Top 6 NCL Getaway Bars - Hot Spots At Sea Review!

Jul 13

Jul 13 Top 6 NCL Getaway Bars - Hot Spots At Sea Review!

The glam on NCL’s Getaway is nonstop – and no matter what kind of bar you favor, you are sure to find it on this mega ship!

With over 4000 passengers, the Getaway has 22 locations to get a libation! I recently sailed on this ship – and I was blown away by the selection of spots they had on-board.

Here’re my favorite top six:

Number 6 - O'Sheenhans

O'Sheenhan's Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

If you are looking for a ‘pub’ bar this is the spot for you. O’Sheenhan’s was popular and overflowing with revelers 24 hours a day.

This establishment is huge – and there were all kinds of bar games including pool, hoops, darts, and incredibly bowling (even though it was a mini version of 10 pin!). I couldn’t believe I was actually on an ocean liner!

As a bonus (not that you will go hungry on the Getaway): O'Sheenhan's serves complimentary pub food throughout the day!

Top Drink in this bar: Stella on tap

Mini Bowling Alley - O' Sheenhan's - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Number 5: Prime Meridien

Prime Meridien - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

This beauty was part of Cagney’s Steak House on deck 7. Prime Meridien had the feel of an exclusive club in New York or Chicago. And there was enough rum, scotch and whisky behind the bar to sink a pirate ship!

Surprisingly, no one on the ship seemed to know this place existed – so it was a perfect spot if you wanted to escape the crowds before or after dinner.

Top Drink in this bar: A Dirty Martini

Number 4: H20 Spice Bar

H20 Spice Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

This place has a spectacular outdoors location on the back of the ship, on deck 16. Yes – 16 floors up!

On top of its scenic views - H2O had disco lighting that kicked into action at night, a huge outdoor jumbotron, and even a water feature that allowed patrons to sip sangria while being bathed in cooling water!

As a bonus: no kids were allowed in this spot!

Top Drink in this bar: Anything Tropical!

Number 3 - Bliss Disco

Bliss Disco - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Bliss is probably the best disco at sea if you like glitz, and glam! Most discos on ships are a little ‘sad’ – but not on the Getaway! I loved the sheer energy that Bliss had!

The lights in the club were off-the-charts and the visual stimulation came from every part of the walls and ceiling. The intensity of the lights was matched by power of the sound system.

What really made Bliss work though were the passengers. They showed up and danced like crazy at the nightly parties! They must have all had Red Bull for dinner!

Top Drink in this bar: Aperol Sprtiz

Aperol Spritz - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Number 2: Ice Bar

Ice Bar Blocks - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

OK – The Ice Bar was AMAZING!!! (I had to capitalize that.)

The folks at Norwegian Cruises have gone out of their way to create a magical ice bar experience.

You need to put on jackets and gloves (they provide them) before setting inside as the bar is (rightly) freezing. But the reward for braving the cold is a complete fantasy winter wonderland.

Ice Bar Seating - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

I felt like I was in the adult version of Narnia. Massive blocks of ice were used to create the bar itself, sculptures around the sides, and even some of the tables and seating! The craftsmanship was impressive! The enchanting feeling of the space was only heightened with the use of neon and blue lighting.

Ice Sculpture - Ice Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

And the drinks really warmed me up! The cocktail lists focuses on imaginative concoctions mixed with either vodka or,(surprisingly) ice-wine!

Top Drink in this bar: Key Largo Colada (SVEDKA Vodka, Campari, sweet vermouth & orange juice)

Key Largo Colada - Ice Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Cold Concoctions - Ice Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Number 1: Sunset Bar

Sunset Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

OK - - not everyone would pick The Sunset Bar as their top bar – but I loved this place.

It had a great crowd each night (I think the proximity to the theatre helped that) – and the bar tenders were the best. They mixed killer drinks – and weren’t scared to throw in a little ‘extra’ over the regular pours! Moreover, they had great personalities!

Sunset Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

On top of this, The Sunset Bar had great seating that even extended out onto the open parts of deck seven (the “Waterfront” as the Getaway calls it). Patrons could sip drinks as the sun literally set over the Baltic Sea!

Top Drink in this bar: Rusty Nail

Rusty Nail - NCL Getaway - Photo: Calvin Wood

Other Hot Spots

Don't take my word for it - These are just my top six - - there were 16 additional spots on the Getaway to get cocktails!

The ship is almost a floating bar! Other popular venues included:

NCL Atrium Bar: Quick drinks in the lobby

Atrium Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Fat Cats: Jazz

Fat Cats Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Headliners: Comedy

Headliners Comedy Club - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Humidor: Cigar Aficionados

Humidor - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

Sugar Cain Bar: Piano Tunes and Mojitos

Sugar Cane Bar - NCL Getaway Photo: Calvin Wood

My Verdict

NCL Getaway Bars Photo: Calvin Wood

Most cruise ships have great bars. However, the Getaway knocks it out of the park on the clubbing front with 22 spectacular venues. I recently visited a town of 30,000 people and they didn’t have that many watering holes.

I simply loved the variety and range of options when it came to getting a cocktail on the Getaway. You can go from freezing cold drinking adventures to sunset sips on this ship in minutes!