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Oasis of the Seas Size Comparison: Facts and Stats

Holly Riddle
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Oasis of the Seas Size Comparison: Facts and Stats

Oasis of the Seas was the record-setting world’s largest cruise ship when it debuted in 2009. However, since then, the ship has been surpassed several times over, both by other cruise ships in the Oasis class, as well as other Royal Caribbean International ships overall.

That said, the ship is still among the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world. Want to see how it stacks up? Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about Oasis of the Seas’ mammoth size.

In This Article:

Just How Big is Oasis of the Seas? 

Built in Turku, Finland, Oasis of the Seas is an impressive 226,838 gross tons and is 1,187 feet long. This means that the ship is one of the largest in the world, with the top largest cruise ship in the world currently being Icon of the Seas at 250,800 gross tons. 

If you’re not up to date with your cruise ship lingo, basically, gross tons is a measurement of the internal volume of the ship’s interior. The larger the cruise ship by gross tons, the larger the ship is on the inside.

As such, gross tonnage can definitely impact passenger capacity, which is also impacted by the number of staterooms and suites aboard the ship. As for Oasis of the Seas, the ship can fit 5,602 guests at double occupancy, and 6,771 passengers total.

Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship
Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Palephotography)

Oasis of the Seas Length

Oasis of the Seas measures in at 1,187 feet long. But what does that number really mean? 

Well, a regulation NFL football field is 360 feet. That means, end to end, you could fit more than three full NFL football fields onto Oasis of the Seas. (That’s a lot of football.) Furthermore, a mile is 5,280 feet, so the ship is a nearly a quarter of a mile long. 

However, when comparing Oasis of the Seas’ length to other mammoth cruise ships’ length, it’s worth noting that, as ships get bigger and bigger, many are doing so by gross tons, not necessarily length. As such, the biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, is just 11 feet longer than the Oasis of the Seas. 

Oasis of the Seas Width

Oasis of the Seas is 215 feet wide. Cruise ship width is measured at the outermost sides of the hull. Compared to the largest-ship Icon of the Seas, the Oasis of the Seas is about 10 feet thinner. 

Oasis of the Seas Height

Oasis of the Seas has 18 total decks, of which 16 are open to guests. It all adds up to a height of 213 feet above the waterline. That’s about the same size as a 20-story building. 

Oasis of the Seas Weight

As mentioned, when deciding which cruise ships are bigger than all the rest, cruise ships are generally measured by gross tons. Oasis of the Seas weighs in at 226,838 gross tons. 

When the ship debuted in 2009, this size made it the largest in the world, putting it far above Royal Caribbean’s prior ships. For example, in 2008, just a year before, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas had debuted at just a relatively paltry 155,889 GT.

After Oasis of the Seas set the cruise ship size record, though, it was very quickly surpassed by sister ships Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.

How Does the Oasis of the Seas Measure Up to Other Major Cruise Ships?

While Oasis of the Seas has been surpassed by a handful of other major cruise ships since its debut more than a decade ago, it still holds its own as one of the biggest.

Here’s how the ship stacks up against two of the largest of them all, Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. As of 2024, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are the top two largest cruise ships in the world. 

Oasis of the Seas Size Comparison

StatsIcon of the SeasOasis of the SeasUtopia of the Seas
Gross Tonnage250,800226,838236,473
Length1,198 feet1,187 feet1,188 feet
Passenger Decks181616
Total Decks201818
Guest Capacity (double occupancy)5,6105,6025,668
Total Cabins2,8052,8012,834
Crew Capacity2,3502,1092,290

Interestingly, as you can see from the above, while Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are both dramatically larger than Oasis of the Seas, in terms of gross tonnage, they’re still pretty comparable in terms of length, total decks, total cabins and even guest capacity at double capacity.  

Is Oasis of the Seas Really That Much Bigger Than Other Cruise Ships?

To understand just how big Oasis of the Seas is in terms of other cruise ships, it’s also valuable to look at how Oasis of the Seas — and the entire Oasis class as a whole — measures up when compared to the next-biggest cruise ships in the world.

Oasis of the Seas Dry Dock
Oasis of the Seas Dry Dock

After the Oasis class ships, the next-biggest cruise ship is from MSC Cruises, with the cruise line’s MSC World Europa. That ship measures in at 215,863 GT, or nearly 11,000 GT smaller than Oasis of the Seas. It’s also nearly 100 feet shorter, too, with capacity for more than a hundred fewer guests.   

So, while Oasis of the Seas might not be the biggest of them all, it’s still a pretty big ship. 

Oasis of the Seas Capacity – Passengers and Crew

When the Royal Caribbean vessel debuted, it set a world record for its passenger capacity. 

Oasis of the Seas boasts a maximum passenger capacity of 6,771 passengers. If the ship is carrying this maximum number of passengers, plus a full crew of 2,109, that brings the total number of people on the ship to 8,880 people.

What About Accommodations on Oasis of the Seas?

With all of those passengers, they’re going to need ample places to stay. Luckily, Oasis of the Seas does offer a wealth of accommodation options. 

There are more than 2,800 staterooms on Oasis of the Seas and options really range, from compact interior cabins to larger-than-life luxury suites. You’ll find that there are 21 different types of rooms that you could potentially book on this cruise ship.  

Breakdown of the Accommodations on the Oasis of the Seas

So, how do all of these accommodation options break down? The 2,800-plus guest rooms include:

  • 193 ocean view rooms
  • 1,800 balcony rooms
  • 176 suites
  • 529 basic interior cabins

However, beyond just these larger, overarching types of rooms, you’ll find other sub-categories of rooms that offer specific benefits (or drawbacks, depending on your preferences).

Worth Reading: Wonder of the Seas Cabins to Avoid – What You Must Know!

For example, there are spacious interior family cabins, which differ from your basic interior cabins. These cabins offer, in some cases, an extra more than 100 square feet of space, with multiple beds and a separate bedroom, for a suite-like feel.

Promenade Stateroom
Promenade Stateroom

There are also interior cabins that come with windows that overlook an interior space such as the Promenade, Boardwalk or Central Park. Likewise, there are interior cabins that come with balconies that overlook these interior spaces, too. 

Beyond just ocean view cabins, there are two-bedroom family ocean view cabins. Likewise, beyond just balcony cabins, there also spacious and ultra-spacious family balcony cabins that can fit four and six passengers, respectively. 

Then, you get into suites and your options range further, from pretty basic and simple junior suites to posh, multi-level loft suites. Here are how the suites break down on Oasis of the Seas, and how many suites of each type are available on the ship: 

  • Junior suites (86)
  • One-bedroom grand suites (30)
  • Two-bedroom family grand suites (6)
  • One-bedroom owners suites (10)
  • Ultimate panoramic suites with wraparound windows (2)
  • One-bedroom AquaTheater suites (6)
  • Two-bedroom AquaTheater suites (6)
  • Crown loft suites (25)
  • Star loft suites (2)
  • Grand loft suites (1)
  • Owners loft suite (1)
  • Royal loft suite (1)

Some of these suites were added during the Royal Amplified fleet modernization effort that Royal Caribbean launched in 2019, for $1 billion. This is the case with the ultimate panoramic suites with wraparound windows. 

The Royal Loft Suite
The Royal Loft Suite

However, if you want the best of the best, you’re going to go for the largest suite of them all, the royal loft suite, which measures in at 1,530 square feet.

This huge suite features a master bathroom, master bathroom with a tub and double vanity, second bedroom, dining room with a dry bar, living room with a grand piano, second bathroom with a shower, and a huge balcony with another sitting area, bar, dining area and jacuzzi  

How Is the Interior of the Ship Divided?

Oasis of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to introduce the seven-neighborhood concept that the cruise line has since rolled out across the rest of the Royal Caribbean fleet, slowly but surely. It was also the first ship to feature the AquaTheater entertainment venue.

Oasis of the Seas Aft
Photo By: Royal Caribbean

While the ship has received refurbishments over its life — most notably the $165 million amplification in 2019 as part of the Royal Amplified initiative — it still boasts these seven neighborhoods that it debuted in 2009.

Each neighborhood has its own distinct vibes and purpose, these include: 

  • Central Park
  • The Boardwalk
  • The Royal Promenade
  • The Pool and Sports Zone
  • The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
  • Entertainment Place
  • The Youth Zone

Some of these neighborhoods are pretty self-explanatory, but others are a little more inventive. 

Oasis of the Seas Neighborhood Breakdown

While this seven-neighborhood concept has become commonplace on Royal Caribbean’s ships, if you’ve never sailed with the cruise line in the past, here’s what you can expect.

1. Central Park

The Central Park neighborhood is a lush, garden-esque setting with an open air feel thanks to the lack of any roof overhead. With trees, flowers, vine plants and a mix of retail, entertainment and dining, the neighborhood blends plenty of action with a refreshing environment that feels worlds away from the standard cruise ship experience. 

The neighborhood sits over several decks, and you’ll find that there are cabins available that overlook Central Park, either via a window, or a balcony (there are more than 300 inward-facing balcony cabins here!).

Central Park on Oasis of the Seas
Central Park on Oasis of the Seas

Staple venues within this neighborhood include Restaurant 150 Central Park, the three-deck Dazzles dance lounge, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Vintages, Trellis Bar, and Park Café.

Central Park is also home to retail outlets like Coach; when the ship debuted, this particular Coach outlet was the brand’s largest store at sea. During the ship’s 2019 renovations, The Music Hall was also added to this neighborhood. 

Central Park was designed to have a piazza feel, so expect “al fresco” dining, wandering musicians and very much an experience you might expect if you were walking through a bustling, lively urban green space. Central Park starts on Deck 8. 

2. The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a bit more whimsical, with a carnival-like atmosphere that brings together restaurants, retail and, yes, of course, carnival games. 

The Boardwalk (at least on this ship) is home to the AquaTheater. As mentioned, Oasis of the Seas introduced the AquaTheater entertainment venue to the Royal Caribbean line, and now it’s a staple on many cruise ships.

The AquaTheater is literally what it sounds like: an aqua theater. At this amphitheater with a pool, you can catch aquatic acrobatic shows in the aquatheater pool.

Boardwalk
Boardwalk

The Boardwalk also introduced the first carousel at sea, and now you’ll find carousels on a handful of other Royal Caribbean ships.  

Other venues and attractions you’ll find here include Sugar Beach, Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports Bar, The Boardwalk Dog House and The Seafood Shack.

There are also a few Boardwalk-view and Boardwalk balcony staterooms here, and the AquaTheater suites. The Boardwalk is on Deck 6. 

3. The Royal Promenade

Royal Caribbean has become known for its Royal Promenades, which first appeared on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager and Freedom-class ships.

However, some changes were made when adding the Royal Promenade to Oasis of the Seas. For example, a new configuration means that guests enter the Promenade when boarding the ship, right away.

Oasis of the Seas Promenade
Oasis of the Seas Promenade

The multi-level Promenade is the heart of the ship in many ways, with lots of action and activities, as well as venues and entertainment. 

Here, you’ll find the Rising Tide Bar (which, on Oasis of the Seas, was the world’s first moving bar at sea, spanning three decks), the Diamond Club (an exclusive lounge for loyalty club members), Schooner Bar, Globe and Atlas Pub, the Champagne Bar, Boleros, Café Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza, Starbucks, Spotlight Karaoke and more. Royal Caribbean also added the Bionic Bar to the Promenade during the ship’s 2019 renovations.

There are also 18 Promenade-view staterooms in this neighborhood. The Royal Promenade starts on Deck 5. 

4. The Pool and Sports Zone

The Pool and Sports Zone received new life during the ship’s 2019 renovations. 

Now, it features two FlowRider surfing simulators, a nine-deck-high zip line (the first at sea when it premiered), the Ultimate Abyss slide (the tallest slide at sea when it debuted, at 10 stories), the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, Splashaway Bay, The Lime & Coconut resort-style bar and pool deck, new hot tubs and more. The ship’s 43-feet-tall rock-climbing walls (there are two) are also located in this neighborhood.

The Pool and Sports Zone
The Pool and Sports Zone

When Oasis of the Seas first set sail, the Pool and Sports Zone likewise was home to the first beach pool at sea, with a sloped entry and gentle waves. There’s also, of course, a main pool and multiple hot tubs here. 

As for the “sports” aspect of the Pool and Sports Zone, there’s a sports pool with activities like water polo, and a sports deck with mini golf, basketball court, volleyball and soccer. 

The adults-only Solarium and Solarium Bistro are also situated within this neighborhood, as are the Windjammer Café buffet, Izumi Cafe, Portside BBQ (a new specialty restaurant added during the 2019 renovations, as Royal Caribbean’s first barbecue eatery), El Loco Fresh, Coastal Kitchen and multiple bars. 

The Pool and Sports Zone starts on Deck 15.

5. Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center

Possibly the most straightforward and aptly named neighborhood on this ship, this neighborhood is simply home to the spa and fitness center.

Vitality Spa Entrance
Vitality Spa Entrance

The spa offers 29 treatment rooms and a thermal suite, while the fitness center can accommodate more than 150 exercise machines. This neighborhood is spread over Decks 5 and 6. 

6. Entertainment Place

Entertainment Place houses the ship’s Opal Theater, Casino Royale, ice rink, laser tag, and then smaller entertainment venues for music and comedy like Studio B. Blaze Nightclub is also situated here, along with Jazz on 4.

Jazz on 4 Venue
Jazz on 4 Venue

Entertainment Place is technically the lowest neighborhood on the ship, with much of the neighborhood situated on Deck 4. One of the main dining rooms is also accessible here. 

7. The Youth Zone

Much like the Pool and Sports Zone, the Youth Zone received a bit of an overhaul during the 2019 renovations, too. Originally home to the Adventure Ocean program, with offerings for kids as young as six months, the Youth Zone stretched over nearly 30,000 square feet at debut.

Adventure Ocean Venue
Adventure Ocean Venue

Refurbishments remade the neighborhood from head to toe and added a new outdoor deck to the teen space, as well as new tech amenities.

The Youth Zone is centered around Deck 16, and you’ll find certain kid and family-friendly amenities nearby, such as the arcade and Royal Escape Room.

Final Words on the Size of Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas was an absolutely ground-breaking ship when it first debuted in 2009. It was not only the biggest ship in the world, capable of carrying the most passengers, but it also brought so many unique features and amenities to the cruising industry. 

Truly, the ship seemed to set off a chain reaction, with both Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines alike constantly trying to outdo themselves and one another, with the biggest, best and most impressive cruising experiences possible.

Read Also: Utopia of the Seas Size Comparison: Facts and Stats

While Oasis of the Seas has been surpassed in both size and flashy appeal by its Royal Caribbean siblings, it’s still a ship worthy of any traveler’s attention. It’s still one of the world’s largest, and recent refurbishments have ensured that the ship stays competitive among the highly competitive cruising industry. 

If you’ve ever considered taking an Oasis of the Seas cruise, there’s no reason to hesitate. This mammoth ship still has a lot to love.

Norwegian Cruise Line Rolls Out Sustainable Serveware for Room Service

Donna Tunney
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Norwegian Cruise Line Rolls Out Sustainable Serveware for Room Service

Porcelain plates and plastic wrap will soon be a thing of the past when it comes to room service breakfasts onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships, thanks to a new partnership with a reusable plastics company.

The 19-ship Norwegian Cruise Line fleet will begin using bento-box style serveware made from 50% recycled materials for room service breakfast orders. The new serveware is already in use onboard Norwegian Viva, the line’s newest ship, and Norwegian Prima.

The serveware, a product of the company Drinique, will roll out across the remainder of the fleet before the end of 2024. Drinique, which manufactures unbreakable, BPS-free drink-ware and dish-ware, is a supplier to many in the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, casinos, and nightclubs, among others.

Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships, the serveware will eliminate not only porcelain plates but also the plastic wrap that is used to protect breakfast items. It is made with a durable plastic called Eastman Tritan Renew.

The decision to start using Drinique products is part of the line’s Sail & Sustain environmental policy, which, among other initiatives, made Norwegian Cruise Line the first in the industry to end the use of single-use plastic straws and single-use plastic water bottles in 2020.

The elimination of the two products has so far reduced the use of straws by 77 million and of water bottles by 27 million, the line said.

“As part of our commitment to reduce the use of single plastic on board, we continuously search for opportunities to implement new environmentally friendly practices, while keeping our mission of delivering more experiences so our guests can vacation better with us top of mind,” said Mark Kansley, senior vice president of hotel operations at Norwegian Cruise Line. 

“We’re excited to continue to work with Drinique to introduce these new reusable bento boxes across our fleet and continue doing our part to protect and preserve the environment,” added Kansley.

Other projects that are part of the cruise line’s sustainability program include a fleet-wide recycling policy, a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, and the meeting of a target goal of installing shore power technology on half of its fleet by 2024.

Drinique is a family-owned business created by mother and son team Anita and Andrew Elliott. It started with the marketing of one tumbler in 2007 and now provides a variety of serveware styles.

Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship
Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

“We are excited to help companies like NCL drive change to meet their environmental goals,” said Andrew Elliott, president of Drinique. 

“By leveraging the sustainability and durability of Tritan Renew, we aim to help our partners innovate and continue to provide guests with an effortless dining experience while reducing single-use plastic waste across the globe,” added Elliott.

Read Also: How to Truly Enjoy Your Dining on 3 Major Cruise Lines

Like some other cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line charges guests a fee for room service breakfast, $4.95. Other room service orders carry a delivery fee of $9.95. These fees do not apply to guests booked in the line’s luxury level called The Haven.

More Ships on Order Means More Drinique Products

In the coming years, Norwegian Cruise Line’s use of Drinique’s products is likely to increase substantially, since the brand is set to expand by four mega-ships by 2036.

In April 2024, cruise line parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced it would build four 200,000-gross ton ships for the brand, each accommodating upward of 5,000 guests. The ships are slated for delivery in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036.

Sister brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will also each receive two new builds in that same order. The use of the new serveware is limited to Norwegian Cruise Line, but it is possible that the new high-tech plastic could be expanded to the sister brands.

Carnival Debuts First-Ever Solar Eclipse Cruise

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Debuts First-Ever Solar Eclipse Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line is taking advantage of travelers’ interest in unique sailings with the line’s first ever special solar eclipse cruise.

This announcement comes as the first wave of 2026 sailings has also been opened for bookings, permitting cruisers to begin planning amazing summer sailings in Europe and Alaska.

The special solar eclipse cruise will be a first for Carnival Cruise Line, and the legendary opportunity is being offered, appropriately enough, aboard Carnival Legend.

The 11-night Journeys sailing will depart Dover, England on August 9, 2026, with port calls planned in Spain, Portugal, and France, including Le Havre (Paris), Vigo, Lisbon, Zebrugge, and more.

Of special interest will be the sea day on August 12, 2026 – the day of a total solar eclipse just when Carnival Legend will be in the path of totality. This will give passengers a stunning opportunity to observe the astronomical phenomenon without any distractions or obstructions (weather permitting, of course!).

“The chance to see a total solar eclipse while having fun exploring the cultural richness of Spain, Portugal and France aboard Carnival Legend, is a truly special opportunity – among a lineup of many phenomenal cruises,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

While Carnival has not yet announced any special activities onboard the solar eclipse cruise, it is likely there will be expert astronomers on hand as well as eclipse-themed fun not only on the day of the event, but also throughout the sailing. Informational lectures, space-themed trivia, themed drinks and desserts, and other fun options may all be part of the special cruise.

Carnival Legend will remain homeported in Europe for the 2026 summer season, following her 14-night transatlantic repositioning cruise from Miami to Dover. The ship will depart Florida on May 24, 2026.

From Dover, the 85,942-gross-ton, Spirit-class ship will offer nine sailings with diverse northern European destinations, including Ireland, Scotland, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Scandinavia, and even Iceland. Itineraries range from 9-12 nights.

After her time in Dover, the ship will move to Civitavecchia (Rome) to offer an additional 6 European sailings focusing on top Mediterranean ports of call. These 9-12 night cruises will include stops in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, and more.

Guests looking to end the European season in style can also now book Carnival Legend‘s return transatlantic sailing from Civitavecchia to Tampa, with stops in Cartagena, Malaga, Gibraltar and Bermuda along the way. That 14-night crossing will depart Rome on November 1, 2026.

Carnival Legend‘s 2026 European summer getaways are now available for booking. While these sailings are two years away, now is the time to make reservations to guarantee the greatest choice in stateroom options, departure dates, and more.

“As the popularity of Carnival Legend’s 2024 Europe sailings prove, it’s never too soon for our loyal guests to start planning their next summer vacation,” said Duffy.

2026 Alaska Cruises Now Open on Two Ships

In addition to the 2026 European season available on Carnival Legend, sailings are also now open for Alaska in the summer of 2026 aboard Carnival Spirit and Carnival Miracle. Both ships will offer departures from Seattle, with those sailings now available to book.

Carnival Miracle will depart on Thursdays for her 7-night Alaska sailings, visiting Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Along with these top Last Frontier destinations, classic scenic cruising along Tracy Arm Fjord makes these itineraries the best of any Alaskan cruise.

Carnival Miracle in Alaska
Carnival Miracle in Alaska (Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)

The ship will also offer two special Carnival Journeys Alaska sailings, one of 9 nights and the other of 10. Extra ports and more scenic cruising are part of both of these longer sailings.

Read Also: The Best Time to Cruise Alaska – Months to Choose

It should be noted that Carnival Miracle will also offer Alaska cruises departing from San Francisco in 2026, though those itineraries are not available for booking at this time.

Meanwhile, Carnival Spirit will also offer 7-night Alaska cruises roundtrip from Seattle beginning April 28, 2026 and continuing through September 15, 2026.

Both ships will offer select Carnival Journeys sailings on either end of their Alaska seasons as they reposition from other homeports. These include full Panama Canal transits as Carnival Spirit moves between Mobile and Seattle in April and back to Mobile in October. Carnival Miracle will reposition from Tampa to Seattle in April and then from Seattle to Galveston in September.

These repositioning cruises, which are often top bucket-list options for cruise travelers, are also available for booking. As with any one-of-a-kind sailing, they are likely to fill up quickly, and interested travelers should be planning early to make the most of their summer 2026 sailings.

Disney Unveils Garden-Themed Zone on Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship

Donna Tunney
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Disney Unveils Garden-Themed Zone on Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship

Disney Cruise Line has revealed some truly unique design details of Disney Imagination Garden, a sprawling space that will serve as the entertainment hub onboard Disney Adventure, set to debut in 2025.

The garden will be anchored at one end by a three-deck-high castle artwork and at the other by a performance stage where favorite Disney characters will be brought to life. The themed area, one of seven planned for the ship, will have two dining venues, a bar, and a new category of garden-view cabins.

Disney Adventure is under construction at a Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Disney Cruise Line bought the vessel in 2022 from Genting Hong Kong, which went bankrupt when the ship was about 70% complete.

Since the acquisition, Disney has been renovating Disney Adventure to its standards and will deploy the ship to Singapore.

“Disney Imagination Garden is the heart and soul of the Disney Adventure, where our guests will interact with our Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories in a whole new way,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio executive creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering. 

“The size and scale of this space provided us with so many opportunities to dream big and try new things with our experiential design, creating first-of-a-kind experiences for our guests, from all-new entertainment to delicious dining and lots of magical surprises sprinkled throughout,” added Cabo.

Disney Adventure is a 208,000-gross ton ship, making her among the largest in the industry, with capacity for up to 6,700 guests. The ship is slated to sail 3- and 4-night cruises from Singapore, with no port calls, making her public spaces and staterooms the sole focus of these vacations at sea.

Disney Cruise Line in June 2024 announced the names of all seven of the ship’s themed areas: In addition to Disney Imagination Garden, the ship will offer Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Wayfinder Bay, Town Square, Marvel Landing, and Toy Story Place. 

Here’s What Disney Imagination Garden Will Offer 

The Disney Imagination Garden is described as a space that will make guests think they are in a pop-up storybook, with features that look like paper cut-outs. These will be shaped like flowers, trees, vines, trellises, and lanterns.

The Garden Stage will have an amphitheater design, using a large staircase for seating. At the top of the staircase, guests will find a garden courtyard and bar, where a topiary of a Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse stands with his magic wand at the ready.

Disney Cruise Line’s First Castle at Sea
Disney Cruise Line’s First Castle at Sea

Read Also: How Much is a Disney Cruise?

Two eateries will be featured in the garden area, each taken from Disney’s animated films “The Jungle Book” and “Moana.”  Indoor and outdoor seating will be available at both venues, with outdoor tables providing views of the Garden Stage.

Mowgli’s Eatery, which will serve Indian dishes, is inspired by Mowgli’s journey in “The Jungle Book,” while Gramma Tala’s Kitchen is taken from the tropical atmosphere in “Moana.”

Disney Adventure Mowgli’s Eatery
Disney Adventure Mowgli’s Eatery

While most entertainment details tied to the Garden Stage are yet to come, Disney Cruise Line has unveiled one of the main performances guests can look forward to. 

The show, called “Avengers Assemble!,” will delight guests with stunts and special effects featuring characters such as Deadpool, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, The Scarlet Witch, and others.

Disney Adventure Gramma Tala’s Kitchen
Disney Adventure Gramma Tala’s Kitchen

Under an agreement with the Singapore Tourism Board, Disney Adventure will sail from the country’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre for at least five years. 

When she debuts in 2025, Disney Adventure will join a six-ship Disney Cruise Line fleet. The cruise line has five ships currently sailing, with the new-build Disney Treasure set to debut in December 2024. Disney Treasure recently marked her float-out from her Meyer Werft construction bay, and the shipyard is completing her interior design.

Another ship set to launch in 2025 is Disney Destiny, also under construction at Meyer Werft. Disney Cruise Line is a growing brand, with an order for four additional ships announced on August 10, 2024.

Norwegian Removes Coveted Port From Multiple Sailings

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Removes Coveted Port From Multiple Sailings

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests on several sailings of the new Norwegian Viva with notice that the ship’s itinerary has been changed and the port of Kralendijk, Bonaire has been removed.

While no alternative port has been added, the times in other ports of call on each itinerary have been extended to compensate.

The impacted sailings include the ship’s February 16 and February 23 departures, both in 2025. These 7-night itineraries are identical, now with identical changes.

The ship will set sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico as planned on Sunday, with no change in the 7 p.m. planned departure. On Monday, the visit to Punta Cana (La Romana) in the Dominican Republic will now be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., rather than the original 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This gives guests an extra hour to explore the beautiful tropical destination.

Tuesday’s call to Oranjestad, Aruba will be from 11 am. to 9 p.m., a total of 10 hours in port. The original itinerary had Norwegian Viva visiting just from 1-9 p.m., only eight hours. Wednesday, the ship will be in Willemstad, Curacao from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., a one-hour gain from the original itinerary of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday was to have been the visit to Kralendijk, Bonaire, but instead, that day will now be a day at sea. As the ship was to have been docked from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., this is a loss of 7 hours of port time.

Friday, the ship’s call to Castries, St. Lucia will be significantly expanded. Instead of the original itinerary of 1:30-7:30 p.m. (6 hours), the ship will now visit the port from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10 hours).

Likewise, the Saturday visit to Basseterre, St. Kitts, is now from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10 hours) instead of just 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (8.5 hours).

All pre-purchased shore tours booked through Norwegian Cruise Line for Bonaire on these impacted itineraries will be automatically cancelled, with full refunds returned to guests’ original form of payment. If necessary, shore tour times for the other ports of call will be adjusted accordingly.

The 142,500-gross-ton, Prima-class Norwegian Viva can welcome 3,215 guests at each sailing. She is currently spending the summer and autumn seasons in the Mediterranean, before she will move to San Juan in December.

Why the Changes?

The reasoning for the changes to every single port on each of Norwegian Viva‘s impacted itineraries, as well as dropping Bonaire completely, has not been detailed other than a relatively generic explanation Norwegian Cruise Line has frequently used with such changes.

“As we continue to optimize itineraries for enhanced port and shore excursion availability for the ultimate vacation experience, fuel optimization as a part of our commitment to the environment and sustainability efforts, as well as global maritime regulations, we have adjusted the original itinerary,” the email notification said.

Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Viva (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

The idea of dropping Bonaire as a port visit for “shore excursion availability” is interesting as Norwegian Viva was the only ship scheduled in the port on Thursday, February 20 as well as the following week on February 27.

It is possible that the other ports of call will have more crowding, and extending the times in port will permit more shore tour opportunities for passengers.

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Line Haven – What You Need to Know

Regardless of the reason, travelers will be understandably disappointed in the change, particularly if this may be their first cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Bonaire is part of the unique “ABC” cruise itinerary – Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao – that many travelers note as a bucket-list sailing.

As Norwegian Viva is offering a number of identical itineraries while she is homeported from San Juan from mid-December 2024 through early April 2025, it is possible that other sailing dates may be similarly impacted.

Guests booked on sailings during that time period should stay in close contact with Norwegian Cruise Line in case of updates or adjustments.

Carnival Cruise Line Defends Cost of Essential Item

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Cruise Line Defends Cost of Essential Item

There is simply no way to make everyone happy – and the latest controversy to anger cruise passengers is the price of bottled water on Carnival cruise ships. 

According to Brand Ambassador John Heald, who spoke out about the issue in a video on his Facebook page, a lot of cruisers have been expressing their frustration with the cost of the beverage. 

Currently, guests can pre-order a 12-pack of bottled water prior to embarkation day to be delivered to their staterooms for $17.64 (USD). 

This equates to a value of $1.47 per water bottle – although it is the fourth time the price of this item has been raised in about a two year span. 

There was also outrage when the price was raised to $14.95 per 12-pack in April of 2024 – which equals out to about $1.25 per bottle. Initially, the 12-pack was priced at $4.95 ($0.42 per bottle). 

But as Heald stated in his video, these are still some of the best prices in the travel industry – and the cruise lines do need to adjust for the current economy and inflation. 

“We’ve been talking a lot about water because people have been rather, I guess, adamant, that we charge too much for bottled water,” began Heald. “But it’s just over $1 a bottle. It’s the most affordable in the industry compared to airports, resorts, etc. It’s still a great, affordable deal.” 

Some of the pushback may be related to the fact that guests have not been allowed to bring their own plastic water bottles onboard since 2015. 

“You’ve got a pretty short memory! When Carnival stopped letting people bring water on board, you stated on your Facebook page that Carnival would keep it very affordable to purchase on the ship, and it was at first. What happened? It is not ‘an affordable deal’ at all,” argued one Facebook user in the comments. 

Indeed, Carnival guests are only currently permitted to carry on a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages – meaning a maximum of 12 sealed cans or cartons – such as soda, energy drinks, milk, or juice. Plastic containers are not allowed. 

Affordable Water Options Onboard 

Of course, no one is forced to pay for the bottled water if they don’t want to or don’t agree that it’s a good deal. 

“You don’t need it, because, like me, you can drink ship water,” said Heald in the video, as a waiter onboard Carnival Mardi Gras refilled his glass with ice water. “So, there you go. I’m drinking ship water and so can you.”

The “ship water” is free and included with meals and 24/7 at beverage stations on all 27 Carnival ships. Many cruisers opt to bring a refillable water bottle or Hydroflask and refill as needed with free water from the stations onboard. 

But some commenters on Heald’s post expressed that they couldn’t drink non-bottled water, either due to physical side effects or not being able to stomach the taste.

Water Bottle
Photo Credit: Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock

“I find the ship’s water makes me swell up like crazy. I need to drink bottled,” replied one Facebook user. 

“I’m sorry but usually when I cruise the water does not taste good. It’s been a while so maybe something has changed,” someone else chimed in. 

Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise

Another alternative for cruisers who want bottled water, but not the 12-pack, is to invest in the Cheers! drink package. The Cheers! package starts at $70.74 per person, per day, but might still feel like a better deal because it allows guests to consume up to 15 drinks a day at no additional cost. 

In addition to water bottles, this inclusive option features spirits (cocktails, beer, and wine), soda, energy drinks, specialty coffee, hot tea, and other non-alcoholic beverages. 

But whatever guests do to get their daily dose of H20, they shouldn’t try to cheat the system. A TikToker, who went viral after tampering with the water bottles in her stateroom, was banned from cruising with Carnival earlier this year.

The female guest recorded herself refilling and resealing water bottles she drank to make it look like they were untouched in a failed attempt to avoid paying for them.

Plumbing Issue Gets Royal Caribbean Sailing Off to a Gross Start

Catie Kovelman
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Plumbing Issue Gets Royal Caribbean Sailing Off to a Gross Start

It’s kind of ironic to be on a ship, surrounded by water, but not have access to water to drink or use in the bathroom. 

But guests boarding Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas on August 19, 2024, found themselves in this very predicament. 

The round trip sailing, which is based out of Athens, Greece, is slated to call on Istanbul, Turkey; Kusadasi, Turkey; Santorini, Greece; and Mykonos, Greece, over the course of seven days. 

But on embarkation day, at least one guest, who posted about the situation on Reddit, was disappointed to find that there was no water anywhere on the nearly 25-year-old ship due to an unspecified plumbing issue.

“We boarded a couple hours ago and since boarding the ship has had no running water. But we hadn’t understood as they haven’t closed off or marked anything. So as you’re at the buffet to get a drink the machines just have syrup coming out. We assumed it was a buffet issue,” a current passenger shared on Reddit. 

As the anonymous cruiser explored the Voyager-class vessel, they found that the situation was indeed a ship-wide issue – with the lack of water impacting both public bathrooms and the 1,708 staterooms. 

“But then then you go to the bathroom and you can’t flush or wash your hands and there is no sanitizer…the stalls in the bathroom just have poop in them…Finally wanted to wash my hands in the room but to find the rooms have no water either,” continued the Redditor. 

Read Also: What Do Cruise Ships Do with Sewage and Waste?

Thankfully, the plumbing crisis was resolved on the same day – and the 3,602-passenger ship was able to embark without delay.

Although Voyager of the Seas has been in service since the end of 1999, the vessel is not known for frequent maintenance issues. Royal Caribbean works hard to maintain its vessels, and the ship’s most recent refurbishment was in 2019.

A Lack of Communication Frustrates Voyager’s Passengers 

While widespread plumbing issues pose a huge inconvenience, what really irked this guest was the lack of proactive communication from the approximately 1,200 crew members onboard. 

The passenger did not hear any announcements made about the situation, and didn’t feel that the employees took action to help keep the ship sanitary for guests while it was being resolved, such as by making hand sanitizer readily available in bathrooms.

Worth Reading: Plumbing Issues Onboard Symphony of the Seas Cause Concern

The only update this passenger claims to have received was when he personally took the initiative to inquire with guest services. 

“I called guest services and asked if there was water and they said ‘no not right now.’ I asked if there was anywhere I could wash my hands and she said, ‘sorry, not right now sir’. I asked when they expected it to be working and they said they will be repairing for at least another hour,” the Redditor explained. 

“I’ve cruised many many times but haven’t experienced this before. I guess I just expected an announcement and some instructions. They’ve still been boarding people for hours without telling anyone…I just figured they would be much better at handling a situation like this,” concluded the original poster.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Deck
Royal Caribbean Cruise Deck (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Even when the water was turned back on, the Redditor alleges that the guests were left to find out via word of mouth from other passengers. 

Read Also: How Do Cruise Ships Get Fresh Water?

Royal Caribbean has not specified what the plumbing issue was or released an official statement. But rest assured, the cruise lines do comment when these events are significant enough. 

As recently as earlier this summer, Carnival Brand ambassador John Heald issued a reminder to avoid flushing wet wipes, which are a terrible nuisance to cruise ship plumbing systems and are prone to causing blockages. 

The disposable wipes can result in messy sewage overflowing into staterooms or public restrooms when not disposed of properly – and have caused enough of an issue fleet-wide for Heald to speak out. 

Earlier this year, in March of 2024, a broken pipe caused flooding in the central atrium of Seabourn Sojourn – which made guests and crew alike realize what happens where this is too much water (in contrast to the events onboard Voyager of the Seas). 

With the water inundating multiple decks, crew members had to work quickly to repair the burst pipe and clean up the flooding to ensure guests were safe and to prevent slip hazards. 

Something similar occurred at the end of 2023 when passengers onboard Carnival Radiance awoke in the early morning hours to water flooding into their staterooms, presumably from a burst pipe. 

The incident, which was confined to deck 7, was dealt with quickly. But when water isn’t cleaned up properly, it can soak into the walls and carpet, leading to mold, mildew, and a disgusting aroma. 

Incredible Cruise Ship Amenities You Really Need to Experience

Holly Riddle
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Incredible Cruise Ship Amenities You Really Need to Experience

There are some amenities, activities and venues that are just commonplace on cruise ships. Just about every cruise ship has a spa, casino, lounges and theater. Everyone has a sports court with basketball courts or bumper cars.

However, more and more, cruise lines are looking to wow guests and make their ships stand out with “first at sea” features that go above and beyond the average — and, out of them all, these are the incredible cruise ship amenities you really need to experience.

In This Article:

Roller Coasters

The first-ever roller coaster at sea debuted in 2021, on Carnival’s Mardi Gras cruise ship. Since, Carnival has added this feature — dubbed BOLT — to Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee as well.  

An all-electric coaster, BOLT features two-person cars, traveling at up to 40 miles per hour, on an 800-foot track. The track twists, turns and drops its way along the deck, also taking cruisers nearly 200 feet out above the water line.

BOLT has been extremely successful since it launched, and has won numerous industry awards, including being named best cruise ship feature in the Cruise Hive Awards, multiple years in a row.

Carnival Jubilee BOLT Roller Coaster
Carnival Jubilee BOLT Roller Coaster

So how does this roller coaster stand up to the experiences you could expect on a traditional roller coaster? 

According to cruisers who’ve tried this entertainment option out for themselves, and reported back on Reddit, BOLT is not only a unique experience, but also offers great views. While the coaster isn’t as fast as a traditional coaster, the ocean breeze coming off the water make the journey feel faster than it is, and you get to go around the track twice.   

Go-Karts

For more thrills, some cruise ships, namely those from Norwegian Cruise Line, now feature go-kart tracks. You can find this amenity on Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Bliss. 

The biggest of these go-kart tracks can be found on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, where the tracks stretch over three decks and 1,400 feet.

Norwegian Cruise Line Go-Kart Track Speedway
Norwegian Cruise Line Go-Kart Track Speedway (Photo Credit: ackats)

An activity that’s hardly just for kids, you’ll take to the track at up to 40 miles per hour, for a truly heart-pounding experience! The track overlooks the ocean, features all sorts of twists and turns, and altogether is sure to test your mettle. 

Unfortunately, this feature isn’t free. You’ll pay $15 to start, for each ride, with extra fees for private use of the track or luxury unlimited rides throughout your cruise. Each ride is eight laps. 

The Magic Carpet

A feature exclusive to Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ships, which include Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent), the Magic Carpet is like nothing you’ve ever really experienced.

While you could easily find a go-kart track on land, or a roller coaster at a nearby traditional amusement park, the Magic Carpet is in its own league. So what is it?

Celebrity Cruises' Magic Carpet
Celebrity Cruises’ Magic Carpet (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

The Magic Carpet is the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform. It basically hangs over the ship’s side and provides passengers with an extra space where you can dine, drink and soak in the views, all while sitting 13 stories above sea level.

Whether it’s being used for relaxation or as one of the specialty restaurants’ dining options, It’s truly a one-of-a-kind space where you’ll feel as if you’re floating above the ocean. 

The Magic Carpet can fit about a hundred or so people and can be rented out for private events. 

Skydiving

Certain Royal Caribbean ships — including Ovation of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas — are home to Ripcord by iFLY skydiving simulators.

RipCord by iFly
RipCord by iFly

These skydiving simulators provide a safe and expert-overseen environment in which you can feel all the thrills of skydiving, without actually facing any of the scary heights or that heart-pounding leap out of a tiny airplane. 

All you have to do is suit up and step inside, and you’ll be on your way, with the wind in your face. The experience only lasts about a minute or so, but past cruisers who have tried the experience out say that this is entirely enough time. Plus, the experience is free for your first try. 

Robotic Bartenders

This is one of the few unique cruise ship features that’s actually available on multiple cruise lines. Both Royal Caribbean and MSC have discovered that there’s just something fun about watching a robot mix up your drink or pour you a beer.

On Royal Caribbean, you’ll find the cruise line’s robotic bartenders at the aptly named Bionic Bar. There, in a futuristic, glitzy setting, multiple robotic arms twist and turn to produce your drink of choice, chosen from a touch screen menu.

You can order both classic cocktails or your own bar favorites (so long as you know how to make that favorite — you’ll have to tell the robot the ingredients to use!).

Rob the Robot Bartender on MSC Virtuosa
Rob the Robot Bartender on MSC Virtuosa (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)

Currently, the Bionic Bar can be found on Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. 

MSC Cruises offers its robot bartender on MSC Virtuosa, in a relatively new venue called Starship Club. There, the robot bartender, Rob, looks a little more humanoid versus being just a robotic arm.

The Starship Club overall looks like something out of a child’s sci-fi movie, with 3D holograms, digital art and interactive furnishings. Rob can mix up your drink, make small talk and act as much like a human as possible — for a robot. 

F1 Simulators

Some of the larger MSC cruise ships featured an F1 Simulator where guests can feel what it’s like to drive a complicated car, which even has large screens on a simulated F1 track. This feature connects the cruise line well as an official sponsor of the popular motor sport.

F1 Simulator on MSC Virtuosa
F1 Simulator on MSC Virtuosa (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)

MSC Cruises has F1 racing simulators on MSC Divina, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seascape and MSC Seashore. Norwegian Cruise Line likewise has them on Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy. 

Planetariums

Explore the cosmos in comfort, when you kick back and stare the ceiling, in a cruise ship planetarium. While you won’t find this unique feature on some of the more family-friendly cruise ships out there, you will find it on some cruise lines that typically cater to older travelers who may want a more educational slant to their trips.

Queen Mary 2 Planetarium
Queen Mary 2 Planetarium

Viking Cruises has several ships with planetariums, including Viking Orion, Viking Jupiter, Viking Mars and Viking Neptune. Viking Orion’s planetarium was noted as the highest-definition 7K planetarium in the world when it debuted in 2018. 

Before Viking added planetariums to its ships, though, Cunard had a planetarium on the Queen Mary 2, where it maintained status as the only planetarium at sea for years.

Cunard still claims that, while the Queen Mary 2’s planetarium might not be the only planetarium at sea these days, it is still the largest planetarium at sea. 

Surfing Simulators

Surfing simulators have grown in popularity as a fun amenity at resorts, water parks and, yes, on cruise ships. Royal Caribbean ships have long featured the FlowRider surfing simulator, which offers about 40 feet of manmade waves, which cruisers then attempt to take on while riding small boards.  

How exactly does it work? 

Essentially, the FlowRider produces what’s known as a sheet wave — a sheet of water pumped continuously into a wave. The water is only a few inches deep and the wave is constant.

Flowrider Royal Caribbean
FlowRider on Royal Caribbean (Photo Credit: Serge Yatunin / Shutterstock)

As such, you can feasibly surf as long as you like, without a break — so long as you can find your footing. Surfing on the simulator is harder than it looks, which is why many choose to experience the simulator on their bellies, lying down on the board before jumping against the wave. 

You’ll find at least one (some ships have two!) FlowRider surfing simulators on the following Royal Caribbean ships:

Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. 

SkyRide

SkyRide is an interesting feature on select Carnival Cruise Lines ships. It’s a good fit for those who think they’d like the view of the ocean and top-deck ride of a cruise ship roller coaster, but who want something a little more low-key and slow.

Carnival Cruise Ship SkyRide
Carnival Cruise Ship SkyRide (Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos)

Described as “the cruise industry’s first pedal-powered open-air aerial attraction,” SkyRide is a human-powered ride (so you can control how fast you want to go) that allows you to basically pedal your way around a course.

The two-lane suspended course hangs over the deck and ocean, for exclusive access to amazing, panoramic views you really won’t be able to get anywhere else. The course is about 800 feet long, and sits about 150 feet above the water line. There are four single-rider “bikes” on each SkyRide.

Currently, SkyRide is available on Carnival Vista, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon. 

Snow and Ice Venues

If you’re trying to cool down during a cruise to a series of sunny and tropical ports of call, there’s no need to stay in your cabin, soaking up the AC. These cruise ships are here to delight with their snow and ice venues. 

There are, of course, cruise ships that offer ice skating rinks, where you can both skate on your own or come by to watch a professional ice skating show.

Ice-Skating Rink
Ice-Skating Rink

These are quite popular on Royal Caribbean ships, including Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.

For the adults in your party, though, some cruise ships offer a different kind of frozen attraction: ice bars. This is the case on select Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Norwegian Breakaway, for example, has its Svedka ICE Bar, where a below-freezing room filled with ice sculptures serves up frozen drinks. Similarly, Norwegian Getaway is home to the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar, where everything, from the bar to the seats, is made from layers of ice. 

Bowling

Myriad cruise ships from myriad cruise lines are home to bowling lanes or full-blown bowling alleys, both big and small.  

With Norwegian Cruise Line, you can find bowling on Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Pearl, as well as mini bowling on Norwegian Bliss. The two-lane bowling on Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Pearl offers an experience similar to neon bowling events you may’ve attended at traditional bowling alleys, with neon balls and funky lighting.

Bowling on MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship
Bowling on MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship (Credit: Emrys Thakkar)

Carnival Vista has a 10-lane bowling alley within the broader SportsSquare complex. 

MSC Cruises has bowling lanes on both its Meraviglia and Seaside-class ships, which include MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seascape and MSC Seashore. Each ship offers two lanes (shorter than your average bowling lanes), with 10 full-sized pins each. Bowling starts at $25 for a half-hour lane rental, plus shoe rentals for $2 per person.

Free Fall Slides

A lot of cruise ships have water slides, but what about free fall slides? Not for the faint of heart, these water slides feature straight drops down, so you actually spend time in a free fall, before you hit the water.

Free-Fall Slide on Norwegian Prima
Free-Fall Slide on Norwegian Prima (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)

You can find these thrilling sides on Norwegian’s Prima-class ships, including Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva (and likely on upcoming Prima-class ships that are due to debut in the coming years). 

You can also find free fall slides on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. On these ships, the free fall slide is literally called “The Free Fall,” and it’s one of the fastest drop slides at sea.

The North Star

Much like The Magic Carpet, The North Star is a Royal Caribbean feature that offers stellar 360-degree views.

Available on Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas, the North Star is a glass-enclosed pod on a mechanical arm that can lift you up and over the deck before taking you out over the side of the ship, over 300 feet above sea level.

Ovation of the Seas North Star
Ovation of the Seas North Star

Technically considered a ride and honored in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Highest Viewing Deck on a Cruise Ship, the North Star isn’t as adrenaline-pumping as some of the other unique cruise ship amenities on this list, but it is still pretty cool.

As an added convenience (and shorter lines), it also operates both while you’re at sea and while you’re in port. 

Multi-Story Dry Slides

It’s not just free-fall water slides that steal the show on cruise ships. Dry slides are also becoming more popular, allowing cruisers to enjoy a speedy ride across multiple decks or stories, but without the need to don your swimsuit or get your hair wet.

Aft Dry Slide on MSC World Europa
Aft Dry Slide on MSC World Europa (Photo Credit: lara-sh)

You can find dry slides, called the Ultimate Abyss Slide, on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. The Utopia of the Seas dry slide is the longest at sea, at more than 250 feet long. On most ships, the Ultimate Abyss Slide is 10-stories tall and cruisers who give it a go can reach speeds of up to nine miles per hour.

Dry slides are also featured on MSC Cruises’ World-class ships, including MSC World Europa and MSC World America. On both, the dry slide is dubbed Venom Drop and it’s 11-stories tall. 

Final Thoughts

It’s no secret. Cruise lines are constantly trying to outdo one another, unveiling new and exciting “first at sea” or “biggest at sea” features. While the above amenities and attractions are certainly cool, there’s no doubt that we’ll see even bigger and better attractions in the years ahead.

Read Also: It Isn’t a Cruise Until You Do These 9 Things

For now, though, be sure to get your fill of at-sea thrills with these slides, rides and more. Even if you just try them out once, and just to say that you did, it’s sure to lead to fun vacation memories you won’t soon forget. 

Activists Block Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas in Amsterdam

Lissa Poirot
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Activists Block Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas in Amsterdam

On August 18, 2024, environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion prevented Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas from entering the IJmuiden locks near Amsterdam.

The protestors positioned themselves at the port’s locks, delaying the ship’s entry for several hours, and disrupting the itinerary of the 2,100 passengers aboard. 

According to passengers aboard the ship that departed on from Copenhagen to Amsterdam on August 10, Serenade of the Seas was originally scheduled to dock in Bergen, Norway, but cancelled the call in an attempt to reach Amsterdam ahead of the protestors.

The 90,090-gross-ton vessel was able to conclude its voyage after police removed the activists around 5 p.m., local time, with no arrests made.

The event marks the latest in a series of protests in the region as activists continue to challenge the cruise industry over its contribution to climate change. 

“Extinction Rebellion calls for an immediate termination of the cruise industry due to the urgent and rapidly escalating climate and environmental crisis,” the organization wrote on its website. “Several studies show time and time again that cruises are still a significant source of pollution for air, water, and land.”

Serenade of the Seas is currently on the final segment of its 274-night world cruise that departed Miami, Florida, in December 2023. The ship, which has gained a huge following on TikTok, will end the hugely popular voyage in Miami on September 10, 2024.

This protest follows closely on the heels of similar actions earlier in the month, marking the second time protestors have interrupted a Royal Caribbean International ship. On August 10, 2024, Serenade of the Seas’ sister Radiance-class ship, the Jewel of the Seas, was blocked from entering Amsterdam, forcing the ship to divert to IJmuiden.

Passengers faced delays and a rerouting of planned excursions via busses that had to travel an extra 40 minutes between the ports.

The next day, August 11, Extinction Rebellion blocked Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner from entering the port of IJmuiden, causing a delay of over four hours.

The ongoing protests have also affected other cruise lines, On August 16, 2024, Ambassador Cruise Line had to redirect its vessel, Ambition, to IJmuiden instead of Amsterdam after being informed of planned protests.

Royal Caribbean’s Environmental Record

Extinction Rebellion’s concern over the environmental impact of the cruise industry often references the 2022 report card from Friends of the Earth. According to the report, Royal Caribbean International received an overall grade of “F.”

While all ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet have advanced sewage treatment systems, earning a “C” in that category, the company received an “F” for air pollution due to limited shore power capability and the extensive use of scrubbers.

Protesters Meet Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas
Protesters Meet Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas (Credit: Extinction Rebellion)

The scrubbers, installed on 23 ships, convert air pollution into toxic water pollution, further impacting water quality and contributing to the company’s “F” grade for water quality, said Friends of the Earth.

In response to growing scrutiny, Royal Caribbean has invested in several sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint. According to its 2024 Community Impact Report, the cruise line has achieved a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per available passenger cruise day since 2005.

It is also targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 with interim goals to reduce emissions by 25 percent by 2025 and 50 percent by 2030.

In pollution control, the cruise line says its installation of advanced wastewater purification systems on over 60 percent of its fleet treats sewage and greywater to standards higher than required international regulations.

The company also says it has reduced sulfur content in its fuel by 85 percent through the use of its scrubbers.

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