Six Brilliant Cruise Bars

• Immersive Themed Environments: Modern cruise bars offer unique sensory experiences that go beyond the drink itself, ranging from Scandinavian-inspired "Ice Bars" made entirely of frozen sculptures to the three-story, panoramic Eden bar designed to connect guests with the sea.

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Innovation is a key highlight, specifically through Royal Caribbean’s Bionic Bar, which features robotic bartenders capable of mixing up to 1,000 custom cocktails a day alongside high-definition digital entertainment.

• A Mix of Tradition and Flair: The blog highlights a balance between classic comforts, such as Cunard’s traditional British "Golden Lion" pub with its signature ales, and high-energy venues like Celebrity’s Martini Bar, known for its mixologists' theatrical skills and ice-topped counters.

A flavourful cocktail that hits all the right notes, a distinguished smoky single malt or a cool, an expertly shaken mocktail, or a crisp Chardonnay; whatever your drink of choice, there’s no better place to enjoy it than while taking in the splendours of sailing at sea. 

Many cruise lines have gone the extra mile to deliver not just a delicious drink but an incredible experience. From robots being able to mix and serve you a deliciously refreshing cocktail, to ice-cold drinks being served in arctic temperatures, having a tipple or two, or three, on board a cruise ship is indeed one to savour. 

To understand why a beverage on board is much more than just the taste, we’re sharing our top six best bars you can find at sea. 

Eden: Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruise’s concept of building a greater connection between their guests and the sea is really evident in the innovative design of their bar, Eden. Standing at a whopping three storeys high, with panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows, this bar offers a delightfully different ambience depending on the time you visit.

Starting in the morning at Eden Café, serving speciality coffees, the menu evolves to suit your tastes throughout the day, becoming Eden bar offering hand-crafted cocktails and Eden Restaurant with experiential cuisine, as the daylight hours turn to evening.

Eden serves delicious food and drinks on Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond.

Schooner Bar: Royal Caribbean 

For an evening of splendid entertainment and a menu of carefully curated cocktails, from a classic gin-based Tom Collins to topical twists of iconic Old-Fashioneds, with options to suit every taste, Schooner Bar is the place to be. Cosy in its nautical theming with portholes, canvas sails and deck-like flooring, Schooner Bar offers entertainment from day through to night.

From trivia games and quizzes to live piano performances that encourage a sing-along after a drink or two, this Royal Caribbean bar is a favourite among many of its guests.

Not sure what your tipple of the evening should be? Our top is to tell the bartender what your preferred spirit is, and they are able to make you a deliciously tasty cocktail to tickle your tastebuds. 

Stop off at the Schooner Bar at a variety of Royal Caribbean cruise ships. 

Skyy Vodka Ice Bar: Norwegian Cruise Lines 

Step inside Norwegian Cruise Lines' Ice Bar for a cool, unforgettable Scandinavian experience. When wrapped up in your fur-lined overcoat and gloves, provided by the bar, the arctic temperatures add to the ambience without leaving you feeling cold.

Inspired by the original ice hotels, the bars, walls, seats and even glasses are sculpted from ice, while the impressive towering ice carvings overlook the room as you sip frosty cocktails in this other-worldly location.

Experience the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway. 

Bionic Bar: Royal Caribbean

Marvel at technology as two robotic bartenders demonstrate their expert mixologist moves in Royal Caribbean's Bionic Bar. Choose from the endless list of classic cocktails or challenge the robots’ repertoire by requesting a custom-curated speciality. 

The robot duo can muddle, shake, stir and strain up to 1,000 cocktails a day! And the smart technology doesn’t stop there, as 12K high-definition screens provide digitally enhanced entertainment, and even display the most popular cocktails of that day. 

You can grab a drink at the Bionic Bar on Quantum of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.

The Golden Lion Pub: Cunard

Innovation may be exciting, but sometimes you want to sit back and enjoy the familiarity of a traditional British pub. 

And that’s just what Cunard's Golden Lion offers: specially brewed beers, comfortable leather booths, live sport and pub games and hearty pub lunches. The pub even has its own line of signature ales, including a stout, red IPA and pilsner, made in partnership with Dark Revolution brewery based in Salisbury. 

Meet up with friends or make new acquaintances as you sit back, relax and enjoy the ambience.

The Golden Lion pub is available on Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne, Queen Mary 2, and Queen Victoria. 

Martini Bar & Crush: Celebrity Cruises

If you like your drinks shaken, not stirred, then heading to the Martini Bar & Crush will satisfy your every wish. 

In true James Bond-like style, this bar exudes cool. From the slick show of the mixologists’ skill, creating an imaginable range of tempting martinis, to the upbeat tunes and even the elegant ice-topped bar, every element of this experience brings an extra level of class to your evening tipple.

This uber-cool bar can be found on Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Summit.