I'm starting to investigate a possible cruise to Alaska in '09 for about 6 people. Rather than take 3 cabins, we thought we could book one of the larger premium suites and pay the full price (through a discounter, of course) for the first two people, then the discounted add-on price for the next 4 people.

My question is around suite size and maximum occupancy. I've seen some larger suites with a king size master bed and a queen sleeper in the living room. Do any of the nicer cruise lines (not Carnival, Princess, etc.) offer 'owner suite' type accommodations with a 2 bedroom suite and sleeper sofa to properly accommodate 6 people in the space? Or do all cruise lines generally cap occupancy at 4 people in a large suite?

We would probably be spending most of our time in the cabin, out on the veranda reaching, chatting, etc., and enjoying the view, so we'd want one of the suites with a giant balcony. It would be a one-way cruise from either Seattle or Vancouver, through the inside passage, terminating in Alaska, where we would go onwards on our own.

I think with about 6 people, the avg cost per person would only be a small amount more than if we booked 3 outdoor balcony cabins, and we'd have the benefit of being in the top quality cabin with premium boarding/debarking, meal choices, butler service, etc.