Whether you want to sit and relax whilst watching a ship leave port, or party the night away, cruise ships offer a wide variety of bars and drinking experiences on board. There’s a wide variety of bars and lounges available offering everything from molecular cocktails to home-brewed ales, world-class wines, as well of course all the classics in between.
Whilst the drinks may be the main reason you visit a bar, sometimes the bars themselves are the stars of the show. So here’s a low-down on some of the more interesting bars at sea:
Spray Bar, AidaPrima, Aida Cruises
Located right at the front of the ship, within the bow, is the Spray Bar. This two-deck high champagne bar offers a unique intimate experience, including a small sheltered outdoors deck at the very front of the ship.
Martini Bar, Celebrity Cruises
This ice-topped bar is a hugely popular on Celebrity Cruises, and specialises in a range of classic and contemporary martinis, all within a luxurious environment. More often than not this bar becomes the heart of the evening activities on board, with high-energy shows put on by talented bartenders.
Carinthia Lounge, Queen Mary II, Cunard Line
A new addition to Queen Mary II, the Carinthia Lounge has been designed to be one of the most stylish and talked-about places in the Cunard fleet. Described as transitioning seamlessly through the day, it will be a serene and cheery lounge during the daytime, becoming a perfect spot to relax, whilst in the evening it will become an elegant destination to catch-up with friends on board.
Svedka Ice bar, Norwegian Cruise Line
On board a number of Norwegian ships is the Svedka Ice Bar, and as the name suggests, this is an ice bar where people don parkas and gloves to keep warm within a cool ice environment. The only bar in this list where there is an entry fee, this bar only holds 25 guests at a time and includes two free drinks with entry.
Bionic Bar, Royal Caribbean International
The first robot bar at sea, Bionic Bar is more an experience than just a bar. Order your drinks via a specialised interactive app then watch as two robot bartenders bring your drink to life. A great experience!
Rising Tide Bar, Royal Caribbean International
Another unique space can be found on board the Oasis Class of ships. At the heart of the Royal Promenade is the Rising Tide Bar, an oval shaped bar that continually travels between the Royal Promenade up to Central Park. This is the perfect bar for people watching as you rise over the activities of the promenade.
Skywalkers, Metropolis Bar and Planet Bar, P&O and Princess Cruises
Although found it various disguises across the P&O and Princess fleet, this distinctive aft bar has been a signature element of the Grand Class of ships since they debuted in 1997. This is a great spot to sit and watch the wake of the ship whilst enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail, and a perfect spot to party the night away. On some ships even getting to the bar is an experience, being taken up a glass-enclosed travellator between decks.
Glass House, P&O Cruises
On a number of ships in the P&O fleet you can find the Glass House, a unique wine bar and restaurant where Olly Smith, a specialist celebrity sommelier, has developed exciting wine list and wine-tasting experiences, matching specially selected wines to each course.
SeaView Bar, Princess Cruises
Affording views out to sea, the aptly named SeaView bar is a unique experience where you can sit with a drink and watch the sunset, or peer down through the bar’s glass bottomed walkway for a view of the ocean just 128 feet below.
Observation lounge, Seven Seas Explorer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Overlooking the bow at the fore of the ship, the Observation lounge is an opulent space that affords great ocean vistas. This is a perfect spot for unwinding, from afternoon tea time to pre-dinner cocktails to a nightcap.
Images and content © Marcus Adams, Aida Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise Critic, Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises 2016