Cruisers the world over agree: Ice cream is delicious. Maybe you prefer strawberry over chocolate, or sprinkles over fudge, but one thing is for certain: whether it's fro-yo, gelato, a classic scoop or a milkshake, ice cream in all its forms makes for an ideal holiday dessert.
Every cruise ship has some form of icy treat onboard, but some offer more incredible ice cream than others. Discover our top picks for the best ice cream and gelato on a cruise, so even at sea, you're never far away from a lick of mint-chip or a sip of strawberry shake.
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Celebrity Cruises
We all scream for: Gelato sandwiches and ice spaghetti at Cafe al Bacio & GelateriaWhere: Fleetwide (excluding Xpedition Class)Why: The atmosphere of Celebrity's spot for coffee and sweets is reminiscent of a cosy European cafe. Along with on-the-house croissants and for-a-charge cappuccinos, passengers can purchase gelato and sorbet (the Italians call it sorbetto) by waffle cone or cup. (We like that even the smallest portion size includes up to two scoops.) What's not typically offered at your everyday gelateria are cookie gelato sandwiches -- with six cookie and flavour combinations -- or something called spaghetti gelato, which are elaborate sundaes: choices include an "Ice Spaghetti Pomodoro" (vanilla gelato with cream, fresh strawberry sauce and white chocolate) or "Ice Spaghetti Carbonara" (vanilla and hazelnut gelato with cream and chocolate-hazelnut zabaglione sauce).Bonus: Oceanview Cafe, the free buffet restaurant onboard Celebrity Solstice, also makes ice cream and sorbet (made on the premises) available throughout the day, gratis.Carnival Cruise Line
P&O Cruises
We all scream for: The cookies and cream combo from New Zealand Natural Ice CreamWhere: Pacific Explorer, Pacific Aria, Pacific Eden, Pacific Dawn, Pacific JewelWhy: NZ Natural was introduced to P&O in 2012 and there is now an ice cream parlour on each of the five ships. The combination of ice cream and cruising is irresistible for guests with thousands of scoops of ice cream finding their way into cones, sundaes, milkshakes and thickshakes across the fleet each week. The parlours are located on the ships' pool deck and offer ice cream in a cup or a cone, or milkshakes and thickshakes that include up to five scoops of ice cream. The parlours also please the crowds with sorbet, frozen yoghurt and sundaes available with chocolate and caramel sauce, whipped cream and wafers. On Pacific Aria and Pacfic Eden, the outlets prove popular with those who want to sit and linger over a barista-made coffee and a snack. Guest favourites include Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Ecstasy, Chocolate Hokey Pokey and Vanilla. Items bought at NZ Natural are not included in the cruise fare: one scoop costs $A5.Princess Cruises
We all scream for: Macadamia supremeWhere: Sea Princess, Sun Princess, Dawn PrincessWhy: Princess Cruises is known throughout the industry for its dazzling Piazza, a place to see and be seen in an eye-catching atrium setting. Adding to the hang-out vibe, three of Princess's local ships now feature a New Zealand Natural ice cream parlour. No, it's not gelato, it's ice cream. But here's the scoop: both ice creams and sorbets are incredible. Although the business began in Auckland in 1985, it is now offered in more than 30 countries around the world as well as onboard the local Princess fleet -- Sun, Sea, Dawn Princess (soon to be renamed Pacific Explorer). You will know you are on holiday when you grab an ice cream cone filled with Macadamia Supreme or Mocha Almond Fudge before beating a path to the pool.Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises
Oceania Cruises
We all scream for: Handspun milkshakes at Waves GrillWhere: FleetwideWhy: Oceania is renowned for its fine dining, but did you know the line also makes a darn fine milkshake? The casual, poolside Waves Grill is not only a go-to spot for burgers and barbecue, but has plenty of homemade gelato, made-to-order sundaes and thick, handmade milkshakes. There's nothing better than baking in the sun and then sipping a frosty shake -- with no added fees to kill the chill.MSC Cruises
Costa Cruises
We all scream for: Traditional Italian delicacies at Gelataria AmarilloWhere: Costa DiademaWhy: We dare you to deny the charm of Diadema's revamped gelateria, complete with gumdrop ceiling, chocolate fountain and 18 flavours of gelato and ice cream. Partnering with Italian brand Agrimontana, Costa provides authentic gelato along with other sweets like macaroons and snow cones, straight from Italia. Scoops run about 1.5 euros. Priceless is the old-fashioned carhop element, as waiters don cheery aprons and ball caps.Regent Seven Seas Cruises
We all scream for: Malts at Pool GrillWhere: FleetwideWhy: On a line known for luxury, it's nice to just lay back and savour one of life's simpler pleasures: a malted milkshake. The Pool Grill on Regent Seven Seas offers high-brow cruisers the chance to hang by the pool and grab a snack, or in this case, a chance to gleefully gulp a milkshake made with old-fashioned ice cream and magical malted milk. Sundaes with custom toppings are also available for those who like dessert to be a bit more solid. The perk of an all-inclusive line is that these frozen delights are free.Viking Ocean Cruises
Updated January 09, 2020
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