Australia’s leading family cruise line Carnival Cruises put on a legendary show to remember at their family fun day on-board the Carnival Legend docked in Sydney last Friday.
With invited big and small kids already excitedly babbling at catching their first glimpse of the Carnival Legend, things only got better for the lucky bunch who then got the chance to board the Carnival Spirit sister ship, on it’s maiden season out of Australia.
And that included my delirious five-year-old son Milo who let out a huge ‘woah’ when he took in his first eyeful of the massive gleaming ship. “It’s like an island!” he proclaimed.
Yummy treats all round…
The morning began like any kids dream morning should – with a sugary fuelled Dr. Seuss inspired breakfast including (of course!) the trademark ‘Green Eggs and Ham’, gravity-defying Truffula Tree pancakes, funky French toast, Moose ‘n’ goose juice and much more gaudy goodness.
Held in the ships glittering main dining room and with themed table settings, staff outfits and yes! The Cat in the hat, I am Sam and Thing 1 and Thing 2 all making personal ‘paparazzi’ appearances, it was to quote Milo, “the most awesome breakfast ever”.
The Cat in the Hat with Carnival Aus & NZ VP Jennifer Vandekreeke
A breakfast to beat all breakfasts
Thing 1 says g’day
Then it was onto the ships main theatre to check out The Hasbro Gameshow, after walking the ship together as a mini Seuss-a-palooza parade alongside the furry characters and with plenty of noisy accessories to bang and clang along the way.
The Hasbro Game Show let’s guests play giant versions of their favourite childhood games including Connect 4 and Operation with sets measuring more than three metres. Eight kids got the chance to face off on stage and play a quick game of Connect 4 basketball, which looked like a lot of fun.
Next up was a fun puppet show starring Carnivals unique towels that come to life as animals before it was time for the main attraction for many of the kids. Time to head up to the top deck waterpark and take on the infamous Green Thunder waterslide and some serious splash fun and flume riding.
The Opera House and Harbour Bridge provided a stunning backdrop on a gorgeous Sydney summers day, and whilst Milo wasn’t too keen to try even the tame yellow Twister waterslide (and was too small for the Green Thunder at 1.2m being the minimum) he did get stuck in to the mini Racer slide and go on a rampage in the waterpark, created to soak anyone and everyone (Which he duly did).
Splash time up in the waterpark
Whilst the other kids were repeatedly screaming into oblivion on the fastest and steepest waterslide at sea (up to 65kms an hour), I have to meekly admit at this point that this big kid didn’t quite make it onto the Green Thunder this time round. Next time I promise!
Here’s the Carnival Spirit’s Green Thunder in action. The Legend is exactly the same.
When we dis-embarked we passed the boarding passengers, faces gleaming with that same excitement we’d felt just hours earlier. They were about to leave for the Pacific Islands on a nine night cruise and I have to say I felt a pang of jealousy at not joining them.
“We haven’t done anything special for you today” said Carnival Cruises Vice President Australia and New Zealand Jennifer Vandekreeke. “This is what all our kids get to experience on-board every cruise they go on with Carnival”.
“I want to sleep on this ship for nine nights” Milo remarked.
“We’ll see son” I said. “We’ll see”.