Choosing the right design for the soft play area being installed on a cruise ship is essential. Where spaces may be smaller or oddly shaped, equipment should be selected which makes the most of available room. A great option is often modular setups, which can be easily moved around when needed and configured to optimise every square inch of a room. Another design consideration is choosing items that suit the cruise setting to ensure the ambience of the rest of the boat is continued through to these areas. Examples of popular options from our collection for cruise ships include the Ocean and Pirate-themed ranges.

There should also be play equipment for all ages from nursery age through to older children. This ensures that sopaces can be catered to a wide selection of children to appeal to even more families. Additionally, soft play spaces should always be separated by age to ensure suitable equipment is easily accessible to the intended audience.

Soft play spaces on cruise ships will also experience heavy footfall, which is why care, maintenance and refurbishment needs are properly managed. Chosen items should be well made and durable to avoid issues, as receiving expert support when out at sea is not the easiest task!

Opting for educational and sensory play areas is also ideal, as this ensures little ones remain engaged for even longer within soft play spaces. This is important as if the areas are being used for daycare; little visitors will need to be entertained for longer periods of time than they may normally spend within soft play spaces at home.

There should also be consideration as to the location of a soft play space on a cruise ship. This includes offering a space for parents to relax nearby if they wish to keep an eye on their children whilst playing plus secure areas to keep little ones safe whilst parents are not around.

How Can Soft Play Spaces on Cruise Ships Be Maintained?

• All soft play items and areas should be subject to a regular cleaning routine that includes daily, weekly, and monthly jobs. As well as using this time to remove any dirt and ensure items are hygienic, with a lot of children using the items, attention should be paid to any signs of wear or damage.
• Rules should also be clearly outlined for both staff and children to ensure that items are only ever used as intended. This can also be an opportunity to highlight what spaces are available for certain children to make it easier for passengers to book soft playtime for their children.
• If any items are showing signs of damage, they should be refurbished before play resumes and as soon as the boat docks. This is also why it’s important to ensure all items are properly checked before departure as providing maintenance support when on the move is hard if not impossible based on location.
• Items should also be properly installed and stowed away to ensure that the areas are still safe to use, even if the seas are rocky. This is why we recommend our fitted frames and products: to ensure that the guest experience is never interrupted, even when conditions may not be on your side.