Cruise ships are outdoing each other with fun, unique suites
Cruise ships offer endless entertainment from water slides and racetracks to Broadway-style shows and theatrical-themed meals but the fun doesn't have to stop once you get back to the cabin.
Some cruise lines are dazzling in their stateroom designs, going way beyond a mere bed, bathroom, cupboard and balcony. Case in point: the three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse on board Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, which has a red slide from one level to the next. To get back upstairs to go down said slide again there's a rainbow staircase that plays music with each step. Imagine the hours of fun.
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The townhouse, which sleeps up to eight, also has a dedicated cinema space, karaoke, two balconies, a private patio with table tennis table and direct access to the family neighbourhood, Surfside. This means guests can be first in line for the splash parks, dining options and classic carousel just beyond the Townhouse's white picket fence.
Each funnel on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure hosts a Concierge Suite. The latter's is a futuristic space which sleeps eight, has a private elevator and overlooks the top deck offering a vista through a two-storey window. The suite was inspired by the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World and is adorned with art pieces as well as space-age metal and glass accents. There's also a full kitchen.
The three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse on board Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has a red slide from one level to the next. Picture: Supplied.
Disney Wish's Concierge Suite features decor inspired by the movie Moana and has a double-height living room with a spectacular chandelier and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Unique suites are not just geared for family fun. Norwegian Cruise Line was on to a brilliant idea with interior solo staterooms, solo ocean views and solo balconies on their Prima Class ships. The staterooms all offer private access to NCL's Studio Lounge – available on select ships – which is a dedicated social space designed for solo travellers to meet for coffee, or just to hang out when looking for company.
Disney Wish's Concierge Suite features decor inspired by the movie Moana and has a double-height living room with a spectacular chandelier and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Picture: Supplied.
Carnival has gone for a Cuban vibe on select ships with its Havana Club Cabins which offer exclusive access to the Havana Bar & Pool for guests aged 12 and over. The staterooms feature fun pops of orange, blue and green, and include their own private patio with a hammock.
And then there's the next-level array of one-of-a-kind suites on Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships designed by Studio Dado. Top of the range on Regent Seven Seas Grandeur is the two-bedroom Regent Suite which is perfect for the spa-lover who likes their privacy and space. The bathroom features a personal sauna, steam room and treatment area where residents will be pampered with unlimited complimentary spa services. There are choices of luxury toiletries, including Guerlain, L'Occitane and Hermès, and in the primary bathroom there are nine different types of Italian marble. The suite also offers an unobstructed 270-degree view from the wraparound veranda overlooking the bow of the ship. On this veranda is a private hot tub – if only it had a slide to enter.
Originally published as Cruise ships are outdoing each other with fun, unique suites
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Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. Brandon Blackstock found a 'beautiful and loving' romantic partner in his ex-wife Kelly Clarkson's former assistant prior to his death, according to the late business manager's obituary. 'Brandon, along with his beautiful and loving partner in life and business, Brittney Marie Jones, started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana,' reads the tribute, which was published Tuesday. Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock found a 'loving' relationship with her former assistant, Brittney Marie Jones, prior to his death. Picture: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Blackstock died last Thursday after a private battle with melanoma. He was 48 years old. According to Jones' LinkedIn, she served as the original American Idol winner's assistant from 2016 to 2020 — which, coincidentally, is the same year Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock. Their divorce was finalised in 2022 after years of contentious legal proceedings. As a result of their settlement, Clarkson kept their Montana Ranch. However, she lived in New York City with their two children, daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9. Blackstock continued to live in Montana where he went on to establish his Valley View Rodeo with Jones in December 2024, according to the US Sun. Blackstock's obituary named Jones as his 'beautiful and loving partner in life and business'. Jones worked for Clarkson as her assistant from 2016 to 2020, the year the singer filed for divorce from Blackstock The complete nature of the pair's relationship remains unclear at this time. Though, Jones appears to have been previously married to drummer Greg Goose LaPoint. An Instagram post from LaPoint dated in September 11, 2021, showed the couple celebrating one year of marriage with a carousel of photos. They appear to have since called it quits. Page Six has been unable to independently confirm the details of LaPoint's break-up from Jones. However, we can report LaPoint has since moved on with a woman named Arika Vanessa, whom he's reportedly been dating since February. Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Playback Denied: Location Error Code: PLAYER_ERR_GEO_RESTRICTED Video is unavailable from your current location. Technical details : Session ID: 2025-08-13:8ef466d4548d75b2e1785075 Player Element ID: p-5348771529001-6376817370112 OK Close Modal Dialog Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 0% Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:20 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Kelly Clarkson in tears on stage day before her ex-husband's death more as... more she forced a smile in front of fans. The singer appeared visibly distressed... ... more Still, Jones' father posted a Facebook tribute to Blackstock following his death last week, calling him his daughter's 'soulmate.' 'Yesterday we lost a good man Brandon Blackstock my daughter's soulmate and I considered him my son,' he wrote. 'My sincere condolences to Brittney Jones and family. We're sure going to miss your funny humour. R.I.P hoss!' Page Six has reached out to reps for Clarkson, Blackstock and Jones, but did not immediately receive any responses. While Blackstock may have moved on after his split from the Stronger hitmaker, Clarkson, 43, was still there to care for him in the months leading up to his tragic passing. The former couple shared two children together, Remington and River, and the talent manager also had two children from his first marriage, Savannah and Brandon. Picture: Steve Granitz/WireImage As we previously reported, the songstress took a hiatus from her eponymous talk show in February and March to tend to Blackstock and, most recently, cancelled a number of her Las Vegas residency shows for the second time just before his death. The singer has not yet publicly commented on the loss, but a source claimed Clarkson was 'devastated' for their children. 'When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,' a source told People, noting how Clarkson has 'always tried to keep things classy.' 'It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well,' they continued. 'She's been devastated for the kids.' This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission Originally published as Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband was in 'loving' relationship with her former assistant at time of his death
