Where To Find Secret Spots Onboard Cruise Ships?

By
Mfame Team
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According to an article published in USA Today, cruise ships are essentially floating cities and let’s face it, sometimes guests usually need a few minutes to yourself.

Secret spots onboard cruise ships

Unfortunately, a lot of cabins are the size of New York apartments. So where else on the ship can you go to get away and not end up with cabin fever? Cruise critics have scoured its message boards in search of hidden-gem public areas that are private enough to allow a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Check to see where these secret spots are on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, and other major cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Lanai

All Carnival ships come with a free, adults-only Serenity deck that offers a respite from all the “Fun Ship“ festivities, but sometimes, even they get crowded. On Carnival Breeze, Dream and Magic, passengers can find their Zen at the Lanai, on either side of Deck 5.

The Lanai is a cozy little spot that offers deck chairs and hot tubs that extend over the side of the ship. It’s also conveniently located near the RedFrog Pub, which serves up a variety of beers, rum cocktails, and snacks.

Tip: We recommend visiting early on in your cruise, as the secret usually gets out after a few days.

Royal Caribbean’s running track

A running track might not sound like the best place to escape, but on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, a small section of it is made for just that. Below the AquaTheater, on Deck 5 aft, there are a few deck chairs overlooking the wake. It’s typically quiet (as long as no AquaTheater shows are running), and the views are soothing.

This hidden deck space also can be found on Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, though without chairs. If you don’t mind sitting on the ground, spread out a couple of towels and enjoy the view. Another hidden find on Symphony’s track is adjacent ping-pong and shuffleboard courts; we bet there isn’t a queue to use these tucked-away gaming areas.

This hidden deck space also can be found on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, though without chairs. If you don’t mind sitting on the ground, spread out a couple of towels and enjoy the view. Another hidden find on Symphony’s track is adjacent ping-pong and shuffleboard courts; we bet there isn’t a queue to use these tucked-away gaming areas.

Seabourn’s Forward Hot Tub

 

“Hidden Mickeys“ aren’t the only thing you have to keep your eyes peeled for on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The ships’ Outlook Lounge is often overlooked by those onboard, because it’s the only venue found on Deck 14.

The space is intimate yet bright and airy and features seating nooks and sweeping views through a wall of windows (but no bar). It’s the perfect place to sneak away with a good book. Bear in mind: The lounge has limited hours because it’s used for many private events.

If you find the Outlook Lounge is booked for a private event, try the Cove Cafe, which can be found on all Disney Cruise Line ships. Located next to the adults-only pool, it’s a quiet spot where grownups can enjoy a cup of coffee, read or catch up on the news.
Disney Fantasy’s Satellite Falls features a “rain curtain“ of water and is part of an adults-only area that includes new shaded areas for lounging.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Top Deck

 

 

Unless you have access to the most exclusive areas on Norwegian’s Breakaway- and Breakaway Plus class ships, the top deck might seem out of the way. Those willing to make the trek, however, will find a sliver of public deck space with chairs adjacent to the adults-only Vibe Beach Club and suite-only enclave, The Haven, that remains fairly undiscovered until a few days into the cruise.

Locations vary by ship and are as follows: Deck 17 on the Breakaway-class ships (Breakaway and Getaway) and Deck 19 on the Breakaway Plus-class ships (including Norwegian Escape, Joy and Bliss).

Norwegian’s Topdeck locations vary by ship and are as follows: Deck 17 on the Breakaway-class ships (Breakaway and Getaway) and Deck 19 on the Breakaway Plus-class ships (including Norwegian Escape, Joy and Bliss).

Viking Ocean Cruises’ Explorers’ Lounge, Top Deck

 

Sweeping views, live tunes and one of the most beautiful bars at sea make Viking Ocean Cruises’ Explorers’ Lounge (decks 7 and 8) a favorite hangout spot for many of its passengers. Because most of the action happens on the venue’s lower level, its upper deck tends to be fairly low-key, especially during the day.
Make your way up to the Explorers’ Lounge to catch up on your reading or simply kick back and soak up the views – don’t worry, catnaps are totally acceptable. On Viking Orion, a planetarium takes up part of this upper-deck lounge, which means it’s popular for showtimes and lectures, but people tend to forget about it as a place to chill outside of the events.

Seabourn’s Forward Hot Tub

 

The forward hot tub and sun deck found on all Seabourn ships remain a secret to many passengers, even though they’re clearly visible from the popular Observation Bar’s outer deck. That’s because their location – all the way forward on Deck 6 (Odyssey, Sojourn, Quest) or Deck 7 (Encore, Ovation) – is only accessible via a door at the far end of a suite corridor.
If you’re not in the mood for a dip, you can still get your vitamin D fix from one of a handful of deck chairs, surrounding the hot tub on your Seabourn ship. Pair that with poolside service and complimentary Champagne and caviar, and you’ve got yourself a picture-perfect escape.

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Source: USAToday