There is only One Reason You Should Book a Penthouse Suite on a Cruise Ship

And it may not be the reason you think…

I hesitated for a few minutes before I hit the “purchase” button on my travel agency’s web site. You see, I booked a penthouse suite on a 12-day South American cruise. 

Never done it before, and probably won’t ever again. The reason: the Caribbean Princess is an older ship, and usually suites are cheaper on an aging vessel (Caribbean Princess was built in 2009.) 

A suite on a new ship would cost an arm and a leg. Still this state room (if you want to call it a room, more like a mini condo) cost thousands more than I planned to pay.

The cabin I wanted was a “grand suite,” only those were sold out. Then I moved on to the Vista Suite. The only one of those left had an obstructed view. So, I kept moving up the ladder until it came down to booking the penthouse or getting stuck with a junior suite.

Nothing wrong with that. It’s just that we stayed in one during the last two cruises we booked. Don’t get me wrong. The junior suite is beautiful. We had a stunning view both times, a nice size balcony and plenty of space in the living room/bedroom area.

It’s just that the bathroom is a little small and you don’t get suite amenities like a special suite-only restaurant/lounge. Not that I have ever experienced one. M

My goal was to try and nab the cheapest suite…Apparently so was everyone else’s. That is why we are “stuck” with a penthouse.

I know…cry me a river. It’s just that right now, I am feeling a little buyer remorse, thinking, should I have simply gone for a smaller unit with an obstructed view? I mean, how obstructed is it? And are we really in the room all that much?

Should You Splurge for a Larger State Room on a Longer Cruise?

That is what I am thinking. We are embarking on a 12-day cruise. Had it been a four or seven day journey, I might have opted for the smaller room. But with five sea days, we will definitely be spending a lot of time in our cabin.

From what I read on the cruise forums, fellow passengers say bigger is definitely better when it comes to a longer cruise. And honestly, a bigger bathroom alone is enough to book the penthouse suite.

The Caribbean Princess itself has mixed reviews. It is an older ship and some say well maintained, while others mention she is showing her age a little.

After coming off the newest and biggest ship in the world (RC’s Legend of the Seas) I might feel the difference more acutely.

No matter. We will fall asleep in our huge (by ship standards) suite and wake up to incredible views, without even noticing any wear and tear on the ship. At least that is the plan.

Still, I am hoping that buyer remorse doesn’t creep up on the boat when I see what I could have had; and possibly realize the “obstructed view” isn’t all that obstructed after all. And maybe spent the money elsewhere on the ship, or on an excursion.

Well, I have a year, and can always incur a slight fee and change my mind. The problem is, I have changed my mind a lot when booking cruises, and have paid dearly. I have vowed once it is booked to never make an adjustment...Easier said than done!

Or maybe simply consider booking the penthouse a splurge that you need to experience once in your life. Will let you know if we end up staying in the penthouse…And better believe it, there will be pictures galore!