By: Casey Breest, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Royal Caribbean is constantly looking for ways to WOW families and provide the ultimate in family entertainment and experiences! Ice skating at sea is just one of the many ways that Royal Caribbean has placed their ingenuity above the rest of the competition.
Long before I became a vacation planner I was enchanted by the beautiful flowing lines of the figure skaters as they gracefully danced across the ice. I never thought that I would be able to watch such an incredible ice skating performance by talented athletes onboard a cruise ship or try it out for myself! This cruise line has developed an ingenious ice rink in Studio B! This truly was an incredible feat as there is a lot that goes into preventing the ice from cracking as the ship moves across the ocean!
My first experience with ice skating on a cruise ship was onboard the Mariner of the Seas when I was 15. It was a fun break from the heat of the pool deck and my family, being avid skaters, had a blast! I am so glad we were lucky and packed a few things that allowed us to enjoy ice skating at sea. Many things have changed since I was 15, but the fun and excitement of experiencing an old pastime or learning a new skill can’t be beat!
I recently had the opportunity to enjoy Studio B both on the Allure of the Seas last November and just recently on the Wonder of the Seas. The “365 Seasons on Ice” show is on board the Wonder of the Seas. This 50 minute show is a MUST do and is one of my absolute favorite shows on board, even beating out “Intense” another unique show offered onboard the Wonder of the Seas, for the top spot! “365” combines amazing modern songs (and some older popular songs), beautiful choreography, and talented athletes who tell a wonderful story of the changing seasons. It has its high energy twists and jumps and melodic ballads for a wonderful change of pace. I recommend creating a reservation if possible and arriving early (30 minutes prior) to grab a great seat, and enjoy a drink while waiting for the show to begin! If you don’t create a reservation, make sure to still stop over as many times there will be seats available. Reservations are great for getting priority seating!
When you get to Studio B to enjoy the ice, make sure you are wearing your long pants and socks. Upon entry there will be the activities staff to check you in and help you walk through signing the activity waivers. Parents make sure to go with your children if they are the ones enjoying the experience. After checking in, the staff will direct you to the ice arena where you will be fitted with skates and a helmet! After you are all decked out, you can carefully step on the ice to begin your own ice journey! Don’t be afraid to ask for some pointers from the staff. Many of the staff are the same athletes who were performing during the shows and are happy to share their experiences with you.
Tip: Cell phones are not allowed on the ice rink! Bring a friend or ask the staff to grab a picture of you testing out your new skills!
As a vacation planner I love being able to experience the many venues like the Royal Caribbean ice skating rink at Studio B! Using a vacation planner who travels and experiences the destinations is a huge asset to you as a traveler. You gain access to your vacation planners first hand experience and knowledge which inevitably only helps you have the best experience while traveling. The best part is that when you book your vacation with a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent, you don’t pay anything extra! All our planning services are complimentary to you and we are a dedicated team ready to help you have the vacation of a lifetime.
Vacations are constantly changing and evolving, why not have someone help you through the process!
Here is a list of a few ships to consider if you would like to try your feet at ice skating at sea on your next vacation. Make sure to reach out to an agent to review the ships and find the right one for you! Each ship will offer an exciting complement of other activities and destinations and a vacation planner can help you find a great sailing that hits your wishlist.
