Is Upgrading to a Cruise Suite worth it? We Ranked 5 Major Lines!
One of the questions we get asked more than almost anything else is whether upgrading to a cruise ship suite is actually worth the huge price tag — or if it’s just a massive rip-off.
The honest answer? There isn’t one “right” answer. It completely depends on the cruise line, the ship, and exactly what kind of perks you are expecting.
In this guide, we break down the exclusive food, the perks, and the hidden catches of five major cruise lines so you’ll know exactly which one actually treats you like royalty.
Watch our massive Royal Caribbean mega-suite tour and find out our ultimate winner:
Quick Guide: Which Suite Experience Is Best for You? (TL;DR)
If you just want the short version:
Celebrity Cruises (The Retreat) is best if you want the ultimate, unmatched luxury experience with the best food at sea.
MSC Cruises (Yacht Club) is the best option for incredible value and a true all-inclusive "ship-within-a-ship" feel.
Norwegian Cruise Line (The Haven) is brilliant for private pool courtyards and dedicated service, though the restaurant menu doesn't change.
Royal Caribbean (Royal Suite Class) is great if you want massive multi-level suites and a Royal Genie, but it's very expensive and perks vary wildly by tier.
Princess Cruises only really worth the full suite upgrade if you are sailing on their brand-new ships (Sun Princess or Star Princess).
What Is A Suite Like on the Major Cruise Lines?
Over the years, we’ve booked suites and experienced VIP areas across all the major brands. Here is how they actually stack up against each other.
1. Celebrity Cruises: The Retreat (Our #1 Pick)
For us, our number one spot for the best suite experience at sea has to go to Celebrity Cruises The Retreat. They simply include the most, and the quality of the product is completely unmatched. We recently sailed in a Magic Carpet Retreat suite on the Celebrity Xcel - Read our review.
Good if you want:
A fully premium, all-inclusive experience. The premium beverage package, streaming Wi-Fi, and a complimentary minibar setup.
The absolute best suite dining at sea. The exclusive Luminae restaurant features a highly elevated menu that changes every single day.
A private luxury resort feel, especially on their newer Edge-class ships with private outdoor sun decks and lounge.
Think twice if:
You are on a strict budget — The Retreat comes with a premium price tag.
You are looking for a more personalised experience. There can be a large amount of Retreat suites on each ship making the lounges and restaurants busy.
See Also: The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises: What’s Included & Is It Worth the Upgrade?
2. MSC Cruises: The Yacht Club (Best Value)
Taking our solid second place is MSC Cruises with the MSC Yacht Club. This is where you get the absolute best bang for your buck.
Good if you want:
A flawless "ship-within-a-ship" concept with key-card access only, a 24-hour butler, and a dedicated concierge.
An all-inclusive experience (the premium extra drink package and unlimited Wi-Fi are automatically included in your fare).
Access to top-tier luxury on a budget. They actually offer Yacht Club interior cabins (yes, cabins with no windows!), meaning you get all the VIP perks without paying for a massive balcony.
Think twice if:
You prefer dining in the main areas; though honestly, the Yacht Club panoramic restaurant and outdoor grill are so good, you won't want to leave.
3. Norwegian Cruise Line: The Haven
On most of their fleet, NCL's Haven is a true ship-within-a-ship enclave tucked away at the top of the vessel.
Good if you want:
A dedicated 24-hour butler and suite concierge to handle your every need.
A gorgeous private sun deck with a pool, hot tubs, and sunbathing decks.
Fantastic food in a private restaurant that easily rivals specialty dining.
Think twice if:
You want variety in your dining. The biggest drawback to The Haven is that the restaurant menu stays exactly the same every single day. On a 10-night voyage, this gets boring quickly.
You are sailing on one of their smaller, older ships, which often don't have a full Haven section at all. We sailed on the Norwegian Spirit which included many of the same benefits - but didn’t include a Haven area.
The butler service can be stretched - meaning you can find that you hardly use them.
4. Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean breaks its perks down into three very distinct tiers: Sea, Sky, and Star. Read our Review: Sky Junior Suite on Allure of the Seas.
Good if you want:
Massive, mind-blowing accommodations like the Ultimate Family Suite or sprawling Star Loft Suites.
To not lift a single finger — if you shell out for Star-Class, you get a "Royal Genie" who reserves seats, arranges private dining in your suite, and basically handles everything.
Incredible suite neighbourhoods (but only on their massive new Icon-class ships).
Think twice if:
You are booking Sea-Class or Sky-Class and expecting all-inclusive drinks. Unlike MSC and Celebrity, premium drink packages aren't included unless you book the ultra-expensive Star-Class. Even simple items like bottled water are not included.
You are on an older Oasis or Quantum-class ship, where the dedicated outdoor suite spaces are a lacking.
You want to dine with a view. On the new Icon class, the restaurant looks into the Aquadome.
You want highly elevated food. We found the suite restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, to be just fine, but often only marginally better than the main dining room.
5. Princess Cruises
Princess keeps their tier system pretty straightforward, but the experience wildly depends on which ship you book.
Good if you want:
To sail on their brand-new Sun Princess or Star Princess. These ships feature an absolutely fantastic outdoor suite-only Sanctuary with a private pool, hot tubs, and an exclusive signature restaurant.
The Princess Premier package (premium drinks, Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities) automatically included with full suites like the Grand, Sky, and Vista suites.
Think twice if:
You are booking an older ship. Aside from the newest ships, booking a suite on the rest of the Princess fleet really just means you’re paying for a larger cabin. You'll get a reserved section in the main dining room and maybe one exclusive dish, but the food is essentially the same as the rest of the ship.
Final Verdict: Is a Suite Upgrade Worth It?
If you can snag a massive deal like we did on Royal Caribbean, it is absolutely worth the upgrade just for the sheer space, priority boarding, and comfort.
However, if you are paying full premium prices and having a truly exclusive, high-end dining and all-inclusive experience is the main reason you’re looking to upgrade, Celebrity Cruises and MSC Cruises offer the best, most consistent VIP experiences at sea right now.
Let us know in the comments if you think the suite life is worth it, and don't forget to watch the full video above to see inside our massive cabin!
