Top 10 cruise ship sun decks

Long ago the sun deck eclipsed the captain’s table as the most sought after place on a cruise ship and where competition for space could be fierce. However a sea change is happening to cruise ship pool areas. The simplistic "one deck, one pool" mindset of the 90's, with its chair hogs and crowded, rowdy pools, has given way to modern multi-pool complexes and water parks.

Now there are private cabanas to be rented, solariums, thalassotherapy pools, adults-only pools, whirlpools, waterslides and even wave machines. Where once entertainment was limited to shuffleboard or deck quoits, sun decks now feature entire sports decks with rock-climbing walls, paddle tennis courts, life-size chess games, mini-golf and even onboard surfing.

Leading online cruise review and news site CruiseCritic.co.uk has compiled its list of the best cruise ship sundecks for 2009.

1. Celebrity Solstice: The newest ship in Celebrity’s fleet features a top-of-ship Lawn Club which is carpeted with actual living grass. Guests can soak up the sun while playing bocce ball on two courts, putting golf balls or picnicking on the grass. Pool areas offer butlers and there are secluded areas for massages and topless sunbathing.

2. Ocean Village (and Ocean Village 2): The ultra-casual line prides itself on giving British passengers a relaxed time at sea. Both ships have two pools on the top deck - one a family pool and the other an adults-only pool. Hot tubs are also available for a quick dip.

3. Norwegian Gem: The sundeck on this latest addition to the NCL fleet offers amazing activities such as rock-climbing walls and waterslides. Certain pools are designated adults-only and kids-only. And, as part of NCL's fleetwide Freestyle 2.0 program, onboard staff now bring sunbathers chilled towels and spritz them with Evian misters on hot days.

4. Grand Princess: Princess’ flagship (soon to offer ex-U.K. sailings from Southampton) offers both the Calypso Reef and Neptune's Reef areas midship which feature large pools, hot tubs, bars with plenty of poolside action, entertainment and dining options. But it is the new concept of The Sanctuary, an adults-only haven with pampering services and at-your-deck-chair drink and snack delivery which puts it on our Top 10.

5. Fantasia: Deck 14 on board MSC’s newest cruise ship - which it describes as “the most beautiful ship in the world” - features ‘I Tropici’ (which translates as ‘The Tropics’) with a magrodome - a retractable roof that covers the area so it can be enjoyed even in inclement weather. The 820 meter pool also turns into an Aquagym and features adult water aerobic classes.

6. Balmoral: A recent refurbishment on this Fred. Olsen ship has added a completely new main pool on Deck 11, so the ship now has two pool decks - the original on Deck 7 and the new top-of-ship area. The top-deck pool, with its beautiful tiling, is one of the most attractive at sea and ideal for hard core sun worshippers.

7. Independence of the Seas: This Royal Caribbean super ship (which is based in Southampton during the summer months) features the Sports Pool midship for those cruisers looking for activities. The most daring passengers can try their surfing skills at the FlowRider, a surf simulator, in the far aft area or the rock-climbing walls. Kids can also splash about and enjoy the fantastic H20 water park.

8. Ventura: P&O Cruises launched Ventura in 2008 and it is the largest cruise ship ever built for the British market with three pool areas. We like The Beachcomber, which has a sky dome so passengers can use the deck and pool in all weather. This "main" pool also features hot tubs, bars, silly pool games, musical entertainment and dining options such as Marco's Pizzeria.

9. Crystal Serenity‘s luxury teak sun deck is furnished with comfortable, padded lounges with as many fluffy pool towels as you'd like. The relaxing pool and Jacuzzis are rarely crowded and the poolside buffets are some of the best around. Plus, Crystal gives a nod to its active guests with paddle tennis courts, shuffleboard, golf driving nets, a putting green and ping-pong tables.

10. Disney Magic: The Disney Cruise Line ’s pool areas (including one shaped like Mickey’s head) are great for kids, naturally, but also stylish enough for adults. The three quite distinctive pool areas - which all occupy the same deck - are targeted at specific demographics. The Mickey Pool is for young kids (it's got a waterslide); the Goofy Pool, in the centre, is for all ages (and is the site for the major musical entertainment); and the Quiet Cove is for adults only. The entertainment at the Goofy Pool is exuberant and fun - expect to meet up with icons Mickey and Minnie Mouse and, of course, Goofy himself.

For a CruiseCritic.co.uk's full review of sundecks and comments on emerging trends for 2009 go to cruisecritic.co.uk.

Said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief at cruisecritic.co.uk : “This list represents not only the best of what’s on offer on today’s cruise ships, it also demonstrates how much the sun deck has progressed from a humble collection of deck chairs on the stern deck to a fully integrated leisure and relaxation environment with a wide array of entertainment.”