You'll find a basketball court on most cruise ships, but Royal Caribbean reinvented the concept on one type of ship that truly stands out.
Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for offering just about as many activities as you can imagine onto its ships. The idea is to offer more to do so passengers have a choice in how they have fun.
Sports courts on cruise ships have been around for a while, but the Quantum Class ships have a different take on it, and it's the only ships where I'll step foot on the sports court.
The SeaPlex is what Royal Caribbean called its indoor basketball court because it's so much more than a sports court.
While all the Quantum Class ships have a SeaPlex, the final version on Odyssey of the Seas is by far my favorite.
Climate controlled with lots to do
The reason why I think the SeaPlex is such a smart upgrade from a traditional outdoor sports court is the fact it's climate controlled.
On every other cruise ship, the sports court is not only outdoors, but offers zero shade.
Basking in the sun as you shoot hoops or kick the soccer ball around may sound like a nice idea when you're at home, but most months of the year in the Caribbean, it feels like the surface of the sun on that asphalt.
I admit that you'll still find plenty of people out there to play, but the SeaPlex solves a few issues.
Being a two-deck indoor venue, you don't have to worry about getting sunburned. And there's air conditioning to keep it at the perfect temperature.
Royal Caribbean went above just climatizing the venue, as there are lots of activities too.
It's most celebrated activity are bumper cars, where the sports court transforms into a bumper car arena.
Hop in a car and slam into other cars as fast as you can, or try to evade them all.
Bumper cars got a lot of recognition as a signature activity to try, and one of those "I can't believe they have this on a cruise ship" experiences.
Of course, there's also more traditional activities in the SeaPlex. Basketball, volleyball, soccer, dodgeball, archery, and badminton are just a few.
There's also the wildly popular pickleball, along with laser tag too. And all of it is included in your cruise fare.
The sports team crew members will swap out activities throughout the day. Within the Royal Caribbean app are listings for times of each activity, so you'll need to plan accordingly to get in on the one you want.
Perfecting with Playmakers
The SeaPlex is two levels on all Quantum Class ships, but Royal Caribbean's Product Development team re-imagined the space when they designed Odyssey of the Seas.
It seems they thought about how to combine sports with the sports bar and they came up with the idea of adding the first Playmakers into the SeaPlex on Odyssey of the Seas.
Located on the second level of the SeaPlex, Playmakers has the opportunity to view the big game or the game happening below.
There are over 50 TV's throughout Playmakers, and that means you can catch the game from any corner.
Playmakers also has a giant TV screen that hangs over the SeaPlex sports court. I've often found myself watching the televised game on the large screen, while also glancing down to see the fun happening below on the court.
If catching a sporting event isn't your thing, there are large windows looking out to the ocean too. The main bar area has lots of seating that allow to look out on the ocean in addition to a TV.
This setup makes it perfect for families, where kids can be on the court or playing one of the games around the SeaPlex while their parents watch the game at the same time they're supervising the kids.
And then there's the Playmakers food, which always hits the spot for me on any ship they serve it.
Nachos, burgers, onion rings, and the delightful buffalo chicken wraps are just some of the notable menu offerings.
Everything in Playmakers is priced a la carte, so you can enjoy a snack without a full restaurant cost.
Odyssey isn't the first ship to offer Playmakers, but unlike the Oasis Class ships, this version is air conditioned and makes it far more enjoyable during the summer months.
The idyllic spot for older kids
If you want to epitomize how Royal Caribbean appeals to families with older kids, the SeaPlex is a good example.
The second level of the SeaPlex has lots of areas for all guests to enjoy, but in practice, it's the teenagers that tend to congregate here.
You'll find video arcades, comfortable seating, and communal gaming opportunities.
The space is designed to be cozy and inviting so guests will want to spend time there.
The sports court you'll want to go with your kids to
Ultimately, I think the beauty of the SeaPlex over a sports court is how much it offers for everyone.
Besides being climate controlled, there's a lot more to see and do for guests of all ages. If all you want to do is watch your kids play, there's seating all around the edge of the court.
I think certain activities really lend themselves to being inviting to everyone. Bumper cars can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, and pickle ball has become one of the top activities for adults of all ages.
And if you happen to be on Odyssey of the Seas, then the addition of Playmakers really offers more for parents and guests without kids reason to visit.
The bottom line is on all other Royal Caribbean ships, you will never find me on the sports court. But on a Quantum Class ship, there's a good chance I'll head up there a few times every cruise because it's the only version I truly enjoy.
