During a 12-night transatlantic voyage from Orlando, Florida to Rome, Italy, I found perhaps the best-kept secret onboard Norwegian Epic: the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar.
While devout NCL fans are probably aware of this relatively hidden feature, it's easy to miss if you're new to the brand! In my personal opinion, this venue is a must-see when sailing onboard Norwegian Epic!
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To enter the bar, you'll have to visit the check-in desk
Before you're able to step inside, you'll have to visit the small check-in area and pay the $18 cover charge. While not included in the cost of your fare, the cover charge includes two Skyy Vodka-based drinks on the menu, as well as the option to choose one non-alcoholic option.
Guests are given a colorful parka and gloves to wear for the duration of their visit to the bar, which is necessary considering that the bar is kept around 17 degrees Fahrenheit in order to keep all of the ice frozen. In addition to the parka, I highly recommend wearing pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and even a jacket for your visit. While the parka and gloves do help a bit, dressing warmly for your visit will ensure that you aren't rushed out.
Getting into the bar is relatively simple, and depending on the day and time, guests can walk right in after checking in at the desk outside. However, at certain times and days, the Ice Bar can be quite popular.
For example, during my first visit, I attempted to get in at 5:30pm, and there was no availability. 20 people were admitted into the bar ahead of me, so I made a reservation for the next time available slot, which was at 6:30pm.
When I returned for my reservation, it was just myself and another couple. This made for an awesome experience because I was able to take in the surroundings without it feeling too crowded.
The Ice Bar is relatively small, so you'll want to visit when it's less crowded for the best experience. The crew member who was working at the bar was excellent and very friendly!
Passengers can make reservations ahead of time to visit the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar. The easiest way to do this is to visit the check-in desk outside and ask about the availability of your cruise. The crew member will then give you options to choose from. This will help guarantee that you can enter the Ice Bar when you want during your sailing. Because this is a bar, only guests 21 years of age and older are permitted to enter.
Guests typically spend about 30 minutes inside the bar. Sometimes, however, guests will quickly drink their two chosen cocktails and exit due to the freezing temperature inside the bar. By wearing warmer clothes, you'll be able to fully enjoy your beverages, take fun pictures, and leave with some awesome cruise memories.
Since the bar is sponsored by Skyy Vodka, all of the drinks inside are made using Skyy Vodka, and Skyy branding is prominently featured throughout the venue
The changing colored lights and ice thrones help create a fun atmosphere that is something you really have to see for yourself when sailing onboard Norwegian Epic. During my time inside, I learned that there are around 22 Ice bars in the world, including on two other NCL ships, such as Norwegian Getaway and Breakaway.
Make sure to bring your camera when visiting the Ice Bar, as this is a unique experience, especially for a cruise! Note that it's exclusive to Norwegian Cruise Line, so you won't find any Ice bars onboard Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or MSC ships.
Moreover, the Ice Bar onboard Norwegian Epic is different than those onboard Norwegian Getaway and Breakaway, which means you can visit all three and have different experiences each time you set sail!
While the drink menu is pretty limited, the cocktails are delicious!
Currently, the Ice Bar's menu features three alcoholic and one non-alcoholic beverage. As mentioned, the cover charge includes two cocktails, so you don't have to worry about paying anything extra once inside.
The three alcoholic drinks are called Sweet Northern, Ice Cold, and Hazelnut Delight. The non-alcoholic drink option is called Day At The Beach. Sweet Northern is made with pineapple-infused Skyy Vodka Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and orange. My ice bar attendant said this beverage was similar to a Negroni.
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Ice Cold is made with orange-infused Skyy Vodka, Grand Mariner, and Lemon Juice. I loved this drink, as it had a refreshing flavor to it.
The third alcoholic drink option called Hazelnut Delight features Skyy Vodka, Frangelico, and lemon juice. If you're looking for a dessert-like cocktail, this should be on your list! It was my favorite.
Day At The Beach, the non-alcoholic drink option is made with strawberry puree, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.
Additionally, all of the drinks are served inside glasses made of ice to enhance the theming and immersive experience even more. While ice can be slippery, the ice glass will be placed inside of a plastic one to help guests maintain their grip.
The Skyy Vodka Ice Bar onboard Norwegian Epic is a must-visit!
With so few locations around the world, visiting the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar while on your cruise promises a unique experience.
The $18 cover charge is very reasonable for two vodka-based cocktails, as a typical cocktail will range from about $12 to $20 USD. Essentially, this breaks down to $9 per cocktail, as well as a fun experience!
The $18 cost does include gratuity; however, I decided to tip the crew member an additional $2.00, rounding out the total cost of my visit to $20. I felt as though it was a great experience, and the crew member serving guests inside the Ice Bar did an excellent job!
If you are someone who is planning on sailing onboard Norwegian Epic, I highly recommend stopping by the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar during your sailing at least once if not multiple times! You are sure to make some fun memories at this onboard attraction during your voyage.
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
