In the name of innovation, cruise lines are always trying to develop cocktails that will impress passengers. The best drinks on a cruise are the ones that taste great and knock your socks off with their presentation.
Over the course of a year, I drank my way across eight major cruise lines to find my favorites. Lest I sound like a complete lush, that simply means I ordered a couple of drinks here and there and took copious notes on the ones I liked best.
Here are some of the best cruise cocktails (according to me).
Note: Taste is subjective, and I have a palate that prefers sweeter drinks. My favorites might not be yours, so be sure to read the ingredients before ordering any cocktail. And always drink responsibly.
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Frozen Toblerone, MSC Cruises
Where to find it: Several bars on all MSC Cruises ships
Cost: $10 or free for passengers with alcohol packages
TPG Take: Part of the standard bar menu across all of MSC’s vessels, the Frozen Toblerone presents as part cocktail, part milkshake. If you like sweet, creamy, sugary drinks that double as desserts, this one’s a winner. Bartenders line a glass with chocolate syrup before adding Baileys Irish Cream, macadamia nut and white chocolate syrups, as well as cream, whipped cream and a cherry. The bad news is that it’s not diet-friendly; the good news is that it’s included if you have an Easy Plus or Premium Extra alcohol package.
Coco Mojito, Norwegian Cruise Line
Where to find it: Sugarcane Mojito Bar on Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star
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Cost: $11 or free with a basic beverage package
TPG take: If, like me, you enjoy a sweet tropical cocktail but prefer something less creamy and more refreshing than a pina colada, NCL‘s Coco Mojito is a must. A combination of coconut rum, simple syrup, mint bitters and coconut water, it truly hits the spot, whether you’re headed to the pool or enjoying an evening libation before or after dinner.
A Pop of Attraction, Virgin Voyages
Where to find it: All Virgin Voyages ships in the Vibe Bar, found inside Razzle Dazzle restaurant
Cost: $14 or free with a bar tab
TPG take: A Pop of Attraction is my pick for Virgin Voyages’ funkiest cocktail, strictly because of its look. Resembling a box of popcorn, it consists of Teremana Blanco Tequila (Dwayne Johnson’s brand, which might have swayed my decision a little in this drink’s favor), ginger, grapefruit, lime and bitters. It’s topped with caramel popcorn to complete the Instagram-worthy aesthetic.
Tip: Be careful to place your straw in the glass that sits inside the popcorn container, or you risk losing it inside the bucket.
Toasted Marshmallow Old-Fashioned, Royal Caribbean
Where to find it: All Royal Caribbean ships that have the new Schooner Bar menu
Cost: $14 or free with a basic beverage package
TPG take: I’m not a fan of the traditional Old-Fashioned. So it’s saying something that I’m choosing one as my favorite drink. That’s just how fantastic the toasted marshmallow Old-Fashioned is. Made from Buffalo Trace bourbon, toasted marshmallow syrup and cocoa bitters, it’s the right amount of sweet without giving you a sugar crash later on. Plus, for an extra touch, it’s garnished with four adorable mini marshmallows that are torched to perfection. Royal Caribbean found a winner with this drink.
Baked Alaska Martini, Princess Cruises
Where to find it: Bars on all Princess cruise ships upon request
Cost: $14 or free if you have a beverage package
TPG take: If you find yourself feeling underwhelmed by the drinks on Princess‘ standard bar offerings, request something off-menu, like the Baked Alaska Martini, made for me on a recent sailing by a creative bartender who suggested it (along with a Milky Way Martini) when I told him I was looking for something sweet. The combination of Chambord (raspberry liqueur) and vanilla vodka evokes the famed cruise-ship dessert sans actual ice cream. Be warned, though: This isn’t a drink for lovers of dry, savory or smoky cocktails.
The Snapping Pop, Carnival Cruise Line
Where to find it: At the Dr. Inks, PhD, Bar on Carnival Jubilee
Cost: $14 or free with a drink package
TPG take: Want a cocktail that makes you feel like a kid again? Carnival‘s new Snapping Pop is the way to go. The pink-hued drink is a mix of several childhood candies: a base of Swedish Fish-infused vodka combined with triple sec, maraschino and green apple candy. The proverbial cherries on top are the Pop Rocks stuck to the rim of the coupe glass in which the concoction is served. Like a child eating candy, you can expect to get very sticky.
The Rotterdam VII, Holland America Line
Where to find it: The Half Moon Bar on Holland America’s Rotterdam
Cost: $15 but free with a Holland America drink package
TPG take: At the Half Moon Bar, found only on Holland America‘s Rotterdam, you’ll find a list of seven custom cocktails, including the Rotterdam VII. All of the drinks are tied to some aspect of the line’s 150-year history, but the Rotterdam VII is special for several reasons.
First, it shares the name of the line’s newest vessel, Rotterdam, which is the seventh ship in the fleet to have the moniker. What truly makes this drink shine, though, is that it excels in both presentation and taste. A mix of smoked gin and maraschino, it’s a smoky drink that will appeal to both lovers of smoke and those who prefer sweet beverages. You won’t want to miss the spectacle as the bartender prepares it, either.
Shaman, Celebrity Cruises
Where to find it: The Eden Bar on Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class ships
Cost: $20; free or deeply discounted with a Celebrity Cruises drink package
TPG take: This smoky-finished tipple is one of many intriguing beverages on the Eden Bar menu, either for their taste or over-the-top unusual presentation. (Think giant decanters, apple-shaped glasses and miniature treasure chests with cocktails inside.) Virtually none of them are sweet, but the Shaman impressed me anyway. It’s made of rum, sherry, apricot liqueur, dry vermouth, lemon juice and rosemary and served in an earthy-looking glass.
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