Aft

Staring at the wake from the stern of the ship is a magical part of cruising. There's just something mesmerizing about gazing out on that wide swath of churned-up water cutting a path through an otherwise calm sea. On a cruise ship, watching the wake is like saying goodbye to where you've been while eagerly anticipating the new experiences and destinations lying just ahead.

With the massive size of the new generation of megaships and the dizzying number of diversions on board, it can be all too easy to forget you're actually on the water. But avid cruisers, boating aficionados and ocean lovers in the know all flock aft to immerse themselves in the ocean-going experience. Cruise lines know what a draw the wake is, so they've created immersive spaces from lounges to poolscapes that make the stern the star.

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Remember that with a few exceptions, these spots are better enjoyed when the ship is sailing, not docked. The next time you're on board, catch a glimpse of what you're leaving behind from one of these beguiling spots.

Virgin Voyages ships are full of fun spaces to feel the sea, from the red hammock on the balcony of your Sea Terrace cabin that's perfect for a post-day-drinking snooze to one of the hot tubs on Richard's Rooftop, the top deck lounge reserved for suite guests.

However, for the ultimate destination for communing with the ocean, head to the back of Deck 7 on any of Virgin's three nearly identical cruise ships. It's where you'll find The Dock, an inviting outdoor Mediterranean-inspired lounge awash in cobalt blue and white that's outfitted with day beds, tables and high counters — all facing the wake.

Found on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and the upcoming Brilliant Lady (launching in late 2023), The Dock is the perfect respite for a mid-afternoon nosh. Settle in and order a refreshing tipple from the Spritz-Ahs menu, where your choice of vermouth is served over ice with a splash of tonic or soda water and adorned with fruits, veggies or herbs; the Lively White arrives with a sprig of thyme and lemon and grapefruit peels.

Related: We tried every bar on Virgin Voyages and ranked them from best to worst

These low ABV drinks are the perfect accompaniment to the menu of open-fire meze, like Spanish octopus with sunchokes and fire-roasted chicken thigh with eggplant puree and sumac yogurt.

Late at night, when everyone else is watching one of the line's ground-breaking shows or relaxing in their cabins, you'll have the space practically to yourself. Tuck into a few slices or a pie from The Pizza Place (also on Deck 7) while feeling the salty breeze and being entranced by the glow that the ship's signature red lights cast on the wake. It's aquatic perfection.

It may be smaller than the main pool, but the infinity-style Wake View Pool is always filled with happy cruisers gazing out to sea with a Frosé in hand. Found on the majority of Princess Cruises' ships, the free-form pool is not exclusively for adults, but it definitely has a chill vibe.

Upper and lower decks are dotted with aft-facing loungers — mostly geared toward sun worshippers — but shade seekers can share the view from a small lounge area with low sofas, chairs and tables.

Belly up to the bar and order the aptly named Ultimate Cooler, with Absolut Elyx Vodka, watermelon syrup, passion fruit and cranberry, then sip it in the pool while staring out at the churned-up sea and the horizon beyond.

Related: The 3 classes of Princess Cruises ships, explained

Next year, the launch of Princess' next-generation ship will up the aft ante. When Sun Princess (the line's largest vessel to date) debuts in October 2024, it will include an expanded Wake View Terrace. Swoon over that cerulean water from your perch in the infinity pool or lounge in a circular semi-shaded daybed on the South Beach-style resort deck. A shaded bar-in-the-round will offer a menu of crafty sips, and there will be entertainment day and night.

A bit of a departure from the expected lounge, restaurant or terrace at the back of the ship, the aft water sports platform is one of the benefits of cruising on a smaller line like Windstar Cruises. When the captain drops anchor at port and gives the go-ahead, a huge hatch opens at the back of the ship, and the activities crew sets out water sports equipment for passengers' use.

If you're feeling especially ambitious, you can try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing or even water skiing and windsurfing. If that sounds too taxing, you can lounge on a single float or take in the glittering, yacht-dotted harbor of the likes of St. Barths from a large foam flotation island.

On many Windstar itineraries, crew dole out complimentary masks, fins and snorkels in a handy mesh bag to guests on the first afternoon on board to use throughout the cruise — including directly from the water sports platform.

Related: 5 things to love about Windstar's stretched and refurbished Star Pride

The water sports platform is open in certain locations depending on weather/surf conditions and port traffic. Though it's a feature on all six of Windstar's vessels, including the stretched and refurbished Star-class ships, it might be the most fun during one of the Mediterranean itineraries, where it's available in a dozen of the ports. During the seven-day Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast cruise on Wind Star, for example, you can splash around in Monemvasia and Gythion in Greece, and Sorrento and Ponza in Italy.

Eden is an expansive, three-level transformative space aft on Celebrity Cruises' Edge-class ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond and the soon-to-launch Ascent) that was purposely created to connect guests with the water. With three levels, floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of vantage points to peer at the wake, designers definitely understood the assignment.

Tropical foliage, 3D plant-filled letters spelling out the venue's name and the Library of Plants, an 18-foot high towering herb wall used for garnishing dishes, lend a natural, garden-paradise vibe to the space. If it all evokes a soothing, peaceful feeling, that's literally by design, as architects drew on the mathematical Fibonacci sequence, a concept that uses size, proportion and placement to create visually appealing, harmonious proportions in architecture.

Guests have a variety of spots from which to stare out at the sea. Order one of the elevated libations inspired by nature and the Garden of Eden at the glass-and-gilded bar, like the Planter, with mezcal, cardamom syrup, Curaçao and lime, then take it up to the indoor or outdoor lounge areas on the upper level that offer ocean views as you sail away from Hilo or Honolulu.

Or book a table in the Eden Restaurant, where you can select from the a la carte menu or the seven-course tasting menu, with options including truffled huitlacoche risotto and Nova Scotia lobster casserole. Eden also hosts shows, live music and art and sketch classes.

Set to launch in early 2024 with service from Miami, Royal Caribbean's super-ship Icon of the Seas will be the world's largest cruise ship. Among its many water features will be the first suspended infinity pool at sea, flanked by a multilevel sun terrace outfitted with whirlpools, various seating configurations and a bar.

This aft-lover's paradise is called The Hideaway. The tucked-away "neighborhood" can be found 135 feet above the ocean with the feel of a global beach club (complete with resident DJ) and those million-dollar aft vistas.

If you're traveling with little kids, you can also catch the islands disappearing in the distance at Surfside, the family area at the back of the ship just below The Hideaway. Grownups can take a dip at the Water's Edge pool while keeping an eye on the kiddos frolicking at Baby Bay and Splashaway Bay, with its gentle waterslides, water cannons, spray fountains and a huge drench bucket.

Nearby you'll find lounge chairs, family-friendly dining options, a bar serving cocktails and mocktails, a beach-themed carousel, a climbable play area and an arcade.

Related: Sneak peek: Inside Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever

The aft-facing Carousel Lounge, which first appeared in 2017 on another of the line's Meraviglia-class ships, has been reimagined for MSC Cruises' latest ship, MSC Euribia, launched in June 2023. The expanded, nearly 11,000-square-foot multipurpose space has seating for 427 passengers and extends outdoors to afford even more panoramic seascapes, with two covered terraces.

Inside, huge multistory windows let you gaze out to sea from cozy, conversation seating while enjoying grab-and-go bites like pastries, salads, sliders and desserts as well as coffee, tea and cocktails. The space is centered around a dance floor, with tiered seating on one side. Guests can while away a sea day with activities including table games and ballroom dancing.

After the sun has set and the wake is an imperceptible part of the ocean's vastness, the Carousel Lounge's massive windows are covered with projection screens to augment that evening's entertainment. The performance lineup features a different style of live music each night, led by the resident Big Band at Sea.

The whopping 19-piece band is one of the largest musical acts on a cruise ship. Its internationally acclaimed musicians and singers perform three times each evening, with themed concerts ranging from rock to musicals.

Will you select a cruise itinerary because the ship boasts a cool aft-facing space onboard? Maybe if you're a wake junkie, but for most cruisers, it's a nice-to-have, not a must-have.

Considering that modern ship interiors are outfitted with so many attractions to keep passengers inside, these six aft-facing hangouts will remind you why you booked a cruise in the first place: to travel across the open ocean. Spending time in one of these spots on a sea day will immerse you in that feeling.

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