How cruise lines organize their megaships: The 'zone' trend

10.04.2024 - 17:05 / travelweekly.com / Disney Cruise

Andrea Zelinski

Neighborhoods. Districts. Portals.

Regardless of what cruise lines call them, carving megaships into distinct themed areas is a growing trend.

MSC Cruises became the latest line to organize a new ship with areas that promise specific vibes. Its second World class ship, the 215,863-gross-ton MSC World America, will offer seven "districts" ranging from what sounds like a relaxing area at the Zen district with quiet space to swim and sunbathe, to the kid-friendly Family Aventura district with bumper cars, a roller rink, a water park with virtual-reality water slide experiences and a ropes course.

Making sense of where to spend time on a megaship can be hard work. The vessels are huge and feature multiple restaurants and entertainment venues; I find them difficult to keep straight when I'm looking for a space that's right for the moment. Having cruised on two megaships in the last three months, I'm thankful for the themed zones to keep my ship-wandering organized.

Valarie Scope, owner and travel advisor at Sea Our Style Travel in the West Palm Beach area, said the zones serve another purpose: To let guests know where they can escape from children.

"Not that I don't love kids, but not all kids are good," she said. "So sometimes I look for places in areas where I'm away from kids and noise and I want to relax." Conversely, she said, neighborhoods help families find places with a specific appeal to them.

Cruise ship zones have long been in existence (Disney Cruise Line's nightlife district - literally, the District - comes to mind). But the trend towards whole-ship zoning began in earnest with the introduction of the now well-known "neighborhood" concept in Royal Caribbean International's Oasis class. The neighborhoods included the Royal Promenade with shops; restaurants and bars in the ships' interior; and Central Park, an outdoor park that cut through the middle of the ship with live plants.

The line's much-anticipated Icon of the Seas continues the neighborhood trend. Surfside, for example, is the place to feed and entertain families with young children all day. It includes a carousel, water attractions, an arcade and a mommy-and-me bar with kid and adult menus. Thrill Island, meanwhile, is laced with fast waterslides in an atmosphere meant to resemble a deserted island, aimed at both kids and adults. Royal also introduced The Hideaway, a kid-free zone with an infinity pool, two hot tubs and a bar.

Carnival Cruise Line rolled out its take on neighborhoods when it debuted six distinct zones on the Mardi Gras in 2021. It included Grand Central, its atrium area with a stage, and the Ultimate Playground for kids and adults with a roller coaster, water slides and sports court. It also