Water Slide Guide
Picture this: you’re sailing on one of the world’s majestic cruise ships with your family surrounded by stunning views of the open sea as you travel between incredible bucket-list-worthy destinations. How could it get any better, we hear you ask? Two words: water slides.
Onboard water slides are a perfect addition to any cruise line's entertainment line-up, providing fun for all the family and keeping thrill-seeking kids entertained for hours. Whether you're sliding down high-speed water slides as a family or watching your kids race each other on incredible slides, choosing a liner topped with colourful twisting and turning slides is always a great idea. So why not make a splash and start planning your next adventure at sea on an incredible cruise liner with a great variety of water slides and pools on offer? Let our water slide guide help you find the perfect cruise holiday that caters to your whole family, from the little ones to the big kids.
What to expect
Get ready to experience the time of your life! If you're a fan of heart-racing water slides and water-based activities intended to get your heart racing, then you're in for a treat. You'll be amazed by the awesome selection of water slides that are available on family-friendly cruise ships sailing to sunny destinations like the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Whether it’s record-breaking fast slides or kids’ splash parks – the world’s liners have it all covered.
This is your chance to experience an adrenaline-fueled adventure at sea. You'll be twisting, turning, dropping and dipping your way through an array of exciting water-based entertainment options while hopping between islands, cities and beaches around the globe. So grab your swimming gear and get ready to expect the unexpected, because unforgettable holiday experiences await you!
Water slide safety tips
Nobody wants to worry about potential injuries on holiday, especially when little ones are involved. So to make sure your cruise remains accident-free and the fun can continue, follow our top safety tips…
No running or diving
The area around the Lido Deck can become a bit slippery, especially if you're walking around barefoot. So, just like you would at any pool, take care around the pool edges and don’t run. Remember, it's not a race, and you'll get your turn eventually. Also, you might feel a bit wobbly due to the waves, so take your time while walking around the pool and slide areas to avoid any slips or falls. Diving is also a big no-no in most cruise ship pools because of the depth and size.
Streamline for speed (and safety)
The more streamlined you are, the better and safer the experience will be. Keep your arms tucked in and your legs together to travel faster and keep yourself from banging or knocking your limbs whilst in transit down the slide. You’ll thank us later.
Keep a close eye on little ones
Most pool and water slide areas will have a qualified and experienced lifeguard on duty who can swoop in if needs be. But it still doesn’t hurt to keep a close watch on any kids when they’re enjoying themselves at the onboard water park. Make sure you’re sat somewhere you can clearly see them and make sure they meet all necessary criteria before trying to ride something.
Things to Remember
So with our top safety tips in mind, what else do cruise passengers need to remember before sailing off onboard a cruise ship with water slides? From what to pack to following guidelines, here are a few extra things to think about.
Things to pack
If you’re planning on making the most of the exhilarating slides onboard your cruise ship, it’s a no-brainer that you’ll need to pack your swimwear. Don’t forget the swimming costumes, bikinis, swimming shorts, armbands and goggles!
Remove valuable items
The last thing you want to do is lose your most beloved piece of jewellery or misplace your wallet when you leave it on a lounger to whizz down a water slide or two. Prevent any worry of this happening by leaving any valuables in the safe provided in your cabin.
Follow guidelines
Remember, following any age and height restrictions is essential to ensure that everyone can enjoy their time on the cruise to the fullest. Take the time to familiarise yourself with the guidelines before you embark on your adventure, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need any clarification of the rules. Although little ones might be disappointed that they can’t try some of the more extreme water slides, it’s still important to stick to the guidance to keep everyone safe.
Have fun!
Of course, don’t forget to have fun! Cruises are all about unwinding and taking on extraordinary experiences, and there’s no better way to do this than to spend time splashing, sliding and swirling on the water slides available. You’re sure to have plenty of laughs and happy memories from your time on these water-based attractions.
Which Cruise Lines have water slides?
You can find water slides onboard selected ships from the following cruise lines:
Best cruise ship water slides & pools
If you’re the type of cruise passenger who thrives on life’s thrills and fancies entertainment options that go beyond sitting at the bar or catching some rays on the deck, then you’ll want to take a closer look at some of the best, most adrenaline-pumping water slides the world’s cruise ships have to offer.
Here are five of our favourites that are sure to keep adults and kids equally as entertained…
Speedway Splash, Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival Sunshine)
The two tallest structures on most cruise ships tend to be the funnel and communications mast, but Carnival Sunshine dares to be different with its Speedway Splash water slide. Towering four stories above deck ten, this 334-foot-long slide takes those who are brave enough on the ride of a lifetime over the sea and back down onto deck again at startling speeds. Not one for the faint-hearted!
Green Thunder, Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival Spirit)
Prepare for a lightning-fast slide experience on this green monster aboard the Carnival Spirit. As one of the fastest, steepest and most exhilarating waterslides at sea, you can guarantee to have the experience of a lifetime as you slip and slide along at unimaginably fast speeds.
Epic Plunge, Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian Epic)
Sitting majestically at four stories above the pool deck on the Norwegian Epic and at over 200 feet long, the Epic Plunge certainly lives up to its name. Riders plummet down the enclosed tube as they grip onto a rubber ring before being launched out into a giant bowl that looks like something from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. After some swirling and splashing around, you’re eventually plunged through another hole in the centre of the bowl which drops out into a pool of water for a nice, cushioned landing.
Free Fall, Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian Breakaway/Norwegian Getaway)
Fancy testing your bravery on one of the biggest and best water slides at sea? We thought so! Norwegian Breakaway’s Free Fall water slide pits two brave souls against one another, side-by-side, where they wait for a trap door to open before plunging into the watery depths below.
The Norwegian Breakaway and the Norwegian Getaway ships have the largest water parks in the entire fleet, including five multi-story waterslides, two swimming pools and four hot tubs, giving you more water fun than ever before!
Vertigo, MSC Cruises (MSC Preziosa)
Make no mistake - MSC’s Vertigo slide is not for the faint-hearted. Those who are brave enough to challenge it should prepare to hurtle through the 400-foot-long slide at speeds reaching 13mph. No biggie for the thrill seekers among us! Towering atop Deck 18 of MSC Preziosa, riders are taken on a twisting, turning journey that’s filled with moments of madness and surprise. But the ride really lives up to its name thanks to the strobe effect that riders experience as they whizz through the sections with coloured bands.