When it comes to “revealing” what’s planned for a new ship, the cruise lines have learned to dole out the details in tiny bits — driving journalists like me crazy (let’s just do the story once and be done!) but, of course, filling the lines’ promotional coffers with repeated stories on the new ship. Last week, however, there were some sizable “reveals.” Royal Caribbean, which already has a huge zip line attraction at Labadee, now plans one onboard its soon-to-be world’s biggest ship, Oasis of the Seas. Zip lines are hot everywhere, so it’s not surprising that the line would take the concept onto a ship. But we are even more intrigued by Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Ice Bar, in which the bar, walls, tables, stools, glasses and life-size sculptures are made of ice. While one wouldn’t think getting frigid is a concept vacationers might relate to… then just consider the Ice Hotel in Sweden, a highly popular place. Yes, the novelty itself is the attraction. NCL’s ice bar will host 25 people, who won’t freeze. They’ll be given fur coats, gloves and hats to keep warm. The room temperature will be a cool 17 degrees or below. All this talk about the latest and greatest, razzle-dazzle features brings back memories of an unusual image I saw just a few months ago — with Port Everglades putting out a promotional piece showing a pie-in-the-sky concept of a roller coaster on the top of a cruise ship. Well, I don’t think that’s really an out-of-the-question amenity… look what they’ve done at the top of a skyscraper in Las Vegas. In the end, not all cruise guests are interested in the off-the-wall amenities like surfing or rock wall climbing, but for most of us (myself included) who love to observe it’s a heck of a good time watching the rest of you. Would you head for an Ice Bar on a cruise ship? I’d be curious what others think? Cheers – EditorLady, www.southerncruising.com