place to be! You can try your luck at blackjack, roulette, or poker.

G32 nightclub is the place to dance like no one is watching and to enjoy DJ beats and live music.

Illuminations Planetarium – This 3D cinema is the largest planetarium at sea. It offers first run Hollywood feature films as well as concerts and special events throughout the voyage.

The Royal Court Theatre spans two decks and seats almost 1,000 people.

The Promenade Deck can be found on Deck 7. Jogging is allowed between 8 am to 8 pm, so as not to disturb guests on Deck 6.

The Play Zone on Deck 6 has inside and outside zones for children aged 1-12 years and a range of art and sports activities.

Shops – on Deck 3, Queen Mary 2 offers several shops for passengers where you can find both duty-free shopping as well as souvenirs to take home with you. There’s a good range of Cunard branded items as well as fashion clothes, luxury jewelry, designer watches and formal wear.

The Library – this 8,000 volume library is the largest library at sea.

Queen Mary 2 Wellness and Spa

There are two outdoor pools on board this luxury ocean liner, as well as the indoor Pavilion Pool on Deck 12, which has a retractable roof. For children, the Minnows Pool can be found outside on Deck 6.

There are also two hot tubs next to the Pavilion Pool. On Deck 11, there’s a private outdoor area with a hot tub, open to all Grill Passengers staying in Princess Grill and Queens Grill Suites.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can head to the sports area on Deck 13 and play basketball or short tennis. When the weather is good, try your hand at deck quoits and shuffleboard. On Deck 12 there’s The Fairways Golf Simulator.

The Fitness Suite is located on Deck 16 aft. It features a wide range of cardio machines, bikes, treadmills and free weights. You can book a session with a personal trainer for a fee.

The on board salon offers hair treatments for men and women as well as a barbers, manicures and pedicures with a lovely sea view.

Head to Mareel Spa if you want to treat yourself to a day of relaxation. The treatments are well worth it.

The spa has a hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite with aromatic steam room, Finnish sauna and sensory showers as well as a relaxation area. You can purchase either a single or multiday pass.

We recommend popping into the spa reception on embarkation day, as the therapists are on hand to show you the treatment rooms and to explain the various services on offer. We booked into an Aroma Stone Therapy , a Deep Tissue Muscle Massage and a Dynamic Resurfacing Precision Peel facial. The treatments are very effective and we felt the benefits for several weeks afterwards.

Cunard Shore Excursions

Queen Mary 2 shore excursions are a great way to explore the ports of call on your cruise. There is a wide variety of options, from guided tours and city walks to wine tastings and shopping trips.

These excursions can be booked up to a year in advance, via the My Cunard portal . No matter what you’re interested in, there’s sure to be a Queen Mary II shore excursion that’s perfect for you, from bespoke experiences to accessible tours.

We docked in Cherbourg during our Queen Mary 2 cruise and chose a foodie excursion to Cidrerie Théo Capelle (a cider and Calvados producer) and La Maison du Biscuit in the Normandy countryside. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and both destinations had some lovely products to purchase.

Tips for Your Queen Mary 2 Voyage

• You can make restaurant bookings within the My Voyage Cunard app on your phone or tablet.
• WiFi packages are available for purchase via the app. Don’t forget to turn off data roaming.
• A photographer is on hand in the evenings to take commemorative photos. There is no charge to have these taken and the photos will be on display for purchase in the Photo Gallery the next day.
• You can enable announcements from the Captain via your television.
• A printed information sheet is provided the night before in your cabin to help you plan the next day’s activities.

What to Pack for a Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Cruise

• Evening attire for the Gala Evening – black tie, white tie or dark suit and tie for men. Black or white evening dress for ladies.
• Several smart dresses for the other evenings.
• Smart casual attire for daytime.
• A padded waterproof coat, ideally with a hood for walking around deck on cold days.
• Winter boots for any excursions.
• Fingerless gloves for taking photos on deck.
• A warm wool hat for outdoors.
• Smart evening shoes for women and dress shoes for men
• Comfy shoes for daytime, ideally with a padded insole for walking.
• Gym wear and swimming costume.
• Toiletries and cosmetics – the shops stock essentials such as toothpaste if you forget anything.
• Hair styling aids such as curling irons or tongs.
• Mobile phone charger and battery pack.

What Not to Bring On Board

• Personal hairdryers – low current hairdryers are provided in your stateroom.
• Personal irons are not permitted, and low current irons are provided in the launderettes.
• Bath and shower gel, body lotion and hand lotion are also provided.
• Power adapters for UK or USA voltage aren’t necessary as the ship has UK and US plugs.
• Extension leads are not allowed unless they are specifically to power essential medical equipment, such as CPAP and nebuliser machines. Surge-protected extension leads are not permitted.

In Conclusion: Queen Mary 2

The Queen Mary 2 is available for cruises across both oceans in various lengths, making her perfect for travellers looking to experience one of the most iconic ships afloat today!

The Queen Mary 2 is one of the world’s most luxurious and well-known cruise liners. She has a rich history, offers excellent facilities and shore excursions to all her passengers, and friendly crew members.

We hope that this cruise liner review answered some questions that you may have about life on board.

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Suze and Paul Renner

Suze and Paul are the founders of LuxuryColumnist, one of the leading luxury online magazines worldwide.

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Queen Mary 2 Cruise Ship

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Queen Mary 2 Overview

The Queen Mary 2 is famous for making her regular transatlantic crossings from London (Southampton) to New York. During these crossings passengers are welcomed to participate in tons of activities. During the day you can take acting classes hosted by performers from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art or get some exercise playing a tennis match on the Sports Court. The liner’s piece de resistance is the full-scale planetarium, where you can gaze above as you learn about the mysteries of the universe. At night get ready to break out your dancing shoes when you attend a formal ball. All throughout your cruise you’ll be meet with helpful staff and taste some of the finest food at sea. It’s truly a royal sailing experience. 

• Passenger Capacity: 2,691 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2004
• Last Refurbished: 2020

Queen Mary 2 Cruise Destinations

Cunard Line is famous for its transatlantic sailings, but they offer an impressive set of destinations and some fantastic itineraries all over the world. Visit four continents and hundreds of ports-of-call ranging from Tortola, British Virgin Islands to Tallinn, Estonia. Whether it be a historically enriching cruise to Northern Europe, or a tropical Hawaiian vacation, one of Cunard’s three regal ships will proudly be your vessel. 

From Mauritius to Cape Town, immerse yourself in the rugged beauty and special historical, cultural and culinary attractions of a cruise to Africa with Cunard Line.

Delight in the historic treasures and scenic pleasures of the Far East on a cruise through Asia aboard Cunard Line’s world-famous ocean liners.

Fall Foliage will delight you and the quaint history and culture will engage you onboard a cruise to Canada & New England.

Eastern Caribbean

Live the island life with Cunard in the Eastern Caribbean, where the sun is always shining. 

History comes alive when you visit sites like the Colosseum in Rome, Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. 

Northern Europe

History of royalty, fjords of Norway, and Baltic delights—Northern Europe cruises are an exciting vacation option.

Panama Canal

See man-made and natural wonders on a serene Cunard Line sailing through the revolutionary Panama Canal.

Transatlantic

Enjoy the excellent experience that is a vacation away from the everyday, sailing across the Atlantic and stopping at intriguing ports—try a transatlantic cruise.

Find adventure. Indulge on fine cuisine. Interact with everything from dolphins to wallabies. Travel the world with a World Voyage.

Queen Mary 2 Departure Ports

Traveling across the pond, there’s no cruise line better than Cunard, with more than 150 years of history, this brand makes routine cruises from Southampton to New York City and vice versa. However, they offer more than just transatlantic sailings. You can sail around the world with Cunard from Tokyo to Athens to San Francisco. Call The Cruise Web for a great offer on a Cunard cruise.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a modern city that people from all nationalities flock towards to indulge in designer clothes, fancy hotels and the high life.

The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.

Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sar, China

One of the world’s most exciting modern cities, Hong Kong offers a true East meets West experience where you can shop for traditional Chinese cure-alls and attend high tea all in the same afternoon.

Singapore, Singapore

Southeast Asia’s most modern city, Singapore, also contains a lot of history and treasures from the past, along with a perfect tropical climate – all making Singapore a wonderful destination year round.

Le Havre (Paris), France

In Northern France, explore Le Havre, a city with modern architecture and one of the most inspiring collections of Impressionist artwork.

Hamburg, Germany

A large city, Hamburg offers visitors an array of attractions. From the old buildings of the past to the vibrant red light district, there’s something for everyone cruising to Hamburg, Germany.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

The possibilities are endless when cruising to or from the City of Angels. Let your inner rock star shine as you explore the many wonders of Los Angeles, California.

Take in the incredible art scene of New York City, expand your cultural horizons in the city’s diverse neighborhoods and marvel at the architectural wonders.

Quebec City, Quebec

It’s easy to be wowed by Quebec City as Old World Europe is mixed with North American cultures alongside breathtaking landscapes and the flowing Saint Lawrence River.

On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

The cruise port of Southampton features tons of diverse attractions that provide insight into England’s culture and storied past, including fortresses, gardens and national parks.

Queen Mary 2 Deck Plans

Deck eleven, deck twelve, deck thirteen, queen mary 2 staterooms.

Balcony (BB)

Enjoy the view from your private balcony or the comfort of your luxurious interior as you relax in your well appointed accommodation. The Britannia Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony.

Balcony (BC)

Balcony (bf).

Balcony (DB)

Balcony (dc), balcony (df).

Balcony (BU)

Balcony (bv), balcony (by), balcony (bz).

Balcony (B3)

Our spacious balcony staterooms include a sitting area with sofa, ample closet space and bathroom with shower. (269 sq. ft.)

Balcony (A1)

Your Britannia Club Balcony offers space to relax, both inside and on your generous balcony. You will also dine in the Britannia Club Restaurant, a private area of the grand Britannia Restaurant, offering you the freedom to choose when you eat each evening. The Britannia Club Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony.

Balcony (A2)

Inside (KC)

From organised coffee gatherings to a host of daytime activities, solo travellers will always feel welcome and busy on board. Of course, thereÂ’s something to be said for relaxation too so you will find plenty of personal space both inside and out. The Britannia Single Oceanview staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

Inside (IA)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Standard Inside staterooms have one bed, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Inside (IB)

Inside (ic), inside (ie), inside (if).

Inside (HB)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Atrium View Inside staterooms have one bed, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Oceanview (KB)

Oceanview (EF)

Gaze upon an ever changing seascape from your large window, which offers lots of natural light in your spacious stateroom. The Britannia Oceanview staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

our Princess Grill Suite is spacious and relaxing. A private balcony and separate seating area offers space to relax and, of course you have exclusive access to the Grills Lounge and renowned Princess Grill restaurant. The Princess Suites have two beds, a bath and shower along with a living area and balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Grand Duplexes have a bedroom and two master bathrooms upstairs. Downstairs you'll find a guest bathroom, a living and dining area as well as a balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Penthouse Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Queens Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Royal Suites have a bedroom, bath and shower as well as seperate living and dining areas.

Photo Gallery for Queen Mary 2 Cruise Ship

Get a glimpse at the regal atmosphere that awaits you on a Cunard Cruise among one of their three Queens: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in this photo gallery. 

Commodore Club

Queen Mary 2

Winter Garden

Top 10 Queen Mary 2 Cruises

• Queen Mary 2 5 NIGHT Canada / New England CRUISE Departing From Quebec City, Quebec (Sep 2024)
• Queen Mary 2 9 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From New York, New York (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 11 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From New York, New York (Oct 2024)
• Queen Mary 2 2 NIGHT Europe CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 4 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Oct 2024 - Nov 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 2 NIGHT Europe CRUISE Departing From Hamburg, Germany (Oct 2024 - Jul 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 3 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Hamburg, Germany (Oct 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 8 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Oct 2024 - Apr 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 7 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From Le Havre (Paris), France (Oct 2024 - May 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 7 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From New York, New York (Oct 2024 - Nov 2026)

Learn More About Cunard

Accessibility

Learn about Cunard Line's handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities.

Savor variety of dining options aboard Cunard Line cruises, including the Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia restaurant, Queens Room, Todd English, Kings Court, Golden Lion Pub and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Cunard Line's onboard entertainment, including live music, the Royal Court Theatre, Commodore Club entertainment, Royal Night Theme Balls, Queens Room dancing, karaoke and more.

Onboard Activities

Participate in Cunard Line's onboard activities, including Cunard Insights lectures, Book Clubs, computer lab, duty-free shopping, sports courts, art galleries, dance classes, afternoon tea, deck games, golf simulators and more.

Service & Awards

Learn about Cunard Line's famous White Star Service and extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Cunard Line's cruising awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax in Cunard Line's pools, the Royal Spa and Canyon Ranch SpaClub, where spa treatments range from relaxing massages to Ayurvedic experiences.

Special Events

Learn about Cunard Line's special cruises with exclusive speakers, activities and shore excursions, including Wine Lecture and Tasting voyages.

Explore Cunard Line's luxurious staterooms, including Queen and Princess Grill Suites, balconies, oceanviews and inside staterooms - each beautifully appointed in Cunard's classic style.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Cunard Line. Cunard's youth programs are for ages 2 - 17, including the Play Zone (ages 2-7), Kids Zone (ages 8-12) and Teen Zone (ages 13-17).

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Marella Explorer 2

Former names: skysea golden era, ms century, celebrity century.

Cruise line Marella Cruises

• Dubrovnik (Croatia, Port Gruz)
• La Romana (Dominicana)
• Montego Bay (Jamaica)
• Palma de Mallorca (Majorca Island Balearic Spain)
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)

Marella Explorer 2 current position

Marella Explorer 2 current location is at Adriatic Sea (coordinates 44.84236 N / 13.60790 E) cruising at speed of 10.3 kn (19 km/h | 12 mph) en route to Rijeka. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Marella Explorer 2

Marella Explorer 2 current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Adriatic Affair . Prices start from USD 1987 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 26 Sep, 2024 and ends on 03 Oct, 2024 .

Specifications of Marella Explorer 2

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Marella Explorer 2 Itineraries

Marella explorer 2 review, review of marella explorer 2.

The 1995-built (as "Celebrity Century") cruise ship Marella Explorer 2 was previously operated as "SkySea Golden Era". It is one of the Century-class vessels, with sisterships Mein Schiff 1 (former Celebrity Galaxy, since 2018 Marella Explorer 1 ) and Celebrity Mercury (fka Mein Schiff 2/Schiff Herz, since 2023 Marella Voyager ). The vessel was sold to "Marella Cruises" (TUI's UK brand) in 2018.

The vessel (IMO number 9072446) is Malta- flagged  (MMSI 249054000) and registered in  Valletta .

History - construction and ownership

Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson Cruises UK) is a British passenger shipping company and trademarked travel brand owned by TUI Group. The company entered the cruise market in 1973 via Thomson Holidays (now TUI UK), but due to rising fuel costs, this service was terminated in 1976. Thomson Cruises restarted passenger shipping operations in 1995. The Thomson brand was renamed to "Marella Cruises" in 2018. Marella's parent company (TUI Group) owns hotels, the sister-companies TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the travel brands International Expeditions and Zegrahm Expeditions, also aircraft and the airlines Corsair International (France), TUI Airways (UK), TUI fly Nordic (Sweden), TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly the Netherlands.

This 1900-passenger ship was built for the Royal Caribbean's subsidiary company Celebrity Cruises , renamed to "Celebrity Mercury" in 2008 and joined TUI fleet in 2009 after an extensive drydock refit . The reconstruction project resulted in adding 314 cabin balconies, 14 new suites, 10 new cabins, new specialty restaurant (Murano, with glass-blowing performances), larger spa, upgraded (Millennium-class) shipboard amenities and services.

The ship entered Marella's fleet  (TUI's UK brand) in late-2018. In March 2018, TUI Group announced that to Marella UK will be transferred SkySea Golden Era (and not Schiff 2/Schiff Herz), with scheduled delivery in December 2018.

January 2014 news reports from France (including the CDF website) said Century will join the CDF fleet in 2015. CDF was an RCG-Royal Caribbean brand operating the French market with 2 ex-Celebrity vessels - MS Zenith and MS Horizon . The news said Century will replace Zenith, which will join Pullmantur (RCG's brand in Spain). For 2014, CDF expected to carry ~100,000 passengers, and with the Century they expected to serve ~120,000 customers in 2015. Program 2015's updates also included new shore excursion packages (3- to 5-tours, depending on itinerary) priced just EUR 100 per package.

Initially was announced that in March 2019, the old Schiff 2 (Herz) will be transferred to Marella and operated as "Marella Explorer 2". However, in March 2018 was announced that it stays in TUI fleet under the new name "Mein Schiff Herz" (announced in April).

Explorer 2 joined Marella's fleet as the 4th liner transferred from other RCG-owned brands. The vessel was preceded by Marella Discovery (2015, former Splendour of the Seas), Marella Discovery 2 (2017, former Legend of the Seas) and TUI Explorer, now Marella Explorer (2018, the old Mein Schiff 1).

The ship features fleet's first kids' pool, innovative entertainment program, 10 dining venues. Another first for Marella is the tasting menu-type restaurant in one of the brand new yet-unnamed venues, described as "an intimate space, suited for couples or friends".

The Indigo flagship bar is ship's focal point. A new high-end London style bar venue (named Aperitif) links Kora La and Surf and Turf restaurants. Other features include The Scoops (ice-cream parlour with bicycle-themed quirky seating), The Lounge (new venue with colour-changing bar and brightly-coloured piano), Hot Stone Grill (specialty dining venue / at fee).

Decks and Cabins

Of all Marella Explorer 2 staterooms (907 total), ~40% have private steop-out balconies. All cabins are with individual air-conditioning, wardrobes, smart HDTV, hairdryer, tea-coffee-making facilities, en-suite bathrooms. Accommodation types include:

• Indoor (16 m2, fleet's largest), Outdoor (17 m2), Single Indoor / Outdoor cabins (Decks 4, 5, 8, 9)
• Balcony cabins (17 m2), 14x Family Balcony (20 m2; decks 9, 10, 12, each with 2 twin beds)
• Suites - Balcony Junior Suite (22 m2) and Executive Suite (49 m2)

The boat has 13 decks , of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 6 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Marella Explorer 2 has a total of 10 dining venues, including Surf and Turf, Kora La, The Terrace, and Snack Shack. The Kora La features Oriental-style lanterns and paintings paired with a pan-Asian menu of noodle dishes and curries. This is a fine dining addition and there is a small premium to eat here.

Dining venues onboard are located on decks 5, 6, 7 and 11. Follows the complete list of Marella Explorer 2 restaurants and food bars.

• Latitude 53, situated on two decks, 5 and 6, is the main waiter service restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and gold-and-grey color scheme.
• Vista on Deck 5, situated in Latitude 53. In the evening, it transforms into an Italian restaurant for regional favorites prepared with authentic ingredients.
• The Dining Club on Deck 5 is a fine dining restaurant which serves experimental cuisine. There is a charge to dine here. In 2019 was introduced the "Great Musical Afternoon Tea" - music-themed dining experience that includes white-gloved waiter service, gourmet dishes and signature beverages. The menu includes items like tiger bread (aka Dutch crunch / Giraffe bread ), double-decker sandwiches, beef tenderloin, yakitori (Japanese skewered chicken), homemade desserts (scones, clotted cream, NYC cheesecake), 6 different brand teas, cocktails, champagne. Great Musical Afternoon Tea is at surcharge (GBP 15 per person) and reservations are required.
• Kora La on Deck 7 has oriental-style lanterns and paintings paired with a pan-Asian menu. Passengers pay a cover charge to eat here.
• Surf and Turf Steakhouse on Deck 7 specializes in all things meat. Its menu includes mains like lobster, grilled chicken, and pork chops, but the highlight is the 28-day-aged steaks. There is a chopping board artwork as well as leather booth seating. Cover charge is applied for dining here.
• Snack Shack on Deck 11 is a laidback eatery featuring food stalls, oversized deckchairs, and beach huts. It offers grab-and-go snacks and lunches along with a drinks station.
• The Market Place on Deck 11 is a buffet restaurant where guests can watch the chefs prepare dishes from around the world. It is made up of different food stalls.
• "Beach Cove" serves barbecue specialties providing "on the beach" al fresco dining.
• Nonna’s is an Italian trattoria (pizzeria-type restaurant) serving traditional made-to-order Italian pizzas (oven-baked) and pasta.
• The Terrace (Deck 11).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

A couple of the largest new features aboard the 13-deck Marella Explorer 2 include the flagship bar, club and casino Indigo (situated at the top deck), and the first at sea Champneys Spa. Indigo is home to the longest bar onboard the ship and features the Broadway show lounge able to accommodate 1,000 guests. The Broadway street lounge is on Decks 6 and 7, which also house other entertainment facilities. The venue hosts cocktail-making sessions and demos. Entertainment facilities include Indigo Club with a DJ booth and dance floor, and Indigo Casino with card tables and slot machines.

The swimming pool is on Deck 11, which also homes the Oceans Gym and Champneys Spa. The wellness complex also includes a Finnish Sauna (with floor-ceiling windows), full-service Thermal Suite, treatment suites (with showers and mini saunas), spa cabanas (on the adults-only Veranda Deck).

Follows the complete list of Marella Explorer 2 lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• The Lounge (Deck 6) has a color-changing bar, ring-shaped seats, and hot-pink piano.
• Bar 53 (Deck 5) is a bar situated next to Latitude 53, perfectly placed for pre-dinner drinks.
• The Shack (Deck 12) offers cool-down drinks between sunbathing. It is above Snack Shack and overlooks the pool.
• Indigo Bar (Deck 12) features fleet's longest bar. Cocktail-making sessions and flare demonstrations take place here.
• "19th Hole" is a clubhouse bar with golf buggy-seating and two golf simulators. Here are served craft beers and golf-themed cocktails.
• The sophisticated "Flutes" (bubbles bar) caters for Champagne and Prosecco wine lovers and is the best bar for pre- and post dinner cocktails.
• "Broadway Show Lounge" is on two decks (6 and 7) and has a capacity of 1,000 people. It offers waiter service and brand-new shows.
• Indigo Casino (Deck 12) is ship's gambling lounge fitted with gaming tables and slot machines. Indigo Club is in the middle of Indigo.
• Aperitif (Deck 7) is a stylish bar with Champagne and Prosecco on the menu. It is a great spot to head for a drink before or after meals at one of the specialty restaurants.
• "Squid and Anchor Pub" (Deck 7) is Marella's first ship pub. There are 2 bars to pick from, one of which deals in premium whiskies and gins, that are chargeable. The spot is home to quiz nights and a live band.
• "Scoops" is a vintage-looking ice-cream parlor serving gelato. The seating is quirky and includes a collection of bike seats sit that face out to sea. A charge is applied here.
• "The Coffee Port" (at a fee) serves Lavazza and gourmet sweets. It overlooks the Atrium and offers live piano performances.
• "Movies by Moonlight" (Cinema) offers family-friendly movies, plus extra screenings during the high season.
• "M Club" is ship's Kids Club, with games from M Crew (ship-exclusive character).
• Broad Street Shops are ship's boutiques stocked with travel essentials, duty-free merchandise, perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, gifts, and souvenirs.
• Photo Studio & Kiosks (Deck 6) provides professional photoshoot. Photo kiosks allow passengers to view and buy photos made by the liner's photography team.
• For "Champneys Spa" Marella Cruises partnered with Champneys Luxury Health Spa Resorts (UK brand). Passengers can book premium treatments (facials, body wraps, massages) and also use the Beauty Salon. Champneys Spa is Marella fleet's largest and also includes Relaxation Room, treatment rooms (with bathtubs), made-for-two suites, adults-only Sauna Room (with floor-ceiling windows), Steam Room, modern Fitness (Oceans Gym).
• The outdoor swimming pool (Deck 11) is split in two by a show stage for live entertainment and other daily scheduled activities. Pool Bar serves the pool deck with various beverages (including frozen cocktails). Three whirlpools surround the swimming pool.
• The Veranda is an adults-only venue and has Balinese beds and cocoon chairs.
• At the Sports Court can be played basketball-volleyball and mini-football.
• Minigolf and Table tennis is on the top deck (called Sports and Family Deck).

Since November 2022, Marella UK (via partnership with OneSpaWorld Holdings/health and wellness company) provides ocean-inspired wellness products and services on all its ships. The range of OneSpaWorld's services includes Ocean Body Treatments (massages and polishes), Ocean Facial, Ocean Salon Services. On Marella ships, OneSpaWorld uses premium beauty brands like Elemis, L'Oreal, Kerastase. The brands owned by OneSpaWorld include Mandara Spa, Bliss Spa, Chavana Spa, Glow Spa.

Itineraries

Marella Explorer 2 itinerary program was initially based on Adriatic and Mediterranean 7-day cruises leaving roundtrip from homeport Naples Italy .

During winter 2019-2020, the liner was deployed to the Caribbean and homeported in Bridgetown (Barbados) with 3x roundtrip itineraries visiting the islands St Lucia, Aruba, Saint Vincent.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 Marella Explorer 2 was scheduled to restart operations in July (2021) with homeporting in Newcastle upon Tyne, England and itineraries themed as:

• 3-night "A Taste Of Scotland" ( cruise to nowhere /coastal navigation/portless itinerary)
• 6-night "British Treasures" (Invergordon, Lerwick, Dundee)
• 7-night "Gaelic Getaway" (Belfast, Greenock-Glasgow, Kirkwall, Dundee)
• 7-night "British Delights" (Greenock-Glasgow, Holyhead Wales, Dundee, Edinburgh)
• 8-night "Celtic Explorer" (Belfast, Greenock-Glasgow, Invergordon, Edinburgh)
• 11-night "Coastal Charms" (Dover, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Belfast, Torbay, Le Havre-Paris)
• 12-night "Icelandic Adventure" (Lerwick, Iceland - Reykjavik, Isafjord, Akureyri, and Kirkwall)

Followed the winter 2021-2022 Caribbean season with homeporting in  Montego Bay Jamaica .

For 2022, the ship was homeported in Dubrovnik Croatia for 7-day roundtrip itineraries:

• "Adriatic Affair" (Rijeka Croatia, Ravenna, Koper Slovenia, Venice, Split Croatia)
• "Adriatic Delights" (Zadar Croatia, Trieste, Venice, Ancona, Split Croatia)
• "Sail Three Seas" (Valletta Malta, Messina Sicily, Taranto, Corfu, Kotor Montenegro)
• "Greek Mystique" (Chania Crete, Piraeus-Athens, Katakolon-Olympia, Corfu, Kotor Montenegro)

Photos of Marella Explorer 2

Marella Explorer 2 ship related cruise news

Marella Cruises and Cleaner Seas Group launch microplastic capture trial on Marella Explorer

Marella Cruises, part of TUI UK, partnered with Cleaner Seas Group (Cornwall-based greentech innovation company) for the industry's first initiative...

Marella Cruises UK homeports ship Explorer 2 in Dominicana (winter 2024-2025 Caribbean season)

Minister of Tourism David Collado recently announced that the UK-based Marella Cruises has designated the Dominican Republic, specifically La Romana...

Marella Cruises returns to Dominicana after 7-year absence

Marella Cruises UK will be making a comeback to the Dominican Republic in the winter of 2024-2025, marking their return after a hiatus since 2017...

Marella Discovery 2 is the first ship to restart cruise operations in Cuba

With the arrival of the British ship Marella Discovery 2 in Havana, cruise operations in Cuba have restarted.  The vessel (owned by TUI UK and...

Port Rijeka (Croatia) welcomes TUI's cruise ships Mein Schiff 5 and Marella Explorer 2

On Saturday morning, July 30, two large passenger liners - TUI's Mein Schiff 5 and Marella UK's Marella Explorer 2, and 10+ smaller cruise ships...

Mein Schiff 5 and Marella Explorer 2 dock in Rijeka (Croatia) with ~4,000 passengers onboard

A couple of cruise ships, Marella Cruises' Marella Explorer 2 and TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 5, docked in the northern Croatian Adriatic port city of...

Cruising restarts in Port Le Havre (Paris, France) with TUI UK's ship Marella Explorer 2

On September 8, Port Le Havre (Paris, France) welcomed cruise ships back to the city with the arrival of Marella Cruises' ship Marella Explorer 2 on...

Marella Cruises restarts on September 3 with ‘one-country’ itineraries

Malaga Spain was designated a homeport by Marella Cruises UK, adding two new itineraries from October. The UK cruise line intends to make 4...

TUI Marella Cruises restarts on June 25 from Southampton UK aboard Marella Explorer

TUI Marella Cruises started selling summer voyages around the British Isles on Friday, April 16. The cruise company plans to join the armada of...

Marella Explorer 2 ship lost anchor due to severe weather in Torbay UK

One of the 8 cruise ships anchored off Devon's coast lost her anchor due to severe weather brought by Storm Christoph. MS Marella Explorer 2...

•   show more news

Other Marella Cruises cruise ships

• Marella Discovery
• Marella Discovery 2
• Marella Explorer
• Marella Voyager

Marella Explorer 2 Wiki

The ship's powerplant is based on MAN B&W marine diesel engines (models 9L48/60 and 6L48/60) with combined power output 29,25 MW (39225 hp).

The vessel has Meyer Werft Papenburg yard/hull number 637, volume 72458 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 7260 tons, max draught 8,1 m.

In the period 2015-2018, the ship (named "SkySea Golden Era") served the newly-established China-based company "SkySea Cruise Line" (a joint venture of the RCCL-Royal Caribbean and Ctrip International Ltd). In late 2014, RCCL decided to sell the vessel to Ctrip for USD 157 million. The ship was transferred in April 2015 and started operations in China. In the period 2015-2018, the liner completed nearly 300 voyages and carried around 0,5 million passengers.

The Marella ship Explorer 2 was christened on March 30, 2019. The naming ceremony was held in Port Malaga (Spain) . Vessel's godmothers are Mary Moreno (executive chef with TUI-Marella since 2015) and Paula Clark (cabin manager with TUI Cruises since 2004). The newly refurbished liner started its Inaugural Cruise (for Marella) from homeport Palma de Mallorca on April 2 (2019).

Next table shows maiden voyage's itinerary (7-day "Treasures Of The Mediterranean") as port sequence and arrival/departure times.

Marella Explorer 2 refurbishment 2019 review

The ship's last drydocking was in 2023 (October 31 to November 26) and was conducted at Navantia (Cadiz). The project was for general maintenance works, class inspections, and technical overhauls.

The drydock conversion of SkySea Golden Era into Marella Explorer 2 was done at Navantia Shipyard ( Cadiz Spain ) in the period January 26 - March 27 (2019). Before that, the vessel visited COSCO Shipyard ( Zhoushan China ) for general maintenance before the 1-month long repositioning (via Suez Canal ) to Europe (Mediterranean).

The 8-week drydock project involved ~1520 people (contractors, partners, Marella's crew, ~300 Trimline specialists) and 190,000+ manhours. The project included new carpeting shipwide (~43 km2 / 16 mi2 carpets were laid), ~70 km (43,5 mi) of network cables, installing a total of 640 WiFI points, complete repainting (hull and superstructure), glass refurbs, cabin upgrades, rebranding. The liner was also loaded with 9,5 tons of Marella Cruises-branded merchandise and ~1000 crew uniforms and show costumes.

New (added during the refit) venues were Clubhouse Bar, 19th Hole (two golf simulators, golf buggy-seating, craft beers, golf-themed cocktails), Flutes (wine bar), Nonna's (Italian trattoria for traditional pizza and pasta), The Beach Cove (BBQ dishes). Topdeck's Veranda (VIP sunbathing area) was doubled in size (in comparison to the sistership Marella Explorer 1 ). A new cabin category was also introduced (Royal Suite, sized 102 m2 / 1100 ft2).

The 2019 drydocking project was managed by Trimline Ltd (marine interior refurbishment specialist) and also included the redesign and refreshing of most onboard venues and public areas - Lido Marketplace (restaurant), Indigo Club, both Coffee Ports (USB ports added), Squid and Anchor Pub, Broadway (show bar lounge), Latitude 53 (restaurant), Vista (MDR/dining room).

Since January 26, 2019, ship management services are provided by the Hamburg -based company CCS (Columbia Cruise Services Ltd).

During drydock 2020 (done at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam by Trimline), all staterooms were renovated (ceilings and walls repainted) including their bathrooms. Some Suites received new wood floorings. Market Place Buffet Restaurant (Deck 11) was updated with a new, more durable resin flooring.

SkySea Golden Era ship review

Starting roundtrip itineraries from homeports China in May 2015, Celebrity Century became "SkySea Golden Era" - fleet's first (and only) vessel. In 2018, the liner was homeported in Xiamen and Shanghai , operating on roundtrips to Japan (visiting Miyakojima and Naha Okinawa ), Vietnam (visiting Da Nang and Halong Bay ) and the Philippines.

On March 29, 2018, SkySea Cruise Line announced the boat's last voyage. The 4-night (roundtrip Shanghai itinerary August 29 - September 2, 2018) visited Japan ( Hakata-Fukuoka City ). The last cruise featured unique onboard events, including Champagne Reception party, Farewell Dessert, commemorative gift (for each passenger), onboard discounted shopping coupons, 10% booking discount for past passengers. "SkySea Voice" (shipboard singing competition show) had its grand finale on the 4-day voyage August 25-29.

SkySea Golden Era had a total of 907 cabins, of which 75 were Suites. The cabin grades were 26. Dining venues included The Grand Restaurant (main dining room), The Murano Restaurant, The Islands Cafe (Lido buffet restaurant), Veranda Grill (poolside grill bar), Sushi Bar, Sunset Bar. The list of lounges and bars included Rendezvous, The Crystal Room (disco nightclub), Cova Cafe, Martini, Michael's, poolside bars, Hemisphere (nightclub). The ship had Aqua Spa, 4 jacuzzis, 2 swimming pools.

Onboard entertainment was of good quality and adult-oriented. Inaugurated on January 24, 2018, the SAMAJAM was a new music show introduced on the ship. It was interactive (allowing audience participation) and allowing private booking (providing customized performances during corporate events at sea / held on the ship). The new show was scheduled on every SkySea cruise in 2018.

Celebrity Century's first cruise was on December 20, 1995, initially named "GTS Century". In April 2006, the ship stayed 5 weeks into drydock at Fincantieri's shipyard. This was the company's most expensive refurbishment (refit and upgrade). During the refit, the vessel received 14 new suites, 10 new staterooms and to 314 rooms were added balconies. The ship also received its "Murano" specialty restaurant (French cuisine) and the spa complex was expanded.

Prior to the SkySea service, Celebrity Century was refitted and refurbished in Singapore . Among the changes done was renewing the ship's restaurants (to offer meals more appetizing to Chinese tourists), new trampoline, mini-golf course. The ship had fleet's only "AquaSpa Cafe" (healthy food choices). Fun fact is that the liner was the setting for the episode "Ship of Fran's" from the series "The Nanny" season 3.

Celebrity Century was the first cruise ship with an ice bar - called "Martini Bar and Crush". It's very attractive with a liquid wall that freezes (forming a crystalline appearance) and the bar counter freezing into stone. The liquor behind the bar is in a solid ice block. Century also has a cigar bar and the Michael's Club - with hand-rolled cigars, port wine, and fine cognacs.

Celebrity Cruises parent company RCCL (Royal Caribbean) sold at the end of 2014 the ship to the Chinese travel company Ctrip for the price of USD 157 million. The ship joined the fleet of Exquisite Marine (a Ctrip Holdings subsidiary) in April 2015. Among the deckplan changes on the "Chinese ship" were new restaurants, new ice bar, added trampoline and a mini-golf course.

Ctrip is China's leading travel agency, and also one of the largest travel brands in the country. The company's business is in transportation ticketing, accommodation reservation, travel tour packages, corporate travel deals. Ctrip is also a cruise booking agency, holding over 10% of China's cruising market.

SkySea Holdings was founded in 2013 with Stone Capital - a Shanghai-based private equity company that invests for China's wealthiest families and entrepreneurs. However, the company was not announced until the RCI partnership. Both RCCL and Ctrip each have a 35% stake, while the remaining 30% is held by Stone Capital. SkySea Cruises is managed by Min Fan (Ctrip's Vice Chairman, President, and co-founder) who is the company's CEO and Chairman. Management staff comes from both RCCL and Ctrip. Ctrip provides the marketing network, technical expertise, customer base and travel agency services, while RCCL handles cruise operations and crew management.

RCCL's SkySea brand targeted China's middle- to high-level cruising market, focusing on 30- to 60-year-old consumers. The company had plans to add a ship a year (acquiring older vessels from other companies) and eventually to order a newbuild . In 2014 (1 year before SkySea Cruises started operations) the number of Chinese cruise ship tourists reached 90 million.

In Spring 2017, SkySea Cruise Line added South Korea as a departure port option to ship's Shanghai homeport program. Passengers had the option to board the ship in Busan , cruise to Japan, disembark in China (Shanghai) and from China take a home flight back to South Korea.

SkySea Golden Era refurbishment 2017 review

On November 16, 2017, SkySea Cruises announced the completion of the ship's drydock (October 25 through November 11) done at COSCO Shipyard (Zhoushan, China). For this renovation project, SkySea partnered with CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) and G-Art (interior design and renovations).

• The dry-dock included routine maintenance works, as well as adding 2 new conference halls (meeting rooms) on decks 7 and 12.
• "SkySea Board Room" (Deck 7) has max capacity 50 seats.
• "SkySea Conference Room" (Deck 12) has capacity 100 seats.
• Grand Restaurant was renovated with a new Chinese theme.
• A new beauty salon was opened via a partnership with PhiSkin. Ship's retail shops were expanded. A new pharmacy was added as a retail offering.

• Office Products
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• Labels, Indexes & Stamps
• Identification Badges & Supplies
• Badge Holders

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Cruise Lanyard for Ship Cards 2-Pack Cruise Lanyards with ID Holder, Key Card Retractable Badge & Waterproof Ship Card Holders for Cruises in 2024 & 2024

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About this item.

• 🛳️ Fits Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Disney, Princess, Celebrity & all major cruise key cards in 2024 & 2025
• 🛳️ Our lanyards for cruise ship cards voted "#1 Cruise Ship Essentials" & "#1 Must Have Items" in 2024
• 🛳️ Includes waterproof ID holder for cruise key cards, cash, credit cards & other cruise essentials
• 🛳️ Card lanyard holder features Quick Release Clasp & Retractable Lanyard for easy & convenient use
• 🛳️ Use our cruise lanyards with ID holder for more time at the Lido Bar than finding your sea pass card

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Product Description

The Cadillac of Cruise Lanyards

Our cruise lanyards provide all of the features you'll need on your ship. We call this model of cruise lanyard our "Cadillac" because it comes with all of the bells and whistles. You'll find the following features.

• Retractable Reel: When using the retractable reel, your badge holder can extend up to 27 inches. The strong coils will recall the badge quickly, every time.
• Waterproof Pouch: The air-tight, plastic pouch fits all major cruise line key cars. It is large enough to accommodate additional items, like cash and credit cards.
• Detachable Clasp: Our detachable buckle allows for quick release and easy access to your key card. Easily unbuckle the lower unit for super quick access to your cards.
• Fits All Cruise Ship Cards: Our cruise lanyards are made to perfectly fit all major cruise lines. This includes Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Disney & more.

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Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 82% 11% 4% 1% 1% 82%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 82% 11% 4% 1% 1% 11%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 82% 11% 4% 1% 1% 4%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 82% 11% 4% 1% 1% 1%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 82% 11% 4% 1% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the build quality, appearance, and sturdiness of the badge holder. They mention it's well-made, looks nice, and is fashionable to wear around their necks. Some appreciate the length, soft material, and detachability.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the build quality of the badge holders. They mention they're well-made and have features like the detachable clip. Some also say they're comfortable and have a good shape.

" Great product and easy to use. Looks like the Royal Caribbean symbol, so gives you instant status - lol" Read more

"Terrific customer service! Well-made lanyards , cute cruise ship motifs, and the pouch is big enough for cruise room card, credit card, small amount..." Read more

" Very good quality . Bigger size to hold more than one card. Nice neck strap. I would definitely recommend this product" Read more

" Great quality and value." Read more

Customers like the design of the badge holder. They mention it's nice-looking, sturdy, and fashionable to wear around their neck.

"Great product and easy to use. Looks like the Royal Caribbean symbol , so gives you instant status - lol" Read more

"Terrific customer service! Well-made lanyards, cute cruise ship motifs , and the pouch is big enough for cruise room card, credit card, small amount..." Read more

"Very good quality. Bigger size to hold more than one card. Nice neck strap . I would definitely recommend this product" Read more

"...Shame, as the lanyards themselves seem nice . But now I doubt the quality of the lanyards as well." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the sturdiness of the badge holder. They mention it's nice to have for cruises, handy for sea passes, and great for travelers. Some say it's perfect to carry their cruise cards or credit cards and money.

"... Great for travelers ." Read more

"These were perfect for our cruise . They held up really well even though we wore them 24/7 for over a week...." Read more

"Worked just as we wanted for our Celebrity cruise. Very convenient to keep your room key /card handy and your hands free. Good quality." Read more

"These are going to be perfect for our cruise . You are given an extra plastic holder(only) just in case you lose one...." Read more

Customers like the badge holder. They mention it works great with opening their cabin door, is sturdy, and the retractable device works great.

"Love the retracting cord. Price was good and worked well for us on our Alaskan cruise." Read more

" Worked very well ." Read more

"...The lanyards worked great from the start . Also for the record, the bag tags are very good...." Read more

" They work well . One good feature is that they have a reel and clip, which is very convenient to use on a cruise...." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the badge holder. They say it's sturdy, a great investment, and has good quality for the price.

"Great quality and value ." Read more

"Delivered on time and was the correct item at a reasonable price . I;m very happy with the purchase" Read more

"The product and the price are both excellent ." Read more

Customers like the length of the product. They mention it's nice, durable, and holds the right amount of stuff they need. Some say the leashes are long enough, especially with the retractable reel.

"Very good quality. Bigger size to hold more than one card. Nice neck strap. I would definitely recommend this product" Read more

"These lanyards were perfect for our cruise. The plastic holders were the ideal size to hold our Key cards...." Read more

"...The cruise card worked thru the plastic. The length is good and it's light around my neck." Read more

"...I am a pretty good size guy and this fit liberally around my neck . The holder was sturdy, the retractable device worked great...." Read more

Customers like the soft material of the badge holder. They mention it's sturdy yet soft around their necks, and the ribbon feels nice. Some appreciate the silky smooth cord and say it's easy on their necks.

"... comfortable fit around the neck (not loo long or too short), and not weight at all." Read more

"...And you can disconnect it if need be. Very versatile and comfortable . They're also adjustable. Can't wait to use them." Read more

"These are really nice holders, they're comfortable and you have quite a bit of reach with the cord attached to the card." Read more

"...The item came and my kids were thrilled. The lanyard is soft , the clear pouch is perfect for holding credit card sized items, and the quality of..." Read more

Customers like the detachability of the badge holder. They mention it's easy to access their ID and the retractable line makes it easy to clip it to their pockets. Customers also appreciate the clip to detach it from the full lanyard in case it comes in handy.

"...This set is so cute. Love that section can be released to create “key change” size section that can be put in pocket or purse...." Read more

"...It was nice to be able to unclip the card part and give it to the waiter or staff." Read more

"I just love the designs and the ease of use. You can pull the bottom without having to bend over. And you can disconnect it if need be...." Read more

"The style is great, with the retractable badge holder . Definitely want that when choosing...." Read more

Reviews with images

A nice set of lanyards and card holders

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The 21 largest cruise ships in the world.

Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts.

The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Just when you think cruise ships can't get any larger, a major cruise line unveils yet another longer, taller and grander state-of-the-art vessel – with the capacity to carry the population of a small town. To put the size of today's megaships into perspective: They often stretch three times longer than a 120-yard football field, and some feature nearly two dozen decks or measure more than 215 feet wide.

So, if you're looking for a vacation aboard a large-scale vessel, consider booking a voyage on one of the biggest cruise ships in the world. With cutting-edge technology and entertainment, world-class dining, and endless attractions and activities for cruisers of all ages, you may not even want to leave the ship. Here are the biggest cruise ships, arranged by gross tonnage.

• 1. Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
• 2. Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas
• 3. Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas
• 4. Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
• 5. Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas
• 6. Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
• 7. Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
• 8. MSC World Europa
• 9. Costa Smeralda
• 10. Costa Toscana
• 11. P&O Cruises Arvia
• 12. AIDAcosma
• 13. P&O Cruises Iona
• 14. AIDAnova
• 15. Carnival Jubilee
• 16. Carnival Celebration
• 17. MSC Euribia
• 18. MSC Virtuosa
• 19. Carnival Mardi Gras
• 20. MSC Meraviglia
• 21. Norwegian Encore

Find your perfect cruise

Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

Length: 1,198 feet

Width: 213 feet

Gross tons: 250,800

Maximum number of passengers: 7,600

Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship afloat when it debuts in January 2024. The next-level megaship is Royal Caribbean 's first Icon-class vessel and the first of three ships powered by liquefied natural gas, or LNG, which is considered a more sustainable alternative to other fuel options. The ship will have 2,805 staterooms and carry up to 2,350 crew. There's no end to the fun with eight unique neighborhoods, including the new Surfside: a stay-all-day space designed specifically for families.

Other features on the ship include seven pools, nine whirlpools and six record-breaking waterslides. There are also more than 20 new dining venues, such as the swanky Empire Supper Club, which features an eight-course tasting menu; the AquaDome Market, the line's first food hall; and sushi restaurant Izumi in the Park. Cruisers will also find other international cuisine, including Japanese, Mexican and Italian fare, as well as The Lemon Post, the Surfside Eatery and Pier 7 in the Surfside neighborhood.

Read: The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas

Length: 1,188 feet

Width: 211 feet

Gross tons: 236,860

Maximum passengers: 6,788

Royal Caribbean's first LNG-powered Oasis-class ship will sail its debut voyage in July 2024. The new ship will have 2,834 staterooms and up to 2,290 crew members, as well as eight neighborhoods to keep passengers entertained. Ten complimentary dining venues include the line's new food truck concept, The Spare Tire, which serves up handheld eats on the pool deck. The ship will also feature sloping beach-entry and resort-style pools, plus three Lime & Coconut bars on the outdoor deck.

In total, there are more than 40 dining options, bars and lounges on Utopia of the Seas . Many of Royal Caribbean's specialty dining and bar favorites are returning, such as Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Rising Tide Bar and Vue Bar. Guests will also find familiar entertainment offerings with rock climbing walls, the AquaTheater, Splashaway Bay, laser tag, mini-golf, the Sports Court, Studio B and much more. With two casinos, five pools and a visit to private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, you'll never run out of things to do.

Read: The Top New Cruise Ships

Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Gross tons: 235,600

Maximum passengers: 7,084

Royal Caribbean's current largest ship at sea, Wonder of the Seas , first set sail in March 2022. The Oasis-class vessel has 2,867 staterooms and carries as many as 2,204 crew members. While you may get lost on this ship, you'll never be bored. Features include eight unique neighborhoods – such as Central Park, the Boardwalk, and the new Suite Class neighborhood, an exclusive space for suite guests.

Take advantage of the AquaTheater, an outdoor live entertainment venue with a 30-foot diving platform and incredible ocean views. Wonder Playscape is an underwater-themed outdoor space for kids filled with slides, climbing walls, games and more. You can also enjoy a few of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class favorites, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the rock climbing wall or laser tag at the Battle for Planet Z. If you dare, head into the Ultimate Abyss: Billed as the tallest waterslide at sea, it towers 150 feet above sea level and features an exhilarating 13-second ride through 10 stories of dark, winding tunnels.

When hunger strikes, dine at your pick of more than 20 complimentary and specialty restaurants, including the new Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar. If you're craving a cold beer, a cocktail or a cup of Starbucks coffee, you'll have roughly a dozen bars and lounges at your disposal.

Read:  The Top Party Cruises

Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

Width: 215.5 feet

Gross tons: 228,081

Maximum passengers: 6,680

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas , another Oasis-class ship, debuted in April 2018. This ship features 2,759 passenger staterooms and accommodates 2,200 crew members. There are seven distinct neighborhoods, four pools, roughly 20 restaurants (about half of which are specialty venues), and about a dozen bars and lounges. The ship even boasts two robotic bartenders that whip up drinks at the Bionic Bar.

Adults can enjoy Broadway-style shows in the onboard theaters and major international sports games at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Meanwhile, kids can cool down at the Splashaway Bay water park, soar on a zip line nine decks high through the Boardwalk neighborhood, try out rock climbing or attend a show at the AquaTheater.

Read:  Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

Gross tons: 226,963

Maximum passengers: 6,687

Another Oasis-class ship, Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas has been sailing since May 2016. The vessel features 2,747 staterooms and up to 2,200 crew members. Cruisers have plenty of places to dine thanks to eight complimentary venues – including the main dining room and Windjammer Marketplace, a globally inspired buffet – as well as nine specialty restaurants serving everything from burgers and shakes to Italian fare. The Boardwalk, one of the ship's seven neighborhoods, is a favorite spot for cruisers; it contains casual eateries, retail shops and carnival games.

Harmony of the Seas also has Splashaway Bay, the Ultimate Abyss waterslide and a trio of slides called The Perfect Storm. In the evening, don't miss a pre-dinner cocktail at the Rising Tide Bar, which offers a ride between the Central Park neighborhood and the Royal Promenade with dazzling skylight views. Sit back and sip your drink while the entire bar slowly floats between the decks.

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Simon Brooke | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Length: 1,187 feet

Width: 215 feet

Gross tons: 226,838

Maximum passengers: 6,771

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when it was launched in 2009. The line's debut Oasis-class ship is nearly five times bigger than the Titanic by gross tonnage; it has 2,801 staterooms and carries 2,109 crew members.

Oasis of the Seas was reimagined in 2019, with many added amenities that are on newer Oasis-class ships, such as FlowRider simulators, the Perfect Storm waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Across the ship's seven distinct neighborhoods, you'll also find state-of-the-art technology such as VOOM, billed as the fastest internet connection on the high seas – plus exciting live performances and theater productions, laser tag, escape rooms and more.

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

Gross tons: 225,282

Maximum passengers: 6,826

Embarking for the first time in 2010, Allure of the Seas was Royal Caribbean's second Oasis-class vessel. The ship underwent a refurbishment in 2015. Allure of the Seas has 2,748 staterooms and 2,054 crew. Onboard highlights include seven neighborhoods, four pools, and several whirlpools and hot tubs, plus more than 20 dining venues and too many bars and lounges to count.

There are also plenty of entertainment options for guests of all ages, including an ice skating rink, the Sports Court, a nine-deck-high zip line, two rock climbing walls and two FlowRider simulators (a Royal Caribbean favorite). Kids will especially enjoy the interactive H2O Zone Water Park. Adults on this ship will appreciate Broadway productions like "Mamma Mia!," aerial acrobatic performances in Oceanaria (an original AquaTheater production) and '70s disco dance parties. If you find yourself on board for business reasons, rest assured that the ship's conference facilities can host as many as 1,394 guests.

Find a Royal Caribbean cruise on GoToSea.

MSC World Europa

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Length: 1,093 feet

Width: 154 feet

Gross tons: 215,863

Maximum passengers: 6,762

MSC World Europa was one of the most anticipated new cruise ships when it launched in December 2022 as the first vessel in the line's MSC World-class fleet. It's also the first LNG-propelled ship by MSC Cruises , reaching a maximum cruising speed of 22.7 knots.

The ship's futuristic interior and exterior design features a 341-foot-long promenade. Half the promenade is covered with the Meraviglia-class LED sky screens, while the other half is open-air and offers ocean views. MSC World Europa features 2,626 staterooms and can house 2,138 crew members. As a special touch, each passenger deck is named after an international city, including London, Paris, Lisbon and Rome.

The ship is divided into distinct areas, with a quiet zen district for adults and a family zone that has bumper cars and roller skating. At the fleet's largest onboard water park, younger cruisers will find a twisty, stainless steel tunnel slide towering 11 decks high at the center of the ship. Luna Park Arena, the ship's 300-seat multifunction entertainment venue, can accommodate almost any performance or event.

When you're exhausted from all of the action, grab a bite to eat at one of 13 restaurants or a drink at a selection of bars and cafes. Then, take time to relax and unwind with a signature treatment at the Balinese-inspired MSC Aurea Spa. For an all-inclusive VIP experience during your voyage, book stateroom accommodations in the MSC Yacht Club. This exclusive part of the ship boasts premium suites, a separate pool, a private restaurant and lounge, butler service, and other amenities.

Costa Smeralda

Courtesy of Costa Cruises

Length: 1,106 feet

Width: 138 feet

Gross tons: 185,000

Maximum passengers: 6,554

Costa Smeralda was the first of the two Excellence-class vessels in the Costa Cruises fleet. The vessel debuted in 2019 as the Italian cruise line's largest ship to date. It was also the line's first vessel to use LNG power at sea and in port. The ship has 2,612 staterooms and can carry as many as 1,678 crew members.

Cruisers will never go hungry or thirsty, thanks to the 11 restaurants and snack bars plus 19 bars and lounges on Smeralda . One of the most notable dining venues on board is Archipelago, which serves innovative cuisine created by three world-renowned chefs. If you're interested in culinary pursuits, join other passengers for a cooking class at sea in the Food LAB. When it comes to entertainment, centrally located Colosseo – modeled after the piazzas across Italy – is the place to go for socializing and live performances. What's more, the ship also has 13 pools and hot tubs, an aqua park, the Beauty Spa Solemio, and the Squok Club for kids ages 3 to 11.

Costa Toscana

Costa Toscana, Costa Cruises' newest flagship and the second Excellence-class vessel in the fleet, set sail on its debut voyage in March 2022. Similar in size and passenger capacity to Costa Smeralda, Toscana is also LNG-powered. This vessel has 2,663 staterooms, and there can be up to 1,678 crew members on board.

Similar to Smeralda, Colosseo is the centerpiece of Toscana; you'll find live entertainment and themed bars in this area. There are 11 restaurants and snack bars plus 19 bars and lounges on the ship. For a refreshing aperitif with a view, head to the Aperol Spritz Bar, which features special beach cocktails. Another dining highlight is Sushino at Costa, the line's new sushi bistro. After dinner, take in unparalleled views of the sea along the Volare Skywalk, the highest point of the ship, which towers more than 200 feet above sea level.

Explore Costa Cruises deals on GoToSea.

P&O Cruises Arvia

Courtesy of P&O Cruises

Length: 1,130 feet

Maximum passengers: 5,200

Arvia joined the P&O fleet as sister ship to Iona in December 2022. It is also LNG-powered, has 2,614 cabins and carries up to 1,800 crew. The family-friendly ship offers guests many firsts, including Altitude, a new activity area with an escape room, a high-ropes experience, the Splash Valley aqua zone, the Sports Arena and much more.

Arvia has 30 bars and restaurants. New dining venues include the American-inspired 6th Street Diner and Green & Co. feat. Mizuhana, which focuses on sushi and plant-based dishes. For entertainment, plan to see the line's production of "The Official Take That Musical," an adaptation of London West End musical "The Band." Guests can also head to the dome beneath the SkyDome retractable roof for live performances, aerial displays, movies on the giant SeaScreen and DJ parties under the starry skies.

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Courtesy of AIDA Cruises

Gross tons: 184,600

Maximum passengers: 6,654

The sister ship to AIDAnova, AIDAcosma set sail in early 2022. The partly LNG-powered AIDA Cruises vessel has 2,732 staterooms and the capacity for up to around 1,500 crew members. With 17 restaurants and 23 bars and cafes, AIDAcosma offers passengers a seemingly endless number of venues to dine and imbibe. Other onboard attractions include a four-deck outdoor area, complete with an infinity pool and an expansive area for sunbathing; an indoor playground with a bouldering wall and ropes course; the Body & Soul Spa; and a 360-degree stage at the Theatrium.

P&O Cruises Iona

Length: 1,129 feet

Gross tons: 184,000

P&O Cruises' Iona, which launched in spring 2021, has the distinction of being the first LNG-powered British cruise ship. The family-friendly vessel has 2,614 cabins and carries 1,800 crew members. Iona's top features include the two-story SkyDome, a gin distillery, four pools, 10 entertainment venues, and 30 restaurants and bars offering a wide variety of food and beverage options.

With selections ranging from casual eateries to gelaterias to Indian- and British-inspired cuisine at Sindhu, you won't get bored with the restaurant choices. For an especially unique meal, dine and sip wine while watching aerial performances in the Grand Atrium at The Glass House. Or, enjoy dinner at The Limelight Club, an adults-only supper club venue featuring vocal performances and other live music. After dinner, check out the entertainment around the ship, including aerial productions in the Grand Atrium, guest and crew shows in Headliners, late night dancing in The Club House, and performances in partnership with the entertainment company Creativiva in the SkyDome.

Gross tons: 183,900

When German line AIDA Cruises' first Helios-class ship, AIDAnova, debuted in December 2018, it was the first LNG-powered cruise ship in the world. The ship is equipped with 2,626 staterooms, including the two-deck Penthouse Suite, and carries around 1,500 crew members. You won't miss this ship when it's docked in port: It features the line's signature exterior design, with bold red lips at the ship's bow and blue-and-yellow eyes on the port and starboard sides.

While on board, passengers can check out 17 restaurants, along with 23 bars and lounges; party the night away at the Beach Club; and take in live performances on the 360-degree stage in the Theatrium. When it's time to relax, head to the Body & Soul Spa, where you can book a massage, spend time in one of the hot tubs or saunas, take a dip in the private pool, and chill out on the private spa sun deck.

Carnival Jubilee

Width: 137 feet

Gross tons: 183,521

Maximum passengers: 6,631

Carnival Jubilee, as sister ship to Carnival Celebration and Carnival Mardi Gras, will offer many of the same features and amenities as its two predecessors when it launches in December 2023. The new vessel will have 2,687 staterooms, 1,735 crew and six zones of fun. Currents and The Shores are new to Jubilee . Currents is inspired by the underworld of the ocean with mermaids and sea monsters; it's designed with new bars, restaurants, music venues and high-tech spaces, including a wave-shaped LED ceiling and six LED windows that virtually take guests under the sea. The Shores is all about the outdoors, inspired by beaches and boardwalks. Cruisers can grab a slice of pizza at Coastal Slice, a hot dog at Beach Buns and a cocktail at Marina Bar.

On Jubilee, you'll also find Carnival Cruise Line favorites such as BOLT, the first and fastest roller coaster at sea, as well as Waterworks, the onboard water park with twin racing slides, three spiraling slides and more. The line's "next-level fun" ship will also include familiar eateries and lounges like Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken, Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, Cucina del Capitano, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and more.

Carnival Celebration

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Celebration sailed its inaugural cruise in November 2022. Carnival's second-newest ship at sea is LNG-powered and the second in the line's Excel class, with 2,687 staterooms and as many as 1,735 crew. Guests will find new attractions to enjoy on the ship, such as the partnership with the Kennedy Space Center at Space Cruisers: This program is designed for children ages 2 to 11 at Camp Ocean.

Adults can check out the new bar at Latitudes, which features specialty cocktails and outdoor scenery through the virtual windows. Celebration has a variety of complimentary dining venues, including Shaq's Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and Mexican favorites at BlueIguana Cantina. There is also a selection of specialty restaurants like Emeril's Bistro 1397, Rudi's Seagrill, the Steakhouse and Bonsai Teppanyaki. For action and 360-degree views of the ocean from the top of the ship, take a spin around the track on the BOLT roller coaster.

Compare Carnival Cruises on GoToSea.

MSC Euribia

Length: 1,087 feet

Width: 141 feet

Gross tons: 181,541

Maximum passengers: 6,327

MSC Euribia, the newest MSC Cruises ship, debuted in June 2023. The line's second LNG-powered vessel – and the fifth Meraviglia-class ship – has 2,419 cabins and can carry as many as 1,711 crew members. The ship's hull features Alex Flämig's artwork "#SaveTheSea" to highlight the company's dedication to preserving the marine ecosystem.

On board Euribia , guests will find five pools and 11 dining venues, offering everything from sushi and teppanyaki to Latin American street food. There are also 21 bars and lounges, the MSC Aurea Spa, the Ocean Cay Aquapark, luxury retail shopping and more. Two additional highlights are the longest – and most impressive – LED Dome at Sea, which covers the ceiling of Galleria Euribia, and the reimagined Carousel Lounge. The beautiful, updated space features floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor terraces and cozy seating to enjoy live entertainment, including performances by one of the largest big bands at sea.

MSC Virtuosa

Maximum passengers: 6,334

This vessel launched in 2021 as a sister ship to MSC Grandiosa , the line's other Meraviglia Plus-class ship. MSC Virtuosa has 2,421 staterooms and carries around 1,704 crew members. It offers cruisers 11 dining venues plus 21 bars and lounges. At the heart of the ship, Galleria Virtuosa houses the largest shopping area on a cruise ship, with more than 12,500 square feet of retail space. In this area, you'll also find entertainment venues, restaurants and cocktail bars. And don't forget to look up: An impressive LED dome, one of the longest at sea, spans the ceiling of the promenade.

Another highlight to check out during your voyage is the MSC Starship Club, which features Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender on a cruise ship. The multilingual expert mixologist even tells jokes and will show you a dance move or two. After all the indoor fun, head outside for a cool dip in one of MSC Virtuosa's five pools or take a ride on the slide at the Savannah Aquapark.

Book an MSC Cruise on GoToSea.

Carnival Mardi Gras

Gross tons: 180,000

Maximum passengers: 6,465

One of Carnival Cruise Line's newest ships, Mardi Gras , debuted in July 2021. Its name honors the line's first ship, the TSS Mardi Gras, which launched in 1972. The original Mardi Gras was around 27,000 gross tons and 650 feet long – in contrast, the new Carnival Mardi Gras weighs more than six times as much and is nearly twice as long. This ship also holds the title as North America's first LNG-powered ship. It has 2,641 staterooms and holds up to 1,745 crew members.

Six themed areas each offer unique dining and entertainment experiences. For New Orleans -inspired cuisine, head to the French Quarter; there, you'll find Emeril's Bistro 1396 and The Brass Magnolia, a bar reminiscent of The Big Easy's jazz culture and Garden District. Don't miss one of the ship's top onboard attractions: the BOLT roller coaster, where riders can hit speeds of nearly 40 mph at 187 feet above sea level.

Read: The Top Themed Cruises

MSC Meraviglia

Courtesy of Port Miami for MSC Cruises

Length: 1,036 feet

Gross tons: 171,598

Maximum passengers: 5,655

MSC Cruises' Meraviglia first set sail in 2017 with an impressive 2,244 staterooms and the capacity to carry 1,536 crew members. A dozen restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisines, including a Spanish tapas bar with dishes created by a Michelin-starred chef, Japanese teppanyaki, Italian fare, fresh seafood, steaks and more. There are also 20 bars, lounges and cafes serving everything from Champagne and cocktails to ice cream and crepes.

The central highlight of the ship is Galleria Meraviglia, a 315-foot promenade with eateries, boutiques and evening parties. Nightly entertainment includes live performances and shows in the Broadway Theatre and the Carousel Lounge. Kids will find plenty to do, as well: There's an Aquapark, an F1 simulator, a flight simulator, LEGO play areas, bowling and more. When it's time to wind down, book a signature treatment at the MSC Aurea Spa.

Norwegian Encore

Length: 1,094 feet

Width: 136 feet

Gross tons: 169,116

Maximum passengers: 3,998 (double occupancy)

Norwegian Encore was built in 2019 as one of Norwegian Cruise Line 's Breakaway Plus-class ships. The vessel has 2,040 staterooms and carries 1,735 crew members. There are several complimentary culinary venues on board, including three main dining rooms, The Local Bar & Grill, the Garden Café buffet, and grab-and-go options. Specialty dining restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, from seafood to steak to Japanese teppanyaki.

When it's time for cocktail hour, 14 bars and lounges serve up everything from cold brews to fine wine and whiskey. For a pre-dinner option, head up to the Observation Lounge for panoramic ocean views. Norwegian Encore is also home to several entertainment venues featuring award-winning live shows and performances.

You'll find the most fun on the ship's top decks. First, head to the Encore Speedway race track, which takes thrill-seekers on a heart-pumping ride through high-speed curves extending 13 feet off the side of the ship. Also at the top of the vessel you'll find The Haven: Norwegian's exclusive "ship within a ship" concept boasts luxurious suites, villas and penthouses with balconies. These luxe accommodations include perks like 24-hour butler service, a concierge and a private sun deck.

Find a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise on GoToSea.

Frequently Asked Questions

The largest cruise ship currently in service is Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, at more than 235,000 gross tons. Icon of the Seas will become the largest cruise ship in the world at 250,000-plus gross tons after its launch, set for January 2024.

Carnival Jubilee, scheduled to debut in December 2023, and Carnival Celebration are the line's largest ships at 183,521 gross tons.

The line's largest ship is Disney Wish at about 144,000 gross tons. The vessel is 1,119 feet in length and 128 feet wide; it has 1,254 staterooms and carries up to 4,000 passengers and 1,555 crew.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi River, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a traditional masted sailing ship and on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top World Cruises
• The Top Cruises on Small Ships
• The Top Gay Cruises
• Cruise Packing List Essentials
• The Top Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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Hurricane Helene: Cruise Ships Delay Return to Florida Ports

• September 27, 2024

Several cruise ships delayed their returns to Florida this week due to Helene’s impact on various homeports.

After making landfall on Friday as a Category 4 hurricane, the storm led to port closures across the state.

Four ships sailing from Port Canaveral, including vessels from Royal Caribbean, MSC, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival, had to delay their turnaround calls on Thursday and Friday.

“Port Canaveral is open, but please be aware that arrival and departure times for cruise ships have been delayed, affecting embarkation schedules for outbound sailings,” the port said in an online update.

Vessels sailing from Miami on Thursday and Friday were also forced to change plans due to weather conditions.

Affected ships include the Carnival Sunrise, as well as the Allure of the Seas and the Independence of the Seas.

In Jacksonville, the Carnival Elation was forced to delay its return to the port, which was initially scheduled for Thursday .

As a result of the port’s closure, the ship is now expected to dock in JAXPort sometime between Friday and Saturday.

The Carnival Paradise is facing a similar situation, with its turnaround call in Tampa that was set for Thursday delayed by at least one day .

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas is returning to Tampa two days later due to the port’s closure .

According to an update shared on the company’s website, a nine-night cruise that was initially set to depart on Thursday will now operate as a seven-night voyage.

Sailing from Tampa on Sunday, the cruise will feature a revised itinerary that sails to Mexico, Honduras and Belize, visiting Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatán and Belize City.

“This situation remains very fluid, and we’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding,” the company said in a statement.

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The 10 best cruises for couples seeking romance and together time at sea

What could be more romantic than a couples cruise?

You and your sweetheart can explore new destinations together by day, stroll arm in arm across the open decks as the sun sets over the ocean and then enjoy dinner, drinks and a show every evening. Couples can bond over onboard trivia wins or relax together in the ship's spa.

The best cruises for couples don't have to break the bank. However, they should focus on adults more than families, and elevated food, service and accommodations are always appreciated.

When compiling our list of favorites, we recognized that couples have diverse interests and pinned our top picks to the standout features that set these lines apart.

Based on those criteria, here are the 10 best cruises for couples, whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fun vacation to enjoy together.

Celebrity Cruises: Best all-around cruise for couples

Celebrity Cruises tops our list of best cruises for couples because it's got something for everyone.

Gen-X couples dig the hip dining and drinking venues on the line's Edge Class ships. Gay couples have long been fans of the line's signature Martini Bar and inclusive culture. Older couples tend to be fans of the line's longer itineraries through the Panama Canal or to the South Pacific and Australia .

Celebrity's ships are big but not that big, and their top decks feature hot tubs, pool decks and resortlike lounge areas rather than waterslides and roller coasters.

Couples who prefer not to be nickel-and-dimed on vacation can pay upfront for the All Included package, which covers drinks and Wi-Fi. This allows them to focus on maximizing time with each other instead of worrying about the budget.

Related: 10 best honeymoon cruises for newlywed bliss

SeaDream Yacht Club: Best couples cruise for a yachtlike escape

Nearly everyone is partnered up on a SeaDream Yacht Club cruise; this isn't the line for taking your kids or your besties. That's because the line's two yachtlike ships and over-the-top all-inclusive service create the kind of pampered VIP experience that's prime for romance.

Enjoy most of your meals alfresco, sampling from the raw menu or indulging in ship-made ice cream. Cuddle up with your lover on the top-deck Balinese beds and lounge away a sea day.

Ditch the tour full of your shipmates and spend an afternoon together kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding straight from the ship's water sports platform. Feed each other caviar as you sip Champagne on the beach at one of the line's Champagne and Caviar Splash parties.

The crew will cater to your every request, whether that's running into town to buy a case of your favorite beer to have on board or offering you every alternative imaginable if you don't want burgers at the barbecue. You won't have to worry about a thing — except how to spend the day with your favorite person.

Paul Gauguin Cruises: Best cruise for far-flung romance

Nothing says honeymoon or special anniversary more than a bucket-list trip to Tahiti . You'll definitely want to save a night or two to experience a swanky overwater bungalow at a Polynesian resort, but if you want to explore multiple destinations, a cruise is the best way to island-hop.

Paul Gauguin is the cruise ship to book for a culturally immersive experience and a luxurious home away from home.

Commemorate a relationship milestone with a Polynesian blessing ceremony, then treat yourselves to alfresco massages on one of the private islands the ship visits.

Learn to scuba dive or explore the gorgeous Polynesian reefs together if you're already certified. Kiss your special someone, and take a selfie as you enjoy breathtaking sailaways from the lush green islands on your itinerary. It'll be a shared vacation to remember.

Virgin Voyages: Best cruise for young couples

If you're not the type of couple who wants to gaze longingly into each other's eyes but would rather live it up or get a bit naughty, Virgin Voyages is the best cruise choice for you.

On board the line's trendsetting ships, you can drop the work-week formality and let loose. Get matching tattoos at the onboard ink shop, or wear your sexiest red outfit to party on deck like a rock star.

Every night is date night on Virgin's ships, where every restaurant is included, and you can dine on Mexican, Korean, Italian, Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine throughout your sailing. Get in the mood with a burlesque-style performance, a sassy game show or a dance-off in the nightclub. Shake your phone to order Champagne, perhaps to your cabin balcony where you can laze in a hammock and watch the world sail by.

Related: Too hip or just right? Here's what it was really like sailing on Virgin Voyages for the first time

Holland America: Best cruise for retired couples

Retired couples aren't restricted by limited vacation time and can take those multiweek cruises to far-off destinations. Holland America is the cruise line you want if a week at sea is simply not enough.

Try a four-week cruise to all of Alaska's ports or a 35-night exploration of Northern Europe. Are you a couple who hates flying? You can cruise Holland America ships from U.S. ports to Africa and South America if you don't mind spending more than a month sailing. Or hop on a plane to visit Australia, Asia or the South Pacific islands on your next cruise.

On board, trade tastes with your sweetie from dishes created by the line's Culinary Council celebrity chefs. Then dance the night away at B.B. King's Blues Club. Fill your sea days with some R & R at the Greenhouse Spa, port-to-table cooking demos or photo lessons that you can put to use in the next port of call.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America cruise

Oceania Cruises: Best cruise for foodie couples

The way to your partner's heart might be through their stomach. If so, the two of you will want to book an Oceania cruise for your next romantic escape. The upscale cruise line partners with Jacques Pepin to create menus for its numerous complimentary dining venues, including Jacques' eponymous French restaurant, an authentic Italian venue inspired by recipes from the line's Italian crew members, a classic steakhouse and a contemporary pan-Asian eatery.

Plus, if the two of you are true foodies, you'll want to splurge on intimate wine- and Champagne-paired dinners at La Reserve by Wine Spectator (in partnership with Moet & Chandon). On port days, get to know the local food culture with a Culinary Discovery Tour; on sea days, team up to put your chef skills to work at a Culinary Center class.

Add in a beautiful pool deck and spa, heavenly in-room beds and port-intensive itineraries around the world, and your vacation will be "chef's kiss."

Related: The best meals you can have at sea

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Best cruise for over-the-top luxury

For a special anniversary, or perhaps a honeymoon, you want to treat your loved one to the best of the best. If you're looking for over-the-top luxury, look no further than Regent Seven Seas Cruises . The most all-inclusive of all the cruise lines, it's the best cruise choice for couples who want nothing but the most refined, upscale experience.

Spacious cabins are all suites, which offer both sleeping and sitting areas. Book one of the line's top suites (such as the enormous and lavish Regent Suite ) when you want to host cocktail parties in your onboard accommodations or pretend the hundreds of other guests on board don't exist. Order room service when you two lovers simply can't bear to disentangle yourselves from the top-quality bedsheets.

If you do manage to abandon your suite, you can enjoy a quiet tete-a-tete over complimentary drinks at numerous bars around the ship. Meals are high quality in both the larger and reservation-only venues, and service is unparalleled, even with gratuities covered by your cruise fare. Plus, you can make memories during included shore excursions in every port; choose from guided tours, winery visits and active excursions.

Related: The best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

UnCruise Adventures: Best small-ship cruise for active couples

Is your idea of a perfect date a long bike ride with your sweetheart or a hike up a nearby mountain? If so, choose an expedition cruise for your ideal getaway. UnCruise Adventures is the best cruise for couples who prefer to be active rather than sit around and watch the waves.

Small 22- to 86-passenger ships take active travelers to Alaska , Hawaii and Central America destinations, where kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, paddleboarding and hiking are daily activities. You'll learn about the local culture in the places you visit and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations you'd never see on a megaship.

But it's not all rough and rugged. Indulge in meals made on board with locally sourced ingredients, and toast your significant other with a cocktail or glass of wine (all included in your cruise fare). Rest your weary legs in the on-deck hot tub. Cabins aren't fancy, but you're not on board to spend lots of time in your room. Lace up those boots and go greet the great outdoors, hand in hand.

Silversea Cruises: Best luxury cruise for adventurous couples

What if the two of you want that adventure trip but still wish to be pampered in luxury on the ship? Then you need to turn to Silversea Cruises , which has made a name for itself pairing extreme destinations with extreme indulgence on board.

The line's expedition ships literally travel to the ends of the Earth, with seasonal Arctic and Antarctic cruises. Silversea has a ship dedicated to sailing the Galapagos Islands, while other vessels explore more remote locales in Australia, the South Pacific and Africa.

These hardy vessels feature reinforced hulls to handle icy waters and a fleet of onboard Zodiacs, but they also bring all the creature comforts a lovestruck couple could want.

All cabins are well-appointed and come with butler service, luxury bath products, flat-screen TVs and pillow menus. Incredible spas and gourmet dining add glamor to the glitz of icy Antarctic vistas. Inclusive fares mean you never have to take out your wallet to buy a drink for your adventurous date or to take her on tour to meet a few penguins.

Related: 5 best Silversea Cruises destinations

Viking: Best cruise for enrichment and culture

Couples who share a love of learning will find the perfect home-away-from-home on a Viking cruise ship. The line prides itself on offering more of an intellectual experience than your average cruise.

Precruise, Viking will give you a list of movies to watch and books to read to learn more about your cruise destination; you can discuss them with your plus-one on the way to your ship. On board, resident historians lecture about the important events that shaped the region in which you're traveling; some ships even offer planetariums. Ashore, included tours allow you to fully immerse yourself in each destination.

But it's not all academics. Viking thought long and hard about what makes an amazing cruise ship experience and created that ideal for you and your travel companion.

Well-thought-out cabins are spacious and comfortable with smart little touches like quiet-closing drawers and heated bathroom floors. Multiple included dining venues ensure that mealtime is never ho-hum; don't miss afternoon tea in the gorgeous Wintergarden. When the sun is out, enjoy a soak together in the aft infinity pool. No one will scold you if you whisper sweet nothings instead of discussing local politics.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries

Bottom line

Pretty much any cruise ship is welcoming to couples — even Disney Cruise Line . Yet some brands prioritize the adult experience and offer amenities that make their ships even more ideal for a traveling twosome.

The best cruises for couples are as diverse as the duos who sail them, meaning you're sure to find a ship that appeals to you and your special someone.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

The 7 best cruise ship suites — picked by someone who has seen them all

O ne of the biggest stories in the cruise world over the past couple of decades has been the arrival of a new generation of superlarge, superswanky cruise ship suites that are chock-full of every sort of upscale feature and amenity you could imagine. They are sights to behold.

Some of the biggest of these cruise ship suites measure 2,000 square feet or more — approaching the size of the typical American home. A handful go far beyond that.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

I haven't stayed in all of these new cruise ship suites. But over more than 25 years of writing about cruise ships, I've toured pretty much all of them. I can't think of any major cruise ship suite that I've missed other than Disney Cruise Line's new Tower Suite on Disney Wish, which I hope to get to soon.

A few of these swanky digs really stood out, and I'll profile them below in my personal list of best cruise suites.

In some cases, these are one-of-a-kind suites found on only a single vessel. In other cases, they are suites with similar sisters on multiple ships.

To be clear, this is by no means an exhaustive list. Disney fans will no doubt admonish me for not including the supersized suites on some Disney Cruise Line ships, such as the art deco-influenced Roy O. Disney Suite on Disney Fantasy. I've been in these suites, and they are certainly impressive. But I wasn't as wowed by them as I was by the suites below. And I have to cut off my list somewhere.

Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you definitely should avoid

Luxury lines Silversea Cruises and Seabourn also offer quite a few wonderful suites on their ships, and it's worth noting that some of the biggest suites at sea are those found on Norwegian Cruise Line 's Jewel-class vessels.

Below, you'll find my picks for the seven best suites at sea.

Regent Suite

Ship: Seven Seas Splendor (Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

Every time I think of this suite, I think of that famous scene in "Dr. Zhivago" where Comrade Kaprugina dresses down the good doctor on the size of his mansion. "There was living space for 13 families in this one house!" she scolds.

You might not be able to jam 13 families into Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' Regent Suite, but in a pinch, you probably could come close. It sprawls over an astounding 4,443 square feet — nearly twice the size of the average American home. Its opulence is like nothing you'll find anywhere else at sea (except in similar suites found on Regent's Seven Seas Explorer and the just-unveiled Seven Seas Grandeur).

Located at the front of Seven Seas Splendor , the Regent Suite is so big it stretches all the way from one side of the ship to the other, offering views in three directions. It has two massive bedroom complexes — and they really are complexes, with seemingly endless space. It also has a living room, a separate dining area and perhaps the most spectacular balcony at sea.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge on a suite for your next cruise

Among the over-the-top things you'll find in the Regent Suite is a bed with a handmade mattress that Regent executives claim cost more than $200,000. It was handcrafted by four artisans at the renowned Hastens workshop in Koping, Sweden, using horsetail hair and flax, along with cotton and wool batting.

The Regent Suite also has a ridiculously large master bathroom, complete with its own sauna and steam room. It's big enough that it can double as a personal spa treatment room. To that end, the Regent Suite — get this — comes with its own spa therapist on call. Unlimited spa treatments are included in the cost of the suite.

Other perks of staying in the Regent Suite include first-class domestic flights to reach the ship; a personal car, driver and guide in every port; and a dedicated butler to help make arrangements on board.

The only downside to a stay? The cost. Regent charges $11,000 a day for the privilege.

Related: The 2 types of Regent ships, explained

Royal Loft Suite

Ship: Quantum of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

At 1,640 square feet, the Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean 's Quantum of the Seas isn't nearly as big as the Regent Suite on Seven Seas Splendor. But it makes my list of the best cruise ship suites because it offers something the latter doesn't: views across the ship's wake through a soaring, two-deck-high glass wall.

That's right, the Royal Loft Suite on Quantum of the Seas sprawls over two decks and has a main room that is two stories high — a lavish use of space that is rare in the cruise world.

Royal Caribbean offers a Royal Loft Suite on each of its Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships, but there are some design differences among them.

My favorite of all the Royal Loft Suites is the one on Quantum of the Seas, the first vessel in Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class series. Sleeping up to six, it offers a stylish, two-deck-high living and dining space facing the complex's giant window wall, complete with such modernist touches as an Eames chair (which, being a minimalist, I adore). Among its highlights are a dry bar and a sofa that converts into a double bed.

Related: 5 reasons to turn down a cruise ship cabin upgrade

The first floor of the Royal Loft Suite is also home to a media room with a sofa that converts into a queen bed. It's a perfect hideaway for the kids, should you be traveling with a family.

Upstairs, the main bedroom is open-walled, so you can see across the living area to the sea. It is accessed via a bridge-like walkway, which I love. It's like crossing a drawbridge into your own private castle at sea.

Rounding out the complex is a spacious, 415-square-foot private balcony that has its own private whirlpool — another great place from which to look out over the water.

Balmoral Suite

Ship: Queen Mary 2 (Cunard Line)

Royal Caribbean wasn't the first cruise line to go the double-decker route when designing over-the-top cruise ship suites. A decade before the debut of Quantum of the Seas, Cunard Line wowed cruise fans with the unveiling of this two-deck-high Grand Duplex suite and a sister suite, the Sandringham, on its iconic Queen Mary 2.

Named after a castle in Scotland owned by the British royal family, the Balmoral Suite is fit for a queen with a stunning 2,249 square feet of living space.

Like Royal Caribbean's Royal Loft suites, both the Balmoral Suite and the Sandringham Suite have a sprawling living room and dining area on their ground floors and a spacious master bedroom complex on their second levels.

One thing I particularly love about the Grand Duplex suites is that their master bedrooms are reached via dramatic, curving staircases.

Another allure of the Grand Duplex suites is that they come with access to Queen Mary 2's exclusive Queens Grill restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Only open to passengers staying in the very top accommodations on the ship, this is a much more intimate, elegant and private eatery than the main Britannia restaurant where most passengers dine.

Movie buffs may recognize the restaurant, as it was heavily highlighted in the Meryl Streep movie "Let Them All Talk," which was set on Queen Mary 2 .

Owner's suite

Ship: Viking Star (Viking)

Many cruise ships have giant suites that are given the name "owner's suite." But few live up to the phrase like this one.

The owner's suite on Viking Star — Viking 's first oceangoing ship — was specifically designed to be used by Viking founder and owner Torstein Hagen when he travels on the ship, and it's full of little quirks that reflect his personal tastes.

Among them: Hagen's personal mementos, including pictures of his family, are sprinkled throughout the suite. A selection of books from Hagen's personal collection fills a bookshelf.

The Norwegian-born Hagen also had the suite built with its own private sauna with a glass wall facing the sea, something he wanted for personal use.

In all, the suite — and similar suites that were built onto more recently unveiled Viking ocean ships — sprawls over an impressive 1,448 square feet.

Located at the top of the vessel, it has a bedroom with a large bathroom complex (including that sauna), a separate living room and a dining area that seats six people.

In addition, in another twist that speaks to its real use as an owner's suite, it has its own boardroom with a long table that seats 12 people that Hagen uses for meetings and catered dinner parties. There's an adjacent pantry that can be used by staff serving room service or catering hosted events.

Among other personal touches related to Hagen are wine and music collections that he curated for the rooms.

Similar Owner's Suites can be found on other Viking ocean ships, too, all used from time to time by Hagen and his family.

Reflection Suite

Ship: Celebrity Reflection (Celebrity Cruises)

Many Celebrity Cruises ships have spacious and alluring suites. But the newest of the line's five Solstice Class vessels, Celebrity Reflection, has my favorite of them all: the Reflection Suite.

Unveiled in 2012, the Reflection Suite was the brand's first two-bedroom suite, and it measures a none-too-shabby 1,636 square feet, not including a 194-square-foot balcony.

Located in a panoramic corner spot on the ship, it features a glass-walled living and dining area with a dining table that can seat 10 people (just in case you want to hold a dinner party during your cruise).

Related: TPG's ultimate guide to picking a cruise line

But what really earns it a place on our list of the best cruise ship suites is the Reflection Suite's stunning, glass-walled master bathroom. Dubbed a "sea-view bathroom," it is just that — a bathroom with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer incredible sea views. The most-talked-about highlight of the space: a glass-enclosed rain shower that juts out over the edge of the ship.

Just be careful if you use the shower as the ship pulls into port: You might end up putting on a show. (The walls are made of "smart glass," so you can change them from transparent to translucent.) That said, we can't think of another bathroom on a cruise ship with such amazing views.

Ship: Riviera (Oceania Cruises)

The owner's suites on Oceania Cruises ' Riviera — there are three of them — rival anything you can find at a resort on land when it comes to elegance and style.

So do three more owner's suites that you can find on Riviera's slightly older sister ship, Marina.

All six of the suites were decorated using Ralph Lauren furnishings by designer Susan Bednar Long, and they have a wonderful flow and consistency in style.

The mahogany beds that you'll find in the master bedrooms are upholstered in steel-blue mohair — a striking touch — and are flanked by walls covered in cashmere. A few steps away, a marble-clad master bathroom offers more luxurious Ralph Lauren design touches.

Measuring around 2,000 square feet, the owner's suites also have spacious living rooms and a dramatic entryway with a bar on one side and a grand piano on the other.

The suites offer lots of outdoor living space with wrap-around balconies that are home to hot tubs and flat-screen TVs. These balconies overlook the back of the ship, offering great views.

Among the extra touches, a stay in one of the suites comes with butler service, free laundry service of up to three bags per sailing, priority ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery and access to an exclusive executive lounge staffed by a dedicated concierge.

Ultimate Family Suite

Ship: Symphony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Yes, I'm putting a second Royal Caribbean suite on my short list of the seven best cruise suites. The line is that amazing when it comes to suites. Indeed, if I had to pick just one cruise line for best suites, it'd be Royal Caribbean.

The Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, which debuted in 2018, really is the ultimate family suite. I can't think of a better suite anywhere in the world, at sea or on land, for families with kids, particularly small kids.

Like two other Ultimate Family suites that have debuted more recently on Spectrum of the Seas (a ship devoted to the Asia cruise market) and Wonder of the Seas, Symphony's is like a kiddie fun zone that happens to have beds where you can spend the night.

Related: 12 tips for surviving a luxury cruise with kids

Measuring a palatial 1,346 square feet, the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas spans two decks that are loaded with such kid-friendly attractions as an air hockey table, a building block wall, table tennis on the balcony and a vertical climbing maze.

There's also a crawl-through nook connecting the main bedroom for adults and a second kiddie bedroom, plus — surely the coolest feature of all — a slide that descends from the second floor of the complex to the first floor. (Don't worry, there are stairs, too, for those who want to move between floors the traditional way.)

In addition, the complex has its very own private cinema room with an 85-inch 4K TV that streams movies, a popcorn machine and the latest gaming consoles.

Designed with even the largest families in mind — it can hold up to eight people! — the suite also features one of the most jaw-dropping balcony views on the entire ship. And, like all high-end suites on Royal Caribbean ships, it comes with a Royal Genie — a personal butler assigned to cater to your every need.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.