When Celebrity Cruises announced its new Poolest Day Ever event, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Billed as a day-long poolside celebration filled with games, music, and activities, it was designed to bring more energy and entertainment to the pool deck.
Celebrity Cruises is known as a premium cruise line, catering to an older demographic normally. Although kids are welcome onboard, the cruise line largely attracts adults, couples, and retirees. However, shorter getaway cruises are growing in popularity, meaning the cruise line has seen more younger guests sailing than before.
During my 4-night sailing on Celebrity Silhouette, I was lucky enough to attend the very first Poolest Day Ever event on a Celebrity cruise ship. The jam-packed party included multiple events and many eager participants.
According to Jason, the Activity Host onboard Celebrity Silhouette, the idea came directly from guest feedback. Many passengers had asked for more things to do and watch around the pool, so Celebrity decided to create a structured event to deliver exactly that. They invested heavily in the concept, designing branded merchandise like pins, shirts, hats, and even rugs to make the event feel special.
Poolest Day Ever is now being rolled out across the fleet, but I was excited to learn my cruise was the very first one to host it. That meant I had a front-row seat to see whether this new event was worth the hype. Here’s what the experience was like.
What is Celebrity Cruises’ Poolest Day Ever?
Jason explained that Celebrity Cruises wanted to add more energy to the pool deck while still keeping the experience enjoyable for guests who prefer to relax and watch. The cruise line recognized that while many people love lounging by the pool with a cocktail, others want something more interactive.
Poolest Day Ever was designed to give everyone a chance to participate, whether by joining the games, watching the competitions, or dancing to the music. On four-day cruises, it takes place on a sea day, while on three-day cruises, it happens on a port day, usually in the Bahamas.
According to the cruise line, the Poolest Day Ever will be available on all Caribbean sailings starting this month.
In fact, some Celebrity cruisers were worried the Poolest Day Ever event would be too disruptive for their relaxation. Many Celebrity cruisers were excited while some naysayers on Cruise Critic expressed concern about too much noise coming from the pool area.
“What a great idea for Caribbean cruises, gets the vibe going for the island life. The few Caribbean cruises I have done, have been far too tame on the pool deck. I see a Caribbean cruise in my next winter future,” one user commented.
“No No No.. Quiet time at the pool with a good book continues to be ruined by loud CDs, DJs and annoying Activity Staff. We are heading back to the older ships to avoid this hoopla and frat party vibe!” commented another cruiser.
Since my cruise was the first to roll it out, I was eager to see how it would play out. In addition, I was curious if the party would be too lively, considering Celebrity’s onboard experience is typically more subdued and tame. Partygoers often head to sister-brand Royal Caribbean or competitor Carnival Cruise Line for a more lively cruise experience.
What events are included in the Poolest Day Ever?
The Poolest Day Ever is an all-day affair with events taking place on the pool deck. All guests received a schedule for the daily activities in their stateroom. I appreciated how many different options were available for either participating or attending. There was a nice variety of activities as well – certainly something for everyone.
Daily Schedule for Poolest Day Ever:
- 9:00 AM – Tai Chi 101
- 9:30 AM – Audio-Guided Meditation
- 10:00 AM – Aqua Fun Dance Class
- 11:15 AM – Caribbean Dance Class
- 12:30 PM – Pool Volleyball
- 1:00 PM – Guests vs. Officers Pool Volleyball
- 2:30 PM – Musical Bingo
- 3:30 PM – Pool Olympix
- 4:30 PM – Poolside Chill
- 10:00 PM – Full Moon Party
Tai Chi Morning Stretch and Meditation
Description: Start your morning with a calming and rejuvenating Tai Chi session. This ancient Chinese fitness practice focuses on deep breathing and slow, intentional movements to help improve flexibility, balance, and mindfulness.
My review: The day started with a morning stretch class, which was well attended. It was followed by a silent meditation session, where participants put on headphones and took a few minutes to relax. This felt like a great way to ease into the day before the more active events kicked off.
Aqua Fun and Latin Dance Classes
Description: Get ready to splash and dance in the pool with this upbeat water-based dance class. Perfect for all fitness levels, this activity combines exercise and fun, ensuring you stay active while enjoying the refreshing pool environment.
My review: After the meditation, the energy started picking up with a Fun Fit Aqua Class, where guests joined a water aerobics session in the pool. The pool deck started to get busier during this time as many people finished breakfast and started hanging out in the sun. At 11:15 a.m., there was a Caribbean dance lesson, where guests learned some island-inspired moves.
Pool Volleyball (18+) – 12:30 PM (Guests vs. Guests) | 1:00 PM (Guests vs. Officers)
Description: Test your skills in an exciting pool volleyball showdown. Whether you join a team or cheer from the sidelines, this friendly but competitive match will have everyone engaged. The Guests vs. Officers game adds an extra level of excitement as passengers take on the ship’s crew.
My review: I was surprised by the number of guests and crew members participating in the volleyball event. The officers wore their uniforms for the game while passengers formed a competitive team. The pool deck was loud during this time, although it wasn’t nearly as busy because many people started heading to lunch around this time.
Musical Bingo
Later in the day, Music Bingo had people marking off songs instead of numbers on their bingo cards. To win a bingo, your score sheet needed to form an “X” in honor of the cruise line’s logo.
The first two winners got up on stage and danced for the crowd, each winning a Celebrity Cruises-themed rubber duck. I thought this was a nice touch, as hiding ducks has become increasingly more popular for guests. Having a Poolest Day Ever duck would be a great souvenir to take home!
Pool Olympix
The highlight of the day was the Pool Olympix, which featured three main events:
1. Basketball Shootout – Two teams of five tried to make baskets from the ship’s bridge, but no one made a single shot. It turned out to be much harder than it looked!
2. Boat Relay Race – Each team had to swim across the pool in an inflatable boat, high-five the wall, and tag the next teammate to go. The blue team won, taking a 1-0 lead.
3. Synchronized Swimming Competition – Everyone jumped into the pool and had one minute to come up with a routine. After the performances, the crowd voted by applause. The winning team received Poolest Day Ever medals, which was a nice touch to make the competition feel special.
My review: Even though I didn’t participate, it was just as much fun to watch. The atmosphere was lighthearted and full of laughter, with people cheering from the sidelines. The pool deck was packed with fellow guests having fun, which was nice to see.
Because Celebrity was looking to enhance the pool experience for participants and spectators, I’d say this was a smashing success. I had a blast watching the participants, as did many other passengers. This event is a must-attend, in my opinion!
Poolside Chill
By late afternoon, the event wound down with Poolside Chill at 4:30 p.m., where a live band played relaxing music and guests had the option to play low-key games on the dance floor. After the high-energy activities earlier in the day, this felt like a nice way to bring the event to a close.
By this time, I needed to start getting ready for dinner and I assume others did too. The pool deck started to clear out by this point, with just a few guests choosing to continue relaxing.
Full Moon Party
One of the most interesting additions was the Silent Disco on the pool deck. Usually held indoors, this popular party was moved outside for more space, and it turned out to be a great decision! The crew brought out four boxes of headphones, allowing more people to join in. Watching a crowd of people dancing in silence never gets old, especially under the stars.
I spoke with Celebrity Silhouette’s Activity Host to learn more about the event
I was so excited to see a familiar face on the pool deck when I arrived in the morning. Jason, the Activity Host onboard Celebrity Silhouette, was on the activities staff on my last Celebrity Cruise on Celebrity Solstice! I asked him if he would answer a few questions about Celebrity’s Poolest Day Ever event, especially considering this was the very first one for the cruise line.
To start, Jason said he was thrilled with how the event went. Because this was the first Poolest Day Ever, he wasn’t sure whether guests would want to participate. It was clear that guests were having a fantastic time and the party activities were a huge hit.
“It’s a big success. Everyone can be involved by either watching or participating,” he said.
And that’s exactly what made Poolest Day Ever work. Whether you wanted to be in the pool competing, dancing on deck, or just sitting back with a drink and watching the fun, there was a way to enjoy it.
As a spectator, it was fun to see everyone participating in the events. The atmosphere was energetic and upbeat with fun music, games, and prizes. But, I didn’t feel it was out of hand at all. It was the perfect balance of fun and relaxation.
Final thoughts about this event
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Poolest Day Ever. I’m someone who likes to attend the many different activities and events when I cruise, whether that’s trivia, bingo, or a game show. I’m not one to participate myself, but it’s fun to cheer on others.
The Poolest Day Ever turned out to be one of the most entertaining parts of the cruise! The event was an unexpected surprise during our cruise, but we had an absolute blast.
The competitions were fun to watch, the music and dancing kept the energy up, and the event brought a livelier vibe to the pool deck without feeling forced. For a short 4-night cruise, this type of activity is the perfect fit. Many guests were eager to jump in the pool, let loose, and have fun. As a viewer, I had a wonderful time watching others compete in the games. I loved participating in the music bingo, too!
Celebrity Cruises took a risk introducing something new, but based on my experience, it paid off. It was clear the cruise line invested substantially in planning and executing this event. If you’re cruising with Celebrity, don’t skip Poolest Day Ever—it might just end up being one of the best parts of your trip.