Latest news with #Loft19
The Age
13-05-2025
- The Age
Business class at sea: Exclusive, luxury areas on big ships take off
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. For a long time, the only way for cruise passengers to differentiate themselves from the riff-raff was to upgrade their cabin or suite, have dinner in a specialty restaurant, or book themselves onto a more luxurious cruise ship. Then budget cruise lines had a lightbulb moment. If hotels can have executive lounges, sports stadiums have corporate boxes and airlines have business and first class lounges, why can't cruise ships do something similar? And so the oddly named ship-within-a-ship zone was introduced. MSC's Yacht Club and Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven were the pioneers in the 'noughties'. Others are Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Princess Cruises' The Sanctuary, and Loft 19 on Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America and Royal Caribbean don't have such zones, although passengers in certain suites have access to a dedicated lounge and additional services. The ship-within-a-ship is an exclusive, cost-additional area that looks nicer, has more upscale furnishings and offers better amenities and service. It's usually located on a high deck with open views. Think boutique hotel wedged inside a large corporate hotel and you get the picture. What you get in such retreats varies between cruise lines and even between ships of the same line, but you'll probably enjoy a small swimming pool, hot tubs, sundeck with cabanas and a bar. A restaurant will offer upmarket dining, which won't require reservations. Celebrity Cruises' Luminae, for example, has a menu created by French Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Business class at sea: Exclusive, luxury areas on big ships take off
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. For a long time, the only way for cruise passengers to differentiate themselves from the riff-raff was to upgrade their cabin or suite, have dinner in a specialty restaurant, or book themselves onto a more luxurious cruise ship. Then budget cruise lines had a lightbulb moment. If hotels can have executive lounges, sports stadiums have corporate boxes and airlines have business and first class lounges, why can't cruise ships do something similar? And so the oddly named ship-within-a-ship zone was introduced. MSC's Yacht Club and Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven were the pioneers in the 'noughties'. Others are Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Princess Cruises' The Sanctuary, and Loft 19 on Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America and Royal Caribbean don't have such zones, although passengers in certain suites have access to a dedicated lounge and additional services. The ship-within-a-ship is an exclusive, cost-additional area that looks nicer, has more upscale furnishings and offers better amenities and service. It's usually located on a high deck with open views. Think boutique hotel wedged inside a large corporate hotel and you get the picture. What you get in such retreats varies between cruise lines and even between ships of the same line, but you'll probably enjoy a small swimming pool, hot tubs, sundeck with cabanas and a bar. A restaurant will offer upmarket dining, which won't require reservations. Celebrity Cruises' Luminae, for example, has a menu created by French Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.
