Bar 21

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Bar 21 Review: Cards, Cocktails, and Casino Energy

Introduction. Bar 21 is NCL's casino bar, positioned at the edge of or inside the casino floor. Named after the blackjack number, it caters to the gambling crowd with quick drink service and a full bar menu. Drinks are standard pricing or covered by the beverage package. Found on Breakaway, Getaway, and several other ships.

Drinks & Service

The menu is the standard NCL bar card — no casino-themed cocktails, no signature drinks, nothing that says "I'm at a gaming bar." It's the same Margaritas, Mojitos, and draft beers you'll find at any other bar on the ship. Whiskey neat or a cold Heineken are your best bets. The frozen cocktails come from the same machine as everywhere else. Cocktail servers circulating the casino floor carry a limited tray menu — mostly beers and simple mixed drinks. If you want something specific, go to the bar itself rather than waiting for a server to pass.

Service

Service is geared toward casino players — if you're actively gambling, cocktail servers will find you. If you're sitting at the bar itself, bartenders are attentive and quick. The unwritten rule on cruise ship casino bars holds true: active players get prioritized. Tipping your bartender well on the first drink establishes a relationship that pays dividends all cruise. Wait times are reasonable — rarely more than 3-5 minutes even during peak evening hours.

Atmosphere

The casino floor sets the tone — slot machine chimes, card-shuffling, and the low murmur of hopeful gamblers. The bar sits at the edge of or within the casino depending on the ship, so you're always in the glow of screens and neon. It's lively without being obnoxious, and the dim lighting makes it feel like it could be any time of day. Non-gamblers will find it loud and smoky (where smoking sections exist); for the casino crowd, it's exactly the right energy. The bar stools are comfortable enough for a long session at the tables.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.5/5. Bar 21 serves its purpose as a casino companion — quick drinks for active players in an energetic setting. It's not a cocktail destination, and the lack of themed drinks feels like a miss. But if you're at the tables, this is your bar. Tip: Sit at the bar during the afternoon when the casino is quiet — you'll get excellent service and can watch sports on the screens without the noise.

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