What is the Lido Deck on a Cruise Ship? Complete Guide

Cruise ships are floating resorts, and each deck has its own purpose. One of the most talked-about and busiest areas on any cruise ship is the Lido Deck. If you’ve ever wondered why passengers spend so much time here, you’re not alone.

Whether you are swimming, enjoying a quick meal, or relaxing under the sun, this is where cruise life feels the most alive. Understanding what the Lido Deck is on a cruise ship and how it works can help you make the most of your time on board.

What is Lido Deck (Lido Deck Meaning)

In Italian, “Lido” refers to a beach or seashore where people gather to swim, socialize, and soak up the sun. On a cruise ship, the Lido Deck brings that same vibe to the sea.

The Lido Deck is the main open-air deck where food, pools, and entertainment come together in one place. It is designed for relaxation during the day and lively activities as the ship sails from one destination to another. Passengers can swim, sunbathe, or enjoy casual dining while taking in panoramic ocean views.

This deck is also the main entertainment hub on the ship. It includes hot tubs, water slides, and a big outdoor movie screen. Multiple levels of outdoor space ensure there’s something for everyone, from lounging in the sun to enjoying live activities.

Beyond the fun and relaxation, the Lido Deck often houses key amenities such as the buffet restaurant, wellness facilities like the spa and fitness center, and sometimes even access to passenger cabins. It’s truly a central spot where cruise life comes alive.

What Other Names are Commonly Used for the Lido Deck?

Some cruise lines use different names for the Lido Deck. The lido deck, also known as the pool deck, is the heart of any cruise ship. Other rare names for this area include the Resort Deck, Recreation Deck, and Top Deck. 

It offers everything from the main swimming pool and hot tubs to thrilling water slides. 

Lido Deck Pronunciation

In UK English, lido is commonly pronounced as “lie-doh”, while Oxford English and Cambridge Dictionary both designate the phonetic pronunciation as “liː.dəʊ” or “lee-doe”, from the Italian pronunciation. 

The debate over the pronunciation of lido deck is a fascinating reflection of the evolution of language and cultural influence. Some argue for the traditional English pronunciation, while others insist on using the Italian-rooted version. 

Whether you choose to pronounce it as lie-do deck or lee-doh deck, what truly matters is the richness that different perspectives bring to our conversations. 

Where is a Lido Deck on a Cruise Ship? 

The Lido Deck is on the top floor of a cruise ship. It has outdoor sections like the pool area, which might have a retractable roof, a stage, and activity areas like rock-climbing wall and FlowRider, which can differ depending on the specific ship and cruise company.

The elevator might be labeled as the Lido Deck’s top floor, so remember this when reading the ship’s itinerary. Some of the cruise’s activities happen on the Lido Deck, so it’s important to find them easily. 

Lido Deck Amenities 

The Lido Deck is the heart of a cruise ship’s outdoor activities, offering more than just a place to swim and sunbathe. In addition to the pools, this deck often hosts events, live music, and even outdoor movies under the stars.

Passengers can socialize, enjoy refreshments from nearby bars and eateries, and take in stunning panoramic views of the ocean. Towels are available for drying off, and restrooms and showers are conveniently located nearby.

The Lido Deck on Carnival Cruise ships offers a variety of food options. Guests can enjoy a buffet or visit casual eateries such as Guy’s Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina. For drinks, there are bars like the Red Frog Rum Bar and Red Frog Tiki Bar. Servers are also available to take orders and bring food and drinks directly to you as you relax by the pool.

Sailaway Party on Lido Deck 

On the day you board the ship, it’s almost certain that you’ll end up on the lido deck for the Sailaway event, where all the excitement of setting sail takes place! The Sailaway party is not just a tradition; it’s the official launch of your vacation at sea even if you spent many hours on the ship.  

Whether it’s your first cruise or your tenth, the Sailaway party sets the tone for an unforgettable journey at sea. Some people will be in the pool, while others will be dancing to live music or a DJ’s set! If you’re on a Disney cruise, there’s a special party with Mickey Mouse and his friends.  

Make sure to check your cruise line’s app so you don’t miss any of the Sailaway fun. It can get busy, so if you want a good spot, head to the lido deck early. 

What Activities are Offered on Lido Deck? 

The lido deck of a cruise ship is not just about the Sailaway party or lounging by the pool. It’s a hub of energy and entertainment, offering a variety of activities to keep passengers engaged and entertained throughout the day.  

From live music to belly flop competitions and dance parties, there’s something for everyone. You can find all the event details on your cruise line’s app including movie screenings on large LED screens during the day and night.

Some cruise lines even have themed lido deck events like Disney Cruise Line has the Pirate Night, Glow Night on NCL, Gold and White theme night on Princess Cruises, Mediterranean Night on MSC ships, Tropical Night or Caribbean on Royal Caribbean, Tiki Party on Carnival Cruise Line. 

Guests can also immerse themselves in the Frozen-inspired Freezing event, where the deck turns into a winter wonderland complete with snow flurries and appearances from beloved Frozen characters.  

What can I do on the Lido Deck? 

The special amenities on the Lido Deck may vary depending on your cruise line. No matter on which ship you are, you will find several common features on the Lido Deck. 

Relax at the Poolside 

As you step onto the Lido Deck, your eyes are immediately drawn to the glistening pool. The inviting blue waters beckon you to unwind and relax at the poolside. With pools located on either side of the deck, take a moment to explore and familiarize yourself with everything that this vibrant space has to offer. 

As you make your way to the lido deck by the pool, a spacious area filled with inviting sun chairs awaits. You can grab a towel, drape it over the chair, and settle in for some well-deserved leisure time.

With each sunchair equipped with its own miniature table, it’s easy to bring along your favorite food and drinks to enjoy while basking in the tranquil surroundings.

The presence of several hot tubs nearby adds an extra layer of luxury to the pool area. 

Enjoy a Delicious Buffet 

The Lido Deck buffet on a cruise ship is a great feature. It has a relaxed and lively atmosphere and offers a wide variety of food for everyone. Unlike the formal dining room, the buffet has many different types of food from around the world. 

After eating a tasty meal on the lido deck, remember to save space for dessert! You can choose from ice cream, cookies, and daily desserts made by the ship’s pastry chefs. You can enjoy these treats inside at the buffet or outside by your sun chair. Each bite will be full of flavor. 

Entertainment 

The lido deck of a cruise ship isn’t just a space for lounging in the sun or taking a dip in the pool – it’s also an entertainment hub. Imagine sipping on your favorite cocktail while watching an amazing live band perform on a stage right there on the lido deck.  

Try a Waterslide 

One of the most exhilarating features that modern cruise ships offer is the addition of waterslides on their lido decks. This innovation has provided passengers with a thrilling way to cool off and have fun while at sea. 

Cruise ships have a waterslide depending on the cruise line and the ship. Cruise ships started adding waterslides to their pools in the late 1970s. 

Some major cruise lines now have several waterslides on their ships, including tube slides and slides that end in a swirling bowl.

Booking a trip on a cruise ship with waterslides is a great idea if you’re taking your kids on the cruise. They would love to try out all the waterslides on a day at sea. 

Why is the Lido Deck so Important? 

The Lido deck serves as a versatile space for relaxation, socialization, and entertainment. The Lido deck is much more than just a place to catch some sun. It’s the heartbeat of the ship, the hub of so much excitement and activity for passengers of all ages.  

The lido deck plays a crucial role for families traveling with infants, consider sailing on a Royal Caribbean ship with a baby splash zone. This area lets children in diapers cool off and have fun in the sun, which not all ships or cruise lines offer. 

Do all Cruise Ships have a Lido Deck? 

Most of the cruise lines have a deck for sunbathing and swimming, but they might call it different names.

• Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises call it Lido deck,   
• Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line call it Sun Deck.  

Some ships just use a deck number. Each cruise line has its own style and features for this deck. So, most major cruise ships have a deck like the Lido deck, but it might have a different name. 

Things you should not do on the Lido Deck 

When it comes to enjoying the lido deck on a cruise, there are certain behaviors that can disrupt the peaceful atmosphere and disturb fellow passengers.  

Following are the things that you should never on a Cruise Ship Lido Deck:

• Don’t Play Your Own Music 
• Never Leave Your Children Unsupervised 
• Don’t Bring Kids in the Adult Pool 
• Don’t Smoke in No Smoking Areas 
• Don’t Reserve Deck Chairs