PHOTO: An airy retreat in the Cabana Club on the Nieuw Amsterdam. (Courtesy of Michel Verdure/Holland America Line)
Sometimes, finding a lounge chair on a cruise ship sundeck is like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. So imagine the luxury of having cushioned loungers reserved for you for the day or even the entire cruise with shade adjusted to your preference and stewards ready to deliver drinks, gourmet food, cooling towels or a spritz of chilled Evian.
A number of cruise ships offer private cabanas - for a price, of course - but many cruisers find these oases an affordable antidote to an overcrowded, noisy sun deck. Here are some cruise ship cabanas.
Sanctuary, Lotus Spa and Retreat Cabanas on Royal Princess and Regal Princess
PHOTO: Private poolside cabanas are available on the Regal Princess and Royal Princess. (Courtesy of Princess Cruises)
Princess Cruises offers three private cabana options on the 3,600-passenger Royal Princess and Regal Princess. The cabanas were introduced for the first time when the Royal Princess entered service in June 2013.
The adults-only Retreat Pool offers poolside cabanas beginning at $50 for a half-day. For a more luxurious experience, The Sanctuary, the adults-only oasis, offers two cabana options - Sanctuary Cabanas and Lotus Spa cabanas.
The Sanctuary Cabanas are quite posh, with a television with noise-reducing wireless headphones, cushioned sofas, robe and slippers, a welcome cocktail, and snacks such as nuts and fruit. The Sanctuary Cabanas also have a mini-bar stocked with waters and sodas, as well as a choice of alcoholic beverages, including beer or wine. Sanctuary Cabanas are priced from $140 for a half-day.
Then there are the two luxurious Lotus Spa Cabanas that are equipped with a treatment area with two massage tables, as well as a television, plush chairs and views over the front of the ship. Guests who reserve these can also book customized spa packages that range in price from $320 to $3,000.
The top-of-the-line package is the "Royal Indulgence" for four people from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., which includes all-day massages and facials, gourmet food including caviar, butler service, and a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne.
Those who splurge on a cabana but not the four-figure package can order a Cabana Picnic, priced from $40 for two. This delivered picnic might include a premium bottle of wine, antipasti, artisan sandwiches, pizza and desserts.
Cabanas on Eurodam, Noordam and Nieuw Amsterdam
Holland America Line offers private poolside cabanas on three ships, the Noordam, Nieuw Amsterdam (pictured at top) and Eurodam, in quiet areas on the Observation Deck 11. It's called The Retreat on the Eurodam and Noordam, and the Cabana Club on Nieuw Amsterdam.
The private areas offer 12 cabanas on the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam and 15 on Noordam. Each ship has one cabana used for spa treatments. Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam also have Lido Cabanas near the pool - seven on Nieuw Amsterdam and eight on Eurodam.
Cabana amenities include luxurious loungers and a table, a separate seating area in the Cabana Club and The Retreat, towel set-up and bathrobes, handheld fans, an Evian mister, chilled bottled water, a fruit basket and a glass of sparkling wine. Cabana occupants can order in food as well as ice cream and condiments in the early afternoon and chocolate-dipped strawberries in late afternoon.
The Retreat cabanas cost $45 for a port day and $75 for a day at sea, for two adults and two children up to 16 years old. The Lido cabanas are $30 and $50, respectively. Packages are available for those who want to rent for the length of the cruise; for example, a Retreat cabana costs $299 to reserve for up to seven days.
The Alcoves on Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection
PHOTO: Sister ships Celebrity Silhouette and Reflection offer cabanas on the real grass in The Lawn Club. (Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)
Celebrity Cruises offers eight Alcoves each on the Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection - but these private cabanas aren't located poolside but face The Lawn Club, a public area with a half-acre of real, growing grass. Cost to rent is $99 for a port day or $149 for a day at sea, but a 20 percent discount applies to those who book it for the entire cruise.
The Alcoves feature ambient mood lighting, fresh fruit, hand-held fans, chilled towels, four bottles of water, and all-day use of an iPad loaded with music, movies, games and magazines. The Alcoves have Wi-Fi access for a fee. Food and drinks can be delivered for a la carte prices. For example, the "Bistro on Five Picnic" for $50 includes country pâté with cornichons and crackers, coleslaw, a chicken pesto mozzarella country loaf sandwich, fruits brochette, cheesecake, coconut dacquoise lollipops and a bottle of wine.
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