carnival cruise ship drawing

How To Draw A Cruise Ship | A Comprehensive Guide

Today, we will show you how to draw a cruise ship in a super easy and fun way. We’ll transform your blank paper into a spectacular cruise ship scene.

A cruise ship is used to carry tourists on an adventurous voyage across the sea. It is a big, enormous structure that can be hundreds of feet long. Many modern cruise ships have a pool, a park, dining lounges, bars, and many other things inside them. They can carry thousands of tourists in a single run. A cruise ship is way bigger than other ships, like a battleship , a pirate ship , or a ski boat.

So, grab your artistic supplies and dive into the world of art and adventure!

What you will need

• A sheet of paper
• Coloring kit

how to Draw a Cruise Ship 

This guide offers you all you need to draw a cruise ship. Follow each step , and you’ll have an amazing ship in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Draw the cruise ship body

The ship’s body is a large structure that supports its weight. It is slightly submerged in the water when the ship cruises.

To make the ship’s body, draw an inverted trapezoid in the middle of the paper.

We’ll draw a horizontal line at the base of the paper. Then, we’ll stretch two vertical straight lines from each end of the horizontal line. These lines should be slanted outward. The line on the left should be bigger than the right. We’ll draw a horizontal line on the upper side to close the structure. As the slanted lines are of unequal lengths, there will be a slope in the middle of the upper line, as shown in the image.

Step 2: Draw Two decks

We’ll draw a rectangle on top of the ship’s body to draw the decks. This will be our first deck, just like the double-decker bus. We’ll make another rectangle on the first deck. This will be our second deck. The second deck will be slightly smaller in length than the first one.

Modern cruise ships have several decks . We will draw only two decks using a ruler.

Step 3: Draw two smoke stacks and wind tower

The smoke stacks are used to evacuate the smoke from the cruise ship. To draw the smoke stacks, we’ll draw two vertical rectangles on the upper side of the upper deck. The length of both of these rectangles should be the same. We’ll keep the upper sides of these rectangles slightly bigger.

We’ll draw a thin vertical tower parallel to the smoke stacks to make the wind tower. The length of the wind tower should be greater than the smoke stacks.

Step 4: Draw windows on the Two decks

The decks have several rooms on them, including balconies. The windows in these rooms give a scenic view of the ocean.

We’ll draw windows on both decks. On the first deck, we’ll make several small rectangles. These rectangles will serve as the windows. In a similar fashion, we’ll replace the windows on the upper deck as well.

We’ll ensure that each window’s length and size are the same . Our windows are ready.

Step 5: Draw the railings on the main body

Railings are the fences used for safety purposes . It is present on all sides of the cruise ship. 

To make the railings, we’ll draw two horizontal lines parallel to the upper line of the main body. Then, we’ll draw several vertical lines connecting these parallel lines to the main body of the cruise ship. There should be a short gap between the vertical lines. 

We’ll ensure that no vertical line crosses the parallel line or the ship’s main body. If we notice any irregularities in these vertical lines, we’ll erase them and draw them again.

Step 6: Draw the main body windows

We’ll draw several circles on the main body to have the main body windows . The size of each circle must be the same , and no circle should overlap another circle. We’ll use any round lid to draw the circle. We can also use a compass. If we don’t have the required apparatus, we’ll use the freehand technique to make the circles. We’ll make nine circles in total.

Step 7: Cruise ship is completed

Congratulations! You did it. Our cruise is all set to sail . We made each step easy for you. We’re sure you followed each step with us and made a spectacular drawing . Now, we’ll outline our drawing. We’ll use a marker to do this. A marker with a small tip will be the best option. After outlining our drawing, we’ll erase the pencil marks. It’ll clean up our drawing.

Taking your cruise ship drawing to the next level 

A cruise ship doesn’t fly in the air or run on the streets. It floats on the sea . But in our drawing, there’s no perspective. We don’t know where our ship is. For that reason, we need to upgrade our drawing and add more details to it.

Also, our drawing has no colors. Colors can make our drawings appealing. We need to add color to it. Coloring is a fun part , and we’re sure you’re getting really excited to upgrade your drawing. These steps are not difficult.

Adding background to your drawing 

Having a background is a must. It gives our drawings a professional look . Drawing a background takes only a few minutes but adds considerable value.

As the cruise ship is always in the water, we’ll add the sea as our background. We’ll also draw multiple waves under the ship’s body. 

We want our ship to be moving . Of course, it cannot move on paper , but we can give it a moving perspective . We’ll draw splashing waves near the ship’s body to achieve that. This depicts that our cruise is moving in the water.

Adding colors to your drawing 

Don’t you think that our drawing is lacking something ? The attractiveness is not there, right?

To spice up our drawing, we need to fill it with colors. This will give our drawings a lively look . You can use any material to color your drawing . It can be markers, poster paints, crayons, or anything you choose.

As we all know, the sea water is light blue , so we’ll color the water the same color.

We used dark blue to color the ship’s body in our drawing. Red color for the smokestacks and wind tower. Black color for the railings and a light blue color for the windows. You can use similar colors in your drawing or customize it according to your taste . Just make sure to color the drawing in a tidy manner .

P.S Bonus Tips

Drawing is all about imagination and creativity.

We can add a flag at the top of the second deck. We can write the name of the ship under the main body windows. If we want our ship to be cruising in the daylight, we can draw a shining sun on the top corner of our paper. Below the sun, we can draw birds by connecting two curved lines. The size of the birds should be way smaller than the sun to give them a realistic look . 

We can add stars and the moon as the background if you like night. We can use any round lid to draw the moon . For the stars, we’ll draw several dots around the moon. Everything will give our drawing a scenic look.

Remember, this part depends on your creativity. We have a few ideas, but these are not all. Imagination is limitless. Try multiple things and see which suits your taste best.

Conclusion 

This guide explains how to draw a cruise in seven simple steps. First, we drew the cruise ship body. Then we made two decks, two smokestacks , and the wind tower . After that, we drew the windows on the two decks and the railings on the main body. Finally, we upgraded the drawing.

All these steps are quite simple. We’re confident your drawing will be amazing if you follow these steps. You might have to keep practicing for a better result, so go for it again if you think your drawing doesn’t look that good. Ultimately, you’ll have a beautiful cruise ship in no time!

Thanks for reading & feel free to check out  more of our articles !

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Hey! I'm Curt, graphic designer by profession. I've got a passion for design, but not only. The love for sports & fitness looms strong 😄

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Hull Art Updates: New Colors For Carnival, Contests and More

• November 7, 2021

As more cruise operators announce plans freshen up the looks of their existing and new ships, Cruise Industry News gathered the latest roundup of livery-related news.

Two Additional Ships Get Carnival New Livery

Currently undergoing drydocks, the Carnival Sunshine and the Carnival Spirit are receiving Carnival’s new hull color scheme. Introduced with the new Mardi Gras, the new livery features a stately navy-blue hull along with vibrant red and white accents running the entire length of the ship.

The new colors are now present on 11 Carnival vessels including the Carnival Magic, the Carnival Glory (pictured above) and the Carnival Dream, the first three ships retrofitted with the new look .

More recently, the Carnival Paradise and the newly refurbished Carnival Radiance also got adorned with the new hull design .

The other vessels currently sailing with the new colors are the new Mardi Gras, the Carnival Liberty, the Carnival Valor and the Carnival Legend.

According to Carnival, the new look is “an homage to maritime tradition with patriotic red, white and blue hues, also the colors of Carnival Cruise Line.”

Valiant Lady’s Mermaid Receives Final Touches  

As the final touches are being carried out on the hull of Virgin Voyages’ second cruise ship, the Valiant Lady now has her colors on .

Delivered earlier this year, the 2,770-guesst vessel features an art piece created by Hillary Wilson on its hull.

Depicting a mermaid, the art celebrates the strong, beautiful, friendly and modern embodiment of a black American woman, according to a press release previously issued by Virgin.

According to the company, the mermaids are an important symbol for the brand and meant to keep guests safe on their voyage.

MSC Cruises Invites Artists to Design the Hull of New Ship

MSC Cruises recently launched a design contest to select a hull art for its newest cruise ship, the LNG-powered MSC Euribia.

The Meraviglia-class vessel will be the first to feature a hull art piece in the company’s 19-ship fleet.

The initiative is opened to artists and designers worldwide and aims “to communicate the importance of respect for the environment,” the company said in a press release.

Only one winner will have their artwork showcased on the ship’s hull.

Five further shortlist finalists will also have their designs displayed in an exhibition onboard the Euribia, where guests can enjoy the art and its important message.

Azamara Ships Receive Company’s New Logo

During recent drydock stays , the Azamara fleet received a new livery featuring the company’s new logo.

Announced in June 2019 , the logo has three main elements, including an open world symbol signifying infinite opportunities for world travel; two artistic strokes representing both land and sea experiences; and a star, representative of Azamara’s namesake “Acamar,” which means the brightest star in the southern sky and represents the brand’s north star, according to the company.

The logo is now prominently featured on the funnel of the company’s three ships, the Azamara Journey, the Azamara Quest and the Azamara Pursuit. The new Azamara Onward, on the meantime, is expected to receive the brand’s look before launching service in spring 2022 .

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About Mardi Gras

The 180,800-ton, 5,282-guest Mardi Gras is the first of Carnival's thrill-a-minute Mardi Gras class series. Innovative and exceptional, she is jam-packed with excitement for all ages!

Many firsts include the introduction of a new-to-the-line suites-only enclave, six themed zones — each with unique venues for dining, entertainment and more. Take a heart-pounding ride on the first-ever roller coaster at sea! Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse has brought his delicious Creole creations to his first restaurant at sea.

The Mardi Gras has a host of fabulous amenities, including sparkling pools, whirlpools, chic bars and beautiful lounges. Kids will be having their own fun at the supervised youth program with its age-specific activities. Adults-only tranquility awaits at Serenity, complete with a pool, bar, hot tubs and more. Pampering treatments will make you feel like new at the popular spa. Continue your path of wellness a workout at Cloud 9 Fitness Center and a run on the jogging track.

Mardi Gras boasts the line's ultimate playground with the line's biggest WaterWorks, complete with three huge spiraling slides. Boasting a huge sports area with an entire mini-golf course, a ropes course and full-court basketball, it provides ideal spots for family time.

Stunning and spacious accommodations include over 20 different categories, along with several levels of suites, more than on any other Carnival ship. Diverse choices include those designed for families, spa enthusiasts and more, ranging from inside staterooms to large balconied suites.

Delicious dining options from casual eateries and an ice cream parlor to a special venue for superb gourmet dinners, ideal for foodies. Treat your tastebuds to barbecue-style fare, Mediterranean seafood, freshly made pizza, Mexican cuisine, juicy burgers and more. Even the pickiest eaters will be thrilled. Room service awaits your call, 24/7.

Entertainment choices include lavish production shows and a high-energy casino with slots, blackjack, poker and roulette. Laughter is on tap at the comedy club. Dance the night away or just listen to live bands and DJs while at the jazz club, piano bar and disco, among other musical hot-spots.

Cruise on the spectacular Mardi Gras to worldwide destinations.

Carnival Excel Presidential Suite

A Carnival Excel Presidential Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There’s room for you and your things — with a large room and balcony — and a walk-in closet. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

Carnival Excel Aft Suite

A Carnival Excel Aft Suite is one of the most spacious staterooms on the ship, and the wrap-around balcony is seriously up there in square footage. But inside the room, which features a separate living room and bedroom, you’ll find some nice perks that make this room truly deluxe, like an extra half-bathroom to complement the ample main bath and its large shower and double sink. Plus get your vacation going quickly and conveniently with VIP check-in.

Carnival Excel Corner Suite

Carnival Excel Suite

A Carnival Excel Suite aboard Mardi Gras is the kind of room that proves that luxury and comfort go hand-in-hand. In this large room you’ll find not only a bathroom with a spacious shower and a double sink, but a good amount of room for living and lounging. That goes for the inside of the room as well as the outside — your room also features extra space for kicking back, ocean-breeze-style, on your balcony. And let’s not forget suite-level perks like getting your vacation going faster with VIP check-in.

Havana Vista Suite

In a Havana Vista Suite you’ll find all the luxury of a suite, all decked out in Cuba-inspired décor. Outside your Havana Vista Suite lies a private lanai with your own hammock chair, plus exclusive daytime access to Havana Pool area... not to mention amenities like VIP check-in, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with one luxurious rain shower. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Havana Cabana Suite

You could call the Havana Cabana Suite the crème de la crème… but that’s French. So here’s your Spanish lesson for today: la habitación mejor. In "the best room" you’ll find all the luxury of a suite, all decked out in Cuba-inspired décor. Outside your Havana Cabana Suite lies a private lounging area with your own deck chairs and hammock, plus exclusive daytime access to Havana Pool area… not to mention amenities like VIP check-in, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with one luxurious rain shower. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There’s room for you and your things — with a large room and balcony — and a walk-in closet. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

Ocean Suite

A Mardi Gras suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and a deluxe bathroom.

Family Ocean View Suite

Havana Forward-View Extended Balcony

Havana Cabana

There are amenities by the handful in this Havana-flavored stateroom, but the one that'll excite you most of all is likely to be this: Havana Cabana staterooms come with an outdoor patio — complete with your own loungy deck chairs — right outside your room. They also feature Cuba-inspired decor, exclusive daytime access to Havana Pool area and loads of sunlight with floor-to-ceiling window, but like we said... your very own deck chairs! (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Cloud 9 Spa Forward-View Extended Balcony

Cloud 9 Spa Balcony

Whether you're warming up for your spa appointment or winding down after your treatment, there's no better place to do it than on your Cloud 9 Spa Balcony. Breathing is important — take the ocean breeze in, then let it out — you're already getting the hang of the whole spa thing!

Cloud 9 Spa Cove Balcony

Nobody books a Cloud 9 Spa stateroom unless they love relaxation and want to do more of it. If this sounds like you, let us tell you about a room with a little extra something. It’s not just the custom décor... the secret here’s the balcony. A Cloud 9 Spa Cove Balcony stateroom sits closer to the waterline than most rooms, which means that your balcony puts you in a prime position to check out those waves. There’s no way to get closer! So if you think that sitting outside and checking out the waves might help you relax, this is the room for you! Plus, like all Cloud 9 Spa staterooms, this one features private spa access, special amenities and priority spa reservations.

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Forward-View Extended Balcony

Extended Balcony

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Mardi Gras. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Cove Balcony

Love the sea? Mardi Gras Cove Balcony staterooms are the best way to see the sea — these rooms get you close to the waterline, and feature balconies that let you make the most of your location. Enjoy things from a whole new perspective: one amazing up-close view of the wake and sea foam as the ship cruises along.

Junior Cove Balcony

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you’re looking to cruise aboard Mardi Gras. A Junior Balcony stateroom features the same size balcony as standard rooms, just with a little less interior space. Any time you’re in your room, you’re just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Cloud 9 Spa Ocean View (Obstructed View)

The best way to enjoy the relaxing, invigorating Cloud 9 Spa while on a cruise is in a spa stateroom, and this one fits the bill, providing comfy accommodations and convenient, priority access to treatments and services at the Cloud 9 Spa.

Family Harbor Ocean View

Let the whole family — especially the little ones — experience the wide-eyed wonder of sailing in a room with a view: a Family Harbor Ocean View stateroom. Not only will a vacation with a view like this help cultivate a lifelong love of the ocean, but Family Harbor staterooms feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. And while you sail along, the whole family will enjoy unlimited 24-hour access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, plus more great perks around the ship.

Catch a glimpse of what's going by from your Ocean View stateroom aboard Mardi Gras, where you'll get views you won’t find anywhere on land. Don’t miss sunrise and sunset at sea —your comfy stateroom is the best way to experience these!

Havana Interior

For a stateroom with extra sabor — for not a lot of dinero — check out a Havana Interior stateroom. You’ll find yours flavorfully decked out in Old Havana style… patterned after a place that certainly wasn’t lacking any. And like we said, you’ll find it for a great price. Aside from the good looks, this room includes exclusive daytime access to the Havana Pool area. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Cloud 9 Spa Interior

We've taken the warm essence of our Cloud 9 Spas and infused it into spa staterooms on Mardi Gras. Your room is the perfect place to do less, actually: just relax and take some you-time, anytime. All Cloud 9 Spa accommodations feature private spa access, special amenities and priority spa reservations.

Premium Interior

When picking a stateroom on a budget, you have to think about what matters to you. Priorities, right? So if you’re more about the comfort than you are the view, we’d recommend you go with a Premium Interior stateroom. This room actually has the same floorplan as some higher-priced rooms (just without the balcony) so you’re definitely getting a nice step up from a standard Interior room. Your room features a sitting area with a sofa, so hang out and lounge in comfort!

Family Harbor Interior

To truly experience the cozy sanctuary that a harbor provides, check out a Family Harbor Interior stateroom. These rooms are not only an affordable way to keep the family close, but feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. And while you sail along, the whole family will enjoy exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, plus more great perks around the ship.

An Interior stateroom is the most affordable way to cruise, and Mardi Gras' interiors are not just cozy, but are full of things you'd expect from any Carnival stateroom: a full private bathroom, Carnival Comfort Collection linens and just-a-call-away 24-hour room service.

View Deck Plan

Big Chicken

Big Chicken.

Blueiguana Cantina

Bonsai Sushi

Bonsai Sushi.

Bonsai Teppanyaki

Bonsai Teppanyaki.

Cucina Del Capitano

Emeril's Bistro 1396

Emeril's Bistro 1396.

Fahrenheit Steakhouse

Flamingo Restaurant

Guy's burger joint

Guy's Pig & Anchor

Javablue Cafe

Jiji Asian Kitchen

Palm Restaurant

Pizzeria Del Capitano

Seafood Shack

SmokeHouse & BrewHouse

Street Eats

Street Eats.

The Chef's Table

Lido Marketplace

Rudi’s Seagrill

Rudi’s Seagrill.

The Brass Magnolia

The Brass Magnolia.

Carnival Kitchen

Carnival Kitchen.

Heroes Tribute lounge

Heroes Tribute lounge.

Fresh Creations

Fresh Creations.

Mardi Gras Theater

The Punchliner Comedy Club

The Punchliner Comedy Club.

Mardi Gras Casino

Conference Room

Beach Pool.

Carnival Waterworks

Sports Court

Sports Court.

Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster

Carnival Adventures

Carnival Adventures.

Jogging Track

Ropes Course

The Ultimate Playground

Decks: 19 18

The Ultimate Playground.

The warehouse

The warehouse.

Cherry On Top

Cherry On Top.

Grand Central

Decks: 8 7 6

Grand Central.

The Fun Shops

Decks: 6 8 7

Art Gallery

Art Gallery.

Pixels Gallery

Pixels Gallery.

Cloud 9 Fitness

Cloud 9 Fitness.

Cloud 9 Spa

Cloud 9 Treatment Rooms

Decks: 5 18 16 19

Thermal Suites

Dr. Seuss Bookville

Guest Services

Guest Services.

Alchemy Bar

Havana Bar & Pool

Havana Bar & Pool.

Piano Bar 88

RedFrog Tiki Bar

Decks: 16 17

RedFrog Tiki Bar.

Tides Pool Bar

Family Harbor Lounge

Lime Light Lounge

Fortune Teller Bar

Fortune Teller Bar.

Center Stage Bar

Center Stage Bar.

Center Stage

Center Stage.

Grand View Bar

Grand View Bar.

Decks: 8 18

Dreams Studio

Dreams Studio.

Bar Della Rosa

Bar Della Rosa.

Serenity Pool Bar

Serenity Pool Bar.

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• RINA secures contract for design approval of Carnival's 4th and...

RINA secures contract for design approval of Carnival's 4th and 5th Excel-class ships

Classification society RINA has secured a contract to oversee the design approval and construction supervision of the CCL-Carnival Cruise Line 's newest vessels (4th and 5th Excel-class units).

These ships will follow the same blueprint as their predecessors, featuring a 180,000-ton design fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and capable of accommodating 6400+ guests plus 1800 crew/staff .

CCL initiated the order for the 5th Excel-class vessel in March 2024, building upon the order placed in February for an additional LNG-powered Excel-class ship.

Both vessels will be constructed at Meyer Werft 's yard in Papenburg Germany , with delivery scheduled for 2027 and 2028, respectively.

RINA emphasized its specialized expertise acquired through overseeing the construction of all LNG-powered cruisers within CCL's Excel-Class fleet.

Carnival has stated its commitment to achieving an 18% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity by 2024 compared to 2019, calculated based on lower berth capacity.

Concurrently, RINA has collaborated with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and Eni (Rome-based energy company) to explore joint initiatives in maritime transport decarbonization. The partnership aims to analyze and assess sustainable alternatives to support the decarbonization of maritime transport, focusing on developing solutions complementary to existing fuels used in challenging sectors.

Princess Cruises welcomes its biggest ship ever with help from a star

It took a star to welcome the sun.

The Sun Princess , that is.

Princess Cruises on Tuesday officially hailed the arrival of its newest megavessel — at 177,882 tons, its biggest ever —with the help of "Ted Lasso" star Hannah Waddingham.

The Emmy Award-winning actress and singer presided over a star-studded 19-minute christening ceremony in the ship's Princess Arena theater that included a traditional bottle breaking, with a twist.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Serving as the ship's godmother, Waddingham placed a triangular "sun ray" representing Sun Princess into a sun sculpture on stage to trigger the smashing of a huge bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne — a nebuchadnezzar that holds the equivalent of 20 traditional bottles — against the ship's hull.

"As much as theater ripples through my bloodstream, I have the strongest history of maritime in my family," a clearly proud Waddingham said moments before triggering the bottle smash.

She noted that her still-living, 107-year-old grandfather served on convoy ships crossing the Atlantic during World War II. She also grew up boating.

"It's in my blood and in my bones," she added.

Built at the giant Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, Sun Princess is the most notable new Princess ship to debut in more than a decade. Capable of holding up to 5,189 passengers (a record for a Princess ship), it's not only significantly bigger than previous Princess ships but packed with more onboard venues.

The naming celebration came two months after Sun Princess began sailing for the first time with paying passengers, a debut that was unexpectedly delayed by 20 days due to construction issues.

"Sun Princess is incredible. It's the largest, most luxurious love boat ever," John Padgett, Princess president, said at the event, harking back to the line's long-standing tie to the hit television show "The Love Boat" that ran in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Three stars from the show — Ted Lange, Bernie Kopell and Jill Whelan, who played bartender Isaac Washington, ship's doctor Adam Bricker and captain's daughter Vicki Stubing, respectively — were in attendance at the event.

The "Love Boat" stars were seated just a couple rows behind Carnival Corporation chairman Micky Arison and CEO Josh Weinstein.

Carnival Corporation is the parent company of Princess Cruises.

Makoto Okuwa, a James Beard Foundation honoree who designed a sushi eatery for Sun Princess, and Dario Cecchini, a celebrity Italian butcher who created a meat-focused restaurant for the ship, were also in attendance. So was the Brazilian artist Romero Britto, who sat to the right of Arison. Britto's colorful, upbeat art is the theme for the ship's high-end restaurant, Love by Britto.

Other celebrities at the event included model and television personality Tyra Banks, wildlife show host Jeff Corwin, fashion designer and television host Randy Fenoli and mixologist Rob Floyd. British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield performed her smash hit "Pocketful of Sunshine" among other hit songs on the top deck of the ship after the ceremony.

The biggest Princess ship ever

Under development for more than six years, Sun Princess is the first of the new Sphere Class of Princess vessels. The ships have been designed to be significantly bigger than previous Princess vessels and offer several new-for-the-line features.

First look: Inside Sun Princess, the giant new ship from Princess Cruises

Sun Princess is the first Princess ship with suites that come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck — part of an effort to draw more upscale customers to the brand.

Additionally, Sun Princess offers an innovative new type of "cabana cabin" on the ship's extra-wide 10th deck that features exclusive access to a private deck area. The top deck of the ship also received some unusual-for-Princess sizzle. Passengers will find a glass-dome-topped pool area that transforms into a nightspot after the sun goes down.

Other differences between Sun Princess and earlier Princess ships include the lack of a buffet restaurant on its main pool deck. But don't worry, buffet lovers: There still is a buffetlike venue on the ship. Called The Eatery, it's eight decks below the pool deck, closer to the ship's central piazza and just off its outside promenade.

The ship's main theater, the Princess Arena, also has a new look. Its new-for-Princess, in-the-round shape can be converted into a more traditional proscenium-type theater or a keyhole-type theater to allow for different types of productions.

Among other standout venues, Sun Princess features a secret hideaway for magical performances designed in partnership with the Magic Castle performance venue in Los Angeles.

Related: My strange night out at Princess's new magic-infused night spot

Princess also has revamped its main dining room program with the debut of Sun Princess. It now offers three distinct options for cruisers in its main dining rooms, ranging from a traditional fixed seating experience to a casual, come-when-you-want option that includes quick-served meals and even breakfast for dinner .

The arrival of Sun Princess marks the first time Princess has launched a new class of ship in nearly 11 years. With its debut, Princess now has 16 vessels in its fleet that collectively have room for about 50,000 passengers. That makes Princess the world's fifth-biggest cruise line, behind Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line , MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line .

Related: The 4 types of Princess ships, explained

Sun Princess is initially sailing in Europe through the fall. It'll then reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for voyages to the Caribbean. Fares start at $577 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing.

A second ship in the new Sphere Class series, to be called Star Princess, is on order from the Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in 2025. Its first voyage is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2025, and will take place in the Mediterranean.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

The 6 best cruise ship waterslides and watery fun zones

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Call it the Battle of the Waterslides.

In the last few years, the big boys of the cruise industry — Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line — have been locked in a game of one-upmanship when it comes to waterslides and watery fun zones on vessels.

In addition to such over-the-top, new attractions as go-kart tracks and roller coasters , the brands behind the biggest megaresorts at sea have been packing the top decks of their vessels with even more over-the-top watery allures.

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Royal Caribbean, for instance, added an 800-foot-long “water coaster” to the back of its 3,386-passenger Navigator of the Seas just a few years ago. It’s one of more than two dozen giant waterslides the line has added to more than half a dozen ships in the last seven years.

Royal Caribbean also plans a record six waterslides on its next new ship, Icon of the Seas, which is scheduled to debut in January 2024.

But as recently as early 2016, Royal Caribbean didn’t have a single waterslide on any of its vessels.

MSC Cruises also has gone big with giant water parks in the past seven years, with as many as four waterslides on more than half a dozen of its newest vessels. Norwegian has loaded up its most recent ships with giant water parks, too — some have as many as five waterslides!

Not to be outdone, Carnival, an early adopter of waterslides on ships, has added sprawling water park areas with multiple waterslides to almost every vessel in its fleet.

A brief history of water attractions at sea

In the beginning, there was the pool. As watery cruise ship attractions go, it has long been the staple — something found on nearly every cruise vessel going back to the 1970s.

But as early as 1978, at least one line was spicing up its Lido decks with a little waterslide fun — little being the operative word. That’s the year Carnival added a single slide into the pool on its 728-passenger Festivale — a slide so small it’s now hilarious to think it was touted as an attraction.

Often cited as the first waterslide ever on a cruise vessel, the Festivale slide was of a sort that was found at backyard pools at the time. The cruise industry was still in its infancy, of course, and ships were orders of magnitude smaller than they are today. Festivale measured just 32,697 tons, about one-seventh the size of today’s biggest cruise vessels.

Carnival, the so-called Fun Ship line, would go on to become the early leader in waterslides at sea. The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy, which debuted in 1990, was the first cruise ship with a significant waterslide. It measured 115 feet in length.

Related: A beginner’s guide to picking a cruise line

Just six years later, in 1996, Carnival would make news with the unveiling of a 214-foot-long corkscrew waterslide on what then was called Destiny. (The ship currently sails as the Carnival Sunshine after being rebuilt in 2013.) At the time, Destiny was the biggest cruise ship in the world.

In more recent years, Carnival has gone into waterslide-building overdrive. The line has added full-blown water park areas with waterslides, watery play zones and other features to all but four of its 25 ships. All but one of Carnival’s ships (Carnival Luminosa) now have at least one waterslide.

One of the Carnival water parks, on the line’s 5-year-old Carnival Horizon, even has Disney-style theming revolving around Dr. Seuss characters.

Norwegian, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean only began going big with waterslides on ships in the past decade or so. Many of the newest vessels from the brands have massive water park areas. Some of the brands are retrofitting big waterslides onto older ships, too.

Additionally, family-focused Disney Cruise Line now has major water attractions on all its vessels.

Where you’ll find the biggest waterslides at sea

If your idea of the perfect cruise ship is one loaded to the gills with waterslides and watery fun zones (plus all sorts of other over-the-top attractions), you’ll want to stick to the biggest floating megaresorts operated by Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC Cruises and Carnival.

At Royal Caribbean, that means the giant Oasis-class vessels , which include Wonder of the Seas — the world’s largest cruise ship. At Norwegian, you’ll find the biggest waterslides and water parks on the line’s relatively recently built Breakaway Plus-, Breakaway- and Epic-class ships. At MSC Cruises, the new Seaside-, Meraviglia-, Meraviglia Plus- and World-class vessels have the line’s big water parks.

Big lines that have steered clear of the water-park-at-sea trend include Princess Cruises, Holland America and Celebrity Cruises. Geared more toward couples than families and typically drawing an older demographic, all three of these lines have stuck to a more subdued feel for the outdoor areas of their ships. The top decks of vessels operated by Princess, Holland America and Celebrity still mostly revolve around traditional swimming areas with pools, hot tubs and lounge chairs.

Ready for a splashy, top-deck thrill? These are the most spectacular watery attractions at sea.

The Perfect Storm

Where you’ll find it: Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

This isn’t just one giant waterslide; it’s a whole complex of waterslides, each one among the most exciting you’ll find anywhere on the world’s oceans.

The Perfect Storm is found on four of Royal Caribbean’s massive Oasis-class vessels — Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas — as well as the smaller Liberty of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. The complex includes two four-deck-high racer slides called Cyclone and Typhoon, where you can do side-by-side speed tests with your travel partner.

On the four Oasis-class ships, there’s also a third, Champagne bowl-style slide called Supercell. It’ll swirl you around a big basin before plummeting you “down the drain” into a plunge pool. On Liberty of the Seas, a third slide called The Tidal Wave sends you screaming down a steep hill on an inner tube to a nearly vertical incline. Zooming upward, topping out and dropping back, you’ll get a blissful moment of complete weightlessness.

Note that Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas also has a waterslide area called Perfect Storm — but it’s completely different. More on that in a moment.

The Blaster

Where you’ll find it: Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.

The Blaster is the Big Daddy of waterslides at sea. At 800 feet, it’s the longest ever built on a cruise ship. Added to Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas in 2019, it’s a seemingly endless stretch of yellow and orange tubing that winds around the back deck of the vessel like a snake.

A true sight to behold, The Blaster is so long because it’s what’s known as a water coaster. It features water jets that propel you up, down and forward — extending the ride — as you careen around the ship’s basketball court and surfing simulator in an inner tube. At times, you go flying over the side of the ship, over open water (not that you have much time to take in the view).

Royal Caribbean has named the area on Navigator of the Seas where The Blaster is located the Perfect Storm — the same name used for waterslide areas on six other ships — but the area is completely different than what you’ll find on the other vessels. In addition to The Blaster, the Perfect Storm area on Navigator of the Seas includes a headfirst mat racer slide called Riptide — the first of its kind at sea.

Where you’ll find it: Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

Leave it to family-focused Disney Cruise Line to come up with the coolest watery family attraction at sea. AquaDuck is a water coaster, like The Blaster on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, and is found on Disney’s two Dream-class ships. But don’t expect anything too white-knuckle. The ride is relatively gentle by water park standards, mainly because it’s designed for kids of all ages (and their parents, who can ride along on inner tubes for two).

While AquaDuck is slightly shorter than The Blaster at 765 feet in length, it has a bigger presence, thanks to its prime location encircling the main pool area. If you’re lounging up top, it’s hard to miss the massive, clear acrylic tubing of the ride, which is held up by 46 giant white stilts.

In addition to AquaDuck, the two Disney ships with the attraction (Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream ) have a relatively small, kid-friendly waterslide next to the centrally located Mickey’s Pool. Dubbed Mickey’s Slide, it’s held up by a giant Mickey hand, which is delightful. Both ships also have a watery play zone for toddlers called Nemo’s Reef. Plus, Disney Fantasy has a watery fun zone with water jets, geysers and bubblers called AquaLab.

Note that Disney’s newest ship — Disney Wish — has a water coaster attraction similar to the AquaDuck called the AquaMouse. The big difference: Riders will see animated shorts while riding up the ramp at the start of the ride.

Carnival WaterWorks

Where you’ll find it: Nearly all Carnival ships.

When it comes to waterslides on ships, cruise giant Carnival is still the undisputed king. The Fun Ship line began adding them to vessels way back in 1978, and there’s now at least one waterslide on every ship in the Carnival fleet — something no other line can say.

Indeed, on all Carnival ships, there’s now not just a single waterslide but a whole water park area. Called WaterWorks, these areas vary in size and features from vessel to vessel, but they typically have one or two big waterslides, a watery play zone with interactive water features and a large continuously filling dump bucket that periodically soaks everybody within range.

You’ll typically find the biggest Carnival water park complexes on the newest Carnival ships, such as Mardi Gras , Celebration and Carnival Venezia . All three have three waterslides — one more than most Carnival ships.

Aqua Park (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Where you’ll find it: Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore.

Norwegian Cruise Line began going big with waterslides in 2010 when it debuted Norwegian Epic. And boy, did it go big! Norwegian Epic offers three monster waterslides, including the thrilling Epic Plunge — a 200-foot-long tube ride that ends in a swirling bowl. Epic Plunge is part of Norwegian Epic’s Aqua Park, the first water park on a Norwegian ship. Norwegian has since added Aqua Parks to six more new vessels, including its biggest ship, the 4-year-old Norwegian Encore .

Norwegian’s Aqua Parks vary in size and attractions from ship to ship, but some of them, such as the one on Norwegian Breakaway, have as many as five separate multistory waterslides. Yes, you read that right: Five waterslides on a single cruise ship!

On Norwegian Breakaway, the lineup includes twin free-fall slides that drop passengers nearly straight down several stories; two side-by-side twisting racer slides; and a family-friendly slide with a more modest drop. For sheer variety, the complex is hard to beat.

Aqua Park (MSC Cruises)

Where you’ll find it: MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Euribia, MSC World Europa.

Fast-growing MSC Cruises has joined the waterslide wars in the last few years — and in a massive way. Each of the 10 ships the line has unveiled since 2017 offers a full-blown water park on its top deck that’s packed with waterslides and other watery fun.

On North America-based MSC Seaside, the Aqua Park has four waterslides and a children’s play area with interactive water features. The waterslides include two massive, 525-foot-long dueling slides that extend over the sides of the ship. The top of the Aqua Park on MSC Seaside is also home to the liftoff point for a zip line that soars 344 feet across the top of the vessel.

Other MSC Cruises water parks at sea include the winter-themed Polar Aqua Park on MSC Meraviglia, which offers a suspended-in-the-sky ropes course in addition to four waterslides. There’s also the Aquaplay area for the little ones.

A handful of ships even have virtual reality waterslides that involve riders wearing virtual reality headsets as part of the experience.

In all, 14 of MSC Cruises’ 22 vessels now have at least one waterslide on their top decks.

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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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A roller coaster in the ocean: What Carnival Cruise Line's BOLT ride is like

As I hurtled toward the Caribbean Sea , I felt a pang of regret: maybe riding a roller coaster on a cruise ship wasn’t the best idea for someone with a fear of heights.

I clutched the handles on my motorcycle-like car tight, questioning why I had committed to not just one but two laps around the course on Carnival Cruise Line’s BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster. But a few seconds in, something changed.

Surrounded by open blue water at the top of the line’s newest ship, Carnival Jubilee , I was taken with the view – so much so that the knot in my stomach I developed while waiting in line all but dissolved. The ride was fast but mostly smooth (though on one uphill section of the track, I felt myself lift off the seat a bit, but my seat belt did its job). BOLT reaches up to 40 mph, but guests can control their speed.

Zipping around the ship’s funnel, I forced myself to keep my eyes open the whole time (the opposite of my usual roller coaster coping strategy). Even the best theme parks I’ve visited haven’t had settings quite like that, and I didn’t want to miss it.

Story continues below.

Who can ride BOLT?

Passengers must meet height and weight requirements (they have to be between 4 feet 4 inches and 6 feet 5 inches tall, for instance). Children under 12 have to ride with someone 15 or older. Cars can accommodate two riders.

Guests with “structural body damage” cannot ride, according to a sign posted at BOLT’s entrance. "The sign pertains to physical impairments impeding guests' safety," a Carnival spokesperson said in an email. "For instance, a guest who cannot hold on to the handlebars would not be able to ride BOLT."

The roller coaster is also not recommended for guests with other medical conditions or limitations, including high blood pressure; neck, back, or joint problems; or those who are pregnant.

How much does BOLT cost?

The roller coaster costs $15 per person. Carnival also offers a family pack, offering three rides for the price of two. Each ride includes two laps around the track.

What other activities does Carnival Jubilee have?

BOLT debuted Carnival’s Mardi Gras ship, in 2021 and was billed as the first roller coaster at sea, but the ride is only one of many activities onboard Jubilee:

◾ Lone Star Tailgate: Jubilee, which sails out of Galveston, leans into its Texas roots (there’s even a Texas star on its bow). So, it’s only fitting that the ship hosts a Lone Star Tailgate on every voyage.The deck party is divided into four quarters (a la football), with a cattle roping competition – using steer horns attached to hay bales – a race on stick horses, live music highlighting Texas artists and more.

◾ Carnival Kitchen: Food is a major draw for many cruise passengers, and Carnival Kitchen allows them to try on a chef’s apron – literally.The venue features a range of culinary arts classes taught by the line’s staff, from pasta making to sushi 101. While the classes are available on other ships, the line debuted a new option featuring recipes from the line’s Chief Culinary Officer, Emeril Lagasse, on Jubilee.During my sailing, we made dishes like Shrimp and Okra Gumbo with Filé and New Orleans Pasta. Even for me, whose greatest culinary achievement is making scrambled eggs for breakfast, the steps were easy to follow. Plus, we got to enjoy the fruits of our labor at the end.Prices range from $45-$65 per person, depending on the class.

◾ Kids programming: Jubilee, like many other Carnival ships, also has plenty of kid-centric programming and amenities, from the Dr. Seuss-themed library, Dr. Seuss Bookville to Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea and The Ultimate Playground where BOLT is located (think mini-golf, a ropes course and more).Jubilee’s new Currents zone features Seaquest: A Fun Sub Adventure. The video display utilizes the space’s wave-like LED ceiling and LED portals to show viewers to places like the underwater Carnival Seacation resort and the kingdom of The Golden Mermaid (also the name of a new lounge on board). At other times, passengers can change the scenes displayed via a touch screen – such as arctic waters with orcas and penguins and a shark cave – and create their own fish, which will swim into view on the portals.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected] .

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