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The Suite Life and Semi-Suite Life...
Accomodations on the High Seas

When I started cruising in the mid ‘70s there were basically four types of staterooms. Most ships were old Ocean Liners that had been converted to cruise ships and the rooms were small and lackluster.

Today there’s a room category for every taste and every budget. The basic stateroom and suite categories are as follows:

Inside Double

Two beds that can convert into a queen sized bed, bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, 3-4 6’ closets with drawers, desk/vanity with chair, interactive TV
- Sizes from 120-180 sq. ft.
- Some with 3rd and 4th pull man beds

Outside Double

Two beds that can convert into a queen sized bed, bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, 3-4 6’ closets with drawers, desk/vanity with chair, some with sofa and coffee table, interactive TV
- Sizes from 140-180 sq. ft.
- Some with 3rd and 4th pull man beds

Outside Balcony/Veranda

Two beds that can convert into a queen sized bed, bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, 3-4 6’ closets with drawers, desk/vanity with chair, sofa and coffee table, interactive TV
- Sizes from 180-220 sq. ft.
- Some with 3rd and 4th pull man beds

Mini-Suite with Balcony/Veranda

Two beds that can convert into a queen sized bed, bathroom with toilet, sink, bath/shower, walk-in closets with drawers, premium location on ship, desk/vanity with chair, sofa and coffee table, interactive TV
- Sizes from 350 sq. ft. +
- Butler and Concierge Service

Suite

Separate bedroom with two beds that can convert into a queen sized bed, bathroom with toilet, sink, jetted bath and shower, walk-in closets with drawers, premium location on ship, living area, dining area, baby grand piano, interactive TV, veranda with dining table, chaise lounges and hot tub
- Sizes from 600 sq.ft. +
- Butler and Concierge Service

Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas
Royal Loft Suites
Two-level loft stateroom with panoramic views. Master bedroom and bath on second level. Bath has a tub, shower featuring his and her showerheads, fog-free mirrors, and limestone mosaic tile accents, two sinks and bidet. Stairway to second level. Four twin beds (can convert to Queens). Bath with shower on main level. Private balcony with whirlpool and dining area. Dining area with dry bar. Living room sofa converts to double bed. Closets on each level. (1,524 sq. ft., balcony 843 sq. ft.). Stateroom can accommodate up to 6 guests.

Celebrity Equinox
Aqua Class Cabin with Veranda
Similar in layout to all of the Equinox’s Outside Veranda Staterooms, the Aqua Class staterooms help you luxuriate in Zen-like bliss. Featuring two beds convertible to queen-size, sitting area with sofa, vanity, modular closets, bath with footrest in shower, 32” LCD flat panel TV and veranda. The thing that pushes these rooms over the top are the amenities which include complimentary dining in the exclusive Blu dining room, spa amenities kit, five headed Hansgrohe shower tower in bath, European style beading, oversize spa towels, Frette robes and slippers, light dimmers, sound and aromatic features to enhance relaxation, carafe of flavor-infused iced tea, complimentary bottled water, spa concierge services, library of wellness books to help you achieve your bliss. (194 sq. ft., Veranda 54 sq. ft.)

Celebrity Cruises

Concierge Class (Millennium and Solstice Class ships)
Larger cabins, upgraded bedding and bath amenities, fresh flowers, daily canapés and other special gifts

Aqua Class (Solstice Class ships) Staterooms
Larger cabins, upgraded bedding and bath amenities, fresh flowers, relaxing scents and lighting, access to spa’s relaxation room, access to exclusive Blu specialty dining room (available only to passengers staying in Aqua Class cabins and Suites

Disney Cruises

Split bathrooms in most staterooms. One bathroom contains commode and sink while the other contains a shower and sink. This will help eliminate bath time congestion for multiple friends or a family sharing the stateroom.

On their upcoming ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, which debut in 2011 and 2012, feature large interior rooms that will have virtual portholes. These portholes are connected to cameras located on the exterior of the ship and in line with where the stateroom is positioned on the ship. As the ship sails and is docked the virtual porthole will display by live feed what a real porthole or window would display…except for one added bonus. The virtual portholes will have Disney characters like Arial and Sebastian stroll by looking into your cabin.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Possibly the most innovative of all stateroom design, the soon-to-be-launched Norwegian Epic will have several trend setting options:

New Wave Staterooms will feature unique curved walls that create a very organic and innovative living space. These staterooms include recessed lighting and a domed ceiling.

At last, a stateroom designed and priced for the solo traveler. Epic Studios will sure to be a hit with the budget minded and younger cruiser. These rooms include a full-size bed, separate sink and shower from an enclosed commode area. They are a mere 100 sq. ft. but will include plenty of storage space, flat screen interactive TV, writing desk and a window that looks into the interior corridor of the ship but won’t allow outsiders to see in. There will also be private access to the Studio Complex and two-story Studio Lounge, where you can grab a morning coffee, afternoon tea or and evening cocktail.

Spa Suites will feature a queen-size circular bed, unique curved walls and soothing décor, In-suite hot tub, window into outside corridor, balcony with chaise lounge, domed ceiling and guest-controlled colored room lighting and access to the exclusive Courtyard Area (with private pool and cabanas) and The Epic Club.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Inside Promenade Staterooms
For slightly more than the cost of an inside stateroom you can have a room with bay windows that overlook the middle section of the ship into the Royal Promenade. The rooms include two beds that can convert into a queen-size bed, sofa, bathroom with shower and a vanity/desk with flat screen TV. These rooms are available on all Voyager, Freedom and Oasis Class ships.

Loft Suite
Two-story loft-style suites that are reminiscent of loft apartments that you might find in New York Cities SOHO or San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhoods. Each loft has a bedroom loft with designer bathroom that includes a duel head shower. Downstairs there is a living room with sofa and large flat screen TV and a large balcony with lounge chairs and table. These suites are available on the Oasis Class ships.

Interior Boardwalk and Central Park Balcony Staterooms
Similar in design to the traditional Outside Balcony Staterooms, these rooms look into the interior of the ship focusing on the Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods of the ship. The rooms include two beds that can convert into a queen-size bed, sofa, bathroom with shower and a vanity/desk with flat screen TV. These staterooms are available on the Oasis Class ships.