What Is a Lido Deck? It’s More Than You Think!

Are you going on your first cruise? You’re probably excited to experience everything you can while on board.

To get the most out of your experience, you’ll want to learn some basic cruise ship terminology.

Onboard the cruise ship, you will see signage or even an entire floor named the “Lido Deck.” But what exactly does this mean?

If you’re new to cruising, then this guide is for you. Below, you’ll learn all about what a Lido Deck is and all the fun things you can do on it.

What Is a Lido Deck?

First of all, cruise ship decks are the floors of a ship. Your cruise ship will have a deck plan, so make sure to take a look at it so you learn your way around.

The word “Lido” comes from Italian, and it refers to a public outdoor swimming pool or a beach with lots of swimmers. So, a Lido Deck on cruise ships is the floor of the ship that has the outdoor pool.

Depending on the size of your cruise ship, there may be more than one pool on the Lido Deck.

Where Is the Lido Deck?

The Lido Deck is usually on the top floor of the cruise ship. It may also have several outdoor sections.

These include the pool area, which may be covered with a retractable roof, a stage, and activity areas, such as a rock-climbing wall, which vary depending on the ship and cruise line.

Your cruise ship’s elevator may even have the top floor labeled as the Lido Deck, so take note of this when you’re reading the ship’s itinerary. Some of the cruise’s activities may take place on the Lido Deck, and you want to be able to find them easily.

What Can I Do on the Lido Deck?

Depending on your cruise line and the ship, the special amenities on the Lido Deck may vary. However, you’ll be able to find several common features on the Lido Deck, no matter which ship you’re on.

Relax at the Poolside

The first thing you’ll probably notice when you get to the Lido Deck is the outdoor pool. There may be a pool on either side of the deck, so make sure to walk around the entire Lido Deck so you know where everything is.

By the pool, there will be a large area with sunchairs. Grab a towel, drape it over the chair and relax. The sunchair area also has miniature tables, so you can bring a bite to eat or a cool drink with you. 

Each pool area also has several hot tubs nearby, so make sure to take advantage of these if you’d like warmer water for relaxation.

Enjoy a Delicious Buffet

One of the best features is that it’s often home to the ship’s buffet. Compared to the ship’s dining room, the buffet is casual and lets you try a variety of foods.

You can also have dessert here, such as ice cream, cookies, and the ship’s daily desserts. Enjoy these either inside the buffet or outside by your sunchair.

There may also be several other food options on deck, such as a burger bar or an outdoor BBQ buffet. 

Entertainment

Depending on how entertainment-heavy your cruise is, there might be lots of entertainment up on the Lido Deck.

The deck can include a stage for a band to play on, outdoor projection screens for movie nights, and even have DJs playing music. The Lido Deck can often be busy, especially on a sea day.

If you’d like some peace and quiet, check if there’s a quiet area, as the entertainment is probably only happening around one of the pools.

Take in the Sights

One of the best things about the Lido Deck is that you can see everything from the top. This is especially thrilling when the cruise ship is in motion, as you can see the endless blue horizon in front of you.

Just make sure you hold any belongings tightly, as you don’t want to drop your phone or camera in the water by accident. Keep your beach bag by your sunchair and watch that you don’t take anything that can fall with you to the railing.

Try a Waterslide

You’d think that you would only find a waterslide at your local swimming pool, but you’d be surprised to learn that you can find one on the Lido of your cruise ship as well. Of course, whether there is a waterslide on your ship depends on the cruise line and the ship itself.

Cruise ships started adding simple waterslides to their pools beginning in the late 1970s, and these slides have only gotten more fun and elaborate.

These days, some of the major cruise lines might even have several waterslides on their ships. These include tube slides that twist and turn over the Lido Deck as well as slides that end in a fun swirling bowl.

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

Ready To Go On Your First Cruise?

Knowing all about your ship’s Lido Deck helps you get the most out of your first cruise. From eating at the buffet to swimming at the pool, the Lido Deck has something for everyone to enjoy during their cruise experience. 

For more information and tips, check out more of our blog posts for first-time cruisers here.