PHOTO: Liquid Nightclub aboard Carnival Breeze. (photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)
Nearly every mainstream cruise ship has a nightclub, but some truly shine with unusual design and decor, a lively atmosphere, trendy vibes and great music. For cruisers who want to get their groove on, these eight venues heat things up late into the evening.
Spice H20 on Norwegian Getaway
The Miami-based Norwegian Getaway features Spice H20, an outdoor space (also found on Epic, Breakaway, and Escape), which embodies the legendary nightlife scene in South Beach.
During Getaway's christening ceremony in 2014, the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders and rapper Pitbull took to the stage for performances at the trendy new club. A dance party with a musical fireworks show takes place on every sailing, and as the club gets going, DJs spin modern dance hits. The cruise line's famous White Hot Party has been enhanced to include a glow-in-the dark night where passengers don neon and white attire.
Music Hall on Quantum of the Seas
A hybrid between a dance hall and music venue, Royal Caribbean's Music Hall is a welcome addition to Quantum of the Seas. The space - which sports a vintage rock theme - showcases live bands on a large, elevated stage (the performance schedule is constantly changing), contains a massive dance floor and two bars (one on each deck). During the day, it hosts improv workshops and dance classes.
G32 on the Queen Mary 2
Although Cunard offers a more traditional cruise experience, the Queen Mary 2's two-story G32 lounge is a happening place in the evenings. You can practice your newly-learned moves from the onboard choreography program on the dance floor or if you prefer to mingle, there are plenty of seats for guests, plus hangout spots overlooking the action on the second story. But be aware, the upper level of the lounge is a designated smoking area. The club is open late, although it tends to clear out before closing time (depending on the cruise).
Galaxy Restaurant and Disco on MSC Divina
MSC had a stroke of brilliance with the window-lined Galaxy - a restaurant boasting great views by day, a unique dining experience at night and a disco club after hours. A large dance floor is the centerpiece while DJs spin the latest hits. There's also always-popular line dancing that keeps the club packed into the wee hours.
Liquid Nightclub on Carnival Breeze
Carnival's entire fleet is known for partying at some seriously cool nightclubs, so it's difficult to go wrong with the clubs on any of the cruise line's ships. On Carnival Breeze, the trendy Liquid club features a seductive cage with an illuminated floor, barrel entranceway, and hits that get everyone on the dance floor (or, a brave few in the cage showing off their moves). There's usually a good size crowd in the club, and things get crazy late night (start rolling those video cameras).
Quasar on Celebrity's Solstice Class
Celebrity's late night scene isn't as happening as some of the other cruise lines, but the Quasar nightclub on Solstice class ships (note that the venue is not featured on Reflection) certainly has that "it" factor to make the club a hip place to dance. Stylish, clear "bucket" chairs hang from the ceiling and mood lighting sets the tone.
Night Sky Lounge on Regal Princess
One trend that passengers seem to be enjoying is open-air dancing on the top decks, so to accommodate guest demand, Regal Princess has transformed the Retreat pool area into a chic nightclub. There's atmospheric pool and furniture lighting, cabanas that can be rented, bottle service and DJs spinning hits. The Jacuzzis stay open, so passengers can also watch the action from the best seats in the house - with a cocktail in hand.
Holland America's BB King's Blues Club
Although not a nightclub in the sense of strobe lights and loud bass, Holland America's BB King's Blues Club was first introduced on the MS Eurodam and has since become a staple on eight ships - including the imminently debuting MS Koningsdam. The Beale Street-style club features an eight-piece band that performs five nights a week, with a dance floor at the center and a large stage hosting some seriously talented musicians.
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