Drive-in theaters have made a comeback on land but they never went away on Princess Cruises, where “dive-in” Movies Under the Stars let passengers recline in a chaise or enjoy a soak in a hot tub as they watch blockbuster movies, concerts, and live NFL games. Located poolside, the 300-square-foot screen has a mega-watt Dolby sound system. Princess even provides free popcorn.

Aft pools offer something most mid-ship pools can’t: an unimpeded ocean panorama—as well as a more secluded vibe with less foot traffic. The Sea View Pools on five Holland America ships (Nieuw Statendam, Konigsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, and the upcoming Rotterdam) are located aft on the Lido Deck and have plenty of chaises for sunning as well as two hot tubs and a bar.

When Celebrity Cruises introduced Celebrity Edge (soon to be joined by Celebrity Apex) it swapped the real-grass Lawn of its Solstice-class ships for the whimsical Rooftop Garden, which features a mix of live plants and eye-catching metal sculptures inspired by childhood playgrounds. Add in comfortable seating and an outdoor barbecue restaurant and it’s an inviting oasis morning, noon, or night.

Another aft-facing relaxation zone, the Aquamar Spa Terrace—located on Deck 14 of Oceania Cruises’ two largest ships, Marina and Riviera—is an oasis of calm with thalassotherapy pools or hot tubs and comfy chaises offering sea views. Book a Concierge class stateroom or a Suite for free unlimited access or purchase a daily pass to enjoy an escape at specific time.

A day at sea means relaxation for some passengers but others—notably tweens, teens, and action-obsessed adults—want to fuel their need for speed. Norwegian Cruise Line delivers with the largest race tracks at sea on three of its newest ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Bliss. Vroom sound effects, viewing platforms, and a leader board make it lots of fun for spectators, too.

Book a Havana Club Stateroom on Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Vista, or 2021’s Carnival Mardi Gras and you’ll be entitled to unlimited access to this tropical-themed, adults-only aft pool throughout the day (other passengers have access in the evening). There are two hot tubs and a pool and the adjacent Havana Bar makes for a fun transition to outdoor cocktail enjoyment.

The world’s largest ships—Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas—have some pretty awesome outdoor spaces. Deck 15 alone has three pools, a waterpark, a sports court, and a mini-golf course, while open-to-the-sky “neighborhoods” The Boardwalk and Central Park feature a carousel, an Aquatheater, and fun restaurants and bars.

When the sails are hoisted on 342-passenger Wind Surf—one of Windstar Cruises’ three sailing yachts—and the breeze is in your hair, there’s no better place to be than the main deck aft pool and bar area. With its refreshing plunge pool and two hot tubs, this casual outdoor space is a great spot to read, sip the cocktail of the day, and make new friends.

Staying active or relaxing in style is easy aboard any Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ship, but especially aboard its two newest vessels, Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor. The Sports Deck (deck 12) features a putting green and a golf net, a paddle tennis court, bocce and shuffleboard courts, and a walking/jogging track. And just below on deck 11, you’ll find a pool, two hut tubs, and a bar.

While most pool deck hot tubs tend to be social, Seabourn’s ships feature a whirlpool designed intentionally to be secluded. Located forward on Deck 6 or 7 on all five Odyssey- and Encore-class ships—and accessed via an inconspicuous door at the end of a cabin-lined hallway—this panoramic oasis is perfect for a relaxing soak with a view at sail away.

River cruise ships don’t have all the bells and whistles of most ocean ships, but almost all of them have plenty of outdoor space for passengers to enjoy. Avalon Waterways’ European vessels have both a Sky Deck (with chaises, a whirlpool, and an al fresco Sky Grill) as well as a more sheltered Observation Lounge that offers fresh air and shaded comfort.

Only a small percentage of river cruise ships have a top-deck swimming pool or hot tub, but AmaWaterways went one better on some of its European vessels, including AmaReina, AmaLea, AmaMora, and its upcoming new ships AmaSiena and AmaLucia. It installed a heated pool with a swim-up bar, allowing guests to take in the passing scenery on hot (or even cool) days as they enjoy their favorite libation.

Guests aboard Viking River Cruises’ Longships can soak in the sun and enjoy the beautiful sights along the top rivers in Europe as they eat lunch or sip cocktails on the Aquavit Terrace. Located forward on the Upper Deck, this inspired spot is a passenger favorite. What’s not to like? You’ll enjoy fresh air, unobstructed views, and locally inspired cuisine and wines.

The Vista Bar on the top deck of Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler, and Crystal Ravel resembles a sleek white gazebo plucked from a garden—but it has a unique feature that’s even cooler: It slides down to let the ship sail under low bridges. Crystal River Cruises designed this pop-up bar adjacent to canopied seating areas, creating an airy oasis for scenic cruising. 

U by Uniworld, the younger, trendier sibling of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, set out to be different by painting its ships black, offering a focus on nightlife and creating an al fresco Rooftop Lounge with bold decor that broke the mold when it comes to river cruising. Its ships, The A and The B, sail the Rhine, Danube, and Seine—and definitely turn heads along the way.