Tag Archives: Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed it’s itineraries for 2016 and 2017 including some new routes.

Posted on by
Reply

 

Highlights include the addition of San Juan, Puerto Rico as a seasonal homeport for Norwegian Gem, along with new eight-day Eastern Caribbean and six-day Western Caribbean Norwegian Escape sailings from Miami. In addition, all guests sailing a Western Caribbean itinerary in 2016/2017 will have the opportunity to enjoy a visit to Harvest Caye, Norwegian’s new island destination in Belize.

Seasonally, Norwegian also continues to offer three ships in Alaska, four in Europe, two in Bermuda, as well as a variety of exciting South America; Bahamas & Florida; and repositioning cruises. Norwegian will also continue to offer its unique inter-island Hawaii cruises year-round on Pride of America from Honolulu and short Bahamas itineraries from Miami year-round on Norwegian Sky. The new itineraries open today for group bookings, and go on sale on December 16, 2014 for our Latitudes Rewards guests and President’s Club travel partners and on December 18, 2014 for all bookings.

“Once again, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to offer a wide variety of exciting cruises for our guests to choose from in 2016 and early 2017,” said Drew Madsen, Norwegian’s president and chief operating officer. “Guests can cruise to the Caribbean year-round while experiencing the incredible innovations on Norwegian’s newest ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway. In addition, we continue to offer the best of Europe on four beautiful ships including Norwegian Epic year-round, and the opportunity to experience the scenic beauty of Alaska on some of the youngest ships in the industry.”

So lets take a look at some of the itineraries that NCL has announced below:

Bermuda

Norwegian will continue its tradition of sailing from both New York City and Boston to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda between April and October, 2016. Norwegian Breakaway will return to Bermuda, sailing from New York City on seven-day cruises every Sunday from April 24, 2016 through October 23, 2016. From Boston, Norwegian Dawn will sail seven-day cruises, departing every Friday, from June 3, 2016 through September 2, 2016 and from October 7, 2016 through October 21, 2016.

Caribbean

Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami year-round. Ports of call include St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

Norwegian Escape will sail an eight-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami on July 23, 2016, August 6, 2016, and August 20, 2016. Ports of call will include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Escape will also sail a six-day Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami on July 31, 2016, August 14, 2016, and August 28, 2016. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. This six and eight-day itineraries can be combined to create an incredible 14-day Caribbean vacation.

Norwegian Getaway, Miami’s Ultimate Ship, will sail from Miami to the Western Caribbean on seven-day cruises every Saturday from April 24, 2016 to April 23, 2017. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Norwegian’s newest destination Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian returns to homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2016 on Norwegian Gem. She will sail a seven-day Southern Caribbean itinerary from San Juan on October 23, November 6 and 20, and December 4, 2016. Ports of call will include Bridgetown, Barbados; Fort-de-France, Martinique; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Norwegian Gem will also sail a variation of the seven-day Southern Caribbean itinerary on October 30, November 13, and November 27, 2016. Ports of call include

St. George’s, Grenada; Castries, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; St. John’s, Antigua; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Norwegian Spirit will sail alternating seven-day Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean itineraries departing on Saturdays from Port Canaveral. The Western Caribbean itinerary begins December 10, 2016 and continues to April 15, 2017. Ports of call will include Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary stops in Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, from December 3, 2016 to April 8, 2017.

Norwegian Jade will sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary every Saturday from Houston from November 19, 2016 to April 15, 2017. Ports of call include Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras.

Norwegian Dawn will sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary every Sunday from New Orleans from November 20, 2016 to April 16, 2017. Her stops will include Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Norwegian Star will sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary every Sunday from Tampa from October 23, 2016 to April 16, 2017. Ports of call will include Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Harvest Caye, Belize.

Alaska

Norwegian will continue to sail three ships in Alaska in the summer of 2016: Norwegian Pearl andNorwegian Jewel from Seattle, Washington and Norwegian Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska.

Norwegian Jewel, departing Saturdays, will sail a series of seven-day Sawyer Glacier cruises from Seattle between May 7, 2016 and September 10, 2016. Departing Sundays, Norwegian Pearl will set sail on seven-day Glacier Bay itineraries from May 15, 2016 through September 18, 2016. Both itineraries feature stops in Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

For those wishing to cruise on a longer Alaska itinerary, Norwegian Jewel will sail one ten-day Glacier Bay itinerary on September 17, 2016, and will visit Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Icy Strait Point; and Sitka, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Norwegian Pearl will offer a 10-day Glacier Bay itinerary from Vancouver on May 5, 2016, stopping in Juneau; Skagway; Sitka; Icy Strait Point; and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Norwegian Sun will sail seven-day Glacier Bay one-way cruises between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska every other week from May 30, 2016 through September

5, 2016. Sailing north from Vancouver, guests will enjoy a cruise through the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and visits to Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, Alaska. On Norwegian Sun’s Southbound seven-day Sawyer Glacier one-way itineraries from Seward, Alaska, sailing every other week from June 6 to September 12, 2016, guests will cruise the Inside Passage, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier and enjoy stops in Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska. Norwegian Sun’s one-way cruises give guests the opportunity to see more of beautiful Alaska and make their cruise an adventure by adding on a pre or post-cruise CruiseTour, giving guests the chance to experience more of Alaska.

Norwegian Sun will also offer three seven-day Glacier Bay roundtrip cruises from Vancouver on May 16, 2016, May 23, 2016, and September 19, 2016. Ports of call will include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska, and will include cruising the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay.

Europe

Norwegian will offer a four-ship deployment in Europe during the summer of 2016. Norwegian Epic will remain in Europe year-round from her homeport in Barcelona, sailing seven-day Western Mediterranean itineraries from April 17, 2016 to November 20, 2016. Her exciting ports of call include Naples, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Cannes, France; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.

On November 27 and December 28, 2016, and February 19, March 12, and April 13, 2017, Norwegian Epic will sail a 10-Day Canary Islands & Morocco itinerary. Her stops will include Tangier, Morocco; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Granada (Malaga), Spain. Norwegian Epic will also sail an 11-Day Western Mediterranean itinerary on December 7, 2016 and January 7 and 18, February 8, March 1 and 22, and April 2, 2017. Ports of call include Cagliari, Sardinia; Messina, Sicily; Naples, Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.

Norwegian Star will return to the Baltic, offering nine-day cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark on May 8 and 24, June 2 and 25, and July 4 to September 5, 2016. This exciting itinerary includes an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as a scenic sail through the Stockholm Archipelago following the ship’s afternoon departure from Stockholm, Sweden. Other calls include Warnemünde, Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; and Helsinki, Finland.

On June 11, 2016, Norwegian Star will sail a 14-day North Cape itinerary, during the summer solstice. This incredible itinerary will set sail from Copenhagen, Denmark and will visit the best of Norway including Alesund, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromso, Hammerfest, Honningsvag, Molde, and Bergen, Norway. This itinerary can also be combined with a nine-day Baltic Capitals itinerary for the ultimate northern Europe experience.

Norwegian Star will also sail two seven-day Norwegian Fjords itineraries from Copenhagen, on May 1 and 17, 2016. This breathtaking itinerary will sail through the beautiful fjords of southern Norway featuring stops in Alesund, Geiranger, Flam and Bergen.

Norwegian Star will also sail a 14-Day Norway, Iceland, & Faroe Islands cruise from Copenhagen on September 14, 2016. Port calls will include Bergen and Alesund, Norway; Lerwick, Shetland Islands; Thorshavn, Faroe Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland; Greenock, Scotland; and Dublin, Ireland.

Norwegian Jade will return to Venice and sail alternating seven-day Greek Isles and seven-day Adriatic, Greece & Turkey itineraries from May to October 2016. Guests may also choose to combine these two exciting itineraries to enjoy the ultimate 14-day adventure. The Greek Isles sailings will run from May 7, 2016 to October 1, 2016 with calls in Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, and Olympia (Katakolon), Greece, while the Adriatic, Greece & Turkey itinerary includes Dubrovnik, Croatia; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; and Split, Croatia from May 14, 2016 to September 24, 2016.

For an incredible combination of eastern and western Mediterranean itineraries, guests can embark on Norwegian Spirit’s 12-day Grand Mediterranean from Venice on May 19, June 12, July 6, August 1 and 25, September 18, October 12, and November 5, 2016. This incredible itinerary visits five different countries, with calls in Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi) and Istanbul, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Naples, Rome (Civitavecchia), and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; and Provence (Toulon), France.

Additionally, Norwegian Spirit will sail a 12-day Grand Mediterranean one-way itinerary from Barcelona to Venice on May 7 and 31, June 24, August 13, September 16 and 30, and October 24, 2016. Her stops include Provence (Toulon), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul and Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Venice, Italy.

Norwegian Spirit will also sail a spectacular 14-day Grand Mediterranean open-jaw itinerary from Barcelona to Venice on July 18, 2016. Port of call include Provence (Toulon), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul and Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Bahamas and Florida

Norwegian Gem will sail seven-day Bahamas & Florida cruises from New York in 2016 from April 30, 2016 to May 14, 2016 and from June 18, 2016 to August 27, 2016. This popular family-friendly itinerary includes visits to Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral), Norwegian’s private island Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. Along with recent enhancements to add brand favorites Sugarcane Mojito Bar and O’Sheehans Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Norwegian Gem also features exclusive Nickelodeon? programming on board.

On May 21, 2016 and June 4, 2016, Norwegian Gem will sail eight-day Bahamas and Florida sailings that feature an additional sea day, as well as a full day in Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral).

For a shorter cruise option, Norwegian Sky will continue sailing three and four-day cruises to the Bahamas year-round from Miami departing Fridays and Mondays. Ports of call include: Nassau, Grand Bahama Island, and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island.

Norwegian Getaway will also sail a one-time two-day Bahamas itinerary from Miami on September 2, 2016, stopping in Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Canada & New England

Norwegian Gem will again offer two summer Canada & New England roundtrip cruises from New York City in 2016. These six-day sailings on May 29 and June 12, 2016 call in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Portland, Maine.

Norwegian Gem will also offer seven-day cruises roundtrip from New York City from September 3 to October 8, 2016, visiting four beautiful ports of call: Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Portland, Maine; and Newport, Rhode Island.

Norwegian Dawn will offer one-way seven-day cruises between Boston, Massachusetts and Quebec City, Quebec from September 9 to 30, 2016. The northbound itinerary features visit to Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Gaspésie, Quebec; and Saguenay (La Baie), Quebec, while the southbound route begins with an overnight in Quebec City, Quebec and then visits Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Bar Harbor, Maine. These sailings can be combined for an ultimate 14-day Canada & New England experience.

Hawaii

The recently-enhanced Pride of America will continue to sail her very popular seven-day Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday through April 2018. Offering more than 100 hours of sight-seeing time, ports of call include an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua`i; and an afternoon cruise past the breathtaking Nãpali Coast.

Panama Canal

Back by popular demand, Norwegian Pearl will sail 11- and 10-day Panama Canal itineraries from Miami beginning fall 2016. The 10-day Panama Canal sails November 28 and December 19, 2016, and March 13 and April 3, 2017, with calls in Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. The 11-day Panama Canal on December 29, 2016 will include port calls in Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

An alternate 11-day Panama Canal round-trip itinerary on November 17 and December 8, 2016, and March 23, 2017 will include calls in Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

South America

Norwegian Sun returns to South America to sail 14-day South American one-way Westbound itineraries from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso) and Eastbound from Santiago (Valparaiso) to Buenos Aires. The 14-day South America from Buenos Aires (Westbound) sails on December 3 and 31, 2016 and January 28, February 25, and March 25, 2017, with calls including Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; Puerto Chacabuco, Chile; and Puerto Montt, Chile. During the cruise, guests will sail Cape Horn, across the Beagle Channel offering breathtaking glacier views, the Strait of Magellan, the majestic Chilean Fjords, the Patagonic Channels, and Canal Moraleda.

The 14-day South America cruise from Santiago (Valparaiso) sails on November 19 and December 17, 2016 and January 14, February 11, and March 11, 2017 with calls in Puerto Montt, Chile; Puerto Chacabuco, Chile; Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay. During the Eastbound cruises, guests will also cruise the Patagonic Channels, Chilean Fjords, Strait of Magellan; Beagle Channel, and Cape Horn. Guests can also choose to extend their South American exploration with a CruiseTour, providing an unparalleled opportunity to explore this region’s culture and spectacular destinations such as Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and Easter Island.

Mexican Riviera

Norwegian returns to the Mexican Riviera, offerings cruises from two different homeports.Norwegian Jewel will sail a seven-day itinerary from Los Angeles from October 2, 2016 to April 23, 2017, with calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norwegian Sun will sail an 11-day Mexican Rivera itinerary from San Diego on September 30, 2016 and October 11 and 22, 2016. Ports of call will include Acapulco; Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa; an overnight call in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Repositioning Cruises

In spring of 2015, Norwegian will offer a variety of once-in-a-lifetime repositioning cruises including Caribbean repositioning, Transatlantic cruises and Pacific Coastal itineraries.

Old Ships vs. New Ships: What’s in a Cruise Ship’s Age? 

Posted on by
Reply

 

New ships always seem to get the spotlight, touting outrageous onboard additions that strive for the consumer “wow” factor. But what about their tried-and-true fleetmates — a mix of vessels that have long since paid their dues and the hot new ships from a few years back? Sure, newer ships are often larger and more packed with diversions for every age and taste, but they can also be expensive and crowded, and as with anything new, there are sometimes bugs to be worked out. Older ships might show wear and tear, but cruise lines have been investing millions to keep their entire fleet outfitted with modern amenities and popular attractions.

To help you decide whether new is better or old is the way to go, we’ve compiled a list of elements to consider before making a choice, addressing key points like amenities and price. Check out the key contrasts below.

Ship Size

Large Ship vs. Small ShipNew: As a rule, newer vessels are larger. It makes sense: As more bells and whistles are added, more space is needed to contain them. Although ship sizes vary widely across various fleets, a number of vessels have launched in the last decade that can carry what amounts to the population of a small city. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the largest ships afloat, each comprise 17 decks and have room for 5,400 passengers. For purposes of comparison, Majesty of the Seas, the oldest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, has 12 decks and holds 2,350 passengers — less than half the capacity of the Oasis-class ships. Other lines have followed suit: Ships in Carnival’s 14-deck Dream Class each carry 3,690 passengers, and those in Norwegian’s 18-deck Breakaway Class accommodate 4,028 cruisers. You can easily get lost, though you are less likely to be alone.

Old: Old stalwarts, which are smaller in size and lighter on fanfare, offer more relaxing and intimate experiences. Sure, they still have plenty of glitz, but passengers don’t have to feel like they’re missing as many marquee activities if they choose to curl up in a lounge with a good book or veg out by the pool for half a day. Old ships are also more likely to have quieter spaces like libraries and card rooms. Smaller ships suit travelers who don’t like large crowds, have trouble traversing the long decks of the biggest ships and don’t want to think about which of the five different sun deck areas they should utilize. But watch out — some cruise lines have refurbished their older ships to add more cabins, both cutting back on available public areas and squeezing more people into the space that’s left.

Cabins

Family SuiteNew: As ships’ public areas become more glitzy and glamorous, so do their cabins. One trend we’ve seen with newer ships is an increase in the number of balcony accommodations, but although they’ve increased in number, many have also decreased in size. Take, for example, the balconies on Royal Princess and Regal Princess. Balconies on these twin ships, the newest in Princess’ fleet, average 41 square feet — smaller than those found on the line’s older ships. And the suites on new ships possess lots of wow factor, from cantilevered, glassed-in showers to Ralph Lauren décor and multiple levels of living space.

Beyond standard verandahs, cabins that specifically cater to certain groups are all the rage. From solo cabins (Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway; Quantum of the Seas) and two-deck suites (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas) to inside staterooms with virtual scenery (Disney Dream and Fantasy, Quantum of the Seas), specialty cabins have stolen the spotlight. New ships also tend to have more connecting cabins and family cabins and suites, perfect for larger travel parties.

Old: Older ships are generally the way to go if balcony space is important to you. However, you’ll have to book early; while balconies might be bigger, verandah cabins make up a smaller percentage of stateroom inventory on older ships. (Some older ships have had balcony cabins added during dry dock.) The plethora of cabin categories on newer ships might also make your head spin, so if you just want to keep it simple, consider an older ship. Carpeting and soft furnishings like curtains and bedding are upgraded frequently during refurbs; despite that, keep in mind that older ships might show signs of wear — scuffs, dings, outdated bathrooms — that newer vessels don’t.

Top-Deck Amenities

Top Deck PoolNew: For active types or adults traveling with children, newer ships offer far more in the way of outdoor fun. Norwegian’s two newest vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, have ropes courses that are enough to make anyone dizzy — no fear of heights required. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas have zip lines and surf simulators, and Quantum of the Seas brings skydiving to the high seas for the first time by way of an outdoor simulator. In terms of water-based fun, Carnival offers the WaterWorks aquapark on its Dream-class vessels. The open-deck expanse is a haven for anyone who enjoys waterslides, featuring the Twister, a 303-foot-long corkscrew tube; the Drainpipe, a 104-foot tube that empties into a giant funnel; and two side-by-side racing slides.

Old: While most older ships offer mild outdoor pursuits like mini-golf, shuffleboard, Ping-Pong and possibly basketball, they’re much more low-key than newer ships. With swimming pools as their focus, they offer ideal spots for passengers to laze the days away in the sun, drinks in hand. That said, several lines have chosen to add some of the more popular upper-deck offerings to their older ships. Take Princess, for example, which has added Movies Under the Stars movie screens to most pool decks in its fleet after a successful debut on Caribbean Princess in 2004. Then there’s Carnival, which took its popular new Guy’s Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina eateries and added them to the pool decks on most ships during its massive Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades. The line has also added waterslides to all ships in its fleet. For their parts, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have installed rock climbing walls on many of their vessels.

Dining

New: Newer ships have lots of space to dedicate to dining. Sure, all vessels offer main dining rooms, but new concepts like Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining (where there’s no set main dining room and cruisers can choose from a number of free and for-fee options) and Carnival’sAmerican Table (a revised list of comfort-food menu items that come in larger, shareable portions) are putting a new twist on traditional dinner options. Many specialty venues have been added on newer ships, as well, and you’ll have no trouble finding everything from Italian and Asian to French and seafood, most with cover charges but some without. Some ships, like Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, have even added dinner theater options, which include dinner and a show for a fee. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, watch out for gelato bars and specialty cake shops enticing you to snack between meals.

Old: Older, smaller ships tend to have more limited alternative dining options. But that’s a plus for passengers who prefer to avoid the nickel-and-diming associated with for-fee eateries, or those who prefer a smaller number of venues from which to choose. While some older vessels have gotten new dining additions, most remain pleasantly bare bones.

Activities & Entertainment

best-onboard-cruise-entertainment-blue-man-groupNew: Fun pursuits abound on newer ships, and they include some pretty incredible pastimes like parades, character breakfasts, roller skating and even bumper cars. Toss in some top-notch entertainment that rivals what you’d find ashore, and you’re in for an impressive cruise. AquaTheater, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, features high-dive performances set against the backdrop of the ship’s wake. Additionally, the line has added Broadway shows on four of its newest ships: Quantum of the Seas (“Mamma Mia!”), Allure of the Seas (“Chicago”), Oasis of the Seas (“CATS”) and Liberty of the Seas (“Saturday Night Fever”). Norwegian has gone the same route, featuring “Legally Blonde” on Norwegian Getaway and “Rock of Ages” on sister ship Norwegian Breakaway. Other enticing options include added-fee dinner theater aboard Norwegian Getaway (Illusionarium), Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic (Cirque Dreams and Dinner). One downside to these events is that, for many of them (even if they’re free), tickets are required and can run out quickly.

Old: Entertainment aboard older ships is a bit more standard: Broadway revues, magicians, comedians and the like. However, several lines have brought their most recent offerings to older vessels. Most notably, Carnival added the Punchliner Comedy Club by George Lopez to most of its ships, in addition to “Hasbro, the Game Show,” where participants play giant versions of classic board games — like SORRY! and Connect 4 — on stage. The line also debuted its Carnival Live series of for-fee concerts aboard Carnival Fantasy and a handful of other ships in the fleet. Holland America has also livened up its entertainment across its family of vessels by adding Dancing with the Stars at Sea. Based on the popular TV show, the competition pits willing passengers against one another in a dance-off. Norwegian has plans to roll out its popular O’Sheehan’s pub (which offers free grub and for-fee arcade games) on a couple of its older vessels. Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean has added performances by aerial acrobats to its entertainment lineup on some of its more seasoned ships.

Itineraries and Pricing

New: Because many passengers are willing pay a premium for the privilege of sailing on a newer ship, fresh-from-the-shipyard vessels are often based in the biggest markets. (Think Caribbean and Mediterranean.) The cruise lines have to fill all those thousands of berths, so you typically won’t find new ships on niche itineraries. In addition, huge ships like Oasis of the Seas are too big to dock at certain ports or sail through tight channels like the Panama Canal, so they are also constrained by their size. The combination of popular ports and a ship full of the latest innovations means cruise lines will ask top-dollar for cabins — and get it. The best cabins on these ships will also sell out more quickly than their fleetmates’. While you won’t find a lot of itinerary variety, it might not matter; many passengers would rather spend the time onboard taking in all the new attractions.

Old: Cruise lines have huge fleets these days — Carnival has more than 20 ships sailing — so the majority of their voyages are on older ships. These vessels sail every type of itinerary imaginable, from weekend cruises to multi-month round-the-world cruises. If you want to sail the islands of Hawaii or French Polynesia, ogle the scenery in Alaska or the Norwegian fjords, or head somewhere exotic like Asia or Australia, you’ll likely need an older ship. Typically, the very oldest ships in the fleet will be employed on shorter cruises from drive-to ports. These ships lend themselves perfectly to the cause, as they generally lack the extensive number of amenities that keep passengers busy during longer sailings on newer vessels. Pricing for older ships is often very itinerary dependent. An older ship sailing a well-traveled route will be lower than for a newer ship on a similar itinerary. On the flip side, exotic destinations or popular, short-season itineraries can pull in higher cabin fares.

The 28 Best Cruise Ship Bars

Posted on by
Reply

 

best-martini-barOpinions about cruising’s best bars vary like the color of cocktails. One passenger’s top-shelf piano lounge might be another’s sun deck dive. But we have our favorites — levitating lounges, pubs with delicious fish and chips, and alfresco bars where you can watch a spectacular sunset as you nurse an Ocean Breeze.

What makes a bar stand out for us? Often, it’s originality and innovation, a new twist on the ol’ purveyor of gin-and-tonics and buckets of beer. You might find an ice bar gimmicky, but it’s certainly different. In other cases, we applaud onboard establishments for offering unique drinks or pairing food and booze; sometimes, these bars are simply places where, time and again, we’ve spent an enjoyable evening.

So, whether you’re a beer connoisseur or like your cocktails in the brightest of hues, we invite you to enjoy our list of best bars at sea.

 

Shaken, Not Stirred: The Martini Bar

Carnival’s Alchemy Bar

Ships: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Triumph

What’s Cool: Sometimes a fruity martini is just what the doctor ordered. Carnival’s Alchemy Bar takes that a step further, with an “Olde Apothecary” theme, featuring bartenders in lab coats and a dark wood bar decorated with apothecary jars. They’ll write you a prescription for Passion Potions (like a Martini Seduction), Energizing Elixirs (Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini) or Cocktail Therapy (Curative Peach Cosmopolitan).

Celebrity’s Martini Bar & Crush

Ships: Fleetwide (minus Celebrity Xpedition)

What’s Cool: Order a martini flight and try out six colorful beverages, poured from a tower of martini shakers into a pyramid of glasses. The bartenders here have watched “Cocktail” too many times, and they put on an impressive display of bottle-tossing and -twirling as they mix your drinks. An ice-topped bar and a central location add to the appeal.

Cunard’s Commodore Club

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: The first thing you notice about the Commodore Club is its sweeping shape; located all the way forward, the lounge offers views that span three sides. Chairs, many tucked into windowed nooks, are deep and comfortable. What’s really special about the Commodore Club is that its out-of-the-way location (far from the throngs enjoying pre-dinner drinks at Britannia-adjacent venues) gives it a more secluded air. And, as befits Cunard, the more formal evening dress codes means everyone’s dressed to impress. The drinks? The bar’s nautical theme evokes a more glamorous era, which means it’s the place to order a Manhattan or a martini, straight up or with a twist.

best-wine-barStart Wining: Wine and Champagne Bars

Vines

Ships: Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess,Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess,Sapphire Princess and Star Princess

What’s Cool: Princess’ wine bar, found in the bustling Piazza area, serves up wine flights and a selection of new- and old-world vintages in a faux wine cellar setting. (Think dim lighting and wooden barrels.) But it’s more than just a bar; along with your vino, you can order sushi and tapas for a light, sophisticated meal (free with beverage purchase). As you sip, don’t forget to check out the street performers who entertain in the Piazza.Note that sushi and tapas are not served on Grand and Sapphire Princess, and only sushi is served on Star Princess.

MSC’s Wine Bars

Ships: Divina, Preziosa, Splendida, Fantasia, Poesia, Orchestra and Musica

What’s Cool: Although the wine bars on these ships all have different names, they offer a hefty list of wines from provinces across Italy. The bars’ light leather upholstery seems, at first, counterintuitive; wine bars, after all, are generally very dark and rich in tone. But, ultimately, the decor creates an atmosphere that’s open and chic. Knowledgeable sommeliers on each sailing offer tastings that include information about the various vintages, their regions and the processes that go into making the wines. There’s a small fee associated with the tastings, but you’ll also get a plate of tasty cheeses and meats to accompany each glass of vino.

Oceania’s La Reserve by Wine Spectator

Ships: Marina and Riviera

What’s Cool: La Reserve isn’t just an ordinary wine bar; it’s a venue for wine tastings and gourmet wine-themed dinners. Tastings, developed by Wine Spectator, might focus on wines from your cruise region or show how different types of wine glasses affect your enjoyment of the vintage. Multicourse dinners pair fine cuisine with premium wines and are a collaboration between the executive chef and Wine Spectator’s wine aficionados. La Reserve’s elegant setting, with upper-deck views, simply adds to the experience.

Disney’s Pink

Ships: Disney Dream

What’s Cool: It’s pink. Really pink. It’s decorated with pink Champagne bottles, pink plush chairs, pink bubble lights and pink Champagne glasses. Yet it’s not overbearing. In fact, it’s downright charming. Lighted glass bubbles adorn the walls, and savvy cruisers might catch a glimpse of Dumbo dancing sporadically in them. Champagne and Champagne cocktails are, of course, the drinks of choice. Champagne cocktail options include standbys like bellinis, as well as more inventive drinks that include Elderberry cocktails.

best-cigar-barBurning Issues: Cigar Bars

Silversea Cruises’ Humidor

Ships: Silver Spirit, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper

What’s Cool: The Humidor feels like a traditional smoking room in an old British country house, where you can relax on deep, lush chairs and couches set on rich wooden floors, accented with handsome rugs and prints on the walls. It’s well ventilated, but it still retains that delicious, rich cigar aroma that has permeated into the furniture. There’s a bar adjoining it, and it has excellent waiter service. All cigar bars should be like this.

MSC’s Cigar Bars

Ships: Divina, Splendida, Fantasia, Magnifica, Poesia, Orchestra, Musica, Sinfonia andArmonia

What’s Cool: Although smoking is more prevalent on MSC’s ships than it is on mainstream U.S. lines, we often found the cigar bars, which vary in name from ship to ship, uncrowded and quiet. With rich woods and cushy leather seating, they offer elegant places to escape the general population onboard, whether it’s to read, write, nap or have a smoke. Some — like the Hitchcock Lounge on Poesia, which features silhouettes of Alfred Hitchcock — even have fun themes. (Surprisingly, the ones we visited didn’t smell anything like smoke, so nonsmokers shouldn’t worry about stepping inside.)

Disney’s Meridian

Ships: Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy

What’s Cool: The view from Meridian — located on Deck 12, aft — is spectacular, with huge windows and vast outdoor spaces that ensure passengers will never miss the passing scenery. A large granite bar runs the length of the lounge, which is decorated with lots of high-backed leather chairs and travel-themed decor. Cigars are available for purchase at the outside bar. Meridian is nestled between restaurants Palo and Remy, so aficionados don’t have far to go for an after-dinner stogie.

best-coffee-barDaily Grind: Coffee Bars

Celebrity’s Cafe al Bacio

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: Cafe al Bacio combines the best of cruise-ship watering holes: delicious eats and drinks, inviting decor and a social setting. The coffee stand serves a wide array of extra-fee specialty coffees, teas and liqueurs, as well as gratis freshly baked pastries. Its warm yellow and brown hues and comfy chairs offer a relaxing space for a caffeine fix — and after dinner, you’d be hard pressed to find an empty spot. The venue is strategically positioned near The Gelateria, a great place to grab gelato or Italian ice to chase down that latte. It’s located on a main thoroughfare, so you can watch the cruise-ship world passing by.

Holland America’s Explorations Cafe

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: Found on all vessels, the Explorations Cafe combines a coffee shop, Internet cafe and a library — making these spaces ideal for those who want to check e-mail or curl up with a good book while sipping some Joe. Beverages offered at Explorations cost extra, but complimentary cookies, pastries, fruit and sandwiches are available. Even better, the cafe’s plush chairs and sofas are super-comfy, and many offer great views. You’ll need a caffeine hit to stay awake if you sink into one of those soft seats.

Seabourn Square

Ships: Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest

What’s Cool: Seabourn’s larger ships feature a space called Seabourn Square, which serves as a great gathering place and hub of the ship. The coffee bar offers specialty coffees, liqueurs, cakes and pastries, as well as a library (with both books and DVDs), Internet terminals and desks for Seabourn staffers (shore excursions, concierges, etc.).

best-martini-barGot Game: Sports Bars

Disney’s Diversions, 687 and O’Gill’s

Ships: Diversions (Disney Wonder); O’Gill’s (Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy); 678 (Disney Dream)

What’s Cool: Disney’s association with ESPN means sports fans won’t miss a game while sailing. The line’s sports bars — all adults-only at night — have numerous flat-screen high-def TVs with digital surround sound and cozy spaces that allow for quiet conversation, even when the bar is packed and the big game is on.

Carnival’s EA Sports Bar

Ships: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Triumph

What’s Cool: One reviewer described Carnival’s EA Sports Bar as the man-cave to end all man-caves. It’s chock full of flat-screen TVs that can show individual games or combine to show a single game across several screens. The bar is stocked with a selection of beer, bar snacks, sports tickers running game scores from around the world, and free video games from EA Sports.

MSC’s The Sports Bar

Ships: Divina, Preziosa, Splendida, Fantasia and Magnifica

What’s Cool: Called The Sports Bar on all ships (except Magnifica, where it’s known as L’Olimpiade), these venues are more than just a place to watch the game with a beer. With a relaxed and colorful atmosphere, each features a bar, a pair of mini-bowling lanes, a Formula 1 racing simulator, sports memorabilia, plenty of tables and chairs in various alcoves, and, of course, an astounding number of flat-screen TVs for watching live competitions.

best-english-pubPub Reporter: The English Saloon

Princess’ Wheelhouse Bar

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: The pubby Wheelhouse Bar is a Princess staple, but decor varies from ship to ship. While the dark woods and nautical pictures are well and good, it’s the special (complimentary) pub lunch that gets us through the doors. The menu features English fare like bangers and mash, fish-n-chips (the most popular option), a ploughman’s lunch and traditional cottage pie. And, of course, Guinness and other beers make perfect bedfellows to the Brit-style lunch.

Cunard’s Golden Lion Pub

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: Cunard’s Golden Lion Pub reeks of authenticity with its fine lagers, ales on tap and classic pub fare like fish-n-chips. Entertainment is also pub-worthy with pub quizzes, live music and sporting events on the telly.

Norwegian’s O’Sheehans

Ships: Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Breakaway

What’s Cool: At O’Sheehans, passengers can bowl, throw darts and play pool or foosball before enjoying dinner and drinks. The 24-hour venue serves up complimentary breakfast (like scrambled-egg wraps) and pub fare (Buffalo wings, fish-n-chips), and it’s the best spot for draft beer. Bowling enthusiasts take note: while the Epic version features three full-sized lanes, the Breakaway version only offers two mini-bowling lanes, with shorter lanes and smaller pins and balls, hidden away at the back of the pub.

best-piano-barTickle the Ivories: Piano Bars

Carnival’s Piano Bars

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: Carnival earns top honors in this category, with piano bars on all its ships. Though no two look the same, you can expect a nearly identical rollicking atmosphere with plenty of sing-alongs, group toasts and some adult-themed tunes after midnight. The most coveted spots are the stools surrounding the pianos, which revolve slowly so everyone gets a good view of the ivories. But arrive early to snag a choice spot — some of Carnival’s pianists have nearly cult-like followings!

Royal Caribbean’s Schooner Bar

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: Royal Caribbean’s nautical-themed bar and trivia basecamp also turns into a piano bar at night. The individual pianists really affect the after-hours atmosphere; some host lively sing-alongs, complete with props, while others provide background music to a packed house of post-dinner merrymakers. If he’s not playing your song, feel free to make a request.

Brewing the Best: Beer Bar

Celebrity’s Michael’s Club

Ships: Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Constellation

What’s Cool: Beer snobs, noses upturned at the sight of Bud, have long been ignored on cruise ships. Not anymore. On several ships, Celebrity has transformed its iconic Michael’s Club, forgoing the country club style of earlier versions and trading cognac for craft beer. MC features a changing menu of 60-plus ales, stouts and lagers, from Newcastle to Dues Brut Des Flanders, a beer-sparkling wine concoction that’s $49 for a 750ml bottle. Ask one of the trained “beer sommeliers” to help you match brew to palate. There are great salty snacks to munch on, and entertainment comes by way of acoustic guitar and televised sports.

best-beer-barCarnival’s RedFrog Pub

Ships: Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze andCarnival Sunshine

What’s Cool: Eschewing the “British” in British pub is Carnival’s RedFrog Pub, a Caribbean-themed space featuring for-fee appetizers (conch fritters, roti and the like), chill live music, games like ring toss and table shuffleboard, and an exclusive brew on draft. Carnival’s ThirstyFrog Red Ale can be ordered by the pint or by the 100-ounce beer tube.(Tip: Check out the drink specials each evening.)You can also find the signature beer at the RedFrog Rum Bar on the pool decks of the aforementioned ships, plus Conquest, Dream, Glory, Liberty and Triumph; however, these venues focus on libations and not munchies.

Photo Op: Cool Bars You Gotta Try Once

Royal Caribbean’s Rising Tide

Ships: Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas

What’s Cool: It levitates. This Oasis-class novelty bar, evocative of a space pod, floats up and down three decks between the Royal Promenade and the foliage-filled Central Park. Take-offs typically occur every 30 minutes during designated hours. The ride is about 20 minutes, but the “driver” can adjust the speed up and down. While the bar is one-of-a-kind, don’t expect the same from the menu; you’ll find a standard selection of cocktails and beers.

best-photo-op-barNorwegian’s Svedka Ice Bar

Ships: Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Breakaway

What’s Cool: It’s not just cool, it’s freezing. The air in this spine-tingler is kept at a constant 17 degrees, all the better to keep the cocktail glasses, bar and ice sculptures from getting all wishy-washy. (Yep, they’re all made of ice.) Just don a parka at the door, take a deep breath, and enter the enchanting little cavern with multihued ice walls mimicking the aurora borealis. You can stay in there for up to 45 minutes, but trust us … you won’t. The cover charge includes a toasty, warm parka and two drinks (all of which are made with Svedka vodka).

A Room with View: Panorama Bars

Royal Caribbean’s Viking Crown Lounge

Ships: Fleetwide

What’s Cool: The round, UFO-esque tower in the middle of every Royal Caribbean ship houses the line’s signature Viking Crown Lounge. While some are more expansive and others are carved up with specialty restaurants and VIP lounges, they all offer sloping windows and great views over the outer decks and out to sea. Head there for sunset or sailaway — it’s an ideal place to snuggle into a comfy couch, order a drink and watch the world go by.

Crystal’s Palm Court

Ships: Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity

What’s Cool: One of the best places for a great view at sea is the Palm Court on Crystal’s two ships (Deck 11, forward). The highlight of the sleekly modern lounge, located just over the bridge, is the 5.5-foot high windows along the sides and the 10-foot windows toward the front, providing stunning 300-degree views. Stand right at the front when docking to see exactly what the captain is seeing. Aside from the view, Palm Court is a wonderfully quiet place during the day to curl up on a comfy chair with a good book. In the late afternoon and evening, the space comes alive with high tea and jazz.

best-view-barCelebrity’s Sunset Bar

Ships: Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships

What’s Cool: Sunset Bar’s unimpeded aft views are particularly breathtaking. Celebrity paid careful attention to the scenery in designing the bar, where railings are barely noticeable and glass spans as far as the eye can see. The proximity to the ships’ unique Lawn Clubs provides a breezy backyard feel and makes for the perfect location for a sunset cocktail.