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A day in the Suite life

Fancy breakfast from an exclusive menu? How about Champagne delivered by your butler? In a P&O Cruises Suite, life’s little luxuries are right on your doorstep.

8 min 18 May 2022

Editorial Team

Author

Maybe you’re celebrating a milestone birthday with your family. Perhaps it’s your anniversary and you want to mark the occasion with an extra something special. Or maybe you just want to treat yourself – no excuse needed. Whatever the reason, a stay in a Suite adds an extra level of luxury to your P&O Cruises holiday.

The Suite experience begins before you even step on board and lasts until you disembark, as we reveal below.

The start of the Suite life

We take you through a few highlights of coming on board as a Suite guest.

12 noon: Be our (special) guest

If you’re sailing from Southampton, the benefits of a Suite begin on shore. You’ll be checked in with priority and welcomed into our hospitality lounge, where you can relax with a selection of hot drinks and fresh pastries while you chat with your fellow guests. You’ll then be escorted onto the ship to settle into on-board life before our other guests arrive.

From 1pm*: Board in style

When you step onto your ship, you’ll be directed to an exclusive Welcome on Board Reception, where you can enjoy a selection of complimentary drinks to start your holiday off right.

* Please note: boarding times are not guaranteed and may differ between cruises.

3pm: Space out

Now that you’ve settled into life on board, it’s time to explore your own personal space. A Suite gives you more room to roam. The floorplans vary by ship, but each Suite is between 382-753 square feet, and all ships have Suites that can sleep up to four guests. On Azura and Ventura, we offer Family Suites that can sleep up to six with two bedrooms and two bathrooms – and that’s in addition to the lounge and balcony. Iona and Arvia’s Conservatory Mini-Suite brings the outdoors in with a conservatory-style room that forms an extension to the cabin and can be closed off or left open, depending how you want to use it.

‘My first impression of the Suite was how much space there was,’ says Ms Watkins, who enjoyed a cruise to the Med on Azura with her parents. ‘There was a separate lounge area with a sofa, chairs and a table and a very large balcony, which made it ideal for the three of us sharing.’

5pm: Get bubbly

When you arrive in your Suite, you’ll be welcomed with a bottle of Baron De Marck Brut Champagne (on ice, of course) and a selection box of P&O Cruises Belgian Chocolates. It’s the perfect way to toast the amazing adventures to come.

‘I remember the first time I stepped foot in a P&O Cruises Suite,’ says Mr O’Connor, who sailed to Bruges with his wife. ‘It certainly had that “wow” factor – there were chocolates and Champagne, and everything was laid out nicely and waiting for us. It was clear that the crew really took the time to look at every detail.’

11pm: Dress to de-stress

Ready to chill out after your first evening on board? Snuggle up in a cosy bathrobe and slide on some slippers (both are available exclusively to Suite, Mini-Suite and Superior balcony guests), then head out onto your balcony to soak up the relaxed ocean vibe. It’s the perfect way to unwind.

A taster of sea and port days

Whether you’re enjoying a day at sea or setting off to explore in port, we help you do it in style.

8am: Freshen up

Rise and shine! Scrub up and get ready for the day with a luxurious pack of premier toiletries from The White Company. Depending on which ship you’re on, your en-suite bathroom might also have a whirlpool bath and separate shower.

9am: Start the day off right

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not give it the attention it deserves? Suite guests can enjoy breakfast for free in a premium restaurant (the venue varies by ship), where à la carte dishes are served up in elegant surroundings.

‘We thoroughly enjoyed eating breakfast in The Epicurean every morning,’ says Ms Mahoney, who enjoyed a stay in a Suite with her family on a cruise to the Canary Islands on Iona. ‘When you have two children to take care of, eating in a speciality restaurant makes life a little more straightforward.’

5pm: Treat yourself

Suite guests can enjoy the services of a butler – your own private member of the P&O Cruises team. Butlers are ready to make your life on board that little bit more luxurious. They’re on hand, for example, to: unpack and pack your luggage; book spa treats; make dinner reservations; organise your laundry; assist with in-cabin snacks and food orders, and organise treats such as flowers and cakes. They can even help prepare a pre-dinner cocktail party in your cabin with fizz, fresh fruit..

‘My weekend was great from the start,’ says recent Suite guest Ms Smith. ‘The lovely room and restaurant service that came with the Suite made it more exquisite. The butler service was prompt and the Champagne and chocolates made me feel special. Well worth every penny.’

7pm: Hit the deck

One of the best parts of a Suite is the balcony. After an exciting day of travel – and before you head out for another great night on board – why not take some time to sit outside, feel the sea breeze and soak up the ocean views as you reminisce on the day’s events? It’s all part of the Suite experience – one you won’t forget anytime soon.

Dreaming of your next luxury escape? Learn more about Suites and find out what makes staying in a Suite so special.