I might point out you can't "ice skate" on EPIC. It's not ice and in fact you are skating on plastic.

So Royal Caribbean can still boast the only "ice skating" rinks at sea. They are certainly more involved than laying down a sheet of plastic over a basketball court during certain times of the day.

NCL can boast you can "plastic skate" on EPIC.

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
Odd, I specifically heard Ice Skate....but I didn't actually see any ice, only a basketball court.

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Nope, there is no true "ice rink" on EPIC. Of course there is an Ice Bar, but as someone mentioned the technically behind that is fairly simple. It's essentially just a very large freezer. In fact down below EPIC probably has freezers that are larger than the Ice Bar.

I'm sure you have read the challenges RCI faced when installing the first ice rink at sea. It was not an easy task but they pulled it off. Also, there is no way it could be outside as they simply could not maintain the temperature of the ice.

On EPIC, it's simply a plastic type mat they lay over the basketball court. Not in the same league as the true ice rinks offered on RCI ships.

Bit like Celebrity Century boasting the first "ice-bar" - now that was [is?] a joke.

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Originally posted by PamM:
For recreational purposes it makes no odds whether one is skating on synthetic ice or real ice. One still ice-skates whatever the material under foot [skate].

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I can't say as I've never skated on plastic before. I guess I will try it on EPIC and I'll let you know. I would imagine if the plastic pieces are not placed together tightly there could be issues with seams, which would not exactly make it a smooth surface.

Personally I don't see how it could compare to real ice? If it were equivalent, I suppose we would have plastic rinks all over instead of "ice rinks". Sure would be easier and less expensive, that is for sure.

Nice review Barry. Everyone seems largely agreed about the ships strengths and weaknesses.

[ 07-13-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

I think it's a bit of a gimmick ... bragging rights so to speak. How popular it will actually be is anyones guess, and I wonder how often it's laid out?

On RCI the rink actually has a practical use, which is to showcase pretty amazing evening shows, some of the best I have seen at sea. There is also a solid floor that covers the ice and the entire venue is used for large parties and events.

Ernie

You should try the artificial slopws made with the same snow making machines as they use on real slopes Malcolm Go to Dubai forget the Alps/Rockies.

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Originally posted by PamM:
Synthetic ice-rinks are everywhere - mobile ice-rinks. Some have a liquidy stuff on too.

Pam

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Well I guess I am a traditionalist in that respect. If I go ice skating I want it to be on ice. If I fall I want to feel the cold, slippery service.

None the less I will test the "rink" on EPIC and see how it compares to the real thing.

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
There was a strange spider web cage that didn't make sense to me....looked like you just climb up inside it...mostly for kids I guess.

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
I saw the "ice rink" but at the time had no idea it was for skating. I do think it is somewhat of a gimmick. There was a strange spider web cage that didn't make sense to me....looked like you just climb up inside it...mostly for kids I guess. The bungee thing was popular. The rock-climbing wall was also decent, especially the repelling section.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Barry, it may be a detention centre for drunks?

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