I know since then, playmakers was added and I also read the article below about added sports programming on Royal caribbean. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Just Back From Odyssey of the Seas: Why Playmakers Is The Best Cruise Ship Sports Bar. Write by: . Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Just like other lounges on the ship, you can come and go as you please. Actually, it is one of the largest arcades that we have seen on a Royal Caribbean ship in quite some time. This makes it one of the few inside bars that is open during the day. While nothing fancy, the cabin had everything I needed for my home away from home for the week: Cruising in an interior room instead of an oceanview, balcony, or suite saved me hundreds of dollars on my cruise. The following bars and lounges are free with your cruise purchase on the Icon of the Seas. Drop us an anchor below to share your review of this new bar and restaurant on Royal Caribbean ships. We are taking a cruise this Friday and want to see the availability of games for first week of NFL. Weve put the full Playmakers menu below. You can have a burger and play a game of pool. What do you like about this new venue? The Bamboo Room and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Given the name, it should come as no surprise that there are lots of televisions around the restaurant to watch sporting events. By the third visit, servers walked to our table with beers in hand, not even waiting for our order. The Boardwalk on the Oasis Class ships is the perfect spot for this family-friendly venue. Related: I saved $100 by letting Royal Caribbean choose my cruise ship cabin location, and I would do it again. We are back from a recent cruise and have our honest review of the new Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade on the newly amplified Mariner of the Seas. . You have entered an incorrect email address! Depending on if you are going for just a small bite or a big meal, there is plenty to choose from. The Playermakers Burger includes a double patty, bacon, onion rings, and all the trimmings plus fries for only $9. In total the menu isnt that large, but it hits all the high points of what youd expect while watching a game. You can read all about our experiences at this version of the restaurant with ourPlaymakers Sports Bar and Aracade on Mariner of the Seas Review. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Playmakers on Indy was on deck 4, not deck 5. referral: "s33722.p856.sites.pressdns.com", Related Post: Review of Royal Caribbeans Unlimited Dining Plan. In fact, the venue reminded me a lot of a Buffalo Wild Wings or similar style restaurant. While most activities are included in your cruise fare, such as zip lining, entertainment productions, and live music, there are a few add-ons that can be purchased throughout the cruise. This makes complete sense as it is a sports bar, and most fans like to through a few back while watching a game. To be sure, weve never seen anyone denied entry and have seen kids under 21 enter to hang out and watch the games. Without getting into a lengthy discussion of how Royal Caribbean can legally show a game, it is important to note that the television programming tends to show primarily international competitions that most Americans may find less than enticing. The Buffalo wings were giant. Of course, depending on your food preferences, you may not feel the venue is worth the up-charges. The venue has a warm, clean decor with a large central bar. Sail on board Independence of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International for 5 nights, departing on Sat 13th July 2024. No, reservations are not needed. Cruise Drinks We Need Right Now. There is a large bar and ample table seating options inside as well. A perfect option for eating at the bar for part of a game might be their sliders. The lunch menu is almost identical to the dinner menu but at half the cost. They are by far my favorite version of these popular pub favorites on any cruise line. What Sort of Food Is Served? Western Caribbean & Perfect Day Cruise. I was tempted to reserve a time slot for the escape room, for example, but decided against the $20 fee in favor of free activities onboard. Whether your hungry, thirsty, looking for something to do, or just want a spot to lounge and relax you can do it at Playmakers. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Cruiseline.ui.init({ We suggest saving some room for dessert as well. While he may be obsessed with doing extensive amounts of research on ships and all elements of a cruise, Don enjoys sharing his new found knowledge with fellow cruisers. Welcome Aboard! This makes complete sense as it is a sports bar, and most fans like to throw back a few while watching a game. we were on Freedom two weeks ago we tried Playmakers the prices are very reasonable and the food was very good we made plans on going back but time got away from us would highly recommend this venue . Appetizers include nachos, chicken tenders, sliders, and jalapeo poppers. Like what you see? If you are interested in just grabbing a drink at the bar, then you can walk in and grab a bar stool. Here, it's integrated into the two-level SeaPlex, an indoor sports complex that offers bumper cars, pickle ball, foosball and a huge arcade. Because of this, I prefer to plan port days on my own, and it always ends up saving me money. Four New Eateries 3. In addition, a sports bar, Playmakers Sports Bar Arcade, is located on the 2nd floor, overlooking the SeaPlex. However, if there is a big game that you want to watch, then it can be a bit tougher to find a seat. In general, the fare is your typical bar food that youd expect at any neighborhood sports bar. I booked a hotel with Express Deals and stayed at the Holiday Inn Miami-Doral Area, located just 10 minutes from the airport. You can also order food from the bar, which provides flexibility if just one drink turns into I cant believe this game went to double overtime!. The prizea t-shirt and some heartburn! On a recent Royal Caribbean cruise, it seemed like 4-5 regional afternoon games were all showing on the cabin TV. Most specialty restaurant dinners cost between $45 to $60 per person, including the hibachi option at Izumi. While he may be obsessed with doing extensive amounts of research on ships and all elements of a cruise, Don enjoys sharing his new found knowledge with fellow cruisers. This location allows for some outdoor seating. There is also a separate menu with the list of all the forthcoming international sports matches. Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade (Deck 6) The newly popular sports bar on Royal Caribbean ships, Playmakers has found its way onto the list of Amplified Oasis of the Seas restaurants. It's in a prime spot on the Boardwalk, with views to the AquaTheater, Ultimate Abyss, Carousel and passing passengers. Many ships offer sports bars showing all sorts of games, like Playmakers on Royal Caribbean or SkyBox on Carnival. Chops Grille A steakhouse offering a delicious choice or steak, lobster and a selection of alternative mains. That being said, I love Royal Caribbeans specialty restaurants, but they can add up quickly. If you are really looking for some video game action, you will have a much better selection at the Arcade on Deck 12. The Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is a space filled with TVs, all showing your favorite teams, while the bar serves up classic bar snacks and brews. That said, there were also a few specialty cocktails on the menu, so the Princess was happy too! The nachos were solid too. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. }); Royal Caribbean bills Playmakers as the spot to watch your favorite team play. callback: function() { Keep in mind there is an 18% gratuity tacked onto your bill. Playmakers shows games/fixtures/events/matches based on where the ship is in the world. The arcade section of the venue was rather small. 2. So often in a sports bar, food is just there to soak up the booze but not in Playmakers: The burger was delicious -- excellent quality patty, bacon, cheese and all the toppings -- for just $9. ; ciders; flights; and the aforementioned cocktails. We saw someone with a massive plate of nachos that costs only $8. royal caribbean amplification schedule. domain: "cruiseline.com", The room features an L-shaped bar at one end, 31 large TV screens dotted around the space, sofas, dining tables and chairs. Yes, children and families are welcomed at Playmakers. Do you feel this venue is worth the up-charge? When compared to the similar venue on Mariner of the Seas, this venue had more table top games such as a pool table, shuffleboard, and giant Jenga to challenge your friends and family. Guide to Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade on Symphony of the Seas. If youre with a couple of friends, then we suggest that you try the Touchdown Sundae (pictured above). referral: "s33722.p856.sites.pressdns.com", When he is not sailing the high seas, he does whatever his wife tells him to do-it only took 10 years to realize this. Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included. The appeal may be a combination of giving the kids something to do while their parents watch a game, or perhaps an opportunity for adults to engage in some competitive shenanigans after a few drinks. . If your kid isnt doing anything wrong (e.g. Drop us an anchor below with your review of this establishment. These crispy and fresh Buffalo wings were well worth the additional costs. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/76/1442865476.js"; Games that play on niche channels like ESPN-U or the SEC Network may not be available on your sailing. During our few stops into the restaurant, we did not see anyone utilizing this space. Don Bucolo, or DB, loves everything about cruising- the ocean, the food, and the atmosphere. We were on Freedom of the seas two weeks ago tried playmakers it was great prices were very good and the food was even better. (The bar offers five separate audio zones.). Cruiseline.ui.init({ Right now Playmakers is on only on some ship ships, including Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas. Royal Caribbean felt so strongly about Playmakers, that the restaurant is at the heart of the re-deisgn of the Boardwalk neighborhood on Symphony of the Seas. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Now that the venue is included in the Unlimited Dining Plan, it is not only a great place for drinks but for food as well. Also, unlike your favorite spot back home, the sports bar wont have every game possible. It feels like an appropriate upcharge, especially for delicious for bar snacks. There is also plentiful seating inside that still allows for ocean breezes. Loaded with raw ahi tuna, nori and sriracha aioli, these nachos are actually wonton wraps deep fried. With dining packages becoming so, The collaboration between Royal Caribbean and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver created Jamies Italian, which is one of the. This new concept combines several of my past times- watching a game on the big screen, beer, and chicken wings. Other than the sliders, everything on the menu offers a large serving and I think in many cases, you can easily share the food with others. Icon of the Seas: What to Know About Royal Caribbeans New Ship (Read Before Booking), What to Do on a Cruise? horizontal: true, On our recent cruise on the newly amplified Mariner of the Seas, we made multiple stops at the venue to test out both the drink and food menus. The Playmakers menu is priced a la carte, which means you only pay for what you order. This makes it a great option for lunch, a snack, or a good place for families looking to share items. cruiselineSlug: "royal-caribbean" I wanted to experience not only everything the ship had to offer, but the ports as well, and I knew this would be challenging when cruising on a budget. Thanks. Here are our 16 favorite things to do on a Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas cruise. There is no minimum charge, and you are welcome to order as much or as little as you like from the menu. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The food menu (download here) is the same all day long and consists of a variety of different snacks. Thats exactly what Playmakers offers, and more. Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade can be found on eight ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet (counting Wonder of the Seas, which debuts in 2022). Either. The package gives each individual a $35 credit. No, the food at Playmakers is not part of the cruise fare. Who Needs A Cocktail? What particularly impressed us was the food on offer. While there are a lot of televisions and ample spots to watch a game, the realities of television contracts, blackout rules and international viewerships limit how much you might want to actually watch. 1. Beers and cocktails are inline with what you'll find on the rest of the ship. Once he returned with the drinks, we placed our order for lunch. Here's why Playmakers on Odyssey of the Seas is the best cruise ship sports bar. Your email address will not be published. This new bar and restaurant is a welcome addition to Mariner of the Seas. callback: function() { new Cruiseline.check_price({ Located on the portside of the ship, the lounge is directly across from the Cafe Promenade coffee shop and cafe. Older ships may not have it. On each ship, the venue has a similardesign and menu. cruiselineSlug: "royal-caribbean" Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. I find four drinks per day to be sufficient, but there were a few times I considered going over my daily limit by ordering another cocktail or two. But for sports nuts, it could be downright painful to miss even a single game of the NFL season or a midseason baseball game between rivals. At $14 each, though, I decided against it and stuck to complimentary beverages instead. This venue is quickly becoming one of our favorite places to hang out on Royal Caribbean ships. While Im not opposed to spending money on activities on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there are so many free activities on Symphony of the Seas that I didnt feel I missed out on anything onboard. Playmakers also has a giant TV screen that hangs over the SeaPlex sports court (more on that below), so you can belly up to the railing, which has a ledge for your drinks and food, and enjoy the game on a TV so large, you can count beads of sweat. In a nutshell, Playmakers is a good choice for a casual meal, preferably while watching a sporting event. 2023 Cruzely.com | Laisman Publishing, LLC. Awesome review!! A true sports bar in every sense, Playmakers offers up beers (including a nice selection of craft brews) and pub food with plenty of options for viewing. In This Article Freedom of the Seas Stats 1. The open times for service will vary, depending on whether the ship is at sea or in port. Heres what I did instead: Lunch at Jamies Italian is $25 per person whereas dinner is $50 per person! With as much buildup as this restaurant as had, I had to try it out for myself. Here are the 8 easy strategies I used to save money on my Royal Caribbean cruise that you can use too. While the drinks are a big component to what Playmakers offers, the food served up is what will likely bring many to try Playmakers. containerId: "cruiseline-horizontal-check-prices-widget-symphony-of-the-seas", Depending on who scored, there were huge cheers or groans. During our several visits to the location, the buffalo wings were always hot, fresh, and just spicy enough for me. If you want to take a closer look at everything that is offered at the restaurant, we have links to the menus below. Royal Caribbean sent Explorer of the Seas to dry dock for her regular maintenance schedule, . Here are 8 easy strategies I used on my recent Royal Caribbean cruise to save money, I saved $100 by letting Royal Caribbean choose my cruise ship cabin location, and I would do it again, 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion, Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included, Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets, How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget, 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise, How to find the cheapest cabins on Royal Caribbean. Voyage code: ID05W569. Choose between a portobello mushroom, pulled pork or meat patty, or go for a combination of them all. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; It is only natural for any new restaurant one may try to be compared to other similar venues. Located in the Boardwalk, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade takes up one entire side of the neighborhood and features an open-air venue that is designed to tempt guests to walk in and check things out. Keep in mind there is an 18% gratuity tacked onto your bill. domain: "cruiseline.com", Everything you'll need is at PlayMakers Sports Bar & Arcade, located midship on deck four. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); } Prices are reasonable for what you get. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Needless to say, I booked an interior stateroom for my recent cruise on Symphony of the Seas. However, if youre hungry or thirsty, then items are available, and at prices that are fairly reasonable for what you get. The Pigskin Sliders are also delicious. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. With the addition of Playmakers on Odyssey of the Seas, there's finally a venue at sea that rivals your favorite sports bar on land. Of course, the focal point of the spot is the TVs, but there is a lot more to the place. }); All of the drinks are covered in the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package, except for the bottles of wine and the pitchers of beer. Weve cruised and visited Playmakers during a weekend in the fall. All of the specialty cocktails were priced at $13. Your email address will not be published. Although I did make a brief trip to the casino to use my free play money, I figured it was best to leave as soon as the free play ran out! If you are feeling dangerous, try the Playmakers Challenge: 100 of their hottest wings to be eaten in 45 minutes or less. Playmakers wants you entertained while you are there, ordering plenty of food and drinks. The Playermakers Burger includes a double patty, bacon, onion rings, and all the trimmings plus fries for only $9. While the nachos are solid in flavor, this was the second time that our dish was cold. The bartender indicated that he would come by the table to take our food order in a few moments. } We are back to give you our honest review of Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade on Mariner of the Seas. During our three-day cruise onboard the ship, the bar portion opened at 11 am daily. domain: "cruiseline.com", Playmakers wasn't busy during our cruise, but based on our experience at other versions of this venue, we expect it will be for football on Saturdays and Sundays in the fall, so plan to get there early. containerId: "cruiseline-horizontal-check-prices-widget-royal-caribbean", I didnt want to spend hundreds of dollars on a dining package, but I still wanted to try several specialty restaurants on Symphony of the Seas. Home Cruise Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Review: Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade on Mariner of the Seas. Fortunately, the .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}dearth of onboard sports is changing, thanks to better satellite signals and improved Wi-Fi connectivity. Like all restaurants, young children need to be accompanied by an adult. In fact, besides one over-sized Fosters beer, all of the other alcoholic beverages are currently included. Related: Best Miami hotels near the cruise port. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. You get to overlook the sports court where they have all different activities like bumper cars, and. Don Bucolo, or DB, loves everything about cruising- the ocean, the food, and the atmosphere. Along with the massive ice cream sundae served in a football helmet, the Campfire Cookie is a warm chocolate chip cookie topped with marshmallow and Nutella and a glass of milk on the side. Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade is a specialty dining venue that offers la carte options as opposed to a cover charge. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Playmakers Sports Bar on Royal Caribbean Cruises. Given the location, you can always stop by for a quick drink in between the Royal Promenade events like the parades and parties. If that's the case, your best bet is to move away from the railing and into one of the seating areas, where the volume is controlled by the Playmakers team. The only problem was that the order of nachos was served room temperature. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; To help you prepare for what to expect and what you know, we cover everything below. Even if you aren't traveling as a family, the location offers great seaviews and lets you stay in the action. Do I Have to Buy Something if I Hang Out? In addition, there is a mini-arcade that comprises part of the restaurant. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. For cruisers who do not have a drink package, you would pay the a la carte prices listed in the menu. He returned a few moments later to take our drink order. This can make it difficult to order food when the venue gets busy. Royal Caribbeans website lists an age restriction of 21+ for North American sailings and 18+ on other sailings. At around $80 per person, per day, it was always out of my budget, and I never felt like I could drink enough to justify the cost of the package anyway. It consisted of a foosball table, a pool table, and a few video games located in a back corner. These vouchers can be used anywhere onboard, from specialty coffees at Cafe Promenade to whimsical cocktails at Wonderland. If you havent visited this sports bar on a cruise yet, then youre in for a treat. key: "e709d04de53049f94701c1c5a47e3cbb", The sushi side, however, offers a prix fixe menu for only $35 per person. It is quite heavenly! Your email address will not be published. We loved it. What are your thoughts on Playmakers? key: "e709d04de53049f94701c1c5a47e3cbb", And even though I had the chance to stay in an $870 per night suite last month on Liberty of the Seas, that luxury experience was the exception, not the rule. And even if its not football season, there are sports shown around the clock. The newly popular Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade has found a new home on Odyssey of the Seas. key: "e709d04de53049f94701c1c5a47e3cbb", When you hear of a sports bar that offers great food, tons of televisions and games abound, undoubtedly land-based restaurants of similar ilk must come to mind.