Theme nights and caviar service: The best poolside experiences on cruise ships

The pool is the cold yet warm heart of every cruise, pumped with the saltwater that floats the ship. Drawing drinkers, swimmers, sunbathers and kids, the mid-ship pool deck creates a social hub for passengers.

It starts on the first day at the sail-away party, held poolside with a DJ or band. As the cruise continues, people laze on lounges or join in organised sports and games.

A family-friendly ship might hold a bellyflop contest or pool volleyball. At night, you can watch movies on poolside screens or dance under the stars at pool parties.

Bigger ships have designated pools for adults and children. Royal Caribbean and MSC have six or seven, but Carnival, Disney and NCL are catching up. Waterparks, waterslides and other water-based rides amplify the fun.

Infinity pools are popular (and more peaceful) at the stern, where you can swim to the edge and gaze at the view of the ship's frothy wake as the sea ripples and swirls behind it.

Poolside grills serve lunch and snacks, usually complimentary. On luxury lines, waiters bring free sundaes and margaritas to your cabana, while spa staff provide massages. Dinner is also offered poolside at romantic venues such as Seabourn's Earth & Ocean and Silversea's Hot Rocks or events like Azamara's White Party.

I just spent a month on Seabourn Quest, where crew jumped in the pool to serve caviar from a surfboard. A boat-building competition was held on Boxing Day, with teams using recycled materials to make handcrafted vessels to sail across the pool. We danced poolside to live music with themes such as ABBA and Tahitian Night. My favourite lunchtime entertainment was Tuna & Tunes, where poke bowls were served in coconut shells.

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Sun-worshippers can spend the whole day by the pool, reading, snoozing and sipping cocktails. The notorious "deckchair hogs" claim their spot before breakfast, marking it with their belongings, and then disappear for hours. Some cruise lines have introduced time limits on abandoned sun lounges, but it should be common courtesy to relinquish your seat when you leave.

In the Bahamas and the Caribbean, several islands and resorts are owned or operated by cruise lines. 2025 is a big year for these private destinations, which can only be used by cruise passengers.

Royal Caribbean will open the Royal Beach Club in Nassau, while Carnival is set to unveil Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island. Upgrades are also underway on Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay and MSC Cruises' Ocean Cay.

Closer to home, Royal Caribbean is keen to build a resort on Vanuatu's Lelepa. According to the latest update, a Royal Beach Club is likely to open by 2027.