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Carnival Spirit Carnival Waterworks Pictures

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This page shows actual pictures for Carnival Spirit Carnival Waterworks. Most of our pictures are contributed by actual cruisers. You will find that all the Carnival Spirit Carnival Waterworks pictures on this page also posted directly onto our deck plans near the actual location the photo was taken. You can browse the pictures here or you can click on them as you are viewing the Carnival Spirit deck plans. For deck plan viewing click on the ship button above or scroll down to view the pictures on this page.

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Carnival waterworks.

Carnival Waterworks Features a new splash zone which includes a 150 gallon "PowerDrencher" dump bucket, water play areas, fountains and two mini racing slides,a corkscrew Twister water slide and the New Green Thunder thrill slide rising nearly 100 feet in the air.

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Carnival Waterworks Location

Carnival Spirit Carnival Waterworks is located on Sports (deck). We have provided the deck plan image for your reference.

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The Green Thunder waterslide onboard Carnival Spirit

This is the fastest, steepest, scariest water slide on any cruise ship in the world!

It's the "Green Thunder" waterslide on the Carnival Spirit cruise ship. The first time I got in to that capsule and the floor dropped out from below me, it scared the heck out of me! In fact, just watching the other people before me go down that tube scared me. By the time it was my turn, I seriously considered asking the attendant to let me out! This is one crazy thrill ride, for sure!

The "Green Thunder" slide was not originally installed on to the Carnival Spirit when the ship made her maiden voyage in 2001... it was added as an upgrade during dry dock in January of 2012.

Ships & Ports

Carnival Cruise Line Waterslides – Everything You Need to Know (2024)

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: March 8, 2023  - Last updated: December 22, 2023

Carnival’s waterslides are a popular activity for kids and adults alike. Here’s what you need to know about Carnival cruise ship waterslides.

If having the best waterslides on your Carnival cruise ship will make or break your vacation (or your kids’ hearts), you’ve come to the right place!

Even if you’ve cruised on another Carnival cruise ship with a waterslide , it’s not a guarantee your next ship will feature the same slides.

In this post, I detail exactly which waterslides are offered on which Carnival ships—plus what each slide is like, who can ride them (most slides have both height and weight restrictions), and what Carnival’s safety rules are for waterslide fun.

Ready to slide? Let’s go!

A quick history of Carnival Cruise Line’s waterslides

Although waterslides are common on many of today’s large cruise ships, it wasn’t too long ago that a cruise ship waterslide was unheard of!

In 1978, Carnival was the first cruise line to offer a waterslide aboard one of its ships. The single tiny slide on the 728-passenger Festivale , akin to something you’d see at a backyard pool, required guests to climb just eleven steps to reach its top.

Twelve years later, the new Fantasy ship (later renamed Carnival Fantasy ) debuted with a full-size waterslide —the world’s first significant waterslide on a cruise ship.

You might know that cruise ships have godparents , but did you know that in 2009, nine-year-old Hailee Steberger became the cruise industry’s first waterslide godchild? She inaugurated the Twister slide aboard Carnival Dream , then the cruise line’s largest ship.

Hailee was selected from over 500 contest entrants who created drawings and essays focused on their favorite dreams.

Related: Cruise Sweepstakes You Can Enter to Win a Free Cruise!

Carnival’s waterslides today

Today, all but one ship in Carnival’s fleet features at least one full-size waterslide , and many have two or three! Most ships also offer mini slides for little cruisers.

Carnival Luminosa , a former Costa ship, is the only Carnival ship without a single waterslide on board. The Luminosa spends much of the year in the cooler climate of Alaska , where outdoor slides typically don’t get much use.

Carnival’s fleet features sixteen types of waterslides , each with its own unique personality. Cruisers can find Carnival’s waterslides on the upper decks of each ship, most often as part of the WaterWorks onboard water park.

Carnival’s signature bright-yellow Twister waterslide is offered on almost every ship in the fleet. The spiral slide is a bit different on each ship class, with a range of slide lengths from 212 to 341 feet.

On many Carnival ships, Twister is an enclosed spiral slide. However, on some older ships, the waterslide features an open design.

The only Carnival ships without a Twister waterslide are Carnival Panorama * and Carnival Luminosa .

*Both Carnival’s website and related marketing materials claim that Panorama has a Twister slide. However (I’ve sailed on Panorama ) the ship doesn’t offer this slide.

Blue Lightning

If you’re sailing on one of Carnival’s Excel-class ships ( Mardi Gras , Celebration , or Jubilee ), you’ll have the chance to experience the cruise line’s new Blue Lightning waterslide .

The 312-foot-long tube slide is a thrilling face-forward ride. Sliders zip through the enclosed slide on a mat, so don’t forget to pick up your mat at the base of the stairs before you climb up to access the slide!

Orange Thunder

Another Excel-class exclusive waterslide, Orange Thunder is a 229-foot dropdown slide found on Mardi Gras , Celebration , and Jubilee .

Thrill-seekers start by entering the slide’s rocket-shaped pod, then the floor drops out sending riders down the tube to the splash pool below.

I was originally just going to include a photo of Orange Thunder, but I found this excellent 33-second YouTube video that perfectly captures the entire experience. Click on the embedded video to experience this ride from floor drop to splashdown!

Kaleid-O-Slide

Only on Carnival Vista , Kaleid-O-Slide is a 455-foot waterslide with kaleidoscopic visual effects. Riders grab an inner tube and experience the enclosed first half of the slide (with unique multi-colored lights) before the slide opens up for some twists and turns before splashdown.

Carnival also advertises this slide for its Panorama sailings, but (I promise you!) that ship doesn’t have it. But Panorama does have some excellent waterslides—keep reading to find out about them!

The Cat’s Hat Slide

Only offered on Carnival Horizon , The Cat’s Hat is a Cat in the Hat -themed waterslide located in the Dr. Seuss WaterWorks aqua park. You’ll hop on an inner tube to ride this fairly tame 455-foot waterslide to the bottom.

The 455-foot red and white tube slide is fully enclosed for the first half of the ride, then opens up to give you a peek at the sun before depositing you into the splash zone.

Fun Things Slide

Another Seuss-themed slide unique to the Horizon , Fun Things is named after the iconic characters Thing 1 and Thing 2.

This blue-and-white enclosed spiral slide is just 300 feet long but will give you a faster, more thrilling experience.

Speedway Splash Racing Slides

Only found on Carnival Sunshine , the dual Speedway Splash Racing Slides sport a racing theme that will fuel your need for speed!

Added as part of Carnival’s Fun Ship 2.0 renovations, each 235-foot fully-enclosed slide—one green and one blue—features racing flag motifs and flashing lights. Challenge a friend and see who’s the winner on the electronic screen at the bottom!

Only on Dream-class ships ( Carnival Breeze , Dream , and Magic ), DrainPipe is an enclosed tube slide with a remarkable feature. After shooting through the slide’s twists and turns, riders are launched into a huge water-filled bowl for a final spin before exiting.

At just 104 feet long, DrainPipe is one of Carnival’s shorter waterslides. But you can definitely pick up some serious speed before you reach the bowl at the slide’s end!

The 203-foot enclosed tube slide fittingly named AquaTunnel can be found on five Carnival ships: Freedom , Glory , Radiance , Sunrise , and Venezia . The slide will also be featured on the Carnival Firenze , coming in April 2024.

This classic tunnel-style waterslide features a translucent tube that lets in sunlight, perfect for those who might be a little nervous about taking the plunge!

Green Thunder

Found only on Carnival’s Spirit-class ships ( Legend , Miracle , Pride , and Spirit ), the Green Thunder waterslide is a seriously thrilling attraction.

Similar to the Orange Thunder slides on Excel-class ships, this waterslide also begins with a floor drop—it’s not for the faint of heart!

A ride on this 187-foot slide starts with a 34’ long drop leading into a single 360 ° turn, so you can pick up some serious speed!

Green Lightning

Unique to Carnival Splendor , Green Lightning is like a combination of the Green Thunder waterslide and DrainPipe! With a floor drop leading into a freefall-style 37′ drop, riders then zoom into a slingshot curve and finish in a swirling bowl of H20.

Splendor is an older (and rather quirky) Carnival ship, so it’s not surprising that she boasts such an extraordinary waterslide!

Related: Carnival Splendor Food – Everything I Ate on My Cruise

Red Fun and Blue Fun

Carnival Panorama offers a pair of waterslides not found on any other ship in the fleet. Perhaps keeping with the Dr. Seuss theme (though the ship doesn’t have a completely Seussified WaterWorks splash park like Carnival Horizon ), Panorama offers Red Fun and Blue Fun .

As I mentioned earlier, Carnival’s website states (in several places) that Panorama offers Twister and Kaleid-O-Slide, but I can assure you they don’t exist on this ship. I’ve done both full-size waterslides on the Panorama , and they’re absolutely unique to this vessel. True to their names, they’re both super-fun!

The Blue Fun waterslide is a translucent, enclosed tube, while Red Fun starts out enclosed, then opens up to a halfpipe style for the second half of the ride. You’ll need to grab an inner tube to slide on Red Fun, while for Blue Fun you can climb right in.

Gondola Glide

Carnival’s new Gondola Glide waterslide can only be found aboard the brand’s “ Fun Italian Style ” ships: Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze (two of the three ships that the cruise line brought over from its sister line Costa).

The new slides feature a bowl at the end—similar to the DrainPipe slides—painted in a blue-and-yellow pattern to echo the Venetian-themed canal poles you’ll find decorating the WaterWorks splash areas on these ships.

Racing Slides

Several Carnival ships, including Dream , Elation , and Paradise also offer 82’ long double-lane racing water slides. While not as intense as the Speedway Splash Racing Slides found on Carnival Sunshine , these shorter open slides offer a fun way to battle friends for the title of fastest slider.

Mini Racer Slides

Do you have a thrill-seeking little one who’s just not tall enough for the big waterslides? Most Carnival ships offer Mini Racer Slides . You can check out the charts I’ve included below to see if your ship features Mini Racers.

These side-by-side kiddie waterslides offer the opportunity to race a friend or sibling to the bottom, or just the chance to have some “big kid” fun in the onboard water park. I’ve listed all the minimum heights to ride on Carnival’s full-size waterslides later in this article.

Related: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips for Family Cruises

Carnival’s waterslides by ship

• Carnival Breeze : Twister, DrainPipe, Mini Racers
• Carnival Celebration : Twister, Blue Lightning, Orange Thunder, Mini Racers
• Carnival Conquest : Twister
• Carnival Dream : Twister, DrainPipe, Racing Slides, Mini Racers
• Carnival Elation : Twister, Racing Slides, Mini Racers
• Carnival Freedom : Twister, AquaTunnel, Mini Racers
• Carnival Glory : Twister, AquaTunnel, Mini Racers
• Carnival Horizon : Twister, The Cat’s Hat, Fun Things, Mini Racers
• Carnival Jubilee : Twister, Blue Lightning, Orange Thunder, Mini Racers
• Carnival Legend : Twister, Green Thunder, Mini Racers
• Carnival Liberty : Twister
• Carnival Luminosa : No waterslides
• Carnival Magic : Twister, DrainPipe, Mini Racers
• Mardi Gras : Twister, Blue Lightning, Orange Thunder, Mini Racers
• Carnival Miracle : Twister, Green Thunder, Mini Racers
• Carnival Panorama : Red Fun, Blue Fun, Mini Racers
• Carnival Paradise : Twister, Racing Slides, Mini Racers
• Carnival Pride : Twister, Green Thunder
• Carnival Radiance : Twister, AquaTunnel, Mini Racers
• Carnival Spirit : Twister, Green Thunder, Mini Racers
• Carnival Splendor : Twister, Green Lightning, Mini Racers
• Carnival Sunrise : Twister, AquaTunnel, Mini Racers
• Carnival Sunshine : Twister, Speedway Splash, Mini Racers
• Carnival Valor : Twister
• Carnival Venezia: Twister, AquaTunnel, Gondola Glide
• Carnival Vista : Twister, Kaleid-O-Slide, Mini Racers

Carnival Cruise Line waterslides at-a-glance

• Twister = TW
• Blue Lightning = BL
• Orange Thunder = OT
• Kaleid-O-Slide = KS
• The Cat’s Hat = CH
• Fun Things = FT
• Speedway Splash Racing Slides = SS
• DrainPipe = DP
• AquaTunnel = AT
• Green Thunder = GT
• Green Lightning = GL
• Red Fun = RF
• Blue Fun = BF
• Gondola Glide = GG
• Racing Slides = RS
• Mini Racer Slides = MR

(The table below has a lot of info, so it’s easiest to view on desktop or a tablet. If you’re on mobile, just turn your phone sideways to make it easier to read.)

Waterslides on future Carnival ships

As of the last update, these are the upcoming Carnival ships and which waterslides they’ll have:

• Carnival Firenze (coming April 2024): Twister, AquaTunnel, Gondola Glide

Related: Carnival Cruise Line Releases New Details About Carnival Venezia

As new ships are announced and the company’s plans for new Carnival waterslides become official, I’ll update this post with all the info. Be sure to subscribe for all the latest news!

Height requirements and weight limits for Carnival Cruise Line waterslides:

For safety reasons, Carnival has established minimum heights and maximum weights for cruisers to use their ships’ onboard waterslides. Some of Carnival’s waterslides allow people who are at least 42 inches tall (that’s 3’6″ or 106.68 cm) to ride, while others require riders to be at least 48 inches tall (that’s 4′ or 121.92 cm).

Potential riders who look to be close to the minimum height requirement will need to stand next to the measuring board before getting the OK to ride.

Carnival’s maximum weight for guests looking to use the waterslides also varies by type of slide. The cruise line doesn’t offer any waterslides where passengers over 300 pounds (136.08 kg) are allowed to ride. Five of their waterslide types have a weight cap of 265 pounds (120.2 kg).

You can find the minimum height and maximum weight for each of Carnival’s waterslides in the table below:

Hours and rules for Carnival’s waterslides

Carnival’s waterslides are usually open from 9 AM until sunset. Once onboard, check the HUB app for specific hours on your sailing.

General rules of conduct for Carnival’s waterslides

• No lifeguard on duty
• Use the pool at your own risk
• Showers are required prior to use
• Parents are responsible for their children
• No children in diapers or who are not toilet-trained
• Take children on frequent bathroom breaks
• Watch your step on wet surfaces
• Use the ladder and handrails to enter and exit the pool
• Do not use if you are experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, or fever
• No running, horseplay, jumping, or diving
• No glass containers, eating or smoking

It’s a good idea to check the regulations for each slide—some have specific rules (for example, don’t uncross your legs, single riders only, or guests with specific health conditions shouldn’t ride).

Carnival Cruise Line waterslides FAQ

Do all Carnival ships have a waterslide?

All Carnival ships except  Carnival Luminosa  have at least one waterslide.

Are waterslides free on Carnival cruise ships?

Carnival’s waterslides are free of charge to ride.

How tall do you need to be to ride a Carnival cruise ship waterslide?

To use Carnival’s waterslides, riders must be at least 42″ tall (some slides have a 48″ height requirement). Mini Racer Slides for kids don’t have a minimum height.

What is the weight limit on Carnival waterslides?

To use most of Carnival’s waterslides, riders must weigh 300 pounds or less. Some of the cruise line’s slides have a lower maximum weight of 265 pounds.

Are swim diapers allowed on Carnival’s waterslides?

Swim diapers (and children who aren’t toilet trained) are prohibited on Carnival’s waterslides.

When are Carnival’s waterslides open?

Which do you think is the best Carnival waterslide? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

More resources for your Carnival cruise

• Ultimate Guide to Room Service on Carnival Cruise Line With Menus
• Carnival Cruise Line Drink Packages: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Get Onboard Credit for Owning Carnival Stock
• Faster to the Fun: The Ultimate Guide to Carnival’s Skip-the-Line Pass

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Carnival Waterworks ™

Make your way to Carnival WaterWorks™, the family-friendly onboard waterpark of Carnival Cruise Line, for the ultimate aquatic adventure. Kick things off with Carnival’s Twister Waterslide™ , a thrilling water coaster that promises one of the most exhilarating experiences you can find on a cruise ship. Alternatively, you can brave the epic plunge from our Green Lightning slide slide for the perfect storm on the best cruise ship (note: WaterWorks features may vary by ship).

But the fun doesn't stop there! Our aqua park is just one of the many family cruise activities onboard to add to your itineraries. Keep the cruise ship water fun going with our popular pools and dive-in movies . Or, try our mini golf course or explore our dining options. We also offer a variety of indoor activities for children of all ages, including Camp Ocean and our fitness centre .

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Height Limits for Water Slides

The minimum height requirement for the Twister slide is 105cm, for Green Thunder/Green Lightning, it is 1.2m. There is also  a weight limit of 136 kg.

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Waterslide open on Carnival Spirit

By tranceFusion , March 17, 2009 in Alaska

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tranceFusion

Is the water slide open on the Carnival Spirit during the Alaska cruises? :D

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Share on other sites.

My question is: Why would you want it to be? I'd think you would freeze to death!

My one previous cruise was on the Carnival Spirit in Alaska... in 2001! My first reaction to your question was... Is there a water slide on the Spirit?! Then I checked the deck plans (I have all my previous cruise stuff out while planning this trip!) and saw that there actually IS a water slide... and now that I think about it, I do remember it being there, but not anyone on it. The only pool that I saw used regularly was the covered pool. I can't swear that it *wasn't* open, or that people *weren't* using it, but I sure never saw anyone on it, or anyone using that pool.

I thought maybe it would be heated? or indoors?

I really hope this trip isn't a bummer! Just because I am going to Alaska doesn't mean I want to spend every second with binoculars glued to my head. I have to let loose for at least a few minutes of the day. :D

I thought maybe it would be heated? or indoors?   I really hope this trip isn't a bummer! Just because I am going to Alaska doesn't mean I want to spend every second with binoculars glued to my head. I have to let loose for at least a few minutes of the day. :D

The indoor pool is heated, and we did use it a couple of times, but that's not where the water slide is. I'm sure you will find plenty of other things to do onboard. I don't remember being bored and I never had binoculars glued to my head. :cool:

The waterslide was not open when we went on our cruise at the end of May last year.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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50 Best Cruise Ship Water Parks and Private Islands for Kids

A nyone who’s ever cruised in the Caribbean or Mexico knows how hot a day at sea can get. With temperatures routinely hitting 80 degrees and above, being able to cool off onboard your ship is a must. And for families with young kids and tweens, nothing beats a cruise ship water park with water slides when it comes to keeping everyone happy and refreshed on days at sea.

The Best Cruise Ship Water Parks for Kids of All Ages

Plenty of cruise ships have pools and water slides, but not all of them are a good fit for families with tweens or kids under 10 years old. Pools can get crowded, life guards may not be available, and water slides may be too scary or have height limits.

That’s not a problem with the following cruise ship water parks that have just what’s needed for all ages from toddlers to tweens to teens. From smaller water slides, wading pools, and tipping buckets to water cannons, surprise water spouts, and dancing fountains, here are the cruise ships with the best onboard water parks for every age group.

FAMILY CRUISE DEALS: Kids Cruise Free: These 7 Cruise Lines Let Kids Sail Free

Important note: With the exception of Disney Cruise Line , kids on all other ships must be potty-trained to play in these cruise ship water parks; swim diapers are not permitted on most ships.

Splashaway Bay Aqua Park and Category 6 Water Park on Royal Caribbean

Splashaway Bay aqua park from Royal Caribbean is an ideal cruise ship water park for tweens or kids under 10 who love to zip down water slides, splash through fountains, or get soaking wet beneath a massive tipping bucket. There’s also a Splashaway Bay area for little kids at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay .

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The main attraction at the Splashaway Bay water parks on Royal Caribbean ships are the colorful water slides, the number of which vary by cruise ship. Generally, you’ll find one or two larger slides for kids ages six and older (minimum height is 42 inches) and one small slide for the toddlers. For the big slide, the maximum weight is 300 pounds. There’s also a splash zone with ankle-high pools of water and an array of other water features (think water cannons, whirlpools, and a drench bucket) to get kids wet and laughing. 

For bigger thrills, look to the Category 6 water park on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas . At 17,000 square feet, this is the biggest cruise ship water park in the world, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. Spread across two decks, Category 6 boasts a number of firsts at sea: the first open freefall slide, the first dueling mat race slides, the first family raft rides on a cruise ship, and last but not least, the tallest drop slide at sea. It’s a truly epic water park that’s most suited to daredevil tweens and teens.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships with a Splashaway Bay Water Park:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships with a Splashaway Bay Water Park

Carnival waterworks on carnival cruise line.

Kids of all ages will be dazzled by the brightly colored Carnival WaterWorks water parks found on most Carnival Cruise Line ships. Though the space and design varies by ship, all of the Carnival ship water parks feature one or two water slides, a giant tipping bucket, and kiddie spray zones with fountains and water cannons that are perfect for younger kids.

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Most ships have either straight or curling slides, but Carnival Vista offers up the Kaleid-O-Slide . This water slide, geared toward the seven-and-up crowd, takes riders on mats down a 455-foot-long series of twists and turns while zooming through flashing kaleidoscopic lights and visual effects. Even younger kids will appreciate the Dr. Seuss-themed WaterWorks and spray zone on Carnival Horizon , which includes a massive water-tipping top-hat and two water slides. Some of Carnival’s ships also have racing slides that offer side by side thrills for older kids and adults.

Carnival Cruise Ships with a WaterWorks Water Park:

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Forest Aquaventure Park, AquaPlay, Polar Park, Aurora Borealis Aquapark, and Ocean Cay Aquapark on MSC Cruises

One of the largest water parks for young kids at sea, the Forest Aquaventure Park and AquaPlay area on MSC Cruises offer a full range of amusements for kids, tweens, teens, and water slide-loving adults. There are four slides, including two racing slides with clear sections that extend out over the side of the ship; an easy, open air spiral slide; and a funky slideboard option with neon lighting. 

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For the smaller kids under 10, there’s a large shallow pool with fountains to play under, mini slides to give the kiddos a thrill, spray nozzles for getting mom and dad wet, and a giant tipping bucket. Above it all is an enclosed suspension bridge that might look scary and like a challenge to some of the younger kids, but is as safe as can be. 

MSC’s Polar AquaPark, found on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima , isn’t nearly as toddler-friendly as Forest Aquaventure, which is a good thing for families with older kids and tweens. The water slides here are decidedly teen- and adult-sized, as is the rope bridge. There’s a smallish water slide in the splash zone, and kids under 10 will get a kick out of trying to figure out which is the next tipping bucket to go over (there are lots of them). There are also a few sprayers and a fountain wall for kids to run through. 

And the MSC World Europa has an impressive VR-enhanced water park called the Aurora Borealis AquaPark , which is geared more toward teens and adults than little kids. While it does have a toddler-only pool, the overall experience is best suited to bigger kids. The reef-themed Ocean Cay AquaPark can be found on MSC Euribia .

MSC Cruise Line Ships with a Forest Aquaventure and AquaPlay Water Park:

• MSC Seaside
• MSC Seashore
• MSC Seascape
• MSC Seaview

MSC Cruise Line Ships with a Polar AquaPark:

• MSC Meraviglia
• MSC Bellissima

MSC Cruise Line Ships with an Aurora Borealis AquaPark:

• MSC World Europa

MSC Cruise Line Ships with an Ocean Cay AquaPark:

• MSC Euribia

Reef Splash Zone on Princess Cruises

Thanks to its stellar Reef Splash Zone , the top cruise ship for families on Princess Cruises is Caribbean Princess . One of the best cruise ship water parks for the entire family, Reef Splash Zone features a kid-friendly pool and hot tub, a lounge area with plush seating, and a bar serving up delicious mocktails for the kids. The water park fun centers around Winnie the Whale, with water spraying from her spout and raining from her fluke. Inside her mouth is a pint-sized slide for children under 10. Assorted water sprays are located around Winnie the Whale.

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Pro tip: Take it from me: Never turn your back on a tween with their hand on a spray gun.

When everyone’s had enough of the water, you’ll also find oversized backyard games including cornhole scattered around this cruise ship water park. 

Princess Cruise Line Ships with a Reef Family Splash Zone Water Park:

• Caribbean Princess

Nemo’s Reef, Toy Story Splash Zone, AquaLab, and AquaDuck and AquaMouse Water Coasters on Disney Cruise Line

Limited to the eight and under set, the 1,500-square-foot Nemo’s Reef on Disney Cruise Line ships is filled with Finding Nemo characters, countless fountains, pop jets, and spray nozzles. There’s also a toddler-sized water slide with a slip-n-slide feel that will have young kids going back again and again. And, unlike on most other cruise ships, toddlers in swim diapers are welcome to play here. 

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For the tweens and kids eight years old and up, the AquaDuck water coaster stretches more than 750 feet, and a parent can ride together with their child on a two-person raft that goes up and down and out over the side of the ship. 

In fact, each of Disney’s cruise ships has at least one water play area for younger kids. You’ll find a sprawling water playground called AquaLab themed around Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, and Disney Fantasy. On the Disney Wish, a very basic splash area called The Toy Story Splash Zone is geared toward toddlers age three and under, while the AquaMouse water slide—for kids (and adults) seven and older—is Disney’s first theme park-like attraction at sea.

Disney Cruise Line Ships with a Nemo’s Reef Water Park and AquaDuck Water Coaster:

• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy

Disney Cruise Line Ships with a AquaLab for Little Kids:

• Disney Magic
• Disney Wonder

Disney Cruise Line Ships with a Toy Story Splash Zone for Toddlers:

• Disney Wish

Kids Aqua Park on Norwegian Cruise Line

All of Norwegian Cruise Line ‘s Breakaway, Breakaway-Plus, and Prima class ships have a Kids’ Aqua Park play area.

The water parks for kids on Norwegian Escape , Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Joy , and Norwegian Encore have the most to offer, including a large tipping bucket, mesh climbing structures, water cannons you can aim from above, and an exciting kid-sized slide. The water parks for young kids on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway are less impressive, with just a wading pool, two very tiny slides, and a handful of splash elements. The same can be said for the kids water play area on the Norwegian Prima .

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships with Water Parks for Little Kids:

• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Viva

Which Cruise Lines Have Private Island Water Parks?

Several of the most family-friendly cruise lines have their own private islands where you’ll find water parks and splash areas of varying complexity.

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay is a massive water-themed playground of an island sure to dazzle both adults and kids. Among the offerings: Thrill Waterpark with its two towers and 13 slides, plus the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and an obstacle course pool. Perfect Day at CocoCay is also home to the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, Oasis Lagoon, which has coves, a swim-up bar, private cabanas, swim-up islands with in-water loungers, and a kid-friendly beach entry.

Disney’s Castaway Cay has plenty of water fun to offer as well. You can snorkel, swim with stingrays, zip down water slides in the water park area, and even run a 5K.

Both Carnival and Holland America visit the 2,400-acre Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas. As with Perfect Day at CocoCay and Castaway Cay, there’s a kid’s water park area here as well. Families can also go horseback riding on the beach and swing with stingrays. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay private island does not have a water park.

Note that not all sailings from these lines stop at their private islands, so if this experience is of interest, be sure to check the itinerary before booking.

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 13 Best Outdoor Water Parks in the U.S.
• When Do You Need a Child Travel Consent Form?
• When to Visit Disney World and Disneyland to Avoid Big Crowds

The post 50 Best Cruise Ship Water Parks and Private Islands for Kids appeared first on FamilyVacationist .

Waterslide open on Carnival Spirit

By tranceFusion , March 17, 2009 in Alaska

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tranceFusion

Is the water slide open on the Carnival Spirit during the Alaska cruises? :D

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My question is: Why would you want it to be? I'd think you would freeze to death!

My one previous cruise was on the Carnival Spirit in Alaska... in 2001! My first reaction to your question was... Is there a water slide on the Spirit?! Then I checked the deck plans (I have all my previous cruise stuff out while planning this trip!) and saw that there actually IS a water slide... and now that I think about it, I do remember it being there, but not anyone on it. The only pool that I saw used regularly was the covered pool. I can't swear that it *wasn't* open, or that people *weren't* using it, but I sure never saw anyone on it, or anyone using that pool.

I thought maybe it would be heated? or indoors?

I really hope this trip isn't a bummer! Just because I am going to Alaska doesn't mean I want to spend every second with binoculars glued to my head. I have to let loose for at least a few minutes of the day. :D

I thought maybe it would be heated? or indoors?   I really hope this trip isn't a bummer! Just because I am going to Alaska doesn't mean I want to spend every second with binoculars glued to my head. I have to let loose for at least a few minutes of the day. :D

The indoor pool is heated, and we did use it a couple of times, but that's not where the water slide is. I'm sure you will find plenty of other things to do onboard. I don't remember being bored and I never had binoculars glued to my head. :cool:

The waterslide was not open when we went on our cruise at the end of May last year.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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