For years, my sisters and I have been exploring the world together, navigating domestic and international destinations via air. But this 2026, we decided to trade the clouds for the waves.

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We booked Costa Serena’s Route 3. We had an incredible 11-day journey from March 9–19, 2026, traversing three countries: Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

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Stepping onto the ship meant entering a world of ultimate relaxation where the mental load of daily life completely melted away. Everyday, were given Oggi a Bordo – our compass on the ship.

I did not have to worry about what to cook or what chores need to be done; instead, our toughest daily dilemma is deciding exactly what to order next from the exclusive Elite menu list.

Our cruise was also a perfect opportunity for a total digital detox. While the cruise ship offers its own onboard internet packages, we found them to be far too expensive. And quite frankly, being constantly connected can easily ruin a quiet, memorable cruise travel experience. But to ensure we still get connected to our loved ones, we opted for a data plan from Gigsky instead.

How did we unlock the royal treatment?

We upgrade to a Suite for Triple Sharing!

Initially, our plan was a standard Sea Balcony for a quad sharing group. However, when our fourth companion couldn’t make it, we decided to upgrade to a Suite for Triple Sharing. It was a decision my elder sister had been eyeing from the start, and looking back, we are incredibly glad we did. From luxury accommodations to VIP treatment, upgrading allowed us to truly sail like royalty.

Here is what life at sea looks like when you treat yourself to a suite accommodation on the Costa Serena.

Seamless VIP Transitions: Priority Embarkation & Disembarkation

The royal treatment begins before you even step foot on the ship. We were warned that the luggage drop-off and embarkation lines at the Quirino Grand Stand in Manila could be long and crowded. However, as Suite guests, we bypassed the chaos entirely. We were escorted through a Priority Lane and placed onto a comfortable shuttle bus straight to the Eva Macapagal terminal where the gorgeous Costa Serena was docked. Passing through immigration layers was smooth, fast, and entirely stress-free.

The same seamless experience applied to our final day. Priority Disembarkation meant we were completely insulated from other rushing departing passengers. We enjoyed a beautifully smooth, stress-free exit off the ship and our luggage pickup was an absolute breeze. It allowed us to keep that peaceful, pampered vacation feeling intact right until the very end.

A Royal Welcome: In-Cabin Luxuries

Walking into our suite for the first time felt like entering a private sanctuary. The room was incredibly spacious, providing the perfect layout for three sisters to share without ever feeling cramped. Waiting for us on the table was a beautifully chilled bottle of welcome wine (champagne) paired with savory appetizer bites.

The room’s small details elevated the comfort. There’s enough space for all our clothes and other essentials.

Moreover, we had access to a dedicated pillow menu to ensure a perfect night’s sleep while rocking with the waves.

Plus bathrobes were provided for lounging, and the room was meticulously maintained and cleaned to perfection throughout our stay.

Every single night when we returned to our cabin, we were greeted by a perfectly clean, tidy, and refreshed sanctuary. And to make things even sweeter, on one special night, we returned to find decadent Italian chocolates left on our table.

24/7 Premium Care: Your Own Butler

Perhaps the most luxurious element of staying in the suite was having a dedicated butler. Our butler ensured everything we needed was taken care of seamlessly.

Want to avoid the morning rush at the buffet? All we had to do was fill out our breakfast card, hang it on our cabin door before 2:00 AM, and our butler would personally deliver a fresh, hot in-cabin breakfast right to our room.

There is truly nothing quite like waking up in the middle of the ocean and dining in your bathrobe on your private balcony.

World-Class Dining at the Elite Restaurant

While the cruise ship features massive, bustling buffet halls, suite guests are granted exclusive access to the Elite Suite & Club Restaurant. Dining here felt private, elegant, and sophisticated – huge thanks to the incredible team behind it.

The chefs and servers, including the dedicated team working hard in the main kitchen galley, consistently exuded warm, positive attitudes that made every meal a delight. Nothing was ever too much trouble for them; they were always happy to accommodate personal favors and special requests, tailoring our dining experience to exactly what we wanted.

For breakfast, the Elite restaurant offers a curated buffet of essentials, including perfectly flaky croissants, premium pastries, yogurts, fresh fruits, Americano coffee, and hot chocolate. You can also order custom culinary creations directly from the main kitchen galley, such as gourmet omelets and fluffy pancakes.

For lunches and dinners, the Elite restaurant serves up exquisite multi-course meals, ranging from decadent appetizers and savory first courses to masterfully prepared mains and artistic desserts.

Unforgettable Memories at Sea

Sailing as a suite guest struck the perfect balance between premium exclusivity and onboard excitement. When we weren’t relaxing in our private oasis, we were exploring the ship’s massive theatre to secure prime seats for nightly productions (like the dazzling Innamorata show), dancing at the late-night White Party, and celebrating Carnival Night.

We even took an exclusive behind-the-scenes Ship Tour, exploring the theater backstage, the automated high-tech Bridge, the crew quarters, the massive engine rooms, and the bustling main galley kitchen.

Upgrading to a suite transformed an already exciting cruise vacation into an unforgettable, pampered luxury experience. If you are planning to sail the seas with the people you love most, take it from us: book the suite. You deserve to sail like a royal!