Norwegian Cruise Line‘s new ship the Norwegian Epic will literally host the coolest bar at sea, the company confirmed this week.

The Epic has achieved a cruising first by introducing an on-board ice bar in partnership with SVEDKA Vodka so that guests can enjoy drinks in -8 degrees Celsius after a hot day on the deck.

The bar will be formally unveiled, along with the rest of the onboard attractions, at an inauguration ceremony in New York on July 2.

The bar is created totally from ice, with ice tables, stools, glasses and walls which are lit by LED technology to simulate the arctic atmosphere of the northern lights.

A US cruise line is to allow friends and family of passengers on board its ships ahead of departure, reincarnating an old tradition.

Before the tightening of security regulations, passengers on board grand cruise liners were normally allowed to bring families and friends on board to show off the ship before setting sail.

The world’s biggest and most expensive cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, was recently handed over to the Royal Caribbean cruiseline in Finland.

The vessel, worth 900 million euros (1.3 billion dollars), can accomodate up to 6,360 passengers and 2,160 crew members.

The cruise ship features a variety of traditional and new activities including swimming pools, a casino, pool surfing and a zip line above the boardwalk.