Inside the 5 most luxurious suites onboard river ships

It’s the battle for big balconies, the scuffle for space and the tussle for top toiletries.

Expansive suites with sitting rooms and bars, butler service, massive bathrooms and sprawling bedrooms are normally associated with ocean-faring ships.

But don’t be fooled – when it comes to claiming the most luxurious suites in river cruising, these lines are taking the competition very seriously. And the passengers are delighted by what the lines offer.

Here’s a look at the top five suites in river cruising.

Scenic

Almost every suite on every Scenic vessel offers a balcony and a river view. At the press of a button, glass smoothly glides and the balcony seamlessly converts into an exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge allowing guests to enjoy the luxury of extra space as well as the unfolding landscape. The expansive Royal Owner’s Suites and Royal Panorama Suites set the industry standard in river cruising accommodation.

Luxuriously appointed, they are among the largest on board any European cruising vessel, and amongst the largest in the world. They boast elegant lounge areas, spacious soft downy pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets, fleecy bathrobes and complimentary shoeshines.

Scenic’s balcony suites are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers and offer modern and elegant furnishings; HDTV, individual climate control and pillow menu. There’s also a safe for your valuables, a nightly turndown service and a complimentary mini-bar and Wi-Fi.

Cost

A 15-day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in the Owner’s Suite is $18,890 per person.

Uniworld

Across the Uniworld fleet, no two suites are the same. When you stay in one of the spacious suites guests enjoy private butler service, large all-marble bathrooms with a double vanity, handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, a fully-stocked bar, fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily.

Each suite boasts custom fabrics and upholstery, original artwork, handcrafted furniture and Savoir Beds of England. The suites feature more room to roam, often with living areas, spacious bedrooms and larger bathrooms equipped with double sinks, tubs and marble tile.

The suites feature luxurious Hermès bath and body products including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body cleansing gel and bar soap.

In addition to a bottle of wine upon arrival, the in-suite mini bars are filled with a selection of drinks. There’s also have a crystal carafe that can be refilled daily as guests please from a selection of brandy, whiskey and vodka.

Cost

A 15 day cruise from Vienna to Amsterdam in the Suite is $16,o99 per person.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon offers their exclusive Panorama and Royal Suites—hand crafted accommodations with more space to stretch out and enjoy the cruise, innovative room configuration to highlight every view, and a spacious open-air balcony that provides an indoor/outdoor seating area without sacrificing room space.

Passengers can choose from two full-decks of award-winning Panorama Suites, featuring wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling Panoramic Windows. The 200-square-foot Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, with Avalon’s incomparable window-facing “Beds with a View”.

Features of a 300 square foot Royal Suite include Comfort Collection Beds, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, Soft & firm pillows, Choice of bed configuration, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L’Occitane bath products, Easy under-bed luggage storage, Alarm clock, Direct-dial telephone, Well-stocked minibar, In-room safe, Elegant, contemporary design, Marble countertops in bathroom, USB Ports, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk and chair, Sofa, Double sinks, Luxurious mattress toppers, European-style duvets, Extra blankets, Nightly turn-down service, Hairdryer, Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage, Flat-screen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options, Make-up mirror, Bathrobes & slippers, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Large mirror in bathroom, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony^, , Full shower with glass door, Vanity and lighted makeup mirror, Coffee table

Cost

A 15 day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest in the Royal Suite is $15,235 per person.

Crystal Cruise Lines

Coming in at 759 square feet, the Crystal Suite was the largest suite on the rivers of Europe when Crystal Debussy launched in 2017.

Capable of sleeping four adults, this massive suite features two separate bedrooms, two separate bathrooms, a spacious living area, and the obligatory walk-in closet. The bathroom features both a shower and a separate Jacuzzi tub, along with a privacy window that lets guests see out without others being able to see in.

The living and dining area features a faux-fireplace with ambient lighting, custom bar, dining table and powder room with vessel sink. Above the fireplace is a recessed flat-panel television, and the suite also features a Pullman-style berth that drops down from the ceiling for additional occupancy.

Each bathroom in this suite features double vanity with halo-lit mirror, glass-enclosed rain shower, separate powder room, and plush ETRO robes, slippers and bath amenities.

Two separate bedrooms feature king-size beds, fine Egyptian linens, spacious closets and expansive Panoramic Balcony-windows. Nightstands include charging pads and USB outlets, and large flat-screen HD TVs provide access to movies on demand.

A seating area with a sofa is also provided, along with a writing desk, two arm chairs, and a full-height sash window that can be opened.

Cost

A 7 night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam in a 2 bedroom Crystal Suite is $31,320 (can sleep up to 5 people)

APT

APT has some of the largest suites on Europe’s rivers, all with mini-bars, a queen-size bed, plush linen, spacious bathroom, large wardrobe and an on-demand entertainment system with flat-screen TV and included wifi.

All suites are adorned with Molton Brown or L’Occitane amenities and include twice daily servicing, laundry and pressing services and most suites come with a personal butler.

The Royal Suites at 300 sq ft take the prime spot on deck and come complete with a full-size bathtub, separate sitting area and fully stocked mini bar.

Cost

15-day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in the Royal Suite costs $13,895 per person.