Cruise ships have transformed into floating adventure hubs, boasting state-of-the-art waterparks and waterslides that rival top theme parks. From gravity-defying drops to family-friendly splash zones, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, MSC, and Disney have redefined onboard entertainment with innovative water attractions.
This in-depth guide explores the best waterparks and waterslides across major cruise lines and their newest ships (including those launched or planned for 2023–2025), complete with embedded YouTube videos to capture the thrill.
Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or seeking kid-friendly fun, there’s a ship with the perfect slide for you!
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean sets the standard for cruise ship waterparks, with massive, record-breaking slides on their Icon, Oasis, and Freedom-class ships. Their newest vessels, including those launched in 2023–2025, feature some of the largest waterparks at sea.
Icon of the Seas (2024) – Category 6 Waterpark
Launched in January 2024, the Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship and home to the Category 6 Waterpark, the largest waterpark at sea. This thrill-packed zone features six record-breaking slides, catering to all levels of daring:
- Frightening Bolt: The tallest drop slide at sea, with a 46-foot near-vertical plunge.
- Storm Chasers: The first duo mat-racing slides, stretching 431 feet for head-to-head competition.
- Hurricane Hunter: The first family raft slide, accommodating up to four riders.
- Storm Surge: A 395-foot suspended family raft slide with ocean views.
- Pressure Drop: The first open freefall slide, offering a heart-pounding descent.
- Drop Slide: A high-speed slide with a steep incline for solo riders.
The waterpark includes splash zones, pools, and kid-friendly areas, all included in the cruise fare for unlimited access. The ship’s Thrill Island neighborhood also offers a FlowRider surf simulator and a Crown’s Edge rope course.
Star of the Seas (2025) – Category 6 Waterpark
Debuting in August 2025, the Star of the Seas, the second Icon-class ship, mirrors the Icon’s Category 6 Waterpark with the same six slides, ensuring the same level of thrills. Expect similar features like Frightening Bolt and Storm Chasers, plus family-friendly splash zones. The ship will sail from Port Canaveral, offering Caribbean itineraries with stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, which has its own waterpark, Thrill Waterpark.
Utopia of the Seas (2024) – Perfect Storm & Splashaway Bay
Launched in July 2024, the Utopia of the Seas is the latest Oasis-class ship, featuring the Perfect Storm waterslide trio and Splashaway Bay. Perfect Storm includes:
- Typhoon and Cyclone: Twin racing slides with translucent sections for ocean views.
- Supercell: A champagne-bowl slide where riders spin before splashing down.
Splashaway Bay offers kid-friendly slides, water cannons, and fountains. Utopia is tailored for short 3-4 night cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay, where guests can enjoy additional slides at Thrill Waterpark (admission fee applies).
Wonder of the Seas (2022) – Perfect Storm
The Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis-class ship, features the Perfect Storm with Typhoon, Cyclone, and Supercell slides, plus Splashaway Bay for younger guests. With 17 waterslides and nine pools, it’s a water lover’s paradise.
Navigator of the Seas (Amplified 2019) – The Perfect Storm
The amplified Navigator of the Seas boasts The Perfect Storm with:
- The Blaster: The longest waterslide at sea at 800 feet, a water coaster with dips and over-the-edge drops.
- Riptide: The first headfirst mat racer slide, with transparent tubes extending over the ship’s edge.
Liberty of the Seas – Tidal Wave
The Liberty of the Seas features the unique Tidal Wave, a boomerang-style slide where riders experience weightlessness before a steep drop. It’s paired with smaller slides and splash zones for kids.
Pro Tip: Royal Caribbean’s waterparks are busiest on sea days. Hit the slides early in the morning or during port days for shorter lines. Water shoes are recommended for hot decks!
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line delivers high-octane waterslides and expansive waterparks, with their Prima Plus and Breakaway Plus classes leading the charge. Their newest ships push boundaries with innovative slide designs.
Norwegian Aqua (2025) – Aqua Slidecoaster
Launching in April 2025, the Norwegian Aqua introduces the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide. This Prima Plus-class ship features:
- Aqua Slidecoaster: A 1,000-foot hybrid slide with coaster-like thrills and water drops, the longest and fastest in Norwegian’s fleet.
- The Drop: A 10-story freefall slide with a trapdoor start.
- The Rush: Dual racing slides for competitive fun.
The ship also offers expanded pool decks and kid-friendly splash zones, making it ideal for families.
Norwegian Prima (2022) and Viva (2023) – AquaPark
The Norwegian Prima and Viva feature the AquaPark with:
- The Wave: A twisting tube slide for solo riders.
- The Drop: A 10-story freefall slide, among the fastest at sea.
- The Rush: Intertwined racing slides for head-to-head thrills.
The ships also include the Ocean Boulevard, an outdoor promenade with infinity pools and water features.
Breakaway Plus Ships (Joy, Escape, Bliss, Encore) – AquaPark
The Breakaway Plus class (Joy, Escape, Bliss, Encore) offers:
- Aqua Racer: A tandem slide with high-speed twists.
- Ocean Loops: A double-loop slide with transparent sections 159 feet above the water, extending over the ship’s edge.
Breakaway Ships (Breakaway, Getaway) – AquaPark
The Breakaway and Getaway feature five multi-story slides, including:
- Free Fall: The fastest drop slide at sea, with a trapdoor and 4G forces.
- Aqua Racer: Tandem racing slides for friendly competition.
Norwegian Epic – Epic Plunge
The Norwegian Epic features the Epic Plunge, the only bowl slide at sea. Riders spiral through a 200-foot tube into a giant bowl before splashing into the pool.
Pro Tip: Norwegian’s slides often have height and weight restrictions (e.g., 48” minimum for The Drop). Check onboard signage to ensure eligibility.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line, the pioneer of cruise ship waterslides since 1978, equips nearly all its 27 ships with WaterWorks waterparks, offering thrills for all ages. Their Excel-class ships lead with cutting-edge slide designs.
Carnival Jubilee (2023) – WaterWorks
Launched in December 2023, the Carnival Jubilee, an Excel-class ship, features an advanced WaterWorks park with:
- Blue Lightning: A 300-foot high-speed slide with transparent sections.
- Orange Thunder: A 229-foot drop slide with a steep incline.
- Twister Waterslide: A 300-foot corkscrew slide with vibrant visuals.
The park includes splash zones and smaller slides for kids, ensuring family-friendly fun.
Carnival Celebration (2022) – WaterWorks
The Carnival Celebration, another Excel-class ship, mirrors the Jubilee’s WaterWorks with Blue Lightning, Orange Thunder, and Twister slides, plus kid-friendly splash areas.
Carnival Sunshine – WaterWorks
The Carnival Sunshine offers a unique WaterWorks with:
- Twister Waterslide: A 334-foot spiral slide.
- Speedway Splash: Twin 235-foot racing slides with LED lighting.
- Dr. Seuss WaterWorks: Themed slides like Cat in the Hat and Fun Things, plus a 150-gallon dumping bucket.
Vista-Class Ships (Vista, Horizon, Panorama) – WaterWorks
The Vista-class ships feature:
- Kaleid-O-Slide: A 455-foot enclosed tube slide with kaleidoscopic lights.
- Twister Waterslide: A long, spiraling slide for all ages.
Other Carnival Ships
Ships like Carnival Breeze, Dream, Magic, and Spirit feature WaterWorks with slides such as:
- Green Thunder: A 33-foot near-vertical drop slide on Carnival Spirit.
- DrainPipe: A swirling bowl slide.
- PowerDrencher: A giant bucket that drenches guests below.
Fun Fact: Carnival’s first waterslide debuted in 1978 on the Festivale, sparking a cruise industry trend.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises has embraced waterparks with vibrant, themed aqua parks on their newer ships, blending thrills with family-oriented fun. Their World-class ships are the stars of the fleet.
MSC World America (2025) – The Harbour
Launching in April 2025, the MSC World America introduces The Harbour, an outdoor park in the Family Aventura zone with:
- Aqua Park: Features a virtual reality-enhanced drop slide and a high-speed raft slide.
- Cliffhanger: The first over-water swing ride at sea, complementing the waterpark.
- Splash Area: Interactive water features for younger guests.
The ship’s 22 decks include 19 restaurants and a ropes course, making it a family favorite.
MSC World Europa (2022) – Aqua Park
The MSC World Europa, a World-class ship, features an Aqua Park with:
- VR Waterslide: A high-speed slide with virtual reality elements.
- Racing Slides: Dual slides for competitive racing.
- Kids’ Splash Zone: Fountains and mini-slides for younger cruisers.
MSC Seascape (2022) and Seashore (2021) – Pirate’s Cove Aqua Park
The MSC Seascape and Seashore offer Pirate’s Cove Aqua Park with:
- Four Slides: Including high-speed racing slides and a VR-enhanced slide.
- Interactive Elements: Climbing structures and water cannons for kids.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line combines family-friendly waterparks with magical theming, ensuring fun for all ages. Their newest ships elevate the experience with innovative water attractions.
Disney Treasure (2024) – AquaMouse
Launched in December 2024, the Disney Treasure features AquaMouse, a water coaster with a unique “Mickey’s Curse of the Golden Egg” storyline. Riders board two-person rafts for a 760-foot journey with animated scenes, music, and water effects, including a tunnel through the ship’s funnel.
Disney Dream and Fantasy – AquaDuck
The Disney Dream and Fantasy feature the AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea. This 765-foot ride drops four decks, passes through the forward funnel, and includes a lazy river section with nighttime lighting.
Disney Magic and Wonder – AquaLab and Twist n’ Spout
The Disney Magic and Wonder offer AquaLab, an all-ages water playground with geysers, leaky pipes, and pouring paint cans. The Twist n’ Spout is a double-looping slide for thrill-seekers, while Nephews’ Splash Zone caters to toddlers.
Pro Tip: Disney’s water attractions are themed for immersive fun. Ride AquaMouse or AquaDuck at night for enhanced lighting effects!
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is newer to the waterpark scene but has introduced water features on their latest Sphere-class ships, focusing on family-friendly fun.
Star Princess (2025) – Splash Zone
Launching in October 2025, the Star Princess, a Sphere-class ship, features a Splash Zone with water cannons, fountains, and small slides designed for kids. While not as thrill-focused as other lines, it complements the ship’s family-oriented activities.
Sun Princess (2024) – Splash Zone
The Sun Princess, launched in February 2024, offers a similar Splash Zone with interactive water features and mini-slides, ideal for younger cruisers.
Are you ready to set sail?
Cruise ship waterparks have redefined family fun at sea, offering everything from adrenaline-pumping slides to toddler-friendly splash zones.
With innovative attractions on new ships like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, Norwegian Aqua, Carnival Jubilee, MSC World America, Disney Treasure, and Princess’s Star Princess, there’s a perfect aquatic adventure for every cruiser.
Whether you’re racing down the longest slide, braving a freefall drop, or relaxing in a themed splash area, these waterparks guarantee unforgettable memories. Check out the YouTube videos to see the thrills in action and book your next cruise to experience the ultimate waterslide excitement firsthand!
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About Jonathon Hyjek
Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)
