5 Best Cruise Bars

When it comes to cruising, enjoying a cocktail at sea is a real highlight for a lot of vacationers. While fruity booze and tropical tunes were once enough to delight cruisers, these basic gin mills simply won’t due anymore. Cruise lines have started stepping up their bar game, transforming traditional watering holes into featured attractions. From ice bars to levitating lounges and even venues run by robotic mixologists, there are some truly impressive bars aboard today’s cruise ships. These 5 dives stand out as the leading passenger favorites.

1. Royal Caribbean’s Bionic Bar

Need proof that machines are taking over the world? Well look no further than your Royal Caribbean cruise ship, where your old bartender has been replaced by not one, but two robotic arms! The Bionic Bar features a pair of bartending robots called B1-O and N1-C who take drink orders directly from cruisers via tablets. These robotic arms draw liquor from dozens of bottles hanging above and are programmed to add just the right amount of ice, mixers and even lemons or mint to your cocktail. Finally, a robot that does something useful! Although they may craft the perfect concoction, these machines won’t be able to offer you much advice when you complain about the cute girl you met at the pool who’s currently “playing shuffleboard” with some other guy. Keep an eye out on their video screens though, B1-O and N1-C do crack the occasional joke.

Where to find it: Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas

2. Carnival’s Alchemy Bar

Looking for the perfect antidote to all that pre-vacation stress? Let Carnival’s Alchemy Bar pharmacists prescribe you something from behind the bar or fill out your own “prescription” to devise a custom concoction. This clever cocktail ‘bar-macy’ features specially trained mixologists cloaked in white lab coats serving hand-crafted alcoholic elixirs to remedy what ails you. Despite the medicinal-sounding menu, libations like the “quick fix” (Pernod absinthe, Bacardi Rum, Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Midori, citrus and a dash of sprite) are more likely to cause headaches than cure them.

Where to find it: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Victory, Carnival Vista

3. Norwegian’ s Svedka Ice Bar

Norwegian Cruise Line is the proud owner of quite literally the coolest bar at sea— No really, everything inside is made entirely out of ice! The Svedka Ice Bar, inspired by Scandinavian ice hotels, is kept at a crisp 17 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure nothing melts when the party heats up. The bar, walls, sculptures, glasses, tables, and stools are all completely frozen. Upon entering this winter wonderland, guests are outfitted in cold-weather capes complete with a furry hood and gloves to keep warm. After a day spent out in the hot sun, this arctic chamber is the ideal place for cruisers to chill.

Where to find it: Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway

4. Royal Caribbean’s Rising Tide Bar

Don’t worry, you haven’t had too many cocktails— the floor really is moving beneath your feet. Cruisers can pull up a stool at Royal Caribbean‘s Rising Tide Bar and enjoy a drink as they float between decks on this space-age venue. This levitating lounge slowly transports passengers between the Royal Promenade on deck eight and the ship’s very own Central Park on deck five, making it the prime spot for people watching.

Where to find it: Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas

5. Carnival’s Red Frog Pub

What do you get when you cross an English pub with a Caribbean beach bar? Carnival’s Red Frog Pub. This Key West-inspired tavern carries the warmth and friendliness of a local island watering hole while offering a wide selection of tap and bottled beers. Sample some of the Caribbean’s best brews, sip on a Rum cocktail or just enjoy a little pub grub in this beachy establishment. Cruisers can also relax on gliding swing chairs and listen to live music as the sun sets over the ocean. Kick back and enjoy the island vibe, you’ll be a local at the Red Frog Pub in no time.

Where to find it:  Carnival Breeze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Legend, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor, Carnival Vista

Is your booze cruise departing from Port Canaveral? Make the most of your vacation by booking your pre and post cruise accommodations with Go Port. We partner with professional transportation services and the hotels you trust to create packages that take care of everything cruisers need ashore before and after their cruise.

Photography by: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival