Soleil Bar

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.

Soleil Bar Review: Sunshine, Standard Sips

Introduction. Soleil Bar is a pool-adjacent or outdoor bar found on select Norwegian ships, serving the sun-seeking crowd with tropical cocktails and cold beer. It's positioned as a daytime drinking spot with a sunny, casual vibe. Drinks are standard pricing or covered by the beverage package.

Drinks & Service

Pool bar drinks: frozen Piña Coladas, Bahama Mamas, Miami Vice, and whatever the daily special is — all from the machine. Draft beer (Bud Light, Heineken, Corona) is ice-cold and the most reliable order in direct sunlight. The Rum Punch is overly sweet but popular. Cocktails requiring actual preparation are made to varying quality depending on the rush. The Aperol Spritz is a solid daytime choice that most bartenders make well. Don't order wine poolside — the heat and plastic cup do it no favors. Stick to beer, frozen drinks, or simple spirits with a mixer.

Service

Bartenders are fast and efficient — this is a volume bar and they pour accordingly. Expect 3-5 minute waits during peak afternoon hours, faster at off-times. Cocktail servers also work the deck chairs, which is convenient. Don't expect conversation or customization — speed is the priority.

Atmosphere

Sun, pool splashing, the smell of sunscreen, and a DJ or musician playing poolside hits. It's the quintessential cruise pool bar experience. The bar itself is usually a small counter near the pool edge, with a few submerged stools or dry stools depending on the ship. Limited shade — the overhead coverings protect the bartender, not necessarily you. On sea days in the Caribbean, this is the epicenter of ship activity. The noise level is high: music, kids, announcements, and the general hum of vacation. On port days, it's a ghost town. At night, the pool deck mood shifts to something more relaxed with colored lighting and calmer music.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.4/5. Soleil Bar is a perfectly functional pool bar — cold drinks, fast service, sunny setting. There's nothing wrong with it and nothing remarkable about it. It's the bar you use because it's next to your lounge chair. Tip: Order two drinks at once during the lunch rush to save yourself a second trip to the bar. A cold beer is the most reliable order in direct sunlight.

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