6 Cruise Line Bars Worth Sailing For

Forget the stuffy piano bars and generic buffets. These standout cruise ship bars have over-the-top themes with zany cocktails — and mocktails — to match.

The vibe inside these cruise ship bars might even be compelling enough to pique the interest of travelers who've sworn off cruising. Here are top choices to imbibe on the sea.

On board the Sun Princess by Princess Cruises

Spellbound by Magic Castle is found aboard the Sun Princess, one of the newest ships from Princess Cruises. This speakeasy-style venue offers a seafaring spin on The Magic Castle, the iconic private club for magicians and magic enthusiasts in Los Angeles.

Inside, theatrical cocktails meet magic-themed decor — think spooky Victorian oddities, a ghost piano, and ingredients like butterfly pea tequila and squid ink. Drinks such as The Magician (a color-changing tequila cocktail) and The Conjuror (made with bourbon and squid ink) are showpieces in themselves.

Access isn’t included in your base cruise fare: reservations are required, it’s limited to guests aged 13 and up, and there’s a $149 cover charge. That price includes dinner and unlimited drinks. Expect menu items like beef tenderloin with lobster dumplings and a “Bewitched Bunny” Key Lime Pie for dessert.

Here's a look at the cocktail menu.

Given that cocktails on cruise ships often cost upward of $15 each and specialty dinners run extra anyway, this dinner-and-drinks experience can be well worth the splurge — especially on a sea day.

On board select Royal Caribbean ships

The Bionic Bar delivers drinks with a side of sci-fi, courtesy of twin robotic arms that mix and shake your cocktail to perfection — no human bartender required.

Guests order from tablets, selecting their own ingredients to make a custom drink — or choosing pre-set recipes. Then, the robots get to work, performing a dance of shakers, mixers, and precision pours. The novelty typically draws a crowd of onlookers gawking at the spectacle (and taking selfies) throughout the night.

You’ll find the Bionic Bar on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships, including Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

One thing to consider: you'll still get charged the automatic gratuity — even though drinks are made by robots.

On board the Disney Wish by Disney Cruise Line

With bartenders serving up mixed drinks like "Spire Sunset" and "Cloud City," Disney Cruise Line’s Hyperspace Lounge illustrates how cruise lines are incorporating themed experiences to cater to fans — this one specific to “Star Wars” fans. A virtual window into the galaxy shuttles travelers past iconic locales in the “Star Wars” universe, including Tatooine, Mustafar and Coruscant.

The immersive bar experience has proved popular, as there's often a line to get in — though the line may also have to do with the bar’s small capacity. Only about four dozen people can fit in the intimate lounge at one time. At peak times, customers are asked to limit their stay to just 45 minutes.

While admission to the bar is included with the price of a Disney cruise, you’ll pay extra for drinks (typically about $15 to $20 each).

On board select Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Norwegian Cruise Line's Skyy Vodka Ice Bar trades beachy vibes for a frosty, below-freezing adventure. The bar is kept at 17°F and is constructed entirely of ice — yes, even the glasses and seating.

Guests don thermal coats and gloves (provided by the ship) before sipping vodka-based cocktails in this chilly lounge. You’ll find the Ice Bar aboard ships including Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Epic.

On board select Carnival Cruise Line ships

Styled like an old-time apothecary, Alchemy Bar serves up “potions” in the form of craft cocktails — both alcoholic and alcohol-free.

Carnival was an early leader in offering elevated mocktails, thanks to its partnership with Lyre’s nonalcoholic spirits.

Carnival’s bar experience reflects the rising trend in sober-curious cruising. Though nonalcoholic cocktails are typically just a few dollars cheaper than their boozy counterparts, they’re thoughtfully made and included in Carnival’s drink packages — which start around $70 per day whether you drink alcohol or not.

On board select MSC Cruises, including the MSC World America

Forget basic drip coffee — MSC Cruises’ Coffee Emporium serves a third-wave café experience at sea. The vibe is sleek and modern, and the menu includes espresso drinks made with Lavazza beans, flavored lattes, affogatos, and even spiked espresso martinis.

Coffee Emporium sets itself apart not just with its offerings but its atmosphere. It’s a favorite hangout for cruisers looking to relax with a view, work on a laptop, or play a board game over a cappuccino.

You’ll find the Coffee Emporium on the new MSC World America, with similar venues on other newer MSC ships.

Cruise lines are doubling down on immersive, one-of-a-kind bars — and it’s not just to delight passengers. They’re also major revenue drivers. While food and drinks might be included at the buffet or main dining room, these elevated experiences almost always come with added costs — whether à la carte or as part of a drink package.

While some options, like Carnival’s Alchemy Bar, are a fixture across nearly every ship in a cruise line's fleet, there’s also a growing trend of one-of-a-kind experiences that double as bars, like Spellbound by Magic Castle. The limited availability and unique offerings might encourage repeat or first-time cruisers.

Plus, bars mean additional revenue for cruises. While some cruise lines are more inclusive than others, it’s rare to find a cruise line that includes unlimited specialty drinks with your cruise fare. In fact, visiting any of the bars above entails an additional charge. That's often the case for cruise line restaurants, too.

Given that, make space in your cruise budget should you want to dive in.