Some of the most luxurious accommodation at sea is found on ships that aren’t necessarily five-star, but they all boast top-notch service, generous space, and super-stylish fixtures and fittings.

Pillow menus and high-thread-count Italian or Egyptian cotton bedlinen, daily fresh flowers and fruit baskets, top-quality bathroom products and, above all, lots and lots of space… Welcome to the wonderful world of luxury cruising. It’s a world where no-one dares to utter the word cabin. Heavens, no! In luxury class, it’s a stateroom at the very least. Better still, a suite. And, more often than not, it will come with all the trappings. A suite should have separate living and sleeping quarters, butler service and housekeeping. Some are bigger than others, but all have balconies (OK, except Sea Cloud, but in this case we’re talking owner’s suites on a vintage sailing vessel).

Azamara Journey & Quest Club World – Owner’s Suite
The nearly identical ships both feature 52sqm aft suites that are blessed with generously sized 21.7sqm balconies, a marble bathroom with whirlpool and an extra loo. Club World Suite guests receive complimentary seating in the specialty restaurants Prime C and Aqualina, and a welcome bottle of champagne.

Celebrity Reflection – Reflection Suite
A bathroom that extends over the side of the ship is just one of the two-bedroom, 152sqm Reflection Suite’s distinguishing features. It also has an 18sqm wraparound balcony fitted with a spa bath and a Reverie mattress that the butler can adjust so that it is the perfect degree of firmness or softness for you.

Crystal Serenity – Penthouse Suite
Soft furnishings of leather and silk add to the ultra-relaxing ambience of the Penthouse Suite, which is 50sqm (including the balcony). It features a dining area, queen-size bed (or twins) and third berth, a full-size jacuzzi, two flatscreen tvs with Blu-ray DVD/CD players and a complimentary ironing service.

Diamond Princess – Grand Suite
This class of suite comes in a range of sizes, from 29.6 to 67.8sqm, and all have separate sitting and sleeping areas. The balconies are furnished with two sun lounges, a table and two chairs, your minibar is stocked with complimentary drinks, and there are two flatscreen TVs and a CD/DVD player.

Le Soleal – Owner’s Suite
Compagnie du Ponant’s three très-chic ships, L’Austral, Le Boréal and Le Soléal each have a similar 45sqm Owner’s Suite with 9sqm balcony on Deck 6. The master bedroom has a flatscreen TV and bathroom with large tub and shower, and the living space has a dining area, living room and extra bathroom.

Queen Mary 2 – Queen’s Grill Suites
Although there are various categories of Queens Grill suite, the ultimate is the magnificent Grand Duplex, which spans the height of two decks and is 209sqm (including balcony). Guests in these suites have exclusive access to the Queens Grill restaurant and lounge, priority embarkation and disembarkation and a bon voyage bottle of champagne.

Regent Seven Seas – Voyager Master Suites
The biggest suite on Seven Seas Voyager is on Deck 11 and measures 130sqm with a 17.3sqm balcony. It boasts two-and-a-half bathrooms, two bedrooms and a living room. Guests receive a range of extra benefits including pre-cruise accommodation and a complimentary cocktail party.
Sea Cloud – Owner’s Suites
The Owner’s Suites were designed for the ship’s original owners, Edward Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post. Marjorie’s marble and gold suite and Edward’s wood-panelled quarters each measure about 38sqm. The antique furniture and fittings are the real deal although for obvious reasons the fireplace is only decorative.

Seabourn – Grand Wintergarden Suitre
On Seabourn Odyssey, Quest and Sojourn, the Grand Wintergarden suite measures 110sqm inside and has two balconies that total 20sqm. It has its own glass-enclosed solarium with a tub and day bed, two bathrooms (one with a whirlpool), three wardrobes, two bars, three flatscreen TVS and free Wi-Fi.

Silver Spirit – Owner’s Suite
This can be configured as a one-bedroom suite (120sqm, including balcony) or two-bedroom apartment when adjoining a Vista Suite (150sqm). The marble bathroom has a double vanity, separate shower and full-sized whirlpool tub, plus a powder room; the super-sophisticated sound system is by Bang & Olufsen.