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These special effects and visual features add an extra element of excitement and immersion, making each water slide unique and enticing. The latest cruise ships have a variety of activities that appeal to all age groups, but in this guide, we’re most interested in water parks & cruise ships with water slides. As cruise ships continue to evolve, water slides have gone from kiddie pools to thrilling attractions that are enjoyed by both children and adults.
Kids slides
Often cited as the first waterslide ever on a cruise vessel, the Festivale slide was of a sort that was found at backyard pools at the time. The cruise industry was still in its infancy, of course, and ships were orders of magnitude smaller than they are today. Festivale measured just 32,697 tons, about one-seventh the size of today's biggest cruise vessels. Not to be outdone, Carnival, an early adopter of waterslides on ships, has added sprawling water park areas with multiple waterslides to almost every vessel in its fleet. Royal Caribbean, for instance, added an 800-foot-long "water coaster" to the back of its 3,386-passenger Navigator of the Seas just a few years ago. It's one of more than two dozen giant waterslides the line has added to more than half a dozen ships in the last seven years.
Perfect Day at Cococay
When choosing a water slide location, cruise lines consider factors such as visibility, accessibility, and integration with other onboard amenities. Slides located in prominent positions, such as on the top deck or near main pool areas, allow for maximum visibility and can create a sense of excitement for both riders and onlookers. Additionally, convenient access to the slides, either through stairways or nearby elevators, ensures that riders can easily reach the slides without having to navigate through crowded areas of the ship.
Where you'll find the biggest waterslides at sea
Cruise ship water parks are the sort of attractions that often end up being feature around which you base your entire cruise game plan -- particularly for families. Cruisers often fall into two categories when it comes to water parks on cruise ships -- either you and your gang must have slides and splash parks onboard, or you have never given them much thought at all. Either way, knowing which cruise ship water parks rise above the rest can be an important factor in your hunt for the perfect cruise vacation. MSC Cruises has been adding bigger and better water parks to each of their ships in recent years. At 394 feet, Vertigo onboard MSC Preziosa is one of the longest water slides at sea. Snaking around the ship’s funnel, this slide features great lighting effects, a 30 foot clear section over the side of the ship and 42 feet of drop from start to finish.
Height, weight, and age restrictions apply, and lifeguards are present at all times to monitor activity. On top of the Blaster and Riptide on Navigator of the Seas, some of the most thrilling water slides can be found on Norwegian Cruise Line ships. The Free Fall is one of the fastest water slides on any cruise ship, with riders experiencing a g-force of 4 gs as they plunge down the slide. This heart-pumping ride is shaped like a loop and is available on three of Norwegian’s ships. In fact, the water slides you’ll find on ships from cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line aren’t just for kids – you’ll find plenty of adults lining up to take their turn too. The AquaDuck spans over 750 feet of tubes that snake up, down and actually out over the side of the ships while providing incredible views of the sea—for those brave enough to look, that is!
In this article, I’ll be your guide as we explore the best cruise ships with water slides, guaranteed to make a splash on your next adventure at sea. Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream have the water park fan-favorite AquaDuck -- an elevated two-person-raft "water coaster," made up of a 765-foot-long tube that veers out over the side of the ship. Both ships also have Mickey’s Slide and Mr. Ray’s Slide in the Nemo’s Reef area for the 8 and under cruisers. They are the dominate feature, that colorful first thing your kids notice as your family car, taxi or shuttle bus gets closer and closer to port. And let’s be honest—aside from the endless soft-serve ice cream—the water park is the next best thing on a family cruise.
THE PERFECT STORM — TWICE THE EXHILARATION
This 765-foot-long slide is illuminated at night, adding an extra touch of magic to the experience. It’s no surprise that Disney Cruise Line would infuse its onboard water parks with a bit of Disney entertainment. This slide is 200 feet long but feels much longer as you’re never quite sure how many times you’ll spin around the bowl before slowing down and falling through the middle.
SPLASHAWAY BAY — FOR LITTLE ADVENTURERS
When it comes to cruise ship water slides, one of the first distinctions to be made is between enclosed and open air slides. Enclosed slides are fully enclosed tubes that often feature twists, turns, and thrilling drops. They offer a sense of anticipation and mystery as riders twist and turn through the tight confines of the slide.
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On Liberty of the Seas, a third slide called The Tidal Wave sends you screaming down a steep hill on an inner tube to a nearly vertical incline. Zooming upward, topping out and dropping back, you'll get a blissful moment of complete weightlessness. Norwegian, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean only began going big with waterslides on ships in the past decade or so. Carnival, the so-called Fun Ship line, would go on to become the early leader in waterslides at sea.
Epic Plunge is part of Norwegian Epic's Aqua Park, the first water park on a Norwegian ship. Norwegian has since added Aqua Parks to six more new vessels, including its biggest ship, the 4-year-old Norwegian Encore. For those who may not wish to partake in the water slide adventures, cruise lines often provide provisions for spectators and non-riders. This can include designated viewing areas or seating arrangements that allow friends or family members to cheer on their loved ones as they ride the slides. It is important to check with the specific cruise line for any restrictions or guidelines regarding spectators and non-riders to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.
These operating times are typically designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of guests. Water slides may operate during set hours each day, ensuring that riders have ample time to enjoy the slides. It is important to check the daily schedule and plan accordingly to ensure that you can make the most of the available operating times.
Comparing water slide experiences on large vs small ships depends on personal preference, but both can be fun. At Royal Caribbean, that means the giant Oasis-class vessels, which include Wonder of the Seas — the world's largest cruise ship. At Norwegian, you'll find the biggest waterslides and water parks on the line's relatively recently built Breakaway Plus-, Breakaway- and Epic-class ships. At MSC Cruises, the new Seaside-, Meraviglia-, Meraviglia Plus- and World-class vessels have the line's big water parks. Royal Caribbean has been pulling out the stops to introduce some of the most exciting and unique water slides at sea.
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