6 Ways I Make My Cruises Feel More Luxurious

High-end luxury cruises are often well worth the price—but that doesn’t mean they are always an affordable option. Luckily, savvy travelers can replicate some of the plushness of five-star sailings by using some clever hacks.

“Luxury at sea doesn’t always mean booking the most expensive cruise,” says Venuse Charles, a Travel + Leisure A-List advisor with Valerie Wilson Travel. “A few strategic upgrades can completely transform a mainstream sailing.”

In fact, I’ve used several of these smart strategies to improve my own experience at sea without breaking the bank.

“It’s about being intentional with where you elevate your experience,” Charles explains.

Here are six simple ways to level up your cruise experience. 

Enjoy a slow morning with a room-service breakfast

One ritual that is part of every single cruise I take is enjoying breakfast in my room—and all the better if that is done during a day at sea, while on my stateroom’s balcony. Many cruise lines, even those with budget-minded pricing, offer free continental breakfast; a la carte items are usually available for a nominal charge. Depending on the cruise line, you might incur a flat delivery fee (up to $9.95 per order) and it’s customary to also tip the delivery person. To me, this splurge is more than worth it!

Upgrade your dining

I’ve cruised with several mainstream lines, including Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, that offer a good variety of quite delicious dining options that are included in the fare. However, I like to book at least one meal in a specialty restaurant—and more than one, if I’m on a longer cruise. The upcharge for these venues is usually quite reasonable, in my opinion, and allows me to sample not only a different menu but a different overall dining experience. Some of my favorite specialty restaurants lately have been Izumi, on Royal Caribbean; Fahrenheit 555, on Carnival; and Eden Restaurant, on Celebrity Cruises.

Book the a ship-within-a-ship

A number of cruise lines known for their big ships also offer something more serene and luxurious: a ship-within-a-ship experience. These are often a select number of rooms and suites, with private access, reserved for guests who—yes—pay more to upgrade. Think of it like premium economy or even business class compared to flying coach.

“You get priority embarkation, private dining, and more personalized service, but still have access to the full energy of the ship,” explains Charles, the travel advisor. “For travelers who want a luxury feel without booking a full luxury line, I love recommending things like the MSC Yacht Club or the Haven on Norwegian.”

Spring for a suite

Even mainstream cruise lines known for low introductory fares and compact entry-level rooms have upped the ante on suite designs in recent years, adding opulent features such as spacious living rooms, private hot tubs, and personal butler service. These accommodations naturally come at a premium but can still be very competitively priced compared to offerings on luxury ships—while also offering the full list of amenities that can be found on a big ship. “It’s about carving out your own sanctuary at sea while still enjoying everything the cruise offers,” Charles says.

Skip group excursions and opt for a personalized tour

I’ve taken countless big-group excursions over the years, including ones offered by the cruise line I was traveling with and options booked through third-party vendors. Many of these group outings were perfectly lovely, and these tours can be a good way to get an overview of a place or special access to a particular point of interest, museum, or monument. But one of my family’s best cruise memories is the private river rafting excursion we booked for our time in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Rather than go with a big group, we had a private driver who was not only delightful but also accommodating to our specific interests. When we wrapped up our rafting much earlier than we expected, our driver offered to take us to some of his favorite local spots. This level of personalized service provided an indelible experience we likely would not have received on a large group tour—particularly if we had been waiting on others in the group.

Splurge on a spa pass

I rarely book a la carte spa treatments when I cruise, but I’m happy to pay for some pampering of my own by buying a day pass. Known by a variety of names depending on the cruise line, these passes typically grant access to the on-board thermal suite, including things like heated lounges, saunas, multi-sensory wellness experiences, and relaxation zones. (They also give you the option of more flexible timing than you’d have if you booked a specific appointment.) Prices vary from line to line, and options often include a single day or access that lasts for the duration of a cruise.