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Comparing Cruise Ship-Within-A-Ship Concepts: The Haven, The Retreat, The Sanctuary Collection, and The Yacht Club

Photo Credit: MSC
The Yacht Club | Photo Credit: MSC Cruises

Throughout the cruise industry, there are several contemporary and premium cruise lines that offer a ship-within-a-ship concept. This is a collection of elevated suites and accommodations that come with their own dedicated venues, as well as a wide-array of exclusive amenities and benefits that will give you the relaxing and luxurious cruise experience of your dreams. There are four cruise lines in the industry that have perfected this concept: The Retreat by Celebrity Cruises; The Yacht Club by MSC; The Haven by Norwegian; and The Sanctuary Collection by Princess Cruises.


With each of these four cruise lines, you will receive world-class service, upgraded benefits, elevated dining, and so much more. In this post, we will go over all the services and amenities available inside each ship-within-a-ship concept; broken down by cruise line, so you can choose the best option for you and your family.



MSC Yacht Club
The Yacht Club | Photo Credit: MSC Cruises

MSC CRUISES: THE YACHT CLUB

MSC Cruises' famed Yacht Club gives guests the ultimate luxurious experience while at sea. When staying in a Yacht Club suite, you will have access to exclusive venues, world-class service, and elevated dining specifically for Yacht Club members.


Yacht Club: Service

Yacht Club guests will enjoy personal butler and concierge service while onboard, ensuring that you are completely pampered and taken care of throughout your entire cruise vacation.


  • 24/7 Butler Service

  • Exclusive Concierge Team

  • Premier Room Service at Any Hour

  • Butler Escort to Dining Venues Option


Yacht Club: Inclusions

When you book a suite in the Yacht Club, you will receive a wide array of exclusive perks and amenities that will elevate your time onboard.


  • Complimentary Selection of Wines, Spirits, Specialty Coffees and Soft Drinks

  • Private En-suite and After-Hours Shopping from the Boutiques

  • Private Elevator

  • Select En-Suite Spa Services

  • Complimentary Thermal Suite

  • Exclusive Yacht Club Shore Excursion Options

  • VIP Seating for Entertainment

  • Pillow Menu

  • Fully Stocked Mini Bar

  • Premium Extra Drink Package

  • Wi-Fi

  • Unlimited Luggage Allowance

  • Priority Dining in Specialty Venues

  • Premium Seating in Dining Venues

  • Priority Embarkation and Disembarkation


Yacht Club: Exclusive Venues

Yacht Club guests will have access to exclusive spaces such as a private sundeck; the incredible Top Sail Lounge with delicious refreshments and incredible views; and dining availability for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the dedicated Yacht Club Restaurant.


  • Yacht Club Sundeck

  • Yacht Club Restaurant

  • Top Sail Lounge


Yacht Club: Accommodations

  • Owner's Suite

  • Royal Suite

  • Duplex Suite

  • Executive Family Suite

  • Deluxe Grand

  • Interior Suite




The Haven by Norwegian
The Haven | Photo Credit: NCL

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE: THE HAVEN

The Haven in a ship-within-a-ship; a luxurious enclave of exclusive amenities and luxury offerings for those guests staying in the top suites onboard. The Haven Suites are like non-other, with elevated finishes, a world-class butler service, and exclusive public spaces reserved especially for Haven guests. Located in the aft of the ship, the Haven has its own elevator bank that heads directly to all the public Haven spaces including the Haven Restaurant, Sundeck, Bar, and Lounge.


The Haven: Service

Guests in the Haven will receive a wide array of service amenities from butler service, to personal escort, room service, and more!


  • 24/7 Butler Service

  • Dedicated Concierge Service

  • Personal Escort On and Off the Ship at the Pier and Ports of Call

  • Evening Turndown Service

  • Haven Attendants in the Courtyard and Sundeck

  • 24 Hour Room Service

  • 1 Complimentary Laundry Pressing (for Owner's Suite and Garden Villas only)


The Haven: Inclusions

The perks and privileges that come with being a guests in the Haven are unmatched. From the incredible in-suite amenities, to the priority seating and dining- your time onboard will be elevated to the highest degree.


  • Distinct Haven Key Card

  • Priority Embarkation, Disembarkation, and Tendering

  • Haven Umbrella for Use Onboard & Onshore

  • Complimentary In-Suite Movies

  • Mobile Phone for Use Throughout the Ship

  • Priority When Reserving Restaurants

  • Priority Seating in Select Entertainment Venues

  • Continental Breakfast Menu

  • Nespresso Coffee Maker and Tea Forte Tea Bags

  • Treats Delivered to Suite Each Night

  • Fruit Bowl Replenished Upon Request

  • Specialty Dining Delivered to Your Suite

  • Welcome Bottle of Bubbly

  • 1 Bottle of Spring Water

  • L'Occitane Bath Products

  • Plush Bathrobes, Slippers, and Oversized Bath Towels

  • 100% Cotton Bed Linens and Duvet

  • Pillow menu

  • Tranquillity Pillow Top Mattress


The Haven: Exclusive Venues

There are several venues onboard each ship that are key-card access only spaces exclusive for Haven guests. Haven passengers can enjoy the dedicated sundeck space, a lounge, and restaurant where you can dine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.


  • Haven Lounge & Bar

  • Haven Courtyard

  • Haven Sundeck

  • Haven Restaurant


The Haven: Accommodations

  • 3-Bedroom Garden Villa

  • Deluxe Owners Suite with Large Balcony

  • Owner's Suite with Large Balcony

  • 2-Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony

  • Courtyard Penthouse with Balcony

  • Aft-Facing Penthouse

  • Forward-Facing Penthouse

  • Deluxe Suite with Balcony




Celebrity Cruises The Retreat
The Retreat | Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

CELEBRITY CRUISES: THE RETREAT

Guests who book a Retreat Suite on a Celebrity ship will have access to a wealth of exclusive spaces, including the exclusive Retreat Sundeck space, Retreat Lounge, and dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Luminae. In addition, Retreat guests will receive perks such as dedicated butler service, unlimited drinks and specialty dining, access to the Thermal Suite in the spa, and so much more! This ship-within-a-ship with Celebrity is truly ultra-inclusive and ultra-luxury.


The Retreat: Service

Between the butler service, concierge, spa consultants, and destinations specialists, every question and need you have while onboard as a Retreat guest will be fully met.


  • Dedicated Butler Service

  • Butler Chat

  • Destination Experience Specialist to Assist with Onshore Experiences

  • Dedicated Spa Concierge and Personal Consultant

  • Complimentary Laundry Service and Unlimited Pressing Service

  • Full In-Suite Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Service


The Retreat: Inclusions

Staying in the Retreat means having a wide-array of incredible amenities and inclusions to enjoy, that will elevate you stay and make your time onboard the most memorable it can be.


  • Unlimited Premium Drink Package

  • Unlimited Specialty Dining Package

  • Option to Dine in Blu Restaurant

  • Use of Umbrella and Binoculars

  • Complimentary Fitness Classes

  • Access to SEA Thermal Suite or Persian Garden

  • Reserved Theater Seating on Evening Chic Nights

  • Priority Departure and Embarkation at Most Destinations

  • Afternoon Tea hosted in the Retreat Lounge

  • Premium Bath Products

  • Complimentary Mini Bar, Restocked Daily

  • Use of Umbrella and Binoculars

  • In-Suite coffee Setup

  • Two Complimentary Bottles of Premium Spirits or Wine

  • Welcome Bottle of Bubbly

  • Pillow Menu

  • Complimentary Sleepwear

  • Cotton Bathrobes and Towels

  • Cashmere Mattress with Retreat Bedding

  • Extend Your Stay: on Debarkation Day, Stay Onboard to Relax Until Mid-Afternoon and Enjoy Lunch at Luminae (Secelt Ports of Call)


The Retreat: Exclusive Venues

Retreat Guests will have several dedicated onboard venues, exclusive for Retreat guests and Retreat guests only. It's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the ship.


  • Luminae Restaurant

  • The Retreat Sundeck

  • The Retreat Lounge


The Retreat: Accommodations

  • Iconic Suite

  • Edge Villa

  • Penthouse Suite

  • Reflection Suite

  • Royal Suite

  • Signature Suite

  • Celebrity Suite

  • Aqua Sky Suite

  • Horizon Suite

  • Sunset Suite

  • Sky Suite




The Sanctuary Collection, Princess Cruises
The Sanctuary Collection | Photo Credit: Princess Cruises

PRINCESS THE SANCTUARY COLLECTION

A brand new concept that debuted on Sun Princess, and will also be arriving on Star Princess is the Sanctuary Collection. This is a small collection of suites that come with access to all the top amenities and spaces onboard the ship. This includes the famous Sanctuary Club; a venue featuring a spacious sundeck with a pool, hot tubs, bar, daybeds, loungers, food and drink service, and cabanas available for rent.


The Sanctuary Collection: Service

For guests staying in the Sanctuary Collection, there are incredible services that are available, from 24 hour in-room dining, to a suite-exclusive concierge available in the suite lounge.


  • Concierge Available in the Suite Lounge

  • OceanNow Delivery

  • Room Service Delivery (24 Hour In-Room Dining)


The Sanctuary Collection: Inclusions

Guests staying in the Sanctuary Collection will have a host of amenities available to them, including the Princess Premier Package- the highest package onboard!


  • Unlimited Premium Beverage Package (drinks up to $20 each)

  • Unlimited Specialty Dining

  • Unlimited Casual Dining Meals & Premium Desserts

  • Unlimited Juice Bar

  • Unlimited Fitness Classes

  • Reserved Dining Area

  • Sanctuary Wellness Classes

  • MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi

  • Special Sanctuary Collection Events

  • Photo Package


The Sanctuary Collection: Exclusive Venues

There are several spaces open to guests in the Sanctuary Collection, and while not all venues are exclusive to Sanctuary Collection guests, there are pass-only spaces that are included with your stay.


  • Sanctuary Club Sundeck Access (non-sanctuary guests 16+ with a pass will also have access)

  • Sanctuary Restaurant (exclusive for Sanctuary Collection guests)

  • Suite Lounge Access (all suite guests have access)


The Sanctuary Collection: Accommodations

  • Sanctuary Suite

  • Sanctuary Mini Suite

  • Sanctuary Balcony




Booking Your Cruise

Now that you are ready to book your cruises and experience these incredible ship-within-a-ship concepts for yourself, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the spaces and amenities inside-and-out, and have an amazing relationship with many cruise lines in the industry. Our advisors will craft the cruise vacation of a lifetime for you, your friends, family, or group at an exceptional rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.



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