If you’re traveling with kids, they might want to know which Royal Caribbean ships have water slides.
Yes, water slides – and water parks, in general – are fantastic, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
But they’re especially perfect for keeping kids with boundless energy entertained.
So if you’re planning to book a cruise with Royal Caribbean soon, you’re in luck.
Royal Caribbean has turned cruising into a full-on water park experience.
From twisting slides to splash zones for kids, these ships make sure everyone has something fun to do in the water.
Here’s a brief – but succinct – guide to Royal Caribbean’s water parks and water slides.
Which Royal Caribbean Ships Have Water Slides?
Royal Caribbean has about 29 commercial cruise ships.
Of these ships, these are the models that have water slides (note that some will have more than others):
- Adventure of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Mariner of the Seas
- Navigator of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Odyssey of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Voyager of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
As you can see, more than half of Royal Caribbean’s current fleet has at least a few waterslides to keep you – and your family – entertained.
Icon of the Seas gets an honorable mention for having the most water slides in one place.
It has six slides in its Category 6 Waterpark.
This includes the tallest drop slide at sea and first open free-fall slide on a cruise ship.
What Other Water Activities Are on Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas – while we’re on the topic – is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular ships for a reason.
Aside from its six water slides, it also has seven pools.
One of them – the Royal Bay Pool – also happens to be the largest pool on any cruise ship.
There’s also Swim & Tonic, which is a one-of-a-kind pool with a swim-up bar.
For families, there’s Water’s Edge Pool, where parents can hang out while the kids play nearby.
It also has the popular surf simulator called FlowRider, where you can try surfing or boogie boarding.
Plus, there are plenty of hot tubs and splash zones to keep you busy.
What Are the Best Water Slides on Royal Caribbean Ships?
Now that you know which Royal Caribbean ships have water slides, let’s talk about which ones are the most exciting.
The Blaster on Navigator of the Seas is the longest water slide at sea.
In fact, with over 800 feet of dips and turns, it’s honestly more like a water roller coaster.
Category 6 on Icon of the Seas is the largest water park at sea.
It has six different slides, like Frightening Bolt and Pressure Drop, that are made for people who love fast, wild rides.
The Perfect Storm, found on several ships, has two racing slides named Cyclone and Typhoon.
You can race your friends or family down to the bottom.
For younger kids, Royal Caribbean’s Splashaway Bay is the place to go.
It has smaller slides and splash zones built just for little ones.
What About Kid-Friendly Water Slides?
When you’re traveling with kids, it helps to know which Royal Caribbean ships have water slides that work for younger ages.
Icon of the Seas is the best overall ship for families.
It has Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay for the smallest cruisers.
There are big slides too, for the older kids and adults who accompany them.
Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas are also great family choices.
They all have Splashaway Bay and other fun water play areas.
No record-holding water slides to speak of, but the actual experience is excellent regardless.
Finally, Liberty of the Seas is another good option.
Its Tidal Wave slide gives riders a boomerang-style thrill that can’t be beat.
Do Smaller Royal Caribbean Ships Have Water Slides?
Understandably, passengers want to know if the size of the ship is a factor that affects the water slides.
After all, bigger ships obviously have more room for such entertainment options to operate.
Yes, smaller Royal Caribbean ships – like Adventure of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas – have Cyclone and Typhoon water slides.
Even Radiance Class ships, which are the smallest types of ships, manage to keep it simple with a small kids’ slide at the back.
So while the lack of space makes it difficult to install a lot of water slides or parks, there’s still at least one or two areas for kids (and kids at heart) to enjoy.
But if you or your companions want larger water parks and record-breaking slides, Royal Caribbean’s larger ships would be the way to go.
Are There Rules for the Water Slides?
Yes, Royal Caribbean has height and weight limits for the slides.
Most of the bigger slides, like Cyclone and Typhoon, require you to be at least 48 inches tall.
For the tallest slides on Icon of the Seas, like Frightening Bolt, you need to be at least 52 inches tall.
The kids’ slides in Splashaway Bay are for those at least 42 inches tall.
Smaller toddlers won’t be allowed inside – even if accompanied by an adult.
Weight limits usually fall between 250 and 300 pounds, depending on the slide.
These rules help keep everyone safe, and the crew checks to make sure people meet the requirements.
Do the Royal Caribbean Water Slides Have Lifeguards?
Thankfully, you don’t need to wonder which Royal Caribbean ships have water slides with lifeguards.
All Royal Caribbean water parks have trained lifeguards on duty once they open.
They watch the slides and the pools to help make sure everyone stays safe.
They also enforce the height and weight rules to keep all passengers safe.
These lifeguards also do routine sweeps of the area to make sure kids under 12 always have an adult guardian nearby.
Ready to Book a Cruise Full of Watery Fun?
At Team Thompson Travel, we’re here to help you pick which Royal Caribbean ships have water slides that fit your vacation plans.
We’ll compare your options, handle the details, and make sure your trip is as easy as possible.
All you need to focus on is sitting back and having fun.
Let’s book your dream ocean getaway.
Contact us today!