Have you ever wanted to see what's under the surface of Royal Caribbean's AquaTheater pool?
Well, you aren't alone. I've often joked that if it were offered, I'd pay extra for an under-the-water tour of the technologically advanced pool that makes one of the most popular shows at sea possible.
While that isn't an option, one performer recently gave a rare glimpse below the surface. Although she doesn’t go into too much detail about the interworking's of the pool, she reveals what guests don't see during the AquaTheater shows, including the submerged doors where performances make their dramatic entrances.
In the 22-second TikTok, user @ocean.performer briefly explained how the pool works, saying that "it's made of three parts: stage right, center lift, and stage left."
Each section can move independently, allowing the pool’s depth to change throughout the show to let divers safely perform their stunts.
She concludes the video by showing the depth of the AquaTheater pool at its current level, coming in at 3.7 meters — or roughly 12 feet — deep. However, it can actually be adjusted as deep as nearly 18 feet.
Since being posted, the short video has received over 18,000 views and 520 likes, indicating that there's a lot of curiosity about Royal Caribbean's most exclusive pools.
Other clips on the TikToker's page reveal that she's a performer working aboard Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship that sails out of Miami, Florida.
The AquaTheater pools are the deepest at sea and have two 30-foot diving platforms
Another performer, Ginni van Katwijk, shared a behind-the-scenes look at one of the high dives that takes place during AquaTheater shows.
When Katwijk posted the Instagram video, she was working aboard Harmony of the Seas, the third Oasis Class ship to enter service for Royal Caribbean.
"Just like normal," she says as she prepares to dive off the platform, "easy peasy." She then raises her arms, takes a deep breath, and gracefully jumps off the diving board into the AquaTheater pool.
Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shows off daring high dive on cruise ship: "Should be illegal"
Users were amazed by her bravery.
Calstatic_king wrote, "You give me anxiety but I can’t stop watching 😂😂😂."
Another added, "Watching you put your hands up and seeing them slightly shake before you centered yourself reminded me that you are a human, but totally a professional! You are incredible at what you do!!!"
What ships have an AquaTheater?
Since launching in 2009 aboard Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a signature feature of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships. Never before had anyone seen daring high dives and choreographed water stunts in the middle of the ocean.
Today, AquaTheaters can be found on eight ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, including the two Icon Class vessels:
- Oasis of the Seas
- Allure of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Star of the Seas
That said, the AquaTheater on Icon and Star of the Seas is different. Instead of being located at the back of the ship, they're found in the enclosed AquaDome.
Because the theater is inside, it features climate control settings, advanced lighting, and AI-based technologies to deliver the most immersive and dynamic iterations of the show yet.
Pro tip: make your reservation for the first or second show! Performances can sometimes be canceled due to weather, so booking early gives you a better chance of seeing the AquaTheater show. If your performance is canceled, you will have time to make it to another before disembarkation. They may even reschedule it for you!
