By Anita Dunham-Potter

Travel columnist

updated 12:59 p.m. ET June 23, 2008

Anita Dunham-Potter Travel columnist • Profile • E-mail

Last week, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line both staged big coming out parties for the innovative amenities on their newest vessels — the 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas and the 150,000-ton F3. Both ships will be the largest tonnage at sea, but the comparisons stop there. Each ship offers a vastly different onboard atmosphere — one more family-oriented the other more adult-themed.

Wavy and crazy F3
Two months ago NCL introduced F3’s “New Wave” staterooms with their curving walls, domed ceilings and bathrooms broken down into individual components. It’s no surprise then that the cruise line that brought us “Freestyle Cruising” is launching five night life hot spots with crazy themes and never-before-seen at sea venues.

“What’s particularly unique about these spaces is they will have multiple uses — sunning, bowling, dining and, of course, party playgrounds,” said NCL president and chief executive Colin Veitch. He noted that there are less big areas on the ship and lots of small areas so guests never feel crowded.

The five party spots include Ice Bar that features a bar, walls, tables, stools, glasses and life-size sculptures made from ice. The POSH Beach Club is a private top-of-the-ship enclave. Halo, the Über Bar, is a private bar and lounge housed within the ship’s exclusive villa complex. Bliss Ultra Lounge, NCL’s around-the-clock entertainment and nightclub space, will reprise the line’s signature bowling alley. And Spice H20 is an adults-only aft pool deck experience.

Inspired by Scandinavia’s ice bars and ice hotels, NCL’s Ice Bar will be an ice chamber with changing hues to simulate the Northern Lights. Patrons will be given fur coats, gloves and hats to stay warm in a room where the temperature will not rise above 17 degrees Farenheit. A cover change to enter will include a drink or drinks.

Business Wire This computer-generated publicity photo shows the POSH Beach Club, a first of its kind beach club at sea that offers an exclusive, adults-only setting at the top Norwegian Cruise Line's new F3-class ships.

The POSH Beach Club is a private top-of-the-ship outdoor entertainment complex. During the day, guests can lounge on white-cushioned day beds in private cabanas; at night, the space transforms into an open-air nightclub with a DJ and VIP bottle service. Programming ranges from sunrise yoga to an afternoon of nightlife with spiked POSH snow cones. The space turns into a dance club after dark.

Halo, the Über Bar, is a private bar and lounge housed within the ship’s exclusive villa complex on Deck 16. It promises “the best of the best,” from liquors to art and jewelry. Private gami0ng tables, including baccarat, add to what NCL describes as the sexiest nightclub on the ship.

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Spice H2O, aft on Decks 15 and 16, features a huge LED screen. During the day, guests can sunbathe in lounge beds around the pool while listening to Asian tunes and nibbling Asian-inspired cuisine in Chinese to-go containers. As the sun sets, Spice H20 transforms into an Ibiza-inspired beach club with live entertainment and dinner served tableside or at the beds. Later, the mood shifts to a Latin vibe with dancing and entertainment.

Bliss Ultra Lounge and Nightclub, already on Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Pearl, will be aboard the F3 ships for all-day bowling or hanging out, transforming into a high-energy lounge by night with music videos and shadow dancers.

While the exact cover charge amount for each club was not disclosed, NCL says passengers will be able to purchase a “Beyond the Velvet Rope” package to gain access to the exclusive clubs.

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