Miss cruise ship libraries? Try these lines for book lovers
If you've sailed Royal Caribbean recently hoping to curl up with a good book in the ship's library, you may have been disappointed with what you found.
A recent thread in the Royal Caribbean Reddit community has many cruisers mourning the loss of onboard libraries across the fleet, and pointing other book-loving passengers toward lines that still cater to their vacation style.
Where did Royal Caribbean's cruise ship libraries go?
The discussion kicked off after a passenger posting as musty_book_aroma described discovering that Oasis of the Seas' library had been converted into another luxury watch shop, despite still being labeled as the ship's free public library. The replacement — a card room with a small book selection — was described as cramped and noisy.
Other commenters noted similar experiences on other Royal Caribbean ships.
"I loved visiting the onboard libraries for a quiet, cozy place to read. But the last few trips, the library was turned into a game room and only had a small handful of 'found books' the passengers or crew had left behind/donated, most of which were not in English. Really disappointing," user mmwhatchasaiyan added in the thread.
The thread turned into something of a support group for displaced bookworms, with cruisers comparing notes on which lines still treat a proper library as a cruise amenity.
The cruise lines still winning over book lovers
Cunard
The library on Cunard's Queen Victoria spans two decks.Cunard
More than one commenter pointed to elegant British cruise line Cunard as the antidote to cruise ships with sad or non-existent libraries. Queen Victoria's grand two-story library alone is reason enough for a book lover to plan a sailing, and Queen Mary 2 has the largest book collection at sea featuring about 10,000 volumes.
"A library on a Cunard ship is not just a place for books — it's a sanctuary at sea," Liz Fettes, Cunard's senior vice president for commercial, North America, told Travel Weekly . "It reflects Cunard's long tradition of enriching the mind as well as the journey, offering guests a quiet haven to explore, reflect and escape through the written word."
While Cunard ships still have their impressive libraries, they don't have waterslides and other attractions. But that's a tradeoff more than a few book-loving cruisers said they'd happily make, at least occasionally.
"Is there anyone else here that loves going on wildly different cruise lines? I absolutely love a Royal cruise, but I also love a Cunard cruise. Two completely different experiences but are both enjoyable either way," user RB4K— added in the Reddit thread.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line's onboard libraries feature curated collections, including destination-inspired selections.Alisha dos Santos/TravelHost
As a book-loving cruiser myself, I was delighted to find a cozy, well-stocked library on Holland America's Eurodam as I set sail to Alaska with my family in May. Each of Holland America's libraries include featured selections related to the ship's destinations as well as an array of bestsellers.
"We curate each ship's library based on where it's sailing and the interests of our guests, blending popular titles with destination-focused books that bring the places we visit to life," Holland America Line Director of Entertainment Experience and Programming Roger Hawk told Come Cruise With Me.
Holland America transitions its collections by season and region so the libraries stay fresh, continuing to invest in onboard libraries because its guests value them and they align with the line's focus on destination-driven cruising. Approximately 7,000 books will be added in 2026 across 11 Holland America ships with more than 100 new titles.
Related: Holland America Line delivers a more relaxing way to cruise with kids
The wide selection of books even included some titles for young cruisers and my daughter eagerly grabbed a Roald Dahl book to read before bed during our cruise.
"Our libraries are much more than shelves of books — they're inviting spaces where guests can relax, discover something new and connect more deeply with the journey they're on," Hawk added. "Reading has always been an important part of travel, and thoughtfully curated libraries continue to be a meaningful part of the Holland America Line experience."
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises is a favorite for book lovers thanks to its partnership with London's renowned Heywood Hill bookshop. Heywood Hill curates Viking's onboard collections to enrich sailings and appeal to people who travel the world.
"They have a very broad outlook and they are curious, inquisitive people who wanted to discover the countries, but also to be stimulated intellectually, wanting to explore in a meaningful way," Heywood Hill Chairman Nicky Dunne said in a video explaining how the bookseller carefully curates libraries for Viking guests.
Celebrity Cruises
For loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers craving a library and quieter onboard spaces, Celebrity Cruises offers a contemporary alternative — without giving up loyalty perks. As a sister brand, Celebrity recognizes Crown & Anchor Society status through its status match program , matching members into an equivalent loyalty tier.
One Reddit commenter explained why Celebrity appeals when you want a quieter cruise — library included — versus the kid-centric energy of a typical Royal Caribbean sailing.
"It's part of the reason I tried out Celebrity. When I'm with my kids, I get they want waterslides and teen club and pizza and the rest. By myself? Just let me workout and sit in peace," Late_Organization_56 noted in the Reddit discussion.
A small consolation for readers at CocoCay
Despite its quiet phase-out of shipboard libraries, Royal Caribbean hasn't abandoned readers completely. The line's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, recently added reading nooks stocked with a selection of books in a new Secret Garden Bar — a smaller-scale outdoor nod to the desire for quieter spaces.
For families and solo travelers alike, the takeaway from the Royal Caribbean Reddit thread is clear: If a library is an important feature for your next cruise, it's worth doing some research or checking with a knowledgeable travel advisor before you book.
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel , or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Aug 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
