What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
Think of a cruise vacation, and images of sunny weather and fruity drinks on the lido deck are likely to come to mind. But exactly what is a lido deck, anyway?
The word "lido" in Italian refers to a beach or seashore where people gather to swim. So, fittingly, a cruise ship lido deck is a centrally located outdoor area where passengers will find a pool or two, along with hot tubs and lounge chairs.
Depending on the layout of your vessel, the lido deck could also be the place where passengers exit the onboard water slides after some wet and watery fun.
Lido decks are practical, too. Restrooms and outdoor showers for rinsing off after swimming are common lido deck amenities.
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If you're in need of a beach towel, rental kiosks are always found poolside. Swipe your card, or give your room number to the attendant, and you'll have a towel that's yours to use for the day. (Just be sure to return it, or it'll end up being yours to keep — including a fee that will be added to your onboard bill.)
No lido deck is complete without easy access to pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris. The area is sure to feature at least one bar so those fruity drinks will be easy to track down between sunbathing stints.
The pool will also be situated close to the vessel's buffet or have a couple of small window-service eateries nearby so you don't have to give up your spot in the sun or change out of your bathing suit in order to grab a bite. A grilling station for burgers and hot dogs and soft-serve ice cream or frozen yogurt machines are lido deck hot spots.
Having snacks nearby is also convenient if you're enjoying a film, concert or sporting event on your ship's outdoor movie screen, which will almost always overlook the lido deck area.
On a small, luxury ship, the lido deck might be a quiet place to go for a dip or take a nap in the sun. But on a big-ship cruise, lido deck shenanigans often include belly-flop contests, hairy chest competitions and group dance parties, plus sailaway festivities that invite all passengers to join in the fun. Expect loud, enthusiastic crowds and both live and DJ'd music.
But beware: Among all the great things you'll find on your vessel's lido deck, there will almost certainly be chair hogs, as well. These inconsiderate fellow passengers rise at the crack of dawn to claim prime poolside deck chairs. They'll drop their personal items — books, beach bags and flip-flops — to reserve loungers and then leave for hours. They don't want to use the chairs until later, but they don't want you to use them, either.
Have other questions about cruise-related terms? Check out our glossary of cruise terms or see our answers to common cruise questions:
- Why do people fall off cruise ships?
- What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
- What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
- What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
- What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
- What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?
- What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees