What it's like taking an ultra-luxury Seabourn Ovation cruise for $9,000

Planning a multigenerational Caribbean trip over the holidays, we settled on an ultra-luxury cruise and booked the least expensive suite on Seabourn Ovation for about $9,000. After comparing rates at high-end resorts—some charging over $4,000 a night without food or drinks—the all-inclusive cruise began to feel like better value and far less logistically taxing for a family trip.

Our group of five booked two entry-level suites on a 12-night Caribbean itinerary, spending just over $20,000 total. That fare included accommodations, all meals, a selection of beverages, and gratuities; my 7-year-old nephew sailed at half price as a third guest.

Booking through a preferred travel advisor also yielded $400 in onboard credit plus a $250 referral credit. The base suite measured 302 square feet with a 68-square-foot balcony and felt more like a boutique hotel room than a standard cruise cabin, with marble and dark-wood accents, a large walk-in closet, seating area, and two beds (the other suite used a sofa bed for the child).

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