How To Have The Best Family Vacation Onboard Adventure Of The Seas

This fleet favorite offers plenty of unforgettable cruise activities for families.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on May 30, 2023

Any parent knows there’s a lot that goes into planning a fun vacation for the whole family — and there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Unless, of course, you choose to cruise with a brand known for delivering spectacular getaways for all ages and preferences. Royal Caribbean® cruises check all the boxes, including kid- and adult-friendly activities, dazzling entertainment and even dining that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Whether you’re traveling with tots, teens or grandparents, every cruise ship in the cruise line’s award-winning fleet scores top marks for epic family vacations — especially Adventure of the Seas®.

There’s a reason why Royal Caribbean is known for delivering the best family cruises in the world, and Adventure of the Seas more than lives up to that reputation. The ship is loaded with fun cruise attractions for kids, cruise activities for teens and plenty of options for parents, too. It even offers convenience-boosting amenities and services for anyone cruising with a baby, like childcare options and essentials that can be delivered right to your stateroom.

If you’re traveling with daredevils, this ship offers all kinds of thrills, many of which are Royal Caribbean staples. Like The Perfect Storm^SM dueling waterslides, Typhoon^SM and Cyclone^SM, a sprawling Sports Court where guests can shoot hoops or join an impromptu volleyball match, an ice-skating arena that’s open to guests during the day, then hosts dazzling performances at night and an award-winning youth program where little ones can make friends and enjoy hours of engaging, supervised activities.

The restaurant scene onboard also caters to families. Cruise dining options run the gamut from authentic Tuscan eats at Giovanni’s Table and elevated steakhouse classics at Chops Grille^SM to imaginative sushi rolls at Izumi and frothy milkshakes, fries and burgers at Johnny Rockets. That’s in addition to complimentary cruise dining options that spotlight fare from around the world and offer options to accommodate any dietary restrictions.

With so many amazing experiences onboard, the most challenging part about planning family cruises on Adventure of the Seas is figuring out how to cram the most fun into your escape. To simplify the process, we’ve rounded up some of the best things for families to do onboard this top-rated cruise ship.

1. Take Part In Some Friendly Competition With Your Family

There are plenty of opportunities onboard Adventure of the Seas for you and your loved ones to fuel your competitive fire. The Sports Court is an obvious choice — you can work on your three-pointers, face off in a one-on-one game, team up for a volleyball match or put your paddle prowess to the test in the ultimate table-tennis tourney. There’s also the Rock Climbing Wall, a 40-foot vertical ascent that lets you put your speed-climbing skills to the test. The best part? The views from the top are so spectacular, you’ll feel like a winner no matter how long it takes you to climb all the way up.

2. Conquer Thrill After Thrill After Thrill

Royal Caribbean is known for going bold — especially when it comes to thrilling onboard activities for families. One of the most popular cruise attractions for kids, teens and parents is The Perfect Storm, a duo of exhilarating waterslides designed to test the mettle of even the bravest riders. Challenge someone in your group to a race down Typhoon and Cyclone, two racer slides riddled with razor-sharp twists, hairpin turns and surprise dips. Not to mention long, translucent stretches that yield breathtaking sea views. There’s also the FlowRider, a surf simulator that lets guests take on swells created from 30,000 gallons of rushing water. Hit the waves upright and try to keep your footing while you carve the waves, or coast boogie-style on your belly.

3. Level Up Every Pool Day

The pool deck serves as the heart of nearly every Royal Caribbean cruise ship, and onboard Adventure of the Seas, it’s always a great place to be. There are plenty of loungers in the shade and the sun, so you can kick back and relax in between dips in the pool. There’s never a dull moment, either — DJ-driven pool parties, bellyflop competitions, dance-offs and live musical performances take place frequently throughout the day here. Parents craving a more low-key vibe can head to the adults-only Solarium, a tranquil hideaway that beckons with whirlpools, lots of lounge space and beautiful sea views from beneath a glittering crystal canopy. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in a homespun milkshake, golden French fries or a juicy burger just steps away at Johnny Rockets®.

4. Let Little Ones Play At Adventure Ocean And Splashaway Bay

Adventure of the Seas is home to Splashaway Bay, an aqua park created exclusively for little cruisers. It has mini-water slides, interactive water cannons, splash fountains and even a huge drench bucket that can tip over at any moment. It’s the perfect place for pint-sized cruisers to have gallons of fun while their parents watch on. The cruise ship is also home to Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean’s award-winning youth program. It groups kids together depending on their age and keeps them engaged with fun, educational activities supervised by caring and qualified childcare professionals. It’s also completely free for cruise guests — parents can simply drop their little ones off and pick them up whenever they like.

5. Make Every Mealtime Memorable

Another category Royal Caribbean absolutely excels at is dining. The food scene onboard Adventure of the Seas is one of the best of the fleet, with options that will take you from Tuscany to Tokyo and beyond. For a family-style dinner filled with authentic Italian flavors, head to Giovanni’s Table, a cozy and intimate trattoria-style specialty restaurant that’s long been a guest favorite. If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or special occasion, Chops Grille is the place to be. It’s the cruise line’s contemporary take on the classic steakhouse, where every cut of meat is seasoned and sizzled to perfection and comes paired with a five-star, white-tablecloth experience. And of course, all family cruises should include at least one special dinner in the Main Dining Room, where every meal is a lavish, multi-course affair featuring dishes from all over the world. If you or someone in your traveling group has allergies or dietary restrictions, simply inform the staff and they’ll be happy to accommodate your party’s needs.

6. Go For A Whirl On The Ice-Skating Rink

One of the coolest activities for families onboard Adventure of the Seas is ice-skating on the ship’s onboard skating rink. You don’t have to be a seasoned skater to have a blast here — a railing runs the perimeter of the rink so you can hold on and hug the edge until you get your balance and your bearings. When packing for a family cruise onboard this ship, make sure you bring a jacket or a light sweater — even if you’re sailing through the tropics, it’s always chilly on the ice.

7. Cozy Up For A Movie Night On The Pool Deck

In the mood for a laidback evening with your loved ones? Nothing beats a movie night on the ship’s pool deck. Check your Cruise Planner for a schedule of screenings, then grab some towels and head to the main pool to claim a few loungers. Fair warning though — with the lulling lap of the waves all around the ship and the constant rustle of balmy sea breezes, don’t be surprised if you slip into a restful slumber before the credits start rolling.

8. Fill Every Evening With Awe-Inspiring Entertainment

The shows onboard Adventure of the Seas are truly incredible, and you can look forward to an exciting lineup every night of your cruise. The Royal Theater sets the stage for Invitation to Dance, an original production that celebrates Latin dance, and ballroom in a similar format to the hit TV series, Dancing with the Stars. Jackpot is another spellbinding theatrical performance created by the talented minds of Royal Caribbean’s award-winning entertainment team. Set in glitzy Las Vegas, it features a spectacular soundtrack and top-notch singers, musicians, actors and dancers. And for music buffs, there’s Can’t Stop the Rock, an homage to four decades of pop music that covers stars like Connie Francis, Elvis and Prince. If it’s an evening of breathtaking stunts you’re craving, head to the ice-skating rink to see the ship’s world-class skaters show off their spins, jumps and double-axels.

No matter what your ideal vacation entails, you’ll find Adventure of the Seas caters to every kind of traveler. These are just some of the ways to plan a fun vacation for the whole family — there are plenty of additional thrills, activities and unforgettable experiences awaiting onboard for guests of all ages. Check out a full rundown of this cruise ship’s shows, restaurants, bars and activities, or start planning the perfect escape by checking out trending itineraries.