“What do I need to do to get a drink around here?” When you are on land, it can be illegal to drink alcohol on the street or in a public park. Generally speaking, drinking is usually limited to places licensed to sell alcohol on the premises and drinking at home. When you are at sea, your entire ship is one big resort! Let us look at your options for enjoying a cocktail if and when the mood strikes you.
- Bars onboard. This is pretty obvious. There will be plenty of bars. Some are indoors, others out on deck. Some might be themed, featuring Caribbean drinks. Others might be outside one of the restaurants, convenient for people waiting for the doors to open or for their table to be ready.
- Restaurants. This includes the main dining room and the specialty restaurants. Sometimes the restaurant theme carries over into what is on offer. The Japanese or Italian restaurants will likely feature wines and liquor unique to that area.
- The sail away party. Leaving port is a big deal on cruise ships. It is a reason to celebrate. Your vacation is starting, or you are heading to your next port. The large open decks around the pool will likely have live music and waiters taking drink orders.
- Sitting around the pool. This is a favorite of mine. When we are sitting around the pool beneath the sliding glass roof, I like to enjoy a Long Island Iced Tea on every voyage. There is likely a bar within sight with waiters circulating, ready to take orders.
- Relaxing in a lounger on an open deck. Drinks by the pool might imply “no pool, no drinks.” No way. If you are stretched out in the sun on a deck chair, there should be ship personnel discreetly asking if they can get you anything.
- While swimming in a pool. Some ships might have swim-up bars actually located within one of the swimming pools. Drinks served in outside spaces will be in plastic glasses to minimize the risk of injury from broken glass. The stemware they use should still be elegant, but unbreakable.
- In the theater during a show. You decided to attend one of the Broadway style shows in the evening. The theater might be set up with small, café style tables. If it is theater style seating, there might be a cupholder on the seat arm. There should be staff with white gloves and silver trays ready to take drink orders.
- Scotch tasting and other themed events. In our travels we have seen scotch tastings, martini classes and other similar events targeted to special interests.
- Wine and food pairings. Your sommelier might mention there is a special lunch planned in one of the specialty restaurants matching food and wine from a specific cuisine. In my experience, these are four or five courses, perhaps with eight wines served over a 2+ hour period.
- Walk around wine tastings. These are events you sign up to attend. There is a cost. Sometimes they are arranged with stations and canapes. Other times they are done in a seated, classroom style format.
- Cocktail parties and receptions. The captain’s welcome cocktail party is a tradition on many cruise ships. There might be a frequent guest reception. If you are traveling with a tour group, they might have a private party. Drinks should be served.
- Cigar bar. Some ships have added a cigar bar. This can be an ideal place to enjoy a glass of brandy or port, even if you don’t smoke. You just need to be OK with others smoking around you.
- Dance clubs. There will be plenty of music venues at night. These are targeting different interest groups. There might be one for ballroom dancing and a disco or rock club elsewhere. If there is dancing, there should be someone taking drink orders.
- Places with music. Music is not limited to rooms with a dance floor. At night, there will be venues where people can simply stop and listen.
- The casino. Drinking and gambling go together. Expect to find a bar and servers circulating around the gaming tables and slot machines.
- The art gallery. The onboard shops want to bring people in to hear their story and see their merchandise. Expect to get an invitation to a “champagne reception” in the art gallery or jewelry store. It will be free, but don’t expect real champagne.
- The piano bar. Somewhere, there will be a piano bar surrounded by people who enjoy singing. You have your entire vacation to figure out where it is located.
- Shore excursions. There will be an assortment of shore excursions available. If you are in a wine producing area, expect some vineyard specific tours. If you are in Scotland there might be a distillery tour you can sign up to enjoy.
- Cabin parties. Your new friends might have arranged a party in one of their cabins. You will likely get a note slid under your door or on the clip where you find your daily program. It is polite to RSCP and let them know you are coming.
- Your own cabin. You might have brought your own wine onboard. Cruise lines are more tolerant of wine than beer or hard liquor, but the rule is your wine can only be consumed in your cabin or one of the restaurants.
- Is there wine in your cabin? Cruise lines want you to have a good time. Some provide a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine in an ice bucket or in your refrigerator, ideally to be enjoyed on your balcony as the ship leaves port. Check it out.
Since your ship is one big, floating resort, the next time you want to enjoy a cocktail, you won’t likely need to look very far.
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Cover photo: credit © Dennis Cox/WorldViews Viscaya Museum and Gardens in Miami
