This one is Royal Caribbean’s own video, and it takes you behind the scenes of Studio B, the ice skating rink that made skating in the Caribbean possible. You’ll hear from the folks who built and run it about why they went with real ice, how the floor handles a moving ship, and what it takes to make the ice.
Royal Caribbean Studio B Ice Rink Behind the Scenes
Royal Caribbean Studio B ice rink behind the scenes: Royal Caribbean's video on how real ice skating at sea works, from a flexible floor to making the ice.
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Key Takeaways
- The idea for an ice rink came up while Royal Caribbean was creating Voyager of the Seas.
- Fake ice, called glice, was discussed and roundly rejected in favor of real, permanent ice.
- The ice floor isn’t solid concrete or metal: it flexes with the movement of the ship, because a rigid floor would crack.
- Running the rink means managing the temperature, the height of the ice and the water used to make it.
- To make the ice, they turn on the compressor and the brine, lay down water and freeze it, and it can take up to 72 hours before the ice is ready.
- They use hot water from the Zamboni because, as the crew says, it freezes faster than cold water.
Good to Know
The crew says that even when you tell people how it all works, they don’t really get it until they see the rink in operation for themselves. If you’re sailing on a Royal Caribbean ship with Studio B, it’s worth stopping by to see it.
Ice skating at sea was once thought to be impossible, and now it’s one of the Royal Caribbean innovations cruisers love. Studio B is used for open skating sessions as well as professional ice shows, so check your daily schedule for both.