Long live the cruise ship library – Travel Weekly

Johanna Jainchill

Every few years, people write the obituary for cruise ship libraries. But every now and then, a line decides to not only keep the library but make it more prominent.

Cruise ship libraries several years ago started losing space onboard to other concepts that lines thought passengers not only preferred but would generate revenue: Internet cafes, coffee bars. And with so many people reading on tablets -- or just surfing on their phones -- far fewer passengers borrowed books. Over the years, some lines have done away with libraries altogether. Others have preserved them by making them hybrid spaces, like wine bars or cafes.

Two lines, however, have maintained library tradition: Cunard and Oceania. And Oceania last week doubled-down on its library love on its upcoming newbuild, the Vista.

In an industry first, the Vista's library will be styled in Ralph Lauren furnishings and artwork. The space sits prominently atop the ship on Deck 15 and will have glass walls offering sea views.

The library will be adjacent to Baristas, the ship's coffee bar, but it will be its own space.

Oceania CEO Bob Binder called the library one of the "signature elements of our brand," and, along with its Owners Suites, having them styled in Ralph Lauren Home "elevates them into truly iconic spaces."

The cruise line has always touted its libraires as being "classic," offering more than 2,000 books and periodicals. On Oceania's other ships, they were described as "English-style... reminiscent of a charming English country estate where you can while away the hours in ultimate comfort."

The library on the Queen Elizabeth spans two decks and contains more than 7,000 volumes. Photo Credit: Cunard Line

Cunard has long been the leader when it comes to libraries at sea. The Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth both have wood-paneled libraries that span two decks joined by a spiral staircase. They boast more than 7,000 volumes and have full-time librarians. Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has the largest library at sea, with about 10,000 volumes - it's one of the ship's signature spaces.

As Svetlana Minic, one of librarians on the Queen Victoria, told Travel Weekly in 2017: "Cunard has a proper library."

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Long live the cruise ship library - Travel Weekly