Clearly, on-board casinos, Broadway-style shows, movie screening rooms and even that annoyingly over-hyped rock climbing wall weren't enough to keep Royal Caribbean's passengers amused between tropical ports of call. Over the past decade, the cruise ship juggernaut saw fit to outfit its Voyager family of ships--including a couple of the world's largest passengers vessels--with a series of indoor ice rinks, used for professional shows and open skating.
This may seem like an incongruous amenity considering that most winter cruisers are trying to get as far away from the frost as possible, but it's a darn good way to cool down after overdoing it on the mini golf course.
While the patch of ice you'll find on board is a fair sight smaller than your neighborhood rink, you can still get a good figure eight going. Just don't forget to toss a pair of long pants and socks in your bag along with that bikini.
We wouldn't normally put ice skating high on our activities list for a trip to Mexico City, but maybe we should reconsider. The DF recently set up an enormous skating rink in the city center, and ice time and skate rental is free. (Good thing: We'd hate to have to schlep our own skates to Mexico.)
The massive rink sits on top of miles of refrigeration tubes, ensuring that the ice stays frozen even in the from-from-frigid December weather. And though a handful of residents think the big price tag for the rink ($1.5 million) could be better spent on repairing the city's infrastructure, most people think it's great, including this high school student:
Yeah, you could say we're skipping school...Ice-skating isn't very popular, but at the moment it's in style. It's something really cool for us because, well, we don't even have any snow.
There you have it: Ice skating cool enough to skip class for. That's all the endorsement we need!
When Londoners want to get into the Christmas spirit, they go to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland where revelers can enjoy the city's biggest ice rink, a giant ferris wheel, carol concerts and a "German Christmas Market" attempting to replicate the traditional atmosphere of Britain's famed festive neighbors.
For the most part, it works, with over 25 chalet-style stalls selling authentic handicrafts, decorations and foodstuffs from mulled wine to gingerbread. So far, so German.
The ice rink is the Wonderland's main attraction, however, where an hour-long session costs between £7.50 ($16) and £12.50 ($26), depending on when you skate (earlier is cheaper).
For those whose skating skills are reminiscent of Bambi, there's plenty else to do on site. At the Bungy Dome you can perform complex aerial aerobatics, or simply jump around to your heart's content. We'd suggest doing this pre-bratwurst.
The less adventurous may prefer to simply sit back in one of the ice cafes and sip a steaming gluhwein (mulled wine) or hot chocolate while enjoying the carolers. If you're lucky, you may even see Santa, who's said to be making an appearance in the run-up to Christmas.
We've told you where to ice skate in New York and in LA, but that hardly helps when you're stuck visiting the relatives in the Midwest this holiday season. Fortunately, St. Louis' Forest Park--also home to the zoo and science center--has one of the country's largest outdoor ice rinks.
While beginners are more than welcome, you'll also see a good amount of talent at Steinberg Rink. Speed skaters love the large surface, and athletes with local connections have appeared in every winter Olympics since 1968. If you still need a little practice before you go to the Games, admission to the ice is 6 bucks and skate rentals are $2.50.
One more thing: Locals say Steinberg is one of the most romantic spots in the city, and it'll be open late for lovers on Christmas Eve. But don't swoon too soon if your date asks you to a post-skate dinner at Lucas Park Grille.
Southern California is best known for its beaches, warm temperatures and constant sunshine--along with raging wildfires, smog and plastic surgery. It's not, however, known for spitting out champion hockey players or world-class figure skaters. No, this is a land known for beach volleyball stars and year-round soccer players.
But this is also the land of Hollywood dreams and make-believe so you if you want to ice-skate on a 75 degree day in December, then doggone it, you will.
If you've got the balls to make it to Chicago before April, then you've certainly got the balls to risk falling on your ass in the middle of an ice rink. Or maybe you're an incredible skater, just like us. Whatever your level of skill, you don't need much cash at all to savor the last weeks of some of Chicago's wintry pleasures. There are about two weeks left until the seasonal closing of Millennium Park's McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. Admission is free, but skate rental is $7. McCormick is one fine urban rink--its views are great--and a good value. City skating can mean tiny spaces and outrageous prices, but not here. Don't worry, we'll start the countdown to Chicago beachcombing when the time is right.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, they say. Of course, "they" probably aren't standing in a security line that could stretch to the moon and back. To catch a flight to go watch Aunt Mable put another glaze on the Christmas ham. For the 10th year in a row. (But, honestly, we're not bitter.)
How can you possibly have fun combining travel and the holidays this year? Get to New York City, a hell of a Christmas town. And to enjoy the season in NYC, you have to go ice skating. Wollman Rink and Rockefeller Center are Manhattan's classic skating spots, but they aren't the only places you can hit the ice. Here's a round-up of the best options in the city:
Riverbank State Park: Further uptown than Lasker, at 145th Street, it doesn't get more city than Riverbank: the park is on top of a sewage treatment plant. Admission is $4.50; skate rental, $3.50.
