The A-List 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.

The A-List Bar Review: VIP Name, Standard Game

Introduction. The A-List Bar is a cocktail bar found on select Norwegian ships, positioned as a lively social spot with a celebrity/VIP theme. It serves the standard NCL drink menu in an energetic setting, often near entertainment venues. Drinks are standard pricing or covered by the beverage package.

Drinks & Service

Standard NCL bar card — no celebrity-themed cocktails or VIP specials. Vodka Soda, Rum and Coke, Margaritas, and draft beer are the top sellers. The bartenders pour fast and with flair when the mood strikes. The frozen cocktails are popular during lively evenings. Wine drinkers will find the same Mondavi fleet list. Off-menu requests are handled willingly but not always skillfully — this is a party bar, not a craft bar. If you want a proper cocktail, go to Sugarcane or Maltings. Here, it's about speed and energy.

Service

Bartenders are energetic and match the venue's vibe — this is a higher-energy bar, and the staff reflect that. Service is fast during moderate traffic and slows during post-show rushes. The cocktail servers work the lounge area efficiently. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere feels more "going out" than other bars on the ship.

Atmosphere

Glitzy and high-energy — metallic surfaces, dramatic lighting, and a "nightlife" aesthetic that signals this is a bar for going out, not winding down. The music is louder than most bars, trending toward current pop and dance hits. Positioned near entertainment venues on most ships, it catches the pre-show and post-show crowd, which gives it a buzzy, social energy. The seating is a mix of bar stools, high-tops, and small lounge areas. It fills up during peak entertainment hours (8-11 p.m.) and empties quickly when shows start. The VIP/celebrity theme is more in the décor than the experience — it's not exclusive, just styled that way.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.5/5. The A-List Bar offers a lively atmosphere and energetic bartending in a nightlife-themed setting. The standard drink menu doesn't match the VIP positioning, but the vibe and location make it a solid social spot. Tip: Hit this bar before or after a show — the energy is highest when the nearby entertainment venues are cycling crowds. Order something fun; the bartenders respond to enthusiasm.

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