The most fun cruise ships on the high seas

There was a time when “cruising” meant a vacation in the middle of the ocean, where you did nothing but eat, tan, and play trivia. And while that might still be a lot of people’s idea of a perfect weekend getaway, cruising has evolved.

If you haven’t been on a cruise liner in the past few years, you should. (Or, at the least, you should read about what it's like to work on the boat — it's insane!).

Gone are the days when ice sculptures, blackjack tables, and midnight buffets were considered cutting-edge draws. Today, every new floating city that launches sets the bar higher in terms of size, amenities, and crazy onboard activities (think: skydiving, "snow" rooms, and water-slides), which is why we thought it'd be fun to take a closer look at some of the coolest new ships to set sail this year, and a few that will hit the high seas in 2016.

SEE ALSO: 6 mistakes people make when packing for a cruise

Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line

Route: Eastern Caribbean (Tortola, St. Thomas, Nassau)

This ship is so Miami, Norwegian had Pitbull perform at its christening. It serves food from popular 305-favorite Pubbelly, as well as pours local Florida beers from Funky Buddha and Wynwood Brewing. Rounding out the F&B is a wine bar from the Mondavi family and two restaurants from James Beard Award-winning Jose Garces.

Escape is the largest in the NCL fleet and can accommodate 4,200 passengers, some of whom will stay in the luxurious ship-within-a-ship Haven — complete with its own retractable-roof pool area. For entertainment, there are Broadway shows, a 19,000sqft casino, water-slides, and a ropes course. There's even a “snow room" in the spa where guests can cool off in fresh powder after coming out of the sauna.

Viking Star, Viking Cruises

Route: Germany (Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Heidelberg, Frankfurt)

European river cruises aren’t the all-inclusive festivals of gluttony that some of the ocean cruises are. Which is why Viking Star is the perfect fit for a more exclusive voyage: small, understated, but utterly luxurious. In addition to a fire pit and free wine/beer, the ship’s got an “explorer’s lounge” where you can relax and enjoy panoramic views of the continent as you float down the Rhine. Or, if you’d prefer to enjoy Europe from the comfort of your own cabin, every room boasts a private balcony.

Regal Princess, Princess Cruises

Routes: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Canada, New England

Ok, so like an Oscar contender trying to beat the end-of-year clock, the Regal Princess actually debuted in late 2014 — but it didn’t really get underway until this year when it cruised through the Caribbean and up to Canada. This 19 deck, 141,000-ton vessel can carry up to 3,560 passengers and has over 1,000 cabins WITH balconies. Its trademark feature, however, is the SeaWalk — a glass bottom walkway that takes guests 28 feet away from the ship so they can stand and look down into the water. It’s also got a poolside nightclub, the world’s largest floating pastry shop (!!), and an onboard television studio.