The Rise of Luxury Outposts on Mainstream Cruise Ships
Photo Credit: The Haven Courtyard onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. Cruise company’s have tried to accommodate luxury passengers on mainstream ships Norwegian Cruise Line
Skift Take
Will a traveler who only expects the finest ever decide to board a mass-market cruise ship? Well, the marketplace has spoken and it says, “Maybe, but only under certain conditions.”
Cruise ships catering to thousands of passengers at a time have always had a variety of choices when it comes to room products: inside cabin, outside cabin, suite. But these are merely different rooms offered at varying price points.
On the other hand, some mass-market cruise lines are now doubling down on a strategy of creating segregated luxury outposts, where guests can hide away from the crowd and experience top-notch service, exclusive amenities, and privacy.
Oversized suites in these sections come complete with private concierge and butler services. Other amenities may include private pools, restaurants, lounges, and observation decks. On a typical ship with around 2000 staterooms, special sections usually house in the neighborhood of 70 to 80 suites.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) was the first to bring the concept of a ship within a ship to fruition. After Hong Kong-based Star Cruises bought NCL in 2000, some of the ships that had been on order to cater to the Asian mark
