We paid $9,000 a person for the cheapest cabin on an ultra-luxury expedition cruise. Here’s what that price got us.

Interestingly, sailing the same ship twice changed how I think about paying for a larger suite.

In Antarctica, I spent hours in my pricier, larger panoramic penthouse cabin watching whales surface alongside the ship, admiring towering icebergs, and taking in the ever-changing scenery through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Having more interior space was easy to justify on that voyage.

The Kimberley felt different. Each evening, the expedition team briefed us on the following day’s plans, which often included both morning and afternoon Zodiac (small boat) excursions, whether that meant exploring waterfalls, cruising through mangrove-lined rivers, or going ashore.

Between the outings, lectures from the expedition staff, meals, and the occasional visit to the spa, our days were remarkably full.

We returned to our suite mainly to shower, change clothes, sleep, and occasionally relax with a drink on the balcony. For this itinerary, I never found myself wishing we’d booked anything larger.

Our room simply provided a comfortable place to recharge between adventures.