No, not all cruise ships have water slides.

Some cruise lines prioritize family-friendly experiences and thrilling water slides, while others focus on relaxation and elegance, offering more traditional pool areas.

The presence of water slides depends on the cruise line, the ship’s design, and the target audience.

In this post, we’ll go deeper into which cruise ships have water slides and suggest alternative water activities for ships that don’t.

Cruise Lines with Water Slides: Detailed Overview

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival is known for its “Fun Ship” atmosphere, and their water parks are a testament to that.

Almost all of Carnival’s newer and larger ships are equipped with extensive water slides and water parks, collectively known as WaterWorks.

Carnival Ships with Water Slides:

• Carnival Vista: Features the Kaleid-O-Slide, Carnival’s first water tube slide with visual effects, and the Twister Waterslide, a thrilling spiraling slide.

• Carnival Horizon: Also offers the Kaleid-O-Slide and Twister Waterslide, providing plenty of water-based fun.

• Carnival Panorama: Equipped with both the Twister Waterslide and other kid-friendly water features.

• Carnival Breeze: Features the Twister Waterslide and a smaller slide for children.

• Carnival Dream: Includes the Drainpipe, a slide that spins guests around in a funnel before dropping them into a splash pool.

• Carnival Mardi Gras: Offers WaterWorks, including multiple high-speed slides like the Blue Lightning and Orange Thunder slides.

In addition to these major attractions, almost every Carnival ship has at least one water slide, making them a go-to for families looking for aquatic fun.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is another leader when it comes to onboard water slides.

They’ve built elaborate water parks on many of their newer ships, providing thrilling slides for both adults and children.

Norwegian Ships with Water Slides:

• Norwegian Epic: Features the Epic Plunge, a bowl slide that swirls passengers around a giant funnel before dropping them into a splash pool.

• Norwegian Escape: Offers the Aqua Racer and Free Fall, two high-adrenaline water slides that let guests race side-by-side or experience a vertical drop.

• Norwegian Breakaway: This ship has multiple slides, including a free-fall slide that’s among the fastest at sea.

• Norwegian Getaway: Similar to Norwegian Breakaway, this ship includes high-speed slides like the Free Fall.

• Norwegian Bliss: This ship offers the Aqua Racer, a tandem water slide, and the Ocean Loops, a double-loop slide that extends out over the edge of the ship.

Norwegian ships are known for their exciting, high-tech water slides that cater to thrill-seekers of all ages.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean has made a name for itself with its over-the-top amenities, and water slides are no exception.

On many of their larger ships, they feature a set of water slides known as the Perfect Storm.

Royal Caribbean Ships with Water Slides:

• Harmony of the Seas: Features the Perfect Storm trio of slides: Typhoon, Cyclone, and Supercell.

• Symphony of the Seas: Offers the same Perfect Storm slides, along with the dry slide Ultimate Abyss, which is the tallest slide at sea, even though it’s not a water slide.

• Oasis of the Seas: After a major refurbishment, this ship now includes the Perfect Storm water slides.

• Liberty of the Seas: Features the Tidal Wave, the first boomerang-style slide at sea, along with other Perfect Storm slides.

• Navigator of the Seas: In addition to Perfect Storm slides, this ship also has the Blaster, the longest water coaster at sea.

Royal Caribbean is continually expanding its water slide offerings, making its ships an attractive choice for families looking for onboard water park fun.

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MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is growing its family-friendly offerings, and newer ships feature water parks with water slides.

While MSC doesn’t have the same extensive water slides as Carnival or Norwegian, their water attractions are still impressive.

MSC Ships with Water Slides:

• MSC Seaside: Includes the Forest Aquaventure Park, featuring several waterslides, including a high-speed slide with a transparent section that extends over the edge of the ship.

• MSC Meraviglia: Has the Polar Aquapark, which includes multiple water slides and a kids’ water play area.

• MSC Bellissima: Features a similar water park to the MSC Meraviglia, with slides designed for both kids and adults.

MSC’s water parks are visually striking and provide family-friendly water fun for all ages.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line may only have four ships, but their water slides are some of the most iconic and beloved in the industry.

Disney focuses on providing a magical water experience that both children and adults will enjoy.

Disney Ships with Water Slides:

• Disney Dream: Features the AquaDuck, a water coaster that takes riders through clear tubes extending over the ship’s side.
  
  This ride is one of the most unique water slides at sea.

• Disney Fantasy: Also offers the AquaDuck, providing the same exhilarating experience as the Disney Dream.

• Disney Magic: Includes the AquaDunk, a body slide that starts with a thrilling near-vertical drop.

• Disney Wonder: This ship features smaller water slides for children, but it does not have the larger slides like the AquaDuck.

Disney excels in providing family-friendly water slides with a magical twist, combining adventure and storytelling into the experience.

Other Cruise Lines with Water Slides

• Costa Cruises: Several Costa ships, like the Costa Diadema and Costa Fascinosa, feature water slides in their onboard water parks.
  
  These slides are designed for family fun, although they aren’t as extensive as those found on lines like Carnival or Norwegian.

• AIDA Cruises: Some AIDA ships, such as the AIDAnova, feature water slides and fun water play areas for kids.
  
  These attractions are designed with families in mind and are a key part of AIDA’s family-friendly approach.

Cruise Lines Without Water Slides

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is a luxury cruise line that focuses on providing an elegant and relaxing atmosphere.

Water slides do not align with Celebrity’s brand, so they are not offered on any of their ships.

Instead, Celebrity provides serene pools and sophisticated poolside areas.

Celebrity Ships Without Water Slides:

• Celebrity Edge: Known for its stunning Resort Deck, this ship features a main pool area with cabanas and hot tubs, but no water slides.

• Celebrity Apex: Similar to the Celebrity Edge, this ship provides elegant pool areas without water slides, designed for relaxation rather than thrill.

Celebrity passengers can enjoy tranquil swimming pools, hot tubs, and the luxurious Solarium, an adults-only indoor pool area that’s perfect for quiet relaxation.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is another line that does not offer water slides.

Their focus is on traditional cruising experiences, catering to adults and mature travelers.

Instead of water parks, Princess provides spacious pools and movie nights at their Movies Under the Stars outdoor theaters.

Princess Ships Without Water Slides:

• Sky Princess: Features a main pool area with hot tubs and the Sanctuary, an adult-only retreat with cabanas and poolside service.

• Regal Princess: Known for its Retreat Pool, an adults-only pool offering peaceful, relaxing vibes without the high-energy atmosphere of water slides.

Holland America Line

Holland America’s ships are designed with a mature audience in mind, and as such, they do not offer water slides.

Instead, the focus is on relaxation, enrichment activities, and cultural experiences.

Holland America Ships Without Water Slides:

• Nieuw Statendam: Offers a traditional pool deck, with pools and hot tubs for relaxation, but no water slides or water parks.

• Koningsdam: Similar to the Nieuw Statendam, this ship focuses on providing a quiet and serene pool experience.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises does not include water slides on any of their ships.

Viking’s focus is on cultural immersion, wellness, and luxury, providing guests with elegant thermal suites, infinity pools, and spa experiences instead of water parks.

Viking Ships Without Water Slides:

• Viking Star: Features an indoor pool and the Infinity Pool, which extends over the edge of the ship for a serene swimming experience.

• Viking Orion: Offers similar pool experiences, designed for relaxation rather than thrill-seeking.

Alternatives to Water Slides on Cruise Ships

Even on ships without water slides, there are still plenty of exciting and relaxing water-based activities to enjoy.

Swimming Pools

All cruise ships feature swimming pools, with some ships offering multiple pools for different types of experiences.

Many ships without water slides provide tranquil pools with beautiful surroundings.

• Celebrity Solarium: Adults-only pools on Celebrity ships provide a peaceful oasis for relaxation.

• Princess Sanctuary: Private pools and cabanas offer a luxurious retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the main deck.

Hot Tubs

Hot tubs are a staple on all cruise ships, providing a great way to unwind while enjoying scenic ocean views.

Even on ships without water slides, guests can relax in hot tubs located throughout the ship.

Water Sports and Shore Excursions

At many ports of call, guests can engage in water-based shore excursions such

as snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, or jet skiing.

These activities offer exciting alternatives to onboard water slides and allow passengers to explore marine life up close.

Private Island Water Parks

Several cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Disney, offer private islands with expansive water parks.

Even if your ship doesn’t have water slides, a stop at these islands provides plenty of aquatic fun. For example:

• CocoCay (Royal Caribbean) features Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest water slide in North America.

• Ocean Cay (MSC) offers beautiful beaches and water-based activities, though it lacks a traditional water park.

Final Thoughts on Water Slides and Water Activities on Cruise Ships

Water slides are a major attraction on some cruise ships, especially those designed for families and thrill-seekers.

Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Disney lead the way with exciting water parks and thrilling water slides.

However, many premium and luxury cruise lines, such as Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America, do not feature water slides but instead focus on providing serene poolside environments and sophisticated water-based experiences.

When choosing a cruise, it’s important to consider what kind of water activities you’re looking for.

If water slides are a must, ships from Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Disney will provide plenty of fun.

If you prefer a more relaxing pool experience, luxury lines like Celebrity and Viking offer beautiful, peaceful alternatives.

Plan Your Next Cruise!

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