Ice Rinks on Cruise Ships

[alan]

Anyone have experience with these? Some of the larger cruise ships have skating available for guests. I don't know if they use  real or synthetic ice. Are the rinks too small and too crowded? Is it worth bringing your own skates on such a cruise? Thoughts..

[Query]

Maybe you can call the cruise line and ask about real vs synthetic, and the dimensions of the rink?

If I understand right, some cruises are basically high priced singles meeting clubs - so if you can show off that you have an athletic skill like skating, why not, regardless?

[Bill_S]

I recall that topic being raised some years ago on this board. I did a quick search for "cruise ship" on the board and found some comments. One of the currently active members skated on real ice on a cruise ship, but stated that it was small.

I didn't search much beyond that, and there may be other key words to try.

[ChristyRN]

They are real ice with the cutest baby ice resurfacer. They won't let you do much more than skate circles. I didn't get much out of it other than the novelty of doing it.

[CrossStroke]

What ChristyRN said, though I'll add that it is Royal Caribbean that has real ice; don't know about other cruise lines.  Ice shows are quite good though - amazing what skaters manage to do on such a small surface!

[OldGuyDown]

They are real ice with the cutest baby ice resurfacer.

Sounds like it would be super cool in high sea conditions...
Anyone for downhill ice skating?