Nothing screams vacation like the rush of water and the thrill of twisting cruise ship waterslides. Cruise ships take this excitement to the next level, loading their waterparks with non-stop fun.
From high-speed drops to slides that hang over the side of the ship, these rides offer insane thrills for kids and adults.
In This Article
Category 6
Category 6 on is a full-blown waterpark way up in the sky. It’s the largest waterpark at sea, and its waterslides are enough to rival most land-based water attractions.
What Makes Category 6 Special
I’m not ashamed to say I’ve spent multiple afternoons at Category 6. The waterpark features six slides: Pressure Drop, Frightening Bolt, Hurricane Hunter, Storm Surge, Storm Chasers, and Crown’s Edge.
Pressure Drop had me second-guessing my life choices before I even got in. That 66-degree angle looks harmless from the deck, but it’s a whole different story from the top.
Frightening Bolt is the tallest drop slide at sea and lives up to its name. Hurricane Hunter and Storm Surge are group raft rides, perfect for laughing through wild twists with friends. Storm Chasers is a pair of mat racer slides. It’s great if you want to add some friendly competition.
Crown’s Edge isn’t a waterslide, but I couldn’t help but mention it on this list. The Crown’s Edge is a ropes course that takes you over the ship’s edge. After walking the ship’s edge, the floor drops beneath your feet, and you zip line back to safety. A frightening thrill if you’re not prepared.
Where You’ll Find It
You’ll find Category 6 on Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships, including Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
Why You’ll Love It
Category 6 offers views, thrills, and that rush that can’t compare. Category 6 provides the top thrills of any cruise ship waterslide.
The Perfect Storm
The Perfect Storm is Royal Caribbean’s classic triple-threat waterslide setup. It’s bold, fun, and the kind of thing you end up riding over and over.
What Makes The Perfect Storm Special
Cyclone and Typhoon are the racing slides, perfect for competing with your travel companions. The clear tubes give you quick flashes of the ocean as you twist your way down four decks.
Some ships, like Utopia of the Seas, offer Supercell, a champagne bowl-style slide that spins you around before a final splashdown.
Where You’ll Find It
The Perfect Storm is available on some Royal Caribbean ship classes, such as the Oasis, Independence, and Voyager classes.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s fast, competitive, and great for all ages.
The Blaster
The Blaster on Navigator of the Seas is an aqua coaster, and yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s fast, long, and full of surprises.
What Makes The Blaster Special
The Blaster is 800 feet long and powered by water jets that push you uphill before launching you into downhill drops. A section of the water coaster swings out over the ship’s side so you fly above the ocean in a see-through tube.
This waterslide is one of my favorite attractions. I love that it’s longer than a traditional waterslide and combines tranquil floating with heartpounding drops.
Where You’ll Find It
The Blaster is only on Navigator of the Seas.
Why You’ll Love It
If you like roller coasters and water rides, this one hits both. It’s one of the few rides at sea that gives you that coaster-style thrill.
AquaDuck
The AquaDuck is Disney’s take on a water coaster, and it’s pure Disney fun from start to finish.
What Makes AquaDuck Special
You start way up high, then swoop around the top decks in a clear tube that extends out past the edge of the ship. The view is unreal.
You’ll hit some fast curves as you wind around the ship before the splashdown zone. It’s a more relaxing experience than the previous waterslides and feels like a lazy river.
It’s gentle enough for kids but fun enough for adults—especially when flying over the ocean.
Where You’ll Find It
You’ll find the AquaDuck on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s the perfect balance of scenic and fun. You get ocean views, that signature Disney design, a relaxing float journey, and an all-ages ride you’ll want to do again.
AquaMouse
(Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
What Makes AquaMouse Special
AquaMouse features two unique animated adventures inspired by the “Mickey Mouse” shorts:
- “Swiss Meltdown”: Join Mickey and Minnie on a whimsical journey to the Swiss Alps, where their sledding plans turn into a watery escapade as the snow melts.
- “Scuba Scramble”: Embark on an undersea adventure with Mickey and friends as they dive into a colorful underwater world filled with surprises and marine life.
The ride propels you through 760 feet of winding tubes, encountering show scenes, lighting effects, and splashes.
Where You’ll Find It
AquaMouse is exclusively available on Disney’s Triton-class ships, Disney Wish and Disney Destiny.
Why You’ll Love It
AquaMouse offers a delightful blend of storytelling and excitement with a relaxing river ride. It is a must-try for guests of all ages seeking a unique and entertaining water ride at sea.
WaterWorks
What Makes WaterWorks Special
Carnival Cruise Line’s WaterWorks water parks offer a variety of attractions designed for guests of all ages. The configurations vary between ships, but there are some common attractions, including:
- Twister Waterslide™: A spiraling slide extending over 200 feet, providing an exhilarating ride from the top deck to the splashdown below.
- DrainPipe™: After navigating twists, riders are funneled into a large open bowl, experiencing a swirling descent before the final splash.
- PowerDrencher™: A massive tipping bucket that periodically releases hundreds of gallons of water onto those below, ensuring a soaking experience.
- Kaleid-O-Slide: Found on select ships like Carnival Vista, this 455-foot enclosed slide features vibrant kaleidoscopic visual effects as you wind your way through the tube.
- Speedway Splash: Available on ships such as Carnival Sunshine, this attraction offers side-by-side racing slides equipped with special lighting effects, allowing guests to compete for the fastest time.
- Dr. Seuss WaterWorks: Exclusive to Carnival Horizon, this themed water park includes the Cat’s Hat Slide, a 450-foot red and white slide inspired by the iconic hat, and the Fun Things Slide, a 300-foot polka-dotted slide. Both offer unique and whimsical experiences.
These features, various splash zones, and mini-racer slides for children make WaterWorks a central hub of aquatic fun on many Carnival ships.
Where You’ll Find It
WaterWorks is available across the Carnival fleet.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s lighthearted, colorful, and the perfect way to cool off. Whether you want big thrills or want to splash around, WaterWorks hits the spot.
Aqua Park (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian’s Aqua Park combines serious slides with spots to chill. It’s excellent for both thrill-seekers and relaxation seekers.
What Makes Aqua Park Special
The Free Fall drop slide is the headline. You stand in a capsule, cross your arms, and the floor drops beneath your feet, sending you into a free fall.
The fall is fast and over before you can scream, but you’ll definitely feel the fear.
The Epic Plunge on Norwegian Epic sends you spinning through a 200-foot bowl before a splashdown. And if you’re not in the mood to scream your head off, the hot tubs nearby are perfect for relaxation.
Where You’ll Find It
Aqua Park is available on these Norwegian cruise ships: Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Encore.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s a good combination of wild and chill. You can take the plunge or soak in a hot tub with a drink.
Aqua Park (MSC Cruises)
MSC’s Aqua Parks are big on theming, and they’ve really gone all in with the pirate vibe.
What Makes MSC Aqua Park Special
Pirate’s Cove on MSC Seascape looks like a movie set, with slides shooting past Kraken tentacles and pirate ships. The AquaTubes loop high above the deck, and the virtual drop slide adds a digital twist.
On MSC Virtuosa, a rope bridge over the Savannah Aquapark makes you feel like you’re on a game show. Everything feels interactive and over-the-top in an immersive way.
If you’re looking to further the immersion, MSC America and MSC Europa offer virtual reality waterslides on which you can wear VR headsets.
Where You’ll Find It
You’ll find these parks on ships like MSC Seascape, Virtuosa, Bellissima, and World America.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s not just about the waterslides. MSC Cruises goes above and beyond with the theming, design, and tech adding to the fun. Great for families, but just as cool if you’re a big kid at heart.
