PocketsRN Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 On those ships with ice rinks, is it just for the shows, or can you actually go and skate? I didn't pay any attention to it when I was on Freedom last year, but I have a new cruising buddy going with me on Navigator next month, and she seemed really excited about it. Navigator's page says "challenge yourself to the ice-skating rink", so I'm thinking so, but would it be something we need to book ahead of time, or just show up? RobertJaf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 They do have open skating, but it fills up fast. If recommend getting there about a half hours before opening. In the Liberty, it was only offered once. Note that you must have long pants and socks to skate. whitsmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 Same experience on Indy...it filled up quickly and I only remember it being offered twice during the 5 day cruise. I am going to be on the same cruise as you on Navigator and am thinking I may try and give it a try this time. I am going with a first time cruiser so I am sure she is going to want to check out everything as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 Do they have all sizes of skates? My 4 year old would love to go ice skating but not sure if they carry her size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 Do they have all sizes of skates? My 4 year old would love to go ice skating but not sure if they carry her size. I can't speak to specific sizes, but they seemed to have a wide range of sizes on FR in September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 Do they have all sizes of skates? My 4 year old would love to go ice skating but not sure if they carry her size. Yes, my 5 year old went skating with me on Allure of the Seas. Definitely kid friendly. They also have two types of free skate: General free skate and advanced free skate. General free skate is for everyone, whereas advanced free skate is for those that know what they are doing and want to try out tricks and whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 They do have open skating, but it fills up fast. If recommend getting there about a half hours before opening. In the Liberty, it was only offered once. Note that you must have long pants and socks to skate. I do agree showing up early is important. Not sure about 30 mins early, but I do agree show up a few minutes before opening to ensure you get in first (and don't have much of a wait). whitsmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donolog Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 If you have done a lot of ice skating in life I'd moderate your expectations as it's a very small rink that gets very crowded with ice that gets very chewed up. It's cool to do it just so you can say you ice skated on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, and if you have never skated it's a great way get a taste, but it doesn't offer a lot more than that. Although I haven't tried the Advanced Free Skate (never saw it as an option), which might be an improvement for experienced skaters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PocketsRN Posted December 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 I've only done it once, and I know my cruise buddy never has, which I'm sure is why she seemed so excited about it. We'll see if she actually goes for it. The comedian better hope he's up first, cuz ours will be a tough act to follow... whitsmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 I do agree showing up early is important. Not sure about 30 mins early, but I do agree show up a few minutes before opening to ensure you get in first (and don't have much of a wait).. On the Liberty, my only experience thus far with ice skating, they told me that they had met capacity before they even opened and suggested we come 30 minutes early before the next sharing session. Unfortunately, they never scheduled a second one, which was quite disappointing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 it's a very small rink that gets very crowded with ice that gets very chewed up. It's cool to do it just so you can say you ice skated on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, and if you have never skated it's a great way get a taste, but it doesn't offer a lot more than that. I generally agree. Depending on what else is going on around the ship, it can get crowded. But it's a fun time. My biggest issue is remembering to pack socks and long pants (jeans) for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PocketsRN Posted December 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2016 My biggest issue is remembering to pack socks and long pants (jeans) for it. Socks and long pants? Sounds too much like going to work. I'll stick with shorts and flip-flops, the official uniform of Florida, and the only thing I ever pack for a cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted December 14, 2016 Report Share Posted December 14, 2016 haha...it does seem like a hassle to have to go back to the room and put on socks and long pants....prob why I didn't do it the first cruise.....we'll see what happens this time. But the ice shows are pretty good. I thought they would be cheesy...but they were all pretty good skaters and put on a good show...and u don't need to wear long pants or socks to watch that so...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PocketsRN Posted December 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2016 Lol. I went to one on Freedom last year, and had the same before and after impressions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 They do have open skating, but it fills up fast. If recommend getting there about a half hours before opening. In the Liberty, it was only offered once. Note that you must have long pants and socks to skate. Oh thanks for the reminder regarding long pants. My Granddaughters want to skate on our Oasis cruise this coming summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsbeaker1127 Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Does anyone know if they have the walkers for rent for the inexperienced skaters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Does anyone know if they have the walkers for rent for the inexperienced skaters? Not that I've seen. You will be in good company with other folks who are holding onto the side railing for dear life :D whitsmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 Does anyone know if they have the walkers for rent for the inexperienced skaters?They do not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeyman55 Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Silly question, do they allow you to bring your own skates on board with your? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Not a silly question at all ! The answer is yes. In fact, having your own skates is a prerequisite (I think !) to being considered an "expert" and being able to skate with the advanced skaters. Maybe not a prerequisite, but certainly a piece of prejudicial evidence ! surgical nurse and Hockeyman55 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surgical nurse Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 Not a silly question at all ! The answer is yes. In fact, having your own skates is a prerequisite (I think !) to being considered an "expert" and being able to skate with the advanced skaters. Maybe not a prerequisite, but certainly a piece of prejudicial evidence ! Would this qualify me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 Silly question, do they allow you to bring your own skates on board with your? I keep saying I'm going to bring my skates, but they take up so much space that I haven't done it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PocketsRN Posted January 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 What are you putting in that suitcase? Shorts and flip-flops, man. All ya need and doesn't take up much space. Or just get a bigger suitcase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 We arrived 20 minutes early on Indy during our Jan 5th cruise and it was already maxed out. We were told that people started lining up an hour ahead of time. No thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 We arrived 20 minutes early on Indy during our Jan 5th cruise and it was already maxed out. We were told that people started lining up an hour ahead of time. No thanks! We had a similar experience on the Liberty. And unfortunately, they only did it once during the entire 7 day cruise. I really think they need to go to a reservation system like for the shows on the bigger ships or break it up by muster station to better manage the demand. When I saw the open skate on the Allure, I was glad we didn't attempt it as the ice was much too crowded for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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