When people think of having drinks on a cruise ship, a lot of folks probably picture passengers quaffing fruity drinks with little umbrellas.
But that's far from your only choice. When I'm on a cruise and it's time to kick back with a drink, I'm looking for a good brewski, not some watered-down light beer or beer with a floating lime. I want some real, honest-to-goodness beer.
Luckily, I'm not alone, as evidenced by the growing number of cruise ship bars with quality suds and often a wide-ranging beer menu — many featuring craft and specialty beers from all over the globe.
So here's our rundown of the 5 best cruise ship bars for beer lovers.
Redfrog Pub and Brewery
Carnival Vista
Redfrog Pub and Brewery, which debuted in April on Carnival Vista, is the first brewery at sea. The RedFrog Pub brand can be found on plenty of other Carnival ships, where you can enjoy the signature ThirstyFrog Red, a red/ambler ale on draft. But Vista goes well beyond that with the first brewery at sea, featuring microbrews made in house and a nice selection of beers from around the Caribbean, including frosty brews from Jamaica, the Bahamas and Mexico. The menu also includes some signature cocktails to give you plenty of options. The pub also offers a wide range of pub grub, so you'll be able to refuel the tank when you challenge your pals to a friendly game of darts or Foosball.
Craft Social
Celebrity Equinox
Who says that a beer joint can’t be sophisticated? On Celebrity Cruises’ Equinox, this premium cruise line has stepped it up a notch when it comes to serving specialty beers. Here, you have a selection of 40 different beers, from ales and stouts to lagers and pilsners. Craft Social serves up top-notch craft beers from all around the world including Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland and both coasts of the United States. If you're a beer aficionado, you'll recognize many of the brands they pour: Newcastle, Murphy's, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Fuller's London Pride, Guinness, Rogue Chocolate Stout, Anchor Steam, Kronenbourg 1664, Sam Adams, Goose Island Imperial IPA, Chimay Grand Reserve Blue and a new discovery for us: Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Wow.
Gourmet comfort pub food can also be had at Craft Social with à la carte pricing at $3 for appetizers and $5 for flatbreads and sandwiches. You can also sample different beers with a flight (5 ounces each) as well as wine flights (3 oz.) and spirit flights (1 oz.). If wine is your thing, Craft Social also offers an impressive selection by the glass or bottle. You may need to take one of the ship’s extensive selection of Caribbean or Mediterranean itineraries to fit in all of the libations offered.
The District Brew House
Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape
The District Brew House debuted on Norwegian Escape, but you can find it on Norwegian Bliss as well. The Brew House offers an impressive selection of more than 70 different brews, including 24 craft beers on tap. The beer list includes a who’s who of well-known brands as well as featured craft beers from Miami-based Wynwood Brewing Co. Choose from a rotating selection of brews that includes Magic Hat, Brooklyn, Angry Orchard hard cider and Left Hand Milk Stout. Or order an international specialty cocktail from Bar Lab. This sophisticated pub showcases live music and other events. Head to the photo booth with your sweetie for some candids, then sing or dance a little if you're in the mood. The District Brewhouse is one of 22 bars and lounges on Norwegian Bliss.
O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill
Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star
Here's another winner on Norwegian Cruise Line: O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. A quintessential American-style Irish pub, O’Sheehan’s is now a staple on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star. One of the best cruise ship bars for beer lovers, O’Sheehan’s offers eight beers on tap and more than two dozen overall from which to choose. With plenty of domestic and imported beers, such as Guinness and Newcastle, there are plenty of brews available if you come back on a second or third night. O'Sheehan's is outfitted with sports memorabilia such as vintage boxing posters, and on some of the ships you'll also find darts, arcade games and even bowling lanes. O’Sheehan’s serves food, including breakfast all day and other pub grub like fish and chips and chicken pot pie. So you may never find a reason to leave O’Sheehan’s.
Royal Caribbean's pubs
Anthem of the Seas & Oasis class ships, Voyager of the Seas & Voyager class ships, Freedom of the Seas & Freedom class ships
The newest pub to hit the high seas is Brass & Bock, which debuted last month on Anthem of the Seas. But there's not one British pub brand that dances across all of Royal's ships. Instead, you'll find a consistent theme and setting, with decors of dark wood, an occasional touch of brass, and period English artwork and illustrations on the walls. On its Oasis class ships (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas), Voyager class ships (Voyager, Adventure, Mariner and Navigator of the Seas) and Freedom class ships (Freedom, Independence, Liberty of the Seas), you'll find an English-style pub along the Royal Promenade with names like Bull & Bear, Dog & Badger, Globe & Atlas.
At many of these venues, look for 38 brews that include top-notch choices like Chimay Blue and, on tap, Murphy's stout from County Cork, Ireland. You'll also find Newcastle Brown, Redhook Long Hammer IPA, Widmer Hefeweizen, and selections for the adventurous or for more traditional tastes (I'm looking at you, Coors Light). Pub menus typically provide some background about the brews by listing their country of origin, shedding light on the differences between an IPA, bock and pilsner, that sort of thing. Hungry? An appetizers menu (starting at $4 a plate) is also available. So, kick back, munch on some snacks, and drink the afternoon away with some of your sea buddies.
How about you? Do you have a favorite bar on a cruise ship?
In our series: Cruise Food & Drink
- 10 best cruise ship restaurants
- Beginner's guide to dining on a cruise
- All about specialty restaurants
- 5 favorite cruise ship bars
- 5 favorite cruise ship grills
- 10 dining spots & attractions on Carnival Vista
- Curtis Stone on his new Princess Cruises restaurant (video)
- 5 Caribbean shore tours for food lovers
