Water slides are a perfect addition to any cruise ship. They are fun for all the family and a great way to cool off on your holiday. You can find some of the best water slides on many of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

From the most terrifying to the most fun, you are in for a wild ride with our updated list of the Top 10 best water slides on cruise ships in 2021.

10. Cyclone and Typhoon on Royal Caribbean

The Cyclone and Typhoon slides are racer water slides where you can race your friends and family down to the bottom. These slides are on most cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Both sides are different so you have double the fun! As you whizz down the slide you go through small sections that are clear so you can see through.

Scare Score: 3/5 You can pick up some speed on the slides but they are not intense. This is one for all the family.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 122 cm/48" inches. Maximum weight is 136 kg/300 lbs.

Available on: Adventure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas

9. Supercell on Royal Caribbean

The Supercell is a Champagne Bowl water slide that can be found on the bigger Royal Caribbean cruise ships. You begin by sliding down a tube with a twist and bends before been thrust into a circular bowl. You swirl around the bowl before finally sliding down the final tube to the splash zone.

Thrill Score: 2/5 The slide is not fast but it's so much fun. Everyone from kids to adults will love this.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 122 cm/48" inches. The maximum weight is 136 kg/300 lbs.

8. Aqua Duct on Disney Cruise Line

One of the best water slides on cruise ships for all the family is The Aqueduct on the Disney Cruise Line. This is a raft "water coaster" that is fun for all ages. Single or dual riders board a raft and travel down the 233-meter slide that is full of dips, twists and turns. The tube is clear giving you the best views of the ocean as you travel around the perimeter of the cruise ship.

Thrill Score: 2/5 The ride is not fast but does have moments that may get your tummy. Adults can ride with there kids too making it a shared experience.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 107cm / 42” inches. Single riders minimum height is 137cm / 54 inches. Children under 7 years of age must ride with someone aged 14+ years.

Available on: Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream

7. The Vertigo Slide on MSC Cruises

Don't look down! The Vertigo Slide is 18 decks high. Photo: MSC Cruises — Don't look down! The Vertigo Slide is 18 decks high.
Photo: MSC Cruises

The Vertigo Slide on MSC Preziosa is 390-foot-long and sits 18 decks high. As its name suggests, it's not one for those who dislike heights. Riders reach speeds up to 13 mph as you whizz past clear tube sections, coloured sections which create a cool effect as you slide down. While it does not feature many twists or turns, the side gives you great views of the ocean. The ride lasts about 20 seconds.

Thrill Score: 3/5 The scariest part of this slide is how high it is. If you are not afraid of heights you will love this.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 127 cm/47" inches.

Available on: MSC Preziosa

6. The Green Thunder on Carnival Cruise Line

Experience 4Gs on the Green Thunder Waterslide Photo: Carnival Corporation — Experience 4Gs on the Green Thunder Waterslide
Photo: Carnival Corporation

The Green Thunder on Carnival is a heart-racing slide and definitely not for the faint-hearted. Riders stand vertical in a closed tube as they wait for a trap door to drop from underneath your feet. Riders then drop 10 meters freefall experiencing 4Gs as you they race to the finish line at speeds of 25 miles per hour. The slide is in one of the fastest water slides on any cruise ships.

Thrill Score: 5/5. Definitely for the thrill-seekers. The ride is short it is intense and the anticipation of waiting for the drop is just as important as the ride itself. If you suffer from closophobia you may not like been enclosed in the tube at the beginning.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 122cm / 48” inches. Minimum weight is 45 kg/99 lbs.

Available on:Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend.

5. Tidal Wave on Royal Caribbean

You experience a moment of weightlessness on the Tidal Wave Photo: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd

Tial wave can be found on Liberty of the Seas and was the first boomerang-style slide at sea.

Two riders raft down a slope to gain momentum and then are propelled up the side of another steep slope. You feel a moment of weightlessness before freefalling back down to the ground.

Thrill Score: 4/5. The drop is quite intense but so much fun.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 132 cm/52" inches. Minimum weight is 34 kg/75 lb. Maximum weight is 127 kg/280 lbs.

Available on: Liberty of the Seas

4. Ocean Loops on Norwegian Cruise Line

Ocean Loops hand over the side of the ship Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line

Ocean Loops is an evolution of the drop slide concept. You stand vertical in a closed tube as you wait for a trap door to drop from underneath your feet. After dropping freefall you then slide up in a loop-de-loop that extends over the side of the ship during your ride.

Thrill Score: 5/5 Similar to The Green Thunder. The ride is intense but short. You may not like if you suffer from claustrophobia.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 122 cm/48" inches. Minimum weight is 59kg/130 lbs. Maximum weight is 136 kg/300 lbs.

Available on:Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy

3. The Blaster on Royal Caribbean

Longest water slide on cruise ships — The Blaster is the longest waterslide at sea Photo: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd

The Blaster is a raft slide that at 244 meters long is the longest waterslide at sea. The Slide propels you through hills, drops and straightaways including a section that extends over the side of the ship. Each raft holds one or two people.

Thrill Score: 3/5 The ride is not intense but does have a few drops and turns.

Available on: Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas

2. Ultimate Abyss on Royal Caribbean

Ultimate Abyss drops you 10 stories in 13 seconds Photo: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd — Ultimate Abyss drops you 10 stories in 13 seconds
Photo: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd

Okay, so this is not technically a waterslide but we could not leave this off our countdown. The Ultimate Abyss is a dry slide that is the tallest slide at sea. The slide plummets you 10 stories down in 13 seconds and is a truly terrifying experience. You ride on a mat and as you slide down visual effects and lights enhance your experience.

Thrill Score: 5/5 Not for the faint-hearted. The ride is short but intense.

Restrictions: Minimum height is 1o12 cm/44" inches. Maximum weight is 136 kg/300 lbs.

Available on: Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas

1. Kaleid-O-Slide on Carnival Cruise Line

The Kaleid-o-Slide was awarded the Best Waterslide Award in 2016 Photo: Carnival Corportation — The Kaleid-o-Slide was awarded the Best Waterslide Award in 2016
Photo: Carnival Corportation

Kaleid-o-slide on Carnival Cruise Line is a 455-foot-long slide with exhilarating twists and turns. As you slide down you see stunning kaleidoscopic visual effects that create a truly unique and memorable experience.

The slide was named the Best Splash-Tastic Water Slide by Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ship Guide in 2016 and is still a firm favourite with cruisers.

Thrill Score: 2/5 Similar to the Aqua Duct this is a fun slide for everyone. The slide is not fast but is very fun.

Available on: Carnival Panorama, Carnival Vista

If you are looking for more cruise tips a great place to start is our post 10 things we wished we knew before cruising

The Best Water Slides on Cruise Ships