The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Ship Showers

• Traditional vs. Modern: Learn which ships offer classic curtain setups and which feature the latest glass-door designs.

• The Bathtub Factor: Discover where to find full-sized tubs, from family-friendly cabins to luxury suites.

• Layout Innovation: A look at the unique split-bathroom designs and spa-inspired walk-in showers currently at sea.

While we often focus on the destination or the dining, the cabin bathroom is one of the most-used spaces during a holiday.

Cruise line designers use various configurations to maximise space and comfort, ranging from traditional maritime curtains to contemporary glass stalls and full-sized bathtubs.

Understanding the setup of your specific ship and cabin grade ensures your morning routine is exactly how you like it. Here is a breakdown of the bathroom styles you will find across the most popular cruise lines.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises provides a wide range of bathroom configurations across their diverse fleet. On the newer World, Seaside, and Meraviglia class ships, you can expect standard cabins to feature contemporary walk-in showers with glass doors.

However, many of the older ships in the fleet still utilise traditional shower curtains in standard Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony cabins. This is common on the Lirica class and the Musica class.

Even on the Fantasia class, you may find a mix of curtains and glass doors depending on the specific cabin category and ship.

The pinnacle of the MSC Cruises experience is the Yacht Club. Here, guests enjoy marble-floored bathrooms that often feature full-sized bathtubs, walk-in showers, or even private whirlpool baths on the balcony in certain suite categories.

MSC Yacht Club provides a spa-like environment with premium amenities, though it is worth noting that Interior suites in this category may still favour compact, space-efficient shower designs.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s fleet spans several decades of ship design, meaning you will find a variety of styles.

On their flagship Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class vessels, standard cabins typically feature modern, semi-circular glass shower doors that slide or pivot, creating a bright and open feel.

On the more intimate, traditional ships like the Vision and Radiance Classes, standard cabins often utilise a classic shower curtain setup.

This design allows for more flexibility within the shower space. For those moving into Grand Suites and above, the line often provides a full bathtub and shower combination, offering the best of both worlds.

Cunard

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Cunard is synonymous with timeless elegance, and their bathrooms reflect a blend of heritage and modern luxury.

In the Britannia and Britannia Club staterooms across Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria, you will typically find walk-in showers with high-quality curtains, maintaining a classic maritime feel.

The experience steps up significantly in the Grill Suites. Princess Grill guests usually enjoy a full bathtub with an integrated shower, while Queens Grill suites are famous for their expansive marble bathrooms, often featuring separate whirlpool tubs and standalone walk-in showers.

Notably, on the new Queen Anne, Cunard has modernised the Princess Grill experience by opting for large, contemporary walk-in showers instead of tubs in that specific grade, reflecting a shift toward spa-inspired design.

P&O Cruises

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As a favourite for British cruisers, P&O Cruises offers a great mix of traditional and modern amenities.

On the newest Excel-class ships, Iona and Arvia, the bathrooms are designed with a contemporary aesthetic, featuring large, walk-in showers with solid glass partitions and doors.

The mid-sized and smaller members of the fleet, such as Ventura, Azura, and Arcadia, primarily feature the classic corner shower with a curtain.

This traditional setup is consistent across most standard Inside, Sea View, and Balcony cabins, while Suites on these ships typically upgrade the experience to a full-sized bathtub.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is well-known for offering a high number of Mini-Suites, which are a popular choice for guests who enjoy a bathtub.

In most Mini-Suites across the fleet, you will find a full tub-and-shower combination with a high-quality curtain. In standard Interior and Balcony cabins on the majority of the fleet, the classic shower curtain is the standard.

However, the line has introduced a new era of design with the Sun Princess and Star Princess, where modern glass-door enclosures have been integrated into standard cabin categories, reflecting a more contemporary, spa-like atmosphere.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises leans heavily into a modern, "resort at sea" aesthetic. Across the Edge Class ships, the bathrooms are notably spacious and feature large, rectangular glass doors with premium hardware.

On the Solstice and Millennium Class ships, the majority of cabins have been "revolutionised" (refurbished) to include glass shower enclosures.

Celebrity Cruises is a go-to line for guests who prefer a high-end, glass-fronted shower experience in almost every cabin grade.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Norwegian Cruise Line has a very diverse range of bathroom styles. On the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Class, standard cabins feature a contemporary capsule-style shower with sliding glass doors.

On their latest Prima Class ships, NCL has significantly increased the footprint of the bathroom. These showers feature wide, glass-door walk-in stalls with high-end finishes.

If you are travelling in the Haven (NCL's "ship-within-a-ship" luxury area), many suites offer stunning bathrooms with oversized tubs, some of which are positioned next to floor-to-ceiling windows for a soak with a view.

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line prides itself on a classic maritime atmosphere. On both Ambience and Ambition, standard cabins feature en-suite bathrooms with a traditional shower curtain setup. This classic design is practical and fits the heritage feel of the vessels.

For guests looking for a little more luxury, the De-Luxe Suites and certain higher-grade suites often include a bathtub, allowing for a relaxing soak after a busy day in port.

Finding Your Perfect Refresh

Whether you are a traditionalist who appreciates the versatility of a classic curtain or a fan of the sleek, modern lines of a glass enclosure, the variety of bathroom designs at sea ensures there is a perfect fit for every traveller.

The key is simply to do a little research into your ship’s age and cabin category before you sail, ensuring your morning routine is as refreshing as the ocean breeze outside your cabin.