Summer is all about the ocean. Whether sitting by the beach or sailing the seas, it’s common for people to flock to the shores—or cruise ships. This month, Luxe Lavs contributors Angela Fairhurst and Natalie Compagno pay homage to the original travelers—seafarers—by showcasing some impressive bathrooms aboard cruise ships. Now cruise lines explore the world with a little more luxury.

Crystal Serenity

Created by II BY IV DESIGN, the style of the Crystal Serenity Penthouse master bath gives you a sense of the grand era of sea travel. Mosaic black tiles swirl around as flowers with hints of steamship wheels at their center. The details should not be overlooked—cut crystal vessel sinks, fresh flowers sitting by the raised Duravit spa flotation tub, and a porthole window for watching the waves pass by. The master bath features modern amenities like a television, heated floor, bidet, and state-of-the-art shower with customized direction and heated bench. ETRO S.P.A. Exclusive Sea bath and body products are packaged for Crystal Cruises along with bathrobes and slippers. Our personal favorite touches are the binoculars provided for gazing at the horizon while soaking in the tub, and the cashmere blanket after the bath.

Delfin Amazon Cruises

Delfin Amazon Cruises’ vessels sail along the Amazon river, and bringing nature inside the ship is a priority for this cruise line. The bathrooms have all-wood settings with wood floors in the shower as well as the vanity. A simple wood structure holds a white sink and a round, full mirror. Some of the only decorative touches come from monogrammed towels and sea life etched into the glass shower doors. The shower is light and commodious with a perfect wooden stool for seated washing. The organic amenities are in custom packaging and include shampoo, conditioner, body milk, and sunblock for protection against the strong South American sun. A convenient wood ironing board is hidden in the wall. Although the bathroom is compact, the passage is open to let in the jungle view.

Seabourn

Seabourn is an “ultra-luxury, small-ship cruise line” and offers spacious baths with full tubs and separate showers for all guests. Some rooms have standalone tubs in a white oval rotund shape, garnished with an upright champagne bucket. A nice design element is the nearby daybed for a partner to settle on after the bath. Larger suites have round Roman Jacuzzi tubs with water jets and atmospheric dripping bulb lights above. Our choice is the Seabourn Quest Spa Suite with black tiles, dual sinks, and a shower fit for two. But it was the simple oval tub and bath pillow that says “Relaxing Bath” that was our favorite. All rooms provide all-natural Molton Brown bath and beauty products and a menu of bath sponges and soaps by Hermès, L’Occitane, Baudelaire, and Salvatore Ferragamo. To take it over the top, you can also enjoy a complimentary warm, scented bath drawn from the cruise line’s personal stewardess.

Viking Ocean Cruises

At first glance, it’s hard to believe this bathroom is aboard a cruise ship. Feeling cramped is normal when checking into a stateroom, but that’s not the case in the Viking Ocean Cruise Explorer Suite. The bathroom opens to a spacious area with dual sinks, ample lighting, and a long shelf meant for unpacking and displaying personal items. The drawers conceal any overflow. The bathroom is also stocked with high-end bath products, robes, towels, and slippers. Stateroom amenities include shower gel, shampoo, lotion, shower cap, and vanity kit. The toiletries were designed by the Freyja Collection exclusively for Viking’s oceangoing vessels. With a muted color scheme and modern design, the bath is deep while the shower is wide. Viking has lined the rooms in a new technology: synthetic stone made of ceramic that is indistinguishable from limestone. The material was selected to respond to the ship’s need to be weight conscious while remaining elegant. We especially appreciated the heated floors, which can be soothing after a day of ocean spray.

Want to discover more high end bathrooms at properties around the world? Check out:

• Over-the-Top Hotel Suites in Asia
• Farm Stays that Let You Get Back to Nature with Style
• Why You Should Vist Denver in the Pre-Ski Season

By Angela Fairhurst and Natalie Compagno for PeterGreenberg.com