Are classes of travel on board coming back into cruising? – eTravelBlackboard

Norwegian Epic’s Haven
Image Credit: Norwegian Epic

MSC Divina’s Top Sail Lounge
Image Credit: MSC Divina

Anyone who has watched the movie Titanic will be familiar with the very different classes of travel onboard, with Clive Palmer vowing to re-create those classes on his Titanic II.

I also remember as a child travelling across the Atlantic on White Star Line’s Britannic and the original Queen Elizabeth in what was then called Tourist Class, which I recall was pretty basic!

In a bid to win luxury travellers, what are described as once-egalitarian cruise lines are bringing back the class system, according to US based magazine Conde Nast Traveller’s, Christian L. Wright, who says she tried out the new high life on the high seas to see if it’s worth the higher price.

With in 2008, Celebrity unveiling its AquaClass, which has cabins near the spa and its own specialty restaurant, in 2011 the Dream was the first in the Disney line to offer Concierge Class, then last year, Oceania opened a private lounge for passengers in the Owner’s Suites.

Two companies have taken the concept to the next level though, on at least some of their ships, that is Norwegian with The Haven and MSC with the Yacht Club.

Travelling on Norwegian Epic, Ms Wright experienced the vessel’s The Haven, the premium section, described as a sanctuary of 60 suites and private precincts carved out for a select group of the ship’s 4,100 passengers.

With the 120 passenger Haven also described as feeling like a floating country club, complete with a members-only pool, while the vessel’s general areas can get pretty rowdy, around the premium-class private pool, things are a little more refined, with a higher grade of outdoor furniture, background music instead of blaring Billy Idol, maybe a member of the wait staff passing complimentary fruit kebabs and more, with the most glaring difference, besides price tag, being the number of people.

On MSC Divina the Top Sail Lounge, described as a burgundy and chocolate upholstered perch overlooking the bow, is reserved for the 100 Yacht Club passengers, who for more than twice the price of a standard oceanview, can choose cabins ranging from one bedrooms to suites, with a private restaurant, exclusive bars, plenty of outdoor square footage cordoned off from the remainders of the passenger, plus  VIP seats at the shows, and avenues to bypass other passengers getting on and off the ship.

So can we expect to see more exclusive areas emerging on cruise vessels throughout the word and also operating out of Australia, rather like the first class of days gone by, but the question is, will steerage ever come back, or could it really already be here on some vessels and not just on Clive Palmer’s Titanic?