Cruise Bars: Which are the Coolest Bars on a Cruise?

There are a lot of cruise bars out there on the open sea, ranging from standard pubs to extravagant lounges. While you may or may not be into the high-end cocktail lounge experience, most people are going to want to check out the best and most unusual bars at least once. After all, this is your vacation and you owe it to yourself to make the most of it! But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to figure out where to go. To get you started, we’ve got a list of what we think are the coolest cruise bars out there. So pick out your best duds, make sure you got your drink package, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water!

Skyy Ice Bar on Norwegian Cruise Line

When it comes to cool cruise bars, it doesn’t get much “cooler” than a bar that is kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit where the bar, seats, and glasses are all made entirely of ice. The Skyy Ice Bar on Norwegian’s Breakaway, Epic, and Getaway ships is exactly that, and is inspired by the original ice hotels in Scandinavia. They feature Skyy Vodka in many of their specialty drinks (as you may have guessed from the name) and patrons don parkas and gloves in order to experience one of the most unconventional bars on a cruise you will find anywhere. Be warned — the bar only holds 25 guests at a time, so reservations are a must. There is also a $20 entry fee, but that includes two cocktails, which is a pretty good deal to experience this unique establishment. 

Eden Bar on Celebrity Cruises

Over on Celebrity, easily the coolest of their cruise bars is located in the 3-story multi-use space called Eden, which you can find on Celebrity Apex, Ascent, Beyond, and Edge. The area is surrounded by glass windows and decked out with plant life and earthy aesthetics, making for a calming yet vibrant retreat. It is here that you will find the Eden Bar complete with their Library of Plants, a wall that is covered with live herbs and ingredients that bartenders will pull from as they craft your cocktails. The drinks here may have simple names like Pea, Village, or Garden, but these concoctions are anything but simple. Expect to find more unique and vibrant libations here than any other bars on a cruise.

Bionic Bar on Royal Caribbean 

Ladies and gentlemen, the future is here and it has arrived first at the cruise bars of Royal Caribbean! The Bionic Bar on Anthem, Quantum, Ovation, Harmony, Oasis, Odyssey, Spectrum, Symphony, and Wonder (all “of the Seas”) is a state-of-the-art, fully automated establishment where two robotic bartenders tend to all your mixological needs. To get a drink here, iPads are set up around the bar area for you to place your order. Once placed, you will be able to see where you are in line as the dutiful little droids whip up concoction after concoction. And these aren’t just cocktails off of a premade list — they can also handle any made-to-order drink demands that you may have. This may be the way that all bars on a cruise end up looking one day, but for now it is a fascinating and intriguing look into the future.

Alchemy Bar on Carnival Cruises

Alchemy may be an antiquated field of study, but the art of transformation through experimentation is not lost on the bartenders at the Alchemy Bar, found on most Carnival cruise ships. These vintage-themed cruise bars promise to heal what ails you with a unique and inventive menu of original cocktails. Here you can get drinks like The Remedy, a mix of dark rum, coconut rum, orange juice, and pineapple juice, that is sure to ease whatever pains you have. Is drinking a mixture of juice and rum actually beneficial to your health? Well, no probably not. But good service, a relaxing atmosphere, and the cheeky theme will make you feel about as good as bars on a cruise can!

Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge on Disney Cruise Line 

Naturally, we couldn’t make a list of the coolest cruise bars without an offering from Disney, and the Hyperspace Lounge on Disney Wish is here to fill that role. Inspired by the lavish star cruisers seen in the movies, this is one of the most immersive bars on a cruise you will ever experience. A faux window displays images of starships cruising through space, giving you the feeling of actually being in a space lounge in a galaxy far, far away. Watch hyperspace jumps take you to other recognizable locales like Tatooine and Coruscant, as surround-sound and holographic models of other ships complete the experience. On Disney ships, the kids aren’t the only ones who get to play in a fantasy world!

The Red Bar on Virgin Voyages 

Last on our list of cool cruise bars is The Red Bar, which can be found on all Virgin Voyages cruise ships. When we say that this is the most red you will ever see anywhere, we are not exaggerating — this place is drenched in so many vibrant reds, it would make a tomato jealous. For their menu, they have taken a more irreverent approach, serving drinks like the Goldfish, which is served in a goldfish shaped glass, or the Popcorn Old-Fashioned, served in a popcorn carton with actual popcorn on top. The unique drinks are a great plus, but it really is the atmosphere and the vibes that sets this apart from other bars on a cruise. You will never feel more luxurious than when you are bathing in the neon red lights of this extravagant bar. Just make sure to wear red so you won’t feel out of place!

When you’re ready to check out these cruise bars for yourself, visit Cruises.com for the largest selection of cruise line deals — we can help you book the smart way! We give you our exclusive bonus offers and all qualifying cruise line offers, plus all of the cruise line loyalty program benefits. Book online at Cruises.com or call 800-288-6006 today.

Related: Cruise Drink Package Lowdown