Best Sundecks At Sea
Those who crave the warmth of the sun may find paradise on board a cruise ship. These are havens of leisure and enjoyment, as well as offering some of the nicest vistas that can be found anywhere, and they were inspired by some of the fantastic sites that can be found all over the world, such as South Beach in Miami and St. Tropez in France.
In spite of the fact that every ship and cruise line has its own unique perspective on what constitutes a fantastic sun deck, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best sun decks and pool areas at sea.
Carnival Vista, Carnival Cruise Line
The sun areas of Vista can be roughly separated into four sections. The first one is the mid-ship beach pool, which is undoubtedly the center of action on the lido deck. On this deck, you’ll also find a sea screen, a selection of the line’s characteristic bars and food outlets, and tiered levels of seating. You’ll find a comparable location, the Tides Pool and jacuzzis, near the aft of the ship. This area has additional seating and provides access to the ship’s specialty cuisine as well as the Lido Marketplace.
The Serenity adult-only retreat may be found at the very front of the ship, at the very top. This section provides a peaceful retreat from the excitement of the carnival-style activities and boasts a range of seating options, a bar, and jacuzzis that face out over the side of the ship. Also located in the stern of the ship, but on the Promenade Deck, is the Havana Bar & Pool, which is an exclusive pool area (at least during the day) for passengers staying in the Havana section of the ship.
The Solstice Class Ships of the Celebrity Cruises Fleet
Even after their initial release in 2008, people continue to be impressed by the Solstice Class since it broke new ground with its innovative design. The sun deck and pool deck are no exception, as they both provide a well designed space for both relaxing and engaging in activities throughout the day. In addition, there is a solarium reserved exclusively for adults, which offers a calm and peaceful atmosphere in which to simply be.
The Lawn Club, located at the very top of the ship, is exclusive to ships of the Solstice class. This half-acre patch of grass offers unrivaled vistas from the ship and is home to a number of different lawn sports. Additionally, certain ships come equipped with one-of-a-kind cabanas that may be rented for the day at the Lawn Club for an additional cost.
Crystal Cruises, including the Crystal Serenity and the Symphony
The sun deck onboard a Crystal cruise ship is expansive and luxurious, with all-teak decks and comfortable chairs in addition to a number of swimming pools and jacuzzis. A poolside buffet offering a variety of foods is available, just like on a number of the other ships that have been covered in this article. There are a variety of themed buffets and casual eating options available throughout the evening hours under the stars.
On board a Disney ship, the sun deck offers a unique perspective on everything, which is to be expected. The Mickey’s and Donald’s Pools are the primary sunbathing areas on the ship. They also serve as the primary center of activity, featuring a stage for live performances, slides, Funnel Vision, which displays a variety of shows and films like as Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean, and more. Nemo’s Reef is an interactive themed water play area for children under the age of eight that is located to the aft of the main pool area.
The Aquaduck is a character that can only be found in Disney Dream & Fantasy. This roller coaster may be found on the top deck, which is the only one that guests can access. Guests are taken on a ride around the whole top deck of the ship, which includes tight curves, fast dips, and open air sections, while being propelled on a raft inside of a transparent tube that is suspended 150 feet over the edge of the ship. A requirement for every passenger!
The Quiet Cove Pool and area can be found toward the front of the ship. This area is reserved exclusively for adults and features its own own swim-up bar. There is also Satellite Falls, a private wading pool and waterfall at the very top of the ship, where passengers can relax and unwind.
Holland America‘s Koningsdam, the Koningsdam
The MS Koningsdam, which is the flagship ship for Holland America Line, features two main pool areas, one in the middle of the ship and one at the rear. The first location is called the Lido Pool, and it is a two-story structure that is encircled by a retractable magrodome. It features a number of different lounging spaces, jacuzzis, and pools, in addition to a giant marine screen.
The second location, which is located to the aft of the ship, also provides comparable conveniences in addition to panoramic views over the ship’s wake.
Classes Breakaway and Breakaway-plus on the Norwegian Breakaway, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line
Over the course of the past few years, Norwegian has delivered a number of ships that are based on this design or variants of it. There are some very minor distinctions between them, but in general they all offer the same kinds of sun decks. To begin, let’s take a look at the main mid-ship pool area, which is often considered to serve as the outdoor social hub of the ship because to the large number of people who congregate there to enjoy the many bars, several sea screens, and music that is played there. You can locate a more peaceful sun area with hot tubs by traveling further forward and climbing up a few of decks. Vibe, the line’s private adult-only area that charges a fee and offers a setting that is modeled after Miami beach, can be found just next to this location. Because the cruise company only grants a restricted number of guests access to this space during each voyage, there is never an overwhelming sense of congestion there.
Spice H20 is a free adult-only area that can be found toward the rear of the ship. This area features a giant sea screen, pools, jacuzzis, and a private bar. Onboard the Norwegian Escape, there is also a water grotto that features waterfalls where passengers may sit to cool down and enjoy the sunshine. At night, the location converts into a place for various sorts of entertainment and parties.
Last but not least, there is the courtyard and sun deck of The Haven. This area is reserved solely for visitors staying in suites and provides total seclusion as well as peace and quiet.
Royal Class, Princess Cruises, and P&O Cruises are all top-tier cruise lines.
The sun decks of the Royal Class of ships are large and well designed, and they feature multiple pools and Jacuzzis in addition to the famous Movies Under the Stars screen that is a hallmark of this cruise company. The glass-bottomed SeaWalk is a feature that is exclusive to these ships and is a new addition to the class. This feature is located on the starboard deck and extends over 28 feet off the side of the vessel, providing views of the water 128 feet below. As I mentioned in the section of my blog dedicated to the best bars at sea, you’ll discover a fantastic bar that offers spectacular views on the port side (here). At night, the area transforms into a place for various forms of entertainment, such as water and light shows performed by fountains, as well as film screenings performed on a giant screen, complete with popcorn and blankets for the audience.
The Retreat Pool is located farther on, and it is an area reserved solely for adults to relax in, complete with its very own pool and lounging areas. Retreat Cabanas, which provide private area by the pool and may be reserved (for a cost), are also available. After dark, the location transforms into a chill-out zone where guests may sip beverages while gazing at the night sky. At the very front of the ship is where you’ll find the line’s signature open-air spa, which is called “The Sanctuary.” This additional adults-only area is available for an additional cost and provides a peaceful alternative to the ship’s other public spaces. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an outdoor spa. Sanctuary Cabanas are available for those who want to splurge and come equipped with a lounge area, minibar, and television. These two spaces have been replaced on the most recent vessel in the line’s fleet by the Hollywood Poole Club & Conservatory, which offers a setting that is comparable to the previous ones but is enclosed beneath a magrodome roof, offering protection from adverse weather.
Although I haven’t touched on P&O in this particular section, the Britannia is a Royal Class ship that provides passengers with a variety of amenities and public areas that are comparable to those found on the Princess ships, but with a distinctively British flavor.
Royal Caribbean‘s Oasis Class Yachts
The sun decks of ships of the Oasis class offer a greater variety of seating options than those on other ships. The ship’s superstructure is divided into six sections, and each section has its own section of the water to use exclusively for swimming and other activities. There is the sports pool, the main pool, Splashaway Bay or H2O Zone, which is an interactive water playground for children, the beach pool, which allows you to wade into the pool, and the semi-covered Solarium, which is a love tranquil space overlooking the bow of the ship. All of these pools are located on the ship.
They have even gone one step further with this concept on the most recent incarnations of the class, with Harmony and Symphony of the Sea sporting a number of multi-deck waterslides, expanded solariums, and upgraded suite guest facilities.
Seabourn Encore, a Ship Owned and Operated by Seabourn Cruise Line
The Seabourn Encore is a new yacht in the company’s Odyssey class, which features an updated and improved design. The atmosphere of the main pool area is cozy and reminds one more of a luxury yacht than anything else. The pool deck may host “under the stars” theme nights as well as deck BBQ parties, however this will depend on the itinerary. The Retreat can be found at the very highest point of the ship. An section reserved exclusively for adults, with shade sails enveloping the primary seating area. In addition to that, there is a communal jacuzzi as well as 12 individual cabanas.
Cruises aboard the Viking Star, offered by Viking Ocean
As is the case with the other areas aboard these ships, the pool and sun area has been given a lot of careful thought. It is decorated in modern colors and incorporates the Danish idea of hygge, which results in a really pleasant atmosphere. The space is protected from the elements by a magrodome roof that can be retracted according to the conditions outside. This area is adjacent to the tranquil Wintergarden on board the ship, making it an ideal spot for afternoon tea.
The Aquavit Terrace may be found toward the rear of the ship, with a view of the ship’s stern. One of the few actual infinity pools that can be seen on cruise ships can be found here, making this a lovely area to unwind in. In addition, the location features restaurants that serve food outside, such as sushi and other delicacies.
