The Best Cruise Ship Coffee Shops

February 12, 2020

For many people, a morning cup of coffee is as essential as the air we breathe.

Some say they can’t get their day going without it. In fact, you might enjoy a cup of joe any time of day.

Your cruise vacation is a wonderful time to sit back and relax with a tasty, aromatic and comforting mug of your favorite hot beverage.

Cruise Ship Coffee Shops

That’s why some cruise lines make great efforts to provide excellent premium blends for you to savor on your voyage.

Here is the Cruise Addicts guide to the best cruise ship coffees.

Starbucks

The world-renowned brand is available on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships – Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas – with a conspicuous coffee shop either on the Royal Promenade or in the Boardwalk neighborhoods.

Royal’s Quantum-class ships feature Starbucks coffee at their La Patisserie cafes.

Norwegian Cruise Line also offers Starbucks coffee on Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Joy. Other ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet serve Starbucks at the buffet or other coffee spots onboard.

Starbucks drinks are not available to use on any of the line’s drinks packages, but you can accumulate rewards points for your purchases onboard at Starbucks cafes. However, you cannot redeem any rewards at the venues on the cruise ships.

Café al Bacio

This amazing coffee shop on Celebrity Cruise ships features a full range of coffees and teas, as well as a full-fledged bar with wines, beers, and sodas. These lounges are fantastic places to settle in for sea views, games and conversations with friends. You also can find live music here. Plus, Café al Bacio offers fresh cakes, cookies and other pastries (included in your fare).

You can use your Celebrity drinks package here.

Explorations Café

This is Holland America’s full-service coffee joint located in the ship’s library and game room. The venues offer great views of the ocean and feature newspapers, magazines, video and audio programming and shelves filled with books. The coffee house also has a wide range of specialty coffees and pastries.

Holland America Line offers beverage packages that include the coffees at Explorations Café.

MSC Seaview, Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar offers homemade chocolate treats, coffee’s, shakes and sundaes.

MSC’s Coffee Bar

These venues feature a lineup of delicious coffees brewed in true Italian style on MSC Cruises’ ships. You can indulge in espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and frozen coffee treats, as well as decadent hot chocolate concoctions.

The line’s impressive MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview take the coffee shop experience to the next level with Venchi Cioccogelateria and Coffee Bar, a café designed in partnership with famed Italian chocolate brand Venchi. Here, you can satisfy your sweet tooth and coffee cravings at the same time with all manner of chocolate-infused coffees, espressos, cocktails, and milkshakes.

International Café

Princess Cruises’ ships feature a dynamic café located in the Piazza. International Café is open 24 hours a day and offers a changing menu of small bite meals, treats, and gourmet coffees and other beverages. This is a serene spot to sit down for a cup of coffee and fresh croissant. You can also enjoy a light bite or lunch. The menu offers quiches, sandwiches, salads and fruit cups.

You’ll likely be drawn to the pies and other tasty desserts, though. The New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu features a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions. Princess Cruises offers a New Grounds Coffee Package that represents up to 20 percent savings off specialty coffee prices. Premium coffees are also available on other drinks packages.