Home
Planning
Cruise Industry Trends
Carnival WaterWorks

Carnival WaterWorks

Save

By:

Ashley Kosciolek

Editor

Updated June 7, 2018

Shot from atop the Carnival WaterWorks on Carnival Magic

Carnival Cruise Line is known for top-deck fun for all ages. Among the onboard attractions is WaterWorks, a colorful water play area for kids -- and those who don't mind acting like them.

What It Is

The top-deck WaterWorks setup varies by ship, but each brightly colored space includes a variety of sprayers, fountains, a giant dump bucket and a water slide or two. On Carnival Vista, passengers will find the first-at-sea Kaleid-O-Slide, which mixes a spiral tube slide raft experience with flashing lights that will make riders feel like they're inside a video game. On the line's newest ship, Carnival Horizon, WaterWorks has a fun Dr. Seuss theme with a 450-foot-long Cat in the Hat slide.

Note that the water slides have height restrictions, which vary from ship to ship, based on slide type; most require riders to have a minimum height of between 42 and 48 inches. Passengers who are not toilet trained are not allowed to use WaterWorks, even though the splash area looks perfect for toddlers. Also note that there are no lifeguards on duty.

Kaleid-O-Slide

Price

WaterWorks is free to all passengers.

Ships

WaterWorks is found on the following cruise ships:

Carnival Breeze
Carnival Dream
Carnival Ecstasy
Carnival Elation
Carnival Fantasy
Carnival Fascination
Carnival Glory
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Imagination
Carnival Inspiration
Carnival Legend
Carnival Magic
Carnival Paradise
Carnival Pride
Carnival Sensation
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Vista

You May Also Like

Find a Cruise

Popular on Cruise Critic

12 Best Cruises for First Timers

We recommend the best cruise lines for first timers in a variety of categories, as well as runners-up. So dry your cruise planning tears, and get ready to find your perfect cruise line.

A Guide to Cruise Line Drink Packages

First it was a trend -- now it's here to stay: Mainstream cruise lines have embraced all-inclusive drinks packages.

Best Cruises for Kids

If your kids aren't happy, your cruise will not be nearly as fun. Our favorite ships for kids will make your vacation a dream, with tricked-out kids clubs, top-deck water play, family-friendly cabins and plenty of activities for the entire family.

How To Choose a Cruise Ship Cabin: What You Need to Know

Your room on a cruise ship is called a cabin (or stateroom) and is akin to a hotel room, but typically much smaller. Choosing a cruise ship cabin can be fun and challenging at the same time, and not just a little bit frustrating on occasion. Cabins fall into different types or "categories," and some cruise lines will present as many as 20 or more categories per ship. Before you get overwhelmed, it's helpful to remember that there are essentially only four types of cabins on any cruise vessel: Inside: the smallest-sized room, with no window to the outside Outside: a room with a window or porthole (a round window) with a view to the outside, often similarly sized to an inside cabin or a bit larger; also known as oceanview Balcony: a room featuring a verandah that allows you to step outside without going up to a public deck Suite: a larger cabin, often with separate living and sleeping areas, and a wide variety of extra amenities and perks It's the permutations (size, view, location, amenities and price, for example) of the four basic cabin types that can make choosing difficult. In addition to knowing your cabin options, you need to know yourself: Do you tend to get seasick? Do you prefer to nest peaceably on your balcony rather than hanging with the crowd around the pool area? Conversely, is your idea of a stateroom simply a place to flop into bed at 1 a.m. -- no fancy notions necessary? Are there certain amenities you are willing to splurge on, or can you simply not justify paying for unnecessary perks? The answers will help guide you toward selecting the best stateroom for your money. If you're feeling overwhelmed by choice, we'll help you get started with this guide to choosing the best cruise cabins for you and your travel party.

8 Best Luxury Cruise Ships

The moment you step aboard a luxury cruise ship, a hostess is at your arm proffering a glass of bubbly while a capable room steward offers to heft your carry-on as he escorts you to what will be your home-away-from-home for the next few days. You stow your things (likely in a walk-in closet) and then emerge from your suite to get the lay of the ship. As you walk the decks, friendly crew members greet you ... by name. How can that be? You just set foot onboard! First-class, personalized service is just one of the hallmarks of luxury cruise lines. You can also expect exotic itineraries, varying degrees of inclusivity in pricing, fine wines and gourmet cuisine as well as universally high crew-to-passenger ratios. That being the case, you might think any old luxury cruise ship will do, but that's not quite true. Like people, cruise ships have their own unique personalities -- and some will be more suited to your vacation style than others. Lines like SeaDream might not offer the most spacious suites, but their intimate yachts can stealthily visit ports that large ships can't manage. Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises are owned by the same parent company but Regent offers a completely inclusive vacation experience, while Oceania draws travelers with a more independent streak. Take a look at Cruise Critic's list of best luxury cruise lines and ships to see which one resonates with you.

Best Time to Cruise

It's one of the most common cruising questions: When is the best time to cruise Alaska, Australia, the Caribbean, Canada/New England, Hawaii, Europe or the South Pacific? The answer depends on many variables. Fall foliage enthusiasts, for instance, will find September and October the best time to take that Canada/New England cruise, whereas families much prefer to sail the region in the summer when school is out and temperatures are warmer for swimming. The best time to cruise to Alaska will vary depending on your preferences for viewing wildlife, fishing, bargain-shopping, sunshine, warm weather and catching the northern lights. For most cruise regions, there are periods of peak demand (high season), moderate demand (shoulder season) and low demand (low season), which is usually the cheapest time to cruise. High season is typically a mix of when the weather is best and popular travel periods (such as summer and school holidays). However, the best time to cruise weather-wise is usually not the cheapest time to cruise. The cheapest time to cruise is when most travelers don't want to go because of chillier temperatures or inopportune timing (too close to holidays, the start of school, etc.). But the lure of cheap fares and uncrowded ports might make you change your mind about what you consider the best time to cruise. As you plan your next cruise, you'll want to take into consideration the best and cheapest times to cruise and see what jibes with your vacation schedule. Here's a when-to-cruise guide for popular destinations.